Biodiversity loss harms humans, too.

For years, world scientists have called attention to the alarming speed of animal extinction, which is currently paced at between 100 and 1,000 times faster than the natural rate. In a recent telephone interview, Ireland’s leading newspaper, Irish Independent, cited the findings of conservation organization WWF that one-third of all animal species have been lost since the 1970s, and asked Supreme Master Ching Hai to comment on this alarming trend and its cause.

Supreme Master Ching Hai : It is our behavior that causes so much the loss of our planetary species. Scientists have proved it. So we all know that over-fishing, over-hunting, polluting the  environment are the cause of global warming and the decrease of animals on the planet. And many of the advices to stop have often gone unheeded. And it’s a pity, you know? We should protect the species because when we protect them, we protect the ecology. And the ecology links with our health, the health of the planet and the people.

VOICE: Indeed, uncontrollable deforestation, unsustainable land use, and now climate change are leading to further destabilization of soil, air and water – all of which humans depend on ultimately for life’s activities.

We thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her deep care of all God’s creations  deserving protection at this time. As the inter-connection among all things on Earth becomes more known to us, may we be inspired to work even harder for our shared survival.

We also extend our thanks to Irish Independent for its environmental concern and for providing information so that readers can act constructively to preserve our planet.

To read the full article of the interview with Supreme Master Ching Hai, look for Irish Independent’s new insert magazine, “The Earth.” The paper will be available in all SHOPS, NEWSPAPER STANDS AND AIRPORTS NATIONWIDE IN IRELAND AND THROUGHOUT THE UK ON TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2008.

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL1480124020080514

Gulf of Mexico dead zone expected to increase.

Oceanography professor Steven DiMarco of Texas A&M University has stated that the increased river runoff from recent flooding in the US is likely to cause the Gulf of Mexico’s 7,900 square mile dead zone to become even larger. Dead zones are ocean areas that no longer contain enough oxygen to support marine life. River runoff laden with nitrates from farm fertilizers are a main cause of these oxygen-deprived areas, with this year’s Gulf of Mexico zone expected to extend beyond 10,000 square miles.
Our deep appreciation, Professor DiMarco and other scientists, for this awakening to the far-reaching effects of farming fertilizers. Blessed be our world in restoring a natural, chemical-free balance that sustains all life.
http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11367884, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080620/ap_on_sc/sci_midwest_flooding_dead_zone, http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/ai465e/ai465e01.htm, http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a0701e/a0701e00.htm