A
recently released report by the US Geological Survey on the state of
glacier retreat in the Himalayan mountains due to global warming cited
diminished water supplies to millions of people along with added sea
level rise, and increased likelihood of outburst floods from sources
such as glacial lakes.
Of particular concern to the 39
scientists involved in the study is the accelerating melt of fresh water
sources in the Himalayas. Working to raise further awareness of such
global warming impacts is British explorer and swimmer Mr. Lewis Gordon
Pugh, who, in May 2010, braved dangerous freezing temperatures and
oxygen-depleted high altitudes in a symbolic one-kilometer swim across a
lake at the base of Mount Everest, which itself has formed as a result
of global warming.
Lewis Gordon Pugh – British explorer and swimmer raising awareness on climate change (M): This
swim was one of the hardest swims I’ve ever done, because you’ve got to
get a fine balance. If you go slowly where you’re just wearing a
Speedo, you’re going to freeze to death. But, if you go too quickly, up
there at 5,300 meters,
it is very, very difficult to breathe.
What
I was trying to do about this swim was to link damaging the environment
and having conflict on this Earth. Imagine if you are a farmer, and you
live at the bottom of the Ganges River, and you have less and less
water.
And that water which you are getting is polluted and
toxic, then you are going to be very, very angry. We need to protect our
water supplies, because we cannot live on this Earth without good,
clean water.
VOICE: Wearing no protective gear, Mr. Pugh had
previously conducted a similar activity at the North Pole – a place that
without global warming would have been covered by ice. His deep concern
in raising awareness of these sites most jeopardized by climate change
has allowed him to meet with world leaders to discuss solutions.
Lewis Gordon Pugh (M):
For me, I am so passionate about trying to draw attention to what is
happening, and the speed at which it is happening, as I will do anything
to draw attention to this issue. If we are not able to stop climate
change, there is no future. I think the most important thing that we
need to do right now is to believe that we can stop climate change.
Before I start with any expedition, I’ve got to believe I can do it. And
that is the most important thing.
VOICE: Our salute and
admiration Mr. Pugh for your determination, care and very courageous
actions to hasten our actions to halt climate change. May leaders and
citizens alike each do our part to save the planet.
In a video
message for a June 2009 climate change conference in Mexico, Supreme
Master Ching Hai described the urgency of glacial melt worldwide while
at the same time addressing the most effective solution.
Supreme Master Ching Hai :
Most of the planet’s glaciers will be gone within a few decades,
jeopardizing the survival of more than 2 billion people. One billion of
these people will suffer the effects of the Himalayan glacier retreats,
which have been occurring at a pace more rapid than anywhere in the
world, with two-thirds of the region's more than 18,000 glaciers
receding.
The initial effects of glacier melt are destructive
floods and landslides. As the glacial ice retreat continues, reduced
rainfall, devastating droughts and water shortages are the result.
So,
to cool the planet most quickly, we have to stop consuming meat in
order to stop the livestock raising industry. If everyone in the world
would adopt this simple but most powerful practice of an animal-free
diet, then we could reverse the effect of global warming in no time.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/08/usgs-confirms-himalayan-glaciers-melting-climate-change-to-blame.phphttp://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2573 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8699152.stm
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