European Parliament members report on livestock and climate change.

Jens Holm is a Member of the European Parliament from Sweden, serving on Committees for the environment, climate change and international trade. A defender of animal welfare and global justice, Mr. Holm is also the author of a series of articles speaking out about the hazards of the meat industry on the climate. His 2007 report, “The Livestock and the Climate,” took a in-depth look at the costs of meat consumption in terms of finances, natural resources and greenhouse gas emissions.

Jens Holm – Member of European Parliament from Sweden, Vegetarian (M): Vegetarian food is not only good for the climate, it’s also good of course for the animals and for your own health. The problem though is that a lot of public money, mine and your taxpayers’ money, is actually used to subsidize the meat industry. There are also money directly going to marketing meat, to promote a meat lifestyle.

VOICE: Mr. Holm suggests that governments would be better advised to spend money on informing citizens about the benefits of a vegetarian diet. This could be done through public facilities ranging from elementary schools to centers for care of the elderly.

Jens Holm (M): Probably the biggest step a person could take is to reduce the consumption of meat and other animal products. And if you really want to become climate-friendly, well then you should become vegetarian and stop eating meat totally.
But also, we should be active in politics and in organizations, and make sure that our governments and political parties do what they have to do, and that is not to subsidize the meat industry, promote vegetarian food, for instance.

VOICE: We appreciate your wise leadership and wholeheartedly support your views, Mr. Holm. May leaders and fellow citizens alike take the courageous steps to be informed and to be vegetarian for the quickest benefit to all beings on our Earth.

Numerous bird species diminished or disappearing worldwide.

A new report from BirdLife International warns of the steeply declining numbers of birds across the globe. Avian species of all varieties, whether common, migrating, farmland or sea birds, are all suffering the consequences of pollution, intensive agricultural practices and destruction of habitat. In Europe, a 26-year study found that 56 out of 124 species had been reduced in 20 countries, while in Australia more than 80% of wading species have declined. BirdLife International is calling on all governments to raise regulation standards and to act upon previous pledges to halt biodiversity loss by 2010.

Our appreciation, BirdLife International, for speaking on behalf of our avian friends worldwide. May we all be better stewards in respecting the natural balance of life so that these beautiful feathered co-inhabitants can continue to grace our Earth.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7622904.stm

Global water supplies are running dry. 

According to the International Water Management Institute, the planet’s already-scarce water supplies are becoming even more so in farming communities due to global warming. In Texas, USA lack of rain and high temperatures in 2008 has led to crop losses estimated at US$1.1 billion. And in the Middle East, the Palestinian Water Authority reports that farmers are currently receiving only one-fifth of the total water they need in a shortage that has worsened due to climate change. Proposed remedies include minimal soil tilling, drip irrigation methods and rainwater tanks.

We appreciate this information, International Water Management Institute, and pray for sufficient water to nourish the life-sustaining crops. May the time soon come when we all turn to the resource-conserving plant-based diet to ensure abundant food and water for all in the world.

http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12260907, http://www.hpj.com/archives/2008/sep08/sep15/2008Texasdroughtlossesestim.cfm?title=2008%20Texas%20drought%20losses%20estimated%20at%20$1.4%20billion, http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSLA43722220080918?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews