World's Friendliest Countries

World's Friendliest Countries by David Sutton, which i adopted from Forbes. Uhm ... so ... which number my country takes place ?

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1. Canada

2. German
3. Australia
4. United Kingdom

5. India

6. United Stated

7. Hong Kong

8. Spain

9. France

10. Netherlands

11. China

12. Belgium

13. Singapore

14. United Arab Emirates

Thread 5

Adventurous stories from Agustinus Wibowo, a backpacker who travel around Asia, which share on www.kompas.com I posted this amazing travel into thread series. I have to translate from Indonesian to English and hope still remain the originality. Happy Reading.
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Karakoram Highway - Pakistan

Be covered under the snow mountain at 7790 meters way, Karimabad village in silence. Here, time flew slowly under swallowed giant top mountains. In below spread-Hunza Valley which located in north Pakistan between three big mountains: Himalaya, Karakoram, and Pamir. Road of Karakoram Highway was length in the curvaceous, connected the capital city of Islamabad-Pakistan-with the ancient city of Kashgar in the country China.
"Travel is really painful," Al-Malik sighed, "I am already old. Travel like this is not for my ages ". Al-Malik and I had been come up to travel of Karimabad village in the heart of Hunza Valley. Seven hours journey Lahore-Rawalpindi plus 22 minutes by bus the Karakoram Highway, and added two more hours to travel to Karimabad. The wind filled the road up and down and wholes on road everywhere.
Mountains in northern Pakistan isolated to rural areas throughout the province of Northern Areas (NA) in this high plain. Sharp ridge on the cliff edge with the river bubble water could be built from asphalt road that connected Pakistan-China, re-line trading Sutra, and showed village-Hunza village on map. However, for Al-Malik, it was like punishment for him. He never suffered like this. "How come there wasn’t flight to Gilgit?" He complained again. "There is, but we should leave the bus ride, continue to return then you can go by plane. Once in a while you should try the common life Pakistani people in " cheered me and he felt cured.
"But this is my first experience first and will be last. I wont repeat kind of this trip again". The sky was already dark when we started up in Karimabad. Two years ago, I had been here, stayed in a simple motel which belong to Ji Haider, grandfather Haider, as I used to call him. However, I already forgot the place was. I wonder that time I could see some men sit in the street covered with thick blanket.
Suddenly came an old grandfather with white bearded and used hat roofed and brown pakkol. "Welcome back" exclaimed him, "Welcome back!” his smiled very friendly, like welcoming an old friend. Apparently grandfather Haider still remembered me, I had slept in three nights in his simple motel. I felt sentimental toward him. An old grandfather in front of me was still strong and still enthusiast with others "I am very happy you come again" smiled Haider-ji with cheery.
He led me and Al-Malik to his simple motel. Too Dark only lightness from torch that only light on if there were special guests, just both of us here. Indeed, who would come to the Hunza in the winter like this ?. Imagine that just terrific. My body shivered since yesterday's evening. Come down here, in front of Mount Rakaposhi, the air temperature was lower again make my body more shivered. Even in night, the tea can be frozen. But grandfather Haider never complained. Business in winter usually lower, but he was always grateful to receive anyone who come. He immediately told Hussain, the chef, to prepare tomato soup for both of us.
