Pine trees perishing in North America.

Government officials and experts across the continent find that an alarming trend is extending from Mexico northward to Alaska and Canada, as millions of acres of age-old pine forests are being lost each year. Climate change-related drought conditions for the past ten years have weakened the trees’ natural resistance, making them susceptible to disease. This loss is compounded as the dry wood left by the trees that have perished then poses further hazard for increased forest fires. Our thanks to all concerned officials and scientists for highlighting this climate-based loss of so many life-sustaining trees. May our motivation be strengthened to quickly adopt sustainable and considerate living practices that can restore the equilibrium of our ecosphere.


German scientist warns climate change accelerating.

Climate change advancing all too quickly. Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, head of the renowned Potsdam Institute for Research on Global Warming Effects in Germany, and adviser to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, says that global warming is actually happening faster than many people or governments believe. According to Professor Schellnhuber, the Arctic region has already crossed the tipping point in terms of rising temperatures. He stated that a unified and immediate global effort is needed both from developed and developing nations if the planet is to be saved. Professor Schellnhuber, we express our heartfelt appreciation, for your expertise and concern. We pray that humanity quickly works to ensure the harmonious balance of our Earth.

Abu Dhabi: The New Prince of Solar Technology

Abu Dhabi sets sights on sustainability. As the largest of the United Arab Emirates seven states, Abu Dhabi has initiated a US$10 billion fund for advancing sustainable energy technology to address climate change. With plans to be a world leader especially in solar power, the emirate is set to complete the entire municipality of Masdar City by 2015. This project is designed to be the world’s first car-free, zero-emission city, housing 50,000 people and 1,500 companies. Another venture, Masdar PV, represents a partnering with German companies to produce up to 280 Megawatts of large thin-film solar panels per year. These green initiatives will also help generate an abundance of jobs to sustain the economy. A big round of applause, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Germany, for your noble initiatives in consideration of our environment. May Allah bless such eco-endeavors as yours in helping our planet be renewed in balance and beauty.

2009 welcomes green initiatives in the US.

Effective January 1 in California, every new car sold is labeled with environmental ratings for both smog and global warming. In the northwestern state of Oregon, Governor Ted Kulongoski is proposing to rank both homes and commercial buildings sold in the state for their energy efficiency. And in a new eco-program, Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) in Florida has pledged to buy the electricity generated by participants’ solar systems. Meanwhile, in the state of Michigan, Governor Jennifer Granholm has passed a set of sustainable energy laws for programs that include provisions for job training. We are heartened, state leaders, to know of these promising green measures. Blessed be all such endeavors to tread more lightly on the planet, thus preserving our world’s unique and irreplaceable biodiversity.