Lite Initiatives

Archive for January, 2011

 “Global Warming” or “Climate Change” as its called now since the globe hasn’t warmed in more than 10 years now is being set up as a massive global tax on every productive member of society  The fact that the globe isn’t warming still hasn’t changed the minds of the politicians who want to play on the science illiteracy of the general public. So they have figured out a way to tax every man, woman, and child for something that isn’t necessary except to maintain their own political power over the rest of us. Thus is invented the “carbon footprint.” The idea of a “carbon footprint” is perhaps political correctness taken to its most absurd extreme.

The carbon cycle is defined by “Wikipedia” as a biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the atmosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and the atmosphere of the earth. This cycle has been going on for as long as the earth has existed. It began before mankind walked the planet and will continue well beyond our existence here. All forms of life on this planet are carbon based. Plants, animals, insects, creatures in the sea are all made of long chain carbon molecules.

It is largely plant life that has formed the massive coal and petroleum reserves we are utilizing today for fuel. As these products are being oxidized (burned), carbon is being released back into the environment.

On one hand, those who advocate the burning of forestland with prescribed burns call what they do as “carbon neutral” because all they are doing is releasing sequestered carbon. The increase of plant growth – both the trees and the understory- are supposed to take in the carbon dioxide being released by burning and “re-sequester” the carbon.

Following this logic, we are already doing that with our carbon-based fuels. It takes energy to produce a car, a house, a building, or a highway. Carbon is used in its many forms to produce these commodities. Arguably, these new ‘forms” of carbon are sequestering carbon better than one could ever hope to do with a forest of trees.

Look around and see what you can find that isn’t some form of carbon. I have played this game with several folks from time to time and they haven’t stopped to realize how much carbon is all around us everyday. The streets we drive on are asphalt – a long chain carbon molecule mixed with crushed limestone (calcium carbonate.) The plastics virtually everywhere are long chain carbon molecules. The steel in our cars, building, metal signs, etc. are iron and carbon. The paint on the cars, roadways, signs, houses, etc. are all carbon-based molecules. You can go on and on and will be hard pressed to find something that doesn’t have some form of carbon in it – from the sheet rock in the wall to the concrete in the curb – to all things living or dead – they all have carbon as one of their elements.

When playing this game, it’s hard to spot something that isn’t carbon based in some way or another. Someone will point to the windshield of the truck, but then I point out that the safety glass has a thin layer of plastic sandwiched between the glass. Base metals such as copper or aluminum are some of the few things in our world that do not contain carbon but carbon was required to develop them into useful items.

The “carbon footprint” guilt trip is laid on most heavily by those most likely to make money – and a lot of it – with something called “carbon credits.” When you hear this term, hold onto your wallet, for someone somewhere is going to figure out a way to relieve you of some of your hard earned dollars (made with cellulose by the way – a long chain carbon molecule.)

Politicians have been swayed into thinking that this is a good way to raise tax revenues and the first plan was called “Cap and Trade.” (Today, it is being called “The Climate Bill” – as if anything we can do will actually change the climate.) The original idea is that the person who can sequester carbon would trade his “carbon credits” to someone who, by necessity, had to produce carbon dioxide as part of their business. This would pay the person sequestering carbon while permitting the creator of carbon dioxide to go about their business as usual while paying a “tax.” The middleman – the broker of carbon credits – reaps the rewards and nothing is actually accomplished in the form of carbon sequestration.

The carbon credit-trading scheme is about as convoluted a process as one might ever expect to find. One of the first originated in Chicago – called the Chicago Climate Exchange. You can go on their website if you think you’d like to delve further into this morass of bad science. The complexities of carbon credit trading make the IRS forms look easy by comparison.

Meanwhile, the environmentalists are pushing the planting of trees to save the planet. Trees are well known carbon sinks and yes, they are a good method of sequestering carbon. Any tree person knows that and it is in our best interest to plant more trees, right? Well, maybe. I realize its heresy to bring this to your attention, but trees are not the most efficient methods of sequestering carbon. A healthy tree can sequester 13 pounds of carbon per year. Assuming 400 trees per acre (roughly a 10 foot x 10 foot plot per tree – that’s a lot of trees per acre), a total of 2.6 tons of carbon can be sequestered per year. (See http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm#carbon) With each tree occupying a small space, can they actually grow efficiently? In addition, where will this land come from to plant all of these trees?

