Permafrost receding northward

In two concurring studies, researchers from Canada’s Université Laval and Sweden’s Lund University have found that the permanently frozen ground known as permafrost is melting at southern latitudes.

In the case of Canada’s James Bay region, the permafrost layer now begins 130 kilometers north of where it had been 50 years ago. In Sweden, scientists found over a several-year period that the permafrost in one peat mire region completely disappeared. The Canadian researchers also noted a temperature rise of some 2 degrees Celsius over the last two decades, saying that if this continues, permafrost in the James Bay region will vanish.

Not only is the melting of permafrost a sign of acute global warming, scientists have warned previously that its effects include the collapse of entire communities, which has already been seen in Arctic locations like Alaska, USA.

Worse yet are the vast underground stores of methane that are released as the permafrost melts, with tipping points beyond which runaway global warming is inevitable.

We thank you for your careful observations, Canadian and Swedish scientists, despite our alarm at what they foretell. May everyone turn to harmonious lifestyles that sustain our environment while there is still time.

As in a September 2009 videoconference held in Peru, Supreme Master Ching Hai has frequently spoken of such warning signs as permafrost melt, along with the way we can all act to halt it.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: US and Canadian scientists traveling to the Arctic have noted increased methane gas being released from the Earth’s melting permafrost, which is storing immense amounts of methane beneath the frozen surface. Other research has also highlighted how quickly the temperature is rising in the Arctic, much faster than in the rest of the world.

This means a vast quantity of methane could be released from the previously frozen soil very quickly, which would be a complete disaster for life on Earth.

One fact is clear: if we stop meat consumption and livestock raising, we will also eliminate one of the most heat-trapping gases, which is methane.

And since this gas disappears more quickly from the atmosphere, the planet will cool almost immediately.

This will also address problems like the melting permafrost, which will otherwise emit more methane if nothing is done to halt it.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100217101129.htm
http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE61G5BG20100217?sp=true
http://www5.fsa.ulaval.ca/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090218081629.htm

Rising levels of fish contaminants linked to climate change

Scientists studying aquatic life in Canada’s Mackenzie River have found that levels of toxic substances such as mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the damaging insecticide DDT have risen dramatically in recent years.

Over just the past decade, the mercury levels of certain fish have increased by 160%, while PCBs have jumped to being six times higher and DDT has tripled.

Their rise is attributed to Arctic melt, with air-borne pollutant particles that were deposited over time in the pristine environment now being released as temperatures warm and the ice continues to melt.

The researchers believe that this has also led to a growth in the algae, zooplankton and other life forms that absorb the pollutants from the water and are in turn consumed by the fish.

Canadian scientists, our appreciation for your work that again highlights the delicate interconnections of life on our planet.

May we show our deep respect for environmental balance by adopting the organic, vegan diet. Supreme Master Ching Hai, who has frequently addressed the importance of every being’s existence on Earth, spoke once more of our need to be good environmental stewards during a May 2009 videoconference in Togo.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: The marine ecosystem is in big trouble right now from global warming already. Further fishing will only make matters worse. Also, mercury poisoning causes problems to aquatic life even before it gets to the humans. These are things we need to address in trying to save our planet, not to talk about our health also. Eating fish will definitely not help this.

The coastal ecosystems will also be affected greatly by diseases and algae blooms that release toxins. The ocean is a wonderful recycler that normally can purify the water and create nutrients and turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, etc. The ocean is a miracle. But if we ruin the ecosystems , this will spell disaster for us.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: It’s better for our body, for our conscience, for our mind, and for the planet to stay away from fish. We should be vegan.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/mackenzie-rivers-fish-contaminated-with-dangerous-toxins-scientists/article1462248/

Arctic showing immense melting

Data from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center has revealed that the polar ice cap shrank 41,000 square miles a day during July 2009, which may lead to a record low minimum in September.

Dr. Greg Henry of the University of British Columbia in Canada, who has been working in the Arctic for over two decades, stated that since 1970, temperatures in the Arctic tundra have risen one degree Celsius per decade. This is faster than anywhere else on Earth.

He said, “We're finding that the tundra is actually giving off a lot more nitrous oxide and methane than anyone
had thought before.”

He went on to say that the higher temperatures have led to a denser cover of plants, which causes further warming because their darker surface absorbs more heat.

Dr. Henry and colleagues, we are thankful for these vital findings that highlight our limited time to avoid extreme catastrophe. May citizens the world over unite in swift and sustainable actions to ensure the flourishing of all beings.
Reference
http://www.russiatoday.ru/Top_News/2009-08-11/arctic-climate-change-environment.html
http://www.canada.com/technology/Arctic+tundra+hotter+boosting+global+warming+expert/
1842027/story.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/pdf/20090811/A14-4.pdf
http://www.siasat.com/english/content/vast-expanses-arctic-ice-melt-summer-heat-0
https://www.directory.ubc.ca/index.cfm?page=personDetail&row=327439990

Arctic permafrost could release vast amounts of greenhouse gases

A four-year study by the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) has revealed that the carbon stores beneath the vast Arctic tundra, or permafrost, are much higher than previously estimated. CSIRO’s Global Carbon Project Executive Director, Dr. Josep Canadell, stated, 『Projections show that almost all near-surface permafrost will disappear by the end of this century, exposing large carbon stores to decomposition and release of greenhouse gases.”

He went on to state his own observations on a recent trip to China that the permafrost at the Arctic’s southern limit had nearly disappeared in the last ２０ years. It is estimated that even a １０ percent permafrost melt would result in a ０.７ degree Celsius increase in temperature, causing more intense storms, droughts and rising sea levels, with further warming that could be irreversible and catastrophic if the thaw happens too quickly.

Dr. Canadell and colleagues at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, we appreciate your efforts in providing this alarming report. Let us all awaken now and act in bringing sustainable Earth-saving measures to preserve the environment for ourselves and all beings.

In a July ２００８ videoconference with our Association members in Seattle, Washington, USA, Supreme Master Ching Hai warned of the planet’s imperilled state, offering her insights on how to best ensure our stable future.


Supreme Master Ching Hai: If the ice melts and the sea warms, then the gas will be released into the atmosphere, and it does already according to scientists’ research and pro of. So the gas that release into the atmosphere might affect you.

And you see, if it is not cold then even all the permafrost, which is the cold hard mud layers, will be melted also, and then the gas from the permafrost also will be released. And that’s the reason maybe you feel more tired.

And some places may have more mental illness, and all kind of other illnesses, and diseases go where they have not been before even.

So everybody has to join to into the vegetarian diet, and stop the killing, stop the harm to other people and the animals and save energies every way possible and go green wherever possible.
THEN WE STILL CAN SAVE THE PLANET.

Reference
http://www.reuters.com/article/africaCrisis/idUSSP458218
http://www.globalcarbonproject.org/who_is_who/pep_canadell.htm