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Showing posts with label Environment. Show all posts

Sunday, November 4, 2012

At first thought, it seems right to ban the usage of plastic bag. The improper disposal of plastic causes clogging in the drainage system and has been suspected to be the primary cause of flooding. Quezon City is one of the cities that started banning the use of plastic bags. To discourage consumers to use plastic bags, they have placed a 2 peso charge for every plastic bag. I am all in favor of reducing the usage of plastic bag. However there should be an alternative.

This based on my experience. On my way home from work, I went to one of the 24 hour convenient store in Quezon City. I bought a few instant noodles and some other stuff. I was in the counter waiting patiently for my turn to pay. When it was finally my turn, I was asked by the cashier if I am willing to pay for the plastic bag. I don't mind paying for the plastic bag, but I asked if they have a paper bag instead. They said that they don't provide the paper bags. At that time I didn't know about the ordinance about the fee for each plastic bag. So I asked why they are charging two pesos if they were giving it for free before the ban took effect. This the answer of the cashier. The plastic bag are expensive that is why they are charging two pesos.

I don't mind paying the 2 pesos per plastic bag since I bought a lot of stuff. If I bought only 1 or two items, that would be fine. But given that I bought a lot of stuff that I couldn't carry without a bag, plastic or paper, I was obliged to pay the fee. I think establishments should provide alternative. If I bought around 15 canned goods, should they be obliged to provide a paper bag? I am still searching the net if business are obliged to provide an alternative to plastic bags. But you do know the answer please let me know

Friday, October 22, 2010

Barely a week after Typhoon “Juan” (International name Megi) left the country, a new tropical storm might enter the country on Saturday. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), a storming over the Pacific Ocean has turn to a tropical depression and might enter the country this weekend.

Northern Luzon was hit by super typhoon a few days ago and must now prepare for the arrival of Katring since it is expected to take the path similar to Juan. Magat Dam in Isabela has started to relase water since it is only capable of holding 193 meters water level. Ambuklao Dam and Binga Dam have started to open gates in preparation to the threat of water level increase that Typhoon Katring might bring.

PASASA said that the tropical depression was 2,400 kilometers east of the country as of Thursday. Juan is considered as one of the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in years and is under the category-5 typhoon similar to hurricane Katrina that hit America in 2005. Juan was recorded to have a gustiness of 260 kilometers per hour. Reming with a gustiness of 320 kph hit the country in 2006 and Sening with a gustiness of 275 kph hit the country in 1976.

Juan has claimed the lives of 19 people according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and management council (NDRRMC) as of 1 p.m. Thursday. A total of 1,015,895 people (211,149 families) were affected by the storm. 23,127 persons are still in 170 evacuation centers.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Typhoon Juan hits the Philippines

Typhoon Juan (International name Megi) has left 17 people dead and P5 billion worth of damages to agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure. Around 63,000 families have been affected by the typhoon. 332,000 people mostly from the northern Luzon area had to be relocated.

Most of the fatalities came from Pangasinan. Out of the 9 fatalities, 3 died because of drowning in Barangay Tamayo, San Carlos. Other fatalities came from Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Kalinga, Benguet and Baguio.

As 11pm of October 2010, Typhoon Juan was 340 km west of Laoag City and is moving at 7 kph according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The US state department has made plans to donate $100,000 to help those who were affected by the typhoon. As Juan Leaves, there is a possibility that a new storm may enter the country this weekend.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

I was on my way home from SM North EDSA last August 26, 2010. I never thought that a few minutes of rain could cause that much flooding. Some people may easily point the blame on Global warming for the flooding that day. But I think poor waste management is also responsible. Of course climate change is also a factor since the amount of rainfall was not usual but we also have to realize that by simply throwing away a small candy rapper could contribute to the garbage that is clogging our drainage system. Check out the photos that I took using my mobile phone.

