Cancun decisions at a glance

Chief elements of Saturday's decisions of the annual conference of parties to the U.N. climate treaty; just click.

India's Wetlands Rules 2010 Notified- dawn of new era.

New Delhi, 2nd December, 2010
The Ministry of Environment and Forests today notified the Wetlands (Con-servation and Management) Rules, 2010. These Rules, which for the first time lay down legally enforceable provisions for the conservation and management of Wetlands, have been drafted to ensure better conservation and management and to prevent further degradation of existing wetlands in India.
[Source: Ministry of Environment and Forests and Facebook wall of Dr. Manmohan Singh]

Antarctic Treaty: 50 Years Later

On Dec. 1, 1959, after more than a year of secret negotiations, 12 nations signed a document that dedicated 10 percent of the Earth's surface — the continent of Antarctica — to peaceful activities.

The Antarctic Treaty, signed in Washington, D.C., 51 years ago, was drawn up in four languages — English, French, Spanish and, perhaps most surprising, Russian.

The treaty resulted in Antarctica remaining a relatively pristine area where scientists could study glaciers, the extreme environment and its unique biota.
[Source: ourAmazingplanet]

Fates of coastal wetlands

Coastal wetlands around the world, including many on the U.S. Atlantic coast, could be more endangered by climate change and sea-level rise than previously thought, a new study suggests.

Coastal wetlands provide critical services such as absorbing energy from hurricanes and storms, preserving shorelines, protecting human populations and infrastructure, supporting commercial seafood harvests, absorbing pollutants and serving as critical habitat for migratory bird populations. These resources and services will be threatened as sea-level rise inundates wetlands.
[Source: ourAmazingplanet]

IUCN - Cancún diary

IUCN - Throughout the conference, IUCN's delegation will be giving the inside view on what's happening and an insight into the key issues at stake.

Speech by Chris Huhne to Guardian's Cleantech Energy Summit

an e-mail from UKDECC:
Speech by Chris Huhne to Guardian's Cleantech Energy Summit
From:
Department of Energy and Climate Change
Add to Contacts
To: lovepeaceunity01@yahoo.com
Speech by Chris Huhne to Guardian's Cleantech Energy Summit
23 November 2010
Check against delivery
INTRODUCTION
Thank you very much. It’s my pleasure to be here today.
Climate change is the challenge of our age. It is not just about saving the planet, but saving the people on it.
We need a more sustainable energy mix, one that can meet our future needs and match our emissions reduction ambitions.
We are overly-reliant on imported fossil fuels, exposing us to the volatility of global energy markets.
As resources become ever scarcer and demand grows in emerging economies, we cannot risk deepening our dependence.
We have the oldest housing stock in Europe, and our draughty homes leak heat, causing a quarter of our carbon emissions.
We also face major challenges in power generation. Over the next decade, around 20 Gigawatts of capacity will close, as old power stations shut down.
We need £200 billion to replace our ageing infrastructure – double the rate of investment during the normal replacement cycle.
Every step we take to get ourselves off the fossil fuel hook and on to clean, green growth brings us closer to achieving our emissions reductions targets.
Last week, I spoke at the CBI’s annual summit on climate change. Despite its title, you will not be surprised to hear that much of the discussion focused on energy investment – and on the opportunities for green business.
After all, climate change and energy policy are inextricably linked. And thankfully, there is a positive feedback loop between the two.
Without cleaner energy, we cannot save our environment. Action on climate change can boost incentives for greener power.
And the most hardened climate change sceptic recognises the need for greater energy security.
There is something else that helps us make the case. In every public policy discussion at the moment, at every level, the deficit looms large.
Public relations professionals, lobbyists, politicians and columnists alike have seized on recession and recovery as the problem to which they offer solutions.
Everyone believes their pet project will make an essential contribution to the recovery.
But in energy security and climate change, we have the numbers on our side.
The value of the global low-carbon goods and environmental services market is expected to reach £4 trillion by the end of this Parliament. It is growing at 4% per year, faster than world GDP.
Our share of that market is £112 billion. In the UK, nearly a million people will be employed in the low-carbon sector by the end of the decade.
In budgetary hard times, growth like this is hard to come by. And it is even harder to ignore.

POST-CSR LANDSCAPE
That is what helped us, during the Spending Review, to secure a favourable settlement for DECC.
With £200 million for low-carbon technologies, including offshore wind and manufacturing infrastructure.
£860 million for the Renewable Heat Incentive, a world-first scheme to drag renewable heat technology from the margins to the mainstream. And up to £1 billion for the commercial-scale carbon capture and storage demonstration project.
We achieved this settlement because we could present a clear and economically sound answer to the question of where the growth will come from.
Our answer was that the third industrial revolution – the green revolution – represents a real and tangible prospect for growth. With jobs, investment and exports up for grabs.
After every deep recession – such as in the Thirties – recovery is secured by new jobs in new industries, not by the old industries alone bouncing back.
Green growth also goes some way towards answering a deeper, more fundamental question: about the kind of economic path we wish to pursue.
Yes, the financial services sector makes a huge contribution to our national prosperity. But the lesson of the banking crisis is clear: we cannot afford to risk the house on a throw of the dice.
I believe we must rebuild the economy on more sustainable terms, playing to our strengths; not just in the City of London, but in engineering. Highly-skilled manufacturing. Scientific research and technology. The kind of businesses that are represented here today.

