MEAT OF THE MATTER (Part1)

MEAT OF THE MATTER
To fight global warming, don't just drive a Prius, ditch those burgers

By Jim Motavalli

Ask most Americans about what causes global warming, and they'll point to a coal plant smokestack or a car's tailpipe. They're right, of course, but perhaps two other images should be granted similarly iconic status: the front and rear ends of a cow. According to a little-known 2006 United Nations report entitled "Livestock's Long Shadow," livestock is a major player in climate change, accounting for 18 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions (measured in carbon dioxide equivalents). That's more than the entire global transportation system! Unfortunately, this important revelation has received only limited attention in the media.

How could methane from cows, goats, sheep and other livestock have such a huge impact? As Chris Goodall points out in his book How to Live a Low-Carbon Life (Earthscan Publications), "Ruminant animals [chewing a cud], such as cows and sheep, produce methane as a result of the digestive process. ... Dairy cows are particularly important sources of methane because of the volume of food, both grass and processed material, that they eat."

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the American meat industry produces more than 60 million tons of waste annually — five tons for every U.S. citizen and 130 times the volume of human waste. Michael Jacobson, the longtime executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, adds the fact that just one midsized feedlot churns out half a million pounds of manure each day. "The methane that cattle and their manure produce has a global warming effect equal to that of 33 million automobiles," the Center reports in its book Six Arguments for a Greener Diet.

That's just one side effect of raising animals for food. It turns out that nearly every aspect of the huge international meat trade has an environmental or health consequence, with global warming at the top of the list. If you never thought that eating meat was an environmental (and by extension, political) issue, now is the time to rethink that position.


A really big enterprise

To understand livestock's impact on the planet, you have to consider the size of the industry. It is the single largest human-related use of land. Grazing occupies an incredible 26 percent of the ice- and water-free surface of the planet Earth. The area devoted to growing crops to feed those animals amounts to 33 percent of arable land. Meat production is a major factor in deforestation as well, and grazing now occupies 70 percent of previously forested land in the Amazon region. In Brazil, 60 to 70 percent of rainforest destruction is caused by clearing for animal pasture, one reason why livestock accounts for 9 percent of human-caused carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Other sources of CO2 include the burning of diesel fuel to operate farm machinery and the fossil fuels used to keep barns warm during the winter.

And food grown for animals could be feeding people. Raising livestock consumes 90 percent of the soy, 80 percent of the corn and 70 percent of the grain grown in the United States. David Pimentel, professor of entomology at Cornell, points out that "if all the grain currently fed to livestock in the U.S. was consumed directly by people, the number who could be fed is nearly 800 million."

Grazing is itself environmentally destructive. The UN reports that 20 percent of the world's pastures and rangelands have been at least somewhat degraded through overgrazing, soil compaction and erosion.

Methane (a global warming gas 23 times more potent than CO2) comes from many human sources, but livestock accounts for an incredible 37 percent of that total. Nitrous oxide is also a very powerful global warming gas (296 times more potent than CO2) and by far the biggest source, 64 percent, originates (as does animal-based methane) from manure "off-gassing." This process of nitrous oxide creation is aggravated by intensive factory farming methods, because manure is a more dangerous emitter when it is concentrated and stored in compacted form. Nitrogen-based fertilizers also emit nitrous oxide. Another byproduct of raising livestock is copious amounts of ammonia, which contribute to acid rain and the acidification of ecosystems.

To read more: http://www.metrotimes.com

Huge ice plain breaks off Canadian Arctic ice shelf

Breaking of ice shelves have been on a drastic rise this year. We urge you to quick, be a part of the solution.
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Source: www.chinaview.cn

BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhuanet) -- An enormous plain of ice totaling almost eight square miles that had been part of a Canadian Arctic ice shelf for 3,000 years broke off last week in a development consistent with climate change theories, scientists said Tuesday.

The ice broke away from the shelf on Ward Hunt Island, a small island just off giant Ellesmere Island in one of the northernmost parts of Canada.

It was the largest fracture of its kind since the nearby Ayles Ice Shelf — which measured 25 square miles — broke away in 2005.

Scientists had earlier identified deep cracks in the Ward Hunt Ice Shelf, which measures around 155 square miles. The shelf is one of five along Ellesmere Island in the northern Arctic.

"Because the breakoff occurred between two large parallel cracks they're thinking more could go this summer before the freeze sets in," said Trudy Wohlleben of the Canadian Ice Service. "More could be a piece as large as the Ayles Ice Shelf."

Ellesmere Island was once home to a single enormous ice shelf totaling around 3,500 square miles. All that is left of that shelf today are five much smaller shelves that together cover just under 400 square miles.

Briefing: Climate Change

By Jessica Daly for CNN, published at http://edition.cnn.com/2008

Human-induced climate change is thought to be one of the greatest challenges facing mankind in the 21st Century. A change in temperature of only a couple of degrees has the potential to adversely impact economies, communities and ecosystems throughout the world.
Climate change has impacted on the habitat of many animals, including the polar bear.

What is climate change?

Climate change refers to a change in the average surface temperature of the world over an extended period of time -- typically decades or longer -- due to a combination of natural variability and human activity.

The warming of the planet was deemed unequivocal by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) -- the international scientific body which assesses and reports on existing climate change research -- in its Fourth Assessment Report released in November 2007.

The warming is caused by excessive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere.

Naturally occurring greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, oxygen and methane and these gases act like a blanket around the earth helping to keep the planet about 30 degrees warmer than it ordinarily would be.

However, human activity -- particularly the burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use -- has resulted in a thickening of the blanket as the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases.

The result, known as the "enhanced greenhouse effect", is a warming of the earth's surface and lower atmosphere. A rise in temperature is accompanied by changes in the climate, such as the duration of seasons, rainfall and more frequent extreme weather conditions.

It's getting hot in here...

According to the IPCC the world has warmed by an average of 0.74°C in the past 100 years as a result of human activity. The IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report predicts that if GHG emissions continue to rise at their current rate, this century will see a further 3°C rise in the average world temperature.

In the 12 years between 1995 and 2006, the world experienced 11 of the warmest years since records of global surface temperatures began in 1850.

What are the effects of climate change?

The natural systems on continents and in the oceans depend on a stable climate for survival and observed temperature increases are affecting these systems.

The sorts of changes that have already been observed in the past 150 years include increased frequency and severity of extreme weather; a change in the duration of seasons including the decline of winter in the Northern Hemisphere; and shifts in the natural world including changes in at least 420 physical processes and biological species or communities.

In addition to developing states, the IPCC has identified a number of regions of the world which will be particularly affected by climate change. These include the Arctic, Africa, small island states and largely populated delta areas such as the Ganges-Brahumputra megadelta in India.
Fact box
Top 10 carbon emitting countries:

1.China
2.United States
3.European Union
4.Russia
5.India
6.Japan
7.Canada
8.South Korea
9.Iran
10.Mexico

So who are the world's biggest polluters?

As carbon dioxide (CO2) is the largest contributing gas to the greenhouse effect, the biggest polluters are the countries with the most carbon emissions.

The most recent data submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) indicates that China has overtaken the United States as the world's top CO2 emitting country. China now contributes around 17 percent of global CO2 emissions, the United States contributes around 16 percent and the 27 states of the European Union contribute a further 12 percent of global carbon emissions.

On a per capita basis, the United States is the biggest CO2 emitter with 19.2 tons of CO2 emitted each year per person. Despite contributing only 1.1 percent to global CO2 emissions, Australia is the second highest per capita emitter with 18.9 tons of CO2 per person and Canada is third highest with 17.2 tons per person.

