Pesticides leading cause of mortality in Bangladesh. A 2009 Health Bulletin published by the Bangladeshi government reported that more than 7,400 fatalities resulted from pesticide-related poisonings for individuals aged 15 to 49. Government figures also indicate that pesticide use has increased by 145% in the six years between 2001 and 2007. Professor of medicine Dr. Muhammad Abul Faiz at Sir Salimullah Medical College in Dhaka stated that the farmers are often exposed to the chemicals without proper protection and that they inhale significant amounts.
According to scientists from Bangladesh’s National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, farmers also recycle the pesticide containers, which are sometimes used for food storage. Dr. Faiz added that of the 933 poisoning cases admitted to his facility in 2008, 38% were due to pesticides. It saddens us deeply to
know of the tragic effects of these hazardous substances.
We pray that the government of Bangladesh and indeed leaders throughout the world adopt sustainable organic vegan practices for safer harvests and protected lives. Noting the grave tolls of such chemical products, Supreme Master Ching Hai has often encouraged the wholesome organic vagan farming alternative, as during an interview published in the July 12, 2009 edition of the Irish Sunday Independent.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: Organic vegan farming is what should be promoted
Supreme Master Ching Hai: This one benefits our health because it avoids hundreds of pesticides as well as insecticide residues in our food, the antibiotics, and the unnatural additives which have been linked to countless diseases, yes.
Organic farming absorbs CO2 as well, yeah. Compared to animal products, organically farmed fruits and vegetables contain high levels of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which protect us from cancer.
Moreover, they taste better—everyone will tell us that. For the environment, organic vegan farming protects and even enriches the soil, helps to preserve wild life habitat, creates much less pollution.
We have 40% CO2 absorbed by organic vegan practices That is 1,000 pounds of carbon per acre absorbed and stored.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: So, for our health and for the planet, organic vegan vegetarian farming is the solution, yes.
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=87773 http://www.whoban.org/MR_Launching.htmlExtra NewsResearchers at Oman’s leading Sultan Qaboos University are developing designs for regionally appropriate eco-homes, to use as a basis for future residential construction in the Sultanate.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100116052926/SQU%20to%20work%20on%20eco-house%20prototype%20for%20OmanScientists in the UK report that the eel population continues to decline in the River Thames and has now been diminished by as much as 98%, upsetting the delicate balance of the freshwater ecosystem.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/21/AR2010012103895.htmlLeaders from countries including the Maldives, Turkey, Qatar, Spain, Denmark and Malaysia convene for the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates where they agree on the urgency of action needed to mitigate climate change as well as encouraging the use of sustainable energy.
http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/World+leaders+make+call+clean+energy+commitments/2455815/story.html The UK-based report, 『Facing up to Rising Sea Levels,』 calls for rapid government action to manage climate adaptation, saying that global warming effects may necessitate portions of at-risk cities being surrendered to the sea.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8460089.stm