Antarctic Peninsula ice sheets melting at worrying rate. US Geological Survey (USGS) researchers who have been conducting a first ever survey of Antarctica’s entire coastline coasts are now reporting that the southern portion of the Antarctic Peninsula, which is its coldest, has been retreating for sixty years, with the biggest changes occurring since 1990.
The scientists report that this condition is likely suggestive of the situation across all of Antarctica, whose ice sheet contains 91% of the world’s glacial water and could cause a 60 to 73 meter sea level rise if all the land-based ice were to melt.
As noted by environmental experts, even one meter of sea level rise would jeopardize food supplies across the world. USGS scientist Jane Ferrigno stated, “The loss of ice shelves is evidence of the effects of global warming.
We need to be alert and continually understand and observe how our climate system is changing." We thank Dr. Ferrigno and associate scientists at the US Geological Survey for your careful monitoring of the Antarctic.
Let us act now to restore the planet-cooling balance of our world’s ice caps by choosing lifestyles in greater harmony with nature.
As mentioned on previous occasions, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke again during a November 2009 videoconference in Washington, DC, USA of the most direct way to avert the potentially catastrophic consequences of global warming.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: Greenland is shedding 85 million tons of icebergs each day due to warming, and at a rate that is increasing by 7 percent each year. The West Antarctic Ice Shelf is also melting, with 3.3 meter sea level rises forecast that would threaten cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.
And if all of Antarctica and Greenland were to melt – meaning the ice – then the sea levels could rise to as much as 70 meters, which would be deadly or disastrous to most lives on Earth.
You may ask, what is the main cause of this damage and destruction to the environment?
It’s methane, which is produced primarily by the livestock industry.
NASA announced that methane actually contributes much more to global warming than previously understood and it traps 100 times the atmospheric heat over 20 years. And the largest source of methane is? You know - livestock.
So, to solve this, we do need to move quickly, and of course we know what to do, right?
Yes? Be vegan.
http://news.mongabay.com/2010/0223-hance_antpen.htmlhttp://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/enviornment/ice-shelves-on-antarctic-peninsula-in-danger_100324624.htmlhttp://www.earth-policy.org/index.php?/books/pb4http://www.springerlink.com/content/h28l707685463333/ http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/31/cattle-trade-brazil-greenpeace-amazon-deforestationGovernment and schools rally for meat-free meals. On March 4, all 151 elementary and middle schools in the Formosa’s (Taiwan) Chiayi County pledged that Friday meals would be without any beef, pork, chicken, lamb or fish.
This health- and environment-promoting measure was led by Chiayi County Magistrate Zhang Hua-guan.
Zhang Hua-guan – Chiayi County Magistrate (F): From now on, every Friday, we shall have healthy veg lunches. What does it mean to have healthy veg meals?
It means that there is no meat, no beef, no chicken, no pork, no lamb.
With this kind of meal, our students will be much healthier and livelier.
Children assembled (M,F): Okay!
VOICE: At the official starting event, County Magistrate Zhang and students enjoyed a nutritious vegan lunch with soy protein and pumpkin-cabbage soup. Also attending in support were the heads of Chiayi County universities, high schools, and elementary schools.
Dr. Lin Jin-chao – Dean, Toko University (F): After this activity, I will make a report to our president to have the school join together with County Magistrate Zhang.
VOICE: With the Formosan(Taiwanese) Environmental Protection Department finding that eliminating meat is a simple, effective, and practical way to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, the central government is now recommending that schools across the island make meat-free meals available one day each week.
Dr. Lin Tsong-Ming – Deputy Minister of Education, Formosa (Taiwan), VEGAN (M): Global warming is becoming worse. As to the vegetarian diet, I think we can encourage it.
VOICE: The Chiayi plan, like other recently introduced reduced-meat programs in Yunlin, Hsinchu, and Changhua Counties, emphasizes healthy eating habits and especially the halting of global warming by avoiding animal products.
Tseng Nan-shun – Principal, Song-May Elementary School (M): Being veg is the way for us to reduce the danger of global warming, and I totally agree with it.
Chen Yun-ru – Student, Jhu-Tsun Elementary School (F): With the serious situation of global warming, meat eating is causing a lot of bad effects.
VOICE: Another aspect of this county-wide initiative is its encouragement of respect for life and care for the animals.
Dr. Huang Gui-nan – Professor, Tatung Institute of Commerce and Technology (M): The first consequence of being veg is less killing, and this is a kind of ethical education.
Zhuang Ming-xun – Student, Jhu-Tsun Elementary School (M): We have to do something to protect the animals.
VOICE: Our respectful accolades, Magistrate Zhang, Chiayi County and other Formosan governments and schools! May this be the start of even greater meat-eliminating actions to curb climate change, save the animals and ensure a safe and healthful future for all children!
Group of students (M,F): Be veg! Go green! Save the planet! Yeah!
British government agency Natural England reports that nearly 500 species of flora and fauna became extinct in the past two centuries alone, with 1,000 more now on the brink of vanishing forever due to hunting, pollution and climate change.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/mar/11/extinct-species-england Extra NewsThe High Court of Bangladesh orders the removal of environmentally dangerous leather tanneries in Hazaribagh, to protect both workers and residents from further deadly toxic gas exposure.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/312632,toxic-gas-kills-three-at-bangladesh-leather-factory.htmlAs the first such initiative to be launched by a large group of businesses, leading Hong Kong dining spots and gyms invite customers to sign “The Petition for Clean Air,” calling for implementation of new standards to halt pollution that is taking human lives every day.
http://www.france24.com/en/20100305-hong-kong-eateries-gyms-launch-clean-air-campaignAt the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, Swiss design team Rinspeed presents the zero emissions mini-electric car “Urban Commuter,” which can travel up to 105 kilometers on a single charge and is small enough to be transported by train.
http://www.automobilemag.com/green/news/1003_rinspeed_uc_concept/index.html http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/313301,swiss-electric-car-made-for-train-travel.html
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