Other Upanishads

Other Upanishads

• Kaula Upanishad
• Pinda Upanishad
• Shyama Upanishad
• Sri Chaitanya Upanishad

108 Upanishads

108 Upanishads

RIG-VEDA:
1. Aitareya Upanishad
2. Aksha-Malika Upanishad
3. Atma-Bodha Upanishad
4. Bahvricha Upanishad
5. Kaushitaki-Brahmana Upanishad
6. Mudgala Upanishad
7. Nada-Bindu Upanishad
8. Nirvana Upanishad
9. Saubhagya-Lakshmi Upanishad
10. Tripura Upanishad

SUKLA-YAJUR-VEDA:
11. Adhyatma Upanishad
12. Advaya-Taraka Upanishad
13. Bhikshuka Upanishad
14. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
15. Hamsa Upanishad
16. Isavasya Upanishad
17. Jabala Upanishad
18. Mandala-Brahmana Upanishad
19. Mantrika Upanishad
20. Muktika Upanishad
21. Niralamba Upanishad
22. Paingala Upanishad
23. Paramahamsa Upanishad
24. Satyayaniya Upanishad
25. Subala Upanishad
26. Tara-Sara Upanishad
27. Trisikhi-Brahmana Upanishad
28. Turiyatita-Avadhuta Upanishad
29. Yajnavalkya Upanishad

KRISHNA-YAJUR -VEDA:
30. Akshi Upanishad
31. Amrita-Bindhu Upanishad
32. Amrita-Nada Upanishad
33. Avadhuta Upanishad
34. Brahma-Vidya Upanishad
35. Brahma Upanishad
36. Dakshinamurti Upanishad
37. Dhyana-Bindu Upanishad
38. Ekakshara Upanishad
39. Garbha Upanishad
40. Kaivalya Upanishad
41. Kalagni-Rudra Upanishad
42. Kali-Santarana Upanishad
43. Katha Upanishad
44. Katharudra Upanishad
45. Kshurika Upanishad
46. Maha-Narayana (or) Yajniki Upanishad
47. Pancha-Brahma Upanishad
48. Pranagnihotra Upanishad
49. Rudra-Hridaya Upanishad
50. Sarasvati-Rahasya Upanishad
51. Sariraka Upanishad
52. Sarva-Sara Upanishad
53. Skanda Upanishad
54. Suka-Rahasya Upanishad
55. Svetasvatara Upanishad
56. Taittiriya Upanishad
57. Tejo-Bindu Upanishad
58. Varaha Upanishad
59. Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad
60. Yoga-Sikha Upanishad
61. Yoga-Tattva Upanishad

SAMA-VEDA:
62. Aruni Upanishad
63. Avyakta Upanishad
64. Chandogya Upanishad
65. Darsana Upanishad
66. Jabali Upanishad
67. Kena Upanishad
68. Kundika Upanishad
69. Maha Upanishad
70. Maitrayani Upanishad
71. Maitreya Upanishad
72. Rudraksha-Jabala Upanishad
73. Sannyasa Upanishad
74. Savitri Upanishad
75. Vajrasuchika Upanishad
76. Vasudeva Upanishad
77. Yoga-Chudamani Upanishad

ATHARVA-VEDA:
78. Annapurna Upanishad
79. Atharvasikha Upanishad
80. Atharvasiras Upanishad
81. Atma Upanishad
82. Bhasma-Jabala Upanishad
83. Bhavana Upanishad
84. Brihad-Jabala Upanishad
85. Dattatreya Upanishad
86. Devi Upanishad
87. Ganapati Upanishad
88. Garuda Upanishad
89. Gopala-Tapaniya Upanishad
90. Hayagriva Upanishad
91. Krishna Upanishad
92. Maha-Vakya Upanishad
93. Mandukya Upanishad
94. Mundaka Upanishad
95. Narada-Parivrajaka Upanishad
96. Nrisimha-Tapaniya Upanishad
97. Para-Brahma Upanishad
98. Paramahamsa-Parivrajaka Upanishad
99. Pasupata-Brahmana Upanishad
100. Prasna Upanishad
101. Rama-Rahasya Upanishad
102. Rama-Tapaniya Upanishad
103. Sandilya Upanishad
104. Sarabha Upanishad
105. Sita Upanishad
106. Surya Upanishad
107. Tripadvibhuti-Mahanarayana Upanishad
108. Tripura-Tapini Upanishad

Health Resources

Health Resources

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Test Results: Complete Data Set

Rank (worst to best)	Commodity	Combined Score	Percentage of Samples Tested with Detectable Pesticides	Percentage of Samples With Two or More Pesticides	Average Number of Pesticides Found on a Sample	Average Amount (in ppm*) of All Pesticides Found	Maximum Number of Pesticides Found on a Single Sample	Number of Pesticides Found on the Commodity in Total
1	Peaches	100	96.6%	86.6%	3.1	1.134	9	42
2	Apples	96	93.6%	82.3%	2.8	0.894	9	50
3	Sweet Bell Peppers	86	81.5%	62.2%	2.4	0.138	11	64
4	Celery	85	94.1%	79.8%	3.0	0.413	9	30
5	Nectarines	84	97.3%	85.3%	3.0	0.576	7	26
6	Strawberries	83	92.3%	69.2%	2.3	0.799	8	38
7	Cherries	75	91.4%	75.8%	2.8	0.290	7	25
8	Lettuce	69	68.2%	44.2%	1.7	0.142	9	57
9	Grapes - Imported	68	84.2%	53.2%	1.8	0.284	8	37
10	Pears	65	86.2%	45.7%	1.6	0.586	6	33
11	Spinach	60	70.0%	31.2%	1.1	1.240	6	24
12	Potatoes	58	81.0%	18.0%	1.0	1.655	4	18
13	Carrots	57	81.7%	48.3%	1.6	0.046	6	31
14	Green Beans	55	67.6%	42.0%	1.4	0.199	6	35
15	Hot Peppers	53	55.0%	27.5%	1.0	0.290	6	51
16	Cucumbers	52	72.5%	31.7%	1.2	0.057	6	40
17	Raspberries	47	47.9%	23.3%	0.9	0.906	6	21
18	Plums	46	74.0%	27.1%	1.1	0.666	4	15
19	Oranges	46	85.1%	34.6%	1.3	0.100	4	18
20	Grapes - Domestic	46	60.5%	23.4%	0.9	0.104	7	31
21	Cauliflower	39	84.6%	14.6%	1.0	0.004	5	15
22	Tangerines	38	66.7%	33.3%	1.2	0.375	3	4
23	Mushrooms	37	60.2%	22.3%	0.9	0.158	5	16
24	Cantaloupe	34	53.3%	19.4%	0.8	0.026	4	25
25	Lemon	31	55.6%	10.0%	0.7	0.188	5	10
26	Honeydew Melon	31	59.2%	14.2%	0.8	0.012	4	16
27	Grapefruit	31	62.9%	15.2%	0.8	0.056	4	9
28	Winter Squash	31	41.3%	11.6%	0.6	0.017	5	26
29	Tomatoes	30	46.9%	13.5%	0.6	0.029	5	16
30	Sweet Potatoes	30	58.4%	10.0%	0.7	0.198	3	17
31	Watermelons	25	38.5%	13.2%	0.6	0.021	4	13
32	Blueberries	24	27.5%	10.0%	0.4	0.327	4	11
33	Papaya	21	23.5%	5.0%	0.3	0.053	4	19
34	Eggplant	19	23.4%	6.9%	0.3	0.013	4	15
35	Broccoli	18	28.1%	3.2%	0.3	0.004	3	19
36	Cabbage	17	17.9%	4.8%	0.2	0.121	3	18
37	Bananas	16	41.7%	2.0%	0.4	0.029	2	7
38	Kiwi	14	15.3%	3.4%	0.2	0.160	3	8
39	Asparagus	11	6.7%	0.6%	0.1	0.026	2	19
40	Sweet Peas - Frozen	11	22.9%	2.3%	0.3	0.010	2	5
41	Mango	9	7.1%	0.5%	0.1	0.057	2	13
42	Pineapples	7	7.7%	0.6%	0.1	0.002	2	7
43	Sweet Corn - Frozen	2	3.8%	0.0%	0.0	0.005	1	3
44	Avocado	1	1.4%	0.0%	0.0	0.001	1	2
45	Onions	1	0.2%	0.0%	0.0	0.000	1	2

Note: We ranked a total of 44 different fruits and vegetables but grapes are listed twice because we looked at both domestic and imported samples.

