MELBOURNE 11 NOV. – Lebih 100,000 penduduk di seluruh Australia hari ini menyertai perarakan untuk mendesak kerajaan mengambil langkah lebih tegas bagi menangani masalah pemanasan global.
Perarakan “Bergerak Menentang Pemanasan” di ibu negara dan 50 bandar lain itu bertujuan menarik perhatian parti-parti politik mengenai isu perubahan iklim di minggu terakhir kempen pilihan raya pada 24 November ini.
Pengarah Eksekutif Majlis Pemuliharaan Alam Semulajadi, Cate Faehrmann berkata, 150,000 orang terlibat dalam perarakan yang diadakan di seluruh Australia manakala polis menganggarkan antara 20,000 hingga 30,000 orang menyertai perarakan di Melbourne manakala 28,000 lagi di Sydney.
Menurut Cate, perarakan ini bertujuan mendesak pihak berkuasa lebih peka dalam memberi komitmen bagi mengurangkan pelepasan gas rumah hijau dan sasaran pelepasan sebanyak 30 peratus menjelang 2020 perlu dilaksanakan.
“Kedua-dua parti utama mempunyai masalah kredibiliti tentang perubahan cuaca kerana kegagalan mereka melaksanakan usaha mengurangkan pelepasan gas rumah hijau dalam dekad akan datang yang sangat diperlukan untuk menghalang masalah ini dari terus merebak,” kata Pengarah Kempen Persatuan Perhutanan Kebangsaan, Alex Marr.
Australia dan Amerika Syarikat adalah antara negara yang menolak menggunakan Protokol Kyoto yang menetapkan sasaran yang terikat untuk pencemaran karbon oleh negara membangun.
Showing posts with label posted by ct balqis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label posted by ct balqis. Show all posts
Monday, November 12, 2007
Saturday, November 3, 2007
4,565 pusat pemindahan banjir dikenal pasti: TPM
Persiapan awal hadapi musim tengkujuh berikutan perubahan iklim
PUTRAJAYA: Sejumlah 4,565 pusat pemindahan banjir yang mampu menampung 1.23 juta mangsa sudah dikenal pasti di seluruh negara sebagai persiapan menghadapi kemungkinan bencana itu pada musim tengkujuh ini berikutan perubahan iklim dunia, kata Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata, ia adalah penambahan sebanyak 532 pusat pemindahan dan peningkatan kapasiti sejumlah 174,585 berbanding tahun lalu. "Selain itu, semua peralatan mengesan hujan, cuaca dan kemungkinan bencana, sudah diatur serta beroperasi dan jika berlaku banjir kita akan beri notis atau amaran secepat mungkin," katanya pada sidang media selepas mempengerusikan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan dan Bantuan Bencana Pusat, di sini, semalam.
Ditanya jika langkah menambah bilangan dan kapasiti pusat pemindahan banjir itu bermakna bencana kali ini dijangka lebih buruk, Najib berkata, ramalan mengenai perkara itu amat sukar dibuat kerana ia bergantung kepada hujan. "Setakat ini kita tidak mahu membuat apa-apa ramalan secara terbuka cuma menjelang Disember dan Januari ini kita jangkakan pada umumnya hujan lebih daripada biasa tetapi ini tidak bererti akan berlaku banjir," katanya. Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata, satu stor berpusat akan diwujudkan bagi menempatkan segala peralatan bantuan banjir seperti pam air dan bot penyelamat sebagai tambahan kepada peralatan sedia ada milik pelbagai agensi dan kementerian.
Katanya, untuk sementara waktu stor berpusat itu akan ditempatkan di Stor Simpanan Perang Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) di Sungai Buloh. "Apabila banjir berlaku, maka peralatan ini akan dipindahkan ke peringkat negeri yang memerlukan atau kawasan berkenaan," katanya sambil menjelaskan kerajaan juga mengarahkan semua langkah awal bagi mencegah banjir diambil di seluruh negara secepat mungkin. "Jika ada longkang tersumbat, hendaklah dibersihkan. Jika ada halangan yang menyekat aliran sungai, tindakan mestilah dibuat segera," katanya. Mengenai sumbangan bantuan kepada mangsa banjir, Najib menasihatkan orang awam dan pihak swasta menyalurkan segala bantuan barangan kepada pegawai Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) negeri supaya pengagihan adil dapat diselaraskan.
"Apa yang berlaku ketika banjir di Johor tahun lalu, mereka terus pergi ke pusat pemindahan banjir dan ini menimbulkan rasa tidak puas hati mangsa banjir yang tidak menerima sumbangan," katanya. Najib berkata, kerajaan membelanjakan RM196 juta untuk bantuan ehsan dan lebih RM1 bilion untuk pemulihan kemudahan asas seperti jalan raya dan jambatan berikutan banjir tahun lalu. "Ini tidak termasuk kerugian peribadi yang dialami mangsa banjir. Kita ada kadar bantuan yang kita amalkan dan jawatankuasa bencana pusat boleh tentukan jika ada tambahan yang perlu dipertimbangkan," katanya. Mengenai pengwujudan Rangkaian Bersepadu Radio Kerajaan, Najib berkata, ia sedang giat dilaksanakan kontraktor tetapi sebahagian daripada kapasitinya mungkin boleh digunakan. Sementara itu, Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS), Datuk Keizrul Abdullah, berkata kira-kira 29,000 kilometer persegi atau sembilan peratus daripada keluasan keseluruhan negara sering dilanda banjir. "Setiap tahun banjir akan berlaku di beberapa kawasan di seluruh negara... ini bermakna seluruh kawasan kita terdedah kepada banjir," katanya.
PUTRAJAYA: Sejumlah 4,565 pusat pemindahan banjir yang mampu menampung 1.23 juta mangsa sudah dikenal pasti di seluruh negara sebagai persiapan menghadapi kemungkinan bencana itu pada musim tengkujuh ini berikutan perubahan iklim dunia, kata Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata, ia adalah penambahan sebanyak 532 pusat pemindahan dan peningkatan kapasiti sejumlah 174,585 berbanding tahun lalu. "Selain itu, semua peralatan mengesan hujan, cuaca dan kemungkinan bencana, sudah diatur serta beroperasi dan jika berlaku banjir kita akan beri notis atau amaran secepat mungkin," katanya pada sidang media selepas mempengerusikan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan dan Bantuan Bencana Pusat, di sini, semalam.
Ditanya jika langkah menambah bilangan dan kapasiti pusat pemindahan banjir itu bermakna bencana kali ini dijangka lebih buruk, Najib berkata, ramalan mengenai perkara itu amat sukar dibuat kerana ia bergantung kepada hujan. "Setakat ini kita tidak mahu membuat apa-apa ramalan secara terbuka cuma menjelang Disember dan Januari ini kita jangkakan pada umumnya hujan lebih daripada biasa tetapi ini tidak bererti akan berlaku banjir," katanya. Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata, satu stor berpusat akan diwujudkan bagi menempatkan segala peralatan bantuan banjir seperti pam air dan bot penyelamat sebagai tambahan kepada peralatan sedia ada milik pelbagai agensi dan kementerian.
Katanya, untuk sementara waktu stor berpusat itu akan ditempatkan di Stor Simpanan Perang Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) di Sungai Buloh. "Apabila banjir berlaku, maka peralatan ini akan dipindahkan ke peringkat negeri yang memerlukan atau kawasan berkenaan," katanya sambil menjelaskan kerajaan juga mengarahkan semua langkah awal bagi mencegah banjir diambil di seluruh negara secepat mungkin. "Jika ada longkang tersumbat, hendaklah dibersihkan. Jika ada halangan yang menyekat aliran sungai, tindakan mestilah dibuat segera," katanya. Mengenai sumbangan bantuan kepada mangsa banjir, Najib menasihatkan orang awam dan pihak swasta menyalurkan segala bantuan barangan kepada pegawai Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) negeri supaya pengagihan adil dapat diselaraskan.
"Apa yang berlaku ketika banjir di Johor tahun lalu, mereka terus pergi ke pusat pemindahan banjir dan ini menimbulkan rasa tidak puas hati mangsa banjir yang tidak menerima sumbangan," katanya. Najib berkata, kerajaan membelanjakan RM196 juta untuk bantuan ehsan dan lebih RM1 bilion untuk pemulihan kemudahan asas seperti jalan raya dan jambatan berikutan banjir tahun lalu. "Ini tidak termasuk kerugian peribadi yang dialami mangsa banjir. Kita ada kadar bantuan yang kita amalkan dan jawatankuasa bencana pusat boleh tentukan jika ada tambahan yang perlu dipertimbangkan," katanya. Mengenai pengwujudan Rangkaian Bersepadu Radio Kerajaan, Najib berkata, ia sedang giat dilaksanakan kontraktor tetapi sebahagian daripada kapasitinya mungkin boleh digunakan. Sementara itu, Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS), Datuk Keizrul Abdullah, berkata kira-kira 29,000 kilometer persegi atau sembilan peratus daripada keluasan keseluruhan negara sering dilanda banjir. "Setiap tahun banjir akan berlaku di beberapa kawasan di seluruh negara... ini bermakna seluruh kawasan kita terdedah kepada banjir," katanya.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Mustapha Kamil reporting from Sydney: Discuss action plan to manage climate issues
MALAYSIA does not object introducing issues of climate change in the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) forum as long as they avoid rhetorics and impositions of rules.
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said adverse impact from climate change must be viewed as a form of calamity and discussions on the issue in Apec should be on how to manage the climate, not to point fingers at who is responsible.Rafidah said the broader forum for climate change already existed at the United Nations level and through the Kyoto Protocol. The US and Australia have not ratified the Kyoto treaty."We must talk instead about an action plan to manage climate change, preferably at three levels — global, regional and domestic."
Rafidah said Malaysia would object to any new agreements outside of those already agreed at the international level. She has suggested to the Apec forum that issues of climate change be included in the forum’s Trade Facilitation Action Plan 2.The scope, she said, must be wider than that proposed by certain Apec member economies and not limited only to management of forest areas as earlier proposed.Officials, however, said the final declaration to be issued at the end of the leaders meeting this week would still include a watered-down section on climate change.Rafidah said at the end of the day, Apec declarations were non-binding on its members. "Its not that we are not willing to talk about climate change but there is already the Kyoto Protocol to deal with and we do not want rhetorics to creep into Apec."But we are committed towards helping manage the climate. If we can help, we will and if there are others who can help us manage the climate better, we will be willing to listen."Meanwhile, a joint statement issued at the end of the Apec forum yesterday had balanced the focus for anti-corruption initiatives among the public and private sectors after Malaysia intervened during the discussions, saying that an earlier statement was inclined sharply towards civil servants, giving the impression that only government officials were corrupt.In the joint statement, Apec ministers said they endorsed a model Code of Conduct for Business, a model Code of Conduct Principles for Public Officials and a complementary Anti-corruption Principles For The Private and Public Sectors
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said adverse impact from climate change must be viewed as a form of calamity and discussions on the issue in Apec should be on how to manage the climate, not to point fingers at who is responsible.Rafidah said the broader forum for climate change already existed at the United Nations level and through the Kyoto Protocol. The US and Australia have not ratified the Kyoto treaty."We must talk instead about an action plan to manage climate change, preferably at three levels — global, regional and domestic."
