Planet Earth

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Global Warming threatens Kiribati

Scientists have determined that Kiribati – an archipelago of 33 coral atolls barely 6 feet above the sea is diminishing so rapidly that much of it will be gone in the next 25 years. If it is true than Kiribati will be the first nation to face climatic change devastation. Kiribati is a small island nation located at the core of the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of three islands – the Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phonenix island about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The results will be catastrophic for its people who will have to find new a habitat before its gets too late.

Changes have started showing its impact affecting the climate, as well as the species and the population. Its scientists have reviewed and updated the data, and have the international appeal to the two developed countries Australia and New Zealand in the region to prepare for the mass exodus within the next two decades. Several portions of the Kiribati island have already disappeared. And according to the recent observed changes in the climatic pattern, Kiribati will submerged completely by 2025.

The problem is climate change is what that everybody does not understand. The signs of the climate change on this island are extremely dangerous, as they have substantially led to the warming in the region. Its President Anote Tong in an statement said that “the water supplies are being contaminated by the encroaching salt water, crops are destroyed, beach side communities have been moved inland. On 5 th June 2008, he used World Environment Day to request international help to evacuate his country before it disappears.

He holds the view that the green house gas emission in the atmosphere will carry contributing to the climate, which will led to rise in the sea level and submersion of out small, low lying island. The major problem that the island faces is the erosion partly caused by the storms and floods. He said that the emigration needs to start immediately without wasting the time.

Mr Tong said "At the moment there's only the coconut trees." But even the coconut trees are dying – casualties of an unprecedented drought. The country has had next to no rain for the past three years and meanwhile the freshwater table is being poisoned. Keeping up the faith of his countrymen he said – we have no option but to believe in the tomorrow.

Aparana Chauhan

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Climate Project India

Photo - By blogrodent

The Climate Project India is dedicated to creating the pubic awareness about the Climate Change, through presentations by the trained volunteers. It aims to educate the fellow citizens and the government to take action against the ever increasing global warming. The Organization will work out and provide the potential solution, to preserve the climate balance on which we and our planet depends.

The Climate Project (TCP) is a global organization that has come up to support Al Gore's efforts for raising alarm about the climate change. Al Gore has been honored with the “Nobel Peace Prize” for promoting the most important aspect – the climate change. His movie 'An Inconvenient Truth' has won two academy awards. Established as the non-profit-organization TCP, takes initiative to bring education, community information and research programs to the communities all over the country. TCP has carried out the special training programme at 'Indian Habitat Center' to select the 100 people from India to give presentations in order to set up the TCP India Chapter.

In the intense session, Mr Gore said “India is the world's future”, as it is at the early stages of its economic development and there is real opportunity to influence its path of growth towards the climate sustainable outcome. Some of the international organizations like TERI, CSE and CEE are already conducting research and formulating practical solutions in this field.

No doubt, Climate change solutions requires efforts from all sectors of the society. The Climate Project India is growing as the result of commitment and dedication of the volunteers to educate and promote dialogue about the ways to handle climate change crises. TCP is working out to spread its message by first of all targeting and educating the broad base of the Indian society that includes school, universities and top notch industry employers. The trainees will remain linked through the constantly updated website, which will provide the comprehensive support system. TCP India will provide the practical ways to lower the individual emissions.

Aparana Chauhan

Friday, June 20, 2008

Hybrid cars - the next big thing in the automotive world

Now is the time when the government should actually get into discussion with the world's top class car producers to promote the local production of the hybrid cars. Hybrid Cars have made the great strides in the past few years. And with the ongoing hike in the fuel prices the demand of the hybrid cars is growing faster than is originally expected. Hybrid cars are the ones that run on the electric motor and the gasoline. The benefits will not only be seen through the reduced consumption of hydrocarbons but also through the reduction in the automobile vehicles. If you want to save the planet earth and want to make the environment pollution free than think about purchasing the hybrid cars. Although the hybrid cars are bit expensive but think about the long term benefits that you will gain. Hybrid Cars available in the market include Honda, Ford, Toyota, GMC and Chevrolet.

Hybrid cars are mainly classified into two types – Parallel and Series Hybrid. The parallel hybrid has a electric engine that is powered by the batteries and has a petrol engine that loads the fuel tank. The main benefit of the parallel hybrid is that electric engine can turn the transmission and look after the initial acceleration, without the requirement of the petrol engine. On the other hand series hybrid uses the petrol engine to power a generator. The generator in turn charge the batteries. In series hybrid the petrol engine never turns the transmission directly.

Benefits of the hybrid cars are many. Hybrid cars makes the the air pollution free by transmitting less emissions like carbon-di-oxide and other poisonous gases into the air. They saves the fuel and reduces oil dependency. Hybrids have good resale potential. If you are planning to sell your car than hybrid's can be financially advantageous. Driving a hybrid car saves gas. It savers as much as 30 miles a gallon.

They provide better mileage. Hybrid cars are smaller in size and are fuel efficient. The gasoline engine get shut down automatically and restarts when the car shifts into gear. Whereas, the car continues to run but on the electric motor. They are more easy to operate than the other conventional vehicles. The battery of these cars have high capacity made of nickel metal hydride. Its tires are made up of special rubber that reduces friction. They are more reliable and comfortable as compared to the other cars.

Components of Hybrid Cars :
Electric Motor : The electric motor is powered by the batteries that recharge automatically while driving. The advance electronic technology allows it to react both as the motor com generator. The motor derives energy from the batteries to run the car and act as a generator and recharge batteries when it slows down. The hybrid cars also owns the petrol engine that is smaller is size as compared to the other engines which transmits less pollution.

Batteries : The batteries in the hybrid car act as the energy storage device for the electric motors. The electric motor draws as well as restores energy into the batteries.

Regenerative Braking : The electric motor that accelerates the car also slow the car.

Design : Hybrid cars are attractive, efficient and comfortable too. It has advanced aerodynamics to reduce the drag. It is made up of lightweight materials that increases the efficiency of the car.

Aparana Chauhan

Thursday, June 19, 2008

US to push G-8 industrialized nations to combat Climate Change

President Bush committed the United states to deal with the adverse impact of the climate change that will help in reducing the green house gases. He is planning to push the G-8 counties including the India and China for the new climate change combat regime. He made the special appeal to the G-8 nations to to work in close association with the US and other European nations to cut down the percentage of green house gas emissions into the atmosphere.

US is basically looking towards working in the framework in which the countries like India and China could be included. Still the subject of dispute is the ways of means of adopting green technology particularly by mining and thermal power without compromising on the economic growth. Reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere will definitely lead to the eco development.

The Kyoto Protocol colligated to the United States Framework Convention on climate change sets biding targets for 37 industrialized nations and European community for the reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions. And US has not ratified the Protocol.

There is the urgent requirement to harness technologies to deal with the coal fires. China has to stop somewhere as they are building coal plants at the very rapid speed. The bone of contention is that no country wants to wants to co-operate at the expanse of the growth of their economies. On the one hand every country talks about the comprehensive mitigation strategy for the reduction of the carbon emissions, on the other hand every country is in the race to be industrial prosperous and to be placed in the first position. Inspite of so many efforts including the Kyoto Protocol, still there is no legal binding to reduce the carbon emissions.

Aparana Chauhan