Some facts about weather and climate change

The world is facing extremes of fluctuating temperatures recently. There is high temperature rise in some parts of the world, while temperatures have gone down alarmingly in other parts. So here, the question arises--: In the future, is the earth going to get warmer, or is there a possibility of an ice age?

People are quite confused and don’t know what to believe. The thing is that many short-term weather extremes don’t prove anything about the long-term climate change. Although some people may deny it, it’s a fact that humans are causing it and and it’s not just a hoax.


Climate scientists admit that they know very little about short-term climatic fluctuations. They claim to know more about what will happen in 2050s than what’s happening next year. It has been concluded that global surface temperature may not increase over the next decade, cause Natural climate variations in the North Atlantic and tropical Pacific would temporarily offset the projected anthropogenic warming. This, however, would not change anything about the long term global warming and that the earth is going to get warming in the long run.


Some scientists say that not 100 per cent of the global warming is due to greenhouse gas emission. Also that a warming of 2 degree Celsius or even more won’t bring the end of winter. Just like the metaphorical frog slowly boiling to death, we might not even realize these subtle changes for another few decades.


There are other scientific theories and even proof that the climate change that is happening is mostly man-made. There are still those other individuals that actively go out in the public to deny human-caused global warming .These activity usually has a political background and they usually address uninformed lay people who are unfamiliar with the data.


The solution lies in lowering the tide of rising emissions. People need to be informed not just about the cause but also the solution so they feel responsible to act, that they can contribute to emission reduction in their own household and lifestyle. They could only use the most efficient appliances in the market. Also they can cut down on air and car travel. Political solution lies in building an energy supply system over the next decade based primarily on renewable resources.

Alternate fuels in automobiles

Fuel alternatives are being manufactured on a daily basis. What might be the alternatives to the fuel that we are currently using? There is an alternative to that big buck vehicle we use and it can be easier to handle, costs less and most importantly in the present scenario it should keep the air cleaner from pollution as compared to using gasoline or diesel. One form of alternate fuel is the use of biodiesel. Biodiesel is a form of alternate fuel for running automobiles.

The use of biodiesel mixture is cheaper comparatively. Biodiesel is already being tested and is used in many places. It is being used in farms, in manufacturing and is being tested by many automobile makers. Biodiesel is not always a mixture of just diesel and additional vegetable oils, but an alternate source of fuels can also be found in soybeans, sunflowers and used vegetable oils.

Electricity is also a fuel alternative for vehicles. You just have to charge your car overnight, and the next day you can go for a ride.Your ride is going to be ready right at your home, no need to stop at the gas station and no worries about the emission, because an electric car is not going to give off the pollution that a gasoline or diesel car would.

Before using any other type of fuel in your vehicle, it is necessary to learn about that type of fuel. Do you need to change the alternator or the valves or the intake or carburetor. Small difference is there when changing to biodiesel or to soybean but when changing to electric or if you are considering running a motor on recycle garbage such as foods, then you must learn about harnessing the energy in those items before putting them in the gas tank.

Solar energy can also be used as alternate fuel energy.

Paper recycling

Paper is one of the most important materials used in homes, schools, offices, and businesses throughout the world. The newspaper we read in the morning, the box that holds our cereal, the paper we use for homework and business purposes and other documents that mark the significant achievements all contribute to our quality of daily life.

Paper is made up of plant fibres called cellulose, which are found in wood. Cellulose must be converted into pulp before being used to manufacture paper. Another potential source of cellulose is recovered paper for recycling.

The word 'paper' is actually derived from the word papyrus, which is the natural reed used by the early Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Papyrus was one of the many materials used for early historical documentation.This material paved the way for current materials we now use.

The Chinese were the first paper makers, using a combination of rags, fishing net, and China grass. Over the centuries the use of paper became widespread throughout the world. With the invention of printing press, the books became readily available and less expensive. The first newspaper, primarily made from rags, began to surface in the 17th century.

More paper, if measured by weight, is recovered for recycling from municipal solid waste streams than all glass, plastic, and aluminium combined. Regardless of where the recycling process starts, it is important what materials can be recovered in our community and how to prepare them for recycling.

After being collected, the recovered paper is transfered to a recycling center. Once it is properly sorted and free of contamination, it is compacted into a large bales and transported to a paper mill where the recycling begins.

To start the papermaking process using fibre, the fibre is shredded and mixed with water to make a pulp. The pulp is washed , refined, cleaned and then turned to slush in a beater.

The paper recovered from recycling is categorised into grades. Each grade of paper has it's own characteristics, as well as it's own value to manufactures. Generally, the category includes corrugated (cardboard), newsprint, mixed (different colours and types), and office paper. The lower grades, such as corrugated and newsprint go back into the same new product. Higher grades like the high quality fibres found in offices and schools, go back into printing and writing paper.

Paper recycling can be started in our own community and schools and has already become quite popular at both places.

Environmental Programs in Nepal

The awareness and the protection program of the environment has become a burning issue .In recent times we are all aware of and curious to save our planet and now are ready to take upon the resposibility of saving our planet. Environment protection programs is increasing on a world-wide basis. Likewise In Nepal too , various environment friendly programs are being held from time to time.

The youth are specially seen to be participating on such programs. A few years back ,water rafting competition was held on the Bagmati river that runs through the Kathmandu valley.The condition of the Bagmati has been dereriorating since so many years and it has become a dumping site of all kinds. The water is dark , dirty smelling and stagnant ,except during the rainy season. So,it is not practical to raft through the river. The program was organized just to bring about awareness.

Similarly, certain school takes their students to various unauthorized dumping sited to initiate the clearing process.Althouh ,the cleaning program is just for a day or few hours it is hoped to encourage others to do the same and not to litter wastes just anywhere.

Recently, there was another environment protection program with the slogan”Mero bhawishya mero chaso” meaning my future , my concern. It encouraged people to join hands in saving the environment in various little ways they can.

Protection of the eco-environment (in Tibet)

Efforts to protect Tibet’s environment have achieved satisfactory economic and social results. Beginning in the 1980s,Tibet began to enact rules and regulations for the protection of the eco-environment, treatment of pollution, and control of pollution at source.

At present, the region is making efforts to revise the regulations for Environmental protection to guarantee healthy economic development. In 2001 and 2002 efforts were made on four occasions to examine the execution of the environmental protection law. This guaranteed the implementation of the relevant rules and regulations.

