With a brilliant sun and turquoise sea, friendly people, tropical wildlife, and the largest coral reef in the Western hemisphere, Cancún, Mexico was the gracious host of the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference. With dedication and cooperation, distinguished COP 16 delegates from over 190 nations worked toward reaching a hopeful accord on ways to mitigate urgent climate change.

Livestock production is, yes, it’s a very major contribution to greenhouse gases emissions. In the midst of this two-week summit, a special event on December 5 held at the leading eco-friendly Fairmont Mayakoba resort hotel welcomed international dignitaries to join in highlighting the foremost solution to global warming as it celebrated exemplary champions of the planet.

Co-hosted by Mayor of Cancún, The Honorable Jaime Hernández Zaragoza and the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, “The Greenest Heroes Gala” opened with vital messages shared by the esteemed 44th Costa Rican President José María Figueres Olsen and the 7th President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

Gracing this meaningful celebration was special guest of honor Supreme Master Ching Hai, who was personally attending the COP 16 summit at the invitation of the Mexican government, meeting with conference delegates and journalists in support of their noble efforts to protect the planet.

During the Gala’s multi-course vegan banquet, gifted performances unfolded, including songs inspired by Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry that were presented by celebrated artists.

These included soprano Lynne Wintersteller accompanied by 2-time Grammy- and Oscar-winning composer David Shire on the piano; legendary Beach Boys founding member, Al Jardine; Tony Award-winning vocalist Melba Moore, with songs by 2-time Oscar winner Al Kasha; acclaimed soprano Kerry Walsh; award-winning Italian-Mexican singer Filippa Giordano; multiplatinum recording artist Taylor Dayne, who has sold over 75 million albums, as well as beautifully attired traditional Mexican dancers and musicians and vibrant international dances performed by our Association members.

“The Greenest Heroes Gala” was a tribute to all Earth protectors who participate in and promote the compassionate plant-based lifestyle for a more healthful and peaceful world.

For their outstanding representation, eight people were specially honored by Supreme Master Ching Hai: Ultraman World Championship athlete and attorney Rich Roll; internationally renowned communication coach, Richard Greene; best-selling author and speaker, Dr. Will Tuttle; 3-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, Cary Brown; soprano Kerry Walsh; accomplished film producer and former Warner Bros. executive Julie Bergman Sender, and the Gala’s two Masters of Ceremonies, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Lionel Friedberg and actress Mariana Tosca.

The evening also featured the premiere of the book, “From Crisis to Peace: The Organic Vegan Way Is the Answer,” a compilation of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s messages on the environment, along with the debut of “Birds of Paradise,” a feature animation based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s #1 international bestselling book, “The Birds in My Life.”

During the gala, Supreme Master Ching Hai delivered an elevating speech in which she urged all leaders to adopt benevolent life-saving policies. She also revealed certain spiritual information for the first time as part of a vital message for all to make wise choices that determine the future of our precious planet.

We can save all that we wanted to save because we have the power. In addition to live coverage, numerous print, radio and television media reported on the event, highlighting its key themes of veganism and sustainability for an even wider audience. We now invite you to watch the first of the 11-part series rebroadcast of the grand live event, “The Greenest Heroes Gala.”

They say I was born among the oaks They tell me I am muleteer Because I whistle and they stop If I throw the hat to them You will see how it prances Ay, ay, ay

Let the music of the tambora follow me Play for me “El Quelite” After that “El Niño Perdido” And at last, “El Torito”

So you can see how I prance to it Ay ay ay, Mama my God. They call me the lover But I am none of that Everyone calls me the dark one Dark but lucky Because if I face a challenge I don’t fear death Ay, ay, ay, Mama my God.

I am from Sinaloa, Where the waves break, I’m in love with a lady With no attachments Staying out of trouble, when she accepts me

Ay ay ay, ay ay ay. Yes sir! Bravo!Encore.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome tonight’s Masters of Ceremonies.

Greetings ladies and gentleman, and welcome to Cancún, Mexico! It’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with its music, clear blue ocean and warm sunshine. And it certainly makes you feel welcome. No wonder people from all over the world love to visit here.

