Gamini s Greener Globe

::: Green Lungs Of Earth | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-10-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

The rain forest ecosystem is under threat from destruction by humans. Many countries and businesses want to take advantage and exploit the resources of the forest. The destruction of the rain forest results in social and environmental issues not only within the rain forest community but also the collective Global communities.
Rain forests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface and now they cover 6% only. Experts estimate that the last remaining rain forests could be consumed in less than 40 years .. One and half acres of rain forest are lost every second .. Over 200,000 acres of rain forest are burned every day .. That is over 150 acres lost every minute and 78 million acres are lost every year .. !
Following are the impacts into the environment of rain forest demolition :
>>> Biodiversity Changes >>
Removal of the forest causes loss of plant species. Animals are forced out as their food supply and habitat are destroyed. Many rain forest species have become extinct and others are threatened because of lost habitat.
>>> Hydrology Or Water Cycle Changes >>
Without trees, the WATER CYCLE is disrupted. Interception and transpiration are both reduced and the surface runoff increases. Water and silt pour into rivers; sandy river bed which does the natural purification part covers with mud and pristine water becomes muddy and polluted.
>>> Soil Changes >>
Without trees to protect, the soil is easily eroded. Torrential rain removes nutrients via surface runoff and leaching, and the soil becomes infertile. Surface runoff on the steep slopes can cause mud slides.
>>> Climate Changes >>
Deforestation contributes to global warming because trees use up carbon dioxide during PHOTOSYNTHESIS .. Transpiration is reduced and evaporation increases. This leads to a drier climate. Less forest means there is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and this leads to global warming ..
>>> Nutrient Cycle Changes >>
If the trees are removed, the Nutrient Cycle is broken; the soil become infertile; the rain washes nutrients stored in the soil away; this is called LEACHING .. Removal of trees leaves the soil exposed, causing erosion by wind and rain ..
Deforestation has major impact on the environment. Thus, we have got to conserve what is left of the rain forests throughout the Globe. Exploitation of resources such as tropical rain forest is leading to destruction of its ecosystem.
There are ways to conserve the rain forest :
Sustainable logging is a must. Once a tree is cut down, another is planted.
Rain forests must designated as protected areas, where no development can take place.
Educate people about the importance of rain forest and its inter depending mechanism with humans.
Mining companies are required to replant trees once they finished mining the area.
Sustainable development means being careful with the world's natural resources and ecosystems but still enabling some development to take place.

::: Water World | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-09-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Water is the most powerful, destructive, and creative force in the world in which we live. Over 60% of the total area of the earth in covered by water and as such has the largest effect on the shape of the land and the carving of new features. Though the changes that come due to a multitude of factors, we will focus upon coastal landforms that have been altered or changed through the process of sea water. Coastal landforms can be affected by three factors as sea level change, land movement, and glacial movement. These factors foremost affected by climate change. Global warming is a general term and can be defined as Thermal Expansion, De-Glaciation, and Re-Glaciation process of the Globe. Thermal expansion is the process whereby the temperature of the earth's atmosphere increases and therefore so does the water. As water is a liquid it expands as temperatures increase. Therefore, as thermal expansion takes place the sea level rises. Current revelations tell us that thermal expansion is caused by the warming of the earth's atmosphere, and this entails that glacial areas will melt causing large influxes of fresh water. Through detailed research, scientists have discovered that concentrations of salt water within the sea contribute to the thermal activity upon the earth. As the earth is constantly trying of equilibrating the temperatures around the world both atmospheric and within water, glacier melting will continue to shape the land around us and form a multitude of land types. Although, we as humans through industrialization have increased green house gasses and therefore stated to warm the earth's atmosphere ending up in thermal expansion and glaciers melt ..

Through detailed research, we have discovered that water currents provide vast amounts of temperature differentiation throughout the world. These giant thermal water cycles such as the gulf stream are driven by salt water. Therefore; as glacial melts, fresh water pours into the salt water under current system and it will reach a point where the system cuts off. This will have outstanding effects upon the world. For example, Labrador in Canada has an yearly average temperature of 11° Centigrade less than that of the UK though it is at the same latitude. This is due to an absence of the gulf stream. As such; if the gulf streams stop flowing, most of Indian Sub Continent would be forced into a colder region and there will not be any tropical climatic conditions in Sri Lanka. This has been proven to be a natural cycle in the earth's life and is the way in which the ecosystems of the world find a balance and reset, these balances of course have been exaggerated by the influences of humans. As we have already seen recently climate based events are becoming larger, rainfall is becoming heavier and in shorter periods. This is following previous records taken from ice cores of what happened last time sea levels rose and CO2 levels rocketed. We should expect sea levels to follow a similar pattern, as suggested maybe rising up to another 20 - 40 centimeter before another mini ice age takes affect and forces human industrialization in the northern hemisphere along with tourism the largest worldwide industry to decline. While near the equator rainfall will become a lot less and droughts will become more common. Across the world, living forms will be getting all the hardships to survive. In other word, our Mother Earth would not be a gentle habitat to live. It is amazing how the things are interconnected around us .. !

