Climate change also devastating to mental health. A
report prepared for Australia’s Climate Institute reveals a link
between increased extreme weather events and psychological problems such
as depression, substance abuse and even suicide.
Titled "A Climate
Of Suffering: The Real Cost of Living with Inaction on Climate Change,"
the study notes that the repeated flooding and prolonged drought seen
especially over the past decade in Australia has generated feelings of
anxiety and insecurity, not just in adults but also for children.
These
adverse psychological effects do not diminish quickly, often persisting
for months and years, with higher rates of drug and alcohol addiction,
violence, family separation and suicides more likely.
Australia's
Climate Institute Chief Executive John Connor stated that these deeper
effects on human health must thus be accounted for when calculating the
true cost of climate change.
Our sincere thanks, Mr. Connor and
Climate Institute of Australia for this study that reveals some of the
additional tragedies of planetary imbalance.
May our wiser and more harmonious actions help restore our harmony with nature and foster peace of mind.
During
an April 2011 videoconference in Mongolia, Supreme Master Ching Hai
addressed a question on how to counteract the detrimental tolls of
climate change that include related disease.
MC (f):
We are witnessing the destruction on the environment and a massive
number of people suffering from diseases in every corner of the world.
(Supreme Master Ching Hai : That’s right.) What would you like to say
foremost to humanity right now, at this moment?
Supreme Master Ching Hai: We
have to be merciful and compassionate in order to beget the same
quality. We have to be loving and kind to our own co-inhabitants so that
we can attract loving and kind mercy from Heaven. The Buddha has taught
always compassion; Jesus taught the same thing. All the masters
in the past taught the same things, that we have to return to our kindness and love, which is our own nature.
(Q (f): Yes, Master.)
Stop
killing, stop oppression of all kinds. We can save ourselves and our
loved ones. Stop killing, be loving, be compassionate, be kind. Thank
you.
Extra News
Droughts
in 2010 followed by freezing weather in 2011 have gravely damaged sugar
cane crops in Brazil, the world’s largest producer and exporter of cane
sugar, with the effect on harvests not yet known.
http://en.mercopress.com/2011/08/31/freezing-weather-reduces-brazil-s-sugar-crop-estimateJapan-based
Eco Marine Power announced on August 31, 2011 the development of solar
and wind panels that can be placed as arrays on ships to function both
as sails and sustainable energy generators, thus reducing fuel
consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions.
http://www.care2.com/causes/solar-panels-act-as-sails-for-shipping-vessels-2.html http://news.discovery.com/tech/greening-high-seas-110831.html As
of August 31, 2011 more than 7 million people are affected by severe
drought in China’s Sichuan province, where 479 reservoirs and 349 rivers
have dried up, with water trucks being dispatched by the government to
try to help with the emergency.
http://reliefweb.int/node/444106http://english.eastday.com/e/110829/u1a6077209.html