Dead fish in polluted waters

Just behind the Taj Mahal, thousands of dead fish have been floating down the Yamuna river here for the past few days. Residents have been gathering the dead fish and eating them, and there were reports of some people falling ill because at least some of the fish may be carrying pollutants.

150 million tonnes waste generated daily in India

India generates 150 million tonne of waste in a day and most of it is left in the landfills at the city outskirts leaving a stinking smell and vultures hovering over heaps of hazardous material.

Only 10-20 per cent of the city waste is recyled in an environment-friendly way and the rest is allowed to lie in the landfills

Allow Pandas to vanish: British naturalist

IANS reports that Chris Peckham, a British conservationist says pandas should be allowed to go extinct because they are "extraordinarily expensive to keep going" and may be surviving at the cost of other species and rainforests.

"Extinction is very much a part of life on earth. And we are going to have to get used to it in the next few years because climate change is going to result in all sorts of disappearances," TV naturalist Chris Peckham said.

The Himalayas: melting! Polar bears: dying!

A 13-year-old Indian girl, speaking on behalf of the world's three billion children, asked world leaders , including the Presidents of the United States of America and China, for urgent action on climate change.
“I am so much concerned about climate change because I don't want our future generations to question us just as I am questioning the need of more concrete action on climate change today,” Ms Yugratna Srivastava from Lucknow said at the Summit on Climate Change in the United Nations.
“The Himalayas are melting, polar bears are dying, 2 of every 5 people don't have access to clean drinking water, earth's temperature is increasing, we are losing the untapped information and potential of plant species, Pacific's water level has risen. Is this what we are going to hand over to our future generations? Please no!”
The ninth grader from St Fidelis College spoke at the high-level summit convened by the UN chief Mr Ban Ki-moon. India was represented by foreign minister Mr SM Krishna and environment minister Mr Jairam Ramesh.

China's steps to fight climate change

Chinese President Hu Jianto has announced four measures that China would adopt to fight climate change.

• Energy conservation and improving energy effeciency
• Development of renewable energy and nuclear energy
• Increase forest cover
• Develpoment of green low carbon economy with enhanced research and technologies
  

One billion starving people

One billion would go hungry world over this year as number of starving people hits all-time high, as per UN reports.Most of the sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are facing high rise of food shortages.

Trees to trap electricity

Researchers managed to obtain a usable voltage from maple trees by adding a device called boost converter.

It has been known to scientists for some time that plants can conduct upto 200 millivolts of electricity.The boost converter is capable of picking up this this electricity and store it to produce an accumulative greater output.

Ozone hole may be smaller in 2009

The World Meterological Organisation said on Wednesday that the Ozone hole is expected to be smaller in 2009 than a year ago. The hole in the layer over the Antarctic was discovered in the 1980s. It regularly tends to form in August reaching a maximum size in late September or early October. It fills again in December.

Youth to speak on climate change crisis

To portray India's awareness and concern about climate change the environment and forest ministry has decided to take teenagers as delegates for the global negotiation on climate change in Copenhagen , Denmark, that will start from D ecember 7, this year, as reported in The Hindustan Times, Sep 17.

Terms Dropping: Fossil Fuel

Fossil fuels or mineral fuels are fuels formed by natural resources such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years.These fuels contain high percentage of carbon and hydrocarbons. (Source :Wikipedia)

In modern industrialized societies, fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) transcended virtually all imaginable barriers and firmly established themselves in our everyday lives.

Not only do we use fossil fuels for our obvious everyday needs (such as filling a car), as well as in the power-generating industry, they (specifically oil) are also present in such products as all sorts of plastics, solvents, detergents, asphalt, lubricating oils, a wide range of chemicals for industrial use, etc.

Combustion of fossil fuels produces extremely high levels of air pollution and is widely recognized as one of the most important “target” areas for reduction and control of environmental pollution.

Fossil fuels also contribute to soil contamination and water pollution. For example, when oil is transported from the point of its production to further destinations by pipelines, an oil leak from the pipeline may occur and pollute soil and subsequently groundwater. When oil is transported by tankers by ocean, an oil spill may occur and pollute ocean water.

