Global Warming
Formulating and implementing a coordinated response to an imminent Existential threat
Velandy Manohar, MD
Distinguished Life Fellow, Am. Psychiatric Association.
09 29 19
Good evening,
I am framing this message from the perspective of outlining what we individually are willing to take responsibility to commit ourselves to work not just talk towards reducing our carbon footprints and reducing the ambient Carbon dioxide that is surging into our atmosphere. This based on a discussion of the Worldwide Children’s crusade against Global Warming which poses an existential threat to all life forms.
I offer this Benediction from the Scripture of Sanatana Dharma which is a more precise designation for the Faith tradition referred to as Hinduism. “O Lord, to thee I offer my ignorance through my hymns of worship, O Lord the focus of all my prayers and offerings bestow thy radiance to me. Bestow thy Divine Radiance to all mankind, May all herbs and vegetation flourish. May humanity’s ills be healed. May you be pleased to bestow tranquility on all two-legged beings, and on all four-legged creatures. May Peace prevail in all three spheres of experience.[Multiple perspectives]”
Let us light a candle instead of cursing the darkness. In the context of the heated rhetoric we heard globally all too often denunciatory with little illumination and surfeit with withering heat which mirrored the scary trends in Global Warming I wanted to share this point of reference that offers the origin of this phrase. The English Wesleyan minister William Lonsdale Watkinson used the expression in The Supreme Conquest, and other sermons preached in America, 1907: “But denunciatory rhetoric is so much easier and cheaper than good works and proves a popular temptation. Yet is it far better to light the candle than to curse the darkness.”
There was a major event in the United Nations on the 24th. I am attaching a news report to provide context:
On Sept 24th a special commemorative event 'Leadership Matters: Relevance of Gandhi in the Contemporary World' was hosted by Modi to mark Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary was held in New York City at the UN HQ.
India has gifted solar panels that have been installed on the roof of the UN Headquarters here, one panel each for every 193 UN member states.
The 'Gandhi Peace Garden' is an innovative initiative under which the Consulate General of India in New York, Long Island-based NGO Shanti Fund and the State University of New York. Long Island-based NGO Shanti Fund and the State University of New York - Old Westbury have entered into an agreement to plant 150 trees. [ Oct. 2, 2019 is the 150th birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi]
The solar panels are powered up to reach the max of 50 KW of generation power. Energy generated in the park is equivalent to energy that would have been created through the use of 30,000 kilograms of coal. It also has a carbon sequestration of 1000 seedlings which will grow into trees over 10 years.
I am also sharing a relatively short essay on Mahatma Gandhi that will explain my introduction of this aspect of my motivations that are guided by the three foundational principles of a non- violent social order. Mahatma Gandhi enunciated these principles and lived his convictions- he frequently reminded everyone his life is his message.
1. The first element of this trinity was Sarvodaya (upliftment of all).
2. The second part of the Gandhian trinity is Swaraj (self-government). Swaraj in turn has a dual aspect: [This is critical because he emphasizes self-transformation.]
3. The third aspect of the trinity is Swadeshi (local economy). Gandhi opposed "mass production" and favored production by people. Work for him is as much a spiritual as an economic necessity. So, he insisted on the principle that every member of society should be engaged in manual work. Manufacturing in small workshops and adherence to arts and crafts feeds the body as well as the soul, professed Gandhi. Matters of Global Concern can be addressed by people in individual communities who work collaboratively to reduce our carbon footprint and find out the best ways for sequestering Carbon in our neighborhoods all over the county, state, nation on the five continents.
Please try to listen to Tina Turner singing this Peace Chant.[Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu…] May all become auspicious, May all attain to peace. May all achieve perfection. May all be blessed. May all be happy, may all be healthy, may all experience auspiciousness, may none suffer. May Peace prevail in all three domains[Mind, Body and soul and in Air, land and waters.
Samaano Mantra, Samiti Samani...Om! Common be your prayer, Common be your ends, Common be your purpose, Common be your deliberations. Common be your desires, Unified by your hearts, United be your intentions, perfect be the Union amongst you. Rk Veda,X,191-3,4.
I welcome further discussion and efforts to reduce the risk of harm from Global Warming. It is a pleasure to be involved in this creative and worthwhile endeavor.
Respectfully
Velandy Manohar, MD
Distinguished Life Fellow, Am. Psychiatric Association.
American Health Council- Best in Medicine 2018
Member- Governance Committee, Community Advisory Board- Office of Health Strategy.
Member- CT. State Medical Society- Member- Ethics Committee, Disaster Preparedness Committee, Quality of Care Committee