What’s carbon trading?

Parties with commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, the industrialized countries with greenhouse gas emission limitations, have accepted targets for limiting or reducing emissions. These targets are expressed as levels of allowed emissions or ‘assigned amounts’ over the 2008-2012 commitment periods. Emissions trading, as set out in Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol, allows countries that have emission units to spare – emissions permitted them but not ‘used’ – to sell this excess capacity to countries that are over their targets. Thus, a new commodity was created in the form of emission reductions or removals. Since carbon dioxide is the principle greenhouse gas, people speak simply of trading in carbon. Carbon is now tracked and traded like any other commodity. This is known as the carbon market.

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Money from carbon

One can earn money by felling trees and selling them, but also can earn money by not cutting down trees. In regards of this, people are rewarded for sequestering carbon through community based forest management.

It sounds somewhere unbelievable, but people are growing money from carbon. Saving of forest saves carbon and can earn money. Some community forests in Nepal are earning a huge sum of money by sequestering carbon.

To save carbon in forests, the watershed areas are starting to opt for alternative sources of energy.  The users of different community forests have started to make bio-gas, reformed cooking stoves made of iron. As firewood is the main source of energy, switching to alternative energy sources has reduced people’s dependence upon forest resources.  They have also started tree plantation in bare community and private lands. There are many more project running out there to assist this sector.

Deforestation often occurs in developing countries like Nepal because of poverty and political instability. The acting projects are trying to address those issues. Payments are being allocated to the communities mainly being based on four criteria – quantity of forest carbon saved above the baseline, number of households of indigenous people and Dalits(minors), the ratio of men and women and number of poor households within the project’s area. All the money are not allocated on the carbon quantity only because the size of population, per hectare forest in different areas and population composition in each area is different from the other. And allocating money on the basis of those four criteria is done to maintain the equity.

Nepal does not have any policy regarding the implementation of carbon trading. If the country opts for carbon trading, then there is a huge possibility of making more money by saving forests.

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Forest sinks carbon at large

Forests sink carbon at large. The density of the forest has helped maintain regional levels in the face of deforestation, research from US and Europe says.

Increased density in Europe and North America significantly raised carbon storage in trees despite little or more expansion of forest area, a report of the University of Helsinki, Finland.

The more density in South American Nations helped maintain regional carbon level in the face of deforestation, reports the journal Public Library of Science.

The researchers conclude that managing forests for timber growth and density offers a way to increase stored carbon, even with little or no expansion of forest area.

According to Rautiainen, in 2004 emissions and removals of carbon dioxide from land use, land-use change and forestry comprised about one fifth of total emissions. The great role of density means that not only conservation of forest area but also managing denser, healthier forests can mitigate carbon emission.

Remote sensing by satellite of the world’s forest area brings access to remote places and a uniform method, says co-author Paul E. Waggoner, Connecticut’s Agricultural Experiment Station. However, to speak of carbon, we must look beyond measurements of area and apply forestry methods traditionally used to measure timber volumes.

Ultimately, forests are like cities – they can grow both by spreading and by becoming denser.

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The Last Conflict - Retrospective: Sculpture, Video and Photography

This is a retrospective exhibition of the work of  Lydia Venieri presented by Stux Gallery on May 19 – June 25, 2011.The Last Conflict features Venieri’s new series of satin digital color photographs Planetic Exodus and highlights of her prolific oeuvre including works from the magical forest of Hibernation, The Dolphin Conspiracy video and a sculptural installation created with her bubble sculptures, fauna and tree debris. This is Venieri’s second solo exhibition at Stux Gallery.

Lydia Venieri is best known for her evocative sculpture installations and photographic works bridging mythology
with current events. Visit the artist Lydia Venieri for her biography and work at http://www.stuxgallery.com/site/www/artist_gallery/27

Summer Health Hazard

The warm days are here again, and with summertime come many health hazards. Our carelessness and negligence may lead us to face serious health problems. Its time to be alert about the various summer diseases that may plague us.

Common summer health problems

With summer comes the rain and oftentimes floods too resulting in contamination of water and food that causes various diseases like typhoid, cholera and Hepatitis A and E.

Water borne diseases

Typhoid the fever lasts for about 3 weeks. Cholera is the infection of the small intestines that causes a large amount of watery diarrhea. Hepatitis A & E are viral infections that affect the liver.

Causes: Water contamination is high in summer as it is the time of heavy rainfall and natural disasters like flood. In such a situation, water and flood can easily get contaminated causing such diseases. Cholera is caused by drinking water contaminated with bacterium. Hepatitis A & E viruses are spread through food or water contaminated by faeces from an infected person. Developing country like Nepal with poor hygiene standard has a high risk of infection from Hepatitis A & E.

Symptoms: Typhoid fever has a close link with poor appetite, headache and body aches, fever, lethargy and diarrhea. It can be treated with antibiotics that kill salmonella bacteria.Cholera often follows painless diarrhea, vomiting of clear fluid. As the body looses more amount of water, dehydration becomes a problem. It can successfully be treated with rehydration therapy.Hepatitis A & E has some common symptoms like loss of appetite, fatigue, mild fever, vomiting and abdominal pain. As Hepatitis is related to the liver, it needs extra care. One must consult doctor as soon as possible.

Prevention: As water borne diseases are transmitted by micro-organisms present in human and animal waste present in contaminated water, hence, the hygiene and sanitation need to be paid attention too.