::: Endangered Species | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-09-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

As much attention as this subject gets from environmental groups and agencies, it gets just as much ignoring by the general public. Many people feel compelled to help or contribute, yet few seldom do carry out their intentions. This is a very serious subject that needs to receive immediate and full attention from the general public. Only they can truly make a difference. The concept of extinction just does not seem to be fully understood by many people. Once they are gone, they are gone for good. There is no returning from extinction. If we continue at the present rate we are at now, we could lose one bird or mammal species per year.
A species is a fundamental category of taxonomic classification, ranking after a genus, and consisting of organisms capable of interbreeding. A simpler working definition agreed upon by most biologist is if two visibly different though similar groups of organisms live together with little or no sign of interbreeding, they are considered to be separate species. Dogs, cats, trees, flowers, and humans are all different examples of species. A definition of endangered species and a classification of when a species is endangered is such, organisms once common and abundant but now rare in numbers in the wild are considered to be endangered. And obviously, species that do not exist anymore are considered extinct. These are important fundamental concepts that need to be understood before anything can actually be done to help save or prevent endangered species from becoming extinct.
The methods and causes of many species becoming endangered and extinct are many and varied. Yet they are all related and caused by one all important underlying factor, H U M A N S .. !
Humans are responsible for nearly every endangered species being that way and for very many of the species that have become extinct within the past few hundred years. The main reason for a species becoming endangered is the loss of their natural habitats. Each year thousands of acres of rainforests are cut down or deforested, wetlands and marshes are drained, and slowly but surely the grasslands are being replaced by cities, towns, and highways . This is a world wide problem. When a species natural habitat is destroyed or reduced, there is basically nowhere to go. A displaced species of a destroyed or severely polluted habitat often times cannot adapt fast enough or well enough to survive. A species in a reduced habitat has to fight just to stay alive. The reduction causes an increase in the population density of not only that particular species, but every other species in that habitat as well. With higher population densities, resources such as food, water, and nesting places become so sparse that they cannot possibly support the demand. This leads to the endangerment of hundreds of species worldwide. Many of the already extinct species went through this exact process of their demise.
The second major reason of endangerment and extinction is poaching and commercial hunting. A poacher is someone who hunts and kills rare animals for profit. Often times an animal is killed in such a brutal way that it not only cruel but inhumane as well. Poachers do not hunt for food or for legalized game hunting. They will kill and massacre often times for one small part of the animal that they can sell on the Black Market. Elephants are hunted solely for their tusks which are made out of ivory, a extremely valuable material that is often use to make several different kinds of art or jewelry. Tigers, leopards, cheetahs and jaguars are hunted for their fur hides which can be made into all kinds of clothing and apparel. Lastly, Rhinos are hunted and killed for their horns which are believed by some to contain magical powers and spirits.
Some of the time, rare animals are trapped and exported to private zoos or laboratories, which is just as serious of a crime. Although most countries have strict rules and regulations about the hunting and transporting of these animals, it seems that a few are always getting around these laws or getting away with their crimes. Commercial hunting is most popularly know by whale hunting. The whales of our oceans have been hunted nearly to extinction. The blubber and meats of whales are used in many, many different products such as lipstick, mascara, whale oil. Although many countries such as the US and Canada are now leading the way to ban all such whale hunting, many other countries such a Japan, Norway, Sweden, and Finland continue to hunt these whales. Laws and regulations have been raised to stop this hunting within 200 nautical miles of many countries. The sea still remains free though to any and all hunting that can be done.
In order to truly care, humans must feel compassion towards animals in order to understand their struggle for survival. The preservation of all species is very beneficial to all of mankind. Many organisms have a conventional beauty that goes far beyond that on any other. Another simple argument is we exist, so why cant other animals have that same right to exist .. ? Many of the benefits of preservation are extremely beneficial to mankind. Chemicals found in certain plants have been proven to be medically beneficial. Two such chemicals are the alkaloids and so forth. These are used in the treatment of cancerous diseases. It is believed that the estimated quarter-million flowering plant species are potentially a gold mine of additional beneficial chemicals. Some animals also have very beneficial uses. Extracts from some marine animals related to those that built the giant coral reefs, show some promise as anti cancer agents. So far, several broad spectrum anti bodies have been extracted from marine sponges. Sea Anemones, segmented worms, clams, sea cucumbers, sea squirts, moss animals, proboscis worms, sharks, and sting rays are all creatures of the sea that contain medical benefits. On land, the venom of Malayan pit vipers is used as an anti coagulant, an agent to prevent the formation of blood clots. Rats, mice, Rhesus monkeys, and chimps have served as surrogates for human beings in a wide variety of medical experiments. Perhaps though the greatest of all benefits derived from other organisms is that of nourishment which humans extracts from them.

::: Global Warming | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-08-27T02:10:00.000-07:00

