Rising seas consuming coastal areas across Africa.In spite of efforts
by a group of African nations to stave off coastal erosion, the sea is
gradually taking away lands containing infrastructure, farmland and
prime beaches that have brought beneficial tourism revenues to the
countries. These higher sea levels resulting from global warming pose
increasing threat to both humans and wildlife in countries like
Tanzania and South Africa as well as Nigeria, where towns on the
southeastern coast have already disappeared. Our prayers for all those
affected by climate change in Africa and around the globe. We call upon
humankind’s sincere determination to halt global warming and preserve
precious lives on Earth.
In a videoconference on December 12, 2008 with
dignitaries and the media in California, USA, Supreme Master Ching Hai
spoke on coastal erosion and the solution to stopping it.
Supreme Master Ching Hai
: So
many islands have sunk under water already. Many coastal cities’ land
has been eroded. Two thousand more islands are sinking, and 18 islands,
what we have known, maybe more, but we don’t know, 18 islands including
small nation islands already gone, disappeared under water, sometimes 6
meters under water already, and another 40 are or at risk of sinking,
or uninhabitable or begins to be uninhabitable because they cannot
cultivate any more because the land become inundated with salty water
already. I want to plead with all the planet people. Please stop
killing animals. Please have compassion. Please turn to vegetarian
diet. Please be vegan; that is to save yourselves and your children.
SM: So, organic vegan diet is the answer.
Japan races to build zero emissions electric carJapanese automakers looking toward zero-emissions vehicles. Full-scale production of the company’s next generation automobile is fast approaching with next year’s planned launch of Mitsubishi’s zero-emission iMiEV, an electric vehicle that runs 160 kilometers on one charge. Nissan is also planning an all-electric car to be available next year, and Toyota is developing a range of green cars as well. In July 2008 Honda began selling the fuel-cell vehicle FCX Clarity in the US, which produces electricity through a chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, with water as the only by-product. Cruising at up to 620 kilometers and able to recharge within minutes, the first 5 have been delivered to film producer Ron Yerxa and actress Jamie Lee Curtis. A big green salute, Japanese automakers for your innovations in the transportation sector. We look forward to the day when all travel sustains our beautiful planet.
Eco-school opens doors to 300 pupilsWelsh eco-school welcomes students. An ultra-efficient facility built from sustainable timber has opened its doors to more than 300 pupils in Ysgol-y-Graig, North Wales. Along with generating electricity from photovoltaic tiles and a wind turbine, the building also features a green roof that provides a natural habitat for flora and fauna. Kudos, students and teachers at Ysgol-y-Graig Eco School for the success of this comprehensive eco-project! We wish you many happy hours of wondrous learning in harmony with the environment.