The rising effects of climate change on public health.
In “The Coming Health Crisis,” an article published in “The Scientist,” Samuel S. Myers, MD and Aaron Bernstein, MD of Harvard Medical School in the USA discuss the effects on humans of what they call direct and indirect climate change.

Direct effects, which the authors say are more quantifiable, include the spread of infectious disease, along with increasing heat stress and air pollution effects such as heat stroke and respiratory illness. Indirect effects, which include water and food insecurities along with the forced migration of climate refugees, the authors cite as being even more problematic since they pose the greatest challenge to public health.

Drs. Myers and Bernstein note that although the exact effects may not be known, humanity should still strive to minimize adverse health impacts. Their report states, “With evidence that climate change is already imposing a hefty health burden, the future climate, particularly if greenhouse-gas releases into the atmosphere go unabated, portends health crises for hundreds of millions of people. Rather than be used as a rationale for inaction, the uncertainty inherent in climate science should serve as an organizing principle for adaptation to its ill effects.”

They suggest such adaptations as developing new crop strains for better food security as well as significantly increasing water storage capacity in areas where supplies are unstable.

Our appreciation, Drs. Myers and Bernstein, for raising awareness about the need to protect public health in the face of potentially devastating climate change. Let us act now in seeking more sustainable lifestyles to avoid such harmful outcomes and restore the Earth's natural balance.

During a November 2010 video message presented at a climate change conference in the United Kingdom, Supreme Master Ching Hai made an urgent plea for action on behalf of humanity and indeed, all the vulnerable beings on the planet.

http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/57882/#ixzz19vju8cHq

Endangered gorilla populations on the rise.
A recent report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) stated that mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif region of eastern Africa have increased in numbers by more than 26% to 480 individuals since the year 2003, bringing the world population of the critically endangered species to 786.

Conveying the organization's happiness with the increase in numbers, Mr. Allard Blom, a director with the World Wildlife Fund said that this degree of recovery is considered “absolutely remarkable.”

We join in rejoicing at the news that the Virunga Massif mountain gorilla communities are expanding. With Heaven's grace, may these and all animal co-inhabitants be protected as we regard the planet and her inhabitants with ever more love and care.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/07/africa.gorilla.population/index.html http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/12/mountain-gorilla-population-increases-25-percent-central-african-national-parks.php
http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/endangered-mountain-gorilla-population-increasing-0819/ http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?197658/Mountain-Gorilla-Census

Extra News
Japan-based Hitachi Plant Technologies develops an eco-friendly, energy-efficient solar-activated air conditioning system, with plans to release it in countries with abundant sunshine in the Mediterranean, North America, western Asia and Australia.
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/ENV_191391.html

A report from the European Union shows that it is on its way to surpass its goal of generating 20% of all energy from sustainable sources by 2020, with 15 member countries also going beyond national targets.
http://cleantechnica.com/2011/01/05/eu-exceeds-target-for-20-renewable-energy-by-2020/ http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/20110106/039-may-exceed-2020-renewable-energy-target-039.htm

China's Meteorological Administration announces that 2010 was a year of extreme weather conditions, with the nation's longest hot spell ever and average daily precipitation in other parts of the country being also the highest on record.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-12/30/c_13671247.htm
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/enviornment/chinas-2010-weather-most-extreme-
in-a-decade_100481220.html

Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, releases 170 Asian Houbara bustards at the Al Maha Desert Conservatory in Dubai in an effort to increase the birds' numbers in the wild.
http://www.wam.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1293604558871&
pagename=WAM%2FWAM_E_Layout&parent=Query&parentid=1135099399852