* ppm means parts per million

Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce by Environmental Working Group is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

‘Bayer, arrest us too, we don’t want GM rice’, say Indians

Hyderabad, India — A group of young citizens today called on Bayer Bio-Science with placards saying ‘Arrest Me Too, I Say No To GM Rice’ at the company’s office in Tolichowki, Hyderabad. The activists also presented to Bayer officials hundreds of photo petitions from citizens across the country willing to get arrested to prevent their rice from being genetically modified. This was in a response to the criminal case filed by Bayer against volunteers and media for highlighting the concerns with their Genetically Modified (GM) rice experiments happening in Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing volunteers today, Greenpeace Sustainable Agriculture campaigner Rajesh Krishnan said ‘“The hundreds of citizens across the country who are even willing to get arrested to save our rice shows the huge concern the Indian public has on genetic modification of our rice. The concern arises from the unanswered questions on health, environmental and socio economic impacts that genetic engineering of the staple food of 2/3rd of the country poses.”

Last month, on June 22nd, Greenpeace volunteers took a direct action on the hazardous GM rice field trials in Chinna Kanjarla village near Patancheru, 45 km from the city. Following the action, Bayer had filed a police case against 35 individuals, including the general public and media who were present in the vicinity. The charges against the activists are trespassing, causing damage and even criminal intimidation.

The Sarpanch of the Chinnakanjarla village had earlier informed the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, the authority approve GM crops in India, pointing out that prior permission of the local village Panchayat had not been taken before the GM rice trial was done in their village. No information was provided to the villagers on the nature of the field trial or it’s possible danger of contamination to crops growing in nearby fields.

“This is a clear case of corporate crime where our food systems are being contaminated with potentially dangerous products just because the companies have a monetary benefit in doing” so said Praveen Paul’ who was part of the protest today and had volunteered to get arrested in an effort to stop genetic modification of rice.

While protests against such open trials of genetically modified food crops are raging across the country the government of India seems to be in a confused state with the agriculture ministry saying that India is going ahead with GM food crops while the Minister for Environment and Forests Shri Jairam Ramesh openly declaring that the country does not need GM Food, Rajesh concluded.

Contact information

• Rajesh Krishnan, Greenpeace India Sustainable Agriculture campaigner; rajesh.krishnan@greenpeace.org Mobile. +91-9845650032

  Stella Paul, Greenpeace India Communications officer;
  stella.paul@greenpeace.org Mobile. +919845068125

Cow Products as Medicine

Medicine

Cow Products as Medicine

World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a combination of physical, mental, spiritual and social wholeness. WHO has also predicted that bacteria will become immune to antibiotics by the year 2020. That does not scare us! We can depend on Panchagavya – milk, curd, ghee, cow urine and cow dung. These have excellent medical qualities individually as well as a concoction, without any adverse side-effect. In addition, if we are already under some other medication, consumption of panchagavya acts as a catalyst.

Ancient books on Ayurveda state that consumption of cow urine increases resistance to diseases by up to 104%.

Note : increase to 104% is an increase of 4%. What do we mean?

Health from Panchagavya :

Distilled Cow Urine

• Milk : Charaka Samhita states, “Milk is the best life strengthener.” While Casin protein in milk helps growth of infants, calcium and sulphur strengthen our bones. Milk is also rich in vitamins D and B-complex.
• Curd arrests diarrhoea, controls fat, and resists cancer.
• Ghee improves intelligence and beauty. It is used to treat eye diseases.
• Distilled cow urine is effective in treatment of flu, arthritis, bacterial diseases, food poisoning, indigestion, oedema, and leprosy.
• Panchagavya Mix : Various medical formulations like Panchagavya Ghrita, Amritasara, Ghanavati, Ksharavati, Netrasara etc. are invaluable medicines in Ayurvedic system.

Our path, role, and efforts after the journey…

They say.......

Our path, role, and efforts after the journey…

Our Path : This is just the beginning of social welfare. We have constructive work ahead and associated challenges. Though cow is undoubtedly divine, financial gains seem to the measure of success in today’s commercial world. Accepting this reality, we have to develop cow based industries, make cow rearing profitable.

Our Role : We have educate to the common man on the profit of cow rearing. We need to convince them of social justice and the need to reduce the gap between the rich and poor.

Natural Care

Natural Care

Our Effort : Take up urgently the cause of safeguarding and nurturing the remaining 33 Indian breeds. To make the grazing land available for the cows.

To spread the message of the movement and convince the government about its importance in achieving welfare of the nation.

Nurturing of the cow can happen primarily from farmer’s home. Therefore, we have to educate the farmer about the benefits of cow centred life and agriculture. Immediate goal would be to make cow rearing profitable by promoting cow based industrial products.

We have to do serious research on new possibilities of cow based products.

We have to work in creating safe haven for cows in districts and taluks.

Cow Slaughtering

Dark Chapter of Cow Slaughter

* 1760 : Robert Clive established in Calcutta the first abattoir of the country.
* 1861 : Queen Victoria wrote to Viceroy of India prompting to hurt the Indian sentiments towards cows.
* 1947 : At the time of independence, India had a little more than 300 abattoirs. Today there are more than 35,000 approved ones. There are thousands of unapproved slaughter houses.
* The cow-breeds have fallen from 70 to 33. Even among the remaining breeds, some are at the verge of extinction.
* Cow population has reduced by 80% after independence.
* 1993-94 : India exported 1,01,668 ton beef, with a target of 2,00,000 tons for 1994-95.
* We slaughter cow for its hide to make vanity bags and belts, bone-meal for tooth paste, blood for vitamin tablets and intestines (especially of calves) for making gold and silver wafers to stick on sweets.
* It is believed that series of earthquakes like the ones at Lathur in 1993 and in Bihar in 1994 are caused because of cow-slaughter.

Human-Cattle Population Ratio

Human-Cattle Population Ratio

Change in fertilizer subsidy policy can help India save crores, ensure food security - India Report

Change in fertilizer subsidy policy can help India save crores, ensure food security - India Report

New Delhi, India — Moving away from current Government subsidies on synthetic fertiliser that lead to poor soils and less food, and investing in ecological farming will have triple benefits: save public money, ensure food security under less rain and a changing climate, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says ‘Subsidising Food Crisis’ – a scientific report released by Greenpeace today.

The fertiliser report, a joint effort by scientists from Institute of Agriculture Visva Bharathy University, West Bengal, offers a scientific analysis linking the increasing fertiliser subsidies to yield stagnation in agriculture. In 2008/09 the Government of India had set aside an amount of 119,772 crore Rupees for synthetic fertiliser subsidies.

Releasing the report, Greenpeace India’s Sustainable Agriculture campaigner Gopikrishna said, “The irrational subsidy doled out by the government provokes the excessive usage of synthetic fertilisers leading to soil degradation, a major cause for yield stagnation”. He further opined that “The potential for a shift from synthetic to organic nitrogen fertilisers is real: India can save a substantial amount of taxpayers’ money along the way”.

The report points out that in Punjab, the state with highest use of synthetic fertilisers in India, data on the relationship between food grain production and fertiliser consumption from 1960 to 2003 show that in spite of consistent increment in N-P-K fertiliser consumption, grain yield has not only stagnated but also showed a declining trend with fertiliser application during the later period, 1992 to 2003. The average crop response to fertiliser use was around 25 kg of grain per kg of fertiliser during 1960s, the said value has reduced drastically to 8 kg/kg only during late 1990s. High use of chemical fertilisers is mostly also associated with high level of water consumption and micro-nutrient deficiency in soil leading to decline in water table and further deterioration of the soil.