Now the real kicker is that grass – i.e. pasture or prairie – can sequester 34 tons of carbon per acre. Even more if it is fertilized – as much as 47 tons per acre in a field of fertilized alfalfa. End result? An acre of grass is 13 to 18 times more efficient at carbon sequestration as an acre of trees. (Those who love the sport of golf now have a new argument in the favor of more golf courses.(http://mbforagecouncil.mb.ca/CustomBlox/Files/Live/Blox/859/Carbon_Sequestration_in_Pastures_FINAL_June_26_P.pdf)

I look out in the pasture and see cattle grazing. These carbon-based life forms are taking cellulose (carbon molecules) and turning them into proteins (also long chain carbon molecules). I will be doing my part as I enjoy a grilled (with carbon fuel) steak to complete the carbon cycle. 

For now, I don’t think I’ll worry about sequestering carbon. The grass is cycled back to the soil in the form of manure – a similarity closely akin to the carbon credit schemes dreamed up by politicians. If they really wanted to sequester carbon, they would make more plastic. It’s said that the plastic water bottle takes a thousand years (or more) to return to the earth. How many trees do you know that can last a thousand years? 

Why is there a need for us to solve a problem like air pollution? Try to look at the world around you, what do you see? What do you feel? What do you smell? Everything around us is affected by air pollution. Say good bye to the days where you can enjoy fresh air and feel great about it.

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It cannot be denied that there are problems brought about by air pollution, harmful effects of air pollution to be specific. Most of these harmful effects are health related. Yes, air pollution can cause detrimental effects to your health. You have to see to it that you make means in order to avoid all of these effects brought about air pollution.

Due to the presence of chemicals, gases and other harmful particles present in air pollution, it can cause respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and lung cancer. It can also cause bad effects for a person with a heart disease.  Not only does air pollution causes harmful health effects but mostly it affects our ecosystem.

It can kill plants, trees and animals which are living in highly polluted areas. It also destroys our ozone layer and can bring detrimental effects which are not good for the environment and affects our quality of life. Our world is no longer a safe place to live in; it became a dangerous place for elderly and newborn babies. Air pollution can affect the quality of the air we breathe, the water and even the rain that we are experiencing.

We must do something about this air pollution before it is too late for us. Let us not wait for the time wherein we cannot do anything to stop the harmful effects of air pollution. Make our world a better place to live in. Make it something of importance. Do your part.

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GLOBALISATION OF WORLD ECONOMY

            The world economy has been emerging as a global or transnational economy. A global or-transnational economy is one which transcends the national borders unhindered by artificial restrictions like Government restrictions on trade and factor movements. Globalisation is a process of development of the world into a single integrated economic unit. The Transnational economy is different from the international economy. The international economy is characterised by the existence of different national economies the economic relations between them being regulated by the national Governments. The transnational economy is a borderless world economy characterised by free flow of trade and factors of production across national borders.

            Drucker in his New Realities observes that in the early or mid seventies — with OPEC and President Nixon’s floating of the dollar — the world economy changed from being international to transnational. According to Drucker, Che transnational economy is characterised by, inter alia, the following features

            1. The transnational economy is shaped mainly by money flows rather than by trade in goods and services. These money flows have their own dynamics. The monetary and  fiscal policies of sovereign Governments increasingly react to events in the international money and capital markets rather than, actively shape them.

            2. In the transnational economy management has emerged as the decisive factor of production and the traditional factors of production, land and labour, have increasingly become secondary. Money and capital markets too have been increasingly becoming transnational and universally obtainable. Drucker, therefore, argues that it is management on which competitive position has to be based.

            3. In the transnational economy the goal is market maximisation and not profit maximisation.

            4. Trade, which increasingly follows investment, is becoming a function of investment.

            5. The decision making power is shifting from the national state to the region (i.e., the regional blocs like the European Community, North American Free Trade Agreement,            etc.)

            6. There is a genuine — and almost autonomous — world economy of money, credit and investment flows. It is organised by information which no longer knows national boundaries.

      7. Finally, there is a growing pervasiveness of the transnational corporations which see the entire world as a single market for production and marketing of goods and services.

            There are, thus, many factors which tend to promote the transnatlonalisation of the world economy. The multilateral trade negotiations under the auspices of GATT/WTO have been liberalising trade and investment.

            A growing proportion of the world output is traded internationally and the faster growth of trade, than the GDP, is bringing about world economic integration. This economic integration is reinforced by the massive cross-border capital flows. The progress of the regional blocs increasingly integrate the regional economies.

