Protecting Polar Bears Must Include Mitigating Global Warming, Group Argues

According to global conservation organization WWF, the Earth’s biodiversity of animal and plant wildlife has drastically declined over the past 30 years. Last week the United States declared the polar bear the latest threatened species. Until now, most of the decrease was observed in land ecosystems from loss of habitat, but now, a sharp decline has also begun in oceans that are changing due to global warming.

Dr. Sybille Klenzendorf, Director of Species Conservation Program, World Wildlife Fund

Dr. Sybille Klenzendorf, Director of Species Conservation Program, WWF: We project that some of these threats are also going to focus on climate change, and just fast changing marine environments.

SupremeMasrerTV: How do these losses translate into our everyday lives? Because sometimes I think people view the animal species and the human race as two different biosystems.

Dr. Sybille Klenzendorf: Change in biodiversity really puts people at risk. For example, biodiversity and healthy ecosystems provide, for example, clean water. A lot of medicines are derived from native plants. And also, intact ecosystems protect us from natural hazards, such as the tsunami that we saw hit Sumatra; they didn’t have their mangroves anymore on the coastlines that used to be a protective layer against such natural disasters. So, we derive a lot of security, quality of life, from intact ecosystems. And if we lose, for example, a large watershed that produces clean water for us to drink, that’s a major threat to our own security and quality of life.
 
SupremeMasrerTV: We’ve recently done a lot of articles that specify that a vegetarian diet will help reduce our carbon footprint, the fastest. Can you relate this back into this extinction dilemma that we’re facing right now, with wildlife?

Dr. Sybille Klenzendorf: Yes. When we produce meat for human consumption, there are many things that have to happen. One, a lot of land has to be cleared for the feed production of the livestock, that oftentimes converts native habitats that provides biodiversity. Then, a lot of the meat production is really high in methane gas production, which is another greenhouse gas, that’s also very much increased over time. And so, we are having a double impact by producing, needing a lot of land to produce feed for livestock, and at the same time, then that livestock produces another greenhouse gas.

For more information, please visit wwf.org

VOICE: Our thanks, Dr. Klenzendorf, for sharing this valuable information with our viewers. We pray for the protection of our precious ecosystems that ensure the wellbeing of humans and all the miraculous animal and plant species of our planet.
 
Indonesia plans drastic emissions cuts by 2025

Indonesia welcomes progressive carbon emission goals. Indonesia has announced a plan to reduce her carbon emissions 17% by the year 2025. Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar stated, “I'd like to voice my concerns that if the issue is not carefully managed, it will threaten the existence of humanity in Asia in particular, and the world in general. Indonesia realizes the importance of this issue and has committed itself to play an active role in climate change negotiations.” We laud your actions and extend our thanks, Indonesia, for recognizing the importance of addressing climate change quickly. May you succeed in your noble efforts to restore the beauty and environmental balance of your remarkable nation, and may your leadership inspire many others across the globe.
 
Norway report finds it could become Europe’s Battery with offshore wind farms

Norway proposes to supply wind energy to European Union states. With the largest stretch of coastline in Europe and expertise in managing offshore oil rigs, Norway’s Oil and Energy Ministry has released a report showing the country’s viability in supplying 40 terawatts of energy to Europe by the year 2025 from wind and hydro power. The wind power project would cost around US$44 billion and the clean energy supplied would eliminate 20 million tons of carbon emissions. Such a project would also assist the European Union’s objective of obtaining 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by the year 2020. We salute your initiative, Norway, and Heaven bless your endeavor to help the European Union tread lighter on the planet as well. We wish your noble project every success.

Zero emissions possible in PNG: Garnaut

Papua New Guinea at an environmental crossroads. Australia’s climate change adviser Ross Garnaut said the island nation could be rated as a very low emission economy if they address the threat to their forests. According to a five-year study by the University of Papua New Guinea and Australian National University, the country could lose half her forests by 2021 due to of logging and deforestation. However, Professor Garnaut states that the nation has an equal chance to attain zero carbon emissions, saying, “I think that is a possibility [that] with careful management, with reforestation, with judicious use of biofuels, with substitution of hydro and geo-thermal for petroleum-generated power.” Professor Garnaut affirmed Australia’s support for such a venture. Papua New Guinea, we wish you all the best. May you be a model of green success by attaining the goal of being a zero emission country.

Neil Young Feels Driven to Work on Electric Car

Converting cars from gas to electric power is getting easier. Many references are now available that provide information and tips on how to convert a gasoline powered car into a zero-emission vehicle. Organizations also abound that will supply technical assistance and support in finding needed parts for conversions. Conversion costs are offset by the longer lifespan and minimal maintenance required for an electric engine. American rock musician Neil Young had his classic 1959 Lincoln Continental convertible transformed into an electric ride through a partnership with Jonathan Goodwin, an inventive Wichita, Kansas mechanic. Their goal is to develop a prototype model for an affordable mass-produced electric car. Good luck to you both, Mr. Young and Mr. Goodwin. We sincerely hope to soon see a viable electric eco-friendly vehicle for all!
 
Best Buy tests free recycling in 117 stores

US retailer extends electronics recycling program. Building on a service already in place to help consumers recycle, the Best Buy company is testing the program’s expansion to include even those items not purchased at a Best Buy store. All televisions, phones and computers can thus be dropped off for free recycling at any one of 117 Best Buy stores throughout Baltimore, San Francisco and Minnesota. The company is hoping to expand the program to include all 922 stores in the US. Many thanks, Best Buy, for your valuable contribution to reducing and reusing electronics waste. Heaven bless your noble efforts to benefit our Earth.

Singapore looks to youth for environmental leadership.
 
In Singapore, youth are given the opportunity to create long-term projects on environmental issues they care about. The Singaporean ministries are listening and have pledged to help them realize their proposed solutions in the coming years.

Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Parliament Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources: It is very heartening to know that more and more Singaporeans are becoming environmentally conscious.

VOICE: Environmental protection has a myriad of aspects, at least one of which is bound to pique one’s interest; ranging from religion…

Sofiah Jamil: All religions have a part of it that talks about environmentalism, caring for the Earth.

VOICE: to sustainable diets.

Youth volunteer: The single most effective thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint is to eat less meat.

VOICE: No matter what area the students commit to, they are encouraged to take four steps, starting with acting locally and involving the surrounding community.

Wilson Ang, President of ECO Singapore, event organizer: Start thinking global. Because you’re no longer just a Singapore citizen, you are a global citizen. And lastly, it’s always walk the talk. It’s a platform where we want to bring youth who are interested in environmental advocacy to actually come together and re-look at local environmental policy.

VOICE: Hats off Singaporean youth and all young people around the world who are walking the talk to save our planet! We wish all your pure-minded endeavors the best outcome as you contribute to a better future for yours and future generations