The Joy of Vegetarian Life Style for All
- A Global Imperative from Southeast Asia
A UN report in November 2006 claims that the world's meat-industry is the main contributor to global warming. Long before that, scientists in health and nutrition have pointed out meat as today's major cause of degenerative diseases, malnutrition and multi-faceted inefficiency.
Today, perhaps there is nothing more urgent to talk about than the worsening global health and environment. We all know that degenerative diseases, malnutrition, shortage of food, soaring food prices (by 30% as reported by BBC London, April 2008), hunger, water crises, deforestation, pollutions, ozone thinning, global warming, and unprecedented climate change, are happening almost everywhere across the globe today. People, animals and plants are living in the greatest setback in the quality of life in history.
Home to the world's largest human population and civilization, Asia should definitely play a major role in addressing the ongoing situations for the future of life and the planet. In this case, Southeast Asian Vegetarian Union and Indonesia Vegetarian Society share the same deep concern. Compassion, knowledge, science and professionalism should bring all of us together to places where the importance of communicating related information and educating people on related issues still remain unnoticed.
- Purpose
The congress should serve as more than just a regional meeting and information-sharing opportunity. We believe it is urgent to establish better-organized systems to develop vegetarianism as a global imperative for the sustainability of life and the environment.