U.N. TALKS INCH FORWARD BUT RIFTS REMAIN

“WORLD MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY
TO AVOID MASS EXTINCTION”, U.N.

(Reuters) - The world needs immediate action to stop the rapid loss of animal and plant species and their habitats, the United Nations warned during the major summit on biodiversity. Envoys from nearly 200 countries are meeting in Nagoya, Japan, from Oct 18-29 to set new goals to preserve nature’s riches after they failed to meet a goal for a “significant reduction” in losses of biological diversity by 2010. The 193 members of the U.N.’s Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) aimed at trying to avoid man-made mass extinction. Scientists have a growing understanding of the wealth of life on Earth, and the conference argues that our diversity is being threatened. The two-week U.N. meeting faces an uphill battle as it tries to institute sweeping steps to protect and restore ecosystems such as forests, rivers, coral reefs and the oceans that are vital for an ever-growing human population.

The meeting inched on Friday toward agreement, but rich and poor countries remained split over details of a new framework on genetic resources. Issues of funding will be a key problem delegates will need to iron out - both who pays for the program and who reaps the rewards of the world’s biodiversity. The meeting hopes to push governments and businesses into taking more action to protect and restore ecosystems such as forests that clean the air, insects that pollinate crops and coral reefs that nurture valuable fisheries. But negotiations have been plagued by the same mistrust between developed and developing countries that has bogged down U.N. talks on combating climate change, such as how to share the effort and who should pay.


“We need action by governments to protect our oceans and forests and to halt biodiversity loss,” said Greenpeace adviser. However, emerging countries, burdened by problems of unemployment and poverty, are struggling to preserve biodiversity. Despite the importance of what is at stake and the impassioned words, there is no guarantee that countries agree to strong action to curb biodiversity loss by 2020. Delegates from different countries should be educated on the Vedic vision and the ancient principles taught by Hinduism in relation to live in harmony with nature and see the presence of God in all living beings: plants and animals.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Hinduism has always been environmentally sensitive philosophy. No religion, perhaps, lays as much emphasis on environmental ethics as Hinduism. The Mahabharata, Ramayana, Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Puranas and Smriti contain the earliest messages for preservation of environment and ecological balance. Nature, or Earth, has never been considered a hostile element to be conquered or dominated. In fact, man is forbidden from exploiting nature. He is taught to live in harmony with nature and recognize that divinity prevails in all elements, including plants and animals. The rishis of the past have always had a great respect for nature. Theirs was not a superstitious primitive theology. They perceived that all material manifestations are a shadow of the spiritual. The Bhagavad Gita advises us not to try to change the environment, improve it, or wrestle with it. If it seems hostile at times tolerate it. Ecology is an inherent part of a spiritual world view in Hinduism.

“A Tribute to Hinduism” - ‘Nature Worship’
by Sushama Londhe
Published by Pragun Publications, New Delhi, India
http://www.hinduwisdom.info/
http://atributetohinduism.com/contents.htm
sushama@atributetohinduism.com