Of course, there are other natural resources whose exploitation is a cause of serious pollution; for example, the use of uranium for nuclear power generation produces extremely dangerous waste that would take thousands of years to neutralize.

But there is no reasonable doubt that fossil fuels are among the most serious sources of environmental pollution.

Power-generating plants and transport are probably the biggest sources of fossil fuel pollution.

Common sources of fossil fuel pollution are: (9)

Industry:

• Power-generating plants
• Petroleum refineries
• Petrochemical plants
• Production and distribution of fossil fuels
• Other manufacturing facilities

Transport:

• Road transport (motor vehicles)
• Shipping industry
• Aircraft

Fossil fuel combustion is also a major source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and perhaps the most important cause of global warming.

(Source: http://www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com)

Rain Forests as indicators of global warming

There is a strong interdependent relationship between the climate and the tropical rain forests.

True tropical rain forests can only exist in geographical locations with “continuous supply” of rainfall and sunshine. Such locations are mostly found in the geographical areas around the equator.

Rain forests affect the global climatic conditions by acting as pollution filters or “carbon sinks” “lungs of the earth”.Rain forest trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and produce oxygen back into the atmosphere, by way of photosynthesis. This helps reducing atmospheric Carbon Dioxide.

Salt and Vinegar: a non-toxic way of cleaning

Greenfootsteps , an online green journal suggests the following household tip:

Salt can be mixed with vinegar to create a good general purpose cleaner. Don't use it on waxed surfaces, marble or linoleum because the vinegar may be too strong for the surface and cause damage. This vinegar and salt mix can be used for general cleaning about the house. Swab down surfaces and clean inside the fridge and cupboards with it.

It will also remove tea and coffee stains from cups and teapots, etc.

Glass and tiles will come up shining from washing with a salt and vinegar solution.

Toxic environment triggering cancer in animals

ENN report reveals that current research points to environmental pollutants as the cause of deadly cancers in several wildlife populations around the world thus jeopardizing the biodiversity. Normally rare in wildlife, cancers in California sea lions, North Sea flounder and Great Lakes catfish seem to have been triggered or accelerated by environmental contaminants.

Other animals, including Tasmanian Devils, sea turtles, woodchucks, eels and sperm whales, also have been stricken with cancers, although they appear to stem from natural causes, including viruses, spontaneous tumors, or genetic factors.

Starbucks initiative in recycling

Starbucks launched a pilot program in seven New York stores last week that could help the company move toward its goal of making all of its coffee cups recyclable by 2012.Not all coffee beans are created equal through the eyes of sustainability. Organic shade grown coffee on smaller farms is ideal. The reality is that working conditions, pesticide use and many other factors vary greatly in this industry.

The profits made by farmers became much more volatile when global production of coffee swelled a decade ago. As the markets were flooded with coffee, prices plummeted. This created an economic hardship for those who depended on cultivation for their livelihood.

Starbucks has attempted to avoid the problems that plague the industry by partnering with Conservation International to create Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices (C.A.F.E. Practices). The partnership resulted in a set of environmentally, economically and socially responsible coffee purchasing guidelines. Starbucks purchased 77 percent of its coffee under these guidelines in fiscal year 2008 and has a goal of purchasing 100 percent by 2015.

Obama LEEDS the way

Upon first entering the White House, President Obama expressed to Barbara Walters his intention to set an example for Americans on how to live more eco-friendly. But he would not be the first American President to think green. Before him President Jimmy Carter had a $28,000 solar water heater installed on the roof of the West Wing, and President George W. Bush installed a small photovoltaic system as well as two solar water heating systems. But President Obama wants to go one step ahead.

Obama plans to earn a LEED certification to make the White House the greenest it has ever been. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to measure and reward buildings and communities that implement green building design, construction, operation, and maintenance.

