Bill McKibben Article - The Reckoning in Rolling Stone

http://act.350.org/signup/reckoning/?akid=2095.461888.xr2h5z&rd=1&t=2 Dear friends, Last week, Rolling Stone magazine published a piece of mine that I think may be the most important writing I've done since The End of Nature, way back in 1989. (And no, it's not the profile of Justin Bieber.) Warning: it’s pretty long, and it’s not entirely cheerful. Indeed, it shows that the business plans of the fossil fuel industry will wreck the planet -- that they’ve already got enough carbon in their reserves to drive the heat past anyone’s definition of okay. Click here to read and share the piece: www.350.org/rollingstone If you read it, you’ll get a sense of the direction that the climate movement (and 350.org) is headed. In the United States, we've got iconic battles underway in every part of the country and against all forms of fossil fuel. We're fighting the Keystone XL pipeline in Texas and in Congress, coal exports in the Pacific Northwest, mountaintop removal coal mining in West Virginia, and fracking all across the country. We're pushing US politicians hard to withdraw their support for wasteful and dangerous fossil fuel subsidies, and we're just getting started. Across the globe, we're holding workshops to train the next generation of climate activists. Every day we're watching the number of energized, self-organized local groups tick up. We're inspired by the brave organizing work being done around the world to confront the fossil fuel industry, from Borneo to Kosovo. And we're excited about what's to come. All this is beginning to coalesce into a true movement against the heart of this most dangerous industry. I'm awfully glad you're a part of it, and I hope you're managing to stay cool and safe. On we go, Bill McKibben for the crew at 350.org P.S. And if you have reactions to and thoughts about that Rolling Stone piece please send them in to "thoughts@350.org". The analysis -- the math -- that's in there is going to form the basis of a lot of our work going forward, and it would be useful to hear how it strikes you. To ensure Rights for all save a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resources Let’s achieve significant change in mindset, behavior and attitude combat Climate Crisis, Reduce Risk & Poverty, save Bio-diversity – Peace for Humanity —Way to Combat Climate Crisis, save Bio-diversity, Reduce Risk of Humanity sasrai – work locally-serve globally, initiative local-outcome global AIMED AT SUSTAINABLE LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Please Keep a hand written sasrai-Movement Poster --- in any discussion area Let’s have zeal to self tune in sasrai-Movement policy and be committed to save resource and reduce solid waste in our daily living - no matter how small it is. Please relentless to voice from each corner across the globe • Please, save a drop of water daily, during all water related activities • Please, plant at least a Native tree annually at own home or community • Please, keep off electric appliances one minute daily • Please, suspend travel by personal car once a day • Please, keep a day in a week luxury free • Please, do not throw away the waste wherever you like • Please, No more junk food • Please, save one minute to think on Climate Change and Environment • You Can Reduce CO2 Emissions, Plant Native Trees Worldwide • You could uphold the movement instantly using sasrai-Movement appeal at the bottom of your all printed material Let’s be a desired friend to all living body, humanity, environment and earth Let's we try to save one Taka/dollar/pound/yen ............FROM daily expenditure/ LUXURY combat the CLIMATE CHANGE and the sequences http://sasrai.wordpress.com/sasrai-movement/ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8450962401 http://www.facebook.com/Pallipathagar Let's be a desired friend to all creature, humanity, environment, earth Plant for planet, water for world, environment for entire

Shell wants the EPA to bend air pollution rules so it can drill in the Arctic.

Fri, Jul 20, 2012 at 3:00 PM Dan Howells, Greenpeace SM Farid Uddin Akhter Just days before Shell is supposed to begin exploratory drilling in the Arctic, the company has admitted that some of its drilling vessels have failed to meet the air quality standards required by the Environmental Protection Agency. Now Shell is asking the EPA for an exemption so that it can spew more than ten times the legal limit of air pollution while it drills. Unbelievable. This isn’t exactly breaking news. The company has known since 2010 that its fleet had serious problems — even though it was assuring EPA officials that everything would be fine. By waiting until the last minute, Shell is betting the EPA will bend the rules and let it move forward with drilling. The Obama Administration gave the green light to Shell’s dangerous plan to drill exploratory wells in the pristine waters off the Alaskan coast. And they have the power to make sure the company meets the requirements of the permit. Tell President Obama and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to deny Shell’s permit to drill in the Arctic if its fleet cannot meet the legally required standard for air pollution. It’s been a bad week for Shell. First, the company admitted that its fleet couldn’t meet EPA requirements for air pollution. Then, over the weekend, it lost control of its 14,000 ton drill rig in Dutch Harbor, where witnesses say it came dangerously close to running aground on the beach. I think it’s safe to say that Shell isn’t “Arctic ready.” No oil company is. We all remember the horrible tragedy caused by BP two years ago in the Gulf of Mexico. Well, the Arctic Ocean makes the Gulf look like a flat, calm lake. With constant high seas, ice and massive waves, there’s no way to effectively clean-up an oil spill in the Arctic Ocean. Drilling for oil in one of the last pristine places on earth isn’t going to help us solve global warming, anyway. It only makes it worse. Sm Farid Uddin Akhte, we have to stop Shell and save the Arctic. Making sure that President Obama’s EPA holds Shell’s fleet to the legally required standard for air pollution is a good start. Take a minute and send your message today. Save the Arctic, Dan Howells Greenpeace Deputy Campaign Director P.S. Greenpeace will be joining with a coalition of groups in delivering your message directly to the EPA on Monday. That means you only have 72 hours to submit your letter to make sure it is included in our delivery. To ensure Rights for all save a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resources Let’s achieve significant change in mindset, behavior and attitude combat Climate Crisis, Reduce Risk & Poverty, save Bio-diversity – Peace for Humanity —Way to Combat Climate Crisis, save Bio-diversity, Reduce Risk of Humanity sasrai – work locally-serve globally, initiative local-outcome global AIMED AT SUSTAINABLE LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Please Keep a hand written sasrai-Movement Poster --- in any discussion area Let’s have zeal to self tune in sasrai-Movement policy and be committed to save resource and reduce solid waste in our daily living - no matter how small it is. Please relentless to voice from each corner across the globe • Please, save a drop of water daily, during all water related activities • Please, plant at least a Native tree annually at own home or community • Please, keep off electric appliances one minute daily • Please, suspend travel by personal car once a day • Please, keep a day in a week luxury free • Please, do not throw away the waste wherever you like • Please, No more junk food • Please, save one minute to think on Climate Change and Environment • You Can Reduce CO2 Emissions, Plant Native Trees Worldwide • You could uphold the movement instantly using sasrai-Movement appeal at the bottom of your all printed material Let’s be a desired friend to all living body, humanity, environment and earth Let's we try to save one Taka/dollar/pound/yen ............FROM daily expenditure/ LUXURY combat the CLIMATE CHANGE and the sequences http://sasrai.wordpress.com/sasrai-movement/ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8450962401 http://www.facebook.com/Pallipathagar Let's be a desired friend to all creature, humanity, environment, earth Plant for planet, water for world, environment for entire

