SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM AND THE NATURAL SYSTEMS

All the searches and researches for a solution to the air pollution, greenhouse effect, global warming etc leads us ultimately to the importance of a sustainable environmental system (SES). The existence of SES, together with reduction of GHG emissions to the required level, is essential for the survival of life on the earth for both plants and animals.

Primarily, we know SES offsets the CO2 and releases O2 into the atmosphere. Therefore, the absence of SES in any place will mean,1) The carbon dioxide generated by the life activities and the modern style life of the people and the industrial emissions, if any ,in such areas are not at all getting offset because of the absence of or less green vegetation in the said areas. On the other hand such CO2 is added to the global stock increasing the green house effect, global warming, climate change etc. 2) Fresh O2 released will also be less ,rendering the atmospheric air unhealthy.3) The available vegetation itself will slowly disappear from many parts of the world ever increasing the threat to life. Receding vegetation is a forerunner or a sort of warning of what is in store for other forms of life too, including the humans.

Therefore, now it is well conceived by the authorities throughout the world that the whole world is in dire need of implementing or improving or enhancing the process of greening or environmental protection. But then why the world is not taking any effective action to protect the environment?

Two main reasons. One is water shortage and the second, inadequate rules and regulations for entrusting the responsibility of establishing and maintaining the SES.

What we need is a perfect sustainable environmental system .For that there should be biodiversity –which requires or demands wild growth and coexistence of various micro and macro animals and plants wherever possible. And most important, the proper functioning of the Natural Systems.

The primary ingredient required to support biodiversity is the water. But even for human consumption the drinking water is already short or is going to be short or not available in the coming years. Then how the human beings will spare water for establishing biodiversity?

But the most interesting thing is that the presence of biodiversity and the availability of water are interrelated. In other words if there is biodiversity, water definitely will be there or vice versa. This is not a mathematical equation. It is a biological equation or it can be described as a natural formula. It is observed water in the wells in areas where the trees and other vegetation are abundant, sustains for a slightly longer period because the presence of vegetation retains moisture content in the soil (due to condensation) which slowly drips into the earth and ultimately reaches the underground aquifers. This is what we, the world have ignored until recently. (This has to be considered while transforming deserts)

In order to understand the necessity for biodiversity and the natural systems, it is essential to have at least a general idea of THE LIFE and THE NATURE.

THE LIFE

The most important aspect of life is that all the living beings are interdependent. The relationship between the whole Animal Kingdom is usually represented as a pyramid. As the shape of the pyramid indicates, higher forms of life represented towards the top part of the pyramid are always supported by the lower forms. Also there are many species of animals that depends only on plants for their food. In this intermingled food chain, the death or extinction of any species of animals or plants is going to affect the existence of many others and ultimately will destroy the natural balance. The structure of life is such that independent existence is impossible, especially for animals. The point to be understood well is the earth is not meant for the human beings alone. I.e. we cannot clear the area of all 'unwanted' plants and animals and live happily ever after.

THE NATURE.

The nature is the mother of all living forms on the earth. It is through her lap that the life on the earth flows uninterruptedly. She protects "us", the millions of living forms on the earth and provides all the basic requirements of life. Like our own mothers, in order to protect us, she also takes care of her own life by maintaining the natural balance.

THE NATURAL BALANCE

The nature maintains the natural balance through various natural systems that functions in the same way as that of the biological systems in the human body.

For e.g. we all know there is a respiratory system to keep the atmospheric air fresh and healthy. There is a circulatory system to distribute the life blood of nature, the water, to the various parts of the earth. A system to regulate the climate. And a miraculous system to control the population under each type of living being! The modus operandi of which is known to Her only

Or we can say, is beyond our comprehension, may be at least for the time being.

The nature enacts or enforces these systems through the LIVES of plants and animals themselves. i.e. life and nature are two inseparable parts of the same phenomenon held together through the natural systems. In other words, failure of the natural systems will lead to the destruction of the natural balance and ultimately the death of nature as well as life.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS.

