The value of marine ecosystems.

The world’s ocean life is increasingly vulnerable to multiple threats. Global warming is accelerating the disruption and decline of marine ecosystems. The ocean is acidifying from absorbing too much carbon dioxide, and warm temperatures force animals into new habitats. So-called “dead zones” devoid of life can be found spanning areas as large as tens of thousands of square miles. These are caused by both pollution and overfishing.
 
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has reported that up to 80 percent of fished species are now on their way to extinction. Massive driftnets used in tuna fishing affect hundreds of other species as well. During the recent videoconference with our Association members in Germany, Supreme Master Ching Hai responded to a relevant question on the reason why humans should refrain from exploiting fish.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Because fishing is also very depleting to planetary ecosystem. They have proven that overfishing of sardines has resulted in many dead zones. They are there for maybe oxidizing the ocean, give life to some other kind of species or cleaning the environment. Whatever the species that God has left on the planet, they have work to do. Just like humans, we have work to do. Animals, they have work to do.

Even little fish like sardines, they have work to do. It's just the humans, they think it’s just a little fish; they think they're useless so they fish them up and eat them. But they're very, very useful to our ecosystem and to the health of the planet, and consequently, to the health of humans and all beings on it.

VOICE: We convey our appreciation to Supreme Master Ching Hai for her insights on the importance of our ecosystems. May we cherish the value and God-given role that belongs to each and every animal co-inhabitant.

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

http://disc.gsfc.nasa.gov/oceancolor/scifocus/oceanColor/dead_zones.shtml
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/04/BA9011IG0Q.DTL
http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Over_80_percent_of_fisheries_overfi_05262008.html

Nearly half of the Philippines’ animal species deemed endangered. 

Many of the almost-extinct species in the Philippines can only be found on the islands of this nation, such as the Philippine Eagle and the Sulu Hornbill.  Regarding the future of the country’s fauna, Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) Director Mundita Lim said that without proper conservation measures, they could disappear forever in 10 to 20 years and urged everyone to take action to help save the country’s animal inhabitants. 

Thank you, PAWB and the Philippine government, for bringing this alarming situation to everyone’s attention.  Our prayers for all citizens to take immediate steps to save the lives of all species through green living and a meat-free diet.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/108594/50-of-RP-animal-species-are-endangered---wildlife-group

Scientists measure greenhouse gas emissions from cattle.

 To evaluate exactly how much greenhouse gas is emitted by livestock, Argentine scientists strapped a plastic tank to the backs of more than 10 cows and safely collected their burps through a tube connected to the stomach. Guillermo Berra, a researcher at the National Institute of Agricultural Technology said, “When we got the first results, we were surprised. Thirty percent of Argentina’s total greenhouse emissions could be generated by cattle.” The researchers explained that a cow’s slow digestive system induces it to produce large amounts of methane. However, they did not expect to find that the cows emitted between 800 and 1000 liters of gas per day. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, as averaged over 20 years, it is known to trap up to 72 times more heat in the atmosphere than CO2.

Our deep appreciation, Argentine scientists, for your innovative and revealing research. We pray that all people heed these findings and turn to the planet-saving vegetarian diet to restore our Earth.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23995421-663,00.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane, http://www.physorg.com/news135003243.html