Loss of Arctic ice could cost trillions

The Pew Environmental Group in the USA has released a peer-reviewed report stating that damage from rising seas, floods and heat waves due to the loss of Arctic Sea ice will cost the sectors of agriculture, real estate and insurance up to US$24 trillion by 2050.

The report also estimates that heat waves, flooding and other factors are already resulting in hundreds of billions of dollars lost annually. Report author and resource economist Dr. Eban Goodstein stated, “The Arctic is the planet's air conditioner and it's starting to break down. Everybody around the world is going to bear these costs.”

During the December 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in Denmark, the Arctic Council announced new findings that the fastest way to halt the rapid melting of the Arctic is to reduce shorter-lived substances like methane, ground-level ozone and black carbon, and that the best way to ease ground-level ozone, the third most prevalent greenhouse gas, is to decrease methane.

Jonas Gahr Støre - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Norway, Arctic Council Leader (M): If there is one positive message from this report, it’s that doing something about that, if not easy, is manageable.

So while we wait for the results of curbing CO2 emissions, we need to address the issue of methane, ozone, black carbon, swiftly.

VOICE: With livestock accounting for 36% of human-caused methane, it is clear that decreasing animal agriculture is the fastest way to cool the planet and avoid catastrophe.

The Netherlands’ Environmental Assessment Agency has also calculated that global adoption of a vegan diet would reduce the costs of mitigating climate change a full 80% by 2050.

We appreciate this sobering report, Pew Environmental Group scientists. Let us all step toward the most rapid way to reduce costs and cool the Earth: the life-saving plant-based fare.

In a September 2009 videoconference in South Korea, Supreme Master Ching Hai highlighted as she has on previous occasions the need for quick action to restore Arctic ice and the planet as a whole.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: They call the Arctic ice the refrigerator of the planet, and without it, there will be more droughts and floods in other, even, faraway parts of the world.

The world’s leading climate scientists told us in television interviews that being vegetarian – meaning no animal products – is the single most effective thing an individual can do to stop global warming.

Meat is the number one cause of global warming. So, the number one solution is to stop producing it. So, we all have to be vegan. That is what the science is clearly telling us right now.

If the world’s people become vegan, one of the results is that the ice in the Arctic will be restored, and quickly, along with the repairing of nature in every corner of the planet

Isn’t that wonderful? This is the truth that I could promise you, but we all must act fast, like, yesterday.

http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/56999
http://www.pewtrusts.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/Reports/Protecting_ocean_life...
http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/2009/Climate-benefits-of-changing-diet.html

International media, CCTV reports on “Eating for a low-carbon world”

On China Central Television (CCTV-9), news journalist Wang Mangmang is host of a program series called “My Low Carbon Life” and reported recently how being veg is catching on in China as a way to curb climate change.

She went on to say that this trend is actually being set by the younger generation. Dong Ziyang, manager of the organic vegetarian Jintai Catering Club said, “The average age of our customers is under 33 years old...

Young people are more environmentally aware and more open to new ideas.” The journalist also cited the United Nations report on animal agriculture generating more greenhouse gases than all the transportation in the world combined, and concerns about livestock being the cause of environmental desertification and deforestation.

She stated, “As more and more people strive for a low-carbon lifestyle, the climate-diet equation is becoming more prominent.”

Our appreciation and applause, journalist Wang Mangmang and CCTV for sharing the eco-statement being made by the low-carbon diet.

Blessed be such programs as yours in benefiting many viewers as well as the animals and our Earth. Speaking during a May 2009 videoconference in Togo, Supreme Master Ching Hai highlighted the key role of the younger generation in being good stewards for the environment.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: I’m happy to see young people especially involved in endeavors like this, which contributes to human health and also the planet.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: They are also often the most open-minded people. They are intelligent, they are easy, they are an impressionable and honest group of people.

Once they make a connection of global warming to their lives, they may really decide to do something.

Especially if they understand that what they do can truly make a difference, they may be the first ones to take action.

They can be true heroes, by being vegan and spread the news of this solution. They can save lives, including their own, but also of people all over the world, and countless animal lives around the world.

The young people are oftentimes the most ready to change their lifestyle if they see a reason for it. Their age group is also, in many cases, the first one to see that veganism is good, it is correct.

http://english.cctv.com/program/newshour/20100121/103665.shtml

Melting tundra releases immense carbon stores

A study recently conducted by Dr. Sofia Hjalmarsson of the Department of Chemistry at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg found that the permafrost layer stretching across the vast reaches of the Arctic contains an additional global warming hazard.

Besides the melting of methane hydrate crystals, which have already been observed as gaseous bubbles rising from an increasing number of Siberian lakes and other water bodies, the thawing tundra also releases stored carbon.