How far are the forests important in the story of life? Well .The answer is very simple. No forests -> No terrestrial life.

The forests can be described as the womb of nature where numerous new forms of terrestrial life originated through the wonderful process of evolution. They are also the cradle of life where wild growth of all sorts of plants and animals are seen.

The forests perform very complex and vital functions in the smooth and uninterrupted flow of life on the planet. And therefore the forests constitute the most important player as regards the flow of life on the earth.

A. PROVIDES ALL THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS NEEDED FOR THE FORMATION, EXISTENCE AND SURVIVAL OF LIFE.

The forests hold tons and tons of rich soil formed through the degeneration of nitrogenous materials. Such soil, several meters deep in virgin forests, also holds enormous volumes of water.

In the forests the thick foliage is like an umbrella and effectively prevents the sun's rays from coming to the forest floor. There for whatever is the temperature outside, inside the forest it is comfortably cool.

" Rich soil, ample water,fresh air and the cool comfort under the thick foliage of the wilderness, oh ! Wilderness, here is the paradise for life."

B. THE NATURAL SYSTEMS

System to regulate the climate.

Forests play a major part in ensuring consistant rainfall. The brushing of the high trees in the high mountain forests with the rain clouds stimulates the rain. And every body knows the temperature is always low in areas where there are more trees compared to open areas where sun's rays hit directly.

Forests constitute the respiratory system of nature that keeps the atmospheric air fresh and healthy by maintaining a consistant supply and removal of O2 and CO2 respectively.

In the nature’s circulatory system for the distribution of water, the mountain forests perform the very vital function of the heart in the human body. Removing the trees from the mountains will be like cutting away the muscles of the heart because once the trees are removed the mountains can no longer hold water on its floor. The huge volumes of water stored on the forests' ground will immediately run down.

As a result , the rivers arising from such mountains will , very soon dry up. The related land areas will thereby be devoid of the primary ingredient of terrestrial life and therefore all the living things in such land areas will soon die out.

Hence , to put in the other way, the absence of forests will lead to -

1. Reduced rain

2. Floods when and if it rains

3. Draught

4. High temperature.

5. Disappearance of vegetation etc

Therefore, what is to be done to preserve the bio-diversity in nature?

Well. We know the answer. RECREATE THE FORESTS.. ON THE MOUNTAINS AND SIMULTANEOUSLY OR SUBSEQUENTLY IN ALL POSSIBLE PLACES.

Yes . This is the only way to achieve a perfect sustainable environmental system. Irrespective of the causes or instead of pondering too much over the causes that lead to the formation , the story of many of the present day deserts can be rewritten by recreating the forests on the mountains or places at higher altitudes.

The mountains are not hindrances or stumbling blocks standing on the way of human progress. All the mountains should be there as they are because they are the mitochondria of nature, designed by the Almighty that triggers or ensure the perpetual supply of the required potential energy to keep the natural systems alive or in motion.

One prominent scientist has rightly remarked “humans are the cancer of the earth ". From the very moment the humans decided to become “modern " the foolish actions of the wise guys began to slowly convert the earth into a hell which was really a paradise for millions of years for millions of life forms. Since his arrival on the earth the man is engaged himself in a sort of undeclared war with the Nature. In this strange war, he is quite ignorant or has underestimated the magnitude or sharpness or the killing powers of the armaments hidden in the Nature's arsenal. And if he continues to provoke the Nature, the consequences will be disastrous and devastating..

Those with watchful eyes can hear the frightening "tick" "tick" of the dooms day clock. It is gaining alarming speed. The arrival of the dooms day need not be through nuclear explosions. The chances are more, it could be through pollution, thirst and hunger and epidemics.

The life which we see today, we all know, cannot survive on 'hydrothermal vents’. The anaerobic bacteria- has it evolved during the past few billion years? Who knows? If at all it evolves, how many billions of years it may take to attain the highly complicated structure of any present day organism.

