Mon & Wed
4-6 pm

Hayati Bte Husin
set 25 Mon & Wed
4 - 6 pm

Deforestation: A Cause of Global Warming

Lately, the issue of global warming has become a major worldwide concern. Although it entered the domain of public awareness during the extraordinarily hot summer of 1988, the best possible solution to be implemented is still undergoing extensive scientific discussion, experimental work and political debate.

Global warming is a keyword that represents an increase in the average temperatures of the Earth’s atmosphere. If no action is taken, the greenhouse effect could lead to a rise in average global temperatures of between 1.5 and 4.5˚C as early as the year 2030. Such increases will make the world warmer than it has been for more than 100,000 years. A 2-degree Celsius rise could mean 2 billion people will face water shortage by 2050. According to a New Straits Times report (NST: 5 June 2007), Malaysia will face a 1-degree Celsius rise in temperature in the next 20 years.

It is generally believed that global warming is caused by burning fossil fuels. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO), between 25 and 30% of the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere each year – 1.6 billion tonnes – is caused by deforestation. Trees are 50% carbon. When they are burned, the C02 they store escapes back into the air. According to FAO figures, some 13 million hectares of forests worldwide are lost every year, almost entirely in the tropics. Deforestation remains high in Africa, Latin America and South-east Asia (Table 1).

The biggest driver of deforestation is agriculture. Farmers cut forests to provide more land for planting crops or grazing livestock. Often, many small farmers will each clear a few acres of land to feed their families by cutting down trees and burning them in a process known as ‘slash and burn’ agriculture. Logging operations, which provide the world’s wood and paper products, also cut countless trees each year. Loggers, some of them acting illegally, also build roads to access more and more remote forests – which leads to further deforestation.

Deforestation will drive climate change. Forest soils are moist, but without protection from sun-blocking tree cover, they quickly dry out. Trees also help perpetuate the water cycle by returning water vapour back into the atmosphere. Without trees to

fill these roles, many former forest lands can quickly become barren deserts. Removing trees deprives the forest of portions of its canopy, which blocks the sun’s rays during the day and holds in heat at night. This disruption leads to more extreme temperature swings that can be harmful to plants and animals. Trees also play a critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming. Fewer forests mean larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere – and increased speed and severity of global warming. Figure 1 shows the role of forests as a carbon sink.

Experts, including participants from 46 developing countries, met in Rome, August last year to address this issue in a workshop organised by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and hosted by FAO. The developing countries showed their readiness to act on deforestation. Increasing agricultural productivity so as to reduce the need for conversion of forests into farmland seems to be a workable solution. However, most developing countries are currently facing acute employment problems and are seriously in need of financial and technical aid to help them to conserve their forests. Such incentives could come in the form of carbon credits worked out under the Kyoto Protocol, which governs greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sources in developed countries. It could also come directly under the Climate Change Framework Convention, or from bilateral agreements between donors and developing countries on a country-wide forest conservation projects.

There is no guaranteed solution to deforestation. One may talk of reforestation. Although replanting the forests that have been destroyed seems like a good idea, it actually does no good. New trees may not be of the same species as the original stand. The lost of floral and fauna from the forest cannot be recovered at any price.

The only way to ensure that we will not encounter any of the consequences of deforestation is to stop destroying the forests all together. There is a need to stop cutting down all trees, no matter what the needs are. However, as this is totally impractical as of now, the only solution will be using forest products in moderation and wisely. However this idea of moderation needs to be put into practice immediately. The sad fact is that once the forests are gone, they are gone for ever. We cannot fix the damage that we have caused.

http://www.doe.gov.my/dmdocuments/Impak07-2.pdf

NORLIDA BT CHE DAUD
set 25 Mon & Wed
4 - 6 pm

SALWANI BT ABDULLAH (A130957)
SET25 (4.00-6.00PM)
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY)

What Can You Do to Slow Down Global Warming? Help Prevent Global Warming with These Household Tips…

 

We need to start taking responsibility for the emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide) and CH4 (methane) that are creating a hole in the ozone layer. This hole catalyzes global warming by allowing more heat into our atmosphere. Since 1750, the level of CO2 in our atmosphere has increased by 31% and CH4 has increased by a staggering 149%. Surprisingly enough your family’s home can produce more pollution than the average gas operated car, so it is time to start taking some action! There are different ways that you can reduce your home’s yearly gas emission levels on any budget. Don’t let your home be an enemy to the ozone layer.