Al-Malik always smiled to grandfather Haider. As always, he first introduced himself as the 'Pakistani' and 'Muslim', now he also felt proud to call himself 'Ismaili'. Hunza was the land that became the third place to find his identity as Ismaili. He also repeatedly praised the food was made by Hussain, even though I didn’t know whether the compliment was simply true or just to make them happy. Under the light, grandfather Haider showed three thick books to me. This was the value book of guests. All guests who stay here must write messages, impressions, and travel tips. This book was a kind of trace all those who had a small layover in grandfather Haider motel.
Two years ago, when I came here in summer, I read all posted messages in this book under the sun while my eyes enjoying the giant mountains in conceitedness. These books made me dream about the adventure, wondered travel hundreds of my predecessor. There was a story that invited adventurous Afghanistan click amazed, there was a story of courage climber K-2, or funny experienced across the suspension bridge near the glacier.
I still found my name on the guest list, which I wrote two years ago. There is a column name, address, father's name, date of birth place, and work. Backpacker usually filled the columns not so serious. There were filled in the fields of work as president, spy, even gakusei-ese (Japanese: student). Indeed, the most adventurous circled the world in a matter of annual monthly until they took brave decision to leave work and life float as backpacker. How was a column filled with the work? Unemployment ? Ah, not elegant off course. Better to fill with funny profession to make next backpacker smile when they read this.
Thick book was also tied my destiny with Li Lam. One month after I stop in this motel grandfather Haider about two years ago, a female backpacker from Malaysia named Lam Yuet came to this place, in hers mission around the world. Lam Yuet was a sister from Lam Li. We met accidentally in the Mongolian border, three years ago. Lam Yuet found my name in guest book grandfather Haider. The fact that any step, there was always the thread to connects us together. Space in the world, there were lines match-maker seems bound tie mystery by the Nature.
Grandfather Haider set up a special room for me and Al-Malik. His motel have two floors, we get down the floor. Top floor is too cold and no bathroom. In weather like this who will dare to bath ?. We both shivered cold in the room, even though grandfather Haider already carried us to more heat room according Al-Malik ordered. Originally it was a bit reluctant, but Al convinced that he will pay all costs the oil to add the room more heat. Under the two-layer blanket is, I suffered in cold. Al-Malik complained again. "Is here not star rate hotel ? Earlier we walked before we reach here I saw there was a similar star rate hotel. The name was Hunza Darbar. Tomorrow I will move to it" he talked and never stopped," This is crazy, man. This place is very cold. And we live in a room like this ". The room as like as rented room, there were only three-row bed and bathroom. 70 rupee charge for per person for one night, it was about only a few dollars and bit more. Of course, in this room like this, Al-Malik didn’t fit with his age and his high class lifestyle, because he used to live the luxury house in London. "No matter what, the point is I will move tomorrow. And I hope tomorrow I can get ticket to fly to Islamabad" he said before his body sink under the hill his two thick blankets.

