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Relentless drought puts Chinese at risk.
China is experiencing the worst drought in crucial agricultural areas in 60 years, with Shandong Province potentially facing the worst drought in 200 years if rains fail to materialize by the end of this month.

The situation is so severe that the UN Food and Agriculture Organization released a warning that the drought is threatening the , of the world's largest wheat producer, and also creating shortages of drinking water. Given the number of people needing sustenance across the country, the global grain market could be also affected if precipitation patterns fail to improve and China is forced purchase grain from abroad.

Food prices have also been increasing in China, despite officials' assurances that there is ample supply to meet demand. Fortunately, 90% of China's wheat harvest is spring wheat, which is planted in March and harvested in June, providing time for improvements in the situation.

The government has also announced an allocation of US$15 billion in an effort to assist farmers in coping with the situation, with other attempts to mitigate the dry conditions including the drilling of additional wells for irrigation and seeding clouds to encourage precipitation.

Our prayers, farmers and people of China, for ample rain to bless the region and many thanks for the Chinese government's efforts to help.

May we step in concerted endeavors toward sustainable lifestyles that support abundant harvests for people worldwide. Speaking during a September 2009 videoconference in Peru with concern for the plight of those enduring the tolls of climate change, Supreme Master Ching Hai reminded of the critical actions needed immediately to restore our planetary balance and abundance.

Supreme Master Ching Hai : The truth is, we are already not able to handle such situations in places where global warming is already reaching extreme degrees. Some countries and communities have to cope with worsened drought situations. There is not enough water to raise crops or even to drink. Their rivers and lakes are drying up or completely gone.

We are not ready for the changes that are coming. All the leading scientists we have spoken to tell us one and the same: that we must handle it now, not tomorrow. The smartest way would be to stop the worsening of global warming by being vegan. It sounds very simple but it is the best solution, the most effective and the effect of it will be felt almost immediately.

Moreover, the problems we already face now - such as the warming atmosphere, water shortage, food scarcity, desertification - we can quickly eliminate by stopping meat production. Stop it now, no further!
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-02/17/c_13737197.htm
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/chinas-drought-has-global-implications/article1910465/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12497459
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/business/global/09food.html

UK government forsakes plans to sell public forest.
As confirmed by British Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman, previous plans to sell 258,000 hectares of England's public forests have been set aside upon hearing the calls of the public. Following a statement on Wednesday, February 16 by Prime Minister David Cameron, who said that he was not satisfied with the idea of privatizing the forests, Secretary Spelman offered a public apology, saying, “I am sorry, we got this one wrong, but we have listened to people's concerns.”

She also said, “If there is one clear message, it is that people cherish their forests and woodlands and the benefits that they bring.”

A big bravo and our thanks, Secretary Spelman and the government of the United Kingdom, for your decision to continue as stewards of your nation's public forests. May British citizens everywhere enjoy their refreshing beauty and balance, and come to cherish these gifts of nature even more.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12488847
http://www.tinygreenbubble.com/eco/environmental/item/1552-will-public-outrage-stall-the-forest-sell-off-in-britain
http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_9400000/9400420.stm http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/17/forest-sell-off-abandoned-sorry-caroline-spelman http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/17/us-britain-forests-idUSTRE71G43A20110217

Extra News
Saying that neglecting the environment is as fatal as the outcome of war, Deputy Director-General Najibullah Yamin of Afghanistan's National Environment Protection Agency announces the launch of a program to first document and then mitigate the country's greenhouse gas emissions.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/LSGZ-8DXHET?OpenDocument

Groups comprised of local community volunteers in Nepal help protect rhinoceros' from illegal poaching on the borders of Chitwan National Park, in an effort to help recover populations from decline suffered in recent decades.
http://www.france24.com/en/20110210-community-volunteers-take-nepals-rhino-poachers, http://www.mysinchew.com/node/53009

According to agricultural financial firm Rabobank, bee colony failures in recent years have increased to an annual rate of 30-35%, causing rising concern among farmers since nearly a third of the world's crop yields depends on their help for pollination.
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/plight-of-the-honey-bee-sends-shivers-around-globe-
20110211-1aqkm.html