Posts Tagged ‘Change’
Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change
May 19, 2012 | 
Author We all know that energy from the sun is required for sustaining life on earth. The outer atmosphere deflects approximately 30% of the sunlight that comes to the earth and this light is then scattered back in space. Remaining sunlight reaches the surface of the earth and gets reflected upwards in the form of slow moving energy known as infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases absorb the heat caused by the infrared radiation like CO2, water vapor, methane and ozone, due to which it becomes difficult for the gases to escape the atmosphere.
According to experts, only 1% of the earth’s atmosphere is made up of greenhouse gases and these gases regulate the climate through heat trapping. This is known as the ‘greenhouse gas effect’. According to climate change experts, without the greenhouse gas effect, the average earth temperature will be colder by 30 degrees Celsius. This temperature will be too cold for the sustenance of our ecosystem. Therefore, the greenhouse effect is very much required for the earth; however it must be in a controlled manner.
How are we contributing to the greenhouse effect?
There is no doubt that the greenhouse effects is required for the ecosystem but it becomes a problem when the natural process gets distorted and accelerated by human activities and more greenhouse gases are created in the atmosphere which increase the temperature of the earth more than required. When we burn oil, coal, natural gas and gasoline the level of CO2 increases in the atmosphere. The level of harmful gases like nitrous oxide and methane also increases due to farming methods and changes in the use of land. Dangerous and long lasting industrial gases are produced from factories. These gases don’t occur naturally yet they contribute to global warming and speed up the greenhouse gas effect.
The more greenhouse gases will be emitted in the environment, the more infrared radiation will be trapped and held. This in turn will increase the temperature of earth in a gradual manner, posing threat to the existence of mankind. Some scientists accept global warming as a serious issue while some don’t. But one certainly can’t deny the fact that climate change is here and it will cause more damage in the coming years.
Man-made Climate Change – Fact or Fiction?
In the past dozen years or so a major controversy has developed through out the world about changes that are supposedly taking place with the earth’s climate. There is a large body of opinion that believes the earth’s temperature is getting warmer due to the increase in greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), caused by the burning of fossil fuels and increasing industrial activity, and unless governments take action to remedy the situation then mankind is in serious trouble.
This theory is not believed by everyone. Indeed there are many eminent scientists who have said that the theory has no credibility as the evidence presented by its supporters is inconclusive. So there are two schools of thought on this matter, each adamant that they’re right:
1) Those who believe implicitly that global warming is taking place and that man is entirely responsible by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide ( a ‘greenhouse’ gas) in the atmosphere. I call these people the Scaremongers.
2) Those who believe that much more evidence is needed before any categorical claims can be made. I call these people Idealists.
So lets have a closer look at the issues raised by these two factions:
The Scaremongers predict doom and gloom.
The ‘Yes’ case says emphatically that the earth is getting warmer at an increasing rate, posing a dangerous threat to the future of mankind. They say that the increase in global temperatures over the past 50 years has been caused by a world-wide increase in industrial activity during that same period and earlier. They also suggest that the problem is getting progressively worse and that higher temperatures will lead to melting ice in the polar regions; higher sea levels causing world-wide flooding; more violent storms, hurricanes, typhoons etc; problems in the production of food; and a wide number of other circumstances that could pose problems for life on earth.
The ‘Yes’ case’s solution is to take severe measures today to stop disasters from happening in the future.
They suggest halting and then reversing the situation by eliminating our dependence on oil and coal and embracing ‘clean energy’ such as wind, solar, tidal power; finding an alternative to using oil derivatives for transportation; and most controversially, heavily taxing users of ‘dirty energy’ to force them to switch over to ‘cleaner’ alternatives.
As the biggest users of ‘dirty energy’ the western nations would be exposed to the full impact of these severe impositions.
The Idealists, on the other hand, want more concrete evidence of this forecast change.
