Mallica Vajrathon » Environment

Universe Image

mallica — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 23:50:02 +0000

We live in an amazing time!
To be able to see images of the Universe right in front of our eyes from a computer screen is a delightful surprise and a rich experience. I am awestruck by just looking at the map of the Universe of Europe’s Planck Telescope sent out last week for the World to see. The Planck view of the sky is different from those we saw at other wave lengths. The Planck telescope gives us an opportunity to see a much wider and longer span of the universe combining the spread of the milky ways, fluffy gas and dust in constant motion and the shining lights of billions of stars. Also a stunning image is the microwave view of the sky with the combination of gamma ray, x-ray, visible hydrogen, far-ir, microwave and radio. I want to thank the European Space Agency for sharing with the world and with me the new knowledge of the universe which we all are part of.

Celebrate Biodiversity and Nature’s Restoration

mallica — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:48:01 +0000

Communities and people all over the world are organizing public education activities for the World Environment Day 2010. They set up exhibitions and make plans for media communication events on the theme of biodiversity and preservation of nature. The Darwin Centre, an extension of the Natural History Museum in London, organizes interesting activities that we can participate at “Nature on Line”. Scientists and educators put up display and audio-visual programmes to stimulate public interests in their past and present scientific researches on the variety of species of animals, plants and other life forms living deep on the ocean floor and on the vast landscape.Their exhibition, the “Deep” (28 May -26 September 2010), shows numerous forms of creatures living on the ocean floor that we have not seen before. At an international level, UNEP launched recently the Dead Planet: Living Planet Report to focus on biodiversity and ecosystem restoration for sustainable development. The report draws our attention to thousands of ecosystem restoration ongoing projects set up in cooperation with governments and environment institutions around the world. These noteworthy projects include restoration of water flows to rivers and lakes and improvement of soil stability and fertility vital for agriculture. Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director said that mis-management of natural and nature-based assets undercuts development on a scale that dwafs the recent economic crisis.I find the report interesting reading. It gives us a tool for our use in organizing community education and communication programmes for the years to come. Investors will find this report useful as well for developing new businesses in restoration of natural and nature-based utilities to cope with the new global demands and needs, at the same time a boot-up of the economy.

Singapore Marina Bay

mallica — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:49:46 +0000

One of my favorite pastime is to walk and look at creative architectural design of modern buildings. Last month when I was in Singapore visiting with my cousins, I had the opportunity to do that with them to see the newly constructed buildings at the Marina Bay. Marina Bay is an artificial man-made bay formed from land taken from the sea. It is a gigantic land reclamation and development project that the government and business community build to support Singapore continuing growth as a major business and financial hub in Southeast Asia. Because of all the new build-ups, Singapore Skyline has changed for ever. Now the Marina bay area is full of strange and futuristic-looking buildings of hotels, casinos, shopping malls, offices, sports and entertainments complex. The Sky Park, built on top of the Marina Bay Sand hotel has the longest swimming pool that elevated 975 feet above the ground on boat-shape sky terrace connects three high-rise towers of the 55-stories resort casino/hotel and shopping mall which are modeled after the MGM Mirages City Center in Las Vegas. Another two tall buildings in the area are built side by side in a shape of two gigantic boat sails called the Sail@Marina Bay. Then there is the Helix Bridges. Right on the bay, is the new construction of the Youth Olympic Park. Dominating the view as seen from the Bay Front Bridge is the Esplanade Flyer, the World largest observation wheel. New tropical trees are planted all over the garden by the bay. The Esplanade Theatres looks like a giant round flower rising up from the water. And right on the bay itself, the new Art-Science Museum which is scheduled to open at the end of this year. While admiring the buildings, what I am most concern is whether the new buildings are “environment friendly”. That is, whether the architects and engineers who plan and design them are aware of the impact of an over-consumption of oil as based energy to air-condition those tall glass buildings. They are beautiful to look at though because of the different shapes and forms, especially when the Sun sets, casting shadows towering over the old traditional Post Office historic building, the Singapore Fullerton Hotel with the Merlion (mermaid and lion) statue in front shooting water out of its’ mouth. The best place to enjoy seeing the display of light and shadow of buildings on water at sunset is at the walk way near the Boat Quay at the Singapore River. In the old days, the water from this river would flow directly out to the sea, but now, in this new set up, the water flows instead into the Marina Bay. Quite a challenge in water resource system design and management to keep the environment clean and healthy.

