Takoma Park hosts city’s first veg week.
In Maryland, USA, the city of Takoma Park enjoyed its first Veg Week from April 24 to April 30, 2009, an event inspired by state Senator Jamie Raskin after he acknowledged the devastating consequences of meat consumption to the planet.

Senator Raskin(m): I've been seeing as a state Senator the environment costs of livestock production in our state and what the poultry industry has meant to the environment. Because it's a source of pollutants and toxic contamination, nitrogen run-off in the Chesapeake Bay as well as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and so therefore, to global warming, the over arching peril that threatens all of us.

VOICE: Senator Raskin wrote to the Takoma Voice journal, calling on all local residents to choose vegetarian meals for one week. This led the nonprofit organization Compassion Over Killing to initiate the weeklong event, which was then officially designated by Mayor Bruce Williams as Takoma Park Veg Week. Executive Director for Compassion Over Killing, Erica Meier, explained more.

Erica Meier(F): It specifically encourages people to to choose vegetarian foods because a meat-based diet has been shown to be harmful for our health. It has been shown to harm the planet and it also is responsible for tremendous animal suffering.

VOICE: With local restaurants also agreeing to serve additional vegetarian options, businesses and individuals alike joined in the exciting pledge to be veg and contribute to a sustainable world.

Madina (f): Hi, I’m Madina, I’m with the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials. Be Veg, Go Green, Save the Planet.

Senator Raskin(m): I'm psyched, at least for one week, hopefully more, to be part of this vegetarian community.

VOICE: Bravo, Senator Raskin, Mayor Williams, Executive Director Meier, Compassion Over Killing and all others for your Earth-saving initiative in making Takoma Park Veg Week a reality. May people the world over quickly adopt this noble lifestyle for the health of all beings and the planet.

For more information about the Takoma Park Veg Week, please visit TakomaVegWeek.com.

Bolivian indigenous people at risk of extinction due to climate change.
 The Uru Chipaya have survived throughout the years on the edges of a Bolivian salt desert because of water supplied by the Lauca River. Now, global warming-related drought has caused the river to dry up. Mr. Juan Condori of the Uru Chipaya said, “The Chipaya could cease to exist within the next 50 years. The most important thing is water. If there is no water the Chipaya have no life.” Bolivian President Evo Morales has stated that his government will partner with indigenous peoples at this year’s upcoming climate change summit in Denmark to advocate more strongly for developed countries to limit their greenhouse gas emissions.

We pray for the protection of the Uru Chipaya and other indigenous peoples through these urgent times. Let us work together in adopting truly sustainable lifestyles to ensure the survival of all humankind.

In an international seminar on August 20, 2008, Supreme Master Ching Hai once again expressed her concern and explained how a global shift to a vegan diet could actually restore fresh water supplies and other natural resources to the Earth.

Island nation representatives meet for climate change.
Visiting at Germany’s invitation for the first time, 20 United Nations ambassadors representing the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) arrived to address issues on environment policies and the threat of climate change to their island nations. Following meetings with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Angela Merkel, they visited the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in Bonn. The meetings are in preparation for the upcoming UN climate conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Germany, our warmhearted thanks for your support of the Alliance of Small Island States and the fragile state of their nations. May this be the year when change on a global level is made to protect island residents and all lives.