By the Editors ...

Source: and the earth cried “BHOPAL”, by Gilbert Cruz, published in time.com on Monday, May 03, 2010

Around midnight on Dec. 2, 1984, an accident at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, resulted in 45 tons of poisonous methyl isocyanate escaping from the facility. Thousands died within hours. More followed over subsequent months — about 15,000 in all. In total, about half a million people were affected in some way. Many of those who survived suffered blindness, organ failure and other awful bodily malfunctions. A shockingly high number of children in the area have been born with all manner of birth defects. In 1989, Union Carbide paid out about half a billion dollars to victims, an amount the afflicted say is not nearly enough to deal with the decades-long consequences. Bhopal remains the worst industrial disaster ever.

Author: Mahrukh (University of Peshawar)

Our planet is continuously changing. Sometimes it changes in a good way and sometimes in a bad way but the good news is that we can help it change for the better. Unfortunately now-a-days our planet is changing in a bad way and there are a lot of reasons behind it and I would like to highlight a couple of those in this piece of writing.

Energy

Our growing need for energy is one of the biggest problems that our planet facing now a days and one of the reasons is that producing electricity, one of the major forms of energy) causes pollution.

How to help:

When we are using electricity we have to think that where does it came from and how to use it less. Here are some ways to save electricity:

1)      When you are leaving the room turn off the lights.

2)      Fridge takes a lot of energy to keep food fresh, cool and healthy. We can help by not leaving the fridge door open.

3)      Leaving electrical appliances such as TV, computer or any other thing on standby still use electricity although they look like they are turned off, we should simply turn them off.

Pollution:

Pollution is caused when harmful substances are released in air, water or land.

How to help:

1)      Factories should not throw their wastage into rivers.

2)      Many household cleaning products contain harmful chemicals so it’s better to buy eco-friendly products.

All is not lost. We can protect the environment and its future by learning a few tips.  

Photography: Short Life | Studios 

Photography: Short Life | Studios 

Photography: Short Life | Studios

From around the web, by the Editors ...

Source: http://www.airqualitynews.com/2014/10/08/air-pollution-causing-decline-in-monsoon-rains-study-finds/

University of Edinburgh-led study suggests drying of monsoon over past 50 years caused by man-made anthropogenic aerosol pollution

Air pollution particles from man-made sources have played a “significant” role in a decline in monsoon rainfall over the past 50 years, a University of Edinburgh-led study has found.

According to the study, ‘Decreased monsoon precipitation in the Northern Hemisphere due to anthropogenic aerosols’, levels of rain recorded during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer monsoon in the second half of the 20^th century have fallen by as much as 10%.

It explains that changes to global rainfall patterns can have consequences for human health and agriculture, as summer monsoons are “an integral component of Earth’s hydrological cycle and affect the lives of billions of people” – largely in the likes of India, South East Asia and parts of Africa.

The team of scientists from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Reading behind the study found that emissions of tiny air particles from man-made sources – known as anthropogenic aerosols – were the cause of the decline in monsoon rainfall.

According to the study, high levels of aerosols in the atmosphere cause heat from the sun to be reflected back into space, lowering temperatures on the earth’s surface and reducing rainfall.

And, it adds that levels of aerosol emissions have increased considerably since the 1950s, with the most common sources being power stations and cars.

Method

The team calculated the average summer monsoon rainfall in the Northern Hemisphere between 1951 and 2005, using computer-based climate models to quantify the impact of increasing aerosol emissions and greenhouse gases over the same period.

They also took account of natural factors such as volcanic eruptions and climate variability to gauge the impact of human activity on the amount of monsoon rainfall.

However, the researchers said levels of man-made aerosols are expected to decline during the 21st century as countries begin adopting cleaner methods of power generation.

Lead author of the study, Dr Debbie Polson – University of Edinburgh’s School of GeoSciences – said: “This study shows for the first time that the drying of the monsoon over the past 50 years cannot be explained by natural climate variability and that human activity has played a significant role in altering the seasonal monsoon rainfall on which billions of people depend.”

The study was published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters in August 2014 and was funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council, European Research Council and National Centre for Atmospheric Science.

Green Pakistan by Saad Naseer

Green Pakistan by Saad Naseer

Author: Mahrukh (University of Peshawar)

Landfill means the disposal of waste material by burying it, especially as a method of filling in and reclaiming excavated pits. There are many problems caused by landfills. Two of the major negative effects caused by landfills are atmospheric effects and hydrological effects. Both of these effects have equal importance.

1.      Atmospheric effects:

The rotting organic matter in unmanaged landfills produce methane which is 20 time more effective then carbon dioxide but it is not compulsory that landfills only produce methane but household cleaning chemicals also produce methane. The chemicals like bleach and ammonia can produce toxic gases in landfills that can impact the quality of air in landfills. Dust and other forms of non chemical mixture often make their way into the atmosphere.

