0ver 1,000 sq km of Amazon rainforest devastated in April

Excessive devastation in Amazon rainforest. Brazil’s National Space Research Institute reported on Monday that approximately 1,123 square km of the Amazon rainforest had been cleared in April. Over the past two decades, 700,000 square km have been destroyed, the equivalent of one football field being cleared every 10 seconds. Environmental organizations such as Greenpeace and WWF have expressed deep concern over this year’s increase in deforestation and its resulting impact on further climate change and biodiversity loss. Regarding the issue, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated, “Cattle-raising is responsible for more than 80% of the deforestation.” He went on to say that new conservation laws would soon come into effect to discourage farmers from clearing the trees illegally to use the land for meat production. We pray that Brazil’s efforts will quickly halt the destruction of this precious and unique part of our ecosphere. We pray for the protection of the Amazon rainforest and her biodiversity for the sake of all Earth inhabitants.


New Zealand committed to leading on climate change, leader says

United Nations World Environment Day celebrated on June 5, 2008. More than 100 countries have observed this day each year since its inception in 1972, to raise awareness about preserving the environment.
 
The host city for the main international celebrations is Wellington, New Zealand, where the country published its first magazine on sustainability and carbon-neutral living. Supreme Master Television reports from the launch celebration. World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is “Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy”. On this day, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is calling for countries, companies and communities to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and how to reduce them.

This event focuses on highlighting resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles. These initiatives include: improved energy efficiency; alternative energy sources; forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption.

The main international celebrations of World Environment Day 2008 will be held in New Zealand. The city of Wellington will be hosting this UN day. The agenda for the day includes: giving a human face to environmental issues; empowering people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promoting an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocating partnership to ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

For more information, please visit www.unep.org/wed

SupremeMasterTV: Why did you start this magazine?

Martin Bell, Publisher of new “GOOD” magazine: The reason we launched “Good” was, there is very clear consumer need for it, there was a media opportunity, there is a growing group of consumers out there that are very interested in environmental issues, in supporting companies and buying products that have a message and a story to tell around sustainability. For more information, please visit: www.good.net.nz

VOICE: Joining the events in New Zealand were visiting dignitaries, including the United Nations Environment Program’s Chief Executive, Achim Steiner.
 
Mr Achim Steiner (United Nation’s Under Secretary General & UN Environment Program Executive Director): I think that more and more citizens are becoming well informed and both in terms of what is happening to our planet, because the scale and the pace of environmental change at the beginning of 21st century are a serious wake-up call to us as human beings on this planet. So feel empowered to act locally and ultimately with many others globally. That’s the message of optimism that I think we all deserve to hear.

VOICE: Elsewhere in the world, a range of festivities commemorated the occasion. The Chicago Botanic Garden in the United States was designated the North American host of the day’s activities. Harriet Resnick, Vice President of Visitor Programs and Operations at the Chicago Botanic Garden, N. American host of World Environment Day: The theme for this year’s World Environment Day is “CO2-Kick the Habit! Toward a Low Carbon Economy.” So again, talking about the carbon footprint and the impact of the things we do in our daily lives.

VOICE: Speaking of carbon footprints, World Environment Day Formosa (Taiwan) is urging the public to adopt new eating habits to reduce carbon emissions, including taking a pledge to try the low-carbon, animal-free diet. More than 1.2 million people in Formosa, including government officials, have promised to help reduce carbon emissions by converting to vegetarianism, meaning an animal free diet, which will remove at least 1.5 million tons of carbon emissions from the atmosphere each year.

Chen Tien-Wen, Taichung City Council Vice-President: Now, I eat a vegetarian diet 6 days a week. I ask my secretary to buy my lunch with several dishes of vegetables and a bowl of rice. Tseng Chao Jung, Taichung City Councilman, Formosa (Taiwan): I encourage everyone to adopt the vegetarian diet. For instance, all my colleagues in the office are vegetarians. All of us are vegetarians. Let us strive together to take good care of the environment our Earth.
 
Dr. Lin Tzu-Mu, National Chung Hsing University Office of Student Affairs: For our health, for our descendants, also for karmic retribution in Buddhism, for our future generations and for our present lifetime, we should act now and do our best to adopt a vegetarian diet.

VOICE: A hearty congrats, all participants for your commitment to saving the planet in honoring World Environment Day. May the celebrations renew our determination to do our part by tread ing lightly as a way to sustain our Earth and all her inhabitants.

Ethiopia: UN Allocates $13 Million for Drought Victims

UN agency sends aid to Ethiopian drought victims. It is estimated that the lives of 126,000 children in central Ethiopia are in danger due to a lack of food. In response, the United Nations Humanitarian Response Fund (HRF) has allocated US$7.2 million for the purchase of therapeutic foods and medicines. This is in addition to the US$5.5 million already supplied for other drought-related projects. The primary donors for this UN HRF aid were Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. We convey our sincere gratitude to the United Nation’s HRF and participating countries and Heaven’s blessings for your compassionate actions. We are heartened to see nations working together to provide support to those whose lives are being affected by climate change related conditions.

Quebac, Ontario team up to tackle global warming

Two Canadian provinces set goals for climate change solutions. The provinces of Ontario and Quebec have stepped forward in addressing climate change prior to the announcement of a national program. These two largest provinces have agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting up a market-based cap-and-trade program. The new system, planned for operation in 2010, would limit companies’ emissions and oblige them to pay the exceeded amount to those who stay within the established levels. That’s the green spirit, Ontario and Quebec! May your goals inspire many others to take the lead and act today to save our planet.
 
PARTS of the East Coast are running out of water.

Australia’s drought extends to Tasmania’s state. As the effects of global warming continue to be noted across the continent of Australia, coastal regions of her southernmost island state are experiencing their worst drought in recorded history. The city council of Tasmania’s Glamorgan Spring Bay may soon declare a state of emergency, with water levels in the region’s Prosser River only expected to provide another 70 days’ supply. Town mayor Bertrand Cadart stated, “We are praying for a big rain.” We join you and the Tasmanian people in your prayers, Mayor Cadart. May blessed rainfall shower upon Australia as we move quickly to save our planet from the effects of climate change.