Effective January, 2010, the “No Plastic Bag” day was implemented in Selangor with the aim to encourage further reduction of plastic bag usage across the city. Since then, every Saturday is a plastic bag-free day in Selangor. Saturday is chosen as it will be a very effective day to get the message across to a wider crowd. Besides, customer who insists on plastic bags will have to pay between 10sen to 20sen per bag. Therefore, it is better for the shopper to make a habit of using less plastic bags and bringing own bags when shopping.
This program will help to save Malaysia’s environment by creating awareness among the public on the disadvantages of expansive use of plastic. It reduces and minimizes plastic usage starting from shopping complexes by using recyclable shopping bags. In order to preserve our world heritage, the introduction of this simple gesture definitely makes a better change for Malaysian.
Selangor’s first “No Plastic Bag” day on Jan 2 went by so quietly that many consumers, although applauding the move, many shoppers were caught unaware of the declaration made by the Selangor State government. Following consultation and dialogues with hypermarkets, supermarkets, mini markets, plastic manufacturer and NGOs, the ban on using plastic bag marks the serious commitment towards reducing the use of plastic bags. There are 20 big retailers comprising hypermarkets, supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores who are participating during this campaign’s initial stage included Carrefour, Tesco, Giant, Jusco, 7-11 and Ikea.
Actually, some other countries are having their own ruling about the usage of plastics bag. For example, plastic bags are either taxed or require additional charges in places like Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and Holland. Besides, in October 2001, Taiwan introduced a ban on distribution of free single-use plastic nags by government agencies, schools and the military. China introduced a ban on flimsy plastic bags in June 2008 to reduce “white pollution”- the popular term for plastic bags and Styrofoam packaging. In Denmark, the waste tax is differentiated so that it is most expensive to landfill waste, cheaper to incinerate it and tax exempt to recycle it. It also has “green” taxes on packaging, plastic bags
Since the message of reducing usage of plastic bag is encourage by government, public is making the habit of bringing own bags when shopping. Non woven bag or eco bag has become a prevalent trend nowadays. Various design and functions of eco bag is selling in the market. The photos below are some example of different eco bags.
By practising this program, we can lessen our environmental footprint by minimizing the usage of plastic shopping bags. All of us in this global community must realize the importance of preserving, protecting and promoting a clean and healthy environment not only for the investors, tourists and those who desires for sustainable living, but also for our generation. If everyone does so, our world will become a better, cleaner, safer place for all living things.
Do you know what vegetarianism trend is? Do you notice and wonder why people are talking about being a vegetarian in these recent years? Vegetarianism is more popular than ever before and it is continuing to gow at an astonishing rate. In fact, during the last ten years the number of vegetarians in the UK has more than doubled. Based on Wikipedia, vegetarianism is the practice of following a plant-based diet including fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, nuts, and seeds with or without dairy products and eggs. A vegetarian does not eat meat, including red meat, fish, poultry, game, crustacean, shellfish and product of animal slaughter.
Readers, u may ignore my following words, but watch this video! It brings out the fact and the reason what I suppose to say in this post. It may be horrible, terrible, and cruel for some of you, but this is the truth!!! Nobody can deny it.
"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." Albert Einstein (1879-1955) - Physicist and Theorist
I agree with this quote seriously after I done my little research on the reason of why people willing to become a vegetarian. People become vegetarians for different reasons. Some choose the vegetarians way of life based on health related motives, others become vegetarians out of silent protest against the suffering and mistreatment of animals in slaughterhouses, while still others shun meat for spiritual reasons.
Generally, I found out three simple reasons of why we should pratice vegetarianism, which are for the animals, for our earth and for our health. First of all, vegetarian avoid the food which is obtained by killing animals. Life on the farm isn't what it used to be as you can see from the video above. Today the majority of farmed animals are confined to the point that they can barely move, denied veterinary care, mutilated without painkillers and finally slaughtered - often while fully conscious. Sickness and disease run rampat in these squalid living conditions in an attempt to minimize costs. Most people would never dream of cramming up to 11 egg-laying hens into a file drawer-sized cage, ripping the testicles out of a screaming baby piglet, or cutting the throat of a cow as she stares back at you with her big brown eyes. We can save their life! The average vegetarian spares the lives of over 50 animals each year. That adds up to thousands during a lifetime.
Secondly, becoming vegetarian is one of the most important and effective actions you can take to ease the strain on our Earth's limited resources, protect the planet from pollution, prevent global warming, amd save countless species from extinction. The way that we breed animals for food is a threat to the planet. It pollutes our environment while consuming huge amounts of water, grain, petroleum, pesticides and drugs The results are disastrous. The environment would also benefit from the change in diet.
