South Korean officials pledge to be veg one day a week.
A seminar was recently held in Gwangju, South Korea inviting government officials and educators to consider implementing a vegan policy in schools.  It was organized by a coalition of civil groups called Hope Group Meal Alliance for a Green World, who share the goal for creating healthier low-carbon school meals for children.

Politicians on stage (M): I will adopt a vegetarian diet one day a week.

VOICE: Invited South Korean parliament members and others signed a document pledging to be veg themselves while formally promoting the lifestyle.

Jang Hui-Gook – Gwangju City Superintendent of Education Candidate (M): I have pledged to work to provide once-a-week vegetarian school meals, and first-and-foremost to provide menus in schools that give students a choice.

VOICE: In addition to lectures given on the relationship between climate change and diet, presentations were given by Dr. Wei Jong-Bi from Formosa’s (Taiwan) National Chang Hua University on the successful precedents in Formosa’s vegan school meal policies; and Dr. Hwang Seong-Soo, a South Korean vegan neurosurgeon who has helped patients reverse chronic disease by adopting animal-free diets.

Hwang Seong-Soo, MD – Neurosurgeon, Daegu Medical Center; Vegan (M): Humans must not eat meat, fish, egg, or milk. These shouldn’t just be reduced, they must not be eaten at all.

Kim Jae-Gyun – South Korean National Assembly Member (M): For health and for reducing global warming, it’s very important to have a plant-based diet rather than meat eating.

VOICE: Outside the Chonnam National University venue, college students urged the public to pledge to try veg while offering free tasty veg hamburgers. Our Association members were also invited to cook free hot vegan meals on site.

Citizen tasting (M): It’s really tasty!

Child reading veg pledge card (F): “I will be veg once a week to save the Earth suffering from global warming and to save my health.”

VOICE: Our appreciation honorable South Korean legislators, groups and citizens who are determined to ensure both health and a sustainable future for our children. May all responsible schools and governments adopt the win-win solution of adopting plant-based fare.

Group: Be veg, go green, save the planet!

In a September 2009 videoconference in South Korea, Supreme Master Ching Hai encouraged educators
and dignitaries toward the Earth-saving organic vegan diet to save the planet.


World’s worst chemical disaster still affecting people after 25 years.
In a federal court ruling on Monday, June 7, seven former executives of an international chemical company were sentenced for what has been called the most devastating chemical disaster ever, which occurred when the highly deadly methyl isocyanate leaked from a pesticide factory on the night of December 3, 1984 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

Over 40 tons of the poisonous gas were reported to have entered the surrounding community, with an immediate death toll of at least 3,800 and possibly up to 8,000 people.

It is also estimated that some 20,000 have died subsequently. Tragically, the effects of the event go on to this day, with 50,000-plus residents who are permanently disabled or with chronic illnesses such as kidney damage, liver damage as well as cancer and birth defects.

Officials in Madhya Pradesh state as well as the families of victims continue to seek help in coping with the still-toxic effects of the chemical, which has not been properly cleaned from the area.
A panel of legal experts plan to appeal the case to India's High Court.

Our appreciation for the efforts of all who are bringing attention to this shocking disaster, and we join in mourning the loss of precious lives. Our sorrow also for the suffering victims as we pray that this reminder motivates us all to swiftly turn to sustaining actions that protect lives and our fragile ecosphere.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h-asKjnBMEve1NeK9-B3kwyrlx2g
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Global-media-censures-Indian-Govt-on-Bhopal
/articleshow/6028334.cms
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Indian-State-To-Challenge-Bhopal-Verdict-95947534.html

Extra News
Scientists find that apes in Europe nine million years ago became extinct due to climate change, warning of the current danger to the Earth as they point out that humans can eliminate biodiversity much more rapidly.  
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10209492.stm
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/06/european-ape-extinction/

Greenpeace and the European Renewable Energy Council report that a switch to green energy sources could result in the creation of 12 million jobs by 2050, with 95% of all energy obtained sustainably.
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/06/08/greenpeace-%E2%80%93-95-renewable-energy-without-
slowing-growth/
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6561GK20100607?type=domesticNews
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gcM7rVOIsZAfeGAlS4wqvEKBcQ2A

Wildlife officials in Malaysia save two malnourished, endangered baby pygmy elephants found on Borneo Island, one two-year-old and one only six months of age, saying that they will be given a permanent home at a wildlife sanctuary in Sabah.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100607/ap_on_re_as/as_malaysia_elephants_rescued

A Kuwaiti naval diving team removes discarded nets from coral reefs at depths of up to four meters in waters off Kubbar Island east of the Kuwaiti coastline, saving the lives of many marine animals.
http://www.fananews.com/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=2&NrArticle=869963&
NrIssue=10&NrSection=1 
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2092683&Language=en