2.      Hydrological effects:

The household cleaning and industrial chemicals make toxic soup in landfills. People throw away wastage in landfills from industrial chemicals to household cleaning which mix over time. Most of the times, animals come into contact with these chemicals and suffer from toxic diseases which mostly result in deaths.

Landfill fires:

The wastage and gases in landfill can easily ignite fire the most flammable gases methane which is commonly produce by landfills the fire  fighters use a fire  retardant foam to fight against fire in landfills due to presence  of chemicals.

These are the problems caused by landfills but after the popularity of recycling more landfills have brought in use and now many companies look at landfills as gold mines, so the best way to clean our environment from landfill pollution is recycling.

Author: Muhammad Hamza Qureshi (Peshawar Model Degree College)

Ozone is an allotropic form of oxygen containing three oxygen atoms chemically bonded together. Ozone is present in second of the four layers of atmosphere called “stratosphere”. Ozone layer is very important for the lives of animals, plants and human beings in our precious Earth. Stratosphere acts as a layer of ozone around the Earth. Ozone molecules present in ozonosphere absorbs ultra-violent and high cosmic rays of Sun and protects the Earth from it.

Stratosphere extends from 11 km to 50 km above from the sea level. Due to present of ozone molecules in the stratosphere, it is also known as “ozonosphere”.

Ozone Depletion

About ozone depletion, well according to “World Health Organization” ozone depletion is defined as “The decrease in the concentration of ozone molecules in stratosphere (ozonosphere) is called ozone depletion”. OR we can also say that “the process of formation of holes in ozone layer is called ozone depletion”.

There are lot of reasons which causes ozone depletion including man made sources and natural sources. These sources causes ozone depletion  by emitting  pollutants like oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulphur (SOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and CFC’s (Chloro Floro Carbons).

1:Man-made Sources:

Contribution of man –made sources causes ozone depletion much more than natural sources. Internal combustion from automobiles, industrial wastes, furnaces, thermal power plants, agriculture burning and emittion of smoke from jet engine airplanes, forest fires, soil pollution and the combustion of fossil fuels are main man-made pollution emitting sources.

2: Natural Sources:

Natural sources also have a major part in ozone depletion. Volcano eruptions, natural gas emission, electrical discharging inside clouds, soil erosion, pseudumonas bacteria (nitrogen producing bacteria), sulphate spray from oceans are major natural sources of pollutants.

Effects of Ozone Depletion

Ozone depletion adversely affects the lives of humans, animals, plants, crops, marine life and materials. I am describing each of them as follows:

1: Effect on Humans:

The high energized cosmic rays and UV radiations fall on earth due to ozone depletion. These UV radiations when interact with humans causes various dangerous and abnormal diseases in humans.  In a lot of cases, the UV rays, when interact with human cause’s skin cancer and sunburn. Skin cancer is an extremely dangerous disease which is caused due to the abnormal mitosis (cell division) in skin that eventually distributes in all of the body. Similarly these radiations also cause another extremely dangerous eye disease known as “CATARACTS”, it has been estimated that 12 million people have become blind due to this disease and 18 million have lost their part of eye sight. Pulmonary edema is another disease which causes swelling of lungs. In some cases It even causes death.

2: Effect on animals:

It has been estimated that UV radiations causes pink eye disease and blindness in most of the animals. However, skin cancer and sunburn is also founded in some animals.

Ozone depletion also causes forest fire, thus destroying habitat of thousands of animals.

3: Effect on plants:    

The UV radiations when fall on leaves of plants, it mainly causes destruction of chloroplast (present in plant cell), and affects the process of photosynthesis.

4: Effect on crops:

Several worlds’ major crop sources are sensitive to UV radiations. When UV radiations fall on crops like rice, wheat, barley, oats, corn, soybeans, etc.  these radiations slow down the process of its growth, photosynthesis and reproduction. It is estimated that 1% increase in UV radiations decreases 1% production of soybean crops. Thus UV radiations are dangerous for all.

Effect on marine life:

UV radiations when fall on lake, river, seas or oceans, they estimate themselves over 20m, thus when UV radiations fall on unicellular (prokaryotes) or immature multicellular organisms (like tortoise larvae) kills them. If these radiations fall on fish eggs, it may kill the under developing embryo in the egg.

Effect on materials:

UV radiations causes rubber to harden and crack, thus reducing life of tires. Besides plastics, fabrics, wood and many other construction materials are degraded by UV radiations.

These all causes led to the “global warming” or “greenhouse effect”  

What we should do to prevent Ozone depletion:

1: We should not use CFC’s in refrigerator, freezers or air conditioned.

2: We should not use nitrous oxide (also known as NOS) in cars or bikes, etc.

3: To prevent global warming, we should prevent environmental pollution

Protect yourself from UV radiations:

1: Use sunblock frequently in summer.

2: Use sunglasses when going into sunlight.

3: Use sunblock before swimming.

Author: Jamal Niazi (Quaid-e-Azam College of Commerce, University of Peshawar)

Introduction ...