-Lucky-

Jason Mraz fet. Colbie Cailat -Lucky-, easy listening, chill out, and sweet. Lucky i am in love to my best friend, i really am , happy listening.

And here this the lyric.

It Is Called "MINDSET"

Thoughtful shoutout story

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As my friend was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these hug creatures were big held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from the ropes they were tied to but for some reason, they didn't. My friend saw a trainer nearby and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.

"Well" he said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and at that agar, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they can't break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free". My friend was amazed, these animals could at any time break free from their binds but because they believed they couldn't they were stuck right where they were.

Liker the elephants, how may of us go through life hanging onto a belief we can't do something, simple because we failed at it once before ? so make an attempt to grow further .... why shouldn't we try it again ?

"Your attempt may fail, but never fail to make an attempt"

Get Better Sleep

I often have trouble with insomnia — either I can't fall asleep, or I awake prematurely and am unable to get back to sleep. In that way, usually i let my eyes watch dvd (drama series or movies). It happened with me in past few days. The effect i got was i felt my body weak, litle pain on head and eyes. I just try to find many ways to less my problem. Until this morning, i found this article in yahoo buzz. This article really helpful, at least i can try some points.

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Here this the following sleep tips, compiled from various sources :

1. Only use your bed for sleeping, not for reading, doing paperwork, watching TV, snacking, or making phone calls.
2. If you've been lying in bed but are beginning to fear you're not going to drop off, try some of these techniques ; Count sheep or count backwards from 100 (one of my favorites) to stop yourself from thinking about the problems of yesterday or tomorrow; breathe deeply for awhile; or visualize some peaceful place.
   If you can't get to sleep after lying in bed for 30 minutes or more, get up for awhile. What to do? Try reading something incredibly boring.
3. Develop a bedtime routine.
4. Keep regular bedtime hours.
5. Before bedtime, avoid tobacco and caffeinated beverages (not just coffee, but other drinks like tea, cola, and Dr. Pepper).
6. Avoid alcohol right before bedtime — a nightcap might get your mind fuzzy enough to put you to sleep, but such sleep may be interrupted by periods of awakening. By contrast, the stress-lowering effect of a drink with dinner may help to promote sleep later.
7. Avoid naps (or falling asleep in front of boring TV programs).
8. Try to get up at the same time every day rather than sleeping in on weekends.
9. Exercise every day, but not shortly before bedtime since exercise gets the adrenaline going.
10. If you use an illuminated clock for a wakeup alarm, place it where you can't keep looking at it to check the time.
11. Buy a firm mattress and keep your bedroom well ventilated (a cool temperature works best for me).
12. And you might also try some of these: a warm bath, warm milk, light bedtime snack, massage, or quiet music (which turns itself off automatically).
13. Use earplugs for extreme quiet.
14. If you have a painful joint or a headache, take a pain pill before bedtime (but be sure it doesn't contain caffeine).
15. Avoid stimulating reading or television shows late at night.
16. If the insomnia stubbornly persists, check with your doctor to make sure some underlying health problem (such as depression, anxiety, hyperthyroidism, heart failure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) isn't keeping you awake. If all is well, you might ask for one of the several types of prescription sleeping pills that can be useful in the short term

Hillary Comes Again

I read an articel on www.kompas.com by Iwan Kamah - Jakarta which tell about welcoming Hillary Clinton to Indonesia on February 17, 2009. Since beginning i fond her as an utterly brilliant woman and has many differences than other first ladies in US thats why i adopt that article (indonesian subtitle) to my blog (English subtitle). It is nice to read.

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The two great persons in the 20th century, one who hold storm still survive to reach top of Mount Everes, Sir Edmund Hillary, and the other one is Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"Hillary Clinton as a Bill Clinton’s wife is a charming person" commented a man who live in remote village in Muntilan, Central Java. He felt impressed when he saw Hillary Clinton came directly from the president of the state power to their village. "The president's wife is so simple and friendly".

That impression not only appears with her simplicity dress, kindness smile, or simple personality, but also wherever she goes. In November 1994, Hillary Clinton visited some places in Indonesia, which was unfit come. She accompanied her husband to attend KTT APEC in Bogor. Her background in education and deep concern on the fundamental issues of social bring Hillary to choose important things to view for community institutions directly.

She visited slum village in ‘Pasar Manggis’, Jatinegara, East Jakarta’. "We feel so happy that Hillary Clinton wants to come here" commented Marni, a woman who participate in welcoming of Hillary. Not only that, Hillary Clinton had a long standing in times at Ciliwung junction, at the Jatinegara Road West right on the location of a former old Chinatown storehouse landslide sink in few years before Hillary arrival. She stared in deep vision to poverty in Jakarta, while her hand at once flow to slum residential in the Bukit Duri, Jakarta Timur.

Hillary wanted to come to the center of public health and education in remote areas which sensitive side to the character of community development, women empowerment and education. She came to Barbarsari, Sleman, Jogjakarta elementary school accompanied by different members of parliament and officials of Indonesia who were reluctant to place it and chose to go to remote parts of the world, especially the streets. Her explanation about education program to be handful tools for people "Children must learn to persevere to get what they dream" said Hillary in short lesson, after visited health kid centre Lestari X, in Muntilan.

She also did not feel hesitate to give polio immunization to a baby aged 7 months. Hillary was unenthusiastic to come to the institution of modern education such as University of Gajah Mada or modern hospital in the area there.

