A
recent assessment of biodiversity by the European Environment Agency
concluded that urgent action is needed to address environmental stress
on ocean life, which is being caused primarily by climate-related
changes such as acidification, as well as pollution and over-fishing.
This
report is the fourth in a year-long series titled “Ten messages for
2010,” each containing a message on an aspect of ecosystems and
biodiversity in the European Union.
This most recent report
highlights the intricate balance between oceans, land and sky that
regulates the climate, produces oxygen and removes carbon from the
atmosphere.
Imbalances cause disruption to species and can
endanger conditions necessary for life on Earth. The assessment also
affirmed existing evidence showing that establishing marine protected
areas helps ecosystems to recover.
European Environment Agency
scientists, many thanks for these valued insights that raise awareness
about the vital importance of the oceans to our own well being.
May
we all quickly engage in actions that sustain the delicate
interconnectedness of all life. Supreme Master Ching Hai has frequently
called on humanity to conserve our precious oceans, as during a May 2009
videoconference in Togo.
Supreme Master Ching Hai:
Balanced marine ecosystems are extremely important, as more than
two-thirds of the planet is covered by oceans. They provide half of the
world’s oxygen and play a major part in regulating the global climate.
So,
life on Earth truly depends very much on the ocean for survival. In
addition, oceans also absorb atmospheric CO2 – carbon dioxide – which
directly helps to cool our planet.
Supreme Master Ching Hai:
From the oceans themselves, we are seeing warming temperatures, rising
sea levels, increasing acidification and terrible levels of pollution.
So
global warming is affecting the oceans, which in turn is affecting the
fish. This is an equally urgent situation as the one presented by
livestock industry, and it has the exact same solution.
Stop
eating the flesh; stop killing for food; stop eating the fish. This will
help restore the balance of both the ocean and land, immediately.
http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&RCN=31894 http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachPressRelease.aspx?cid=8909&codi=157876