In front of Trinoma Mall

Just beneath the walkway from SM North Edsa Mall and Trinoma

Along Mindanao Avenue before turning right to Project 6

Monday, August 23, 2010

Flooding is not uncommon but recent flooding in Philippines and Pakistan has shown that it might intensify in the future. Pakistan recently was hit by a massive flood that has claimed the lives of at least 1400 people. Last year Typhoon Ondoy (International name Ketsana) caused massive flooding that has submerged eighty percent of Metro Manila and killed at least 400 people. It is said the amount of rainfall in the Philippines during Typhoon has been the highest in the last four decades. Asian Leaders easily point the finger to climate change. Of course climate change is a big factor but it is not the only reason. People seem to ignore the fact that human activities are also a factor to the flooding.

Human Activities such as deforestation is one of the reasons why the frequency of flooding increases. A study by Australia’s Charles Darwin University and National University of Singapore stated that 10 percent decrease in forests is the reason why the frequency of floods increase by four to twenty eight percent.

Another factor is Pollution. Millions of homes have been erected along flood plains and water sources. Large amount of garbage are improperly dispose especially in the Metro Manila area. Garbage disposal has been a problem and no concrete solution has been proposed or made in the last few years. The garbage clogged up the sewage and waterways magnifies the flooding.

Waste management has always been a problem in the Philippines. Public officials have always had a problem in finding a suitable place to dump Metro Manila’s garbage. They should look on how to improve waste management. Proper land management is also needed to minimize pollution along flood plains. But the most important thing that they have to monitor is the deforestation. Illegal logging has been a problem for years. They should create strict laws on how to deal with this problem and assign people to management the country’s natural resources properly. Planting one three at a time may seem like a lost cause. But the China reforestation efforts in the 1980s is one the reason why forest cover in Asia is somehow increasing.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

The planet is getting warmer. The temperature for the last five years has been the hottest in History. Some people believe that human activity is the main culprit for the planet’s rising temperature while some choose to ignore the signs. I am not a scientist but I know that the climate is changing and it is changing rapidly based on the worldwide abnormal weather behavior in the last few years. Storms are getting stronger. The amount of rainfall has increased in some countries and has decreased in others. Last year the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Ondoy (International name Ketsana), and the amount of rainfall has caused massive flooding in several urban cities. Marikina City was severely hit and according to residence, it hasn’t rain like that in the last 40 years.

Just this year, 14 million Pakistanis had to be evacuated away for their homes due to massive flooding. 12 inches (300 millimeters) was poured in one 36-hour period and is considered as the heaviest monsoon rains in Pakistan. 2007 IPCC report has said that Pakistan is expected to experience greater flooding this century and rains have grown heavier in the last 40 years over North Pakistan

China is also experiencing the worst floods in decades. The recent floods have claimed the lives of 1,100 people while 600 people are still missing. According to the 2007 IPCC report, a 33 percent increased in the amount of rainfall in Northwest China since 1961 was recorded. Nationwide flooding in China has also increase significantly since 1950 and is still forecast the flooding would be more frequent this century.

In the Iowa United States, three nights of rain has caused hundreds of people to evacuate their home. International climate panel also projects stronger rainfall this century in the United States (except for states located in the Southwest of the country)

This year Russia has experience the hottest summer ever recorded where Moscow temperature s has reached as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). Massive wildfires erupted that has cause toxic smog to blanket Moscow for six days.

Just recently a large mass broke off from Greenland’s Petermann Glacier. It estimated that ice mass could hold enough amount of water to fulfill the tap water supply requirements of the whole of United States for 120 days. Melting of the large of miss is causing the 60 percent accelerating rise in Sea levels worldwide.

