Women and Climate Change

Women are amazing creatures. They, more often than not, have to bear the brunt of many things they have no discernible connection with, but find a way to get out of the bad situations. Women are not particularly guilty of bringing this on. In fact, they could just be the onlookers to what men are doing to destroy the established climate cycle.

Developed societies may not even be acutely aware of it but the life of a poor woman in most countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia is an everyday struggle. They have no access to what is taken for granted in the western world. Their cooking fuel mainly consists of wood, kerosene and dried cow dung cakes. It is they who have to take care of the children, cook meal, wash the clothes etc. The natural resources are fast depleting as a result of climate change and these hapless women are forced to foray farther and farther to get hold of these natural resources mentioned and in addition, water. With hardly any tree growing in the arid conditions and the ones in existence fast disappearing, cut down for fuel, the women are left clueless where to get the fuel from to cook.

The already dry areas of Northern Africa have been witnessing even lesser rainfall year after year and it is a hard choice between drinking and using the water for sanitary purposes. It is not uncommon, and in some cases, quite a normal daily routine, for womenfolk to trek kilometer after kilometer to get just a pot of water. They could easily be spending a whole day just to fetch this potful of water.

The irony is that some other parts are inundated with water resulting in the women there hardly able to cope with flood situations, their dwellings sometimes becoming unfit to live. Farming becomes impossible when there is paucity of water. On the other hand, flood destroys the crops and the result is the same: scarcity of food.
Climate change, then, affects women in very drastic ways from which there does not seem to be an escape.

Filed Under: Advancements, Climate, Education, Science Tagged With: ,

Little Things you can do to Save the Earth

April 22 is a global day in its true sense. It is the Earth day. It should encompass the whole earth, all things animate and inanimate included. The celebration started way back in 1968. It now has adherents to the tune of more than one billion who observe the day with active participation. They do their mite to mitigate the Earth of its travails and to make it a better place to live in

Every human can do something to meaningfully contribute to the cause of the preservation of the Earth. The very easy but at the same time, a very useful thing to do is to plant a tree. Trees are the entities that provide us with oxygen and get rid of carbon-di-oxide for us by breathing it. Choose the best tree for your soil and environs and plant them and nurture them to maturity and you would have done your best for the Earth. There could be many folks for whom this may not be possible. They could donate money to some agency that will do this job gladly for them. You could even be imaginative and gift them with some implements that could be used in tree planting.

Every ounce of fuel counts. Saving fuel not only saves you money but saves the Earth in some precious ways. Carbon emission is one of the major reasons for the Earth’s atmosphere being polluted. Giving up on driving to your work would not only reduce carbon emission but it would also reduce the extra fat around your midriff. Or, at least, you could pool car and reduce the fuel consumption by that many times.

Recycling is another way of contributing to keeping the Earth less polluted. The articles that could be recycled range from plastic bags to automobile parts. You not only save money by using recycled parts but save the material used for making it and keep in check the pollution that is caused in the manufacturing process. You can even recycle water. Do not let the dishwater go waste. Use it to water the kitchen garden plants.

Filed Under: Advancements, Education, Science Tagged With: ,

The Globe: Warming up and Cooling Down?

The world does not know any more whether the Earth is cooling down or heating up. Some people believe in global warming. But it is a fact that in many parts of the world, unexpectedly cold temperatures prevail. When November 2009 saw the U.S. warmer than in many previous years, no one would have thought that the temperatures would plunge and December it would be the coldest in a century. This contradiction has left everybody baffled. Snowing in the sun shine state of Florida is fodder to global cooling propagators.

The Daily mail, London, gleefully endorses the global cooling theory, citing many instances of unusual weather patterns. It even suggests that a œmini ice age is upon us. Britain went through a cold patch that was more intense in 30 years. Cuba saw more than 20 hospital patients die of extreme cold weather. At the same time, the southern hemisphere has been witnessing extreme heat conditions. For example, Melbourne, Australia has been melting away.

That idea that the worlds climate change will not be abrupt is not discerned by many. A gradual warming will not shock anyone. This is the reason scientists are cautious about not saying unequivocally, how the whether would be in the near future while they proudly predict the conditions that may prevail 50 years or so from now.