Yes, it certainly is a place that makes my heart beat faster. You can tangibly feel the presence of the great Mayan civilization that once flourished in this area. It’s quite a treat to be here. You’ve just heard the song, “El Sinaloense”, performed by Mariachi la Diferencia. So ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Greenest Heroes Gala.

It’s being held here at the prestigious Fairmont Mayakoba Hotel in one of the most beautiful places in the world – Cancún, Mexico.

We are privileged to have you join us, all of you, this evening.

And this beautiful city is currently hosting COP16, the 16th annual Conference of Parties international climate change conference, with tens of thousands of people here. The decisions made at the COP16 have the very, very real power to change the destiny of the world.

Tonight we celebrate the many areas where great strides to climate change have already been made. That’s what this lovely gala in this lovely ballroom is all about. We’ve got an exciting program lined up for you, starting with a 5-course gourmet vegan meal, reflecting international flavors and the most sustainable and compassionate diet for the planet.

The main purpose of this evening is to celebrate and honor the noble efforts of those courageous people who are championing effective ways to positively impact climate change. Throughout the evening, we will enjoy entertainment by celebrated artists from around the world.

Before we start, let me introduce you, all of you, to my very beautiful co-host, Mariana Tosca.

Mariana is an award-winning actress. She won a Drama Critics’ Ovation Award for Best Actress for her performance in Tennessee Williams’ wonderful play “Orpheus Descending”. And she’s a member of the prestigious Actor's Studio. She’s a wonderful mix of acting talent and compassion, and both inner and, as you can clearly see, outer beauty.

Thank you, thank you, Lionel.

(And beauty, yes.)

Mariana starred in the films, “Christmas in the Clouds,” as well as in the acclaimed, “I Knew a Girl Named Hollywood,” for which she won the Breakthrough Performance Award from the ICA Critics’ Society. Mariana serves as a board member for Save the Chimps, the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary, and at the National Academy of Music for the Blind, where she volunteers teaching drama.

She received an Artists for Humanity Award for her work as founder of the Los Angeles Homeless Coalition, and has the privilege of serving as chief animal welfare advisor to United States Presidential candidate, Congressman Dennis Kucinich. When Mariana isn’t acting, she devotes herself to protecting animals, humans and of course, the environment. A longtime vegan, the brilliant Ms. Tosca is also a member of MENSA International, which humbles me just looking at her career.

I apologize. That seemed to have gone on interminably.

Thank you all. And now it is my privilege to introduce to you my co-host, the extremely talented and world-renowned film producer, Lionel Friedberg. His skills range as director, writer, cinematographer. Lionel has made films for television channels like National Geographic, Animal Planet, CBS, PBS, the History Channel, and Discovery Channel.

Lionel has received numerous awards for his work, including the Primetime Emmy Award, the American Association for the Advancement of Science Westinghouse Award, three Columbus, and two Golden Eagle Awards. Noted for his compassion for our world, and all of its inhabitants, Lionel is a vegan and is very, very active in the animal welfare movement. So I applaud you, sir.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to have very many dignitaries with us at this evening’s gala event. Heading the list, of course, is our Guest of Honor, none other than Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Merely having her in the same room with us is more than a treat, it’s an exceptional privilege. Thank you, Supreme Master, for being with us tonight.

We have Mayor of Cancún Jaime Hernández Zaragoza; José Maria Figueres, former President of Costa Rica; Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland; Eugene Chien, chair for the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy; Gurbangeldi Allaberdiyev, head of delegation of Turkmenistan Ministry of Nature Protection; John Topping, president of the Climate Institute in Washington DC; Latif Amars, project manager for Tanzania Natural Resource Forum; Ezzat Lewis Hannalla Agaiby, department head of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs (EEAA), Mario Castro,

the Deputy of Cancún, Heherson J. Alvarez, Secretary for the Office of the President of the Philippines; Deputy Director Hamid Javaid Awan of Pakistan’s Ministry of Environment; Consul General Mark Carney of the United Kingdom; Ambassador Hamdani Djafar of Embassy of Indonesia; and Mr. S. T. Kodikara, Secretary to Sri Lanka's Ministry of Agriculture. There are many more dignitaries in attendance, however, due to limited time we cannot name them all.