If you don't like the heat...

The UNFCCC was established in 1992 as a basis for global action to prevent climate change. According to the UNFCCC, the ultimate objective is to "stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous interference with the climate system." Although the UNFCCC is yet to establish what constitutes a "dangerous" concentration of greenhouse gases, member states pressed ahead with action by establishing the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.

The Kyoto Protocol sets binding emissions targets for 37 industrialized countries, which includes the countries of the European Union and Japan. The targets amount to a five percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions against 1990 levels over the period of 2008-2012.

The protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations that have been principally responsible for the current high level of GHG emissions as a result of 150 years of industrialization.

With China and India emerging as the new industrial powerhouses of the 21st Century, one of the foremost criticisms of the Kyoto Protocol is that it does not commit developing countries to reducing their emissions.

Talks are already underway to negotiate a new post-Kyoto international framework which will likely go further with emissions reductions in order to stave off the most serious impacts of climate change.

Low carbon technology -- the way forward?

Technology is central in helping to mitigate climate change. A landmark 2006 review by the UK's Head of Government Economic Services and Advisor to the Government on the economics of climate change and development, Sir Nicholas Stern, indicated that the market for low carbon technologies could be as much as $500 billion per year by 2050.

While still in its infancy, research and development into new climate-friendly technologies such as biofuels, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and fuel cells and power-storage systems hold great promise for transitioning to a low carbon economy.

There are currently some barriers to a wider take up of cleaner technology -- including the initial cost of research, the need for greater investment in infrastructure necessary for new energy technologies and a lack of innovative public policy.

Reducing your carbon footprint

With GHG emissions due to peak in the next 10 to 15 years, individuals are being encouraged to consider their own impact on the environment and adopt measures to reduce their carbon footprint.

From simple things -- such as signing up for green electricity, turning down central heating by a couple of degrees and turning off unused electrical appliances at the wall -- to measures that require a little investment -- such as fitting energy-saving light bulbs, recycling gray water or installing wall insulation -- there are plenty of practical ways to reduce our contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

WETLANDS - "Carbon Bombs" ???

During the past week, 700 scientists from 28 nations gathered at the INTECOL (International Wetland Conference) in Brazil to study and look for ways to protect endangered wetlands from further destruction.

According to the experts, the world's remaining wetlands are being greatly threatened by development, dehydration and climate change and if they are destroyed, could release a planet-warming "carbon bomb".

Wetlands, (also include swamps, marshes, peat bogs, mangroves, river deltas, lagoons, tundra) contains up to 771 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, which is one-fifth of all the carbon on Earth and about the same amount of carbon as is now in the atmosphere.

If, at any one time, the wetlands decide to release all of this carbon, it would contribute greatly to the climate-warming greenhouse effect, observed PAULO TEIXEIRA,
the co-coordinator of INTECOL. "We could call it the carbon bomb. It's a tricky situation."

Wetlands account for 6% of Earth's land surface and store 20% of its carbon. They also produce 25% of the world's food, purify water, recharge aquifers (groundwater especially those that supplies water to wells) and, most importantly, they act as first-line defence against coastal storms.

Almost 60% of such natural resource has been destroyed due to development, pollution and peat extraction. Wetlands were unwittingly treated as wasteland by earlier civilization, not realising that they are essential to the health of our planet.

Global warming caused by other factors have worsened the situation as the rapid evaporation of water can drastically change the wetland's salinity and rising sea levels can completely flood them. These can invariably endanger and destroy its bio-diversity.

Scientist are now faced with a bigger concern with wetlands in the North, where the permanently frozen soil locks up billion of tonnes of carbon, and are at risk from climate change because warming is forecast to be more extreme at high latitudes.
The melting of wetland permafrost in the ARCTIC and the resulting release of carbon into the atmosphere may be "unstoppable" in the next 20 years.

Scientists have to admit that people are prone to have a negative image of wetlands because they are not aware of the fact that these areas are beneficial and an essential part of our Earth's eco-system.

To read this news article :
http://thestar.com.my/news/
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/

No Response from the Leaders

Dear friends,

Some world leaders are not responding albeit firm warming from top scientist, and reseachers on the urgency of global warming. Should we wait for them or instead just take action! Yes, all of us can do it! Change to a plant-based diet. It is proven as the most effective, long term solution to stop global warming!

======================================================
EPA Chief Warned White House On Global Warming, Senator Says

By RENEE SCHOOF | McClatchy Newspapers
July 25, 2008

WASHINGTON — - The head of the Environmental Protection Agency told the Bush administration in December that high levels of man-made heat-trapping gases are causing global warming and endanger the American people, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said Thursday after she reviewed the EPA finding, which has not been made public.

The document is important because the Supreme Court ruled last year that if the EPA administrator finds greenhouse gases endanger the public, then the government must regulate them — a move the administration opposes.

"This is the strongest language I have ever seen or that you have ever seen, and they are trying to lock it away," said Boxer, who took notes on the document and shared them with reporters.

Boxer called for the document's publication, saying it represented the agency's most important work in many years.
"The document belongs in the hands of the American people," she said.

The EPA sent the proposed finding to the White House in December in an e-mail, but the White House declined to open it, ensuring that it would not have to be made public.

It was not clear how the White House could not open the e-mail but nonetheless had the document to show to Boxer, other senators and staff for limited periods Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

"I asked," Boxer said. "Absolute silence."

The 38-page document says EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson believes there is "compelling and robust" evidence that the increasing average global temperature that has been observed in recent years is due to man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere and remain there for many decades. There is strong agreement among U.S. government scientists, academics and researchers worldwide that the gases are producing warming and that the Earth could warm enough to cause unstoppable changes — such as oceans engulfing coastal regions where millions live — if emissions are left unchecked.

The EPA's document said the EPA chief "is proposing to find that elevated levels of GHG [greenhouse gas] concentrations may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public welfare."

The Supreme Court ruled in April 2007 that the EPA must regulate emissions under the Clean Air Act if it finds the public is endangered. Boxer said the document should have been that trigger.

"This is huge," she said.

The White House did not respond for comment about why the report was not made public.

Garbage Enzyme - an Anti Greenhouse Effect (Anyone Can Do It)

1. Dr. Ros’ Garbage Enzyme
a. What is Garbage Enzyme?

Dr. Ros’Garbage Enzyme is a complex organic substance of protein chain and mineral salt and juvenile hormone.

b. Garbage Enzyme’s Function
• Resolve / decompose
• Transform / Change
• Compose / make up / combination
• Catalysis

As a result of catalysis, ozone is produced, which can reduce the amount of carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere and thus reduce global warming.
This enzyme can be produced easily with the organic waste from the kitchen.

i. Anti Green House effect
As the result in enzyme production, O3 + NO3 + CO3 generated could purify the cloud and becomes white color; due to reflection from the sea the sky looks blue. But, instead dark cloud which accumulated a lot of heavy metal become greenhouse effect and more heat are trapped on the earth. The O3 from Garbage Enzyme could reduce the heavy metal in the cloud thus heat are released from the earth, that’s maintaining the earth’s temperature and save the atmosphere and global.
If every household make enzyme, this would help in anti global warming effectively.
More NO3 in the air can feed the plant. The plants will growth well. The root can let the animal alive, and animal give their waste to the plant more hormone and nutrition.

