Tibetan Plateau glaciers in dramatic decline.
According to a study conducted by China's Geological Survey Bureau, temperatures rising at a rate of approximately 0.3 degrees Celsius every decade over the past 30 years have contributed to an average glacial decrease of 130 square kilometers annually.

Moreover, the glacial retreat in the region known as the “the roof of the world” and the planet's “third pole” has been accelerating even more in recent years, with some parts that have already retreated by more than 10%. According to the researchers, climate change caused by increasing greenhouse gases and black carbon are responsible.

At current rates, without even considering continued acceleration due to global warming, the scientists estimate that the glacier area will be reduced to less than 75% its original size by mid-century.

Speaking of the dangerous implications to the region, Qin Dahe, former head of the China Meteorological Administration, stated, “The Tibetan glaciers are retreating at a higher speed than in any other part of the world. In the short term, this will cause lakes to expand and bring floods and mudflows. In the long run, the glaciers are vital lifelines for Asian rivers, including the Indus and the Ganges. Once they vanish, water supplies in those regions will be in peril."

Our sincere thanks, scientists, for your efforts to raise awareness about the perilous state of the Tibetan Plateau. May we heed these urgent signs and act to cool the planet through our eco-conscious lifestyle choices.

Supreme Master Ching Hai has often cautioned of the magnitude of devastating change that could occur without effective human intervention, as during an August 2009 videoconference in Thailand, during which she offered the most sustainable solution.

http://www.china-observer.de/?x=entry:entry110208-141522, http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2011-02-08
/044621923116.shtml
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g1eE4Xw3njaW1MKpJRYOch4hOdLQ
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=656847&publicationSubCategoryId=77

Extra News
In Guatemala, international organization Rainforest Alliance, in partnership with the Sustainable Agriculture Network, releases a new climate module as a tool to help farmers become more aware of the impacts of climate change and to support agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
http://eponline.com/articles/2011/02/14/new-tool-to-help-farmers-mitigate-and-adapt-to-climate-change.aspx, http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/newsroom/news/san-climate-module-release

Snowfall and irrigation efforts in Beijing and northeastern China help alleviate drought conditions considered the worst in 60 years, with more precipitation needed to prevent up to two-thirds of the nation's wheat crop from being affected.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2011/02/201121092641953853.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/02/10/china.weather/index.html,
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2011/02/10/beijing-drought.html