Nature Journal Predicts Disturbing And Unpredictable Changes

Earth Tipping Point Study In Nature Journal Predicts Disturbing And Unpredictable Changes Blueearth This composite image uses a number of swaths of the Earth's surface taken on January 4, 2012. By Stephanie Pappas, LiveScience Senior Writer Earth is rapidly headed toward a catastrophic breakdown if humans don't get their act together, according to an international group of scientists. Writing Wednesday (June 6) in the journal Nature, the researchers warn that the world is headed toward a tipping point marked by extinctions and unpredictable changes on a scale not seen since the glaciers retreated 12,000 years ago. "There is a very high possibility that by the end of the century, the Earth is going to be a very different place," study researcher Anthony Barnosky told LiveScience. Barnosky, a professor of integrative biology from the University of California, Berkeley, joined a group of 17 other scientists to warn that this new planet might not be a pleasant place to live. "You can envision these state changes as a fast period of adjustment where we get pushed through the eye of the needle," Barnosky said. "As we're going through the eye of the needle, that's when we see political strife, economic strife, war and famine." [Top 10 Ways to Destroy Earth] The danger of tipping Barnosky and his colleagues reviewed research on climate change, ecology and Earth's tipping points that break the camel's back, so to speak. At certain thresholds, putting more pressure on the environment leads to a point of no return, Barnosky said. Suddenly, the planet responds in unpredictable ways, triggering major global transitions. The most recent example of one of these transitions is the end of the last glacial period. Within not much more than 3,000 years, the Earth went from being 30 percent covered in ice to its present, nearly ice-free condition. Most extinctions and ecological changes (goodbye, woolly mammoths) occurred in just 1,600 years. Earth's biodiversity still has not recovered to what it was. Today, Barnosky said, humans are causing changes even faster than the natural ones that pushed back the glaciers — and the changes are bigger. Driven by a 35 percent increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide since the start of the Industrial Revolution, global temperatures are rising faster than they did back then, Barnosky said. Likewise, humans have completely transformed 43 percent of Earth's land surface for cities and agriculture, compared with the 30 percent land surface transition that occurred at the end of the last glacial period. Meanwhile, the human population has exploded, putting ever more pressure on existing resources. [7 Billion Population Milestones] "Every change we look at that we have accomplished in the past couple of centuries is actually more than what preceded one of these major state changes in the past," Barnosky said. Backing away from the ledge The results are difficult to predict, because tipping points, by their definition, take the planet into uncharted territory. Based on past transitions, Barnosky and his colleagues predict a major loss of species (during the end of the last glacial period, half of the large-bodied mammal species in the world disappeared), as well as changes in the makeup of species in various communities on the local level. Meanwhile, humans may well be knotting our own noose as we burn through Earth's resources. "These ecological systems actually give us our life support, our crops, our fisheries, clean water," Barnosky said. As resources shift from one nation to another, political instability can easily follow. Pulling back from the ledge will require international cooperation, Barnosky said. Under business-as-usual conditions, humankind will be using 50 percent of the land surface on the planet by 2025. It seems unavoidable that the human population will reach 9 billion by 2050, so we'll have to become more efficient to sustain ourselves, he said. That means more efficient energy use and energy production, a greater focus on renewable resources, and a need to save species and habitat today for future generations. "My bottom line is that I want the world in 50 to 100 years to be at least as good as it is now for my children and their children, and I think most people would say the same," Barnosky said. "We're at a crossroads where if we choose to do nothing we really do face these tipping points and a less-good future for our immediate descendents." Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @sipappas or LiveScience @livescience. We're also on Facebook & Google+. Earth in the Balance: 7 Crucial Tipping Points Image Gallery: One-of-a-Kind Places on Earth 50 Amazing Facts About Earth To ensure Rights for all save a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resources Let’s achieve significant change in mindset, behavior and attitude combat Climate Crisis, Reduce Risk & Poverty, save Bio-diversity – Peace for Humanity —Way to Combat Climate Crisis, save Bio-diversity, Reduce Risk of Humanity sasrai – work locally-serve globally, initiative local-outcome global AIMED AT SUSTAINABLE LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Please Keep a hand written sasrai-Movement Poster --- in any discussion area Let’s have zeal to self tune in sasrai-Movement policy and be committed to save resource and reduce solid waste in our daily living - no matter how small it is. Please relentless to voice from each corner across the globe • Please, save a drop of water daily, during all water related activities • Please, plant at least a Native tree annually at own home or community • Please, keep off electric appliances one minute daily • Please, suspend travel by personal car once a day • Please, keep a day in a week luxury free • Please, do not throw away the waste wherever you like • Please, No more junk food • Please, save one minute to think on Climate Change and Environment • You Can Reduce CO2 Emissions, Plant Native Trees Worldwide • You could uphold the movement instantly using sasrai-Movement appeal at the bottom of your all printed material Let’s be a desired friend to all living body, humanity, environment and earth Let's we try to save one Taka/dollar/pound/yen ............FROM daily expenditure/ LUXURY combat the CLIMATE CHANGE and the sequences http://sasrai.wordpress.com/sasrai-movement/ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8450962401 http://www.facebook.com/Pallipathagar Let's be a desired friend to all creature, humanity, environment, earth Plant for planet, water for world, environment for entire