ii. Ozone test

c. Garbage Enzyme’s Usage
i. Agriculture
• Reduce over-use of chemicals in the agriculture.
• Keep the farm free from infections and insects.
• Enzyme can fertilize the soil for vegetable growing.
• As a natural Herbicide and Pesticide
• Can convert sandy land to fertile farm land.
• Keep clean and cool air in the farm atmosphere.
• Clean impure and dirty water in the farm.

ii. Household
• Enzyme is a popular household cleanser, cleaning with enzyme is a smart way to avoid using harsh chemicals. By the end those Enzyme will reach to the river & the sea and it will safe our environment.
• Remove the foul odor, mold and grime in kitchen and bathroom
• Anti bacterial and virus
• Help in driving away insects
• Remove odor from pets and cigarettes
• For ticks and carpets
• For ironing and washing
• For hallway and bedroom
• For car maintenance

2. Dr. Ros’ Garbage Enzyme DIY
a. Garbage Enzyme’s Method
RATIO:
Brown Sugar / Molasses : 1
Garbage (chop to smaller pieces) : 3
Water : 10
Method:
i. Mix brown sugar with water, add in the garbage.
ii. Leave some space for fermentation.
iii. Enzyme will form and ready to use in 3 months.
iv. Make sure the container is air tight.
vi. Push the floating garbage downward once a while.
vii. The enzyme is ready to use in 3 months. The residue can be reuse for the next production by adding fresh garbage. It can be use as fertilizer by drying the residue, blending and buried in the ground.

b. Remark
Usage Dilution ratio
Enzyme for fertilizer, 1:100 / 500 / 1000
Enzyme for insecticide, 1:1000
Enzyme for pesticide, 1:100
For anti odour / air re-freshener: dilute 200x
As plant hormone to get more
flower and fruit dilute 500x.
Enzyme adds with water to dilute, it become more power.
For Shampoo, Dish wash, Detergent, use enzyme: add half tea spoon in shampoo (1 tea spoon for 500cc; 1 table spoon for 1 lit) to enhance the nutrients and reduce chemical side effect.

3. Conclusion
If every household utilized their garbage to produce Garbage Enzyme and use it, the environment is clean, the Ozone layer is protected and our next generation could live in pollution free environment. Mankind can live in toxic free environment and enjoy non-toxic food.

For the above in Chinese version, go to: Enzyme save the earth

Courtesy of:

生活艺术协会
Pertubuhan Sudarshan Kriya Pulau Pinang
79, Jln Lembah Permai
11200 Tanjung Bungah
Pulau Pinang
Malaysia
Tel : +604-890 1279

Contact Person :
Dr. Joean Oon 温秀枝医师 016-335 5533
Saw Wooi Peng 苏薇萍 012-419 5931
Email address : enzyme4u@gmail.com

Words of a Piglet - by Supreme Master Ching Hai

Listen to the words of little piglet / 倾 听 小 猪 猪 的话
Poem by : Supreme Master Ching Hai in her 20s’
Music by : Trần Quang Lộc
Vocal by : Thanh Thúy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI1Ll1dZ8gA


Words of Piglet

The day I met you first
Was the day of my birth
Pink and round, me oh so plump
With Mom I gaily frolicked.

Lovingly you looked at me
Praising, “Oh, so round, what a cutie!”
Every day you came by to visit
Bringing cool water and delicious veggie treats.

Mommy and I were so touched
Your kindness worth more than gold
I lived a peaceful life
Under your care and protection
Growing more plump with each passing day
Just eat, rest and play…

So lovely was this early morn
As clouds were drifting across the sky
Cuddling together, Mommy and I
Unaware of the befalling tragedy!

Two brawny young men
Strong like tigers and elephants
Squashed my tiny body
Flat into a cage of horror!
There was no way to escape!
O God, what purgatory was this?

I wailed in fear and terror
Mom, oh Mom, please save me!
Oh caretaker,
please come protect me quickly!
Rescue my life, I’m still at a tender age!

Mom was crying out in sorrow
Tears of desperation filling her eyes
The immense Heavens cannot contain
This horrendous emotional pain!

My caretaker turned away
Hands busy counting a stack of money
Haplessly I rolled around in the car trunk
Breaking heart more painful than bodily misery!

The two young men bantered:
“This piglet will be so tasty!
Tomorrow we’ll slaughter him
To celebrate the birth
of the wife’s newborn baby!”

Oh, how ironic this life
My soul is shattered
Tears flow in my heart
Like blood running in rivulets.

I thought you loved me
Nurturing me to maturity
But all this was a sham
For you, it’s just profit and gain!

Tomorrow my body will be cut to pieces
My flesh and bones
turned to sheer torture
Just so people can laugh in merriment
At their happy feast and gathering.

To your children and others’ too
I wish them all long lives
So the family can stay together
Not endure the same fate as mine…

I pray the whole family lives nobly
To be human in many lifetimes
And never be reborn as pigs
Paying forever karmic debts!

Alas, good-bye life…
I ache for my gentle suffering mother
In tears I am overcome…
Oh, Mommy! Mom…Mom…

小猪猪的话
初见您那天
我呱呱落地
粉红浑圆胖嘟嘟
跟妈咪快乐嬉戏

您疼爱地看着我
称赞着：「圆滚滚，多可爱！」
每天您来探视我
带来冷饮与美味素餐

妈咪和我好感动
您的善心胜黄金
在您关怀保护下
我过着和平生活
日渐长大胖嘟嘟
天天吃睡和玩乐…
这天清晨多可爱
空中浮云轻飘过
妈咪与我相偎依
未料悲剧将降临！

两名粗壮的男子
壮如猛虎与大象
推压我小小身躯
塞进恐怖牢笼中
无路可逃！
上帝啊，这是何等恐怖！

我害怕惊恐哀嚎
妈咪啊，请来救我！
照顾者啊，请快来保护我！
救我一命，我还小啊！

妈咪悲哀地哭泣
绝望眼泪盈满眶
浩瀚苍天容不了
此情悲痛多可怕

照顾者转身而去
手上忙着数钞票
不幸的我在车厢内翻滚
心碎之痛更胜肉身苦！

两名年轻人揶揄着：
「这只小猪看来真美味！
明天我们宰了他，
庆祝太太的新生儿！」

喔，生命多讽刺
我灵魂破碎
内心淌泪水
似血流成河

我以为您爱我
要养我长大
但都是假的
对您，这只是利益！

明天我将碎尸数段
骨肉饱受痛苦折磨
人们才能开怀大笑
欢乐聚会大啖宴饮

祝福您和其它人
孩子个个都长寿
家庭才能长相聚
免受此命运如我…

愿全家生活高贵
生生世世能做人
永不轮回生为猪
偿还无尽业障债！

唉，再见了，生命…
想念受苦的慈母
不堪泪水中…
喔，妈咪！妈…妈…

SYABAS to SABAH's Conservation Plans

Immediately after reading the headlines on SABAH's move to permanently conserve 78,000ha of forest and mangrove area, I emailed this bit of GOOD news to all my environmental-freaked friends. It's not everyday one gets to read such great news...

The coastal area in question is 3 TIMES the size of Kuala Lumpur and is rich in wildlife and biodiveristy so this move is more than welcomed in view of protecting the environmental from further global warming. The Lower Kinabatangan-Segama region is roughly 250km from Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah. Included in this area are the Trusan Kinabatangan and Kuala Segama-Maruap Mangrove Forest Reserves and the Kulamba Wildlife Forest Reserve.

With the blessings from the Cabinet, the Borneo Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation Phase II program will now list the area as part of the global RAMSAR SITE NETWORK.

