On today’s program we’ll continue watching “Countdown to Year Zero,” by joining a student climate change strike in New York City. “If we don’t do this to make huge, huge, huge changes in the next five to ten years, our kids are all going to be climate refugees.” “For way too long, the politicians and the people in power have got away with not doing anything to fight the climate crisis.” “I would tell consumers to eat less or no meat, to move towards a plant-bused diet. We need the natural world, and we’re destroying it so fast. Unless we all get together now, it will be too late.” “So we are here to start the ball rolling for a Vegan World by 2026. Clearly the system that normalizes violence is going to end whether we like it or not. It’s going to end because the Earth is saying, “It’s no more.” Within eight years, climate change is going to be crazy. It is telling us, the Earth is telling us we have to change. And there is this one light that you see at the end of the tunnel. And you see that light, and that’s nonviolence.”

Welcome to Part 1 of our seven-part series on the Climate Crisis, featuring the illuminating documentary, “Countdown to Year Zero.” “We have been living in this system of normalized violence and we've been killing animals at such a fast pace. I mean, we kill more animals in four to 12 hours than all the humans that ever died in wars throughout human history put together.” “If you look at the World Wildlife Fund “living Planet Report,” it gives you the statistics that tell you very clearly, we have to change by 2026, otherwise, we are in big trouble. Death and extinction. This is a very serious issue. It's something that we have never ever faced before as humanity. We have been living in this system of normalized violence and we’ve been killing animals at such a fast pace.” “It takes eight pounds of grain to produce one pund of beef. We could stop destroying the forest. We could end world hunger, human world hunger, by giving that food directly to starving children. And we could save all these animals, and we could stop climate change if we just changed our diets.”

In today’s episode, we’ll examine the fires that blazed across Siberia, Russia, and Central Africa in 2019 as well as their cause and detrimental impact. In June and July 2019, temperatures in Siberia soared to 30 degrees Celsius. September 2019, it is estimated that more than 13 million hectares of Siberian forest had burned, an area lager than Greece. The wildfires in Siberia not only affect Russia but also the world. As the fires burn, they release black carbon, also known as soot, into the atmosphere. Some of this soot settles on the ice fields in Greenland and the Arctic, making the ice sheets darker and more able to absorb the Sun’s heat, thus accelerating the melting of the ice. This contributes to sea level rise, as well as further global warming. Many scientific studies reveal that raising livestock animals to climate change, adding as much as 51% to global warming. In its 2019 report, the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that a shift away from meat consumption and adoption of a plant-based diet would be one of the most effective solutions to climate change. Supreme Master Ching Hai has also frequently spoken about the urgent need to adopt a vegan lifestyle to protect our Earth and has recommended a global ban on meat consumption.

On today’s episode we’ll travel to California, USA and Europe. In 2017 and 2018, Californians suffered through the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in recorded history. The smoke they produced caused high levels of pollution and extremely unhealthy air for millions of citizens. Countless wild animals lost their forest homes. The recent California wildfires also had a disastrous side effect: mudslides. Many experts agree that rising global temperatures have the most dangerous impact on forests. And now, the magnificent forests, once a great asset to the EU countries, are seriously threatened, as the tinder-dry woodlands are extremely susceptible to fire. Not only are fires occurring more frequently in Europe, but they are also burning much larger areas than in the past. Many world-renowned climate change experts and scientists report that the primary cause of global warming is the raising of livestock animals, and so the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommends a widespread shift to a plant-based diet.

In January 2020, hundreds of deadly wildfires raged throughout Australia. The most heartbreaking tragedy resulting from the fires in Australia was the loss of wildlife. One of the most heartbreaking cases of devastation occurred on Kangaroo Island. In addition to wildlife, livestock animals were also affected. Another result of the fires was air pollution. The damage in Australia affected the entire world. In addition to the smoke, the fires produced massive amounts of carbon emissions which, in turn, accelerate climate change. Research shows that the primary cause of climate change is the raising of livestock animals, which contributes more to global warming than all forms of transportation combined. Scientists report that the livestock animals raising industry causes as much as 51% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, many recommend that the most effective way to stop global warming is through widespread adoption of the vegan lifestyle. Supreme Master Ching Hai has frequently spoken about this as the quickest way to stop future climate-related disasters.

