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.htmla.
http://www.france24.com/en/20110131-photos-released-protect-endangered-amazoniansbhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/8295194/Photos-released-to-protect-endangered-Amazonians.html