Rafidah said Malaysia would object to any new agreements outside of those already agreed at the international level. She has suggested to the Apec forum that issues of climate change be included in the forum’s Trade Facilitation Action Plan 2.The scope, she said, must be wider than that proposed by certain Apec member economies and not limited only to management of forest areas as earlier proposed.Officials, however, said the final declaration to be issued at the end of the leaders meeting this week would still include a watered-down section on climate change.Rafidah said at the end of the day, Apec declarations were non-binding on its members. "Its not that we are not willing to talk about climate change but there is already the Kyoto Protocol to deal with and we do not want rhetorics to creep into Apec."But we are committed towards helping manage the climate. If we can help, we will and if there are others who can help us manage the climate better, we will be willing to listen."Meanwhile, a joint statement issued at the end of the Apec forum yesterday had balanced the focus for anti-corruption initiatives among the public and private sectors after Malaysia intervened during the discussions, saying that an earlier statement was inclined sharply towards civil servants, giving the impression that only government officials were corrupt.In the joint statement, Apec ministers said they endorsed a model Code of Conduct for Business, a model Code of Conduct Principles for Public Officials and a complementary Anti-corruption Principles For The Private and Public Sectors
COMMENT: Climate change: Dark clouds on horizon
ON Sept 24, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon convened the first-ever high-level meeting focused on climate change. Heads of state represented 80 of the 164 participating nations; foreign ministers a further 40. This was an unprecedented gathering of world leaders, which testified that climate change is happening and demands urgent action.
As Ban said, this event at the UN expressed the political will of world leaders to tackle the challenge of climate change. The importance of climate change was further emphasised by the award of the Nobel Peace Prize earlier this month to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for bringing world attention to climate change.The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ends in 2012. The Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC will meet in Bali from Dec 3 to 14 to negotiate a post-Kyoto Framework.What happens between now and the COP will be crucial to the success of the negotiations. We need clear leadership and commitment.That is why today and tomorrow, the Malaysian government will host a regional conference on climate change. The conference will be addressed by leading specialists from across the region and beyond. The aim will be to help frame the debate on climate change in Southeast Asia. It will also put Malaysia right at the heart of this debate, working closely with regional partners, as well as with the United Kingdom.
The conference is being organised by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, in close collaboration with the British High Commission in Malaysia. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will deliver the keynote address and open the conference, tagged “Reducing the Threats and Harnessing the Opportunities of Climate Change".This conference has not come about by accident. Last year, the world-renowned economist Sir Nicholas Stern published his now famous review on the economic impact of climate change. He concluded that current global emission levels were unsustainable. And the economic cost of failure to act now would be far greater than the cost of acting.Two months after Stern published his review, Malaysians saw for themselves the economic damage caused by the unseasonal floods in Johor.It was immediately apparent that climate change will increase the frequency and severity of such events in the future. This regional conference comes at an opportune time, as it allows participants to inject the conference outcomes directly into the meeting of the COP to the UNFCCC in Bali.Southeast Asia is home to one of the world’s great biodiversity regions. These regions are essential to maintain climate security for the whole planet. The region is vulnerable to climate change, with large areas of coastline potentially threatened by a rise in sea levels. Water supplies are equally at risk. All of us living in this region would have to bear the adverse economic impacts of repeated instances of flooding.The key to tackling climate change on a global scale is working together to build a low-carbon economy. This will require deeper international co-operation in many areas, most notably in creating markets for carbon trading, driving technology research and promoting adaptation, particularly for developing countries.In addition, other important and significant themes in climate change will include mitigation, energy security, climate change negotiations, and the relationship of land use change and forestry to climate change, which will be discussed in this conference.At Bali, the Malaysian and British governments need to work with other countries to put together the plan for how the world will achieve climate security. One thing is clear: we need to act now. That is why the regional conference over the next two days matters.
As Ban said, this event at the UN expressed the political will of world leaders to tackle the challenge of climate change. The importance of climate change was further emphasised by the award of the Nobel Peace Prize earlier this month to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for bringing world attention to climate change.The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ends in 2012. The Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC will meet in Bali from Dec 3 to 14 to negotiate a post-Kyoto Framework.What happens between now and the COP will be crucial to the success of the negotiations. We need clear leadership and commitment.That is why today and tomorrow, the Malaysian government will host a regional conference on climate change. The conference will be addressed by leading specialists from across the region and beyond. The aim will be to help frame the debate on climate change in Southeast Asia. It will also put Malaysia right at the heart of this debate, working closely with regional partners, as well as with the United Kingdom.
The conference is being organised by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, in close collaboration with the British High Commission in Malaysia. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will deliver the keynote address and open the conference, tagged “Reducing the Threats and Harnessing the Opportunities of Climate Change".This conference has not come about by accident. Last year, the world-renowned economist Sir Nicholas Stern published his now famous review on the economic impact of climate change. He concluded that current global emission levels were unsustainable. And the economic cost of failure to act now would be far greater than the cost of acting.Two months after Stern published his review, Malaysians saw for themselves the economic damage caused by the unseasonal floods in Johor.It was immediately apparent that climate change will increase the frequency and severity of such events in the future. This regional conference comes at an opportune time, as it allows participants to inject the conference outcomes directly into the meeting of the COP to the UNFCCC in Bali.Southeast Asia is home to one of the world’s great biodiversity regions. These regions are essential to maintain climate security for the whole planet. The region is vulnerable to climate change, with large areas of coastline potentially threatened by a rise in sea levels. Water supplies are equally at risk. All of us living in this region would have to bear the adverse economic impacts of repeated instances of flooding.The key to tackling climate change on a global scale is working together to build a low-carbon economy. This will require deeper international co-operation in many areas, most notably in creating markets for carbon trading, driving technology research and promoting adaptation, particularly for developing countries.In addition, other important and significant themes in climate change will include mitigation, energy security, climate change negotiations, and the relationship of land use change and forestry to climate change, which will be discussed in this conference.At Bali, the Malaysian and British governments need to work with other countries to put together the plan for how the world will achieve climate security. One thing is clear: we need to act now. That is why the regional conference over the next two days matters.
Hujan dijangka bertambah kerap
KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Okt (Bernama) — Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia menjangka keadaan hujan di semenanjung Malaysia dari semasa ke semasa akan bertambah kerap dalam tempoh tiga bulan akan datang, berbanding tempoh yang sama tahun lepas.Timbalan Menteri Sains Teknologi dan Inovasi Datuk Kong Cho Ha berkata kawasan yang dijangka mengalami hujan itu berselerak di seluruh negara, namun ia dijangka bertumpu kepada kawasan sekitar bahagian utara dan tengah semenanjung.“Kita jangka lebih banyak hujan bagi tempoh tiga bulan akan datang, malah ia sudah bermula sejak September lepas. Bagaimanapun tidak semestinya bermakna ia akan membawa banjir buruk sebagaimana yang berlaku di Johor tahun lepas,” katanya.“Kita menjangka kadar hujan meningkat sedikit berbanding tahun lepas ekoran kesan La Nina, yang mengubah keadaan biasa cuaca,” tambahnya. - BERNAMA
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Debu sulfur kurangkan pemanasan
COLORADO: Sekumpulan saintis Barat baru-baru ini mencadangkan satu kaedah kontroversi untuk mengatasi pemanasan global iaitu dengan menggunakan cara yang sama seperti letusan gunung berapi memuntahkan lahar dan abu panas ke udara. Bagaimanapun, ada saintis berpendapat menaburkan debu sulfur ke awan mungkin menyebabkan lebih banyak masalah berbanding kebaikan.
Kaedah penyelesaian sementara yang dicadangkan ialah menyembur debu sulfur jauh ke atmosfera, menghasilkan kesan seperti ketika gunung berapi meletus, apabila ia memuntahkan abu panas yang menghalang sinaran matahari. Lapisan sulfur ini membolehkan penghasilan gas rumah hijau dikurangkan untuk jangka masa tertentu. Bagaimanapun, penyelidik berpendapat walaupun debu sulfur akan mengurangkan kepanasan bumi, ia juga akan mengurangkan jumlah hujan dan menyebabkan kemarau serius.
"Ia hanyalah satu daripada beberapa kaedah drastik yang dicadangkan untuk mengurangkan pemanasan global dan tidak akan memberi kesan positif dalam jangka panjang. "Sekarang kebanyakan saintis bersetuju karbon dioksida yang dihasilkan daripada penggunaan bahan api fosil menjadi punca iklim dunia berubah," kata Kevin Trenberth dari Pusat Kebangsaan Bagi Penyelidikan Atmosfera (NCAR) di Boulder, Colorado. Trenberth bersama rakannya Aiguo Dai melakukan kajian jumlah hujan dan rekod aliran air di sungai terbesar dunia antara 1950 dan 2004. Ketika Gunung Pinatubo meletus suhu global menurun secara purata 0.5 darjah Celsius, pada tahun berikutnya. - Agensi.
Kaedah penyelesaian sementara yang dicadangkan ialah menyembur debu sulfur jauh ke atmosfera, menghasilkan kesan seperti ketika gunung berapi meletus, apabila ia memuntahkan abu panas yang menghalang sinaran matahari. Lapisan sulfur ini membolehkan penghasilan gas rumah hijau dikurangkan untuk jangka masa tertentu. Bagaimanapun, penyelidik berpendapat walaupun debu sulfur akan mengurangkan kepanasan bumi, ia juga akan mengurangkan jumlah hujan dan menyebabkan kemarau serius.
"Ia hanyalah satu daripada beberapa kaedah drastik yang dicadangkan untuk mengurangkan pemanasan global dan tidak akan memberi kesan positif dalam jangka panjang. "Sekarang kebanyakan saintis bersetuju karbon dioksida yang dihasilkan daripada penggunaan bahan api fosil menjadi punca iklim dunia berubah," kata Kevin Trenberth dari Pusat Kebangsaan Bagi Penyelidikan Atmosfera (NCAR) di Boulder, Colorado. Trenberth bersama rakannya Aiguo Dai melakukan kajian jumlah hujan dan rekod aliran air di sungai terbesar dunia antara 1950 dan 2004. Ketika Gunung Pinatubo meletus suhu global menurun secara purata 0.5 darjah Celsius, pada tahun berikutnya. - Agensi.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Melting ice pack displaces Alaska walrus
Sun Oct 7, 2:18 AM ET
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Thousands of walrus have appeared on Alaska's northwest coast in what conservationists are calling a dramatic consequence of global warming melting the Arctic sea ice. Alaska's walrus, especially breeding females, in summer and fall are usually found on the Arctic ice pack. But the lowest summer ice cap on record put sea ice far north of the outer continental shelf, the shallow, life-rich shelf of ocean bottom in the Bering and Chukchi seas.
