One million sign pledge to eat eco-friendlier food in Formosa

More than one million Formosans (Taiwanese) pledge to go veg to save the Earth. Since late April when the “No Meat No Heat” campaign began, the media has been following the popular initiative with interest. Now, less than two months later, one could almost hear our Mother Earth cheering as this unique grassroots global warming activity unveiled its results.
 
News anchor, Da Ai TV Evening News: The promotion of “vegetarianism to reduce one’s carbon footprint” petition signing activity has surpassed signatures of 1.18 million people. Petitioners represent those who are willing to eat vegetarian to mitigate the Earth’s crisis.

News anchor, Da Ai TV Noon News: Every person who changes from meat eating to vegetarian for one day will be able to reduce 4.1 kg of carbon dioxide gases.

VOICE: “No Meat No Heat” surpassed its goal of rallying one million participants before the date of June 5, which coincided with the United Nations World Environment Day. The movement’s organizers represented an alliance of various volunteer vegetarian and eco-advocacy groups, including the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association.

Voice through megaphone: Don’t eat meat. The more people who eat vegetarian, the cooler the Earth will be.

VOICE: As they approached local citizens, volunteers explained the connection between vegetarianism, which is an animal-free diet, and environmental protection. The public’s response was remarkably positive, especially among children. Many liked the idea of making a big difference with carbon emissions while doing their own health a favor. To others, vegetarianism’s value of compassion is what appealed to them.

Shi Chuang-Fa, Secretary of Life Conservationist Association: It represents a common world value. This common world value implicates the value of respect for all living beings.

VOICE: Perhaps what made the campaign even more extraordinary was the significant number of government officials, including the Taipei City mayor, who lent their support and signed on as well.

Lin Hung Chih, Formosan (Taiwan) Legislator: In the future, we hope that the government will encourage the vegetarian product industry more.

Tien Chiu Chin, Formosan (Taiwan) Legislator: Our success proves that Taiwanese people are willing to do something about their concern for global warming.
 
VOICE: Formosa (Taiwan), we congratulate you on your tremendous success with the nationwide “No Meat No Heat” movement! With this kind of wholehearted response to the vegetarian lifestyle, surely you’re on the fast track toward a truly sustainable, healthy and loving society.

Biodiversity experts highlight issue of biofuel and meat.

Biodiversity experts highlight issue of biofuel and meat. The international conference on biodiversity held in Bonn, Germany, concluded last Friday after two full weeks with a consensus of agreement. Measures are now being put in place to better protect plants and animals from climate change through global cooperation.

Mutuma Kathurima, Kenya Ambassador to Germany, UN Biodiversity Conference participant: I think the world is seeing how important it is for us to move together.

VOICE: During the conference, Norway and Germany announced hundreds of millions of euros in further support for forest preservation in other countries. A major point of discussion was the inefficient and destructive use of forested land to grow crops that are then diverted for unsustainable biofuels or livestock feed. 

Christine v. Weizsäcker, Biologist in Germany, biological diversity expert: The driving forces of the loss of biodiversity are interconnected with the patterns of our production and consumption. And as shown more and more from the negotiations, the patterns of the use of agricultural areas worldwide have to be checked.

Martin Kaiser, Greenpeace spokesperson and expert on rainforests: The question of sustainable production or that of sustainable consumption is now urgently to be addressed internationally. And about the question of meat consumption, it’s again important to call on each individual to really eat one or two days less meat, because that would actually be an important contribution.

VOICE: Meat and certain biofuel production compete with grains that could be used directly for human consumption. With currently escalating food prices, this leaves many experts concerned.

Martin Kaiser, Greenpeace spokesperson and expert on rainforests: One has to contribute through a little sacrifice of meat, so that there is more food for more people.

Helena Paul, Co-Director of EcoNexus research group in UK & vegetarian: Intensively feeding animals with food that people could use, with feed that replaces food that people could use, it’s untenable. It just doesn’t work.

VOICE: Lead UK researcher on human development Helena Paul believes if we want to move away from such an agricultural system, it would have to begin with a change of heart.
 
Helena Paul: In all sorts of practical ways, even if it’s just eating less chemicals, that’s one thing, but also not eating meat, and reducing the violence we use against the rest of life would help to change our minds, our attitude toward everything surrounding us.

VOICE: We thank leaders of the environment and government who are calling for more sustainable food production – and consumption. In all that we do, may we keep in mind the greater necessity to live in harmony with all things around us. 
 

