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วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 31 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2550
Environment News 2 May 2007
Silent Thais keep cool amid heated debate on global warming
Source : The Nation
A dozen Thai delegates sat mutely during the second day of the closed-door climate change summit, watching officials from European countries hotly debate how best to come up with an effective report to deal with the impacts of the warming planet.
However, the Thais were not alone in their silence. Delegates from other developing countries did not speak much either. Only representatives from four developing nations - Brazil, China, India and the Philippines - actually got a word in at the Bangkok conference. "We did not say a word because we did not make a prior agreement about who should speak," said Jessada Luengjam, a Thai delegate from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. He added it was more a problem of unplanned organisation than anything else.
"When we had meetings to discuss the draft report, each related agency made a lot of observations and noted how we should react, but when it came to the actual meeting, nobody was assigned to make a statement, so we were not sure who should speak," Jessada said. Jessada said he wondered why the Thai government did not appoint representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as the country's delegates. "Unlike state officials, many NGOs wanted to debate," he said. Thailand was allowed to have 22 delegates as the host country, while everyone else sent only one or two representatives.
However, only 12 Thai delegates attended the summit yesterday. Almost all of the 22 delegates were senior officials of state agencies related to the issue, including representatives from the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. It was not even clear who was the head of the Thai delegation. Kasemsan Jinnawaso, secretary general of the Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning, was the most senior official at the conference, but when contacted by The Nation to ask who was in charge, he appeared uncertain, saying: "Me, or not?"
Jessada said that seven pages of the 24-page draft had been discussed as of yesterday evening. Officials from Switzerland, the United States, Austria and Germany were among the most active speakers during the first two days of the summit - and mostly argued about the technical terminology, he said. The summit is to finalise the third and final volume of the scientists' latest assessment on climate change since the formation in 1988 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a UN panel to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic information, relevant to understanding human-induced climate change.
The European Union yesterday organised a press conference at its office on Wireless Road in Bangkok to call on developing countries to take immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gases. Tom van Ierland, a climate change expert with the European Union and also a delegate of the EU to the summit, said to reach the goal of keeping temperatures from climbing more than two degrees Celsius, an EU ambitious goal, co-operation from developing countries is essential. "We need to ensure that in the coming years the growth of emissions in developing countries is reduced and eventually capped to be in line with our two degree objective," he said.
02/05/2007 : EPA proposes new refinery emission rules
Source : Reuters
The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday said it wants to expand pollution controls on the nation's aging oil refineries, forcing companies to install emission-reduction equipment if they build or expand a facility.
The EPA's proposed changes to the federal Clean Air Act's "new source performance standards" would cost industry about $54 million a year, the agency said. The standards would reduce emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions by nearly 56,000 tons per year over five years and yield nearly $1 billion in benefits, the EPA said. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide are precursors of acid rain and smog linked to respiratory diseases like asthma.
The proposed standards would put emission limits on fluid catalytic cracking units, fluid coking units, delayed coking units, process heaters and other fuel gas combustion devices, the EPA said. The rules would also apply to sulfur recovery plants that are constructed, modified, or reconstructed after the date of the EPA's proposal. That widens the applicability of current rules, which apply to fluid catalytic cracking unit catalyst regenerators, fuel gas combustion devices, and Claus sulfur recovery plants.
The proposal would also include workplace practices, where refineries could be required to prepare and follow written plans to reduce emissions during startups and shutdowns, as well as process malfunctions, the EPA said. Refineries would also be required to conduct a root-cause analysis if they release more than 500 pounds per day of sulfur dioxide, the EPA said.
02/05/2007 : China Battles Forest Fire in Northeast Mountains
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
China was sending thousands of personnel to battle a forest fire across a 3 km (1.9 mile) front in its remote northeastern mountains on Tuesday, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Nearly 1,000 firefighters had reached the scene of the blaze in the Great Xingan Mountains, near the Russian border in Heilongjiang Province, after the alarm was sounded on Monday. The local meteorological bureau has forecast strong winds in the next few days, which could make controlling the fire difficult, Xinhua said.
A 1987 fire in the heavily forested Great Xingan Mountains, China's worst blaze in four decades, killed at least 200 people and destroyed some 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres) of timberland in three weeks. The State Forestry Administration said in January that China could face an "extremely serious" threat from forest fires this year because of global warming and the El Nino effect, which is caused by warming of Pacific waters off South America and can disrupt rainfall patterns.
02/05/2007 : Environment Groups Want Fish Protected in WTO Deal
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
State subsidies that encourage overfishing should be banned under any World Trade Organisation (WTO) free trade pact, environmental groups said on Tuesday.
Conservationist groups WWF and Oceana urged countries negotiating a new WTO deal to back a US proposal on ending incentives that have vastly expanded the size of the world's fishing industry, pressuring stocks worldwide and threatening extinction for many species. "We are pouring billions of dollars into overfishing today. That is just madness in a world where fish stocks are depleting in every ocean," WWF Senior Fellor David Schorr said. Scientists have warned that the world's fisheries are on a steep decline and could collapse beyond repair within 50 years if current trends continue. More than 1 billion people worldwide depend on fish as their primary source of protein.
Total fishing subsidies, including money for things like research and stock management, are estimated at US$34 billion a year, a third of the value of the sector's overall sales. Capacity-increasing subsidies, including government supports for ships, fuel, or fishing equipment, are believed to add up to about US$20 billion a year worldwide. The US proposal includes a broad ban on subsidies that encourage overcapacity and overfishing, including for the buying of fishing vessels and their running costs. It also sets limits on remaining subsidies and requires countries to disclose the assistance they give to the industry.
"Strong action by the WTO will help control the 'race to fish' that is the core of the problem," Washington's WTO Ambassador Peter Allgeier said in remarks to a two-day WTO negotiating session, which began on Tuesday. While countries with big fishing interests voiced differing views, some such as Japan and Canada showed openness to an eventual deal. Europe did not attack the US proposal outright and the most vocal opposition came from Norway, diplomats said. Any agreement on fisheries would be included in the WTO's long-stalled Doha free trade round, which is bogged down in differences over agricultural and industrial tariffs.
Allgeier dismissed any chance of fishing being negotiated as a stand-alone pact if the Doha round grinds to a halt. "We are working under the assumption that there will be a single undertaking, a successful Doha round, and therefore this will fit into there," he told reporters at the WTO.
02/05/2007 : Hundreds of seals die in Caspian Sea: officials
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
Kazakh officials have blamed the deaths of more than 800 seals off its Caspian Sea coastline on an abnormally warm winter and the early melting of sea ice. "The total number of dead seals by late Monday was 819, including 639 adults and 180 pups. A search of the zone is continuing," said a statement on the Kazakh emergency situations ministry website.
Most of the dead Caspian Seals were found in April in the sea's north-eastern Mangistauskaya region near the Kalamkas oil field, the statement said. Preliminary reports suggested the cause was not pollution but the unusually early ice melt, which disrupted the birthing season, the ministry said. A similar problem in 2000 resulted in the death of some 20,000 seals, according to a report on the website of the Caspian Environment Programme (CEP), an international body set up to protect the oil-rich inland sea.
Many seal pups died when the ice collapsed, while subsequent overcrowding during the birthing season provoked epidemics killing many more, the report said. The Caspian Seal is the smallest example of the species, the CEP said, and the only mammal in the Caspian, which is bordered by Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan. The seal's population decreased from about 1.5 million heads a century ago to less than 400,000 in the late 1980s, the CEP said.
Source : The Nation
A dozen Thai delegates sat mutely during the second day of the closed-door climate change summit, watching officials from European countries hotly debate how best to come up with an effective report to deal with the impacts of the warming planet.
However, the Thais were not alone in their silence. Delegates from other developing countries did not speak much either. Only representatives from four developing nations - Brazil, China, India and the Philippines - actually got a word in at the Bangkok conference. "We did not say a word because we did not make a prior agreement about who should speak," said Jessada Luengjam, a Thai delegate from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. He added it was more a problem of unplanned organisation than anything else.
"When we had meetings to discuss the draft report, each related agency made a lot of observations and noted how we should react, but when it came to the actual meeting, nobody was assigned to make a statement, so we were not sure who should speak," Jessada said. Jessada said he wondered why the Thai government did not appoint representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as the country's delegates. "Unlike state officials, many NGOs wanted to debate," he said. Thailand was allowed to have 22 delegates as the host country, while everyone else sent only one or two representatives.
However, only 12 Thai delegates attended the summit yesterday. Almost all of the 22 delegates were senior officials of state agencies related to the issue, including representatives from the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. It was not even clear who was the head of the Thai delegation. Kasemsan Jinnawaso, secretary general of the Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning, was the most senior official at the conference, but when contacted by The Nation to ask who was in charge, he appeared uncertain, saying: "Me, or not?"
Jessada said that seven pages of the 24-page draft had been discussed as of yesterday evening. Officials from Switzerland, the United States, Austria and Germany were among the most active speakers during the first two days of the summit - and mostly argued about the technical terminology, he said. The summit is to finalise the third and final volume of the scientists' latest assessment on climate change since the formation in 1988 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a UN panel to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic information, relevant to understanding human-induced climate change.
The European Union yesterday organised a press conference at its office on Wireless Road in Bangkok to call on developing countries to take immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gases. Tom van Ierland, a climate change expert with the European Union and also a delegate of the EU to the summit, said to reach the goal of keeping temperatures from climbing more than two degrees Celsius, an EU ambitious goal, co-operation from developing countries is essential. "We need to ensure that in the coming years the growth of emissions in developing countries is reduced and eventually capped to be in line with our two degree objective," he said.
02/05/2007 : EPA proposes new refinery emission rules
Source : Reuters
The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday said it wants to expand pollution controls on the nation's aging oil refineries, forcing companies to install emission-reduction equipment if they build or expand a facility.
The EPA's proposed changes to the federal Clean Air Act's "new source performance standards" would cost industry about $54 million a year, the agency said. The standards would reduce emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions by nearly 56,000 tons per year over five years and yield nearly $1 billion in benefits, the EPA said. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide are precursors of acid rain and smog linked to respiratory diseases like asthma.
The proposed standards would put emission limits on fluid catalytic cracking units, fluid coking units, delayed coking units, process heaters and other fuel gas combustion devices, the EPA said. The rules would also apply to sulfur recovery plants that are constructed, modified, or reconstructed after the date of the EPA's proposal. That widens the applicability of current rules, which apply to fluid catalytic cracking unit catalyst regenerators, fuel gas combustion devices, and Claus sulfur recovery plants.