RAMSAR (named after a place in IRAN) - is an international convention on wetlands and provides a framework for national and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of the world's wetlands and their resources. First established in 1971 but only came into force in 1975, it has come a long way in doing their utmost to protect earth's natural habitat for many life forms. MALAYSIA, together with Indonesia and New Guinea have the greatest plant biodiversity in the world... and it is imperative WE do everything possible to CONSERVE and PROTECT our 'natural heritage'.

Some of the benefits for being listed as a Ramsar Site are - the funding for management activities such as forest management, plan preparation, enhanced protection, bio-diversity assessments and increased access to expertise.

Certainly, it will further raise the profile for Sabah's conservation efforts on an international basis and will have a positive effect on the state's growing eco-tourism industry. But more importantly, it is another giant step towards saving Mother Earth.

To read the news article:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/19/nation/21865022

For further reading on Mangrove Swamps:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/types/mangrove.html

GLOBAL WARMING - America's final meltdown?

Just after posting SIX DEGREES, a news article caught my eye which I would like to share with all as it has reference to Mark Lynas' global temperature on the rise in his book.

A 284-page report released on 17th July, 2008 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that " every region of the country (U.S.) will suffer worse health from heat waves and drought". It also stated "all but a handful of states would have worse air quality and flooding".
And predicts " an increase in diseases spread by tainted food, bad water and bugs".

The report concluded " that climate change poses real risk to human health and human system that supports our way of life in the United States". (Joel Scheraga, EPA research program director)

Manmade global warming, caused mainly by greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels, livestock farming and deforestation of rainforests, has raised global temperatures in recent years. Scientists predict that by mid-century there is a likely rise of 2 degrees and about 7.5 degrees by the end of the century. That is, if Mother Earth is not destroyed before then!

This report, instead of repeating the ill effects of global warming, focused on how climate change will "accentuate the disparities already evident in the American health care system". It highlighted on the future plight of the vulnerable Americans - the poor, elderly, sick, very young and immigrants -who will bear the brunt of America's contribution of greenhouse gas emissions.

Lest we sit back and feel that we are unlikely to suffer the same fate, we must be reminded of the fact that climate change is just not America's problem. It is right at our doorstep and whether we choose to ignore or acknowledge its presence, every living, breathing being is wallowing in it! It has no boundary and needs no invitation to let its presence be felt.

There is a price to pay for everything... and the cost to pay for addressing this global issue will not be cheap. We will lose everything that we have taken for granted - even our very own life is at stake here. We cannot be complacent and not be empathetic about this any longer. What can happen to America can also happen to us here in Malaysia. If they cannot save themselves with all the best technologies and know-hows, what more can other 'less developed' nations do to save themselves?

But we cannot just sit back and do nothing. The clock is ticking away but with the awareness and attention given to the matter now, we can still save planet earth ..... provided we all lend a helping hand. No matter how small the part you may be playing, if it is for the environ, it will go a long, long way. Just persist and do your part... it gets easier as you go along, believe me.

The KEY WORDS to remember : CONSERVE, RECYCLE, REDUCE, REUSE, and ADOPT A
PLANT-BASED DIET ...

To read on the news article :
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/18/content_8568059.htm

For EPA's latest report on climate health risk:
http://www.carbonpositive.net/viewarticle.aspx?articleID=1168

SIX DEGREES : Our Future On a Hotter Planet

Written by British journalist and environmental activist, Mark Lynas, SIX DEGREES, a compelling book based on authoritative scientific articles and data, promises to be an eye-opening warning on global climate change.

SIX DEGREES is comparable to AL Gore's AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH or Ross Gelbspan's BOILING POINT - and may possibly be the most graphic depiction of what global warming can do to planet Earth.

In 2001, the intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) documented and released a report projecting average global surface temperatures to rise between 1.4 degrees and 5.8 degrees Celcius (roughly 2 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of this century. Based on this forecast, MARK LYNAS outlines what to expect in his book, degree by degree:

At 1 degree Celcius : most coral reefs and many mountain glaciers will be destroyed.
A 3 -degree Celcius rise : the Amazon rainforest will vanish; Greenland's vast icesheet will melt;
Midwestern USA and southern Africa will turn into deserts.
A 6-degree Celcius rise : Most living forms on Earth will be eliminated, including
much of humanity.

Without further ado or attempts to whitewash details, Lynas who had experienced England's worst flooding in 2007, is also a well-known speaker on environmental issues and is well-equiped with the knowledge that our planet's future lies in the hands of each and everyone of us.

In the last chapter of SIX DEGREES, he offers humanity a brief window of hope and opportunity to make the necessary changes to reverse and to manage climate change effectively.

SIX DEGREES, published by National Geographic Society, is a recommended read. It may help to open our senses and consciousness to what is going on around us and what can happen if we ignore the warning signs of global warming. Our very survival and Earth's future are in our hands....

For more details on on-line purchase :
SIX DEGREES by Mark Lynas
http://www.amazon.com/

How Great Can We Be?

Dear Pencinta Alam

This is a sharing with fellow Malaysians. God Bless !!

Guest On Planet

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How great can we be?
The choice is absolutely ours!

No, I am not referring to the social status, financial or leadership achievement etc, I am referring to the choice of expanding our greater inner self to go beyond the ordinary human that we appear to be. It’s not about competing with or expecting recognition from others, but rather to awaken and develop the greatness within us, elevate ourselves, be sensitive to the surroundings and the suffering of other beings, and to present ourselves as a good guest on this planet till the day when we have to leave, we will leave gracefully with a clear conscience.

Lately, it’s reported more frequently than ever in the media in regards to the seriousness of global warming , and how it will affect everyone residing this planet Earth. This is definitely not a science fiction, nor a story made up to manipulate the world economy; it’s also not a mere project proposed by a certain scientist or environmentalist in order to get a project grant from somewhere, this is the REAL thing happening RIGHT NOW. It is going to happen in many parts of the world, and this nightmare is coming closer to us. How DAMAGING can it be? Are Malaysians aware of this? The answer is best coming from you, dear Reader! And the followings are the warning from top scientists :

1. According to NASA's top scientist James Hansen, “We have passed tipping points. We have not passed a point of no return. we can still roll things back, but it is going to require quick turn in direction”
http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/

2. Nearly all the ice could be gone from the Artic Ocean by the end of summer 2012 - NASA climate scientist Dr. H. Jay Zwally
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/

3. and the latest updates - Scientists warn that there may be no ice at North Pole this summer.
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/

It’s rather scary, isn’t it? The good news is, there is solution to it and it can be done through many ordinary people like you and I who are willing to work on it in a global scale.

I am fortunate to have an opportunity to work with a group of people who have access to the latest updated information on global warming through Supreme Master Television
The urgency reported by scientists and environmentalists in the daily updated information, and the knowledge that many ordinary people like us around the world are working together for the same goal, keeps us going.

Since end of last year, a group of Malaysian volunteers have been pouring out their hard earned money to prepare informative materials on global warming - without even asking for public donation to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding; they spent their precious evenings after work, rest days and sometimes took leave from their work to prepare and take turns going around to distribute free global warming information, with the intention to create awareness and to offer solutions as suggested by the scientists and environmentalists i.e. get every individual to reduce meat intake or opt for plant-based diet , and adopt a greener lifestyle. The response has been encouraging. The feedback of those who are willing to take the heed and change their lifestyle due to this emergency calling is increasing compare to the earlier stage.

