Smog in Pakistan: a call for action!
Among the series of climate based disasters that Pakistan has been facing recently-the latest one comprises of smog. As a result, people have been tormented with serious health complications; including but not limited to cardiovascular problems, asthma exacerbation, respiratory disorders, skin allergies etc.
Blanketing of megacity Lahore, adjoining areas as well as parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by a sheet of smoky haze consisting of dangerous gases like SO2, NO2, PM2.5, PM2.10, ozone and volatile organic carbons has been a product of global change in climate conditions, transboundary movement of pollutants as well as negligence of government and public in fulfilling the chalked out environmental regulations. Urbanization, industrialization, motorization has not been kept in check and this has been topped up with recent city-uplift projects, leading to deforestation and dusty atmosphere.
Severe El Niño of 2015/2016 made this year a very warm one. In addition to this, miniscule movement of westerly winds to the central parts of Pakistan led to a dry spell. NASA imagery highlighted another major culprit for smog in Lahore: transboundary movement of thermal anomalies, probably from coal propelled industry and stubble burning in Indian parts of the Punjab to Pakistan.
This smog is a mayday call for implementing environmental laws and Pakistani government and public should take this incident very seriously and try to minimize it as best as they can. NO2 emissions coming across Indian border should be taken up as a serious issue with International agencies. India ought to compensate Pakistan for pollution abatement as well as try to exercise pollution control as Delhi is itself facing severe smog issue.
Policy revamp and strict environmental accountability should be enforced. Fines should be strictly levied on the vehicles and industries violating the set limits. Daily environmental metrics should be available to the public so that they make informed decisions. Mass transit should be urged as well as greening of urban areas. Establishment of early warning system, effective waste management, water sprinkling and innovative solutions like smog-tower filters should be set up for achieving sustainable development.
Blanketing of megacity Lahore, adjoining areas as well as parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by a sheet of smoky haze consisting of dangerous gases like SO2, NO2, PM2.5, PM2.10, ozone and volatile organic carbons has been a product of global change in climate conditions, transboundary movement of pollutants as well as negligence of government and public in fulfilling the chalked out environmental regulations. Urbanization, industrialization, motorization has not been kept in check and this has been topped up with recent city-uplift projects, leading to deforestation and dusty atmosphere.
Severe El Niño of 2015/2016 made this year a very warm one. In addition to this, miniscule movement of westerly winds to the central parts of Pakistan led to a dry spell. NASA imagery highlighted another major culprit for smog in Lahore: transboundary movement of thermal anomalies, probably from coal propelled industry and stubble burning in Indian parts of the Punjab to Pakistan.
This smog is a mayday call for implementing environmental laws and Pakistani government and public should take this incident very seriously and try to minimize it as best as they can. NO2 emissions coming across Indian border should be taken up as a serious issue with International agencies. India ought to compensate Pakistan for pollution abatement as well as try to exercise pollution control as Delhi is itself facing severe smog issue.
Policy revamp and strict environmental accountability should be enforced. Fines should be strictly levied on the vehicles and industries violating the set limits. Daily environmental metrics should be available to the public so that they make informed decisions. Mass transit should be urged as well as greening of urban areas. Establishment of early warning system, effective waste management, water sprinkling and innovative solutions like smog-tower filters should be set up for achieving sustainable development.
Labels:
environment
10 Ways to Go Green at Work
Greener homes are in the spotlight these days, but what about the other places where many of us spend huge chunks of our time--our offices? Some simple changes of habit can save energy and resources at work, and these small steps can be multiplied by persuading the powers-that-be at your workplace to adopt environmentally friendly (and often cost-effective) policies.
1. Be bright about light
Artificial lighting accounts for 44 percent of the electricity use in office buildings.
> Make it a habit to turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and utilize natural light when you can.
> Make it a policy to buy Energy Star-rated lightbulbs and fixtures, which use at least two-thirds less energy than regular lighting, and install timers or motion sensors that automatically shut off lights when they're not needed.
2. Maximize computer efficiency
Computers in the business sector unnecessarily waste $1 billion worth of electricity a year.
> Make it a habit to turn off your computer—and the power strip it's plugged into—when you leave for the day. Otherwise, you're still burning energy even if you're not burning the midnight oil. (Check with your IT department to make sure the computer doesn't need to be on to run backups or other maintenance.) During the day, setting your computer to go to sleep automatically during short breaks can cut energy use by 70 percent. Remember, screen savers don't save energy.
> Make it a policy to invest in energy-saving computers, monitors, and printers and make sure that old equipment is properly recycled. Look for a recycler that has pledged not to export hazardous e-waste and to follow other safety guidelines. Old computers that still work, and are less than five years old, can be donated to organizations that will refurbish them and find them new homes. (You may even get a tax deduction.)
3. Print smarter
The average U.S. office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year.
> Make it a habit to print on both sides or use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts. Avoid color printing and print in draft mode whenever feasible.
> Make it a policy to buy chlorine-free paper with a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled content. Also consider switching to a lighter stock of paper or alternatives made from bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, or kenaf. Recycle toner and ink cartridges and buy remanufactured ones. According to Office Depot, each remanufactured toner cartridge "keeps approximately 2.5 pounds of metal and plastic out of landfills...and conserves about a half gallon of oil."