The people’s government of the Tibet Autonomous region sets great store by protection of eco-environment. It endorsed the plan for Development of Nature Reserves in Tibet in 1998, The plan for construction of the eco- environment in 1999, and views on the implementation of the PRC Program for National Protection of the Eco-environment in 2001.

Environment protection has found it’s way into the PRC program for development of Western regions and the 10th five-year plan (2001-5)-:
Undertaking treatment of sands on the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangho River and protection of natural forests in three countries on the river’s upper reaches. Thus far, the first-and-second-phase treatment of sands in Shiquanhe River of Ngari has been completed , and the project to plant trees and grass is completed.During the ninth five-year plan, 13,600 hectares of land were planted with trees and 62,000 hectares of land with grasses.

By the year 2000, the central Government had invested 994 million Yuan in the comprehensive agricultural development. Social and environmental results, were achieved through efforts to transform soil, build water works and plant trees and grasses.

Treatment of pollution-:
Alongside with fast economic development, Tibet faces possible environmental pollution . Efforts, therefore, have been made to treat polluted land , firstly, by controlling the supply of pollutants at the source. Technological transformation projects were programmed and 75 percent of new project were undertaken alongside with strengthened efforts to install pollution-free facilities. Secondly, the local government enacted a law in 1999 to demand 15 major important industrial enterprises in the region, who contribute more than 85 percent of pollution, should clean up their act.

Also, with view to protecting the health of the urban population, various cities and towns in the region are coupling formulation of their urban development plans with efforts to treat pollution. Sewage drainage and water supply networks were built. In 2002, a garbage burial ground was completed to handle household waste. In the same year, 1,693 hectares of grasses and trees were planted in Lhasa and Xigaze. In Lhasa, more households now cook with gas.
All these contribute to better quality of the air and a good environment.

A Summary

The global warming or rather the climate change occurring around the world can be seen and felt on almost a day to day basis these days. It can be seen emerging as a huge problem world-wide. It is affecting our environment and in turn, it is affecting us.Many faculties are being affected by it directly or indirectly. Business and trade, and in turn our global economy is indirectly affected by climate change as is our technology. Similarly, it has claimed many lives e.g. the tsunami, hurricanes occurrences are believed to be the outcome of climate change.

Many world leaders have taken it upon themselves to come forward and bring others in joining hands too ,to find a solution to global warming and climate change.First and foremost is the must of the developed and industrialized nations to cut down on their greenhouse gas emissions, along with less use of fossil fuel and nonrenewable energy sources. Industrial emissions , and automobile emissions also contribute to polluting the environment. Deforestation is other culprit faculty, non- recyclable items like plastics comes in that category too.

Many major factories and companies world-wide are now working on the possibilities of alternative fuels. The use of Solar energy is the best and can be used in central heating, in automobiles, in cell phones and in vast number of other things.

The temperature of the Earth is now increasing at such an alarming rate that the real question is ‘Is the steps taken by the nations and their leaders and the agreement made on various Earth saving issues is enough to counterbalance the negative effects produced and is there a required amount of reduction on the production of greenhouse gases now to save the planet in the future?The studies shown have not confirmed relieving results. Even the recent climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009 December had it’s limitations and did not succeed as many had hoped.

The most affected are the ‘underdeveloped and developing nations and their citizen’ cause those nations did very little to deteriorate and pollute the environment ratio wise as compared to other developed nations. Some of their economy is just starting to boom but alas, having to be pushed back due new environmental agreements. They are being the victims of environmental hazards created by the pollution made mostly by developed industrialized countries.

However, the world is united now to face the angry challenge of nature, almost vindictive it seems if we look as some of the recent natural disasters.Nevertheless, it must be united in finding solutions , and take care of Mother Earth and make it a safe and healthy place for the present residents as well as for future ones.

Trade and climate change

Any lingering doubts about whether the Earth’s climate system is warming have been put to rest. In most recent assessments the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , the world’s leading authority in climate science, noted the evidence of global warming unequivocal. This reality and it’s potential economic , social and environmental implications have driven climate change to the top of the international political agenda.The issue is now so serious that any delay could push us past tipping point, beyond which the ecological, financial and human costs would increase drastically.

Since the warnings surrounding the climate change were first raised, it has been clear that it is as much as an economic challenge as an environmental one. Many a studies have shown that changing climate has serious implications for national economics, and most alarmingly for developing countries -dire consequences for critical economic sectors such as agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Addressing climate change also raises a number of economic concerns. Governments have long realized that responding to climate change challenges will require adjustments to national production patterns that could have major economic implications. But there has been a general reluctance to make these adjustments for fear of how this may impact industrial competitiveness .

Such economic and trade competitiveness concerns have been an inherent part of climate change discussions since the beginning and will continue remain as a key determining factor in the success of any future climate change agreements. There has , however, recently been increased attention on a wholly different aspects of climate change and trade relationship, namely how multilateral trade policy might be brought to bear in addressing climate change.

The type of trade policy that could be employed is- reducing trade barriers to climate friendly technologies in order to stimulate the global flow of these technologies.

-also strengthening WTO rules on subsidies that contribute to climate change and in creating safeguard for those subsidies that supports efforts to combat climate change.

Other global issues concerning climate change

Addressing the climate change, food insecurity, and trade concerns in the time of global economic crises has now become more important than ever.Trade, climate change and food security issues are interlinked both positively and negatively and need serious attention for harmonizisation .World Trade Organisation (WTO)and the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change (UNFCCC), respectively, should be mutually supportive so as to contribute sustained growth, food security, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.
Demands at the UNFCCC levels-:

-That Annex 1 countries ensures full and faithful implementation of the commitment made under the Kyoto Protocol,and make time bound commitment for deeper greenhouse gas cuts .

-Developed countries provide at least 1 percent of their gross national product to climate adaptation and the migitation fund and mobilize the fund in just manner and in the interest of developing and least-developed countries.

-Developed countries should provide financial and technical assistance to vulnerable countries, mainly developing and least –developed countries, to cope with climate-induced dislocation and distress, and address the concerns relating to environmental refugees.

-Implement measures should be taken to regulate environment-unfriendly use of biotechnology and the unjust application of intellectual property rights in the area of biodiversity agriculture and take measures to protect the environment and the rights of local farming communities over the biological resources and associated knowledge.

Climate change deal among nations

The likelihood of a new global climate change deal starting soon is diminishing. The countries are so far apart on various issues on this topic. As per the Bali roadmap, everyone hoped the 15th session of the conference of the parties to the UN framework convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen would yield a deal to replace Kyoto Protocal, which will expire in 2012.