Drinking Water

mallica — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 07:58:41 +0000

We live in the World of population increase from 6 billion to 9 billion within the next 40 years. For that many people to survive on this Earth, we need to have enough clean drinking water for all. The United Nations celebrated 22 March as World Water Day. This year, all UN member countries had collaborated action focusing on water quality. Management of clean water is most important, not only just for human health and well-being, but also for sustaining of the whole ecosystem. A new guideline for drinking water quality was printed and distributed to governments and community leaders to make use of in setting up a national framework for drinking water safety, a comprehensive system specific “water safety plans” and a revised information on microbial, chemical and radiological aspects. We can only get clean drinking water from clean living and healthy environment. Each community has to get themselves organized to search for a fresh supply of local source for clean water. They should join force in keeping it safe for everyone to share this precious resource. Prevention of water pollution is necessary. Each community has to set up its own monitoring of water quality and maintenance. Management structure has to be set up for waste management which include waste-water management.

New Sun Probe

mallica — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:41:07 +0000

We will know more about the behavior of the Sun when scientists, with the help of the US space agency, NASA, launched a new mission to study the Sun. From this mission, the Solar Dynamic Observatory will have new image of the Sun which can tell us how the Sun will affect the future earth’s environment, especially the weather, and also how the activity of the Sun disrupt satellite communication. This is an important step and significant progress in the field of the solar physics. I am hopeful for the success of this mission in probing further the inner workings of the activity of the Sun which will increase our knowledge of the solar flare and its explosive magnetic fields because the survival of all life on this Planet Earth depends on the Sun and its activity.

The “C” rated Accord

mallica — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:05:56 +0000

“We have a deal in Copenhagen,” UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon said, referring to the Copenhagen Accord. I rated the “deal” as a “C” Accord. But many world leaders had exaggerated the importance of the Climate Deal. They came up with a new deal at the end of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference (Dec-7-18) and called it an “unprecedented breakthrough” or “a major step forward.” The fact is, this “deal” was whipped up by only five countries, Brazil, China, India, United States and South Africa for fearing that there would not be any agreed outcome from the Copenhagen Conference. Leaders of other countries (outside of those fives) were divided on how to end the Conference without an agreed negotiated text. They wanted a legally binding treaty to replace the soon-to-be-expired “Kyoto Treaty” which 187 delegations voted for in Kyoto, Japan in 1997. Reluctantly, those leaders decided to “take note” of the “Copenhagen Accord”instead of formally approving it. The text of the agreement includes a method for verifying each nations reduction of green-house gases, an emergency aid to poor developing countries and a reduction of carbon emission to keep the increase in average global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius. The accord failed on a binding deal to reduce green-house gases and on a concrete plan to protect the tropical forests. Most of the Conference’s participants were disappointed that they did not have legally binding treaty. After two years of negotiations, in several UN meetings venues in Indonesia, Thailand and Germany, I am also disappointed that in the end of the negotiation process, we did not have a new treaty on Climate Change. From reading the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) on “Climate Change 2007”, we know that in the absence of mitigation policies, there is a possibility of disappearance of sea ice by the end of the 21st century. That there will be increase in frequency of hot extremes, heat waves and heavy precipitation, and in tropical cyclone intensity. Scientists have predicted the decrease in water resources due to climate change in the Mediterranean Basin, western United States, southern Africa and north-eastern Brazil. There is also a possibility of Greenland ice sheet disappearance resulting in the rise of sea-level of about 7 meters. While 20-30 percent of species assessed so far will be at risk of extinction if increases in global average warming exceed 1.5 to 2.5 degree Celsius. Climate change is expected to exacerbate current stress on water resources from population growth and economic land-use change. And there will be a significant future increase in heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding of many regions of the world. Climate change increases atmospheric carbon dioxide that will make the oceans become acidic. The consequences of which could be serious for all forms of marine organisms and other forms of life. I agree whole heartedly with Tara Buakamsri, a campaign manager of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, that the World must take decisive action on climate change. I don’t think we should allow world leaders to continue wasting of time making ineffective deals after deals based on their narrow local political and economic interests, thus compromising the safety of us and future generations.

Copenhagen Climate Change Conference

mallica — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:26:38 +0000

Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said at the opening ceremony that if the temperature increase is to be limited to between 2.0 and 2.4 C, global emissions must peak no later than 2015 — barely six years from now. By December 18, I hope that the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference will conclude with an agreement that ensure a secure climate future for us all and for the future generations. There is no time to wait for a concerted action to protect people and our planet from global warming. Mitigation of emissions is essential. China, United States and India are the three major greenhouse gas polluters in the world. Therefore, they are key to the success of this important Conference. They should come up with a common strategy and mitigation action to cut their emissions by 25 to 45 percent compared with 1990 levels by 2020. Small Island states, the most vulnerable to global warming and the rise of sea-water, calls for a target of keeping the temperature rise since pre-industrial times below 1.5 C. They are also concerned about funding to help them deal with the impact of climate change. It is hopeful that the European Union has pledged to contribute $10.6 billion over the next three years to help the poorer countries in adapting to climate change. I think government representatives should seriously consider the recommendations from the People’s Climate Summit taking place at a sports facilities in Central Copenhagen, to completely stop the use of fossil fuels within the next 30 years and to bring down the carbon dioxide emissions to not more than one ton per capita in each single country by 2025. Whether there will be an agreed text at the end of the Conference is anybody’s guest. I hope representatives of 192 countries that attended this Conference will base their negotiations on the survival of humankind and the future generations, and not on their country narrow domestic economic interests. We, the people of the world, are waiting for a new Copenhagen agreement that will add to what had already been agreed to in the Kyoto Protocol, adopted on 11 December 1997 in Japan by 187 states to combat global warming.