Therefore, under the circumstances we are left with only two options- continue the foolish, negative, suicidal approach and wait for the last breath or wake up and act NOW to stop the environmental deterioration, land degradation...

To sum up, for greening the deserts and to prevent the disappearance of vegetation, we have to establish a perfect sustainable environmental system which will ensure the basic requirements of life - water, air, rich soil and the climatic conditions. For this there should be forests on the mountains, the valleys and forest strips where ever possible including the cities.

So as the first step towards the restoration of the perfect natural environment which existed years ago, let us RECREATE THE FORESTS. Let us go back to the forests. Let there be vivid, wild growth of plants and animals in all possible places. If not, time will prove the Homo Sapiens, in spite of being one of the most brilliant products of earthly evolution - civilized, cultured, achieved miraculous scientific strides, visited other planet, ruled and terrorized the world during its short tenure - met with the same fate as that of the mighty dinosaurs because the human beings failed to understand their very own loving and caring mother, The Nature or failed to act when and if they did.

We have just entered the new millennium.. At this moment let us all take an oath that we will try our best to protect the natural habitats and that we will never be a party to any scheme or plan that ultimately kills or destroys the flora and fauna of nature. Henceforth our basic policy shall be of co-existence with other animals and plants.

Look at the innumerable bald mountains standing high in the sky like remnants or sad reminders of a glorious past. Are they not eagerly looking at us requesting to rejuvenate them? Do they know the human beings are the only creation who is capable of accomplishing this faster?

THE SUBMERGED WATER WELLS SYSTEM

For years I have been trying to convince the authorities about my concept for an effective management of the available water- The Submerged Water Wells System (SWWS). But, I admit, I failed miserably. Now I request all the interested persons to study this very simple process and try to open the eyes of the authorities because I believe, it is THE ONLY PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR THE WORLD WATER CRISIS.

A solution for the water crisis is one of the biggest challenges the world is facing today.

Our time for seminars and discussions is limited. If we do not act now or if we do not deviate ourselves from the same destructive path which our predecessors adopted about 250 years ago , which resulted in global warming, global water crisis, global climate change, destroyed the peace on the earth and also destroyed the natural balances in many places , be assured the dooms day is not far.. It is very close to us... could be at the doorstep even...

Hence pals, I am hereby kicking the ball to the greatest court, the people’s court. Take it... This doesn’t mean I am going back to the pavilion. I have more balls. I will not sleep until…

The SWWS is not tested practically in a large area of land as it requires a lot of money. Lab tests have been done and found successful.

A diagram of a typical SWWS is attached. Measurements may be adjusted according to practical requirements.





THE SUBMERGED WATER WELLS SYSTEM


"Water, water every where but not a drop to drink"

Don't sit back and relax just because enough drinking water may be available in your vicinity. Many places in the world are already suffering from lack of drinking water and the rest is fast heading towards that pathetic situation of not a drop to drink. In places where the surface water has dried up, people have started consuming the ground water which also is finished or diminished considerably. Yes. The earth's surface is drying up...The proof is the disappearing vegetation from many parts of the world.

Why is it? Or what went wrong?

The reasons that led to this pathetic situation are many. Increased consumption of drinking water, less or no recharging, insufficient storage space for surface water...

Until recently we were ignorant or not bothered to think about the total quantity of water at our disposal. But now we know the available water is limited. And that 'we' cannot survive if the required quantity of water is not available. That is why the World Watchers have even warned future wars could be for water rather than for oil.

We know we cannot compromise on the quality and quantity of drinking water. Hence enough water fit for drinking should be available all the time. The only solution is increase the number of surface receptacles, direct the rain water to such receptacles and thus collect the maximum amount of rain water whenever and wherever it rains and store it and then distribute it properly.

The Submerged Water Wells System is a simple scheme to RETAIN, RESERVE, DISTRIBUTE AND RECHARGE billions of liters of rain water. So install the SWWS and then you may relax because The SWWS will be a permanent solution for the water shortage.


