SAVE THE WORLD

Is Pandemic COVID-19 able to reduce environmental quality?

2020-04-07T06:41:00.002+07:00

COVID 19 pandemic has made people around the world worry. Although the impact of COVID-19 was so great, behind the pandemic, the side effects made the blue sky and clear water in Venice to Beijing, Los Angeles to Bangalore

Improved air quality and the global environment are an unexpected impact of the economic slowdown caused by the Corona Virus pandemic COVID-19. This virus has pushed the wheels of the global economy to almost stop when the pandemic hit the world. The number of factories closed and cars parked in the garage, causing air pollution to subside in a number of cities in the world. As in the capital city of China, Beijing, known for its toxic levels that choke the lungs, has an unusual view of the clear sky because factories in the region are stopping production.

Satellite images from the European Space Agency (ESA) show reduced levels of nitrogen dioxide, a by-product of burning fossil fuels which causes respiratory problems. The scene was seen in all major cities on the continent including Paris, Madrid, and Rome when the countries locked down and restricted travel prevented the spread of COVID-19.

The international environmental organization Greenpeace said COVID-19 had a negative impact on trade and the economy. But there are positive effects for the Earth because the industrial activity is restrained, industrial pollution is reduced, and the quality of the environment increases.

Specifically in Jakarta, work from home (WFH) policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as intense rainfall, have improved the capital's air quality. "The rain that fell in Jabodetabek also helped wash the atmosphere from pollution," said Head of the Jakarta Environment Agency, Andono Warih.

Twitter/Ryan_Nus

Based on monitoring at five Air Quality Monitoring Stations (SPKU) managed by the DKI Jakarta Environment Office, the results show improvements in air quality, especially decreasing concentrations of PM 2.5 parameters during WFH application. However, WFH is not a single factor to improve Jakarta's air quality. "This decrease is also consistent with the level of rainfall. When rainfall is high, the PM 2.5 parameter concentration shows a decrease and when the days are not raining, the PM 2.5 parameter concentration increases slightly," he said.

In addition, the wind direction also affects the pollutants of this type of PM 2.5 or fine dust particles measuring 25 micrograms / m³. AirVisual Air Quality Index (AQI) monitoring on April 2 at 20.25 WIB shows that Jakarta is ranked 33rd in the order of highly polluted cities, which means Jakarta's air quality is better than 32 other cities in the world, with the Air Quality Index ( AQI) at number 64

Source: https://www.liputan6.com

Climate change already harming the global economy

2012-10-08T14:52:00.000+07:00

Never mind what's going to happen in 2100: climate change is already shrinking the global economy.

According to the Climate Vulnerability Monitor – a report by Spanish non-profit organisation DARA – in 2010 climate change shaved 1.6 per cent off global gross domestic product. The figure was calculated by adding the harmful effects of climate change to the problems of the carbon-based economy, such as air pollution.

Previous studies, such as the 2006 Stern Review, concluded that climate change would not become a net cost for decades. But they had not considered climate's impact on productivity. As the temperature increases,people work less well. "It has been assumed that a hotter living and working environment is nothing to worry about," says Tord Kjellström of Umeå University in Sweden. "But the 5 billion people living in the hot parts of this planet are already constrained by heat."

Climate change now costs more than the emissions cuts that are needed to tackle global warming. Such cuts would cost 0.5 per cent of global GDP, whereas the cost of climate change will be 3.2 per cent of GDP by 2030. If the claims stand up, it boosts the case for urgent action, says Cameron Hepburnof the London School of Economics. "Caps on emissions should be much tighter, and carbon prices much higher, than they are now

source: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn22300-climate-change-already-harming-the-global-economy.html

How You Can Fight Global Warming at Home

2011-07-15T15:40:00.000+07:00

There are steps you can take to fight global warming in your home and car. You do not have to wait for the government or big businesses to do something about it. It is better to take the initiative and do your part.
In your home, you can begin by changing your light bulbs. You do not have to do it all at once. Every time you change a bulb, though, you can replace the old incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent. Not only does this reduce greenhouse gases, it also saves you money in the long run.

It has always been wise to seal and insulate your home, just for comfort's sake. Now, it is even more important. You can stop your home from emitting greenhouse gases and contributing to global warming by doing this. If you have any doubts about where your home needs insulation, you can hire an energy auditor to help you decide.

You can reduce global warming by simply taking care of the cooling and heating equipment in your home. You can change filters and have the equipment cleaned. Most importantly of all, when the heater or air-conditioner needs to be replaced, get an efficient model that is big enough for your dwelling.

In fact, it makes sense to buy all your appliances with energy efficiency in mind. Energy Star is a rating system that is reserved for efficient products. Buying such products will help decrease global warming.

Recycling is one of the easiest ways to help reduce global warming. Everyone can do it with little effort. You can also further the process by using products that are made from recycled materials.

You can help reduce global warming in your lawn, too. For one thing, you can use a push mower instead of a power mower. Since a push mower uses no energy but your own, this is a great savings. Even if you do use a power mower, you can still help. Use a mower that catches the grass clippings so you can mulch them.

As far as transportation, you can do so much more than buying a green car. You can drive it sensibly, with no rapid starts for instance, to help prevent global warming. If you keep your car well-maintained, it will be beneficial, too. Things like changing your oil and keeping your car tuned up can make a big difference in global warming.

Surprisingly, poorly inflated tires can lead to global warming. This happens because tires must have the proper amount of air in them for the car to reach maximum fuel efficiency. The less efficient your car is, the more it adds to global warming.

The best way to slow global warming by the way you use your car, is to make as few trips as possible. Walk when you can. When you have to drive, combine as many errands into one trip as possible.

If you fight global warming in your home and your car, you can make a difference. Some basic changes can be easily made. If everyone makes these simple changes, it can have a powerful impact on global warming.

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source: http://www.globalwarmingarticle.com/how-you-can-fight-global-warming-at-home.php

The Basics of Global Warming

2011-03-26T12:39:00.000+07:00

Scientists, celebrities, and everyday people have been trying to understand the nature of global warming. Controversy is rampant and there is intense debate around the world on the subject. Since conclusions drawn could affect you profoundly, you may want to know some basic facts about the topic of global warming.

The most obvious thing that can be said about global warming is that the earth is getting warmer. Specifically, the temperatures near the surface of the earth and the temperatures in the ocean are rising. Since 1990, there have been 10 years that have been hotter than any others in recorded history.

The greenhouse effect is said to be responsible for global warming. The greenhouse effect causes certain vapors and gases to form a sort of blanket that covers and warms the earth. Water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, and several other trace gases make up this blanket.

The greenhouse effect itself is not disputed. No controversy exists on this point because the greenhouse effect is recognized as an inherently beneficial process. If all the energy that struck the earth was reflected right back into space, no one could live on earth. This is what would happen without this blanket that is caused by acceptable levels of global warming.

However, global warming is not all good. It can cause the earth's covering to increase in density. With a denser blanket over the earth, less of the heat is reflected back into space. This upsets the delicate balance between heat and cold that is usually maintained on earth. It traps more heat inside the earth's atmosphere.

Although there are people who argue against it, there seems to be a change in the climate in recent years. Climate change to a warmer climate is the result of excessive global warming.

There has been an overall rise in temperature of a little over one degree Fahrenheit during the last century. The figure for this century is expected to be more like seven degrees. It is this type of global warming that can lead to dire consequences if left unchecked.

People, their activities, and their industries have caused global warming to reach the levels it has today. Burning fossil fuels, powering electrical plants with coal, and irresponsible land use can all contribute to global warming. Carbon dioxide is produced by these activities, and global warming is perpetuated.

Global warming could result in rising sea levels and flooding. There could be more powerful storms. Heat waves could become intense. Droughts could severely damage the world's crops and cause shortages of drinkable water. Extinction of species could become a problem because of changing habitats and the suitability of the climate for the animal.

The good news about global warming is that there are ways to slow the process down. Each person can take responsibility for doing their part in protecting the earth's environment. With everyone helping, emissions of greenhouse gases can be cut drastically. This will give the earth a chance to begin to regain its balance of temperature. Knowing about global warming can make you a better citizen of the world.

source: http://www.globalwarmingarticle.com/

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Japan Tsunami Victim Amount 18,000

2011-03-20T12:11:00.002+07:00

After the earthquake and tsunami that devastated three provincial-level regions in Japan, namely: Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate.Thousands of lives are torn in the accident.