’Subsidising Food Crisis’ for the first time calculates the greenhouse gas emissions from the synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, both by its manufacture and use. Synthetic nitrogen fertilisers contribute 6 percent of the India’s total greenhouse gas emissions, comparable to the road transport sector. A shift from synthetic nitrogen fertilisers to efficient and ecological fertilisers will reduce this contribution from 6 to 2 percent. “At a time when it is extremely urgent that the whole world fights climate change, the Government of India could save significant emissions by shifting subsidies to ecological farming. The good news is that this is also a proven way to make agriculture more resilient to upcoming climate change conditions, like less water and more unpredictable rains’, said Reyes Tirado, one of the authors and senior research scientist at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories in the University of Exeter in the UK.

Based on the report released 5 days prior to the first full budget by the new UPA government on July 6th Greenpeace India demands that the Government needs to:

1. Look into an alternate subsidy system that promotes ecological farming and use of organic soil amendments.

2. Shift the irrational subsidy policy for synthetic fertilisers to sustainable ecological practices in agriculture.

3. Re-focus scientific research on ecological alternatives, to identify agro-ecological practices that ensure future food security under a changing climate.

Notes to Editor

The report is authored by Dr B.C Roy and Dr G N Chattopadhyay of Visva Bharathy University and Dr Reyes Tirado, from Greenpeace Research laboratories at the University of Exeter. While Dr Roy, an agricultural economist, has years of experience in agricultural growth and poverty and water-food security, Dr Chattopadhyay is a Soil Science specialist with extensive experience in vermicomposting. Dr. Tirado, an agricultural ecologist, currently leads projects on how ecological farming and biodiversity can help mitigate and adapt food systems to upcoming climate change conditions.

Extraplant

Extraction is the process in which the plant tissues are treated with specific solvents whereby the medicinally active constituents are dissolved out, cell tissues and most of inactive or inert components remain undissolved. The plant material used for extraction should be properly identified. The choice of the plant material for extraction depends on its nature and the components required to be isolated. The solvents used for extraction purposes is known as “Menstruum” and residue left after extracting the desired constituents is known as “Marc”.
The medicinal value of natural herb of the plant is due to the active constituents. It is generally advantages to extract the active constituents to formulate a control doses form of that active constituents rather than using the bulk quantity.


Solvents Used for the Extraction of Herbs

From the stand point of pharmacy, the purpose of a solvent is to remove from a solid, either in part or in its entirety such substances that may be rendered to a liquid.
When the material has extracted, the “Menstruum” is known as “Vehicle” or “Carrier” of the extracted materials. Solvents differ widely from each other, not only in differing boiling points, but how they act or react with substances in which they come in contact.

An Ideal Solvent for the Extraction of the Herbs should meet the Following Criteria:-



1. It should be non-toxic and selective, i.e. it should dissolve only the required constituent with minimum amount of the inert materials.


2. It should not cause the extract to complex or dissociate.


3. It should be preservative in action.


4. It should promote rapid physiologic absorption of the extract.


5. It should be easily evaporated at low heat.


Alcohol (Ethanol) will meet all above criteria.

There are large number of solvents (Menstruum) used for extraction of herbs, but the selection of the suitable solvents capable of extracting the active constituents depends upon the chemical properties of active constituents as well as the qualities of the solvent. The solvents commonly used for the extraction of the herbs include water, alcohol and there different dilutions.


a. Water: - It is a good solvent for the extraction of many types of active constituents such as alkaloidal salts, colouring agents, glycosides, gums, sugars, anthraquinone derivatives and tannins. It can also act as menstruum for many organic acids and small proportions of volatile oils.

Water is not a suitable menstruum (Solvent) for constituents like waxes, fats, fixed oil and alkaloidal bases due to there insolubility in water. Water is not selective as it can dissolve a wide range of substances and leads to hydrolysis of many substances.

Water soluble herbs are aloe, glycyrrhiza, linseed, senna leaves, senna pods, ginger etc.

b. Alcohol: - Alcohol or ethanol can dissolve a large number of chemical constituents such as alkaloids, alkaloidal salts, glycosides, tannins, anthraquinone derivatives, volatile oils and resins, but constituents like albumin, gums, waxes, fats, fixed oils and sucrose are insoluble in alcohol.

Generally dilute alcohols (hydroalcoholic solutions) are used for many extractions, but in some cases stronger alcohol may be used to prevent the extraction of unwanted substances such as gums.

It is non-toxic in the quantities present in medicinal substances. It is reasonably selective. In a herb containing a number of chemical substances such as alkaloidal salts, glycosides, albumin and gum, water will dissolve all the substances. Whereas dilute alcohol will dissolve only the alkaloidal salts and glycosides.

Alcohol soluble herbs are benzoin, asafoetida, ginger, valerian, myrrh etc.

Other solvents Used for Extraction of Herbs Include Ether (Anaesthetic Ether), chloroform, glycerin, light petroleum, benzene, propylene glycol, acids such as acetic acid and tannic acid.

c. Ether: - Soluble Constituents are oils, fats, waxes, resins and alkaloidal bases. Highly inflammable produces physiologically effects. Ether soluble herbs are capsicum, male fern, linseed, nutmeg etc.

d. Chloroform: - Soluble constituents are oils, fats, waxes, resins and alkaloidal bases.
Non inflammable.

e. Glycerin: - Soluble constituents are tannins.
Non inflammable and viscous liquid.

f. Light Petroluem: - Soluble constituents are oils, fats, waxes, resins and alkaloidal bases.
Highly inflammable and very volatile.

g. Fixed Oils: - Soluble constituents (Arachis Oil) can act as menstruum for camphor.
Non inflammable and viscous.

h. Propylene Glycol: - Soluble constituents are progesterone, phenobarbitone sodium.
Clear, colorless, odourless, viscous liquid, miscible with water, alcohol and chloroform.


Extraction of organic bases like alkaloids usually necessitates basification of plant material, if a water immiscible solvent is to be used, whereas for aromatic acids and phenols, acidification may be required. The glycosides are soluble in water and alcohol but are insoluble in non-polar solvents. Tannins are phenolic matter soluble in water, alcohol and ethyl acetate.


Location of Active Constituents in Plants

Cell inclusions (Ergastic substances of plants) - The non living substances of plant metabolism are known as ergastic substances. They may be reserve foods, secretory and excretory or end products of metabolism.

(a) Reserve Foods: - The materials which occur as reserve foods in cell are the carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. They are present in insoluble forms. Their conversion to soluble form is covered by enzymatic processes.

(b) Secretory Products: - Enzymes, coloring substances, nectar are the examples of secretory products.

Enzymes are nitrogenous water soluble compounds carrying out hydrolysis of carbohydrates and proteins.

Coloring substances or pigments like chlorophyll are essential for photosynthesis and several others, flavonoid glycosides giving attractive color to various flowers and leaves.

Nectar is the sugary solution secreated by many flowers in special cells or glands to attract the insects for effective pollination.

(c) Excretory Products (compounds): - Animals are able to get rid of their excretory products in liquid or solid form. Plants being unable to do so, their wastes are excreted in the form of insoluble products and are stored inside the cells only. Excretory products (compounds) of the plants are named as tannins, resins, latex, volatile oils, chemicals like alkaloids, glycosides and mineral crystals, such a as calcium oxalate, calcium carbonate, silica, etc.

In extraction, a solvent is employed which is capable of penetrating the tissues of the herb and dissolve the active principles contained in it cell. Any method will be a good technique, if it will accelerate: -


1. Wetting of the surface of the herb particles.
2. Permeability of cell walls.
3. Rate of dissolution of cell contents in the solvent.
4. Outward diffusion of the solution.