Climate models show that atmospheric temperatures will increase by between 1.5 and 4.5 C by the year 2100 if a " Wait and See and Do Nothing " approach is adopted. The global temperature increase since the last ice age ( about 10,000 years ago ) has been about 5 C. Temperature and precipitation patterns in the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, which appear to be becoming more tropical. There is less of a difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures, and rainfall tends to more often come in intense bursts. The greenhouse effect and sea level rise threaten our existence. Since oceans absorb more heat than land areas. The best guess forecast for sea level rise is a global average between 3 and 10 millimeters per year. As more than 70 per cent of the world's population live on coastal plains, the potential for massive personal, economic and physical dislocation becomes clear ..
Part of this comes from the expansion of water, as it was getting warm. Apart from the widespread melting of mountain glaciers. About 17 percent of the rise remains unexplained. With a large number of the world's cities in coastal areas, this is a significant problem. There are two major causes of rising sea levels. Firstly, extra water is produced when ice melts causing by warmer weather. Secondly, the natural expansion of Ocean water as it becomes warmer. The range of sea ice around both poles continues to shrink and melts. Even with the level of greenhouse gases present today, by the scientist around the world estimated that the earth may warm enough in the next 50 years or so to completely melt the sea ice located on the poles. As warmer oceans cause more intense storms. Damage from rising seas is very diverse. Buildings and roads close to the water could be flooded and they could suffer damage from hurricanes and tropical storms. There are also effects on agricultural production and water resource. A slight increase of that would also be enough to make deserts hotter and drier or increased frequency of forest fires, or would melt a third or more of the world's mountain glaciers. Since the mid 1980s an unprecedented number of intense fires have destroyed forests and homes across most continents. Poor soils may also limit the rate at which tree species can spread. Thus, the range over which a particular species is found may tend to be squeezed as areas become inhospitably hot. The net result is that some forests may tend to have a less diverse mix of tree species ..
Global warming also changes in rainfall, temperature, humidity, and wind. They are all likely the side effects of global warming, and just a few of the elements that can effect the quality of water used for
drinking, recreational, and commercial purposes. In addition, seafood from contaminated water, or fresh produce irrigated with contaminated water, can carry disease ..
Weather has a profound effect on human health and well being. As average temperatures slowly rising up in coming decades. The effects of a warmer climate may begin to take a toll. Particularly those who
cannot afford air conditioning, or are already physically weaker ( elderly ) are going to have a harsh life. Global warming is also expected to result in more extreme weather events, just like heavy storms and floods. Beyond a rise in weather related injuries and fatalities powerful storms. The secondary health impacts of extreme weather, such as bacterial illnesses resulting from damaged public facilities like having lack of clean drinking water and psychological problems from the mental stress of experiencing a natural disaster. Health problems will vary dramatically around the world. Climate change may benefit ecological conditions for insect growth and abundance which is likely to have a negative effect on crop, livestock, and forest production in some areas. Major health impacts are possible, especially in large urban areas, owing to changes in availability of water and food and increased health problems due to heat stress and spreading of infections. Moths, beetles, and spiders might seem like innocuous household pests, but in a global warming world they have the potential to wreak havoc on crops, forests, and human health. According to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) there are already 110 million cases of malaria and up to 2 million deaths from it worldwide each year. Increases in temperatures are creating ideal mosquito breeding conditions in new regions, including the USA, Australia, UK, Bangladesh, China, and Egypt and continue spreading all around the world. Our health is threatened by climate change. Malaria, asthma, encephalitis, tuberculosis, leprosy, dengue fever, and measles are all expected to become more common through the world due to global warming ..
Air quality in many parts of the country is already considered unhealthy. With global warming adding to it, it is only going to get worse and worse. No element of the natural world is more essential to life than air, and no environmental task more critical than keeping it cleans. Because electricity power plants and motor vehicles are by far the biggest sources of air pollution, from lung damage to acid rain to global warming. Air pollution and heat advisory warnings should specifically target children and the elderly. For example, as air gets hotter, it mixes with sunlight and produces ozone smog, which damages human lungs, as well as trees and vegetation. A related problem is an inevitable increase in air conditioning use. Power plant emissions will also increase if additional controls are not established ..
Global warming would reduce global food production, increase prices and cause new uncertainties about food supplies. That means the demand for food will be higher than the demand of supply of food in the future caused by global warming. Significant declines in grain yields are forecast for Africa, tropical Latin America and much of India and Southeast Asia. Reduced yields are also projected for the USA, Canada, the Middle East, and southern Europe ..
The potential costs of cutting greenhouse gas emissions might sacrifice economic growth or our standard of living in challenging of climate change. By doing this we might need to change in behavior. In the short term, changes in economic activity that could impose costs on society. The costs of climate change reflect the magnitude of the emissions reduction, the timing of these reductions, and the means of implementation. The Globe rule to protect the environment. Today, action is occurring at every level to reduce, to avoid, and to better understand the risks brought by climate change and their harmful affects. Many cities and states around the world have prepared greenhouse gas inventories and many are actively pursuing programs, education, advertisement, and policies that will result in greenhouse gas emission reductions. Encouraging people in recycle program and planting trees ..
The world is undoubtedly warming. This warming is largely the result of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from human activities including industrial processes, fossil fuel combustion, and changes in land use, such as deforestation. Addressing the climate change is no simple task. To protect ourselves, our economy, and our land from the adverse effects of climate change, we must reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. To achieve this we must fundamentally transform the way we power our global economy, shifting away from a century’s legacy of unrestrained fossil fuel use and its associated emissions in pursuit of more efficient and renewable sources of energy. Such a transformation will require society to engage in a concerted effort, over the near and long term, to seek out opportunities and design actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ..

::: Quenching Thirst | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-08-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

Producing, packaging, and transporting a liter of Bottled Water requires between 1,100 and 2,000 times more energy on average than treating and delivering the same amount of Tap Water. Popularity of bottled water is rising and bottled water has become the drink of choice for many people around the world. Bottled water sales have skyrocketed over the past few years. In 2007, more than 200 billion liters of bottled water were sold worldwide. Carbonated soft drinks are the only bottled beverage that the world consumers buy in greater quantities than bottled water.
The irony, of course, is that a lot of bottled water is little more than just treated piped water which costs you the consumer very less and is much better regulated and more rigorously tested than bottled water.
For the energy analysis, environmental scientists assessed the energy used during each stage of bottled water production. They added up the energy it takes to make a plastic bottle, process the water, label, fill, and seal the bottle then transport bottled water for sale. Their report says that manufacturing and transportation bottled water are the most energy intensive processes involved in putting a bottle of water in your refrigerator. The environmental scientists estimate that just producing the plastic bottles for bottled water consumption worldwide uses 50 million barrels of oil.
Transportation energy consumption is harder to figure, because some water is bottled locally and travels short distances to reach consumers while other brands of bottled water are imported from distant nations, which increases the amount of energy needed to transport them. According to the report, imported bottled water uses about two and a half to four times more energy than bottled water produced locally. It is hard to argue the fact that waste management has become a large problem in the world, with landfills are growing to enormous sizes and recycling rates are remaining very low. The number of plastic bottles produced by the bottled water industry, is simply unthinkable. Besides the sheer number of plastic bottles produced each year, the energy required to manufacture and transport these bottled water to market severely drains limited fossil fuel energy. Bottled water companies, due to their unregulated use of valuable resources and their production of billions of plastic bottles, have presented a significant strain on the environment.
Therefore, think before you drink bottled water. If you imagine that every bottle of water you drink is about three quarters water and one quarter oil, you will have an accurate picture of how much energy it takes to put that bottle of water into your hand ..

