A
recent article in “The Big Issue,” the most widely read weekly magazine
in Scotland, UK, notes that infestations of cyanobacteria, also known
as blue green algae, are occurring with ever greater frequency in both
inland and ocean waters worldwide.
Authored by feature writer
Adam Forrest, the article goes on to say that not only do such
proliferations disturb ecosystems and promote the formation of dead
zones, they are also harmful to humans and animals, with exposure that
can cause vomiting, blistered skin and even death.
The spread of
these algal blooms has been notably linked to agricultural runoff from
fertilizers and livestock manure, which is then aggravated by
climate-related temperature rise. Areas that have recently seen
outbreaks include the Baltic Sea in Europe, Lake Erie in the USA, Lake
Victoria in Africa and several lakes
in China.
In the Baltic
Sea, for example, record high temperatures this past summer led to an
immense patch of the toxic algae that stretched from Finland to the
south coast of Sweden. In Scotland, UK, the Environmental Protection
Agency canceled at least two highly popular inland lake swimming events
after cyanobacterial concentrations from the algae were found to be
twice the level considered safe.
Of even greater concern is the
threat posed by global warming as additional pollution along with
continued rising temperatures could cause algae to overrun waters
throughout the planet. Following a study by US scientists linking five
past mass extinctions with toxic algae spread, environmental experts
such as ecologist Russ George said that oxygen-deprived aquatic
ecosystems could easily collapse.
We thank journalist Mr. Adam
Forrest and “The Big Issue” in Scotland for calling attention to this
danger. May humans everywhere strive to protect the planet through
lifestyles that are sustainable and in harmony with nature.
During
an October 2009 videoconference in Formosa (Taiwan), Supreme Master
Ching Hai addressed such detrimental effects, while emphasizing the need
to eliminate livestock-raising to reverse the effects and safeguard
marine ecosystems.
Supreme Master Ching Hai : The
livestock sector is probably the world's biggest source of water
pollution. Excessive animal waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides
degrade waterways, killing aquatic organisms
by creating algae
blooms, which in turn chokes the oxygen from water systems and help form
these oceanic dead zones. The number of oxygen-depleted oceanic dead
zones has increased from only 49 in the 1960s to 405 in 2008. And I am
sure there are more now.
Regarding the concrete instructions and
guidance to avoid the planet’s destruction, it’s again: Be veg, go
green, do good deeds and be loving. That’s the loving way to live;
that’s the noble way to live. We must develop our innate noble
qualities, because after all, we are humane beings. And, it’s the only
way we can save the planet from destruction.
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