There are still a lot of people out there who doesn’t believe that Global warming is true. Some believe that the Human activities are not the cause for the increase in the Planet’s temperature and that it is natural occurrence for the temperature to rise. I believe otherwise. I think that the planet has limits. Humans are taking away too much from the planet and in return the only thing that we give is pollution. Humans have to take responsibility. We couldn’t simply say that all the carbon emission from cars or coal plants doesn’t affect the planet. It would cause a lot for government to switch to environment friendly source of energy but they should start now before it is too late. World leaders shouldn’t ignore signs. Climate change is happening now and it is happening at an alarming rate.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Rumors are now spreading online and through text messages that the sun will continuously rise for 36 hours on October 17, 2010 in some parts of the world while the United States may experience 36 hours of darkness. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) official said that this scenario might happen. This rare phenomenon happens every 2,400 years.

According to PAGASA, countries in southern hemisphere experience longer days while those countries located in the Northern hemisphere experience longer nights. During the vernal equinox in March and autumnal equinox in September, the planet experience equal lengths of day and night. After the vernal equinox, countries in the northern hemisphere would observe longer nights while those in the southern hemisphere will experience longer days.

He also added that starting September 24, the number of hours of night would gradual decrease as the country goes below the latitude. A whole day of darkness would be experience by countries located above the 66.5 degrees. Normally the North pole experience six months of darkness every year while the south pole experience six months of daytime. During the summer solstice which falls on June 21 or June 22, countries in northern hemisphere experience the longest day and shortest night of the year. During the Winter solstice countries in the northern hemisphere while have the shortest day and longest night that normally occurs on Dec 21 or 22 each year.

Even though a PAGASA official said that the 36 hours darkness might occur, they have not confirmed that it may happen on October 17.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

On August 6, 2010, a 43-mile-long mass of Ice has broken off Greenland’s Petermann glacier. According to scientist, this is second largest glacial breakaway of the Pertmann glacier and is four times the size of Manhattan. It is also said that it hold enough water to supply US tap water flowing for 120 days. Another large chunk of ice broke off the same glacier in 1962 though it is still unclear which of the glacial breakaway is bigger. The Petermann glacier is located 620 miles south of the North Pole. A Glacial geophysicist, Regine Hock, said that the glacial break up is a normal process that happens all the time. What is unusual is the size of chunk of ice that broke off.

Global warming is one of the suspected reasons for the acceleration of the mass ice break up. It is said that the rate in which the glacier in Greenland slides towards the sea is around 220 percent faster in summer than in winter. If the Greenland ice completely melts off, there is a possibility that the sea level would raise by 7 meters or 23 feet. Nobel Prize winner Al gore has stated in his film “Inconvenient truth” that a lot of highly populated low lying areas is at risk of being submerged.

In 2007, the United Nations panel of climate experts said that there are unequivocal evidence that Global warming is the caused by human activities in the past half century mostly by burning of fossil fuels. They have said that there might be a possibility that the Himalayan Glaciers might all melt 2035. Some say that the 2007 climate change research was exaggerated while several members of the US National Academy of Sciences defended the said research.

Some people choose not to believe that global warming is becoming a big threat to the planet. Some countries prioritize their own economies over the environment. Something has to be done about it. Certain parts of Philippines is at risk of being submerged if Greenland ice melts. It is high time to do what is right rather than what is profitable.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

It's around 07:40 A.M. My graveyard shift has just ended. I am on my way but decided to browse the net for a couple of minutes. It is not raining as much and the winds have settled down. Since classes for Elementary to High school level were suspended in Metro Manila, Traffic is not that heavy.

I have received several calls from some of my colleagues that there are minor flooding in Bulacan. You see one of my duties is to receive call regarding absence notification. Another caller told me that several trees were uprooted while broken tree trunks were scattered along the streets in Paranaque.I really can't confirm it now since there is no TV here in our office.

Several parts of Luzon are without power since 1100 p.m last night. The strong winds have damage several equipment of Power corporation and is now a big burden for a lot of Filipinos. Luckily the office has a alternate power supply.

It would be difficult to sleep now that there is an ongoing power interruption. I hope that it won't last that long. Good thing it is still quite windy, I might able to get some sleep without an electric fan. But if becomes Sunny later, the heat would really be a problem. I'll try to get home now and get some shut eye. I hope they restore power when I get home.

