The world may have nothing left to save tomorrow: Maneka Gandhi

Zero carbon emissions to save the world from climate change. In a press conference before the European Parliaments’s Energy Globe Award presentation, Indian parliamentarian and former Indian environment minister Maneka Gandhi called for the world to plan to eliminate CO2 emissions completely. Referring to devastating climate changes we are experiencing now, she stated, “We are so close to the red line that we might wake up tomorrow and discover there is nothing to save.” Our respectful thanks, Ms. Gandhi, for this awakening call to the urgency of addressing the dire situation on our planet. May we all heed this advice and act now to preserve the Earth as our home.

Maldives gets UN top human rights body to study climate change

Sinking islands in the South Pacific. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has been involved in many efforts to protect populations from climate change. UNEP supports the social policy research of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and helps developing nations in Africa maximize energy efficiency.
 
The organization’s members are also increasingly concerned about the sinking island states in our oceans that is caused by rising sea levels. UNEP’s Asia and Pacific Regional Director Mr. Surendra Shrestha is a native of Nepal, who is also well known for effectively mobilizing political and financial support for UNEP’s programs.

Surendra Shrestha, United Nations Environment Program Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific: If we look at the small islands like Maldives, for example; Maldives in the last 4 years have lost 6 islands. In Indonesia the Minister has told us that they have lost 30 islands, all under the sea. So countries like the Maldives, if the sea level will rise a meter or above, will not exist anymore. The whole country will be gone. So this is indeed a serious issue.

VOICE: More than half the world’s population lives near coastline areas. Rising water levels inevitably would create mass migrations of so-called environmental refugees. UNEP has been working to set up free location programs, but in the future these may not be enough.

Surendra Shrestha: United Nations is assisting with that program, assisting government with that. But that is one or two islands. But if we have large populations, the whole country of Maldives, or if we look at the South Pacific, you know Tuvalu, the small islands, the whole country is going to be submerged. So we have to think of a bigger strategy to assist those people.

VOICE: We pray for greater efforts to halt global warming so that our world’s precious islands and their beautiful inhabitants may be safely preserved. 
 
 
Sweden's Eco-car subsidy could break budget

Eco-cars in Sweden prove to be more popular than expected. In a program launched last April, the Swedish government promised a nearly US$1,700 subsidy toward the purchase of an eco-car. An eco-car is defined as one that runs on ethanol or bio-gas. Based on current buying trends, it is projected that by the end of the December 2009, which marks the end of the program, nearly 250,000 eco-cars will have been sold. What a successful green initiative, Sweden! May all nations be similarly inspired toward environment-friendly motoring.

Baltic Sea ice hits record low

Ice in Baltic Sea at record lows. The ice levels in the Baltic Sea region this winter were at the lowest levels since record-keeping began, according to data recently released by Sweden’s meteorological agency. Only 49,000 square kilometers were covered in ice – a mere quarter of the surface area that is normally expected to be frozen. Thank you, Swedish scientists, for sharing this important and alarming information. May governments and citizens worldwide take action to protect our planet from the perils of global warming.

Deforestation must stop to curb CO2 emissions

A new European Commission report calls on Indonesia to halt deforestation. The report states that Indonesia is one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters due to deforestation and peat burning, largely in response to worldwide demand for pulp, paper and palm oil. With the obvious global warming effects as well as the Sumatra region’s truly unique mixture of plant and animal life, the European Commission is urging Indonesia to create incentives to end the deforestation, including the use of a carbon trading program. European Commission, we appreciate your clear voice and commitment to curbing global warming. Our prayers for the immediate protection of the Indonesian peatlands and forests, vital lungs of our Earth and home to so many of God’s diverse creations.