World’s leading climate expert urges reducing meat consumption to stop global warming.

Dr. Rajendra Pachauri is the chair of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Not long after his re-election to this position, on August 30, he gave an extensive talk at the University of Ghent in Belgium about the impact of meat consumption on global warming.

Dr. Rajendra Pachauri (M): Just to give you a number: a person who lives 70 years as a vegan will prevent over 100 tons of CO2 equivalent. So let’s say a billion were to do that throughout their lifetimes. They would be cutting 100 billion tons of CO2 equivalent. That is a substantial reduction. And change in consumption patterns will be required to achieve a low carbon and sustainable society.

VOICE: The event at which Dr. Pachauri spoke, called “Less Meat, Less Heat,” was hosted by the Flemish vegetarian society EVA, in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund and Greenpeace. More than 500 people attended.

Lecture participant (F): Dr. Pachauri has given a clear message: namely that it's a good idea and that all of us have to work together about diminishing meat consumption to decrease the emission of greenhouse gases.

VOICE: On Monday, Dr. Pachauri spoke again on the link between diet and climate change in London, United Kingdom. His call for a vegetarian diet to help the Earth made headlines internationally in major media such as BBC, The Observer, TIME magazine and others. Supreme Master Television had a chance to speak with the climate expert in an interview.

SupremeMasterTV: With the poorest people in the world being the first to see the effects of global warming, and the huge subsidies that go towards the meat system and the industry, do you feel that companies producing meat alternatives, which there are lots out there, should be subsidized and promoted by governments worldwide?

Dr. Rajendra Pachauri (M): So I would say it’s probably far better to impose a tax on all products, including meat, that lead to emissions of greenhouse gases.

I think we will see a definite response on the part of government in creating awareness all around. But I think we have to raise our voices as a scientific community certainly, civil society, academia, to highlight this as an area where there are multiple benefits from reducing meat consumption.

SupremeMasterTV: Do you feel the press and media are presently doing enough?

Dr. Rajendra Pachauri (M): No, they’re not doing enough but I hope they will do enough in the future. And that’s one of the reasons why I’m talking about this openly; I wouldn’t do it otherwise.

VOICE: We convey our deep appreciation and Heaven bless you, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, for your tireless work in raising awareness about the quickest means of stopping global warming. We also thank all media covering Dr. Pachauri’s call for a vegetarian diet. May everyone join your courageous and noble endeavors by reducing our societies’ meat consumption – the most effective way to save our planet.

Short-term pollution causes more warming than once thought.

A new report by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has found that certain types of pollution produced locally have a distinct warming effect and can eventually increase climate change in another location. These contaminant substances include soot, known as black carbon, sulfates, and smog that are created by vehicle exhaust as well as wood- and kerosene-burning. Although these pollutants only stay in the atmosphere for days, their warming is measurable and can be far-reaching. Authors of the study recommend more efforts to address these types of pollution to help reduce global warming.

Thank you, scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for this informative study. May we all quicken our efforts to find truly sustainable ways to live on our cherished Mother Earth.

http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2008/09/09/ap/science/d9308kko0.txt  http://www.abc.net.au/ra/programguide/stories/200803/s2199549.htm

Australia adds “extreme waves” to list of climate change threats.

Recently identified by the United Nations as a climate change hotspot because of its extreme weather conditions that include droughts and rising coastal waters, Australia’s southern coastal waves are now also being linked to global warming. Scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) recently completed an analysis of data showing that wave heights in the Southern Ocean have increased significantly over the past 45 years, often reaching heights of 3 meters (9 feet). This could increase the chances of erosion and flooding to the large towns and cities along the continent’s south-eastern coast.

CSIRO scientists, we thank you for your detailed attention to the signs of global warming. With Heaven’s grace, may we all act swiftly to halt this climate trend and ensure the survival of all beings on Earth.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24325113-5005961,00.html, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7608867.stm, http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24325113-5005961,00.html

40% of North American freshwater fish endangered.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) led a study with scientists from the US, Canada, and Mexico on the population of North America’s freshwater fish and those fish that travel between rivers and oceans.  They found a 92% increase in “imperiled” species compared to a 1989 study by the American Fisheries Society. According to this latest report, the survival of a total of 700 species are in some degree of jeopardy, with 280 listed as endangered, 190 threatened, 230 vulnerable to becoming extinct, and 61 species that appear to be already extinct. According to USGS Director Mark Myers, reasons for the steep drop in numbers include habitat loss and climate change effects. Scientists say that fish are not the only animals at risk: other organisms such as snails and crayfish are showing the same or greater levels of decline.

Our gratitude, Director Myers and United States Geological Survey for this alarming factual report. We pray for more caring actions to restore the health of our waterways and their precious inhabitants.

http://www.ensnewswire.com/ens/sep2008/2008-09-09-02.asp http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909205412.htm

Reduced rainfall is linked to air pollution. 

A research team led by Professor Daniel Rosenfeld of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel has determined that although the presence of a certain number of aerosol particles increases rainfall, an overabundance of them create a sunblock, which impedes rain. The scientists have modeled a curve to demonstrate this effect. Dr. Rosenfeld stated, “Our study should act as a red light to all those responsible for controlling the amounts of pollution we release into the atmosphere.” 

Our sincere appreciation, Dr. Rosenfeld and colleagues, for this study and its timely caution. May we all strive to limit air pollution to cool our planet and to maximize the abundance of precious water supplies. 

 http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/08/content_9860397.htm