Water Scarcity in Bangladesh

DHAKA, May 18, 2012 (IPS) - Achieving the Millennium Development Goal of providing access to safe drinking water for its 160 million people by 2015 is a tough call for Bangladesh, which is caught between arsenic contaminated groundwater and diarrhoea-causing microbes in its ponds and rivers. Yet, with a programme of using simple hand pumps and involving the women in affected communities, Bangladesh has managed to ensure that 98 percent of its rural population now has access to safe drinking water. "Despite widespread arsenic contamination, over 98 percent of the rural population now has access to safe drinking water," avers Mohammad Nuruzzaman, chief engineer of the department of public health (DPHE). "All the 1.3 million hand-pumped tubewells we have installed for the rural population are arsenic-free. We are constantly monitoring them through regular testing in our 14 regional laboratories," Nuruzzaman told IPS. Hand pumps access water that is closer to the surface and has had less time to absorb arsenic. Also, very deep tube wells that reach water 500 metres below ground level are usually safe because arsenic deposits at that depth are likely to have been depleted. "Through constant monitoring, we are adapting and improving our approach, but UNICEF will never be happy until all water supply is made safe from arsenic," Pascal Villeneuve, representative for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Bangladesh, told IPS. UNICEF has special reason to be anxious about arsenic in groundwater because the U.N. body was responsible for promoting Bangladesh’s tube well programme in the 1950s, which turned disastrous with the discovery of high arsenic contamination of groundwater in 1993. "Currently, the Bangladesh government and UNICEF are partners in implementing the largest hygiene behaviour change programme in the world," Villeneuve said. "This will ultimately reach 30 million people and is already reaching 20 million." Under this programme, arsenic mitigation is "mainstreamed," Villeneuve explained. "Communities are being equipped with knowledge and skills to avoid arsenic poisoning while some 20,000 arsenic-safe water points are to be installed, reaching over two million people in areas that are most affected." Nurul Islam, project director of the programme, told IPS that the role of women is crucial. "The programme is mainly designed to empower women in 600 affected communities so that they can make decisions and demand the best options available." S.M.A. Rashid, executive director of the NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, told IPS: "We promote women’s participation in the arsenic mitigation project and build the capacities of women in affected communities so that the victims can decide how best to solve their problems." Rainwater harvesting, sand filters, traditional dug wells and alternate tube wells are among range of options on offer with beneficiaries needing to pay just ten percent of the costs. Groundwater arsenic was first discovered in 1993 in the northwestern district of Chaipainawabganj but the issue remained buried until 1996 when doctors from the Dhaka Community Hospital (DCH) joined scientists from the School of Environmental Studies (SOES), Jadavpur University, West Bengal, India, to go public. Dipankar Chakraborti, research director at SOES, told IPS: "The government in Bangladesh had thought that sinking deep tube wells would solve its water problems, but 40 percent of the wells turned out to be contaminated with arsenic." Chakraborti, who has been carrying out tests on hundreds of water samples sent to him from Bangladesh, said many tube wells in the country still show dangerous levels of contamination - though the magnitude of the problem is far less than initially thought. Arsenic contamination of groundwater occurs in many parts of the world, including locations in India, Thailand, China, Argentina, Chile and the United States. But nowhere has the problem been as severe as in Bangladesh. Arsenic contamination in Bangladesh was not officially acknowledged until the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine jointly conducted a series of tests in 1995. The enormity of the problem emerged as water samples in parts of the country revealed arsenic at concentrations of 250 parts per billion (ppb), though this is mostly limited to underground layers between 10 and 150 metres. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency deems concentrations exceeding 10 ppb to be toxic. During the late 1950s, UNICEF, with the good intention of reducing infant mortality from surface water-borne diseases, introduced tube well technology. As deaths from diseases such as cholera and shigella declined, millions of tube wells sprang up across the country with disastrous consequences. About 22 percent of all tube wells in the country are still arsenic contaminated, according to Mahmud Shamsul Gafur, who works for WHO which once described Bangladesh’s situation as the "largest mass poisoning of a population in history." "From what we know there are 38,430 patients suffering from various degrees of arsenic poisoning," Gafur told IPS. "It is commendable that there is now a massive government-led awareness programme with the close involvement of women who are the worst sufferers." Traditionally, in Bangladesh, fetching water is a woman’s chore. Since the advent of tube wells, women have also taken on the responsibility of their maintenance and repair. Arsenic poisoning can - apart from severely damaging the circulatory and respiratory systems, and causing kidney, bladder and liver diseases - be disfiguring. Women who suffer from the typical skin lesions tend to shy away from public gaze. Arati Karmaker, who lives in Dakobe village of Khulna district, and has skin lesions caused by arsenic in drinking water, says she is socially isolated. This mother of three always wears a full-sleeved blouse and uses a shawl to cover the disfigurement. "I opted for a deep tube well which is safe and can be used by other affected families in my neighbourhood," she said. Some experts say solving Bangladesh’s arsenic problem calls for a return to surface water, which is easily treated for microbes by boiling and does not call for the use of expensive filters. Concentrated arsenic sludge, the byproduct of filtration, presents another serious problem – that of safe disposal. "If we do not return to using surface water quickly the problem could turn catastrophic," says Prof. Mahmudur Rahman at the DCH. "By drilling so many tube wells we disturbed the underground environment and put ourselves in this crisis." But surface water sources in densely populated Bangladesh have been drying up and half of the country's original 300 rivers have vanished. For now, the best option is still the simple hand-operated pump and constant vigil for arsenic contamination by women in the communities. *With inputs from Sujoy Dhar in Kolkata To ensure Rights for all save a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resources Let’s achieve significant change in mindset, behavior and attitude combat Climate Crisis, Reduce Risk & Poverty, save Bio-diversity – Peace for Humanity —Way to Combat Climate Crisis, save Bio-diversity, Reduce Risk of Humanity sasrai – work locally-serve globally, initiative local-outcome global AIMED AT SUSTAINABLE LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Please Keep a hand written sasrai-Movement Poster --- in any discussion area Let’s have zeal to self tune in sasrai-Movement policy and be committed to save resource and reduce solid waste in our daily living - no matter how small it is. Please relentless to voice from each corner across the globe • Please, save a drop of water daily, during all water related activities • Please, plant at least a Native tree annually at own home or community • Please, keep off electric appliances one minute daily • Please, suspend travel by personal car once a day • Please, keep a day in a week luxury free • Please, do not throw away the waste wherever you like • Please, No more junk food • Please, save one minute to think on Climate Change and Environment • You Can Reduce CO2 Emissions, Plant Native Trees Worldwide • You could uphold the movement instantly using sasrai-Movement appeal at the bottom of your all printed material Let’s be a desired friend to all living body, humanity, environment and earth Let's we try to save one Taka/dollar/pound/yen ............FROM daily expenditure/ LUXURY combat the CLIMATE CHANGE and the sequences http://sasrai.wordpress.com/sasrai-movement/ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8450962401 http://www.facebook.com/Pallipathagar Let's be a desired friend to all creature, humanity, environment, earth Plant for planet, water for world, environment for entire

Rio+20 Conference

About the Rio+20 Conference At the Rio+20 Conference, world leaders, along with thousands of participants from governments, the private sector, NGOs and other groups, will come together to shape how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet to get to the future we want. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) is being organized in pursuance of General Assembly Resolution 64/236 (A/RES/64/236), and will take place in Brazil on 20-22 June 2012 to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), in Rio de Janeiro, and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg. The Rio+20 Conference It is envisaged as a Conference at the highest possible level, including Heads of State and Government or other representatives. The Conference will result in a focused political document. Themes of the Conference The Conference will focus on two themes: (a) a green economy in the context of sustainable development poverty eradication; and (b) the institutional framework for sustainable development. Seven priority areas The preparations for Rio+20 have highlighted seven areas which need priority attention; these include decent jobs, energy, sustainable cities, food security and sustainable agriculture, water, oceans and disaster readiness. How is Rio+20 being organized Rio+20 is a joint endeavour of the entire UN System. A dedicated Secretariat is responsible for coordinating and facilitating inputs to the preparatory process from all UN bodies. The Rio+20 Secretariat is housed in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and headed by Conference Secretary-General Sha Zukang, who is supported by two Executive Coordinators: Elizabeth Thompson (former Minister of Environment of Barbados) and Ambassador Brice Lalonde (Former Minister of Environment of France). The preparatory process is led by an 11-member Bureau composed of UN Ambassadors from all regions of the world. The host country, Brazil, is leading the logistical preparations on the ground. What is sustainable development? Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Seen as the guiding principle for long-term global development, sustainable development consists of three pillars: economic development, social development and environmental protection. What is Rio+20? Rio+20 - the short name for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012 - is an historic opportunity to define pathways to a safer, more equitable, cleaner, greener and more prosperous world for all. Twenty years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, where countries adopted Agenda 21 - a blueprint to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection - the UN is again bringing together governments, international institutions and major groups to agree on a range of smart measures that can reduce poverty while promoting decent jobs, clean energy and a more sustainable and fair use of resources. Rio+20 is a chance to move away from business-as-usual and to act to end poverty, address environmental destruction and build a bridge to the future. What issues will be discussed? The official discussions will focus on two main themes: How to build a green economy to achieve sustainable development and lift people out of poverty, including support for developing countries that will allow them to find a green path for development; and how to improve international coordination for sustainable development. What will happen at Rio+20? Thousands of participants from governments, the private sector, NGOs and other stakeholders will gather in Rio at the end of May and beginning of June 2012 for a strong push towards sustainable development. The last session of the Preparatory Committee for the Conference and the actual conference will take place there in June 2012. In parallel with and between the official events, there will be numerous side events, exhibitions, presentations, fairs and announcements by a wide range of partners. Governments are expected to adopt clear and focused practical measures for implementing sustainable development, based on the many examples of success we have seen over the last 20 years. To ensure Rights for all save a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resources Let’s achieve significant change in mindset, behavior and attitude combat Climate Crisis, Reduce Risk & Poverty, save Bio-diversity – Peace for Humanity —Way to Combat Climate Crisis, save Bio-diversity, Reduce Risk of Humanity sasrai – work locally-serve globally, initiative local-outcome global AIMED AT SUSTAINABLE LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Please Keep a hand written sasrai-Movement Poster --- in any discussion area Let’s have zeal to self tune in sasrai-Movement policy and be committed to save resource and reduce solid waste in our daily living - no matter how small it is. Please relentless to voice from each corner across the globe • Please, save a drop of water daily, during all water related activities • Please, plant at least a Native tree annually at own home or community • Please, keep off electric appliances one minute daily • Please, suspend travel by personal car once a day • Please, keep a day in a week luxury free • Please, do not throw away the waste wherever you like • Please, No more junk food • Please, save one minute to think on Climate Change and Environment • You Can Reduce CO2 Emissions, Plant Native Trees Worldwide • You could uphold the movement instantly using sasrai-Movement appeal at the bottom of your all printed material Let’s be a desired friend to all living body, humanity, environment and earth Let's we try to save one Taka/dollar/pound/yen ............FROM daily expenditure/ LUXURY combat the CLIMATE CHANGE and the sequences http://sasrai.wordpress.com/sasrai-movement/ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8450962401 http://www.facebook.com/Pallipathagar Let's be a desired friend to all creature, humanity, environment, earth Plant for planet, water for world, environment for entire