Thank you all for being here. Thank you.

Beautiful people, this is impromptu, spontaneous, because our President must leave. He has urgent business to go. It was very gracious of him to come. So I let him, please say hallo to you. To welcome you and to tell you “Be Veg, Go Green,” something like that. Please, the president of Costa Rica! Thank you. Good.

Good evening, good evening to all my friends.

Dear friends, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.

To you, Supreme Master, thank you so much for honoring us in this beautiful (With pleasure.) Mexican land.

I wanted to stop by and not only pay my respects but also thank you for this event and for celebrating the activity that you are celebrating tonight in honoring heroes that are doing good work for our planet. I would have loved to stay here. I am the Chair of the Carbon War Room and I have activities this evening that I must be present at. So, with the music here, I don't know if I should dance or what, but…

They just welcome you. They’re so excited. The music went on by itself.

Okay, but in any case, if I may, I come from a country that has taken environmental policies very serious and very at heart.

Yes, in Costa Rica. In your country many activities. Please tell a little bit.

Many of you have been to Costa Rica, the Supreme Master was sharing with me that she was there about two weeks ago (Yes, yes.) in our country. And, of course, for us the environment has become a way of life. Sustainability has become very much the paradigm towards which we have moved, combining good macroeconomic policies with good social policies, and at the same time developing ourself with nature. (Yes.)

In many ways I would consider myself and call myself a tree hugger, that expression they use in North America to identify people that are very inclined towards respecting the environment. But I would also say that in bringing the resources that we need to bring to the table and in bringing all the strength that we need to bring from different sectors of society to be able to tackle the challenge of climate change, we would need to bring in, very importantly, the private sector as well.

This is an issue on which I feel it is just too important to our lives to be left in the hands of government themselves, or of the political framework. So, while I wish the political framework and the process of the countries coming together here in Cancún the best of lucks in reaching important agreements, I don't think we can just wait for them to reach an agreement.

This is something in which we have to exercise personal leadership and personal commitment. Your being here tonight, your activity, your leadership, Supreme Master, are already a fine example of that leadership and of stepping forward. So I wish you the best in your activities here this evening and in the times to come.

These are important times, beautiful times, challenging times. Climate change may be to some a big challenge. To many of us, it’s a tremendous opportunity to move towards a world that is free of carbon emissions, that provides better jobs, that provides better opportunities for the private sector and for civil society to interact. That world, which is a much better world, is possible if we all exercise our leadership and we work in that direction.

Thank you so much, God bless you,

and I wish you have a very nice celebration.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. You’re the best. God bless you and your country.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for coming. We thank His Excellency for sparing his precious time to come to grace us with his presence. Please do one more thank you applause.

We would now like to introduce you to the co-organizer of this event, the Honorable Jaime Hernández Zaragoza, the mayor of this most beautiful and welcoming city of Cancún.

A firm believer in the importance of cooperation, Mr. Zaragoza stated when he recently assumed his position, “I want to send a clear signal of unity, peace and harmony.” So please, please join me again in welcoming his distinguished mayor, Jaime Hernandez Zaragoza and his wife, Lady Mayoress Ms. Paty Meneses de Hernández.

First Lady of Cancún! Without her, he’s not as great. Sorry. People say there’s always a great woman behind a great man. So we welcome her and honor her as well. Beautiful couple.

It’s really an honor to be in this place. Apart from what this piece of Heaven that God has given us represents,we are able to share this place with every one of you. When one first hears about global warming, there is a great concern, and a feeling of loneliness that invades our heart. However, getting to know you all, listening to you, and to know that more people are working to reverse this effect, that brings peace. But it also increases the commitment, the responsibility to take action.