There are many simple things you can do in your daily life such as:

Recycle

Recycling is a free way to get started helping the environment. Some of the many things that can be recycled include: cans, bottles, newspaper, plastics, glass and even batteries. You can bring your cans and bottles to your local redemption center or donate them to charity. Sort out your newspapers, plastics, and glass into separate containers and check with your local sanitation department as to where they will be accepted. When you recycle, you help reduce the CO₂ emissions because factories will not be producing extra materials. Another way to get on the recycling bandwagon is to buy products that are sold in already recycled containers.

There are many simple things you can do in your daily life Energy Efficient Computers

Turning your computers to a more efficient mode, helps to conserve power. Whether at home or work, turning your computer to hibernate mode or low power mode conserves a considerable amount of money and energy. Up to 70% of the power a computer uses is wasted by idling. Upgrading to a laptop from a desktop can change your efficiency by 90%. Also switching to an ink jet printer from a laser printer can save you another 90%

Screw in a Lightbulb

An effortless and cost efficient way of reducing gas emissions in your home is as easy as screwing in a light bulb! You can reduce your electricity bill up to 67% and help the environment by replacing your current C0₂ producing light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Initially, Compact fluorescent light bulbs will cost you a few dollars more, but they will last 10-20 times longer than standard bulbs. Compact fluorescent lights also fit in standard fixtures, so there is no need to spend any additional money on buying new fixtures.

Plant Some Trees

A slightly greater investment to undertake around the house is planting trees and plants around your home. Fifty pounds of carbon can be recycled per year by the plants since they use it during photosynthesis. Planting trees around your property is cost effective because shade from them can reduce your air conditioning bills. After you’re done planting trees and plants around your yard, make to sit back and enjoy the savings, not to mention your new landscape!

Drive a Hybrid

If you are really gung-ho about reducing pollution, and have some extra money, consider investing in a hybrid vehicle. Hybrid vehicles do require fuel to run, however the fuel consumption levels compared to the average vehicle are much lower. Lesser fuel consumption translates into a reduction in gas emissions that are eating away at the ozone layer. Cars such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic can get up to 48 miles per gallon.

Walk, Walk, Walk
Need we say more! Walking or riding a bicycle is not only good for the environment, it provides excellent exercise for your body and peace to your soul. Walking or riding on a regular basis is not only healthy for the heart, if one million people replaced a five-mile car trip with a healthy walk or bike ride at least once a week, Mother Earth would get in shape too with carbon dioxide emissions reduced by about 100,000 tons every year. You’ll both lose inches !

 

Reduce Air Travel

Not everyone flies, but if your a frequent flyer then taking two or more flights less a year can seriously reduce emissions. If you don't fly, but drive for vacations, try taking them closer to home. By driving less, and using mass transit such as a train or bus, can save greatly on traveling expenses as well as the environment. If you must fly, then your alternative is buying carbon offsets in exchange for the emissions spent.

 

 

Causes of Global Warming & What You Can Do

All the causes of global warming can be separated into two categories: natural and human influenced. Global warming cannot be stopped, but it can be slowed down. While nothing can be done about the natural causes, something can be done about the human influences that are catalyzing global warming. You may not think that replacing your light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs will make much of a difference. Please consider this: what if everyone did just one or two things to help? Everyone’s efforts can combine to form a significant difference. You and your household can play an important part of that difference. Not only will you be doing something good for the environment, but you also will save a lot of money on electricity and/or fuel bills. Everyone can benefit from being environmentally conscious.

SALWANI BT ABDULLAH (A130957)
SET25 (4.00-6.00PM)
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY)

What Can You Do to Slow Down Global Warming? Help Prevent Global Warming with These Household Tips…

We need to start taking responsibility for the emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide) and CH4 (methane) that are creating a hole in the ozone layer. This hole catalyzes global warming by allowing more heat into our atmosphere. Since 1750, the level of CO2 in our atmosphere has increased by 31% and CH4 has increased by a staggering 149%. Surprisingly enough your family’s home can produce more pollution than the average gas operated car, so it is time to start taking some action! There are different ways that you can reduce your home’s yearly gas emission levels on any budget. Don’t let your home be an enemy to the ozone layer.

There are many simple things you can do in your daily life such as:

Recycle

Recycling is a free way to get started helping the environment. Some of the many things that can be recycled include: cans, bottles, newspaper, plastics, glass and even batteries. You can bring your cans and bottles to your local redemption center or donate them to charity. Sort out your newspapers, plastics, and glass into separate containers and check with your local sanitation department as to where they will be accepted. When you recycle, you help reduce the CO₂ emissions because factories will not be producing extra materials. Another way to get on the recycling bandwagon is to buy products that are sold in already recycled containers.