Today, the Japanese police released the data on the number of disaster victims as much as 18,000 people, far larger than previous estimates of 10,000 inhabitants.

According to the data, as many as 7197 people confirmed dead, while another 10,905 officially listed as missing. So, until around 09,000 local time, Saturday, March 19, 2011, the death toll reached 18,102 people.

Hope of finding survivors among the debris shrink given the current cold weather hit northeastern Japan - making the area covered with snow disaster. The discovery of a young man trapped 8 days in between the rubble in Kesennuma, is a miracle.

The number of casualties caused by the earthquake and tsunami disaster far greater than the echo of 7.2 on the Richter scale which menggunjang Kobe in 1995. At that time, 6434 people were killed.

However, police believed to have pocketed the numbers will change more. Because, that's not including the number of casualties have been reported missing in the region affected by the tsunami along the coast.

Previously, as disclosed Kyodo News, the mayor of Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture on Wednesday reported that the number of citizens who lost an estimated 10,000 people. While today, the NHK news agency reported, about 10,000 people still missing in the port city of Minamisanriku in the same prefecture.

The earthquake and tsunami that rolled Japan, Friday, March 11, 2011 was the deadliest disaster since 1923 - the year it happened the Great Kanto Earthquake disaster (the Great Kanto Earthquake), which killed 142,000 people. (The Age)

Sources: VIVAnews.com (Elin Yunita Kristant)

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Live A Clean Green Life With Eco Friendly Products

2011-02-14T23:38:00.000+07:00

by: Greenn Brown

Earth has a fantastic abundance of nature that is getting depleted every day. This is primarily happening due to human influence through wastes and dangerous man made products that are detrimental to nature. With an increase of inorganic and unnatural products, your life and the nature that surrounds you is in great jeopardy. In this scenario, you can create a change in your life and take the green road that will help in making your surroundings healthier. If you wish to lead a clean and green life then there are many interesting eco friendly products out there that you can consider.

From apparels and bags to jewelry and swimwear, you can opt for eco shopping options in all these areas. One of the primary areas in which you can bring about a drastic change in your life is with the sort of clothing you sport. Man made fabrics and textures are not only harmful to the environment, they can be really bad for your skin and your health. This is where the need has arisen for green clothing that is prepared from organic and natural raw materials. Not only do they take care of your skin in the gentlest manner, they are quite attractive and original too.

If you are a person who is always updated on the fashion trends, you will be one of those people who loves to sport trendy bags. In this area too you can take the green route as there are eco fashion bags and accessories that have come around with a unique look that will appeal to one and all. In terms of alternate clothing needs for swimwear too, you can get eco friendly options. By engaging in green shopping, you can get your hands on products that are truly healthy in every possible way.

One of the primary products that are always in demand is jewelry. You can get your kind of jewelry in many stores and outlets around you but you can now get green options for your ornamental needs too. With the option of environment friendly products in jewelry, nowadays you can sport a great look without harming the environment in any way. A lot of people need to use beauty products to take care of their look, the face and the body. Chemical products can be really detrimental for your skin in the long run and disposing them will cause great environmental hazards too. This is where you can get the ideal solutions by using beauty items made from natural products.

The world is taking a turn towards the green side as mankind is beginning to witness the side effects of ignoring nature. There are many human activities that contribute steadily in the deterioration of the environment. By opting to use organic products, you can bring about a significant change and promote the benefits of these wonderful options too. Nowadays, you can get your hands on a wide range of green items in an eco friendly store. With the help of the amazing advantages offered by these green avenues, you can lead a green life that will keep you and the nature protected

The King Is Dead

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source: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/environment_and_going_green/article_1129.shtml

Solar Power to Energy – New Process

2011-01-30T05:42:00.000+07:00

by: Sam Braidley

Up to a few weeks back we knew only of a handful of processes to harness the immense sources of energy transmitted on to the earth surface. All forms of energy except perhaps nuclear energy, originated from the sun. (Sun it self is a huge nuclear reactor, come to think of it!) We have been converting this radiant energy to a form usable in a traditional application. But since time immemorial the most efficient conversion process has been photosynthesis by plant life with chlorophyll.

However much tried we have not been able so far to duplicate this seemingly simple chemical process.

However the latest news coming out from the Swiss and US solar researchers labs is that a new process has been developed which uses Water, Carbon dioxide and solar energy, to duplicate photosynthesis in a way (though not exact). As you know Hydrogen is the most efficient combustible fuel known to man but hitherto has not been able to produce or store safely and economically. Though not an exact copy of photosynthesis, the new process at least to a certain extend mimic it and provide high energy fuel of Hydrogen along with Carbon monoxide as end products.

The Hydrogen is expected to be used in fuel cells or as Syngas along with the Carbon Monoxide produced.

The device

Millions of hectares of green vegetation covering the earth’s surface is our life blood. They provide energy, clean our atmosphere, provide Oxygen for us to breath, keep the surface soil bound and many other known and unknown benefits. Our present technology is not yet competent enough to provide all these to us.

The new system that only partly mimic the natural process consists of a concentrated solar radiation collector, Porous Ceria (Cerium Oxide) lined vessel which is insulated with Alumina ( ie. the simple salt aluminium oxide), an inlet to the vessel interior for Carbon dioxide and water and an outlet at the bottom for hi efficiency fuels Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide. The metal oxide Ceria is a rare earth element but is about the commonest in nature in the series.

The Process

Metal Oxide Ceria is a salt with a peculiar property. It imbibes oxygen when it’s temperature rises and releases oxygen when cools down. What the new device does is that it absorbs the heat from the concentrated solar radiation which passes through the quartz cover of the device. Porous ceria lines the inner surface of the chamber to which CO2 and Water is entered. The end products are Hydrogen and Carbon monoxide, both efficient fuels.

Currently the problem with Photovoltaic Solar panels and Thermal Solar panels is that they are static and the collected energy is difficult to transport or stored enmasse. The high efficient fuels of the new process earmarked for future environmentally friendly automobiles, air craft, industrial processes etc. provide ways to store them close by outdoors as well as within the place/machine of usage.

Just like for any volatile fuel or chemical these high energy fuels too will have to be stored or transported with extreme caution and due safety measures observed.

It is expected that the new device will provide solutions for many a current problem experienced with renewable energy usages. The major draw back presently is the low efficiency of the device. Swiss and US Scientists who are involved in this invention expect to have a break through in this regard soon.

Interestingly this machine can also be used to produce Methane too, another fuel whose energy content is less and easily adopted for domestic energy applications.

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http://www.articlecity.com/articles/environment_and_going_green/article_1033.shtml

Global Warming

2011-01-17T20:11:00.001+07:00

by Picofly

Climate change... Global warming call it any name. Am meant to understand that climate is changing rapidly in all the continents due to the effects of Global Warming. One of the encroached continents by this pandemic is Africa my motherland. So what''s next? In a recent Conference on Climate Changes and Global Warming in Kenya that went ahead, nations are trying find and sort out this rapid and malicious pandemic that might leave thousands and thousands of communities hopeless and homeless. Recently there have been persistent droughts and heavy rains causing floods and deadly menace in African countries that have left many communities in despair and lots of problems. Some have lost close relatives, friends and millions of properties due to the repercussions of these climatic changes. There are solutions in hand right now to drastically cut global warming pollution. Act now -- put clean, innovative energy technologies to use, and enact policies to encourage their rapid, widespread adoption -- and we can stop global warming in its tracks. Instead of nearly doubling U.S. global warming pollution by 2050, we can cut it by more than half using today''s technology. And with the proper incentives in place, even more innovative solutions will emerge along the way, leading to even bigger reductions. These measures such as boosting efficiency energy, use of better cars and smart growth, use of bio fuels and renewal energy as well as returning carbon to the ground are promising measures that would save our globe.

My friends is there hope for AFRICA? Moreover, is there hope for the entire GLOBE? Hope nations plus the whole communities in the entire globe came up with policies and framework on the implementation of these policies to safeguard our people and the nations at large. It''s time for all of us as nations be united to fight this pandemic for this would make our GLOBE a better place for all of us to live in. to get more on this topic please browse on the links below.

sources: www.shvoong.com

LAVA FLOOD OF MERAPI IN CENTRAL JAVA INDONESIA

2011-01-15T14:45:00.000+07:00

After the eruption of Merapi Mountain new threats appear to subside now that the cold lava flood is threatening the population along the river through which the cold lava merapi

Largest cold lava flood through river of Kali putih, Jumoyo Village, Magelang Central Java, causing chaotic activity of citizens. Hundreds of residents in seven villages in the vicinity of the cold lava flood difficulty to perform their daily activities. That vilage are Gempol, Ngipik, Randukuning , Gebayan, Sabrangkali and Tegalsari Seloiring.

