Iraq’s ancient wetland has gone dry. Mesopotamian Marshes, the largest wetlands in the Middle East, was once a vast area of reeds and forests that sheltered migratory birds, fish and even water buffalos. Today, severe decreases in rainfall due to global warming and drops in water flow caused by dams built along the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers have turned the area into miles of reed stalks and baked mud. Due to this severe situation, life for the tens of thousands of Marsh Arabs that live in the area has become very difficult. Scientists have warned that wetlands in many parts of the world are imperiled from global warming-related conditions and need immediate protection, in some cases to safeguard the lives of millions of people.
May Allah grace the Marsh Arab people with the resiliency to endure this precarious situation. We pray meanwhile that conditions such as these are alleviated through our collective care for all lives on Earth.
During a videoconference in October 2008 for a book premiere in Germany, Supreme Master Ching Hai explained the age-old principle of cause and retribution in applying to the climate change crisis.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: Many of the people who are knowledgeable know that vegetarian diet, meaning animal-free product lifestyle, is the best way, the fastest to stop our disaster of global warming and the destruction of our planet. Every action provokes a reaction. So if we let live the animals, Heaven will let us live. We have to treat animal with kindness, the way we treat our own children and ourselves. Then we have the hope to save the planet. And I’m sure we can save the planet that way. I can guarantee that. Please be a vegan. Please stay away from all animal products and cruelty to humans and all beings on this planet. Then we will keep this planet, not only will we keep this planet, but this planet will become more beautiful, more abundant, more glorious, more happy for everyone to enjoy.
Regulator sets tougher green energy guidelinesBritish energy providers go greener. In an effort to standardize the measures implemented by energy companies when customers elect to pay them a “green” offset tariff, the United Kingdom energy regulator Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) has launched a voluntary program, which has already been joined by six of Britain’s largest energy suppliers. The program is setting a consistent standard for different offsetting methods; thus if an energy company promises tariff-payers reduced carbon emissions, it must offset at least one ton of CO2 emissions per year for each tariff-paying customer.
We tip our green hats, Ofgem and participating energy providers of Britain. Blessed be your exemplary fairness in helping to ensure a more ecologically balanced planet for us all.
H1 Brightstar SOP NASA Successfully Launches Environmental SatelliteNASA environmental satellite launched. Designed by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the NOAA-N Prime satellite lifted off on Friday from California, USA. Once in orbit it will monitor environmental events, provide data for climate research such as ocean temperature data as well as well as improve forest fire detection and general weather forecasting. The NOAA-N Prime also has sensors for use in search and rescue operations.
Bravo National Aeronautics and Space Administration for this successful launch of the NOAA-N Prime satellite! We look forward to your data helping to provide illuminating ways that we can better protect our shared planetary home.
Biomass charcoal heater introduces new eficiency and sustainability.Japanese scientists develop new biomass charcoal heater. Currently, millions of rural homes in East Asian countries rely on small heater grills for warmth. In an effort to create sustainable and more highly efficient heating systems for these homes, Japanese scientists are developing a heater that uses waste biomass charcoal. While the current biomass stoves in Turkey and the US have a thermal efficiency of 46-54%, the new stoves have a 60-81% efficiency, which could reduce CO2 emissions by over 4.4 million tons.
What exciting news! Our gratitude Japanese scientists for these promising eco-friendly endeavors. With Heaven’s grace, may practices such as these help lead to our sustainable future.