Although there was 30 page draft negotiating text grew to 200 pages during the 12 day talks, there was no progress on how to share the burden of future emission cuts. Developed countries have not offered emission reduction commitments to the extent required to stabilize the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Many developing countries have demanded that rich countries take the lead by cutting their emissions by 25-40 percent by 2020 over 1990 levels.

The European Union has set itself the target of 20 percent reduction by 2020.It has offered to deepen it’s targeted cut to 30 percent , if other advanced economies , including the United States do the same. The US, wants fast developing countries such as Brazil, China and India also to make emission reduction commitments.

However, hopes that US would offer significant reduction commitments are increasingly giving rights to doubts. A climate-change bill was passed by US house of representatives, which if approved would cut US emissions by 17 percent by 2020. This approach would translate into reduction of only 4 percent compared to 1990 levels. Though the bill entails an 83 percent reduction by 1050, this an inadequate short-term target deprives the otherwise impressive long term commitment of meaning.

Futhermore ,the provisions in US bill that allow the application of border measures to import from other countries that fail to take measures to reduce GHGs emissions could further deepen divisions between US and the developing world.

Thus, the deal whose implementation will be effective in combating climatic change can emerge only if the developed countries and fast developing countries bulge from their current stance.

Global warming and Himalayan Glaciers

Scientists have now established that the earth's temperature is rising . This heating process that raises the earth's temperature is known as the global warming. It is now found that earth's surface temperature rose by about 0.6 celsius degrees in the last 100 years. Without remedial measures, many fear that the global temperature will rise 1.4 to 5.8 celsius degees by 2100.

The warmer earth's temperature could melt parts of polar ice caps and most mountain glaciers, causing a rise in the sea -level of up to 1m within a century, which would cause flood on coastal regions. Global warming could also affect weather patterns causing prolonged drought or increased flooding in some world's leading agricultural regions. The Himalayan glaciers would completely melt away within a period of about a century.In the process of melting new glaciers lakes would be formed, which would pose serious threat to life and properly of the people living nearby.

Glacier lakes danger to Nepal-:
At present glaciers are retreating in the Himalayan region, as a result glacier lakes are being formed. This disrupts communication systems and various infrastructures like the hydropower in direct or indirect ways, subjecting to the periodic catastrophic floods. Glacier lake outburst floods also produce peaks in sediment transfer.

In 1988 a joint team of Sino-Nepalese conducted the studies of the glaciers lakes in the Arun and the Sun-Kosi Basins. According to the findings of that studies , there are many glacier lakes in Arun, Tama Kosi, Bhote kosi, Trisuli, Buri Gandaki and Karnali basins. Xizang of China have some records of the glacier lake outburst floods events. Another study covered Lower Barun, Chamlang Tsho, Naulekh, Sabai Tsho, Dudh Kund, Morang, Tsho Rolpa, Duwo,Thulagi glacier lakes.

There have been many outburst History of Glacier Lakes-:
On August 4, 1985 the nearly completed Namche hydropower plant was completely destroyed by the Dig Tsho glacier lake outburst flood.It destroyed not only the Namche hydropower station but also all the bridges, trails, cultivation fields, houses, livestock along it’s path to the confluence of the Dudh-Kosi rivers at a distance of 90 km from the Dig Tsho glacier.
Since the 1940s there have been at least 10 cases of glacier outbursts within the basins investigated.

Himalayan glaciers are now retreating due to global warming and as a result new glacier lakes are being formed. At present the world attention is drawn to finding ways to resolve the global warming problems.

President Obama's answers to environmental questions

In November 2007, a small group of six US citizens-two screenwriters, a physicist, a marine biologist, a philosopher and a science journalist-began working to restore science and innovation to America’s political dialogue. Here are Barack Obama’s answers to some of their questions with global reference-:

The US must get off the sidelines and take long overdue action to reduce it’s own greenhouse gas emissions. This is a global problem.US leadership is essential but solution requires contribution from all parts of the world particularly China, Europe and India.

President Obama-:”I will restore U.S. leadership in strategies for combating climate change and work closely with international community. I will create a global energy forum-based on the G8+5 ,which includes all G-8 members plus Brazil, China, India , Mexico and south Africa,comprising the largest energy consuming nations from both the developing and developed world. This forum would focus exclusively on global energy and environmental issues and will also create a technology transfer Program dedicated to exporting climate-friendly technologies, including green buildings, clean coal and advanced automobiles, to developing countries to help them combat climate change.”

He said further-:”America’s challenges in providing secure,affordable energy while addressing climate change mean that we must make much more efficient use of energy and begin to rely on new energy sources that eliminate or greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

The President proposed programs that , taken together , would increase the federal investment in the energy research , development , deployment by $150 billion over ten year.

He also encouraged communities around the world to design and build sustainable commodities that cut energy use .

Production of climate-resistant crops

Climatic change have affected so many other faculties around the world, some we are aware of and others we are not. In other word,the impact of climate change can be considered huge in various fields, e.g. there has been production of climate-resistant crops as a result of that-:

Recently,some of the agricultural bio-technological companies have claimed that they have produced, genetically engineered climate –resistant crops in view of the changing world climate.Such crops would not be affected by the extremes of temperature. But the environmental activists are speaking out against it claiming it as biopiracy.

Biotech companies say that these new crops will be able to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of the a future planet affected by climate change. But the activists argue that the industry is simply looking to profit from long-established traditional knowledge.

There is no law that requires the disclosure of the origin of biological resources or associated traditional knowledge. Many countries are trying to acknowledge the production of origin of such crops and to share the benefits if at all.

The applications for the so-called climate ready genes have already been submitted around the world. But it may only be the new strategy by the biotech industry to profit from climate change. They might have seen a silver lining in climate change, an opportunity to assert that agriculture can only win the war against climate change with genetic engineering.

Man and his environment

The long and tortuous evolution of the human race in the planet has reached a stage, when through the rapid growth of science and technology, he had acquired the power to transform his environment in countless ways. Both aspects of the environment, natural and man-made, is essential to well-being of man and to the enjoyment of basic human right-even the right to life itself.

The protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue which affects the well being of people and economic development throughout the world. It is the urgent need of the people of the world and duty of all government.

We see the growing evidence of man-made harm in many regions of the world. Dangerous levels of pollution in water, air, earth and living beings, major , undesirable disturbances to the ecological balance of the bioshpere, Tsunamis, hurricane, storms and earthquakes. There is destruction and depletion of irreplaceable resources, and gross deficiencies harmful to the physical, mental and social health of man.