Excessive Extreme weather events can affect a European capital

Turning the urban challenge into an opportunity Published: Apr 27, 2012 Last modified: Apr 27, 2012 Copenhagen, 2 July 2011. Up to 150 mm of rainfall in two hours – a city record since measurements began in the mid-1800s. Homes destroyed. Citizens and emergency services struggled to cope. This is one example of how excessive extreme weather events can affect a European capital – events that are expected more often under climate change. Floods in Copenhagen, July 2011 A forthcoming report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) highlights this stark reality facing Europe’s cities and urban areas regarding the need to prepare for climate change. The report, Urban adaptation to climate change in Europe, acknowledges that climate change is taking place and that mitigation efforts will limit but not prevent it. It states that there will be severe consequences for cities if adaptation efforts are not forthcoming. As cities are the backbone of Europe’s economy, urban climate change impacts will affect Europe as a whole. It provides examples of innovative adaptation practices and where they are taking place. In highlighting such activity the report hopes that other urban administrations can take guidance in view of their own adaptive activity, supported by national governments and the EU. Providing advice on successful delivery of adaptation solutions to groups as varied as governments, the private sector and research bodies, the report stresses the need to follow a systematic adaptation planning process at and interlinked between all levels – local, regional, national and European - and to take into account a number of key principles. Increased impacts from climate change across Europe Events in recent years make for sobering reading. The European heatwave during the summer of 2003 was estimated to have caused up to 70 000 excess deaths during a four month period in Central and Western Europe. 2002 proved to be a record year for major flood events in six EU countries - Austria, Czech Republic, France Germany, Hungary and Romania. The total number of deaths was 78 with material damage rising to more than USD 21 billion. Meanwhile, the total area, within the EU, affected by water scarcity and droughts has doubled from 6 to 13 % during the last 30 years with related economic impacts being estimated at EUR 100 billion. Expected increases in severe heatwaves, flooding and water scarcity can all affect cities. The report analyses the potential impacts of expected increases in such climatic events and assesses how the European urban environment could potentially be affected Copenhagen city’s cloudburst plan Copenhagen’s reaction to the extreme rainfall event of July 2011 is highlighted within the report. This event really forced the city to sit up and take notice. The emergency services were within minutes of having to evacuate the city’s two biggest hospitals because of flooding and power cuts. Insurance damages alone were estimated at EUR 650-700 million. The city’s immediate reaction and subsequent planning can now be viewed as a European good practice model. Preparation focused on a so-called ‘cloudburst plan’ containing the following four steps: a new rescue plan from the emergency services; improving communication with citizens, businesses and public institutions; optimising the city’s existing sewage system; using a system of small canals to divert excess water either to streams, the harbour or other areas for subsequent storage. Reflections on these measures, and other advice, were also provided in the city’s long term climate adaptation plan, released in October 2011. Working with nature - rather than battling against it The new report highlights the need to raise awareness about urban vulnerability to climate change as well as the opportunities that exist. Reflecting on efforts to improve cities’ interaction with nature rather than via additional construction is displayed in the use of green infrastructure. One example illustrating this comes from the United Kingdom, where the city of Manchester has increased green spaces in order to reduce average surface temperatures. This concept of ‘green infrastructure’ has been defined by the European Commission as ‘a strategically planned and delivered network of high quality green spaces and other environmental features. It should be designed and managed as a multifunctional resource capable of delivering a wide range of benefits and services.’ (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/ecosystems/index_en.htm) At the EEA, we have profiled urban issues over recent years – highlighting the potential of clever, far sighted urban design to an audience that ranges from school children to the international press and the EU Environment Commissioner. In 2010 our living façade project ‘Europe in bloom’ drew a map of Europe, illustrating the relative diversity of flowering plant species across the continent. This project brought together the UN Biodiversity Year and to highlight the potential of urban areas in terms of providing green spaces and urban gardens. For most urban dwellers, the perception of ‘greenery’ in or nearby their cities is an integral part of what constitutes quality of life. Such areas can improve air quality and noise conditions and despite being highly artificial can, by intelligent design, offer additional habitats for pollinators and birds, help to maintain ecosystems services and thus limit the ecological footprint of cities and provide climate mitigation and adaptation opportunities. The façade attracted pollinators and butterflies not seen in the city before and was the basis for a surge in interest in the interconnectedness between urban and green issues amongst the international press, locals and visitors, architects and town planners. The project was widely covered in the international press including the Guardian in the United Kingdom, which listed the project third in its top 10 global events celebrating the International Day for Biodiversity. Making Copenhagen buzz It even aroused the interest of bee enthusiasts and resulted in an additional project with ByBi is a prize-winning and ground-breaking social enterprise that is bringing millions of bees to the city. From May 2011 the EEA made the heart of Copenhagen buzz with life, when 120 000 bees moved into their new home in an apiary on the roof of the Agency. In addition to its environmental value, the project provides new opportunities for disadvantaged people who can be trained to look after the bees around Copenhagen. Bybi also aims to educate residents and businesses about the opportunities to contribute to a greener, more colourful and sweeter city. Our Bybi project also received widespread public and press attention including an article in Danish sustainability magazine Samvirke a year after the project’s birth. Climate change adaptation could provide the impetus for urban renewal and rethinking Climate change and the need for cities to adapt to it may provide a model for city planning of the future. Adaptation-based urban initiatives need to be innovative and provide multi-level benefits in order to allow for their subsequent implementation. In general, climate adaptation should not be considered as just a reactive or defensive response strategy but rather as a proactive implementation of a long-term economic and sustainable development strategy. The floating houses of the new island neighbourhood IJburg in Amsterdam for instance are a response to the demand of houses near or in water. This reflects growing awareness of the need to build away from areas at risk from flooding and is certainly one solution to address sea level rise. This example demonstrates the great potential of climate change adaptation to act as a stimulus for innovation. Other examples illustrating good practice within European cities are available. In Rotterdam there are plans for so-called water squares - low-lying public spaces which can be used for temporary water storage during heavy precipitation or flooding events. Meanwhile, in Vienna the sewage system itself provides storage. The loading of the sewer system is monitored continuously and interventions are possible through centrally controlled sluices and pump stations to optimise the full storage capacity of the 2300 km long system and prevent outflows during high precipitation events. Planning for the future Cities need to adapt, but a supportive national and European framework is crucial in this regard. Europe’s future depends on strong and resilient cities working towards a joint approach to cope with climate change. The examples outlined above can indeed be taken as sources of information and good practice. Yet, as the forthcoming EEA report acknowledges, anticipative planning has to take place in order for people and infrastructure within our urban areas to be sufficiently prepared to address the risks of a changing climate. Starting action now ensures preparedness to climate change and lower costs for adaptation. Massive investments in infrastructure are required in cities anyway – climate change adds the need for robust and flexible solutions. Additional information Urban adaptation to climate change in Europe, a new EEA report will be officially launched at the Resilient Cities congress in Bonn, Germany on 14 May 2012. The congress will focus on the themes of urban risk, resilience and financing. The EEA report will be available for download here: The European Climate Adaptation Platform (Climate-ADAPT) (a joint activity between the European Commission and EEA) is a web-based platform to support policy-makers at EU, national, regional and local levels in the development of climate change adaptation measures and policies. The platform can also support cities in their adaptation actions. (http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/major-new-website-to-assist) Other EEA urban reports: Ensuring quality of life in Europe’s cities and towns (2009) SOER thematic assessment – Urban Environment (2010) 10 messages biodiversity – Urban Ecosystems (2010) Key urban messages: In Europe, where the overwhelming majority of people live in urban areas, tackling the interlinked challenges between biodiversity and its network of towns and cities is crucial to help halting biodiversity loss. Urban areas can be an opportunity or a threat for biodiversity. Seizing the opportunity demands that we mix high quality urban green areas with dense and compact built up zones. Quality of life in cities depends on the existence of sufficient attractive urban green areas for people and wildlife to thrive. But equally important for urban life are the ecosystem services delivered by biodiversity in green areas outside city boundaries. Although biodiversity and ecosystem services are global common goods, local and regional authorities have the legal power to designate conservation areas and to integrate biodiversity concerns into their urban and spatial planning. Public commitment is apparent in the numerous participatory Local Agenda 21 processes aimed at building sustainable communities that identify biodiversity as a precondition for resilient cities. Besides protecting areas, it is essential to integrate biodiversity into spatial planning at regional and local levels, including cities. Developing the European Green Infrastructure concept presents an opportunity to do this. To ensure Rights for all save a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resources Let’s achieve significant change in mindset, behavior and attitude combat Climate Crisis, Reduce Risk & Poverty, save Bio-diversity – Peace for Humanity —Way to Combat Climate Crisis, save Bio-diversity, Reduce Risk of Humanity sasrai – work locally-serve globally, initiative local-outcome global AIMED AT SUSTAINABLE LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Please Keep a hand written sasrai-Movement Poster --- in any discussion area Let’s have zeal to self tune in sasrai-Movement policy and be committed to save resource and reduce solid waste in our daily living - no matter how small it is. Please relentless to voice from each corner across the globe • Please, save a drop of water daily, during all water related activities • Please, plant at least a Native tree annually at own home or community • Please, keep off electric appliances one minute daily • Please, suspend travel by personal car once a day • Please, keep a day in a week luxury free • Please, do not throw away the waste wherever you like • Please, No more junk food • Please, save one minute to think on Climate Change and Environment • You Can Reduce CO2 Emissions, Plant Native Trees Worldwide • You could uphold the movement instantly using sasrai-Movement appeal at the bottom of your all printed material Let’s be a desired friend to all living body, humanity, environment and earth Let's we try to save one Taka/dollar/pound/yen ............FROM daily expenditure/ LUXURY combat the CLIMATE CHANGE and the sequences http://sasrai.wordpress.com/sasrai-movement/ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8450962401 http://www.facebook.com/Pallipathagar Let's be a desired friend to all creature, humanity, environment, earth Plant for planet, water for world, environment for entire