I am not here to boost the EGO of these volunteers or to broadcast how great these people are. What I am trying to convey is if each and every one of us are willing to share our time and money wisely, we indeed have the ability to make changes through group effort. Thus securing a safe planet Earth for the present and future co-inhabitants, including ourselves.

Mind you, this planet is the only home for all of us, our children, our future generations and our co-inhabitants. The level of the possible destruction will be in direct proportion of the SUFFERINGS THAT WE ARE GOING TO FACE, THE CHOICE is indeed IN OUR HANDS.

May this inspire you into taking immediate action, fellow Malaysians.

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我们伟大的品质可以发展到什么程度 ?
选择完全在于自己 !

不, 我并非指社会地位，财产或领导方面的成功。我是说选择扩展内边伟大的本性，以超越我们平凡的肉身。不是为了跟别人比较高低，或期待他人的认同；而是唤醒和发展我们内在伟大的品质, 提高自己对周遭环境和他人痛苦的敏感度。在这个世界上作一个好的客人，直到我们必须离开的那天，我们将优雅的，心安理得的道别。

最近，有关全球暖化恶化的情况，以及它将如何影响这个星球之居留者的报道比任何时期更颇繁。这可不是科幻小说，也不是企图控制全球经济而捏造出来的故事，当然更不是某个科学家或环保团体为了取得资助而写出来的某个构想计划。这是目前正在世界各地发生着和即将接踵而来的灾难，而这个恶梦正一步步朝向我们。它的破坏将有多大？马来西亚人觉察到了吗？也许最好的答案应该来自您，亲爱的读者。以下是顶尖科学家给予的警告 ：

1. 美国宇航局的首席科学家詹姆士韩森表示 ：「 我们虽已过了转折点，但我们还未到达无法挽救的地步。我们还能扭转大局，但必须立即改变，采取行动。」
中文 ：http://tieba.baidu.com/
英文 ：http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/

2. 据美国宇航局气候科学家齐瓦利博士预测：2012年夏天北极冰层将全部消失。
中文 ： http://www.aboluowang.com/news/
英文： http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/


3. 科学家表示北极区冰层，在今年九月可能完全融化。
英文：. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/
中文： http://www.aboluowang.com/news/

蛮吓人的，是吗？好消息是有解决的方案！只要通过全世界平凡如您我这样的人，大家齐心合力就能够办得到。

我有幸能有机会和一群从无上师电视台取得最新全球暖化资讯的人士一起合作。每天收到的最新资讯不断报道科学家和环保人士的紧急呼吁的同时，知道全球有许多和我们一样的平凡人士，为了同一个目标一起努力，这足以推动大家继续下去。

有一群马来西亚的义工自去年底开始，不断倾出他们辛苦赚来的钱，甚至为了不必要的误会，而不向公众筹款。他们利用放工后的时间和休息日，准备全球暖化的资料，大家轮流派送免费资料给各界公众人士，以期唤醒人们对全球暖化的认识, 并提供科学家以及环保人士给予的解决方案 ： 即是每个人少吃肉，，或茹素，和 选择环保的生活方式 。回响确实令人鼓舞，比起初期，越来越多人倾听并愿意为了这紧急的呼吁而改变自己的生活方式。

我并非要在此为义工们吹嘘或宣传他们有多伟大, 我只想传达一个信息，如果每个人愿意善用时间和金钱，我们将可透过团结的力量来保障一个安全的家给地球目前和未来的居留者。

请切切记得 ，地球是我们唯一的家，是您，我，我们的子孙和其他有形众生唯一的家。地球毁坏的程度将和我们受苦的程度成正比例。选择，就在我们的手中。

马来西亚的同胞们，期望这将启发您开始行动。。。。

Malaysian Growth of Carbon Emissions HIGHEST in the World, says UN

WE EMERGED TOP!

The more reason for us Malaysians to heed the call for immediate action in cutting down our carbon footprint. Again, PLANT-BASED DIET - the most effective and fastest way that any of us can do without having to wait for any passing of new policy or legislation. Time to walk the talk.
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Malaysian growth of carbon emissions highest in the world, says UN
The Associated Press
Published: November 29, 2007 in International Herald Tribune

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Carbon emissions in Malaysia have increased by 221 percent since 1990, the highest growth rate among the world's top polluters, the United Nations said Thursday, as it urged the government to control climate-changing gases more vigorously.

Malaysia, which has rapidly transformed from an agricultural economy to an industrialized one in the last four decades, is now ranked the 26th largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, said Richard Leete, the regional representative for the United Nations Development Program.

"Clearly there is a case for the government to consider a new policy on climate change issues," Leete said at the Malaysian launch of the UNDP's annual report on the state of the world. The report was first released in Brazil earlier this week.

"Malaysia has made a positive start in reducing its carbon footprint ... but Malaysia must do more," he said.

The United Nations Development Report said carbon dioxide emissions increased by 221 percent from 1990 to 2004 in Malaysia, the highest growth rate among the world's top 30 carbon dioxide emitters.
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"It's something that we have to look at ... we have to do some analysis," Noor Azlan Ghazali, the government's representative at the launch, told reporters.

With 0.4 percent of the world's population, Malaysia's 27 million people accounted for 0.6 percent of global emissions.

Noor Azlan, who is the director of the Malaysian Development Institute, said the government needs to strengthen its efforts but could not say if there were any concrete measures planned.

Malaysia, which has ratified the Kyoto Protocol on limiting greenhouse gases, has taken several initiatives to use renewable energy and other ways to cut such emissions, but critics say not enough is being done.

Razali Ismail, president of the World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia, called for an end to the "unending ceaseless debates" on the environment and said the government needed to go beyond professing its commitment and improve enforcement structures.

"There is enough irrefutable evidence to portray that we are on the brink of huge disasters. ... There must be results," he said at the launch.

Scientists warn about Antarctic melting

An impending disaster on its way and what are the world leaders doing?

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Global Warming Xtra: Scientists warn about Antarctic melting

by David Stein, Science Editor

Global Warming continues to be approaches by governments as a "luxury" item, rather than a matter of basic human survival. Humanity is being taken to its destruction by a greed-driven elite. These elites, which include 'Big Oil' and other related interests, are intoxicated by "the high" of pursuing ego-driven power, in a comparable manner to drug addicts who pursue an elusive "high", irrespective of the threat of pursuing that "high" poses to their own basic survival, and the security of others. Global Warming and the pre-emptive war against Iraq are part of the same self-destructive prism of a political-military-industrial complex, which is on a path of mass planetary destruction, backed by techniques of mass-deception.

"The scientific debate about human induced global warming is over but policy makers - let alone the happily shopping general public - still seem to not understand the scope of the impending tragedy. Global warming isn't just warmer temperatures, heat waves, melting ice and threatened polar bears. Scientific understanding increasingly points to runaway global warming leading to human extinction", reported Bill Henderson in CrossCurrents. If strict global environmental security measures are not immediately put in place to keep further emissions of greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere we are looking at the death of billions, the end of civilization as we know it and in all probability the end of humankind's several million year old existence, along with the extinction of most flora and fauna beloved to man in the world we share.

The Stephen Harper minority government backed by Alberta "Big Oil", the U.S. Republican President Bush administration, and a confederacy of other elites associated with a neo-conservative oriented political-military-industrial complex, has only sought to "buy time" against his critics, (and mount a disingenuous public relations campaign under a new Minister of the Environment). It is apparent that The Stephen Harper government has no commitment to providing any leadership on Canadian or global achievement of the minimum standards set on greenhouse gas emissions reductions under the Kyoto Protocol.