In the developing countries most of the environmental problems are caused by under-development. Millions live far below the minimum levels required for a decent human existence, and are deprived of adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, health and sanitation. The developing countries must put effort to development ,bearing in mind their priorities and also must safeguard and improve their environment. At the same time, the industrialised countries, should make efforts to reduce the gap between themselves and the developing countries. The environmental problems in industrialise countries are generally related to industrialization and technological development.

The continuous population growth also presents problem on the preservation of the environment.

For the purpose of attaining freedom of nature, man must use knowledge to build, in collaboration with nature, a better environment. To achieve this it will take acceptance and responsibility of citizens and communities and enterprises and institutions at every level, all sharing equitably in common efforts. Local and national governments should bear the burden of large-scale environmental policy and action within their jurisdiction.International cooperation is needed to raise resources to support the developing countries in carrying out their responsibilities in this field.

Risk assessment for the hazardous waste management

Risk assessment is done to make the characterization of the potential adverse effects of human exposure, to environmental hazards. It is a tool for understanding the health and environmental hazards associated with hazardous waste and can improve the basis upon which to make such waste management decisions.

Risk may be defined as the probability of suffering harm or loss when the resulting harm is measurable. The hazard posed by a waste is a function of it' s toxicity, mobility ,it's persistence and also how it is contained. The human health risk assessment includes carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to all receptors exposed to hazardous chemicals of the environment.

The introduction of chemicals into an ecosystem can provide a direct hazard to individual organisms, or may affect their ability to reproduce. It can affect the overall structure and function of an ecosystem or it's components.

Potentially exposed population should be considered in management of waste-:

Present and future population in vicinity of the site .
Sub-population of special concern e.g.young children in the case of lead contamination.
Potential on-site workers during any redemption.
What sort of sensitive public facilities are located near the site e.g. schools, hospitals, day care centre, nursing homes etc.
What outdoor activities occur e.g. parks, play ground etc.
What fraction of time do various sub-population spend in potentially contaminated area e.g. children in grade school.
What secondary exposures are possible e.g. contamination of crops at nearby farm.

Treatment methods for hazardous wastes include biological treatment, neutralization, oxidation-reduction, precipitation, carbon absorption, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, fixation/stabilization, and incineration.

After various treatment method ,there will always remain some residue to be disposed off. Land disposal techniques include landfills , surface impoundment's underground injection wells, and waste piles. Wastes should not be mixed.The location of each cell of different wastes should be clearly identified in a locator map or similar means. Surface impounments are excavated to store liquid hazard waste. Injection wells are used as a cheap method of disposing hazardous waste; They should be located well below drinking water aquifers.Unless these wastes are innocuous before disposal, they are like time bombs waiting to explode at the right moment.

Waste piles are non-containerized accumulation of solid wastes used for temporary storage. Research must be made to find economical ways that will render hazardous waste harmless before being put in their final resting place.

International efforts for environment protection

The United Nations is very much conscious of the world-wide problem of maintaining the environment safe for human beings.The United Nations on the conference on the Human Environment was held at Stockholm in June 1972. The conference evolved the principles and action plan for controlling and regulating environment degradation. Institutional and financial arrangements were made for achieving that purpose. The United National General Assembly passed a resolution on December 15, 1972 emphasising the need of active cooperation among the States in the field of human environment. The resolution had designated June 5 as the World Environment day and had urged governments and organisations in the united nations system to undertake on that day every year ,world-wide activities reaffirming their concern for the preservation and enhancement of the environment.

Another resolution was passed, which provided for institutional and financial arrangement for international environment cooperation. Provisions were made for establishing a government council for environment program (UNEP) having global jurisdiction, environmental secretariat and environmental fund. Some of the recommendations of the first conference were regarding long and short term plans at the regional, sub-regional levels in the field of environment relating to the advancement of developing nations.

The international environmental legislation chart included-

'The protection, preservation and the enhancement of the environment for the present and future generations is the responsibility of all states and they should ensure that the activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment. All states should cooperate in evolving natural laws and norms regulations in the field of environment.'

Recently in 2009 ,a conference was held in Copenhagen , Denmark relating to the changing environment and climate around the world. Many leaders actively participated in that so as to find solution to rapid environment change.

Climate change-global warming and global cooling

There is a ongoing fluctuating of world climate , some years when temperature rises causing hazards like ice melting etc. which we all know is as global warming.Yet there is another undeniable theory or aspect we must know as global cooling.

Many scientists claimed that the earth was moving towards global cooling and reporters and media coverage were all about this , the effects it would bring . It was said that an ice age was coming and people were afraid. It was mainly highlighted in the 1970s. Just before this period there were proofs of the earth's rising temperature and so global warming was the focused issue. However, during the 70s many parts of the world was severely affected and large number of people died due cold and heavy snow.

Many scientists from the past have always warned that there would be ice age coming and the world climate during that time would change supporting this theory.But the scenario reverses after a decade or few and rising of the temperature prevails in many next years to come.

The result of both extremes of temperatures have caused havoc and loss of many lives.Recently, there is been simultaneous, warming of temperature and the temperature in some parts have fallen down drastically.Scientists have now been terming this word "climate change" rather than than the earlier Global warming, keeping in mind the fluctuation of temperature and climate .

There have been vast reduction in growth of crops following both warming and cooling.The growth is only good when the climatic condition is optimal .The climate change have caused starvation and death of large number of people due to reduced production of food.

The climate change occurring around the world is man-made , that it is caused by man ,s o now he must live with the consequences.

Alternate use of energy

There are some recently discovered alternate energies so as to save the environment . Human beings are always trying to use solar energy for their survival and day to day use. We know that green plants create their own food and energy with the help of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis happens in the presence of sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. The end results are food, chemical energy and release of oxygen gas. Whenever scientists tried to use the solar energy they were quite unsuccessful in utilizing a major part of solar power. The conversation rate of solar energy into electrical energy is quite inefficient. Now researchers at various places are trying to overcome this problem.

New solar charger for laptop computers-
Now we can have a green charger for our computers and laptops. We can take our laptops to outdoors and keep on using them without bothering that the charge will run out. Muzatch offers a solar charger for our computers. It is known as the MZH-SP-6500 / SP-6000 renewable energy charger. If one is traveling long distance in a car, or going on a business trip or in the wilderness and needs emergency power for laptop, this solar charger will come handy.