::: Shark Conservation | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-08-10T01:17:00.000-07:00

The demise of the shark populations is a global issue that needs our immediate attention and action. Support for shark protection is difficult to achieve because of the persistent irrational fear of sharks. A change in attitude, perception, media coverage, and improved conservation legislation and fishing policies are desperately needed.

The general misconception is that there are still plenty of sharks. It is rare to find sympathy for an animal that most people are terrified of. Sharks have a bad reputation that is undeserved and incorrect. This makes it possible for the slaughter of sharks by the millions to continue, when it should cause a global outrage. The demand for Shark Fin Soup which is considered a delicacy in Asian countries, is wiping out shark populations around the world.
More research is needed to find out important information about the biology of individual shark species, and how the current fishing practices will affect their populations. One thing is clear, because sharks are slow to mature and reproduce in very low numbers, the populations will hit a point of no return much faster than any other fish species that are hunted extensively. In other words, many shark species are already nearing a point of E X T I N C T I O N that will be difficult to stop and reverse.
Every healthy ecosystem needs predators. And sharks are one of the most important links in the ocean ecosystem. Sharks keep our oceans healthy and clean. Without sharks the oceans would be a cesspool of the sick, dying and dead. Fisheries would collapse. The balance would be disturbed to a point of no return. The extinction of sharks would impact the environment and economy on a global scale. When we recognize that we have to respect and protect sharks, we are also taking one step towards saving the oceans .. !
Nothing is as effective as a personal experience with sharks, but narrating the true nature of these graceful animals by the next generation of marine biologists and shark researchers will come from the passion that is sparked by personal experiences in the ocean, will obviously change the negative perception of sharks ..
Observing sharks in the wild is inspirational and moves people at a deeper level. Whale Watching has already shown that as a successful example. Perhaps someday why not Shark Watching ..

::: Jumbo Dung Made | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-08-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

An innovative company in Sri Lanka sells 100% hand made paper products made out of recycled elephant pooh paper. There are no toxic chemicals used in their paper making process. Only basic bonding agents along with water soluble salt dyes for coloring are used. As no Bleach .. no Acids .. solutions are introduced during manufacturing, their handmade papers are of an ideal PH value for photograph preservation.
Sri Lanka is home to about a 10% of the estimated global total of 40,000 Asian elephants in the wild. Elephants are not being killed in Sri Lanka for their tusks or meat. But as a direct consequence of the conflict between Man and Elephant, it is likely that more than 4,000 elephants have been destroyed since 1950. Most of the protected areas inhabited by elephants are small. ( Less than a 1000 square kilometers in size )
These protected species could not live in an area where agriculture is the dominant form of land use unless a compensation system is covered the damage the elephants caused to farmers. There are no easy solutions for resolving the Human - Elephant conflict in Sri Lanka. Much will depend on how rural people perceive the worth of the elephant. To stop these unnecessary killing of elephants requires changing perceptions of the farmers who suffer constant depredations from the animals. Many are now convinced that the only way Elephants and Human beings can co exist successfully in the same environment is through finding ways to use the elephant as a sustainable economic resource.
Not only as an attraction for tourists, and why not a range of hand made paper products out of Elephant Dung ..
On average, an adult elephant produces about 180 to 200 kilograms of pooh per day. Moreover, it provides a way of converting a liability into an asset in conflict areas. Since an elephant’s diet is all vegetarian, the waste produced is basically raw cellulose. Thoroughly cleaned and processed, the cellulose is converted into a uniquely beautiful textured product, marketed as Pachyderm Paper .. This acid free, papyrus typed paper can be formed into art and construction projects, notebooks, cards, and assorted gift items where the only limitation is ones imagination. These products have proved extremely popular among many in the local population and among foreign tourists.
Although this paper may not completely resolve the ongoing Human Elephant conflict in Sri Lanka, its use for the benefit of the farmers who suffer from elephant depredations will certainly go some way in raising the tolerance of the farmers towards the elephant. If the elephant is used as an economic asset that contributes meaningfully to the welfare of the people, then the people themselves will not want to see elephant disappear from their area. In the final analysis, all of our conservation efforts will be futile if we do not have the support of the local communities.
Pachyderm Paper can play an important role in the conservation of its raw material provider, the Jumbo of course ..

::: Climate Change | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-07-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

