Major Contributors of Global Warming

Commercial and residential buildings need a lot of fuel to be burnt, emitting huge amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As compared to carbon dioxide, methane is twenty times more effectual at entrapping the heat in the atmosphere. Methane is obtained from several resources such as bovine flatulence, paddles, fossil fuel manufacture and bacteria in bogs. Flood in the fields decays the organic matter, and releases methane in the atmosphere. Nylon and nitric acid production, use of fertilizers in the agriculture, cars with catalytic converters and burning of organic matter are main sources of nitrous oxide. More than 33% of carbon dioxide emission comes from engines of light trucks and cars. Vehicles that have poor mileage contribute maximum to the global warming.

The way we use our land is one of the major cause of global warming. Modern agriculture practices that are used to grow cereals, breed animals, grow vegetables and fruits and other foods for human consumption, and all these agricultural practices lead to emission of greenhouse gases including nitrous oxide and methane.

There is no doubt that in last few decades, deforestation has become one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon dioxide is the main gas emitted, in addition to small amounts of nitrous oxide and methane. Tropical rainforests are very crucial for regulating the regional and global climate patterns. The environment can get tremendously affected if these forests are destroyed. Rainforests remove the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by the process of photosynthesis.

Another reason and cause of global warming is the fact that human population is growing, and in addition to increase in the fuel usage for transportation, energy and power, people need to be fed, which leads to increased deforestation for the purpose of agriculture.

There are some natural causes of global warming as well. Temperature of the planet is affected by changes in the shape of orbit of Earth around the Sun, and also by the tilt of its axis because both these factors affect the amount of solar energy received by the planet. As Sun is the only source of energy responsible for functioning of Earth’s climate system, change in output of solar energy can lead to change in the climate, especially, global warming.

One more natural cause of global warming is the aerosol emission of volcanic eruptions that blocks the sunlight, and causes short-term cooling on affected parts of the earth. The volcanic eruptions emit carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, however, most scientists believe that humans are far more responsible for the damage as compared to volcanic eruptions.

Change in ocean current is also a natural cause of global warming because rise and fall of current creates global change. Oceanic currents have considerable effect on the changes of heat pattern around the earth. This effect varies from region to region, and may also be related to rotation of sun.

All greenhouse gases are the causes of immediate global warming, and these emissions are being produced by almost each and every imaginable human activity. Hence, in order to control global warming, we need to make some lifestyle changes that are more appreciative of environmental health. We also need to start developing and using the renewable sources of energy. Global warming needs to be controlled, now, else by 2100, the average temperature on earth will increase by 3-9 degrees, which will be truly devastating.

About the Author: Rolf Joho is a writer with many various interests and he owns several websites on a variety of topics. Some great resources for you would be to visit What Causes Global Warming

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=435013&ca=Society

Water Protection

Drinking water is especially important since the water we drink impacts on our health. Our drinking water comes from lakes, rivers, streams or underground sources (aquifers) located across the country.  All of these sources of water are linked in a watershed through the water cycle.

In order to make sure we have enough clean water for drinking and other uses, we need to protect sources by managing the influences on them. The natural water cycle below shows what the factors that influence water.

According to  www.watershedatlas.org, “a watershed is a basin-like landform defined by highpoints and ridgelines that descend into lower elevations and stream valleys. A watershed carries water ‘shed’ from the land after rain falls and snow melts. Drop by drop, water is channeled into soils, ground waters, creeks, and streams, making its way to larger rivers and eventually the sea. Water is a universal solvent, affected by all that it comes in contact with: the land it traverses, and the soils through which it travels. The important thing about watersheds is: what we do on the land affects water quality for all communities living downstream. “

Trees and plants are important in protecting water sources because they are an important part of the water cycle. This is why reforestation of denuded lands especially watersheds are critical in maintaining a continuous water cycle.

Water conservation

Water conservation is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to reduce our demand for water.

Why do we have to conserve water? Our supply of fresh water is finite. Ninety-seven percent of all the water on the earth is salt water which is not suitable for drinking, farming or manufacturing. Only three percent of all the water is fresh water, two percent is locked in ice caps and glaciers and only one percent is available for drinking water.

With all the people on Earth relying on such a small percentage of all the water on Earth, it only makes sense that we must preserve and conserve our water.

Saving water also saves energy.  Energy used in pumping and treating water uses up electricity. Saving energy and using alternative energy saves water. Electricity production from fossil fuels and nuclear energy is responsible for a substantial percentage of all freshwater withdrawals.

