User talk:Shreyas janagouda

Environment
ENVIRONMENT The Environment The impact of people on their environment can be devastating. This is where the respective role of governments can make decisions that shape environmental policy and responsibilities. These governments can be broken up into four different levels: local, state, federal and international. Air quality and biodiversity are two current issues that can be related to the role of governments. Global warming is also another implication that has a devastating effect on the environment. Current examples include the rise in sea levels, polar meltdowns, the melting of ice sheets and glaciers and human deaths due to disease from the effects of global warming. Firstly the environment can be defined as the natural features of our surroundings such as plant and animal life and their habitats, water, soils and the atmosphere. A local government named Rockdale Municipal Council has implemented certain actions to deal with the quality in that region. They have recognized that the main source of poor air quality originates from air pollution sources such as motor vehicles, industrial premises and aircraft emissions. The solutions to these problems include improvements to Ryde and Botany Bay cycle way, integration of land use and transport planning strategies, production of Air Quality - the Facts booklet for community, investigation of complaints regarding odours and dust, tree planting and preparation of a Local Air Quality Management Plan in 1999. Air quality is a major issue in most states within Australia that affects our greenhouse, to tackle the implications state governments have created policies and responsibilities. For instance Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) is a program that enables mainly state governments to take action on greenhouse. CCP provides these state governments with a strategic framework to diminish greenhouse gas emissions by helping them identify and recognize the emissions of their council and community, set a reduction goal and develop and utilize an action plan to reach that goal. State actions include: capturing the methane from landfill sites and public and non-car transport into urban planning. On a federal or national basis Australia has employed policies to increase the air quality. For example the Commonwealth Government will guarantee that Australia carries its fair-share of the burden in worldwide efforts to combat global air pollution through policy development and implementation. They have also supported the National Greenhouse Strategy (NGS) which began in late 1996. The government will also support the development of a national strategy to observe and manage air toxics. The air toxics strategy will monitor, establish the levels of community exposure to, and manage emissions of selected air toxics. The federal government will even consider the inclusion of air toxics in a future National Environmental Protection Measure. Further measures include the leading of the development of national ambient air quality standards through the National Environmental Protection Council and the assistance of the establishment of a National Pollutant Inventory which will require large companies to publicly report their emission of 90 pollutants. Local government Rockdale Municipal Council has introduced responsibilities and policies to reduce the loss of biodiversity. This local government has learned that the cause involves the introduction of species, pollution of land and water, weed invasion and urban encroachment. Their solutions to these problems comprise of the planting of over 3,500 plants and shrubs in Bardwell Valley and Scotts Reserve, bush regeneration and planting in Scarborough Reserve, involvement in Cooks River Foreshores Working Party and preparation of a flora and fauna study in 2000. Policies towards the community include controlling noxious weeds on your property, planting native trees indigenous to the area and applying to the council prior to removing any trees. The Labor Tasmanian Government has created a new Environment Policy on biodiversity that hopes to preserve native plants and animals. The policies commit the government to encourage community involvement in biological diversity programs, proclaim the Tasman National Park, establish a State Biodiversity Committee with community representation to arrange a Tasmanian Biodiversity Strategy, support the development of a State Policy on the protection of remnant native vegetation, examine the possibility of incorporating the Biodiversity Strategy into legislation and seeking the co-operation of local government and the community in including and enforcing biological diversity guidelines in development criteria. The federal government has enabled several policies to deal with conservation of Australia's biodiversity. The government will support the National Reserve System program to expand Australia's National Parks, support off-reserve biodiversity conservation including the planting of trees and the protection of vegetation through the Bushcare program and work with the States to reduce unsustainable land clearing, develop an alert list of introduced plants and animals that pose a risk to our environment. The government will also maintain a ban on the export of live fauna; support research into Australia's floral and fauna assemblages as well as biodiversity conservation methods and ratify the Desertification Convention. An international conference held in Kyoto, Japan in December 1997 discussed issues on how best to reduce global warming. Kyoto Protocol negotiations have reached a legally binding agreement limiting the amount of gas emissions all industrialized countries. The protocol also included provisions for emission trading between industrialized countries. The overall nominal effect of the Kyoto protocol is for a reduction of 5.2% of emissions by 2010. However the agreement has many flaws and could lead to emission rising above 1990 levels. The protocol specifies that Japan must reduce emissions by 6%, USA by 7% and the European Union by 8%. The chairman of the conference negotiators, Raul Estrada said that further discussions were needed to find a way of implementing a system of trading in emissions. Trading allows countries that produce high levels of greenhouse gases, such as the USA,to buy the right to retain or even increase emissions. 