Venice, Italy among the first cities sinking due to global warming.
In the city famed for its lagoons and canals, the renowned St. Mark’s Square now floods more than 100 times a year compared to 7 times annually a century ago. Some experts have expressed concern that Venice may completely disappear in the next century as global warming causes more polar ice melts and sea level rises. Elena Zombardi of the Consorzio Venezia Nuova, the committee appointed by the Italian government to protect the city, affirmed that Venice had long been experiencing the effects of climate change, years before many other cities.

As recently as November 2009, residents and visitors alike were seen donning boots as they had to walk on raised wooden pathways to avoid the high waters.

We are saddened to hear that the beautiful city of Venice may be lost to the effects of climate change.
Our prayers such treasured sites of civilization may be preserved through our united efforts of greater kindness towards Mother Earth. Speaking during a December 2008 videoconference in California, USA, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke of global warming’s threat to human survival, while at the same time reminding of the one sure way to reverse its dangerous impacts.


http://www.chinapost.com.tw/life/environment/2010/01/04/239239/Italians-trying.htm

Extra News
The arapaima (NFT Arapaima gigas), one of the world’s largest freshwater fish that makes its home in the Amazon River, is on a verge of extinction due to over fishing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/05/arapaima-river-fish-facing-extinction

Korea Electric Power Corp., South Korea’s state-run electric company, unveils both express and standard mode battery chargers for electric vehicles, which can recharge the vehicles to at least 80% of a full charge within 20 minutes and five hours, respectively.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/05/content_12757702.htm


Students from Qatar’s Joan bin Jassim Model Independent School join in a project to clean up Al Khor beach, as part of a nationally-sponsored campaign to raise awareness for environmental protection.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100109041922
/Students%20join%20clean%20beach%20campaign%20/

The US government designates US$23 billion in tax credits to go toward companies involved in sustainable technologies, a decision that is expected to generate some 17,000 green jobs along with encouraging clean energy development.
http://www.france24.com/en/20100108-us-awards-23-billion-dollars-green-jobs