In view of such daunting challenges, the IPCC Climate Change and Land Special Report could represent our last hope for a sustainable future. It is also a solution that can be carried out on both the individual and the governing front. The first of these themes involves the preservation of our world’s forests, as well as other land-based carbon-absorbing “sinks,” such as wetlands and grasslands. The second theme focuses on putting an end to our grossly inefficient food system. The Report concludes that transitioning to a plant-strong diet can free up hundreds of millions of acres of land, which will help to curb deforestation and climate change. Upon hearing of the IPCC Special Report’s suggestion for the world to transition to a plant-strong diet, our beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai was overcome with joy. “We had good news: the United Nations and all the countries in the world signed the less meat protocol. So it’s becoming official now. I hope they just go forward. Become meatless. Not less meat, but meatless. No meat at all. That’s why I came to celebrate with you.”

IPCC is the body established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments concerning climate change. It was the recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for its work on climate change. The newly released second Special Report on Climate Change and Land brings revitalized hope with its wise, clear policy suggestions. The key message of the report is that in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, better land use, halting deforestation, and cutting down on food waste must be the priorities. In a 2009 conference, the world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual Master, Supreme Master Ching Hai, shared with attendees, “So, to cool the planet most quickly, we have to stop consuming meat in order to stop the livestock-raising industry, and thus stop greenhouse gases, methane and other toxic gases from the animal industry.”

Tu je môj domov, sladký domov, malý domček okolo tri krát dva metre. To stačí malej dáme, ako som ja. Pripojte sa k pokračovaniu našich návštev pôvabných domovov Najvyššej Majsterky Ching Hai po celom svete. Len si užívajte, čo máte, akceptujte, čo máte. To je jednoduchý život. Ak tomu môžete dopomôcť, vytvorte si vlastné obydlie pekné, čisté, jasné, s dostatkom vzduchu. Vnútorná čistota musí byť tiež vyjadrená navonok. Niekedy som bývala v stanoch alebo veľmi jednoduchých domoch, ale veľmi, veľmi čistých. Každý roh! Žiadna, žiadna špina, a veľmi svetlé.

Zatiaľ čo Najvyššia Majsterka Ching Hai bývala v housbóte (plávajúcom dome), mnoho rýb a vtákov k Nej rado prichádzalo… Jejich láska se tak hluboce dotkla mého srdce. A ony mohly cítit i mou lásku k nim. Jakmile jsem přišla do svého hausbótu, všechny rychle přišly. Viděly mě z velké dálky a slétávaly se kolem nebo plavaly co největší rychlostí. Přivedly celou svou rodinu. Matka plavala vepředu a děti měla ve vleku. Byla jsem velmi ráda a velmi šťastná, že je nakrmím.

Today, we'll return to Asia and visit Master's houses in several of the countries where She has stayed. In Japan, Supreme Master Ching Hai once lived in a cabin nestled in a secluded forest in Gunma. At this time, Master drew the painting, "Japanese Apple Garden." In Thailand, Supreme Master Ching Hai has a tiny mobile home, just under 3 by 2 meters. During Her stay there, Master adopted some homeless puppies. We'll now visit captivating Hong Kong. In this bustling region, Supreme Master Ching Hai found a quiet place, high on a mountain. Master was happy with its natural setting. It's said that She was once looking at the sky full of stars, feeling so romantic that She was reluctant to go back to Her house for the whole night. While in Hong Kong, Master converted an abandoned cave, a former cow pen, into a fairyland-like living room overnight with Her ingenious and artistic hands.

Today, we’ll visit Her creative homes in the Americas. For a period of time in 1994, Supreme Master Ching Hai lived in San Jose, California on a mountain property. Master first stayed in an old second-hand trailer, and later in a 3-by-3-meter wooden hut. Between 2001 and 2003, Supreme Master Ching Hai lived in a small two-story hut on “Blessed Island” at the Florida Center. Each floor is 2.4 by 2.4 meters. Supreme Master Ching Hai personally searched for and purchased a mountain-top meditation center for our Association members in Costa Rica. "It’s a 12 acres, beautiful land on top of a mountain. A mountain, but very bright and very, very nice and grassy and green." The gentle slopes of the Costa Rica Center are often covered with tiny violet wildflowers called Saint Lucia. This is where Supreme Master Ching Hai created Her paintings “Harmony” and “The Beauty.”

Today, we’ll visit more of Her early homes in Taiwan, also known as Formosa. After being invited to give lectures throughout Taiwan (Formosa), Supreme Master Ching Hai sometimes traveled to Pingtung, staying in Hao Cha Village. There, Master stayed in a tent and cave, imparting to initiates Her extensive knowledge of living in the wilderness. At the Laiyi Center, Supreme Master Ching Hai lived in a small cabin that was expanded and had a terrace added after Master left. The size of the whole house is only 7.4 by 9.6 meters. In Miaoli, perhaps the living quarters that Supreme Master Ching Hai likes the most is Her cave, two by two-two meters by two meters. Supreme Master Ching Hai often reminds us about the benefits of a modest lifestyle, and how residing in a small house is one of the best ways to simplify our lives….