Sri Lanka faces more and more natural disasters as severe droughts, coastal erosion, heat waves which are somehow linked to climate change. IPCC findings, published in 2004, clearly shows that increase of Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere as the reason for climate change. This includes Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrogen Dioxide, CFC, and even Water Vapor. It is estimated that the temperature rise will be 2 to 5 degrees Centigrade at the end of the century. Some even believe of a more severe temperature increase and 40 cm sea level rise by 2080. Some assessments state that the rise of average temperature by 4 to 5 degrees Centigrade will raise the sea level by 3 to 5 meters which leads to break up of ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica. Greenpeace says the breakdown of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet alone contains enough ice to increase the sea level by 5 meters. And if all ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica melt entirely, the sea level will rise by 70 meters.
Although the countries except the United States signed the Kyoto Protocol which agreed to reduce 5.2 % of CO2 emissions, none of the countries have fulfilled the agreed obligation yet. The World cannot be saved by the bodies appointed for saving it unless we all unite and act accordingly. Sri Lanka has made less contributions to climate change. Although, our GDP is high enough to become a middle income country, we are still an agrarian nation. However, we need to understand that the current development paradigm is not climate friendly. Most developed countries followed the thinking of Develop Today & Conserve Tomorrow .. However, the environmental disasters, including climate change, have shown that this has been a failed approach.
Today, we are facing three major crises such as food crisis, climate crisis, and financial crisis. At the end, the humanity is in a serious crisis. Though the world will recover from the financial crisis, there is no easy solution for the food crisis and the climate crisis.
The Developed Countries in the north have already exceeded their fair share in their resources utilization. They also have exceeded the use of the environmental space. The developed countries, representing less than one fifth of the world’s population, have emitted almost three quarters of all historical emissions. On a per person basis, they are responsible for more than ten times the historical emissions of developing countries. The Developed Nations owe the Developing Nations a huge Ecological Debt and Emission Debt. They are not yet ready to pay this debt. Honouring these obligations is not only necessary but it is also the basis of a fair and effective solution to climate change. Those who benefited most in the course of causing climate change must compensate those who contributed least to it but bear its adverse effects. Unfortunately, the poor majority in the world suffers most from both the food crisis and the climate crisis. According to Greenpeace more than 120 million people will become climate refugees by the end of the century in India and Bangladesh alone. According to OXFAM, a charity organization, the world will require 50 to 140 billion USD a year for the poorer countries to adapt to climate change. Sri Lankans who engage in nature based livelihoods, are already suffering from climate change. As the climate change is a very new issue to the authorities in Sri Lanka, they do not have any relevant statistics. However, we cannot ignore climate change anymore as it is already causing impacts. If we are to promote a Carbon Neutral Economy, we still have the opportunity and time for it. It is not advisable to wait for the government agencies to show the red flag on climate change. Every individual has the responsibility to act on climate change. The authorities need a more dynamic approach on climate change. The Coal based energy dependency in Sri Lanka is not climate friendly. Although Wind energy and Solar energy are climate friendly, Sri Lanka state bodies have a phobia in promoting these innovative energy concepts and they still have a learning exercise on climate change. But, we should not underestimate the climate impacts to Sri Lanka as we are an island in the Bay of Bengal ..
The Globe must think of adopting :: Develop In A Sustainable Manner While Respecting All The Conservation Efforts ::

::: Eco Tourism | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-07-17T01:02:00.000-07:00

As the new millennium unfolds, we are becoming increasingly aware of the finite, interconnected, and precious nature of our P L A N E T H O M E .. Likewise, tourism is becoming an increasingly popular expression of this awareness. With advances in transportation and information technology, ever more remote areas of the earth are coming within reach of the traveler. In fact, tourism is now the world's largest industry with nature tourism the fastest growing segment. In response to this increasing appreciation of nature experiences, a new travel ethic has arisen which is now called E C O T O U R I S M ..
This term has become increasingly popular in both conservation and travel circles, but what exactly does it mean ?

<< Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature and accompanying cultural features both past and present that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active Socio-Economic involvement of local people .. >>

Most tourism in natural areas today is not Eco Tourism and is not therefore, sustainable. Eco Tourism can be distinguished from nature tourism by its emphasis on conservation, education, traveler responsibility, and active community participation. Specifically, Eco Tourism possesses the following characteristics :

* Conscientious and low impact visitor behavior
* Sensitivity towards and appreciation of local cultures and biodiversity
* Support for local conservation efforts
* Sustainable benefits to local communities
* Local participation in decision making
* Educational components for both the traveler and local communities

It is becoming evident that increased tourism to sensitive natural areas in the absence of appropriate planning and management can become a threat to the integrity of both Eco Systems and local cultures. Increasing numbers of visitors to ecologically sensitive areas can lead to significant environmental degradation. Likewise, local communities and indigenous cultures can be harmed in numerous ways by an influx of foreign visitors and wealth. Additionally, fluctuations in climate, currency exchange rates, and political and social conditions can make over dependence upon tourism a risky business.
However, this same growth creates significant opportunities for both conservation and local community benefit. Eco Tourism can provide much needed revenues for the protection of national parks and other natural areas, revenues that might not be available from other sources. Additionally, Eco Tourism can provide a viable economic development alternative for local communities with few other income generating options. Moreover, Eco Tourism can increase the level of education and activism among travelers, making them more enthusiastic and effective agents of conservation.

::: Green Standards | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-07-16T03:10:00.000-07:00

Environmentally responsible living at Home :

Anyone can start environmentally friendly living by doing simple things at home such as switching off unnecessary lights and appliances, repair broken taps, saving water by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth etc.

Think before you buy ( Do not purchase unnecessary things ) :

Reducing the amount that we consume is the first step in reducing waste.

Use of Reusable goods such as reusable bags :

Find constructive uses for W A S T E materials. You can make a fashion statement and design your own shopping bag. A small investment saving money and environment in the long term.

Use a compost bin to recycle kitchen waste :

Recycling will reduce the amount of garbage you dispose as a municipal waste. About 85% of what we throw out from households are easily biodegradable waste which will provide us a fertilizer for our gardens at no cost passively. A compost bin takes up maximum one square meter from your garden space. These are available in plastic, concrete, or metal in many sizes and to suit your budget.
By following R E D U C E >> R E U S E >> R E C Y C L E in that order of importance will reduce the waste that you generate.

Green living in the digital age :

Use both sides of papers in printing or photocopying documents, print only the portion that is essential after editing. Replace Email for normal mail wherever possible. Going digital saves time, paper, storing space, and so much more easy to access past records and it is trendy .. too.

Buy local products ( Consume local products ) :

This will reduce the foreign exchange, promote local industries, and also will reduce the CO2 emissions involve in logistics.

Give only Eco Friendly gifts :

Make sure the gift you give will get used. Avoid unnecessary packaging and give green gifts, consumable gifts such as fruits, local gifts, and rechargeable batteries.

Use CFL bulbs :

Compact fluorescent, spiral light bulbs are 75% more efficient than standard light bulbs.

Use Solar Power :

Now easy to use solar panels are available for lighting and also solar chargers are available for for electronic appliances.

Energy saving on the road :

Walking, cycling, using a car pool, fuel efficient cars, keeping the car well maintained, driving at a lower speed, or taking public transport, all produce fewer CO2 emissions.