1. THE SUBMERGED WATER WELLS SYSTEM


The system aims to turn the earth's underground into a huge storehouse for water by constructing innumerable water wells - SUBMERGED WATER WELLS - scattered throughout the land. The wells will be connected to facilitate the easy flow of water between the wells and sources. And the result - the earth's underground will be flooded with rain water.




2. OBJECTIVES


2.1. Constant supply of water in all submerged wells irrespective of the quantity pumped out, throughout the year.

2.2. Easy distribution of water to all the connected submerged wells.

2.3. Retain, reserve, distribute and recharge the maximum quantity of rain water.


3. THE SUBMERGED WATER WELLS.


These are wells intended to collect the maximum quantity of rain water during the rainy seasons and also shall be the pumping stations whenever water is required for irrigation or for conversion for drinking purposes.

A cross section of the land area where there is SWWS, will show innumerable water receptacles hiding just underneath the earth's surface holding lots of water and at the same time apparently almost immersed in water, as the gaps in the earth and all the underground aquifers surrounding the wells will also have the same water level as that of the wells.

In other words, the SWWS form big artificial storage spaces in the earth's underground for the rain water to recharge all the underground aquifers, each and every available space between the rocks and sands and to rest comfortably there or to hide itself from the killing heat of the sun as long as the water is allowed to remain there.


4. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SUBMERGED WATER WELLS.


4.1. Wells are of smaller radius and of required or possible depth. But the dimensions of special purpose storage facilities will, of course, depend, among other things, on the quantity of water required to be pumped out in a definite time.

4.2. Each well is connected with the nearest one by small pipes/hose. The route of the interconnecting hose is protected by concrete hollow bricks closely fitted to form a safe passage. This passage will act as a drainage too to the nearest well if and when the wells are filled to the top . More quantities of water will be transferred at a faster rate.

4.3. The top of the wells may be covered with thick concrete slabs about3 to 6 ft. below the ground level. This will facilitate the normal use of the land over the area of the well.

4.4. The concrete slabs will be fitted with a hollow vertical pipe through which the outlet pipe for pumping out water can be inserted whenever required or the distribution pipes/hoses for distribution purposes.

4.5. Wells may be constructed at the rate of one well per land area of 20 cents or as required.

4.6. Concrete rings ( porous ) are to be used for the construction of the wells if the soil is not hard enough.

4.7. The top level of water of all the connected wells shall be the same.

4.8. The volume of water immediately available at any time will depend on the size of the well in relation to its common water level.

4.9. Once the water is pumped out from a well, within a short time the water from the surrounding underground areas will flow into the well till the Water in the well reaches the common ground water level in the area.

5. WHY UNDERGROUND WELLS?

The reasons supporting the construction of the wells underground are:-

5.1. Cost effective


5.1.1 The SWWS will be the most economical method ever employed for the distribution of water, in terms of cost of construction and operation.

5.1.2 The cost of construction of such wells will be only a fraction of the expenses had such a vast distribution system been undertaken on the ground level.

5.1.3 Once established, it requires practically no maintenance cost at all.

5.2. Operation

5.2.1 The collection and storing of rain water in underground wells is the easiest and most convenient method. It simply is the natural way.

5.2.2 The distribution of water is extremely simple and easy. Because of the special property of liquids to know their own level, water will flow and fill automatically in the wells.

5.2.3 The level of water in all the wells in the region can be obtained by checking the water level in any one well. This comes handy while letting out water to the submerged wells from dams/reservoirs/rivers.

5.2.4 The loss of water due to evaporation will be practically nil.



6. HOW THE WELLS GET FILLED & KEEP FILLED?

6.1. Rain water

In areas where there is rainfall, rain water may be directed to one or more convenient collection centers or reservoirs from where clear water can be made to flow to the nearest submerged water wells.

6.2. Dams/ reservoirs/ rivers.

Reservoirs or wherever possible barriers in rivers are constructed to prevent and preserve the rain water from flowing into the sea. It is very important for the success of the scheme to retain as much rain water as possible.