Fuel from chicken feathers-
Every year 11 billion pounds of poultry industry waste accumulates annually, because we have gigantic appetite for poultry products. They can't be stuffed into pillows. Mostly they are utilized as low-grade animal feed. Scientists in Nevada have created a new and environmentally friendly process for developing bio diesel fuel from 'chicken feather meal'. It has been discovered that chicken feather meal consists of processed chicken feathers, blood, and innards.

Solar-powered Atms by Vortex -
Alternative energy can be a boon for third world countries. Normally governments have to invest vast sums of money in developing infrastructures for a long period of time in underdeveloped areas. If we consider the example of cell phones, they have bypassed the usual wires, poles, roads, telephone exchange infrastructures. People residing in remote villages can be connected via mobiles. Same thing can happen with ATMs (automated teller machines) too. Vortex Engineering is an India-based rural ATM manufacturer. State Bank of India (SBI) wants to deploy 545 ATMs across semi-urban and rural India.

Use of Visible light to break down carbon dioxide-
We all are familiar with the effects of carbon dioxide on our environment. Carbon dioxide is responsible for causing the greenhouse effect. If scientists can breakdown this gas into other form it would lead us to reduce the concentration of this gas into environment substantially. It would mean dealing with the root cause of the problem. Now scientists are trying out to get hold of an organism which could help in the breakdown of carbon dioxide.

Solar energy from plant protein structure-
Nanoscience is quite fascinated with the process of photosynthesis. They want to duplicate this process exhibited by green plants and utilize the solar power for energy use. Till now power generating solar panels are not in a position to replace the fossil fuels. They produce little amount of energy and quite expensive also. Generation of solar energy also depends on geographical locations. Deserts are more suitable locations for solar power than areas experiencing temperate climate. But we can have a new source of solar power that also delivered a power packed performance for us when it is on our dinner/lunch plate i.e. pea power.

Honda solar hydrogen station introduced to green car market-
Honda finally unveiled their new solar hydrogen solar station and all signs point to a dramatic success. The station is smaller than previous models and enables an electric car owner to refill their fuel cell overnight. The unit should easily fit into a homeowners’ garage taking up significantly less space than previous models. The older model required a compressor and electrolyzer for it to be operational. One of the reasons the units were so big was because of the compressor that was required to run the unit. Not only that, the compressor was also the reason that the units were so expensive to produce and purchase.

Waste to energy continues to gain steam-
While new energy solutions are being discovered, refined and brought further and further into the public light, something that does not get a lot of headlines is waste to energy. This is being used in countries like Japan for quite some time and dramatically improving their waste disposal problems in highly populated areas.

Marine pollution

The continued degradation of the human environment has become a major problem in all parts of the world. Environment is everything that surrounds a plant or animal or human being, and affects the way it grows. The three major components of environment are; air, water and soil. The nature of these components are constantly being changed on earth through their interaction with living things .The two are very closely linked and a drastic change in one can lead to far-reaching changes in the other. The sea water which covers about two-third of the planet ,plays a vital role in maintaining the fundamental biological and ecological balance.

Man has always been attracted to the ocean for a variety of reasons which include adventure, food, trade, commerce, industry and recreation. He has thus put ocean to multiple use and will continue to do so in future. But the most injurious use mankind has put the ocean is for disposal of various harmful wastes. We are polluting our marine environment with increasing amounts of waste products, which originated with expanding technology,without full knowledge or ways in which these materials may interact with our surrounding and eventually affect our well being.

The sea-food man consumes is directly or indirectly dependent on the coastal zone and pollution of water in these areas causes significant threat to great portion of world fishing. The marine inhabitants like planktonic and nektonic (floating and swimming organisms), along with fish and fauna constitute the ecological unit know as “community”. It functions and survives on a delicate ecological balance, any disturbance of which will have harmful effects on marine food chain.

Pollution has already affected ocean’s source of food. Shellfish have found to have hepatitis, polio-virus and other pathogens. DDT was found in the Antarctic fish and penguins.

Marine pollution has also affected the recreational facilities on the beach. The floating materials like solid waste, oil, rotting algae, anaerobes have caused unpleasant odour and put threat to recreational and aesthetic value of sea.

The major sources of marine pollution are-:

1.Oil-Oil in marine environment comes from various sources like natural submarine seepage, natural decay of marine plant and animal life, shore-based industries and transport activities, wrecked oil tankers and other ships and discharges from ships which pump out cargo and clean tanks with sea water. Many techniques can help reduce the volumes and effect of oil pollution like mechanical removal of oil from polluted beaches.

2.Waste disposal-:Wastes can be divided into domestic and industrial wastes. The former include wastes from food processing , detergents and run-off from agricultural area. Latter includes heavy metals, radio-active nuclides inorganic chemicals and heated water.

So, as we see that there is an acute problem of marine pollution, necessitating it’s management. Management of marine pollution does not mean outright prohibition though , because that may evolve substantial deprivation to legitimate users. It would also stop the development and exploitation of ocean for the benefit of mankind. The solution lies in finding a balance between management and exploitation.

Plastic recycling

There is a growing problem regarding recycling of plastic. Discarded plastic products and packaging contribute to a growing portion of Municipal Solid Waste. In recent times the amount of plastic thrown has increased by more than 50 percent than at the beginning 0f 1990s. Plastic waste accounts for one-fifth of all waste in waste stream.Plastic recycling ws never expected to be widespread because the process is too expensive, unpractical and inefficient.This though is slowly being turned.


The difference between a polymer and a plastic
The term “plastics” is used to describe a wide variety of resins or polymers with different characteristics and uses. While all plastics are polymers, not all polymers are plastic. Polymers are rarely useful in themselves and are most often modified or compounded with additives (including colours) to form useful materials. The compounded product is generally termed a plastic.

For this discussion of recycling, an understanding of two basic types of polymers is helpful:
Thermoplastic polymers can be heated and formed, then heated and formed again and again. The shape of the polymer molecules are generally linear or slightly branched. This means that the molecules can flow under pressure when heated above their melting point.
Thermoset polymers undergo a chemical change when they are heated, creating a three-dimensional network. After they are heated and formed, these molecules cannot be re-heated and re-formed. Comparing these types, thermoplastics are much easier to adapt to recycling.

Plastic consumer goods not identified by code numbers are not usually collected. Plastic tarps, pipes, toys, computer keyboards, and a multitude of other products simply do not fit into the numbering system that identifies plastics used in consumer containers. There are actually thousands of different varieties of plastic resins or mixtures of resins. These are developed to suit the needs of particular products. There is limited recycling of some of these specific plastic products in truckload quantities from industrial sources. No one has entered the business of collecting a variety of these plastics in small quantities.