The ‘No’ case believes that more credible evidence is needed and collected over a longer period of time, before any definitive conclusion can be determined. They consider that statistically the 50 years period that the Scaremongers quote is nowhere near enough time to establish a long-term trend in the world’s temperatures, taking into account that the age of the earth being 4.5 billion years. They point to the changes, both ups and downs, of the earth’s temperature during its recent history. They also suggest that if a period of climate change is starting then it’s part of a cycle that’s been seen to occur periodically in the past.
The ‘No’ case says that the relationship between possible rising temperatures and man’s industrial activity is at best nothing more than an unproven theory. They suggest that much more concrete evidence than what’ has been presented so far is needed, and as the Scaremongers have been pushing this theory for at least 10 years without producing further evidence, then it’s still a theory.
Some people even suggest that the Scaremongers are inciting public opinion to advance their political ambitions.
However, many of the Idealists agree that a switch to cleaner and renewable energy resources would be beneficial for mankind in the long term, but that the measures put forward by the ‘Yes’ people go too far. Generally, the Idealists agree with the need to find alternate means of energy for when the present sources of fossil fuels – coal, natural gas, oil, uranium - expire, and to get away from suppliers in politically sensitive areas.
The ‘No’ people suggest that as there is a very slim chance of the Scaremongers being proved correct, other world-wide problems should be tackled first and given a greater degree of emphasis than is the present case. Here the Idealists are referring to major issues of world-wide poverty; the ever-increasing gap between the rich and the poor countries; the decline in health services to poorer countries; the deterioration in the quality of political governance in Africa; threats of religious confrontation; as well as the many regionalized issues that have been a source of continuous friction between nations for decades.
This is an attempt to put some balance into the ongoing international controversy that is the theory of man-made climate change.
How Can ISO 14001 Benefit My Business?
Environmental Issues are now of paramount consideration by company directors, owners and employees worldwide.
Since the 14001 Environmental management system includes everyone in the organization and all areas of the organization that affect the environment, it can improve an organization’s environmental performance in many ways. This improved performance comes at a cost to the organization, a cost which can be recovered by aggressively seeking benefits.
Some of those benefits are as follows:
All environmental policies and procedures are now in a consistent format
All documents are now easily accessible to employees so compliance has improved
Regularly scheduled EMS reviews are ensuring both legal and ethical obligations are met in a timely fashion.
Increased Profits
The quantity of materials and energy required for manufacturing a product may be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the product, material handling costs, and waste disposal costs.
An EMS can help reduce incidents of pollution and the associated expense of recovery.
Recycling manufacturing waste and unused inputs could increase revenues. Recycling need not be within the same facility, but with another one that can use the waste as input to their production.
Employee health and safety can be improved, thereby improving productivity, decreasing sick days, and reducing insurable risk.
Insurance claims may be reduced, thus reducing the costs of coverage and settlements.
This is just a sample of the benefits available to business; the list of benefits and potential benefits is considerably larger.
Posted in Carbon accounting, carbon emissions, Carbon footprint, Carbon management, carbon reduction, Carbon Reduction Commitment, Climate Change, CO2, CSR, Environmental accounting, Footprint, ghg emissions, Iso14001, Social Responsibility | 
Tags: Benefits, Business, carbon reduction, Change, Climate, Corporate, CSR, EMS, Enterprise, Environment, ENVIRONMENTAL, environmental management system, Global, Green, Greenhouse, ISO 14001, Management, Money, Social, Social Responsibility, Solutions | 
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What Makes a Home a Green Home?
What Makes a Home a Green House?
One of the hottest topics today is about being environmentally friendly. There are many ways to become environmentally friendly about the home including water preservation and energy reduction. This not only helps with a positive action by reducing your impact on the environment, but will also save you money!
Lets take a look at what makes a home environmentally friendly.
Reduced Energy Use
Energy comes in many forms such as electricity, natural gas, oil, etc. The creation or use of this energy results in greenhouse gas emissions that affect our planet in a negative way.
Methods of Reducing Energy Usage
Insulation, One of the best things that you can do to make a green home is to ensure that the walls, windows, attic, and floors are all well insulated and draft free. The majority of the energy used in a home goes towards heating the house. Insulation will prevent the air temperature from escaping the home and save you money on your utilities.
