My Science School

                        Is global warming an elaborate hoax? Is it true that the western developed countries are playing a nasty game to prevent the development of the poor countries? Though the majority of scientists have warned the world of the dangers of global warming, some still deny that it is the result of human activity.

                      They point out that there is no long-term data to support the theory that global warming is happening. They argue that any increase in global temperatures could be caused by a natural climate shift, and are confident that plants and animals will adapt to warmer climate patterns. These people also believe that the planet is resilient, and able to withstand climate shift.

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            Water is one of the substances on Earth that is most essential for the survival of living things. Apart from drinking, we use water for many other purposes. But we do not know how to use water wisely; and therefore, it is frequently wasted.

            Let us use water wisely when washing and bathing. Let us also try to prevent water leakage.

            Like water, we must save electricity too. Turn off electrical devices when we do not use them. For example, if we are not watching TV, let us turn it off. Turn off the light when we leave a room, even if we intend to return.

            Let us also use energy-efficient light bulbs instead of regular bulbs. They last longer. Let us save nature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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                Energy is essential for the survival of human societies. However, how do we find more nature friendly energy sources?

                Fossil fuels are great sources of energy, but they have great impact on the environment and contribute to pollution and global warming. The fact is that all transportation accounts for more than a third of our green-house gas emissions globally. We will be helping the environment greatly by driving less and using more eco-friendly modes of transportation instead.

                Can we ride a bike or walk instead? They are excellent choices and provide the extra bonus of helping you stay fit and in shape. We can also choose public transportation.  Choosing not to drive during the rush hour and opting to go on vacation somewhere closer to home also helps. When buying a new car, opt for electrical, hybrid or low fuel consumption options on the market.

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                  Plastic has become an indispensable commodity in Man’s life. Plastic is everywhere. We encounter it wherever we go. Are our lunch boxes made of plastic? We eat our take-away food in plastic plates with plastic forks. The list of plastic materials is  endless.

                  Do you know that according to EDN, an electronics industry website, over 100,000 marine animals and one million birds die from ingesting and choking on plastic each year? Let us all take the pledge today to eliminate unnecessary plastic from our life. Let us start using reusable water bottles, travel mugs, and grocery bags.

                 Let us avoid disposable water bottles. The best options are stainless steel water bottles, which contain no dangerous toxic material, which you find in plastic bottles. Say no to plastic straws. Store your food in glass or stainless steel containers. Though it may be easy to store leftovers in plastic containers, if we try to heat these plastic containers, they become toxic.

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              Do you know that looking intently at the lush green of trees when your eyes are sore will soothe them? Green is the colour of life, renewal, growth, harmony and freshness. Trees and plants are essential for life on earth. We should make a combined effort to grow more and more trees on earth.

              Trees are the best supporters of life. They form the primary component of all food chains. All living organisms depend on plants in one way or the other. Their destruction affects food chains and ecological balance. Trees are the natural habitat of many living things. Hence, it is our duty to protect trees and plants.

              Cutting trees is often done for timber, paper and clearing land for construction. However, cutting of trees robs wildlife off their natural habitats. Hence, we should stop cutting trees and plants as far as possible.

               In the olden times, hunting was the favourite pastime of kings and noblemen. They hunted wild animals to show off their valour and bravery. However, indiscriminate hunting has resulted in the extinction of animals and  the destruction of food chains.

              Hunting has drastically reduced the number of grazing animals and their predators on grasslands. While hunting is banned in most countries, people still poach or hunt them illegally. Many of the rare species of animals are hunted and collected to fill zoos. This practice is unethical and evil; and therefore, it must stop at all costs.

               Nowadays, governments of all countries have become more watchful about poaching. Poachers, if caught, are severely punished. All over the world, certain areas where wildlife thrives are identified as wildlife reserves. Here, various kinds of plants and animals are protected from hunters and collectors of species.

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               Much of the effort of the world forums is directed towards holding governments accountable for their actions that add to the misery of our planet. Therefore, the international bodies try to persuade, convince and at times pressurize countries to follow certain rules and regulations. The Paris Agreement was an attempt to make the nations across the world aware of the increasing need for constructive and practical solutions to environmental problems.

               The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for the future. The agreement dealt with the reduction of greenhouse-gas-emissions. As of July 2018, 195 UNFCCC members have signed the agreement, and 179 have become party to it. The agreement has planned for the evaluation of the implementation of the agreement by all member countries for every 5 years. The first evaluation takes place in 2023.

               Under the Paris Agreement, all countries are required to determine, plan, and regularly report on the contribution that they undertake to make in order to reduce global warming.

               Our country too has signed the agreement. India’s involvement marks a significant step that brings together developing and developed nations for beginning work on cutting down greenhouse gas emissions to combat global warming.

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                         Nations across the globe have made efforts to bring our earth back to its past glory. In 1992, an international environmental treaty called the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The Kyoto Protocol is an extension to this global agreement. The protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997. A significant step in conserving nature, the treaty came into force on 16 February 2005.

                       While human quest for development and growth has contributed to significant climate changes, most of the damage was done due to the rapid industrialization that happened in the developed countries. The Kyoto Protocol recognized the fact that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere because of their long years of industrial activity. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries, and the European community, for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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            Man, the most intelligent being on Earth, should make meaningful and creative interventions in conserving nature. While some events in nature are beyond his control, there are many areas where he can contribute as an agent of change. The Montreal Protocol is an attempt to bring about a change in Man’s perception of the changing climatic conditions of our planet.

            The Montreal protocol is a global agreement on substances that deplete the ozone layer. It focuses on the protection of the Ozone Layer. It is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion. The Montreal Protocol was proposed on 26 August 1987 and came into force on 26 January 1989.  Its first meeting was held in Helsinki in May 1989.