Some public facilities damaged in the form of school. Way too much cold lava submerged material in the form of boulders and sand.

The majority of shops located along street of Magelang-Yogyakarta choose close. As a result, citizens of difficulty in obtaining basic need.

Loss of three bridges in 3 villages, namely Cirahan Hamlet, Hamlet and Hamlet Cibayan Sabrangkali, also makes the residents can not get out of the house.

166 Villager Life residents Ngipik in a radius of 10 km from Bridge of Kali Putih also felt very worried because of the accident. Lava flood is estimated to have expanded and turned the river of kali putih. Even the voice sounded jarring cold lava flood in the village.

Last night a cold lava flood overflowed into street of Magelang-Yogyakarta, 3 meters high and 500 meters further along. Conditions Highway of Magelang-Yogyakarta is devastated. Road section was still closed

Integrated Micro-hydro Development and Application Program (IMIDAP)

2010-09-23T14:38:00.000+07:00

Indonesia is endowed with large hydro potentials of up to an estimated 62.2 GW, which includes micro-hydro energy of 458 MW. Most of these energy resources are located in remote regions of the country. This is one of the reasons why only 4% of the potentials have so far been utilized. However, with the support from Global Environmental Facility (GEF), IMIDAP sees this as a potential solution to answer Indonesia’s rural electrification challenge. Today, nearly 40% of Indonesian households remain un-electrified. A good proportion of these households live in rural regions endowed with microhydro potentials.

IMIDAP is a comprehensive package of capacity development designed to assist the Government of Indonesia to achieve the following objectives:

1. Increase the microhydro business opportunities for local SMEs.
2. Implement a number of community-based microhydro projects in rural Indonesia.
3. Increase private sector and rural community join project implementation.

In short, the main activities the project undertakes include provision of a wide range of capacity buildings which among others include technical trainings as well as business plandevelopment for local microhydro developers, workshops and private or community-based users. The project however, doesnot cover investments and financing for building microhydroinfrastructures. Thus it is constantly searching new partners to find synergy in this respect.

See more detail at: http://undp.or.id/factsheets/2009/ENV/Microhydro.pdf

Be Aware Of The Human Causes Of Global Warming

2010-03-03T21:11:00.002+07:00

By Ajith Guptha

Global warming is a serious condition that affects our planet. It is important to be aware of the human causes of global warming in order to prevent additional global warming from occurring. While humans contribute a lot to global warming there are also natural ways in which global warming occurs. For these types of situations there is little that can be done to stop the global warming which may occur.

Humans on the other hand have the opportunity to curb a number of the activities which can contribute to an increase in global warming. By simply limiting these activities, or reinventing how they are done, the planet can remain a healthier place for everyone to live.

Different Ways Humans Can Cause Global Warming

Think about all of the products in the world that are made out of nylon. The process to make nylon involves nitrous oxide which is extremely harmful to the environment. When this substance is released into the atmosphere the rays from the sun kick start a reaction. This reaction contributes to a problem called the green house effect which ultimately results in the global warming of the planet and is a great example of a human cause of global warming.

Humans cause

global warming to occur just by simply being alive. Every breath we exhale contains carbon dioxide. This gas is one of the most harmful to our atmosphere and as the amount of carbon dioxide collects our planet begins to warm. This is not something that happens overnight but slowly over a large amount of time. There is little we can do prevent this from occurring either.

Consider all of the different ways in which we use coal. We burn coal to power factories and to provide heat. It is generally a cheap alternative compared with other fossil fuels that are used in similar ways. The unfortunate downfall of using coal is that it releases a great deal of toxins into our environment. In fact it is a leading cause of global warming by CO2. Today many industries are trying to overcome this pollution issue by creating cleaner ways to burn the coal. Until the process is further refined, coal will continue to contribute to global warming.

As more and more people populate the earth each year the number of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane that is released into the environment grows. As this happens the process of global warming is amplified. Simply being aware of the numerous things that can cause global warming is a great way to help people modify behaviors which harm the atmosphere.

source: http://www.healtharticles-lk.com

MANGROVE MANAGEMENT

2009-08-07T15:23:00.000+07:00

MANGROVE MANAGEMENT AS COASTAL AREA PROTECTOR WITH CO-MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS HIERARCY PROCES (AHP) APPROACH

IN PEMALANG REGENCY, CENTRAL JAVA - INDONESIA

Himawan Arif Sutanto¹⁾ dan Indah Susilowati²⁾

¹⁾STIE Bank BPD Jateng, Semarang, Email: himawanmiesp@gmail.com

²⁾FE UNDIP Semarang, Email: indah-susilowati@ro cketmail.com

ABSTRACT

Mangrove as a component of coastal ecosystems that role is quite important, both in maintaining productivity in coastal waters and in maximizing the life of the population in the region. This research is aim to analyse mangrove management in Pemalang regency as the coastal area protector and priority that need to be implemented in good management. The quota sampling used to obtained the number of samples in this research. There are 132 people has participated as the responders consisted of 100 head of household and 32 key-persons. Co-management approach has been applied to determine the sharing of responsibility in mangrove management and Analysis Hierarchy Process (AHP) applied to determine priority in good management of mangrove.

The results of this study indicated that most of people living at coastal area in Pemalang regency is a fishpond farmer which can affect in decreasing environmental in coastal area if it is not managed in correct. The community involvement of mangrove management still less although has been formed care coastal area group but still relying on project from the Government either National and Local. Execution prospect of co-management in mangrove management of Pemalang regency is fairly good. It is indicated by the existence of fisher groups and the existence support from government and by international NGO such as OISCA (Japan) and Wet Land (Dutch).

There are three main priorities of mangrove management that need to be applied; (1) mangrove replanting to rehabilitate function of mangrove properly; (2) extends mangrove coverage, especially in the coastal area; (3) increase community economics can do activity expansion of fish conducting with conservation effort of mangrove or Silvofishery

Keyword: Co-management, Analysis Hierarchy Process, AHP, Mangrove, Pemalang, Coastal Area, Indonesia

27 Provinces' Environments in Crisis

2009-04-04T16:14:00.002+07:00

Of 33 provinces, there are around 27 provinces which are in poor condition.

by

Elin Yunita Kristanti, Aries Setiawan

VIVAnews - The environmental condition in Indonesia is getting worse. According to Communication Deputy for the Environment and Human Empowerment at the Ministry of the Environment, Hendri Bastaman, every year, the environmental condition is degrading.

"Of 33 provinces, there are around 27 provinces which are in poor condition due to, among others, landslide and and flood. We must seek the solution," he said on Wednesday, March 25.

According to Bastaman, several areas have suffered from terrible damage because of, for example, extreme weather change. "The nature could probably still support, but massive exploitation causes disaster," he added.

In February 2009, the overflown Bengawan Solo river flooded four regencies in East Java. The flood claimed the lives of 16 and inundated thousands of homes and buildings.

The damage in upstream areas caused water debit to increase, causing a dam to wrack.

Not only disaster, the environmental damage has also triggered conflict between humans and animals, especially concerning Sumatran tigers. Six people had been killed by the tigers, whereas the big cats were killed by angry mob.

A number of cases on tigers moving out of the forest has been considered as a nature's alert on environmental damage in the forest. The damage can be inflicted by forest exploitation, illegal logging, forest and land burning.

--

Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman
source:www.en.vivanews.com

Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Indonesia Makin Down

2009-04-01T22:22:00.001+07:00

Sri Mulyani (Menkeu RI)

JAKARTA - Menteri Keuangan Sri Mulyani memastikan pertumbuhan ekonomi Indonesia terancam direvisi kembali atau berada di bawah dari target sebelumnya.

"Secara nyata, dampak dari krisis pertumbuhan ekonomi Indonesia semakin down. Dan ini akibat faktor eksternal," kata Menkeu Sri Mulyani di Gedung Depkeu, Jalan Lapangan Banteng, Jakarta, Senin (16/3/2009).

Namun sayangnya, dia belum mau menyebutkan angkanya, dengan pertimbangan masih ada harapan jika ekonomi Indonesia masih bisa bertahan dari target revisi yang nantinya akan ditetapkan.

