Amazon Rainforest is close to tipping point

Speaking at the recent United Nations-sponsored Biodiversity Science Policy Conference in Paris, France, acclaimed tropical biologist Dr. Thomas Lovejoy warned that with 18% of the Amazon rainforest already gone, a cumulative loss of 20% will set forces in motion that reduce the forest just to one-third its original size within 65 years.

These research findings drew on the expertise of Japan's Meteorological Research Institute, the UK’s Exeter University, Brazil's Centre for Weather Forecasting and Climate Change, Germany's Potsdam Institute and Earth3000. Moreover, the study showed that the current combination of global warming, deforestation and forest fires are likely to undermine the Amazon's unique hydro-geological system whereby the forest self-generates at least half of its rainfall and also brings replenishing moisture to other regions.

Dr. Lovejoy's assessment affirms previous studies by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which warned that global warming would result in a 40% loss of this vital ecosystem.

Dr. Lovejoy and international scientist contributors, we thank you for your clear and cautionary message. In the narrow margin of time that remains, let us all work with renewed commitment to save our precious planet.

In her efforts to safeguard life on Earth, Supreme Master Ching Hai has frequently addressed the importance of conserving the rainforests, as in an October 2009 videoconference in Germany.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Saving the world’s tropical forests, the lungs of the Earth, is one of the very important priorities. Because when the tropical rainforests are destroyed, there are many frightening side effects.

It’s not just the permanent changes to the world’s temperature, rainfall, and weather patterns which the forests regulate. It’s not just about the millions of people who might lose their livelihoods that depend on the forests.

There is the extinction of plant and animal species that is 100 times faster than what is natural, and it ruins our ecosystems. The rainforests themselves normally are our protectors, but as the climate gets warmer, instead of absorbing CO2 to protect our planet’s climate, they will be emitting back CO2 as

Now, we need to look at the main reason why there is deforestation. There is a whole industry behind it in most of the cases, namely the livestock industry. For example, the number one reason for deforestation of the Amazon, which is the greatest lung of our planet, is to raise cattle.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Stop the livestock industry - that would be the most effective way to halt global warming and restore our planet. It will save our precious forests, which takes decades to grow, and create more natural forests that we need to reduce global warming.

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Amazon could shrink by 85% due to climate change, scientists say

Climate change could claim 85% of the Amazon. As home to half the world’s plants, animals, and insects, the lush rainforest historically has been able to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by two billion tons annually. However, British researchers from the Met Office Hadley Centre for Climate Change report that not only deforestation but now global warming itself is jeopardizing the health of the trees, saying that 85% of the forest could perish with an atmospheric temperature rise of four degrees Celsius. Findings from other scientists who attended the Copenhagen climate change conference last week concurred, including those of Dr. Carlos Nobres of Brazil’s Space Research Institute, also Chair of the International Geosphere Biosphere Program in Sweden.

Dr. Carlos Nobre – Brazil Space Research Institute, Chair, International Geosphere Biosphere Program in Stockholm, Sweden (M): Certainly, the most alarming climate change danger is the collapse of the Amazon forest. If the temperature rises 4 or 5 degrees, it’s very likely that the Amazon forest will collapse almost totally. So this is really the most alarming climate change danger that we are facing in South America.

VOICE: Also attending the conference was Professor Tim Lenton of the UK’s University of East Anglia, who stated: “Unless we can restrict the warming and seasonal changes we're already seeing in the tropics, the prospects for the Amazon aren't good.” A key to limiting this warming , according to Dr. Carlos Nobre, is to curb meat production, that is, to halt the clearing of the rainforests for cattle grazing.

Dr. Carlos Nobre (M): Worldwide, that’s very important because really, there will be lots of emissions if we think in the future of 9 billion people consuming meat; this is huge meat consumption which will lead to huge emissions. So, on the long range, we have to decrease meat consumption – and particularly for the global tropics. Specifically for the Amazon, deforestation comes about mostly to open up cattle ranches, so to produce meat.

VOICE: Our gratitude, Dr. Nobre, Met Office Hadley Centre scientists, Professor Lenton and all involved for this vital information that helps awaken us to the severe effects of continued global warming. Let us quickly turn to more eco-conscious lifestyles to save the irreplaceable Amazon, its lush biodiversity and support of all life on Earth.

Through her deep spiritual insights, Supreme Master Ching Hai explained in a June 2008 videoconference with our Association members in Surrey, United Kingdom how a rapid and complete restoration of our biosphere could be possible if humankind would become vegetarian altogether.


Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai
Surrey Center, United Kingdom - June 12, 2008

Supreme Master Ching Hai: If the world were to go 100% vegetarian right now, the good effect of it would be seen within more or less 60 days.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Eight short weeks, yes. And what kind of Earth would we live in? It would be Eden again.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Things will be more lushful, abundant. People will feel happier, even without reason, they will not know why they feel happy, and food will be enough everywhere. Rivers will run plentiful again. Disasters will cease. Heaven will smile on humans and good wishes will be fulfilled. That is a kind of Eden. If we are to be vegetarian, all of the humans on the planet, that will be the effect.