The Problem with Plastics Recycling
When glass, paper and cans are recycled, they become similar products which can be used and recycled over and over again. With plastics recycling, however, there is usually only a single re-use. Most bottles and jugs don't become food and beverage containers again. For example, pop bottles might become carpet or stuffing for sleeping bags. Milk jugs are often made into plastic lumber, recycling bins, and toys.

Currently only about 3.5% of all plastics generated is recycled compared to 34% of paper, 22% of glass and 30% of metals. At this time, plastics recycling only minimally reduces the amount of virgin resources used to make plastics. Recycling papers, glass and metal, materials that are easily recycled more than once, saves far more energy and resources than are saved with plastics recycling.

There are five factors that are necessary in order for the recycling of plastic to be a successful process. First, the supply of used plastic has to be of a large quantity. This large quantity of plastic is collected at certain areas, which is the second step. Once the plastic is collected, the sorting and separating process begins; this is the third step in the process. The sorting and separating process depends upon the type of polymers that make up the plastic. Plastic products are given codes to help the sorting and separating process. The fourth step in plastic recycling is reprocessing. The reprocessing of polymers includes the melting process, the melting process can be accomplished if the polymers have not been widely cross-linked with any synthetics. If the cross-linking of polymers contain too many synthetics, the polymers will be difficult to stretch and less pliable. The final step is the manufacturing of the melted plastic into new products.

Automobiles and pollution

A significant portion of the growth in the use of automobiles is seen especially in developing countries like China, Brazil, Russia , India, representing a desire of people in these countries to experience the freedom that comes with owning a vehicle and improve their quality of life. Also, given the large population, the demand for efficient, economical public transport is also in the increase. Therefore, the challenge of modern mobility is to meet these aspirations, satisfy the need for mobility and yet do it in a manner ,in harmony with nature, that has minimum impact on the environment and does not accelerate climate change.

The increasing price of fuel, depletion of fossil fuel resources, decline in availability of raw materials like iron ore and coal, recent reports on climate change in some cities are all true and present unique set of challenges for the growth and development of the automobile industry.

There is a need for the regulation in the transport sector to minimize the impact of vehicular emissions on the air quality.A number of court judgements in some places limited the age of commercial vehicles in the road and recommended a number of measures to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles. Those policies also set out a definite road map for fuel quality and emission levels which have only partially been implemented.

Technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emission , as well as local pollution for engines include currently off-the-shelf technologies, such as variable valve timing, cylinder deactivation, smaller engine with supercharger, throttles engines , and diesel vehicles.

In many developing nations vehicles used were manufactured and developed at a time when there were no emission legislation. To solve such issue ,vehicles produced before a certain date should not be allowed on the road after a certain other date.Also mandatory inspection should be introduced with view of maintenance of vehicle ,that which fail the test and cannot be rectified should not be allowed on the road.

A study has shown that vehicles over eight year old account for nearly eighty per cent of the pollution. To help take decisions regarding emission norms, air quality monitoring source apportionment studies has been done in many countries in Europe and Japan. But many times, lack of data and perceptions about the contribution of various sources to air pollution does not result in appropriate decisions.

Global warming-The price paying nations

As the saying goes, there is only one Earth. It is a reality .Another reality is that the Earth is deteriorating , that it is dying slowly and we as the residents living on it are responsible. Yes, all of us are responsible for bringing our Mother Earth to this state although it would not not be wrong to say some are more responsible than others.

The First world nations, with the industrialization and economic development are among the most privileged and rank in top among nations.T heir economy is booming and they lead the way for other less developed nations to follow. Yet , following to the development there have been various by –products given off , which have been extremely harmful to the environment we live in. The Co2 produced as by products of large factories and as emissions of vehicles etc. have increased and still increasing temperature on Earth by trapping the solar heat excessively.

We are all aware of causes and implications of earth’s rising temperature and global warming now .Recently, there have been undeniable calamines in various places in the world attributing to climatic change due to environmental pollution. The first world nations especially are now very actively participating in promotion of various campaigns against global warming and they are requesting other nations to join them. Recently,there was a summit held in Copenhagen where various world leaders participated, including the US President Barack Obama.The summit was about global climatic change.

There have now been suggested new legislation regarding the industrialization and production and manufacture so such to cut down on by product released in the atmosphere.This is going to contribute on environmental benefit but at the same time will bring economic development to a slow pace.The recently developing countries are going to be affected the most e.g. countries like India, China. Small underdeveloped countries like Nepal had done little in contributing to global warming effects as regards to producing industrial by-products in the air but nevertheless paying the price as the whole world.It’s once heavily snow covered mountains have begun melting due to global heat.

Fair or not, the price is here for all of to pay.For our sake and for the sake of future generations, the time has passed to lay the blame on each other and join hand in cause for a solution .

Types of Pollution

Every advance in technology means yet one more potential poison in our environment. The simplest definition of pollution may perhaps be’right thing in the wrong place’ e.g. salt in the sea is not pollution whereas salt in river is pollution. Pollution is disturbance or breach in the balance of nature.

The following are the types of pollution generally recognized-
1.Water Pollution:The presence, in concentration higher than normal, in natural waterways (lakes, streams, rivers and oceans) of dissolved or suspended foreign materials such as silt, chemicals, fecal matter, metallic elements organic material or nutrients.

2.Air pollution:The presence in the atmosphere of solid particles, liquid droplets or gaseous compounds which are not normally present or present in a concentration substantially greater than normal.

3.Waste pollution:The presence on land or water of solid material, organic or inorganic, which has no beneficial qualities.

4.Chemical pollution:The presence in plants and animal tissues including feed or foodstuffs, of adulterant chemicals which have no beneficial effect.

5.Thermal pollution:The discharge into the environment of stream of air or water which is at a different temperature from that of the environment at the point of discharge or downpour of this point.

6.Land pollution:Deforestation, industrialization, urbanization and indiscriminate use of fertilizers causes alarming degradation of earth and environment.

7.Oil pollution:Crude oil is another major pollutant particularly of the sea’s.

8.Noise pollution:Yes , it is also a type of pollution.The presence in the open atmosphere or in a confines space is considered undesirable, except by the people responsible for it.

The Story of a Farmer

Hari Bahadur who lives in one of the remote villages in Nepal.Nepal is a poor,agriculture –based hilly country.Hari Bahadur is one of the many farmers whose livelihood is solely based on the crops he grows in his small farm.He is a hard working farmer and supports his wife and children through his labour.

