Book of life unveils its first pages.

The free vast online database, “Encyclopedia of Life,” revealed its first 30,000 pages of the project’s larger endeavor to document the entire 1.8 million species of life on Earth by the year 2017. Located at the website www.eol.org, the Encyclopedia of Life strives to improve the world’s understanding of biodiversity as well as assisting scientists in monitoring the impact of climate change. What a wonderful project! Our best wishes, creators, sponsors and contributors to the “Encyclopedia of Life” for this noble endeavor to share and enjoy life’s manifold wonders.
 
German money will help Lebanon's environment

Germany donates €4.5 million to help protect Lebanon's environment. The funds will be used to repair environmental damage done to regional flora and fauna dating from 2006. Both public and private environmental reconstruction projects will benefit from the donation. Hats off, Germany, and God bless your benevolence in helping Lebanon return to her state of natural wonder. May the nation’s beautiful ecosystem be fully restored through such acts of goodwill.

English countryside could be changed forever

Britons must further reduce carbon emissions to preserve their unique heritage. A report from a team of United Kingdom environmental groups warns that if the government and citizens do not join together to reduce emissions, countryside traditions such as cricket, gardening, football and golf could be ruined by the hotter weather. The report recommended 80% emission reductions by the year 2050. Thank you UK environmentalists for calling attention to the real effects global warming would have on our daily lives! May we all act upon the urgency to save lives on our planet.

Shopping List: Milk, cereal, bread, carbon offsets

Norwegian shopping mall offers carbon offset purchases. The Stroemmen Storsenter Shopping center near Olso, Norway recently began selling carbon offset certificates to its customers. Each certificate costs US$31, and offsets 1 ton of carbon emissions. The certificates have been very popular, with over 300 sold in a single weekend. Store manager Ole Herredsvela said, “Many people want to buy reductions, but until we started this in the shopping mall, they haven't known where to get them.” Stroemmen Storsenter shopping center, we commend your efforts in making it easy for your customers to go carbon neutral! God bless you and all your customers for helping to save the planet!

Global warming leading to fiercer hurricanes

Global warming means stronger hurricanes. Dr. Kevin Trenberth, an expert at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado reported that climate change was associated with the more powerful and dangerous hurricanes of recent years. He pointed out that hurricanes’ total precipitation has also increased 7% over the last century due to rising temperatures of the ocean’s surfaces and moisture content in the atmosphere. You have our gratitude, Dr. Trenberth, for this work that serves to signal the changing climate conditions of our planet. May all in the world join together in timely action to protect the future of all beings on our Earth.

China to build ocean-monitoring network

China plans to build ocean surface monitoring network. A four-level network for monitoring changes in ocean surface is planned for construction this year. The head of State Oceanic Administration, Sun Zhihui, stated that the network will observe the ocean levels, including a mechanism for observing marine climate change responses. Our heartfelt gratitude China for your dedication in monitoring the environment to safeguard the land and all residents. May the well-being of your people be ensured under Heaven’s grace. 
 
Future food crops safe in Norway’s ‘Noah’s Ark’ of seeds.

Located deep in an Arctic mountain in Norway, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault opened on Tuesday, bringing in its first boxes of seeds. With a capacity of 4.5 million samples, or 2 billion seeds, Norwegian Prime Minister said, “It is the Noah’s Ark for securing biological diversity for future generations.” He further stated, “With climate change and other forces threatening the diversity of life that sustains our planet, Norway is proud to be playing a central role in creating a facility capable of protecting what are not just seeds, but the fundamental building blocks of human civilization.” Our appreciation, Norway, for taking safety measures for to secure our future with your new seed bank. With immediate actions to curtail climate change, may our planet continue to flourish in God’s grace.
 
NI trust workers get 'green' day

National Trust of Northern Ireland gives workers green day off. A program called “Leap Forward for the Climate” is giving its 54,000 workers and 260 volunteers a day off on February 29th to make eco-friendly changes in their daily lives. Regional Director Hilary McGrady said, “The National Trust believes that small steps by thousands of individuals are of infinitely more value than millions of words without action.” We thank you, National Trust, for such a beautiful initiative and inspiring words! May God bless all to use this leap year to truly take the jump forward into sustainable living practices.

Japanese firm creates fake soil for a greener city

Japanese company makes synthetic soil for rooftop gardening. Japanese brewing company Suntory Ltd. has announced Pafcal, an artificial soil designed for rooftop gardening. Pafcal was developed in response to the Tokyo government’s mandate that all new medium-sized buildings must cultivate rooftop gardens to compensate for the city’s lack of trees. Roofs covered with plants growing in Pafcal show a 10 degree Celsius reduction in temperature. Wow, this is a cool invention! Congratulations, Suntory, on your successful and innovative contribution to Tokyo’s green evolution.

Manufacturing solar cells produces less pollution than fossil fuels

Solar energy reduces air pollutants 90% relative to fossil fuels. Some environmentalists have raised a concern that when considering the emissions created through solar cell production, solar energy many not be that good for the environment. However, a report being published in the American Chemical Society’s March 15 issue finds that solar energy is still much greener than fossil fuel. We send our appreciation, researchers, for confirming the benefits of solar energy. We pray that the manufacturing process progresses quickly to becoming greener.
 
Now, a key ring sensor that calculates your contribution to CO2 emission

UK student develops personal monitor of carbon footprint. Andreas Zachariah, a student at the Royal college of Art in London, has invented a key-ring sensor to monitor CO2 emissions. Called the “Carbon Hero,” the device uses satellite navigation data on a cell phone to calculate the environmental impact of a person’s travel. The Carbon Hero is currently being tested on Nokia and Blackberry platforms and will first be used to track the emissions of a team or company throughout an entire year. We laud your ingenuity, Andreas Zachariah, on creating this ingenious device. May it help more people around the world to become “carbon heroes” themselves
 
Green investment requires predictable carbon price, ministers agree at UN meeting

UN says prices for carbon should be set. At the 10th Special Session of the United Nations Environmental Program recently held in Monaco, attended by over 800 delegates from 138 countries, the United Nations called for establishing a long-term, predictable price for carbon that is high enough to activate investments in a new and greener economy. The summary also called on industrialized countries to help fund renewable energy projects so that developing countries can transition to lower carbon economies. We convey our thanks, United Nations and all who gathered in Monaco to promote cohesive actions that will protect our planet. May all of God’s creations thrive on our precious earthly abode.