Hal tersebut disampaikannya menyinggung tentang dampak bagi Indonesia terhadap prediksi lembaga IMF yang menjelaskan bahwa pertumbuhan ekonomi dunia kembali mengalami penurunan tajam menjadi minus 0,5 persen sampai minus satu persen dari sebelumnya 0,5-0 persen.

source: www.okezone.com

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Climate Change in Indonesia

2009-03-16T16:13:00.002+07:00

The devastating impact of global warming is already evident in Indonesia and will likely worsen due to further human-induced climate change, warns WWF.

The review from the global conservation organization, Climate Change in Indonesia – Implications for Humans and Nature, highlights that annual rainfall in the world’s fourth most populous nation is already down by 2 to 3 per cent, and the seasons are changing.

The combination of high population density and high levels of biodiversity, together with a staggering 80,000 kilometres of coastline and 17,500 islands, makes Indonesia one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change.

Indonesian deforestation Cleaning forest fire for palm oil plantation (Slash & Burn) Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Indonesia is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases due to deforestation and land-use change. (Credit: Copyright WWF-Canon / Alain Compost)

Shifting weather patterns have made it increasingly difficult for Indonesian farmers to decide when to plant their crops, and erratic droughts and rainfall has led to crop failures. A recent study by a local research institute said that Indonesia had lost 300,000 tonnes of crop production every year between 1992-2000, three times the annual loss in the previous decade.

Climate change in Indonesia means millions of fishermen are also facing harsher weather conditions, while dwindling fish stocks affect their income. Indonesia's 40 million poor, including farmers and fishermen, will be the worst affected due to threats including rising sea levels, prolonged droughts and tropical cyclones, the report said.

“As rainfall decreases during critical times of the year this translates into higher drought risk, consequently a decrease in crop yields, economic instability and drastically more undernourished people,” says Fitrian Ardiansyah, Director of WWF-Indonesia’s Climate and Energy Programme. “This will undo Indonesia’s progress against poverty and food insecurity.”

WWF’s review shows that increased rainfall during already wet times of the year may lead to high flood risk, such as the Jakarta flood of February this year that killed more than 65 people and displaced nearly half a million people, with economic losses of US$450 million.

Climate change impacts are noticeable throughout the Asia-Pacific region. More frequent and severe heat waves, floods, extreme weather events and prolonged droughts will continue to lead to increased injury, illness and death. Continued warming temperatures will also increase the number of malaria and dengue fever cases and lead to an increase in other infectious diseases as a result of poor nutrition due to food production disruption.

“The Indonesian government must take its role seriously and lead the way in the fight against global climate change,” says Mubariq Ahmed, Executive Director and CEO of WWF-Indonesia. “Indonesia has to take up the challenge of climate change, putting climate adaption into the development agenda, promoting sustainable land use, as well as demanding support from industrialized nations.”

Indonesia is already a significant emitter of greenhouse gases due to deforestation and land-use change, estimated at 2 million hectares per year and accounts for 85 per cent of the country’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a serious coal producer and user in the region.

“The government of Indonesia knows how important action against climate change is for their own country and people, and it has put a lot of work into steering the Bali negotiations,” says Hans Verolme, Director of WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme.

No one can escape from climate change in Indonesia. But the effects will be felt more acutely by the poorest people, who are living in the most marginal areas that are vulnerable to drought, for example, or to floods and landslide. Developed countries are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions which cause global warming, said United Nations Development Programme’s Country Director Hakan Bjorkman. "The poor walk the earth with very light carbon footprint," Bjorkman said, but "they are set to suffer the most from the actions of a few."

Material sourced from: World Wildlife Fund (2007, December 3). Indonesia At Risk: Climate Change Threatens People And Nature. ScienceDaily.

Reuters (2007, November 28) Indonesia Losing Crops, Fish Stocks to Global Warming, Planet Ark.
http://www.global-greenhouse-warming.com

Indonesia at risk: Climate change threatens people and nature

2009-02-25T17:36:00.002+07:00

Jakarta, Indonesia – The devastating impact of global warming is already evident in Indonesia and will likely worsen due to further human-induced climate change, warns WWF.

The review from the global conservation organization, Climate Change in Indonesia – Implications for Humans and Nature, highlights that annual rainfall in the world’s fourth most populous nation is already down by 2 to 3 per cent, and the seasons are changing.

The combination of high population density and high levels of biodiversity, together with a staggering 80,000 kilometres of coastline and 17,500 islands, makes Indonesia one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change.

“As rainfall decreases during critical times of the year this translates into higher drought risk, consequently a decrease in crop yields, economic instability and drastically more undernourished people,” says Fitrian Ardiansyah, Director of WWF-Indonesia’s Climate and Energy Programme.

“This will undo Indonesia’s progress against poverty and food insecurity.”

WWF’s review shows that increased rainfall during already wet times of the year may lead to high flood risk, such as the Jakarta flood of February this year that killed more than 65 people and displaced nearly half a million people, with economic losses of US$450 million.

Climate change impacts are noticeable throughout the Asia-Pacific region. More frequent and severe heat waves, floods, extreme weather events and prolonged droughts will continue to lead to increased injury, illness and death. Continued warming temperatures will also increase the number of malaria and dengue fever cases and lead to an increase in other infectious diseases as a result of poor nutrition due to food production disruption.

“The Indonesian government must take its role seriously and lead the way in the fight against global climate change,” says Mubariq Ahmed, Executive Director and CEO of WWF-Indonesia.

“Indonesia has to take up the challenge of climate change, putting climate adaption into the development agenda, promoting sustainable land use, as well as demanding support from industrialized nations.”

Indonesia is already a significant emitter of greenhouse gases due to deforestation and land-use change, estimated at 2 million hectares per year and accounts for 85 per cent of the country’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a serious coal producer and user in the region.

“The government of Indonesia knows how important action against climate change is for their own country and people, and it has put a lot of work into steering the Bali negotiations,” says Hans Verolme, Director of WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme.

“The UN’s Climate Summit on the island paradise of Bali is no walk on the beach. Ministers from 190 countries must get down to some serious work and agree to drastic cuts in CO2 emissions post-2012.”

Source:http://www.panda.org

For further information:
Brian Thomson, Press Officer
WWF International
Tel: +41 22 364 9562
E-mail: bthomson@wwfint.org

Martin Hiller, Communications Manager
WWF Global Climate Change Programme
Tel: +41 22 364 9019
E-mail: mhiller@wwfint.org

Verena Puspawardani, Communications Manager
WWF-Indonesia
E-mail: vpuspawardani@wwf.or.id

Climate Change Glossary

2009-02-25T17:30:00.003+07:00

Bahasa Indonesia (by Div Perubahan Iklim Men LH)
Source:http://climatechange.menlh.go.id

Aforestrasi
Konversi lahan bukan hutan menjadi lahan hutan melalui kegiatan penanaman (biasa disebut penghijauan) dengan menggunakan jenis tanaman (species) asli (native) atau dari luar (introduce). Menurut Marrakech Accord (2001) kegiatan penghijauan tersebut dilakukan pada kawasan yang 50 tahun sebelumnya bukan merupakan hutan.

Akumulasi
Terkumpulnya suatu zat tertentu menjadi satu kesatuan dalam kurun waktu tertentu.

Atmosfer
Lapisan udara yang menyelimuti planet bumi. Atmosfer terdiri dari nitrogen (79,1%), oksigen (20,9%), karbondioksida (60.03%) dan beberapa gas mulia (argon, helium, xenon, dan lain-lain), ditambah dengan uap air, ammonia, zat-zat organik, ozon, berbagai garam-garaman, dan partikel padat tersuspensi. Atmosfir bumi terdiri dari berbagai lapisan, yaitu berturut-turut dari bawah ke atas adalah troposfer, stratosfer, mesosfer, dan termosfer.

Bahan Bakar Fosil
Bahan bakar yang terbentuk dari fosil-fosil tumbuhan dan hewan di masa lampau. Contonya adalah minyak bumi, gas alam, dan batu bara. BBF tergolong bahan bakar yang tidak terbarukan.

Biogas
Gas yang dihasilkan dari proses fermentasi mikroorganisme, biasanya dihasilkan dari bahan baku sampah organisk ataupun dari sisa pencernaan (kotoran) mahluk hidup. Unsur utama biogas adalah gas metana.

Biomassa
Total berat kering (dry weigth) satu spesies atau semua spesies mahluk hidup dalam suatu daerah yang diukur pada waktu tertentu. Ada dua jenis biomassa, yaitu biomasa tanaman dan biomassa binatang.

