Mexico City plants lawns on roofs to fight warming

Mexico City invests in environmental plan to reduce greenhouse gases. Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard has stated that city officials have a clear goal of reducing carbon emissions by 4.4 million tons a year. Plans to achieve this goal include a US$5.5 billion investment for capturing methane from landfills and expanding public transportation. In addition, the rooftops of publicly-owned buildings are set to be planted with grass and bushes to absorb CO2 from cars and factories. What wonderful progress! A green thumbs up, Mayor Ebrard and all others involved in making Mexico City evermore eco-friendly. With Heaven’s grace, may your lovely city see a quick return of her blue skies and verdant beauty.

Greenpeace - Destruction of Amazonian Jungle to produce meat

Brazil report identifies meat as the primary driver of Amazon deforestation. A report by Brazil’s Amigos da Terra (Friends of the Earth), “The Cattle Realm,” finds that cattle ranching is a primary factor in Amazon deforestation. The report states: “In reality, whatever other factors may be involved in the transformation and displacement of agricultural activities, land use changes in the Amazon is first and foremost a product of ranching. It is on the hooves of cattle, out on the forest fringe, where the repercussions of investments and alterations in food or energy consumption are felt.” Our gratitude, Amigos da Terra, for clarifying that meat production is a foremost reason for Amazon deforestation. Godspeed our actions to save these vital and irreplaceable lungs of our planet.

Top 10 Ways to Help Save Our Oceans

World Ocean Day offers opportunity to protect the seas. In honor of the day, celebrated informally by the United Nations and other organizations on June 8, US-based Nature Conservancy has issued a list of simple changes that everyone can make to take better care of the world’s vulnerable oceans. Topping the list of changes is minimizing the use of plastics by turning to reusable products like cloth shopping bags. Another eco-change is to dispose of chemicals properly and not pour them down the drain as they may go directly into rivers and oceans. Our sincere thanks, Nature Conservancy, for your timely reminder to protect our vital oceans. We pray our united efforts to protect our beautiful oceans help to restore the health and vibrancy of our biosphere.
 
Her crop of predictions brings author new respect

Frances Moore Lappe wins James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year award. Ms. Lappe, author of “Diet for a Small Planet,” is being recognized by the James Beard Foundation for her 40 years of writing and speaking out about the root causes of global hunger. Ms. Lappe was one of the first to recognize and point out that there is enough food in the world for all people to be fed. Her renowned book, “Diet for a Small Planet,” presents the message that hunger is a human-caused phenomenon due in part to feeding half the world’s grain to animals. Mr. Lappe encourages a vegetarian, meaning animal free diet as well as suggesting that people to consider the environmental impact of each purchase as a way use the earth’s resources wisely. Congratulations, Ms. Lappe, and thank you for allowing us make a connection between food choices and alleviating hunger. May your message resonate across the globe to that ensure all are properly nourished.
 
G8 plus three agree to promote energy efficiency for stable market, climate

Eleven nations agree on energy saving cooperation. In a meeting of the group of eight (G8) developed member nations as well as China, South Korea and India, an agreement was reached among energy ministers for a framework to work together in curbing climate change. The new International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation will be presented at the July G8 summit. Bravo G8, China, South Korea and India for coming together to find ways to reduce carbon emissions and cool our planet. We wish your upcoming meeting quick success in implementing solutions to reverse global warming.
 
Natural lab shows sea's acid path

Rising levels of atmospheric CO2 are disrupting marine life. Scientists from the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom have been evaluating the effect of absorbed ocean carbon dioxide through a study of natural CO2 vents found in the Mediterranean Sea. The study shows that near these ocean floor vents, the CO2 makes the water more acidic, causing a loss of marine biodiversity in direct proportion to the acidification. As there is also less calcium in acidic waters, the shells of snails are disintegrating and coral reefs cannot form. Dr. Carol Turley from Plymouth Marine Laboratory said, “This means that the only way of reducing the future impact of ocean acidification is the urgent, substantial reduction in CO2 emissions.” Thank you, scientists of the United Kingdom, for exploring this significant matter. May we quickly adopt effective ways to reduce our carbon emissions for the benefit of all life on Earth.

Cuba's urban farming program a stunning success

Cuba’s urban farming transformed the country to be self-reliant. Emerging some years ago from a time of food shortage, some citizens began growing vegetables on small patches of empty government lands. These urban plots have transformed both the diets and the income of the people, with over 350,000 jobs being generated that provide relatively high pay. This practice now also supplies most of Cuba’s fresh vegetables, many of which are organically grown. What a great improvement indeed, Cuba! We laud your model of green success in providing for many through the creative and constructive use of lands.