From these sources water is distributed to the chain of submerged water wells as and when required. For the purpose, any sort of propelling motors or big pipes are not at all required. Water will find its way, knows its level and will automatically get filled in the chain of connected wells. From such wells water can be pumped out for irrigation or for converting into purified water for drinking purposes.

Big underground reservoirs can be built wherever required to function as mini sources, with capacity to store enough water to last for a season.

A heavy rain or flood in any place will mean that all the connected submerged wells not only in the place of rain or flood but throughout the land is filled to the top. Is it not a clear case of curse turn into blessing?

Flood water can be collected in special reservoirs built on the ground with high walls and base made of concrete. Such reservoirs may be built in different places in flood prone areas. When the flood recedes, water in the reservoir will remain there and such water as it is at a slightly higher level to the ground, the connected wells can be filled to the top whenever required. The distribution in such cases will be through the hollow concrete passage and therefore will be faster. Valves should be fixed in appropriate places to prevent the importing of flood to other places from the affected areas.

Water should always pass through natural sieves or other means to prevent leaves and other dust particles getting into the wells and blocking the underground pipes.

All the submerged wells will remain full as long as there is sufficient water in the sources.

7. WHY SHOULD THE SWWS BE ADOPTED THE WORLD OVER?


Although the rain lavishly pours water (precipitation) on the forests and non forest areas, it is the forests that stores enormous volumes of rain water and releases them little by little to the rivers. Therefore the mountains covered with forests can be described as the hearts and the rivers originating from the forests as the main arteries which circulate the elixir of life on the earth.

The lands near the rivers get sufficient water as the water from the rivers seeps through the gaps in the soil and establishes itself a common water level.

But the majority of the lands mass farther to the rivers remain practically dry as:-

7.1. Little or no water reaches that much distance for want of proper channels or due to any other obstacles.

7.2. Only a small percentage of the rain water that falls on non-forest areas get stored in wells or sink deep into the soil, the major part ,in no time , flows ultimately into the sea.

7.3. Increased consumption for drinking and agricultural purposes by the ever increasing population.

7.4. Decrease in recharging or no recharging at all of the surface or ground water compared to the vast quantities pumped out for various purposes.

There are many other reasons that contribute to the pathetic situation of no water or little water. But the basic reasons for water crisis are -

7.5. The major part of the rain water is not being stored for future use but disappears in no time by swiftly flowing into the sea.

7.6. The available water is not distributed properly to places where it is not available or is in short supply.


The world water crisis will become a story of the past if we are able to solve the above two points. And that is what precisely the SWWS is going to do. RETAIN, RESERVE, DISTRIBUTE AND RECHARGE the rain water.


Like the arteries of the Circulatory System that supplies blood to each and every cell in the human body , the SWWS shall supply water to each and every inch of land on the earth, through out the year, thereby keeping the earth cool and comfortable a place for the LIFE to flow on.


8. TOTAL CHANGE


The System of Submerged Water Wells is destined to change the face of the world. It will bring in a flood of changes.


8.1. ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES.


8.1.1. Moisture content in the soil can be maintained .Ample water is available for irrigation and drinking purposes wherever required throughout the year. Thus presents the perfect atmosphere for the promotion of biodiversity.

8.1.2. Moist soil enhances spontaneous growth of perennial shrubs and permanent trees.

8.1.3. Presence of shrubs and trees promotes various forms of life like birds and other micro and macro organisms.

8.1.4. The earth’s water table slowly rises. One day, may be in a few years or in years to come, the earth may be saturated with water.

8.1.5. Enhanced natural greenery brings down the temperature and helps to maintain an almost constant temperature year through.

8.1.6. Natural greenery also ensures consistent rainfall which in turn again promotes the growth of flora and fauna.

8.1.7. Drought will never show up again as there is enough water reserved underground to meet all types of emergencies.

8.2. AGRICULTURE, ECONOMY.

Agricultural production will increase manifold which will mean improved economy.