BOE
Barrel Oil Equivalent, 6.000 cubic feet, faktor yang digunakan untuk mengkonversi volume dari hidrokarbon yang diproduksi

CH4
Gas Metana, salah satu dari 6 Gas Rumah Kaca (GRK) yang memiliki GWP sekitar 25 kali CO2. Gas ini banyak dihasilkan dari dekomposisi bahan organik secara naaerobik, misalnya sawah, penimbunan sampah organik dan kotoran mahluk hidup.

CO2
Karbondioksida, salah satu dari GRK yang utama dan dijadikan referensi GRK yang lain dalam menentukan Indek GWP-nya =1. GRK ini banyak dihasilkan dari pembakaran BBF, biomassa dan alih guna lahan.

COP
Conference of Parties, konferensi para pihak (negara-negara) penandatangan konvensi PBB, dalam hal ini konvensi perubahan iklim (UNFCCC).

COP/MOP
Conference of Parties Serving as Meeting of Parties, Konvensi para pihak konvensi Perubahan Iklim yang merupakan pertemuan para pihak Protokol.

Deforestasi
Penebangan hutan atau konvensi lahan hutan menjadi lahan tidak berhutan secara permanen

El Nino/ENSO (El Nino-Southern Oscillation)
Peristiwa meningkatnya suhu muka air laut disebelah timur hingga tengah Samudra Pasifik. Peristiwa ini terjadi pada akhir tahun setiap 2-13 tahun sekali dan berlangsung selama 12-18 bulan.

Emisi
Zat yang dilepaskan ke atmosfer yang bersifat sebagai pencemar udara

ET
Emission Trading, mekanisme perdagangan emisi antar negara maju untuk menghasilkan AAU (Assigned Amount Unit), satuan penurunan emisi GRK.

GRK
Gas Rumah Kaca, Adalah gas-gas di atmosfer yang dihasilkan dari berbagai kegiatan manusia. Gas ini berkemampuan untuk menyerap radiasi matahari di atmosfer sehingga menyebabkan suhu di permukaan bumi menjadi lebih hangat.

GWP
Global Warming Potential, index potensi pemanasan global, yaitu index yang menggunakan CO2 sebagai tolok ukur.

Gigaton
109 ton, unit yang sering digunakan untuk menyatakan jumlah karbon atau karbondioksida di atmosfer.

Gletser
Lapisan es yang besar yang bergerak di lereng gunung atau daratan karena adanya gaya gravitasi. Gletser biasanya bergerak sangat lambat, dari 10-1000m per tahun.

HFCS
Hidrofluorokarbon, salah satu dari enam GRK yang diperhitungkan dalam pasal 3 Protokol Kyoto.

HPH
Hak Pengusahaan Hutan, Izin yang dikeluarkan untuk kegiatan pengelolaan hutan dengan sistem Tebang Pili Tanaman Indonesia (TPTI) di kawasan hutan-hutan alam produksi selama periode tertentu, umumnya 20 tahun, dan dapat diperbaruhi lagi untuk satu periode selanjutnya, yaitu selama 20 tahun lagi.

HTI
Hutan Tanaman Industri adalah program penanaman lahan hutan tidak produktif dengan tanaman-tanamanan industri seperti kayu jati dan mahoni guna memasok kebutuhan serat kayu (dan kayu pertukangan) untuk pihak industri.

IPCC
Interngovernmental Panel on Climate Change adalah suatu panel ilmiah yang terdiri dari para ilmuwan dari seluruh dunia. Panel ini bertugas untuk mengkaji atau meneliti senua aspek dari masalah perubahan iklim.

INC
Interngovernmental Negotiating Commitee, panitia yang dibentuk PBB untuk melakukan negosiasi dalam rangka mempersiapkan penyusunan Kerangka Kerja Konvensi Perubahan Iklim PBB atu UNFCCC.

JI
Joint Implementation adlah sebuah mekanisme penurunan emisi GRK yang dapat dilakukan oleh antar negara maju untuk menghasilkan ERU (Emission Reduction Unit), suatu penurunan emisi GRK.

Keanekaragaman Hayati (Biological Diversity atau Biodiversity)
Keanekaragaman mahluk hidup dan hal-hal yang berhubungan dengan ekologinya, dimana mahluk hidup tersebut terdapat. Keanekaragaman Hayati mencakup keaneragaman genetik, species dan ekosistem.

LULUCF
Land-use, Land-use Change and Forestry adalah kegiatan yang berkaitan dengan penggunaan dan perubahan tata guna lahan serta kehutanan yang berpengaruh langsung terhadap emisi GRK karena adanya pelepasan dan penyerapan karbon, seperti dalam hal penebangan dan kebakaran hutan

Reforestasi
Umumnya berarti penanaman kembali pada lahan hutan yang rusak. Menurut Marrakech Accord (2001), kegiatan penanaman kembali ini dilakukan pada hutan yang telah rusak sdebelum 31 Desember 1989.

Salinitas
Kemasinan atau kadar garam yang terdapat dalam sebuah larutan.

Simpanan Karbon
Banyaknya kandungan karbon yang ada di pohon pada suatu areal hutan. Asumsinya pohon menyerap dan menyimpan CO2

TSCF
Terra Standart Cubic Feet = 1012 SCF (Standart Cubic Foot)

Vegetasi
Tumbuh-tumbuhan pada suatu area yang terkait sebagai suatu komunitas tetapi tidak secara taksonomi. Atau jumlah tumbuhan yang meliputi wilayah tertentu atau di atas bumi secara menyeluruh.

UNFCCC
United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change adalah Konvensi PBB tentang perbahan iklim yang bertujuan untuk menstabilkan konsentrasi GRK sehingga tidak membahayakan sistem iklim bumi. Konvensi ini sudah diratifikasi oleh Indonesia melalui UU No.6/1994

UNEP
United Nation Environment Programme adalah sebuah badan PBB yang berwenang untuk meningkatkan kepedulian masyarakat dan negara anggota PBB akan masalah-masalah lingkungan.

WMO
World Meteorogical Organization adalah suatu badan organisasi dunia yang bergerak di bidang meteorologi

New nano coating boosts solar efficiency

2008-11-13T13:05:00.002+07:00

By Matthew Knight For CNN

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Researchers have developed a new anti-reflective coating that boosts the efficiency of solar panels and allows sunlight to be absorbed from almost any angle.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers say they've made advances in absorption of sunlight.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers say they've made advances in absorption of sunlight.

Scientists from the Future Chips Constellation (FCC) at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York have created the coating using nanotechnology -- engineering devices on a molecular scale.

They are hopeful that it can transform the solar energy market in the coming years.

A typical untreated silicon solar cell absorbs just over two thirds of the sunlight it receives. But with the FCC's nanoengineered coating, that figure rises to 96.21 percent.

In their paper: "Realization of a near perfect antireflection coating for silicon solar energy utilization," published in the scientific journal Optics Letters, researchers report that gains in absorption were consistent across the entire spectrum of sunlight -- ultraviolet, visible light, and infrared.

"To get maximum efficiency when converting solar power into electricity, you want a solar panel that can absorb nearly every single photon of light, regardless of the sun's position in the sky," said Rensselaer physics professor Shawn-Yu Lin, and head of the FCC research team. "Our new anti-reflective coating makes this possible."
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Comprising of seven tiny layers, each 50 to 100 nanometers in height, the coating is made of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide nanorods positioned at an oblique angle.

The FCC team found that stacking the coatings one on top of another enhanced the anti-reflective properties of each layer. Having a series of layers also helps to "bend" the flow of sunlight which assists in capturing light that would otherwise be reflected off.

Lin, an expert in nanostructure photonics and a pioneer in the field of photonic crystals, says that the new coating could be applied to just about any photovoltaic material.

Conventional solar technology has thus far dictated that solar panels be mounted on south-facing roofs, or in locations where the sun source is unrestricted and strong. But this new coating could change all this.

It would also mean that large scale solar farms, like the giant array in Alentejo, Portugal, could increase their output while saving on energy used to track the sun.

"The anti-reflective coating requires multi-layer coatings which are slightly more complex than the typical single-layer ones," Lin told CNN. "However, the thickness of each individual layer does not need to be precise. This makes manufacturing easier."

Lin is currently exploring partnerships and licensing arrangements, and estimates the product could be on the market as soon as the next two to three years.