15:34, 1 August 2009 (UTC)15:34, 1 August 2009 (UTC)15:34, 1 August 2009 (UTC)15:34, 1 August 2009 (UTC)15:34, 1 August 2009 (UTC)15:34, 1 August 2009 (UTC)15:34, 1 August 2009 (UTC)15:34, 1 August 2009 (UTC)15:34, 1 August 2009 (UTC)15:34, 1 August 2009 (UTC) Global warming refers to an expected rise in global average temperature due to the continued emission of greenhouse gases produced by industry and agriculture which trap heat in the atmosphere. Higher temperatures are expected to be accompanied by changing patterns of precipitation frequency and intensity, changes in soil moisture and a rise of the global sea level. To assess current examples relating to global warming, an examination is first needed on these examples. Sea levels could rise six feet and up in future centuries. The entire Amazon rainforest will be lost if the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases by more than 50%. But no matter whatever action the world takes to stop global warming, sea levels are set to rise and wipe out several island nations. The worst news is that whatever governments do to cut emissions, sea levels will rise by at least 2 metres over the next few hundred years, devastating Tuvalu and Kiribati in the Pacific and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. Low-lying farmland and cities occupied by hundreds of millions of people will also be engulfed. Robert Nicholls of Middlesex University in London stated that thermal expansion of the ocean will continue for many hundreds of years after CO2 is stabilized, due to the gradual penetration of heat deeper and deeper into the ocean. All around the world ice sheets and glaciers are melting at a rate quite remarkably since record keeping began. A worldwide institute, based in Washington DC says that glaciers and other features are particularly sensitive to temperature shifts, and that scientists suspect the enhanced melting is among the first observable signs of human induced global warming. Some of the effects of global warming are as follows: arctic ocean sea ice shrunk by 6% since 1978, with a 14% loss of thicker year round ice, Greenland ice sheet has thinned by more than a metre a year on its southern and eastern edges since 1993 and 22% of glacial ice volume on the Tien Shan mountains has disappeared in the last 40 years. Worldwatch declared that the Earth's ice cover reflects much of the sun's heat back into space and the loss of much of it would affect the global, raise sea levels, and threaten water supplies. They also stated that the land and water left revealed by the retaining ice would themselves retain heat, creating a feedback loop that would speed up the warming process. The institute pronounced that the world's glaciers, taken as a whole, are now shrinking faster than they are growing. Worldwatch also warns of the outcomes of retaining ice on wildlife. In northern Canada reports of hunger and weight loss among polar bears have been associated with ice cover changes. And in Antarctica, sea loss, rising air temperatures and increased condensation are altering the habitats and the feeding and breeding patterns of seals and penguins. Cornell University ecologists believe that global warming may account for millions of human deaths from disease. David Pimentel a professor of ecology at Cornell stated and assumes that Most of the increase in disease is due to numerous environmental factors, including infectious microbes, pollution by chemicals and biological wastes and shortages of food and nutrients. Global warming will only make matters worse. Global warming will produce a favorable climate for disease producing organisms and plant pests. Global climate change will result in a net loss of obtainable food, for example the decline in rainfall (due to global warming) causes crop and plant production to die out. Infectious disease and environmental factors are to blame for more than 75% of all deaths in the world. Environmental disease may comprise of organic and chemical pollutants, including smoke from tabacco and wood sources. More than three billion people are malnourished. Malnutrition increases vulnerability to pollution-related illnesses and diseases such as diarrhea. Therefore Pimental concluded, we're seeing the first signs that global climate change can influence the incidences of human disease. And that this change combined with population growth and environmental degradation, will probably intensify world malnutrition and increases in other diseases as well. Melting is taking on vast and unprecedented level in the Arctic sea ice, the Antarctic and in dozens of mountain and sub-polar glaciers, and the rate has accelerated immensely in the past decade. The Earth's ice cover could have intense changes on the global climate and rising sea levels could start regional flooding. Melting of mountain glaciers could also endanger urban water supplies and the habitats of plant and animal species in fragile environments. Within the next 35 years, the Himalayan glacial area is expected to shrink by one-fifth, to just 100, 000 kilometres. A prediction forecasts that the remaining glaciers could disappear in 30 years. The melting has been especially noticeable in the past three decades, and scientists believe that it is the result of human behaviour and the build up of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. All current examples of global warming are significant due to the effects that it has on the environment and people. For people, it can cause infectious diseases and pollution-related illnesses that in turn effect our standard of living. Some examples can be more significant than others. For example diseases amongst people is more so important than the rise in sea levels and melting of glaciers since peoples existence are endangered