The Nobel Prize winning report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been found to be erroneous with glaciologists and others blaming each other for the error. The contention that the Himalayan glaciers would dry up in 50 years was an exaggeration. Further intrigue has been added with accusations of bribery and usurpation of money flying about. Environmentalists, like Al Gore, are looking more and more to be hypocrites “ telling everyone else to preserve energy while they fly around in their leer jets.

It is clear that nothing can be said conclusively, regarding the planets weather, because the Earth’s temperature has fluctuated for millions of years. Tens of millions of years ago, for instance, there used to be a super continent. Mother Nature never rests.

Filed Under: Advancements, Climate, Education, Science Tagged With: , ,

The Globe: Keeping Alive the Climate Change Theory

Controversy after controversy has been plaguing the climate change theory. One such controversy concerns The IPCC and its report about the Himalayan glaciers drying up. It concluded that about 40% of the people who rely on the glaciers for water will find life miserable. The report won the Nobel Prize and now it is found that the report was erroneous. The head of the panel, Dr. Rajendra Pachouri, has refused to accept responsibility and resign. Not unlike Barnie Frank and his Fannie Mae debacle. Dr. Pachouri pointed fingers at the Co-Chairs Dr. Martin Parry and Dr. Osvaldo Canziani who are no longer with the IPCC.

Syed Hannain, a scientist is appalled that obvious mistakes, like the area covered by the glaciers should have been there at all. When the glaciers actually cover 33,000 square kilometers, the reports mentions an area in excess of 100,000 sq km. Such glaring mistakes undermine the entire report. Considering the huge amounts of money involved in these matters, is it this cash which allows scientists to earn a steady income which compels them to not question fundamental flaws faster?

The administrators and politicians in governments are to blame too. With a lot of taxes being collected because of environmental regulations and concerns, entire economies are being damaged for perhaps fruitless science. Admitting this error would be a loss of income for these folks.

All this when there are an umpteen amount of other issues that need urgent attention, some are environmentally related. Issues like the unrelenting cutting down of vast jungles all over the world. Whales and fish being hunted and fished to the brink which is causing irreparable harm to the oceans.

The problem here is that these actions require spending money. If we squander vast sums for joke science, this will negate other vital pursuits. It will also cause widespread distrust between the citizens of this world. Sustaining the myth of climate change, on the other hand, will help the government coffers shine with piles of gold. Of course no one is really supposed to talk about this while entire industries are gutted.

Filed Under: Climate, Education, Science Tagged With: , ,

Oceans: Man and his Callousness

That the oceans form 75% of the Earth would automatically mean that the atmosphere around the Earth and its weather patterns are certainly swayed by the existence of the oceans. And, it is naïve to think that the pollution we cause on land will not affect the oceans.

One example is the depletion of the coral reefs around the world. This vital part of ecosystem is home to a million marine species. The reefs are fast disappearing due to man’s indiscriminate polluting of land and the ocean. Tons of toxic chemicals are carried to the sea by the rivers and rain water via man’s uncaring or careless ways. Cities in some coastal areas dump their waste and sewage into the seas. This waste contains nitrogen in ample measures which encourage the proliferation of algae. Marine life suffers due to this and consequently it is we who suffer.

Plastics form most of the durable materials that are dumped into the ocean. Marine life becomes entangled with them, ingests the plastic, and then perishes because of it. Greenhouse gas emissions warm the oceans and a vast number of marine lives cannot stand even the most narrow change in marine temperatures. When you consider that the temperature at the time of incubation decides the sex of the turtles, you can realize the delicate balance between the environment and the marine bio-systems. A shark is such a magnificent animal but for many it is just a bowl of soup. Its fins are cut off and the rest tossed back into the water. How callous can we get?

Fishing without restraint and whaling in defiance of international laws have had devastating effects. The depletion of ozone layers has allowed UV-B light to penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere which affects marine life. UV-B also raises the level of global warming which can create tsunamis and hurricanes. Rain patterns can change and the hitherto rain fed crops may lose their sustenance and crops in other areas may receive an overabundance of water, become inundated, and rot. Either way, there are a lot of changes we need to make.

