How to reduce Global warming ?

“Clouds reflect sunlight and cool the planet. Clouds with bigger droplets tend to be darker and clouds with tiny droplets for the same amount of water are whiter. If the droplet number in the clouds is increased, the reflectivity increases and it will increase rainfall on land and also slow down global warming,” Prof Govindasamy Bala, the lead author of the study from Indian Institute of Science (IISC),Bangalore told PTI today.

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China surges ahead of U.S. in clean energy race

China spent almost double that of the United States on clean energy investments last year. According to a report China is going to take the lead as the world's premier green energy power. China's clean energy investments increased by 50 per cent last year while in the U.S., the investments fell by 42 per cent.

Last year China invested 34.6 billion dollars on expanding its renewable energy capacity. The global investment was $162 billion in 2009. This was the study report released by the Pew Charitable Trusts, which measured the growth of clean energy investments in the world's major economies.

The U.S. invested only $18.6 billion last year. They lost the top spot for most investments for the first time ever. My country India invested $2.3 billion only, ranking tenth among the G-20 group of countries.

“There are reasons to be concerned about America's competitive position in the clean energy marketplace. Relative to the size of its economy, the United States' clean energy finance and investments lag behind many of its G-20 partners,” said the report. “The U.S. is on the verge of losing its leadership position in installed renewable energy capacity, with China surging in the last several years to a virtual tie,” the report noted.

Last year was the year of global downturn. Still China expanded its renewable energy capacity significantly. It spent $586 billion on stimulus plan devoting an estimated $30 billion to green projects.

Now, China trails the U.S. by less than 1 GW in terms of overall renewable energy capacity. China has 52.5 GW of installed capacity. Out of this capacity, 12.2 GW is in wind energy. This sector had grown rapidly following a government plan to support a fixed-rate feed-in tariff.

The Chinese government had targeted increasing the installed capacity for wind to 30 GW by 2020. India slightly trails behind China with 11 GW installed capacity. India aims to reach 17.6 GW by 2012. The report ranks India fifth overall in terms of installed capacity, with 16.5 GW.

The report found that in spite of the recession last year, the overall global investment in clean energy fell by only 6.6 per cent. The report also forecasts a 25 per cent growth in the coming year, estimating a $200 billion investment in 2010.

Big B for Save Our Tigers Campaign

Tiger is the National animal of India.But the sensational news is that it is on the brim of extinction.Yes, tiger had become an endangered species in India.At this last hour the Bollywood mega star Amitabh Bachchan had announced that he would lend his face and voice to the cause of saving the majestic tiger from becoming extinct. Mr. Bachchan is the ambassador of “Save Our Tigers” campaign initiated by NDTV and Aircel. He will use his popularity to drive home the message to save the tiger.

Mr. Bachchan said the tiger symbolize our country's wildlife wealth which is in danger because of illegal hunting and ineffectiveness of our systems to stop its killing: Hence a collective action is the need of the hour. It is not only for the government and wildlife experts but to keep our nation’s pride symbol. So it is our responsibility to not only initiate a public movement but also to ensure that it gains momentum across the nation.

“If my face and voice can be used to impress people about a national cause then I am all for it. I liked the fact that the electronic media has started this campaign as its penetration is more. It was important that awareness to save this beautiful animal was propagated across our country” Mr Bachchan said at a press conference in New Delhi on the occasion of NDTV – Aircel campaign starting. “We should leave the tiger alone so that it doesn't feel entrenched. In the coming months if I can convince even one person about the need to follow this righteous path then I will be extremely happy. As artistes our faces are used to endorse products that attract consumers and if they can be converted into a national cause then I will be the extremely gratified” Mr. Bachchan added.

“Two years ago we were the first ones to draw the attention of citizens and the government to the rapid decline of tiger population in India. Our signature campaign ‘Save the Tiger' led to the formation of Special Tiger Protection Force by the Prime Minister” Dr. Roy ,the NDTV Director said.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India secretary-general and CEO Ravi Singh said the campaign was mainly focused in creating awareness about the present status of tigers in India. For this, hitting stories and documentaries on the threats and issues concerning the survival of tigers will be screened before public. There will also be a live non-stop programming for a day. It will disseminate facts about tigers with the objective of creating a public outcry. It may also help to raise funds for protecting the tigers from disappearing from their traditional homeland.

The Mangrove theme park closed

The Mangrove theme park of Pappinisseri Eco-Tourism Society closed following the central order.The theme park on the banks of Valapattanam river was served a copy of the order of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.As soon as getting the order the gates of the park closed down.The park was opened on April 12, 2010.

The theme park was under criticism since its opening. The opposition was mainly from United Democratic Front on political bias.Also environmentalists strongly opposed the movement.But the ruling Communist (Marxist) lead society went ahead taking it as a prestige issue. The main accuse was that the theme park was established in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules.Due to this it was a burning issue in state legislative assembly.

But the CPI(M) district secretary told that the park was an initiative to conserve mangroves by planting saplings.But the developments carried out there was really destroying the existing mangroves. So the works are to be stopped which had happened now.

New environment clearance norms

The union ministry had imposed many rules for the protection of nature and environment. The department is keen in observing many of them.Now the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has come out with new norms for environmental clearances. As usual it also faces allegations of delaying project approvals.

The Ministry has decided that from July 2010 onwards all final environment impact assessment reports which is essential for any clearance must be prepared only by agencies accredited by the National Accreditation Board of Education and Training and the Quality Council of India. Consultants must include an accreditation certificate with the report for approval.

The Ministry has also decided to put a time limit on the validity of the terms of reference issued to undertake detailed assessment reports, effective from this April. Since these terms are site-specific and dynamic and dependent on site features, land use and the nature of development, they will only be valid for two years. Extension of one year may be possible.

Oil Spills

Oil Spills are a major problem nowadays. It is marine pollutant in fact. Recently we had heard about the oil spill in Gulf of Mexico and had witnessed the photos of birds struggling for life that had socked in oils. Also President Obama and his Mexican counter part visited the Mexican coastal recently to have a first hand experience of the disaster.

Just go through this article.