Changing habits of consumption to save the planet.

Landfills are known to be a major producer of the potent greenhouse gas methane. Global methane emissions from landfills are estimated at 30 to 70 million tons each year. Dr. Pablo Gonzalez Mesples, environmentalist and professor of economics at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina, speaks with Supreme Master Television on the connections between what we consume and what kind of waste is generated as a result.

Dr.  Pablo Gonzalez Mesples, vegetarian environmentalist and professor of economics, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Dr.  Pablo Gonzalez Mesples: What we really consume from all we buy is very little. And all that, the waste, as a whole, mainly when it is mixed with organic elements, ends up generating a great amount of methane, which as we have said, has a greenhouse gas effect.

Dr. Mesples urges a simple reducing of our waste rather than recycling, because recycling also involves energy consumption. One way to be responsible in creating less waste is to reduce our use of animal products in our food and clothing.

Dr.  Pablo Gonzalez Mesples: To produce a kilo of rice requires 10 to 100 times less water than a kilo of meat. And we have to think that in some parts of the world there is a person who only has 2 liters of water available per day, and I’m not talking about 2 liters to drink, but 2 liters in total. That’s all they have. And so we waste water through meat consumption.

We thank Dr. Mesples for your valuable insights. May we all practice frugality and conservation each day as our personal contribution to sustainable living and a brighter future.

Global warming effects predicted for Indian agriculture.

As global temperatures rise, studies have shown that harvests in countries such as India will surely be affected. Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Dr. Rajendra K Pachauri said, “Wheat yields would fall by 5-10% with every increase of 1 degree Celsius.” He further stated that data on rising temperatures indicates that cholera and other diseases are likely to spread.
We are grateful, Dr. Pachauri, for this clear message about the certainty of global warming conditions. With Buddha’s blessings, may India and all countries adopt sustainable measures to safeguard citizens from the harmful effects of continued climate change. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Climate_change_is_hurting_Indias_crops/articleshow/2984125.cms

UN agency leader warns of conflict due to food shortages.

Head of United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, Dr. Jacques Diouf said that food shortages could lead to altercations within Africa, Asia and Latin America.  He cited agitations over insufficient food stocks in nations such as Haiti, Indonesia, and Cameroon as warning signs of what possibly is to come. To improve the situation, he is seeking a summit on food security in Rome, Italy at the beginning of June.
Our sincere thanks, Dr. Diouf for your urgent call to action on food security.  We pray that all of our brothers and sisters around the world may always be fulfilled with proper nourishment.
http://www.france24.com/en/20080425-un-agency-chief-warns-food-crisis-civil-war


The hidden costs of animal agriculture are extremely high.

 A Union of Concerned Scientists report details the many hidden costs to the US taxpayers from factory farmed animals, which total over US$6 billion per year. These costs include US$1.16 billion per year for waste disposal, between US$1.5 - $3 billion in public health care costs due to overuse of antibiotics in livestock, and US$3.86 billion in grain subsidies for livestock feed.  Other costs include an estimated US$26 billion loss of property values near factory farms and US$4.1 million to clean leakages of waste into air and groundwater. 
Thank you, Union of Concerned Scientists; we appreciate your helping us to see how much money could be saved if we all switch to a vegetarian (vegan) diet.  May the Providence guide us in wisdom to adopt sustainable practices which are economically sound.
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/sustainable_food/cafos-uncovered.html


Food riots erupt across the globe due to hunger from shortages.

Besides rice, now cooking oil, wheat and other food staples are running out in countries around the world. Former US Secretary General Kofi Annan said, “We might already be seeing the beginning of major hunger disasters.” The past few months have already witnessed violent protests in over 21 developing countries because of food shortages, as a direct effect of climate change. Dramatic weather patterns due to global warming are also worsening the situation, as farmers try to cope with crop damage or failure due to extreme conditions such as drought or flooding.
We solemnly heed the warnings of Mr. Kofi Annan and all those whose diligent work is informing us of this dire situation. Our heartfelt prayers go to those most affected, for their quick sustenance and hunger relief. May we quickly meet the pace of change required to halt global warming for the sake of those whose lives already depend on it.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L22878839.htm, http://www.straight.com/article-142853/food-crisis-sparks-violence-across-globe, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L20698300.htm, http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/41369/story.htm