Pollution and its effect to the environment

Geo-engineering, back-up plan for scientists

2009-11-03T12:20:00.003+07:00

As policies fails to meet standards set by scientists, the researchers and scientists are looking into climate engineering or geo-engineering as a back-up plan. Although geo-engineering is quite heard of, its utilization will be put into test if projects are to be implemented. Currently the problem with climate engineering, it is difficult to predict how the earth will react to the changes.

One thought has been researched in cooling the planet and that is using sulfate particles. This is quite common during volcanic eruptions, where sulphates are released into the atmosphere. Although there are side effects to this.

The big day: International Day of Climate Action

2009-10-24T21:24:00.005+07:00

It has finally dawned to us, the great movement to bring change. Today, October 24th 2009, could probably change mankind's future. All over the globe people are chanting the number 350. A number that will be written in history books but that the fact that this number could save our life.

What does 350 represent? This is question I have been getting from people when I first started initiating an action to mark this day. I have initiated an awareness program at American International University Bangladesh (AIUB) firstly but posting the official 350 posters on the notice boards. This will build the hype of 350. Soon after I will be organizing a workshop "350 and Climate Change! What it has to do with you?". Lets hope I can get it approved.

There are over 4000 events spread across 170 countries to show world leaders that climate change is damaging our environment and that we have to do something about it. It is still unclear if any deal with come out from the Copenhagen summit whether if there are going to be any new climate policy.

In the mean time keep yourself updated here about 350.org new actions.

http://twitter.com/350dotorg

There wont be a deal in Copenhagen- US climate envoy

2009-10-20T13:41:00.002+07:00

"Its certainly possible that there wont be a deal in Copenhagen", US climate change envoy Todd Stern told Britain's Channel Four. So what does that mean? Is the US not participating in the summit? I was expecting that with the new US administration's motto of "Change" that tackling climate change was one of its top issues. However from this statement it signifies that US are expecting this Climate talks to collapse as well.

On the other hand Britain's climate secretary,Ed Milliband said he will be going "all out" in this Copenhagen summit. He also said that a new global climate treaty is "do-able".

It is still uncertain if any outcome will come about, but it is important that a treaty be made before the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.

Maldives cabinet discusses underwater

2009-10-17T23:51:00.003+07:00

In the effort to raise enough awareness about climate change, the Maldives' cabinet have taken an underwater dive to discuss matters. This just shows the magnitude of climate change.

The discussions where done by using a whiteboard and hand signals. Each minister had a diving instructor and a military personnel. A document was signed signifying that carbon emissions to be reduced. As momentum gains on the Copenhagen summit, this is just one more to the movement.

Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change

2009-10-15T21:33:00.005+07:00

As bloggers all over the globe join in the global movement to make the stance in climate change, Blog Action Day has targeted this year to select Climate Change as this year's topic. Currently there are some 8,872 blogs registered for this movement and 148 countries involved. Also as October 24th nears , the International Day of Climate Action, this is just adds to it.

In Bangladesh, recently they initiated a project to offset climate conference emissions where all outdated brick kilns are to be replaced which will reduce 50,000 tonnes of CO2 hoping to make the COP 15 carbon neutral.

Some southern regions of Bangladesh are losing ground due to the rising sea-levels. Now according to current CO2 emissions of 400-450ppm of C02, it is expected that sea-levels would rise by 25-40m. So that would mean most of Bangladesh would be under-water. For a developing nation which highly depends on its agricultural output, rising sea-levels will reduce agricultural land to a minimum. This resulting in food crisis. As poverty is still a problem, inflation in this sector will create, one of the largest hunger nation.

Aside from the food problem, habitable land will reduce making living for over 162,221,000 people quite impossible. It is quite noticeably that weather patterns in Bangladesh have changed. Our monsoon season has shifted forward by a certain time. In fact this year 2009, our popular Kal Bohshaikh was shifted by more than 15 days. Kal Boishaikh is basically the time when the monsoon season begins which is sometime in April.

Also we hardly have any winters. The winter of 2008-2009 only lasted over a month which started late-December and ended sometime in early February. Surprisingly also before it would not rain in the winters, it would remain dry. However as I noticed it over 12 years starting from 1997 to 2009, there is a tendency of rain in the winters for the last 2 or 3 years.

For us Climate Change is already in motion, we are facing it and in the near future it will become worse. Even though our CO2 emissions are in the thousands, we still need to be prepared. As a low-lying country, floods are really not a big deal. It is kind of a norm and people are used to it. But in the near future, floods will become devastating, even for us it will be difficult. As we lack infastructure it will be very difficult to sustain regular flooding. It is estimated that it would cost $100bn to tackle climate change and most of the money will go into water protection systems but we would require more than that. As it is impossible for our country to generate that much money, we would then become highly dependent on foreign aid, thinking about it we are already dependent on foreign aid.

In order for Bangladesh to avoid from becoming like Maldives, I request all UN officials, diplomats,delegates to make the right decision. This is such a decision, that the fate of the entire world is in your hands.

Grim past of Earth's climate reveals scary message

2009-10-11T12:49:00.005+07:00

History of our Earth's climate reveals some scarier message that our current carbon emissions policies are to die for. According to a study, the current levels of carbon emissions and that of some 20 million years indicate that back then sea levels were about (25-40)m.

So if we were to keep the current CO2 emissions as a target to maintain, then we would be under (25-40)m of water. By current standards CO2 emissions are near 450ppm however countries like Maldives and the Association of Small Island States are backing for the 350ppm as a target of CO2 this December.

Also to support this 350.org has started a global campaign so that governments, head of officials bring the current emissions to 350ppm of CO2. I will be blogging about some of the activities which I will be doing to support this cause.

Bioneers Conference 2009

2009-10-08T13:03:00.004+07:00

2009 marks the 20th anniversary of this premiere sustainability "Thought Leadership" forum on environmental and social justice issues along with scientific and cultural innovations focused around positive solutions inspired by nature and human ingenuity.

Speakers include Andrew Weil, MD, Michael Pollan (Author Omnivore’s Dilemma and Co-Creator of the film Food, Inc.), Annie Leonard (Creator of The Story of Stuff), and many others. The event takes place October 16-18th at the Frank Lloyd Wright Marin Civic Center in San Rafael, California, and at 18 Satellite Beamer Locations. We’re thrilled to also be Webcasting it for the first time.

We'll be featuring these key not-to-be-missed speakers:

The conference starts this October 16 2009 to October 18 2009.

* From Small Steps to the Energy Revolution

Friday October 16, 9am-1pm, Plenary

How do we move rapidly from 1% solar and wind energy in the U.S. to 50%? To 100%? Jack Hidary, co-founder of SmartTransportation.org and chairman of Americans for CleanEnergy.org, explains what we have to do realize this necessary re-evolution.

* Rehydration Revolution

Friday October 16, 2:45-4:15

Water and carbon are two of life’s most essential elements, but managed improperly they can destroy the land. “Keyline” design is a cutting-edge system that harvests and distributes water more evenly for greater fertility, increased root growth and much higher carbon sequestration. With Brock Dolman, Occidental Arts and Ecology Center’s master permaculturalist and land management and watershed expert; and Darren Doherty, renowned Australian permaculturaist, a leading global expert of innovative “broadacre” agricultural system.

* Living Buildings; The Future of Architecture

Saturday October 17, 9am-1pm, Plenary

Jason McLennon, the leading figure in the global green architecture movement challenges us to imagine and demand buildings that operate as elegantly and efficiently as the living structures nature creates. As CEO of Cascadia Green Building Council, author of the Living Building Challenge and co-creator of Pharos (the most advanced building material rating system in North America) he shows breathtaking examples from the worldwide Challenge underway to design building that meet or exceed nature’s ecosystem services.

If your away from California then pack your bags and head for the conference. If you cant make it then keep your self updated by live telecast by dropping by this site again on the 16th.

World Habitat day: October 5th 2009

2009-10-03T00:07:00.005+07:00

The first Monday of each October has been declared as World Habitat Day. This year, the day falls on the 5th of October and Habitat for Humanity has done a great job at providing support for the homeless. They are more than 100 million people who are homeless, according to the United Nations.

What you can do to help? Habitat for humanity have given a head's up about that:

1) Advocate
2) Educate
3) Donate

Let's stand up on World Habitat Day and let it be known that affordable, adequate housing should be a priority everywhere—in our communities, in our towns, in our country, in our world.

Show your support and take action!

Climate Change expensive: $100bn per year to maintain

2009-09-30T22:33:00.001+07:00

A study by the World bank estimates that it would cost $75-$100bn to adapt to climate change per year for developing countries starting from 2010.

Major costs would come from improving coastal protection and protecting transport links. The costing is based on the assumption that temperatures rise by 2C (3.6F).In fact as the temperature rises more than 2C, so will the costing.

Free Runners takes action

2009-09-27T13:13:00.002+07:00

The popular Free Runners who leap, vault and roll have started a climate campaign urging global leaders to take action in the upcoming Copenhagen summit in December.

Global Wake-Up Call - Pictures

2009-09-22T23:10:00.003+07:00

The Global Wake-up Call consisted of 2682 events in 134 countries and Avaaz received some over 3400 photos in their Flickr account. This just shows how many people are really doing something and now its your turn to participate. There are still some 74 days for the COP-15.

Algaeus makes country tour

2009-09-22T23:03:00.003+07:00

Algaeus (Algae+ Prius) has completed a 3750 mile cross-country tour which started in San Francisco and ended in New York. A 2008 Toyota Prius, a modified plug-in hybrid had been altered to run on algae-power gasoline fuel without any modification done on the engine.

This model had an average of 147mpg PHEV( plug-in electric hybrid) mode and 52mpg highway in hybrid mode. The use of algae in fuel has been much talked as it comes from the environment being abundant , but its addition to crude oil making it Green Crude.

The Global Wake-up Call

2009-09-21T19:17:00.003+07:00

Today is the big day, the Global Wake-Up Call. Owing to the festive season of Eid-ul-Fitr I am sure most of you are busy. But those of you who are connected in Twitter follow them at Tcktcktck. I was catch-up on the action when I am back.

Eid Mubarak

2009-09-21T19:16:00.000+07:00

Eid Mubarak to all of you and best wishes!

The Scarlet, Britain’s greenest hotel

2009-09-13T23:03:00.001+07:00

The Scarlet, located at Mawgan Porth Cornwall is called a luxury eco hotel based on completely being green. You’re wondering, a green hotel, it could be boring possibly not luxurious but it looks quite luxurious.

Why is it green? Well the heating comes from a biomass boiler, using timber chips as biomass taken from a local timber firm. The pool is heated by solar panels. The power comes from Ecotricity, generating 100% wind power. So far so good. Read the full review here.

Australia top carbon emitter, pasts USA

2009-09-13T00:14:00.001+07:00

Australia has become the largest carbon emitter per person of carbon dioxide passing USA. It was evident that China was to take this position however, Australia beat them to it. It is obvious with Australia depending on coal, and coal is known for causing more carbon dioxide emissions.

Global Climate and Alternative Energy Summit

2009-09-11T01:57:00.001+07:00

Reuters.com held a Global Climate and Alternative Energy Summit from September 8-10 2009. A lot has been discussed in the summit including the upcoming COP15. Google has also proposed about there Solar Project in the summit. Other news during the summit was India’s policy to cut renewable costs, Suzlon receiving new orders of 400-500MW.

Update yourself about the summit.

What to do when your date says “Climate Change is fake”

2009-09-11T01:44:00.001+07:00

A way to prove and stand your ground. Seriously I think most people are still in denial about this. I am glad I found this. Its not only if your date says it, it could be your friends, peers, neighbors, you name it. Go through it.

Courtesy: Planetgreen

Google’s solar initiative to reduce Solar costs

2009-09-11T01:32:00.001+07:00

Google has come with the idea of custom solar technology that will hopefully reduce costs of the solar technology by 60%. As there was a lack of innovation in this field, Google decided to take this on.