Typhoon Basyang (International name Conson) was forecasted to entered the country on July 13, 2010. As of 11 p.m. (Manila time) of the same day, typhoon Basyang’s center has hit Infanta, Quezon. Basyang is expected to reach central Luzon on Wednesday and leave the country by Thursday. Storm signal number was 1 was already raised in Catanduanes, Camarines sur, Marinduque, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Ifugao, Benguet, La union and the rest of Quezon province. Signal number 2 was declared in the province of Camarines Norte, Northern Quezon, Rizal, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Lubang Island, Laguna, Batangas, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Bulacan, and Metro Manila. Classes of students in pre-school to high schools level were suspended by the Department of Education in provinces under signal number 2.

Afternoon Classes in Metro Manila were suspended. The Philippine Coast guard has already advised ships en route to Manila to dock in the nearest port. International flights were also advised to divert due to poor visibility due to the heavy rains.

At least 20 typhoons enter the country every year. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecasted that the only 13 to 15 tropical storm would enter the Philippines this year. This should be goods news; however the weather bureau expects that tropical storms would stronger in intensity.

This officially marks the beginning of the typhoon season in the Philippines. Filipinos fear that the typhoon may cause landslide and flooding. Last year two powerful entered the country which has caused massive flooding and destruction to infrastructure. Typhoon Ondoy and Peping enter the country last September and October respectively. These two typhoons claimed the lives of more the 1000 people. The weather bureau said that Basyang was only tropical storm but it has intensified and was classified as typhoon a few hours ago.

It is unfortunate that I am writing this while I am in the office. I am on my Graveyard shift and how I wish I am home in the comfort of my bed. The winds are so strong that I could hear it whistling. The rain is not as strong now but it was really pouring when I was on my way to the office. I hope that this typhoon would not be as strong as Ondoy. Last year I was not able to go to work due to the massive flooding. My wife on the hand was at her mall based workplace in SM north EDSA. The high amount of rainfall has caused the flooding of their basement making it inaccessible. She was also stranded for a couple of hours since the route that she has to take to get home was already flooded. Taxis, jeepney and bus service were also unavailable. Fortunately one of her officemates resides somewhere near our home and she was able to get a ride.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Governor Luisa Cuaresma, a known smoker, recently signed an ordinance banning smoking in public places and transportation. Under the new ordinance violators would be fine PHP 1,500 for the first offense, second time offenders would be fine PHP 2,500 and PHP 5,000 would be imposed for third time offenders. For those who could not afford the payment of this fine would be subjected to community service.

Private establishments or franchisees of public conveyances that violates this ordinance would find their license revoked or suspended depending on the mode of their violation. Posters and billboards of cigarette advertisements have already been removed from certain establishment. Ashtrays in public workplace as well as installation of “No smoking signs” in prohibited areas would be put up once the ordinance has been fully implemented. The Municipal health offices in Nueva Vizcaya are providing help through their Smoking Cessation Program (SCP).

Under the constitution, there are laws that prohibit smoking in public places as in any mode of transportation. Section 24 of Republic Act (RA) 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 prohibits smoking inside enclosed public places and public vehicles. Local government units are directed by law to implement the provision. Section 5 of RA 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 prohibits smoking in certain public places whether enclosed or outdoors like centers of youth activity, public facilities, and public conveyances.

This is ordinance would be a great way to minimize carbon emission and would be beneficial to residents of Nueva Viscaya. It all comes down to implementation. Laws against smoking in public places have been in place for quite some time. And yet the implementation of the law is still not evident. It all comes down to the will to implement this law. Wouldn’t it be great for the Philippines to be as smoke free like Singapore? This would be beneficial for the well being of the environment and people’s health