Green buildings :

Improve natural daylight, ventilation in workspace, home environment. Offices that are designed for air conditioning create a sick environment since often these are not maintained. It is very much more economical, healthy, and sensible to consider designs to optimize the use of natural lighting and ventilation.

Switch off electrical appliances rather than keep them on the standby mode :

Computers, Monitors, Printers, Photocopy Machines, Televisions, VCRs, DVD Players, and Microwave Ovens should be properly switched off to save energy.

Conserve soil :

Do not expose soil in land development.

Plant a tree :

Trees absorb CO2 which will reduce global warming and it provides other benefits such as shelter, conservation of soil, retaining water, supply food, wood, and fuelwood.

Harvest rain water :

Put a barrel on your downspouts and use this water for watering plants, washing etc.

Save water in the garden :

Retain rain water in the garden by facilitating infiltration and reducing the surface flow. If you have to water the garden, do it during the coolest part of the day or at night to minimize evaporation.

::: The Eco System Need Them | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-07-09T00:03:00.000-07:00

How much of celebrated Sri Lanka Wildlife will we have left 25 years hence ? Today, a herd of wild elephants coming to quench its thirst at a tank is a common sight in Yala, Minneriya, or many such places in the island. However, if the dangerous trend of encroaching on the natural habitat of these animals continues, the next few decades could see some of Sri Lanka's most majestic animal species becoming E X T I N C T.
The Sri Lankan Elephant ( Elaphas Maximus ) is listed as vulnerable and it comes as no surprise given that the death of a wild elephant is reported every two days.
It is also alarmingly in the vulnerable category are the Sri Lankan Leopard ( Panthera Pardus ) and the Wild Buffalo ( Bubalus Arnee ) while the Sloth Bear ( Melursus Ursinus ) is listed as E N D A N G E R E D.
1 in every 2 species of Mammals and Amphibians, 1 in every 3 species of Reptiles and Freshwater Fish and 1 in every 5 species of Birds in the country are currently facing the risk of becoming threatened in the wild.
The alarming statistics are revealed in the 2007 National Red List of Threatened Plants and Animals in Sri Lanka compiled by The World Conservation Union ( IUCN ), in collaboration with the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. The list was prepared by gathering information on the Indigenous Flora and Fauna of Sri Lanka and assessing their conservation status, taking into consideration the Global Red List criteria developed by the IUCN.
The Red List is both an important and powerful tool in the conservation cause, says Dr. Channa Bambaradeniya, Coordinator, Regional Species Conservation Program, IUCN Asia. It is a good indicator of the current status of wildlife, and it focuses our attention on the seriousness of the threats to the unique and rich biodiversity of Sri Lanka. Species were considered as Nationally Threatened when evaluated as one of the following :

- Critically Endangered ( CE ),
- Endangered ( EN ), or
- Vulnerable ( VU ).

The state of Indigenous Species in Sri Lanka was determined by the rate of population reduction, restricted geographic range, small population size and very small or restricted population. Most species were evaluated using their geographic range.
( Extent Of Occurrence | EOO and Area Of Occupancy | AOO )
The process of compiling the National Red List began in 2004. Facts were assembled selecting certain taxonomic groups for evaluation. Species information was then fed to a digital database, and the distribution of each species plotted in a 5×5 km² grid map using GIS technology. The result is what is considered the most comprehensive document concerning the environment and its conservation.
The previous National Red List was compiled in 1999, and the findings of the current assessments suggest that although steps have been taken to mitigate the threat of extinction, this effort is far from enough, explained Ms. Shiranee Yasaratne, the country representative of IUCN.
Sadly, the animals on the previous Red List are in much the same or in a worse situation than they were eight years ago. Climate change induced by rapid global warming, deforestation, and pollution are some of the main threats to wildlife. Poaching is also a serious threat although steps have been taken towards restricting this activity, and it continues regardless. Aquatic habitats and endemic fish species are in grave danger due to excessive use of agrochemicals. Sri Lanka ranks high among the top ten countries that make use of these chemicals. Deforestation, mining of minerals, improper land use, and so forth have led to heavy siltation in streams and rivers affecting aquatic life.
According to the National Red List, 223 ( 33% ) Inland Indigenous Vertebrate species are classified as nationally threatened. Of these, as many as 138 species ( 62% ) are endemic to Sri Lanka. Local extinction has already been happening due to urbanization. 84 Vertebrates and 74 Invertebrates have been classed in the near threatened category. Many of these reside in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. Only 4% of the wet zone is forested, and these forests too are severely fragmented. The implication of habitat loss, particularly in the wet zone, is that 21 species of
Endemic Amphibians and 72 species of Plants have become E X T I N C T over the past two centuries. In the past fifty years, we have lost approximately half of the country's total forested area. As of now, only 23.5% of the island's forests remain. The loss of forests averages as much as 30,000 hectares per year. Plant life in Sri Lanka too faces similar dangers. Of the island's total number of plant species ( 1099 ) evaluated, a staggering 61% are threatened. Of these, a further 61% are endemic to Sri Lanka. 37% of these endemic plants are in the critically endangered category. Unfortunately, the full implications of the extinction threat are unknown. In the case of plant life, only 30% of indigenous plants have been evaluated due to problems related to the lack of access to recent taxonomic publications and inconsistency in published data to name a few. Thus, some species have been put into the Data Deficient category. It is possible that many of these species are already threatened and in need of conservation action.
The 2008 National Red List, along with the new digital database launched by IUCN should be of some help to conservationists. With these tools, conservation planning and monitoring of protected areas, the creation of more public awareness and finally minimizing the threat of extinction could be achieved. Much remains to be done, both by the public and environmental organizations. In a bid to enlarge the size of wildlife reserves, efforts are being made to regenerate forests and link protected areas together by way of what are known as habitat corridors. So far, these steps have been undertaken on a small scale, but even a small effort is a significant contribution to this cause, said Dr. Channa Bambaradeniya. We all want the promise of a better tomorrow. For a large section of our wildlife, there could well be no tomorrow. Children in the 2020s may have to look up encyclopedias and visit museums to see animals that we are familiar with today. It is time to put things right. Not too far from now, it could be too late.

