Destruction of the legendary Amazon rainforest continues. - 12 Feb 2011  
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Not only are millions of animal and plant species, but now also humans are endangered by deforestation of the Amazon. The Brazil government recently released rare photos of indigenous Amazonians to raise awareness of the threat of their extinction.

The images of these previously un-contacted people were taken by Brazil's National Indian Foundation during a flight over a region near the Brazil-Peru border, accompanied by human rights group Survival International.

Illegal logging in Peru has sent the natives fleeing across the border to less affected rainforests in Brazil. Meanwhile, a new report launched by the environmental organization Friends of the Earth has revealed that the excessive demand for meat, animal feed and biofuels is perpetuating destruction of the rainforest in Brazil, with severe impact to the lives of thousands of people, as well as causing biodiversity loss and accelerating climate change.

According to the research, the production of soy for animal feed and biodiesel is expected to increase by 5 million hectares, while production of sugarcane for ethanol and cattle ranching are expected to grow 25% by 2020, further threatening ecosystems and livelihoods throughout the country.

We thank the Brazilian government, as well as the National Indian Foundation and organizations such as Survival International and Friends of the Earth for raising awareness of the urgent issues threatening the survival of indigenous brethren and other fellow inhabitants. May we all join in concerted sustainable actions to save the vital lungs of our Earth.

Speaking with concern as on many previous occasions about the loss of precious rainforest trees, Supreme Master Ching Hai addressed some of the causes in a video message presented  during a November 2010 conference in the United Kingdom, along with how we can rebalance the precious ecosphere for all beings.

Well, 91% of the cleared Amazonian rainforest since 1970, the lungs of our Earth, can be directly or indirectly attributed to cattle raising. And, in fact, the UN FAO stated that the livestock sector is the major driver of global deforestation.

Research tells us that plant-based alternatives to animal products are not only healthy, they use less fossil fuel energy, create more sustainable jobs, and are growing in popularity because of their quality, which also includes good taste. We all love good taste, don't we?

In sum, only with the organic vegan solution can we still save our planet.
http://www.publico.es/ciencias/357933/el-consumo-europeo-amenaza-la-amazonia
http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2011/Jan25_Europes_overconsumption_driving_destruction_Amazon.htmlahttp://www.france24.com/en/20110131-photos-released-protect-endangered-amazoniansb
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/8295194/Photos-released-to-protect-
endangered-Amazonians.html