Plastic endangers Mediterranean marine life.
Recent research supported by environmental advocates found that the Mediterranean Sea contains some ２５０ billion pieces， or approximately ５００ tons， of suspended microscopic pieces of plastic.

For the study， French and Belgian marine biologists who comprise the organization Expedition Mediterranean in Danger (MED) analyzed water samples at depths of １０ to １５ centimeters off the coasts of France， Spain， and Italy. Of the samples obtained， ９０% contained the biologically hazardous plastic fragments.

In addition to being mixed in with plankton that is consumed by fish， there is also evidence that this plastic debris is also affecting seals， tortoises， and other larger marine species. The researchers will next expand their evaluation to Gibraltar， Morocco， Algeria， Tunisia， Sardinia， and southern Italy.

Meanwhile， they are calling for the European Union to implement more stringent rules on the disposal and biodegradability of consumer goods. Supporters can sign an on-line petition at www.expeditionmed.eu/petition/.

Our sincere thanks， Expedition MED， for your awareness raising eco-conscious work. Let us quickly heed such alarming information and act to protect the inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea and oceans worldwide. Speaking with concern for all life during a May ２００８ videoconference in South Korea， Supreme Master Ching Hai emphasized the need for humanity's more conscious efforts to care for our fragile environment.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/159949.html
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1972338/plastic_found_floating_around_in_the_mediterranean/index.html
http://www.expeditionmed.eu/petition/
http://www.plasticseurope.org/event/polytalk１０.aspx?page=EVENTS

Antarctica to welcome youngest Asian visitor.
On Friday， January ２８， nine-year-old Phạm Vũ Thiều Quang from Âu Lạc (Vietnam) and his father embarked on their journey to explore Antarctica. The father and son flew to Argentina， and from there will go to the southernmost city of Ushuia to board the British ship MS Fram along with other international explorers to sail to the South Pole.

In preparation for his adventure， Thiều Quang did various physical exercises advised by experts， as well as practicing his photography skills. The young explorer， who is the youngest Asian to set foot on the frozen southern continent， seeks to raise public awareness about climate change and environmental protection.

Bravo on your noble adventure， Thiều Quang! Wishing you fruitful success in bringing back information to share so that many people are further awakened to the need for more sustainable lifestyles to better care for our cherished planetary home.
http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Nineyear-old-Vietnamese-to-explore-South- Pole/20111/123513.vov http://en.baomoi.com/Info/Little-Vietnamese-boy-goes-on-exploration-to- Antarctica/3/107112.epi http://tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/society/nine-year-old- vietnamese-sets-off-for-south-pole-1.20323

Extra News
The US National Climate Data Center updates weather temperatures averaged over ３０ years， replacing the １９７０s with the first decade of this century， which as the hottest in history is certain to increase corresponding averages.
http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/１９３７９４８/normal-weather-set- change
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=climate-shifts-changing-new-weather

In accordance with the nation's Climate Change Act， the UK's Environment Ministry unveils plans that include road construction to withstand higher temperatures， reinforced rail embankments that can offset the collapsing effect of floods， and other adaptation measures.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12302555
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110127-722155.html