Dr. Hjalmarsson’s studies of the Laptev, East Siberian and Chukchi Seas of north Siberia as well as the Baltic Sea revealed elevated carbon dioxide levels in all of them, meaning that organic carbon released from the permafrost is being carried by the rivers out into the coastal waters.

Dr. Hjalmarsson warned that the danger of the permafrost thawing is that it cannot be stopped once it advances beyond a certain stage, meaning that the melting of the vast carbon stores must be stopped now.

Our appreciation, Dr. Sofia Hjalmarsson for this important research showing the ever-increasing dangers of global warming. May findings as these spur us all toward sustainable practices such as the Earth-saving vegan diet. During an international gathering with our Association members in February 2008, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke of toxic gases such as methane being released with atmospheric warming, as she urged for the solution that addresses the root cause.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: You see, the gases are fuming from the ocean and from the land that’s been defrosting. It’s fuming everywhere. It’s just that at the moment, it’s not so intense.

Everybody knows by now, from the UN report that meat eating, animal raising, it’s one of the worst factors, or even the worst factor of global warming. And nobody talks about it.

Everybody says, new energy, biofuel, hybrid car, dig a hole and store the carbon.” As if it will not bust one day. And before that you have to breathe in already, as if will not affect you.

What is so difficult, to put down one piece of meat, and replace it with one piece of tofu? Which is exactly the same, better nutrition. Better for your health. More economized.

http://www.physorg.com/news182430651.html
http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=65756&CultureCode=en
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Tundra-Meltdown-Triggers-Carbon-Spills-131761.shtml

Solution in agriculture discussed at climate conference

In seeking their final agreement, delegates at the United Nations Climate Change Conference turned to the existing Kyoto Protocol and spoke of maintaining its terms to offer additional time for a broader accord.
Supreme Master Television’s correspondent tells us more, with a special report on the factor of agriculture.

Supreme Master Television COP15 Correspondent: As negotiators continued to spend long hours in intense discussion, one area considered essential is a commitment from industrialized countries to support developing nations in achieving emission reductions as well as adapting to the more immediate effects of global warming.

José Manuel Barroso – President of European Commission (M): This conference is very important from an environment and development point of view, but it is also a question of moral responsibility and the first test case for the global community.

Supreme Master Television COP15 Correspondent: One significant issue discussed at the summit is agriculture. Animal agriculture is a main driver of global warming.

Maude Barlow – Chair of Council of Canadians, Food & Water Watch Board chair, Former United Nations senior advisor on water (F): Industrial agriculture is the biggest culprit.

Supreme Master Television COP15 Correspondent: Livestock raising also strains water and food grain supplies in a world where global warming is worsening hunger.

Ancha Srinivasan - Senior Climate Change Specialist, Asia Development Bank (M): To grow animals and then to be eaten by human beings consumes a lot of resources. It is almost like 10 times or even sometimes more.

Jens Holm – Former European Parliament Member, Vegetarian (M): Governments of the world should take away all the subsidies that today goes to the meat industry.

Supreme Master Television COP15 Correspondent: But as delegates such as US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack pointed out:

Tom Vilsack – US Secretary of Agriculture (M): While agriculture has always been conceived as part of the emissions problem, it is a significant part of the solution to climate change.

Supreme Master Television COP15 Correspondent: During the Copenhagen summit, one vital way that has been proposed is to encourage farmers to adopt more sustainable practices, such as no-till agriculture that absorbs huge volumes of emissions.

Maude Barlow (F): One of the huge answers to our global crisis is more sustainable, local, safer food production, and obviously a deep reduction in the consumption of meat.

Ancha Srinivasan - Senior Climate Change Specialist, Asia Development Bank (M): People should go for organic farming as well as the vegetarian diet.

Supreme Master Television COP15 Correspondent: According to a major UK government-supported report published in The Lancet, trying to capture the methane emitted by ruminant cattle, or using feed crops that would produce less methane simply won’t do enough, nor fast enough to stop temperature rises that endanger human lives. But food policy to reduce meat consumption could. Professor Sir Andrew Haines who headed the research team explained.

Professor Sir Andrew Haines, M.D. – Director, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (M): Could it all be done just by improving technology of farming, better manure management, more efficient use of feed stocks and so on? We concluded that would be not sufficient.

Many of the projections do suggest that we may be nearing the point of not being able to keep the increase in temperature down to 2 degrees. So the kind of trajectory we're on at the moment suggests that we may well breach that unless we take radical action.

Jens Holm – Former European Parliament Member, Vegetarian (M): Be vegetarian; yes, that’s by far the best you can do.

Supreme Master Television COP15 Correspondent: A vegan diet and organic vegan farming – It’s in deed the fastest, least expensive way to halt global warming. This is Supreme Master Television, Copenhagen, Denmark.

