What is it ?

Earth’s temperature control is based on a natural system which acts like a greenhouse to keep the sun’s heat in and keep the earth warm. Solar radiation passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, it is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and warms it. As the temperature increases, the Earth sends heat energy (infrared radiation) back into the atmosphere. Some of infrared radiation is absorbed and reflected back to Earth by gases in the atmosphere.
These gases, which are all naturally present, act as a blanket, catching the heat and preventing it from being reflected too far from the Earth. They keep the earth’s average temperature warm enough to sustain life for humans, plants and animals.
This natural warming effect is also called the ‘greenhouse effect’. CO2 is the most significant of the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. A natural carbon dioxide cycle keeps the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere in balance. Decaying plants, volcanic eruptions and the respiration of animals release natural CO2 into the atmosphere, where it stays for about 100 years. It is removed again from the atmosphere by photosynthesis in plants and by dissolution in the oceans.
Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere have increased massively due largely to the combustion of fossil fuels. They reached a level unequalled for at least 800,000 years.
The greenhouse gases from human activities are trapping more of the sun’s heat in the earth’s atmosphere, resulting in warming. Over the last century, average global temperatures rose by more than 1°F and some regions warmed by as much as 4°F. The oceans have also warmed, especially in the upper layers. Natural fluctuations in our climate have occurred over a long period of time. What is not natural is the accelerated rate of change. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that today’s global warming is very likely resulting from human activity.

Plant a wish tree

News
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More than 1,000 trees were planted during the winter 2010 campaign in Bodhgaya ------------------------------
Around 60 fruit trees offered in various monasteries and meditation centers (Korean Temple, Buthan, Japanese, Mahabodhi Meditation Center) ------------------------------
100 Fruit trees offered different families in a village near Bodhgaya ------------------------------
50 Fruit trees offered at Dr. Maheindra's clinic (which opened a homeopathic college) ------------------------------
Planting of 108 trees on the Kalachakra ground with their protection ------------------------------
Plantation of trees on the-lands of the Mahanta of Bodhgaya(descendant of the spiritual and political authority at the time of the Maharajas) ------------------------------
Planting of fruit trees in 3 schools in villages around Bodhgaya in collaboration with Integral Rural Developpment Trust (Indian association sponsored by the Spanish) which has established schools locally and mobile clinics. The children received a little training on how to plant and protect trees then did practical work on the campus of their school and then received a tree to plant at home ------------------------------
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has blessed some of these trees and His Holiness the Karmapa has applauded the idea that next year, during the Meulam, each monk plants a tree with a wish ------------------------------