Whenever we talk about our environment and air pollution, the things which comes in our mind are Plants, Trees, Air Pollution, Noise Pollution, Global warming and Ozone layers but no one pays attention to Smoking which is injurious to health and damaging to the environment as well.  Smoking is very common in our society. That’s why people don’t even consider Tobacco as a Drug. The air pollution emitted from Tobacco smoke is 10 times greater than diesel car exhaust. Tobacco smoke produces fine particulate matter, which is the most dangerous element of air pollution for health. Smoking can have the following negative impacts on our immediate environment;

• Polluting the air
• Destroying forests
• Starting bushfires
• Killing marine creatures
• Tobacco smoke contains tar and the gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide.
• Over 600 Million trees are being destroyed every year to provide energy to dry/process tobacco. Trees release Oxygen, which is a necessary for human survival. However, when trees are burnt, the result is carbon dioxide and other gases.
• Nearly 7% of bushfires, which are responsible for many deaths each year, are caused by carelessly discarded burning cigarette butts.
• When it rains we can clearly see these Cigarette butts lying in the streets and gutters are washed in to the rivers. These butts destroy the water quality which can have dangerous consequences.
• Cigarette butts take 12 months to break down in fresh water and takes 5 years to break down in sea water.
• Cigarette butts have been found in the Stomach of Birds and sea Turtles and have resulted in the death and destruction of many marine creatures.

Children & Teenager Smokers ...

Smoking is quite common in children and teenagers nowadays. The Pakistan Pediatrics Association (PPA) has estimated that 1,000 to 1,200 school-going children aged six to 16 take up smoking every day in the country. Among the youth (13-15 years old), around 34% are exposed to second-hand/passive smoke in public places and 27% report exposure at home. Second hand smoke can make children suffer serious diseases like Asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), bronchitis and pneumonia and ear infections.

The developing lungs of children have higher rate of breathing then adults and little control over their indoor environment. Children receiving high doses of secondhand smoke, such as those with smoking mothers, are a major cause of lungs diseases in children.

Our Young Generation ...

Smoking is popular amongst youth due to easy availability and affordability. The number of Boys and Girls smokers in this country has increased and the number of Girl smokers increased from 6% to 16.3 percent this year. Not only Cigarettes, the young generation is also addicted to Shisha which is more harmful and dangerous for human health and environment as well. Shisha contains more tobacco than a cigarette. Smoking Shisha for an hour is equal to 1000 cigarettes. Shisha is also a major cause of Lungs Cancer, Mouth Cancer and Heart Attacks. Chewing Tobacco is also a habit, fast growing in our youth now days, which is a cause of Mouth Cancer.

Effects of Tobacco on Environment ...

Tobacco kills nearly Six million people each year out of which almost 600,000 die from second-hand smoke just from Tobacco. Smoking is not only a habit, it is an addiction. 

Impact on food production

Tobacco plants are very sensitive that’s why Tobacco farmers use large amounts of fertilizer, Herbicide and Pesticides. When farmers grow Tobacco there is less land available for food crops and the soil which has been used to grow Tobacco is sometimes unsuitable for food crops.

Air Pollution

Tobacco is a major cause of environmental problems. Because the chemicals released from the smoke are dangerous. Trees are an asset. Trees are natural air fresheners. Trees provide Fresh air and Oxygen to everyone and also help to maintain the natural balance.

Fire Risks

Cigarette and Matches are the common causes of Fire. Many houses, forests burn due to carelessness of smokers. Many trees are destroyed in these fires. Many birds’ nests are destroyed in bushfires. Animals, birds and other creatures die in these fires.

Tobacco and Climate Change

Global warming is now widely believed to be the single biggest environmental threat facing the planet. Cigarette production contributes to global warming and altering the climate. The cutting and burning of trees is a cause of greenhouse effect. Smoke from cigarettes contains carbon dioxide and methane. Smoking releases about 2.6 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide in the air worldwide every year.

Effects of Tobacco on Health ...

According to a report of SHAUKAT KHANUM MEMORIAL CANCER HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTER, the Nicotine which released from Cigarette smoke is an addictive drug. Nicotine can cause a depressed mood, Sleeplessness, Irritability, Anxiety, Difficulty in concentration, Restlessness and increased appetite. Tobacco is a major cause of Heart Attacks, Mouth Cancer and Lungs Cancer.

How to Get Rid of Tobacco Smoking

1. A comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship could decrease the consumption of tobacco;
2. High rate of Tax on Tobacco;
3. Government must take some serious action and strictly implement Tobacco control Laws in the country;
4. Students should make awareness raising societies and create awareness amongst citizens and especially in students because our youth is a major victim of Tobacco smoking;
5. People should motivate and encourage Smokers to quit smoking;
6. Smokers must plan a quit date;
7. Smokers should consult Doctors and get some medications and therapies.

We have discussed approximately everything about Tobacco and now have the information that we didn’t know before. It’s clear now that Tobacco is a drug and injurious for health and also harmful for environment. So now it’s up to us what we choose:

                                                     “Tobacco OR Life”