Walrus feed on clams, snails and other bottom dwellers. Given the choice between an ice platform over water beyond their 630-foot diving range or gathering spots on shore, thousands of walrus picked Alaska's rocky beaches.
"It looks to me like animals are shifting their distribution to find prey," said Tim Ragen, executive director of the federal Marine Mammal Commission. "The big question is whether they will be able to find sufficient prey in areas where they are looking."
According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder, September sea ice was 39 percent below the long-term average from 1979 to 2000. Sea ice cover is in a downward spiral and may have passed the point of no return, with a possible ice-free Arctic Ocean by summer 2030, senior scientist Mark Serreze said.
Starting in July, several thousand walrus abandoned the ice pack for gathering spots known as haulouts between Barrow and Cape Lisburne, a remote, 300-mile stretch of Alaska coastline.
The immediate concern of new, massive walrus groups for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is danger to the animals from stampedes. Panic caused by a low-flying airplane, a boat or an approaching polar bear can send a herd rushing to the sea. Young animals can be crushed by adults weighing 2,000 pounds or more.
Longer term, biologists fear walrus will suffer nutritional stress if they are concentrated on shoreline rather than spread over thousands of miles of sea ice.
Walrus need either ice or land to rest. Unlike seals, they cannot swim indefinitely and must pause after foraging.
Historically, Ragen said, walrus have used the edge of the ice pack like a conveyor belt. As the ice edge melts and moves north in spring and summer, sea ice gives calves a platform on which to rest while females dive to feed.
There's no conveyor belt for walrus on shore.
"If they've got to travel farther, it's going to cost more energy. That's less energy that's available for other functions," Ragen said.
Deborah Williams — who was an Interior Department special assistant for Alaska under former President Bill Clinton, and who is now president of the nonprofit Alaska Conservation Solutions — said melting of sea ice and its effects on wildlife were never even discussed during her federal service from 1995 to 2000.
"That's what so breathtaking about this," she said. "This has all happened faster than anyone could have predicted. That's why it's so urgent action must be taken."
Walrus observers on the Russian side of the Chukchi Sea have also reported more walrus at haulouts and alerted Alaska wildlife officials to the problems with the animals being spooked and stampeded.
If lack of sea ice is at the heart of upcoming problems for walrus, Ragen said, there's no solution likely available other than prevention.
"The primary problem of maintaining ice habitat, that's something way, way, way beyond us," he said. "To reverse things will require an effort on virtually everyone's part."
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Thousands of walrus have appeared on Alaska's northwest coast in what conservationists are calling a dramatic consequence of global warming melting the Arctic sea ice. Alaska's walrus, especially breeding females, in summer and fall are usually found on the Arctic ice pack. But the lowest summer ice cap on record put sea ice far north of the outer continental shelf, the shallow, life-rich shelf of ocean bottom in the Bering and Chukchi seas.
Walrus feed on clams, snails and other bottom dwellers. Given the choice between an ice platform over water beyond their 630-foot diving range or gathering spots on shore, thousands of walrus picked Alaska's rocky beaches.
"It looks to me like animals are shifting their distribution to find prey," said Tim Ragen, executive director of the federal Marine Mammal Commission. "The big question is whether they will be able to find sufficient prey in areas where they are looking."
According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder, September sea ice was 39 percent below the long-term average from 1979 to 2000. Sea ice cover is in a downward spiral and may have passed the point of no return, with a possible ice-free Arctic Ocean by summer 2030, senior scientist Mark Serreze said.
Starting in July, several thousand walrus abandoned the ice pack for gathering spots known as haulouts between Barrow and Cape Lisburne, a remote, 300-mile stretch of Alaska coastline.
The immediate concern of new, massive walrus groups for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is danger to the animals from stampedes. Panic caused by a low-flying airplane, a boat or an approaching polar bear can send a herd rushing to the sea. Young animals can be crushed by adults weighing 2,000 pounds or more.
Longer term, biologists fear walrus will suffer nutritional stress if they are concentrated on shoreline rather than spread over thousands of miles of sea ice.
Walrus need either ice or land to rest. Unlike seals, they cannot swim indefinitely and must pause after foraging.
Historically, Ragen said, walrus have used the edge of the ice pack like a conveyor belt. As the ice edge melts and moves north in spring and summer, sea ice gives calves a platform on which to rest while females dive to feed.
There's no conveyor belt for walrus on shore.
"If they've got to travel farther, it's going to cost more energy. That's less energy that's available for other functions," Ragen said.
Deborah Williams — who was an Interior Department special assistant for Alaska under former President Bill Clinton, and who is now president of the nonprofit Alaska Conservation Solutions — said melting of sea ice and its effects on wildlife were never even discussed during her federal service from 1995 to 2000.
"That's what so breathtaking about this," she said. "This has all happened faster than anyone could have predicted. That's why it's so urgent action must be taken."
Walrus observers on the Russian side of the Chukchi Sea have also reported more walrus at haulouts and alerted Alaska wildlife officials to the problems with the animals being spooked and stampeded.
If lack of sea ice is at the heart of upcoming problems for walrus, Ragen said, there's no solution likely available other than prevention.
"The primary problem of maintaining ice habitat, that's something way, way, way beyond us," he said. "To reverse things will require an effort on virtually everyone's part."
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Wal-Mart addresses climate change and supply chain
The key issues of risk management, supply chain and climate change have made their way to the top of media and corporate agendas recently. A Wal-Mart and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) joint effort will measure the climate change effects across the Wal-Mart supply chain. In addressing the issue, Wal-Mart is proactively addressing one of its key risk areas, negative consumer perception.
Wal-Mart plans to reduce packaging by 5% by 2013 as part of its Sustainability 360 campaign.As more brands begin to identify the huge impact supply chain breakdowns and climate change have on their business, these two issues are taking a more prominent role in the risk assessment process.With Wal-Mart proactively addressing food safety, supply chain issues and climate change, are global brands shifting towards integrated management systems? Can they afford not to look at the big picture all of the time?
Is the long-term goal of large retailers choice editing of products that are not friendly to the planet?
Wal-Mart plans to reduce packaging by 5% by 2013 as part of its Sustainability 360 campaign.As more brands begin to identify the huge impact supply chain breakdowns and climate change have on their business, these two issues are taking a more prominent role in the risk assessment process.With Wal-Mart proactively addressing food safety, supply chain issues and climate change, are global brands shifting towards integrated management systems? Can they afford not to look at the big picture all of the time?
Is the long-term goal of large retailers choice editing of products that are not friendly to the planet?
Climate Change Action Who and How
There are an abundance of discussions going on about who drives change in behaviour patterns regarding climate change. There seem to be four schools of thought:
1) Government via regulation. Anne-Marie’s post touched on this. Defra have openly responded to the call for more transparent goverment policy on climate change initiatives. The general consensus is that governments need to provide a clear, long-term set of guidelines on carbon emissions that businesses and consumers can understand and be measured against. Equally as important is that all governments must work together, as proven by the Kyoto Protocol. This is not to say that the Kyoto Protocol has been ineffective, as many signatory nations have worked tirelessly to ensure that the measures put in place are carried out. But imagine, the power of all governments sharing a verifiable commitment to addressing climate change and setting measurable targets for reductions with significant penalties to non-compliers
2) Businesses via greener products and greener marketing campaigns. Renault have been a leader in this area, with their Eco2 campaign and products. Renault not only dedicated a global ad campaign to climate change issues, they set clear, measurable targets for their products and factories. Others, such as Triodos Bank base their entire business around being ethical and sustainable. Businesses play a crucial role in informing and educating the consumer on climate change issues. Clearly, they have the power to change consumer behaviour. Business and governments also have the option of “choice editing” at their disposal. Examples of effective choice editing have been the Australian government removing all non energy efficient lightbulbs from the market and The Co-op’s pulling off its’ shelves of inefficient light bulbs and domestic kitchen appliances. Choice editing by business, when combined with an informative marketing campaign, can lead to increased customer loyalty, as the consumer sees that business is willing to take a stand for the planet.
3) Consumers via purchasing habits and consumer groups. The “bottom up” approach is more relevant than ever due to the blogosphere, with 18,076 blogs containing the term climate change and growing! The power in these numbers combined with the influence of the some key blogs has big brands worried about their global image and reputation. Consumer groups are publishing the green credentials of brands and openly questioning their commitment to climate change. Many brands have dedicated staff responding to blogs and engaging with the online audience.Additionally, consumers, as quoted in recent research have expressed a willingness to pay more for products that are ethically produced as well as “green”. 70% of consumers also said that they wanted corporate green claims to be verified, showing that as consumers become better educated on climate change issues, their expectations of businesses actions are growing
4) Media The media have a direct effect on all of the above. The US government has been deluged with criticism for not signing the Kyoto Protocol, both in the US media as well as internationally.Business are all too aware of the danger of being caught out on their green strategies, actions and claims.Consumers are not immune to media pressure and influence, with recent articles focusing on the role of the individual in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
The combination of these four groups and their influence is ensuring that climate change remains on the front pages of newspapers, remains a key topic in boardrooms (with over 65% of the world’s top 500 brands now having a someone responsible for climate change strategy at the board level), is a permanent discussion topic among the general public as well as a key topic that every politician has to address.Only through clear strategies that are informative and transparent to both business and consumers, backed by full government support and pressure, communicated by all types of media can there be a concerted global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses having systems to measure data in place that are credible and verifiable will lead to the consumer trust that will change their buying habits.Can any of us afford to wait any longer?
1) Government via regulation. Anne-Marie’s post touched on this. Defra have openly responded to the call for more transparent goverment policy on climate change initiatives. The general consensus is that governments need to provide a clear, long-term set of guidelines on carbon emissions that businesses and consumers can understand and be measured against. Equally as important is that all governments must work together, as proven by the Kyoto Protocol. This is not to say that the Kyoto Protocol has been ineffective, as many signatory nations have worked tirelessly to ensure that the measures put in place are carried out. But imagine, the power of all governments sharing a verifiable commitment to addressing climate change and setting measurable targets for reductions with significant penalties to non-compliers
2) Businesses via greener products and greener marketing campaigns. Renault have been a leader in this area, with their Eco2 campaign and products. Renault not only dedicated a global ad campaign to climate change issues, they set clear, measurable targets for their products and factories. Others, such as Triodos Bank base their entire business around being ethical and sustainable. Businesses play a crucial role in informing and educating the consumer on climate change issues. Clearly, they have the power to change consumer behaviour. Business and governments also have the option of “choice editing” at their disposal. Examples of effective choice editing have been the Australian government removing all non energy efficient lightbulbs from the market and The Co-op’s pulling off its’ shelves of inefficient light bulbs and domestic kitchen appliances. Choice editing by business, when combined with an informative marketing campaign, can lead to increased customer loyalty, as the consumer sees that business is willing to take a stand for the planet.