One day a team of International Non-Governmental Organisers come to his village.They teach the village farmers new things about farming and crop fertilizers.They tell them about how to increase the growth of crops by putting different chemical fertilizers .The INGO officers distribute various seeds to the farmers and give instructions how to plant and grow them.The villagers are overjoyed and happy .They thank the officers and take the seeds home.

In time they plant them in their fields including Hari Bahadur. When the harvesting comes the yield is almost double. Hari Bahadur is very happy and thanks the INGO officers from abroad again.The chemical fertilizers have really worked. He just waits eagerly to plant next seasonal crops.But this time the result is not as expected. The yield is less than before.Nevertheless, he does not lose heart and still next season season the crops grew minimal.Now ,he is a bit worried as his and his family’s livelihood is being apparently threatned. He wonders now what the chemical fertilizers contained.They had ruined the normal soil consistency as to make it infertile.He had no knowledge before that right quantity and quality of safely tested fertilizers only were good for crop and soil.The strong experimental fertilizers had ruined soil composition of the whole village.

The small amount of crops now grew in Hari Bahadur’s land and even that could not be irrigated properly.The rivers nearby had all dried due to global climate change.There was no more snow to melt down into the river.Hari Bahadur was not actually familiar with the concept of global warming or climate change and yet at the same time , he was being affected by it.

Now, Hari Bahadur must find an alternative source of income to support himself and his family as the land does not suffice.He enters the nearby forest and begins cutting down trees.Some he would sell and little he would take home to use.It’s not easy though cause forest rangers are on the watch for villagers cutting down trees.Little does he know about the implications of felling of trees on the planet or would be little bothered if someone explained it to him.He had bigger problems of his and his family to worry about.

This is not just about one Hari Bahadur but the story is true about many like him living in different places in many underdeveloped countries.

Deforestation Affecting Environment

Destruction of natural forest has brought about an environment crisis in different parts of the world. Forests maintain the proper balance of organisms, chemicals in the environment are either produced or absorbed by them and so they are the basis of our survival.They prevent soil erosion, floods and droughts. In the past there were plenty of forests and vegetation. But now they are facing the depletory effects of science and technology and population explosion. Deforestation breaks the delicate environmental balance , maintained by nature itself. Floods or droughts are the terrible consequences as are pollution and spread of infectious diseases.

Forests bear the responsibility to balance the ecosystem. Also the reduction of vegetative cover is a process which affect the agriculture, economic standard of living and environmental quality of virtually all nations.

Plenty of trees transpire the water collected on land and remove the conditions suitable for habitat of mosquitoes carrying a number of contiguous diseases. The main reason for deforestation in countries like Nepal , India and in the South Asia are-:

1.Inactiveness of guards or officers for forest protection. Strong group of private contractors fell trees by bribing the authorities or by exercising political pressure.

2.Deforestation for commercial purposes like manufacture of furnitures, packing of fruits or sports goods. Forest department cuts down trees for planting of teak and eucalyptus and for starting certain forest-based industries like plywood and paper.

3.Large scale urbanization, colonization and industrialization and construction of roads and water canals and drains covered alot of forests before.

To remedy the deforestation certain steps must be taken-Corrupt practices among officials of forest department are to be stopped and also there should be no exercise of political influence by private contractors. There must be checking on felling of trees even in one's own land or house, alternatives of excessive commercial use of timber must be discovered, manufacture of packing cases and cartoons should be replaced by some other material made from recycled wastes.

Global Warming -A Reality

Global warming as we were familiar in the past was a slow -growing process, which is not true anymore. It is on a fast increase suddenly and unexpectedly and has become a huge crisis at present due to which planet Earth is not in well condition.

Disasters have always taken place but never in this rate, they have never been this frequent that it has hit us hard recently .e.g. cyclone Larry in northeastern Australia, sections of ice the size of small states disintegrating from Artic and Antarctic, hurricane Katrina in new Orleans and Tsunami in Indonesia, vast numbers of earthquakes that have taken place recently around the globe.The emergency has become commonplace and things are not going right . It is all due to global warming.

There have been heat waves to storms to floods to fires to massive glacial melts, the global climate is in ruins. Scientists had predicted that this would happen, although even they did not anticipate that happening so alarmingly soon. If Earth were to be a living thing, it is having fever right now. It's a result of continued pumping of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping the heat from the sun and raising earth's temperature. Human activity has been causing it.

It is now here for all of us to see and believe, as contrary to the past when people debated with each other whether the grim forecast was actually true. In the last five years, the debate has quietly come to an end. We thought that slow pace of nature deterioration would give us decades or even centuries to sort out the problem.

But glaciers and nature both are moving with surprising speed. A certain threshold past which slow creep of environmental decay gives way to sudden and powerful collapse. Several Greenland ice sheets have doubled their rate of slide and according to some research that by the end of the century the world could be locked in an eventual rise in the sea-level of as much as 20ft.

Legislation on Environment Protection

we as men are an integral part of the natural ecosystem and are not above or outside it. We have developed the ability to modify our environment and now must develop the will, the understanding and power to preserve it.This ought to be with the public consciousness. As we are aware, most societies seem willing to sacrifice environmental quality for the sake of economic growth.This is very dangerous.The question which arises therefore, is how to strike a balance between the benefits gained from economic and technical achievements and the loss in terms of deterioration of the environment? In other words, how to find a balance between rapid economic growth and environmental pollution.

The problem of pollution could not be solved by a single discipline or a single institution. It is a multi-dimensional and multi-institutional problem.The problem is to ecologise technical and technological progress.

Even the government or State, we find, is a polluter in one way e.g. chlorinated water in the taps or spraying of DDT for eradication of malaria is merely additive or chlorinated hydrocarbons for the ecological system.

Some pollutants are deliberately discharged in the environment whereas some by accident. Some pollutants can be pin-pointed, others remain untraceable. Some pollutants maintain their chemical integrity for decades while others are degraded in the matter of hours or days.

Some pollutants are not directly harmful but can harm the eco-system indirectly by consuming oxygen for their'Oxidation process'.The oxidation of chemical and organic matters depletes the quantum of environmental oxygen. Domestic wastes are less harmful than industrial wastes as the former only include polyphosphates and nitrogeneous compounds, while the latter includes heavy metals, radio-active nuclides, inorganic chemicals and heated water.

Up till now there have been so many discoveries regarding the long-term effects of chemicals in the environment and still more unknown.