The proposal would also include workplace practices, where refineries could be required to prepare and follow written plans to reduce emissions during startups and shutdowns, as well as process malfunctions, the EPA said. Refineries would also be required to conduct a root-cause analysis if they release more than 500 pounds per day of sulfur dioxide, the EPA said.
02/05/2007 : China Battles Forest Fire in Northeast Mountains
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
China was sending thousands of personnel to battle a forest fire across a 3 km (1.9 mile) front in its remote northeastern mountains on Tuesday, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Nearly 1,000 firefighters had reached the scene of the blaze in the Great Xingan Mountains, near the Russian border in Heilongjiang Province, after the alarm was sounded on Monday. The local meteorological bureau has forecast strong winds in the next few days, which could make controlling the fire difficult, Xinhua said.
A 1987 fire in the heavily forested Great Xingan Mountains, China's worst blaze in four decades, killed at least 200 people and destroyed some 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres) of timberland in three weeks. The State Forestry Administration said in January that China could face an "extremely serious" threat from forest fires this year because of global warming and the El Nino effect, which is caused by warming of Pacific waters off South America and can disrupt rainfall patterns.
02/05/2007 : Environment Groups Want Fish Protected in WTO Deal
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
State subsidies that encourage overfishing should be banned under any World Trade Organisation (WTO) free trade pact, environmental groups said on Tuesday.
Conservationist groups WWF and Oceana urged countries negotiating a new WTO deal to back a US proposal on ending incentives that have vastly expanded the size of the world's fishing industry, pressuring stocks worldwide and threatening extinction for many species. "We are pouring billions of dollars into overfishing today. That is just madness in a world where fish stocks are depleting in every ocean," WWF Senior Fellor David Schorr said. Scientists have warned that the world's fisheries are on a steep decline and could collapse beyond repair within 50 years if current trends continue. More than 1 billion people worldwide depend on fish as their primary source of protein.
Total fishing subsidies, including money for things like research and stock management, are estimated at US$34 billion a year, a third of the value of the sector's overall sales. Capacity-increasing subsidies, including government supports for ships, fuel, or fishing equipment, are believed to add up to about US$20 billion a year worldwide. The US proposal includes a broad ban on subsidies that encourage overcapacity and overfishing, including for the buying of fishing vessels and their running costs. It also sets limits on remaining subsidies and requires countries to disclose the assistance they give to the industry.
"Strong action by the WTO will help control the 'race to fish' that is the core of the problem," Washington's WTO Ambassador Peter Allgeier said in remarks to a two-day WTO negotiating session, which began on Tuesday. While countries with big fishing interests voiced differing views, some such as Japan and Canada showed openness to an eventual deal. Europe did not attack the US proposal outright and the most vocal opposition came from Norway, diplomats said. Any agreement on fisheries would be included in the WTO's long-stalled Doha free trade round, which is bogged down in differences over agricultural and industrial tariffs.
Allgeier dismissed any chance of fishing being negotiated as a stand-alone pact if the Doha round grinds to a halt. "We are working under the assumption that there will be a single undertaking, a successful Doha round, and therefore this will fit into there," he told reporters at the WTO.
02/05/2007 : Hundreds of seals die in Caspian Sea: officials
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
Kazakh officials have blamed the deaths of more than 800 seals off its Caspian Sea coastline on an abnormally warm winter and the early melting of sea ice. "The total number of dead seals by late Monday was 819, including 639 adults and 180 pups. A search of the zone is continuing," said a statement on the Kazakh emergency situations ministry website.
Most of the dead Caspian Seals were found in April in the sea's north-eastern Mangistauskaya region near the Kalamkas oil field, the statement said. Preliminary reports suggested the cause was not pollution but the unusually early ice melt, which disrupted the birthing season, the ministry said. A similar problem in 2000 resulted in the death of some 20,000 seals, according to a report on the website of the Caspian Environment Programme (CEP), an international body set up to protect the oil-rich inland sea.
Many seal pups died when the ice collapsed, while subsequent overcrowding during the birthing season provoked epidemics killing many more, the report said. The Caspian Seal is the smallest example of the species, the CEP said, and the only mammal in the Caspian, which is bordered by Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan. The seal's population decreased from about 1.5 million heads a century ago to less than 400,000 in the late 1980s, the CEP said.
Environment News 8 May 2007
Plight of households exposed to noise will be raised as urgent
Source : Bangkok Post
The plight of 382 households exposed to harmful levels of aircraft noise from Suvarnabhumi airport will be raised as an urgent issue at the Airports of Thailand (AoT) board meeting tomorrow. Suvarnabhumi airport director Serirat Prasutanond said a new survey found that a total of 382 households living in communities near the western runway were exposed to excessive noise levels of more than 70 decibels. He said that airport environmental staff would determine whether the people in those households had moved into the communities before or after the areas were declared part of an airport zone back in 2001.On assistance measures for those suffering from excessive noise pollution, AoT is required to buy their properties so they can move elsewhere, Mr Serirat said.
But the compensation will be based on negotiations and the amount set aside by the state. Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um said Aot must quickly hold talks with affected households so assistance measures could be provided. Acting AoT managing director Kalaya Pakakong held an urgent meeting to discuss the matter. The deputy minister admitted that the process to help the residents was slow. He added that AoT must work quickly as the residents were reportedly planning to stage a mass rally on May 12
08/05/2007 : Floods and drought: Lloyd's assesses climate change
Source : Reuters
Lloyd's of London, the world's oldest insurer, offered a gloomy forecast of floods, droughts and disastrous storms over the next 50 years in a recently published report on impending climate changes.
"These things are fact, not hypothesis," said Wendy Baker, the president of Lloyd's America in an interview on Monday. "You don't have to be a believer in global warming to recognize the climate is changing. The industry has to get ready for the changes that are coming." In a report on catastrophe trends Lloyd's is disseminating to the insurance industry, a bevy of British climate experts, including Sir David King, chief scientist to the British government, warn of increased flooding in coastal areas and a rapid rise in sea level as ice caps melt in Greenland and Antarctica.
Northern European coastal levels could rise more than a meter (3 feet) in a few decades, particularly if the Gulf Stream currents change, the report says. Floods, which now account for about half of all deaths from natural disasters, could multiply and become more destructive, with annual flood damages in England and Wales reaching 10 times today's level, according to some studies. At the same time, drought patterns that are already forming in some parts of the world are going to get worse, particularly in southern Africa.
Even the lush Amazon may dry up, and with less vegetation, more carbon dioxide will leak into the atmosphere, making the global warming problem even worse, the Lloyd's study says. Baker said Lloyd's has formed a partnership with American International Group, the world's biggest insurer, Harvard University's Center for Health and the Global Environment and the Insurance Information Institute, a research group. The four will hold a forum in the fall of 2007 to look at the severity and consequences of future natural catastrophes.
"The property casualty industry had an easy year in 2006, when there were no U.S. hurricanes," Baker said. "But the next one may make Katrina look inexpensive." In August, 2005 Hurricane Katrina slammed into the U.S. Gulf Coast, costing the industry more than $38 billion and making it the most destructive storm in terms of property losses ever. But hurricane modelers say a storm like Katrina hitting the Miami area of Florida or New York could cost as much as $100 billion. Lloyd's was founded in 1688 and its 66 syndicates trade in London. But the United States is its biggest market with nearly 40 percent of its business.
08/05/2007 : Tags follow 'Nemo' fish to home
Source : www.bbcnews.com
The remarkable homing instincts of some coral reef fish have been revealed. A team tagged two species of reef fish larvae to see where the juveniles were going after spending weeks and even months maturing in open sea. It found most of the orange clownfish - made famous by the Finding Nemo movie - and vagabond butterflyfish returned to the reef where they had first hatched.
Writing in the journal Science, the team said the discovery could have implications for marine protection. "Marine fish lay very small eggs, and when they do, they are released into the water column," explained co-author Professor Geoff Jones from James Cook University in Queensland, Australia. "They develop into a really tiny little larvae that we think drift around in the water currents, sometimes for months. "The missing link in our understanding of coral reef fish has always been: where do the larvae go?"
Help from Mum
But until now, finding this out has been extremely tricky - attaching tags to miniscule larvae is not an easy task. So the international team of researchers tackled the problem by getting the mother to help. They did this by collecting female coral reef fish from a small 0.3 sq km reef in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea, and injecting them with a rare, stable barium isotope. The females pass this isotope to their developing offspring where it accumulates in their bones, giving the baby fish unique chemical signatures.
A few weeks later, the team returned to the reef and collected young fish to test them to see if they carried the "tag". "We found that 60% - well over half - were coming back to the small island reserve, which was an unexpected result," Professor Jones told the BBC.
Navigational feat
The scientists are uncertain how the vividly coloured orange clownfish and vagabond butterflyfish perform this feat but hope to find out with further research. "Perhaps they are somehow remaining in sensory contact with their home island and are able to maintain their position and not end up drifting too far away," said Professor Jones. "Or maybe they are getting carried away, but they have a homing mechanism to swim back to their home reef."
Although the study was carried out on two species, Professor Jones believes the finding may apply to other coral reef fish too, and if this is the case, it could have consequences for marine conservation. It shows that small no-take marine reserves are a good way to protect over-fished species, he said, because there should be enough juveniles returning to the area to sustain numbers over time.
08/05/2007 : Law Experts Say Courts Can Stop Japan Whale Cull
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
Law experts on Monday urged anti-whaling nations to end years of fruitless diplomatic pressure on Japan to stop scientific culling and use international courts to halt Tokyo. As the International Whaling Commission annual conference got underway in Alaska, a group of law experts commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) urged Australia and other like-minded countries to get tougher with Japan.
"Japan's whaling programme is illegal and will remain so until a government takes steps to challenge this unlawful activity," law professor and group chairman Don Rothwell said. The IWC's 72 members are bitterly divided over a 25-year-old global moratorium on whaling which Japan and other nations such as Norway oppose. Japan has long resisted pressure to stop scientific whaling and this year plans to hunt 935 minke and for the first time 50 humpbacks. Humpbacks were hunted nearly to extinction until protected by the IWC in 1966.
