European Parliament conference addresses the meat impact on climate change, world hunger and animal rights.

European Parliament conference addresses the meat impact on climate change, world hunger and animal rights. “Feeding the World under the Climate Threat?” was the question posed in the forum on November 12 to 13 that was hosted by Swedish Member of the European Parliament and vegetarian Jens Holm. International experts discussed the harmful impact of mass-producing livestock on the environment and vulnerable populations.

Jens Holm – Swedish Member of European Parliament, Vegetarian: The greatest impact you actually could do, that would be to reduce your meat consumption or stop eating meat totally. You would create a surplus of crops that could be used to feed the people who are starving today.

VOICE: The conference addressed potential measures from the European Union to tackle the animal agriculture sector’s increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Jens Holm : Today, European subsidies going directly to advertisement campaigns for meat consumption. It should be the other way around. We should have awareness campaigns for vegetarian consumption, because that is the solution.

VOICE: It’s the solution not only for solving hunger and climate change, but according to Parliament member Holm, who is also a staunch animal advocate, vegetarianism protects countless animal lives.

Jens Holm : My hope for the children of the future is that they can live in a world which is in accordance to nature; also in accordance with the animals so that we don’t breed animals; we don’t transport animals, of course we don’t kill the animals.

VOICE: Supreme Master Ching Hai has often mentioned that compared to other proposed solutions for climate change, none is as effective – and lives-saving – as the adoption of the meatless diet.

VOICE: Thank you European Parliament Member Jens Holm for actively bringing the tough but important issue of our food consumption to the fore of governmental concern. We would also like to thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her tireless support and encouragement of leadership regarding the vegetarian solution. We pray that humankind will soon reach the shared, most worthy goal of a safe and abundant planet for all beings.

Global investors urge action on climate change

World investors seek carbon limits. Over 130 global investors responsible for managing up to US$6.4 trillion in assets are calling for a unified action plan to counter global warming with firm limits on carbon emissions. Initiative leader Stephanie Pfeifer, Program Director of Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change, said, "A strong global agreement will provide companies, governments and investors with the incentives to act quickly and efficiently in tackling climate change.” Bravo, global investors, for guiding our world in a green direction. Heaven bless all in swiftly working together to build a sustainable future.

ENVIRONMENT-AUSTRALIA: Harvesting Stormwater

Australian town harvests storm water. The City Council of Orange in New South Wales, Australia, is preparing the nation’s first program to collect storm water in response to ongoing severe drought conditions in the southern and eastern parts of the country. The town plans for this harvesting to eventually become a permanent solution to continual water shortages. Orange City Council, we applaud your initiative in finding innovative ways to provide water for fellow citizens. May we all meanwhile hasten our steps towards green living to revive the reliability of our environment.

Boston Skyscraper Lights Up With LEDs

New lighting for US city building. The nearly 500-foot tall Marriott Custom House Tower in the city of Boston, Massachusetts is still lighting the skyline, but now more sustainably. The stately building’s night-time appearance has been transformed through New Light-emitting Diodes (LEDs) that use only a third of the energy, require less maintenance and last much longer than their previous incandescent versions. Way to go, Marriott Custom House Tower, for finding a greener way to illuminate the beautiful skyline of Boston. We look forward to more clean alternatives such as these to help light our way to a brighter planet for all.