Filed Under: Advancements, Education, Science Tagged With: ,

World Hunger No Cause for Optimism

Out of some 6.3 billion people in the world, about one billion are perpetually hungry. Malnutrition and hunger plague most of the continent of Africa. The growing economy of India sees around 70% of the population being malnourished. The ambitious plan of seeing the world slicing the number of hungry people by 2010 in half is not working. The earnings of the poorest of the poor are not enough to enable them to buy one solid meal a day. Exploitation, by all vested interest parties, including government officials, local power brokers, and private managers, of funds leaves these hapless millions slowly starving.

The droughts, floods, tsunamis, and all other natural calamities of any description affect the poor directly and it may take a life time for them to recover. Many go into debt and recovery is just a dream. They die disillusioned. We are not talking rare individuals here. We are talking of millions of people, entire populations and communities. Recession hits the poor where it hurts most. Most of the hungry poor do not even get to eat gruel, children cry themselves to sleep.

Farmers in poor countries do not have money to buy seeds and are forced to borrow from loan sharks and since repayment is never an option, permanent bondage is in place. They live their life in slavery and abject submission and die without a hope of succor coming their way.

One is at one’s wit’s ends and wants to throw up the hands and give up the ghost when one reads strange reports that emanate from India. A fierce debate has been raging in the visual and electronic media about an unpardonable criminal negligence of assorted governments, central, and state. At least 50,000 tons of food grains have rotted away by storing them in the open and subjecting them to elements. This caused millions to go hungry. The Supreme Court had to step in and order the appropriate governments to distribute the grain forthwith to the needy. It has unequivocally said that the government had better distribute the grain without accepting any cash in return.

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Israel’s Smart moves in water optimization

Israel is situated bang in the middle of a desert but a glorious agricultural tradition has been in place for thousands of years. The land available for agriculture is meager. The population of Israel always has been self-sufficient in food which speaks something about the farming culture in that country. The earliest farmers built terraces, clearing the stones and trapping all the water without letting any water escape. The water thus collected was directed to low level fields. Though technology has brought about a sea of change now, the basic premise remains the same.

Israel receives very little rainfall. In a country that is classified as 60% arid, the rains measuring 28 inches at maximum is inadequate. But Israel makes the best of a bleak situation and agriculture thrives. Rain falls for only five months, starting from November and ending in April. The water supply to the crop has been reduced to 740mcm, from 900mcm. Nevertheless, that has not stopped the agriculture yield from growing. New sewage treatment plants have been commissioned which will enhance the water supply to 500mcm from the present 270mcm.

Agricultural yield has increased seven times in the last quarter of century. However, the water fed to the crops has hardly increased. This feat has been made possible by an innovative method of drip irrigation which is being implemented all over the world now. Water is directed at the roots of the plants rather than the general area where the plant is.

Israeli scientists have gone even further and introduced yet another bold step. Drip emitters which have a flow rate of 200cc/h can save up to 70% water while the yield remains the same. Computer controlled irrigation system is also in force.

Reservoirs and canals which are in existence in the north of the country were all joined in a network and the water has been brought through the many pumping stations to water the semi-arid southern part of the country. Within the limitations of the land that is available, the arid land estimated at 192,000 ha. has been transformed. Israel has reason to rejoice.

Filed Under: Advancements, Climate, Education, Science Tagged With: , ,

Ozone Depletion

The sun is a benevolent ruler but a punishing tyrant. It gives us light, heat, and generally looks after man’s welfare. But when man is reckless and does not care about ozone depletion, the sun’s ultraviolet rays push through the holes in the ozone layer causing us to suffer.

The top layer of the Earth’s atmosphere is the ozone. Its job is to absorb the UV-B rays. Where the ozone is thin, these rays pass through the atmosphere and reach the Earth unhindered. An abundance of ozone near the earth causes a greenhouse effect and global warming is one of the results of this happening. It was discovered in the 80s that Antarctica had a hole in the ozone layer. It is now known that the melting of polar icecaps in Antarctica is the direct result of the layer of ozone missing above it.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) are mainly responsible for the greenhouse effect. All air conditioning systems use CFC and to urge the air conditioning industry to stop producing it will fall on deaf ears. Plastic foam manufacturers use it as well. So does the food container industry. These assorted industries have to stop their practices if CFC production were to seize.