COALITION APPROACH
Together, the science of climate change, the realpolitik of energy security and the prospects for economic recovery make a powerful case for the green revolution.
And that is why, across most of the energy and climate change portfolio, there has been such strong cross-party consensus in favour of action.
That consensus extends to the Opposition benches.
By its end, the previous Government had good intentions and the right ambition. But it failed to grasp the nettle of delivery.
That is where we will be different.
The Coalition will deliver on its promise to be 'the greenest government ever'.
Our policy is based on four pillars: energy saving. More renewables. New nuclear. And clean coal and gas.
Our first priority is the Green Deal, the radical programme to bring our existing houses up to 21st century efficiency standards.
Across the country, homeowners will be able to get energy efficiency improvements without having to front up the cash. Businesses will pay, receiving their money back from the energy savings on household bills. The golden rule is that savings will always exceed costs.
The Green Deal will be extended to businesses, too. And we predict it could create 100,000 jobs within five years, spread across the United Kingdom.
Our second priority is the Electricity Market Reform programme, a wholesale redesign of our electricity market.
It is clear that the current framework does not provide the certainty that investors need; and that it cannot deliver the low-carbon revolution that we need.
The liberalised energy market provided us with cheap and secure energy since the 1990s. But new challenges demand fundamental reform.
We must increase drastically the amount of renewables in our energy mix to make our contribution to Europe’s target on renewable energy.
We are 25th out of 27 EU members states on renewables. We are certainly playing in Europe’s amateur league when we ought to be in the Premiership.
The power sector needs to lead the way when it comes to cutting carbon out of our economy. For us to meet our ambitious climate change goals, it must be close to zero carbon by 2030.
And our 2050 Pathways suggests that demand for electricity may double by 2050, as we plug in to the grid to power our cars and heat our homes.
Some measures have already been introduced that will help direct investment towards the low carbon energy sources of the future – like the Renewables Obligation, and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
But these have been incremental, not transformational. And the bias towards cheap fossil fuel generation remains.
The existing market framework will not deliver the scale of investment in renewables, nuclear and carbon capture and storage, all of which have significant upfront capital costs.
Left as it is, the electricity market would allow a new dash for gas, exposing us to further import dependence and volatile prices – and locking carbon emissions into the system for decades.
Our reform will examine the levers we could use to secure investment at scale in cleaner, greener electricity generation.
It is a fundamental change in the UK electricity market, the biggest since privatisation.
It will bring our stagnant energy market to life, driving investment in the energy of the future.
Failure to get a more sustainable energy system up and running also exposes us to fickle international energy markets.
Security of supply is important. But equally critical is security of price.
We have come to the end of the age of cheap energy.
And for businesses grappling with tight margins and for vulnerable people at risk of deepening fuel poverty, volatile energy markets could cause significant problems.

THE BIGGER PICTURE
Now more than ever, we need to get to grips with the international dimension. So our final priority is to exert our influence on the global stage, to secure more ambitious European action on climate change – and to push for a binding deal.
After the disarray of the Copenhagen summit, we desperately need to get international negotiations back on track.
Through the UNFCCC, we can show the developing and developed world that we are committed to a fair and firm agreement deal to halt catastrophic climate change.
These are complicated problems. Our ability to solve them depends on concerted action, from the household that decides to invest in better insulation to the UNFCCC working group that develops the international framework on deforestation.
The best way for us to respond is to get on the front foot.
Showing through our actions that the low-carbon transition is affordable, achievable, and beneficial.
After all, the transition to a low-carbon future brings significant opportunities - for growth, for jobs and for sustainability.
It is up to us to take advantage of them.
Thank you very much.
-END-

Urge This Congress [U.S.A.] to Stop the Next Oil Disaster NOW

Targeting: The U.S. Senate and The U.S. House of Representatives
Sponsored by: Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil explosion was the worst offshore oil disaster in U.S. history. It killed 11 people, at least 6,000 birds, 600 threatened or endangered sea turtles and countless other species.

It has decimated the local fishing industry. And its impacts will be felt for decades on beaches, national wildlife refuges and other sensitive ecosystems in states around the Gulf.

Despite the catastrophic impacts of this disaster, the Senate has so far failed to act to prevent the next awful oil disaster.

Big Oil clearly wants to delay action on this vital issue until the next Congress. They are counting on more pro-oil, anti-wildlife members to derail real reform and are counting on America forgetting the terrible tragedy that still afflicts the Gulf, its economy and its wildlife.

Time is running out for Congress to act. Urge your representative and senators to pass the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Accountability Act before Congress adjourns for the year.

PETITION TEXT

Please pass the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Accountability Act this congress

Greetings,

As someone who is concerned about protecting wildlife and the safety of offshore oil drilling I strongly urge you to pass the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Accountability Act this congress.

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil explosion was the worst offshore oil disaster in U.S. history. It killed 11 people, at least 6,000 birds, 600 threatened or endangered sea turtles and countless other species.

[Your name]

[Source: e-mail sent to me by change.org]

Giant Gamma-ray Bubbles Found Around Milky Way

Giant Gamma-ray Bubbles Found Around Milky Way. See the VIDEO by clicking here.

This picture changed the world

An E-mail from 350.org.
From:
Jamie Henn - 350.org
Fri, November 19, 2010 3:32:46 AM

Dear friends,

You probably know that we at 350.org are taking the next two weeks to focus on “350 EARTH” — a global art project visible from space.

And you might have asked yourself: “why art?”

Here’s a quick story that can help answer those questions:

42 years ago, astronaut William Anders raised his camera to the window of the Apollo 8 spacecraft and took one of the most iconic pictures of all time. "Earth Rise," as the photograph became known, was the first image that showed humans a wide-angle view of the fragile planet on which we live. The image was breathtaking:


Can't see the image above? Click here to view this email in a web browser.