Change in fertilizer subsidy policy can help India save crores, ensure food security - India Report

Reyes Turado, one of the authors and Gopi Krishna, Sustainable Agriculture campaigner, India release the report 'Subsidising Food Crisis' in New Delhi.

New Delhi, India — Moving away from current Government subsidies on synthetic fertiliser that lead to poor soils and less food, and investing in ecological farming will have triple benefits: save public money, ensure food security under less rain and a changing climate, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says ‘Subsidising Food Crisis’ – a scientific report released by Greenpeace today.

The fertiliser report, a joint effort by scientists from Greenpeace and Institute of Agriculture Visva Bharathy University, West Bengal, offers a scientific analysis linking the increasing fertiliser subsidies to yield stagnation in agriculture. In 2008/09 the Government of India had set aside an amount of 119,772 crore Rupees for synthetic fertiliser subsidies.

Releasing the report, Greenpeace India’s Sustainable Agriculture campaigner Gopikrishna said, “The irrational subsidy doled out by the government provokes the excessive usage of synthetic fertilisers leading to soil degradation, a major cause for yield stagnation”. He further opined that “The potential for a shift from synthetic to organic nitrogen fertilisers is real: India can save a substantial amount of taxpayers’ money along the way”.

The report points out that in Punjab, the state with highest use of synthetic fertilisers in India, data on the relationship between food grain production and fertiliser consumption from 1960 to 2003 show that in spite of consistent increment in N-P-K fertiliser consumption, grain yield has not only stagnated but also showed a declining trend with fertiliser application during the later period, 1992 to 2003. The average crop response to fertiliser use was around 25 kg of grain per kg of fertiliser during 1960s, the said value has reduced drastically to 8 kg/kg only during late 1990s. High use of chemical fertilisers is mostly also associated with high level of water consumption and micro-nutrient deficiency in soil leading to decline in water table and further deterioration of the soil.

’Subsidising Food Crisis’ for the first time calculates the greenhouse gas emissions from the synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, both by its manufacture and use. Synthetic nitrogen fertilisers contribute 6 percent of the India’s total greenhouse gas emissions, comparable to the road transport sector. A shift from synthetic nitrogen fertilisers to efficient and ecological fertilisers will reduce this contribution from 6 to 2 percent. “At a time when it is extremely urgent that the whole world fights climate change, the Government of India could save significant emissions by shifting subsidies to ecological farming. The good news is that this is also a proven way to make agriculture more resilient to upcoming climate change conditions, like less water and more unpredictable rains’, said Reyes Tirado, one of the authors and senior research scientist at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories in the University of Exeter in the UK.

Based on the report released 5 days prior to the first full budget by the new UPA government on July 6th Greenpeace India demands that the Government needs to:

1. Look into an alternate subsidy system that promotes ecological farming and use of organic soil amendments.

2. Shift the irrational subsidy policy for synthetic fertilisers to sustainable ecological practices in agriculture.

3. Re-focus scientific research on ecological alternatives, to identify agro-ecological practices that ensure future food security under a changing

Climate Change = Water Crisis

Greenpeace activists queue up outside RBI to deposit water.
Delhi, India — 25 Greenpeace activists queued up outside the Reserve Bank of India to deposit 100’s of pots of water for safe keeping to highlight the issue of the growing water crisis fuelled by climate change. The activists unfurled a banner with a message “Climate Change = water crisis” right out side the RBI main gate.

"Our government’s response to the preparation required to address climate change stinks. At the rate the Gangotri is melting, it will soon vanish and dilli wallhs will soon have to take turns to bathe", said Nitin, Greenpeace campaigner tongue firmly in cheek. Delhi has received almost 60% less than the predicted rainfall this season. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh are not to far behind.

The Indian monsoon which is the lifeline of the subcontinent will be significantly affected by climate change, according to a Greenpeace paper titled ‘Monsoon Wager: Climate change and the Indian Monsoon’ (1). Stability and predictability of the monsoons are critical to India’s economy society and ecology including our agriculture and food supply chain. Changes in the monsoon will have far reaching social and economic impacts.

The lives of millions of Indians, farmers, city dwellers, depend on the monsoon. Delhi has been at the receiving end of changing weather patterns with summers becoming hotter every year and monsoons very erratic and unpredictable. "The time has come for ordinary citizens to step forward and lead the war against the climate crisis. If our governments don’t take immediate steps to tackle climate change, we will live to see the day when water will have to be deposited in the banks for safety" Said Nishant, a volunteer with Greenpeace.

Greenpeace has launched a campaign called "Greenidol" across the country to engage with people and get them to sign a petition demanding a Renewable Energy Law. Since the 4th of June more than 35000 people have signed on. Greenpeace along with citizens will be presenting these petitions to the Prime Minister of India demanding for an ambitious central Renewable Energy Law in the country.

It’s about survival. Hillary, Barack, Stop Global Warming!

New Delhi, India — School children, joined Greenpeace activists to tell Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, before she left India, that mere talk isn’t enough to avert a climate catastrophe. With photographs and messages from children, women and men from Aila hit Sunderbans, the children demanded that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama be leaders and ensure that the irreparable damage that climate change would wreck on the environment and people was avoided.
“The US is one of the biggest culprits contributing to global warming, which has led to an increase in the intensity of disasters including the cyclone in Sunderbans leading to a humanitarian crisis there. Why should the vulnerable pay the price for this crisis to which they have contributed little? Its time the culprits started taking responsibility for their actions and it has to start from the US.” said Siddharth Pathak, climate campaigner, Greenpeace.

The election of Barack Obama had raised lots of hope to get real leadership on climate. 5 months ahead of the UN-climate conference in Copenhagen, meant to be the most crucial to get a good decision on addressing the danger of climate change, there has hardly been any leadership from Obama. “We need strong actions globally to avert this crisis and these actions need to start from the industrialized countries. Contrary to the imperative, the US has repeatedly failed to come up with strong domestic mitigation actions and is silent on the financial support for developing countries to help the most vulnerable peoples adapt to the impacts of global warming.” said Pathak.

In the meantime, the impacts of climate change on various countries have been devastating. Cyclone Aila has left lakhs homeless and dependent on relief materials. With agricultural fields ruined by salt water ingress there is likely to be a shortage of locally grown food in the affected areas, and a loss of livelihood. Delayed and insufficient monsoons have worsened the situation in the monocrop agriculture region. Thousands of people from this region have already sought refuge in Kolkata in search of food and employment, with many thousand more climate migrants likely.

“Sunderbans is just one example. Barack and Hillary should look at the Sunderbans and start taking immediate steps to curb the effects of climate change.” He added.

The Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, demonstrated leadership at the G8 summit in Italy earlier this month by showing solidarity to limit global temperature rise below 2 degress Celsius. For fulfilling the commitment of limiting global warming, industrialized countries need to start reducing emissions domestically and ensure they provide financial and technological support to countries like India where vulnerable people are suffering from the impacts of climate change.

Climate Change

Climate Change
Climate change has caused dramatic glacial retreat. This is Rongbuk glacier in Tibet in 2007.The photo held by our Greenpeace staff is of the same glacier taken in 1968.

Climate change is happening.

Because of man-made greenhouse gas emissions the earth is dangerously warming up. Most greenhouse gas pollution comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal to make electricity.

If we do nothing to stop it, climate change will cause severe water shortages, rising sea levels will swallow cities, and pest outbreaks will sicken people and kill crops.

One of the early signs we are already experiencing is an increase in extreme weather events such as destructive storms, drought and floods.

Climate change is already killing more than 150,000 people every year from disease and extreme weather.
(World Health Organisation
estimation for deaths in 2000).

China’s rapid economic development has lifted millions out of poverty but has come at a huge environmental cost.


An explosive number of factories, coal-fired power stations and massive construction projects have made China, along with the US, the world’s top greenhouse gas emitter.

And with a population of more than 1.3 billion, China faces very real threats from climate change.