Tokyo has been accused of doling out US$750 million in aid to small Caribbean and Pacific countries to gather support in the IWC for overturning the 1986 ban on all whaling. Japan last year succeeded in gaining a majority of IWC votes, but not the 75 percent needed to resume commercial whaling. Michael McIntyre, IFAW's Asia Pacific Director, said conservationists wanted an anti-whaling nation such as Australia or New Zealand to take legal action against Japan. Belgium was also sympathetic, he told Reuters.
Rothwell, an international law specialist at the Australian National University, said he was confident Japan's fast-expanding whaling programme could be stopped through the International Tribunal for the Law or even the International Court of Justice. "There are a range of legal options that would be available," he told Australian radio, citing a report prepared by law experts from the United States, France, Australia and Mexico.
Japan this year invited IWC members to Tokyo to talk about an end to the moratorium. Around 26 anti-whaling countries, including New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Argentina boycotted the meeting. Japan says whaling is a cherished cultural tradition and began scientific research whaling in 1987. The meat, which under commission rules must be sold for consumption, ends up in supermarkets and restaurants, but the appetite for what is now a delicacy is fading.
08/05/2007 : Italy Must Stop Coal Power Conversions - Green Group
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
Italian utilities should stop converting oil-fired power stations to coal and opt for gas and renewable energy sources instead, the head of Italian green group Legambiente said. According to industry data, Italy gets about 12 percent of its energy by burning coal and the country's biggest utility Enel has long been aiming to have half of its power produced at coal-fired plants by 2010. "We are against coal conversion for one reason -- out of all fossil fuels, coal contributes most to climate change, emits the most carbon dioxide," Legambiente President Roberto Della Seta told Reuters.
Italy's emissions of the greenhouse gases that are widely blamed for global warming have risen 12 percent since 1990, rather than heading towards the 6.5 percent reduction that it has pledged to reach by 2012 under the Kyoto Protocol. Della Seta said conversion of power stations to coal would move Italy farther away from the Kyoto Protocol targets. Enel says the so-called "clean coal" technology it uses in conversion allows it to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases and particles to well below required levels.
CHEAP COAL
Coal is also cheap and helps to diversify Italy's energy supplies, which are some 90 percent reliant on oil and gas imports. Della Seta said the new technology may help reduce emissions of other gases, but not CO2. "Enel cannot change a law of physics which says that CO2 emissions per every kilo of burned coal are greater than per kilo of oil and much greater than per kilo of gas."
Della Seta said Legambiente, which is one of Italy's main green groups, supported activists who went on a hunger strike in March protesting against Enel's plan to convert to coal a 2,600 megawatt oil-fired power station at Civitavecchia near Rome. Italy's Environment Ministry last month called for a revision of a permit given to Enel's Civitavecchia project, after the hunger strike raised concerns about the health situation in the nearby district. Enel has said the Civitavecchia station respects environmental and health standards.
Della Seta said in the interview last week that Legambiente opposed another Enel plan, to convert a similar power station, Porto Tolle in northern Italy. "We think Italy should not increase the percentage of coal in its fuel mix, but instead, it should move in other directions: gas, renewable source, energy efficiency," he said. Renewables account for about 17 percent of Italy's energy mix, and most of that is hydroelectric power. Wind and solar power make up a small fraction of the total, way behind such countries as Germany and Spain.
08/05/2007 : Sarkozy's climate promise a tough challenge
Source : http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/
In his first foreign-policy declaration, president-elect Nicolas Sarkozy has named climate change France's "first battle," but analysts warn that the combat is long-term and complex. Sarkozy nailed his green colours to the mast on Sunday in a victory speech after emphatically winning France's top job against Socialist rival Segolene Royal.
In a bold move for a newcomer to the world's top political table, Sarkozy notably accused the United States of hampering efforts to tackle climate change. While telling "our American friends" that France would stand by its side whenever it was needed, Sarkozy also said: "Friendship is accepting that one's friends can think differently. "A great nation like the United States has the duty to not create obstacles in the struggle against global warming. Quite the contrary, it should take the lead in this battle. "What is at stake is the fate of all humanity," warned Sarkozy. "France will make this battle its first battle."
Sarkozy's strident appeal came exactly a month before the Group of Eight summit in Heiligendamm, Germany, where the United States -- the world's big greenhouse-gas polluter -- will find itself uncomfortably in the spotlight. It will come under intensifying pressure to return to a global deal on cutting greenhouse-gas emissions. At present, the only treaty for reducing this pollution is the UN's Kyoto Protocol. The treaty runs out at the end of 2012, and talks are underway on how its successor should deliver deeper cuts.
But the process is almost crippled by the absence of the United States, which by itself accounts for a quarter of global emissions. President George W. Bush abandoned Kyoto in 2001, saying the treaty was too costly for the US economy and unfair, as big developing countries such as China and India are not legally obliged to cut pollution. Even though Bush has lately acknowledged climate change to be a serious problem, he still bitterly opposes Kyoto's binding cap on emissions, pushing instead a mix of voluntary restraints, energy efficiency and alternative energy sources.
"It's important that Nicolas Sarkozy has joined (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair and (German Chancellor) Angela Merkel in calling on the Americans to step up efforts in the climate negotiations," said Yannick Jadot, a climate specialist with Greenpeace. "But is even more important from our viewpoint is to spell out that the United States should rejoin the post-2012 negotiation process and see how it will catch up on emissions cuts that should have been made for the period leading up to 2012."
Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, a lawmaker with Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Majority (UMP) party and specialist on environmental questions, said the United States bore a heavy share of responsibility for global warming. "They are very sensitive about anything that touches, even remotely, on loss of sovereignty and they consider the emergence of environmental governance as a sovereignty issue," she said. "When it comes to the federal government, there is a gulf between the proposals that are being made (by Washington) and what should be expected of a country like the United States."
Serge Orru of the green group WWF said coaxing the United States back into the game was only one part of a wider challenge. China, India, Brazil and other fast-developing, large-population nations also have to be encouraged into reining in their pollution, he said. China, the most populous nation, is the second biggest polluter and is set to take the top spot in the next couple of years.
The most effective way is for France, and Europe, to meet its promises under the present Kyoto round, press ahead with its pledge to deepen emissions cuts by 2020, boost renewables' share in the energy mix and encourage the transfer of clean technology, said Orru. "It's fine to tick off our American friends, but France and Europe have to be exemplary," said Orru. "We have to show the emerging countries that it is possible to develop their economies differently."
08/05/2007 : Strong undersea quake shakes Greek island of Zakynthos
Source : http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/
A strong undersea quake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale shook the Greek Ionian Sea island of Zakynthos on Monday but there were no reports of casualties or major damage.
The quake hit at 4:34 am (0134 GMT) with the epicentre south of the island, some 240 kilometres (150 miles) west of Athens, the Athens Observatory's Geodynamic Institute said. "It was an isolated tremor, there was no particular seismic activity either before or after," institute seismologist Maria Ziazia told AFP. The Ionian Sea is one of the most seismically-active areas in Greece, which is itself the European country most at risk from earthquakes, suffering about half of all the quakes registered on the continent.
The island of Zakynthos was at the centre of significant quake activity this time last year, with 10 tremors between 5.0 and 5.8 Richter recorded between March and May, the semi-state Athens News Agency (ANA) said.
08/05/2007 : Outbreak kills 250,000 fish at hatchery
Source : http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap
About 250,000 rainbow trout died in a sudden disease outbreak at a southwestern Idaho fish hatchery, a loss of about 8 percent of Idaho's annual output of catchable-sized trout.
It was the second such outbreak of ichthyophthirius multifilis in as many years at the state Department of Fish and Game hatchery in Nampa. Officials say it likely resulted when stress from overcrowding weakened the fish, making them more susceptible to the parasite. The outbreak happened in January, but became public this week because the state agency is trying to manage remaining stocks of 6- to 8-inch fish at its five other hatcheries to make certain lakes and streams still get enough fish to satisfy anglers.
Tom Frew, who manages the Nampa site, said careful manipulation of stocks at other facilities should make up for the losses. He said scientists are assessing just what went wrong. One possible change to avoid future outbreaks, he said, might be to reduce the number of fish raised at the Nampa hatchery and increase it elsewhere. "The parasite multiplies very rapidly," said Frew, who estimated the cost of the die-off at $40,000, including fish food and labor. "By the time we see symptoms, the disease has a pretty strong hold on the animal."
In all, the state produces about 3 million catchable-sized trout every year, among some 26 million total fish produced. The parasites, commonly referred to as "ich," are visible as white spots on a fish's gills and skin. As their attack intensifies, fish "flash," or turn on their sides as they try to scrape off the bugs. The fish become lethargic and eventually die. In the end, the parasites become so numerous on an infected fish's gills that it simply smothers.
In addition to the outbreaks in Nampa, a sudden thunderstorm last year washed debris-laden runoff into Idaho's Sawtooth hatchery near Stanley, weakening chinook salmon and making them more susceptible to the parasite, Frew said. "Normally, they're capable of sloughing off the parasite," Frew said. "Anytime fish are in captivity, in the aquarium industry, or where the fish are in a closed system" there's a danger of an outbreak. Nampa's hatchery has 10 raceways, all fed by artesian wells. The disease was found in all the raceways.
Due to the hatchery's design, it's not possible to empty the raceways of water to sterilize them, leaving the parasite present year after year. Though hatchery officials haven't changed their fish-raising regimen in a dozen years, Frew said, the disease appears to have gained a more lethal toehold in 2006 and 2007. "For some reason, the last couple of years, we've had some problems with ich at the Nampa hatchery," Frew said. "There's not really a lot we could do, without a complete rebuild of the Nampa hatchery."
Source : Bangkok Post
The plight of 382 households exposed to harmful levels of aircraft noise from Suvarnabhumi airport will be raised as an urgent issue at the Airports of Thailand (AoT) board meeting tomorrow. Suvarnabhumi airport director Serirat Prasutanond said a new survey found that a total of 382 households living in communities near the western runway were exposed to excessive noise levels of more than 70 decibels. He said that airport environmental staff would determine whether the people in those households had moved into the communities before or after the areas were declared part of an airport zone back in 2001.On assistance measures for those suffering from excessive noise pollution, AoT is required to buy their properties so they can move elsewhere, Mr Serirat said.
But the compensation will be based on negotiations and the amount set aside by the state. Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um said Aot must quickly hold talks with affected households so assistance measures could be provided. Acting AoT managing director Kalaya Pakakong held an urgent meeting to discuss the matter. The deputy minister admitted that the process to help the residents was slow. He added that AoT must work quickly as the residents were reportedly planning to stage a mass rally on May 12
08/05/2007 : Floods and drought: Lloyd's assesses climate change
Source : Reuters
Lloyd's of London, the world's oldest insurer, offered a gloomy forecast of floods, droughts and disastrous storms over the next 50 years in a recently published report on impending climate changes.