- Special Thanks To IUCN | Sri Lanka.

::: Thought Of The Era | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-07-02T00:56:00.000-07:00

Current Global Economic Downturn helps the mankind to think differently as well as collectively to overcome the dependency over Fossil Fuel Based Technologies. Even though Environmentally Sound Technologies, known as ESTs, are often considered more expensive than the existing Fossil Fuel Based Technologies, the transition to EST driven manufacturing and service industries can become a platform for a new economic growth for sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and even tourism.
Climate Change is a universal issue and it has to be dealt collectively. ESTs know how sharing policies between developed and developing countries, will be needed on an unprecedented scale. Those who degrade the environment insanely are accountable for their act and they have a moral responsibility to contribute back to the environment. In other word, Environmental Cost. Thus, ESTs are able to provide Win Win solutions, allowing the Greener Global Economic Growth and Climate Change Mitigation to proceed hand in hand.
Existing fossil fuel dependency will be diminished with the supporting deployment of mature renewable energies as biomass, geothermal, solar, wind, and hydro energy as well as providing public awareness on efficient utilization of energy.

::: Sri Lanka | Post Conflict National Reconciliation At Grass Root Level :::

2009-06-25T00:40:00.000-07:00

The importance of conducting a situation analysis for a thorough understanding, is a must. And the need of Peace-Sensitive and Development-Oriented public policies, can not be denied. Policies based on universally shared values are needed not only for Sri Lanka also any country emerging from conflict. Internally displaced families, returning refugees, and unsupported youth, former child soldiers, ex-combatants, and others are particularly vulnerable to being co-opted into unproductive or illicit activities that are counterproductive to the effective functioning of the state. Thus Sri Lanka must organize specific, demonstrable initiatives to regenerate social cohesion through policies and programmes that promote participation, equity, and inclusion of each and every Lankans.
Conflicts spilling across the borders represent an additional threat not only during the conflict also it will continue post conflict disintegration attempts, on both a national and regional level. Therefore, Sri Lanka should prepare to deal with those actors by setting special unit of two way communication.
Establishment of credible, transparent, participatory and efficient governance, and public administration institutions in fragile post conflict settings is the key ingredient to achieve peace, stability, and sustainable development. A solid governance infrastructure is crucial to deliver the political promises along with the needed public goods such as security, health care, education, and infrastructure.
It is true that the confidence building between the North and the South at national level is the utmost task that the state has prior to any long term development goals in the island.
We invite Sri Lankan Communities to help the Internally Displaced Families ( IDFs ) to rebuild their lives. Fostering IDFs is in a way we can build the trust that we all badly needed to bring us together ..

::: Barefoot Safari | Gamini s Greener Globe :::

2009-06-25T00:31:00.000-07:00

With the esprit of " Adventure begins where the road ends ", two fully expedition prepared 4 x 4 vehicles left Colombo towards the scenic Strict Natural Reserve ( SNR ) named Yala Block 2, situated in the south eastern corner of Sri Lanka. This reserve is a part of Yala Sanctuary restricted for general public. You have to get proper approval and permission to get in as no one is generally allowed to camp inside the Yala Block 2. This permission can be obtained at the Department of Wild Life Conservations ( DWLC ) Head Office situated in Colombo ..
Going to Yala Nature Reserve, not merely for the animals but for the serenity one gets to experience. A place cut out from human habitat, an ideal environment to be alone and rediscover who you were ..
Yala Nature Reserve and its never changing environment is a sort of a meditation centre to those who live in this ever changing world in the city. An occasional trip to Yala Nature Reserve always helps me to realise how much, I myself, had changed as a person ..
All the journeys that I had to Yala Nature Reserve always provided me the opportunity to learn how much we, the nature and the humans, are connected ..
The elephants guarding their offspring reminds humans how to be available for their children .. And a leopard who makes a successful kill shows us how to be focused when pursuing a goal ..
Entering Yala Nature Reserve for the first time as a kid, I read the sign board which stated that no visitor had the right to take away even a grain of sand from the sanctuary. Since then, no one has needed to teach me how to protect assets of all forms ..
Drinking water is often a problem when you travel in the reserve. We have always been forced to conserve drinking water in Yala by our cautious Park Ranger Friend. Whenever we return home from Yala Nature Reserve, we have an ample reason to be ashamed of ourselves when we see how water is wasted in the wet zone of Sri Lanka ..
There is always the temptation to do something unlawful at Yala Nature Reserve. These questionable acts can be ranged from killing an animal, cutting timber, or bringing home a souvenir as flora and fauna. However, I prefer to bring home memories from Yala of which has got an unseen link between the wildlife and the humanlife ..
Memories of Yala Nature Reserve are strong, so strong that I only have to close my eyes to travel to my most favourite place on earth ..

