World's Greenest Cities

Today is another earth day. It is happy that through continuous awareness , talks and news people had began to think on environment. The frequent natural calamities at different parts of world also  directed our thoughts towards environment. 

Every year  April 22nd is observed as earth day. People around the globe take more effort than usual to focus on the issues facing our planet earth. 

This year’s Earth Day comes with the theme of “Green Cities“. More than half of the world’s population lives in cities and hence concept of green cities have great importance. The list below shows the 30 greenest cities in the world. They are selected according to their different performance in environment protection.

The 30 greenest cities are -

• Oslo in Norway
• Malmo in Sweden
• Reykjavik in Iceland
• Barcelona in Spain
• Copenhagen in Denmark
• Birmingham in England
• Stockholm in Sweden
• Zermatt in Switzerland
• Vancouver in Canada
• Toronto  in Canada
• Chicago in USA
• Eugene in USA
• Costa Rica in Costa Rica
• San Francisco in USA
• Austin in USA
• Portland in USA
• Minneapolis in USA
• New Delhi in India
• Singapore in Singapore
• Tokyo in Japan
• Accra in Ghana
• Cape Town in South Africa
• Nairobi in Kenya
• Melbourne in Australia
• Sydney  in Australia
• Adelaide  in Australia
• Curitiba in Brazil
• Bogota in Columbia
• Bahia de Caraquez in Ecuador
• Belo Horizonte in Brazil

Why they are Green?

• 70% of Oslo is covered in agricultural land
• 30% of Malmo’s population commutes by bike
• All but 1% of Reykjavik’s energy is from renewable sources
• Barcelona has a 113,000 sq ft solar panel in the city
• 50+% of people in Copenhagen travel by bike
• Birmingham has over 3500 hectares of open space
• 99% of household waste in Stockholm is recycled or used to make energy
• Zermatt uses horse carts or manual carts to transport goods through the city
• Vancouver wants to be the greenest city by 2020
• Toronto has reduced its greenhouse emissions by 40%
• Chicago has planted over 2 million sq feet of rooftop gardens
• Eugene is known as the “Emerald City” for being so green – literally
• Costa Rica is working on reforestation
• San Francisco recycles 77% of their waste
• Austin aims to have 20% renewable energy by 2020
• Over 60% of workers in Minneapolis commute with public transport
• Accra is constructing a huge monorail system
• Singapore has 480 green certified buildings
• New Delhi produces the least waste of any city in Asia
• Tokyo has the lowest Carbon Dioxide emissions in Asia
• 10% of Cape Town’s homes have solar panels
• Nairobi is at the head of a fashion upcycling trend
• Melbourne has many car free zones in the city
• Sydney is aiming to reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions by 70% in 2030
• In Curitiba, poorer residents are rewarded with food and supplies in exchange for recycling
• Bogota relies heavily on public transport and has many green spaces
• Bahia de Caraquez has the world’s first certified organic shrimp farm
• Belo Horizonte aims to reduce their greenhouse gases 20% by 2030

So it is now our turn to make our cities also green in coming future by adopting some method to make it eco friendly. If there is a will there will be a way. So let us try jointly.

A life Dedicated to Nature.

Much before the `Chipko movement' started by Sundarlal Bahuguna to protect the Himalayan trees, far away in a sleepy village in Palakkad, an illiterate daily wage worker started a `one-man' mission to plant trees on road sides and public office compounds.

Read more

Artic Ocean going to get Ice Free.

Global warming had began to show its evil faces.A research report says that the ice sunk Artic ocean is getting ice free due to global warming.And it is not a far away dream or thing.It is going to happen in 2010 itself or by 2015.What will be the consequences is unpredictable.I think it is the time to wake up.Don't waste time now.Be active in protecting our nature and environment.

You can read the news here.

1010101010 Lights Out

1010101010 Lights Out' is a novel campaign initiated by Exnora International after its success in its 99999 Lights Out Campaign for creating awareness on Global Warming.

10101010 in action: A '10 minute' public display of unison, when everyone will switch off their lights for 10 minutes at 10 pm on the 10th day of the 10th month of the 10th year of this millennium, in support of the fight against 'Global Warming'.

The Lights Out Campaign also aims at cutting down carbon footprint by individuals and organisations by 10% before 10th October 2010 and continue further reduction after that date. The ExNoRa Magic Book will serve as an evidence of one's contribution to save Earth , how one has reduced consumption of gas, electricity , fuel and water.

Read more

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.

Read more .

Join the 'Earth Hour'

This Saturday, the symbols of our civilization, iconic buildings and landmarks from India to Australia to America, will stand in darkness, to help bring to light one of the biggest challenges of our generation-- Climate Change.

The 'Earth Hour' that began as a show of solidarity against climate change has today become a global movement. It brings together a whole generation of humankind, from across the world and across all walks of life, in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common - our planet. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future.

Join the 'Earth Hour' by switching off all lights this Saturday - 8.30 PM - 9.30 PM. Just for one hour.

 

For more details please visit  www.earthhour.in

World Water Day - A thought after 50 years.

Here is a narration of story that may take place after 50 years in this earth.On this World Water Day read it carefully.