C.Pavithira
M.Phil Scholar
Department of Commerce
Periyar University, Salem-11

GlobalData, the leading business intelligence provider, has released its latest research study “Global Carbon Policy Handbook, 2010: Policies Driving the Growth of Carbon Trading Markets”, which is an offering from the company’s Energy Research Group. The report provides an in-depth analysis on the carbon policy initiatives by the European Union, the US, Canada, Australia and other developed and developing economies. It details the regional climate change initiatives, the Kyoto Protocol and its mechanisms. It also provides an analysis on Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) projects. The report provides an overview on various carbon registries, carbon exchanges and the major companies participating in the carbon trade. The report provides the latest information on the value, volume and price of the emissions traded in project-based mechanisms, such as CDM, JI and Secondary CDM, and allowance markets such as the European Union’s (EU) Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), New South Wales, Chicago Climate, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and Assigned Amount Units (AAUs). The report discusses some of the reasons for the growth of carbon markets and provides carbon market forecasts until 2020.

Scope

The report provides a detailed analysis on the global carbon policy initiatives driving the carbon trading markets. Its scope is as follows.
– Impact assessment of the carbon policies in the United States (US), the European Union (EU), Canada, Australia and Asia Pacific regions on the world carbon trading markets.
– Carbon trading value from 2010-2020, which help in identifying a market potential.
– Key carbon regulations and policies at regional level in the US and unified carbon regulatory framework in the EU and their impact on the growth of global carbon trading market.
– Analyzes the probable regional policy instruments in the US and Asia Pacific regions, which will drive the global carbon trading markets beyond 2012.
– Key carbon regulations and policies at regional level in the US and unified carbon regulatory framework in the EU and their impact on the growth of global carbon trading market.
– Analyzes the regional policy instruments in the US and Asia Pacific regions, which will drive the global carbon trading markets.
– Review of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in the Asia Pacific and Sub-Saharan regions in 2009
– Details on various Kyoto mechanisms and helps in identifying potential markets by navigating the policy landscape worldwide from 2005-2012.
– Key data and information on the volume and market value of carbon allowances, covering both project-based transactions and allowance-based transactions from 2004-09.
– Historic pricing trends for carbon in various exchanges and project-based transactions from 2004-09.
– Analyzes market-based instruments such as certifications and standards used in carbon trading in 2009.
– Overview on investment firms, infrastructure and energy service providers, advisory companies, financial firms, brokerage firms, carbon solution providers and other auditing firms participating in carbon trade.

Reasons to buy

- The report will enhance your decision making capabilities in a rapid and time sensitive manner.
– Develop business strategies with the help of specific insights into policy decisions being taken on the carbon credits trade by EU 27, the US, Australia and other developed and emerging countries worldwide.
– Identify opportunities and challenges in exploiting carbon emission reduction projects worldwide.
– Understand the market positioning of carbon credits in correlation with carbon policies.
– Increase future revenue and profitability with the help of insights on the opportunities and critical success factors of the EU ETS in the carbon trading market.
– Benchmark your investments against the major players in the carbon trading markets.
– Be ahead of the competition by keeping yourself abreast with all of the latest policy changes on carbon mitigation globally.
– Plan your investments to minimize the impact of carbon taxes due to changing carbon policies.
– Plan your project locations and project types in order to capitalize on the growing carbon allowance market.
– Identify the most suitable geography to invest in emission reduction projects.
– Target the most suitable geography for emission reduction projects based on the policies to gain incentives.
– Develop custom strategies for different geographies based on the stringency of the carbon policy in the respective area.
– Navigate the carbon policies through detailed analysis of existing carbon allowance market dynamics and potential changes.
– Identify the most promising geography to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, in order to minimize carbon taxes.

1 Table of contents 4
1.1 List of Tables 6
1.2 List of Figures 7

2 Introduction 8
2.1 Overview 8
2.2 GlobalData Report Guidance 9

3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and its Impact on Global Carbon Policies 10
3.1 Impact of GHGs on Ecology 10
3.1.1 Introduction to Global Warming 10
3.1.2 Illustrations of Ecological Imbalance due to Excess Carbon 10
3.2 Global Initiatives to Reduce Carbon Footprint 11
3.2.1 The Kyoto Protocol and its Implementation Challenges 11
3.2.2 Development of Natural and Artificial Carbon Sequestration Techniques, Energy Efficiency Projects and Renewables 11
3.2.3 Evolution of Carbon Trading Market 12