"These things are fact, not hypothesis," said Wendy Baker, the president of Lloyd's America in an interview on Monday. "You don't have to be a believer in global warming to recognize the climate is changing. The industry has to get ready for the changes that are coming." In a report on catastrophe trends Lloyd's is disseminating to the insurance industry, a bevy of British climate experts, including Sir David King, chief scientist to the British government, warn of increased flooding in coastal areas and a rapid rise in sea level as ice caps melt in Greenland and Antarctica.
Northern European coastal levels could rise more than a meter (3 feet) in a few decades, particularly if the Gulf Stream currents change, the report says. Floods, which now account for about half of all deaths from natural disasters, could multiply and become more destructive, with annual flood damages in England and Wales reaching 10 times today's level, according to some studies. At the same time, drought patterns that are already forming in some parts of the world are going to get worse, particularly in southern Africa.
Even the lush Amazon may dry up, and with less vegetation, more carbon dioxide will leak into the atmosphere, making the global warming problem even worse, the Lloyd's study says. Baker said Lloyd's has formed a partnership with American International Group, the world's biggest insurer, Harvard University's Center for Health and the Global Environment and the Insurance Information Institute, a research group. The four will hold a forum in the fall of 2007 to look at the severity and consequences of future natural catastrophes.
"The property casualty industry had an easy year in 2006, when there were no U.S. hurricanes," Baker said. "But the next one may make Katrina look inexpensive." In August, 2005 Hurricane Katrina slammed into the U.S. Gulf Coast, costing the industry more than $38 billion and making it the most destructive storm in terms of property losses ever. But hurricane modelers say a storm like Katrina hitting the Miami area of Florida or New York could cost as much as $100 billion. Lloyd's was founded in 1688 and its 66 syndicates trade in London. But the United States is its biggest market with nearly 40 percent of its business.
08/05/2007 : Tags follow 'Nemo' fish to home
Source : www.bbcnews.com
The remarkable homing instincts of some coral reef fish have been revealed. A team tagged two species of reef fish larvae to see where the juveniles were going after spending weeks and even months maturing in open sea. It found most of the orange clownfish - made famous by the Finding Nemo movie - and vagabond butterflyfish returned to the reef where they had first hatched.
Writing in the journal Science, the team said the discovery could have implications for marine protection. "Marine fish lay very small eggs, and when they do, they are released into the water column," explained co-author Professor Geoff Jones from James Cook University in Queensland, Australia. "They develop into a really tiny little larvae that we think drift around in the water currents, sometimes for months. "The missing link in our understanding of coral reef fish has always been: where do the larvae go?"
Help from Mum
But until now, finding this out has been extremely tricky - attaching tags to miniscule larvae is not an easy task. So the international team of researchers tackled the problem by getting the mother to help. They did this by collecting female coral reef fish from a small 0.3 sq km reef in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea, and injecting them with a rare, stable barium isotope. The females pass this isotope to their developing offspring where it accumulates in their bones, giving the baby fish unique chemical signatures.
A few weeks later, the team returned to the reef and collected young fish to test them to see if they carried the "tag". "We found that 60% - well over half - were coming back to the small island reserve, which was an unexpected result," Professor Jones told the BBC.
Navigational feat
The scientists are uncertain how the vividly coloured orange clownfish and vagabond butterflyfish perform this feat but hope to find out with further research. "Perhaps they are somehow remaining in sensory contact with their home island and are able to maintain their position and not end up drifting too far away," said Professor Jones. "Or maybe they are getting carried away, but they have a homing mechanism to swim back to their home reef."
Although the study was carried out on two species, Professor Jones believes the finding may apply to other coral reef fish too, and if this is the case, it could have consequences for marine conservation. It shows that small no-take marine reserves are a good way to protect over-fished species, he said, because there should be enough juveniles returning to the area to sustain numbers over time.
08/05/2007 : Law Experts Say Courts Can Stop Japan Whale Cull
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
Law experts on Monday urged anti-whaling nations to end years of fruitless diplomatic pressure on Japan to stop scientific culling and use international courts to halt Tokyo. As the International Whaling Commission annual conference got underway in Alaska, a group of law experts commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) urged Australia and other like-minded countries to get tougher with Japan.
"Japan's whaling programme is illegal and will remain so until a government takes steps to challenge this unlawful activity," law professor and group chairman Don Rothwell said. The IWC's 72 members are bitterly divided over a 25-year-old global moratorium on whaling which Japan and other nations such as Norway oppose. Japan has long resisted pressure to stop scientific whaling and this year plans to hunt 935 minke and for the first time 50 humpbacks. Humpbacks were hunted nearly to extinction until protected by the IWC in 1966.
Tokyo has been accused of doling out US$750 million in aid to small Caribbean and Pacific countries to gather support in the IWC for overturning the 1986 ban on all whaling. Japan last year succeeded in gaining a majority of IWC votes, but not the 75 percent needed to resume commercial whaling. Michael McIntyre, IFAW's Asia Pacific Director, said conservationists wanted an anti-whaling nation such as Australia or New Zealand to take legal action against Japan. Belgium was also sympathetic, he told Reuters.
Rothwell, an international law specialist at the Australian National University, said he was confident Japan's fast-expanding whaling programme could be stopped through the International Tribunal for the Law or even the International Court of Justice. "There are a range of legal options that would be available," he told Australian radio, citing a report prepared by law experts from the United States, France, Australia and Mexico.
Japan this year invited IWC members to Tokyo to talk about an end to the moratorium. Around 26 anti-whaling countries, including New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Argentina boycotted the meeting. Japan says whaling is a cherished cultural tradition and began scientific research whaling in 1987. The meat, which under commission rules must be sold for consumption, ends up in supermarkets and restaurants, but the appetite for what is now a delicacy is fading.
08/05/2007 : Italy Must Stop Coal Power Conversions - Green Group
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
Italian utilities should stop converting oil-fired power stations to coal and opt for gas and renewable energy sources instead, the head of Italian green group Legambiente said. According to industry data, Italy gets about 12 percent of its energy by burning coal and the country's biggest utility Enel has long been aiming to have half of its power produced at coal-fired plants by 2010. "We are against coal conversion for one reason -- out of all fossil fuels, coal contributes most to climate change, emits the most carbon dioxide," Legambiente President Roberto Della Seta told Reuters.
Italy's emissions of the greenhouse gases that are widely blamed for global warming have risen 12 percent since 1990, rather than heading towards the 6.5 percent reduction that it has pledged to reach by 2012 under the Kyoto Protocol. Della Seta said conversion of power stations to coal would move Italy farther away from the Kyoto Protocol targets. Enel says the so-called "clean coal" technology it uses in conversion allows it to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases and particles to well below required levels.
CHEAP COAL
Coal is also cheap and helps to diversify Italy's energy supplies, which are some 90 percent reliant on oil and gas imports. Della Seta said the new technology may help reduce emissions of other gases, but not CO2. "Enel cannot change a law of physics which says that CO2 emissions per every kilo of burned coal are greater than per kilo of oil and much greater than per kilo of gas."
Della Seta said Legambiente, which is one of Italy's main green groups, supported activists who went on a hunger strike in March protesting against Enel's plan to convert to coal a 2,600 megawatt oil-fired power station at Civitavecchia near Rome. Italy's Environment Ministry last month called for a revision of a permit given to Enel's Civitavecchia project, after the hunger strike raised concerns about the health situation in the nearby district. Enel has said the Civitavecchia station respects environmental and health standards.
Della Seta said in the interview last week that Legambiente opposed another Enel plan, to convert a similar power station, Porto Tolle in northern Italy. "We think Italy should not increase the percentage of coal in its fuel mix, but instead, it should move in other directions: gas, renewable source, energy efficiency," he said. Renewables account for about 17 percent of Italy's energy mix, and most of that is hydroelectric power. Wind and solar power make up a small fraction of the total, way behind such countries as Germany and Spain.
08/05/2007 : Sarkozy's climate promise a tough challenge
Source : http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/
In his first foreign-policy declaration, president-elect Nicolas Sarkozy has named climate change France's "first battle," but analysts warn that the combat is long-term and complex. Sarkozy nailed his green colours to the mast on Sunday in a victory speech after emphatically winning France's top job against Socialist rival Segolene Royal.
In a bold move for a newcomer to the world's top political table, Sarkozy notably accused the United States of hampering efforts to tackle climate change. While telling "our American friends" that France would stand by its side whenever it was needed, Sarkozy also said: "Friendship is accepting that one's friends can think differently. "A great nation like the United States has the duty to not create obstacles in the struggle against global warming. Quite the contrary, it should take the lead in this battle. "What is at stake is the fate of all humanity," warned Sarkozy. "France will make this battle its first battle."
Sarkozy's strident appeal came exactly a month before the Group of Eight summit in Heiligendamm, Germany, where the United States -- the world's big greenhouse-gas polluter -- will find itself uncomfortably in the spotlight. It will come under intensifying pressure to return to a global deal on cutting greenhouse-gas emissions. At present, the only treaty for reducing this pollution is the UN's Kyoto Protocol. The treaty runs out at the end of 2012, and talks are underway on how its successor should deliver deeper cuts.
But the process is almost crippled by the absence of the United States, which by itself accounts for a quarter of global emissions. President George W. Bush abandoned Kyoto in 2001, saying the treaty was too costly for the US economy and unfair, as big developing countries such as China and India are not legally obliged to cut pollution. Even though Bush has lately acknowledged climate change to be a serious problem, he still bitterly opposes Kyoto's binding cap on emissions, pushing instead a mix of voluntary restraints, energy efficiency and alternative energy sources.
"It's important that Nicolas Sarkozy has joined (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair and (German Chancellor) Angela Merkel in calling on the Americans to step up efforts in the climate negotiations," said Yannick Jadot, a climate specialist with Greenpeace. "But is even more important from our viewpoint is to spell out that the United States should rejoin the post-2012 negotiation process and see how it will catch up on emissions cuts that should have been made for the period leading up to 2012."
Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, a lawmaker with Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Majority (UMP) party and specialist on environmental questions, said the United States bore a heavy share of responsibility for global warming. "They are very sensitive about anything that touches, even remotely, on loss of sovereignty and they consider the emergence of environmental governance as a sovereignty issue," she said. "When it comes to the federal government, there is a gulf between the proposals that are being made (by Washington) and what should be expected of a country like the United States."