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri filed a bill on July 7, 2010 proposing the creation of an Environmental Protection agency (EPA) which would focus specifically on the country’s growing problem on pollution. The purpose of the new agency is conduct detailed research on Air pollution, water hazards, solid waste disposal, radiation and pesticides. The agency is also tasked to monitor and implement solution on how to minimize if not eradicate the pollution problems of the country.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) function is the implement government’s law on environment and the proper management of the country’s natural resources. The new agency would be responsible for establishing and enforcing environmental protection standards. They would also be tasked to advise the president and the congress on the enactment of laws which would deal with environmental protection and conservation of natural resources. Senator Zubiri said that the new agency would solely deal with matters that have a relation only to the protection, preservation and enhancement of the environment. They would also create specific rules and regulation for the control of water, air and land pollution.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The Philippine Disaster Recovery foundation (PDRF) headed by PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan has agreed to install PAGASA’s high grade rain gauge inside the cell site of Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) to monitor the amount of rainfall ad give reliable and timely warning. This is also to give better preparation against the massive flooding like the one experience during Typhoon Ondoy.

Philippines would the first in Asia to install rain gauges in cell sites. This is possible since PAGASA is getting support from the private sector and the other two big telecommunication companies. On March 22, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between PAGASA, Smart, Globe and Sun was signed to allow the co-location of rain gauges in the cell sites. The benefits of having the rain gauge installed inside the cell sites is continuous power source that it provides as well as real time data transfer to PAGASA using SMS (short message service).

The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has given a grant for the rain gauge. A rain gauge cost about Php500000. Chief of PAGASA’s Hydrometeorological Division, Dr. Susan Espinueva, said that about 15 to 20 rain gauge station would be installed within the year. The rain gauge would be strategically installed in areas were the expected volume of flood waters is high. A rain gauge has already been installed in Pasig-Marikina basin where massive flooding was experience last year when typhoon Ondoy struck the country. Last year, the amount of rainfall dumped by Ondoy in about six hours is equal to month’s worth of rainfall. These project is aim to be better prepare the country in case a storm of that magnitude happens to hit the Philippines again.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

The biggest effect of Global warming is the increase in the planet’s temperature. The increase in temperature is linked to the climate change that the planet is currently experiencing. So what are the effects? Since the temperature is rising rapidly, the planet’s ice is melting is rapid speed. So why is it that important? The large mass of ice is responsible to deflecting the sun’s rays. The greenhouse gases are responsible for trapping the heat for the sun. But too much heat trapped in the planet is not good either. Another downside if the planet’s ice melts is the increase in the planet’s sea level. A large percentage of the world’s population resides in low lying areas. If sea level increases, millions of people would be relocated. When that happen a large number of people would have problem finding shelter, food to eat and clean water to drink.

Since the large mass of ice is melting, and the amount of the sun rays deflected is decreasing, the planet’s waters absorbs the heat. How bad could that be? Studies have shown that a storm’s intensity increases when it passes warm water. That is the case with Hurricane Katrina which hit the United States and destroyed properties and claimed the lives of a lot of people in New Orleans.

Another effect of the warming body of water is the bleaching. A lot of animal species in the ocean and sea rely on coral reef for their source of food. Bleaching is destroying the Coral reefs leaving a lot of marine species vulnerable to extinction. Global warming does not only affect marine animals. Certain animal species rely on the temperature of their habitat to survive. Penguins and Polar Bears are among the animals that rely on cold climate to survive. Since the ice is melting, certain species travel far distance to find an suitable place to live and most of the animals do not survive traveling the long distance.

Another effect of Global warming is the decrease and increase of the amount of precipitation. Last year, the Philippines was hit by two powerful storms Peping and Ondoy. The amount of rainfall during typhoon Ondoy was a month’s worth of rain. The number of occurrence of floods and landslide while also increase. The other side of change of the amount of precipitation is drought. During the early months of the year, the country has experience the El Nino Phenomenon. Droughts has ravage crop and almost put the country at risk of a water crisis. The drought intensified when the summer season in Philippines started. The heat in Metro Manila has reached as high as 38 degrees Celsius this summer.