The immediate threat of runaway global warming and climate change melt-down

There are 'carbon bombs': carbon in soils, carbon in warming temperate and boreal forests and in a drought struck Amazon, methane in Arctic peat bogs and in methane hydrates melting in warming ocean waters. "For several decades it has been hypothesized that rising temperatures from increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to burning fossil fuels could be releasing some of and eventually all of these stored carbon stocks to add substantially more potent greenhouse gases to the atmosphere," Bill Henderson further elaborates.

Given time lags of 30-50 years, we might have already put enough extra greenhouse gases into the atmosphere to have crossed a threshold to these bombs exploding, their released greenhouse gases leading to ever accelerating global warming with future global temperatures maybe tens of degrees higher than our norms of human habitation and therefore extinction or very near extinction of humanity.

"(T)he science is clear. We need not a 20% cut by 2020; not a 60% cut by 2050, but a 90% cut by 2030 (1). Only then do we stand a good chance of keeping carbon concentrations in the atmosphere below 430 parts per million, which means that only then do we stand a good chance of preventing some of the threatened positive feedbacks. If we let it get beyond that point there is nothing we can do. The biosphere takes over as the primary source of carbon. It is out of our hands," George Monbiot says.

Ticking Time Bomb by John Atcheson , a geologist writing in the Baltimore Sun, is the best and almost only mainstream media explanation of runaway global warming and how close we are to extinction.

"There are enormous quantities of naturally occurring greenhouse gasses trapped in ice-like structures in the cold northern muds and at the bottom of the seas. These ices, called clathrates, contain 3,000 times as much methane as is in the atmosphere. Methane is more than 20 times as strong a greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide."

For its remaining topic Antarctic further Global Warming alarms, log on to: http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/home/Frontpage/2008/

FISH - To Eat or not To Eat (Part II)

The HEALTH ASPECT of eating Fish:

It is not uncommon for family doctors to advise us to exercise moderation in our eating habits in view of the rapid rise of diet-related diseases viz; heart diseases, high-blood pressure, kidney failure, diabetes, etc. In nine out of ten such cases, the advice is to reduce on the intake of meats especially red meats (beef and mutton) and to consume more green vegetables and fresh fruits. At the very best, they would also recommend that white meats such as chicken and fish fare better as they are less high in cholesterols and saturated fats.

Since I am still on the subject, we will spend a little time to check on the role of fish in a person's diet and will also include other aquatic inhabitants e.g. shell fish and crustaceans as they too dwell in the watery world and are a source of food for many of us.

To be fair, I am not here to disparage those of us who are partaking meat. What's more important here is for us to raise some awareness on the health benefits and the hazards in
our food source.

Without a doubt, fish is a good source of protein and some are especially rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which cannot be manufactured by the body. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty-acids, it plays an important role in brain functions as well as for normal growth and development. They also help to retard and protect against heart diseases and strokes.

However, studies in recent years have shown that people have actually decreased fish in their daily diet mainly due to the high levels of MERCURY found in fish and shellfish. Mercury is a non-biodegradeble metal found in volcanoes, forest fires, bed rocks and even in undersea vents. Human beings are also guilty in their contribution via technological usage of this element in gold mining activities, production of chlorine gas,manufacturing of thermometers, batteries and even in dental fillings. How many of us (the older generation) are walking around with a mouthful of this toxin, is anybody's guess.

One released, mercury stays in the environment and when it is combined with carbon, form organic methylmercury - and it is this form that has raised strong health concerns among scientists and nutritionists who are now caught between the benefits and hazards of a fishy diet!

It is far too complicated to fully explain how this form of organic mercury gets into the fish but suffice it to say, it is found in all fish, shell-fish and crustaceans viz: oysters, clams, cockles, prawns, lobsters, crabs, etc. whether they are from the ocean or reared in commercial farms. Fishes absorb this toxin through their gills and also when they feed on aquatic organisms. The contaminating culprits, other than mercury also include toxic chemical wastes that may leach into waterways such as lakes, rivers, ponds and finally the ocean. The toxins in these areas inadvertently travel up the food chain and the eco-systems and onto our dining tables.

MERCURY is not good news for us - especially for pregnant ladies and those about to start a family. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disclosed that women who ate fish twice a week have blood mercury concentrations that were SEVEN TIMES HIGHER than those who didn't eat fish. MERCURY is known to cause health problems such as brain damage, memory loss and causes fatal birth defects to developing fetus. Another study showed that babies born to mothers who regularly eat fish are more likely to be less active at birth and have smaller head size on top of developmental problems. Women who have high levels of mercury in their bodies may also experience difficulty in conceiving.

We can sum up this debate and see for ourselves that the pros outweigh the cons in the inclusion of fish in our diet. Doctors can only advise and cannot make the decision for us. The onus is on us - whether we value our health and those of our loved ones or the urge to satify our appetite overrules the rationale of a safer diet. Our lives are in our hands... treat with care. In all things, MODERATION is the key. I, for one, always believe that "LESS IS BEST".

The next time you visit a seafood restaurant, take a little time and check out the fishes,
prawns, crabs, lobsters on display in the tanks, all ready for the table... you may want to change your mind and skip having them in your meal.

For those of us who wish to take a stand and refrain from fish - you need not worry that it is the only source of essential fatty acids. Plant-based foods such as nuts, whole grains, flax seeds, fresh fruits/ vegetables and olive oil provide a healthier supply of the same.

NOTE: Please also read PART I on this subject for the ECOLOGICAL and ETHICAL aspects in an earlier posting.

FOR FURTHER READING:
http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/environmental/
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm

Arch collapses from Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina

Here's another sign of accelerated warming in oceans, recently published by www.chinaview.cn
May governments of the world, not wait any longer and take immediate action for the sake of humanity!!!

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Arch collapses from Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina
2008-07-10 09:07:29

Combination of two photos shows Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier before (L, taken July 4, 2008) and after (R, taken July 9, 2008) the collapse of the roof of an ice tunnel, near the city of El Calafate in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, southern Argentina. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

BUENOS AIRES, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of people witnessed Wednesday the collapsing of the arch or bridge of ice from the Perito Moreno glacier, located in El Calafate, in Santa Cruz province in the Argentine Patagonia.

Only around 40 people had the chance to see the phenomenon, despite the fact that experts had forecast the fracture of the arch.

The cracking of the natural bridge or arch began at 11:20 local time (1420 GMT) when only a few people were inside the national park of Los Glaciares.

However, millions more have been able to see on the Internet (www.epatagonia.gov.ar/glaciar) the moment when the huge ice wall more than 50 meters long collapsed, making a tremendous noise amid shouts and applause from the people present.

This combination of two photos shows Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier before (L, taken July 4, 2008) and after (R, taken July 9, 2008) the collapse of the roof of an ice tunnel, near the city of El Calafate in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, southern Argentina. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

This is the first time the breaking of the Perito Moreno glacier has happened in wintertime, which has generated concern for what specialists call "the consequences of the global warming."

The Perito Moreno glacier, with an extension of 250 square kilometers, is considered one of the most important drinking water reserves in the world.

It is five kilometers wide at its face and 30 km in length, with an average height of 60 meters above the surface of the water of Lake Argentine, into which huge chunks of ice fall. The last rupture was in the summer of 2006.

The glacier takes its name from Francisco Pascacio Moreno, an expert (perito) and exceptional Argentine researcher who dedicated his life to studying Patagonia.

This ice arch or bridge falls every four to five years during the Southern Hemisphere's summer (from September to May), but on this occasion it ruptured in winter.