Energy Star Appliances When one of your appliances has reached it’s end of life, or when you areconstructing a new home, consider installing an appliance that meets energy star requirements. This will ensure that it will use over 30 percent less electricity or fuel than a typical appliance of that type.
Other options include advanced mechanical Systems On demand tankless water heaters, geothermal HVAC equipment, and even solar power is a great way to reduce the amount of energy that is wasted to run the plumbing, heat and air, and electrical systems in the home. While they can have a higher upfront cost than a typical unit of its kind, tax incentives from the government can offset a good deal of the extra cost and allow you to make the money back within a few years time.
Reduced Water Use
Water is another essential resource that can be preserved in our day to day use around the house.
Low Flow Fixtures Many low flow shower heads and toilets developed a bad reputation in the past because they could not live up to their less efficient counterparts. Fortunately, todays better engineered models and aerators allow you to experience the luxury and ease of use that you prefer, while additionally using a significantly lower amount of water.
Efficient Clothes Washers Many of the newer front loading clothes washers use as little as half of the water of a typical top loading washer. For families who are constantly putting in a new load of dirty clothes, this can lead to a significant savings in cost and water usage over time.
Use Rain Water For Irrigation For those who want to really cut down on water usage, storage tanks that collect rain water during a storm for latter use to water the garden and lawn can save thousands of gallons over the span of a summer.
These are just a few of the many ideas out there that will help ensure that your home is green. Environmentally friendly decisions in the home can lead to wallet friendly results over time and allow for the satisfaction of knowing you are reducing your negative impact on the planet.
At Be Seen Go Green, we offer solutions for a variety of Environmental issues. Please click on the following link to contact us.
Posted in Carbon accounting, carbon emissions, Carbon footprint, carbon reduction, Climate Change, CO2, computer recycling, CRC, CSR, Edinburgh Recycle, Edinburgh WEEE, eee, Energy, Environmental accounting, Food Recycling, Food Waste, Footprint, ghg emissions, glasgow eee, glasgow recycling, Glasgow waste, Green IT, landfill, Packaging Waste, Recycle Edinburgh, Recycle UK, recycling, UK Recycle, UK WEEE, Uncategorized, Waste management, weee, WEEE Edinburgh, WEEE UK, wheelie bin | Tags: Change, computer recycling, eco house, edinburgh green home, Edinburgh Recycling, Efficiency, electrical waste recycling, Emissions, Energy, Environment, ENVIRONMENTAL, Footprint, Glasgow green home, glasgow recycling, Global, Going, going green, Green, green home, green house, Greenhouse, Home, House, London green home, Makes, Management, Money, Power, Responsibility, warming | No Comments »
Climate Change – Impacts on the Development of Real Estate
The fact that climate change will affect our future does not need introduction. Our buildings and infrastructure are important elements in how we influence and adapt to the changes associated with climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions during construction and operation, climate change resilience and changes in the way people will organise their lives are all important factors to consider when preparing to develop new real estate.
To a certain extent these factors are being considered in most new development projects. The partial provision of energy through low carbon technologies is becoming the norm as part of the planning application process for major development. Standards controlling the way flood risk assessments are carried out take into account future precipitation patterns. These considerations are often driven by current requirements from planning authorities or other statutory bodies and focus on the greenhouse gas element of climate change management.
Appraising the effects of climate change on development projects will gain in importance and a strategic and pro-active approach to its integration in the management of these projects has many benefits. These include the improved management of risks, for instance by providing protection against litigation for failing to take into account known future risks, the protection of future asset values and strengthening a forward looking reputation of the organisation.
The near future will see significant changes in the way climate change is being addressed within development projects. The awareness of client organisations and local planning authorities about the effects climate change will have on the future usability of buildings is increasing rapidly. This will lead to a range of new requirements, tools and appraisal methodologies that professionals within the property development sector cannot afford to miss.