Thirdly, vegetarian diets offer a number of nutritional benefits, including lower levels of saturated fat, cholesterol, and animal protein, as well as higher levels of carbohydrates, fiber, magnesium, potassium, folate, and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and phytochemicals. Vegetarians have been reported to have lower body mass indices than disease; vegetarians also show lower blood cholesterol levels; lower blood pressure; and lower rates of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and prostate and colon cancer. All these are good for our own health.
For those new to vegetarianism, this post will hopefully prove to be fruithful and thought-provoking, providing you with lots of valuable information that you will be able to benefit from time and time again.
Everytime we eat, we are making a powerful choice that has profound consequences on the lives of animals. At each meal, we make a decision between supporting cruelty or living compassionately. Fortunately, each one of us has the power to help end this suffering by simply choosing to eat vegetarian.
Climate changes is in the news. We heard a lot of news about global warming, rising sea levels, decrease snow cover in Northern Hemisphere, and increase in the frequency of extreme whether events in the recent year.We can even notice and observe it by ourself in daily life. I bet you ever complaining that why the weather is so hot since February until today!It is so happening and represent one of the greatest environment, social and economics treat facing the planet.
What can we do or in a serious tone, what should we do to stop all these environment impacts?
GO GREEN is the prevalent issues during these few years. Here are some ideas sharing on how to go green and save green at home and at work from Worldwatch Institute. I found out that the list of 10 ways to go green are very useful. We can live lightly in the Earth and save money at the same time.
Here we go!
1. Save energy to save money
Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
2. Save water to save money
Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
3. Less gas = more money
Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
4.Eat Smart
If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
6.Think before you buy
Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
When making purchases, make sure you know what's "Good Stuff" and what isn't.
7. Borrow instead of buying
Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
Share power tools and other appliances.
8. Buy Smart
Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently
9. Keep electronics out of the trash
Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.
I love our planet, I like my life. It is our responsible to take action to make our lives better. Just keep reading for 10 simple things we can do today to help reduce environment effect, save money, and live a happier, healthier life.
Let's practice and used to it in our daily life! :)
Air Pollution is not a new topic. It is a problem that we have noticed since the industrial revolution, when trees, houses and cars were covered in soot from the factories. People demanded change then, just as they are demanding it now. With all the talk of acid rain, global warming and ozone depletion it seems hopeless, but it isn't. Everyone can make a difference.
Acid Rain is the term given to any precipitation that is above normal acidity, this includes snow and fog. The acidity or causticity of a solution is measured in pH. A neutral pH is 7, acidic is lower then 7 and a base is greater than 7. The normal pH of rainwater is 5.5 (slightly acidic). In Scotland on April 20, 1974 the rain measured 2.4 and in West Virginia in 1978 the rain had a pH of 2.0! This was in the 70's and air pollution since then hasn't gotten any better. This very highly acidic rain kills plants and animals and destroys buildings.
Acid rain occurs when the moisture in the air mixes with Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulphur gases. These gases are released into the air by the burning of fossil fuels (natural gas, coal and oil). The primary source of the gases comes from electric companies that burn coal. Damage caused by acid rain is tremendous. The acid in the rain bonds with the minerals in the soil, tying them up so that plants can not use them. The plant becomes mineral deficient and weak. The rain also kills the plant's leaves, further weakening it and making the plant more susceptible to fungus and other diseases. This is a major agricultural problem.
The rain effects lakes, rivers and the animals living within them. The plants in the lakes and rivers are killed in the same way as land plants. The fish and other animals are left with no food. The animals that do survive are killed from the metals being drawn into the water from the soil, when the acid bonds to them.
Many architectural structures are destroyed from the acid rain. Most of the cement used to make our buildings. are made from lime which is very reactive with acid. You can see the effects of this weathering if you look at old gravestones or statues. The words etched in some of the gravestones can barely be read anymore because they are so worn away. Weathering is a natural process. Rain is normally slightly acidic but because of air pollution and the higher acidity of the rain, the process is sped up greatly.
Industry is looking for solutions to the air pollution problem. The best solution would be to stop burning fossil fuels all together but at this time we have no other alternatives. Scientists are trying ways to cut down on pollution. One way is to wash the coal before they burn it. Washing it takes off most of the sulphur but not all of it. The rest would have to be removed chemically but this process is still being researched. The problem with this is what to do with all the excess sulphur. Another solution is to clean the smoke before it is released into the air. Many filters have been installed in smoke stacks but again this solution is not 100% effective.
Another major environmental problem caused by air pollution is global warming or the "greenhouse effect". The greenhouse effect is caused by solar energy being trapped by CO2, Methane, Ozone (O3), Nitrous gas, and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that are in the air. The solar energy comes into the atmosphere as light, it hits the Earth, looses some of its energy and becomes heat. Because the heat does not have as much energy it can not penetrate back through the blanket of gases. The Earth has a natural greenhouse effect caused by the CO2 in the atmosphere. If we didn't have this natural greenhouse effect, the Earth would be too cold to live on. We have increased this effect through the release of all the gases I have mentioned above.
