World leaders should prioritise global warming issues: The Dalai Lama

With his Himalayan homeland under threat due to climate change, Tibetan spiritual leader, The Dalai Lama, today said world leaders should make tackling global warming their number one priority and be ready for "some sacrifice of national interest".

He will deliver a series of lectures in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart focusing on the power of the individual in facing future challenges, such as climate change and overpopulation.

Speaking to media here just days ahead of the Copenhagen meet, the 74-year-old Nobel peace prize winner said he was encouraged that governments around the world were taking climate change seriously.

"The elected government, sometimes their number one priority is national interest, national economy interest, then global issues are sometimes secondary. That, I think, should change. The global issue should be number one. In some cases in order to protect global issues, some sacrifice of national interest (is needed)," he said.

Each individual could also make a difference and greater education about environment was needed, he said. "In my case, I never use bathtub, only shower. Whenever I leave my room I always put off my light. Taking care of the environment ... (is now) part of my life. Taking care of environment should be part of our daily life." 

Tibet, the Dalai Lama's homeland, was plagued by climate change worries in recent years with scientists fearing that warmer winters and weather fluctuations could threaten the glaciers and lead to drying up of grasslands.
   
The Tibetan spiritual leader said he could not predict what the outcome of the United Nations climate change summit in Copenhagen would be, but was heartened by the fact that it is being held.

"I think it's very, very encouraging," he said. Ahead of Parliament of World Religions meet to be held here this week, the spiritual leader also called on young people to work to make the world a better place.

He said youngsters must make the most of the 21st century. "You are the main generation to utilise the 21st century. And also in your hands (is) a better world, or miserable world at the end of this century." The Dalai Lama also gave some advice about how to live a satisfied life.

He said people must try to find happiness at the "mental level" as opposed to the "sensory level" through things such as movies and music.

"It's not really deep," he said adding "genuine satisfaction must come from the mental level, love, compassion, forgiveness.