Internationally
 renowned glaciologist Dr. Bernard Francou of the Institute of Research 
for Development (IRD) (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement) in 
France has been studying the glaciers of the Andes Mountains for more 
than 20 years. 
Knowing firsthand of their rapid melt, he stated 
in a recent interview that if the climate warming of the past decades 
continues, it will be fatal for many of the Andes glaciers. Up to the 
early 20th century, the permanent snow line in the Andes Mountains had 
been stable at around 4,750 meters above sea level, receding to 4,950 
meters by 1975. 
However, with recently accelerated melt rates, 
the 2010 snow line has retreated to 5,100 meters, with glaciers 
throughout Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia having lost between 30 
and 40% of their volume in the past 35 years. 
With the glaciers’
 disappearance comes major water supply problems for the region. 
Understanding the urgency of climate change, Dr. Francou has a simple 
message: “… The climate is our responsibility! We have to do everything 
we can to reverse this trend... Each person, from where they can.” 
Dr.
 Francou and Institute of Research for Development colleagues, we are 
grateful for your dedicated study and call to action. Let us quickly 
join in doing everything possible through our lifestyle choices to cool 
the planet. Speaking in concern for humanity’s welfare, Supreme Master 
Ching Hai discussed the Andean glaciers during a September 2009 
conference in Peru, with a suggestion for how to directly resolve both 
the regional and global problem of ice melt.
Supreme Master Ching Hai:
 Peru is home to 70% of the entire range of Andean glaciers, with peaks 
that supply the country’s people with both water and hydroelectric 
power; however, these are all expected to disappear by 2015, just a few 
more years. 
Dwindling water supplies have caused escalating 
tensions and even conflicts to erupt as many people, including 
disadvantaged farmers, don’t have enough water, or are struggling for 
their share. 
So please, before the situation gets any more out 
of hand – let’s choose the vegan diet. The future effects will be 
greatly eased. Only then will we have a manageable situation. 
Be veg, go green, so we can all save the planet.
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=51813 http://www.grist.org/article/now/ http://rolexawards.com/en/the-laureates/bernardfrancou-home.jsp