Want to throw food, think again - World Environment Day 2013-

An annual program organized by UNEP (United Nations Environment Protection,) the World Environment Day falling on June 05, is back this year with the theme Think.Eat.Save. The theme focuses on not wasting food, as it seen that it takes a lot of effort to produce the food which in turns reflects to the amount carbon emissions produced. The UN Food and Agriculture estimates that about 1.3 billion tonnes of food is disposed off. Considering that amount of food wasted, it is possible to feed an entire continent of people for several years.

With a global population of 7 billion and growing, needing to feed such a population has been a burden on natural resources. The UN’s Food and Agriculture estimates that one third of the world’s food is wasted or lost. There are places in the world where people starve of hunger and are not able to have a proper three square meal. So imagining that 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted, this year’s theme seems very appropriate Think.Eat.Save.

It is not only about saving food but considering the fact of preserving other resources when consuming food. One of major requirements of producing food is water. I found an article from the Guardian published this year January indicating how much water is required to produce common food stuff. As I went through the article, it seems we waste a lot more water and I mean a lot. For example to produce 1 kg of chocolate, 17,196 litres of water is used. So now do the math, 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted and multiple the amount of water wasted.

On the top of that, the production, manufacturing, shipping and transportation of food lead to a massive trail of carbon footprint. I again say, this year’s theme is about thinking before you eat, then eat and finally save/protect the environment.

They have created some interesting posters with facts for those of you who want to see, check it out.

10:10 Bangladesh Sustainable Hunt

It has almost been three (3) years since the inception of 10:10 Bangladesh and it has so far been quite an interesting journey. Their next event, 10:10 Bangladesh Sustainable Hunt, is another such fascinating event. This time, they have come up with a contest where contestants are supposed to share their sustainable ideas and energy- saving habits.

The contest is divided into two categories

Category 1- Energy-saving success story (a habit/story that can inspire us).

Category 2- A sustainable idea/project (your idea of a project can be of any sort, but it has to be done in an energy-efficient manner, unique and scalable).

The winner will have his/her own documentary film about how they are doing their part on creating a sustainable environment. On top of that, the winning idea will have the opportunity to implement their idea or project with the collaboration of 10:10 Bangladesh.

Unlike previous endeavors, where contestants can apply from any part of the world, this time the competition MUST be within Bangladesh. The reason behind this was to highlight Bangladesh.

To know more details about the event, and how to participate, visit the facebook page at 10:10 Bangladesh Sustainable Hunt.

Controversial 400ppm- the warning we didnt listen to

As it seems in recent news, the global carbon emissions have crossed the 400ppm (parts per million). Now there have been debates if it has actually crossed that margin. According to initial reports, it was stated that global emissions have reached 400ppm, although at a Hawaii site it still has not crossed that threshold. I checked up on the Keeling’s curve and saw that the current level stands at 399.88ppm. So the debate basically is that 399.88 were rounded up to 400. 

Now to me honestly 399.88 can be rounded to 400, and as I am a science graduate, I understand the difference between 399.88 and 400. But when it comes to a bigger picture 399.88 and 400 is the same. It may take another 10 years or so to increase another 0.12 ppm to reach the 400.00 level but scientists, environmentalists and many other groups have been trying to make sure we do not reach that stage. As we know that 350ppm is the safest limit and that is a target we should accomplish. It is said global temperatures will rise to 2 degrees Celsius and we will face many climatic changes if we surpass the 400ppm mark.

For the debaters who say we still have not reached the 400ppm, please come to reality. It does not make much of a difference now. 

Those of you, who want to follow the trend of emissions, visit the Keeling Curve.

Get to know more from here.

Photo courtesy to PremacultureNews.

Earth Hour- Seminar on Energy Savings

Now with March 27th 2010 just round the corner, preparations for Earth Hour are in full swing. Over the last couple of days, I have been conversing with WWF Australia to get Bangladesh aboard as another country to the list of 88 countries who have signed for celebrating Earth Hour. I am still in discussions however in the mean time, IEEE AIUB Student Branch and I have organized a Seminar on Energy Savings, keeping that the theme.

