Many
have called the new Copenhagen Accord produced by the United Nations
Climate Change Conference an important first step in the right direction
to curb global warming. However, the Union of Concerned Scientists
reminds that without stringent near-term emission reduction goals, the
accord’s stated objective of a maximum global temperature increase of 2
degrees Celsius will not be achieved. Rather, it is far more likely that
global temperatures will rise by 3-4 degrees Celsius, a range some
experts say could trigger runaway warming, with catastrophic effects.
During
the conference, it was emphasized by small island nations that even a
2-degree rise would be disastrous and that the goal must be 1.5 degrees
Celsius to prevent these countries and other coastal areas from being
submerged.Last Chance! Pacific Island leaders call to keep us alive.
Edward Natapei – Prime Minister of Vanuatu (M): It’s a matter of survival for us.
Mohamed Nasheed – President of Maldives (M): If we go ‘business as usual,’ it’s going to be very difficult for us to be intact.
VOICE:
Not only coast-lined nations but also regions prone to drought are
already suffering from above-average temperatures. Mongolian President
Nambaryn Enkhbayar, who spoke before Copenhagen delegates about the
impacts in his own drought-afflicted country, agreed that an important
solution is reduced consumption
of animal products, the leading source of multiple heat-trapping
greenhouse gases.
Supreme Master TV: Do you realize we have to tell people eat less meat, if possible become vegetarian?
President Ts. Elbegdorj of Mongolia (M):
Please, yes, please eat less meat. But we have 2.5 million people, more
than 50 million cattle in Mongolia. This is also one problem in
Mongolia, because of the rise of the number of cattle.
VOICE: His
Excellency then stated that a conversion from livestock to vegan
farming would be preferred for the environment and fellow
countrypersons.
President Ts. Elbegdorj of Mongolia (M):
We have plenty of land to plant more vegetables in Mongolia. Please
come to plant in Mongolia vegetables.And also we have plenty of markets.
VOICE:
Members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association were
honored to present President Enkhbayar with further materials regarding
the veg solution to climate change.
Also during the climate summit,
our Association members had the opportunity to present this highly
relevant literature to other heads of State and government – Their
Excellencies German Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Commission
President José Manuel Barroso, US President Barack Obama, and United
Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
We salute all noble
country leaders, and thank the likewise caring scientists, for your
efforts to save our planet. May we quickly bring the vital vegan
solution to the agenda to ensure the survival of all beings in our
biosphere. In a January 2009 videoconference with dignitaries and the
public in Mongolia, Supreme Master Ching Hai once more urged Mongolia
and governments worldwide toward the important benefits of
the vegan lifestyle.
Supreme Master Ching Hai:
Mongolia, as with the rest of the world, is experiencing more severe
weather, more fatal patterns of climate change due to the effects of
global warming. With livestock raising, we deplete Mongolians’ already
limited natural resources and even put the country more in danger of
desertification. Instead of grazing animals, we can begin planting the
organic vegetable, which is more healthy to everyone.
By not
subsidizing the meat diet, we save trillions of US dollars per year in
tax. We save a lot of suffering from meat-related illness. We save a lot
of food to share with all the hungry in the world, so our conscience
will never have to wake up in the middle of the night and bite us
anymore.
We need all the help from the government. We must work together.
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