VOICE: We thank the leaders and experts who have been working diligently for the benefit of the world's co-citizens. May all wise governments act swiftly towards an organic plant-based food policy to ensure the survival and wellbeing of humankind and the planet.

With foresight about the fragile future of agriculture, Supreme Master Ching Hai has long advocated such practices as organic vegan farming to mitigate global warming, as in this November 2009 climate change conference in Washington, DC, USA.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: The government could of course redirect billions of dollars now spent on livestock subsidies to help farmers switch to organic vegetable and fruit agriculture.

The government could use its powerful tools to spread campaigns about veg alternatives, bans on meat, and laws to help people switch to organic vegan farming and consumption.

A global switch to a veg diet would even save the world’s governments a lot of money, as much as 80% of all the climate mitigation costs of US$40 trillion by year 2050.

That is, we save US$32 trillion in climate mitigation costs, and having a healthy vegan population is a good business deal! Furthermore, there is very good reason for the government to abolish meat, fish, eggs and dairy, all the animal products all together.

We must stop animal production now and at all costs if we want to keep this planet. I repeat: We must stop animal product right now and at all costs if we want to keep this planet.

http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=3041
http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=3042
http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=3039
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/15/content_12652906.htm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article6283681.ece

Animal agriculture affects global hunger

With the numbers of people facing hunger worldwide having risen to more a billion for the first time in history, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) released a white paper calling for reduced reliance on industrial animal agriculture and greater support instead for plant-based foods to provide nutrition for more people.

The report points out that with over 80% of all soy and up to 50% of corn already being fed to livestock, forecasts of animal product consumption doubling by 2050 means that livestock animals may soon be in competition with humans for food. Worse yet, livestock production is a major factor in global warming, which if continued will only intensify problems such as drought and extreme storms that are already threatening food security worldwide.

Our appreciation, Humane Society of the United States for this wise reminder that global hunger can be alleviated by the simple choice of plant-based foods.

May such research as yours lead us to swiftly adopt lifestyles that optimize the food supply for all.
In her dedication to ensure humanity’s wellbeing, Supreme Master Ching Hai has often warned of the major role of the livestock industry in world hunger, as during a January 2009 videoconference in Mongolia.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Actually, we should not have to worry about food because we have it abundantly on our planet. It’s just that we have to use it wisely. Instead of using it to feed the animals, we use it to feed humans and that will be fine. We should remind everyone to be veg to invoke the mercy of the Buddhas, and we will be better protected.

Studies have shown that if the grain currently going to livestock animals for feed, if we feed it to humans, then all the hunger in the world will disappear and the reversal of global warming from a vegan diet will result in more plentiful growing conditions. So, we even have more food than now if we turn to vegan diet.

http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/farm/hsus-the-impact-of-industrialized-animal-agriculture-on-world-hunger.pdf
http://www.evana.org/index.php?id=50669
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/publications/whitepapers/farm_animal_welfare.html

Chief Executive Officer Magazine publishes interview with Supreme Master Ching Hai

On November 23, Chief Executive Officer Magazine’s November 2009 edition will present a discussion with Supreme Master Ching Hai on solutions to the urgent matter of climate change, also regarded as a highly important issue by the business world today.

After the interview was originally published in the September 18, 2009 British Parliament’s The House Magazine and again in the European Parliament Magazine's September 2009 issue, Chief Executive Officer Magazine invited the further publishing of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s message to reach a global corporate audience.

With a readership that includes nearly 12,000 of the world’s most successful top-level company executives along with 25,000 email subscribers, the Magazine provides up-to-date information as well as in-depth perspectives contributed by respected fellow business leaders.

The November 2009 issue, which contains editorials from chief executive officers (CEOs) of Virgin Media and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will feature Supreme Master Ching Hai's remarks about animal agriculture as the main cause of climate change along with the vital benefits and savings of the organic vegan solution.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: By turning to the virtuous, compassionate diet of vegan alone, they would generate such a positive, constructive energy. This new loving power could even stop the effects of climate change and open up people’s innovative thought to solve all manner of economical, social, and technological problems. And every country, whether developed or developing, will flourish in ways beyond our imagination.

VOICE: Following its November 23 distribution, the magazine will also be available for the public to read online at www.The-ChiefExecutive.com.

Our thanks, Chief Executive Officer Magazine, for your work in bringing relevant and timely information to your distinguished readers. We join in appreciation of the views shared by Supreme Master Ching Hai, which have helped groups and individuals better understand our choices for humankind and the planet.
May companies worldwide quickly direct their strengths toward charting the most sustainable course possible for our future.

Climate change hits close to home

On November 16, an international conference was held for the second time in the nation’s beautiful state of Veracruz, this time in Orizaba, known as the “Region of the High Mountains.”