Human hand in land erosion at par with glaciers

A new study published in Nature magazine's online journal Geoscience finds that large-scale farming projects can erode the Earth's surface at rates comparable to those of the world's largest rivers and glaciers.Researchers found large-scale farming eroded lowland agricultural fields at rates comparable to glaciers and rivers in the most tectonically active mountain belts.

Dropping terms: Endangered species

VULNERABLE SPECIES - A species particularly at risk because of low or declining numbers or small range, but not a threatened species.

threatened species – a species whose population is not yet low enough to be in immediate danger of extinction, but who certainly faces serious problems. If the problems affecting these species aren’t resolved, it is probable that the species will become endangered. The eastern indigo snake and the red kangaroo are examples of threatened species.

endangered species – a specie, plant or animal, that is in immediate danger of becoming extinct. Its numbers are usually low, and it needs protection in order to survive. The Siberian tiger, the southern sea otter, the snow leopard, the green pitcher plant, and thousands of other plants and animals are endangered worldwide.

extinct species – an extinct species is one that is no longer living. The passenger pigeon, the dodo, and the Stegosaurus are examples of extinct species. These animals no longer exist on the earth.

Dropping terms : Green Building

"A green building is one which uses less water, optimises energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building."

E-WASTE

Every time we discard a used computer, printer, mobile phone and other electrical or electronic appliance and sell it to the local kabadiwala,chances are that we are adding to the rising problem of e-waste.

E-waste contains lead,mercury,arsenic, cadmium,PVC,BFRs and other toxic and potentially hazardous substances. Such different toxic substances and chemicals are likely to create serious problems for the environment and human health if not handled properly.

• Lead affects development of brain in children, harms kidneys, circulatory and reproductive systems.
• Mercury , a heavy metal, can damage kidneys.
• Cadmium damages kidneys
  

FREECYCLE

On May 1st, 2003, Deron Beal sent out the first e-mail announcing The Freecycle network to about 30 or 40 friends and a handful of nonprofits in Tucson, Arizona.

As the team recycled, they found themselves calling or driving around to see if various local nonprofits could use them. Thinking there had to be an easier way, Beal set up that first Freecycle e-mail group in a way that permitted everyone in Tucson to give and to get. Freecycle was off and running.

The Freecycle concept has since spread to over 85 countries, where there are thousands of local groups representing millions of of members -- people helping people and "changing the world one gift at a time." As a result, we are currently keeping over 500 tons a day out of landfills!

Recycling lithium ion batteries of electric cars: challenge ahead

US plans to put 1 million plug-in electric vehicles on road by 2015. The challenge now is how to recycle all those batteries.The Department of Energy recently awarded $9.5 million to a California-based recycling company to boost capacity for lithium-ion batteries, the kind used to power most of the new hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles entering the world market.

US Navy gets bio-fuel savvy

No, this is not a scrap from some sci-fi movie. The US Navy has already purchased 40,000 gallons of jet fuel derived from camelina—a weedy relative of canola—and 20,055 gallons of algae-derived diesellike fuel for ships.

City Watch : Delhi's vanishing green

While we are all ecstatic about the plans for new High Capacity Bus System, flyovers and expansion of the Delhi Metro railway network, the BRT and the infrastructure upgrade for the commonwealth games, the large forest cover of Delhi is depleting at an alarming rate. In fact
looking at the speed with which Delhi’s green cover is vanishing, it is not very far off when the city would be devoid of any natural resources worth mentioning.

According to a recent report published in The Economic Times, the Delhi government has already given permission to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to fell 29,360 trees for execution of its various projects in the city. Delhi Metro has also sought felling of another 7,508 trees for its projects coming up in Phase II. In addition, another lot of 1,523 trees are proposed to be axed as part of the Delhi Government's expansion for ensuring smooth traffic for 2010Commonwealth Games to be held in the national capital.

Over -fishing : a growing concern

Extinction is a natural part of our Earth’s history, but today species are becoming extinct faster than ever. Every year, new species are becoming threatened with extinction. World population is increasing by millions each year. All of us are using more and more resources, leaving fewer resources for Earth’s other species.

