Paris climate meet: Spiritual leaders talk of ill effects of acts against nature

Kollam: Spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi Tuesday stressed on initiating a spiritual approach in checking global warming and cautioned countries about the ill-effects of acts against nature.

"Ignoring the current environmental situation is like a man on the top floor of a flat being indifferent to the fire on the ground floor," Amma (as the spiritual leader is popularly known) said in the video message sent to 'Summit of Conscience for the Climate' in Paris.

Amritanandamayi, who was invited for the day-long function by the Special Envoy for the Protection of the Planet of French President Franois Hollande, could not make it to the venue because she was concluding her seven-week American tour. However, an audio-visual address of hers was delivered by her senior-most disciple.

Swami Amritaswarupananda, vice-chairman of the Mata Amritanandamayi, Kollam headquartered Math, represented Amma at the function, a press release here said.

The Paris summit of the world's popular spiritual leaders emphasised on the need for a strong universal appeal and support for effective policies prior to the United Nations Climate Change Conference or 'COP21' taking place in the French capital later this year.