The Philippines is at high risk to effects of global warming. Even though there are no large masses of ice near the archipelago, parts of the country is still at risk of being submerged if the sea level increases. There are lots of densely populated areas in the Philippines which are located on low lying areas. The drought this year was particularly a big burden to the country. Crops were destroyed which caused the prices of basic needs to increase. The country almost faced a water crisis as efforts to find a solution to the declining water supply such as cloud seeding proved ineffective.

In the 1980s, scientists have discovered that Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) has been responsible to the thinning of the ozone layer. The whole planet was united in decreasing the amount of CFC in the atmosphere in hopes to save the ozone layer. The planet found ways to substitute hairsprays and refrigerants by introducing products that doesn’t produce Chlorofluorocarbons.

So you may ask how was it possible for countries in the planet to unite to solve the catastrophic effects of losing the ozone layer. It is quite simple. Countries could afford not using CFC and finding safer products substitute to products to produce CFC. So why can’t we do it know?

Countries specially developing ones are still dependent on coal mining to produce electricity. Non-polluting and renewable technologies such as wind, solar, geothermal are way too costly. Not all countries could afford to purchase this type of energy source. Some countries still have a lot of coal supply and use it as a primary source of electric power. Selling coal is profitable to some countries. Coal mines is one of the biggest causes of the increase of Greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are the cause of increasing temperature of the planet.

Before the May 2010 elections, the country had several outages due to the low supply of electric power. In Mindanao, the biggest source of electricity is hydro- electric plant. But since the drought was still plaguing the country then, government officials had to find a remedy to the power crisis. I know it easy to say that we should stop using coal mines right away since I am not in the position to make decisions. But it wouldn’t hurt if government would think about the alternative source of electricity.

So does it come down to which energy source is cheaper? Do we have to think about the economy before considering the effects of global warming? The Philippines have been struck by powerful storms last year and this year we face a drought like no other drought that we have encountered. The planet is in a really bad shape. We should move now while there is still a chance to reverse the effects of Global warming.

I know that it is hard to stop using coal mines right away but it would be better to start putting up non-polluting power source slowly. Putting up facilities for renewable energy one at a time seems like a reasonable course of action.

Friday, May 28, 2010

El Nido is taking steps in protecting their environment. The municipal government has implemented an Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) in which tourist will pay P200 while people who are not resident of EL Nido Palawan will pay P100 while Php50 for students. Payment of this fee would provide tourist 10 day access to tourism sites within El Nido.

The funds acquire from the ETDF would be allocated to resource rehabilitation, solid waste management, tourism development and environmental protection. Other proceeds of the funds would be allocated to the certain projects like barangay coastal resource management and watershed projects.

The El Nido municipality is also taking steps in removing a large sea star known as crowns of tourns which preys on the coral polyps. They are also on the process of training of tour guides on ecology and are enforcing strict policy on the how many people are allowed in certain tourist spots.

This is a very big step in protecting the environment especially now that Global warming is worsening. You may think the coral beds are safe from the planet’s heat because they are submerged under water but guess again. The increase in sea surface temperatures causes bleaching of corals. From 1997 to 1998, an El Nino event has caused severe damage to the country’s coral bed. Every small step in lessening the planet’s carbon dioxide goes a long way.

The effects of Global warming are becoming a big threat not to Guimaras alone but the whole province of Iloilo as well. According to the Climate Change commission (CCC), a total of 8647 hectares of Iloilo province is at risk of a one-meter sea level increase. Why is the sea level increasing? It is because of the rapid melting of the planet’s glacier due to Global warming.

A study by University of Philippines Los Baños has stated that the three most vulnerable to a one meter sea level rise are Cagayan, followed by Palawan and then Palawan. Global warming also causes the increase in frequency and intensity of storms which would hit the Philippines.