CO2 is released into the air from factories and from the exhausts of cars. Some of this CO2 in the atmosphere is used when the plants make their food but with many of our forests being cut down it makes our problems worse. CFCs are released into the air from aerosol cans. They are also used in air conditioners and refrigerators and leak from these places. Ozone is created when the sunlight strikes nitrogen oxide from car exhaust and the oxygen from it bonds with oxygen gas. Ozone is a very toxic gas and is good at filtering out UV light in the stratosphere but is bad for us when it is in the lower atmosphere.
Some people may wonder why global warming is bad. Who wouldn't want summer year around? The reason it is bad is because it wouldn't stop at a comfortable warm all year around. The winters would be warm and the summers would be unbearably hot! Some scientists believe that if the trend continues and becomes worse, we will have to abandon the southern areas and keep moving north to escape the heat. Many places will become dry arid dessert. This great warming also brings up the idea of what will happen to all the ice at the poles? With the temperature rising, the ice will melt and sea levels will rise significantly. Most of our costal land is only a few feet above sea level. A rise would flood all of it including most of the state of Florida!
The average yearly temperature has been going up by .5 degrees Celsius. This is much lower than what scientists have predicted and some say that this proves there is no such thing as global warming. The reason for this is that the air pollution surrounding the earth is having two effects. One is the warming and the trapping of the heat in the atmosphere and the other is keeping the heat out. Most of the sunlight is getting in and once it is in it stays in but the pollution is also acting like a shield and deflecting some of the light so it never enters the atmosphere. The prevailing trend, although, will be a warming because not enough light will be deflected.
We can slow down the greenhouse and maybe even stop it by slowing down and stopping the release of the greenhouse gases. One of the ways this is being done is by putting the catalytic converter on cars. The device goes on the exhaust pipe of the car and reduces the amount of CO2 that is released into the atmosphere. Another way is to control the use of CFCs. Aerosol cans are supposed to be banned by the year 2000 and they are working on new coolants for refrigerators and air conditioners. We can also slow down the rate of deforestation and plant more trees.
The last major environmental problem caused by air pollution is ozone depletion. As mentioned before ozone is three oxygen molecules (O3). It is concentrated in the stratosphere about 20-25 km above the earth's surface. Ozone is what protects us from shriveling up under the sun's powerful rays. It blocks out the harmful ultraviolet (UV) light which causes skin cancer. Two major holes have been discovered in the ozone layer: a large one above the south pole and a smaller one above the north pole. These two areas have absolutely no protection from UV light.
CFCs, as mentioned before, are commonly used in aerosol cans, air conditioners, and refrigerators. They do not break down in the lower atmosphere and are carried up into the stratosphere. Ozone is a very unstable molecule and reacts readily with the Chlorine in the CFC compound. When a CFC compound is hit by ultraviolet radiation it frees one of the chlorine atoms. The chlorine reacts with one of the oxygen atoms in an ozone compound forming a chlorine monoxide and oxygen gas (O2). A second reaction then releases the chlorine again so it can react with another ozone molecule. The two poles are where these gases collect because of wind currents and this is why the two holes in the ozone are located there. Another pollutant that is destroying the ozone is Nitrous gas. It is released from jet engine's exhaust. The high flying jets put the pollutants right where they need to be to cause the destruction.
Some of the solutions to help slow the depletion is to use hydro- fluorocarbons (HFCs) instead of CFCs, cutting down on the use of CFCs, and using alternative jet fuel which doesn't release Nitrous gas. Ozone is constantly being created. The reason we have a problem is that it is being destroyed at a much faster rate then it is replenishing itself. All we need to do is slow down the emission of these gases. This will give the ozone time to repair itself. Then we need to keep the emissions low so that this problem will not reoccur.
These problems may seem serious and they are but for right now they are not irreversible. We can do some everyday things that will help the environment. Make sure that you only have lights on in the room you are in. If you turn lights off as you leave a room and don't leave every light in the house on, less electricity has to be produced at Detroit Edison, that means less coal will be burned and less CO2 and the other gases will be produced and released into the air. Another easy way to help is to plant a tree in your yard or to get involved in a tree planting program. Buy pump bottles instead of aerosol cans or you can car pool to school or work. There is no reason why you should have to drive alone when you know about 10 people who are going to the same place you are every single day. Drive slower, this may seem like an odd one but the faster you go the faster your engine works, the more fuel it uses and the more gases that are being put into the air. Just by driving the speed limit or five under you can help to save the environment.