My name is Water.My parents put this name to me in calculation that it will be a strange name and strange substance on one day.And that day had came.Today it is 2060 March 22, another World Water Day.

On this day there is no water in earth.I am only 60 tears old now.But you will not believe me .You will say that I had hit a century and still not out as a burden to earth.

When I was 10 years old this day was celebrated in my school.I still remember that day.My headmaster asked me to write an article on this and to put it in School's blog.I wrote it and it got a lot of appreciations from all over the world.In that days I used to bath in ponds in my house.Also there was a river near to my house where also I used to bath at evening.The fresh flowing water of river and cool water of pond were some magnificient scene.

There were a lot of ponds and wells near to my house.People were happy to share water with those poor people who had no wells and ponds.At evening all went to bath in river and to enjoy the breeze.The path to river and all roadsides were full of trees with high canopy.

Ladies used to bath oiling their long hairs and cleaning it with leaves and flowers of shoe flower.People used to bath twice daily.All the houses were adorned with flowering plants and leafy plants.I used to water them daily.All this was the story of fifty years back.And today the story is too worse.I wish to share it also here.

I hadn't bathed for about five years now.I just took an oil bath.You know what is it? A piece of cloth will be socked with oil and it will be rubbed all over the body.Both my kidneys are going to fail due to lack of water drinking and I will become a memory soon.

Today ladies have no long hairs.They can be seen only in old photos.All are like bald headed now irrespective of male and female.Due to scarcity of water it is impossible to clean head and hairs.So the only way is to shave it fully.So all adopt this method.

 You will wonder to know that only some countries have water deposits now .They had put a large amount in their budget for protecting it and the country also.The waterless countries are constantly threatening them about an attack to get water from there.Around a pond or well about 50 soldiers are constantly rounding with most modern arms.

I was asked to drink 8 glasses of water daily.Now I am not allowed to drink more than half a cup of water.Hence my skin had turned dry and scaly.Almost all are suffering from skin diseases.There is no solution for this.Being treeless areas there is no shade, no oxygen and no fruits.The average life span of human had shortened to 40 years.Living 40 years is too much difficult also.

What to do now?I had no idea.Water cannot be synthesised in laboratories.Can you see a heap there ?It was the river that I mentioned earlier.All the warnings were given in my childhood days.But we didn't care.Now the only way is to experience it.On next World Water Day I may not be here to put such a post.

The inauguration of "Our Tree" (An environmental campaign by Kerala Government) Program at Govt.Engg.College , Wayanad by Principal Dr.Kuncheria P Isaac

Victorious Hundred Crore Tree Program.

The program launched by UN to prevent Global Warming namely "One ഹുന്ദ്രേദ് Crore Tree Planting" had proved to be a great success with all support from all over the world.The program aimed to plant one hundred crore trees.But within 18 months of launching the program more than 200 crore trees have been planted, said the Nobel Prize laurate and Kenyan Green Belt Program head Prof:Vangari Mathaayin a press conference.

Due to the high response from all over the world the project had redefined its aim to plant 700 crore trees.Individuals,Government and Non-Government agencies,Different clubs ,Institutions are requested to participate in this program and donate your part.

So come....let us plant at least a tree for nurturing our nature.

Try these Methods

If you are a nature lover try these methods in your daily life.

1) In functions like marriage , festivals , anniversaries etc use disposible plates and glasses made of paper only. If possible try banana leaves as plates. If you participate in a function with plastic items on table insist to get a papermade one and express your feeling through it.

2) When you or someone of your relative get hospitalised take a tiffin carrier with you for buying food from outside.Parcelling food makes the hospitals of our city a dumpyard of plastic covers.

3) When you go for shopping take a cotton bag or paper carry bag or a gunny bag with you.

4) If you are a shopkeeper you decide that you will give all things wrapped in paper or in paper covers to your customers.If customer have no paper/gunny bag give one as your gift with an advice to carry it whenever he go for shopping.

5) When you prepare a budget for a function put aside some money to compensate for the hazards that may be made by you to the environment.

6) Make all your actions and celebrations fully ecofriendly.

7) If you own some motorvehicle take it only if necessary.If the distance is walkable , go by foot or take a bicycle.

8) Plant trees when and where possible and preserve it in good condition.

9) Always try to create an ecofriendly mind.

10) Study the environmental problems around you.Find out its causes and agents.Then try to solve the problem in your own ways.

11) Catch the attention of similar minded persons and form groups of nature lovers.

12) Conduct group activities occationally to protect nature and natural resources.

A thought for nature.

"God gave us the gift of life.So live as you like !!!" "The fittest will survive".These were our feelings so far.Environmental problems were thought to be discussed only by educated and wise people.But now even common people realised that the climatic changes at any part of world may affect him also.The tsunami that credited many lives in Kerala and Tamilnadu was actually originated in Indonatia, far far and far away from our Kerala.

Man attacks the environment in many ways.All attacks are for his selfish needs only.Hills get demolished and flattened for building huge complexes or houses. Water resources like lakes and ponds are levelled by soiling and even a mafia culture for sand exploitation from rivers is growing in almost all parts of Kerala.