Considering climate change in real estate development projects should be considered a strategic issue. At an early stage in the project a developer should prepare a project climate change strategy and consider three issues:
1. How can the greenhouse gas emissions as part of the development be reduced?
2. How will a changing climate effect the usability of my building?
3. Is the building required in its currently proposed form in the mid to long term future?
Posted in Climate Change | Tags: Change, Climate, Development, Estate, Impacts, Real | No Comments »
WEEE Recycling: Data Destruction is Essential
Your company data may no longer be of value to you once you have done what you need to do with it, but it is gold dust to your competitors. That is why any media, from paper to Flash memory cards, that contains business data must be thoroughly wiped before disposal.
The risks of disposal of computers containing data that you may believe has been wiped but has really just been lightly erased include putting yourself or your customers at risk for identity theft as well as making data available to unscrupulous individuals. Even recycling a computer to comply with WEEE recycling regulations does not include proper data destruction techniques.
These techniques include degaussing, in which magnetic patterns that conform to actual data are realigned so that the data is inaccessible and unrecoverable, shredding, which entails shredding media into very fine bits that cannot be reassembled, and software wiping, in which all HEX values on the entire volume of a disk are overwritten using special software. In the United kingdom, such software must meet Data protection Act standards to be considered effective for data destruction.
Computers, including internal hard disk drives and other internal media storage devices, must be recycled according to WEEE regulations (EU). However, if data remains available on any part of the device before, during or after WEEE recycling procedures, it still poses a threat to your organisations security. Therefore, devices that hold data and are subject to WEEE recycling regulations must undergo a thorough process of data destruction before recycling can take place.
Hard drive destruction is absolutely imperative before WEEE recycling can start. This is because even when a disk drive is seemingly erased, the information on it can be recovered and made available without your knowledge. Ensuring that an expert with security cleared personnel destroys the hard drive by methods such as degaussing and shredding is the only way you can be sure that any data that was ever available on a drive that is slated for disposal can never be accessed again. Software wiping is recommended only for hard disk drives that will be reused after the data stored on them is fully destroyed.
Media tape drives are also easily accessible if they are not fully and professionally destroyed prior to disposal. Degaussing and shredding are the most recommended techniques for destruction of media tape drives.
Even CD’s and DVD’s which contain sensitive and confidential data should never be disposed of without making the data completely inaccessible. Complete physical destruction of the media through precision shredding that is offered by professional media disposal firms is the only way to ensure that data on a CD or DVD is fully inaccessible.
Flash memory cards, external memory sticks, and similar devices must also be subject to data destruction measures if they have ever held sensitive data. A specialist firm which handles data destruction should be consulted regarding such memory devices as their small size makes it very easy for them to end up in the wrong hands.
At Be Seen Go Green, we offer solutions for a variety of Environmental issues. Please click on the following link to contact us.
Posted in computer recycling, Data protection, Edinburgh Recycle, Edinburgh WEEE, eee, glasgow eee, glasgow recycling, Glasgow waste, glasgow weee, landfill, London Recycle, London WEEE, Packaging Waste, Plastic Recycle, Plastic Recycling, Plastic waste, Recycle Edinburgh, Recycle London, Recycle UK, recycling, UK Recycle, UK WEEE, Waste management, Waste Plastic, weee, WEEE Edinburgh, WEEE London, WEEE UK | Tags: Business, Change, computer recycling, Data, Destruction, edinburgh recycle, Edinburgh Recycling, Edinburgh WEEE, electrical waste recycling, Energy, Environment, ENVIRONMENTAL, glasgow eee, glasgow recycle, glasgow recycling, glasgow weee, recycle, Recycling, Reduce, Security, uk weee, Vital, Waste, waste management, weee | 5 Comments »
UK Government in Trouble for Climate Change Loans
The UK government is under attack by debt campaigners as well as developing countries, for their plan to give £800 million to poorer countries in preparation for climate change, as a great bulk of the money would be in the form of loans, not grants, and would be sent via the World Bank instead of the UN.