It was a picture that woke up the world. Two years later, on April 22, 1970, tens of millions of people participated in the first Earth Day. Many of the posters and flags carried that day featured the "Earth Rise" image.

Today, we're in desperate need of an updated mix of art, activism, and political change. Scientists have produced all the charts, facts and figures we need to recognize the threat of climate change and understand its urgency. Economists have shown how to transition our countries towards low-carbon economies. Nonprofit organizations have rallied, lobbied, and pleaded for progress.

And yet, by all measures, we're still not making the progress we need. While it's growing day by day, our movement has a lot of work left to do. That's why it's time to bring in the artists.

So, this November 20-27 — the week before the UN climate meetings in Cancun–we’re organizing the first ever planetary art show: 350 EARTH. In more than a dozen locations around the planet, artists are partnering with citizens to create massive art installations around the theme of climate change, from its impacts (like a sea-level rise design in New York City) to its solutions (like a solar-powered design in South Africa). The latest addition to 350 EARTH comes from Thom Yorke, the lead singer of Radiohead, who has designed a gorgeous image of the legendary King Canute trying to stop a rising tide.

You can see a short list of featured locations at the bottom of this email, and if you know anyone living in these cities, please let them know about 350 EARTH.

Each image will be photographed by the satellite cameras, courtesy of DigitalGlobe’s generous donation of their satellite time to document the story. Since we can't get photos from a space ship, a satellite is the next best thing.

350.org founder Bill McKibben explains:

It’s kind of fun to imagine some other intelligence peering down through their telescopes at our blue-white orb, trying to make sense of these giant images suddenly spreading across snowfield and desert and lagoon. What they'd see is the planet's immune system coming alive–conscious, alert human beings doing their best to help safeguard the future.

Looking back on the "Earth Rise" image, Apollo 8 Commander Frank Borman said that it was "the most beautiful, heart-catching sight of my life, one that sent a torrent of nostalgia, of sheer homesickness, surging through me. It was the only thing in space that had any color to it. Everything else was simply black or white. But not the Earth."

We've mostly let climate change be debated in the black-and-white world of text and policy. 350 EARTH is different. For a week, we’ll work in color: with art, spirit, and passion.

I hope you’ll join us,

Jamie Henn – 350.org (@Agent350 on Twitter)

P.S. Moving into 2011, 350.org is gearing up for lots of strategic campaigns and mass mobilizations–much more on that soon, after 350 EARTH.

P.P.S. Here’s that list of cities that need more participants–if you know anyone who lives in them, please let them know about 350 EARTH and pass along the info below.

Australia (Broken Hill – Friday, November 26, 9pm & 11pm)

Canada (Vancouver – Sunday, 21 November, 9:30-11:30am)

Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo – 21 de noviembre, 8:30 AM)

Egypt (Cairo – Friday, 26 November)

England (Brighton – Exact Location TBA)

Iceland (Reykjavik – November 27)

Mexico (Mexico City/DF – Lunes, 22 de noviembre, 09:15 AM)

Spain (Platja de los Eucaliptus, Delta del Ebro – Sábado, 20 de noviembre, 11:00 AM)

South Africa (Cape Town, 10am, Saturday, 27 November)

USA (Los Angeles – SUNDAY, Nov. 21. Arrive at 9:30 AM / Santa Fe – Saturday, November 20th, 2010)

Parrotfish sleep in a mosquito net made of mucus

Parrotfish sleep in a mosquito net made of mucus; the mucus protects the sleeping fish, not from the big jaws of hungry eels, but from the little mouthparts of hungry parasites. At night, reef fish are attacked by tiny blood-sucking crustaceans called gnathiid isopods.

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Technology : Scientists develop green technique to transform carbon dioxide

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Technology : Scientists develop green technique to transform carbon dioxide

G-20 can play key role in global green economy- UNEP chief

-- Press Releases November 2010 - G-20 can play key role in transition to global green economy, says UNEP chief - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) --

Jordan first Arab country to mainstream gender in climate change policy

Water scarcity is one of the major challenges affecting the Arab region as a direct result of the impacts of climate change. Jordan was one of the first developing countries to respond to this challenge by signing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This is a Welcome step, must be followed by other countries too coz a woman is the mother of a good leader of the future. [Source: IUCN]

Researchers Unlock The Secret Of Bacteria's Immune System - Science360 News Service | National Science Foundation

Researchers Unlock The Secret Of Bacteria's Immune System - Science360 News Service | National Science Foundation

Black Is the New Green

Black Is the New Green

A limitless life- Autobiography of Prof. C.N.R. Rao

autobiography of Prof. C.N.R. Rao, great solid-state and materials chemist

Blobfish- world's most miserable-looking and ugliest animal? | Metro.co.uk

These sad-looking creatures, which grow up to lengths of 12 inches, live at depths of 900m. They spend most of their time gently floating around waiting for food to pass in front of them, which sounds like quite a nice life to us! Because they live so far from the sea surface they're not often seen by humans. However, increasing levels of deep-sea fishing in Australia and Tasmania for crab and lobster mean that the sulky sea-dwellers are being dragged up with other catches in increasing numbers. These gelatinous masses may not be much to look at, but the world would be a less interesting place without them, probably, so let's hope the Australians don't kill them off. [Source: METRO]

New Research Sheds Light on Tumor Formation

New Research Sheds Light on Tumor Formation; The authors discovered a relationship between eutrophication (excess nitrogen), an invasive species of algae Hypnea musciformis and Ulva fasciata , sea turtles, and the disease.

