Lets Fight Global Warming

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Geoengineering to fight global warming?
2009-04-11 00:18:00
As time goes by and the major emitters of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming keep on giving a blind eye to this deadly menace, the threat of an ice-free Arctic during summers looms large. There was no major breakthrough during the G20 summit with regards to climate change. Inspite of agreeing on a $1.1 trillion stimulus package, campaigners believe that climate change was the biggest loser at the summit. Once again world leaders have short-changed people and the planet,” said Friends of the Earth’s executive director Andy Atkins. “The economic system and the global environment are on a devastating collision course - but despite pledging to build an inclusive, green and sustainable recovery little has been done to change direction.” While developed nations want India and China to be equal partners in tackling climate change, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has made it clear that it is not possible to be equal partners with nations like the United States whic...
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2008 was the 8th warmest year!
2009-01-19 06:14:00
According to the National Climatic Data Center in Washington, last year was the 8th warmest year on record. Not surprisingly, the 10 warmest years on record are between 1997 to 2008 . The average temperature for 2008 was 0.49°C higher than that in the 20th century. This is one of the biggest evidences of the genuine threat of global warming which could have far reaching effects on the globe. While there are some who have been raving about the planet cooling... here is a reality check.
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Abu Dhabi's green initiative...
2009-01-15 09:52:00
ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Gulf Arab oil exporter Abu Dhabi plans to spend $15 billion in the first phase of an initiative to develop green energy and build the world's largest hydrogen power plant, it said on Monday. The investment would be part of the Masdar initiative, set up to develop sustainable and clean energy, Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan told the World Future Energy Summit in the emirate. He gave no time frame. "I would like to underscore the government of Abu Dhabi's commitment to the Masdar initiative by announcing an initial investment of $15 billion," he said. "Next month ground will be broken on Masdar city, the world's first carbon-neutral city."pic: Masdar headquartersFull article
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Energy-guzzling TV's to be phased out by Britain...
2009-01-15 09:24:00
In a move which is aimed towards fighting global warming, Britain is set to phase out energy-guzzling flat screen plasma televisions, reports the Independent. Minimum energy performance standards are expected to be set to keep in check the energy consumption by TVs across Europe and inefficient ones will be phased out. This move comes a week after the withdrawal of 100W incandescent bulb and is a welcome move as per climate change experts.Flat screen plasma TVs consume four times as much energy as any other normal television set run on cathode ray tubes and hence this move would go a long way in saving valuable energy, especially as the use of such wasteful devices has been increasing. Labeling could be introduce which would help in identifying useful and wasteful gadgets. Kudos to Britain for taking this step... there's a lot to be done though.
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Web searching contributes to global warming?
2009-01-12 18:22:00
Sunday Times: Researchers have found that search engines generate carbon dioxide which contribute to the menace of global warming. A typical search engine generates about 7g of carbon dioxide. There are about 200m internet search estimates each day which the researchers say generate a large amount of greenhouse emissions. A recent report by Gartner, the industry analysts, said the global IT industry generated as much greenhouse gas as the world's airlines - about 2% of global CO2 emissions. "Data centres are among the most energy-intensive facilities imaginable" said Evan Mills, a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. When one types in a Google search for say "energy saving tips", one's request goes to several competing servers and it produces answers from the server which produces the answer fastest. The system minimises delays but raises energy consumption. While some researchers say search engines contribute immensely towards climate change by...
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Driving tips to reduce emissions!
2009-01-11 10:02:00
I came across this really interesting article which provides valuable information on how one can reduce CO2 emissions by following simple driving tips. The secret is to help reduce the amount of work your engine has to do, because the greater the workload, the more fuel is burned – so the higher the CO2 emissions. By following these smarter driving tips you could cut your CO2 emissions by around 8 per cent – equivalent to an annual fuel saving of up to one month per year. All you need to get started are the smarter driving tips below that you can put into practice straight away. 1. Pump up to cut down Under inflated tyres create more resistance when your car is moving. That means your engine has to work harder, so more fuel is used and more CO2 emissions are produced. Simply check and adjust your tyre pressures regularly and also before long journeys. This will also help to increase the life of your tyres. Under inflated tyres increase CO2 but over inflated tyres can be...
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"Green" billboard to light up Times Square!
2009-01-10 07:31:00
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The world's first billboard running solely on wind and solar power is ready to make its debut in the capital of all billboards -- New York's Times Square .Wind whistling between the neighborhood's skyscrapers should keep the giant billboard lit constantly, said the manufacturer, Japanese copy and photo giant Ricoh Company Ltd.The "Eco-Board" weighs 35,000 pounds (15,800 kg) and will be powered by 16 vertical wind turbines and 64 solar panels."We wanted to make a statement that we can put up a advertisement and not impact the environment, so that began the journey to Times Square," Ricoh spokesman Ron Potesky said.A positive step this. Such an initiative will reduce the C02 usage by 18 tons per year. Yes, there have been a few delays but it's certain that such boards will lit up the Times Square in the coming weeks. Here's hoping to see many more of such boards!Full article
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Scientists working on an 'Artificial Sun'!!!
