As daily talks gained momentum at the “World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth” in Cochabamba, delegates from government, science, environmental, and indigenous communities formed working groups to develop a document that will be presented to the 192 nations of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

With a shared goal of halting global warming impacts such as drought and rising sea levels that affect the most vulnerable, leaders and participants, including Bolivian President Evo Morales, emphasized the empowerment of individuals in adopting more harmonious lifestyles.
Supreme Master Television’s correspondent brings more details.

Correspondent (M): In a colorful ceremony attended by foreign dignitaries, spiritual leaders, and indigenous groups representing all peoples of the Earth, Bolivian President Evo Morales gave a stirring speech in which he warned of the dangers of eating poultry, spoke against genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and encouraged a return to the use of curative traditional plants.

He further stated there was no need to have meat or dairy in one’s diet in order to be strong and healthy. Later, President Morales, the Bolivian delegation’s lead negotiator Angelica Navarro, and other high government officials graciously accepted press packs presented to them by members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association.

VOICE: Our Association members participated in the opening ceremony by holding banners and distributing SOS flyers and other information on the vegan solution to climate change.

Representative members are also serving in and giving presentations for the forum’s various working groups that meet daily during the conference.
Many people have been accepting the SOS flyers with keen interest in the alternative lifestyle.

Correspondent (M): Friends of the Earth - El Salvador president Ricardo Navarro, in speaking out against the livestock industry said:

Ricardo Navarro – Friends of the Earth – El Salvador (M): If you consider all the emissions in the world, more than half are related one way or another to production and consumption of food, particularly meat.
If we develop a vegetarian diet, which is better for our bodies than a meat diet, we certainly can reduce very much our CO2 emissions and absorb carbon dioxide also. So that’s a way out of the problem.

Correspondent (M): And indigenous leaders such as Ecuador’s Franklin Columba agreed, praising a change to a plant-based diet.

Franklin Columba (M): They savagely murdered our beings of nature from sea, from water, from mountains and really damage the own human beings’ health. They murder our living beings of nature and murder themselves automatically, because they hurt themselves, because this alters the organic system.
Our ancient Quitu grandparents have taught us a rich culture of experience and knowledge of how to survive only through the plants, the fruits that Mother Earth gives us.

Correspondent (M): Here at the conference there is a general feeling of love for Mother Earth and a determination to do what needs to be done.

Angelica Navarro – Bolivia’s Lead Negotiator (F): We are out of time. We have to do things right now and not to wait 20, 30 years.

Correspondent (M): Supreme Master Television reporting from Cochabamba, Bolivia.

VOICE: Our appreciation, President Morales, organizers and all eco-conscious conference participants for working together to halt climate change. May your earnest efforts and the prioritization of the plant-based dietary solution help to guide our planet and all inhabitants to safety.

In a July 2008 videoconference with Supreme Master Television staff in California, USA, Supreme Master Ching Hai emphasized again our need to act in ways that enhance the survival of all life on Earth.


http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h7k_uQWUdijxfsrqRadaeLMjq9XQD9F708C80
http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=181186&Itemid=21
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-s-eshelman/bolivian-government-outli_b_545411.html