Researchers Find ‘Goldilocks’ Of DNA Self-Assembly

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found a way to optimize the development of DNA self-assembling materials, which hold promise for technologies ranging from drug delivery to molecular sensors. The key to the advance is the discovery of the “Goldilocks” length for DNA strands used in self-assembly – not too long, not too short, but just right.
The paper, “Effect of Oligonucleotide Length on the Assembly of DNA Materials: Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Layer-by-Layer DNA Films,” was published online Oct. 12 by the journal Langmuir. Lead author of the paper is Abhishek Singh, a Ph.D. student at NC State.

2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Announcement.mp4- a green discovery

UN nature meeting agrees on land, ocean protection

Representatives to a U.N. conference on biodiversity agreed early Saturday to expand protected areas on land and at sea in the hopes of slowing the rate of extinction of the world's animals and plants and preventing further damage to its ecosystems.

IYB-2010 logo by me-2

IYB-2010 logo by me

Real Hero of World Cup Football 2010, Paul the Octopus, dies

Paul the Octopus, the cephalopod who became a global sensation after successfully predicting matches at the World Cup, has died peacefully in his sleep aged two. [Source: Yahoo News]

Etawah is full of Natural beauty- see the beauty of the sunset

Blog Action Day 2010 Wrap-Up

Following e-mail was sent to me from Ms Maria of Blog Action Day, 2010:
Blog Action Day 2010 Wrap-Up
From:
"Maria, Blog Action Day 2010"
To: lovepeaceunity01@yahoo.com

Hey Blog Action Day bloggers,

For over 24 hours this past Friday, all around the world, water was king. From river conservation to the water crisis in Africa, people couldn't stop talking about water. Even those who had never heard of Blog Action Day before joined, caught up in the energy and enthusiasm of the Blog Action Day community.

The final count for Blog Action Day stands at over 5,600 bloggers from 143 countries, reaching more than 40 million readers. It was a remarkable display of support for an issue that gets woefully little coverage in the mainstream media.

There were countless noteworthy posts among the thousands we read, and we wanted to highlight a small selection of these to demonstrate the breadth of topics covered by Blog Action Day bloggers – which ranged from data centers and water conservation to issues of gender equality and water contamination:

"I don't remember how old I was when I learned that water is not supposed to have a taste. I grew up in a town that was surrounded by oil refineries and heavy industry, basically learning that water that tasted like chemicals and metals was normal."
- Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green for All

"One of key areas where we can make a contribution [to conserving water] is through our data center operations. Every year, our data centers save hundreds of millions of gallons of drinking water simply by consuming 50% less electricity than the industry average for technology companies."
- The Official Google Blog

"Each day, millions of females begin their trek before sunrise to gather water of poor quality, lugging 75lb jugs back to their homes across rough terrain and jeopardizing their health in the process... Even something as simple as going to the bathroom can be risky for women whose homes lack toilets and must venture to a remote location, risking sexual and physical assault, because of inadequate sanitation infrastructure."
- NRDC Switchboard

"When I was nine, growing up in my native Bolivia, I paused one day from a particularly active game during recess to quench my thirst at the school tap. What I didn't know was that the water was contaminated. The price I paid for that innocent drink of water was a serious bout of Hepatitis and three months of missed school."
- Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, on the State Department Blog

"The issues around water in 2010 concern scarcity, access, pollution and more. But it's not all grim. There are new opportunities for tech startups, engineers, investors and creative people to solve problems around the water crisis. Water and waste water technology is a hot market that could get hotter."
- TechCrunch

For a longer list of some of the most noteworthy posts from Blog Action Day, visit our homepage.

By being a part of Blog Action Day 2010, you helped focus the world's attention of the vital issue of water rights and water access. But this is just the beginning of a much larger process to create real change around water issues. Next year, keep an eye out for The World Walks for Water, organized in part by our Blog Action Day partner End Water Poverty. And, if you're interested in learning more, check out the water page of the Change.org Environment and Sustainable Food sections.

Thank you all for making Blog Action Day 2010 a huge success. We'll see you next year!

Maria & the Blog Action Day team

United Nations Climate Change Conference Cancun

The sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP) and the sixth Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP) will be held in Cancun, Mexico, from 29 November to 10 December 2010. [Source: UNFCCC]

Nine things you can do to help biodiversity

2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) by the United Nations. The tenth global biodiversity conference [Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 10)] is going on in Nagoya, Japan [18-29 October 2010] where 193 signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity are attending the Nagoya COP10 global biodiversity conference to agree new biodiversity targets for 2020. Nine things you can do to help biodiversity.

Drought May Threaten Much of Globe Within Decades- National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), U.S.A.

By later this century, many of the world's most densely populated regions will be threatened with severe drought conditions.
[Source: NSF, U.S.A.]