4 Global Carbon Policy Frameworks Boosting Emissions Trading Markets 13
4.1 Overview of Regulatory Framework for Emission Trading Systems 13
4.1.1 American Clean Energy and Security Act and its Implications 13
4.1.2 European Union’s Climate Change Policy 14
4.1.3 Climate Change Initiatives in Canada and Prospects for Emissions Trading 18
4.1.4 Australia’s Climate Change Initiatives will Aid the Emission Trading Mechanism 18
4.2 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 18
4.3 Kyoto Protocol, a Precursor of Emissions Trading Systems 18
4.3.1 Overview of Kyoto Protocol, Participating Nations 18
4.3.2 Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) 21
4.3.3 Joint Implementation and Assigned Amount Units 40
4.3.4 Emission Trading 47
4.4 Increasing Role of International Emissions Trading and International Emissions Trading Association in Boosting the Market 48
4.4.1 Objectives of IETA 48
4.4.2 Program by IETA 48
4.5 Various Regulatory Frameworks and Regional Initiatives in the US 49
4.5.1 American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 50
4.5.2 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in the US 52
4.5.3 California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 AB 32 53
4.5.4 Western Climate Initiative 54
4.5.5 Midwestern Regional GHG Reduction Accord (MGGRA) 55
4.5.6 EPA Climate Leaders 55
4.5.7 Hawaii Global Warming Solutions Act of 2007 55
4.6 European Union Emissions Trading System Promotes Emissions Trading Market 55
4.6.1 EU ETS 56
4.6.2 Revised EU ETS 56
4.7 Japan’s Keidanren Voluntary Action Plan and Other Voluntary Markets 57
4.8 Emission Reduction Schemes of Australia 59
4.8.1 New South Wales Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme 59
4.8.2 Greenhouse Challenge Plus 59
4.8.3 Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme 59
4.9 Canadian Government’s Measures and Initiatives Drive Carbon Trading 60
4.10 Policies and Market Instruments Driving Carbon Trading Programs in Other Countries 61
4.10.1 Policy and Market Mechanisms in China 61
4.10.2 Policy and Market Mechanisms in South Korea 62
4.10.3 Policy and Market Mechanisms in New Zealand 62
4.10.4 Policy and Market Mechanisms in Russia 63
4.10.5 Policy and Market Mechanisms in Sub-Saharan 63
4.11 Impact of COP 15 on Carbon Policies and Emission Trading 64

5 Regional and Global Carbon Exchanges and Carbon Trading Markets 65
5.1 Increasing Role off Standard-Specific and Existing Registries 66
5.1.1 North American Markets 68
5.1.2 The Chicago Climate Exchange 69
5.1.3 European Union Emissions Trading System Market 71
5.1.4 The Australian Carbon Market 72
5.2 Project-Based Transactions by Region and Project Type 72
5.2.1 CDM and JI Buyers, Sellers and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Markets 73

6 Development of Certifications, Standards and Other Initiatives Facilitating Emissions Trading 76
6.1 American Carbon Registry Standard 77
6.2 The Climate Action Reserve Protocols 77
6.3 The CarbonFix Standard 77
6.4 Chicago Climate Exchange Offsets Program 78
6.5 Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Standards 78
6.6 EPA Climate Leaders Offset Guidance 78
6.7 Greenhouse Gas Services Standard 78
6.8 The Gold Standard 78
6.9 Greenhouse Friendly 79
6.10 ISO 14064 Standards 79
6.11 Plan Vivo 79
6.12 Social Carbon Standard 79
6.13 TUV NORD Climate Change Standard and VER+ Standard 79
6.14 Voluntary Carbon Standard 80

7 Competitive Landscape of Emission Trading Companies 81
7.1 3Degrees Incorporated 81
7.2 APX Incorporated 81
7.3 Baker & McKenzie 81
7.4 Blue Source 81
7.5 CantorCO2e 81
7.6 Climate Focus 82
7.7 Credit Suisse 82
7.8 EcoSecurities Group 82
7.9 Equator LLC 82
7.10 MGM International 82
7.11 Natsource 83
7.12 RNK Capital LLC 83
7.13 Sterling Planet, Incorporated 83
7.14 Tradition Financial Services/TFS

Globalization:
There is no specific term as to the meaning of Globalization (G11N ). Different dictionaries give different meaning of the word ‘globalization’. However the term globalization is used in many contexts referring to particular industry. In the business and financial context it would mean that the increase of trade around the world, especially by large companies producing and trading goods in many different countries or a Tendency toward a worldwide investment environment, and the integration of national capital markets .
IMF defines globalization as ‘the process through which an increasingly free flow of ideas, people, goods, services, and capital leads to the integration of economies and societies. Major factors in the spread of globalization have been increased trade liberalization and advances in communication technology’ .