3) Consumers via purchasing habits and consumer groups. The “bottom up” approach is more relevant than ever due to the blogosphere, with 18,076 blogs containing the term climate change and growing! The power in these numbers combined with the influence of the some key blogs has big brands worried about their global image and reputation. Consumer groups are publishing the green credentials of brands and openly questioning their commitment to climate change. Many brands have dedicated staff responding to blogs and engaging with the online audience.Additionally, consumers, as quoted in recent research have expressed a willingness to pay more for products that are ethically produced as well as “green”. 70% of consumers also said that they wanted corporate green claims to be verified, showing that as consumers become better educated on climate change issues, their expectations of businesses actions are growing
4) Media The media have a direct effect on all of the above. The US government has been deluged with criticism for not signing the Kyoto Protocol, both in the US media as well as internationally.Business are all too aware of the danger of being caught out on their green strategies, actions and claims.Consumers are not immune to media pressure and influence, with recent articles focusing on the role of the individual in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
The combination of these four groups and their influence is ensuring that climate change remains on the front pages of newspapers, remains a key topic in boardrooms (with over 65% of the world’s top 500 brands now having a someone responsible for climate change strategy at the board level), is a permanent discussion topic among the general public as well as a key topic that every politician has to address.Only through clear strategies that are informative and transparent to both business and consumers, backed by full government support and pressure, communicated by all types of media can there be a concerted global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses having systems to measure data in place that are credible and verifiable will lead to the consumer trust that will change their buying habits.Can any of us afford to wait any longer?
Malaysia concerned over climate change and civilisation gap
NEW YORK: Malaysia has made known at the United Nations its concerns over climate change and rising discord between civilisations, saying that these were among two global challenges facing mankind today.
“The course of human history is marked by a few pivotal moments, during which we can make the correct or wrong decisions that will impact on the destinies of those who come after us,” Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
There must be a will to moderate mankind’s excesses using science and technology as tools, the Prime Minister said.
“The time for us to invest in our collective future is here and now.”
Speaking on climate change, Abdullah cautioned that the worst has yet to come.
“The 2007 Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has made it clear that the scale and urgency of the challenge is greater than we had thought and feared.”
Addressing the 62nd UN General Assembly on Friday, Abdullah said a post-2012 agreement must be built upon the fundamentals of the Kyoto Protocol.
There should be absolute emission reduction targets for developed countries but the poorest countries of the world, which had the least capacity to adapt, should be allowed the least responsibility to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Climate change had implications on the global economy as well and not just the environment, he said.
“This is an important additional reason why the principle of differentiated responsibilities must apply, so that developing countries can maintain their capacities for sustainable development.”
Abdullah also spoke about the growing discord between Islam and the West, which he said was threatening to tear apart the fabric of peaceful relations between peoples and nations.
The cause, he said, was the repeated use of force by the powerful over the weak to secure strategic or territorial gains.
“The problem of Palestine, which has been festering for 60 years, tops the list of grievances which the Islamic world holds against the West.”
This was the single most important issue blocking peace and fraternity between Islamic and western countries, he said.
“All of us must play the role of honest brokers, assisting them through a difficult negotiating process on the path towards true peace. The onus of delivery is on all of us.”
He also said that Malaysia supported various international efforts to hold dialogues that made it clear that Islam was a religion that espoused universalism not exclusivity, tolerance not bigotry.
“On their part, Muslims have a responsibility to present to the world the true face of Islam. It must be made clear to all that Islam is a religion which abhors conflicts, more so between Muslims,” he said.
Abdullah, however, stressed that he was optimistic that universal human fraternity and coexistence was attainable “if and when the critical political and strategic issues are resolved, in tandem with the closing of the gap of misunderstandings between cultures and civilisations.”
This required wisdom and courage to recognise the problems, he said, adding that the well being of the Earth was within mankind’s control.
“The course of human history is marked by a few pivotal moments, during which we can make the correct or wrong decisions that will impact on the destinies of those who come after us,” Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
There must be a will to moderate mankind’s excesses using science and technology as tools, the Prime Minister said.
“The time for us to invest in our collective future is here and now.”
Speaking on climate change, Abdullah cautioned that the worst has yet to come.
“The 2007 Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has made it clear that the scale and urgency of the challenge is greater than we had thought and feared.”
Addressing the 62nd UN General Assembly on Friday, Abdullah said a post-2012 agreement must be built upon the fundamentals of the Kyoto Protocol.
There should be absolute emission reduction targets for developed countries but the poorest countries of the world, which had the least capacity to adapt, should be allowed the least responsibility to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Climate change had implications on the global economy as well and not just the environment, he said.
“This is an important additional reason why the principle of differentiated responsibilities must apply, so that developing countries can maintain their capacities for sustainable development.”
Abdullah also spoke about the growing discord between Islam and the West, which he said was threatening to tear apart the fabric of peaceful relations between peoples and nations.
The cause, he said, was the repeated use of force by the powerful over the weak to secure strategic or territorial gains.
“The problem of Palestine, which has been festering for 60 years, tops the list of grievances which the Islamic world holds against the West.”
This was the single most important issue blocking peace and fraternity between Islamic and western countries, he said.
“All of us must play the role of honest brokers, assisting them through a difficult negotiating process on the path towards true peace. The onus of delivery is on all of us.”
He also said that Malaysia supported various international efforts to hold dialogues that made it clear that Islam was a religion that espoused universalism not exclusivity, tolerance not bigotry.
“On their part, Muslims have a responsibility to present to the world the true face of Islam. It must be made clear to all that Islam is a religion which abhors conflicts, more so between Muslims,” he said.
Abdullah, however, stressed that he was optimistic that universal human fraternity and coexistence was attainable “if and when the critical political and strategic issues are resolved, in tandem with the closing of the gap of misunderstandings between cultures and civilisations.”
This required wisdom and courage to recognise the problems, he said, adding that the well being of the Earth was within mankind’s control.
PM tarik perhatian dunia terhadap dua cabaran global
NEW YORK 28 Sept. – Perubahan iklim yang menakutkan serta meningkatnya percanggahan antara budaya dan tamadun adalah dua cabaran global yang perlu ditangani dunia kerana ia menyentuh segenap kehidupan manusia tanpa pengecualian, kata Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Berucap di depan khalayak antarabangsa pada Perhimpunan Agung Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNGA) ke-62 di sini hari ini, Perdana Menteri menegaskan, perubahan cuaca kini menjejaskan kehidupan dunia manakala percanggahan sedang mengancam hubungan antara manusia dan negara.
Beliau bagaimanapun optimis persaudaraan dan kebersamaan sesama manusia dalam berhadapan dengan cabaran itu akan terus terjalin jika isu-isu strategik dan politik dapat diselesaikan, sekali gus menutup jurang salah faham antara budaya dan tamadun.
“Usaha ke arah itu memerlukan kebijaksanaan dan keberanian untuk memahami masalah yang timbul kerana kehidupan planet bumi ini sebenarnya masih berada dalam kawalan kita,” katanya pada perhimpunan 150 negara Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) itu.
Perdana Menteri menambah, semua pihak mesti mempunyai keazaman untuk membuka laluan itu bagi memenuhi keperluan generasi akan datang dengan memanfaatkan sains dan teknologi.
Dalam ucapan yang dihadkan selama 15 minit itu, Abdullah menekankan bahawa cabaran untuk menghadapi perubahan iklim yang sedang melanda dunia tidak pernah berlaku sebelum ini dan kesannya adalah besar dan menakutkan.
Sehubungan itu, beliau menggesa masyarakat dunia supaya memulakan proses perundingan pascaProtokol Kyoto yang perjanjiannya akan tamat pada 2012.
Katanya, sebarang inisiatif menangani perubahan iklim di peringkat nasional atau serantau perlu saling melengkapi dan dilaksanakan di bawah rangka kerja PBB dengan negara miskin diberi tanggungjawab yang kurang berbanding negara maju.
Pada pertemuan khas pemimpin tinggi PBB mengenai perubahan iklim di sini Isnin lalu, Malaysia menekankan perlunya dana baru diwujudkan dengan sumbangan oleh negara maju selain memudahkan penyaluran peruntukan sedia ada untuk menangani isu tersebut.
Dalam hubungan itu, Perdana Menteri menarik perhatian masyarakat dunia supaya tidak melupakan Persidangan Kemuncak Bumi di Rio de Janeiro, Brazil pada 1992 dengan tema menghargai alam sekitar dan pembangunan mapan.
“Mesej persidangan itu ialah perubahan sikap dan tingkah laku akan membawa perubahan bermakna. Kebenaran ini kekal dan kita perlu menunjukkan jalan semasa kita memulakan proses rundingan pascaperjanjian 2012 mengenai perubahan iklim,” katanya.
Menyentuh mengenai percanggahan antara Islam dan Barat, Abdullah yang juga Pengerusi Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam (OIC) berkata, punca utama konflik itu ialah kesilapan persepsi Barat bahawa Islam menyokong eksklusiviti dan menggalakkan ekstremisme.
Perdana Menteri berkata, semua pihak mesti mengambil tindakan untuk menghasilkan persefahaman tinggi antara pengikut budaya dan ketamadunan dengan Malaysia menyokong penuh sebarang usaha ke arah itu di peringkat antarabangsa.
Abdullah menegaskan, agama bukanlah punca masalah dunia sekarang sebagaimana disahkan oleh Laporan Kumpulan Peringkat Tinggi Perikatan Ketamadunan pada 13 November lalu.
Katanya, konflik antara Barat dan negara Islam adalah akibat penggunaan berterusan kekerasan oleh pihak yang berkuasa ke atas yang lemah untuk kepentingan teritorial dan strategik.
“Kesan daripada persaingan untuk mengawal dan mendominasi, hari ini wujud kesengsaraan di Afghanistan, Lebanon, Bukit Golan dan Iraq,” kata Perdana Menteri.
Di Iraq, katanya, kependudukan asing di negara itu yang telah menyebabkan kesukaran hidup rakyatnya kini merupakan fakta yang tidak boleh dinafikan.
“Rakyat Iraq seharusnya diberi sepenuh peluang untuk menentukan masa depan mereka sendiri. Untuk tujuan ini, Iraq memerlukan sebuah kerajaan yang boleh terlaksana melalui perdamaian,” katanya.
Abdullah memberikan contoh pengalaman perpaduan di Malaysia melalui perkongsian kuasa dalam kerajaan yang diwakili oleh semua kaum dan agama.
