Energy efficiency the key solution for global agriculture.

The food crisis being felt in countries as far apart as Egypt, Bolivia, Indonesia and Senegal leads us to reflect once more on climate change. Climate change is the main factor in reduced crop production worldwide.

Supreme Master Television correspondents in South Africa spoke with Mr. Wael Hmaidan, Executive Director of the League of Independent Activists during his visit to Pretoria.  Based in Beirut, Lebanon, the organization focuses on global environmental issues.

Mr. Wael Hmaidan, Executive Director of the League of Independent Activists, Lebanon: The Nile Delta is one of the most important agricultural lands in the Middle East. If the sea water level goes one meter up, up to 20% of the Egyptian Nile Delta will be underwater, and they will lose a lot of agricultural land. There will be globally a decrease in food availability. And the worst areas to be hit are poor countries. The good side of the story that it is possible to solve climate change and we need always to highlight the positive aspect.

Mr. Hmaidan believes it is not too late, and that large-scale social problems could be prevented through urgent action in specific areas.

Mr. Wael Hmaidan: The solution for climate change is known globally. We need to stop our dependence on fossil fuels. We can produce enough energy to power the whole planet by using a small percentage of the energy given to us by the sun. Of course, also it is important to highlight the type of food we eat.

Mr. Hmaidan explained how meat production of animals contributes to climate change.

Mr. Hmaidan: First to raise the cows, you put a lot of energy into the cows, to feed the cows. Some areas even cut forests to make ranches for cattle farms. And we know how important trees are to suck out the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, which also solves the climate change problem. So by cutting trees and by raising cattle we are increasing the climate change problem. So actually by turning into a vegetarian (vegan), you save energy and help save (solve) climate change.

We thank you, Mr. Wael Hmaidan, for sharing your expertise and dedication about the realistic global solutions all individuals can make. May all regions of the world rise to the challenge to save our wonderful planet.

UK’s National Trust says species are in jeopardy due to climate change.

A study conducted by the National Trust charity organization has named plants and animals that are in jeopardy as a result of global warming. The study cites rising ocean levels as having the potential to destroy the habitats of the tern and other birds who make their homes in coastal marshes.
Our gracious thanks, National Trust, for your publication of this timely report on the direct effects of climate change in the United Kingdom. May we all do our best worldwide to curb greenhouse gas emissions so that your wonderful marine life may survive.

Indonesia’s peatland forests continue to be cleared.

 The environmental organization Greenpeace recently reported that Indonesia’s unregulated palm oil industry continues. Palm oil, which is used in food, cosmetics and biofuels, involves the destruction and burning of peatland forests. Because of the high amounts of carbon stored in these forests, clearing and burning them has now placed Indonesia at third in the world for greenhouse gas emissions. Greenpeace is asking the Indonesian government to step in immediately and firmly regulate the palm oil industry’s agricultural practices.
A big thank you, Greenpeace, for your concerned voice and public alert about this vital matter. We pray that the Indonesian government acts quickly to restore ecological harmony in the country.

Large cracks signal the demise of Ward Hunt Ice Shelf.

As one of the last five remaining ice shelves in Canada, the 3,000-year-old, 40-meter thick Ward Hunt Ice Shelf’s 443 square km area is rapidly shrinking. Earlier this year, Derek Mueller of Trent University and Doug Stern, a Canadian Park Ranger, conducted an aerial survey and found that there were multi-facets cracks in the ice shelf, with one crack measuring 10 kilometer long and nearly 40 meters wide. According to Mueller, ice shelves are not replenished by glaciers and the cracks are permanent. He added that the findings suggest climate change in the area has crossed a certain threshold.

With appreciation, Professor Mueller, Mr. Doug Stern and fellow colleagues, we thank you for providing these alarming findings about the permanent loss of an arctic wonder. May we all be prompted to quickly adopt sustainable practices to halt global warming and save our beautiful planet.