THE FUTURE

Let us present the Mother Nature with plenty of water, the precious ingredient of Life and which the Nature very dearly requires for Her 'balancing acts'. Let us protect the Nature. In return the Nature will protect and provide us with all the prosperity we need. If not....

THE SUBMERGED WATER WELLS SYSTEM(SWWS) - Diagram

Mosquitoes v/s Humans

The fight between mosquitoes and humans has a long history. It started from the day one they met face to face. Till date humans tried various kinds of warfare. Physical, biological, chemical, and very recently electronics. And even torture too. It is reported sterile mosquitoes were developed in the labs and let out to control their population. In spite of all these desperate attempts to eradicate the mosquitoes, we are still in their firing range. Be alert. Any time you can hear the sound of music of their surveillance flights. But don’t worry we have another weapon – AK 47.

We all know lot of fatal diseases is transmitted through mosquitoes. In addition to untold human miseries and sufferings to millions, the world is losing billions of Dollars every year for health care to prevent and to cure such contagious diseases.

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. For this, first we have to destroy the mosquitoes. But how? Until now we never had any success stories to boast of in our historical war with the mosquitoes. This is mainly because the structure of their life cycle is so natural it perfectly makes them fit for survival. They don’t require big dams or lakes or reservoirs to breed. A sustainable drop of water on a leaf or on any other surface for two days is enough for their successful breeding into full fledged mosquitoes. We all know for the survival of any form of life, food, water and fresh air (except in some lower forms) are essential. So even an idea to destroy all the plant life in your compound or fixing tiles there, is suicidal and therefore out of question.

Remember, the mosquitoes have more experience and knowhow on the earth than the human beings because they appeared on the earth millions of years before the human beings did. No wonder they are surviving all our fatal assaults.

Therefore , if you have a notion that one day the UN or some other government agency will wipe out the entire mosquitoes from the face of the earth , sorry , that day will never come. One thing is damn sure. The mosquitoes are likely to be here on the earth even if the homo sapiens are wiped off. Therefore, let us recheck our war strategies.

While we are outside our houses, since we keep on moving, the mosquitoes cannot bite us. But inside the house you are an open target for attack because you are resting and hence comparatively motionless.

Let us continue our war more vigorously but at the same time buy a simple mosquito net large enough to cover our entire house so that no mosquitoes will enter the house. Go for the net today itself. Don’t wait for anybody. Secondly, keep a pot with some water outside your house and pour the water out every day. It is a breeding site for the mosquitoes and by removing the water you are destroying the larvae every day. (Idea introduced by a reader in a local Daily)

If you protect your family and yourself you will be safe from all the mosquito transmitted diseases. And you will save a lot of money for you as well as for the mankind.

Don’t order the AK 47 at least now!

City Life - Traffic Jam + CO2

Jam! How sweet !
But instead of toast bread try fix ‘ traffic ‘ with ‘jam’. Contrary to all expectations and laws of chemical combinations , there is an exothermic reaction…an outburst in a fraction of a second. Like reflex action, you hear an outcry in a single voice from all the residents of big cities. “No, it is not traffic jam but bloody traffic jam”.(BTJ)

Because BTJ is in the air they breathe in and out.

Because all of them for their breakfast, lunch and dinner are forced to eat, drink and vomit this special recipe messed up with lots of wonderful ingredients…. Prolonged delays, frustration, tension ( low, high and super) , and shouting of bad words (according to each driver’s vocabulary), and bad signs (transmission and receiving), and mobile phoning, accidents , traffic police , traffic fines and what not …

Manufactured en masse, under the direct supervision of RTAs. No serving, but you are directly sucked into the hot oven and immersed free of any charges whatsoever, without any discrimination of colour, creed, sex religion, language, or whether you own a car or not…

All those who venture out to the roads have no choice except to enjoy , frown or vomit the harsh , bitter, disgusting taste of BTJ. You will be dipped , taken out and dipped again and again , rolled , rotated and finally thrown out of the oven at your destination.
Go to your niche, have a nice bath, food, TV and prepare for the same ritual for the next very good morning.