Beliau berkata, masyarakat antarabangsa mempunyai tanggungjawab untuk membantu rakyat Iraq mendapatkan keamanan dan kestabilan.
Begitu juga dengan masalah di Palestin, yang menurut Perdana Menteri, keamanan sebenar di sana hanya boleh dicapai jika hak rakyat diakui dan dilindungi semasa proses rundingan sedang dilakukan.
“Kedua-dua belah pihak yang berkonflik – Israel dan Palestin – mesti berkompromi untuk mencapai perdamaian,” katanya yang percaya jika masalah Palestin selesai, akan wujud keharmonian antara Barat dan negara Islam.
Menjelaskan pendekatan Islam Hadhari yang kini dilaksanakan oleh Malaysia, Abdullah menjelaskan, apabila timbul perbalahan, Islam menggalakkan kemaafan dan perdamaian melalui musyawarah yang boleh diterjemahkan dalam bentuk dialog dan rundingan.
– Utusan
Berucap di depan khalayak antarabangsa pada Perhimpunan Agung Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNGA) ke-62 di sini hari ini, Perdana Menteri menegaskan, perubahan cuaca kini menjejaskan kehidupan dunia manakala percanggahan sedang mengancam hubungan antara manusia dan negara.
Beliau bagaimanapun optimis persaudaraan dan kebersamaan sesama manusia dalam berhadapan dengan cabaran itu akan terus terjalin jika isu-isu strategik dan politik dapat diselesaikan, sekali gus menutup jurang salah faham antara budaya dan tamadun.
“Usaha ke arah itu memerlukan kebijaksanaan dan keberanian untuk memahami masalah yang timbul kerana kehidupan planet bumi ini sebenarnya masih berada dalam kawalan kita,” katanya pada perhimpunan 150 negara Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) itu.
Perdana Menteri menambah, semua pihak mesti mempunyai keazaman untuk membuka laluan itu bagi memenuhi keperluan generasi akan datang dengan memanfaatkan sains dan teknologi.
Dalam ucapan yang dihadkan selama 15 minit itu, Abdullah menekankan bahawa cabaran untuk menghadapi perubahan iklim yang sedang melanda dunia tidak pernah berlaku sebelum ini dan kesannya adalah besar dan menakutkan.
Sehubungan itu, beliau menggesa masyarakat dunia supaya memulakan proses perundingan pascaProtokol Kyoto yang perjanjiannya akan tamat pada 2012.
Katanya, sebarang inisiatif menangani perubahan iklim di peringkat nasional atau serantau perlu saling melengkapi dan dilaksanakan di bawah rangka kerja PBB dengan negara miskin diberi tanggungjawab yang kurang berbanding negara maju.
Pada pertemuan khas pemimpin tinggi PBB mengenai perubahan iklim di sini Isnin lalu, Malaysia menekankan perlunya dana baru diwujudkan dengan sumbangan oleh negara maju selain memudahkan penyaluran peruntukan sedia ada untuk menangani isu tersebut.
Dalam hubungan itu, Perdana Menteri menarik perhatian masyarakat dunia supaya tidak melupakan Persidangan Kemuncak Bumi di Rio de Janeiro, Brazil pada 1992 dengan tema menghargai alam sekitar dan pembangunan mapan.
“Mesej persidangan itu ialah perubahan sikap dan tingkah laku akan membawa perubahan bermakna. Kebenaran ini kekal dan kita perlu menunjukkan jalan semasa kita memulakan proses rundingan pascaperjanjian 2012 mengenai perubahan iklim,” katanya.
Menyentuh mengenai percanggahan antara Islam dan Barat, Abdullah yang juga Pengerusi Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam (OIC) berkata, punca utama konflik itu ialah kesilapan persepsi Barat bahawa Islam menyokong eksklusiviti dan menggalakkan ekstremisme.
Perdana Menteri berkata, semua pihak mesti mengambil tindakan untuk menghasilkan persefahaman tinggi antara pengikut budaya dan ketamadunan dengan Malaysia menyokong penuh sebarang usaha ke arah itu di peringkat antarabangsa.
Abdullah menegaskan, agama bukanlah punca masalah dunia sekarang sebagaimana disahkan oleh Laporan Kumpulan Peringkat Tinggi Perikatan Ketamadunan pada 13 November lalu.
Katanya, konflik antara Barat dan negara Islam adalah akibat penggunaan berterusan kekerasan oleh pihak yang berkuasa ke atas yang lemah untuk kepentingan teritorial dan strategik.
“Kesan daripada persaingan untuk mengawal dan mendominasi, hari ini wujud kesengsaraan di Afghanistan, Lebanon, Bukit Golan dan Iraq,” kata Perdana Menteri.
Di Iraq, katanya, kependudukan asing di negara itu yang telah menyebabkan kesukaran hidup rakyatnya kini merupakan fakta yang tidak boleh dinafikan.
“Rakyat Iraq seharusnya diberi sepenuh peluang untuk menentukan masa depan mereka sendiri. Untuk tujuan ini, Iraq memerlukan sebuah kerajaan yang boleh terlaksana melalui perdamaian,” katanya.
Abdullah memberikan contoh pengalaman perpaduan di Malaysia melalui perkongsian kuasa dalam kerajaan yang diwakili oleh semua kaum dan agama.
Beliau berkata, masyarakat antarabangsa mempunyai tanggungjawab untuk membantu rakyat Iraq mendapatkan keamanan dan kestabilan.
Begitu juga dengan masalah di Palestin, yang menurut Perdana Menteri, keamanan sebenar di sana hanya boleh dicapai jika hak rakyat diakui dan dilindungi semasa proses rundingan sedang dilakukan.
“Kedua-dua belah pihak yang berkonflik – Israel dan Palestin – mesti berkompromi untuk mencapai perdamaian,” katanya yang percaya jika masalah Palestin selesai, akan wujud keharmonian antara Barat dan negara Islam.
Menjelaskan pendekatan Islam Hadhari yang kini dilaksanakan oleh Malaysia, Abdullah menjelaskan, apabila timbul perbalahan, Islam menggalakkan kemaafan dan perdamaian melalui musyawarah yang boleh diterjemahkan dalam bentuk dialog dan rundingan.
– Utusan
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Five minutes to the end
Aug 25, 2007 04:30 AM
Eric Ye Special to the Star
The world is collapsing and it's all because of us. Cutting down trees and pollution are only a few things that threaten our world.
Global warming is a terrible thing no one seems to care about.
Every time we use a car or fly on an airplane we are creating harmful CO{-2} emissions that go to the top of our atmosphere and stop heat from escaping.
By 2020, the Earth's temperature will go up 1.6C higher than it was before the fossil fuel age started.
If we keep on going like this, the world's snow and ice could melt very soon. Almost everyone knows this, and yet people aren't even slightly reluctant to start their car, burn up gas that takes millions of years to make, and then turn it into carbon and carbon dioxide emissions that bring us another second closer to Doomsday.
Humans are very greedy; we seem to take every piece of land we can live on, without giving any thought to what we might be killing. People are thinking, "They're animals, so they can survive." They may be animals, but they still have lives and are afraid of death as much as we are, but we still kill animals and think it's not a big deal. Whereas, if a person got killed we have to make investigations and imprison people, and make a big deal out of it.
Tornados and other natural disasters are nature's way of saying, "You have taken too much, and you must give some back."
We are living in a delicate ecosystem and humans just keep on corrupting it. Water is very important to humans and animals, and we pollute it.
We dump waste and whatever's in the sewers into it, and no one remembers this is the water we – and all animals – drink. We have treatment systems, but the animals don't. They are drinking everything from oil waste to human waste.
Humans and animals are lucky enough to even have a planet with the perfect temperatures for life, and when the animals are using it perfectly, we tear it apart
Eric Ye Special to the Star
The world is collapsing and it's all because of us. Cutting down trees and pollution are only a few things that threaten our world.
Global warming is a terrible thing no one seems to care about.
Every time we use a car or fly on an airplane we are creating harmful CO{-2} emissions that go to the top of our atmosphere and stop heat from escaping.
By 2020, the Earth's temperature will go up 1.6C higher than it was before the fossil fuel age started.
If we keep on going like this, the world's snow and ice could melt very soon. Almost everyone knows this, and yet people aren't even slightly reluctant to start their car, burn up gas that takes millions of years to make, and then turn it into carbon and carbon dioxide emissions that bring us another second closer to Doomsday.
Humans are very greedy; we seem to take every piece of land we can live on, without giving any thought to what we might be killing. People are thinking, "They're animals, so they can survive." They may be animals, but they still have lives and are afraid of death as much as we are, but we still kill animals and think it's not a big deal. Whereas, if a person got killed we have to make investigations and imprison people, and make a big deal out of it.
Tornados and other natural disasters are nature's way of saying, "You have taken too much, and you must give some back."
We are living in a delicate ecosystem and humans just keep on corrupting it. Water is very important to humans and animals, and we pollute it.
We dump waste and whatever's in the sewers into it, and no one remembers this is the water we – and all animals – drink. We have treatment systems, but the animals don't. They are drinking everything from oil waste to human waste.
Humans and animals are lucky enough to even have a planet with the perfect temperatures for life, and when the animals are using it perfectly, we tear it apart
Hundreds pose nude to protest global warming
Aug 18, 2007 11:17 AM
Associated Press
BETTMERALP, Switzerland – Hundreds of naked people formed a "living sculpture" on Switzerland's Aletsch glacier today aimed at raising awareness about climate change.
The photo shoot by New York artist Spencer Tunick, famous for his pictures of nude gatherings in public settings worldwide, was designed to draw attention to the effects of global warming on Switzerland's shrinking glaciers.
"The melting of the glaciers is an indisputable sign of global climate change," said the environmental group Greenpeace, which co-organized the event.
It said most Swiss glaciers will disappear by 2080 if global warming continues at its current pace.
The event, which followed Tunick's previous shoots in London, Mexico City and Amsterdam, was designed to minimize any impact on the environment, Greenpeace said.
Temperatures during the shoot hovered around 10 Celsius.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Global warming explained
Last Updated February 21, 2007
CBC News
An explorer looks on in the Pastoruri glacier in Huaraz in November 2006. Ice atop the Cordillera Blanca, the largest glacier chain in the tropics, is melting quickly because of rising temperatures. (Karel Navarro/Associated Press)
Public interest in global warming tends to rise during unseasonably warm weather, or during flashpoint moments like droughts or the collapse of a piece of Antarctic ice shelf in 2006. But the everyday reality of the trend is perhaps even more startling: Eleven of the highest average global annual temperatures recorded since 1861 have come in the past 12 years.
Few issues have galvanized the scientific community like climate change has in the last decade. In 2007, scientists from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, to name two, have called on world leaders to take action to curb global warming.
