US rules global warming threatens public health
US EPA concludes greenhouse gas emissions dangerous to human health. The Obama presidential administration has officially accepted a finding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that greenhouse gases such as CO2, methane and nitrous oxide represent an endangerment to public health. This finding will allow the EPA to list these gases as pollutants under the Clean Air Act. With cited hazards ranging from increased risk of droughts and floods to agriculture water supply and wildlife harm, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson stated, “This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations.” One of the gases that could be regulated through the finding is the highly potent methane, whose number one source in both the United States and the world is livestock raised for meat production.

We respectfully applaud your decision, President Obama and US Environmental Protection Agency. May your noble leadership help to ensure a first and foremost protection of people’s precious health and that of our planet.

Long before there was such open discussion about the health impact of greenhouse gases, Supreme Master Ching Hai has often shared her insight about their harmful nature. Here is one such occasion during an international seminar with our Association members in Austria in February 2008.

Cities are running out of water
As rivers run dry, cities to face significant water deficits. Speaking before European Union and global decision makers at the Institute for International and European Affairs in Dublin, Ireland, Mr. Dominic Waughray, Senior Director of Environmental Initiatives with the World Economic Forum noted that more than 70 of the world’s major rivers are close to empty, including the Colorado River in the US; the Ganges in India; the Nile in Africa, the Yellow River in China and the Murray-Darling in Australia. Director Waughray cited urban regions such as San Francisco, California as well as Melbourne, Australia and Barcelona, Spain that have already shown vulnerability to chronic water shortages. He went on to say that coping with water shortages may become as challenging as dealing with carbon emissions and recommended that governments seek water-neutral as well as carbon-neutral energy sources.

Director Waughray, we appreciate your candid insights about the true plight of the world’s water supplies. May such a clear global picture help governments to move quickly in speeding the adoption of the water- saving plant-based diet to most effectively conserve this vital resource.

Study Shows Longer Summers Are Killing Coral
Study shows coral imperiled by climate change. Scientists at Spain's Higher Council of Scientific Investigation (CSIC) recently published a study on the fan-shaped coral known as Gorgonia. The study demonstrated that lengthening warm periods in the Mediterranean have resulted in the disappearance of up to 50 percent of the coral in some areas. The scientists warn that the perishing Gorgonia likely means a similar fate for other species: Besides offering natural protection and habitat for marine life, corals also help diminish turbulence in the water in a way that is beneficial to sponges and mollusks. Study co-author, Dr. Marta Ribes explained, “We call [corals] the engineers of the ecosystem. Without them, other invertebrates won't be able to eat, either. It's a chain reaction.”

Many thanks, Dr. Ribes and colleagues at the Higher Council of Scientific Investigation for your careful observations of the Gorgonia coral. With the grace of the Providence, let us step together in caring wise measures to stem climate change.