The Philippines has been pleading for more developed countries to cut down carbon dioxide emission since the Kyoto Protocol to lessen the increase in the destructive storms that are caused by Climate change. The extreme weather anomalies like the drought in the Philippines, has already caused the destruction of million pesos worth of crops. Last year Typhoon Ondoy has caused the destruction of infrastructure and property. Now that the rainy season is coming, Filipinos are wondering if another Ondoy will hit the country. One thing is for sure, everybody has to do their part to mitigate the effects of Global warming.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Two thirds of Taiwan is covered by Mountains. The remaining third is where their Cities, industry zones, three power plants and a petrochemical complex are located. Over 20 Billion US dollars was spent by Formosa Plastics Group in the 1990s for the said complex.

Since majority of their economic zones are located mostly on flat land near sea level, the increase in the sea level caused by Global warming is becoming a concern. An earth Scientist at Academia Sinica has said that the rise in the seal levels may submerge Taiwan’s western low-lying areas.

In South of Taiwan, A 300 year old Goddess Matsu temple is at risk of being completely submerged if the sea levels increase further. According to the temple’s chief secretary the temple is flooded every year. Now a 63 million dollar project is set to build a new temple which is 3 meters (10 feet) higher than the original site. The new Temple would safe from flood and rising sea level for many years to come.

Global warming is now taking its toll on planet. Low-lying areas such as Taiwan are at great risk of being submerged if Global warming worsens.

Monday, March 8, 2010

We normally associate carbon dioxide when we talk about Global warming. Carbon dioxide traps heat and when carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases, the planet’s temperature increases as well. Methane could also trap heat and is 30 times more effective in trapping heat than carbon dioxide. Recent studies show that the methane level in the Arctic is increasing at an alarming rate. Methane concentration in the world’s atmosphere was between 0.6 to 07 in warm periods and from 0.3 and 0.4 parts per million during cool periods. Methane concentrations in the Arctic now average about 1.85 parts per million and has been highest in the last 400,000 years. The methane has been trapped in the permafrost for years and is now being release to the atmosphere due to the warming of the planet. The East Siberian Arctic shelf is releasing a large amount of methane comparable to the amount of methane release by the entire world’s ocean.

Other sources of methane come from rice fields. 10 percent of the methane in the atmosphere comes from rice farming. Methane in the rice field is created when organic material submerged in water decomposes. Several green groups have asked billion people who rely on rice as their staple food to eat less of it. This seems like an extreme measure and doesn’t seem like the right solution. Reiner Wassmann, a biologist specializing in climate change at the International Rice Research Institute said that the problem does not lie on the consumption of rice but on its production. Using less water is the key to lessen the methane emission. This could be done through draining of the rice field during the growing season. There is only one problem though, several farms uses nitrogen fertilizer. Draining of the rice field would cause the release of a more potent Nitrous Oxide.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Hundreds and thousands of families living in coastal areas in the Philippines evacuated their homes after Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a Tsunami warning. Phivolcs forecasted that 19 provinces on the archipelago’s eastern seaboard are at risk of being hit by tsunamis. Tsunami warnings were issued by Phivolcs after the Chile registered an 8.8 magnitude earthquake. The Chief of Phivolcs Renato Solidum said that the first waves would arrive between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (0500 GMT and 0630 GMT). It is expected that the waves would not be higher than 1 meter.

Residents of Barangay Buhatan, Santo Domingo has refused to evacuate. They have undergone nationwide tsunami drill in 2005 and claim to know what to do in case the tsunami hits their village. The Philippine Coast guard has cancelled all sea travels in Albay and Catanduanes. The cancellation of sea travel from 11 a.m. to 4p.m. originating from Batangas port has left 200 passengers and 30 vessel stranded. The vessels were bound for Occidental Mindoro, Calapan, Abra de Ilog and Oriental Mindoro. Approximately 10,000 people in Siargao surfing resort in the Mindanao group of islands has seek higher ground as a precaution to the Tsunami alert.

At around 1 p.m. on Sunday, waves reached the eastern seaboard of the Philippines but have subsided two hours later.

It is fortunate that the Tsunamis were not as devastating as expected. Some evacuees has started returning to their homes after the tsunami warning was lifted while others decided to stay another night to be on the safe side.

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