2008-12-29 08:21:00
London: Scientists at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in Livermore are attempting to create an artificial Sun on Earth – an achievement that will provide answer to the world’s impending energy shortage.For nearly 100 years the goal seemed impossible, but now scientists believe that they are on brink of cracking one of the biggest problems in physics by harnessing the power of nuclear fusion, the reaction that burns at the heart of the Sun.The attempt will be made by the researchers this spring.The team will try to ignite a tiny man-made star inside a laboratory and trigger a thermonuclear reaction.Its goal is to generate temperatures of more than 100 million degrees Celsius and pressures billions of times higher than those found anywhere else on earth, from a speck of fuel little bigger than a pinhead.source: The Times of IndiaFull article
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Get ready for... green clothing!!!
2008-12-29 08:04:00
By now, as an avid climate change tracker, you would be well aware of major innovations meant to be tackling this grave danger. Toyota's environment friendly cars, green packaging and so on. But here's another such innovation that intends to draw our attention to the issue of plastic waste.A noted scientist Helen Storey, along with Tony Ryans from the University of Sheffieldhave come together to create plastic dresses made out of similar materials to washing capsules which literally disappear on washing! It's meant to seek a solution to the large scale discarding of clothing and sending it to landfill sites. The plastic is made from polyvinyl alcohol.Now here's another hugh leap in the field of fashion and glitz. This new kind of clothing does have a few problems, but if one looks at the aim at which it has been created, there's a lot to admire. More such innovations need to be worked upon especially with regards to stuff of daily use to keep our contribution to this serious pr...
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Think Green this Christmas!
2008-12-25 13:14:00
I'd like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! While celebrating this special occasion, let us reaffirm our commitment towards making this menace of global warming history. Let us make a new year resolution to save our planet! Spread the word of peace and green all around. Together, we can and we will make a difference!A few basic tips on how you can make a difference this holiday season by following simple steps:Recycling gift wraps: Why not give green? Recycling gift wraps would do wonders. Lilienfield(co-author of the book Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are.), who has published a newsletter on reducing waste since 1996, notes that if every family reused just 2 feet [0.6 meter] of holiday ribbon, the 38,000 miles [61,000 kilometers] of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the entire planet. Also, if you could give gifts which do not need wrapping, nothing like it! They could be in the form of home made cakes, tickets to a movie ...
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Solar Cargo ship launched!
2008-12-24 07:47:00
The world's first cargo ship partly propelled by solar power took to the seas on Friday in Japan, aiming to cut fuel costs and carbon emissions when automakers ship off their exports.The huge freighter, capable of carrying 6400 automobiles, is equipped with 328 solar panels at a cost of $1.68-million, the officials said. Company officials said the 60 213-ton, 200-metre-long ship is the first large vessel in the world with a solar-based propulsion system. So far solar energy has been limited to supporting lighting and crew's living quarters. The solar power system can generate 40 kilowatts, which would initially cover only 0.2 percent of the ship's energy consumption for propulsion, but company officials said they hoped to raise the ratio.source: iafrica.comFull ArticleThe shipping industry has come under growing pressure to take part in efforts to curb global warming, which is blamed on carbon emissions and this is certainly a welcome step!
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Netherlands to strengthen flood fortifications
2008-12-21 06:45:00
THE HAGUE (AFP) – The Dutch government on Thursday unveiled a multi-billion dollar plan to reinforce dykes and the coastline and augment fresh water supplies in the face of rising sea levels due to global warming. Two-thirds of the Netherlands lies below sea-level and the country is increasingly worried about the threat of devastating floods. The government's national water plan proposes strengthening hundreds of kilometres (miles) of dykes along the North Sea, adding massive sand deposits to the coast, increasing river drainage capacity, and expanding the freshwater Ijsselmeer (lake) north of Amsterdam. "The Netherlands has good fresh water provision, but it won't always be guaranteed," said a government statement, warning about the "intrusion" of salt water due to the rising seas.source:- YahooFull articleAtleast some Governments. have awoken to this grave danger of global w...
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2008 could be the 10th hottest since 1850!
2008-12-19 07:56:00
The year 2008 could be the 10th warmest year since 1850, ever since the introduction of instrumental climate records, with a temperature of 0.31°C above normal, according to the UN meteorological agency. In South Asia, including India, Pakistan and Vietnam, heavy monsoon rains and torrential downpours killed 2,600 people while in South America, above normal rainfall in Brazil and Colombia affect millions of people. Myanmar was devastated with cyclone Nargis which took lives of 78,000 people.16 tropical storms formed in the Atlantic including 8 hurricanes, 5 of which were major causing casualties and widespread destruction. The average temperature was moderated by La Nia, a weather phenomenon that shrinks the warm pool water in central and western pacific. Australia experienced a severe heat wave with Adelaide having to bear temperatures of above 35°C on record 15 consecutive days. Several heat waves also occurred across Europe, Middle-East and Asia.source: PTI

NASA to set up CO2 hunter...
