World is fast approaching certain tipping points.
A recent United Nations report on biodiversity warns that ecosystems may be headed towards permanent damage as countries fail to achieve goals to protect animal and plant life.
The report, entitled 『Global Biodiversity Outlook ３,『 identifies vulnerable ecosystems that are headed towards irreparable decline, including coral reefs, many of which are collapsing due to overfishing as well as increased ocean warming and acidity.

The report goes on to cite the Amazon rainforest as being at risk due to continued deforestation, which in turn spurs further global warming and the massive loss of plant and animal species.
Finally, contamination from pollutants such as livestock runoff are rendering many freshwater lakes and rivers unable to support life.

Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Ahmed Djoghlaf emphasized, 『We continue to lose biodiversity at a rate never before seen in history – extinction rates may be up to １,０００ times higher than the historical background rate.『 The report’s authors call for urgent action to protect natural habitats, pointing out that a fraction of the money spent to avoid economic downturns would prevent a much more serious and fundamental collapse of the Earth's
life support systems. 

United Nations scientists and officials, we are thankful for your message that conveys the need to address our planet’s dire state. Let us join in protecting human life and all species by adopting lifestyles that show our care. Supreme Master Ching Hai has also frequently mentioned the critical need for action to halt such devastating changes, as during an interview published in the December １６, ２００９ edition of The Irish Dog Journal.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100510/ts_afp/unenvironmentbiodiversityeconomy
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2010/2010-05-11-01.html

Jordan hosts progress meeting on Shams Ma'an solar plant.  
A consortium of over ２００ local and international solar energy experts, financiers, consultants and donors came together for a status update on the US$４００ million solar energy project being built in southern Jordan.  
Once operational in ２０１２, the Shams Ma’an Project will be among the largest photovoltaic solar energy plants in the world, thus reducing the nation’s current import of ９６% of her energy needs while also preventing １６０,０００ tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere each year. 

In addition to creating jobs, the project is also expected to position Jordan as a global leader in photovoltaic energy and attract more investments, which in turn will help further her goals of energy independence.  
Bravo, Jordan and all project participants, for this significant green energy endeavor. Wishing your project a smooth launch with abundant sustainable benefits for the lives and livelihoods of all Jordanian people.

http://events.linkedin.com/Shams-Maan/pub/31104
http://www.greenprophet.com/2010/02/12/17314/shams-maan-solar-energy-jordan/

Extra News
As the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports April ２０１０ to be the warmest on global record, increased elderly fatalities due to an extreme heat wave are seen in Mauritania, while Myanmar states that rising temperatures have increased deaths among both seniors and children.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/324238,heat-wave-kills-seven-in-mauritania.html
http://www.ubalert.com/a/17646
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18486
http://www.dvb.no/news/scores-die-in-relentless-heatwave/9060
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100517233818.htm
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100517_globalstats.html

Extra News
Environmental groups such as the Union of Concerned Scientists urge passage of an energy bill by the US Congress to protect tropical rainforests, to preserve biodiversity and provide valued reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hsQZcSL7_wnkzC0E55xzU_geIefg
http://www.france24.com/en/20100517-us-must-do-more-fight-tropical-deforestation-ngos

The Republic of Ireland’s Environment Minister John Gormley promises the creation of more than ５０ sites to protect wildlife and their habitats, with orders already signed for ３２ locales and plans to create another ２０ in the next few weeks.  
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0517/breaking27.html
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iL25vKCXM8txhlCtUZdX1sJW1v6g

Expert climatologist Dr. James Hansen, Director of the US NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, calls on Norway to halt her investment in environmentally destructive Canadian oilsands projects.
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/headline_news/article.jsp?content=b3395814
http://www.am770chqr.com/News/Local/Story.aspx?ID=1231466