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SAVE OUR PLANET… Studies highlight growing urgency of preserving biodiversity. A review
of eight studies conducted by 30 scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific
Islands, published in the scientific journal Pacific Conservation Biology, has found that
climate change is worsening the situation for flora and fauna in the Oceanian region,
which is already severely impacted by intensive agriculture, habitat loss, and other problems.
Land, marine, and freshwater environments are all affected. Recently, US scientists
at the University of Miami in Florida also drew attention to the danger of ever-enlarging
dead zones in the ocean, which are shrinking the habitat of all marine species, including
fish. Their study evaluated the survival of blue marlin, billfish, and tropical tuna,
whose size and active movements necessitate large amounts of dissolved oxygen. The researchers
found that not only are the fish being deprived by dead zones of habitable regions, they are
also being forced into waters closer to the surface where they are more vulnerable to
fishing. University of Miami researcher Dr. Jiangang Luo noted, “In human terms, you
might describe it as if you were in a house on fire with ... only one exit, then discovering
you have a robber inside the house at the same time.” Despite a commitment made in
2002 by governments across the globe to protect 10% of the world's oceans and their inhabitants
by 2012, the agreements created so far cover only a little more than 1%. Lead author of
the Oceania study, Australian Professor Richard Kingsford of the University of New South Wales,
spoke of the urgency of addressing these issues as he stated, "There are opportunities to
mitigate some of these impacts but it requires planning now, not when future generations
inherit the problem."
Many thanks, international scientists, for your efforts to inform the public of this
alarming imbalance on our planet. May we join in acting now to implement Earth-saving practices
that protect and preserve all lives.
Speaking with deep concern for the alarming loss of biodiversity, Supreme Master Ching
Hai during an August 2009 videoconference in Thailand reminded of what humanity must
do in order to ensure the continuation of life on Earth.
Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai
Nonthaburi, Thailand – August 15, 2009
Supreme Master Ching Hai: It’s a very sad thing because our animal friends are suffering
terribly due to the effects of global warming. Many of the animals are dying or at the brink
of extinction or already gone due to unbearable temperatures, or they are being forced out
of their habitats, just like human climate refugees, except they are not nearly as equipped
as we are at adapting to new environments.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: To ensure the peace and comfort of all our animal co-inhabitants,
we really should first cease to consume them, any animals at all. Then, the wild areas and
habitats will be restored, as will be the animals’ natural lives. That’s the best
way to protect them, to show our love to them