Food Production Chaos Looms in Africa as Soil Quality Worsens
Food shortages may rise as African soils degrade. Noting a loss of nutrients in up to 50 percent of Africa’s crop fields, scientists are concerned about the continent’s future ability to produce food. Combined with erratic changes in climate such as worsening drought and floods due to rising sea levels, an even steeper rise in food scarcity and hunger is anticipated. In an effort to address this urgent matter, organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa have come together to found the African Soil Information Service, which seeks to advise and assist in improving soil conditions.

Our grateful thanks, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Alliance for a Green Revolution and all others for your thoughtful efforts to benefit food production in Africa. We pray for abundant harvests to once again become the norm as our biosphere is restored through humanity’s caring and considerate actions.


Breakthrough turn-on for hydrogen power
Effective hydrogen process developed. Headed by Professor Hicham Idriss at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, a team of international scientists working for the past decade has refined a technique for producing hydrogen more effectively than ever before. The new technology uses ethanol from biofuels with the help of a unique catalyst to produce hydrogen and only a small amount of carbon dioxide with none of the toxic byproducts found in some other methods. This efficiency places the process on the frontline of hydrogen production. We express our accolades, Professor Idriss and team, for these promising fruits of your dedicated work. Wishing all the best for your continued noble advancements in clean energy that benefits both people and the planet.

To Climate-change Worries, Add One More: Extended Mercury Threat
Global warming increases threat of fish mercury toxicity. Dr. Sue Natali at the University of Florida, USA found that along with the higher atmospheric concentrations of CO2 associated with climate change, higher amounts of mercury are also absorbed by trees and then retained in the soil. Thus, this harmful substance, which is emitted primarily from coal-burning plants, will continue affecting ecosystems and fish even if emissions themselves are reduced. The health threat from consuming mercury-contaminate fish is already significant enough that the US government has warned of its harm to expectant mothers, children and other vulnerable persons. Dr. Natali and University of Florida, thank you for your insightful research. May findings such as these further encourage people toward the safety and peace of mind of the nutritious plant-based diet.

New 'Smart' Lighting Makes Parking Greener and Safer
Green system yields superior lighting for parking garages. Observing the need for illumination that would also conserve energy when not in use, Dr. Michael Siminovitch and colleagues at the University of California in Davis, USA have developed a more efficient and eco-friendly way to provide light to parking structures. By combining LED lighting with motion detectors, their new system saves up to 80 percent in energy and offers greater safety due to its bi-level design that changes light intensity in response to motion. The concept has already gained popularity and is being adopted in other places, including Tianjin Polytechnic University in China. What an illuminating innovation! Kudos, Dr. Siminovitch and colleagues, for your work in producing this improved and eco-friendly system. Blessed be developments such as yours in lighting our path to a bright future for all Earth’s inhabitants.