Hillary Husband

When Bill Clinton chose as President of US, he was nervous. Kompas daily news wrote to the unique case-large in the future, "Clinton feels nervous when phoned from world leaders." Who know Bill Cinton ? people more know Hillary Clinton than Bill Clinton.

Hillary is a "top ten" lawyer in the US while her husband is a governor of a state of less sound, Arkansas. Although Clinton became the youngest governor (aged 32 years) in the history of America since 1938. A German newspaper, wrote a headline about Bill Clinton election victory in 1992. "Hillary husband is selected to be a president of US” a cynical satire to his ability which express as a President of US who doesn’t know much.

Hillary is one of the wives of US Presidents the most influential after Eleanor Roosevelt (wife of President Franklin Roosevelt, US president during the second war world). Her dominant roles in the policy often criticized her sharply. Chosen as senator (representing New York), to be a strong evidence that her desires wont remain not only as White House hostess. Hillary is different with others US. first Lady. She became the first woman president and the first senator who also sit in a cabinet.

Hillary also didn’t like Pat Nixon (wife of U.S. President Richard Nixon), who only accompanied her husband to Djakarta Fair cross Monument in 1969 (now at Pekan Raya Jakarta in Kemayoran). Or Betty Ford (wife of U.S. President Gerald Ford, also a renowned clinic facelift) who only went to Taman Mini. Or Nancy Reagan (wife of U.S. President Ronald Reagan) who only danced with Balinese dancers, although she spent long enough in Nusa Dua for 4 days with her husband. Or Laura Bush (wife of President George Bush) who only came to special libraries in Bogor Palace when she accompanied her husband in 2006 in Bogor.

Today, Hillary Rodham Clinton comes again to Indonesia, not as a senator and neither a wife from the President of US. She is the 12th Secretary of State who come to Indonesia, since John Dulles came here in 1955as 1st foreign affair US minister who visit Indonesia. That time his car threw with stone by youth PKI (Communist Indonesia Party) who didn’t like the US influenced in Southeast Asia.

Hillary is good also in writing. She wrote on Daily the Jakarta Post with a unique column article “The Idul Fitri celebration on the first time in the White House in 1995”. Perhaps 2014 years later, she will come back to Indonesia after 20 years her 1st visit Indonesia. And that day, he would come as a President of US.

Truly Mother

Many predicate as "the first" to Hillary in US history. She is not only as a senator and a Secretary of State, but also as a presidential candidate (although failed). Behind that she remain as the US president's wife respite, face the problem of the household, which publicity knowledgeable, clear and understandable by the world.
Extramarital Problems to her husband, who claim to several women and made love. Peak when her husband accused had an affair with a young apprentice woman in the white house itself. Hillary pass all with unruly and calm without lost her harmonize touch as a family, the First Family.

After her husband affair case, many people show sympathy when she went together with her daughter Chelsea visited India and posed in front of the Taj Mahal, the monument of love the world without her husband. Strangely, when Bill Clinton visited India in 2000, he didn’t accompany Hillary. A rare occurrence from a President of US who visit a country and didn’t accompany with his wife.

Hillary as though as Sir Edmund Hillary who climb the highest top mountain in the world, Chomolungma (Mount Everest) with Tenzing Norgay. They were struggling to withstand storm to stand up to the top of the mountain. Their differences only storm. Hillary’s storm comes form in family matter, while Sir Edmund’s storm comes from real windy storm while he climbed Mount Everest. They both had met each other in 1995. What the most strange from two Hillary is both of them become diplomat. Sir Edmund Hillary today becomes New Zealand's ambassador in Nepal and Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes foreign affair minister.

Hillary is a real proof of a wife who has a husband with sexual expression to the woman who is not his wife. Reliability, Hillary proves that as a 1st wife as an old hat, although old and ancient will put in place with remain full of respect on “HEAD” as always. Meanwhile, a 2nd wife, or extra, just as like as shoes although expensive and good but always use and keep to tread and step.