Recently, in the city of Mexico City in the Federal District, we had a gathering, a summit of local and regional mayors where we were able to come to an agreement on 13 points. But the main plan, the main focus was the commitment: to stop being observers and to become actors.

Altruism, generosity and solidarity are values that represent lights of hope in the middle of the incomprehensible darkness of greed, which envelops humanity and our planet. There are many of us who realize that an upside down world is not an option. However, sometimes it is not easy to find each other, get united, organized, to fight, to disseminate, to straighten out the twisted paths that lead only to chaos.

This night is an exceptional night, a night of lights, a night in which Supreme Master Ching Hai, enlightens us with her presence and motivates us with her wisdom. It is for me, truly, a very special honor, to give the utmost welcome to this woman, who has managed to gather a large amount of hearts and minds looking to stop climate change.

And she also works tirelessly to bring help to those who are already suffering the consequences of this terrible phenomenon, which threatens our planet and all its inhabitants. I would like to express in the name of the municipal government, and of all the inhabitants of the municipality of Benito Juarez, Cancún, Mexico, and also on my own behalf and that of my family, our great pleasure because Cancún has been distinguished by the presence of the members of the humanitarian Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association in the context of this international summit on climate change, we hope that each and every one of you can enjoy the natural beauty which characterizes our municipality, the quality of our facilities, but above all, the quality of our people.

We, the people from Benito Juarez (Cancún), are hardworking and friendly, who have learned to serve. And today we have in mind a phrase that my wife often says, “Those who do not live to serve, serve little purpose.”

And I add to that, “The one who doesn’t serve, is of little service.” We work hard to take care of you and offer you the necessary conditions so that the goals of your visit are met and exceeded and to make a memorable experience of your time in Cancún. In this municipality, this city, we are working to transform history.

We cannot go on blaming whoever has left us what we are experiencing today, because, today, we are all responsible. In this city, we are opening spaces, sports fields and parks, for interaction and family integration. We are reforesting our city, our parks, and the goal this year is to plant one million trees. We are cleaning our beaches, and today, we do not limit ourselves to cleaning, but also disinfecting the beaches. We are rescuing our springs, these places of pure water which circulate in the inner channels of our planet. We are working to make Cancún an example of safekeeping of the planet.

But we consider that among everything that there is on the planet and in the universe, the key element is the human being. And we are aware that this piece of paradise that God gave us does not make us owners, but managers. And we are also aware that we must take in account what we do or not do in this place.

I would like to say many words but I am overwhelmed by the emotion of having you in my home. Cancún is your home, and I wish that in this place, there will be an agreement among all the representatives of the 194 countries and groups and associations that participate in an open way. And that these commitments, these proposals, be not only policies but rather realities.

On occasion, I have commented that when we were kids, we had dreams that we couldn’t transform into reality because we were not the right age, nor did we have the conditions nor the power or authority to execute them. The problem is that today, we are old enough, we are adults. The conditions exist, and we have the power and authority to generate actions. But we have lost the dreams. Let’s recover our dreams, let’s be kids again, take care of our planet, there is no other place for human life.

The commitment is not only by the leaders, although I accept my responsibility as such. I believe that we have to make changes in the mind of leaders. And I will start with myself. I’m joining in this project. I will disseminate what is agreed on here, what is proposed here, and all the solutions that are put on the table and in this organization; I shall make them as my own, with my family and with all the inhabitants of the municipality.

I’m very sorry for having gone on but you must know this: Never put a microphone in the hands of a politician! Truly, thank you so much. Welcome to you all! Cancún is your home! And we are your family! I would like to take a bit more time and share this space with my wife, because there is something special, my wife doesn’t speak with the mouth, she speaks with her heart. And I would also like her to give us a message.

And she is beautiful also. Beautiful.

Thank you. We see beautiful faces, but we are not so different. We have at least one thing in common. We are very concerned about our tomorrows. And tonight, it’s a really special night for us. And we want to give to all of you the very welcome to Cancún, to the Riviera Maya, to Mexico.

That was a couple!