Globalization (globalisation) describes an ongoing process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through a globe-spanning network of communication and execution.
In general globalization is the a governmental policy favoring free trade, open borders, the free movement of capital and goods (but not always of people), elimination of tariffs and price controls (including artificial control of currency values), and the privatization of publicly-owned or controlled enterprises
Factors that have contributed to globalization include increasingly sophisticated communications and transportation technologies and services, mass migration and the movement of peoples, a level of economic activity that has outgrown national markets through industrial combinations and commercial groupings that cross national frontiers and international agreements that reduce the cost of doing business in foreign countries. Globalization offers huge potential profits to companies and nations but has been complicated by widely differing expectations, standards of living, cultures and values, and legal systems as well as unexpected global cause-and-effect linkages. See also free trade .

Today, it has become possible that setting up of manufacturing units in the country where the labor is cheap and selling the goods all over the world. There also a growth in the services sector.
Although world globalization is popularly used today , elements of globalization can be found when the companies started to operate in many countries- elements dates back to 17th century where the companies like British East India company (founded in 1600) and Dutch East India company started to operate.
Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC in Dutch, literally “United East Indies Company”) which was founded in 1602 was the World’s First Multinational Corporation to be owned by investors through the issuance of stock equity It was also the first MNC to start a stock exchange in Amsterdam in 1602 .
However modern globalization began when great depression in the international trade took place in 1930s and various countries imposed import restrictions for safeguarding their economies. The USA made many proposals for extending international trade & employment. In 1947, 23 countries signed an agreement (GATT- general agreement on tariffs & trade) related to tariffs imposed on trade.
On 1st January 1995, the WTO replaced GATT, which had been in existence since 1947, as the organization overseeing the multilateral trading system. Upon signing the new WTO Agreements, members of GATT became the WTO members.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) which consists of 153 member nations deals with the rules of trade between nations at a global or near-global level. WTO is an organization for liberalizing trade, a forum for governments to negotiate trade agreements, and a place for WTO members to settle trade disputes.
Today’s Globalization is the result of WTO, fair treatment and the non discrimination is the main principals of WTO.

Globalization of Legal Industry:
Globalisation of legal Industry refers to the opening of legal market/industry in the country to the other nations so that they can set up law firm and offer consultancy services, practice law.etc

Globalization of Law:
Todays modern law passed by the countries in relation with the business, Intellectual properties, corporate law, banking, Internet law reflects the laws of many nations. Amendement to the these laws are carried out to accommodate such changes.
Legal education today is shifting from traditional methods of teaching to more innovative approaches. As we see in many country law schools the law subjects are similar to the other countries as to the basics of law, jurisprudence.
There is also an International law which governs the International Treaties, agreements. Intrnational law today is weak in context of enforcement,compared to the domestic law. As the nations are members of United Nations, sanctioning countries in violition with the International Law lies with the Security council.

Globalization of Legal Profession:
The history of legal profession dates back to the ancient Greece and Rome. Earlier the individuals were supposed to plead their own cases, which was soon bypassed by the increasing tendency of individuals to ask a “friend” for assistance. However, around the middle of the fourth century, the Athenians disposed of the perfunctory request for a friend.
In 204 BC , a law enacted by Romans, barred the advocates from taking fees.Later it was abolished by Emperor Claudius, who legalized advocacy as a profession and allowed the Roman advocates to practice openly
Today one needs to complete the law education approved by the Bar council and has to pass the bar exams of particular state and enroll before the sate to practice in the state.
However, the liberalization in the legal profession has made an individual/lawyer to practice law in other country.

1.England and Wales:
There are about 10,000 Barristers and 60,000 of solicitors in England and Wales today. The General Council of the Bar (known as the Bar Council) and other laws govern the barristers in UK and the Law Society of UK governs the Solicitors in UK. Only the Solicitors and Barristers are allowed to practice in the UK.
Practice of law by foreign lawyer:
Even the Foreign Lawyers eligible to be enrolled as the Solicitor of in England and Wales if he get through in the qualified lawyers of transfer Test(QLTT)
The Qualified Lawyers’ Transfer Test (QLTT), England ‘s official transfer exam for foreign attorneys. It is a test in which candidates are expected to demonstrate a basic familiarity with English statutes, cases, practice rules and the principles of common law. QLTT Exams are conducted in many countries annually. The test covers four heads (subject areas): Head 1 – Property, Head 2 – Litigation, Head 3 – Professional conduct and accounts, Head 4 – Principles of common law. There are exemptions to certain countries on this. Generally lawyers from common law countries who have studied their law in English medium needs to sit for professional conduct and accounts ( head 4 ) exam only. However most of the US attorneys need to get through in head 1, 2, and 3 also.

