rainforests

Rainforests are amongst the major casualties  of climate change. They are nature's gifts to mankind offering numerous natural resources such as medicinal plants and herbs. They are also serve as a habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. The most colorful plant and animal species are found here. To a great extent these forests sustain themselves by generating about 50% of the rainfall in the area through evaporation and condensation through the trees. In addition to sustaining themselves they also support the microclimate of the surrounding area and play a important role in replenishing waterbodies, preventing soil erosion ,  facilitating agriculture and acting as a carbon sink . They support a huge human population directly or indirectly.

                                      This beautiful ecosystem is now at risk due to lack of regard for this precious asset. Excessive logging and clearing to make way for forests and farms is destroying the se rainforest and the species they nurture. The effects have been terrible. In 2004-05 brazil cleared 18,00 square kilometers of rainforest and faced a severe drought in 2005. In addition to such disasters we are helping to accelerate the pace of climate change by destroying the rainforest.

                                       There are various efforts by individuals and organizations to stop this destruction. One such effort is being promoted through a website called www.rainforest concern.org. The website has been beautifully designed with earthy colors and breathtaking images of the rainforest. There is a slideshow of rainforest images on the opening page of the site which reveals the beauty of the forest. The site also has a massage for its visitors in the form of a e- leaflet which is a visual treat. The site is very informative with various sections on rainforest facts, climate and carbon, education and  resources, how individuals can help, rainforest visit etc. It sis best to visit the site and make your own discovery. I am sure it will be a pleasing experience and one may end up doing something important for mankind by participating in one of their programs. 

climate change and water

water, the most precious natural element on earth is threatened due to climate change impact. Although large land masses may be submerged and sea levels may rise due to melting of ice, availability of water for drinking and farming will reduce due to climate change. The reasons are many and varied. Due to receding glaciers water level in rivers will reduce. The ground water table will fall due to increased evaporation and drying up of replenishment sources. The ground water in coastal areas will get salinated due to sea water ingress in underground water due to sea level rise.
These effects are already being seen in various parts of India. In the Indian state of Kashmir the villages near Srinagar face a water shortage due to reduction in water in the glacier fed lakes. In orissa groundwater in kanhupur, Kendrapara district and in kirtania, Balasore district has become saline due to sea water ingress.
Despite these looming shortages water in cities is being lst due to leakages during supply. In Europe 15-25% of water is lost in supply. Singapore is in a better position with losses amounting to 5%. In Thailand 85% of the water used to be lost during supply. Now this has been reduced to 8%. Both these countries achieved this by pricing water higher which led to water being treated as a valuable commodity. Singapore has achieved such a level of water purity that one can drink water from any trap. Perhaps other countries need to follow these examples to tackle the water crisis.