DEFORESTATION — cutting down, burning, and otherwise destroying forests — is occurring at such a rapid pace that if the current rate continues, the rain forests will disappear by the year 2100, and with them more than half of the animal and plant species on the planet. Nearly 40 million acres of natural forests were destroyed per year during the 1990s, and from 1990 to 1995 alone, a total area of forest nearly twice the size of Italy vanished.

Deforestation threatens the existence of every living thing on the planet. The world’s tropical rainforests as well as the dry forests are extremely valuable ecosystems that contain more than 60 percent of the world’s plant and animal life. On a planetary scale, forests help prevent an increase in global warming by serving as carbon sinks—areas that trap and store carbon dioxide. Trees absorb the gas from the air and then replenish the air with oxygen. The more trees we have, the better the air.

Preventing deforestation is also critical because forests help protect coastal regions, control avalanches and desertification, stabilize sand dunes, and prevent soil erosion and degradation. And for millions of people around the world, deforestation threatens their survival, as forests are their home and their source of food, medicine, and energy, as well as their spiritual and cultural identity.

Deforestation is practiced to make way for cattle raising and agriculture, especially in the tropical rainforests of South America and Southeast Asia, but also in parts of western Europe and North America. Deforested land often falls prey to unsustainable agricultural practices, which then fuels the need to clear even more trees for more land. Costa Rica is an example of such forest destruction. Since the end of World War II, approximately 80 percent of its forests has been cut down to provide pasture for cattle to meet the global demand for beef, especially for the fast food market.

Widespread logging is the cause of deforestation in many regions. Global desire for teakwood furniture, for example, is causing the destruction of the last of the teakwood forests, which are in Indonesia, home to one-tenth of the world’s tropical forests. And on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, all of the lowland forests will be gone by 2010 unless illegal logging is stopped immediately. Other causes of deforestation include urbanization, mining, and oil exploration, while acid rain and fire also contribute to forest destruction.

Deforestation has not gone unnoticed, as many governmental and nongovernmental agencies around the world are attempting to reduce and reverse the destruction by engaging in reforestation — the restoration of deforested regions by planting seeds and/or saplings. And they need your help.

Author: Deborah Mitchell — Senior Editor, Environmental Protection, Charity Guide

Source: http://volunteerguide.org/volunteer/vacation/deforestation-reforestation.htm

EARTH has warmed by about 1ºF over the past 100 years. But why? And how? Well, scientists are not exactly sure. The Earth could be getting warmer on its own, but many of the world’s leading climate scientists think that things people do are helping to make the Earth warmer.

Average global temperature has increased by almost 1ºF over the past century; scientists expect the average global temperature to increase an additional 2 to 6ºF over the next one hundred years. This may not sound like much, but it could change the Earth’s climate as never before. At the peak of the last ice age (18,000 years ago), the temperature was only 7ºF colder than it is today, and glaciers covered much of North America!

Even a small increase in temperature over a long time can change the climate. When the climate changes, there may be big changes in the things that people depend on. These things include the level of the oceans and the places where we plant crops. They also include the air we breathe and the water we drink.

What Might Happen?

It is important to understand that scientists don’t know for sure what climate change will bring. Some changes brought about by climate change will be good. If you live in a very cool climate, warmer temperatures might be welcome. Days and nights could be more comfortable and people in the area may be able to grow different and better crops than they could before. But it is also true that changes in some places will not be very good at all.

Human Health

Climate change may affect people’s health both directly and indirectly. For example, heat stress and other heat related health problems are caused directly by very warm temperatures and high humidity. Untreated, heat stress can be a very serious medical problem. Scientists suspect that, in many places, climate change will increase the number of very hot days that occur during the year. More hot days increases the possibility of heat related health problems.

Indirectly, ecological disturbances, air pollution, changes in food and water supplies, and coastal flooding are all examples of possible impacts that might affect human health.

How people and nature adapt to climate change will determine how seriously it impacts human health. Some people and places are likely to be affected more than others. Generally, poor people and poor countries are less likely to have the money and resources they need to cope with preventing and treating health problems. Very young children and the elderly adults will run the highest risks.

Ecological Systems

Climate change may alter the world’s habitats and ecosystems – all living things are included in and rely on these places. Many of these places depend on a delicate balance of rainfall, temperature, and soil type. A rapid change in climate could upset this balance and seriously endanger many living things.

