'The Face on Your Plate: The Truth About Food,' by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
Examining the logic of vegetarianism. In his latest book, “The Face on
Your Plate: The Truth About Food,” American author, psychoanalyst and
vegan Dr. Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson presents several main factors that
explain why vegetarianism should be the diet of choice. Although Dr.
Masson’s key theme is awakening people to the fact that meat products
were once vital components of breathing, living beings, he logically
establishes this through other means, by first outlining how the
physical makeup of humans is not suited for flesh eating. Dr. Masson
then goes on to discuss the degradation of our planet due to livestock
raising, which is generating 75 percent of the nitrous oxide and
two-thirds of all methane emissions. Returning to the matter of
conscience, he states that it is ultimately unhealthy to contradict our
own inner knowledge that mistreating and eating animals is not right.
Our gracious appreciation, Dr. Masson, of your eloquent expression in
advocating the animal-free lifestyle. We wish many readers the
enjoyable and transformative journey toward this way of health and
compassion that is also the assured avenue to saving our precious
planet in time.
Wind pattern change may intensify global warmingShifting wind patterns contribute to global warming. A team of scientists at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in the United States say that changing air currents may be associated with increased CO2 release from the Antarctic pole. The shifting winds, themselves a product of climate change, stir the waters of the Antarctic Ocean at a faster rate, bringing deeper water with its dissolved CO2 into contact with the air. This releases large quantities of the greenhouse gas and intensifies the warming that is already underway. The scientists say that in the last four decades alone, these westerly winds have shifted as far south as they did 17,000 years ago, which coincided then with the warming period at the end of the last ice-age.
Columbia University scientists, we appreciate these further insights into the interconnectedness of events on our Earth. Let us all work together to reverse the unwanted effects and renew the life-giving cycles of the planet.
Before such studies were surfacing more frequently in the media, in February 2008, Supreme Master Ching Hai shared her insight about the gas being released from the ocean during an international seminar with our Association members in Austria.
Excerpt from Supreme Master Ching Hai’s lecture
International Seminar February 28, 2008 – Austria
Supreme Master Ching Hai: It’s so far-fetched that people who live in the city and who live in the far away area, they think nothing happens to them. But it’s happening. It just happens more to the people who live near the gas. The gases are fuming from the ocean and from the land that’s been defrosting. It’s fuming everywhere.
It’s just that at the moment, it’s not so intense. And then you probably have a headache when you pass by some place, you don’t know why suddenly the headache come, and you don’t know suddenly your heart hurt, burned. You don’t know why today your liver is no good, and then you take medicine and you forget about it. But it’ll be more and more intense if we don’t do something.
Wetlands decline along East, Gulf coasts, report showsUS reports decline in wetlands. A report by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the US Fish and Wildlife Service has shown that the wetlands along the eastern Atlantic Coast and the southern Gulf of Mexico have been declining at a rate of nearly 60,000 acres per year from 1998 to 2004 due to population pressure and development. This raises serious concerns about the loss in habitat for migratory birds, marine life and other species. It also places humans at greater risk, as more than half of all Americans live in coastal counties, and the wetlands serve as a buffer zone from stormy seas.
Our gratitude, scientists at the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the US Fish and Wildlife Service for informing the public of this disturbing trend. Let us hasten our steps toward a more eco-caring lifestyle to preserve our surroundings and Mother Earth.
Aulac Korea team up in environmental protectionÂu Lạc (Vietnam) collaborates with South Korea to protect the environment. The Aulacese (Vietnamese) city of Hà Nội is teaming up with South Korea’s Environment Management Corporation to focus on such areas as purifying air quality, water resources, as well as developing clean, sustainable energy. They will also work together in raising citizens’ awareness of eco-friendly lifestyles.
We are thankful to hear of your Earth-conscious initiatives, Âu Lạc and South Korea. May your exemplary actions help illuminate the way toward better stewardship of our precious and irreplaceable globe.