2.Singapore:
As on 2006,there were about 3,476 advocates and solicitors in Singapore. The Law Society of Singapore governs the represents solicitors and maintains and improves standards of conduct and training.
The Legal Profession Act (1967) governs the legal profession in Singapore.
Foreign lawyers are regulated by the Attorney General’s Chambers . The AG’s chamber registers and regulates foreign lawyers. It also formulates laws, rules, guidelines and policies relating to joint law ventures, formal law alliances, representative offices, foreign law firms and foreign lawyers practicing in Singapore and advises on the practical application of the laws governing the legal profession.
Foreign lawyers are required to register individually with the Attorney General’s Chambers in Singapore. Foreign lawyers cannot be sole practitioners and must work as employees, partners or directors in one of the following practice vehicles: As a foreign law firm, A Joint Law Venture (“JLV”),A Formal Law Alliance (“FLA”), As a foreign lawyer in a Singapore law firm.

3. South Africa
There are approximately 13 000 practising attorneys . Law Society of South Africa and regional law societies regulates advocates (barristers) and attorneys (solicitors).
According to section 15(1)(b)(iii) of the Attorneys Act, only the south African LLb holder is allowed to practice in the country. The Act also makes permanent residency or citizenship prerequisite as well as the passing of the South African Attorney’s Admission Examination prerequisite to the admission as attorney in South Africa.
There are certain exceptions to this rule. The Attorneys Act itself relaxes admission requirements with regard to candidates hailing from certain designated countries do not have to serve as candidate attorneys and can be exempted from the need to obtain a South African LLB degree as well as from the need to sit for the South African Attorneys admission examination
Foreign lawyers may establish under home title (e.g. as a Solicitor of England & Wales or as Attorney in USA) and are permitted to practice home and international law. In addition, they can also practice: international finance, project management, and arbitration.
Certain work relating to litigation, appearance in court and conveyancing can only be conducted by South African attorneys. Foreign firms are not permitted to practise local law or to enter into partnerships or fee-sharing

Air pollution is a problem that we cannot deny. It is a pressing problem that affects every human being on this Earth. Although there have been efforts to tackle the problem of air pollution, it is not enough to finally end the problem.

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It is understandable; you cannot easily solve or provide solution to a problem like air pollution. So, how will you know that there is such a problem like pollution? How will you know that there is such presence of air pollution in the area that you are in? You must test for the air quality and air particles.

By having an air pollution test you will be able to know what are the pollutants present and what you need to do in order to get rid or lessen the presence of pollutants in your area. We all know that air pollution causes detrimental effects and will most likely effect our ecosystem. Thus we need to be vigilant and be able to know more about air pollution. This is no joke and no laughing matter.

We need to know what kind of air we are breathing, how we could prevent health problems to occur and how we may be able to make our own area pollution free. It may not be an easy thing to do but hey, if we try to do our part and make this world a healthy and safe place to live in then we are good to go.

By having air pollution test, the government can prevent the population from contacting diseases brought about by air pollution by proving smog warnings, acts and laws against air pollution and make projects to counter the effects of air pollution. In this way people will be vigilant and will take part in making this world a better place to live in.

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Deforestation:

Introduction:

In 1960 central America had 80% of its original forest area and today only 40% of these forest remain, in brazil has lost over 90% of it forest located along the Atlantic coast and the forests in developing countries have not been spared either where Nigeria has lost 80% of its forest area from the year 1990 to 2005. in the year 1990 to 2005 the world has lost over 3% of its total area that is covered by forests, however according to the 2007 FAO report the net loss of forest is estimated at 7.3 million hectares every year and this amounts to 20,000 hectares a day.

This shows that Over the years the area covered by forest has declined drastically due to deforestation, forest serve an important purpose in the welfare of the environment in that they are home for wild life, water shed management, source of timber and paper, source of fuel, biodiversity such as fruits and plant species and recreational purposes.

ecent past there has been an increased concern over the rate of deforestation and policy measures have been implemented to protect the remaining covered area. Human activity is one of the major factors that have contributed to this problem and because trees are renewable resources there is need to take action and improve the current situation.

