Climate change a security risk for EU, say bloc's foreign policy chiefs

Climate change poses a security risk to the European Union. According to a European Union foreign policy report, tackling climate change is key to Europe’s preventative security policy. The paper highlights concerns over reduced water supplies, increased migration, and rising oceans. On December 31, 2006, Supreme Master Ching Hai had shared her insight on the effects of climate change with our Association members during a retreat in Germany: TITLE CAPTION: Excerpt from Supreme Master Ching Hai’s Lecture December 31, 2006 ? Germany MASTER: I think the world is getting very aware now, hey, that they must do something. Imagine if all the people from the low land, when the flood arrive, they have nowhere to go and then they will all run into the city, higher land, At that time there’s too many people to go even for us even to go to rescue, or to help because there’s too many, and then they will have no home. They will have lost everything, nothing to lose anymore and they will be very chaotic. So whatever affects them, affects everybody. It’s not like, ok, “I am President, it doesn’t concern me”. Or I am Governor high official “it doesn’t concern me and I live in the high land, I don’t live next to the sea, it doesn’t concern me.” It does concern everybody because if they come in hundreds of thousands at the same time, hungry, stressed, disoriented, starving and confused, they do anything. So we better be prepared, and whoever in authority and have power must use it to change the way we live our life. Have to clean up our planet, and quick. Thank you European leaders addressing climate change for the safety of the world’s citizens. May all nations unite in prompt action to reverse the effects of global warming.


Climate change's most deadly threat: drought

Renowned scientist and author releases second book on global warming. The latest book by anthropologist and best-selling author Brian Fagan outlines what he says is the real threat to climate change survival, namely, inland drought. In his book titled, “The Great Warming: Climate Change and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations,” Dr. Fagan states that although rising sea levels are causing coastal flooding, inland areas will suffer the opposite, as reliable precipitation vanishes. By tracing climate patterns back in time, Dr. Fagan says that history “shows how drought can destabilize a society and lead to its collapse.” Our deep appreciation, Dr. Brian Fagan, for your observant and articulate voice that further alerts us to the current planetary dilemma. We sincerely pray that all societies realize the need for urgent action to save our Mother Earth. 
 
 
EPA Tool Helps Communities Tap into Energy Savings
 
US water facilities save energy and reduce their carbon footprints. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Energy Star Program helps various institutions manage their energy use, save money and be environmentally-friendly. More than 800 organizations, including local governments and water facilities, are involved in the program. With the Energy Star Program, last year Americans saved about US$14 billion on their energy bills and helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Hats off, EPA, for your providing this program in maintaining a sustainable lifestyle. May more green programs sprout forth throughout the world for the preservation of our Mother Earth.
 
Yahoo Launches ‘Green Screen’ Energy-Use Monitor

Yahoo uses “green screen” to monitor its environmental impact. The Yahoo company has installed an interactive “green screen” to monitor energy use in real time at its main campus in Sunnyvale, California, USA. Yahoo employees can view, how much CO2 is emitted per person, which building is the most energy efficient, and how their energy use changes over time. The green screen also displays environmentally friendly tips and can be accessed via the company’s internal network. What a cool idea, Yahoo! We hope your green screen encourages many people to make eco-friendly changes.
 
UN warns of climate change danger in Mideast

UN says climate change is an imminent threat to Middle East stability. On Monday, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued a report on the potentially disastrous effect of climate change on the Middle East and Northern Africa. The report says, “Changes in temperature, rainfall and climatic extremes will only add to the stress on agricultural resources in a region where land availability and degradation, food price shocks and population growth are already a major concern.” We thank the UN Food and Agricultural Organization this critical evaluation. We pray that the Providence will guide people everywhere to work together to save precious lives and our beautiful planet.
 
UN and WCC heads seek to work closer on climate change

The United Nations and the World Council of Churches (WCC) will work together on climate change. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and WCC General Secretary Reverend Dr. Samuel Kobia met recently in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss cooperation between their organizations on several issues including climate change. Secretary General Ban said, “Global warming will only be resolved through a global common response and we need [the WCC’s] help.” General Secretary Kobia replied, “Working on global warming is a matter of faith. You can count on the WCC as a strong partner in acting together now for the sake of humankind and the rest of creation.” Our sincere appreciation, United Nations and World Council of Churches, for recognizing the importance of unity in addressing global warming. May your cooperation bear fruit in effective action to save our fragile ecosphere.
 
Climate and energy should be top political priorities

Civic groups in Europe call for more action on climate change. European unions, NGOs, and environmental groups support the European Union’s climate change reforms, but say more must be done. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and Platform of European Social NGOs (Social Platform) have called for better energy efficiency standards and more green public housing. European Environmental Bureau Secretary General John Hontelez said: “Industrialized countries will need cuts of between 25% and 40% by 2020 to halt dramatic global warming.” With our gratitude, all organizations involved, we say thank you for urging immediate, effective action on climate change. May Heaven bless Europe with a green and sustainable future.

Promising New Material For Capturing Carbon Dioxide From Smokestacks

US scientists develop improved carbon capture material. A study published in this month’s Journal of the American Chemical Society describes a new material that is seven times more effective at removing CO2 gas from smokestack emissions than substances currently used to that end. The new generation solid adsorbent is called hyperbranched aminosilica (HAS) and has the capacity to be recycled many times. Congratulations, American chemists, on this wonderful, eco-friendly development. Our best wishes in the successful applications of your innovation to maintain the equilibrium of our biosphere.
 
