Saturday, July 28, 2007

Tibet Takes Strong Stance on Environment


Tibet and China remain interlocked and yet separate. The environment in the Tibetan autonomous region is warming. Tibet is receiving investment capital from China to build infrastructure. Tibet's caveat being protecting the environment first and foremost even from a healthy tourism industry. China is disposed to graceful action ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. An abundance of expected Olympic tourists has China cleaning up for guests and showing tolerance for new ideas on the environment. For now.

China's population is growing and its pollution increases with every new owner of a carbon emitting vehicle. Each new bouncing baby requires more electricity, energy, food and fresh water. This has wrought enormous changes to China's topography and increased efforts to preserve the environment and its reputation. China believes it is Tibet's universal, sometimes benevolent, overlord.

Tibet, the birthplace of the exiled Dalai Lama, is a sore spot within China's bureaucracy. Tibet is subject to the vagaries of history. History is mostly written by the winners of the struggle. To that end an incredible book, Tibet:Conversations with the Dalai Lama by Thomas Laird takes the reader to the magical myths and origins of the country. This book shares an abundance of insights about Buddhism directly from His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, a prolific author in his own right. Protecting the environment is a global calling to everyone of all faiths and no faith.

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