Martin Khor, director of Third World Network, a grouping of international development agencies based in Malaysia believes; “The decision to deliver climate aid in the form of loans and not grants contradicts internationally agreed principles”
These principles clearly define that developed countries should take the main responsibility for fighting climate change, due to their massive role in creating the pollution that is being blamed for it’s occurance, as well as their more advanced technological and economic capabilities.
Khor also felt the money had to be sent through that UN as:
“Developing countries have repeatedly argued that any proposed funds for climate change, particularly in such significant amounts, should come under the direction of the state parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Martin Khor, director of Third World Network, a grouping of international development agencies based in Malaysia believes; “The decision to deliver climate aid in the form of loans and not grants contradicts internationally agreed principles”
“The World Bank’s climate investment funds could undermine the UN’s negotiations for climate change aid,” Khor argued. “It creates parallel structures for financing climate change adaptation and mitigation outside the existing multilateral structures and within a process dominated by the G8 countries.”
Climate Change to Reduce European Holidays to the Mediterranean
Climate changes directly affect tourism. Fewer people are booking flights from Europe to the Mediterranean because of these climate changes, which directly affects popular holiday spots like Majorca and Minorca. Environmental groups expect a steady decline in holiday travel via flights from Europe to the Mediterranean.
How Climate Changes Impact Tourism
People generally plan their holiday based on the temperature at their destination and when they can get the time off from work. Holiday makers have been visiting Majorca and Minorca for decades because of the picture-perfect beaches and perfect climate. Rising temperatures have a direct effect on tourism because travelers will rethink travel destinations based on the ideal temperature for the particular time of year.
Majorca and Minorca will be significantly impacted if holiday makers stop taking flights there from Europe. Over the last few decades these islands off of Spain have become dependent on tourism. The land is not ideal for agricultural use and there is little else that native residents of these islands can do to sustain themselves.
How Environmental Groups Expect Climate to Affect Air Travel
Some environmental groups see flights from Europe to the Mediterranean drastically dropping due to climate changes. A significant change in temperature leaves holidaymakers deciding if the Mediterranean is still the ideal place to be. Mediterranean beaches are too hot and ski trips are going downhill.
Additionally, the climate changes are forcing individuals, companies and environmental groups to look at ways to protect the ozone and participate in carbon offsetting methods. Car companies have already looked at how they make vehicles and ways they can reduce carbon emissions. Just as energy-efficient cars are a wave of the future, ways to offset carbon in the air from air travel are also being studied.
Unfortunately, at this time, there isn’t an environmentally safe way to travel by air and anyone interested in offsetting carbon emissions may change their holiday plans to make them more eco-friendly.
Environmental Groups Respond to Climate Changes
Environmental groups continually work to offset the carbon emitted into the air by international flights. Companies are encouraged to voluntarily offset their usage to balance carbon emissions. Simple ways to reduce emissions include planting trees and conserving energy. Other ideas for conserving energy and offsetting carbon emissions are to reduce flights and change methods for traveling.
Some environmental groups predict that Europeans will stop taking their holiday by flight because of the climate change. Not only has the environment at their destination changed, they are also further damaging the environment by flying overseas and emitting harmful carbon in the air. If airlines are forced to change their methods, if they don’t voluntarily conserve energy to offset carbon and create a balance then it is up to holiday makers to take a stand for the environment and stop supporting companies who continually emit carbon and endanger the environment.
An individual will not make a huge difference in making up for climate change. It is when people rally together and are encouraged by environmental groups whose purpose is to protect our planet and conserve energy that change can be made. Air charter companies may not willingly change unless they are forced by a large number of people boycotting overseas air travel.
Realizing the need for a change, some tourist industry companies are already organizing efforts to help offset the environmental impact of overseas flights. Major players are donating a percentage of their profits to eco-friendly endeavors and beseeching their patrons to donate as well, in the interest of humanity. They realize that their very existence is at stake as is the local economies where they now prosper. Rest assured, the problem is being looked at and addressed.