Every year, people catch about 85 million tons of fish and other marine animals. Fishing has become so intensive that many marine populations are shrinking. These species cannot recover quickly enough to survive constant overfishing.

Nature's recyclers

Humans are not the only ones to recycle. Nature has its own recyclers.Lichens, mushrooms, sow bugs, earthworms, and beetles spend their whole lives recycling for nature. Nature's recyclers are responsible for turning dead plants and animals back into usable nutrients for new plants and animals. Nature's recyclers are sometimes more effecient and systematic than human recyclers who need to be reminded every now and then!

Indoor air pollution

Pollutants in air can cause serious illness , right? We all know this but do you know that indoor air can also be polluted ? In fact indoor air quality is a growing concern because in recent studies and reports compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) it was discovered that asthma has reached epidemic proportions with almost one in 13 kids having asthma - a condition that can be aggravated by air pollution and ozone.

Is your food safe?

We are what we eat.Our nutritional status, health,physical and mental faculties depend on the food we eat and how we eat it.

Food contamination can take place at various stages of the food chain. Apart from chemical contamination of food from various sources such as industries, vehicle, pesticides and fertilizers, pollution resulting from growing of vegetables i degraded environmental conditions also affect food safety.

The common sources include presence of heavy metals, pesticides,preservatives, colouring agents and other additives and adulterants.

Arctic loses ice cover

In the past 30 years, minimum sea ice cover in the Arctic Ocean has declined by 45,000 square kilometers annually.

This means the Arctic will lose the ivory gull, Pacific walrus, ringed seal, hooded seal, narwhal and polar bear—all animals that rely on the ice for foraging, reproduction or as refuge from predators.

FISHY!

Mercury is one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants, both in its elemental form and in chemical combination. When mercury is released into environment it gets transformed into methylated mercury through microbial action. The methylation of mercury is a key step in the entrance of mercury in the food chain. Methyl mercury bioaccumulates in fish and enters the human body when the fish is eaten.

The good news is that high concentration of mercury is not uniform across all fish species. So while there might be literally something fishy in your fish curry and rice , there is no need to push the extreme panic button always.

Lead in Paints: HELP!

Lead still finds its way into paints, which are used in our daily lives. Children are the worst sufferers.

The paints on the wall, in toys, on furniture contain Lead that has been recognized as the prime toxic by World Health Organisation (WHO). It impacts over 40 million children worldwide, over 97 per cent of whom live in developing countries. It is not as if Lead -substitutes ae not available in the market! In fact you would be surprised to know that Europe had banned Lead from household paints as early as 1935!

For over half a century the paint industry has known about the grave health impacts of Lead in paints has on children who lick baby cots, suck coloured toys or simply ingest household dust filled with Lead .

Lead can lower IQ and cause a series of coordination skill deficiencies in children.

Climate Change and Children

Children are the most precious gifts of God. However, if you look at the ways in which children all over the world get affected by climate change you would tend to believe that we do not take enough good care of this precious gift.

Some of the key facts published by UNEP about children and climate change include the following:

1.More than 46 % of the world population is now younger than 25 years old.

2. Approximately 175 children will be affected by climate change induced natural disaster every year over the next decade. This is 50 million more than during ten years to 2005.

3.Children are more likely than adults to perish during natural disasteror succumb to malnutrition, injuries or disease in the aftermath. Over 96 % of all disaster-related deaths worldwide in recent years have occurred in developing countries.

4.Deaths from asthma, which is the most common chronic disease among children, are expected to increase by nearly 20 % by 2016 unless urgent action is taken.

5.One in ever three children in Ethiopia will have safe water.By 2020 it is projected that some 75 to 250 million people in Africa will be exposed to increased water stress due to climate change. 44 % of the continent's population is under the age of 15 years.

6. Climate change can also have a significant impact on a child's ability to attend school. For example, during July 2007 floods in Sudan 200 schools were destroyed affecting nearly 45000 children.

Perhaps it is time to remind the grown-ups that you do not inherit the earth from past generations but borrow it from the future ones!