On
November 1, The Independent,a leading newspaper in the United Kingdom,
published an article by Consumer Affairs Correspondent Martin Hickman
commenting on the new report from the US-based Worldwatch Institute.
The
Independent cited the report’s revised calculations finding that
livestock is responsible for at least 51% of global greenhouse gas
emissions, which is far more than the 18% previously estimated by the
United Nations.
It went on to highlight similarly held positions by public figures such as
vegetarian Chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, who has called lower
meat consumption “the most attractive opportunity.”
The article also quoted climate and economics expert Lord Stern of Brentford, UK, who more recently affirmed
meat’s heavy carbon footprint and waste of the world’s resources.
The review concluded by sharing a statement from Justin Kerswell, campaign manager for
vegetarian group Viva!, who said, “The case for reducing consumption of
meat and dairy products was already imperative based on previous UN findings.
Now
it appears to have been proven that the environmental devastation from
livestock production is in fact staggeringly more significant…. It is
essential that attention is fully focused on the impact of livestock
production by all global organizations with the power to affect
policy.”
We thank journalist Martin Hickman and The
Independent for this thoughtful review of a highly relevant study, one
that clearly indicates that change of diet is a priority to halt climate
change. May more people and leaders be informed of such findings and
act swiftly while there is still time.
Supreme Master Ching Hai has often cited the dire consequences of
meat
consumption and the urgent need to halt it, as during a June 2008
videoconference with our Association members in London, England.
Supreme Master Ching Hai :
From all the scientific facts, from all the reports, we know the
cars,the garbage, they are not the main cause of global warming. They
are not the main polluter of the planet.
They are not the main cause
of the killer. For example, methane is like 72 times more potent than
CO2. And nitrous oxide is approximately 300 times more potent than CO2.
And livestock is the number one cause
of methane.
And byproducts, also nitrous oxide is also from livestock. Meat, eggs, dairy, responsible for 65% of worldwide human-caused nitrous oxide emissions.
All
the cost of deforestation, all the cost of transportation, all the cost
of water, all the cost of medicine, all the cost of sickness, all the
cost of building hospitals, training more doctors and making more
medicines,
and all the heartache of being sick and causing trouble
for the loved ones by being sick. And then all the trouble or the cost
of war because of hunger, because of food insecurity.
Now vegetarianismis
the only solution. It's the best, the fastest solution. I pray that
people in the world wake up on time and just forsake that piece of meat, then everything will be just fine. Everything will be beautiful, nice, peaceful.
Referencehttp://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/meat-creates-half-of-all-greenhuse-
gases-1812909.html