Event Details

Day: Thursday, 25th 2010
Time: 12:30pm
Venue: AIUB Auditorium, Campus 1&5
Address: 58/B, Road-21, Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani,Dhaka

Event Speakers

!) Engr. A.H.M Mohiuddin
Chairman of Power & Energy Society

2) Engr.M.Omar Faruq
CEO & Consultant
Faruq M&E Consultant

3) Syed M.S. Zafar
Managing Director
TERM Magazine- A business monthly

4) Muhammad Faheem Faruq
Local Supporter of Earth Hour

Aviation requires planning to curb emissions

Nowadays it is said if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, plan before you leave your house so that you not only curb emissions, but save time,fuel and money. There are talks that to reduce emissions in the aviation industry, greener technology is required however a thought is given to in managing aka the control tower at each airport. How? By becoming more efficient in planning their schedules with planes.

It is not only the control tower, the ground people can quicken processes so that planes can land and fly faster. A good air traffic management must be established for both air and ground to make it successful.

Countries pledge to Copenhagen Accord

After the result of the Copenhagen Accord on December 2009, countries were given a time frame of January 31, 2010 to agree to the accord and the deadline has passed with US renewing vows to reduce CO2 emissions.

Basically the Accord summarized that global temperatures should not exceed more than 2 degrees and that countries affected by climate change were to be compensated by giving them financial support to combat climate change.

UN will announce the list of signatories soon but so far here are some of the pledges made by countries.

China - to reduce "carbon intensity" by 40-45% from 2005 by 2020.

India - to reduce carbon intensity by 20-25% from 2005 by 2020.

US - aim to cut emissions by about 17% by 2020, from 2005 levels.

EU - 20% emissions cut by 2020 from 1990 levels, and 30% if other nations deepen their reductions.

Brazil - to aim for 36-39% below projected levels by 2020.

Japan - 25% below 1990 levels by 2020

Climate Vulnerable Forum: Maldive's President Speech

With the almost final climate talks in Barcelona, Maldives President Nasheed gave a powerful speech in the opening ceremony of Climate Vulnerable Forum.

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

We gather in this hall today, as some of the most climate-vulnerable nations on Earth.

We are vulnerable because climate change threatens to hit us first; and hit us hardest.

And we are vulnerable because we have modest means with which to protect ourselves from the coming disaster.

We are a diverse group of countries.

But we share one common enemy.

For us, climate change is no distant or abstract threat; but a clear and present danger to our survival.

Climate change is melting the glaciers in Nepal.

It is causing flooding in Bangladesh.

It threatens to submerge the Maldives and Kiribati.

And in recent weeks, it has furthered drought in Tanzania, and typhoons in the Philippines.

We are the frontline states in the climate change battle.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Developing nations did not cause the climate crisis.

We are not responsible for the hundreds of years of carbon emissions, which are cooking the planet.

But the dangers climate change poses to our countries, means that this crisis can no longer be considered somebody else’s problem.

Carbon knows no boundaries.

Whether we like it or not, we are all in this fight together.

For all of us gathered here today, inaction is not an option.

So, what can we do about it?

To my mind, whatever course of action we take must be based on the latest advice of climate scientists. Not on the advice of politicians like us.

As Copenhagen looms, and negotiators frantically search for a solution, it is easy to think that climate change is like any other international issue.

It is easy to assume that it can be solved by a messy political compromise between powerful states.

But the fact of the matter is, we cannot negotiate with the laws of physics.

We cannot cut a deal with Mother Nature.

We have to learn to live within the fixed planetary boundaries that nature has set.

And it is increasingly clear that we are living way beyond those planetary means.

Scientists say that global carbon dioxide levels must be brought back down below 350 parts per million.

And we can see why.