Thank you so much for joining us here this evening, Mayor. We’re honored to have you here. Thank you for inviting me to join you in this beautiful event carried out by the Supreme Master, here in Cancún. The president of Costa Rica. One of the major contributions we can make to lower carbon emissions is a change in our diets, and if we go in that direction we will be doing a lot to lower emissions, so it is an important contribution.

The truth is that the level of carbon emissions that we have reached today is excessive for the health of the planet. To welcome you and to tell you “Be Veg, Go Green,” something like that. Please. I thank Supreme Master for her leadership, thank her for her optimism, thank her for the people skills she has that makes her so unique and so special.

The evening was wonderful! It was as special as all of these Supreme Master events are, and especially too having Supreme Master Ching Hai here, elevated it to something unique. It really was. And so, of course, we all had a wonderful time up there and trying to do our little bit to make a difference, (You are all my heroes.) you know, and following her leadership.

She is such a wonderful leader; it all comes from the heart. I met her this morning for the first time and it was extraordinary! This woman’s soul, and her consciousness is so amazing! And of course, all of you, you’re just wonderful. I just wish the rest of the world would be more like this organization.

It’s just great to be part of this. You know, a week ago, no one knew this was happening. And suddenly tonight, here was this mammoth show, very ambitious. Looking from the stage down at the audience and how they were enraptured by the speeches, the songs, it was just amazing to watch.

When one talks about global warming and climate change, it’s a dour, darn, dark subject. People are terrified of it and there’s so much bad news. Something like this comes along, there is an optimistic side to it. And that’s what this was all about tonight. You know, we can make a difference!

And I think that with what people take away from a show like this is invaluable. Absolutely invaluable! And, I’m delighted to be in Cancún. What a special place. Just gorgeous to be here with all of these enlightened people. Wonderful!

I am the co-Chair of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development’s Education Caucus and we have a climate change delegation here and we’re working on a well-prepared society. This event helped raise my awareness. It was delicious, tasty and very, very delicious. This was superb. Whoever the chef was, brilliant work! Brilliant work. The presentation, the colors but the food itself was incredibly tasty. The program is incredible. It’s fantastic. Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save the Planet!

It was nice to see so many people caring and concerned with saving our planet. I am very happy, and willing to enter in this movement to save our planet and to invite more mayors so that they know and participate in this movement to save our planet.

I am so impressed. The dinner was delicious. The salvation, it starts not in our families; it starts in our plates. I think that is the most important thing tonight. And I really think that it’s going to be helpful for everything and so blessing to us. Thank you.

I think it’s very interesting with all the culture and the dinner was wonderful, the organization, the music, and the Lady [Supreme Master Ching Hai] is fantastic.

Well, I have made a number of films on global climate change. And if I make a documentary film, be it for Animal Planet or whoever it may be, I will always embed a message in there about compassion, about caring for the world, about caring for our fellow beings. I would love to see humanity changing to a plant-based diet. Time is running out but when you see these huge quantum leaps of change.

There was a time I would fly on the airplane and then ask for vegan food and they wouldn’t even know what I’m talking about. You know, they’ll offer you fish and chicken, and say, “Well, you’re vegetarian, you eat that, don’t you? Or there’s cheese, you eat that, or there’s eggs.” Now, I can order a vegan meal on just about any airline in the world. That’s progress!

I am ready, and willing to do it with a big commitment for this to happen, the change has to be made, and I will lead that change. Welcome to Vegetarian Cancún.

You are welcomed, this is the home of veganism.

Hi I’m Lionel Friedberg, and you’re watching Supreme Master Television. Remember: Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save The Planet!

Thank you for your gracious presence today for Supreme Master Television’s rebroadcast of “The Greenest Heroes Gala.” Please join us Saturday, March 5 for part 2 of this grand multi-cultural event. Stay tuned to Supreme Master Television for Words of Wisdom. Heaven bless your noble hearts in all your loving and sustainable endeavors.

All information concerning the scientific evidence of climate change and its solution is in Supreme Master Ching Hai’s book, “From Crisis to Peace: The Organic Vegan Way Is the Answer.” Freely available to read at