Environmental Awareness: A Part of Daily Life

This conference on ecology is extremely appropriate. I recognize the urgency of preserving the balance of the environment, and believe that if we neglect it, the world as a whole will suffer.
 
Because of the material wealth and resulting environmental problems seen in the West, some people say we need to discard the modern way of life. But I feel this is a bit extreme. We must use wisdom and understanding to tackle this ecological problem. I am very happy there are so many experts from different fields to inform the discussions of these issues.
 
II feel that it is extremely important that each individual realize their responsibility for preserving the environment, to make it a part of daily life, create the same attitude in their families, and spread it to the community.
 
Because we in the Third World face so much poverty, we sometimes see 'the environmental issues as far away from us. But we must learn from the problems that are faced by the highly advanced nations to set the proper path from the beginning.
 
I look forward to the new ideas from this conference and hope it will bring about much benefit.
 
Quoted from His Holiness the Dalai Lama's address at the Consecration of the Statue of Lord Buddha and the International Conference on Ecological Responsibility-a Dialogue with Buddhism, Interim Report, 1993: Tibet House, New Delhi.