I am sad.

My mind is silently weeping… Like you or other friends of the environment or somebody who loves nature.. . The enchanting greenery, serene valleys, the spring, the flowers…all will vanish for ever. Such cooling soothing sights that took you to dizzy heights will be a thing of the past. No more natural beauty…

Instead, you will see around you , famine , severe drought , coastal flooding, submerging of low lying lands , untold human miseries due to mass migration of environmental refugees etc.

Global warming is more than a ‘forest fire’. It was ignited and is being fuelled by human beings. The heat is engulfing the whole of the earth.

Time is running out. The earth is fast heading for the inevitable disaster. The velocity at which we are heading for the dooms day could be reduced if we are able to protect the environment and tame the main villain of the GHGs i.e. CO2. Only the human beings can solve it. Each of us has a duty, however small, to perform to achieve that goal.

The ban on public smoking by many governments is a drop of cold water straight into the centre of the fire of global warming. Let the transport authorities around the world take the next important step - REDUCE THE CO2. EMISSIONS ON THE ROADS.

This can be achieved by applying a simple formula. Where the last digit in the Reg.No of a vehicle coincides with the last digit of the current date such vehicles will keep off the roads on such days. For e.g. all the vehicles ending with digit 5 will take a holiday on 5th, 15th and 25th of each month. The next chance will be for the digit 6. And so on.

I am sure the whole world will follow because nobody looses anything but only gain.

It will reduce the petrol bill by1/10th
.
It will reduce CO2 emissions from motor vehicles also by 1/10th

It will reduce traffic jam by 1/10th

It will give a clear awareness to the common man throughout the world, about climatic change, global warming and its disastrous consequences.

When considered globally such reduction in CO2 emissions amounts to thousands of tons per year.

If the ban on public smoking is a drop of cold water, the proposed action formula for RTAs will have the effect of at least a small rain on the fire of global warming.

I believe the Environment Protection Agencies Around the world will exert pressure on RTAs to reduce the traffic jam and consequently the CO2 emissions.

We all know the road from Kyoto to Bali was not very smooth and it still is not. There fore to reduce almost 1/10th of the present carbon dioxide emissions from motor vehicles by a simple stroke of the pen will be like a bloodless revolution. Definitely the above formula deserves global attention.

Greenosphere

I wonder if the term “ Global Warming “ conveys the real depth and seriousness of the situation we are fast heading to. Instead “ Global Fire “ would have aptly conveyed with “ awe and shock“ a picture of the horrible future. The earth is on fire except that there is no flare up. The heat is slowly increasing and engulfing the whole of the earth..


Very recent newspaper reports says about 20000 cubic kilometers of ice in the polar region are melting every year and that all the ice caps in the North Atlantic polar region will melt by September 2009. Whether these reports could be true or not, one thing is sure. The dangers of global warming are not centuries away. It is already on our door step.

Not one or two hundreds but more than a billion people may die due to hunger , epidemics ,cancer , drought , flood, and mass migrations and even war in the various parts of the world ( UN Reports). And nobody will ever know the countless number of micro and macro animals and plants that will perish.

If we do not act at least now, the consequences will be devastating. We will never be able to deliver to our children the same beautiful earth our parents entrusted to us. Or who knows Life will …

The world clearly knows the causes of global warming are the GHGs. How the GHGs are emitted have been analysed , identified and quantified. The impacts of such gases on the environment are measured as Carbon Footprints. Until and unless the CO2(the biggest villain among the GHGs ) balance in the atmosphere are reduced to the optimum level , the global climate / the global warming cannot be tackled.

We have to adopt a highly comprehensive approach to reduce the carbon footprints .
It has to be dealt with in three ways.

