The environmental
organization, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in the United Kingdom recently warned
that climate change and increasing human demands for water are threatening
rivers throughout the nation, many of which are already below normal levels.
With one ecosystem in every three river catchments reported to be at
risk of drying out during hot summers, wildlife like water voles, otters,
salmon, and kingfishers are already being affected. Threatened rivers include
the upper Wharfe in Yorkshire, and a number of water bodies in the south like
the Severn.
In its report, “Riverside Tales,” the WWF-United Kingdom
strongly advocates for measures that encourage efficient and sustainable water
usage such as changing licenses that currently allow damaging water abstractions
to be drawn by utility companies.
In addition, the suggested
installation of water meters could help households reduce usage by the 12.5%
minimum needed in the next 20 years to address the problem and protect the
survival of rivers and their ecosystems.
We thank the World Wildlife
Fund for your concerned report that brings to our attention the dire conditions
of our freshwater bodies, not just in the United Kingdom but throughout the
world. Let us step in unison to adopt lifestyles that show greater consideration
for the flora and fauna with which we share our planetary home.
Ever-concerned for humanity’s welfare, Supreme Master Ching Hai again
highlighted the changes needed to secure our Earth’s precious water resources
for generations to come during an August 2009 videoconference in
Thailand.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: Many tens of
thousands of rivers and great lakes are dying, dead, gone or going. And I don’t
know how many more we must wait for to die in order for us to wake up. The
leaders of the nations must do something. The people of all nations must do
something.
We have to do something to avoid the tragedy that is already
happening to billions of other people. There are one billion people hungry
already because of climate change, and short of water and food. And three
billion people are short of water.
Just be veg. Stop the meat, dairy,
fish industry. Be benevolent. Create a merciful energy that will envelop our
world, that will emit mercy, love, protection for us and our children on this
planet. Please take action now.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/7638972/Rivers-in-England-and-Wales-face-drying-out-because-of-climate-change.html http://www.wwf.org.uk/news_feed.cfm?3884/UK-rivers-at-risk-of-drying-out