Serge Orru of the green group WWF said coaxing the United States back into the game was only one part of a wider challenge. China, India, Brazil and other fast-developing, large-population nations also have to be encouraged into reining in their pollution, he said. China, the most populous nation, is the second biggest polluter and is set to take the top spot in the next couple of years.
The most effective way is for France, and Europe, to meet its promises under the present Kyoto round, press ahead with its pledge to deepen emissions cuts by 2020, boost renewables' share in the energy mix and encourage the transfer of clean technology, said Orru. "It's fine to tick off our American friends, but France and Europe have to be exemplary," said Orru. "We have to show the emerging countries that it is possible to develop their economies differently."
08/05/2007 : Strong undersea quake shakes Greek island of Zakynthos
Source : http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/
A strong undersea quake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale shook the Greek Ionian Sea island of Zakynthos on Monday but there were no reports of casualties or major damage.
The quake hit at 4:34 am (0134 GMT) with the epicentre south of the island, some 240 kilometres (150 miles) west of Athens, the Athens Observatory's Geodynamic Institute said. "It was an isolated tremor, there was no particular seismic activity either before or after," institute seismologist Maria Ziazia told AFP. The Ionian Sea is one of the most seismically-active areas in Greece, which is itself the European country most at risk from earthquakes, suffering about half of all the quakes registered on the continent.
The island of Zakynthos was at the centre of significant quake activity this time last year, with 10 tremors between 5.0 and 5.8 Richter recorded between March and May, the semi-state Athens News Agency (ANA) said.
08/05/2007 : Outbreak kills 250,000 fish at hatchery
Source : http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap
About 250,000 rainbow trout died in a sudden disease outbreak at a southwestern Idaho fish hatchery, a loss of about 8 percent of Idaho's annual output of catchable-sized trout.
It was the second such outbreak of ichthyophthirius multifilis in as many years at the state Department of Fish and Game hatchery in Nampa. Officials say it likely resulted when stress from overcrowding weakened the fish, making them more susceptible to the parasite. The outbreak happened in January, but became public this week because the state agency is trying to manage remaining stocks of 6- to 8-inch fish at its five other hatcheries to make certain lakes and streams still get enough fish to satisfy anglers.
Tom Frew, who manages the Nampa site, said careful manipulation of stocks at other facilities should make up for the losses. He said scientists are assessing just what went wrong. One possible change to avoid future outbreaks, he said, might be to reduce the number of fish raised at the Nampa hatchery and increase it elsewhere. "The parasite multiplies very rapidly," said Frew, who estimated the cost of the die-off at $40,000, including fish food and labor. "By the time we see symptoms, the disease has a pretty strong hold on the animal."
In all, the state produces about 3 million catchable-sized trout every year, among some 26 million total fish produced. The parasites, commonly referred to as "ich," are visible as white spots on a fish's gills and skin. As their attack intensifies, fish "flash," or turn on their sides as they try to scrape off the bugs. The fish become lethargic and eventually die. In the end, the parasites become so numerous on an infected fish's gills that it simply smothers.
In addition to the outbreaks in Nampa, a sudden thunderstorm last year washed debris-laden runoff into Idaho's Sawtooth hatchery near Stanley, weakening chinook salmon and making them more susceptible to the parasite, Frew said. "Normally, they're capable of sloughing off the parasite," Frew said. "Anytime fish are in captivity, in the aquarium industry, or where the fish are in a closed system" there's a danger of an outbreak. Nampa's hatchery has 10 raceways, all fed by artesian wells. The disease was found in all the raceways.
Due to the hatchery's design, it's not possible to empty the raceways of water to sterilize them, leaving the parasite present year after year. Though hatchery officials haven't changed their fish-raising regimen in a dozen years, Frew said, the disease appears to have gained a more lethal toehold in 2006 and 2007. "For some reason, the last couple of years, we've had some problems with ich at the Nampa hatchery," Frew said. "There's not really a lot we could do, without a complete rebuild of the Nampa hatchery."
Environment News 18 May 2007
18/05/2007 : Bangkok joins world cities against global warming
Source : Bangkok Post
Governor Apirak Kosayodhin joined the heads of 14 of the world's largest cities in a $5 billion initiative with major banks to retrofit buildings in their cities to save energy. It is the first such enterprise to combat climate change. The initial group of large cities involved in the deal includes Bangkok, Berlin, Chicago, Houston, Johannesburg, Karachi, London, Melbourne, New York, Mexico City, Rome, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo and Toronto.
Former US president Bill Clinton launched the initiative to coincide this week with a summit in New York attended by mayors and governors from 40 of the world's largest cities to discuss climate change. Clinton's initiative launched on Wednesday called on ABN AMRO, Citi, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan Chase and UBS to provide up to $1 billion each to finance cities and private buildings to retrofit buildings. The amount to be provided by those five groups would double the market for energy retrofit in buildings.
The five banks will work with energy efficiency specialists like Hannon Armstrong and CCI to work out a mechanism to deploy their capital worldwide. Honeywell, Johnson Controls Inc, Siemens and Trane will conduct energy audits and building retrofits to ensure energy conservation. "Climate change is a global problem that requires local action," Clinton said in announcing the programme between the two sides. "The businesses, banks and cities partnering with my foundation are addressing the issue of global warming because it's the right thing to do, but also because it's good for their bottom line."
Large cities worldwide consume 75 per cent of the world's energy and produce 80 per cent of greenhouse gases. Mayors and governors of those cities attended the two-day Climate Summit in New York hosted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, which ended on Wednesday. Bloomberg unveiled New York's ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in his city by 30 per cent by 2030, including a controversial plan to introduce a traffic congestion charge in Manhattan.
"This is our blueprint - or should I say greenprint - for making the Big Apple truly the Green Apple," Bloomberg had told his guests from around the world. Bloomberg warned that unless New York authorities act aggressively, carbon dioxide emissions are expected to increase up to 30 per cent above current levels by 2030.
18/05/2007 : More quakes expected: Smith
Source : The Nation
National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) Thursday warned people living near fault lines to get prepared for more quakes, as many faults in Asia have apparently become more active following the tsunami-causing, big earthquake in 2004. "Take evacuation drills and ensure that your houses are safe enough," NDWC chairman Smith Dharmasaroja said. He confirmed the Mae Chan fault in Thailand had moved more frequently since that 2004 earthquake in Sumatra.
The Mae Chan Fault was blamed for causing a rather powerful quake on the Burmese - Laos borderline on Wednesday. Measuring at 6.3 magnitude by the US Geological Survey, this quake sent tremors hundreds of kilometres down to Bangkok.
18/05/2007 : AOT spends Bt66 million to compensate for noise pollution
Source : The Nation
Airports of Thailand has paid out a total of Bt66 million to buy four land plots near Suvarnabhumi Airport from the owners who have complained of the noise pollution after the airport opening in September. The compensation is based on the appraisals from independent appraiser SD Con Corp, which is in charge of inspecting 129 structures built before 2001, said Surathat Suthammanas, deputy director of Suvarnabhumi Airport.
He said that the owners of the structures in problems can be put in five categories. First, those who agree to sell their land to AOT unconditionally, accounting for 4 persons who own a combined land of 4 rai. These four signed the deal yesterday for the Bt66 million compensation. Second, house owners who asked for AOT's assistance in reducing noise effects, with the estimated budget of Bt9 million.
Third, owners who opposed the proposed purchase and the conflicts with this group would be handled in court. Fourth, land owners who want to sell the entire land plots, though AOT prefers buying only the affected areas. Fifth, the owners who have not identified themselves. Surathat said that AOT would rush solving the conflicts in the second round of negotiation and that if the round ends without result, the issue would be proceeded to court.
18/05/2007 : 2004 quake activated more fault-lines
Source : The Nation
The National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) yesterday said people living near geological fault-lines should be prepared for more earthquakes, as many faults in Asia had apparently become more active following the huge quake that caused the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004.
"Take part in evacuation drills and ensure that your houses are as strong as possible," said NDWC chairman Smith Dharmmasaroj. Smith confirmed that the Mae Chan fault in Thailand had been more active since the Boxing Day 2004 earthquake off of Sumatra. Movement on the Mae Chan fault caused the powerful quake on the Lao-Burmese border on Wednesday afternoon. Measuring 6.3 on the US Geological Survey's instruments, the quake caused tremors that were felt far away in Bangkok.
In Chiang Rai, less than 100 kilometres from the quake's epicentre, buildings suffered cracks, and the top of an ancient pagoda's tiered umbrella collapsed. At press time, officials were still scouring the pagoda compound in search of five missing gems that disappeared during the collapse. They were among nine jewels embedded into the top of the Chomkitti Pagoda's umbrella. Their Majesties the King and the Queen had graciously donated the gems during the pagoda's renovation three decades ago. "We'll search until we find all of the gems," said Chiang Rai governor Amornphan Nimanan.
He said relevant officials were now surveying the damage to local residences. At least 60 homes had suffered some damage. Suwit Busarakul, director of Ban Pong Phrabat School in Chiang Rai's Muang district, said cracks had appeared in the school's classrooms and that lessons were being conducted in the school's library instead. Meteorological Department director-general Suparerk Tansriratanawong said his department was planning to open 30 more earthquake-measuring stations by the end of the year. There are now only 15 such stations in the Kingdom.
"If earthquakes occur, we plan to alert people within five minutes through mass media like television and radio," he said. Suparerk urged people to stay as far away as possible from glass or lamps during an earthquake. "Do not rush out of buildings. Wait until the vibration stops before you evacuate," he added. Mineral Resources Department director-general Apichai Chawacharoenpan advised people to take shelter behind structures and beware of items that could fall on them.
"Residents of high-rise condominiums should keep torches handy," he said. Information and Communica-tions Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said his ministry was in the process of procuring 1,000 early-warning towers at a cost of Bt388 million. "We plan to install all of them within six months," he said. They would be installed along the coastline and in the North. Thirawat Kullawanich, director-general of the Public Works and Town and Country Planning Department, said he would ask educational institutes to offer design courses for quakeproof structures to engineering students.
18/05/2007 : Lost California whales ignore "go home" siren song
Source : Reuters
Two wounded humpback whales that swam 92 miles up rivers and a man-made canal into California's Central Valley are not responding to recorded whale calls aimed at luring them back to sea, scientists said on Thursday. The roughly 45-foot (13.7-metre) female and her 20-foot (6-metre) calf had swum to California's Port of Sacramento and meandered in the same area on Thursday as rescue officials played recorded sounds from a boat aimed at luring them downstream.