EATING BEEF 'is LESS GREEN than DRIVING'

Here's a publication I'd like to share with all. It shows that scientists other than those from Western countries have also done their research and concluded that meat-eating is a major cause to environmental hazard.
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Eating beef 'is less green than driving'
Last Updated: 1:08AM BST 23/07/2007
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/

Producing 2.2lb of beef generates as much greenhouse gas as driving a car non-stop for three hours, it was claimed yesterday.

Japanese scientists used a range of data to calculate the environmental impact of a single purchase of beef.

Taking into account all the processes involved, they said, four average sized steaks generated greenhouse gases with a warming potential equivalent to 80.25lb of carbon dioxide.

This also consumed 169 megajoules of energy.

That means that 2.2lb of beef is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions which have the same effect as the carbon dioxide released by an ordinary car travelling at 50 miles per hour for 155 miles, a journey lasting three hours. The amount of energy consumed would light a 100-watt bulb for 20 days.

Most of the greenhouse gas emissions are in the form of methane released from the animals' digestive systems, New Scientist magazine reported.

But more than two thirds of the energy used goes towards producing and transporting cattle feed, said the study, which was led by Akifumi Ogino from the National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science in Tsukuba, Japan.

Su Taylor, the press officer for the Vegetarian Society, told New Scientist: "Everybody is trying to come up with different ways to reduce carbon footprints, but one of the easiest things you can do is to stop eating meat."

Here's an email we received from a caring reader. Thank you! And..... Janganlah Menangis :) Salam ceria!
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Dear Pencinta Alam

After reading your article Industri Daging Dan Bumi Yang Binasa , I came across another article Cow farts collected in plastic tank for global warming study. I was rather amused yet sad at the same time seeing how the so called scientists solved the problems. There is a saying: Intelligence is NOT Wisdom, it's best illustrated here.

Thank you.

Nak Menangis

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Cow farts collected in plastic tank for global warming study

By Rupert Neate

Last Updated: 9:55PM BST 09/07/2008

Scientists are examining cow farts and burps in a novel bid to combat global warming.

REUTERS

Argentine scientists are strapping plastic tanks to the backs of cows

Experts said the slow digestive system of cows makes them a key producer of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that gets far less public attention than carbon dioxide.

In a bid to understand the impact of the wind produced by cows on global warming, scientists collected gas from their stomachs in plastic tanks attached to their backs.

The Argentine researchers discovered methane from cows accounts for more than 30 per cent of the country's total greenhouse emissions.

As one of the world's biggest beef producers, Argentina has more than 55 million cows grazing in its famed Pampas grasslands.

Guillermo Berra, a researcher at the National Institute of Agricultural Technology, said every cow produces between 8000 to 1,000 litres of emissions every day.

Methane, which is also released from landfills, coal mines and leaking gas pipes, is 23 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.

Scientists are now carrying out trials of new diets designed to improve cows's digestion and hopefully reduce global warming. Silvia Valtorta, of the National Council of Scientific and Technical Investigations, said that by feeding cows clover and alfalfa instead of grain "you can reduce methane emissions by 25 percent".

GOING UP IN SMOKE...

A very short news article featured in the NST today caught my attention. It was so brief but to the point and many of us may not have noticed it at all.

Apparently, the Health Ministry had conducted a survey in 2006 on the population of smokers then.Why it has taken this long to publish the results is a mystery. The figures given are probably an estimate now as at least 2 more years have lapsed since the survey was first carried out.

Be that as it may, I would like to share what the report has to say:

## Malaysians buy an approximate 33 million cigarettes in ONE SINGLE DAY.

## Approximately RM8.6 million is spent by smokers on the habit in A DAY.

## The bulk of smokers are youths between the ages of 13 - 17 years of age.
Many of these are still in schools (or should be) , so where do they get the money to spend on
ciggies?

## Out of the estimated 423,000 young smokers, at least 46,000 are females.
Their total spending power on cigarettes : a staggering RM273,000 IN A DAY!
My question is still the same : WHERE DO THEY GET THAT KIND OF MONEY?

## There are at least 2 million adult puffers in the country and the figure is growing day by day!
Are YOU one of the many? Sorry, no prize if you should answer YES.

Well, it's really not the money we are gripping about here, although it's an issue by itself.
What is more worrying is, too many youngsters are picking up this habit - risking their health and well-being in the long term. Peer pressure and the need to un-stress may be their excuse BUT do they really think smoking is the in-thing to do?

Nothing irks me more when I am 'forced' to breath in second-hand smoke from inconsiderate smokers. Banning them from smoking in public has not been effective in stopping them in any way.

The authorities has been imposing policies and carried out anti-smoking campaigns to re-educate us to the negative effects of smoking and are still finding it an uphill task. Total eradication of this habit may not see the day but we can still wish, can't we?

I truly hope Malaysians of all ages will care for their health and make it their responsibility to also let others live a healthier and enjoy a cleaner environment. Taking care of ourselves first will ultimately also benefit others around us. Cultivate good living habits is not a must these days. IT IS A NECESSITY ! Our health and the environ depend on us, as individuals.

For those who can't kick the smoking habit.... do yourself a favour.... REDUCE !!!!
And for those who want to quit BUT think it's hard to do..... I have friends who have smoked for years and who have stopped lighting up overnight! So, what's so tough if you put your heart to it?

Any ex-smokers out there who care enough to share your experiences especially on how to quit the habit ?

You can read about the short report on the survey here: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/

And finally, have a great day.... LIVE HEALTHY!!

FISH - To Eat Or Not To Eat (Part 1)

Now that scientific research has established the truth that commercial livestock farming is one of the top contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, people are finding it easier to accept the rationale that a plant-based diet will be less stressful on the environment and on our health.

Commercially raised livestock includes poultry, cows, pigs, sheep and goats. These farmed animals have received so much undivided attention from environmentalists that some of us tend to have overlook another equally common food/meat source - that of FISH.

I am sure many of us think it is alright to eat fish - reason being they live free in the ocean and so are not subjected to abuse like animal livestock. And they do not contribute to greenhouse gas emission. Yes, it may appear to be so but if we dive into the deep waters of their habitat, we may be surprised and shocked with our findings.

We will look at this subject based on the ecological, ethical and health aspects of whether it is alright to consume fish as an alternative to other meats.

ECOLOGICAL and ETHICAL aspects of commercial fishing:

(1) Bottom brawls are huge nets that drag on the ocean floor and 'catch' not only the target prey but also other species which often end up dead or injured and are discarded. Trawls are the most damaging as they destroy corals, sponges and marine biodiversity. Fish caught by these drag nets suffer immense trauma as they are suffocated and injured by the sheer weight.

(2) Longeline fishing are baited hooks on floating fishing lines that can run 80 miles long with thousands of hooks attached. They catch tuna, sharks, swordfish and others and often bait sea birds and turtles even. Records show that an estimated 180,000 birds died each year from this method, many of which are endangered and nearing extinction.

