; and (v) Falun Gong and faith-based or new religious movements. . 5. Policy regarding the environment and water resources on the Tibetan Plateau (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Glaciers in Tibet feed 10 of the major rivers of South and East Asia, which supply fresh water to an estimated 1,800,000,000 people. (2) Chinese scientists have reported that since 1960 the Tibetan Plateau’s annual average temperature has increased at twice the global average, causing melting of the glaciers, which will result in variable water flows in the future. (3) Tibet’s rivers support wetlands that play a key role in water storage, water quality, and the regulation of water flow, and support biodiversity, foster vegetation growth, and act as carbon sinks. (4) The grasslands of Tibet play a significant role in carbon production and sequestration. (5) Changes in permafrost levels can affect the water supply, cause desertification, and destabilize infrastructure on the Tibetan Plateau and beyond. (6) The warming of the Tibetan Plateau may cause changes in the monsoon cycle in South and Southeast Asia, which could lead to droughts or floods that overwhelm infrastructure and damage crops. (7) The resettlement of nomads from Tibetan grasslands undermines the application of traditional stewardship practices developed through centuries of pastoral practices, which can be key to mitigating the negative effects of warming on the Tibetan Plateau. (8) The construction of large hydroelectric power dams in Tibet, planned to be used in part to transmit power to Chinese provinces outside of Tibet, as well as other infrastructure projects, including the Sichuan-Tibet railroad may also lead to the resettlement of thousands of Tibetans and transform the environment. (9) Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam are members of the Mekong River Commission, which promotes sustainable management and development of water and related resources among member nations. (10) The People’s Republic of China is not a full party to the Mekong River