Causes of deforestation:

Human activity:

Trees from the forests are used for economic purposes such the production of timber and paper, this increased demand for timber and paper has led to the increased deforestation all over the world. Human activity is one of the major cause of deforestation, in developing countries deforestation is undertaken in order to gain agricultural land, these activities are undertaken in order to provide land for the growing population because population growth in these countries is usually very high and therefore the ever increased demand for land.

In developed countries however deforestation takes place for the purpose of development, due to increased value of and also increased demand for land for commercial use the area covered by forests is cleared to give way to development.

Pests and diseases:

Due to increased occurrences of pests and diseases that destroy the forests there has also been a decline in the area covered by forests, some diseases affect large portions of forests and as a result forest land is lost and this leads to increased deforestation. When forests are affected by these diseases and pests the only option undertaken is to clear these forests and use them for commercial purposes such as building, airports, parks and other economic purposes.

Fire:

Fire has also been a contributing factor in the reduction of forests covered areas, in the recent past there has been increased frequency in the occurrence of forest fires that have led to the diminishing of forests, forest fires are in most cases difficult to extinguish and control due to the unpredictable intensity and direction of wind and also lack of proper equipment to detect fires. Therefore fire is also considered as a contributing factor in deforestation problem.

The Greek fire in 2007 is one of an example of forest fires that have led to deforestation, this fire destroyed 2,700 kilometres squared of area covered by forest, this fire also destroyed buildings and also at the same time people were burnt to death by the blazes. Another case is the California forest fires in the year 2007 where over 2,000 square kilometres covered by forests were destroyed. This shows that forests fires are also a contributing factor in the problem of deforestation.

Wind:

In some cases wind has also been a factor that has led to deforestation, wind will forse trees to bend and also break and as a result although this may be viewed as a minor factor in the long run wind contributes to deforestation.

Acid rain:

Acid rain has also resulted to the loss of forests, acid rain is caused by the increase pollution by industries and human activity and due to soil degradation the area covered by forests have reduced and therefore acid rain has also contributed to the loss of trees in forests.

Urban development:

Forests in most cases are cleared for the purpose of expanding area for urban development; this has led to extensive logging and clearing of forest. As urban areas expand there is an increased need to clear forests to give way to development of buildings and other transport networks and as a result forest area has declined.

Transport network:

The construction of roads and railway lines and also airports have also resulted into the loss of forest area, as a result of the needed extension in transport networks most roads and railway lines pass through original forests and trees have to cleared to give way to development of these networks, as a result there has been deforestation.

Rise in population:

According to the Malthusian scenario of population growth, population growth is geometric in nature and as the population size increases there is an increased for resources such as land, as a result the population will clear forests in order to gain access to land for economic purposes.

Mining and exploration:

Mining and exploration have also contributed to this problem, when certain minerals such as metal or oil is discovered in area covered by forest man will clear these forest in order to extract these valuable resources and as a result forests area decreases as more and more minerals are discovered and there is need to clear trees.

Impact of deforestation:

Loss of biodiversity:

Forests have resulted into the loss of biodiversity, some tree and plant species are currently endangered and some are already extinct and this has been as a result of deforestation. As a result the world has lost its biodiversity including animals that have lost their habitat.

Flash flooding:

Forests are important as they provide watershed management, as a result of deforestation there has been an increase in the flow of ground water and as a result there have been increased occurrences of flash flooding in dams and electric power dams.

Global climatic changes:

Climatic changes are experienced due to the unforgiving nature of the environment, Global warming has been an issue that has been of recent concern and deforestation has contributed to the issue of global warming, for this reason therefore there should be improved forest management to extend the adverse effect of global warming.

Trees will act as water shed whereby areas covered by forest will hold more underground water, when logging takes place in these area the ground may not hold water and for this reason the area may experience more drier climates due to deforestation.

Increased erosion and land slides:

Due to the increased loss of vegetation cover land has become more susceptible to erosion through rain and also wind, the loss of vegetation cover and forests have also resulted into increased occurrences of land slides. An example of erosion caused by logging is the yellow river of China that turned yellow due to the increased sediment load of the river as a result of erosion.

Carbon cycle:

Forests are important in the carbon cycle balance and the cutting down of trees will result into unbalanced carbon cycle in the word, as a result there will be an increased percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which results into global warming and other impacts.