4. Go paperless when possible
> Make it a habit to think before you print: could this be read or stored online instead? When you receive unwanted catalogs, newsletters, magazines, or junk mail, request to be removed from the mailing list before you recycle the item.
> Make it a policy to post employee manuals and similar materials online, rather than distribute print copies. They're easier to update that way too.
5. Ramp up your recycling
> Make it a habit to recycle everything your company collects. Just about any kind of paper you would encounter in an office, including fax paper, envelopes, and junk mail, can be recycled. So can your old cell phone, PDA, or pager.
> Make it a policy to place recycling bins in accessible, high-traffic areas and provide clear information about what can and can not be recycled.
6. Close the loop
> Make it a policy to purchase office supplies and furniture made from recycled materials.
7. Watch what (and how) you eat
> Make it a habit to bring your own mug and dishware for those meals you eat at the office.
> Make it a policy to provide reusable dishes, silverware, and glasses. Switch to Fair Trade and organic coffee and tea, and buy as much organic and local food as possible for parties and other events. Provide filtered drinking water to reduce bottled-water waste.
8. Rethink your travel
> Make it a habit to take the train, bus, or subway when feasible instead of a rental car when traveling on business. If you have to rent a car, some rental agencies now offer hybrids and other high-mileage vehicles.
> Make it a policy to invest in videoconferencing and other technological solutions that can reduce the amount of employee travel.
9. Reconsider your commute
> Make it a habit to carpool, bike, or take transit to work, and/or telecommute when possible. If you need to drive occasionally, consider joining a car-sharing service like Zipcar and Flexcar instead of owning your own wheels.
> Make it a policy to encourage telecommuting (a nice perk that's also good for the planet!) and make it easy for employees to take alternative modes of transportation by subsidizing commuter checks, offering bike parking, or organizing a carpool board.
10. Create a healthy office environment
> Make it a habit to use nontoxic cleaning products. Brighten up your cubicle with plants, which absorb indoor pollution.
> Make it a policy to buy furniture, carpeting, and paint that are free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and won't off-gas toxic chemicals.
If you're thinking about WHY to make the effort to shift your habits, here are some great reasons:
Climate Change: Real data from credible sources. Video primers from Al Gore, and the 160+ members of the International Panel on Climate Change.
Energy Independence: How about freedom from the vagaries of fossil fuel based energy?
Ecosystems: We're part of that system not isolated- sustainable interactions. Great stories and information on what's happening with the Oceans, Forests... and bacteria?
Family Health: What hits home the most? The direct and visible impact on our family's health and well being. Because you love your family and friends, going green is the absolute best thing you can do for them, even if its hard to change your habits.
Can this all make a difference?
Yes. Every effort counts.
If you do the small things, each person will reap the personal cost-savings benefits and positive planetary impact of:
* reducing fuel waste by (at least) 20%
* reducing home energy waste by 30% plus
* reducing water waste by at least 12,000 gallons per person
* cutting grocery packaging by 25%
* reducing the amount of non-recyclable plastics in the waste stream
* cut the amount of garbage per household by more than 60% (not to mention the corresponding greenhouse gas impact of green waste in garbage)
While these actions stand alone as being of value, they also:
* Save measurable hard dollars for citizens and households
* Make a SIGNIFICANT positive impact on the planet
* Start the production shift from wasters to producers of renewable energy, energy and water efficient products, and sustainable products and packaging
It's urgent, it's possible- Starting with each of our small changes, right now.
Labels:
environment
Note to Danish environmental protection agency!
This is serious cruelty.Denmark is a big shame and the Danish environmental protection agencies should do something about it as soon as possible.
The sea is stained in red and it is not because of the climate effects of nature. It's because of the cruelty of the human beings (civilized human) who kill hundreds of the famous and intelligent Calderon dolphins.
This happens every year in Feroe Island in Denmark . In this slaughter the main participants are young teens.
WHY?
A celebration, to show that they are adults and mature!
In this big celebration, nothing is missing for the fun. Everyone is participating in one way or the other, killing or looking at the cruelty supporting like a spectator
Is it necessary to mention that the dolphin Calderon, like all the other species of dolphins, it's near extinction and they get near men to play and interact.
In a way of PURE friendship.
They don't die instantly; they are cut 1, 2 or 3 times with thick hooks. And at that time the dolphins produce a grim cry like that of a new born child.
But he suffers and there's no compassion while this magnificent creature slowly dies in its own blood
Its enough!
Take care of the world, it is your home!
The sea is stained in red and it is not because of the climate effects of nature. It's because of the cruelty of the human beings (civilized human) who kill hundreds of the famous and intelligent Calderon dolphins.
This happens every year in Feroe Island in Denmark . In this slaughter the main participants are young teens.
WHY?
A celebration, to show that they are adults and mature!
In this big celebration, nothing is missing for the fun. Everyone is participating in one way or the other, killing or looking at the cruelty supporting like a spectator
Is it necessary to mention that the dolphin Calderon, like all the other species of dolphins, it's near extinction and they get near men to play and interact.
In a way of PURE friendship.
They don't die instantly; they are cut 1, 2 or 3 times with thick hooks. And at that time the dolphins produce a grim cry like that of a new born child.
But he suffers and there's no compassion while this magnificent creature slowly dies in its own blood
Its enough!
Take care of the world, it is your home!
Labels:
environment