"From what we have seen I don't think it is very successful," said Carrie Wilson, a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. "It appears that the animals are not responding." Both whales were injured by boats during their journey upstream. The tale of the lost whales is attracting a growing number of visitors to the area near the California state capital and memories of a humpback whale dubbed Humphrey that swam up the Sacramento River 69 miles in 1985 before returning to the ocean in a 26-day saga.
Experts say the current incident is the longest recorded inland U.S. journey for humpback whales. The scientists have been playing sounds of whales feedings rather than love songs. "Because she is with a tending calf we don't think she would be interested in any breeding-related calls at this point," said Joe Cordaro, a wildlife biologist at the National Marine Fishery Service. Scientists said they are likely next to try a new approach of blasting noise from boats on the upstream side in an effort to inspire them to move in the other direction.
Cordaro said scientists were improvising as they sought a solution and would consider anything to get the whales moving toward the ocean. "Maybe even Barry Manilow music, it worked in Panama," he joked, referring to the blasting of the pop singer's music toward the country's dictator who had taken refuge in an embassy. "Nothing's off the table at this point." The whales are believed to belong to a group of humpbacks which migrated from Baja California, Mexico, to spend the summer near the Farallon Islands off the coast of California.
18/05/2007 : Poor Indian Fishermen Threaten to Kill Rare Sharks
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
Fishermen along India's western coast are threatening to undo conservation efforts and kill hundreds of endangered whale sharks unless the government gives fuel subsidies promised to them three years ago. About 15,000 fishermen living by the Arabian Sea in the western state of Gujarat say they need help to run their boats and will be forced to hunt the massive yet docile fish and sell its parts for money. "We will kill whale sharks if we do not get financial help to run our motor-boats," said Kamlesh Sodwa of the Veraval Fishermen Association.
The whale shark is the largest fish species and is known as the gentle giant of the sea, feeding mainly on plankton. But the sharks are a threatened species and about one thousand were slaughtered by Gujarat's fishermen between 1990 and 2001, who hunted them for their oil, fins and meat, which fetched high prices on the international market. Since 2001, campaigning by wildlife groups and religious leaders has helped curtail the hunting of the whale sharks -- 1,200 of which migrate across the Indian Ocean to the Gujarat coast from East Africa for breeding every year.
"Five years ago, Gujarat's fishermen had pledged never to kill the gentle ocean giant and have been ripping their nets to release the big fish," said Aniruddha Mukherjee, director of the Wildlife Trust of India. As a result, there have been no recorded killings of whale sharks on Gujarat's coast since 2002, he added. But the fishermen now say they are poor and need the government to fulfil a 2004 promise to provide fuel subsidies. "A 45-foot (14 metres) whale shark had entered into my nets. I wanted to kill the creature to buy food for my children but my wife forced me to release it," said fisherman Nandi Kelva.
"The government does not care for us, so why should we care for the fish?" State government officials said they still plan to give fuel subsidies but did not have a time-frame. They said they would not, however, respond to threats of killing the endangered fish. "There is a ban on killing the whale shark," state forestry official P.N. Roychoudhary said. "If the fishermen find killing as a way for survival, then they are making a mistake."
Source : Bangkok Post
Governor Apirak Kosayodhin joined the heads of 14 of the world's largest cities in a $5 billion initiative with major banks to retrofit buildings in their cities to save energy. It is the first such enterprise to combat climate change. The initial group of large cities involved in the deal includes Bangkok, Berlin, Chicago, Houston, Johannesburg, Karachi, London, Melbourne, New York, Mexico City, Rome, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo and Toronto.
Former US president Bill Clinton launched the initiative to coincide this week with a summit in New York attended by mayors and governors from 40 of the world's largest cities to discuss climate change. Clinton's initiative launched on Wednesday called on ABN AMRO, Citi, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan Chase and UBS to provide up to $1 billion each to finance cities and private buildings to retrofit buildings. The amount to be provided by those five groups would double the market for energy retrofit in buildings.
The five banks will work with energy efficiency specialists like Hannon Armstrong and CCI to work out a mechanism to deploy their capital worldwide. Honeywell, Johnson Controls Inc, Siemens and Trane will conduct energy audits and building retrofits to ensure energy conservation. "Climate change is a global problem that requires local action," Clinton said in announcing the programme between the two sides. "The businesses, banks and cities partnering with my foundation are addressing the issue of global warming because it's the right thing to do, but also because it's good for their bottom line."
Large cities worldwide consume 75 per cent of the world's energy and produce 80 per cent of greenhouse gases. Mayors and governors of those cities attended the two-day Climate Summit in New York hosted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, which ended on Wednesday. Bloomberg unveiled New York's ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in his city by 30 per cent by 2030, including a controversial plan to introduce a traffic congestion charge in Manhattan.
"This is our blueprint - or should I say greenprint - for making the Big Apple truly the Green Apple," Bloomberg had told his guests from around the world. Bloomberg warned that unless New York authorities act aggressively, carbon dioxide emissions are expected to increase up to 30 per cent above current levels by 2030.
18/05/2007 : More quakes expected: Smith
Source : The Nation
National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) Thursday warned people living near fault lines to get prepared for more quakes, as many faults in Asia have apparently become more active following the tsunami-causing, big earthquake in 2004. "Take evacuation drills and ensure that your houses are safe enough," NDWC chairman Smith Dharmasaroja said. He confirmed the Mae Chan fault in Thailand had moved more frequently since that 2004 earthquake in Sumatra.
The Mae Chan Fault was blamed for causing a rather powerful quake on the Burmese - Laos borderline on Wednesday. Measuring at 6.3 magnitude by the US Geological Survey, this quake sent tremors hundreds of kilometres down to Bangkok.
18/05/2007 : AOT spends Bt66 million to compensate for noise pollution
Source : The Nation
Airports of Thailand has paid out a total of Bt66 million to buy four land plots near Suvarnabhumi Airport from the owners who have complained of the noise pollution after the airport opening in September. The compensation is based on the appraisals from independent appraiser SD Con Corp, which is in charge of inspecting 129 structures built before 2001, said Surathat Suthammanas, deputy director of Suvarnabhumi Airport.
He said that the owners of the structures in problems can be put in five categories. First, those who agree to sell their land to AOT unconditionally, accounting for 4 persons who own a combined land of 4 rai. These four signed the deal yesterday for the Bt66 million compensation. Second, house owners who asked for AOT's assistance in reducing noise effects, with the estimated budget of Bt9 million.
Third, owners who opposed the proposed purchase and the conflicts with this group would be handled in court. Fourth, land owners who want to sell the entire land plots, though AOT prefers buying only the affected areas. Fifth, the owners who have not identified themselves. Surathat said that AOT would rush solving the conflicts in the second round of negotiation and that if the round ends without result, the issue would be proceeded to court.
18/05/2007 : 2004 quake activated more fault-lines
Source : The Nation
The National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) yesterday said people living near geological fault-lines should be prepared for more earthquakes, as many faults in Asia had apparently become more active following the huge quake that caused the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004.
"Take part in evacuation drills and ensure that your houses are as strong as possible," said NDWC chairman Smith Dharmmasaroj. Smith confirmed that the Mae Chan fault in Thailand had been more active since the Boxing Day 2004 earthquake off of Sumatra. Movement on the Mae Chan fault caused the powerful quake on the Lao-Burmese border on Wednesday afternoon. Measuring 6.3 on the US Geological Survey's instruments, the quake caused tremors that were felt far away in Bangkok.
In Chiang Rai, less than 100 kilometres from the quake's epicentre, buildings suffered cracks, and the top of an ancient pagoda's tiered umbrella collapsed. At press time, officials were still scouring the pagoda compound in search of five missing gems that disappeared during the collapse. They were among nine jewels embedded into the top of the Chomkitti Pagoda's umbrella. Their Majesties the King and the Queen had graciously donated the gems during the pagoda's renovation three decades ago. "We'll search until we find all of the gems," said Chiang Rai governor Amornphan Nimanan.
He said relevant officials were now surveying the damage to local residences. At least 60 homes had suffered some damage. Suwit Busarakul, director of Ban Pong Phrabat School in Chiang Rai's Muang district, said cracks had appeared in the school's classrooms and that lessons were being conducted in the school's library instead. Meteorological Department director-general Suparerk Tansriratanawong said his department was planning to open 30 more earthquake-measuring stations by the end of the year. There are now only 15 such stations in the Kingdom.
"If earthquakes occur, we plan to alert people within five minutes through mass media like television and radio," he said. Suparerk urged people to stay as far away as possible from glass or lamps during an earthquake. "Do not rush out of buildings. Wait until the vibration stops before you evacuate," he added. Mineral Resources Department director-general Apichai Chawacharoenpan advised people to take shelter behind structures and beware of items that could fall on them.
"Residents of high-rise condominiums should keep torches handy," he said. Information and Communica-tions Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said his ministry was in the process of procuring 1,000 early-warning towers at a cost of Bt388 million. "We plan to install all of them within six months," he said. They would be installed along the coastline and in the North. Thirawat Kullawanich, director-general of the Public Works and Town and Country Planning Department, said he would ask educational institutes to offer design courses for quakeproof structures to engineering students.
18/05/2007 : Lost California whales ignore "go home" siren song
Source : Reuters
Two wounded humpback whales that swam 92 miles up rivers and a man-made canal into California's Central Valley are not responding to recorded whale calls aimed at luring them back to sea, scientists said on Thursday. The roughly 45-foot (13.7-metre) female and her 20-foot (6-metre) calf had swum to California's Port of Sacramento and meandered in the same area on Thursday as rescue officials played recorded sounds from a boat aimed at luring them downstream.
"From what we have seen I don't think it is very successful," said Carrie Wilson, a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. "It appears that the animals are not responding." Both whales were injured by boats during their journey upstream. The tale of the lost whales is attracting a growing number of visitors to the area near the California state capital and memories of a humpback whale dubbed Humphrey that swam up the Sacramento River 69 miles in 1985 before returning to the ocean in a 26-day saga.
Experts say the current incident is the longest recorded inland U.S. journey for humpback whales. The scientists have been playing sounds of whales feedings rather than love songs. "Because she is with a tending calf we don't think she would be interested in any breeding-related calls at this point," said Joe Cordaro, a wildlife biologist at the National Marine Fishery Service. Scientists said they are likely next to try a new approach of blasting noise from boats on the upstream side in an effort to inspire them to move in the other direction.