Plastic is the main threat to our environment today.Eventhough many rules and regulations came banning this plastic, people do not mind it still now. Just look back to our daily life . We can see a lot of incidents of rule violations by ourself .

1) Fish merchant comes daily at our doorstep.We buy some fish.He puts them in a plastic cover.Why don't you bring a pot or a container and put the fish in it instead of that plastic cover? Think.......

2) You goes to market daily and buys different types of things.You buys vegetables from one shop. They put them all in a plastic cover.Then you goes to a stationary shop , buys something.They also put them in a cover and gives you.Then you goes to buy some rice.They first put it in a plastic container and then puts in a plastic cover and gives you!! Now, by a single purchase you received four or more plastic covers!!! If you carry a paper or cotton bag all these plastic covers can be avoided.What is the problem in taking a paper or cotton bag with you while going for shopping?Is it decrease your dignity? Think...........

3) Why can't you ask to wrap the above purchased items in a paper? Will the paper wrapped goods infame your social status?Is going for shopping with a bag in hand ashames you ? Think.....

4) What do you do with all that plastic covers at home? Simply throws out.Then actually what are you doing there? Are you polluting only your surroundings or denying the living right of many other creatures that God created? Think............

So think think and think . Then act appropriately.

The Cry of Earth

For the existence of human life air, water and soil etc are essential. In ancient days man lived in this earth eating the fruits from forests , drinking the water from streams and breathing fresh and pure air .Man was fully dependent on nature and natural resources on that days. Their belief was that the sun , earth and nature are their all in all.

Years passed and man developed. The pace of development increased with scientific inventions .Gradually the thoughts and activities of man also began to divert. His slavery mind slowly changed to mastery mind. Now it had reached hegemonical mind. He is digging his own grave.

The greedy and thoughtless man does not care the resources in nature in his struggle. Many resources are getting demolished and destroyed. In his greedy mind he has no time to think about the other creatures that use this resources. He also doesn’t think about the coming generation of his own. He lives for today in a luxurious manner without thinking about tomorrow .In this bogus life he pollutes natural resources around him, cuts down trees and even changes the biological structure of soil. He had forgot his responsibility. So it is high time to think about the destructions that man makes to nature.

One of the great problem is the pollution of air. Thousands of vehicles eject tones of smoke to air. Also various factories emit poisonous smokes to air. The population growth increases the production and thereby increased pollution. For acquiring different life amenities man exploits earth cruelly. The oil and coal deposit of earth is found to be decreasing tremendously and man doesn’t think about an alternative. This lack of foresight will lead to many many serious problems. He will look back only when the real monster faces him.

Nowadays earthquakes and tsunami are becoming common. These and the volcanic eruptions may be the helpless weeping of earth. All these news goes through the mind , ears and eyes of man without making a shock in him. Even then we forget the injuries that we make to this earth and nature.

All living beings have the right to live in their own natural environment. But man has snatched the right of that creatures also. For his selfish life he destroyed all resources. Fortunately UNESCO had came to prevent this exploitation. UNESCO had planned to protect the biodiversity of many many regions. In India also there are a number of protected bioreserves.

THE OZONE UMBRELLA.

The atmosphere of earth have many layers. One of them called STRATOSPHERE contains OZONE. It is an isotop of oxygen which is very useful to all living beings on earth.The OZONE in atmosphere act as an umbrella.Just like an umbrella protect us from rain and sunlight this OZONE protect all earth from harmful radiations especially ULTRAVIOLET RADIATIONS originating from sun.

But photographs from space reveal a terrible truth. OZONE has a hole just above Antartica! It acquired its ever-biggest size last year, and in this year it is not big as earlier. But unfortunately it appeared earlier than last year. Through this hole UV radiations may come to earth and will make a number of ecological problems. A number of diseases like cateract,skin cancer etc may also result from the exposure to UV radiations. Also crop destruction may occur which ultimately lead to famine.

The OZONE present in atmosphere is very very low compared to other isotopes of oxygen. If we take one crore of air molecules there will be 20 lakhs of oxygen molecules and only 3 molecules of OZONE!!! This very very thin layer of OZONE protects the whole earth from UV radiations !!!

The crack in OZONE umbrella is mainly due to the compound called CHOLORO FLOURO CARBON (CFC). It is released from refrigerators and coolers of our home and industry. UV radiations act on CFC and releases Chlorin. Each Chlorin atom destroys minimum 1 lakh OZONE molecules!!!

As part of MONTREAL TREATY all countries had agreed to cut short the production of CFC . The production and consumption of these chemicals have been reduced. Still OZONE has the threat of destruction since almost all of our home occupy a refrigerator. The electronic waste of these used refrigerators and coolers are also a great headache.

As told the largest crack on OZONE layer is just above Antartica.According to UN , in order to reinstall the state of OZONE layer to the state before 1980 ( A state without crack ) we may have to wait upto 2049 and in Antartica it will be possible only by 2065 provided the pollution rate is cut short.

So before buying a cooler or refrigerator just think a moment – whether it is for use or as status symbol. Also think about an alternate method for the same. Thus we all together may make an effort to protect OZONE and thereby our earth and its countless living beings.