There are many simple things you can do in your daily life Energy Efficient Computers

Turning your computers to a more efficient mode, helps to conserve power. Whether at home or work, turning your computer to hibernate mode or low power mode conserves a considerable amount of money and energy. Up to 70% of the power a computer uses is wasted by idling. Upgrading to a laptop from a desktop can change your efficiency by 90%. Also switching to an ink jet printer from a laser printer can save you another 90%

Screw in a Lightbulb

An effortless and cost efficient way of reducing gas emissions in your home is as easy as screwing in a light bulb! You can reduce your electricity bill up to 67% and help the environment by replacing your current C0₂ producing light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Initially, Compact fluorescent light bulbs will cost you a few dollars more, but they will last 10-20 times longer than standard bulbs. Compact fluorescent lights also fit in standard fixtures, so there is no need to spend any additional money on buying new fixtures.

Plant Some Trees

A slightly greater investment to undertake around the house is planting trees and plants around your home. Fifty pounds of carbon can be recycled per year by the plants since they use it during photosynthesis. Planting trees around your property is cost effective because shade from them can reduce your air conditioning bills. After you’re done planting trees and plants around your yard, make to sit back and enjoy the savings, not to mention your new landscape!

Drive a Hybrid

If you are really gung-ho about reducing pollution, and have some extra money, consider investing in a hybrid vehicle. Hybrid vehicles do require fuel to run, however the fuel consumption levels compared to the average vehicle are much lower. Lesser fuel consumption translates into a reduction in gas emissions that are eating away at the ozone layer. Cars such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic can get up to 48 miles per gallon.

Walk, Walk, Walk
Need we say more! Walking or riding a bicycle is not only good for the environment, it provides excellent exercise for your body and peace to your soul. Walking or riding on a regular basis is not only healthy for the heart, if one million people replaced a five-mile car trip with a healthy walk or bike ride at least once a week, Mother Earth would get in shape too with carbon dioxide emissions reduced by about 100,000 tons every year. You’ll both lose inches !

Reduce Air Travel

Not everyone flies, but if your a frequent flyer then taking two or more flights less a year can seriously reduce emissions. If you don't fly, but drive for vacations, try taking them closer to home. By driving less, and using mass transit such as a train or bus, can save greatly on traveling expenses as well as the environment. If you must fly, then your alternative is buying carbon offsets in exchange for the emissions spent.

Causes of Global Warming & What You Can Do

All the causes of global warming can be separated into two categories: natural and human influenced. Global warming cannot be stopped, but it can be slowed down. While nothing can be done about the natural causes, something can be done about the human influences that are catalyzing global warming. You may not think that replacing your light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs will make much of a difference. Please consider this: what if everyone did just one or two things to help? Everyone’s efforts can combine to form a significant difference. You and your household can play an important part of that difference. Not only will you be doing something good for the environment, but you also will save a lot of money on electricity and/or fuel bills. Everyone can benefit from being environmentally conscious.

Global Warming Solutions

Obviously there is no one magic solution to the problem of global warming. There are instead hundreds of questions that need to be asked and addressed so as to create an overall Earth plan that will develop our planet wisely. The changes we can make, both large and small when combined will curtail global warming for the better. In this section we discuss the latest green designs, products and ideas as yet undeveloped that will reduce environmental damage overall.

We plan to offer honest value comparisons of products such as hybrid cars. If the carbon footprint made from producing a hybrid is ten times larger than that it erases it is news that should be shared. Compact florescent lights are great energy savers but are all of these exactly what they claim to be? And furthermore will light emitting diodes render CFLs obsolete before they are universally adapted.

As always the future holds a newer and possibly better design. We will be bringing you articles examining what will come and those products that are already available but await widespread acceptance. Developments in mass renewable energy production in such areas as solar and wind power are of interest to all. We will also be looking back at past successful use of these energy choices. Zenith sold tiny windmills in the late 1930s that would charge a car battery that in turn would run a radio for days. Has the technological upgrade been utilized?
We will find solutions to the problem of global warming by asking countless questions about the processes we rely upon to live. We answer these questions on a personal level by changing the habits, which build each of our carbon footprints and on a global level by insisting that social and governmental structure acknowledge the need for environmental protection.