Climate Summit concludes in Mexico with new “Cancún Package.”
Throughout this year’s two-week United Nations Climate Change Conference, delegates focused on moving closer to an accord to replace the Kyoto Protocol on globally reducing greenhouse gas emissions, originally created by the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and set to expire in 2012.

Supreme Master Television reports from Cancún, Mexico.
Correspondent (F): Here in Cancún, United Nations delegates have arrived at the end of an intensive two weeks of climate change negotiations, with dedicated efforts being made by all 192 nations to reach an updated agreement.

Also present for many sessions of this significant summit was Supreme Master Ching Hai, who had been invited as a special guest by Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources.

Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa, who served as conference chair, stated that a broad set of decisions are now within reach. Government leaders working through the night have arrived at a consensus on some issues, such as on how developing nations will be assisted in adapting
to climate change.

VOICE: Other matters that were resolved include a plan for protecting forests, ways to share new clean energy technologies and a reporting structure to ensure that countries follow up on their emissions reduction pledges.

This proposal was supported even by significant greenhouse gas emitters such as China and the United States. The “Cancún Package” as announced by Mexico’s President Calderón and Foreign Minister Espinosa, received a standing ovation in acknowledgement of both the advancements and the general cooperation experienced among the negotiating parties.

Correspondent (F): Throughout the summit, people from various sectors – non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, private companies,research institutions, and students – all showed interest for the plant-based lifestyle change to restore the environment.

Michael Mathres – Co-founder, World Climate Summit, USA (M): It’s very very important that people understand that they should limit or not eat meat, because they produce a lot of methane emissions.

Surveyor Efik, Coordinator, Climate Change Network Nigeria (M): You see the two coming on Nigeria: desertification, coastal erosion, and it’s causing a lot of refugee problems. People should start adapting to veg, and that’s what I support your organization for.

Participant – Climate Change Village (F): Learning at this place, I want to be vegetarian; I’m going to try with my family also,to save the animals, to save the world, save water also.

Sarah Ricci – TechnoWise Group, vegetarian (F): I believe that the ways animals die has an effect on us as individuals, and I’ve been vegetarian for over five years and I feel very happy with my decision. It greatly reduces greenhouse gases, and it is not only important for climate change, it is very important for the health of individuals, for the economy.
Correspondent (F): Former executive secretary of the UNFCCC Mr. Yvo de Boer also expressed his support for the dietary solution to climate change.

Yvo de Boer – Former UNFCCC Executive Secretary (M): It’s a good solution because producing animals to then kill them for human beings to eat involves consumption of huge amounts of energy.
And it’s not very nice for the animals. I think lifestyle change could be a very important part of action to address climate change at the national level, so certainly, as part of a national strategy, that’s something we need to look at.

Correspondent (F): This is Supreme Master Television reporting from Cancún, Mexico.

VOICE:Supreme Master Ching Hai had arrived in Cancún to pray for its smoothest proceeding.
She was also invited as the special guest of honor to a gala held midway through the summit, which honored exemplary role models while raising awareness about the organic vegan solution to climate change, both among the dignitaries present and in the Mexican media.

The “Greenest Heroes Gala” received coverage from regional media, including the newspaper “Novedades,” with the following excerpt from an article titled “Organic Veganism to Save the Planet”:

On Sunday, December 5, the Mayor of Cancún, Mr. Jaime Hernández Zaragoza and the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association were hosts of the “Greenest Heroes Gala” to recognize the efforts of all the participants of the COP 16 and to honor the champions of the environment, who are an example for climate change and other environmental crises through the vegan diet.

Also reporting on the occasion, the popular newspaper “Por Esto!” stated: Received as a bonding event without precedence in the history of COP, the special evening celebrated the international society and the progress reached up to now in Cancún, as well as clarifying the most exceptional personal and planetary benefits that can produce this year´s recommendation of…


“staying away from meat and dairy products,” made by the Environmental Program of the United Nations, with such benefits as reforestation, significant reduction of climate change, biodiversity regeneration, food supply safety, and the cost of mitigation for both climate and health.

“La Verdad” newspaper also reported: “In sum, the Greenest Heroes Gala is recognized as an historical event of the COP 16 due to its success in encouraging and putting together the support of leaders and delegates to lead with the vegan diet solution, nutritionally optimal and without match.”

In her busy schedule, Supreme Master Ching Hai also made time to speak with government officials, as well as to accept interviews with the media including one of Cancún’s largest newspapers, “Novedades.” In addition, the weekly state-wide television program “Encadena TV” invited Supreme Master Ching Hai to share her practical and spiritual viewpoints on saving the planet, as presented in the new compilation book, “From Crisis to Peace: The Organic Vegan Way Is the Answer.”

Jose Maria – Interviewer, Encadena TV (F): Like you said before, we have to focus on making it right and looking forward to the Earth, and stop the climate change.  And we're all connected between each other, even with the animals We have to look forward by helping each other and protecting each other.


VOICE: Our gratefulness,all the sincere and hardworking leaders, delegates, media members and advocates at COP 16. We also join in thanking Supreme Master Ching Hai for her presence in Cancún, tirelessly advocating the crucial vegan change for our planetary survival.

We pray that world governments will act on this win-win solution that will halt climate change and restore peace for all beings.

Michael Mathres (M) and others: Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save the Planet!

Supreme Master Ching Hai’s book, “From Crisis to Peace: The Organic Vegan Way Is the Answer,” is freely available to read at www.Crisis2Peace.org.

Researchers at Ohio State University in the USA conduct a survey of more than 450 restaurant patrons and find that over 80% support green practices and are willing to pay more to eat at eco-friendly establishments.
http://www.physorg.com/news/2010-12-diners-green-restaurants.html
http://www.foodproductdesign.com/news/2010/12/80-of-consumers-will-pay-more-for-green-
dining.aspx

Vatican City is recognized as the world's most environmentally friendly state, with recent installation of giant solar panels yielding more sustainable energy production per inhabitant than anywhere else on the globe.
http://www.france24.com/en/20101207-vatican-worlds-greenest-state-official-daily
http://www.gearlog.com/2010/12/vatican_city_is_worlds_greenes.php
 
At the UN Climate Change Conference in Mexico, Chinese environmental experts report that national energy consumption has been reduced significantly from 1990 to 2009, with further efforts being made to improve efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as develop alternative power sources.
http://english.cntv.cn/20101207/106154.shtml