Environment in a Day! Your Earth Day moment to shine! | Environment Photo Project

Let’s make our each day as Earth Day, World Environment Day, World Water Day .............................................................. Next Generation Friendly Day.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=407646072594104&set=oa.10150766433487402&type=1&theater 

Environment in a Day! Your Earth Day moment to shine! | Environment Photo Project
http://blog.epa.gov/epplocations/2012/04/environment-in-a-day-your-earth-day-moment-to-shine/comment-page-1/#comment-69

To ensure Rights for allsave a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resourcesLet’s achieve significant change in mindset, behavior and attitude combat Climate Crisis, Reduce Risk & Poverty, save Bio-diversity – Peace for Humanity—Way to Combat Climate Crisis, save Bio-diversity, Reduce Risk of Humanitysasrai – work locally-serve globally, initiative local-outcome globalAIMED AT SUSTAINABLE LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICEPlease Keep a hand written sasrai-Movement Poster --- in any discussion areaLet’s have zeal to self tune in sasrai-Movement policy and be committed to save resource and reduce solid waste in our daily living - no matter how small it is. Please relentless to voice from each corner across the globe • Please, save a drop of water daily, during all water related activities • Please, plant at least a Native tree annually at own home or community • Please, keep off electric appliances one minute daily • Please, suspend travel by personal car once a day • Please, keep a day in a week luxury free • Please, do not throw away the waste wherever you like • Please, No more junk food • Please, save one minute to think on Climate Change and Environment • You Can Reduce CO2 Emissions, Plant Native Trees Worldwide• You could uphold the movement instantly using sasrai-Movement appeal at the bottom of your all printed material Let’s be a desired friend to all living body, humanity, environment and earthLet's we try to save one Taka/dollar/pound/yen ............FROM daily expenditure/ LUXURY combat the CLIMATE CHANGE and the sequenceshttp://sasrai.wordpress.com/sasrai-movement/ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8450962401 http://www.facebook.com/PallipathagarLet's be a desired friend to all creature, humanity, environment, earthPlant for planet, water for world, environment for entire