Environmental legislation is a must and should be imposed on every nation and every society. It is doing it's work and is effective in certain countries.It's credibility is questionable in others though, where questions arise like_

1.Could legislation lay down the norms to curb pollution, when society fails to interact in a balancing manner.

2.Could legislation lay down the norms when legislation itself becomes a contributor to pollution e.g. creating tax-free zones for electronic and radio-active industries in the name of a welfare state(true in India).

Legislative environmental measures could take many forms as to bring about effective results-

1.They may be regulatory setting forth controls on industrial processes, prohibitions on the use of certain chemicals.

2.They may be in the laws of nature of taxes. Such laws could help minimize pollution by giving incentive to those who adopt pollution control method(by using machinery or plant which assists in control of pollution or protection of environment).

3.The government should endeavour to protect and improve the environment by safeguarding the forests and wildlife in it's country.

4.Water pollution, wildlife, forests, antiquities, urban land, insecticides and radiation should all be checked and controlled.

Environmental problems in developing countries are resulting directly from under development so therefore, underlying socio-economic factors contributing to environmental deterioration should be tackled while dealing with them. Environmental protection will only succeed when it is balanced by progress in satisfaction of basic human needs. Wide gaps should not exist between what is provided for in legislation on one hand and socio-economic realities on the other. Law has to remain close to reality and at the same time direct society to move in the interest of it'd own survival.

Understanding the Chemistry of Our Environment

Man has the capability of transforming his surrounding for the benefit of all and also an opportunity to enhance the quality of life.But wrongly or heedlessly applied, the same power can do incalculable harm to human beings and to human environment.Unfortunately, there exists a growing evidence of man -made harm in many regions of the earth e.g. dangerous levels of pollution in water,air,earth and living beings,major and undesirable disturbances in the ecological balance,destruction and depletion of irreplaceable resources and gross deficiencies harmful to physical,mental and social health of man.

The protection and improvement of human environment is a major issue which affects the well-being of people and economic developement throughout the world and hence, it is the duty of all government and people equally to give common efforts for the preservation and improvement of human environment for our own benefit.Therefore,environment problem is one which no nation,no continent,no race,no system can handle alone.The quality of our atmosphere and oceans can only be the product of behaviour of our nations.

Although the U.N. has no power of it's own to be effective,it can make all the nations come o an agreement in this direction and create an organisation in taking effective measures for the environment.

As seen in the past,when the problem of environment had reached a certain magnitude,the ex-Soviet Union and United States of America, which were otherwise poles apart ideologically,reached an agreement to collaborate in finding ways and means to check pollution.

The chemistry of climatic conditions is affected or very likely to be affected by massive deforestation by altering the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.The concentration of C02 in the atmoshpere has risen drastically.Co2 comes from burning of fossil fuels and the oxidation of carbon stored in trees and soil humus are released when forests are cleared.

Each year, the process of photosynthesis by plants draws from the atmoshpere much more carbon than is returned to the air by respiration.The green plants convert C02 of the air into sugar and starch-their own food,with the help of solar energy and oxygen is given off in this process.With deforestation this massive conversion process is affected resulting in increased C02 in the atmoshphere.It causes climatic change like alteration in the distribution of rainfall and sea-level.

Likewise,certain bacteria is reponsible for maintaining the constant amount of nitrogen in the atmoshpere as they are involved in one of the steps of the nitrogen-cycle.Nitrogen is essential for the existence of forms of life,dependent for nourishment on earth.We the industrialised and civilised people do not think about these bacterial forms and dump huge amounts of chemicals recklessly into soil,water not realising any of them might be deadly poison for these bacteria.

Hence, it is very important to understand the chemistry of our environment so as to make necessary steps in preserving it.

Saving the Environment

Most ''green'' issues are presented as choices between protecting the environment and growing the economy: You can have a logging industry or save the spotted owl. You can reduce greenhouse gases or have industrial growth. You can have clean oceans or offshore oil drilling.

Most people, however, seem to be seeking a choice that includes and rather than just or. They tell pollsters they care about the environment and fear it will get worse, yet seem torn on how to respond and unready to accept the sacrifices that some environmentalists believe are necessary.

Progress and problems
Twenty-five years ago, environmentalists could target ''point sources'' -- pollution that could be tied to a specific source, such as smokestack industries, toxic waste dumping, and ocean discharge pipes. It was a war against pollution that people could see (and frequently smell). It was also a war with significant victories. Between 1975 and 1985, for example, lead emissions in the air were reduced by 90 percent. Substantial progress has also been made on other aspects of air quality. Water quality in many lakes and streams improved.

That struggle, difficult as it was, at least had the advantage of clarity, both in the causes and the solutions. Now much environmental effort has shifted to more diffuse ''non-point'' pollution, caused by problems on a regional or even global scale. and lawns.

A recent study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warned that the nation's coastlines are deteriorating to the point where they can no longer fully support marine life or human activity. It cited as an example the Gulf of Mexico's ''dead zone'' -- an area that is uninhabitable by marine life during the summer because of a lack of oxygen; in the last decade, it has doubled in size to 7,000 square miles. .

A Changing Climate
The big argument overn climate change used to be whether we really needed to worry about it –whether global warming was real, and whether "greenhouse gases" produced by fossil fuels were to blame. There are a few doubters still, but the vast majority – scientists, elected officials, even the companies that produce oil, coal, and gas – now accepts the reality of global warming. Most governments and leaders around the world have accepted this as well, including the United Nations, the European Union and, after some initial doubts, President Bush.

The scientific consensus is that the Earth is getting warmer. Global temperatures have risen a full degree Fahrenheit in the last century. The warming trend is speeding up, with seven of the eight hottest years recorded occurring since 2001. And most scientists say the warming is because of “greenhouse gases” like that come from the kinds of fuel we use most – primarily oil, (which is mostly used for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel) and coal (almost all of which is used to produce electricity). Since people in the U.S. and around the world are burning more of these so-called fossil fuels, greenhouse emissions have also increased .

Scientists say that unless we curb global warming emissions, average temperatures could be 3.2 to 7.2 degrees higher by the end of the century. We can at least slow down this warming trend by cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions, by using less fossil fuel or switching to cleaner alternatives. The impact of climate change could include coastal flooding, extreme weather, drought and social instability in many countries. The world's richest nations, the so-called G-8, have pledged to seek to cut greenhouse emissions worldwide in half by 2050, but many environmentalists argue the world has to act more quickly than that.