Defining a truly civilized planet.

Throughout human history, technology has developed at an ever accelerating rate. In the past century alone, we have seen powerful developments that contributed to the growth of civilization, including inventions in transport, medicine and space travel. Yet, in the context of climate changes resulting from some of these so-called “advances,” Supreme Master Ching Hai made the following remarks during the recent videoconference with our Association members in New York, USA.

Our Association member (e): Every time a civilization came to its peak, a disaster happened. For example, global warming or volcanic eruptions and it destroyed all the achievements of all the people, leaving no trace. But now that our planet has elevated to a higher state of consciousness, does it mean that the civilization won’t be totally erased anymore and the spiritual and scientific achievements will be spared?

Supreme Master Ching Hai: It’s not always that when the world reach the peak of her civilization then the planet will be destroyed and all the achievement be destroyed. It’s not like that. It’s perhaps in our world but not in every world. This destruction only happens when our technological development outweighs the spiritual achievement. So, because our world as a whole has not elevated enough. So they are still struggling to forsake some unwholesome habits, and less positive traces.

It’s even more ideal if spiritual and scientific developments go hand in hand. Then destruction will never occur. Because humans will be enlightened enough to handle technological progress, without causing harm to their surroundings and their lives, and the lives of others involved in the same planet. So, the main point is we have to develop spiritual also. When spiritual consciousness develop for all the people on the planet, then we can call that  planet a civilized planet.

VOICE: We are grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for her guidance on how our global society can be truly sustainable. We pray that with Heaven's grace our planet may become the place of a great enlightened civilization.

Please tune in to Supreme Master Television at a later date for the broadcast of this videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai, with multi-language subtitles.

Norwegian Parliament Member Inga Thorkildsen speaks on meat factor in climate policy. 

Norway is one of Europe’s leading countries in setting goals for carbon emission reductions. Supreme Master Television interviewed Inga Marte Thorkildsen, Member of the Standing Committee on Energy and Environment in Norway’s Storting (Parliament), on her views for the environment.

Inga Marte Thorkildsen, Norwegian Parliament Member: We are going to be carbon neutral within 2030. It means that we either shall reduce our emissions within Norway or buy quotas for all our emissions.

VOICE: We asked Parliament Member Inga Marte Thorkildsen on possibly expanding Norway’s climate change policy to include less meat production and consumption, one of the largest potential areas for reducing greenhouse gases.

Inga Marte Thorkildsen, Norwegian Parliament Member: It is important to make people aware that their meat consumption is an important contributor both to climate changes, but also to the food crisis in the world. And it’s a big potential to reduce meat consumption, and I think we have to look at the price mechanism and the policy of agriculture within the nation but also internationally in EU (European Union) and WTO (World Trade Organization), for example. So there we have to challenge consumers and dare to take some tough choices as politicians and challenge the international organizations. And not accept one-sided growth policy about everyone being allowed to consume more and eat more. I think we have to make some choices from the top and say that our agriculture shall produce less meat, for example.

VOICE: We appreciate Ms. Thorkildsen’s consideration of government policies to reduce meat intake. May more government leaders see that new measures to curb meat production could mean great strides toward a sustainable, prosperous world.

Water resources dwindling in Indonesia.

As supplies decrease by up to 60 percent across the island nation, harvests in regencies such as Cirebon and Indramayu are being threatened. Individuals in these areas are also having difficulty finding fresh water, with residents having to pay vendors for even small amounts. The regencies’ governments are looking into distributing water pumps to districts as well as employing desalination.

Thank you, concerned governments, for your efforts to provide water for the people. May we all be awakened to this time of urgent need to restore the balance of our precious biosphere. (*) 

http://www.thejakartapost.com/node/175256 


Animal kingdom affected by human activities.

A recent article in “LiveScience” cites examples of human-caused climate change adaptations, which include animals being forced to adapt their eating habits due to changing availability of foods. In fact, many herbivores can’t even find food to eat. Some are also attempting to migrate to cooler areas, including reptiles, amphibians and parasites. Populations of marine life have changed due to water temperatures rising, and the ocean dispersal of toxic pollutants and oil by humans is speeding up the extinction of animals. Also, migration patterns are being altered as nearly 25 percent of marine species ultimately reside in other areas due to transport by human means.

Our appreciation, LiveScience, for this reminder of the far-reaching effects of our human activities. May we caringly and quickly go green to tread ever more lightly and co-exist in harmony with God’s creations. http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20080718/sc_livescience/
8signstheanimalkingdomisoutofwhack;_ylt=AmmCMElK.QxZePYo2OlNULppl88F (silly)

Al Gore makes surprise appearance to discuss global warming.

Former US Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Al Gore was an unexpected but welcome guest at the annual Netroots Nation convention, in Austin, Texas USA.  Mr. Gore came to encourage Netroots Nation bloggers to use their grassroots influence in promoting the energy challenge he has issued, which is for the United States to switch to 100 percent sustainable energy within 10 years. During his address, audience members asked Mr. Gore about the effect of meat-eating on global warming. He stated, “It is true that it would be healthier for us as individuals and as a planet if we consumed less meat.”

Many thanks, Mr. Gore, for your encouragement of steps toward sustainability that include a more plant-based diet. We pray that everyone becomes aware of the animal-free vegetarian lifestyle as the fastest and most effective means of reversing global warming. 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=28345, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/us/politics/20netroot.html http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2008/07/19/al_gore_steals_the_show_at_net.html
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_9935667
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/07/gore_makes_surp.html