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India halts genetically modified food crops.
Citing concerns for human health and the environment, the government of India has decided not to introduce genetically modified brinjals (eggplant), the nation’s third most important crop after potatoes and tomatoes.
India’s Environment and Forestry Minister Jairam Ramesh stated that although the measure was proposed as a way to stabilize food prices and ease impacts of climate change such as declining yields, concerns expressed by environmentalists and farmers as well as the potential hazard to public health made it too large a risk.

Research thus far has shown that besides human health risks, genetically modified crops also require increased application of pesticides and have not been noted to produce higher crop yields.

We thank Your Excellency and India for your careful consideration and wish to safeguard human health. Wishing that organic plant-based farming may continue to flourish in India, providing wholesome nourishment for all.

In a March 2009 videoconference in Mexico, Supreme Master Ching Hai cautioned about the effects of such practices as genetic modification, offering an alternative that also addresses climate change.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Genetically modified food is not very good for health. We don't need that. If we don't raise animals, we have enough food, extra for everybody.

Even to feed freely to the hungry people, free of charge. And still have 1 billion portions left over. And organic farming yields plentiful food and, at the same time, absorbs 40% of CO2.
 
So, organic farming is good for everything and good for us, and good for the farmers to have a new job, good for our health, good for the planet.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB40001424052748704140104575058383515565108.html  
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1964217,00.html
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g3zjL-uMZ2_dQ6fh0YeAm7YMPMlQD9DT2D205  
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61F0RS20100216
http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=110107

Rainforest nations commit to preservation.
Dignitaries of eleven countries with tropical rainforests came together in Bali, Indonesia to discuss issues including biodiversity, climate change and sustainable forest management.

At the meeting’s conclusion, the ministers from Indonesia, Brazil, Gabon, Costa Rica, Congo, Cameroon, Colombia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Peru and Democratic Republic of Congo unanimously vowed to maintain their tropical woodlands in a sustainable manner. All the countries, including newest members Guyana and Suriname,also agreed that rainforest protection must be considered a key element to future international climate dialog.

A big bravo, Your Excellencies and participating governments for your noble initiative and pledge. Blessed be our world as nations unite to restore the precious natural ecosystems, home to all life on our planet.

http://www.southkoreanews.net/story/604966
http://www.isria.com/pages/23_February_2010_151.php

Extra News
A team of British explorers and international experts embark to measure the Arctic Ocean’s carbon dioxide levels and evaluate the impact of rising CO2 on microscopic sea life.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/science/02/24/catlin.arctic.survey/index.html

Regional officials report that record low water levels in the Mekong River are threatening scarcity for millions in northern Thailand, Laos and southern China.  
http://www.france24.com/en/20100226-record-low-mekong-river-poses-threat-millions

The International Coffee Organization states that Latin American production fell last year due to warming temperatures, with a further 28% decrease expected the first three months of this season.
http://www.france24.com/en/20100226-coffee-hit-global-warming-say-growers

The Sri Lankan government pledges new guidelines to ensure the survival and habitat protection of several sea turtle species known to lay their eggs on shore.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8538974.stm