Clean Kanpur, Green Kanpur

Kanpur is the commercial capital of Uttar Pradesh and remains one of the oldest industrial townships of North India. There is a big problem of solid waste management in Kanpur. But, the recent pact between Ato Z company and Kanpur Nagar Nigam is going to open the door for Green and Clean Kanpur. In Kanpur, this will be Asia's largest integrated municipal solid waste management project. The main aim of the project is to utilise the garbage after segregation and recycling as organic fertiliser, concrete cement blocks and also to produce coal-like fuel which would help in generating electricity. This will produce power from solid waste [majority of the fuel used in the plant will be RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel), which is derived from solid waste; detail can be read at European Commission Final Report on RDF ] and will be India's first municipal solid waste power project. The power plant is scheduled to be operational by March 2011 and will have the capacity to produce 15MW of power. It is an initiative under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Now, the company will collect approximately 1,500 metric tonnes solid wastes from home to home per day in the morning and will send it to the plant for management and power production; the garbage collection user charges for each household will be very nominal [between Rs. 30 to Rs. 50]. Although RDF have some pros as well as cons but these secondary fuels, commonly known as Energy from Waste (EFW), Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), will considerably reduce the reliance on C02 producing fossil fuels like coke and will be helpful to provide green energy. This is also an EXCELLENT example of grass-root-level management of solid waste with the mutual co-operation of citizens, government and private sector. Within few months, Kanpur will be a GARBAGE-FREE CITY.

Animals too have Equal Right to Clean Water

Humans and other living beings are EQUAL parts of Ecosystem; so why humans should have more rights than other living beings. In summer season, many birds and animals get die due to lack of drinking water. Humans are self-centered so most of the rights to use natural resources are with humans. This resulted into biodiversity depletion due to unplanned urbanization-cum-industrialization and population explosion. Rest of the living beings are struggling on for the survival. In villages and forests, we are not giving importance to fill the dry ponds, lakes and other wetlands with water; animals and birds get die due to thirst. Today is Blog Action Day 2010; we should also write for the equal right to clean water to other living beings too. These animals survival is vital for our survival; they are balancing the ecosystems on Earth. Let's take oath that every human will provide equal opportunity to animals to drink and use pure water and will not pollute water bodies.

Clean Water- A Big Challenge

Since the advent of INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, the problem of CLEAN WATER and RELATED PROBLEMS get worsten. Unplanned URBANIZATION-cum-INDUSTRIALIZATION along with POPULATION EXPLOSION resulting into WATER POLLUTION, KILLING OF WATER BODIES, DEATHS OF AQUATIC FLORA and FAUNA, UNINHABITABLE RIVERS, DEATHS OF CHILDREN due to UNSAFE DRINKING WATER etc. Today, nearly ONE BILLION PEOPLE lack basic access to safe water. The problem of UNSAFE WATER is a MAN-MADE PROBLEM; so the solution must be developed by man. SAFE DRINKING WATER is the part of Millennium Development Goal under Target 7C ; the target under MDG 7C is- Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. On 28 July 2010, UN General Assembly declares access to clean water and sanitation as a human right.
We are facing a big problem of clean water in 21st Century; WE CAN BRING A MAJOR POSITIVE CHANGE by living ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY LIFE. New Urbanization and Industrialization must fulfill all the parameters of ENVIRONMENT AND WATER BODIES [ underground water, rivers, lakes, wetlands, oceans and glaciers] PROTECTION LAWS and ACTS; old cities and industries must adopt new technologies and infrastructure to treat sewage and pollutants and recycle these; there must be complete ban on release of sewage and industrial influents into water bodies. ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE and FAMILY PLANNING must be made a compulsory fundamental duty for every citizen. Blog Action Day 2010 has announced this year's topic as WATER, at the right time. Clean and Safe water is must for humans and other living beings survival and their right too; OUR FUTURE IS IN CLEAN WATER. Be helpful in achieving MDG target 7C and secure a bright future.

e-mail From Blog Action Day 2010

Hello Prabhat Misra,

Thanks for joining Blog Action Day! Now that you've registered it's a pretty simple process. All you need to do is put up a post relating to the topic of water on October 15th and link to blogactionday.change.org somewhere in your post.

Dear Colleague Letter Inviting RAPID Proposals for Analysis of Climate Model Simulations for the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report

Dear Colleagues:

The Climate and Large-scale Dynamics (CLD) program is accepting proposals for one-year projects to analyze climate model simulations of present-day climate prepared in anticipation of the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR5). Our objective in writing this letter is to increase community-wide diagnostic research into the behavior of the current generation of coupled climate and earth system models used for future climate simulations and initialized climate predictions. Research conducted in these projects is expected to lead to more detailed model intercomparisons, better understanding of robust model behaviors, and better understanding and quantification of uncertainty in future climate simulations..........

[Source of image- National Science Foundation]

Blog Action Day 2010

We're one day away from Blog Action Day 2010. Tomorrow, on October 15th, thousands of bloggers from over 125 different countries will come together to write about water issues in their communities and around the world. [Source of photo- Blog Action Day 2010]

Stand for an International Water Treaty to Provide Clean Water Everywhere

Take action today in support of the UN’s work to supply clean, safe drinking water to the world’s poorest populations and urge UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to continue the UN’s life-saving work bringing water and sanitation to developing nations.

Who is responsible for the death of NAGESH, the Lion?

The death of a Lion NAGESH is shame for the humanity and environmentalists. Nagesh was not taking regular diet since 23rd September. Is this not the example of carelessness by the zoo administration? Who will return Nagesh to his partner Gauri? She is shocked. Is there any remedy for her? Everybody talk about human rights; why there are no enforcement of Animal Rights? Do animals have no rights to live equal to human facilities? Are zoo authorities are capable to provide complete protection to zoo animals or are just media to provide entertainment to humans through animals? Why there is no permanent and complete medical services in zoo? Questions are many but answers are LIMITED. Our zoos must provide complete safety to animals. Every animal has right to live equal to human. World community must frame the LIVING RIGHTS FOR WILD ANIMALS and BIRDS.

