With
 the government’s declaration of a state of emergency across 16 regions,
 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for urgent efforts to help
 farmers survive a record period of dry conditions. 
Central parts of
 Russia as well as the Volga region, southern Urals and Siberia have 
been enduring extreme heat since June, with temperatures frequently 
reaching 40 degrees Celsius in the shade. 
Nine million hectares 
of crops, representing a fifth of the total area sown have been 
destroyed thus far, making these the worst losses in 130 years. With 
grain supplies for cattle down by 50%, the government is working to 
prevent the desperate measure of a mass slaughter as concerns also rise 
that bread prices might soon increase in the country that is normally a 
major world grain exporter. 
To help offset the severe financial 
impact to growers, which includes the threat of bankruptcy for some, 
President Medvedev has offered to extend US$1.3 billion in loan credit. 
He stated, “This is a big problem. There has been no anomaly like this in our country for decades. 
We
 need to figure out how we can preserve at least some of the crops.” Our
 respectful appreciation, Your Excellency and Russia, for your 
compassionate actions to help the nation’s farmers. 
We are 
saddened to know of the drought’s significant effects as we pray for 
rain’s blessings and the improved welfare of the people. Let us all join
 in sustainable, Earth-saving actions to restore verdant conditions in 
Russia and the world. Supreme Master Ching Hai has frequently expressed 
concern for the critical and widespread dangers posed by such crises, as
 during a September 2009 videoconference in Peru, while at the same time
 highlighting the most comprehensive solution.
Supreme Master Ching Hai:
 Some countries and communities have to cope with worsened drought 
situations. There is not enough water to raise crops or even to drink. 
Every child, family, and society will be affected in some way by this 
experience of trauma and tragedy. 
The wisest action would be to 
fix the situation we have now and prevent further damage, then we won’t 
even have to worry about the future. All the leading scientists we have 
spoken to tell us one and the same: that we must handle it now, not 
tomorrow. The smartest way would be to stop the worsening of global 
warming by being vegan. It sounds very simple but it is the best 
solution, the most effective and the effect of it will be felt almost 
immediately. 
Moreover, the problems we already face now – such 
as the warming atmosphere, water shortage, food scarcity, 
desertification - we can quickly eliminate by stopping meat production. 
Stop it now, no further! So please, before the situation gets any more 
out of hand – let’s choose the vegan diet.
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/details.php?id=801604http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100712/159774123.html http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/world/Medvedev-calls-for-urgent-action.6417662.jp http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f051ea76-8e9c-11df-8a67-00144feab49a.html