But before action can be taken, it helps to have some understanding of the process itself and what part humans have had in its recent development.
How it works
Global warming is the increase over time of the Earth's average surface temperature. Although the term "global warming" may conjure up images of coal-fired plants and yuppies in SUVs, the climate of the Earth has always been in flux, including periods of sustained warming and cooling.
In general, it works like this: The sun shines on the Earth. Most of those rays pass through the Earth's atmosphere, although some are reflected back into space. The surface of the Earth absorbs the energy. Some of that heat energy is re-emitted. The heat reflected from the surface travels back up into the atmosphere.
While on its way back up, this heat can be absorbed by the gases like carbon dioxide and methane, commonly known as greenhouse gases. These are naturally occurring gases as well as those from burning fossil fuels; they trap the heat, warming up the Earth's surface even more. Without naturally occurring greenhouse gases, the Earth would be about 33 C colder than it is, a temperature hostile to human life.
Over thousands of years, changes in atmospheric conditions, such as gas concentrations, and singular events – volcanic eruptions, for instance – have caused climate change. Most of those changes have taken hundreds or thousands of years to play out.
But climatologists now agree that the world appears to be in a sustained, relatively rapid period of warming.
Links to extreme weather
also suggest global warming will increase the severity – though not the number – of extreme weather events such as El Nino and hurricanes. Many researchers note the increase in temperature coincides with the Industrial Revolution, and the resulting increase of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels and the cutting of forests.
According to research cited by the IPCC in 2007, the Earth's average surface temperature has gone up about 0.6 C since the start of the 20th century. That may not sound like much, and many climatologists will agree that it isn't. But some say it's a sign of things to come.
The IPCC projects an average global temperature increase between 1.8 and 4 C in the next 100 years, with sea levels rising between 18 and 59 cm over the same period.
Warming the Earth doesn't necessarily sound like a bad thing, but climate change, especially when it's more rapid than the Earth normally experiences, could have significant effects on animal, plant and human life.
Climate change will not happen uniformly. A global temperature increase of 1 C could mean some areas will warm by half a degree, some by three or four, and some may actually get cooler. Scientists tend to point to the Arctic and the Antarctic climates as the signs of things to come.
Climate change in those areas could rise as high as six degrees in the winter months, according to some projections from the IPCC. That could lead to glacier melts, rising sea levels and endangered Arctic wildlife
CBC News
An explorer looks on in the Pastoruri glacier in Huaraz in November 2006. Ice atop the Cordillera Blanca, the largest glacier chain in the tropics, is melting quickly because of rising temperatures. (Karel Navarro/Associated Press)
Public interest in global warming tends to rise during unseasonably warm weather, or during flashpoint moments like droughts or the collapse of a piece of Antarctic ice shelf in 2006. But the everyday reality of the trend is perhaps even more startling: Eleven of the highest average global annual temperatures recorded since 1861 have come in the past 12 years.
Few issues have galvanized the scientific community like climate change has in the last decade. In 2007, scientists from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, to name two, have called on world leaders to take action to curb global warming.
But before action can be taken, it helps to have some understanding of the process itself and what part humans have had in its recent development.
How it works
Global warming is the increase over time of the Earth's average surface temperature. Although the term "global warming" may conjure up images of coal-fired plants and yuppies in SUVs, the climate of the Earth has always been in flux, including periods of sustained warming and cooling.
In general, it works like this: The sun shines on the Earth. Most of those rays pass through the Earth's atmosphere, although some are reflected back into space. The surface of the Earth absorbs the energy. Some of that heat energy is re-emitted. The heat reflected from the surface travels back up into the atmosphere.
While on its way back up, this heat can be absorbed by the gases like carbon dioxide and methane, commonly known as greenhouse gases. These are naturally occurring gases as well as those from burning fossil fuels; they trap the heat, warming up the Earth's surface even more. Without naturally occurring greenhouse gases, the Earth would be about 33 C colder than it is, a temperature hostile to human life.
Over thousands of years, changes in atmospheric conditions, such as gas concentrations, and singular events – volcanic eruptions, for instance – have caused climate change. Most of those changes have taken hundreds or thousands of years to play out.
But climatologists now agree that the world appears to be in a sustained, relatively rapid period of warming.
Links to extreme weather
also suggest global warming will increase the severity – though not the number – of extreme weather events such as El Nino and hurricanes. Many researchers note the increase in temperature coincides with the Industrial Revolution, and the resulting increase of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels and the cutting of forests.
According to research cited by the IPCC in 2007, the Earth's average surface temperature has gone up about 0.6 C since the start of the 20th century. That may not sound like much, and many climatologists will agree that it isn't. But some say it's a sign of things to come.
The IPCC projects an average global temperature increase between 1.8 and 4 C in the next 100 years, with sea levels rising between 18 and 59 cm over the same period.
Warming the Earth doesn't necessarily sound like a bad thing, but climate change, especially when it's more rapid than the Earth normally experiences, could have significant effects on animal, plant and human life.
Climate change will not happen uniformly. A global temperature increase of 1 C could mean some areas will warm by half a degree, some by three or four, and some may actually get cooler. Scientists tend to point to the Arctic and the Antarctic climates as the signs of things to come.
Climate change in those areas could rise as high as six degrees in the winter months, according to some projections from the IPCC. That could lead to glacier melts, rising sea levels and endangered Arctic wildlife
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Cool planet by growing plankton in oceans?
Scientists report gas emitted by creatures could create cloud cover
Updated: 4:25 p.m. ET Aug. 20, 2007
SOCORRO, N.M. - A New Mexico Tech scientist believes he has found a way to head off dangerous climate change. Oliver Wingenter said the idea is simple — fertilize the ocean so that more plankton can grow.
Plankton growing in the ocean emits a gas known as dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, that once in the atmosphere, helps spur cloud formation. That, in turn, would cool the planet and offset some of the global warming caused by human emitted greenhouse gases, he said.
World governments are looking for ways to cut emissions and head off the worst damage such change might cause. Efforts are having limited success, though, so some scientists have begun to advocate counter measures to offset the warming.
Wingenter said his idea has been a tough sell, and it has been a struggle to win funding to further pursue the research.
But as Earth inches toward a climate tipping point of runaway warming, Wingenter said his technique could be used to buy time to make societal changes necessary to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
"I'm just hoping that this is something that will give us a little more time," he said.
He and a pair of colleagues published the information last month in the scientific journal, "Atmospheric Environment."
Idea born at seaWingenter said he came up with idea while spending seven weeks at sea in early 2002, collecting atmospheric data as part of a major climate change research experiment.
At the time, DMS and cloud formation were the furthest thing from the scientists' minds. They were trying to see if fertilizing plankton in the planet's southern oceans could slow down global warming in an entirely different way — by coaxing the ocean plankton to gobble greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide coming out of the tailpipes of cars and exhaust stacks of factories, are changing Earth's climate, most scientists agree.
But the potential for using plankton to scrub greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere remains uncertain.
In pursuing his idea, Wingenter is entering a scientific political minefield known as geo-engineering.
The most widely discussed geo-engineering proposal involves a fleet of jets spewing aerosols that would deflect the sun's rays, cooling the planet in the process.
Other suggestions include launching giant mirrors into space to block some of the sun's light.
Risks citedOne risk, said Ken Caldeira, an expert in the field at the Carnegie Institution in California, is that geo-engineering might be used as an excuse to avoid cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
But by far the less risky course is to minimize greenhouse gas emissions in the first place, he said.
Caldeira said that, in principle, Wingenter's idea looks like it might work. But he suggested a cautious approach, with more research to understand the effect fertilization might have on both ocean and climate.
"It might be relatively benign," he said. "It might not. We just don't know."
Updated: 4:25 p.m. ET Aug. 20, 2007
SOCORRO, N.M. - A New Mexico Tech scientist believes he has found a way to head off dangerous climate change. Oliver Wingenter said the idea is simple — fertilize the ocean so that more plankton can grow.
Plankton growing in the ocean emits a gas known as dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, that once in the atmosphere, helps spur cloud formation. That, in turn, would cool the planet and offset some of the global warming caused by human emitted greenhouse gases, he said.
World governments are looking for ways to cut emissions and head off the worst damage such change might cause. Efforts are having limited success, though, so some scientists have begun to advocate counter measures to offset the warming.
Wingenter said his idea has been a tough sell, and it has been a struggle to win funding to further pursue the research.
But as Earth inches toward a climate tipping point of runaway warming, Wingenter said his technique could be used to buy time to make societal changes necessary to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
"I'm just hoping that this is something that will give us a little more time," he said.
He and a pair of colleagues published the information last month in the scientific journal, "Atmospheric Environment."
Idea born at seaWingenter said he came up with idea while spending seven weeks at sea in early 2002, collecting atmospheric data as part of a major climate change research experiment.
At the time, DMS and cloud formation were the furthest thing from the scientists' minds. They were trying to see if fertilizing plankton in the planet's southern oceans could slow down global warming in an entirely different way — by coaxing the ocean plankton to gobble greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide coming out of the tailpipes of cars and exhaust stacks of factories, are changing Earth's climate, most scientists agree.
But the potential for using plankton to scrub greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere remains uncertain.
In pursuing his idea, Wingenter is entering a scientific political minefield known as geo-engineering.
The most widely discussed geo-engineering proposal involves a fleet of jets spewing aerosols that would deflect the sun's rays, cooling the planet in the process.
Other suggestions include launching giant mirrors into space to block some of the sun's light.
Risks citedOne risk, said Ken Caldeira, an expert in the field at the Carnegie Institution in California, is that geo-engineering might be used as an excuse to avoid cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
But by far the less risky course is to minimize greenhouse gas emissions in the first place, he said.
Caldeira said that, in principle, Wingenter's idea looks like it might work. But he suggested a cautious approach, with more research to understand the effect fertilization might have on both ocean and climate.
"It might be relatively benign," he said. "It might not. We just don't know."
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Q&A: Climate change
David Adam
Guardian Unlimited
Thursday July 26 2007
Earlier springs are one of the signs that the climate is changing. Photograph: David Davies/PA
What is climate change?
The Earth's climate has always varied, so the term climate change is now generally used to describe the changes caused by human activity - specifically, greenhouse emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane, which build up in the atmosphere and trap heat.
Is it the same as global warming?
As human activity increases the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere far beyond their natural levels, much more heat is trapped. Hence, the term climate change is often used interchangeably with global warming.
Can it be explained by natural causes?
Measurements at the Earth's surface show that average temperatures have risen by some 0.4C since the 1970s. Scientists are confident this change can be blamed on human emissions because the increase is too big to be explained by natural causes.
Although natural factors such as changes in the sun and large volcanic eruptions are known to have warmed and cooled the planet in the past, these effects are not powerful enough to explain the rapid warming seen recently. Only an increased greenhouse effect caused by higher amounts of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere can explain it.