We have already overshot the safe landing space.

In consequence the ice caps are melting.

The rainforests are threatened.

And the world’s coral reefs are in imminent danger.

Members of the G8 rich countries have pledged to halt temperature rises to two degrees Celsius.

Yet they have refused to commit to the carbon targets, which would deliver even this modest goal.

At two degrees we would lose the coral reefs.

At two degrees we would melt Greenland.

At two degrees my country would not survive.

As a president I cannot accept this.

As a person I cannot accept this.

I refuse to believe that it is too late, and that we cannot do any about it.

Copenhagen is our date with destiny.

Let us go there with a better plan.

Ladies and gentlemen,

When we look around the world today, there are few countries showing moral leadership on climate change.

There are plenty of politicians willing to point the finger of blame.

But there are few prepared to help solve a crisis that, left unchecked, will consume us all.

Few countries are willing to discuss the scale of emissions reductions required to save the planet.

And the offers of adaptation support for the most vulnerable nations are lamentable.

The sums of money on offer are so low, it is like arriving at a earthquake zone with a dustpan and brush.

We don’t want to appear ungrateful but the sums hardly address the scale of the challenge.

We are gathered here because we are the most vulnerable group of nations to climate change.

The problem is already on us, yet we have precious little with which to fight.

Some might prefer us to suffer in silence but today we have decided to speak.

And so I make this pledge today: we will not die quietly.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I believe in humanity.

I believe in human ingenuity.

I believe that with the right frame of mind, we can solve this crisis.

In the Maldives, we want to focus less on our plight; and more on our potential.

We want to do what is best for the planet.

And what is best for our economic self-interest.

This is why, earlier this year, we announced plans to become carbon neutral in ten years.

We will switch from oil to 100% renewable energy.

And we will offset aviation pollution, until a way can be found to decarbonise air transport too.

To my mind, countries that have the foresight to green their economies today, will be the winners of tomorrow.

They will be the winners of this century.

These pioneering countries will free themselves from the unpredictable price of foreign oil.

They will capitalize on the new, green economy of the future.

And they will enhance their moral standing, giving them greater political influence on the world stage.

Here in the Maldives we have relinquished our claim to high-carbon growth.

After all, it is not carbon we want, but development.

It is not coal we want, but electricity.

It is not oil we want, but transport.

Low-carbon technologies now exist, to deliver all the goods and services we need.

Let us make the goal of using them.

Ladies and gentlemen,

A group of vulnerable, developing countries committed to carbon neutral development would send a loud message to the outside world.

If vulnerable, developing countries make a commitment to carbon neutrality, those opposed to change have nowhere left to hide.

If those with the least start doing the most, what excuse can the rich have for continuing inaction?

We know this is not an easy step to take, and that there might be dangers along the way.

We want to shine a light, not loudly demand that others go first into the dark.

So today, we want to share with you our carbon neutral strategy.

And we want to ask you to consider carbon neutrality yourselves.

I think a bloc of carbon-neutral, developing nations could change the outcome of Copenhagen.

At the moment every country arrives at the negotiations seeking to keep their own emissions as high as possible.

They never make commitments, unless someone else does first.

This is the logic of the madhouse, a recipe for collective suicide.

We don’t want a global suicide pact.

And we will not sign a global suicide pact, in Copenhagen or anywhere.

So today, I invite some of the most vulnerable nations in the world, to join a global survival pact instead.

We are all in this as one.

We stand or fall together.

I hope you will join me in deciding to stand.

Maldives cabinet discusses underwater

In the effort to raise enough awareness about climate change, the Maldives' cabinet have taken an underwater dive to discuss matters. This just shows the magnitude of climate change.

The discussions where done by using a whiteboard and hand signals. Each minister had a diving instructor and a military personnel. A document was signed signifying that carbon emissions to be reduced. As momentum gains on the Copenhagen summit, this is just one more to the movement.