Millions will go thirsty:

About 80 percent of the Himalayan glaciers which feed China’s rivers will disappear in 30 years.

Millions will go hungry:

By 2030 some scientists believe the country won’t be able to grow enough food to feed its own people.

Millions will suffer from disasters:

Extreme weather events such as storms, droughts and floods will become common and threaten lives across the country.

Greenpeace is the leading non-governmental organisation in China pushing for stronger policies to fight climate change.

•We are lobbying for China to play a strong leadership role in critical United Nations negotiations in Copenhagen in December 2009.

•We are urging the country to move away from coal.
•And we are working with scientists to map out a feasible plan that China can follow to massively boost its renewable energy sector.

Paradise Forests

Paradise Forests

Only 20 percent of the world's ancient forests remain in large, intact tracts. Some of the ancient forests under greatest threat are the ‘Paradise Forests’.
This wonderfully diverse region supports hundreds of indigenous cultures and creatures found nowhere else in the world. The island of New Guinea, the world’s second biggest island, has the largest continuous tracts of ancient forest in the Asia Pacific region. The island is divided into two regions: the Indonesian territory of Papua in the west and the nation of Papua New Guinea in the east.

The Paradise Forests consist of tropical rainforests, mangrove, coastal and swamp forests. Monsoon and deciduous forests flourish in the drier and more mountainous regions. They shelter an amazingly rich number of plant and animal species, many of which occur nowhere else on earth. The Orang Utan, Sumatran Tiger and the world's largest flower, the one metre wide rafflesia all call the Paradise Forests home.

People also live in the Paradise Forests. Their deep connection to the forest for their cultural, spiritual and physical wellbeing has been unbroken for thousands of years. The diversity of these cultures is extraordinary. More than 1000 languages are spoken on the island of New Guinea alone. That is around one sixth of all the living languages on Earth today.

Cow Story

Cow Story
The Cow Story
The cow story began in Zurich in 1998. The Zurich Retail Association used their local Brown Swiss cow (a traditional milking cow in Switzerland) as a model for a life-size fiberglass cow. The plain white, life-size, fiberglass cow had 3 poses: grazing, standing and sitting. Initially, local Zurich artists painted 300 of these fiberglass cows. But, before the event ended Zurich artists had decorated 812 cows!!! They were displayed along streets, in buildings, in parks, in the airline terminal and train station. The cows lured an additional 1.5 million tourists to Zurich. A Chicago businessman who was in Zurich, saw the cows, and brought the idea to Chicago.
Cows on Parade was in Chicago for Summer 1999. Chicago�s Department of Cultural Affairs solicited local artists to paint a cow. A sponsor paid for each �naked� cow. Nothing could be removed from a cow, but an artist could add to it. There were 313 cows that grazed throughout Chicago from June 15 to October 31, 1999. An auction held in November 1999 netted $4 million for the Department of Cultural Affairs with �HANDsome� getting the highest bid of $110,000.
Cow Parade began in NYC on June 15, 2000. It featured more than 500 cows, which were displayed throughout NYC, Stamford, CT and W. Orange, NJ. This was the first public art exhibit encompassing all 5 boroughs. NYC Department of Parks & Recreation organized it. When the cows were sold at auction later that year, they raised several million dollars for charity.
Westland Giftware created a �medium� reproduction of these cows. It is about 6� long, 4� high depending on its pose and �add-ons.�Westland�s first shipment was made September 2000 with 12 Chicago cows. In October Westland shipped 6 NYC reproductions. CowsCowsCows first saw the Westland cow reproductions at the LA Gift Show in July 2000. We loved them, ordered them and had our web site up and running by October 2000. We were the first and only Internet business selling Cow Parade in 2000. We�ve been involved since the start.
Other vendors also produced Cow Parade items. Character Collectibles offered 85 miniatures, 85 ornaments and a wide assortment of other Cow Parade items. The most popular miniature cow made was the Twin Cowers set. In December 2003 Character Collectibles discontinued all of their Cow Parade items.
Since 1999 the Cow Parade has visited many towns.
2001: Kansas City, Houston. Australia (from one coast to the other)
2002: Portland, Oregon, London, Ventspils, Latvia, Las Vegas, San Antonio
2003: Auckland, New Zealand, Atlanta, Brussels, Belgium, Isle of Man, Dublin, Ireland, W Hartford, CT
2004: Tokyo, Harrisburg, PA, Manchester, England, Stockholm, Sweden, Monaco, Prague
2005: Bucharest, Barcelona, South Africa, Warsaw, Mexico City
2006: Boston, Denver, Edinburgh, Lisbon, Madison Wisconsin
2007: Copenhagen, Milan, Marseille, Istanbul, Vigo, West Hartford, Rio de Janeiro
In each city the artists have an opportunity to design a cow and have their talent seen, the public has an opportunity to view and enjoy the art, the sponsors have an opportunity to lure the public to their business, and charities make a profit when the cows are sold at auction. Due to this win-win situation the Cow Parade has benefited many cities and charities. Dublin was excited when at their auction, Waga-Moo-Moo (made with 125,000 pieces of Waterford crystal) sold for the highest price ever - $148,000 U.S. dollars. I saw it in person and it was truly magnificent!
Over the years we have learned much. The Cow Parade organization and Westland Giftware have learned to limit the number of new cows to be released each year to two. They have also learned to have limited quantities of a cow that is retired. For example, both Moon Dreams and Gladiator were retired awhile ago � however, Westland Giftware still has not sold out of the inventory they had. When cows are now retired, Westland Giftware has either sold out or is close to selling out. This works better for the collectors.
The story of the individual cows can be quite interesting. Some artists have done many cows. Other artists do just one. The cow makes a wonderful peaceful pallet.
Thanks for buying from
www.cowscowscows.com

Organic farms

Organic farms

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(1) Beijing Qing Pu Yuan Vegetable Co.,Ltd.（Liu Min Ying Ecological Farm）
Add：Liu Min Ying Ecological Farm, Changziying Town, Daxing District, Beijing

Certifier：OFDC，COFCC

Product categories：vegetable and fruit, grain

Tel：010-80266739

Website：www.liuminying.com.cn

Liu Min Ying Ecological Farm products are sold in major supermarkets including Carrefour, Wal-Mart, Hua Lian, CR Vanguard, and more. The farm is also open to visitors and offers catering services. Advanced booking is required.

(2) Crab Island

Add：1 Xiedao Lu, Chaoyang District (1 kilometre south to Airport thruway Exit Weigou)

Certifier：OFDC

Product categories：vegetable and fruit, grain

Tel：010-84335566/5588

Website：www.xiedao.com

Crab Island farms are open to visitors who wish to experience farm life. Fruit picking and crop harvesting tours can be arranged. Tour bookings and ordering of organic food can be made online and by phone.

(3) Beijing Kuai Le Nong Fu

Add：3 kilometres from the Tuqiao subway station, Zaolin Village, Zhangwan Town, Tongzhou District, Beijing

Product categories：vegetable and fruit

Certifier：Self-certified（Certification that awarded by agency is on the application）

Tel：010-51515231/13701105044(Mr. Wang)/13501268189(Mr. Fu)

Website：www.kuailenongfu.com

Kuai Le Nong Fu has released a project of small family farms which consumers can rent to grow their own fruits and vegetables. Kuai Le Nong Fu will be happy to provide technical guidance and daily management services.

(4) Lohas Organic Farm (Beijing Lohas Health Food Communication Co., Ltd.)

Add：Nan Nian Feng, Yangsong Town, Huairou District,Beijing

Product categories：fruits and vegetable, grain, livestock

Certifier：In the process of application

Tel：010-88496728

Website：www.lehas.cn

Lohas Organic Farm covers 500 acres and is open to the public. They provide health education courses, accommodation, catering, and activities such as livestock feeding. Advanced booking can be made by phone.