What is the main greenhouse gas?
Water vapour in the atmosphere produces the strongest greenhouse effect, but it has been in balance for millions of years. Human emissions, though relatively small, tip that balance.
Carbon dioxide is the chief greenhouse gas produced by human activity. It is produced when we burn fossil fuels: oil, gas and coal. The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is measured in parts per million (ppm).
Before the industrial revolution, the carbon dioxide level was about 280ppm. It is now 380ppm and rising by 2-3ppm each year. When other greenhouse gases such as methane are included, the total level in the atmosphere, known as the carbon dioxide equivalent, is closer to 440ppm.
What future temperature rise is expected?
Scientists say continued emissions will cause the planet to heat up further. To work out how much, they use computer models based on the programs used to predict the weather.
These models are not perfect, and struggle to simulate some features of the climate system such as clouds. To get around this, the scientists run many different versions and pool the results. The computer models predict that if emissions continue to rise at the present rate, average temperatures will most likely increase by 4C by 2100.
There are uncertainties, though - for example, the planet's oceans, forests and soils could release their massive stocks of carbon as the world warms, leading to much greater temperature rises than human emissions alone would cause.
Why are warmer temperatures bad?
Most plants and animals have evolved to live in a fairly narrow ecological niche. Some will move to find their desired conditions, others will be able to adapt. Those that cannot move or adapt will perish. Some animals, such as the polar bear, have nowhere to move to.
A warmer climate will affect agriculture and water availability. Increased temperatures are also expected to limit rainfall in some regions and bring more extreme weather events such as storms to others.
Sea levels will rise - gradually at first as the extra warmth works its way into the oceans and makes them expand; more quickly if the gigantic ice sheets in Greenland and west Antarctica start to break up.
How can we tackle global warming?
Scientists say the only realistic way at present is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. How to do that - and where - is a political hot potato.
Because it takes time for the heat to build up in the atmosphere, and because carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, there is a lag in the system, which means the effect of any changes will not be felt for decades. Put bluntly, we are headed for about another 0.5C of warming whatever we do.
What about the Kyoto Protocol?
The world's only existing treaty to limit emissions, the Kyoto Protocol, has had limited success, and expires in 2012. Politicians are working to develop a replacement that would include countries excluded from Kyoto, such as China, and those that refused to join, such as the US.
Can renewable energy help?
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently said that we already have most of the technology we need to bring down emissions significantly. These include renewable energy sources such as windmills and solar panels, as well as more efficient cars and power stations.
What about carbon trading?
Countries such as the UK argue that binding caps are needed to restrict each country's emissions and drive the wider uptake of green technology. They also advocate carbon trading, which allows some emissions to be offset by paying someone else to reduce theirs.
Other countries, including the US, resent the idea of binding targets and argue that market mechanisms will steadily make the technology cheaper and more attractive.
What about individual carbon offsetting projects?
Offsetting is controversial because some people see it as an excuse not to change our behaviour. There are also concerns about whether it delivers the promised savings, as much of the market is unregulated.
What about blocking the sun?
Some people advocate new technologies, such as ways to trap the carbon emissions from power stations and store them underground. Others argue attempts to reduce emissions will not succeed and we need to develop large-scale measures to block the sun or suck carbon from the atmosphere.
Guardian Unlimited
Thursday July 26 2007
Earlier springs are one of the signs that the climate is changing. Photograph: David Davies/PA
What is climate change?
The Earth's climate has always varied, so the term climate change is now generally used to describe the changes caused by human activity - specifically, greenhouse emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane, which build up in the atmosphere and trap heat.
Is it the same as global warming?
As human activity increases the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere far beyond their natural levels, much more heat is trapped. Hence, the term climate change is often used interchangeably with global warming.
Can it be explained by natural causes?
Measurements at the Earth's surface show that average temperatures have risen by some 0.4C since the 1970s. Scientists are confident this change can be blamed on human emissions because the increase is too big to be explained by natural causes.
Although natural factors such as changes in the sun and large volcanic eruptions are known to have warmed and cooled the planet in the past, these effects are not powerful enough to explain the rapid warming seen recently. Only an increased greenhouse effect caused by higher amounts of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere can explain it.
What is the main greenhouse gas?
Water vapour in the atmosphere produces the strongest greenhouse effect, but it has been in balance for millions of years. Human emissions, though relatively small, tip that balance.
Carbon dioxide is the chief greenhouse gas produced by human activity. It is produced when we burn fossil fuels: oil, gas and coal. The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is measured in parts per million (ppm).
Before the industrial revolution, the carbon dioxide level was about 280ppm. It is now 380ppm and rising by 2-3ppm each year. When other greenhouse gases such as methane are included, the total level in the atmosphere, known as the carbon dioxide equivalent, is closer to 440ppm.
What future temperature rise is expected?
Scientists say continued emissions will cause the planet to heat up further. To work out how much, they use computer models based on the programs used to predict the weather.
These models are not perfect, and struggle to simulate some features of the climate system such as clouds. To get around this, the scientists run many different versions and pool the results. The computer models predict that if emissions continue to rise at the present rate, average temperatures will most likely increase by 4C by 2100.
There are uncertainties, though - for example, the planet's oceans, forests and soils could release their massive stocks of carbon as the world warms, leading to much greater temperature rises than human emissions alone would cause.
Why are warmer temperatures bad?
Most plants and animals have evolved to live in a fairly narrow ecological niche. Some will move to find their desired conditions, others will be able to adapt. Those that cannot move or adapt will perish. Some animals, such as the polar bear, have nowhere to move to.
A warmer climate will affect agriculture and water availability. Increased temperatures are also expected to limit rainfall in some regions and bring more extreme weather events such as storms to others.
Sea levels will rise - gradually at first as the extra warmth works its way into the oceans and makes them expand; more quickly if the gigantic ice sheets in Greenland and west Antarctica start to break up.
How can we tackle global warming?
Scientists say the only realistic way at present is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. How to do that - and where - is a political hot potato.
Because it takes time for the heat to build up in the atmosphere, and because carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, there is a lag in the system, which means the effect of any changes will not be felt for decades. Put bluntly, we are headed for about another 0.5C of warming whatever we do.
What about the Kyoto Protocol?
The world's only existing treaty to limit emissions, the Kyoto Protocol, has had limited success, and expires in 2012. Politicians are working to develop a replacement that would include countries excluded from Kyoto, such as China, and those that refused to join, such as the US.
Can renewable energy help?
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently said that we already have most of the technology we need to bring down emissions significantly. These include renewable energy sources such as windmills and solar panels, as well as more efficient cars and power stations.
What about carbon trading?
Countries such as the UK argue that binding caps are needed to restrict each country's emissions and drive the wider uptake of green technology. They also advocate carbon trading, which allows some emissions to be offset by paying someone else to reduce theirs.
Other countries, including the US, resent the idea of binding targets and argue that market mechanisms will steadily make the technology cheaper and more attractive.
What about individual carbon offsetting projects?
Offsetting is controversial because some people see it as an excuse not to change our behaviour. There are also concerns about whether it delivers the promised savings, as much of the market is unregulated.
What about blocking the sun?
Some people advocate new technologies, such as ways to trap the carbon emissions from power stations and store them underground. Others argue attempts to reduce emissions will not succeed and we need to develop large-scale measures to block the sun or suck carbon from the atmosphere.
Scientists warn on climate tipping points
Alok Jha
The Guardian
Thursday August 16 2007
Some tipping points for climate change could be closer than previously thought. Scientists are predicting that the loss of the massive Greenland ice sheet may now be unstoppable and lead to catastrophic sea-level rises around the world.
In drawing together research on tipping points, where damage due to climate change occurs irreversibly and at an increasing rate, the researchers concluded that the risks were much greater than those predicted by the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
If the Greenland ice sheet melted completely, for example, it would raise global sea levels by seven metres. According to the IPCC report, the melting should take about 1,000 years. But the study, by Tim Lenton of the University of East Anglia, showed the break-up could happen more quickly, in 300 years. Professor Lenton said: "We know that ice sheets in the last ice age collapsed faster than any current models can capture, so our models are known to be too sluggish."
His study identified eight tipping points that could be passed by the end of this century. They include the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, the melting of the west Antarctic ice sheet, and a collapse of the global ocean current known as the thermohaline circulation. If that circulation stopped, the Indian monsoons and the gulf stream could be shut down.
Prof Lenton said the IPCC way of working, including multiple reviews, caused it to issue more conservative reports than his team's studies. He added that the inevitable collapse of the Greenland ice sheet was closer than thought because of the latency in the Earth's climate system. "If you could stabilise the greenhouse gas levels to today's level, you'll still get some further warming [by 2100]."
A global average temperature rise of just 1C would be enough to slip the Greenland ice over the edge. The IPCC's prediction for 2100 is a rise of 1.1C-6.4C.
The Guardian
Thursday August 16 2007
Some tipping points for climate change could be closer than previously thought. Scientists are predicting that the loss of the massive Greenland ice sheet may now be unstoppable and lead to catastrophic sea-level rises around the world.
In drawing together research on tipping points, where damage due to climate change occurs irreversibly and at an increasing rate, the researchers concluded that the risks were much greater than those predicted by the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
If the Greenland ice sheet melted completely, for example, it would raise global sea levels by seven metres. According to the IPCC report, the melting should take about 1,000 years. But the study, by Tim Lenton of the University of East Anglia, showed the break-up could happen more quickly, in 300 years. Professor Lenton said: "We know that ice sheets in the last ice age collapsed faster than any current models can capture, so our models are known to be too sluggish."
His study identified eight tipping points that could be passed by the end of this century. They include the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, the melting of the west Antarctic ice sheet, and a collapse of the global ocean current known as the thermohaline circulation. If that circulation stopped, the Indian monsoons and the gulf stream could be shut down.
Prof Lenton said the IPCC way of working, including multiple reviews, caused it to issue more conservative reports than his team's studies. He added that the inevitable collapse of the Greenland ice sheet was closer than thought because of the latency in the Earth's climate system. "If you could stabilise the greenhouse gas levels to today's level, you'll still get some further warming [by 2100]."
A global average temperature rise of just 1C would be enough to slip the Greenland ice over the edge. The IPCC's prediction for 2100 is a rise of 1.1C-6.4C.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
35 maut cuaca panas di AS
NASHVILLE, Amerika Syarikat (AS) 17 Ogos – Lebih 35 orang terkorban akibat gelombang panas yang melanda kawasan Midwest di pertengahan utara dan selatan di AS sejak 10 hari lalu.
Cuaca panas yang melampau itu turut memaksa para pegawai menutup salah satu daripada tiga buah reaktor nuklear di Alabama kerana air sungai yang digunakan untuk proses penyejukan didapati melebihi had purata 32.22 darjah Celsius bagi tempoh 24 jam lalu.