Grim past of Earth's climate reveals scary message

History of our Earth's climate reveals some scarier message that our current carbon emissions policies are to die for. According to a study, the current levels of carbon emissions and that of some 20 million years indicate that back then sea levels were about (25-40)m.

So if we were to keep the current CO2 emissions as a target to maintain, then we would be under (25-40)m of water. By current standards CO2 emissions are near 450ppm however countries like Maldives and the Association of Small Island States are backing for the 350ppm as a target of CO2 this December.

Also to support this 350.org has started a global campaign so that governments, head of officials bring the current emissions to 350ppm of CO2. I will be blogging about some of the activities which I will be doing to support this cause.

The Scarlet, Britain’s greenest hotel

The Scarlet, located at Mawgan Porth Cornwall is called a luxury eco hotel  based on completely being green.  You’re wondering, a green hotel, it could be boring possibly not luxurious but it looks quite luxurious.

Why is it green? Well the heating comes from a biomass boiler, using timber chips as biomass taken from a local timber firm. The pool is heated by solar panels. The power comes from Ecotricity, generating 100% wind power. So far so good. Read the full review here.

Australia top carbon emitter, pasts USA

Australia has become the largest carbon emitter per person  of carbon dioxide passing USA. It was evident that China was to take this position however, Australia beat them to it.  It is obvious with Australia depending on coal, and coal is known for causing more carbon dioxide emissions.

Electrifying Highways: Alternate to batteries

A question arises, it is feasible and if so is it sustainable? True that by electrifying highways, you wont  need  electric batteries for your car, so you save space in the car and could utilize it to increase your leg room. However just imagine the amount of electricity that has to be generated to sustain the vast number of cars on the roads especially at this present day.

Also if for some reason the electric grid fails in one sector, cars would completely stall in the middle of the road. So your going at 100mph and the electric grid fails, your engine loses power and you cant brake properly because the car’s electrics depend on electricity and in modern cars everything is electric.  But I am sure there is a backup energy source in case if something was to happen.

Its sound like a good idea, but by increasing the electric consumption, there is a risk of polluting more in the process.

“Is There Asbestos in My Home?”

The short answer to the question, “Is there asbestos in my home?” is “Yes, probably.” How much, where, and whether you should worry, depends mostly on when your home was built and what condition it is in.

In the U.S., if your home was built after the mid-1990s there might be asbestos in roof shingles, floor tiles, cement pipes and boards, caulking compounds, and joint cements. However, this is not necessarily something to worry about.

Asbestos is a mineral that breaks into small fibers. The fibers are dangerous to breathe, because if they settle in the lungs they can cause mesothelioma, a deadly lung cancer, and asbestosis, a debilitating disease that interferes with breathing. You should also avoid ingesting asbestos. However, as long as the asbestos fibers are encased in something so that the fibers can’t be breathed, or get into your water — generally the case with newer construction materials — you can safely leave it where it is.

Insulation in Home Built Before the mid-1990s

Homes built between 1920 and 1950 may have asbestos insulation. Also, be aware that homes built after 1950, and possibly as recently as the mid-1990s, may contain an insulation called Zonolite made of vermiculite contaminated with asbestos. The vermiculite came from a mine in Libby, Montana, a community so contaminated with asbestos the EPA recently declared Libby to be a public health disaster.

As long as the insulation is enclosed in a wall where fibers cannot escape, it is not hazardous. However, if walls are damaged, or if your remodeling plans involve cutting into a wall, you must arrange for state-certified asbestos abatement specialists to deal with the insulation. They may either remove it or find some way to contain it. But do not handle the insulation yourself.

Asbestos in Homes Built Before 1980

Here are just some of the other places you might find asbestos in an older home:

Shingles and walls. From the 1920s and until 1978 asbestos cement shingles were a popular choice for housing exteriors. Also until the 1970s, cement sheet, millboard, and paper with a high asbestos content were used around fireplaces and wood burning stoves. Cutting or drilling these materials can release asbestos fibers into the air you breathe.