Here, participants gathered with a united purpose for the special event entitled “SOS – A Quick Action to Stop Global Warming.” Distinguished guest speakers included the Honorable Juan Manuel Diez Francos, Mayor of Orizaba; His Excellency Mr. Alonso Domínguez Ferráez, Coordinator of Environment of the State of Veracruz; Engineer Nelba Villagran, vegan professor and President of the College of Nutrition of Chile; Mrs. Eva Quistorp, co-founder of the German Green Party and former Vice Chairwoman of the Greens in the European Parliament, and environmental geographer Mr. Edgar Espinoza Cisneros.

Also, broadcasting live to Mexican listeners were top radio stations: “XETQ La Q Internacional” at 850 AM; “XEOV La Picosa” at 1240 AM; “XEDZ Radio Ondas” at 580 AM; “XHPG Nova” at 92.1 FM, and Radio Orizaba SA, as well as Supreme Master Television, which was airing the event worldwide.

Speaking via videoconference for the fourth time at the request of the Mexican government was guest of honor Supreme Master Ching Hai, who had been invited to this seminar by Environment Coordinator Ferráez to discuss ways that humanity could save the planet from the urgent situation that is affecting all lives.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: So, climate change is not an abstract concept at all. It is here and now, affecting our neighbors, affecting us and more and more next.

Children will suffer. And mothers and fathers will suffer, upon suddenly losing their livelihoods, losing their loved ones, losing their dignity and happiness, and all might vanish overnight.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: It causes up to 900,000 of your fellow city persons to have to leave their homes every year, with many going to seek better livelihoods in the United States, if they can find it.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: And please remember, the #1 cause behind it all is: animal agriculture. People have to be informed, fast.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Besides the adverse effects that livestock production has on the planet, the consumption of meat is also destructive to our health. We are talking about the health of individuals and their loved ones. Furthermore, the cruelty of the meat industry brings another type of disease: food-borne bacterial infections. Due to the extremely filthy conditions of the meat processing plants, that the excrement of the animals is not cleaned and remains on the flesh through processing.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: And another health crisis that has been born through livestock is swine flu.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: However, the good news is that the way to end all this is truly even more real and quickly manifested than the problem itself. Because each and every person can do something significant to stop global warming. And you know already what that is, right? The vegan diet.

VOICE: We are grateful to the respected government officials and dignitaries, as well as all participants of this conference, for coming together in concern for the planet. Our thanks also goes to Supreme Master Ching Hai, for her encouragement toward each individual doing their part in halting climate change. May such inspiring
gatherings spark a global adoption of the organic vegan lifestyle for the blossoming welfare of all beings.Please tune in to Supreme Master Television’s Words of Wisdom for the full rebroadcast of this live event at a later date, with multi-language subtitles.

Animal agriculture ruins dreams for indigenous Americans

The Yakama reservation in Washington, USA has been the ancestral home of the Native American Yakama tribe for hundreds of years. However, the recent nearby construction of a factory farm complex has turned their homeland and homes into prisons.

To understand the more widespread effects of animal farming operations on the people living nearby, Supreme Master Television recently met some of the residents who are forced to live with the reality of a factory farm environment.

(Interview in English)
Resident living near dairy factory farm (F): I live a fourth of a mile from a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) and it’s really affected my family. I’ve been there a little over 20 years. It’s the flies, the smell, the dust, everything. We’re just trapped inside of our house. In days it stinks, we don’t turn the air conditioner on because the air comes in, we can’t open the windows.

VOICE: As is common for many people living near concentrated farming operations, when measurements were taken over the course of a week for the presence of ammonia from waste and other air pollutants at this resident’s home, the particle levels were so high that the measurements were off the scale.

Interviewee (F): Then the trucks, pulling that manure out, and then when they drive by they don’t cover it. So it’s on our road and when the cars drive by, it picks it up, and it is in the air. My kids only go outside once in a while when it’s nice. I always wanted to have a nice yard and have my kids outside, playing. But it’s not like that.

VOICE: As the animal farming operations take away the happiness from their neighbors, the most recent virus to have passed from farmed animals to humans continues to gain a foothold across the globe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), confirmed cases of swine flu have risen close to 20,000 people who are now afflicted, including a first-ever case in Saudi Arabia, with 117 who have lost their lives, most recently in the countries of Mexico, US, Canada, and Chile. WHO interim assistant director-general for health security and environment, Keiji Fukuda, stated that if cases continue to spread, the agency may declare a pandemic, the highest alert level.

We thank the World Health Organization and all other organizations working to alleviate the swine flu as we pray for the victims of this worrying trend, especially loved ones in mourning.

Our sorrow too for the unwilling neighbors of factory farms as well, and pray that the practice of animal farming will soon cease altogether, so that all may enjoy health and life to the fullest.