Manitoba bans new hog barns in half of province

Manitoba puts brakes on pork industry. Manitoba, Canada is banning new hog barns in the eastern half of the province in order to protect the environment. According to the UN report, “Livestock’s Long Shadow,” the meat industry is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and strongly implicated in worldwide environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity. Moreover, at least 70% of pigs have respiratory illnesses when brought to the slaughterhouses. Porcine diseases often enter the food supply. Listeriosis, for example, affects 2500 people each year in the United States, resulting in 500 deaths annually. Other illnesses related to meat consumption include: Blue tongue disease E coli Salmonella Bird flu Mad cow disease Pig's disease (PMWS) Shellfish poisoning Our gratitude, Manitoba province, for this sensible and necessary measure to halt the expansion of factory farming. May your efforts bring protection for ourselves and future generations from the environmental devastation involved in the process of meat production.
 
Mexico City sinking by the day

Mexico City to improve water infrastructure. Authorities in Mexico City are planning a multi-billion dollar project to ensure better water management ? and keep the city from sinking. The measures are seen as necessary not only to supply water to the Federal district’s 20 million inhabitants but also because the current overexploitation of aquifers is making the city sink about 10 centimeters every year. Mexico City officials, blessed be your caring efforts. May your wise project lead to a safe home for the inhabitants of your great metropolis.
 
Electric car that costs less than two pence a mile hits UK market

Electric ‘Zecar’ launched in UK. A father and son team have brought an electric vehicle onto the market in the UK. Professor Tony Stevens is responsible for the design side of things while son Peter, a banker, manages the finances of Stevens Vehicles Ltd. Running on lead-acid batteries that recharge in less than eight hours, the five-seater costs less than €20,000. We salute you and send our best wishes, Stevens Vehicles, for the speedy success of your green Zecar. May the future continue to accelerate forward with many more clean methods of transportation.
 
Wind saves hospital thousands

Hospital saves with wind turbine. The Antrim Area Hospital in North Ireland has saved €242,000 and prevented over 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions since its installation of a wind turbine in 2005. Local assemblyman Thomas Burns stated: “The money freed up by not having to pay electricity bills and the profit gained from selling electricity back to the national grid can now be spent on patients and service.” Bravo on a great achievement, Antrim Area Hospital, in employing this clean alternative energy. May you continue in your refreshingly green ways to bring benefit to others and our earthly abode.

Energy ministers push growth of renewable energy

Washington DC, USA hosts international Renewable Energy Conference. Delegates from 100 countries are attending the conference to discuss new developments in renewable energy. Many nations, including Cape Verde, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, and Tanzania pledged to reduce emissions and increase the use of alternative sources of energy. Many thanks, all participants, for convening for this very critical conference. May Heaven grant all attendees the inspiration to work for a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy.

Global warming may raise tundra wildfire risk

American ecologists state global warming causes more frequent wildfires in the Arctic. Dr. Philip Higuera of Montana State University recently published a study of sediment cores dating from the end of the last ice age. 10,000 years ago, the Earth’s climate warmed dramatically, causing the low-lying herbaceous flora of the Arctic tundra to be overtaken by taller shrubs and trees. This led to an increase in the frequency and severity of wildfires. Dr. Higuera sees a similar pattern emerging today. He said: “As the climate changes, biomass will increase in the tundra and with it will come more fires.” Wildfires release carbon stored for centuries in the soil and forest, accelerating the cycle of warming. Dr. Higuera and team, we are grateful to you for publishing these important findings. We pray that your work will prompt world leaders to act now to minimize global warming.

2008 OECD Environmental Outlook - How much will it cost to address today's key environmental problems?

OECD releases latest Environment Outlook reports. The compilation of reports from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) suggest a number of immediate actions to counteract global warming. These include promoting efficient resource use and eco-friendly innovation, enhancing international environmental cooperation, and sustainability for the energy, transport, and agricultural sectors. Our gratitude, OECD, for this comprehensive guide to action on climate change. May we all be motivated to unify our efforts to protect our precious planet.

Green Guide magazine hits the stands

National Geographic publishes Green Guide. The Green Guide is currently on newsstands around the US and encourages environmentally-friendly lifestyles and tips, thrifty spending, and new green goods making their debut in the market. The magazine is printed with renewable inks on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper that has partially post-consumer recycled content. The Green Guide offers some of its content online at: thegreenguide.com. We appreciate it, National Geographic, for recognizing the immediate need and growing trends towards being more eco-friendly. May the Green Guide gain international attention as people are inspired to implement reduce, recycle, and reuse into their lifestyles to preserve our earthly home.
 
Kennedy speaks for the environment

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. encourages citizens to take green action. In a recent lecture at Northern Kentucky University in the USA, environmental lawyer, Robert Kennedy Jr. urged listeners to push their representatives for eco-friendly public policies and work to protect the environment. One college student, James Spears, said that the speech motivated him to “get involved in the government and environment and hold our government accountable.” We tip our hats, Mr. Kennedy, for inspiring us to do our parts in saving the planet. God bless all your environmental endeavors with fruitful outcomes.