Top climatologist Dr. James Hansen calls for less coal and less meat to stop global warming.
At a recent interfaith climate summit in Uppsala, Sweden, Dr. James Hansen called for the phasing out of fossil fuels through strong government actions. He explained what the goals would be for world leaders during an interview with Supreme Master Television.
Dr. James Hansen – Top world climatologist, Director, US Goddard Spaceflight Center, NASA (M): We have to actually reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere; it’s already increased to about 385 parts per million. If we want to stop the warming and stop the melting of more ice, we are going to have to reduce the CO2 at least back to 350 ppm, and perhaps even somewhat lower. That’s a tall order; it requires phasing out the coal emissions but it also means that we are going to need to improve our agricultural and forestry practices.
VOICE: Like many scientists have affirmed, eliminating carbon-based fuels will have far-reaching benefits on the economy, as well as the health of the planet and its inhabitants. While continuing to call for bold government policies to make this happen,
Dr. Hansen also shared what ordinary citizens could do to help.
Dr. Hansen (M): There are many things that people can do to reduce their carbon emissions, but changing your light bulb and many of the things are much less effective than changing your diet, because if you eat further down on the food chain rather than animals, which have produced many greenhouse gases, and used much energy in the process of growing that meat, you can actually make a bigger contribution in that way than just about anything. So, that, in terms of individual action, is perhaps the best thing you can do.
VOICE: We join you, Dr. Hansen, in your call to leaders and citizens to preserve our Earthly home, and thank you for continuing to be a voice for courageous and constructive actions, including the shift toward the plant-based diet. May the environment be restored for all the future generations to come.
Dr. Hansen (M): Greetings to Supreme Master TV. My message to you is: Be Veg, Go Green, Save the Planet.
Marine life faces 'acid threat'
Rising ocean acidity further endangers marine life. An eight-year continuous study of Pacific Ocean pH levels, salinity, and temperature by researchers from the University of Chicago in Illinois, USA revealed that increasing carbon dioxide levels, spurred on by human-made pollution and global warming, are causing a 10 to 20 times faster rise in the ocean’s acidity than previously estimated.
These accelerated acid conditions especially threaten coral and other organisms with calcium-based shells but also have implications for all marine life. University of Chicago researchers, we are grateful for the information of this ocean crisis. May the Providence protect our marine friends through these critical times as we strive for more benevolent stewardship of our precious Earth.
Speaking via videoconference to public guests, dignitaries and media present for the climate change seminar in Formosa (Taiwan), Supreme Master Ching Hai emphasized the necessity for all global citizens to adopt a vegan, meaning animal-free lifestyle.
Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai for the Critical Moments to Save the Earth: What Can I Do? Seminar June 29, 2008 – Formosa (Taiwan) (In English)
Supreme Master Ching Hai : Because stock raising, animals breeding, is the #1 cause of damage to our planet and it is going to destroy our world if we do not stop. I really mean it. We have to stop this. We have to stop the killing. We have to stop the meat eating. We have to stop insecticides. We have to go organic. And vegetarian is a must.
Otherwise, there will not be just the dead zone in the ocean. I repeat: otherwise, if we don’t do anything now, if we don’t be veggie and we don’t stop polluting our planet in many ways, then there will not be just the dead zones in the ocean. There will a dead planet. And we also will be dead beings, too.
Britain pledges $149.3m to reduce deforestation
Britain pledges funds for protecting rainforests. Announced on by Energy and Climate Change Minister Ed Miliband, a US$149.3 million amount is being donated to tropical countries to reduce deforestation, which causes 17% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. By protecting trees, these same nations will then earn valuable carbon credits which can be later sold to developed countries. The minister stated, "The money we are putting forward is to hasten action with regards to deforestation." Our green salute, Minister Miliband and United Kingdom, for prioritizing the preservation of these vital trees in faraway lands. Surely we will see the flourishing of many verdant regions through such dedicated leadership as yours.
Ancient Persian kilns used wind power
Wind power was used by ancient Persians. Iranian archeologists have found signs that the inhabitants of Darestan, living more than 5,000 years ago, constructed their kilns and fireplaces in the direction of the local winds to power them and help increase their temperatures for such endeavors as forging metals. This sustainable energy source could be considered reliable at that time because the wind coming from the nearby Lut Desert blew continually in a fixed direction. What fascinating discoveries! We thank the Darestan archaeology team for sharing this intriguing insight of the sustainable practices of our ancestors. May further knowledge of humankind’s past help us progress towards a greener, brighter future.