Posted in Climate Change | Tags: Change, Climate, European, Holidays, Mediterranean, Reduce | No Comments »
Climate Change- A Scary But Undeniable Fact
Humans are so blessed to live in a world where everything they could possibly need is provided in abundance. Trees that give cool shades, flowers that paint colors to the fields, air that refreshes the lungs and animals that serves as companions. For centuries, or even millenniums, humans have relished and enjoyed these gifts. But humans discovered convenience. They found ways to make their lives easier. From the discovery of fire to the invention of machineries and from small communities to highly urbanized metros- humans learned to aim for more ease.
But all throughout these times, as humans relinquished the goods of each era; the earth slowly suffered and got damaged bit by bit. As transportations and mass production of goods made people’s lives easier, so did their wastes made the earth change its usual ways.
Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other green house gases emitted by industrial plants, vehicles, and even common households get trapped in the atmosphere thereby creating a thin layer of harmful gases. These gases damage the ozone layer, earth’s protective shield against harmful UV rays of the sun. Without the shields, too much UV rays enter the earth but they get trapped inside as they cannot bounce back in to space because of the presence of green house gases present in the atmosphere.
As a result, earth’s temperature rises and this is what experts call global warming. This rise in temperature causes ice caps to melt in the arctic making water levels to rise. These changes affect the normal weather cycle of the earth thus creating climate change.
Climate change is a critical issue because it could bring catastrophic events such as flooding, tornadoes, huge storms and intense drought. People who experience these events are the most affected.
Imagine a bountiful country devastated by drought. Crops will wilt, animals die, water sources dry up and forest fires will ravage the communities. People will starve and lose their sources of living. And with the world’s bad economy at the present, even payday advances, credits from banks and other sources of money wouldn’t suffice. And most importantly, no credit card offers, low interest rates or even faxless payday loans would make them feel better.
Climate change is a scary fact but it is happening at the moment. Unless humans do something about it, the world will continue to change. Change may be good but not when it involves lives and the only world people can live in. Humans should act now and reverse the damage they have done to earth before everything is too late.
Climate Change – Problem of the Present
The recently published report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that climate change is having an impact now on our planet and its life.
It is a matter of concern for every one who lives in Planet Earth.
The future problems are for all of us.
They are not problems which can be solved easily by a group of individual.
It is a global problem caused by rising seas, growing deserts, more frequent droughts and high temperature.
The effect may be more on the developing countries than on developed countries.
The conclusions of the IPCC are not conclusive in the sense that the climate change is the reason of any single hurricane, heat wave, flood, or drought.
“The increase in frequency and intensity of such events during the last decade of the twentieth century, provides strong evidence that climate change is already occurring and is no longer a problem of the future” according to the Head of the Climate – Change Group at the International Institute for environment and Development in London.
‘Man – made global warming is having a noticeable effect on physical and biological systems all over the world’ says the report.
Calamities caused by climate change may control the human population which is increasing leaps and bound in developing countries.
Moreover, developing countries do not have the capacity to take control measures for the devastations.
Natural calamities, we see over years, have wiped out a good number of human beings and their properties.
Because of increase in temperature and carbon dioxide it is expected that crop yields may increase at higher altitudes.
Although it is satisfying news, considering the damages due to climate change this news becomes insignificant.
In fact, climate change brings bout many problems to all of us.
Unless and until the developed as well as the developing countries lake appropriate measures at the proper time – NOW – we may not be able to manage global warming and the resulting climate change.
Those who live in dry and low – lying areas are more vulnerable for the effects of climate change.
Nations have to concentrate on these regions and take appropriate steps to protect the people and their properties.
The financial implications are enormous.
Hence the rich nations have to help the poor nations by cutting down their defense expenditure every year.
Limiting global warming to 2 – 2.4oC is recognized as the critical level for climate change
The solutions to climate change have some simple measures every individual of the society can follow.
Switching to energy efficient light bulbs, adjusting the thermostat in the office, reducing the automobile use are some of the measures which help to solve the problem of climate change to an extent.
Using renewable energy such as wind, solar and bio fuel has to be popularized wherever possible.
The decisions have to be taken by every nation with a positive approach to save the world and its inhabitants.