Most past climate changes occurred slowly, allowing plants and animals to adapt to the new environment or move somewhere else. However, if future climate changes occur as rapidly as some scientists predict, plants and animals may not be able to react quickly enough to survive. The ocean’s ecosystems also could be affected for the same reasons.

Sea Level Rise

Global warming may make the sea level become higher. Why? Well, warmer weather makes glaciers melt. A glacier is a large sheet of ice that moves very, very slowly. Some melting glaciers add more water to the ocean. Warmer temperatures also make water expand. When water expands in the ocean, it takes up more space and the level of the sea rises.

Sea level may rise between several inches and as much as 3 feet during the next century. This will effect both natural systems and manmade structures along coastlines. Coastal flooding could cause saltwater to flow into areas where salt is harmful, threatening plants and animals in those areas. For example, an increase in the salt content of the Delaware and Chesapeake bays is thought to have decreased the number of oysters able to live in those waters.

Oceanfront property would be affected by flooding, and beach erosion could leave structures even more vulnerable to storm waves. Whether we move back from the water or build barricades in the face of a rising sea, it could cost billions of dollars to adapt to such change. Coastal flooding also may reduce the quality of drinking water in coastal areas.

Crops and Food Supply

Global warming may make the Earth warmer in cold places. People living in these places may have a chance to grow crops in new areas. But climate change also might bring droughts to other places where we grow crops. In some parts of the world, people may not have enough to eat because they cannot grow the food that they need.

Excerpts from Unites States Environmental Protection Agency web site.

To learn more about climate change and global warming, visit http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/cc.html. You can also watch their Flash Animations of Global Warming and Earth Processes at the same site for a simple and clear explanation of this phenomenon.

Photo credit: Copyright 2010 @Eco-life Foundation

THE WAY we run our workplace—whether at home or in large corporation, alone or in groups– has significant impact on our environment. While we work for our daily subsistence and for personal fulfillment, why not, at the same time,  work  for a sustainable life, which is the only  way for a better future?

But how can we create a workplace that promotes sustainable life? There are three things we can do: one, develop an eco-consciousness, two, take small practical steps and three, get organized.

Eco-consciousness

It is a big challenge for all of us, both individually and collectively, to commit ourselves to changing our lifestyle to one that will not harm the environment.  This is especially so since we live in a consumer-led society where we normally buy things for fun, status and self-identity without thinking of their detrimental effects on planet earth.  We therefore need to develop an eco-consciousness  that will counter the prevailing  (resource-hungry and spendthrift) consciousness, identify the natural and man-made causes of climate change,  and on this basis,  define a new eco-driven lifestyle and workplace.

As a start, by reading books and articles such as Al Gore’s “Inconvenient Truth,” and by attending eco-seminars, we can appreciate the nature of climate change and carbon footprint. By taking a long, hard look at our current practices in the workplace, we can map out strategies on how to lower our carbon footprint,  eradicate wastage and  achieve energy efficiency. As Gandhi said: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Small and practical steps

Doing something is better than doing nothing.  Let’s start with small and practical steps that we feel comfortable doing and then work up to bigger things when we are capable.  Below are some steps we can easily do to have a lower-carbon footprint in the workplace:

Energy. Most of our office appliance, furniture and fixtures use loads of electricity.  Since electric consumption contributes to  climate change,  we can cut energy use. Examples of energy efficiency practices in the workplace include:   using (CFLs) compact fluorescent lamps, which consume 80 percent less energy than normal lightbulbs, using natural light from windows and air for ventilation, switching off all equipment at night or not in use. For medium and large-scale corporations,  an “energy audit” is recommended  to serve  as basis for mapping up any energy efficiency program  in the workplace.

When the company budget allows it, use renewable energy  such as solar, wind and  bio-mass in  running  the operations of the workplace.  If not, take small steps such as using solar-powered calculators rather than battery operated.  One effective energy-saving measure, which is often overlooked, is using one’s physical energy: taking the stairs rather than elevator, walking or biking  rather than taking a ride and preparing your food rather than relying on power-hungry vending machines.

Waste. Applying  the 3 R’s approach (reduce, reuse and recycle) to products at work will protect the earth as it will save scarce resources and energy.  Examples of Reduce, include: use both sides of paper, only print when necessary, use small font sizes and use e-mail rather than messages on paper. Reuse: reuse ink catridges. envelopes, paper  pads, fasteners, paper clips.  Recyle: We can recycle glass, paper, plastic, metal and other materials for  another use. We can coordinate with local government units and large department stores that accept recyclable goods.

