June 2004 spores from fungi, are potent aller- gens and can exacerbate asthma. Both fungi and ragweed are expected to thrive in cities as our climate warms. Making the situation worse is “par- ticulate” pollution. This is the black soot that comes out of tailpipes— especially from diesel Particulates have been known to be a problem for some time because they can clog airways and even cause lung cancer. But the Harvard researchers point out that it is a bigger problem when combined with other allergens like polfen and mould because tiny bits of particulate help deliver these allergens deep into our lungs. As the researchers say: “Air pollution will act synergistically with the allergens to further deteriorate respiratory health.” This is a big concern, particularly for children and the elderly, and it vehicles. may help explain why the incidence of childhood asthma has climbed steadily in recent years. In Canada, childhood asthma rates increased from 2.5 percent in 1978 to 11.2 percent 1995. Polluted urban areas have the highest rates of child- hood asthma. One- quarter of all chil- dren in living in Harlem, for example, suffer from the dis- The cost of treating childhood asthma in the US is now estimated at $3.2 billion per year. According to the Harvard paper, increased heat waves (like the one that killed 35,000 people in Europe last ease. In the Pagoda Battle Between Good and Evil | —A Story from Buddhist Sutra Anonymous OP Contributor Sakra, the King of Gods, and Mara, the King of Evils, were enemies and many battles were waged between the two. Each of them led a full army. One evening, after a full day of battle in which neither side could declare a victory, both of them retreated from the battlefield back into their respec- tive military camps. On the way back to the military camp, King Mara dropped by a Buddhist Temple for a rest. He took off his uniform, including his military decorations, helmet, and weapons, went inside the Temple, and without greeting anyone, helped himself to food and tea. Of course he did not bother to make any offering to the Temple. After a “coffee break,” King Mara put back his uniform and left for his camp. “Who is he?” asked one of the Monks. “He seemed like an unedu- cated scoundrel from the lowest class of people. Even a rogue has better manners.” “He is Mara, the King of Evils,” replied the Monk in charge of the Temple. “Oh well, that’s why.” After a little while, Emperor Sakra also stopped by to visit the Buddhist Temple. He also took off his military uniform and went inside. But, once inside, he greeted everybody, saying hello and politely asked for some tea. He also made an offering to the Temple. Then he left for his camp after a “coffee break.” “Who is he?” asked the same Monk. “He is very nice and well man- nered. He seemed to be a knight that comes from a noble class.” “He is Emperor Sakra, the King of Gods,” replied the Monk in charge. “That's why. Then I am sure he is on the way to victory. Of course, he will win the battle against King Mara, who is a scoundrel.” Even though Mara was resting in his camp, he still was able to hear what the Monk said. In fury, he dashed back to the Temple and shout- ed to the Monks, “How dare you sup- port Sakra and betray me? I am going to give you horror!” “T already have courage and there- fore I do not need horror. I will return the horror to you!” said the Monk in charge. And he started chanting some secret mantras. After arguing, Mara was tired and returned to his camp. But that night, summer), the spread of infections dis- eases (like West Nile virus), and severe storms will further jeopardize human health in our cities as our climate oe warms. However, the authors also point out that many of the solu- tions to climate change—like improving energy and fuel efficien- | cy, providing bet- ter transit options ‘ and creating more | green spaces—all have the added benefit of making our cities more livable too. That's something to consider when we fill up our cars at the pump. Gas he had bad dreams. Whenever he fell to sleep, he dreamed of some monster shouting to him, “You will lose the battle against Sakra! You will lose the battle against Sakra!!” This continued all night. Since he could not get a good nights rest, he was so tired the next morning that he decided to return to his palace without fighting. Sakra was so happy about his victo- ry that he returned to the Temple to make a big offering. He expressed his wish to meditate with the Monks for the day. To his surprise the Monks refused. “Why?” he asked. “Your Majesty, we are just very humble poor monks and so we can- not afford to buy expensive soaps or perfumes. Also, our robes are very old. And therefore we are very smelly.” Upon hearing this, the heav- enly Emperor burst into laughter, “It does not bother me at all. Good smells come from your heart, not from your body.” Battle Between Good and Evil II—A Story from Buddhist Sutra One day, Sakra, the King of Gods, and Mara, the King of Asura (Demons), were fighting a heated battle. By the end of the day, Asura’s army of Evil Generals and soldiers held the upper hand and Sakra’s army, lead by the four Celestial Generals, had to retreat in defect. As Sakra’s army was retreating along a narrow road under Mount Meru, Opinions prices may seem to have skyrocketed, but gasoline is still cheaper than bot- tled water or milk. And burning vast amounts of it obviously can harm our health and quality of life. Rather than cutting gas taxes, we need to be focus- ing on finding ways to burn less gaso- line. As the report concludes, “devel- oping alternatives to fossil fuels is fundamental for the protection of public health.” Climate change may be something that we think of as happening “out there,” but it’s really happening right here in our back yards. The sooner we start addressing the problem, the bet- ter off we will be, because all the con- crete and asphalt in the world can’t keep the climate out. Take the Nature Challenge and learn more at . suddenly, it came to a halt. “What happened? Can we keep going,” asked the heavenly Emperor. “Your Majesty,” replied one of the Celestial Generals, “there is a group of baby garudas (literally: Golden Feather Birds) nesting right in the middle of the road and they are in our way. I cannot pass through. Should we run them over with our chariots?” “No,” replied the Emperor. “I would rather die in a battle for a just cause than kill a group of innocent beings who are neutral in this war. Let us return to the battlefield.” So, he ordered the whole army to turn around and charged back towards Mara’s forces. Meanwhile, King Asura, thinking that Sakra’s army had retreated in defeat, was hosting a big victory celebration. He was caught totally in surprise when Sakra’s army charged back towards his camp. His unprepared army was in complete disarray and suffered a dis- astrous defeat. OtherPress | 9