In Your Home – Conserve Energy 1.	Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month. 2.	If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms. 3.	Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120. 4.	Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket. 5.	Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods. 6.	Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time. 7.	Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5. 8.	When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door. 9.	Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy. 10.	Unplug seldom used appliances. 11.	Use a microwave when- ever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove. 12.	Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot. 13.	Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended. 14.	Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use. 15.	Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refridgerators, for example, use up to 50 more electricity than newer models. 16.	Only use electric appliances when you need them. 17.	Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy. 18.	Keep your thermostat at 68 in winter and 78 in summer. 19.	Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when you are away 20.	Insulate your home as best as you can. 21.	Install weather stripping around all doors and windows. 22.	Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work. 23.	Plant trees to shade your home. 24.	Shade outside air conditioning units by trees or other means. 25.	Replace old windows with energy efficient ones. 26.	Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible. 27.	Connect your outdoor lights to a timer. 28.	Buy green electricity - electricity produced by low - or even zero-pollution facilities (NC Greenpower for North Carolina - www.ncgreenpower.org). In your home-reduce toxicity. In Your Home – Reduce Toxicity 29.	Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when necessary (e.g. old thermometers). 30.	Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals. 31.	Buy the right amount of paint for the job. 32.	Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease. 33.	When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result. 34.	If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off. 35.	Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers. 36.	Have your home tested for radon. 37.	Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.

In Your Yard 38.	Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing equipment. 39.	Use an electric lawn- mower instead of a gas-powered one. 40.	Leave grass clippings on the yard-they decompose and return nutrients to the soil. 41.	Use recycled wood chips as mulch to keep weeds down, retain moisture and prevent erosion. 42.	Use only the required amount of fertilizer. 43.	Minimize pesticide use. 44.	Create a wildlife habitat in your yard. 45.	Water grass early in the morning. 46.	Rent or borrow items like ladders, chain saws, party decorations and others that are seldom used. 47.	Take actions that use non hazardous components (e.g., to ward off pests, plant marigolds in a garden instead of using pesticide). 48.	Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away. Yard debris too large for your compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler. In Your Office 49.	Copy and print on both sides of paper. 50.	Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips. 51.	Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope. 52.	Set up a bulletin board for memos instead of sending a copy to each employee. 53.	Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence. 54.	Use recycled paper. 55.	Use discarded paper for scrap paper. 56.	Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks, which are less toxic. 57.	Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of a disposable cup.

Ways To Protect Our Air 58.	Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting. 59.	Recycle printer cartridges. 60.	Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work. 61.	Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency. 62.	Don't use your wood stove or fireplace when air quality is poor. 63.	Avoid slow-burning, smoldering fires. They produce the largest amount of pollution. 64.	Burn seasoned wood - it burns cleaner than green wood. 65.	Use solar power for home and water heating. 66.	Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers. 67.	Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle. 68.	Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful emissions. 69.	Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternative to lighter fluid. 70.	If you use a wood stove, use one sold after 1990. They are required to meet federal emissions standards and are more efficient and cleaner burning. 71.	Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible. 72.	Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.

Ways to Use Less Water 73.	Check and fix any water leaks. 74.	Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets. 75.	Don't wash dishes with the water running continuously. 76.	Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes. 77.	Follow your community's water use restrictions or guidelines. 78.	Install a low-flow shower head. 79.	Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water. 80.	Turn off washing machine's water supply to prevent leaks.

Ways to Protect Our Water 81.	Revegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible. 82.	Never dump anything down a storm drain. 83.	Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly. 84.	Check your car for oil or other leaks, and recycle motor oil. 85.	Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it in the driveway. 86.	Learn about your watershed.

Create Less Trash 87.	Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted. 88.	Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging. 89.	Buy products that you can reuse. 90.	Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones. 91.	Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates. 92.	Reuse items like bags and containers when possible. 93.	Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones. 94.	Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones. 95.	Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap. 96.	Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags. 97.	Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently. 98.	Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great packaging material. 99.	Compost your vegetable scraps. 100.	Buy used furniture - there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture.

Global Warming Global warming is an extremely severe problem facing the world today. Its effects and causes have been on the rise and people need to do something about it before the problem gets any worse. Global warming is an increase in the earth's temperature, which can be caused by the use of fossil fuels, and industrial or agricultural processes. Man-made emissions are adding to the amount of carbon dioxide already being naturally released. These harmful processes have been leading to a large increase in the buildup of "greenhouse gases," which are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and water vapor. Up until the industrial revolution the world did not have such a terrifying problem of dealing with the buildup of harmful gases in the atmosphere but now with the increasing population growth, increased fossil fuel burning, and.....