Her Name is Amira Anastacia

Amira Anastacia Buchori, with her short name 'Aira', she is a daughter from my close friend Iklima. She is a lovely baby girl who will turn into girl then women in her ages later. I made photo scrap for her, hope she loves it. Welcoming as a new mother.

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Believe It Or Not, These Are Paintings On Walls

Thread 4

Adventurous stories from Agustinus Wibowo, a backpacker who travel around Asia, which share on www.kompas.com I posted this amazing travel into thread series. I have to translate from Indonesian to English and hope still remain the originality. Happy Reading.

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Searching Identity - Pakistan

"Bhai jan, Am I look Pakistani people ? Is it good? "Asked the English man to rickshaw driver, he wore shalwar kamiz that recently obtained from the sewer at 1000 Rupee. He not only asked the rickshaw driver, but also the people who he found In Pakistan - fitter selling bananas, inn keeper, drug store, driver taxi, bus driver assistance.
His name was Al-Malik, the descendants of citizens of the UK - Pakistan. His aged about thirty, but still not married. His body was fat with mustache and short beard over his face. His brown sharp eyes were beautiful. I first met her in the Sufi night show, where he was stunned by mystical moment, qawwali music make he felt that he has been reached his journey as his goal.
In the past, Al-Malik has been going to four Muslim countries - Turkey, Syria, Iran, and right now in Pakistan. "Syria, aha, that country is free. Tehran is very modern. But even here, in Pakistan, I find what I find the innovative Islamic modern art!" He said in English with a thick British dialect.
According to Al-Malik’s said, he was a observer of Muslim art. He visited Muslim countries to explore contemporary arts of Islam, modern, that it will be fancied by European art. Yesterday Al-Malik invited me to a painting gallery in Lahore. "Excellent! Excellent! I have been looking for this for ages!" said him again and again.
I stunned by the color, shape, and feel in line calligraphy painting which displayed. Verses of Qur'an in such a way described and drew as like boat, moon, stars, ocean, sunny evening, and the fire burn. Does not he find one like this in Iran, Islamic republic neighboring country that is also famous Persian civilization itself ?. "There is no like this! No one can compare with this!" His face shone as like the person who just found a worthy treasure after long searched in the desert.
From his travel styled, his motivation, and the budget itself, I am sure Al-Malik was not a backpacker. But how can he narrowly lost in the inn where ten poorly tourist sleep in small one room like this?. That was part of the query. Based on the book that he read as guidance, there was an inn where we could stay, a great place to exchange information about the show of qawwali and night of Sufi. But he wasn’t comfort "No, I never lived in poor place like this".
In the middle of his suffered, Al-Malik was still looked for a little fun and luxury. He asked me to go to sizzler restaurant, the first Western food I ever eat lifetime. This restaurant was for luxury class in Lahore, he said that to me. The light atmosphere was poor. The customers mostly from high class, women wore sparkling dressed with their loose hair. Truly contrast with view of Lahore ; dirty house, roaring rickshaw as like bajaj in Jakarta, the dirty clothes of fruit staler on the street, and the chaos from the street.
On the other hand, Al-Malik was a humble person. He didn’t feel reluctant to talk to rickshaw drivers, guards at roadside stalls, banana traders, security, kid juice seller, while he practiced his Urdu language. He asked to the people the same question, whether his shirt and shalwar-kamiz was made him exactly as a Pakistani, how he used the cap, the blanket surrounded his shoulder which made him no difference with the native poeple.
“Accha. Bohut accha hai .. Great “ praised rickshaw drive, "Bhai jan, Musliman men hun. Brother, I am Muslim. I am Pakistani people"Al-Malik very proud to continue the discussion. “ Mashallah. My God, " said rickshaw driver with endless to praise.
Al-Malik was born and grew up in England. He came from rich family, have luxury house in Europe and America. However in his blood has descendant Pakistan, Al-Malik can’t read words in Urdu and Arab. On previous, when someone asked about his identity he always said ‘my nationality is English Man and I have descendant Pakistani’. But today, everything has changed with proud he will answer ‘ I am a Pakistani’ and ‘I am a Muslim’.
Later he was enthusiast to learn more about Islam, his own religion, his parents and his brother relative religion also. It was like people who just find themselves again, which is hidden under the sheet-piles of personality. While in Pakistan he pursued himself diligently reading books, including children's book about the history of the prophets. Al-Malik didn’t know at all reading the prayer in Arabic. When the worship, he just sat in the chair, bow, even I wonder what language he used.
"English, of course" answered him, "people do not need to be in Arabic to be Muslim". One day he shared to me his secret “Do not tell anybody okay, I am actually ‘the Ismaili’ ”. Maybe people here not like much to Ismaili line, in my eyes Sunni, Syiah, or Ismaili was not important. The most important was that all Muslim.
Because he shared me his secret, I asked him to go to Hunza, a valley in the Karakoram mountain range, where the Ismaili people stayed and lived Pakistan. Al-Malik felt bound to find more pieces for the sake of self that he looked for. I also need to get there, yellow ball in my eye were cure with the fresh natural mountain snow.
Originally he was in doubt. "Is it difficult to reach that place? Is it tough journey ? Is it comfortable in there? ". I convinced him about Pakistan that have not compare and will help him to find himself as the Ismaili. I succeeded to convince him and brought him as an English Man from high class to ride a bus which filled with many people to the mountain in the north just for searching his truly identity.

