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.


Grave future for gum trees
Australian gum trees facing rapid decline. In a region of New South Wales that sustains water-bird colonies and provides 14 percent of the state’s agriculture, river red gum trees in the Lachlan River wetland areas are perishing in staggering numbers. A study by the University of New South Wales found that one delta area has witnessed an 85 percent decline over the last 12 years, with losses including trees that were hundreds of years old. The losses are being attributed to a combination of irrigation practices, long-term drought and climate change.

University of South Wales scientists, we appreciate your chronicling of global warming’s toll on the irreplaceable gum trees. With Heaven’s grace, may our striving for better eco-stewardship help restore the conditions needed for their survival.

 Governor Schwarzenegger Test Drives Ronn Motor's Hydrogen Assisted ScorpionTM Supercar
California governor test drives hydrogen hybrid supercar. The US-based auto manufacturer Ronn Motor Company has just introduced the exotic Scorpion model sports car, which operates with the help of hydrogen fuel injection technology. Capable of reaching speeds of 200 miles per hour with emissions reduced by 75-90 percent, the high-performance vehicle was recently presented at the California state Capital building for a press conference and was offered to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for a test drive, which the eco-car enthusiast gladly accepted. The company is currently accepting advanced orders for a limited production of 200 vehicles.

Wow, what a transportation innovation! Bravo Ronn Motor Company for this marvel of technology to propel us into an era of sustainability with style!

Prince: 'Climate Crisis Worse Than Recession'
Britain’s Prince Charles speaks on the urgency of climate change. During his Latin American tour this past week, accompanied by his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles met with such dignitaries as Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, where he commended the nation’s measures to protect the Amazon. Addressing a group of Brazilian officials and business leaders, His Royal Highness expressed his concerns over the urgency of climate change, stating that global warming has far more potential to endanger humanity than any other issue of our time. He went on to caution that the time remaining to change our behavior is very limited before catastrophic effects to humanity could be seen.

Your Royal Highness, our gratitude for your continued wise leadership and clear vision regarding our precious environment. We pray that humanity moves swiftly to restore the balance of our Earth through practices that respect all life.