“So Now We’re Not Prepared For Natural Disasters”, Thanks To A Man Made Disaster!

"A disaster caused by forces of nature Types Climatologic–e.g., hurricanes, tornados; geologic–e.g., earthquake, volcanoes OR an emergency situation posing significant danger to life and property that results from a natural cause". That’s a Natural Disaster. Very uncalled for. But how do you call a disaster upon yourself? Simply by being ignorant.

A UN study, that examined possible consequences of global warming in the next 20 to 30 years, has identified India as one of the "hot-spots", particularly vulnerable to increase in extreme drought, floods and cyclones in the coming decades. The study found that India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Indonesia are the global warming hot-spot nations that are already facing considerable political, social, demographic, economic and security obstacles. It is believed that Climate Change can greatly undermine efforts to meet these challenges.

But yes, we do have those who have expressed their concern over such issues and taken a step towards helping human kind. One of the most striking studies have revealed that the warming phenomenon has taken a toll over our very own Sunderbans. But scientists from all over the country are engaged in finding a solution to this problem and to save the world's largest mangrove forest.

So at the end of the day, it is for us to decide if we still want to call death upon ourselves. Or do what we know deep down inside, is right.

Give us this day Atleast Our Rain....

"An Earth so hot that it looks like an egg yolk frying in a skillet",that's the image the editors of Time magazine offered on the cover of the April 9, 2001, issue.

So a great many of us watched the opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympics.A great illusionary Waterfall , Laser lights , dancers , proud contingents and a 'little bit' of planning behind the scenes. Very attractive and very interesting. But Let me give you a glimpse of the "Behind The Scenes" action.

Historical data indicated a Forty One percent chance of precipitation on the 8th of August ,the day of the opening ceremony , which was to be held in an open air stadium.So the rain decided to play spoil sport.But wat did China decide to do??It decided to prevent the rain from falling during the three-and-a-half hours of the proceedings!All this was done under the massive 'Olympic Weather Modification' project; wherein shells or rockets containing silver iodide are shot into the clouds.The icy particles freeze the droplets in the clouds and prevent precipitation.this is scientifically termed as cloud seeding.I am surprised there is even a scientific term for something which prevents the earth from quenching its thirst! And all this for the simple reason that the main venu does not have a roof!So much for those hundreds of countries and states that are praying for rain...
For all those who consider this to be an aberration , my task is complete.

Facts and Global Warming And ME.....

Facts. Warming Of temperatures and wasteful activities across the world. What does it mean for India? Well , nothing much , except that India's Rate of Growth falls by about TWENTY PERCENT by 2020 , the productivity of our land falls by nearly THIRTEEN PERCENT , TWO THIRDS of Indians would not have enough drinking water by 2015 , the incidence of AIDS in developing nations (of which we are most noticeably a part) will see an upswing , etc etc... So what? I'm not a part of those two thirds.

Now , in the USA there are schools in places like Kentucky making it a four day week for students , to be able to cut down on fuel emissions ; And at the same time in Britain, a tough new European legislation to boost the uptake of renewable energy has been passed , along with a pledge by Gordon Brown last month to launch a "green revolution" based on clean technology. The renewables directive is intended to support an EU target to generate 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. But India is ready with the most attractive and challenging low cost vehicle set to flood the markets by October this year. and when i say ready to flood , i mean in lakhs! While people in France are pedaling their way on CYCLES.So why should any of this ring a bell?

I've heard that if i install low-flow showerheads and faucets , i'll use half the water without decreasing performance.Replacing an old refrigerator or an air conditioner with an energy-efficient model will save me money on my electricity bill and cut global warming and pollution. And ofcourse a well-tuned car with properly inflated tyres will burn lesser fuel---cutting pollution and saving me money at the pump. I've also Seen people holding banners reading " Plant a Tree, protect a forest" or "Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!".

Facts. Proven Facts. And i am just an act away from saving my planet.

Earth--Our Green'LAND'

Are We Aware????

So how many of us actually knew that the World Environment Day is "celebrated" on the 5Th of June.Well it was first observed in 1972 and is the UN's flagship environmental event.Each year a different city is chosen as the principle venue for "celebrations" and this year it was Wellington. Now one would wonder why am i driven to publish such facts.After all how much help are they going to be?! Coming to the point,now, since most of us didn't even know when and where the world environment day was held this year, we obviously wouldn't even know the major issue under discussion in this forum. 'Kick The CO2 Habit' was the theme this year (surprised??there's a theme every year!).

CO2, Carbon emissions, Kyoto Protocol and GLOBAL WARMING, all big words.Familiar??? Or maybe abstruse to most. The problem here is that most of us have decided to acclimate ourselves to the changing climate. But this year's discussion brought up grievances of a President of a small nation on the Pacific coast, Kiribati. At the going rate this country is expected to be submerged by the end of the century.Most of the atolls in this country are not more than two meters above sea level.Which means the consequences of a rise in sea level would be felt there first.This also holds true (to some extent) for countries like New Zealand or the Maldives.

Less developing nations may argue that Economic development is at stake with a reduction in emissions, But for countries like Kiribati, on the verge of extinction, Economic progress does not hold any meaning. Their immediate goal is to save their striving population. So the point i wish to raise here is, that are we (with little or no awareness) in a position to 'Celebrate' World Environment Day? Or will we blindly make it a 'Survival Of The Fittest' situation??