Potential tsunami puts millions at risk along the Mediterranean coast.
According to the World Disasters Report by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the lack of an early warning system in the area renders it highly vulnerable to damage and loss of life. The risk of such disasters as hurricanes, cyclones and tsunamis has been found to increase due to climate change.

Mr. Peter Rees-Gildea, a disaster expert from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said, 『If you look at population density along the Mediterranean coast and the topography and what could happen with a major tsunami, the figures are self-evident. It would be absolutely catastrophic.』

Many thanks, Mr. Peter Rees-Gildea and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, for your thoughtful assessment and timely warning.

Our prayers for the continued safety of those in the Mediterranean region and that our return to a kinder, gentler existence meanwhile minimizes dangers such as these.

Ever concerned for humanity’s welfare, Supreme Master Ching Hai addressed global warming and its grave prospects during an April 2００９ videoconference in South Korea.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: It is true exactly as you have said that we are facing a very serious situation.

However, the most effective effort that can be made by any country to avoid further catastrophe, whether natural or manmade, is to promote a compassionate, noble lifestyle. Not only does this benefit the planet in its reduction of greenhouse gases, but being veg opens up land and delivers crops to humans that were previously being grown for animal feed.

Australian forests retain the most carbon.
Researchers from the Australian National University have found that Australian old growth temperate region forests soak up more four times the amount of carbon dioxide per hectare compared to tropical rainforests, which previously were held by experts to be the most carbon-dense environments on Earth. Among the １３2 forests around the world that were studied, the scientists found that the most carbon-storing forest was the Mountain Ash forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia.

Professor Brian Mackey, Professor of Environmental Science at the university is encouraging the Australian government to protect these valued environments by permanently prohibiting logging in the area.

A big bravo, Professor Mackey and Australian National University colleagues for this major discovery of Australian forests’ mitigating role in global warming.

Let us all strive to safeguard precious old growth forests to help keep our planet cool.