Cordaro said scientists were improvising as they sought a solution and would consider anything to get the whales moving toward the ocean. "Maybe even Barry Manilow music, it worked in Panama," he joked, referring to the blasting of the pop singer's music toward the country's dictator who had taken refuge in an embassy. "Nothing's off the table at this point." The whales are believed to belong to a group of humpbacks which migrated from Baja California, Mexico, to spend the summer near the Farallon Islands off the coast of California.
18/05/2007 : Poor Indian Fishermen Threaten to Kill Rare Sharks
Source : www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/
Fishermen along India's western coast are threatening to undo conservation efforts and kill hundreds of endangered whale sharks unless the government gives fuel subsidies promised to them three years ago. About 15,000 fishermen living by the Arabian Sea in the western state of Gujarat say they need help to run their boats and will be forced to hunt the massive yet docile fish and sell its parts for money. "We will kill whale sharks if we do not get financial help to run our motor-boats," said Kamlesh Sodwa of the Veraval Fishermen Association.
The whale shark is the largest fish species and is known as the gentle giant of the sea, feeding mainly on plankton. But the sharks are a threatened species and about one thousand were slaughtered by Gujarat's fishermen between 1990 and 2001, who hunted them for their oil, fins and meat, which fetched high prices on the international market. Since 2001, campaigning by wildlife groups and religious leaders has helped curtail the hunting of the whale sharks -- 1,200 of which migrate across the Indian Ocean to the Gujarat coast from East Africa for breeding every year.
"Five years ago, Gujarat's fishermen had pledged never to kill the gentle ocean giant and have been ripping their nets to release the big fish," said Aniruddha Mukherjee, director of the Wildlife Trust of India. As a result, there have been no recorded killings of whale sharks on Gujarat's coast since 2002, he added. But the fishermen now say they are poor and need the government to fulfil a 2004 promise to provide fuel subsidies. "A 45-foot (14 metres) whale shark had entered into my nets. I wanted to kill the creature to buy food for my children but my wife forced me to release it," said fisherman Nandi Kelva.
"The government does not care for us, so why should we care for the fish?" State government officials said they still plan to give fuel subsidies but did not have a time-frame. They said they would not, however, respond to threats of killing the endangered fish. "There is a ban on killing the whale shark," state forestry official P.N. Roychoudhary said. "If the fishermen find killing as a way for survival, then they are making a mistake."
Safety
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see Safety (disambiguation).
This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers.Please improve the article or discuss this issue on the talk page. This article has been tagged since April 2007.
Warning signs, such as this one, can improve safety awareness.
Safety is the state of being "safe" (from French sauf), the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be considered non-desirable. This can take the form of being protected from the cause or from exposure to something that is not safe. It can include protection of people or of possessions. Safety can be in relation to some guarantee or a standard of insurance to the quality and unharmful function of an object or organization. It is used in order to ensure that the object or organization will do only what it is meant to do.
Contents[hide]
1 Risks and responses
2 System safety and reliability engineering
3 Safety measures
4 Standards organizations
4.1 American National Standards Institute
4.2 Testing laboratories
4.3 Government agencies
5 See also
//
[edit] Risks and responses
Safety is generally interpreted as implying a real and significant impact on risk of death, injury or damage to property. In response to perceived risks many interventions may be proposed with engineering responses and regulation being two of the most common.
Probably the most common individual response to perceived safety issues is insurance, which compensates for or provides restitution in the case of damage or loss.
[edit] System safety and reliability engineering
System safety and reliability engineering is an engineering discipline. Continuous changes in technology, environmental regulation and public safety concerns make the analysis of complex safety-critical systems more and more demanding.
A common fallacy, for example among electrical engineers regarding structure power systems, is that safety issues can be readily deduced. In fact, safety issues have been discovered one by one, over more than a century in the case mentioned, in the work of many thousands of practitioners, and cannot be deduced by a single individual over a few decades. A knowledge of the literature, the standards and custom in a field is a critical part of safety engineering. A combination of theory and track record of practices is involved, and track record indicates some of the areas of theory that are relevant. (In the USA, persons with a state license in Professional Engineering in Electrical Engineering are expected to be competent in this regard, the foregoing notwithstanding, but most electrical engineers have no need of the license for their work.)
Safety is often seen as one of a group of related disciplines: quality, reliability, availability, maintainability and safety. (Availability is sometimes not mentioned, on the principle that it is a simple function of reliability and maintainability.) These issues tend to determine the value of any work, and deficits in any of these areas are considered to result in a cost, beyond the cost of addressing the area in the first place; good management is then expected to minimize total cost.
[edit] Safety measures
Safety measures are activities and precautions taken to improve safety, i.e. reduce risk related to human health. Common safety measures include:
Visual examination for dangerous situations such as emergency exits blocked because they are being used as storage areas.
Visual examination for flaws such as cracks, peeling, loose connections.
Chemical analysis
X-ray analysis to see inside a sealed object such as a weld, a cement wall or an airplane outer skin.
Destructive testing of samples
Stress testing subjects a person or product to stresses in excess of those the person or product is designed to handle, to determining the "breaking point".
Safety margins/Safety factors. For instance, a product rated to never be required to handle more than 200 pounds might be designed to fail under at least 400 pounds, a safety factor of two. Higher numbers are used in more sensitive applications such as medical or transit safety.
Implementation of standard protocols and procedures so that activities are conducted in a known way.
Training of employees, vendors, product users
Instruction manuals explaining how to use a product or perform an activity
Instructional videos demonstrating proper use of products
Examination of activities by specialists to minimize physical stress or increase productivity
Government regulation so suppliers know what standards their product is expected to meet.
Industry regulation so suppliers know what level of quality is expected. Industry regulation is often imposed to avoid potential government regulation.
Self-imposed regulation of various types.
Statements of Ethics by industry organizations or an individual company so its employees know what is expected of them.
Drug testing of employees, etc.
Physical examinations to determine whether a person has a physical condition that would create a problem.
Periodic evaluations of employees, departments, etc.
Geological surveys to determine whether land or water sources are polluted, how firm the ground is at a potential building site, etc.
[edit] Standards organizations
A number of standards organizations exist that promulgate safety standards. These may be voluntary organizations or government agencies.
[edit] American National Standards Institute
A major American standards organization is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Usually, members of a particular industry will voluntarily form a committee to study safety issues and propose standards. Those standards are then recommended to ANSI, which reviews and adopts them. Many government regulations require that products sold or used must comply with a particular ANSI standard.
[edit] Testing laboratories
Product safety testing, for the United States, is controlled by OSHA, in accordance with the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), see [1].
For other countries, there are many other organizations that have accreditation to test and/or submit test reports for safety certification. These are typically referred to as a Notified or Competent Body. The most common is the IECEE Certification Body Scheme, see [2]
[edit] Government agencies
Many government agencies set safety standards for matters under their jurisdiction, such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration.
[edit] See also
Accident
Aircraft
Air safety
Accidents and incidents in aviation
List of aircraft accidents
Aisles: Safety and regulatory considerations
Bicycle
Bicycle safety
Boat
Boat accident
Boat safety
Car
Car accident
Car safety
Door guard
Door safety
Explosives safety
Fire safety
List of rail accidents
List of nuclear accidents
Private security
Risk management
Road safety
Sailing ship
Sailing ship accidents
Safety engineering
fail-safe
fail-secure
Poka-yoke
Software System Safety
Safety statement
Work accident
Workplace safety
Material safety data sheet
Protective clothing
Occupational health and safety
Criticality accident
[hide]
v • d • eMajor fields of technology
Applied science
Artificial intelligence • Ceramic engineering • Computing technology • Electronics • Energy • Energy storage • Engineering physics • Environmental technology • Materials science & engineering • Microtechnology • Nanotechnology • Nuclear technology • Optical engineering • Quantum computing
Sports and recreation
Camping equipment • Playground • Sport • Sports equipment
Information and communication
Communication • Graphics • Music technology • Speech recognition • Visual technology
Industry
Construction • Financial engineering • Manufacturing • Machinery • Mining
Military
Bombs • Guns and Ammunition • Military technology and equipment • Naval engineering
Domestic
Domestic appliances • Domestic technology • Educational technology • Food technology
Engineering
Aerospace • Agricultural • Architectural • Bioengineering • Biochemical • Biomedical • Chemical • Civil • Computer • Construction • Electrical • Electronic • Environmental • Industrial • Materials • Mechanical • Mechatronics • Metallurgical • Mining • Naval • Nuclear • Petroleum • Software • Structural • Systems • Textile • Tissue
Health and safety
Biomedical engineering • Bioinformatics • Biotechnology • Cheminformatics • Fire protection technology • Health technologies • Pharmaceuticals • Safety engineering • Sanitary engineering
Transport
Aerospace • Aerospace engineering • Marine engineering • Motor vehicles • Space technology • Transport
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety"
Categories: Cleanup from April 2007 Wikipedia articles needing clarification Core issues in ethics Safety
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see Safety (disambiguation).
This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers.Please improve the article or discuss this issue on the talk page. This article has been tagged since April 2007.
Warning signs, such as this one, can improve safety awareness.
Safety is the state of being "safe" (from French sauf), the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be considered non-desirable. This can take the form of being protected from the cause or from exposure to something that is not safe. It can include protection of people or of possessions. Safety can be in relation to some guarantee or a standard of insurance to the quality and unharmful function of an object or organization. It is used in order to ensure that the object or organization will do only what it is meant to do.
Contents[hide]
1 Risks and responses
2 System safety and reliability engineering
3 Safety measures
4 Standards organizations
4.1 American National Standards Institute
4.2 Testing laboratories
4.3 Government agencies
5 See also
//
[edit] Risks and responses
Safety is generally interpreted as implying a real and significant impact on risk of death, injury or damage to property. In response to perceived risks many interventions may be proposed with engineering responses and regulation being two of the most common.
Probably the most common individual response to perceived safety issues is insurance, which compensates for or provides restitution in the case of damage or loss.
[edit] System safety and reliability engineering
System safety and reliability engineering is an engineering discipline. Continuous changes in technology, environmental regulation and public safety concerns make the analysis of complex safety-critical systems more and more demanding.