::: Kumbukkan Oya Gathers Moonlight Life And Shadow .. ! :::

2009-06-25T00:16:00.000-07:00

The final rays of the setting sun filter through giant Kumbuk trees and fall on the shallow waters of the river. The almost dry river bed is now bedecked by large extents of sand. The sand exudes a loveliness of its own. The tracks of wild animals stand out clearly in the fine sand, speaking of dangers yet unseen.
I relax in the shade of a Kumbuk tree allowing my eyes to absorb the scenery around me, the shadows, outlines, play of colour and the serenity that is the sum of all these things. A flock of hornbills come into view, fly across the sky and disappear beyond the tree line.
" Look at these leopard footprints .. They have been made just a little while ago .." Kulay Aiya, our Guide on the journey has spoken with a certain degree of excitement. We quickly gravitate to his side. They certainly appeared to have been made by a leopard, and the creature had come very close to our camping facility.
This is a rarely visited spot on the Kumbukkan Oya, located between Madamethota and Galamuna. The sandy bed of the Kumbukkan Oya is our camping ground for the day. " It is dangerous to camp on the riverbed, because one can never tell when the water will arrive ", a friend observes.
The Kumbukkan Oya originates from a group of hills located a little below Badulla. By the time the water reaches this area, the Kumbukkan Oya is a fairly large river, not less than seventy feet wide. It is because the river is fed by a watershed that is 1,218 square kilometers in size, that one can never predict when the river will swell. A large number of animals, showing significant diversity, live around these waters. Block 2, 4, and 5 of the Yala Reserve are bordered by the Kumbukkan Oya. The river on the other side, borders Kumana, which is at the eastern end of Yala.
There are names surrounding the area. Names such as Kebilitta, Galamuna, Madamethota, Gamevehera, and Bowattagala, which referred to a different time. These were sites where history was actively made, they were places that spoke of heritage. How could it not be, when the Kumbukkan Oya is the great body of water that runs through the 352 square miles that make up the Panamapattuwa.
According to folklore, when the river is in spate, even elephants get washed downstream. Today, this giant body of water has been reduced to a little more than a trickle. The drought is in full bloom. From far away, we hear the sound of a bear.
We have now finished cooking dinner. While the darkness launches its heaviest invasion and challenging it, the soft silver of moonlight begins to kiss the sand. We are waiting for the animal life to arrive. We don’t have to wait long. A herd of spotted deer, 20 - 30 of them, emerge from the trees. Some drink while others keep watch, alert to the slightest sign of danger. They know that death awaits only a split second’s carelessness away.
None of us move .. The deer disappear into the jungle. It is the turn of the wild boar next. We must have made some noise, for they fled back into the safety of the trees almost immediately. However, a tusked boar held its ground some thirty feet away from us, digging the sand for about twenty minutes. The creature might have sensed that we meant no harm. Or else it must have been crazy, for if we were hunters, death would have come almost instantly. We were waiting for the great beasts of the jungle, the elephants. The first elephant made its entrance not too far away from where the wild boar stood.
It is almost nightfall. We move closer to the elephant. Someone whispers, " Not One, but Two .. ! "
We watch from the opposite shore. The two elephants leisurely drink their fill, occasionally tossing some water on their backs. " Both are females," says Kule Aiya. They splash water on each other and converse in ways we couldn’t comprehend. One never tires of watching the friendly play of elephants. The elephants also move back into the jungle. The bears, apparently, want to be counted too. They make sure that they are heard. It is quite dark now. Now and then we hear elk.
Moonlight has captured the river bed. It glows in a silvery blue. Too magical to describe. Wrapped in moonlight, the cool waters of the Kumbukkan Oya leisurely meander on their way. It is time to light a fire. We light it close to the water’s edge, on the sand. We know how important it is to exercise the utmost care when lighting a fire in such places, especially in the dry season. Close by lies the half burnt trunk of a giant Kumbuk tree. What a crime it is to set ablaze such a majestic tree, a tree that would have for centuries participated in a natural process, thriving in it, and making it fertile at the same time!
I am gazing at the moon. It is hard to believe that it is this same moon that also shines above and upon the concrete jungle. The night is sweet and soft. How else can it appear when contrasted with the unrelenting heat that comes entwined with the dry winds gathering dust for our feet ? I have once again watched the dawn break by the Kumbukkan Oya and I feel blessed ..

::: Horton Plains SNR | The Breathtaking Beauty :::

2009-06-24T23:06:00.000-07:00

With its highly diverse natural habitats ranging from tropical rain forests to montane grasslands, wide range of animal and bird species, Sri Lanka is the haven for Eco Tourism enthusiasts .. Nowhere, else can one experience the wealth of natural attractions still unspoilt by the human touch as what the little island Sri Lanka presents to its discerning visitors ..
A group of us stepped out of " Anderson House " the bungalow of the Department of Wild Life Conservations ( DWLC ) in the morning, to the cool mist and warm sun rays ..
Walking along a jeep track, we came to a T junction where we get a circular path which would brings us to the popular " World's-End " ..
Adjoining mountains of the World's End, covered with bushes and trees. These are virgin mountain forest. The variations amaze us as the leaves of varied colours, umbrella type fragmented canopies; twisted trunks branches and dwarf trees, all adaptations to survive the rough gales. Along the way, we came across a little brook from where originate three of major rivers called Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe in the island. The water is tempting, clear as crystal and cold. However, we would not venture in as we are in a SNR. The purity of the water should not be disturbed. The ground we stand is bumpy and grassy where the water transformation takes place. The water molecules in the air are absorbed and stored in the ground which is soft and rubbery. We heard that the peat layer in the marshes around, goes to a depth of 2.5 Meters.
Horton Plains, a breathtaking beauty ..
All of us did enjoy the nature trail immensely. Blooming flowers in Red, Yellow, Blue, and Purple. The calls and sight of a variety of birds as we continue observing silently and cautiously. Perhaps, we might come across one of the rare sights of even a rarer creature, a Greenish Black Lizard with a small White snout. The Horned Lizards are endemic to the Horton Plains ..
Horton Plains is home to 101 recorded plant species of which 49 are endemic. Five out of the 14 mammal species, 21 out of the 98 bird species, 4 out of 5 reptile species, and 15 out of 40 butterfly species are endemic. There are 20 amphibian varieties and 2 fish varieties recorded as well ..
We reach World's End in time to warm up in the morning sun. The mist has cleared to notice the web of roads down below in another province and another district ..