 
Canadian Elected chamber is first in the world to adopt 80% pollution reduction target by 2050

Canada accepted the Kyoto plus bill. With the just-passed Climate Change Accountability Act, Canada becomes the first country in the world to extend the Kyoto Protocol and set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to go 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050. Interim goals include a 25% reduction by 2020. Jack Layton, New Democratic Party leader and the bill’s sponsor, said, “Our legislation sets tough but achievable targets that will ensure Canada does its share to avoid the dangerous two-degree increase in average global temperature that scientists warn us about.” We truly laud your commitment to reducing global warming, Canada. May your legislation herald other nations’ similar green measures to preserve our Earth.
 
Toronto mayor to head international climate group

Canadian mayor now leads the C40 in tackling climate change. Mayor David Miller of Toronto has been elected chairman of an international coalition of cities formed in 2005, which has been commissioned to enact measures that protect the planet from the effects of climate change. Known as the C40, the group includes some of the world's largest cities such as London, New York, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, Mexico City and Mumbai. Bravo, Mayor Miller for your new post! We offer our heartfelt best wishes for your leadership role in this crucial issue. May the cities of the world rapidly adopt eco-friendly measures that keep our planet safe and sustainable.
 
U.S. Sets Policy to Protect the Arctic from Industrial Fishing

The United States takes action to protect the Arctic. This week, US President George Bush passed a national policy to halt the expansion of industrial fishing in the Arctic. This measure sets out to preserve and prevent further damage to the Arctic region, which is home to a wide range of mammals, fish and seabirds as well as communities of indigenous peoples. Our gratitude for your caring concern, President Bush and all involved in this enacting this policy. May the Heavens reward your support of human and animal life as well as the environment.

Prince Charles calls for more to be done on deforestation

Prince Charles calls again for an urgent halt in deforestation. In an article published in the Daily Telegraph for World Environment Day, the Prince of Wales stated: “Stopping deforestation is one of the quickest and most certain ways of slowing climate change and thus purchasing a breathing space.” His Royal Highness announced the launch of a website for his already-established Rainforests Project, at PrincesRainforestsProject.org. The new website shares information about preserving the rainforests through payments made to developing countries to keep them from being destroyed. Our appreciation, Your Royal Highness. May your efforts result in reductions of both the demand and supply factors leading to rainforest destruction across the globe.
 
Prime Minister applauds eDay for diverting toxic waste from our landfills

Green Ribbon Award in New Zealand goes to CANZ. As one of nine recipients honored at the Wellington Town Hall during the week commemorating World Environment Day, Computer Access New Zealand Trust (CANZ) was recognized by Prime Minister Helen Clark and the country’s Ministry for the Environment for its outstanding environmental initiative. The company founded eDay last year, and with the help of hundreds of volunteers, was successful in recycling 415 tons of computers and cell phones, thus keeping them out of landfills. CANZ is looking to double that amount for this year’s eDay, which will be held in October. We join in saluting you, CANZ! Many thanks for this sustainable solution that is already providing a healthier environment for people and animals alike. Heaven bless your continued noble endeavors!
 
Kick the meat habit

British poet Benjamin Zephaniah says it’s time to switch to a plant-based diet. In an article written in the Guardian newspaper for World Environment Day, Mr. Zephaniah, himself a vegan and animal rights advocate, urged readers to consider the environmental effects of a meat-based diet. The poet, who has been voted one of the most influential modern writers in Britain, stated, “It is far more efficient and economical to grow crops for direct use as food for humans rather than growing crops to feed farmed animals and then consuming the animals.” We are grateful, Mr. Zephaniah and the Guardian for making this article available. May your words be an encouragement to us all to go vegetarian, meaning an animal free diet, to save the planet.


Greek PM calls environmental crisis greatest challenge facing human beings

Greek leaders call for environmental protection. In observance of World Environment Day, Greek President Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, and other leaders presented urgent messages about the importance of protecting the environment. President Papoulias said, “Reversal of the destruction in the environment constitutes the great moral, political and economic challenge of our era. It demands a new way of thinking.” Prime Minister Karamanlis noted that plans for sustainability and environmental protection are being implemented. The day was also commemorated with the planting of 57,000 saplings to reforest Mount Parnitha. Our sincere appreciation, Your Excellencies, for bravely facing the challenges of climate change. Heaven bless your endeavors in leading the country towards a green and sustainable path.
 
Famous chimpanzee scholar urges everyone to help preserve Mother Nature

Protect Mother Nature, says Dr. Jane Goodall. At an international summit on World Environment Day in north Tanzania, Africa, the world-renowned primate expert addressed representatives from 40 countries, where she called upon nations to play their part in helping protect the environment. Dr. Goodall, who is also a United Nations Messenger of Peace, also cautioned African governments to carefully consider proposals for short-term solutions. She said, “We should make the thoughtful decision to work for a better future.” Our accolades, Dr. Jane Goodall, for your every effort to protect the habitat of beings great and small. May God bless your continued tireless endeavors with abundant returns.