the Arctic Ocean will probably be ice free by the end of this century
Melting of Arctic puts us in a perilous situation. Following a visit to Siberia several weeks ago, Dr. Katey Walter, an ecologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the USA stated that the permafrost is melting at an unprecedented rate across the Arctic. She said, “Lakes in Siberia are five times bigger than when I measured them in 2006. It's unprecedented. This is a global event now.” Norwegian scientists also recently reported a steady and relatively large increase in atmospheric methane levels since 2004, which they believe is due to the thawing of permafrost in North America and Russia. With methane’s warming potential averaged over 20 years being some 72 times higher than that of CO2, excessive release of this gas could accelerate global warming beyond our control.

Our gratitude, Norwegian scientists and Dr. Katey Walter for your eye-opening reports on the urgency of the global warming crisis. We pray that all heed the warning signs and act now in vital areas such as eliminating meat consumption to halt the production of atmospheric methane and save our Mother Earth.

In a June 2008 videoconference in London, United Kingdom, Supreme Master Ching Hai further explained the connection between the accelerated rate of melting permafrost and livestock raising, the most serious cause of atmospheric warming.

Talks Willie Smits: A 20-year tale of hope: How we re-grew a rainforest
Dutch scientist brings back hope, life, and a rainforest. Dr. Willie Smits was in Borneo when he realized the need to save the country’s fast-declining orangutans by restoring the rainforest that was being destroyed for fuel. Starting with an area that had become devoid of life, Dr. Smits’ careful planning soon returned abundant trees to the once barren land. Overall temperatures also cooled by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius, as rainfall increased by 25%; bird populations went from five to 137 species, orangutans found new homes, and 3,000 jobs were created for locals, to name just some of the benefits.

Our respectful accolades, Dr. Willie Smits, for your heroic endeavors to restore the health of our planet and its inhabitants. With inspiring endeavors such as yours, our world is surely headed for a sustainable future.

'Extinct' possum found in Daintree
Rare possum reappears in Australia. Three brown lemuroid ringtail possums have been recently discovered in the Daintree National Park in north Queensland, Australia, after their species were believed to have completely disappeared following a heat wave in 2005. The finding has also raised hopes of once again seeing their relative, the white lemuroid ringtail possums, which were thought to have vanished in 2008 due to the rising temperatures associated with global warming.

Australian conservationists, many thanks for sharing the survival story of the rare brown lemuroid ringtail possums! We pray to see many more of these and other cherished wildlife as humanity becomes kinder and more in tune with Mother Nature and all her inhabitants.