(5) Zhiwan Organic Ranch （Beijing Lohaocity Supermarket Co.,Ltd.）

Add：Tianzhuang Village, Gaoling Town, Miyun District,Beijing

Organic Union：Member of IFOAM

Product categories: vegetable and fruit, grain, feeding animals, honey, plant

Certifier：OFDC，DFJH

Opening date: Mid May – Mid Oct

Tel：010-84594332

Website：www.lohaocity.com

Zhiwan Organic Farm covers an area of 1,486 hectares. They provide health education courses, accommodation, catering, and activities such as livestock feeding. Advanced booking for tours and organic food ordering can all be made by phone. Zhiwan Farm products are also available in Lohao City Supermarkets and at the Long Island Organic Hotpot Restaurant.

(6) Green Cow Farm

Add：Dong Ge Zhuang Village, Hou Sha Yu, Shunyi District, Beijing

Product categories: vegetables and fruits

Certifier：Self-certified, Vegetables and fruits are all planted in the soil which has no chemical pollution, and without fertilizer.

Tel：010-80464301

Website：www.greencowfarm.com
E-mail：thelovelygreencow@gmail.com

Consumers may apply for membership of Green Cattle Farm Vegetable Club to enjoy their ordering and delivery services. You can also save your biodegradable kitchen waste and send it to the farm for use as compost fertilizer. Green Cattle Farm has its own restaurant, for details please refer to Organic Restaurants (page number?).

(7) Derunwu Organic Farm

Add：3-6# strawberry garden, Xin Village, Xingshou Town, Changping District, Beijing

Product categories: dozens of kinds of organic vegetables

Certifier：USDA，QAI，OCIA，JAS，BFA，IFOAM

Tel：010-8459-0809

E-mail：jiyunliang@vip.163.com

Derunwu Organic Farm mainly offers organic vegetables.

(8) Yuandingyuan Organic Eco-Agricultural Park

Add：Lixian Town,Daxing District,Beijing

Product categories: certified organic poultry,vegetable and corn
The Branch of Chinese Academy of Agricultural is the special store for organic Produce.

Customer Service Hotline：010-62130815 15911112185

Yuandingyuan Produce Distribution Center

Tel：010-89222818 13121020116

E-mail：ydy365@ydy365.com.cn

The products of Ecological Agricultural Park are available by email or phone. Consumers may also apply for the membership of Yuandingyuan Organic Eco-Agricultural Park, and plant and herd in the farm. They can also enjoy a half-discount price to pick vegetables in the farm once every month.

Greenpeace Living Guide tips for green living

Greenpeace Living Guide tips for green living


The Greenpeace Living Guide offers real solutions for environmental living at home, at work and in your community. It also shows how each one of us can get political and be an everyday activist - taking on the root causes of environmental issues around the world. In the spirit of The Greenpeace Living Guide, we post some timely green tips here each month.

To receive green tips in your inbox each month, subscribe to Greenpeace Canada's email newsletter.
The top three ways to talk about the environment (from the most persuasive environmentalists we know)

A few months ago, we asked you for your thoughts about the environment, the 'green living' trend and what you'd like to see us discuss in 'Green Tips.' Many of you asked how to talk to friends, neighbours, colleagues and family about the environment. We tried to get you answers from the most persuasive and knowledgeable environmentalists we know: Greenpeace Canada phone outreach staff. They're the ones who call you from time to time to talk to about Greenpeace, your membership and environmental issues. Next time you see 'Greenpeace' on your call display, pick up the phone and get tips on how to talk about the environment straight from the experts.
Read More
The top three things on your mind

For years, you've been hearing from us in this column about green living and green politics. This month, you're going to hear from each other.
Read More
The top three reasons 'green tips' aren't green tips anymore

For a long time, this column consisted exclusively of handy (and very popular) 'green tips.' We told you how to clean your bathtub with baking soda, maximize energy in your kitchen and create an eco-friendly lawn. That era is over. While we will still provide tools for daily life (and our website will continue to feature a wealth of green tips) our focus will now include green politics. Here are the top three reasons why.
Read More
The Greenpeace Living Guide's top five reasons technology won't solve climate change.

US President Barack Obama has come and gone, and our climate questions remain unanswered. How, for example, will his administration tackle dirty energy like US coal and oil from Canada's tar sands? What will result from the 'clean energy dialogue' President Obama discussed with Stephen Harper? What stand will both leaders take at the next United Nations climate change meeting in Copenhagen in December? We don't know. Here is what we do know. Both President Obama and Stephen Harper are touting technology as the solution to climate change. It's isn't. Here are the top five reasons why.
Read More
Tap water tips

If the water is safe to drink in your community, The Greenpeace Living Guide suggests you reconsider bottled water. First, you avoid plastic bottles. Second, you avoid the appalling practice of paying private companies for a public resource: water.
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The Greenpeace Living Guide's Top 3 New Year's Resolutions for 2009

It's a new year, and, by all accounts, it's going to be a challenging one. As we confront an unfolding economic crisis, it's more important than ever to keep our focus on the environment. Why? With this crisis comes an opportunity to change the way the world does business, ushering in a new era of green energy, green jobs and responsible governance (and by this we mean regulation—financial, environmental—bring it on!). So, in the spirit of renewal, The Greenpeace Living Guide presents our top three New Year's resolutions for 2009. (For bonus points, add, 'I will order The Greenpeace Living Guide.')
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The Greenpeace Living Guide's top 3 three reasons you matter to Greenpeace, and to the environment...

It's the holidays, a time for gratitude, and the perfect moment to tell you the many reasons you matter to Greenpeace, and to the environment. The holidays are also the perfect time to order The Greenpeace Living Guide for your friends and family. Find out more.
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The Greenpeace Living Guide's top three reasons why President Barack Obama is good for the environment (and for Canada)

Greenpeace is hopeful about the election of Barack Obama. As Greenpeace US Executive Director John Passacantando said: "For eight years, the international community tried to solve global warming while this country’s leadership sat on the sidelines. We look forward to showing a waiting world that America is back and ready to lead." (More on Greenpeace US reaction to the election)
Read More
The Greenpeace Living Guide's top three reasons to feel hopeful post-election

Okay, so, the Conservatives have formed a minority government. And, as Greenpeace and many other groups have pointed out, their climate plan puts Canada far below our targets under the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. In addition, the Conservatives have refused to discuss their broader environmental plan with enviros like Greenpeace (the Bloc, the Greens, the NDP and the Liberals all responded to our questions during the election). But there are many reasons for hope and opportunities for action. Here are three. (For more reasons to hope and a whole book of green tips, visit The Greenpeace Living Guide today.)
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Greenpeace's top tips for a greener bedroom

The last of a three-part series on greening your home (see the green kitchen and the green bathroom). For a whole book of fabulous green tips, order The Greenpeace Living Guide today! And to share you own tips for a green bathroom, get in touch at living-guide@greenpeace.ca.
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Tips for a greener kitchen

The second of a three-part series on greening your home. Coming soon: the green bedroom. For a whole book of fabulous green tips, order Greenpeace's Living Guide today! And to share you own tips for a green bathroom, get in touch at living-guide@greenpeace.ca.
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Greenpeace's top three tips for a green bathroom

The first of a three-part series on greening your home. Coming soon: the green kitchen and the green bedroom. For a whole book of fabulous green tips, order Greenpeace's Living Guide today! And to share you own tips for a green bathroom, get in touch at living-guide@greenpeace.ca
Read More
Greenpeace's top three tips for green summer eating

It's summer, the perfect time to eat fresh, ripe and in season. The best route to green eating: think about what you're eating. Find out where it comes from, who picked it for you and exactly how it got from seed to table. To get you started, here are Greenpeace's top three tips for green summer eating. Enjoy, let us know what you think and make your own eating recommendations at living-guide@greenpeace.ca.
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Greenpeace's summer reading list

To understand environmental issues, we need to look at science and history, at geography and economics, at sociology and politics. Especially politics. Greenpeace's summer reading list takes you from the big picture (global economics) to daily life (the seafood aisle of your grocery store) and reflects the global scope of our campaigns. We've grouped our choices into a few topical categories, followed our own imaginations and interests and thrown in a few movies and websites for good measure.

