Amazon forests approach tipping point.
According to the Global Drought Monitor, a classification system developed by the UK's University College London, by October 2010, large swathes of the Amazon rainforest were experiencing a category known as exceptional drought, which goes beyond even extreme drought.

The 2010 drought was widespread, with most of the Amazon region receiving less than 75% of normal rainfall between 1 July and 30 September, and, in many cases, as little as 25%. Such arid conditions, which normally occur once every 100 years, in this case were observed only five years after a previously severe dry spell in 2005, as well as one just seven years before that in 1998.

Besides the dryness was a record number of fires. Along the edge of the forest in Peru and Bolivia were more fires this year than any year on record, with the Xingu indigenous region seeing a total of 19,000 blazes compared to 5,000 the previous year as well as reports of substantial damage to plants in the normally wet areas.

The fires went hand in hand with extremely low water flows, such as the Amazon tributary River Negro, which hit an all-time low just one year after a never- before-seen high level occurred in the wake of devastating floods.

Scientists are concerned that these patterns are pointing to alarming die-offs of the Amazon as the forest dries out. Dr. Greg Asner, an ecologist at the Carnegie Institution for Science, states that along with the melting polar ice, which for many symbolizes the effects of climate change, should also be considered the drying up and burning of the world's largest rain forest, whose survival is equally threatened.

As observed by forest expert Dr. Oliver Phillips of the University of Leeds in the UK, the Amazon may be reaching a tipping point. He stated, “Every ecosystem has some point beyond which it can't go. The concern now is that parts of the Amazon may be approaching that threshold.”

Scientists at University College London, Dr. Phillips, Dr. Leeds and other researchers, we appreciate all your contributions to this informative report, despite its disturbing implications.

May we all act now to protect the Amazon rainforest and all natural habitate, so that future generations may also enjoy the beauty of our rich creation. Supreme Master Ching Hai has often discussed the crucial issue of climate change impacts on rainforests, including the Amazon, as in an October 2009 videoconference in Germany.


http://climateprogress.org/2010/11/26/another-extreme-drought-hits-the-amazon-raising-climate-change-concerns/
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/americas/2010/11/2010112773520249104.html

Media report: Veg fare halts climate change.
In an article authored for the renowned BBC News, published on Tuesday, December 21, United Nations Environment Program's Executive Director Achim Steiner urged for continued efforts to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius, if not the 1.5-degree limit needed to protect some island nations.

Speaking of the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancún, Mexico, Mr. Steiner reminded that despite some gains, there is still the important task of reducing greenhouse gas emissions further than current government pledges by an amount equivalent to at least that of all the world's transportation combined.

As the most effective way to achieve this goal, and even more, a global switch to a plant-based diet has been discussed by researchers and advocated by Supreme Master Ching Hai during her time at the conference and in meetings with the press in Cancún, Mexico this month.

In support of this cause, the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association also helped to spread awareness at the Climate Change Village expo during the official talks, attracting not only delegates and the public, but also the media to the organic vegan solution.

In one article titled “Veg Food Saves the Planet,” “The Peninsular Magazine” based in the Yucatán region of Mexico reported as follows:

Men and women in the world have a unique opportunity to change the planet in a simple and healthy way: to stop eating meat and become vegetarians. That is the main message from the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, one of the most visited stands in the theme park of the Climate Change Village, which was installed in Cancún, Quintana Roo, by way of the talks of COP-16.

VOICE: Providing free information about the impact of livestock raising on the climate along with delicious vegan food samples, our Association's booth was encouraged by Supreme Master Ching Hai's dedication to the environment.

As the article noted regarding her presence in Cancún: “...Master Ching Hai arrived in Mexico with that message ... some 20 years ago and since then has not relented in her efforts to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables, as it is a healthy diet and at the same time saves the planet.

…According to studies, the amount of gases discharged to the planet [by livestock raising] is larger than that produced by the polluting industries.”

We thank Executive Director Steiner for your concerned voice and “The Peninsular Magazine” for sharing the vegan way to address global warming. May citizens the world over choose this vital course to survival now, for all beings and the Earth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12049951 http://www.larevista.com.mx/noticias/comida-vegetariana-salva-planeta-19548/ http://www.larevista.com.mx/

Extra News
US researchers warn that the continued heat and dry conditions associated with climate change are making forests more and more vulnerable to the impact of damaging events such as fire and disease infestations.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700093190/High-altitude-forests-in-Arizona-face-bleak-future.html?s_cid=rss-5

A team of international scientists documenting the richness of a coral reef off the coast of Malaysia conclude that it might have the highest marine diversity in the world as they call for its preservation from further human impact such as over-fishing.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=551332 , http://www.mysinchew.com/node/49994

US researchers call on industrialized nations to increase greenhouse gas reduction pledges and prevent dangerous global warming effects that would come with a temperature rise of more than 2 degrees Celsius.
http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE6BJ30820101220
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/20/AR2010122002110.html