Pada keseluruhannya, 37 kematian disahkan berlaku dalam insiden-insiden yang berkaitan dengan cuaca panas yang melampau ini.
Gelombang panas turut disyaki sebagai punca 10 lagi kematian yang belum disahkan di negara ini, kata pihak berkuasa.
“Keadaan di sini tidak ubah seperti satu kejadian gempa bumi di mana tiada sebarang penawar atau penyelesaian ditemui untuk menanganinya,” kata Datuk Bandar Shelby, A.C. Wharton Jr. di sini.
Para pemeriksa perubatan di Tennessee mengesahkan lapan kematian akibat gelombang panas di daerah Memphis sahaja.
Suhu di negeri itu meningkat kepada 40.5 darjah Celsius semalam, yang tertinggi untuk hari ketujuh berturut-turut.
Jabatan Kesihatan Missouri mencatatkan sembilan kematian di negeri itu manakala lapan kematian disahkan di Illinois, empat di Arkansas, empat di Georgia, dua di Carolina Selatan, satu di Mississippi dan juga satu lagi kematian di satu lagi daerah lain di Tennessee.
Cuaca panas yang melampau itu turut memaksa para pegawai menutup salah satu daripada tiga buah reaktor nuklear di Alabama kerana air sungai yang digunakan untuk proses penyejukan didapati melebihi had purata 32.22 darjah Celsius bagi tempoh 24 jam lalu.
Pada keseluruhannya, 37 kematian disahkan berlaku dalam insiden-insiden yang berkaitan dengan cuaca panas yang melampau ini.
Gelombang panas turut disyaki sebagai punca 10 lagi kematian yang belum disahkan di negara ini, kata pihak berkuasa.
“Keadaan di sini tidak ubah seperti satu kejadian gempa bumi di mana tiada sebarang penawar atau penyelesaian ditemui untuk menanganinya,” kata Datuk Bandar Shelby, A.C. Wharton Jr. di sini.
Para pemeriksa perubatan di Tennessee mengesahkan lapan kematian akibat gelombang panas di daerah Memphis sahaja.
Suhu di negeri itu meningkat kepada 40.5 darjah Celsius semalam, yang tertinggi untuk hari ketujuh berturut-turut.
Jabatan Kesihatan Missouri mencatatkan sembilan kematian di negeri itu manakala lapan kematian disahkan di Illinois, empat di Arkansas, empat di Georgia, dua di Carolina Selatan, satu di Mississippi dan juga satu lagi kematian di satu lagi daerah lain di Tennessee.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Perubahan iklim bunuh 77,000 orang setahun
KUALA LUMPUR 28 Jun – Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) hari ini mengumumkan, pakar kesihatan antarabangsa akan bersidang di sini bulan depan bagi membincangkan ancaman terhadap kesihatan berpunca daripada pemanasan global.
Menurut WHO, perubahan iklim itu secara langsung atau tidak langsung menyebabkan kira-kira 77,000 kematian setiap tahun di rantau Asia Pasifik.
Persidangan mulai 2 hingga 5 Julai itu dijadualkan ketika terdapat ramalan bahawa suhu purata global akan meningkat 6 darjah Celsius menjelang akhir abad ini.
“Kita telah sampai ke peringkat kritikal kerana pemanasan global sudah pun menjejaskan kehidupan dan kesihatan secara serius, dan masalah ini akan menimbulkan ancaman lebih besar terhadap manusia pada dekad-dekad akan datang jika kita gagal bertindak sekarang,” kata Pengarah Serantau WHO bagi Pasifik Barat, Shigeru Omi dalam satu kenyataan.
Menurut WHO, perubahan iklim itu secara langsung atau tidak langsung menyebabkan kira-kira 77,000 kematian setiap tahun di rantau Asia Pasifik.
Persidangan mulai 2 hingga 5 Julai itu dijadualkan ketika terdapat ramalan bahawa suhu purata global akan meningkat 6 darjah Celsius menjelang akhir abad ini.
“Kita telah sampai ke peringkat kritikal kerana pemanasan global sudah pun menjejaskan kehidupan dan kesihatan secara serius, dan masalah ini akan menimbulkan ancaman lebih besar terhadap manusia pada dekad-dekad akan datang jika kita gagal bertindak sekarang,” kata Pengarah Serantau WHO bagi Pasifik Barat, Shigeru Omi dalam satu kenyataan.
Malaysia sedia bekerjasama atasi pemanasan global
Daripada: AZNAN BAKAR
OSAKA 25 Mei – Malaysia sedia bekerjasama dengan negara-negara maju terutama Jepun dalam menangani isu pemanasan global yang kini menjadi ancaman kepada dunia, kata Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Perdana Menteri berkata, ia termasuk mengambil bahagian secara aktif dalam apa juga perancangan berhubung perkara tersebut terutama dalam usaha mencapai matlamat bumi yang lebih sejuk pada tahun 2050.
“Malaysia sedia bekerjasama dan mengambil bahagian secara aktif, cuma kita tunggu cadangan yang akan dibawa oleh Jepun,” katanya pada sidang akhbar pada hari terakhir lawatan kerjanya ke Jepun di sini hari ini.
Menurut Abdullah, pada pertemuannya dengan Perdana Menteri Jepun, Shinzo Abe menegaskan tentang pentingnya usaha menangani isu perubahan cuaca dunia sekarang.
Untuk itu, kata Abdullah, Jepun mahukan kerjasama di peringkat global bagi sama-sama berusaha mencari pendekatan terbaik dalam berhadapan dengan isu alam sekitar yang menyumbang kepada pemanasan global.
Pada masa yang sama, katanya, Malaysia juga perlu melihat kepada penggunaan tenaga alternatif bagi mengurangkan pergantungan kepada tenaga konvensional seperti hidro, minyak dan arang batu.
Katanya, tenaga solar, misalnya, boleh dimanfaatkan bagi menggantikan tenaga terbabit kerana sumbernya yang berterusan.
Sebab itu, katanya, lebih banyak penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) perlu dilakukan bagi mencari kaedah mendapatkan tenaga solar dengan cara yang lebih murah supaya ia dapat digunakan secara meluas.
Dengan itu, katanya, ia boleh diperkenalkan secara perlahan-lahan di Malaysia untuk kemudahan tertentu sepertimana yang terdapat di negara maju.
Dalam pada itu, katanya, rakyat Malaysia sendiri perlu berjimat dalam menggunakan tenaga walaupun ia masih mudah didapati sekarang.
Melalui langkah itu, kata Abdullah, ia turut menjimatkan belanja harian mereka dan memastikan pendapatan yang diterima mencukupi.
“Kalau tidak jimat, sampai bila pun pendapatan tidak cukup,” katanya.
Pada lawatannya ke Jepun kali ini juga, Perdana Menteri berkata, beliau sempat bertemu dengan beberapa pemimpin korporat negara ini yang terus memberikan komitmen untuk melabur di Malaysia.
Menurut Perdana Menteri, ini menunjukkan bahawa Malaysia masih lagi menjadi destinasi pilihan pelabur dari negara matahari terbit ini tetapi tumpuan kini lebih kepada industri berteknologi tinggi dan tidak lagi kepada yang berasaskan tenaga buruh.
Para pelabur terbabit juga, katanya, menunjukkan minat untuk melibatkan diri di Wilayah Pembangunan Iskandar dan mahukan lebih banyak maklumat mengenainya.
“Saya harap Khazanah (Khazanah Nasional) dapat datang untuk buat promosi supaya pelabur-pelabur Jepun tertarik untuk buat pelaburan di sana," katanya.
- Utusan
OSAKA 25 Mei – Malaysia sedia bekerjasama dengan negara-negara maju terutama Jepun dalam menangani isu pemanasan global yang kini menjadi ancaman kepada dunia, kata Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Perdana Menteri berkata, ia termasuk mengambil bahagian secara aktif dalam apa juga perancangan berhubung perkara tersebut terutama dalam usaha mencapai matlamat bumi yang lebih sejuk pada tahun 2050.
“Malaysia sedia bekerjasama dan mengambil bahagian secara aktif, cuma kita tunggu cadangan yang akan dibawa oleh Jepun,” katanya pada sidang akhbar pada hari terakhir lawatan kerjanya ke Jepun di sini hari ini.
Menurut Abdullah, pada pertemuannya dengan Perdana Menteri Jepun, Shinzo Abe menegaskan tentang pentingnya usaha menangani isu perubahan cuaca dunia sekarang.
Untuk itu, kata Abdullah, Jepun mahukan kerjasama di peringkat global bagi sama-sama berusaha mencari pendekatan terbaik dalam berhadapan dengan isu alam sekitar yang menyumbang kepada pemanasan global.
Pada masa yang sama, katanya, Malaysia juga perlu melihat kepada penggunaan tenaga alternatif bagi mengurangkan pergantungan kepada tenaga konvensional seperti hidro, minyak dan arang batu.
Katanya, tenaga solar, misalnya, boleh dimanfaatkan bagi menggantikan tenaga terbabit kerana sumbernya yang berterusan.
Sebab itu, katanya, lebih banyak penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) perlu dilakukan bagi mencari kaedah mendapatkan tenaga solar dengan cara yang lebih murah supaya ia dapat digunakan secara meluas.
Dengan itu, katanya, ia boleh diperkenalkan secara perlahan-lahan di Malaysia untuk kemudahan tertentu sepertimana yang terdapat di negara maju.
Dalam pada itu, katanya, rakyat Malaysia sendiri perlu berjimat dalam menggunakan tenaga walaupun ia masih mudah didapati sekarang.
Melalui langkah itu, kata Abdullah, ia turut menjimatkan belanja harian mereka dan memastikan pendapatan yang diterima mencukupi.
“Kalau tidak jimat, sampai bila pun pendapatan tidak cukup,” katanya.
Pada lawatannya ke Jepun kali ini juga, Perdana Menteri berkata, beliau sempat bertemu dengan beberapa pemimpin korporat negara ini yang terus memberikan komitmen untuk melabur di Malaysia.
Menurut Perdana Menteri, ini menunjukkan bahawa Malaysia masih lagi menjadi destinasi pilihan pelabur dari negara matahari terbit ini tetapi tumpuan kini lebih kepada industri berteknologi tinggi dan tidak lagi kepada yang berasaskan tenaga buruh.
Para pelabur terbabit juga, katanya, menunjukkan minat untuk melibatkan diri di Wilayah Pembangunan Iskandar dan mahukan lebih banyak maklumat mengenainya.
“Saya harap Khazanah (Khazanah Nasional) dapat datang untuk buat promosi supaya pelabur-pelabur Jepun tertarik untuk buat pelaburan di sana," katanya.
- Utusan
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