sasrai-Movement Emerge

I wonder how we would be addressed or defined by our next generation. We human make threatened the existence of our species as well as habitat earth. We have many tremendous achievement but all are vain if present situation prevail due to our greed. Global community experienced the threat none ever before the issue like Climate Change. Nature’s behavior has been regularly irregular and erratic. The basic securities of food, water, energy, livelihood and human life highly threatened. Nature has been rebellious and repeated attack - Australia, Africa, New Zealand, Myanmar, Brazil, Pakistan, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and USA. Bangladesh has been identified as one of the most vulnerable country. Extreme events like severe cyclone and increased salinity in the coastal region, prolonged and repeated floods and river bank erosion in the northern and central parts, drought in the northwestern parts and increased salinity conspire against the country and force us to confront the various insecurities economically, socially and environmentally. No matter where or what ways we live there is some problem. Human life cannot goes without problem. The very inception of civilization placed amid various problems. Being human its our responsibility to face the problem and collectively build the risk free living and keep beautiful earth for our next generation. Emerge of sasrai-Movement The year 2001 and 2002 a group of development consultant was engaged in conducting study on life and livelihood Bangladesh coastal people. The group was eagle eyed to reveal the reality and being decided about doing for the betterment of said area. A lady beside Sundarban area describe that her community had to passed day few months back without food just for want of firewood. It was a great sock in mind of the team member. They thought yes on only income generation or some development activity cannot secure the life of coastal people. They were keen to find some other clue. People opine natural resource availability rapidly declining and it will create terrific hazard in life and livelihood. The group initiates series of discussion people from all sector of life. In each it was a consensus, some development activity for some people cannot address the emerging threat. It needs involvement of each individual, caring to the nature to keep the situation acceptable in minimum level. In a gathering of development worker at Cox’sBazar issue raised and unanimously decision came that each individual needed to be nature caring and to mobilize the mass people slogan is `save a bit, reserve, preserve, rejuvenate and conserve resources.’ They tried to named the movement and unanimously accepted after series of dialogue, sasrai –sustainable augmentation, solicited restraint, animated integrity. At the end of year 2003 consensus made and subsequently it was declared by Mr. SM Farid Uddin Akhter on Pohela Boishak (Bangla Nabobarsho April 14, 2004) sasrai-Movement. Since April 14, 2004 sasrai-Movement has been alarming to the sensible mind, concerned different individual nationally and internationally. sasrai is an approach. Way to bring each in thinking-we must save our resources for our old age also for our next generation. This is an appeal to all – let’s we practice sasrai living, be less consuming. Be keen in as less as possible consumption. We must present a habitable earth for next generation. AIMED AT SUSTAINABLE LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Dear Madam/Sir Greetings from sasrai-Movement, that promotes prudent and thrifty use and conservation of resources. The movement aimed at to animate each individual, family, community, institution, organization to combat Climate Change, Global warming, food, fuel, water security, poverty, disaster, waste, ecosystem and biodiversity etc. Abstract Climate change, climate variability and extremes are affecting our food production and will most challenge our food security. Farmers and extension services have been baffled on ways to address this uncertainty, manage crop production and ensure good harvest. Climate change is a global problem, and yet each one of us has the power to make a difference. Even small changes in our daily behavior can help prevent greenhouse gas emissions without affecting our quality of life. In fact, they can help to save our money. To meet the challenges sasrai-Movement could be one of the most effective vehicle that urge to all uphold the theme/approach save a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resources . It stands for plain, simple and easier life for all, as less as possible, consumption of resources in daily living. It urges initiating it in own life, at home, at own place. It stands for democracy, diversity, decentralization, tolerance, transparency, self-reliance and peace. Its first consideration is tomorrow, the future generation, who have not spoiled a bit of this earth's resources, the children, who have not committed any sinful act. It believes in community potentials to solve their problem, adaptation by the available resources they own right now. It stands for giving up the luxuries that destroy the earth's resources. It stands for reuse, recycling, repair as maximum as possible. The students, the youth, the hope of the future, can start it devising their way of serving the humanity, the planet. We encourage devising own instead of suggesting, directing like big brother. Because environment doesn’t accept, tolerate dictation from powerful or powerless. We are open in share of our vision, mission, learning and experience. We try to start the initiative in our personal life, at homes. The students and teachers here are encouraged to start practice in their personal life, class rooms, in schools and homes. Then they could appeal to friends, neighbors, relatives and to the others. We try to use empty pots, small pieces of land by planting saplings. Our preferences are medicinal plants, vegetables. We try to avoid one-time-use items. We try to switch off our electric bulbs and fans for at least one minute a day. We encourage avoiding using air conditioners. We sit with the students and teachers and they collectively decide their steps. We start in a smaller way. We try to avoid to be dominating. We think if any organizational structure is formed then all have to take the post of "leader" by rotation. We believe in local resources and fund to launch any initiative. Hope, we can talk on more functional issues in future. Till today we have taken decisions collectively in a democratic and participatory way. We generate funds by selling used/old household items, by putting own labor. We encourage in cutting luxury, unnecessary cell phone call, cool drinks, junk food etc. We try to walk as maximum as possible but obviously not at the expense of health and time. sasrai-Movement  It’s a holistic movement  It’s aimed at to animate each individual, family, community, institution, organization  It’s encompass Poverty, Disaster, Climate Change, Global worming, Waste, Ecosystem and Biodiversity etc.  Promote Optimum utilization of resources “Need based appropriate use Practice”  It does emphasize on bringing the behavioral and attitudinal Change that needed to hope the positive change for the survival of humanity and earth.  Act towards materialize, popularize the laboratory/research findings among general mass ie it promoting research finding to the practice.  It promoting, popularizing very technical matter such easier way that any one from any corner of the globe could Champion it. sasrai-Movement Principle  Decentralized, democratized, participatory, transparent, accountable, flexible -- as much as possible.  Accountability to all.  Anyone could ask about any subject / issue concerning sasrai.  Volunteers answerable/ accountable to everybody, everywhere, all the time.  Each volunteer will mobilize fund, collect and kept it in a transparent pot(simple plastic bottle) till handed over to the collective body / organ.  Please keep it in an open place, as much as possible. As a result everyone can see the fund.  Fund could be spent anytime locally as per decision of local person in favor of sasrai.  Please keep income and expenditure sheet beside the box (hand writing is enough).  Mark the pot / box / bottle sasrai (hand writing is enough).  Never think that someone might take away the fund. If that happens, please, consider that "It was her / his due need".  sasrai is confident that it is morality and civility that will ultimately prevail. sasrai-Movement trying to mobilize in local resources and our fund raising Policy 01. Rely upon own community first. 02. Participatory. 03. Transparency. 04. Accountability. a. All sasrai volunteers should first of all try to collect / mobilize local resources, funds from own locality/ friends/ relatives/ interested persons; b. All funds collected should be kept at the local level; c. Local volunteers, if it is the local community it will be better, will collectively decide the utilization of the fund, their share in the central activities; d. Any person, other than a lunatic has all the rights to ask/raise questions regarding the fund, check / supervise the fund, books of accounts, etc.; e. Keep the money in a pot or an envelope till the fund is small in size and put the detail accounts on large sheets of papers and hang those sheets of papers in a public place so that all persons can have a look. If they wish. With the passage of time sasrai will open its bank accounts, follow all standard book keeping procedures practices and always keep its account open for checking by any one including the lawful authorities of the land. All chapters / branches of sasrai will decide its use of funds. At the same time the sasrai secretariat appeals to all Please contribute to sasrai whatever you have and whatever you like. sasrai needs funds to accelerate its activities ................................. We believe in  infinite potentials of each individual  generally needs external thrust to kindle the positive force of individual  each possesses the capacity and responsibility and will act positively  someone in each community must act positively, needs to identify  each individual able to come out from the baffled circle – raise voice  save a bit - reserve, preserve, rejuvenate and conserve resources  each would be keen to save a bit no matter how small it is  responsiblity to ensure safer and cleaner future for the next generation  tenacious and continuous effort must overcome any crisis sasrai wish to involve each and everybody to think our present global crisis – Climatic impact and adaptation. sasrai believe in contribution of each person, like to have each one as subject and contributor for adaptation. It urges being loving to the future, prudent for next generation. We cannot create hazard for next generation who haven’t commit any sinful act. Each volunteer would have deep in heart – habitable earth for next generation .......... 01. honor for all 02. share the experience/idea honor the differences 03. work and friendship with all dictate none (cause nature never follow dictation) 04. repeated discussion and dialogue 05. get each one in adaptation thinking 06. get each in contributing for nature conservation, rejuvenation, reservation 07. get each in sasrai/sustainable living 08. get each in a feeling save a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resources 09. let’s start with the least to achieve the greatest Implementation Strategy 01. Fair and friendly to all 02. Accepted to all concern 03. Environment friendly 04. Community Participated 05. Scope for participatory M&E 06. Demand driven 07. Local resource depending 08. User friendly 09. HRD friendly 10. Empower local community regarding Planning, Management, Operation and implementation Road map towards the implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration sasrai-Movement bring into line with Six MDGs, 09 time-bound targets and 31 quantitative indicators. GOAL 01: ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY AND HUNGER TARGET 1: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day TARGET 2: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger GOAL 02: ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION TARGET 3: Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling GOAL03: PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN TARGET 4: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015 GOAL 04: REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY TARGET 5: Reduce by two third between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate GOAL 05: IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH TARGET 6: Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio GOAL 07: ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY TARGET 9: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources TARGET 10: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation TARGET 11: By 2020, t o have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers Quantitative indicators 01. Proportion of population below $1 (PPP) per day a 01A. Poverty headcount ratio (percentage of population below the national poverty line) 02. Poverty gap ratio [incidence x depth of poverty 03. Share of poorest quintile in national consumption 04. Prevalence of underweight children under 5 years of age 05. Proportion of population below minimum level of dietary energy consumption 06. Net enrolment ratio in primary education 07. Proportion of pupils starting grade 1 who reach grade 5 b 08. Literacy rate of 15–24 year-olds 09. Ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education 10. Ratio of literate women to men, 15–24 years old 11. Share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector 12. Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament 13. Under-five mortality rate 14. Infant mortality rate 15. Proportion of 1 year-old children immunized against measles 16. Maternal mortality ratio 17. Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel 20. Ratio of school attendance of orphans to school attendance of non-orphans Aged 10–14years 21. Prevalence and death rates associated with malaria 22. Proportion of population in malaria-risk areas using effective malaria prevention and treatment measures e 23. Prevalence and death rates associated with tuberculosis 24. Proportion of tuberculosis cases detected and cured under DOTS 25. Proportion of land area covered by forest 26. Ratio of area protected to maintain biological diversity to surface area 27. Energy use (kg oil equivalent) per $1 GDP (PPP) 28. Carbon dioxide emissions per capita and consumption of ozone-depleting CFCs (ODP tons) 29. Proportion of population using solid fuels 30. Proportion of population with sustainable access to an improved water source, urban and rural 31. Proportion of population with access to improved sanitation, urban and rural Wish the Peace for Each and to ensure Rights for all save a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resources Let’s achieve significant change in mindset, behavior and attitude combat Climate Crisis, Reduce Risk & Poverty, save Bio-diversity – Peace for Humanity —Way to Combat Climate Crisis, save Bio-diversity, Reduce Risk of Humanity sasrai – work locally-serve globally, initiative local-outcome global AIMED AT SUSTAINABLE LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Please Keep a hand written sasrai-Movement Poster --- in any discussion area Let’s have zeal to self tune in sasrai-Movement policy and be committed to save resource and reduce solid waste in our daily living - no matter how small it is. Please relentless to voice from each corner across the globe • Please, save a drop of water daily, during all water related activities • Please, plant at least a Native tree annually at own home or community • Please, keep off electric appliances one minute daily • Please, suspend travel by personal car once a day • Please, keep a day in a week luxury free • Please, do not throw away the waste wherever you like • Please, No more junk food • Please, save one minute to think on Climate Change and Environment • You Can Reduce CO2 Emissions, Plant Native Trees Worldwide • You could uphold the movement instantly using sasrai-Movement appeal at the bottom of your all printed material Let’s be a desired friend to all living body, humanity, environment and earth Let's we try to save one Taka/dollar/pound/yen ............FROM daily expenditure/ LUXURY combat the CLIMATE CHANGE and the sequences http://sasrai.wordpress.com/sasrai-movement/ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8450962401 http://www.facebook.com/Pallipathagar Let's be a desired friend to all creature, humanity, environment, earth Plant for planet, water for world, environment for entire