"The economics of modern day solar cells depends largely on the thickness of the substrate (500 - 1000 micrometers) and the processing cost for making the junctions. Our coating has a thickness of 0.7 to 1 micrometer. The additional cost for incorporating our antireflective coating should not exceed two to four percent of that for existing solar cells," Lin said.

The only downside that Lin and his team have found so far is that the nanorods can be fragile. Future research will focus on protecting them better and investigating the use of a thin porous film to make them more robust.

In response to the paper's publication, Professor Darren Bagnall from the Nanoscale Systems Integration Group at the UK's University of Southampton told CNN, "It's a really impressive surface, and to get down to reflectivity from all angles of 3.5 percent is pretty impressive. But it's really only going to deliver maybe four or five percent more power from the solar cell."

Bagnall is himself trying to nanoengineer surfaces for solar cells by mimicking the surface of moth eyes, which possess excellent antireflective surfaces.

He says that the FCC paper is only talking about the amount of light that's transmitted to the device, not the efficiency of the device itself. "Reflection is a relatively small part of the problem," he said.

Jeremy Leggett, founder of Solar Century, a leading UK solar-energy company, also gave a cautious welcome to the new research.

"I've seen this before from other university research groups and there is a world of difference between nice results in the lab and commercially viable products," Leggett said. "But at some point one of them is going to work."

Leggett believes that the future is already very bright for the solar industry. He says that $150 billion was invested in renewable energy last year, with $28 billion of that going to photovoltaics.

"With the current efficiencies, we are one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Solar is the fastest growing clean technology with existing technology. Any other increases in efficiency are going to be the icing on a very nice cake."

source: www.CNN.com

Millennium Development Goals

2008-11-03T17:08:00.002+07:00

In September 2000 Heads of State from all over the world, including the President of Indonesia, gathered at the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York and signed the Millennium Declaration. They thereby reaffirmed the commitment of their nations and the international community to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, a set of measurable objectives for development and poverty eradication.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) essentially embody the international commitments made at the United Nations World Summits and global conferences throughout the 1990s. By signing the Millennium Declaration world leaders pledged to halve the proportion of people suffering from hunger, ensure that all children can complete primary education, eliminate gender disparity at all levels of education, reduce under-five and infant mortality rates by two thirds, and halve the proportion of people without access to improved water sources by 2015.

As a follow-up to the commitments made in the Millennium Summit, each signatory country is expected to prepare a Millennium Development Goals Report. The Government of Indonesia, under the leadership of the national planning agency and with technical support from a UN Task Force, has completed the first MDG Report. It was drafted in Indonesian and later translated into English, reflecting the Government's strong sense of ownership of the report. The preparation process involved active participation of, and extensive consultations among, key ministries responsible for implementing policies and programmes directed towards the realization of the MDGs.

The report represents the Government's initial attempt to take stock of the country's human development situation relating to the MDG targets, measure and analyze progress towards their realization, and identify and review policies and programmes required to meet the targets. With reference to the goal of halving the proportion of people whose income is below the national poverty line between 1990 and 2015, the Report shows that Indonesia is on track towards attaining that goal. However, prospects across provinces are uneven.

Apart from enhancing awareness, understanding and appreciation of the MDGs by the Indonesian public, the report could be used as an advocacy tool by national and local parliaments, CSOs and the media in promoting policies, programmes and resource allocation decisions to realize the MDG targets.

Source:http://www.undp.or.id

The impact of global warming in Asia

2008-10-28T15:45:00.000+07:00

The Asian region spans polar, temperate, and tropical climates and is home to over 3 billion people. As the climate warms, many mountain glaciers may disappear, permafrost will thaw, and the northern forests are likely to shift further north. Rapid population growth and development in countries like China and India will put additional pressures on natural ecosystems and will lead to a rapid rise in the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere unless steps are taken to curtail emissions.

Fingerprints

1. Llasa, Tibet -- Warmest June on record, 1998. Temperatures hovered above 77�F for 23 days.

59. Garhwal Himalayas, India -- Glacial retreat at record pace. The Dokriani Barnak Glacier retreated 66 ft (20.1 m) in 1998 despite a severe winter. The Gangorti Glacier is retreating 98 ft (30 m) per year. At this rate scientists predict the loss of all central and eastern Himalayan glaciers by 2035.

62. Tien Shan Mountains, China -- Glacial ice reduced by one quarter in the past 40 years.

90. Southern India - Heat wave, May 2002. In the state of Andhra Pradesh temperatures rose to 120�F, resulting in the highest one-week death toll on record. This heat wave came in the context of a long-term warming trend in Asia in general. India, including southern India, has experienced a warming trend at a rate of 1�F (0.6�C) per century.

91. Nepal - High rate of temperature rise. Since the mid-1970s the average air temperature measured at 49 stations has risen by 1.8�F (1�C), with high elevation sites warming the most. This is twice as fast as the 1�F (0.6�C) average warming for the mid-latitudinal Northern Hemisphere (24 to 40�N) over the same time period, and illustrates the high sensitivity of mountain regions to climate change.

93. Taiwan - Average temperature increase. The average temperature for the island has risen 1.8-2.5�F (1-1.4�C) in the last 100 years. The average temperature for 2000 was the warmest on record.

94. Afghanistan - 2001 - Warmest winter on record. Arid Central Asia, which includes Afghanistan, experienced a warming of 0.8-3.6�F (1-2�C) during the 20th century.

95. Tibet - Warmest decade in 1,000 years. Ice core records from the Dasuopu Glacier indicate that the last decade and last 50 years have been the warmest in 1,000 years. Meteorological records for the Tibetan Plateau show that annual temperatures increased 0.4�F (0.16�C) per decade and winter temperatures increased 0.6�F (0.32�C) per decade from 1955 to 1996.

96. Mongolia - Warmest century of the past millennium. A 1,738-year tree-ring record from remote alpine forests in the Tarvagatay Mountains indicates that 20th century temperatures in this region are the warmest of the last millennium. Tree growth during 1980-1999 was the highest of any 20-year period on record, and 8 of the 10 highest growth years occurred since 1950. The 20th century warming has been observed in tree-ring reconstructions of temperature from widespread regions of Eurasia, including sites in the Polar Urals, Yakutia, and the Taymir Peninsula, Russia. The average annual temperature in Mongolia has increased by about 1.3�F (0.7�C) over the past 50 years.

119. Chokoria Sundarbans, Bangladesh - Flooded mangroves. Rising ocean levels have flooded about 18,500 acres (7,500 hectares) of mangrove forest during the past three decades. Global sea-level rise is aggravated by substantial deltaic subsidence in the area with rates as high as 5.5 mm/year.

120. China - Rising waters and temperature. The average rate of sea-level rise was 0.09 +/- 0.04 inches (2.3 +/- 0.9 mm) per year over the last 30 years. Global sea-level rise was aggravated locally by subsidence of up to 2 inches (5 cm) per year for some regions due to earthquakes and groundwater withdrawal. Also, ocean temperatures off the China coast have risen in the last 100 years, especially since the 1960s.

126. Bhutan - Melting glaciers swelling lakes. As Himalayan glaciers melt glacial lakes are swelling and in danger of catastrophic flooding. Average glacial retreat in Bhutan is 100-130 feet (30-40 m) per year. Temperatures in the high Himalayas have risen 1.8�F (1�C) since the mid 1970s.

127. India - Himalayan glaciers retreating. Glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating at an average rate of 50 feet (15 m) per year, consistent with the rapid warming recorded at Himalayan climate stations since the 1970s. Winter stream flow for the Baspa glacier basin has increased 75% since 1966 and local winter temperatures have warmed, suggesting increased glacier melting in winter.

130. Mt. Everest - Retreating glacier.The Khumbu Glacier, popular climbing route to the summit of Mt. Everest, has retreated over 3 miles (5 km) since 1953. The Himalayan region overall has warmed by about 1.8�F (1�C) since the 1970s.

131. Kyrgyzstan - Disappearing glaciers. During 1959-1988, 1,081 glaciers in the Pamir-Altai disappeared. Temperatures in the mountains of Kyrgyztan have increased by 0.9-2.7� F (0.5-1.5�C) since the 1950s.

142. Siberia - Melting permafrost. Large expanses of tundra permafrost are melting. In some regions the rate of thawing of the upper ground is nearly 8 inches (20 cm) per year. Thawing permafrost has already damaged 300 buildings in the cities of Norilsk and Yakutsk. In Yakutsk, the average temperature of the permanently frozen ground has warmed by 2.7 �F (1.5�C) during the past 30 years.

