A
 cold wave gripping much of South America has caused areas where the 
average temperature is normally above 20 degrees Celsius to fall below 0
 degrees. These extreme temperatures claimed dozens of human lives in 
Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay through the month of July. Now in 
Bolivia, officials have announced the death of nearly 6 million fish in 
the eastern province of Santa Cruz, where temperatures dropped to their 
lowest levels in nearly 50 years. 
Provincial Governor Rubén 
Costas stated that the loss of fish was the worst environmental disaster
 in half a century, noting that the aquatic animals had likely become 
more vulnerable due to a prolonged drought. 
With the affected rivers
 now so polluted due to decomposing fish that residents were cautioned 
not to drink from them, Bolivian health officials are working to 
safeguard the public by supplying drinking water and medicine. 
In
 addition, the governor has called for a ban on fishing to help species 
recover. We are thankful for the initiatives of Governor Costas and 
other officials in easing this situation as we convey our sadness for 
the loss of precious human and animal life. 
Let us come together
 in unifying actions to renew sustainable living conditions for all 
beings. Speaking at a March 2009 videoconference in Mexico, Supreme 
Master Ching Hai conveyed her concern for yet another extreme toll of 
climate change, mentioning at the same time the critical need for the 
most efficient, planet-saving measures.
Supreme Master Ching Hai :
 Now, we even have extreme cold weather. Between October 2008 and 
February 2009, over 36 people in Mexico died due to extreme cold 
weather, with 22 of them having suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning 
from burning firewood and charcoal to warm themselves. 
I suggest
 all world leaders and governments to please promote the animal-free 
lifestyle and quick so that we can save our planet. We have not too much
 time left. This is no longer even about politics. It’s about the 
survival of ourselves and our children. If all governments encourage 
people toward the healthy, animal-free diet, the planet could be saved 
in no time. 
The government must make a priority, saving the planet, organic vegan farming, subsidize.
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