(1) Reduce the CO2 emissions
(2) Off set CO2 in the atmosphere And
(3) Protect the terrestrial area of the earth from the direct heat of the sun.

Reduction of CO2 emissions.
Discussions are still going on to bring the CO2 emissions to prior 1990 levels. Lack of clean energy and the inability to avoid fossil fuels are the major impediments towards reaching a successful reduction schedule.

Off set CO2 in the atmosphere. The process has already been started by planting trees in various parts of the world. This will reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Protect the terrestrial area of the earth from the direct heat of the sun.

Sun’s rays directly falling on the earth makes the earth’s surface hot. Hot and humid weather conditions result in increased consumption of a lot of items and there fore enhances carbon footprints :-
a) Increased consumption of electricity.
b) Increased consumption of petrol / diesel by vehicles for using air conditioners.
c) It forces the use of in house air conditioners / fans
d) Increases the rate of evaporation of surface water .
e) Increases the consumption of water/soft drinks
f) Increases the rate of depreciation of tyres of motor vehicles plying on the roads etc..

The answer to the second and third item is a sustainable environmental system the basis of which is biodiversity( various kinds of flora and fauna ) which in turn requires the presence of water , appropriate climate and rich soil. It is important to note that biodiversity , presence of water , appropriate climate and rich soil are all inter related.

The system of Nature designed to ensure fresh air and maintain a comfortable climate to support the life on earth, unfortunately have been destroyed partially and/or are not being utilized to the full extent of the available space.

We cannot afford to ignore these two very important aspects of life ie. fresh air and favourable comfortable climate. To a very limited extend, these can be very easily and quickly achieved by making “CREEPING PLANT CANOPIES “ (natural green houses)
wherever possible. And in other places, of course, it should be the forests / agricultural fields.

CPC is creeping plants allowed to grow and spread on a network of nylon ropes fixed at a height on a steel structure erected on the ground. The height of the CPC from the ground may vary.

The CPC acts as a green layer at a height from the ground.

The benefits of CPC:

1. The heat from the sun will be absorbed by the plants on the CANOPIES.
2. The area covered will have a shade and hence will be cooler
3. Fresh air will always be available below the CPC
4. The percentage of CO2 will be slightly less compared to the area out side the CPC
5. Prevents the heating up of the earth together with other objects in the area
6. Slight breeze or at least a movement of air can be expected.
7. Complete elimination of heat radiation from the otherwise highly heated earth and other objects therein, if any.
8. Reduced cost for maintaining the in-house temperatures in the area

This is ideal for schools, residential areas with buildings of lesser height, roads, car parks, warehouses etc.

Now every day we hear about green building, district cooling etc. Such concepts aimed at reducing the carbon footprints are good but have only a limited effect. The best and perfect idea is the” GREENOSPHERE “ as it spreads a green blanket almost all over the land protecting it as a shield or umbrella from the hot rays of the sun above as well as providing a cool, comfortable and healthier atmosphere underneath for the LIFE to survive.

To sum up , our aim should be to create a “ GREENOSPHERE “ to blanket the whole terrestrial area of the earth other than agricultural fields , either with thick forests or the CPCs.
The net result will be a tremendous decrease in the carbon foot prints.

Try to walk on the sands in an open area on a hot and shiny day , barefooted. After walking ( running ? ) for ten minutes you reach the shade of a tree . Compare the two situations . You will know the magnitude of heat the CPC will reduce from the atmosphere.

In the first case you will be very uncomfortable because your feet is burning as the sands are too hot to step in , the whole of your body is sweating as the surrounding air is hot and in addition , the sun is directly pouring heat on your body . The temperature range could be 30 C to 50 C depending on the season and the country / place where you are in.

In contrast , under the shade of the tree it will be cool and comfortable with a slight soothing breeze.

There have been a lot of seminars and discussions on national and international levels regarding global warming . However, in spite of all the concerted efforts by the international community , the earth is fast heading to embrace the disastrous consequences of global warming.

Definitely , we dearly need a GREEN REVOLUTION.