Climate Change & Progress On Clean Energy

mallica — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:16:28 +0000

Government officials at several recent regional and inter-regional meetings held this month from cities of Stockholm to Singapore, promised to take action together on climate change. This is good news to me, for those who are working to prepare the big United Nations meeting in December this year in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Climate Change. At the Russia – EU Summit on 18 November, Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev promised to reduce its greenhouse gas emission by 25% from 1990 levels. The European Union and Russia also agreed on the two-degree target and the need for emission reductions. Two days earlier on 15 November, the First ASEAN – US Leaders” Summit, held in Singapore Co-chaired by Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Chairman of ASEAN, and US President Barack Obama, leaders stressed the importance of access to diverse, reliable, and affordable clean energy to sustain economic growth. They agreed to diversify energy supplies and strengthen energy security. They said that ways will also be found for future cooperation in renewable and alternative energy such as hydropower and biofuels. The Joint Statement – 1st ASEAN – US Leaders’ Meeting indicates future close-working relationships on Climate Change, especially on the improvement of research on climate impacts, the development, and action on appropriate policies and measures. The US – China Clean Energy Announcement of 17 November also is a good sign that there will be active cooperation and future cooperation on the clean energy front between these two big powers.

Climate Information Available To All

mallica — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:22:02 +0000

More than 2000 scientists, experts, politicians, United Nations officials and non-governmental organizations attended the Geneva Conference on Global Framework on Climate Services, just ended last week. They came together to make sure that everyone of us has access to the climate prediction and information so that we can cope with the predictable and unpredictable problems of climate change. The key component of the services is the improving of national and regional observation and research to make weather prediction and forecast accurate to save life. People need to know about evacuation plans and potential disaster information on time — an effective warning system, when cyclone, typhoon, floods, heat waves, drought or sand storm are going to hit us. Some of the warning services are available now, but they are not formalized. Experts have warned us that because of global warming, climate-related disasters will occur more frequently and more intense, no matter where we live. The newly set-up Global Climate Services will equip government and community leaders with required tools such as digital/electronic warning system, hazard maps, health and food security alerts. Most important, Dr. Gro Harlem-Brundtland, Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, said that we can not only rely on individual projects or individual agencies to undertake this task. The international community needs to unite to make science-based information on climate available to all. To be prepared at individual level in saving our life and protecting our properties, we should be active in getting accurate information, which are available through the media such as internet, or by contact the communications and public affairs officers of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Singapore Botanical Gardens

mallica — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:32:42 +0000

A visit to Singapore Botanical Gardens is best early in the morning. There are many people visiting the Garden at that time along with walkers and joggers doing their morning exercises along the winding roads through rain forest and around beautiful lakes. Under shady trees, a group of Tai Chi and Chi Gong enthusiasts display their skill in ancient Chinese martial arts, while the young ones prefer to do modern dance from recorded musics. The morning air was also fresh with soft cool breeze. I was already impressed of its beauty when I first visited the garden ten years ago. During my last month’s trip, I saw new addition such as the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage in the middle of the Palm Valley as I walked through the rain forest towards the National Orchid Garden, which really is a dream place for orchid lovers. Since I enjoy doing painting of orchids, I took the opportunity to photograph the large varieties of a thousand species of Bulbophylium, Aerides Multiflora, Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum Callosum, and Vanda, for painting on my website. At the Garden, the orchids were artistically displayed between small water falls and bridges in natural settings. Crane Fountain decorated with colorful orchids, was also a new addition. I want to invite everyone to come and visit this largest orchid collection in the world. The Singapore Botanical Gardens, at its present site, was founded by the Agri-horticultural Society in 1859. It was later handed over to the Singapore Government. A lake around the Garden was completed in 1866 to be a home for the swans, imported from Amsterdam. I enjoyed seeing them floating around the water of the lake. There were other people watching them and admiring the swan graceful dance from the seats along the lake sides. There were many beautiful sculptures such as “Swans in flights” and “Girl on Swing” that scattered around the Gardens’ walkway donated by Singaporean artists. The entrance to the garden is through Tanglin Gate/Botany Centre at the junction of Holland and Napier Road. Admission is free to the public. There is a charge of five Singapore dollars for entrance to the National Orchid Garden situated adjacent to the main area of the Botanical Gardens.