2008-12-18 20:49:00
The US space agency is set to launch a satellite that can map in detail where carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere. Nasa 's Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) will pinpoint the key locations on the Earth's surface where CO2 is being emitted and absorbed. CO2 from human activities is thought to be driving climate changes, but important facts about its movement through the atmosphere remain elusive. The agency believes the technology on OCO can end some of the mysteries.source: BBC newsFull article
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Big melt!
2008-12-17 20:53:00
Washington: While many world leaders take little notice of this mammoth issue of global warming, another shocking stat has emerged. According to new NASA satellite data, about 2 trillion tonnes of ice has gone since 2003, especaially in Greenland. This rapid melting of ice is seen as a result of this grave problem of global warming as per scientists. Due to such melting in Greenland, Antartica and Alaska, the global sea level has risen to about one-fifth of an inch in the past five years.The Arctic too has been warming at a faster rate than what the experts had expected. It is said that this time around, the temperature out there was higher by as much as ten degrees celcius this past fall.As this serious menace of global warming is still being debated in the political circles, lets hope it's not too late!picture: geology.com

Land spiltting in Uttar Pradesh, India...
2008-07-26 10:30:00
Several villages in an India n state of Uttar Pradesh have seen "Land -splitting" which has caused panic amongst the villagers, who believe this occurance means doomsday is coming... some say this is a result of the drastic change in the environment conditions while some say this has happened due to the depleting groundwater due to human activities like pumping.

G8 agrees to halve emissions by 2050...
2008-07-09 07:46:00
The most powerful nations(economically and industrially) of the world, the G8, comprising of the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Russia, Germany, Italy and Japan have pledged to halve greenhouse emissions by 2050. While this pledge has been hailed by the members of G8, developing nations are not satisfied. Even some environmentalists believe that mid-term goals should be set in order to keep a check on this titanic problem of Climate change. Seems like we're heading for a deadlock, with Bush urging the developing nations like China and India to take initial steps towards reducing carbon emissions while the developing nations expect things to take shape the other way around. How will these developments affect the environment? Only time would tell... image source:- un.org
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Ice to disappear entirely from the North Pole!
2008-06-28 06:46:00
For the first time in human history the ice in the Arctic is set to disappear, one of the biggest signs of Global Warming, as per scientists. This could spell doom to marine life and also affect those who reside along the coast of this region. The natives will bear the brunt since there will arise a danger of them getting swamped by the water from melting ice and it might prove to be sufficient enough to sound the death knell of their culture as a whole. And hold your breath... the mass melting of ice will affect regions beyond the Arctic as well. Due to the dramatic rise in sea-level, major cities around the world would face the negative side of mother nature. And whats more... according to some experts the North Pole could lose all it's ice cover by the end of this year! According to a leading newspaper in India, "The Times of India", this disappearance of the Arctic sea ice will make it possible to reach the North Pole in a boat through open water...The question which immedia...
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Cheers to the media!
2008-06-24 06:47:00
Well... it's so good to see the media here in India doing it's bit to spread awareness about Global warming and climate change. I've seen quite a few news channels, English and Hindi, showing various programs on this man-made disaster recently. One of them has even collaborated with a company and is on a hunt for the best environmentalist of the country. One of my favorite programs was the one where they brought out the effects of Global warming on sea-plants and animals under water.If only other nations follow suit... the media can be an instrumental tool in saving our planet if utilized in a productive manner.
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Climate change will affect crops...
2008-06-21 21:38:00
As per a climate change expert Mr. R.K. Pachauri, rising temperatures will take it's toll on the yield of crops. As per him, wheat yields would fall by 5-10% with every increase of 1 degree celsius. This especially would be in the case of the Indian subcontinent, particularly India.(source:- The Times of India) Various sources have claimed India would be amongst the worst sufferers of the effect of Global warming and this latest bit of news only justifies that.
More About: Climate Change , Climate , Change , Crops

The World to end in 2012?
2008-06-16 07:14:00
I've been hearing so much about the world coming to a grinding halt on 21st December 2012. Some say that the Maya civilization's calender ends on this date which exemplifies the end of our age. Some say that the winter Sun will be crossing the point of Galactic Equator which would spell doom, some say there would be a world war which would result in a nuclear outburst while some say Global warming would result in natural disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes and droughts.Well... it sounds scary at first... but some experts say this could be a way to earn quick bucks... lets not come to conclusions. If we are to die, it could be today, tomorrow or anyday... so why think too much! Lets focus on other important things in life!
