Praise for those in business for green technology.

The green technology market has been expanding as one of the newest and most opportunity-rich areas in the eyes of enthusiastic companies and governments. Today, many countries find a green role model in the practices of Germany, where our Association members had a chance to speak with Supreme Master Ching Hai on current matters related to climate change.

Our Association member (F): As a result of many subsidizing programs supporting the environment and ecology, Germany is one of the leading countries using sustainable energy. In 2007, sustainable energy made up 14.2% of the gross national power consumption.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Wonderful!

Our Association member (F): I just would like to know if this development has something to do with an evolved state of consciousness, or just financial gain from these programs?

Supreme Master Ching Hai: It has something to do with evolved consciousness, that people understand the urgency of our planetary problem right now. So people are trying their best to develop, to invent new technologies, to bring greater comfort and sustainability to the planet, which is very good. As long as it’s good for the planet, bravo them.

They must earn some money anyway, and they will earn a lot if they’re doing this. (laughter) Because right now, it is in, it is a true necessity, and it is a blessing to do such a noble endeavor.

VOICE: We thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for sharing her wisdom on these most practical solutions. We also congratulate Germany on your laudable world leadership in becoming a clean energy nation. We look forward to seeing more shining examples of countries building a greener, prosperous future.

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.

Permafrost a “wildcard” factor in global warming.

The frozen soil known as permafrost in the Arctic region stores billions to hundreds of billions tons of greenhouse gases, including the toxic gas, methane. The United Nations Environment Program in a recent report stated: “The potential consequences of large amounts of methane entering the atmosphere, from thawing permafrost or destabilized ocean hydrates, would lead to abrupt changes in the climate that would likely be irreversible. We must not cross that threshold.” Dr. Ketil Isaksen of the Norwegian Meteorological Institute has monitored the permafrost in Scandinavia for many years.

Dr. Ketil Isaksen, The Norwegian Meteorological Institute (M): The permafrost areas are very sensitive to higher temperatures. We know that large areas, for instance in Siberia and Canada, a slight increase in ground temperature will thaw great areas of permafrost.

VOICE: The melting permafrost is also displacing indigenous communities who had made the Arctic their home for centuries. Dr. Isaksen also observed that mountains are being affected.

Dr. Ketil Isaksen: This may have implications of increased concentrations of greenhouse gases that goes up into the atmosphere, but it also has consequences in terms of the ground; it gets very unstable. In mountain slopes for instance, you can get more unstable situations with increased avalanche risk, and more rock fall and things like that.

VOICE: We thank Dr. Isaksen and other scientists who are warning us of the larger effects we must work to avoid. We pray we may halt such risks of global warming and preserve all life on our planetary home.

http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0221-methane.html

South Asia’s coral reefs endangered due to economic development and climate change. 

During the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium being held in the Philippines, the Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) stated that the host nations’ reefs are being destroyed by global warming and human activities such as fishing. The organization also noted that many local communities are unaware of the reefs’ importance or that they being harmed.  Coral reefs, often referred to as the rainforest of the marine world, support enormous biodiversity, with just one reef being home to as many as 3,000 species of marine life.

A big thank you all organizations monitoring the health of coral reefs and marine life worldwide. We pray that more and more people will understand the importance of curbing climate change so that our planet’s beautiful coral reefs may be saved.

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/07/21/news0267.htm