heavy snowfalls

(photos taken from chinadaily.com.cn)

An aesthetic picture? This also reveals food shortage in days to come.

China is experiencing one of its worst snowstorms since the 1950s. For China to experience such at this time of year is most inauspicious as the Lunar Chinese New Year falls on 7th & 8th of February. This is the time when families get-together no matter how poor a family is, there will always be celebration of sorts -- the festive season is a must for family togetherness.

However with this unabated snowstorms forthcoming, how do the Chinese read the zodiac year of the rat? This also coincides the main focus of the year: the Olympics Games.

Many Chinese believe in nature. How will they interpret this religiously?

energy or power crisis -- back to basics?

Canada has experienced an unusual flood of snowfalls and so is the US.

Global warming? Is mother nature playing a joke on earth?

Now where will the debate on man thoughtlessly creating global warming stand? I'm not suggesting that man has no part but to exaggerate and harp upon man's activities is...

It appears the melting of the ice-cap might be due to some underground volcanic activities.

Is this El Nino or La Nina activity?

The truth is I'm confused at all the on-going debates.

back to basics

Is global warming entreating man to return to basics in living?

Today, a child grows up with computers and all the technological advances there are. These consume energy. Can one live without these appliances, gadgets and advancements?

I do not understand much about global warming.

It appears before the Industrial Revolution, the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere equals that stored in mother earth. For example, plants take in carbon dioxide when they grow in spring and summer and released that back to the atmosphere when they decay and die in fall and winter.

Since then (mid-1700s), fossil fuels were burned to run cars, trucks, aeroplanes, factories and power plants – these add to the natural supply of greenhouse gases.

According to sources, the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide are determined by the amount of coal, natural gas and oil were burnt and number of trees cut down, as well as the natural processes like plant growth.

Apparently the warmer the atmosphere, the more water vapour it can hold. As a result water vapour is part of the amplifying effect which is beyond man’s control. So the best way to lower temperature and thus reducing water vapour levels is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The high levels of carbon dioxide emitted have caused ocean acidification which is potentially devastating on marine life and fisheries. (And we are encouraged to take seafood sensibly.)

If ozone hole is a thinning of the stratosphere’s ozone layer due to man-made chemicals which lets in more harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation while global warming is the increase of earth’s average temperature due to the build-up of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from human activities, then I’m a little confused about saving the earth.

Appliances and gadgets (e.g. air-conditioners and heaters) that were luxuries in the past generations have become necessity today.

Developing countries like China where the population had been accustomed to the basics are now looking to that enjoyed by the developed nations like owning a car which is a status symbol to cycling a bike.

Personally I’ve come to a full cycle – less of those strapping of modern gadgets, appliances and amenities. I want to lead a simple life and live in simplicity. Living with one item of that I need rather than going for the latest! Be contented with that I have: recycle, reuse and reduce! Pedantic?!

070707

070707 is Live Earth commemorative day!

Sydney and Tokyo were the first to stage these concerts and closing at New Jersey and Rio de Janerio. There had been countdowns for the past few days! Certainly excitement had been generated. What do the organisers hope to achieve?

Al Gore, the organiser of this event said, "By engaging individuals all over the world, Live Earth will drive corporations and governments to tackle the climate crisis." I wonder! I must be getting old...

Celebrities were invited to stage...is this publicity stunt for them? Are they paid for the occasion? Imagine the amount of electricity to power these concerts -- mixed message for energy conservation?

I was told proceeds from the ticket sales were used "to distribute power-efficient light bulbs and other measures which will offset the shows' greenhouse gas emission"! Really?

Today's number is 777.

The evening news in Singapore had 777 solemnised marriages at the registry of marriage today!

Two years ago on this day, suicide bombers attacked the London Underground!

Update. The new 7 wonders of the world released.