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EU-US summit: Bush optimistic
2008-06-10 20:54:00
June 10, Slovenia:- US President George Bush said he's optimistic that an agreement on Global Warming could be struck before his term ends. However, he believes that no agreement could be effective without the participation of Asian giants China and India, who too are responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. US senate abandons Global Warming billsource:- Environment News ServiceThe U.S. Senate's much anticipated tangle with a landmark bill that would have required the nation to make deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming came to an unceremonious end Friday, as proponents failed to muster enough votes to formally consider the legislation. Four days of deliberations on the climate bill were marked more by partisan bickering than substantive debate, but supporters of aggressive U.S. action to combat global warming contend the tide is turning in their favor. read the full article:- http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun2008/2 008-06-06-10.asp
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Snails indicate Climate change?
2008-06-05 20:18:00
Users of a busy carriageway in Germany witnessed a fuss caused by a large number of snails, which became a cause of several accidents. Some experts believe that the mass migration of these snails could have been due to climate change since snails sought a more becoming environment.
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Happy World Environment Day!
2008-06-05 20:06:00
June 5:- Today is the day which commemorates 'The World Environment Day'. Let us reaffirm our desire for transforming our surroundings to an eco-friendly hub and strive towards our goal of spreading green through an indefatigable approach which exemplifies perseverance to avert disasters cause by the greatest threat to our planet, the menace of Global Warming!One can celebrate this special day in a simple but a productive way. It could be holding a bicycle parade, cleanliness campaign, green concerts or just by planting a tree. Come... lets make a difference... YOU can make a difference!!
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Bordering nations to protect the Arctic...
2008-05-29 19:45:00
5 nations that ring the Arctic ocean namely Canada, The United States, Russia, Denmark and Norway, have affirmed their desire to protect it's environment. They are basically aiming at preserving the fragile environment of the Arctic ocean, according to an official statement. There has been a lot of concern about the oil-pollution caused by ships which has now been addressed and will be worked upon to make things in the Arctic ocean better and environment friendly. This is really good news since a problem of such magnitude deserves attention.
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Three species are getting extinct every hour!
2008-05-21 08:02:00
According to a British tabloid, "The Sun", a research has shown that due to pollution, a chief contributor towards Global Warming, three species are getting extinct every hour! Also, one in four mammals are in the endangered list. The list also includes one in eight bird types, one third of the amphibians and seventy percent of plant life.
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Burma(Myanmar) cyclone linked to Global Warming...
2008-05-20 19:17:00
The hurrendous cyclone in Burma , which has been tipped to be amongst the worst natural disasters in history which left over 15000 deceased has links with Global warming, if Al Gore, an expert on Global Warming and ex-United States Vice- President is to be believed. His logic behind his claim seems to be pragmatic as he attributes this terrible occurance by mother nature to the rising ocean temperatures, courtesy Global Warming. Now we have the "ignorants" who claim Gore is trying to cash in on the loss of innocent lives to stay in the news.But let me remind them this is no ordinary bloke who's making headlines, he's a nobel peace prize winner. Wonder what bothers them when one is genuinely trying to alert people about something that's the biggest threat our planet faces. Even if what he's saying isn't true, do we keep on exploiting the Earth and wait to see if the effects of Global Warming exists? That's for the detractors to decide...
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Use Laptop...save energy!
2008-04-25 13:36:00
Laptop saves five times the energy as compared to that used by desktop. So use a laptop instead of a desktop if possible. If using a desktop, using LCD is advisable.
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Another study... another scare!
2008-03-31 07:23:00
Mumbai:- In an article published in one of the leading newspapers in India, "The Times of India", as per a non-governmental organisation "Greenpeace", Mumbai, India's financial hub would be under water by 2100! Not only Mumbai, some other major cities would face the dreadful effects of Global Warming too. This would happen due to the rise in temperatures by 4-5 degrees. This in turn would imply that approximately 50 million Indians would be left homeless and become "climate migrants".Greenpeace envisages that human migration 92 years hence would be equivalent to 10 times the movement seen during the India-Pakistan partition.Inspite of all these studies and the results popping out of these on a regular basis, we still have some ignorant people who call Global warming a "hoax"... get a life!
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Japan to pay billions to cut emissions
2008-03-20 07:06:00
TOKYO - Japan ese households and businesses could end up paying more than $500 billion to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 11 percent over the next decade, the trade and industry ministry said Wednesday. The report mapped out the changes that consumers and industry would have to make in order to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases blamed for global warming below 2005 levels by 2020. The forecast, by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, comes as Japan is struggling to meet obligations under the kyoto global warming pact to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 6 percent under 1990 levels by 2012.source:- Yahoo Newsfull article
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