Purchasing. Whatever products we buy in the workplace  affect the environment in their use and disposal.  We must consider buying products from companies that are eco-friendly, meaning: they use non-harmful substances and with  less carbon footprint  in the manufacture of their  products.  Examples of an eco-friendly purchasing policy are: buying upgradeable computers, buying solvent-free correction fluids and paints, choosing local  products to reduce energy and pollution, avoiding over-packaged goods and buying equipment that uses less energy. As the saying goes, “less is more”. Let us buy items that we only need and share them in occasional use such as hole punchers, computers and staplers.

Get organized

We need to organize ourselves to ensure the continuity of our actions and depth of our motivation and commitment to promote a greener workplace. Let’s put up an eco-club in your workplace and link it with national eco-clubs or non-governmental organizations  that will provide you with funding or technical support. Eco-clubs can organize eco-seminars, publish an eco-newsletter, work out incentives  for employees’ car-pooling and campaign for public transport and flexible working activities. These activities serve to create momentum and commitment from  the top to the grassroots.

Eco-Life Foundation, Inc.  helps provide technical and funding support to eco-clubs in workplaces, schools and communities (http://www.ecolifefoundation.com).  Eco-clubs can set as targets of accomplishment such as reduce carbon emissions by 15 percent, recycle at least third of company wastage, or cut car usage by half. Setting targets enables us to measure our level of commitments and the difference we have made to create a greener workplace and a more sustainable life.

Published in Management Systems, an international magazine in May 2010.

Author: Mr. Juan M. Reyes is the President and CEO of Eco-Life Foundation, Inc., a Philippine-based non-governmentalorganization that promotes and manages sustainable reforestation and renewable energy projects. He is completing a book on “The Eco-Driven Life.” E-mail him at ecolifephil@gmail.com. 

 Photo credit: www.sxc.hu

GREEN is in nowadays. Ever since the screening of Al Gore’s film documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” becoming eco-friendly or “green” has become part and parcel of many companies’ institutional image building campaigns. But even before this landmark film, many offices have already adopted eco-friendly practices such as waste segregation, recycling and electricity conservation.

Commonly seen in offices are boxes to store paper that can be reused, different storage bins for various types of wastes, and various posters reminding employees to turn off electricity when not needed. With these in place, some companies may believe that they have already “greened” their workplaces.

Companies’ carbon footprint

While these practices do help in saving the environment, companies now need to go beyond these usual green practices and adopt a more comprehensive program that will put green as an important performance criteria in every aspect of the business.

Juan Reyes, president of Eco-life Foundation, Inc. says that “It is imperative for companies which usually leave a larger carbon footprint to be more serious in implementing green measures in the office. Today, the ill effects of global warming and climate change are being felt by everyone. It already has an adverse impact on businesses. In Asian countries, particularly in cities, there have been noticeable changes in weather. Temperatures have become more extreme and seasonal patterns have changed. In recent years, Asian countries have been experiencing more frequent heavy rains and flooding on one extreme and drought on the other extreme which have wrought substantial damage to businesses and people.“

Eco-life Foundation, Inc. is a foundation based in the Philippines dedicated to increasing awareness and implementing projects on sustainable reforestation and renewable energy as strategies to combat global warming and climate change.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in their web site, www. ucsusa.org also state that “Global warming is well underway and will have wide-ranging consequences for our health and well-being. The primary cause of global warming is from human activity, most significantly burning of fossil fuels to drive cars, generate electricity, and operate our homes and businesses. Clearing tropical forests contributes to about 20 percent of global warming emissions. When too much global warming pollution is released into the air, it acts like a blanket, trapping heat in our atmosphere and altering weather patterns globally and here in the U.S. We need to deeply reduce the heat-trapping emissions causing this effect if we are to address global warming.”

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.

More comprehensive green program

So how can companies take a more serious and comprehensive approach to “greening” their workplaces?

“The first thing to do,” Reyes suggests, “is to assess how large is your company’s carbon footprint and from there come up with ways on how to reduce it.”

According to Wikipedia, “A carbon footprint is ‘the total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product’ (UK Carbon Trust 2008). An individual, nation, or organization’s carbon footprint is measured by undertaking a GHG emissions assessment.

