Global warming is already 'irreversible' - 1 Feb 2009  
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Global warming is already 'irreversible'
New climate change report highlights importance of immediate action. A report sponsored by the United States Department of Energy was released this week, which concludes that some of the effects of climate change are already irreversible; that is, the effects of emissions already in the atmosphere will last for up to a thousand years. Lead author Dr. Susan Solomon of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory in Colorado, USA also stated that the oceans, which up to now have been absorbing much surplus warmth, will soon reach their maximum and will begin emitting heat back into the atmosphere, further amplifying the warming effect. The report recommends immediate action from policy makers to offset the damage already done to the environment.

Dr. Solomon, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and United States Department of Energy, our sincere thanks for this timely information confirming the dire state of our planet. We pray for humanity’s quick action to bring more caring stewardship to the environment and halt climate change while there still is time.

Pakistan seriously threatened by global warming.
That was the message of Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, United Nations climate expert, vegetarian and co-laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr. Pachauri was speaking at a two-day conference in the South Asian country, where he warned that climate change would dramatically affect water supply and food production. Even though Pakistan has contributed little industrially to global warming, the country’s temperatures have risen almost 1 degree Celsius since the 1900s, while rainfall has decreased by up to 15% in key areas.

Dr. Pachauri, we are grateful for your tireless work to halt global warming, in Pakistan and around the world. Our prayers for the adoption of life-sustaining practices that assure a stable future for our Earth.

During a videoconference with our Association members in New Zealand, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke about the wasteful amounts of water usage in the meat industry.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Of course, the changing pattern of weather affecting everything else as well. But I think it affects more of the husbandry, the animal raising way of life. Now, because animals raising takes a lot of water, more than even growing vegetables, so if we are short of water, then, of course, the livestock industry will become automatically minimized. And I hope it will be zero soon. Because the more they raise animals, the more water they need. And the more water they need, the less water we even have for vegetarian food production, like growing crops and all that. So I hope everyone realizes it.

Antarctic bases turn to renewables - even solar
Antarctic bases switch to sustainable energy. On the most extreme weather peninsula in the world, countries with bases such as Germany, Belgium, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are changing from fossil fuels to sustainable energy to reduce their carbon footprint and also to eliminate the costly transportation of fuel to this most remote region. The choices are solar or wind energy, which once installed are being shown to produce as much or even more electricity each year as they would in Europe.

Kudos for your green initiatives, Antarctic scientists! May your lighter tread in this delicate ecosphere remind us all of the greater consideration needed worldwide to save our planetary home.

Theologians Converge on Brazil to Envision a Sustainable World
Theologians meet for preserving life on Earth. Around 400 theologians came from all over the globe to Belém in northern Brazil for the World Forum on Theology and Liberation. With this year’s theme being “Water, Earth, Theology – for Another Possible World,” attendees focused on bridging spiritual values with ecological principles such as those represented by the unique Amazonian biodiversity and other natural habitats. Their hope is to help raise awareness toward practices that support and uphold all life.

Our appreciation, World Forum theologians, for your noble mission to preserve the balance of our world. Let us all unite in these efforts to renew our beautiful and irreplaceable Earth.