3 Things Businesses Need To Know About Extreme Weather

NOAA called it Meteorological March Madness. Other commentators likened it to science fiction. More than 15,000 daily heat records were broken around the U.S. last month, making 2012 the warmest March since records began in 1895. Not only was the summer-like spring fact not fiction, but such trends may soon become the new normal as climate change takes greater hold. A long-awaited report from the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), with input from 220 authors, serves as a stark reminder that the world must brace for more extreme weather and climate events. The changing climate has huge economic implications. Just ask the farmers and ranchers of Texas, who suffered drastic losses from the devastating 2011 drought. Or ask the global electronic manufacturers, from TVs to car batteries, whose international networks were disrupted by flooding in Thailand last year. Unfortunately, many companies have been slow to fully appreciate the significance of these changes– and few have responded at a scale necessary to prepare for the changing climate. So here are three things all businesses need to know about how Earth’s climate is changing. Three Things Business Should Know It’s getting hotter. Since 2000, the world has experienced 9 of the 10 warmest years since 1880. And climate change will almost certainly bring more record-breaking temperatures over most land areas, according to the IPCC’s Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation, released last month. North America, the report warns, will very likely have to adjust to hotter days– and nights. Of the more than 15,000 high temperature marks in March, over 7,500 were nighttime records. Hotter temperatures will likely affect, among other things, food and agriculture production, tourism and human health. The climate will become more variable. A warming world will heighten some natural variations in climate patterns. In many parts of the world, this will lead to changes in the variability of seasonal rainfall and temperatures, making forecasting and forward-planning more difficult and unpredictable. These changes will have significant implications for many economic sectors, including agriculture, water supply, forestry and urban planning. Extreme weather is on the rise around the world. The past year has provided a taste of future climate impacts, battering the world with droughts and floods from the Horn of Africa to Colombia, Australia, and the United States. Many regions, especially the tropics and high latitudes, are likely to suffer from more heavy rainstorms that can trigger devastating flooding. Other regions, including parts of central and southern Europe, central North America, Central America and southern Africa, may face longer lasting droughts. Meanwhile, India, the world’s fourth largest economy, is projected to face heavier monsoon downpours but over fewer days, making the country susceptible to both more floods and more water shortages. Impacts on Business Why specifically should businesses be concerned? First, and most obviously, these changes can have material impacts on a company’s operations, from reducing the water reserves needed for production lines, to disrupting the supply of raw materials, or destroying vital infrastructure, such as refineries and transport networks. In 2011 alone, droughts, floods, hurricanes and other extreme weather cost the U.S. economy at least $55 billion according to NOAA, with 14 events each exceeding $1 billion in costs. One of these was the devastating drought, and associated wildfires, in Texas and Oklahoma, which cost American crop farmers $7.6 billion, on top of around $5.4 billion in losses to the cotton and cattle industries. Extreme weather events and other climatic changes also affect global supply chains. Disasters that hit manufacturing hubs, like the Bangkok floods, can affect the operations of businesses around the globe. Damage to facilities owned by Western Digital, a leading supplier of computer storage and networking equipment, severely constricted the world’s supply of electronic hard drives. The resulting manufacturing slowdown also led companies such as Intel and Apple to warn of profit losses and industry-wide shortages. The same ripple effect can occur when agricultural regions are hit by droughts or floods. A 2001 drought in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, for example, led to water shortages that squeezed production at Anheuser-Busch, the world’s largest beer manufacturer, impacting global prices. Some companies are starting to wake up to these risks. A 2011 survey of 72 major corporations, for the UN Global Compact, with technical support from WRI, found that 83 percent believed climate change impacts posed a risk to their products or services. Nevertheless, businesses need to do more to develop comprehensive climate strategies to not only reduce their emissions but also adapt to a changing world. Climate change is no longer some far off threat. It is already happening and the impacts are becoming increasingly clear. To ensure Rights for all save a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resources Let’s achieve significant change in mindset, behavior and attitude combat Climate Crisis, Reduce Risk & Poverty, save Bio-diversity – Peace for Humanity —Way to Combat Climate Crisis, save Bio-diversity, Reduce Risk of Humanity sasrai – work locally-serve globally, initiative local-outcome global AIMED AT SUSTAINABLE LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Please Keep a hand written sasrai-Movement Poster --- in any discussion area Let’s have zeal to self tune in sasrai-Movement policy and be committed to save resource and reduce solid waste in our daily living - no matter how small it is. Please relentless to voice from each corner across the globe • Please, save a drop of water daily, during all water related activities • Please, plant at least a Native tree annually at own home or community • Please, keep off electric appliances one minute daily • Please, suspend travel by personal car once a day • Please, keep a day in a week luxury free • Please, do not throw away the waste wherever you like • Please, No more junk food • Please, save one minute to think on Climate Change and Environment • You Can Reduce CO2 Emissions, Plant Native Trees Worldwide • You could uphold the movement instantly using sasrai-Movement appeal at the bottom of your all printed material Let’s be a desired friend to all living body, humanity, environment and earth Let's we try to save one Taka/dollar/pound/yen ............FROM daily expenditure/ LUXURY combat the CLIMATE CHANGE and the sequences http://sasrai.wordpress.com/sasrai-movement/ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8450962401 http://www.facebook.com/Pallipathagar Let's be a desired friend to all creature, humanity, environment, earth Plant for planet, water for world, environment for entire