There are many tools available to calculate a business’ carbon footprint. In an article published in ClimateChangeCorp.com last Jan. 24, 2008 entitled “The truth about… carbon calculator,” author Emma Clarke writes, “Tools designed for measuring a business’s carbon emissions are available from The Carbon Trust, Carbon Neutral Company, BT, Pure Trust and C Level. Enablon, the sustainable development software solution provider, also works with large companies to build online carbon calculators for their personal use. … Business carbon calculators go straight for the hard data. This centres on annual energy consumption, fuel consumption of company vehicles and details on business travel.”

Four R’s of Greening

Reyes says that a company can follow the four Rs in planning out its greening strategy. These are: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Reforest.

Reduce stands for reducing energy consumption, especially of fossil fuels, waste and pollution. The burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline, coal, oil, natural gas in combustion reactions results in the production of carbon dioxide. In fact, it has been said that the cause of global warming is primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels in energy use.

For companies, this means studying various areas in their business that use electricity such as lighting, air-conditioning, computers and other office equipment, plant equipment and machineries, and others. This also includes looking at transportation and travel which also release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the use of cars, ships and airplanes by employees for official and personal purposes.

There are many ways to reduce. Some examples are:

• Making use of natural lighting before using electric lights,

• Changing incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps,

• Using individual high-end LED desk lamps that can be turned on for specific areas rather than using overhead lights that light up larger areas,

• Setting computers to sleep or hibernate rather than using screensavers,

• Unplugging “vampire” electronics or equipment that still suck in electricity even when these are turned off,

• Digitizing documents whenever possible to reduce paper consumption,

• Exchanging gas guzzling vehicles for fuel-efficient diesel vehicles that can partly use bio-diesel

• Considering allowing some employees to work from home (which reduces their need to use transportation going to and from the workplace)

Reuse means using again supplies, materials, equipment and other items often used in companies. Reusing reduces waste. The ways in which to reuse things are unlimited. All that is needed is to be creative.

Some examples are:

• Refilling of printer ink cartridges

• Using paper (if it cannot be avoided) more than once such as printing on both sides or using already printed paper as wrappers

• Refurbishing old furniture to look like new

• Using reusable coffee mugs and other dishware and eliminating disposable plastic and Styrofoam dishware which contributes to the pollution of the environment (make sure however to use biodegradable soaps and detergents for dishwashing)

Recycling means breaking an item into its various components to be used for other purposes. For instance, old newspapers can be sold to manufacturers of recycled paper. Every ton of recycled paper saves almost 400 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space and 17 trees. Supporting recycling also means that when buying a product, preference is given to those products that have post-consumer recycled content. There are many suppliers now of paper products that use recycled paper.

The last R stands for Reforest. To participate in a reforestation project brings the act of greening the workplace beyond its four walls. Protecting the environment means being aware of our interconnectedness with the larger community from which all human beings derive their existence and sustainable life. These forests, either in rural or urban setting, serve as powerful carbon sinks which mitigate climate change. Thus, companies should mobilize their employees to actively participate in and/ or support reforestation efforts.

Reyes shares that Eco-life Foundation has a mechanism in which people based in cities can actively participate in reforestation. “We have established a ‘Treebank Project’ which is an innovative program that seeks to mobilize the various sectors in the great task of sustainable reforestation across the country. Through its “Protect-a Hectare” project, a company can involve its managers, employees and workers in this noble undertaking. Through this project, the workplace becomes the catalyst for sustainable environmental action as its people transform themselves from mere ‘environmental cooperators’ to ‘environmental ambassadors’ capable of mobilizing the entire populace to fight environmental degradation.”

Institutionalizing the Green Workplace

Greening the workplace deserve serious consideration, planning and mobilization from the whole organization. And like any organizational development intervention, management should take the lead in its implementation. Organizational infrastructure and mechanisms can also be put into place to institutionalize greening the workplace.

For example, Ad Hoc Green Committees composed of management and employee representatives can be organized to ensure that saving the environment is an important consideration in the operations of the company. Or suggestion systems can be put into place to generate ideas from all the members of the organization on how to implement the 4 Rs Greening Strategy.

Like the proverbial frog that got boiled because it did not become aware of the slowly heating water, companies need to jump out of the pot so to speak and put more serious efforts in saving the environment. In the final analysis, it is all about the survival of not just a business but the human race.

Author: Regina Galang Reyes. First published in Management Systems, 2009 issue.

Photo credit: www.sxc.hu