Workers shifting to 4-day week to save gasoline

US workers switched to 4-day weeks to reduce emissions. To ease the impact of elevated fuel costs, Kent State University in Ohio and other workplaces in the USA have been offering flexible schedules with four-day work weeks. This new trend, which introduces a 20 percent savings in weekly commuting costs, has been well received by employees and, according to a recent US survey, is also becoming a more widespread practice. What an excellent proposition, employers! We wish your new practice all the best in reducing the carbon footprint on our planet and improving the quality of workers’ lives.


UNDP, Japan launch partnership for climate adaptation in Africa

New program supports Africa in adapting to climate change. Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) introduced their plan at the fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). The US$92 million program will be formally launched in August. Olav Kjorven, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of Bureau for Development Policy, said, “Unless we act now, climate change may threaten everything we will attempt to achieve in the future.” Thank you for your clear sighted and noble hearted program, UNDP and Japan. May we all realize the importance of helping one another in these changing times.
Liberia: World Bank Pledges Us$10 Million to Country At TICAD 

 The World Bank assists Liberia in boosting food security. As a country that currently imports 70% of her food, Liberia became one of the first recipients of a fund created to assist with rising food prices and inflation. The World Bank’s US$10 million donation will be used to support farmers in increasing crop yields, along with a work employment program and food support for vulnerable women and children. Heaven’s blessings, World Bank, and our deep appreciation for this support of Liberia. May your assistance help ensure adequate nutrition for the people as we work toward greater global stability by curbing climate change.
 
Print Audit Green Helps Companies Save Over 90,000 Trees Every Year

Software helps save money, trees and the environment. A new software program by Print Audit, called Print Audit Green, provides companies with the ability to monitor their printing activities and provides suggestions for ways to minimize paper waste. This program is now helping companies save more than 90,000 trees and many thousands of dollars each year. We applaud your commitment to safeguarding the environment, Print Audit and participating corporations. May we all be inspired to conserve paper use to protect the life-sustaining lungs of our Earth. 
 
 
New Zealand moves to protect rare dolphins

New Zealand protects rare Hector’s dolphins. In an effort to stop the decline in the Hector’s dolphin population, a ban on commercial coastal fishing is planned. Fishing practices are said to be responsible for three-quarters of their loss, as these air breathing mammals feed in the coastal waters and become entangled in fishing nets. Today’s Hector dolphins number only 7,400 compared to 30,000 that were alive 30 years ago. A related species, the Maui dolphin, has dwindled in number to 111 and is considered to be near extinct. We are extremely grateful for your life-protecting actions, New Zealand. Heavens shines upon you and all who care for the precious life of the beings on our planet.
 
GE to splash out on water-saving measures

GE plans to reduce water usage by a fifth. With climate change-associated drought and water shortages already being seen around the world, US-based appliance company General Electric has added a new goal to its Ecomagination initiative, which is to reduce its water consumption one-fifth by 2012. The company has published a paper providing further information for government policymakers and plans to make its water conservation and recycling technology available to other countries. Bravo GE for your commitment to reducing your water footprint. We salute your efforts to reduce corporate water consumption and conserve this finite resource for the benefit of our world.

Balkan nations agree on wildlife protection steps

Balkan countries come together to preserve wildlife. To help protect the diversely rich species from increasing extinction concerns due to climate change, six southeastern European countries have joined together in a common goal. During the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the governments of Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia agreed to establish 13 new protected regions and enlarge nine others in the Dinaric Arc, which extends from Italy to Albania. This will fill in a critical area in an already established pan-European wildlife corridor going from France to Greece. We laud your concerted efforts, Balkan nations, to protect the endangered species in your region. May the diversity of plant and animal life be evermore sheltered in Heaven’s grace.