Let us know what you think and make your own reading recommendations at living-guide@greenpeace.ca.
Read More
Three things you can do to make every day Earth Day

Earth Day has come and gone, which is all the more reason to re-affirm our collective commitment to a green and peaceful future. Here are three things you can do right now to make every day Earth Day. For a whole book of green tips to last year-round, check out the fabulous Greenpeace Living Guide.
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Top five things to avoid on your next shopping trip

At Greenpeace, we contend that that living green requires a great deal of thought, nuance and study. Environmental issues are complex and, generally speaking, there are no easy answers. We also admit that sometimes it's nice to have a (by no means exhaustive) list. So here you go: stay away from these five things, and you'll be a long way towards living green. No research required.
Read More
Greenpeace's top three ways to green your work life - Part II

Last month, we told you how to avoid waste, keep public water public and cut down on your travel-related carbon emissions. This month, we go even deeper into what it means to have a green work life.
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Greenpeace's top three ways to green your work life

Most of us spend a good chunk of our lives at work. It's also where we take a big chunk out of the planet. The good news: there's a lot you can do to reduce your impact right now. Check out the first part of Greenpeace's guide to working green.
Read More
Greenpeace's top three New Year's resolutions
Read More
Tips for green holiday eating

If you're planning a holiday meal, there's a lot you can do to keep waste, pesticides and energy use to a minimum. Consider using the holiday season as a template for the rest of the year. It's a great opportunity to create new habits and try new recipes you can roll out in the months to come. For more fabulous tips on living the green life, check out our new Greenpeace Guide available right now!

Antarctic ice-bridge snaps, as Obama offers a chance for climate action

International — Patience for world leaders talking about tackling climate change is wearing thin. Just as US President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of thousands in Prague on Sunday, Greenpeace activists unveiled a banner urging him to "lead the change on climate", a challenge Obama accepted in his speech.

Meanwhile far, far away from the EU-US Summit, an ice-bridge holding the Wilkins Ice Shelf (the size of Jamaica) to Antarctica collapsed due to global warming.
Delivering an urgent message to world leaders

We also unfurled a huge banner reading "Bail Out the Climate" from Prague's Nustle bridge, in full view of venue hosting the EU and US summit, which President Obama is also attending.

Obama said that the US is ready to lead on climate change. Now we need to see the European Union commit to working with him on that. This year's major UN climate change summit in Copenhagen is now only eight months away.

After all has been said and done at recent summits of world leaders discussing climate action, much more has been said than really done.
A transatlantic alliance we can be proud of

With the US claiming to be committed to action on climate change there is an opportunity for the transatlantic alliance to take real action. Runaway climate change could make poverty permanent in the developing world, and strangle growth in the developed world, but the right decisions could head off the looming crisis.

To reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and cope with the already unavoidable impacts of climate change, developing countries need at least EUR 110 billion a year by 2020 from rich countries. This money should be raised through an international scheme that asks rich nations to pay for their carbon footprint, thus providing the certainty developing countries need to leverage private funds for green investment.
40 percent GHG emission reductions by 2020

Besides financing green measures in developing countries, both the US and the EU will need to upgrade their reduction targets in the light of recent science.

To avoid runaway climate change, developed countries as a group need to commit to an aggregate target of at least 40 percent emission reductions from 1990 levels by 2020. (Read Greenpeace demands for Copenhagen: Long version, Short version)
World Leaders: Mark your diaries

World leaders have a chance to deliver both the financing and emission cuts through the UN climate process.

That's why we're calling on heads of state to tae personal responsibility for thenegotiations and sign up to attend the final climate summit in Copenhagen, at the end of the year: to ensure a good deal for the climate.
Meanwhile Antarctica melts

The shattering of the bridge connecting the Wilkins Ice Shelf to Antartica comes in stark contrast to the glacial pace of the international climate negotiations taking place in Bonn where governments are trying to avoid acting responsibly, and bickering about who's at fault (hint: somebody else is).

Simply put, since ice-shelves float, their collapse will not in itself contribute to sea level rise. Nonetheless, any resultant increase in the "flow" of inland glaciers due to the loss of the shelves, together with increased melt water runoff will add to sea level rise.

To put it in context, it's probable that the current reduction in ice-shelves in the region has no precedent in the last 10,000 years, and it is certain that this minimum has not been reached at any time in the last millennium.
Take action

* Become a climate activist. Sign up for our alert network, and you become one of a 3-million-strong, global force for a green and peaceful future.

Protect cows: Muslim leader

Protect cows: Muslim leader



TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2003 12:22:59 AM ]

NEW DELHI: Adding a broader dimension to the debate on cow slaughter, a prominent Muslim leader has said that the Central law being considered by the Vajpayee government should "not be limited only to 'non-use of beef' but should also protect those cows that wander the streets as 'stray animals' and suffer from the eating of garbage, plastic and other poisons".

In a statement, Maulana Syed Athar Hussain Dehlavi, chairman of the Old Delhi-based Anjuman Minhaj-e-Rasool, said protection must be provided to those "unfortunate cows who die a slow death on the streets... Indian cows must be protected not just from the slaughtering knife but also from hunger, unhygienic food and dirty conditions". Dehlavi stressed that the cow is the "symbol and worship for Hindus and so protection of cow is very important".

Although in different parts of the world people belonging to different religions use beef, he said, "in India, in view of the respect of cow, the Indian Muslims also have regards and respect for cow and avoid using beef".
BACK
Gehlot turn to 'milk' cow


Express News Service

Jaipur, February 27: The Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation (RCDF) is gearing up for some serious milking. Cows are in and buffaloes are out as milk booths in Jaipur gear up to sell ''pure cow milk'' this weekend. Ignoring all talk of a political plot behind the promotion of cow milk in the state, around 500 booths in Jaipur will display gleaming new polypacks of cow milk. By mid-March, all 1,400 booths in the city will follow suit.

Brushing aside all conspiracy theories of political motivation and talk of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot countering the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's cow agenda with his own little gimmick, Jaipur Dairy officials say the entire project is based on the simple principles of demand and supply. ''There is a huge demand for cow milk in the state, especially during festivals and weddings. We are just giving people what they want - pure, unadulterated cow milk,'' says Atul Shukla, Deputy Manager (Marketing) of Jaipur Dairy.

At present, at all the Saras booths, there are four varieties of milk available - all a mix of cow and buffalo milk. Saras Gold, with fat content of 6 per cent, sells at a premium Rs 17. Of the three lakh-odd litres sold in the city, the more popular toned milk packets sell for Rs 13. Priced at Rs 14.50, the new cow milk packet hopes to set the cash registers ringing. With a maximum of 3.5 per cent fat and 8.5 per cent ''solid not fat'' (the protein content), cow milk is being pegged as the healthy milk to drink.

''Cow milk is always popular. In fact, we woke up to the fact when Mother Dairy in Delhi asked us if we could supply pure cow milk to them. After their request, we started doing a little market research and realised that a number of our customers were constantly demanding cow milk at our booths. And so the decision was taken,'' says G.S. Sandhu, Managing Director of RCDF.

The milking cows are all in drought-hit Barmer district. Thousands of farmers in this district own the Rathi breed of cows which, according to dairy officials, have been certified the best by French cheese-making company Le Bon.
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Centre mulls ban on cow-slaughter



Express News Service

New Delhi, March 3: The Centre is examining the issue of imposing a ban on cow-slaughter throughout the country, Union Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply today. Ajit stated that 22 states and six Union Territories have already enacted legislations to ban or restrict cow-slaughter. ''Even then the Government of India is examining the issue.'' There was, however, ''no evidence'' that slaughter of cow and its illegal transportation was on the rise. Since West Bengal had not completely banned cow-slaughter, the cattle are transported to the state. They may be smuggled to Bangladesh illegally, he pointed out.