Harbingers

18. Indonesia -- Malaria spreads to high elevations. Malaria was detected for the first time as high as 6,900 feet (2103 m) in the highlands of Irian Jaya in 1997.

50. Philippines -- Coral reef bleaching.

51. Indian Ocean -- Coral reef bleaching (inclues Seychelles; Kenya; Reunion; Mauritius; Somalia; Madagascar; Maldives; Indonesia; Sri Lanka; Gulf of Thailand [Siam]; Andaman Islands; Malaysia; Oman; India; and Cambodia).

52. Persian Gulf -- Coral reef bleaching.

77. Korea -- Heavy rains and flooding. Severe flooding struck during July and August, 1998, with daily rainfall totals exceeding 10 inches (25.4 cm).

87. Indonesia -- Burning rainforest, 1998. Fires burned up to 2 million acres (809,371 hectares) of land, including almost 250,000 acres (101,172 hectares) of primary forest and parts of the already severely reduced habitat of the Kalimantan orangutan.

88. Khabarovsk, Russia -- Wildfires threaten tiger habitat, 1998. Drought and high winds fueled fires that destroyed 3.7 million acres (1,497,337 hectares) of taiga and threatened two important nature reserves that are habitat for the only remaining Amur tigers.

103. Bangladesh - Link between stronger El Ni�o events and cholera prevalence. Researchers found a robust relationship between progressively stronger El Ni�o events and cholera prevalence, spanning a 70-year period from 1893-1940 and 1980-2001. There has been a marked intensification of the El Ni�o/Southern Oscillation phenomenon since the 1980s, which is not fully explained by the known shifts in the Pacific basin temperature regime that began in the mid-1970s. Findings by Rodo et al. are consistent with model projections of El Ni�o intensification under global warming conditions. The authors make a strong case for the climate-health link by providing evidence for biological sensitivity to climate, meteorological evidence of climate change, and evidence of epidemiological change with global warming. The study likely represents the first piece of evidence that warming trends over the last century are affecting human disease.

105. Lake Baikal, Russia - Shorter freezing period. Winter freezing is about 11 days later and spring ice breakup is about 5 days earlier compared to a century ago. Some regions of Siberia have warmed by as much as 2.5�F (1.4�C) in just 25 years.

147. Iran - Desiccated wetlands, 2001 Ninety percent of wetlands have dried up after 2 years of extreme drought. Much of South West Asia has experienced a prolonged three-year drought that is unusual in its magnitude. Out of 102 years of record, 1999, 2000, and 2001 rank as the fifth, third, and seventh driest on record. 1999-2000 was the driest winter on record.

148. Pakistan - Longest drought on record, 1999-2001. The prolonged three-year drought, which covers much of South West Asia, has affected 2.2 million people and 16 million livestock in Pakistan.

149. Tajikistan - Lowest rainfall in 75 years, 2001. 2001 marked the third consecutive year of drought, which has destroyed half the wheat crop.

150. Korea - Worst drought in 100 years of record, 2001. It coincided with an average annual temperature increase in Asia�s temperate region, which includes Korea, by more than 1.8�F (1�C) over the past century. The warming has been most pronounced since 1970.

155. China - Disappearing Lakes, 2001. More than half of the 4,000 lakes in the Qinghai province are disappearing due to drought. The severity of the impact is exacerbated by overpumping of aquifers. Annual average temperature in China has increased during the past century, with pronounced warming since 1980. Most of the warming has been in northern areas, including Qinghai Province, and in the winter.

source:http://www.climatehotmap.org

The Economic Valuation of Mangroves: A Manual for Researchers

2008-10-07T21:46:00.003+07:00

by Camille Bann

Foreword

This manual on the Economic Valuation of Mangroves has been compiled and developed from a number of sources as an aid to researchers in Southeast Asia involved in the evaluation of mangrove ecosystems. A companion EEPSEA manual 'The Economic Valuation of Alternative Tropical Forest Land Use Options' (Bann, 1997) contains a more detailed theoretical discussion of the issues and valuation approaches presented here, and should be referred to by the user as appropriate.

The manual was originally developed as an aid to Cambodian researchers in the execution of an EEPSEA-Pioneered study of Koh Kong mangrove, Cambodia. (The report resulting from that study is available as an EEPSEA Research Report.)

Special thanks are due to Jack Ruitenbeek for careful comments on an earlier draft.

The main components of this Manual are: an introduction to the values of, and threats to, mangrove ecosystems (Chapter 1); a theoretical introduction to valuation of the environment (Chapter 2); a methodology for the economic assessment of mangrove management options (Chapters 3-9); a qualitative discussion of the possible impacts associated with common development options for mangrove ecosystems (Chapter 10); and, two case-study examples from Asia (Chapter 11).

for more detail: http://www.idrc.ca/uploads/user-S/10305674900acf30c.html

Performance Evaluation of Commercial Bank

2008-08-10T13:42:00.002+07:00

Performance Evaluation of Commercial Bank Branches Using Data Envelopment Analysis
Journal of Business and Management, 2005 by Yavas, Burhan F, Fisher, Dorothy M

Considerable research has been devoted to using multiple criteria to measure the performance of business units such as bank branches. However, bank managers continue to use traditional methods to evaluate their branch offices. In general, subjective weights for various criteria are used to arrive at a weighted average score to measure the performance of a bank branch. Potential deficiencies in an existing set of weights include bias and inconsistency with organizational objectives. This paper employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate the operational performance of a bank branch relative to the performance of its peer branches. Utilizing data from 31 branches of a major bank located in Southern California, the use of DEA yields the following: 1) rankings of bank branches using efficiency scores, 2) identification of areas of deficiency and 3) establishment of the reference group against which a branch is evaluated. Twenty-two of the 31 branches were found to be in need of improvements in various areas. In addition to identifying best-practice branches and those that are out-of-line with the best practice branches, DEA also points to the specific changes that must be made in the less productive branches in order for them to catch up with their best-practice peer group. The findings of this study should help management in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of their bank branches.

Discussion
Banks operate in a volatile environment that constantly requires them to alter their products and services. As indicated earlier, the trend is more revenues coming from such non-traditional offerings as insurance and financial services, while traditional banking revenues have declined. In fact, since World War II, the share of depository institutions in total assets held by the industry has declined from 55.9 percent to 35.6 percent between 1948 and 2000 (Saunders & Cornett, 2003). On the other hand, investment companies that give savers cheaper access to securities markets have seen their share of that business increase reflecting savers' shifting preferences toward securities markets over those products offered by commercial banks. In addition, information technology and a changing regulatory environment have resulted in consolidations in the commercial banking industry (Saunders & Cornett, 2003). In such an environment, banks compete with one another by developing new financial products and devising new ways of delivering these products to customers. Online banking and smart debit cards are two examples of new products in the banking industry. Equity and bond mutual funds are among the more recent offerings. Earlier examples of innovation included Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and credit and debit cards.
Along with seriously considering and analyzing domestic trends, commercial banks must now also compete with foreign banks and other financial intermediaries. Against this background, it is clear that the future performance of commercial banks will be based largely on the extent to which they adopt the newest technologies and offer new, competitively priced products, such as mutual funds and insurance. In such a highly competitive environment, performance evaluation of bank branches assumes greater importance. The challenges brought about by this environment may require new operating principles that in turn make changes necessary at the bank branch level as the mix of product offerings changes. Regardless of the sources of these changes, bank managers must know whether their banking policies have improved productivity and whether the changes and the new initiatives affect some branches differently than others.
Instead of using traditional techniques such as ratio analysis and observation, the management of the bank studied here decided to use DEA to identify areas where improvement could be made in the performance of the branches while maintaining service quality and also pinpointing opportunities where savings could be achieved.
The identification of bank branches that are functioning efficiently in contrast to inefficient branches is one of the most important outcomes of a DEA assessment. This is so because both efficient and inefficient bank branches typically use a similar set of resources (inputs) in producing a similar mix of services (outputs) in a similar environment. Therefore, inefficient branches can learn from and emulate their efficient peers regarding what needs to be done to improve. Furthermore, operational practices identified as contributing to efficiency may be studied, and information gathered may be disseminated throughout the entire organization that seeks to investigate, improve and grow.
Suggestions for further use of DEA include development of a DEA-based index (Fare et al., 1994) that measures productivity change and can be used to investigate the changes in productivity resulting from changes in product offerings and/or operating principles. In addition to measuring the impact of new offerings, such analyses could help address the questions of how to allocate operating budgets to units, how to minimize financial risks at branch levels, and how to use inter-branch data to monitor a bank's performance vis-Ã -vis other branches as well as other banks in the industry.