They are focused on the solar thermal concept. This concept is being under development by China. It is still not sure if they will eventually go through with this but they are looking into alternatives such as gas turbine run by solar energy rather than gas.

Maldives broke – Stance against climate change weakens

2009-09-10T01:34:00.001+07:00

Maldives is the first country to face the affects of climate change quite literally with the country sinking under water every year. When ever there is a global summit about climate change, you would always notice a Maldives representative to be there. However this time, its different.

With the Copenhagen summit nearby, Maldives president will be unable to attend the summit as the country is broke. The country’s population is already termed as climate refugees, as most of them are forced to evacuate the island.

Latest update- Denmark will finance the trip of Maldives representatives.

Age of Stupid- Coming Soon

2009-09-10T00:51:00.001+07:00

Age of Stupid ,a new cinema documentary starring Oscar nominated Pete Postlethwaite as an old man living in 2055, a world devastated and watching an archive footage of 2008 and wondering why we did not stop climate change while we had the chance?

The movie focuses on climate change, oil, war politics, consumerism and human stupidity. The budget of this movie has been raised by crowd-funding and the fund-raising started on November 2004. This movie will have its Global Premiere on September 21, the Global Wake-Up Call, so start getting your tickets now.

Global Wake Up call-21st September

2009-09-10T00:07:00.001+07:00

September 21st, is going to be an interesting day. The day is a Global Wake-Up call for world leaders to understand “Climate Change.” As Copenhagen approaches, crucial climate decisions have to be taken. Tcktcktck, have come up with the Global Wake-up Call, a channel through which people can stand united about Climate Change and take action.

So far from their site, there are roughly 1,004,352 global citizens who have pledged for Climate Action and still increasing by the second. They intend to reach the 2,000,000 mark. Tcktcktck have some major partners supporting them in their cause and they are big names some are WWF, Avaaz.org, Christian Aid, GREENPEACE, Global Humanitarian Forum and so on. Get involved and add your name to the petition. A lot of countries are doing different things to start something, so add yourself and find your country and be part of this movement.

They have also started a countdown towards 7th December for the Copenhagen Summit with only 88 days left, things are heating up.

All eyes will be on New York City on September 21st, The world is ready, the time is now!

Ipods to get juiced by the Sun

2009-09-06T21:26:00.003+07:00

In the latest inventions of renewable energy, NovoThink has come up with a solution of charging your Ipods and Iphone via a skin which contains solar cells, so you basically use the Sun's energy to charge your Ipods and Iphone devices.

This brings Apple closer to protecting the environment. They have started giving estimates to customers,telling them how much carbon is used in producing each of their products and how efficiently they produce. They have also removed elements from their products that were present in their previous models.

Electrifying Highways: Alternate to batteries

2009-09-03T20:48:00.001+07:00

A question arises, it is feasible and if so is it sustainable? True that by electrifying highways, you wont need electric batteries for your car, so you save space in the car and could utilize it to increase your leg room. However just imagine the amount of electricity that has to be generated to sustain the vast number of cars on the roads especially at this present day.

Also if for some reason the electric grid fails in one sector, cars would completely stall in the middle of the road. So your going at 100mph and the electric grid fails, your engine loses power and you cant brake properly because the car’s electrics depend on electricity and in modern cars everything is electric. But I am sure there is a backup energy source in case if something was to happen.

Its sound like a good idea, but by increasing the electric consumption, there is a risk of polluting more in the process.

Himalayan Glaciers: Running away

2009-09-01T22:45:00.004+07:00

The Himalayan Glaciers, the largest water source compared to the polar ice caps, and the seven great Asian rivers, is melting fast. What makes it different from the polar ice caps, its a major source of drinking water within the regions surrounding the Himalayan. As a result, lack of fresh drinking water will pose a major health risk in the near future, and not only that, with the glaciers melting fast, raising sea levels will be some of the issues that will be faced in the near future.

As the water level declines (of course after decades), chances of drought happening is for sure, which will have a large affect to the agricultural sectors. Countries surrounding the Himalayan, China, India, Nepal as well as the people far away from this region depend on agricultural, so you get the picture as too why this is serious.