Many countries have been trying hard to curb CFC production. Thirty countries that participated in the Montreal Protocol signed an agreement to reduce CFC usage. The U.S. and a dozen European countries in 2000 resolved to ban the use of CFC but how far they have been able to implement this resolve is anybody’s guess. The CFC released into the atmosphere will not go beyond the stratosphere and it will promote a greenhouse effect. Plants and also humans will be affected in an adverse way by it.

Even 1% of ozone loss can let 2% more of the UV-B rays from the sun reach the earth and these rays can increase the causes of skin cancer. A dark prediction is that some 60 million Americans will possibly be afflicted by skin cancer if the ozone depletion continues at the present clip, possibly killing 1 million people.

Filed Under: Climate, Education, Science Tagged With: , , ,

You’ll Be Near Science and Educational Centers with New York Luxury Condos

When you live in one of the New York luxury condos offered by Liberty Luxe or Liberty Green, you will be at the core of the city’s science and educational centers. The Science Council of New York City is committed to servicing the New York public school system and serves as a liaison between the teachers and other science-related organizations. New York City also has a separate science initiative that promotes accelerated science classes within the school system. While living in your new condo, your children will have access to an excellent public school system. If you prefer a private educational institution, the area abounds with those as well.

The area also hosts a bevy of other educational opportunities outside of the classroom. From the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Guggenheim Museum, the city is a veritable Mecca of art and culture. Once your eyes have gazed to their satisfaction upon the classic masterpieces and modern marvels of the art museums, take a trip to Broadway for the world’s best performing art venues. If your child is interested in a career in entertainment, New York hosts the largest selection of both private and public performing arts school available in any city worldwide.

If you or any other family member is college bound, you won’t have to travel far to find a great choice. From City College to NYU, there are many opportunities within a few miles. While your son or daughter may have dreams of a sun-drenched party school, you might feel better by convincing them to take advantage of the institutions closer at hand. After all, there are plenty of opportunities for wild college nights in the middle of the Big Apple. Of course, if you’re looking for your own passport to better career options, the virtually unlimited choices in close secondary educational opportunities will be extremely convenient.

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Renewable Energy: Where Future Lies?

The fast depleting energy sources like fossil fuels and coal have alarmed the world to such an extent that research is going on all over the world to find alternative renewable energy sources. Many kinds of ideas are being put forward. From separating water into oxygen and hydrogen and using hydrogen as fuel to solar energy for varied uses all have their advocates, propagators, and researchers offering supporting data. How practical are some of these ideas?

Germany has paved the way in using alternative energy forms to their advantage. Alternative energy forms about 10% of energy production in the country. It is only to be expected when you consider that they have spent $10 billion to research renewable energy sources. They have tried various methods involving wind turbines, solar panels, and bio-gas.

Research is going on in the U.S. on how best to use bio-fuels for motorized vehicles. Genetic engineering has been put into use to develop new bio-fuel crops by the combination of BP and the University of Illinois. Research is also in vogue on how to convert heavy hydrocarbons into more agreeable efficient fuels. Geothermal energy is renewable since the heat in the surface of the earth will always be present. The research that is being carried out in the field could make a breakthrough but many Americans do not want to neglect coal use since America is loaded with this resource.

Sun, rain, wind can all be sources of renewable energy. Many countries in the world have invested heavily in tidal wave electricity generation for instance, including San Francisco.

But it is not the depletion of traditional energy sources alone that should egg us on. The alarming rate at which holes are being made in the ozone layer requires urgent attention. CO2 emission will be reduced drastically in the coming decades since new ways to power our vehicles are coming online and being thought of. It would be easier for this too occur if taxes were not so high in so many countries. Another thing that hurts research and development in America, is tort laws that favor lawsuits.

Filed Under: Advancements, Education, Science Tagged With: , ,
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