In reply to another question, Minister of State for Agriculture Hukumdev Narayan Yadav informed the members that an expert group, constituted to examine the recommendations of the National Commission on Cattle on banning cow-slaughter, has been asked to submit its report by March 15. He said the Commission, which reviewed laws relating to protection, preservation and well-being of the cow and its progeny, has suggested a constitutional amendment for the enactment of a Central law on this count.Agreed on cow slaughter, LS split on who has power to ban it

Express News Service

New Delhi, March 11: A BJP-supported private member's resolution for a ban on cow slaughter sparked off uproarious scenes in the Lok Sabha today, with the Opposition resisting a vote on it. As both sides resorted to slogan-shouting, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh (RJD), who was in the Chair, adjourned the House an hour ahead of schedule.Congress and Left members trooped into the Well saying the House was not competent to adopt the resolution seeking a legislation banning cow slaughter moved by BJP's P.S. Patel. Shivraj Patil (Cong) said the issue fell neither under Union nor concurrent lists. The House was thus not competent to legislate on cow protection.
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Gau man gau



Jan 22, 2003

Digvijay Singh refuses to get cowed down Now that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh's deep affinity for holy mother cow has been loudly proclaimed - chiefly his reported taste in gau mutra (cow's urine) and his belief in gau dung as excellent fertiliser - you would have to be dumb cattle not to realise that the cow has always been a potent political instrument in the hands of India's rulers.

With elections around the corner, Diggy Raja has clearly decided to take the bull by the horns and attempt to destroy the sangh parivar's monopoly on Hinduism and nationalism. After all it was only a mere fortnight ago when he launched a jhanda ooncha rahe campaign to honour the Tricolour and there is thus reason to believe that with patriotism well hoisted, Singh is now determined to prove that as far as Hinduism is concerned: when you gotta gau, you gotta gau. Since gaumata is a crucial feature of the sangh's definitions of Hindutva, Digvijay is clearly refusing to be cowed down by the BJP's ownership of our sacred quadruped.


Gaumata has had a long political career. Mughal emperors like Akbar and Jehangir imposed restricted bans on cow slaughter. Shivaji declared that Hindus musn't witness the killing of cows. The founder of the Arya Samaj, Dayanand Saraswati, used the cow as a symbol of national unity. Several riots through the ages have been spurred by reports of slaughter of cows.

Tilak's first campaigns centred around safeguards for the life of the cow and, in the seventies, Vinoba Bhave went on a hunger strike against cow slaughter. The VHP's gau-raksha campaigns began the era of aggressive Hindutva and for groups seeking to emphasise the anatagonism of Islam to Hinduism, the so-called Muslim attack on the cow has been seen as a fundamentally hostile stance against the majority community.

No wonder the book, The Myth of the Holy Cow by D.N. Jha, in which the author provided instances of cow slaughter in the ancient period, been banned. When politics operates in an overwhelmingly agrarian and pious land, its symbols are naturally bovine.

Not that gau mutra isn't healthy. Those who have sampled it, swear by its scientific rejuvenating effects and the properties of cow dung are in evidence all over the rural countryside, not just as fertiliser but also as fuel. Digvijay's gau campaign thus isn't complete hogwash, although it shows that in Indian politics you can never say gau man gau.
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Advani seeks blanket ban on cow slaughter



New Delhi: Deputy PM L.K. Advani today called for a Constitutional amendment for a blanket ban on cow slaughter across the nation, asserting that soon there will be enough democratic pressure for such a demand.
Advani was speaking at the inauguration of the All-India Conference and Exhibition on cow products-based economy at the IIT.

''Article 48 given by the Constitution makers should have been more comprehensive in its scope. Then the situation today would have been substantially different had it fully addressed the issue of cow slaughter,'' Advani said. ''The signature campaign by the RSS after Independence is a great movement that placed the issue of cow slaughter in the centre of public debate till as late as 1979,'' he added. (Agencies)
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Holy cow! Look what they're talking about



Tavleen Singh

There are moments when politics in India acquires a surreal quality and we are currently in the throes of one such bizarre moment. How else to explain the current obsession with cow slaughter and beef-eating at a time when the world edges ever closer to war? The story, for those of you who may have been following cricket or the impending war instead, is that the Congress Party in Madhya Pradesh suddenly and quite inexplicably decided to charge the Prime Minister with being an eater of beef. Gau hamari mata hai, Atal Behari khata hai. This is the sort of stupid accusation that is best ignored but the Prime Minister chose to answer it. So, his government was ordered to launch a counter attack in the form of a terse press release from the Ministry of Commerce. ''Export of beef is banned. The prohibition is listed as item 02021: all consignments of meat are subject to pre-shipment inspection.''

In case this was insufficient defense of the Prime Minister, his party also leapt into the act with Vijay Kumar Malhotra coming forth with the theory that when Hindutva hero, Veer Savarkar, suggested cow slaughter was a good thing he meant foreign cows only. God knows what he meant but he should have been talking of Indian cows whose plight is so pitiable that the poor creatures would be better off dead. European cows, on the other hand, live better than most human beings do in India. At the India Economic Summit in Delhi last November, an economist drew attention to the fact that cows in Europe lived on two dollars a day, twice as much as Indians below the poverty line get to spend.

Now, there is something that our two main political parties should be discussing. With nearly half our population living in desperate poverty it would be interesting to know what excuses, explanations and ideas our politicians have to offer. With what face do they tell us that we are on our way to being the world's next economic superpower when so many of our countrymen continue to live on less a day than European cows? What is worse is that most of them are as illiterate as European cows as well and yet we never hear our political parties discuss the shambles in our education system. In recent times, there has been much hysteria over ''saffronization'' of education again, oddly enough, on account of beef and cows. Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, that leading champion of the Indian cow, deleted from history textbooks all references to Brahmins eating beef in ancient times and secular hysteria rose across the land. Fine. But, why do we never see similar rage over the disgraceful state of the Indian school system? So appaling are conditions in our schools that to have a classroom is a luxury. Most rural schools do not have this luxury and if they do they are usually reliant on the services of a single teacher who often finds no time for the mundane business of teaching.

For things to improve we need to spend at least twice as much on education as we currently spend but I cannot remember the last time there was a serious debate in Parliament on this issue. For that matter, when did you last hear our politicians discuss the shaming state of Indian healthcare? We have government hospitals in which it is not unusual to find stray dogs and cats wandering about the wards, not to mention rats so large they have been known to eat newborn babies. And, if you wander into smaller towns and villages it is not unusual to find health centres and hospitals so filthy that to enter them is to risk your life. According to one recent survey, Indians spend more on private healthcare than almost any other people, but can you remember the last time there was a debate in Parliament, or even a public discussion on this subject?

What is it with our politicians that they find so much time to discuss cows, religion and temples and so little to discuss education, healthcare or our desperate need for such fundamental necessities as electricity and drinking water? Speaking of water, there was a truly surreal moment recently when everyone panicked over the quality of bottled water in India. The government responded with remarkable speed and last week the Consumer Affairs Ministry withdrew certification to eight brands of bottled water on grounds of unsafe quality. What makes the exercise truly surreal is that nobody, least of all the Minister of Consumer Affairs, appears to have noticed that the water that ordinary Indians get through their taps is of such dubious quality that only the foolhardy or the desperately poor dare drink it without first filtering or boiling it. Certainly, if analysed, it would be declared unfit for European cows.

To return then to cows for whom we see so much concern from both Congress and BJP, can we expect that their lot will improve in the near future? As things stand, to be an Indian cow is a fate worse than death. With cow slaughter banned, when cows grow old they are simply abandoned so clusters of them can be seen seated sadly on busy streets in every Indian city. Most die such slow painful deaths that if it was possible for them to have a say in the matter they would almost certainly vote for lifting the ban on cow slaughter. Perhaps, it's time to seriously consider Savarkar's views on the subject, he was after all the man who invented the idea of Hindutva.