Be a vegetarian

Ride a bike

Be a frugal shopper

"Don’t eat meat, ride a bike and be a frugal shopper".

That's how you can help put the brakes to global warming according to the chairman of the United Nation's Nobel Prize winning panel on climate change. Rajendra Pachauri says lifestyle changes are needed, and people should curb their carnivorous appetites.

Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22. On this day, numerous people use their own ways to promote a healthy sustainable planet. The Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Rajendra Pachauri suggested that in order to fight global warming, we need to change our lifestyle. The specific advice was: "Don't eat meat, ride a bike and be a frugal shopper"

For the public benefit, Tzu Chi Foundation has broken his advice down into a few suggestions.

Be a vegetarian

It's healthy to reduce meat consumption and by extension the carbon footprint. Choose what's grown locally and in season: this helps reduce energy consumed via transport. Moreover, say goodbye to kitchen waste: always buy just enough, cook just enough, eat just enough.

Ride a bike

We should all try to save energy. If it's within 15 minutes walking distance, we should walk or ride a bike. Carpooling or taking public transport are all better alternatives to driving. Turn off the computer when not in use, unplug power cords, switch off the light, save water and save paper.

Be a frugal shopper

Pachuari urges consumers not to buy things "simply because they are available" but only purchase goods you actually need. Besides that, we should always carry reusable utensils with us and use reusable bags. If everyone joins in, these simple lifestyle changes will do much to curb climate change.

Source: Da Ai TV English News (16 April 2008)

We invite you to join us in spreading our love and pray for the world. Together let’s practice abstinence and vegetarian diet to inspire more loving kindness in our society.

Sign up for Vegetarianism at http://www2.tzuchi.org.tw/tc/echo.htm

Please see below for a close translation of the page’s Mandarin introduction.

Vegetarianism Drive

By observing a vegetarian diet, we constantly keep compassion in our hearts. By purifying our actions, speech, and thoughts, we can eradicate the poisons of greed, contentiousness, and ignorance.

Let us sincerely spread love throughout the world and practice vegetarianism. Currently, Tzu Chi members around the globe are leading their families and communities in practicing vegetarianism. If we can maintain a commitment to vegetarianism, whether it be a year, a week, or even a day, the goodness of that act will create positive vibrations that will ripple throughout the world.

As we all join together to do this, the positive force that is created will most surely help to keep disasters at bay.

With our sincere and serene prayers, society will become harmonious, and the world may become free of disasters.