Blog Action Day 2010

Change.org|Start Petition

Gallery - The growing beauty of green architecture - Image 1 - New Scientist

Gallery - The growing beauty of green architecture - Image 1 - New Scientist

Green machine: Why our walls really should have ears - tech - 14 September 2010 - New Scientist

Green machine: Why our walls really should have ears - tech - 14 September 2010 - New Scientist

The sun joins the climate club - environment - 23 September 2010 - New Scientist

The sun joins the climate club - environment - 23 September 2010 - New Scientist

Bjørn Lomborg: Use technology to fight climate change - opinion - 21 September 2010 - New Scientist

Bjørn Lomborg: Use technology to fight climate change - opinion - 21 September 2010 - New Scientist

Fungi generate their own mini wind to go the distance - life - 27 September 2010 - New Scientist

Fungi generate their own mini wind to go the distance - life - 27 September 2010 - New Scientist

Introduction: Astrobiology - space - 04 September 2006 - New Scientist

Introduction: Astrobiology - space - 04 September 2006 - New Scientist

Red Tape Movement and 10:10:10

Respected friends, on 10/10/10, participate in "10:10:10 campaign" launched by 10:10 and 350.org, to urge governments, businesses, and individuals to cut their CO2 emissions 10% in 2010; on this special day we are going to participate in this with the help of local people and N.G.Os. of Etawah will tye red tapes on trees trunks through RED TAPE MOVEMENT and will give the message that to cut tree is dangerous for the survival of living beings on Earth; our ONE-MINUTE care of a tree will be helpful to save lives of many. We will also take oath that we will always promote afforestation and will live eco-friendly green life. The main theme of RED TAPE MOVEMENT will be, "SAVE TREES, SAVE BIODIVERSITY, SAVE FUTURE". So, kindly participate in this by tying RED-TAPE on a tree trunk and take oath to protect trees, ON Sunday 10, Oct, 2010 at your residential place at your own suitable day time. Thanks.

Green Candles

These candles do not emit black smoke when blown out, unlike candles made of synthetic wax. These are environment-friendly. Right now, bee-wax candles are used only in Europe during Christmas in churches. Bee-wax candles burn brighter than normal ones and molten wax does not flow down the candle stick. It is said that a burning beeswax candle emits negative ions which clean the air and invigorate the body. Beeswax candles are somewhat more expensive to make than other candles, but THESE ARE GREEN PRODUCTS. Thanks to Kashmir Apiaries Group for this environment-friendly green product.

A Fuel That Doesn’t Go to Waste

A Fuel That Doesn’t Go to Waste

World GHG Emissions Flow Chart

World GHG Emissions Flow Chart.

Global Carbon Footprint

Four WAYS to look at Global Carbon Footprint.

Dry Water: a solution for global warming.

Dry Water is consist of 95% water and 5% nano-silica particles [ hydrophobic fumed silica ] and resembles a very fine powder (like icing sugar or flour) that has a slightly more liquid-like appearance; the silica coating prevents the water droplets from combining and turning back into a liquid. The result is a fine powder that can slurp up gases, which chemically combine with the water molecules to form a hydrate. Dry water was discovered in 1968 and got attention for its potential use in cosmetics. Scientists have reported at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Boston that "Dry Water" could provide a new way to absorb and store carbon dioxide, the major greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Professor Andrew Cooper[ pioneer scientist] and co-workers,University of Liverpool, found that dry water absorbed over three times as much carbon dioxide as ordinary, uncombined water and silica in the same space of time. This ability to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide gas as a hydrate could make it useful in helping to reduce global warming. Dry water absorb much more methane, up to 180 volumes of methane per volume of dry water, than when it’s wet. This property will be helpful in absorbing Methane, a GHG, very fast and will convert it into energy efficient granules as a green energy for vehicles. This is an UNIQUE DISCOVERY by Prof. Cooper and co-workers and must be consider for Nobel Prize.

Jatropha: bane or boon?

Jatropha belongs to Euphorbiacea family. This is a potential source of bio-diesel [Jatropha curcas seeds]. India's total biodiesel requirement is projected to grow to 3.6 Million Metric Tons in 2011-12, with the positive performance of the domestic automobile industry. On 12 September 2008, the Indian Government announced its 'National Biofuel Policy'. It aims to meet 20% of India's diesel demand with fuel derived from plants. That will mean setting aside 140,000 square kilometres of land. Presently fuel yielding plants cover less than 5,000 square kilometers. The former President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam, is one of the strong advocaters of jatropha cultivation for production of bio-diesel. In January 2009, Time Magazine described the Jatropha as the potentially next big biofuel. The hardy Jatropha is resistant to drought and pests, and produces seeds containing 27-40% oil (average: 34.4%). The remaining press cake of jatropha seeds after oil extraction could also be considered for energy production. About 200 districts in 19 potential states have been identified on the basis of availability of wasteland, rural poverty ratio, below poverty line (BPL) census and agro-climatic conditions suitable for jatropha cultivation, by Centre for Jatropha Promotion & Biodiesel (CJP). Jatropha has higher efficiency than other seeds oil, when compared with diesel.. Jatropha have also some medicinal importance as well as toxic. . Every part of Jatropha has some importance. In India, there are some research institutes and companies involved in Jatropha based biodiesel research and production. Even after all this, there are some problems before farmers; according to Hannah Smith of GBM, " Jatropha has low yields and uneconomical costs of production. What is more this crop needs a large amount of irrigation or rainfall and has a low performance in dry zones. Contrary to what has been stated, Jatropha is vulnerable to a significant number of pests and diseases. Jatropha should not be promoted among smallholder farmers as a monoculture or intercropped plantation crop […] We recommend [report of Jatropha Reality Check] that all stakeholders re-evaluate their activities promoting Jatropha among smallholder farmers”. Furthermore, the implementation of biofuel production may potentially have catastrophic consequences for local wildlife and indigenous communities these includes". Another problem is that there are no specific seeds collection centres and market for this. So promotion of Jatropha must be with industrial infrastructure.