Green Nobel Highlights Water Crises

UNITED NATIONS, Apr 16, 2012 (IPS) - A Catholic priest from the Philippines, a mother of three from Argentina, and the founder of the NGO Friends of Lake Turkana in Kenya all have one thing in common: they have helped to motivate their respective local communities to protect the natural environment around them and to stand up for their rights. On Monday, Edwin Gariguez, Sofia Gatica and Ikal Angelei, along with three other grassroots activists, were declared winners of the so- called "Green Nobel". Ma Jun from China, Evgenia Chirikova from Russia and Caroline Cannon from the U.S. also took the 2012 Goldman Environmental Prize. Water is a special focus of this year's prize, with two of the winners being outstanding river activists. For one of them, Ikal Angelei, the prize comes at an important juncture in her struggle to stop construction of the massive Gibe III Dam in Ethiopia, which would block access to water for indigenous communities around Lake Turkana. With a projected cost of 1.7 billion dollars, the Gibe III dam upstream of the Omo River, which began construction in 2006, is the single largest infrastructural work being undertaken in Ethiopia and is supposed to provide 1,800 MW of electricity. The Omo River provides up to 90 percent of the total water flowing into Lake Turkana, whilst the other 10 percent is provided by the Turkwel and the Kerio. According to Jeffrey A. Gritzner, a geography professor at the University of Montana in the U.S., there will be a drop in the lake level of up to 10 to 12 metres once the dam opens. "Even a slight drop of as little as five metres would cause cessation of flooding, leading to a reduction in the lake's water which will result in rising salinity. This will cause a destruction of significant commercial interests around the lake which include fishery and tourism," said Gritzner, who is part of the Africa Resources Working Group (ARWG). Ikal Angelei founded the group Friends of Lake Turkana (FoLT) in 2008, and in response to her advocacy, last August, the Kenyan parliament passed a unanimous resolution for the government to demand an independent environmental assessment from Ethiopia. UNESCO's World Heritage Committee also responded to her appeals by passing a resolution to halt dam construction until further investigation. The World Bank and African Development Bank are considering funding the transmission line that would justify completing the dam, and Ikal is now pressuring the banks to stay out of this project. Chinese journalist and director of the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE) Ma Jun was awarded the 2012 Goldman Environmental Prize for creating unprecedented environmental transparency in China and empowering Chinese citizens to demand justice for industrial pollution. In 1999, Ma Jun published the book "China's Water Crisis", which exposed the pollution and the impacts of dams and diversions on the health of rivers across China. "Ma Jun and Ikal Angelei live and work in very different contexts and take quite different approaches in their work on behalf of healthy waters and healthy communities," Jason Rainey, executive director of San Francisco based NGO International Rivers, told IPS. "Yet, they are both creative strategists who effectively articulate the crises effecting the rivers of the world, and have a sharp understanding of how to work 'upstream' to influence the decision- makers who are often far removed from the impacts of their decisions. "Both recognise that ecological and economic 'sustainability' cannot be achieved if society fails to take care of our living rivers," he added. The Goldman Environmental Prize was established in 1990 by San Francisco civic leader and philanthropist Richard N. Goldman and his wife, Rhoda H. Goldman, who is a descendent of Levi Strauss. Richard Goldman founded the insurance company Goldman Insurance and Risk Management, and with his wife he established the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund in 1951. The prize is awarded to six persons each year, one in each of the world's six inhabited continental regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands and Island Nations, North America, and South and Central America), and has so far been given to more than 150 people from more than 80 countries. The "Green Nobel" has been given to other river activists before, including Chinese journalist Dai Qing won the Goldman Prize in 1993, primarily for her authorship and organising to bring transparency and critique to the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China. Chilean environmentalist Juan Pablo won the prize in 1997 due to activism against the ecological damages from a series of dam building projects at the Biobío River. To ensure Rights for all save a bit, reserve, preserve, conserve resources Let’s achieve significant change in mindset, behavior and attitude combat Climate Crisis, Reduce Risk & Poverty, save Bio-diversity – Peace for Humanity —Way to Combat Climate Crisis, save Bio-diversity, Reduce Risk of Humanity sasrai – work locally-serve globally, initiative local-outcome global AIMED AT SUSTAINABLE LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Please Keep a hand written sasrai-Movement Poster --- in any discussion area

Let’s have zeal to self tune in sasrai-Movement policy and be committed to save resource and reduce solid waste in our daily living - no matter how small it is. Please relentless to voice from each corner across the globe • Please, save a drop of water daily, during all water related activities • Please, plant at least a Native tree annually at own home or community • Please, keep off electric appliances one minute daily • Please, suspend travel by personal car once a day • Please, keep a day in a week luxury free • Please, do not throw away the waste wherever you like • Please, No more junk food • Please, save one minute to think on Climate Change and Environment • You Can Reduce CO2 Emissions, Plant Native Trees Worldwide • You could uphold the movement instantly using sasrai-Movement appeal at the bottom of your all printed material Let’s be a desired friend to all living body, humanity, environment and earth Let's we try to save one Taka/dollar/pound/yen ............FROM daily expenditure/ LUXURY combat the CLIMATE CHANGE and the sequences http://sasrai.wordpress.com/sasrai-movement/ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8450962401 http://www.facebook.com/Pallipathagar Let's be a desired friend to all creature, humanity, environment, earth Plant for planet, water for world, environment for entire