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E-book: The Host
Author: Stephenie Meyer
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Synopsis:

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.
Wanderer, the invading “soul” who has been given Melanie’s body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn’t expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
Melanie fills Wanderer’s thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves-Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body’s desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she’s never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.
Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time.

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Treehouse

When i was a kid, i used to dream had a small tree house on a big tree which had long wood ladder, filled for toys and dolls. The most important was i could take my friends with me to play there then at night we could see stars even moon and talked a lot above our dream land.

And today, i find a tree house which is built by Swedish firm Tham & Videgard Hansson Arkitekter. This shape really out of my mind because this tree house is almost invisible. Here these the pictures and explanations :

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It is an old architectural trick used since the invention of mirrored glass: covering buildings with the reflective material and declaring that they blend in with the surroundings. Most architects use it to convince wary citizens that it is OK if their building is tall because it will reflect the sky and nature. The rendering always makes the building disappear, and the reality is always a big clunky mirrored box.
But a mirrored box can be elegant, too, such as this tree house by Swedish firm Tham & Videgard Hansson Arkitekter. They are designed to minimize impact on the surrounding landscape. And in this case, it looks like the architects have pulled it off successfully.

Includes a kitchen, sleeping area, living area and a terrace

"There doesn't appear to be a bathroom or a ladder. That could make for a, um, rather uncomfortable night, at least for guests of the female variety."

So ... have you consider to have this tree house or at least build close tree house like this ?

Natural Disaster

In this tremendous shot of Planet Earth, a tropical storm rages in the eastern Indian Ocean and the western coast of Australia

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Scientists believe that climate change will influence an increase of tornadoes like this one

More frequent and intense thunderstorms can be expected in the future, due to shifting climate patterns

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A heat wave at sunset over the Namib Desert in Namibia, Africa. The impact of climate change on developing nations in particular is like "low-intensity biological or chemical warfare," said the Namibia representative at a 2007 meeting of the UN Security Council

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Regional drought is already a widespread and serious problem. If weather extremes continue or worsen, more dislocations and tragedies will result.Overgrazing by goats, an issue common to both Somalia and Cyprus, can be environmentally devastating, and even worsen climate change

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Climate change has led to hotter conditions which leave forests more susceptible to fire

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As the earth’s ice caps continue to melt rising water levels are a global threat

By Emma Grady, New York, NY