1billionhungry.org

Dear GREEN Friends, join your hands against hunger. Thanks. 1billionhungry.org

NASA - First-of-its-Kind Map Depicts Global Forest Heights

Using NASA satellite data, scientists have produced a first-of-its kind map that details the height of the world’s forests. Although there are other local- and regional-scale forest canopy maps, the new map is the first that spans the entire globe based on one uniform method.
NASA - First-of-its-Kind Map Depicts Global Forest Heights

How to get budgets to fight with HIV/AIDS?

U.N. Secretary-General calls for African nations to invest 15% of national budgets to fight HIV/AIDS. This is an important idea to fight with the financial problem before HIV/AIDS affected countries, especially African nations. World Community must come forward to provide money for the purchase of HIV/AIDS drugs.

International Year for Biodiversity.

Biodiversity is the term used to describe the incredible variety of life that has evolved on our planet over billions of years. So far 1.75m present day species have been recorded, but there maybe as many as 13m in total. Biodiversity is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or on the entire Earth. Biodiversity is often used as a measure of the health of biological systems. Ecosystems are consists of living beings and nonliving elements; the living beings include both plants and animals with microbial life. The living beings make biodiversity. But due to human activities many animals and plant species are on the verge of extinction. The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. The world is invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: biodiversity. Every year 22nd May is celebrated as International day for biodiversity. So, it is our duty to give the EQUAL RIGHT TO LIVE ON THIS PLANET to all living beings. Lets celebrate!

Artificial life' breakthrough announced by scientists- BBC

Today's big news is artificial life in lab. Read this at BBC.COM.

Thanks respected Ambassadors.

I am happy to share the messages of two RESPECTED BRITISH AMBASSADORS about work done by me during EARTH HOUR; one message was sent by respected Ms Julie Chappell UK Ambassador to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador through e-mail and another was written in FCO blogs by respected Mr Leigh Turner, British Ambassador to Ukraine. Ms Julie e-mailed that, "I'm so pleased to know that Earth Hour went so well! We really appreciate your support" and Mr Turner written that,"I was interested to read on your blog about turning off 10,000 lights for Earth Day. Excellent result!". MANY MANY THANKS TO BOTH RESPECTED AMBASSADORS FOR APPRECIATION and also thanks to the Chairman of Bhogaon and residents of Bhogaon who co-operated me.

Message from Respected Madam Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Dear Friend,


I am thrilled to be writing to you during this season which is also the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. As you know it is also almost 40 years since the world gathered in Stockholm to discuss the state of what was then known as the Human Environment. So much has happened since and a lot of information has been accumulated. As a result we are no less concerned about the fate of our planet as we were then. Perhaps even more so.

Now we have new challenges, especially the issue of climate change and rapid loss of forests and other biodiversity.

As I write, I am in Europe where virtually the entire airspace was, until earlier this week, shut down due to the forces of mother nature. Such events remind us that we live on a very vulnerable and fragile environment and that we are only but a small part of it.

On this occasion of Earth Day, I send you greetings and best wishes. It is also appropriate for us to call ourselves to action wherever we are and whatever we are engaged in. Each one of us can make small changes in our lives to better the Earth. Together we can make a huge impact!

I am particularly reminded of the campaign to Reuse, Reduce and Recycle. I am working with partners in Japan to promote this concept globally. When expanded to include respect and gratitude, it is known as Mottainai. We all have a lot to be grateful for and we are deeply indebted to your support and encouragement.

At the Green Belt Movement, we continue to raise awareness, plant trees and protect those trees already standing.


We thank our partners in this journey and welcome our new friends to join in supporting our work.

With warmest regards,

Wangari Maathai

What is COP?

Read details about COP and Copenhagen.

Nature loss 'to damage economies'

This is an eye-opening article. Please read this exclusive report.

Neanderthal genes 'survive in us'

Please read this interesting story at bbc.com.

Meeting the world's smallest primate

Watch this video at bbc.com

New Initiative by an Officer.

District Basic Education Officer of Etawah Mr. Mohammed Altaf has taken an environment friendly initiative. This is a welcome step and should be followed by all government departments. Thanks Mr. Altaf.

GREAT SUCCESS

Earth Hour was a great success in Bhogaon municipality (Mainpuri) and Etawah municipality (Etawah). About 10000 houses switched-off in Bhogaon. Chairman, Bhogaon, Mrs. Uma Dixit and Youth Club NGO Head Dr. Manoj Dixit make this successful at Bhogaon, after taking useful instructions from me. I was inspired after reading the FCO Blog ( www.blogs.fco.gov.uk ) article on earth hour by Ambassador of U.K. in Guatemala Julie Chappel. Thanks madam for inspirational article and thanks to all who cooperated me.

Responsible Day

Today is a very responsible day i.e. EARTH HOUR. We should be environment friendly and our daily life should not pollute surrounding environment. Today every citizen must participate in EARTH HOUR and to switch-off the electricity between 8.30pm-9.30pm; this will be helpful to save planet from air pollution due to Thermal plants as well as make aware people about ecosystem and environment. One such attempt is going to be happen today in BHOGAON municipality of MAINPURI district of U.P.. So, you also participate in EARTH HOUR.