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KALBE Nutritionals Lowongan Pekerjaan Accounting

2008-07-26T20:34:00.001+07:00

KALBE Nutritionals is a Leading Health Foods Company in Indonesia, looking for the best and the brightest candidates to fill the following position:

Accounting Staff

Requirements:

1. Min. Bachelor Degree in Accounting from a reputable university
2. Preferable min. 1 year working experience in Accounting area especially operate with Oracle System (Costing)

3. Have a computer skill (Microsoft Office)
4. Attention to detail, speed, honest, strong ability in working with numbers

Please send your application and full resume to:

HRD – KALBE Nutritionals
Gedung Graha Kirana Lt.5 Suite 501
Jl. Yos Sudarso Kav. 88 Sunter
Jakarta Utara 14350
or by e-mail to: recruitment@kalbenutritionals.com
(Put the position code on the envelope or email subject.)

http://lowongankerjas.com

JOB VACANCIES AT PT KALTIM PRIMA COAL

2008-07-12T15:03:00.003+07:00

PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC); 2 Positionslowongan juli agustus terbaru July 05, 2008 Expiry date : Saturday, July 19, 2008

PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) operates a coal mine in Sangatta East Kalimantan and is one of the largest export coal mines In the world Coal Production target for 2008 is 46 mtpa and plan are underway for further expansion in 2009 and beyond to bring optimum economic return to the company and its stakeholder.Opportunities exist for a seasoned, high caliber, professional to join the Company with job assignment in Sangatta - East Kalimantan for the positions of:

Manager -IT Infrastructure Support

Key elaments of the position include:

• Plan, develop and implement the Department budget and workload to determine priorities, provide direction to employees and meet goals within professional, time, safety and cost guidelines.

• Manage the following services, advise and guide management and staff on the following services to resolve technical matters.> data centre operations, including Windows and Unix servers, to maintain the availability, reliability, and integrity of business data.> personal computers (both workstation, desktop, and notebooks), printers, and peripherals, to ensure their availability and reliability to support company operations.> data telecommunication network and operation, including data telecommunication links between Jakarta office and site operation offices and inter-building data communication links in the site operations.> voice telecommunication network and operation, including two-way radio communication and telephone communication.> cable Television network and operation in the employee housing areas.

• Oversee the section s activities to keep up-to-date with work issues, monitor the effectiveness of tools and techniques employed and maximize efficiencies.

• Participate and contribute to Information Technology meetings to highlight infrastructure support and operations activities, gather Information and ideas for utilization within the operation and understand the key issues impacting the Division.

• Direct and manage the Department to meet business targets, adhering to Company and Government standards.

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the performance of Company IT infrastructure facilities, within cost, quality and organization standards as well as meet the needs of internal customers.

• Implement IT Disaster Recovery Plan and IT Business Continuity Plan to ensure the integrity of business information.
Qualifications:

• Tertiary qualification S1 or Master Degree in an Information Technology based business discipline from a reputable university, or another tertiary qualification with extensive experience and proven skills in Information Technology.

• Around 10-15 years experience in managing IT Infrastructure.

• Knowledge and skills in managing server with various OS, data and voice communication, and network security.

• Knowledge and skills in managing service contracts and outsourced services.

• Familiar with internationally recognised standards in Information Technology fields.

• Excellent spoken and written English and presentation skill.

• Qualifications in Unix & Windows server administration and Microsoft Windows system, personal computer administration, and network administration.

• Ability to facilitate/manage teams in the achievement of common goals.

Manager – Legal (Reporting to CEO)
Main elements of the position description Include:

• Responsible for handling all potential legal matters, including analysis, evaluation and defense of any legal issue.

• Provide legal and policy advice and services to ensure that KPC strategic and operational needs are achieved with maximum legal compliance.

• Coordinate, track and analyse all cases involving KPC, and carry out consultation/negotiation and research required.

• Assist KPC management in the formulation of proposals which would improve the overall functioning of the dispute resolution mechanisms.

• Monitor changes in laws and regulations that may affect KPC operations and implement policy and procedural changes as required, and provide necessary update for all KPC management.

• Draft and review contracts, agreements and other legal documents.

• Participate in contract negotiations and ensure compliance with all legal documentation requirements

• Ensure appropriate monitoring and recording systems are in place to capture information relevant to legal cases and provide update/progress report to management regarding issues resolution.

• Proof all published material that contains advice or legal information to ensure accuracy and compliance.

• Represent KPC at external meetings, conferences and committees related to legal and policy issues and negotiate detailed outcomes in accordance with broad policy directions.

• Manage external lawyers and provide strategic advice for settlement of legal dispute or litigations.
Qualifications and experience:

• S1 degree in Law with at least 10 years experience in a law firm or related Industry.• Familiar with corporate legal activities.

• Good understanding in all relevant law and regulations, especially in mining and forestry law is more preferable.

• Good skill in interpersonal relationship, negotiation and lobbying.

• Computer literate (MS Word, Excel, Pw. Point).

• Possess good communication skill in Indonesian and English.

• Possess strong capability to work as a team.

• High commitment to safety standard & business ethic.

• Good understanding on global coal business will be an advantage.

Remuneration:This is a challenging career prospect and a very competitive remuneration & benefit package will be offered to qualified candidate.
If your background meets these requirements, forward your resume (including details of present position & remuneration, your latest color photograph) no later than 2 weeks after the date of this advertisement to the following address:

The Superintendent Recruitment

PT. Kaltim Prima Coal, PO BOX 620Balikpapan 76106, Kalimantan Timur

Or E-mail to: recruitment@kpc.co.id

ONLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED!

source: http://lowongankerjas.com

PhD Scholarship

2008-07-09T17:05:00.001+07:00

Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences provides leading, international research and education in road and water engineering, earth sciences, traffic and transport control, and delta technology. Innovation and sustainability are central themes. The research addresses global social issues and is closely interwoven with education as well as with the work carried out by a broad spectrum of knowledge institutions. The faculty consists of 17 sections distributed among the Departments of Design & Construction, Hydraulic Engineering, Transport & Planning, Water Management and Geotechnology.

The Section of Road and Railway Engineering focuses on the design, construction, management and maintenance of structures for land-based traffic, and the interaction between traffic and structures. The section has extensive laboratory facilities to perform advanced tests. Advanced mathematical tools are applied for in-depth analyses.

Job description
Short pitch rail corrugation is a type of vertical periodic irregularity on top of railway rails with a wavelength of 2-8 cm. It is a result of the dynamic interaction between the wheels and rails and is one of the major types of damage in most rail systems worldwide. It causes large dynamic contact forces, resulting not only in damages to rolling stock, wheel and rail, but also in rapid deterioration of track quality and noise nuisance, leading to high maintenance and renewal costs and reduced track availability. With the continuous increase in rail transport in the foreseeable future, the problem will be even more pronounced, particularly for networks which are approaching or have reached their capacity limit.

By means of numerical analyses, field monitoring and lab tests, this research aims at a fundamental understanding of the initiation and growth mechanisms of short pitch corrugation, basically the wavelength fixing mechanism and the damage mechanism by wear and plastic deformation. This should finally lead to improved track design to avoid corrugations, possible methods for detection of corrugation root causes in existing track, and action criteria for optimal maintenance. For this research, the Road and Railway Engineering Section at TU Delft is looking for a motivated PhD student.

Requirements

Applicants should have an MSc or the equivalent in Mechanical, Aerospace or Civil Engineering, Applied Mathematics or Physics, with knowledge of Dynamics and Vibration and the Finite Element Method. Candidates should have demonstrable interest and skills in research as well as good communication skills. Proficiency in English, both spoken and written, is a prerequisite.

Conditions of employment

TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home, and the option of assembling a customized compensation and benefits package (the ‘IKA’). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

Information and application
For more information about this position, please contact
Dr. ir. Z. Li
phone: +31 (0)15-2782325,
e-mail: z.li[a-t]tudelft.nl.

To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV along with a letter of application by June 13th, 2008 to W. A. Maertens at:Recruitment-citg[a-t]tudelft.nl. When applying for this position, make sure to mention vacancy number CITG08-13. TU Delft is an equal opportunity employer.

Further information please visit the official website

source: http://beasiswa.blogs.ie