            As result of the interndtion31 agreement, so much of carbon emission has been reduced across the globe and the ozone hole in Antarctica is slowly recovering. Climate projections indicate that the ozone layer will return to perfect health between 2050 and 2070. Due to the widespread adoption and implementation of the Protocol, it has been hailed as an example of exceptional international co-operation.

            Dams restrict the natural flow of water bodies such as rivers and lakes. The water that is held back by stone and concrete can instantly turn into a water bomb, if some seismic activity takes place where the dam is constructed!

            The Tehri Dam has been the object of protests by environmental organisations and local people of the region. The dam is across the Bhagirathi River near Tehri in Uttarakhand. V.D. Saklani, lawyer and founder of the Anti-Tehri Dam Struggle Committee, has pointed out the consequences associated with the large project such as the short life span of the dam and large-scale human displacement.

            Environmental activist Sunderlal Bahuguna led the Anti-Tehri Dam movement from 1980s to 2004. The protest was against the displacement of town inhabitants and environmental consequences. The concerns were about the environmental consequences of locating such a large dam in the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayan foothills.

            Experts have also raised concerns regarding the dam’s geological stability. The Tehri Dam is in the Central Himalayan Seismic Gap, a major geologic fault zone. The movement failed to gather enough support at national as well as international levels.

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               While governments claim that dams provide clean, efficient and reliable form of energy, dams also cause flooding of large tracts of land, destroying local animals and their habitats, displacement of people in large scale and destruction of plant life. Environmentalists say that dams are lethal water bombs! The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) is a social movement consisting of adivasis, farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists against a number of large dams being built across the Narmada River, which flows through the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

               The Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat is one of the biggest dams on the river and was one of the first focal points of the movement. It is one of the many dams under the Narmada Dam Project. The main aim of the project is to provide irrigation and electricity to people in these states. However, these dams would displace people and destroy animal and plant diversity on a large scale.

               Prominent leaders in the movement are Medha Patkar and Baba Amte. Although the campaign could not become completely successful, it was able to raise awareness among the public about the dangers of dams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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            Forests are vital to our planet in many ways. While forests soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and thus clean the air, they also shelter many species of animals and birds that will not be able to exist in another ecosystem. In Silent Valley, a rare species of monkey called the Lion-tailed Macaque would have perished if developmental works were not halted in time.

            Silent Valley, an evergreen tropical forest in the Palakkad district of Kerala, was declared as the Silent Valley National Park in 1984. ’Save Silent Valley’ was a social movement aimed at the protection of the valley. The movement started in 1973 to save the Silent Valley Reserve Forest from being flooded due to the construction of dams and a hydroelectric project.

            After the announcement of an imminent dam construction, the valley became the focal point of Save Silent Valley, India’s fiercest environmental debate of the decade. Due to Concerns about the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque, the issue was brought to public attention.

            In 1977, the Kerala Forest Research Institute carried out an ecological impact study of the Silent Valley area and proposed that the area be declared a biosphere reserve. After much debate, the Silent Valley National Park was formally inaugurated on 7 September 1985. Nonetheless, there is still controversy surrounding the valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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                    The sacrifice of 363 men and women of Rajasthan for conserving trees was an inspiration for thousands of nature-lovers felled. The movement began in 1973 in Uttarakhand (then Uttar Pradesh) and went on to become a rallying point for many future environmental movements all over the world. It created a precedent for starting of nonviolent protest against deforestation in India.

                    The Chipko Andolan is a movement that practized methods of Satyagraha. Both men and women activists from Uttarakhand played vital roles in the movement, including Gaura Devi, Suraksha Devi, Sudesha Devi, Bachni Devi and Chandi Prasad Bhatt. In 1987, the Chipko movement was awarded the Right Livelihood Award.

                     If Bishnoi incident was a spiritual event in which the villagers sacrificed their lives for their sacred trees, Chipko movement made more people aware of the impending danger they would face, if they did not revere and respect nature.

 

            You may know of great men who have sacrificed their lives for other people or for some noble causes. However, it would be hard to believe that people have lost their lives protecting trees! In 1731, the bravery of a woman inspired a whole village in Rajasthan to die for their trees and stand against the King’s men who came to cut the trees.

            Probably, the Bishnois are India’s first environmentalists. The famous ‘Chipko Movement’ was inspired by the true story of Amrita Devi Bishnoi, the woman who refused to let the king’s men cut trees in her village. Amrita Devi could not bear to witness the destruction of trees, which were sacred to her. She hugged the trees and encouraged the trees and encouraged others to do the same. Three hundred and sixty-three Bishnoi villagers were killed in the massacre that followed.

            When the king cane to know about these terrible events, he rushed to the village and apologized, ordering the soldiers to cease logging operations. Soon afterwards, he declared the whole place a protected area, forbidding anyone from felling trees and killing animals. This legislation exists even today in Rajasthan.

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            We know that global warming will melt glaciers primarily and this, in turn, will cause rise in sea levels. This phenomenon has already started taking effect in the Polar Regions and high mountains like the Himalayas, where giant sheets of ice have started melting, and causing floods in the lower areas.

            Keeping these points in mind, the Nepal government held the world’s highest cabinet meeting near the base camp of Mount Everest. The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness of the effects of climate change. The meeting was held just ahead of the Copenhagen Summit in 2009. The entire cabinet of 21 ministers was transported in a fleet of helicopters to kala Patthar plateau next to Everest’s base camp.

            Some of the region’s greatest rivers, including the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the Brahmaputra receive water from the Himalayan glaciers. A spokesperson for the Nepal government said that the glaciers were melting at a worrying rate, and the historic cabinet meeting was held to highlight this problem. The ministers signed a declaration on climate change during the meeting.

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