Julie Chappell

Julie Chappell

David Miliband

David Miliband

Earth Hour

On 27th March, there is EARTH HOUR DAY. This is an unique initiative by WWF. This initiative invites the whole world to turn off lights on Saturday 27 March for one hour, between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm local time. The objective of this activity is to raise awareness on climate change issues and take actions to win the battle against global warming.. So, support this battle against global warming for the cause of life on planet.

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Delhi’s Yamuna River — a catastrophe in the making

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Delhi’s Yamuna River — a catastrophe in the making

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Climate's influence on human evolution

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Climate's influence on human evolution

Use least paper, Save trees

Trees are sink of carbon di-oxide, the GHG, and source of oxygen, essential gas for life, on earth. Trees are very important natural gift before us to fight with CLIMATE CHANGE and GLOBAL WARMING. But the current intervention of man with nature is destroying environment. Atleast 17-24 trees have to felled to produce one tonne of papers [ Hindustan Times dt. 13-03-2010 ]. After Copenhagen Summit, we should give attention on development of environment friendly and natural way of life; this is must for the survival of life on earth. There have been few new and environment friendly advanced technologies available but these have their own pros and cons; these are not the complete alternate of trees. So being a responsible human being, do afforestation and protect your environment and biodiversity.

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Chile: where three tectonic plate boundaries meet

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Chile: where three tectonic plate boundaries meet

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Antifreeze proteins can stop ice melt

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Antifreeze proteins can stop ice melt

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Indian-American invents home power plant

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Indian-American invents home power plant

The Hindu : Life & Style / Metroplus : Go veg to save the globe?

The Hindu : Life & Style / Metroplus : Go veg to save the globe?

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Act now, or you'll have e-waste mountain, UN tells India

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Act now, or you'll have e-waste mountain, UN tells India

The Hindu : News / National : Virtual maps to help in disaster management

The Hindu : News / National : Virtual maps to help in disaster management

The Hindu : News / International : Top UN climate official Yvo de Boer to resign

The Hindu : News / International : Top UN climate official Yvo de Boer to resign

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Scientists come a step closer to unlocking secrets of photosynthesis

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Scientists come a step closer to unlocking secrets of photosynthesis

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Ice shelves attached to Antarctica are disappearing

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Ice shelves attached to Antarctica are disappearing

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Science : In search of the Sanjeevani plant of Ramayana

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Science : In search of the Sanjeevani plant of Ramayana

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Reed canary grass can provide excellent 'green' fuel

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Reed canary grass can provide excellent 'green' fuel

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Agriculture : Greenhouse farming answer to rampage by global warming

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Agriculture : Greenhouse farming answer to rampage by global warming

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Agriculture : Nematodes, the devastating pest

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Agriculture : Nematodes, the devastating pest

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Global warming both bane and boon for world's poor

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Global warming both bane and boon for world's poor

Pseudo attack on Climate Change Truth.

Some climate scientists do not believe in GLOBAL WARMING and CLIMATE CHANGE . But both these problems are TRUTH before us. IPCC chief Mr R.K. Pachauri faced some challenges due to printing mistakes. Mr. Jeffrey D Sachs noted Economist have said that arguments of scientists, who are opposing the climate science, have been repeatedly disproved for 30 years time after time but their aggressive methods of public propaganda succeed in causing delay and confusion and thus the message is clear: large-scale use of oil,coal,and gas is threatening the biology and chemistry of the planet.We are fuelling dangerous changes in Earths climate and ocean chemistry,giving rise to extreme storms,droughts,and other hazards that will damage the food supply and the quality of life on the planet. The IPCC and the climate scientists are telling us a crucial message and truth before us. So, we must THINK GREEN, ACT GREEN and MAKE THE FUTURE BRIGHT & GREEN.

BHAREH: where Yamuna get diluted.

Bhareh is the historical place of Etawah district of India. This place is RICH IN BIODIVERSITY and is the part of CHAMBAL SANCTUARY. In Bhareh, the confluence of two important rivers happens; these are- YAMUNA and CHAMBAL. Yamuna is worshiped as GODDESS by Indians. At Bhareh, the meeting of the above two rivers is very important coz the polluted river YAMUNA gets diluted by the CHAMBAL river. Chambal water is nearly pollution-free and ecologically rich in biodiversity. Thus, Bhareh has GEOGRAPHICAL, ECOLOGICAL and HISTORICAL importance.

BLUE PLANET

Our earth is the only planet of solar system where life is existing. Currently, watery BLUE PLANET is facing DETRIMENTAL problem of "CLIMATE CHANGE" which will destroy life on earth. So, there is immediate need to change our daily lifestyle; so to save earth, "THINK GREEN, ACT GREEN & MAKE THE FUTURE BRIGHT & GREEN".

NEW YEAR, NEW THOUGHT

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS, FRIENDS, READERS & WORLD CITIZENS. DEAR FRIENDS EVERY NEW YEAR GIVE A NEW CHALLENGE & TASK. THIS YEAR IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COPENHAGEN SUMMIT'S OUTCOME. ALL WORLD CITIZENS MUST TAKE OATH THAT INSTEAD OF SAYING "GOOD MORNING" & "GOOD DAY" WE SHOULD START SAYING "GREEN MORNING" & "GREEN DAY" RESPECTIVELY. THIS WILL CREATE ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE FOR "GREEN WORLD, CLEAN WORLD" MISSION. HAVE A GREEN DAY.