Over several decades, while tirelessly travelling around the world to spread the Truth and elevate the planet, Supreme Master Ching Hai has stayed in simple abodes known only to a handful of people. You may be as curious as we were to know what these homes are like. With Master's gracious permission, we are privileged to present some glimpses into Her private living quarters in various countries, where She resided during different periods. Along the way, we'll also share related touching stories, which may give us insights into Master's caring and harmonious way of life. In the 1980s, after returning from Her quest to find the Truth in India, Supreme Master Ching Hai officially began Her mission in Taiwan, also known as Formosa. Not having a place to stay at first, Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her renunciates lived in tents with few belongings, camped by riversides, and moved from place to place….

Where we’ll learn about why areas of the Amazon basin in Brazil have been burning at an unprecedented rate, and how we can help stop it on an individual level. Earth’s largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon plays an important role in stabilizing the planet’s climate by slowing down the pace of global warming. Unfortunately, however, severe wildfires are currently spreading across this precious region due to the clearing of land for cattle ranching. According to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, cattle ranching is the single greatest driver of Amazon deforestation, accounting for approximately 80% of the total. The way to solve the deforestation crisis and save the planet is simple: end meat consumption. Stopping meat consumption is a crucial action to take in order to save planet Earth.

On today’s show, we’ll learn about two of Mr. Podolsky’s new documentary film projects, which address other critical wildlife issues. The first examines the plummeting population of bats in North America, and the second concerns the decline of the Helmeted Hornbill bird in Borneo. Mr. Matthew Podolsky believes that films are highly effective tools for informing people about various issues, as they can quickly reach large audiences and also have a powerful impact. Having witnessed the threat of extinction for many birds and other animals, Mr. Podolsky is deeply concerned about the future of our planet. If we wish to protect and save the Earth as we know it, Mr. Podolsky believes we need to make a global effort. We need 100%.

On today’s show, we’ll learn about his third award-winning conservation documentary about the Vaquita, an endangered species of porpoise. “And at the time we began the project it was considered the world’s most endangered marine mammal. And at that time, the population estimate was about 100 individuals but it was declining at a very rapid rate.” “And we premiered it at Sundance this past January where it won the Audience Award in the international documentary category. And then it got picked up for distribution by National Geographic at the end of the festival. So, now we’re on this whirlwind tour and the film is getting a ton of exposure, which means the issue is getting a ton of exposure.”

On today’s program we’ll hear from internationally acclaimed documentary filmmaker Mr. Matthew Podolsky, whose works include the 2019 National Geographic documentary, “Sea of Shadows,” and the Emmy-nominated “Bluebird Man.” Mr. Podolsky is also Co-founder and President of “Wild Lens,” a non-profit video production company that is raising awareness about wildlife conservation issues. After his first wildlife conservation film, Mr. Matthew Podolsky discovered a 92-year-old man from Southern Idaho, USA who, over the course of 35 years, had raised more than 27,000 nestling bluebirds.

The UK company, Skipping Rocks Lab, based in London, has developed a packaging alternative for drinking water and other beverages that eliminates the need for plastics. The process encapsulates drinking water in a flexible membrane or blob made of brown seaweed that is completely biodegradable, edible, and vegan. Besides eco-friendly inventions that reduce waste on land, brilliant inventions have been created to remove trash from bodies of water. Mr. Trash Wheel is a trash interceptor invented by Mr. John Kellett in 2008 that removes trash from the Jones Falls River at Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. The waste collected is recycled or goes to waste-to-energy facilities.

Around the world, approximately 700 million people in 43 countries suffer from water scarcity, and by 2025 two-thirds of the world's population may face water stress. Moreover, climate change is accelerating the scale of water shortages and increasing the size of affected areas. Governments and individuals need to change their attitudes about water, and overall resource management systems need to be improved. Today, we'll learn about how we as individuals can conserve water we use each day. Think and be inventive in your daily activities, use, and try to minimize, or replace, or cut out completely what we can to have a more simple, healthy, and gentle way of living for yourself as well as for the world.

In the case of children, planting and nurturing their own produce can have a profoundly positive effect. We found out that it’s therapy for people with addiction problems. People are able to grow their own food again. It gives them purpose and a sense of being. If every country started growing their own food, it’s a healthy motive of cutting it fresh and consuming it right here, you’re getting the most nutrients out of it. And we’re going to be healthier people needing less medical expense in the time to come.