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.