Soundproofing. Until the 1970s, soundproofing material containing asbestos was sprayed on walls and ceilings. Asbestos also was used in textured paint and patching compounds until 1977. The asbestos in these applications can become loose and release asbestos into the air, if they haven’t already.

Hot water and steam pipes. These may be coated with asbestos or wrapped with asbestos tape.

Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets. Replacing an old basement furnace in your home can create an asbestos hazard.

Inspection and Abatement

At this point, you may be worried about the cracks, chips, and flaking in your older home. It cannot be stressed enough that if asbestos really is present, you need professional help to deal with it. Deal only with asbestos inspectors and asbestos abatement contractors that are licensed by your state.

The first step is assessing whether there really is an asbestos danger in your home. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you hire an inspector who is independent from any abatement contractor you might use to avoid a conflict of interest.

Even if there is asbestos in your home, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have it all removed immediately. If the asbestos is in a place where it won’t get into the air or water, it may be left alone. But be aware that renovations or damage to your home might release the asbestos, and then you must call in an asbestos abatement contractor. Don’t try to deal with it yourself.

This is a guest posting by Barbara O’ Brien, an environmental blogger
Her blog
http://www.maacenter.org

Earth Hour still standing strong and growing

For those of you who have heard about the Earth Hour, well this Saturday 28th March 2009 millions of people are expected to switch of all their lights at 8:30pm (9:30 GMT) for an hour all over the world. It started off two years ago when about 2 million people switched off their lights in Sydney, Australia and after two years it has spread all over the globe. Popular landmarks are expected to remain dark during this hour and many million homes are expected also.

Read more about here.

Visit Earth Hour

Exxon Mobil fined for air pollution

Exxon Mobil Corporation, one of world's largest oil and gas supplier was fined $6.1 million for air pollution. The reason for this fine was due to the fact they did not reduce their air pollution as a three-year old agreement. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials found out that Exxon Mobil did not reduce the sulfur present n couple of their refineries. To read more about here.

Dubai:One of the highest carbon emissions per capita

As development and expansion of this wealthy nation continues to rise with high-rises, islands build off the coast, hotels, Dubai a emirate nation of UAE( United Arab Emirates) has one of the highest carbon footprint per capita. Recently with the explosion of population in the emirate state, waste management has become an issue which affects marine ecosystem around the area. UAE has ratified their position in the Kyoto Protocol in 2005 however according to their status in the Protocol they do not require to reduce their carbon emissions.

As a result, the use of renewable energy or sustainable energy in the region has not become a concern yet. Although with countries researching and using sustainable energies, I think they too should start implementing such schemes and allowing foreign investments relating to green projects. Bahrain has started projects by installing wind turbines to its World Trade Center, the first of its kind. To read about the Bahrain World Trade Center find it here. To read more about the Dubai's carbon footprint click here.

Beijing wants cleaner air to breathe

With the Beijing Olympics over, all the restrictions provided by the government to maintain a clean air quality of Beijing's atmosphere are going to be lifted however citizens have complained and want the restrictions applied. The people realizing that they require clean breathing air and since they are rules why not keep it.

In order to maintain the restrictions, the government would have to still enforce laws such as keeping drivers off the street, closing polluting factories and shutting down rubbish dumps. In a report by the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau, the air quality of Beijing improved by 50% during the Olympics that means that there was less air pollution. Finally people are becoming vocal enough to do something about the environment and they are willing to fight for cleaner air.

Cheers to all who are fighting!!!

Shoppers Guide to Green Cars: 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid

As governments force car manufactures to shift to alternate energy, carmakers in the wake of climate change are developing newer technology to solve this problem. We know already most car manufactures have already launched green cars such technologies involving hybrid engines where the engine is run by both electric and petrol engine. Then you have the single electric engine, hydrogen fuel cell and finally the engines that are run on bio-fuels such as bio-diesel, bio-ethanol and so on.

