Dharamsala, September 21 – The Tibetan monks of Nechung Monastery, home of the Tibetan government’s state oracle Nechung Dorjechang, marked the global action day for climate change with their unique campaign by joining the global initiative to give a wake-up call to the world leaders on climate change ahead of the G-20 Summit.
Senior monks of the monastery performed a special Avalokiteshvara puja to awaken compassion in all sentient beings towards other beings and Mother Nature. Monks blew trumpets and horns in a symbolic call for global action on climate change. The junior monks carried placards that read “Cut CO2 to 350 ppm, SAVE TIBET”, “Wake-up Everyone: SAVE EARTH”, “Wake-up World Leaders: Climate Actions Now” etc.
Tibet, also referred as ‘The Third Pole’ and ‘The Water Tower of Asia’ is currently facing a huge challenge to cope with the climate change and its impacts, said Ngawang, a senior monk.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), glaciers in the Himalayas are receding fast, which will result in massive flooding followed by severe drought.
Tsering Yanki of the Tesi Environment Awareness Movement says glaciers and snow begin to accumulate at a much lesser rate and melt at higher rate. “Without these glaciers the flow of rivers would become seasonal, leaving the livelihoods of tens of millions of people affected by the extreme weather conditions”.
Experts say that the Tibetan Plateau plays a huge role in influencing the Asian monsoon; the monsoon is declining in intensity and has become more variable. The Tibetan Plateau acts as the barometer of Asia’s climate.