Global warming is an increase in the earth's temperature due to fossil fuels, industry, and agricultural processes caused by human, natural, and other gas emissions. This results in an increased emission of greenhouse gases. Short-wave solar radiation sinks into the Earth's atmosphere and warms its surface; while long wave infrared radiation emitted by earth's surface is absorbed, and then re-emitted by trace gases.
Climate changes occur in our earth's atmosphere due to a buildup of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases can occur naturally as well as a result of human activities. Problems can occur when higher concentrations of greenhouse gases are present in our atmosphere because they have enhanced our earth's heat trapping capability.
There are many misconceptions about global warming. Some believe that pollution causes global warming, but the fact is global warming is the result of burning fossil fuels, coal, and oil that release carbon dioxide. Another misconception is nuclear power causes climate change. Nuclear power actually reduces emissions of carbon dioxide when used in place of coal. Some believe that global warming means that it will become warmer all over. The name is misleading because in some places, it will actually become colder. The majority of scientists believe global warming is a process underway and that it is human-induced.
The greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases occur naturally. The Earth uses those gases to warm its surface. Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when solid waste, fossil fuels, wood, and wood products are burned. Each greenhouse gas absorbs heat differently. If natural gases did not occur, the temperatures would be 91.4 degrees cooler than the current temperatures. These gases trap heat and cause the greenhouse effect, rising global temperatures. Human activities add to the levels of these gasses, causing more problems. The burning of solid waste, fossil fuels, and wood products are major causes. Automobiles, heat from homes and businesses, and factories are responsible for about 80% of today's carbon dioxide emissions, 25% of methane, and 20% of the nitrous oxide emissions. The increase in agriculture, deforestation, landfills, industrial production, and mining contribute a significant share of emissions too. The gases released into the atmosphere are tracked by emission inventories. An emission inventory counts the amount of air pollutants discharged into the atmosphere. These emission inventories are used by many organizations.
Global warming is danger to human's health. Its effect on climate can adversely affect humans. Plagues have been attributed to global warming. An increase in temperature can result in a longer life cycle for diseases or the agents spreading them. Living in a warm area makes egg production a quicker process. Global warming will lead to more precipitation, which enables infectious diseases to be more easily contracted and spread. Effects of global warming on human health might not be immediately detected.
Global warming can affect our future ability to obtain food. As climates change, plants and animals will change, leading to a change in the eating patterns of humans. An increase in precipitation is one result of global warming that could have devastating effects. First, the quality of crops would be affected by an increase in precipitation. Second, increasing rain could lead to an increase in soil erosion.
There are ways that you can help prevent global warming. Car pooling, auditing the energy in your home, buying fuel-efficient cars, and reducing the electricity in your home are ways to help prevent global warming. You can also write to your local congress representative or your local newspaper in response to stories, which say global warming, does not exist. Government authorities can help by passing laws to reduce emissions from factories. They can also form a treaty with other countries to legally bind limits on emissions of heat trapping gases.
Our earth is getting in danger day by day. Future predictions do not look good for this planet if nothing is done. Without the help of emissions control policies, CO2 levels are projected to be 30 -150% higher in 2100. Our renewable resources will be very limited. Let's save the earth together so that our next generations still be able to enjoy the resources that we have now.
captured the scene while cruising the area in a boat in temperatures of about 5c.
A polar bear cub is comforted by its mother. They drift miles from shore on a rapidly shrinking ice floe. They had gone out hunting seals and climbed onto the floe to cool down. The drifting ice is shrinking, forcing the bears to huddle in the middle.
Polar bears have four-inch-thick blubber to keep them warm, big paws that act as flippers and waterproof fur. It means they are incredibly well suited to the water. For the cub, they will mostly struggle more and face an exhausting swim but they are usually clutching onto the back of their mum, so they are shielded from the current. However, the biggest threat to these two is actually hyperthermia, as their body temperature could rise and that could kill them if they swim too fast.
In addition, there are some data shown that polar bears have already survived a global warming that affected the northern hemisphere from 130,000 to 115,000 years ago, when the Greenland ice sheet and the Arctic ice cap were smaller than now. It means that the polar bear has already survived one interglacial period. This fact is telling us that despite the ongoing warming in the Arctic today; however, it is not a necessary need for us to be so worried about the polar bear.
Is it all it seems?
I agree that living through a warm period back does not mean polar bears are resilient to climate change nowadays. Global warming has been a growing threat to biological survival; the polar bear is the most typical victims!
Besides, global warming is destroying the world. Sea ice is breaking up earlier each spring and freezing later each autumn. Even in Malaysia, the weather is super duper hot recently. We should pay more attention and care on this environment issue!
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Damage caused by acid rain is tremendous. The acid in the rain bonds with the minerals in the soil, tying them up so that plants can not use them. The plant becomes mineral deficient and weak. The rain also kills the plant's leaves, further weakening it and making the plant more susceptible to fungus and other diseases. This is a major agricultural problem.