(3) Blast fishing employs the use of explosives which can produce large craters on the ocean floors. The explosions kill not only the target fish but also destroy other marine life, fauna, coral reefs and sometimes, even human lives. http://conservationinstitute.org/ocean

(4) Poison - pesticides and cyanide are used by fishers to catch rare and small aquarium fishes that live in coral reefs. These poisons can effectively stun the fishes which are then collected and sold worldwide. Indiscriminate usage of poisons kill off many fishes, marine organisms including coral building organisms thus upsetting the eco-system of the deep. Healthy coral reefs plays an important role in the biodiversity of the ocean as they are home to many species of fishes.
http://www.eoearth.org/article/

(6) Harpoons - Whales, although the largest mammal on earth, are not able to escape man's urge for meat. Countless of them are still being hunted in the Antarctic and Arctic oceans.
A harpooned whale will put up a fight and this may last a long time thus leading to an agonising death. Some whalers use explosive harpoons which explode inside the whale's body causing injuries to its vital organs. Whales that refuse to die can be shot at until they gave up the fight to live. International laws on the protection of whales have been ignored and many endangered species are still being hunted down indiscriminately.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC546FQUAm0

(7) Commercial fish farming (aquaculture) where fresh water fishes, shrimps, shellfish (cockles) and oysters are reared in cages, pens or ponds. Organic waste from these farms include uneaten food, antibiotics can pollute surrounding water quality. Their living quarters are sometimes so crowded that there is not enough space for movement much less sufficient oxygen for their survival. http://www.motherjones.com/news/

These are but some of the destructive fishing methods still in practice today. And we can safely deduce that fishes that end up as food are on equal footing with animal livestock in their negative contribution to our environment. They are also abused and suffer pain just as like any living animals do.

What's your final analysis to the question : TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT?

The choice is yours to make. If you have chosen not to live on meat (chicken, beef, pork etc) you might do well to include taking fish off your menu too. In doing so, you will be taking another step towards saving the environment.

We will look into the HEALTH aspect in my next posting.
Meanwhile, you can obtain more info on this subject by Google search on "Destructive Fishing Methods" and "Harpooning Whales" on the web.

WE welcome your comments.

Industri Daging dan Bumi yg Binasa

Tahukah anda bagaimana datangnya makanan yg disantapi setiap hari?
Pernahkah anda pergi melawat ke rumah sembelih?

Sesungguhpun kita masih keras hati tentang kebajikan dan penderitaan yg diharungi rakan sehidup Bumi kita, kita harus juga akui bahawa pemakanan haiwan memudaratkan bukan saja kesihatan diri kita, bahkan alam sekitar. Sudah terdapat banyak bukti kini.

Seiring dgn pemanasan global yg semakin mendatangkan bencana alam dan membunuh ribuan manusia dan hidupan lain, banyak laporan yg sudah dikeluarkan oleh para saintis serta pertubuhan dan institusi sains dan pendidikan yg terkemuka utk mengesahkan bhw punca utama pembinasaan alam datangnya dari industri penghasilan daging.

Memang masuk akal, kerana haiwan yg diternak ini 'dihasilkan' secara besar-besaran. Mereka disuntik dgn bahan kimia supaya membesar dgn cepat bagi penuhi permintaan industri daging.
Haiwan ternakan yg banyak ini menghasilkan gas metana, iaitu gas rumah hijau yg sebenarnya lebih pekat dan berbahaya drpd gas karbon dioksida. Gas metana ini dihasilkan melalui pencernaan dan pembuangan najis haiwan, pemamah-biakan, pembajaan dan sebagainya.

Selain itu, tanah akan diperlukan utk menternak haiwan. Jadi hutan ditebang utk tujuan itu.
Malah lebih teruk, sebahagian besar tanah itu digunakan sbg tanah ragut sahaja utk haiwan ternakan ini. Tanah yg diragut tidak akan subur dan akan dibiarkan begitu saja, menyebabkan lebih byk kawasan hutan yg perlu ditebang utk penternakan haiwan.

Industri daging juga memerlukan banyak penggunaan air (pencemaran air) dan elektrik. Bayangkanlah jumlah penggunaan air dan elektrik yg diperlukan!!! Daging yg dihasilkan perlu sentiasa dibekukan (pengeluaran karbon). Kemudian ia perlu dihantar, diedarkan ke merata tempat, jadi pengangkutan kenderaan amatlah diperlukan - pengeluaran karbon dioksida lagi. Akibatnya pencemaran udara yg banyak. Kalau utk dieksport ke luar negara, ia akan meningkatkan lagi penggunaan tenaga!

Sepanjang pengangkutan daging ke merata tempat, pembekuan diperlukan supaya ia tidak membusuk. Maka pengeluaran karbonnya amatlah banyak sekali. Malah sampai kpd rumah anda, pembekuan masih diperlukan.

Semua ini hanya utk menjadi selapis burger anda itu! Pengeluaran karbon yg amat intensif.

Sebelum saya terlupa, penghasilan daging amat membazirkan sumber makanan. Tahukah anda, makanan tumbuhan (bijirin, gandum dan sbg) yg boleh secara terus dijadikan makanan manusia, sebaliknya diberi kpd haiwan ternakan supaya mrk membesar sehingga sesuai utk disembelih sbg makanan kita. Dan kita semua memang tahu kini, dunia kita semakin kekurangan sumber makanan. Bukankah baik kalau sumber makanan ini dapat digunakan utk menyuap jutaan manusia yg sedang kebuluran kini!

Sememangnya yg di atas sekadar huraian, tapi bukan ciptaan saya sendiri. Bukti, laporan serta data saintifik keluaran para saintis boleh diperolehi dlm posting yg lepas dan pada posting yg akan datang. Sila rujuk dahulu kpd posting yg lepas.

Jadi, kurangkanlah memakan daging, jika boleh, ubahlah kpd diet berasaskan tumbuhan. Diet tumbuhan masih boleh bekalkan anda segala nutrisi yg diperlukan. Malah lebih sihat utk amalkan diet tumbuhan ini.

Lakukanlah tanggungjawab anda sbg seorg manusia yg prihatin, bertimbang rasa dan sbg hidupan di Bumi yg paling arif. Siapa lagi yg mampu membawa perubahan utk kebaikan sejagat kalau bukan kita, manusia. Sbg individu, kita amatlah berkuasa.... Bumi kita hanya satu.

Answers... Anyone?

By JF

1. Recycling. We are asked to recycle newspapers, papers, drink cans & plastic mineral water bottles. But what about other canned packaging or plastic packaging...?

a. E.g. a Milo tin. Can this be sent for recycling together with the drink cans...?

b. ALL other plastic packaging ? E.g.

- the plastic packs that some breakfast cereals come in (oats), or

- the plastic re-fill packs that some fabric softeners or liquid soaps come in, or

- the plastic bottles that softeners, soaps, shampoo, conditioners, etc come in, or

- the plastic packs that sweets come in,

- etc, etc, etc

2. Could we get manufacturers to be responsible for the non-degradeable packaging that they send out their products in...?

a. Everyday consumer items all come in some form of plastic packaging.

b. If we could send the packaging back to the manufacturers as their responsibility to recycle, maybe they will think up packaging options that are bio-degradeable instead

3. The same delivery system used to deliver goods to mini-markets - could they be used to take empty packaging back to the suppliers ? Consumers could be encouraged to return washed, cleaned & dry packaging back to their mini-marts.

4. All electical items; e.g. fridges, etc. What happens to them when they can no longer be used ? Do they end up in rubbish dumps & leak environmentally damaging material into the soil...? Can we get manufacturers to be more responsible & take back these items & recycle the damaging materials used to make these electrical items or dispose of them responsibly...?

Maybe the above ideas have already come up before & have already been shot down as not practical... But I believe we need to get our manufacturers to be more responsible for the volume of plastic packaging that they keep churning out.

I have a big plastic bag of plastic packaging that I have been putting aside for the past few weeks but my worry is that when I send the bag for recycling, only the mineral water plastic bottles in them will be recycled while the rest of the items will just end up in the rubbish dump.