Deforestation is also a major causes of the greenhouse effect, Trees remove carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and when these tree reduce then this will create an imbalance, the decay and the burning of trees will also lead to an increase in the level of carbon in the atmosphere and for this reason

Policy measures:

Afforestation and reforestation:

Government have initiated policy measures aimed at planting trees in both areas that were covered by trees and those that were not earlier covered by trees, afforestation involves the planting of trees in area where forests did not exist while reforestation involves planting trees where forests have been destroyed. An example is where since 1990 the European union has paid farmers in form of grants for them to turn their farming land into forests, by 1997 over half a million hectares of land have been afforested and reforested. Also In the 1998 to 2000 period china completed reforestation and afforestation of over 1.1million hectares. Therefore the afforestation and reforestation policy measures by various authorities have resulted into a reduction in the effects of deforestation.

Ban on logging:

Bans on logging are also policy measures to reduce deforestation, this however acts as a way to stop further deforestation but does not solve the problem of deforestation because the world has already been faced with the problem, an example of such a ban is the 1998 china ban against commercial logging, this ban was lifted on more than 13 provinces that are along the yellow river.

Cost of reducing this problem:

Because timber harvesting is a major economic activity in many countries if a piece of and is used for production of timber and not for nay other use, trees are planted and then cut for timber production and trees are replanted or allowed to grow from natural seeding then we would be in apposition to find out the economic cost

It is now a fact, Air Pollution is now killing millions of Americans, this year alone over 200,000 will die from various diseases linked to air pollution impact on health issues. The situation in Canada is not better, according to the Canadian Medical Association. An estimated figure is that over 21,000 Canadians will also die from Air Pollution. The situation will get worse in the years to come.

Nobody is immune and no community is safe from Air Pollution effects. There is no doubt now about the devastating effect of Air Pollution on American’s health. Moreover, from now on till 2031, 7,000,000 Americans will die from long term chronic exposure, year after year, to Air Pollution. People will die mostly from cardio-vascular and respiratory illnesses, 42% and 11% respectively.

People over 65 years old are the ones mostly affected. This year alone this population segment will count for 80% of premature deaths. Considering the aging trend of the population, it means that there will be an important increase in the future of health damages from Air Pollution. There will be an increase also for children and babies with fragile health exposed to Air Pollution.

MAJOR CONSEQUENCES OF AIR POLLUTION

The Midwest population, where heavy industries are located, and population of Big Cities like New-York, will have the biggest share of premature and serious deaths caused by Air Pollution. Rural Regions are also affected because Air Pollution is dumped in those areas by the wind. Over this death rate increases, other deplorable consequences can be forecast. For example, it is estimated that 180,000 people suffering from Air Pollution shall be admitted to hospitals, this is an increase of 62% in the last 20 years and, for the same period, the increase for the people over 65 years old will reach102%.

A truthful evidence that the situation is aggravating is that around 6.000,000 visits to the doctors in 2008 are associated to the exposure of Air Pollution. This number should go over 9,000,000 by the year 2031 if the quality of air remains the same during this period of time, this is without mentioning the increase in the Emergency Rooms.

ECONOMIC COSTS

For 2008, the economic costs are estimated to 100 billions and this amount should go up to 3,000 billions by the year 2031, according to the model used by ICAP (Illness Costs and Air Pollution). It is clear now that the climatic changes have a direct impact on the public health and that Air Pollution should be addressed with adequate public policies.

AVAILABLE HEALTH SOLUTIONS

According to Dr Becky Natrajan, a well known American Gastroenterologist, the only suitable way to alleviate this disastrous impact of Air Pollution on our Health is through Nutritional Cleansing. Body cleansing at an internal level is a hot topic, and for good reasons. Body cleansing is more necessary now than ever because we live in a very toxic world: air pollution, herbicides, petrochemicals, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, food additives, synthetic drugs etc…Body cleansing is much more necessary because those toxins can have an adverse effect on our cells, internal organs and state of health. Last year alone, over 20 millions pounds of antibiotics were injected into our farm animals.

Body cleansing is also more than necessary because many insecticides and pesticides have become part of our food pyramid and these noxious chemicals are mixed with our fruits and vegetables. We are chronically exposed to harmful substances. Finally, body cleansing is necessary because our soils are poisoned with chemicals and air pollution and foods are continually stripped of their nutrients-primarily minerals-to perform optimally. The nutritionally bankrupt body is an invitation to illness and disease. A Nutritional Cleansing program has been prepared by Isagenix and it really works. Bowtrol Natural Cleansing is also very effective.Take action, your health is the first priority. Press on the links below and learn more about it.

GILLES COULOMBE B.A. B.LL M.S.A.

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