Honda has been researching a lot with green technology as to fusing the technology with current car designs and specifications. Not only has Honda been doing the same thing other car manufactures such as Toyota, General Motors, Ford have been doing the same thing. So in the next few posts I will be discussing about the car industry, about new green cars and the new technology coming in the market.

Honda’s new green car the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan has the style and beauty which other green cars today lacks. The sedan has been fitted with innovative technology that should have been installed long time ago. Let me get first get started with the engine specs.

The engine is a 1.3 liter 8-valve, SOHC i-VTEC 4- cylinder which produces 110 hp. Since it a hybrid engine it also has an electric motor which provides 20 hp power when required specially with its new system called the Idle Stop Feature. This feature is activated when say for instance you brake and wait in traffic, the engine automatically switches itself off. The moment you press the accelerator, the engine starts again with the assistance of this electric motor and you start moving normally. What this feature does it that it saves the amount of fuel being burnt during traffic resulting in lesser emissions caused by the car. Another feature is the continuous variable transmission (CVT). This controls the gear ratio to vary such that the engine does not shift too early or too late so that it improves fuel efficiency and controls emission. Honda claims that this car has an EPA rating of 40/45 mpg in city/highway, although with many conditions applied.

The environmental features of this car are the electric motor, idle-stop feature then there is the CVT after that is the Drive by wire Throttle System then the Integrated Motor Assist. The car is also equipped with quite a lot of safety features. Like modern cars the usual set-up like air bags, 3 point seat-belts are present other than that the Honda Civic Hybrid has anti-locking braking system with electronic brake distribution, daytime running lights and many more but for me which I think is new to me is the tire pressure monitoring system. It sounds cool! This type of system is heard of in a Mer or a Beemer.

I have driven the 2006 Japanese Honda Civic version run on gasoline and trust me those who drive cars and enjoy driving, Honda has really made a good car. The Honda Civic which I drove had a perfect ride height, comfortable, very responsive when it comes to accelerating and turning. The car is a front-wheel drive and for a FWD the handling is good. The interior is simple and not too fancy but nice. The digital speedometer is awesome, compared to other cars I have seen such as the Nissan X-trail, and Toyota Vista (I don’t know the name of the US version or Japanese version but that’s the name sold in Bangladesh). Although nothing beats the analogue speedometer.

The Honda Civic Hybrid costs about US$22600(the starting price). Those of you who are looking forward in buying a green car this maybe an option. I will be posting more about green cars in the near future and hope I can provide a larger list of cars.

If you want to know more about this car please visit Honda's hybrid cars.

A 100mph green car to be displayed

For sports fanatics this is what they are looking for. There has been debate whether sports cars could be turned into green sports car and for that reason the sports industry has not shifted or tried using alternate fuels. Although some research is being done. A couple of consortium of UK companies and universities have achieved this feat. The body is taken from Bangladesh.ccMorgan, a classic British car company. The car has been called the LifeCar. The car is to be launched in the Geneva Motor Show however there is not guarantee that the car will go in production.

To know more visit Bangladesh.ccBBC website.

Asthma patients ask for compensation

In a case filed by asthmatic patients for air pollution in Tokyo are asking for compensation for their health problems caused by exhaust fumes by governments and car makers. The government gave proposals to these carmakers for antipollution methods and for medical fee assistance of 6 billion yen. The metropolitan government is planning to fight for air pollution in the coming weeks.

The seven carmakers and the government have come to an agreement to pay for the compensation to these patients however the amount is still not decided. The patients have said that if there are complications with the carmakers then they will deal with the metropolitan governments. The government plans to reduce air pollution but creating more intersections such that traffic flow is smooth. They will also plant trees to reduce the smog. They will allow asthma patients to borrow with free inhalers and receive medical check-ups to prevent symptoms. The seven carmakers said that they would pay something like 400-500 million yen but the patients requested 3 billion yen.