Formosa (Taiwan) embraces vegetarianism (veganism). 

In Formosa, the vegetarian (vegan) diet is not just for a health-conscious minority. A campaign was launched urging citizens concerned for the planet’s health as well as their own to sign on in a pledge to go veg, to help stop global warming.

After Go Veg Girl gave the vegetables produced by Earth to Anonymous Man, he discovered that he does not have to have meat. 

The movement was organized by the union of the “No Meat No Heat” group with approximately 50 nongovernmental organizations from across the community, including environmentalists, animal-rights advocates, and religious organizations, and even Green Party Taiwan. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association also participated, with 100 signing points throughout Taipei’s surrounding province. In just five days, our Association members collected over 300,000 pledges of people who signed on, with the end goal of garnering one million pledges in less than two months.

Do you know that to be a vegetarian (vegan) and to cut down the development of animal husbandry could help to slow down global warming?    
         
Student 1: I heard that from the news before.

Will you consider eating more vegetarian (vegan) food to slow down global warming after participating in today’s signing activity?

Student 2: Yes! Absolutely, for sure!
Student 1: Yes, me too!

This huge grassroots campaign immediately became the focal point of virtually all media on the island, including newspapers, television, and the internet.

Taipei Public Television Service Online: According to evaluations made by environmental groups, energy used in producing a meal for a meat eater can be used to produce meals for 10 vegetarians. Eating meat is not eco-friendly.

Dai Ai TV: Environmental groups launched a Go Veg campaign today.

FTV: According to the campaign union, shifting to a vegetarian diet, one will reduce 4.1 kilograms CO2, equal to the amount of CO2 180~360 trees can absorb per day.

CTS, Formosan (Taiwan) Television station: The Campaign Union of Go Veg for Anti-Global Warming urges everybody to halt warming and save the earth by taking a vegetarian diet. Eating meat is out of date; the rule for today is to save the Earth.

In support of the campaign, government officials also signed the “No Meat No Heat” pledge.

Taipei City Legislator Tien Chiu Chin: We need to inform the public by all means. Let people realize that adopting a vegetarian diet can help curb global warming.

Chief Sheng Shi Hong, Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau: We should be vegetarians! Right? Only then can we have the opportunity to live longer.

Hau Lung Bin, Taipei City Mayor

Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung Bin: Today, if we want to reduce CO2 emissions, the vegetarian lifestyle is absolutely a very effective way. The difference between a vegetarian diet and a meat diet is the reduction in CO2 emissions, which is almost 3 times as high with a meat diet. Furthermore, the vegetarian diet is very good for our health.

University students together: Let’s Go Veg and let the Earth Go Cool!

A big hoorah to the eco-conscious citizens of Formosa! Thanks to all government officials, media, organizations, and participants in Taipei for spreading the wonderful vegetarian (vegan) lifestyle – the solution to saving the planet. Or as the people of Formosa say: “No Meat, No Heat”! Here’s to a cooler Earth!

East India’s coastal villages face submersion.

Climate change related sea level increases have caused more than 100 families from the villages of Satabhaya and Kanhupur to seek shelter further inland. The waters are estimated to have advanced at least 30 feet into Kanhupur village this year alone and have flooded homes, agricultural lands, a primary school, and two wells used by local residents. In Satabhaya, an 800-year-old temple that stood two kilometers from the sea 10 years ago, now stands in water at high tide.

We send our prayers for the protection and safety of the affected Indian villagers. May we all immediately adopt sustainable living practices for the benefit of our lives and those of our brethren.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/160270/1/


The largest lake in the world is warming quickly due to climate change.

The frigid Lake Baikal in Siberia, which holds 20% of the world’s fresh water supply, has warmed three times more quickly than air temperatures, or 1.21 degrees Celsius, over the past 60 years. This is affecting the habitat of the 2,500 species living there, some of which are completely unique, like the world’s only freshwater seal. US and Russian scientists state Lake Baikal’s rise in temperature could foreshadow problems for smaller lakes, which respond more quickly to temperature changes.

We express our deep appreciation, scientists, for alerting us to the warming trend of Lake Baikal. May our actions take hold in halting climate change so that life-sustaining treasures such as these are preserved.
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN30550060