Practicing good hygiene and ensuring that the food and drinking water is safe and uncontaminated, helps us to prevent such diseases.

Do’s

·         Drink filtered/boiled water always.

·         Cut nails short.

·         Wash hands properly with soap and water before consuming food.

·         The expiry date of all food items must always be checked before use.

·         Drinking water sources and containers should be washed everyday.

·         Fresh and cooked food should be consumed.

Don’ts

·         Avoid consuming water, fruit juices, cut fruits, chat and other foods from roadside vendors.

·         Avoid oily, spicy foods.

·         Don’t eat half cooked/pre-cooked/refrigerated food.

·         Don’t expose food and beverages to flies.

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Environment - plastic Solutions

Plastic solutions

Got extra plastic bags? Don’t throw them away – reuse them in creative ways as spelled out by 99 Cent Solutions.

The cat’s meow: Plastic bags make changing cat litter easier – dump the box into the bag and the bag into the trash.

Diaper duty: Carry some bags when you’re away from home with the baby – the can be used as garbage for soiled diapers.

Traveller’s tip: Use old plastic bags to stash your dirty clothes when you are travelling. This will keep your suitcase neater and smelling fresh. It also makes unpacking a breeze – carry your bags of dirty laundry straight to the washing area.

Soak it in: Want a quickie manicure? Coat your hands with a moisturizer and cover them with plastic bags for 15 minutes. The plastic will keep in your body’s warmth, and your hands will emerge soft. You can even do this with cracked heels. Once you’ve applied the cream, cover your feet with plastic bags around them. It’s a bit noisy, but your heels will definitely benefit.

Bury them: If you have a large planter to fill, crumple plastic bags to fill the bottom of the container first (keep drainage hole clear!). Then fill the rest of the planter with potting soil. The planter will be lighter and therefore easier to move.

Ship  ’em out:   Use bags as packing material to ship fragile items. Stuff the box full to support the item enclosed, and your recipient will be grateful that you didn’t use messy foam peanuts when she unwraps with ease.

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KATHMANDU BLUES: HAZARDOUS AIR

Travelling on the roads like Kathmandu valley is an ordeal. And it is not just limited to those crazy traffic jams; along with it the vehicles gift those harmful fumes to our lungs. In addition, the dust makes the situation worse.

The rise in air pollution has been tremendous in the city. Along with the environment, the health of the Capital’s denizens is also at grave risk.

The effects

There are many health hazards of air pollution and the instant effect is on respiratory system. “Most diseases caused by air pollution are related to respiratory tract, nose. Dust allergy , allergic farengitis, bronchitis and various skin problems are the common ones,” said Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Basnet, physician at Bir Hospital.

On the other hand, the long-term hazards are COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases) and pneumonia. “Effects of pollution depend on the suspend dust particles and it can result in cancer to,” added Dr. Basnet.

Smoke emitted by cars and heavy vehicles has a high density of carbon particles and it can lead to hazardous consequence on lungs.  It is essential to recognize a few signs caused by dust pollution. Some of symptoms are cough, shortness of breath, sneezing, headache. “These can also occur when a person has viral infection, but if such problems are prolonged then consulting a doctor is wise,” advise Dr. Basnet.

Vulnerable group

When it comes to hazards of air pollution, everyone’s share is equal. However, for some the effect is more severe. Children and elderly people are the most vulnerable group. “The immune system is not properly developed in children, while as you age, it starts deteriorating,” explained Dr. Basnet.

He added that until 25 years of age, one’s lungs function at full-fledged capacity. But with age, the capacity starts decreasing.  “Pollution and smoking aggravates that diminishing capacity. Furthermore, in any disease, the environment factor plays a major role in susceptibility,” pointed out Dr. Basnet.

Against pollution

Unfortunately there is not much that can be done to protect oneself from air pollution. “Only system, law and order can help with the change. For instance condition of the roads needs to improve, construction area that releases dust has to be checked, trucks transporting sand should be covered. Various problems can only be minimized if all these are monitored,” asserted Dr. Basnet.

For the time being, the only precaution that one can rely on is avoid dusty areas, wear masks and close windows of your houses properly. But these are not the final solution. Mask is only helpful concerning big particles. It cannot prevent minute dust specks,” warned Dr. Basnet.

He also emphasized on the geographical location of the Valley, which is a major detriment concerning air pollution. “In plains like Terai, pollution will have a space and will not be trapped. Whereas Kathmandu is a valley and dust particles will not have any space to move out.”

Present scenario

The situation has worsened so much that you cannot avoid dust even behind closed doors. “The scenario regarding dust pollution is degrading day by day, because there is absence of pollution control mechanism,” stressed PK Jha, professor of Botany at Tribhuvan University.

The situation after five years will be alarming if it continues at this rate, he warns. Besides lack of greenery in the city, bad fuel quality worsens the situation. “The only solution to lessen this is to make technology and management functional,” said Jha.

HARD FACTS

The rate of increase: Total solid particles (tons per year) almost tripled from 1993 to 2005. Particulate matter production (PM) increase rate per year more than double.

Date of people effected: Prevalence of COPD in Nepal is 7.7 per cent. COPD is higher in Kathmandu valley than outside. It has increased significantly in the last 10 years.

Emission from vehicles doubled in the last 10 years. “Number of vehicles is increasing tremendously considering the size of the valley,” said Prof Jha. In July 2006 total vehicles in Nepal were 5,28,570 out of which 55 per cent was in Kathmandu valley. “In 2011, perhaps it will near a million,” he said.

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