A common fallacy, for example among electrical engineers regarding structure power systems, is that safety issues can be readily deduced. In fact, safety issues have been discovered one by one, over more than a century in the case mentioned, in the work of many thousands of practitioners, and cannot be deduced by a single individual over a few decades. A knowledge of the literature, the standards and custom in a field is a critical part of safety engineering. A combination of theory and track record of practices is involved, and track record indicates some of the areas of theory that are relevant. (In the USA, persons with a state license in Professional Engineering in Electrical Engineering are expected to be competent in this regard, the foregoing notwithstanding, but most electrical engineers have no need of the license for their work.)
Safety is often seen as one of a group of related disciplines: quality, reliability, availability, maintainability and safety. (Availability is sometimes not mentioned, on the principle that it is a simple function of reliability and maintainability.) These issues tend to determine the value of any work, and deficits in any of these areas are considered to result in a cost, beyond the cost of addressing the area in the first place; good management is then expected to minimize total cost.
[edit] Safety measures
Safety measures are activities and precautions taken to improve safety, i.e. reduce risk related to human health. Common safety measures include:
Visual examination for dangerous situations such as emergency exits blocked because they are being used as storage areas.
Visual examination for flaws such as cracks, peeling, loose connections.
Chemical analysis
X-ray analysis to see inside a sealed object such as a weld, a cement wall or an airplane outer skin.
Destructive testing of samples
Stress testing subjects a person or product to stresses in excess of those the person or product is designed to handle, to determining the "breaking point".
Safety margins/Safety factors. For instance, a product rated to never be required to handle more than 200 pounds might be designed to fail under at least 400 pounds, a safety factor of two. Higher numbers are used in more sensitive applications such as medical or transit safety.
Implementation of standard protocols and procedures so that activities are conducted in a known way.
Training of employees, vendors, product users
Instruction manuals explaining how to use a product or perform an activity
Instructional videos demonstrating proper use of products
Examination of activities by specialists to minimize physical stress or increase productivity
Government regulation so suppliers know what standards their product is expected to meet.
Industry regulation so suppliers know what level of quality is expected. Industry regulation is often imposed to avoid potential government regulation.
Self-imposed regulation of various types.
Statements of Ethics by industry organizations or an individual company so its employees know what is expected of them.
Drug testing of employees, etc.
Physical examinations to determine whether a person has a physical condition that would create a problem.
Periodic evaluations of employees, departments, etc.
Geological surveys to determine whether land or water sources are polluted, how firm the ground is at a potential building site, etc.
[edit] Standards organizations
A number of standards organizations exist that promulgate safety standards. These may be voluntary organizations or government agencies.
[edit] American National Standards Institute
A major American standards organization is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Usually, members of a particular industry will voluntarily form a committee to study safety issues and propose standards. Those standards are then recommended to ANSI, which reviews and adopts them. Many government regulations require that products sold or used must comply with a particular ANSI standard.
[edit] Testing laboratories
Product safety testing, for the United States, is controlled by OSHA, in accordance with the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), see [1].
For other countries, there are many other organizations that have accreditation to test and/or submit test reports for safety certification. These are typically referred to as a Notified or Competent Body. The most common is the IECEE Certification Body Scheme, see [2]
[edit] Government agencies
Many government agencies set safety standards for matters under their jurisdiction, such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration.
[edit] See also
Accident
Aircraft
Air safety
Accidents and incidents in aviation
List of aircraft accidents
Aisles: Safety and regulatory considerations
Bicycle
Bicycle safety
Boat
Boat accident
Boat safety
Car
Car accident
Car safety
Door guard
Door safety
Explosives safety
Fire safety
List of rail accidents
List of nuclear accidents
Private security
Risk management
Road safety
Sailing ship
Sailing ship accidents
Safety engineering
fail-safe
fail-secure
Poka-yoke
Software System Safety
Safety statement
Work accident
Workplace safety
Material safety data sheet
Protective clothing
Occupational health and safety
Criticality accident
[hide]
v • d • eMajor fields of technology
Applied science
Artificial intelligence • Ceramic engineering • Computing technology • Electronics • Energy • Energy storage • Engineering physics • Environmental technology • Materials science & engineering • Microtechnology • Nanotechnology • Nuclear technology • Optical engineering • Quantum computing
Sports and recreation
Camping equipment • Playground • Sport • Sports equipment
Information and communication
Communication • Graphics • Music technology • Speech recognition • Visual technology
Industry
Construction • Financial engineering • Manufacturing • Machinery • Mining
Military
Bombs • Guns and Ammunition • Military technology and equipment • Naval engineering
Domestic
Domestic appliances • Domestic technology • Educational technology • Food technology
Engineering
Aerospace • Agricultural • Architectural • Bioengineering • Biochemical • Biomedical • Chemical • Civil • Computer • Construction • Electrical • Electronic • Environmental • Industrial • Materials • Mechanical • Mechatronics • Metallurgical • Mining • Naval • Nuclear • Petroleum • Software • Structural • Systems • Textile • Tissue
Health and safety
Biomedical engineering • Bioinformatics • Biotechnology • Cheminformatics • Fire protection technology • Health technologies • Pharmaceuticals • Safety engineering • Sanitary engineering
Transport
Aerospace • Aerospace engineering • Marine engineering • Motor vehicles • Space technology • Transport
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety"
Categories: Cleanup from April 2007 Wikipedia articles needing clarification Core issues in ethics Safety
วันพุธที่ 30 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2550
People with Disabilities and their Caregivers
Download
Removing the Barriers (PDF, 461 Kb)
Approximately 4,000 Americans die 20,000 are injured in fires each year. The risk of death or injury from fire is even greater for people with physical, mental or sensory disabilities. The good news is deaths resulting from failed emergency escapes are preventable through preparation.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) want people with disabilities, their caregivers and all Americans to know that there are special precautions you can take to protect yourself and your home from fire.
Understanding the Risk
Why are People with Disabilities at Risk?
People with disabilities should be more cautious because of physical limitations and a decreased ability to react in an emergency.
People with disabilities are typically fiercely independent and do not wish to alter their lives from those of the general public. However, this can lead them to ignore their special fire safety needs. In some cases people with disabilities may need the help of a caregiver to practice proper fire safety precautions.
Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms
People with disabilities should be aware of the special fire warning devices that are available.
Smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the deaf or hard of hearing. Additionally, smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the house to catch the attention of neighbors, and emergency call systems for summoning help are also available.
Ask the manager of your building, or a friend or relative to install at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home.
Make sure your smoke alarms are tested monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Live Near an Exit
Although you have the legal right to live where you choose, you'll be safest on the ground floor if you live in an apartment building.
If you live in a multi-story home, arrange to sleep on the first floor.
Being on the ground floor and near an exit will make your escape easier.
Plan Your Escape
Plan your escape around your capabilities.
Know at least two exits from every room.
If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure you get through the doorways.
Make any necessary accommodations, such as providing exit ramps and widening doorways, to facilitate an emergency escape.
Don't Isolate Yourself
People with disabilities have often been excluded from the development and practicing of escape plans and fire safety drills. As a result, their vital input is omitted and their fire safety needs remain unfulfilled. Speak up to ensure that all parties receive the fire safety information that everyone deserves.
Speak to your family members, building manager, or neighbors about your fire safety plan and practice it with them.
Contact your local fire department's non-emergency line and explain your special needs. They will probably suggest escape plan ideas, and may perform a home fire safety inspection and offer suggestions about smoke alarm placement and maintenance.
Ask emergency providers to keep your special needs information on file.
Keep a phone near your bed and be ready to call 911 or your local emergency number if a fire occurs.
Know Your Abilities
Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility ...Fire Stops With You!
Related Publications (Download, Help)
Fire Risks for the Blind or Visually Impaired (PDF, 356 Kb)
Fire Risks for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing (PDF, 308 Kb)
Fire Risks for the Mobility Impaired (PDF, 376 Kb)
Related Publications (Free Order)
Fire Risks for the Blind or Visually Impaired
Fire Risks for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Fire Risks for the Mobility Impaired
Removing the Barriers (PDF, 461 Kb)
Approximately 4,000 Americans die 20,000 are injured in fires each year. The risk of death or injury from fire is even greater for people with physical, mental or sensory disabilities. The good news is deaths resulting from failed emergency escapes are preventable through preparation.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) want people with disabilities, their caregivers and all Americans to know that there are special precautions you can take to protect yourself and your home from fire.
Understanding the Risk
Why are People with Disabilities at Risk?
People with disabilities should be more cautious because of physical limitations and a decreased ability to react in an emergency.
People with disabilities are typically fiercely independent and do not wish to alter their lives from those of the general public. However, this can lead them to ignore their special fire safety needs. In some cases people with disabilities may need the help of a caregiver to practice proper fire safety precautions.
Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms
People with disabilities should be aware of the special fire warning devices that are available.
Smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the deaf or hard of hearing. Additionally, smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the house to catch the attention of neighbors, and emergency call systems for summoning help are also available.
Ask the manager of your building, or a friend or relative to install at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home.
Make sure your smoke alarms are tested monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Live Near an Exit
Although you have the legal right to live where you choose, you'll be safest on the ground floor if you live in an apartment building.
If you live in a multi-story home, arrange to sleep on the first floor.
Being on the ground floor and near an exit will make your escape easier.
Plan Your Escape
Plan your escape around your capabilities.
Know at least two exits from every room.
If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure you get through the doorways.
Make any necessary accommodations, such as providing exit ramps and widening doorways, to facilitate an emergency escape.
Don't Isolate Yourself
People with disabilities have often been excluded from the development and practicing of escape plans and fire safety drills. As a result, their vital input is omitted and their fire safety needs remain unfulfilled. Speak up to ensure that all parties receive the fire safety information that everyone deserves.
Speak to your family members, building manager, or neighbors about your fire safety plan and practice it with them.
Contact your local fire department's non-emergency line and explain your special needs. They will probably suggest escape plan ideas, and may perform a home fire safety inspection and offer suggestions about smoke alarm placement and maintenance.
Ask emergency providers to keep your special needs information on file.
Keep a phone near your bed and be ready to call 911 or your local emergency number if a fire occurs.
Know Your Abilities
Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility ...Fire Stops With You!
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Smoke Alarms
Recalls and Advisories
Digital Security Controls Recalls Smoke Alarms that Could Fail to Warn of a Fire
First Alert® ONELINKTM Battery-Powered Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms
BRK Brand Hard-Wired Battery Back-Up Smoke Alarms, Models 4120B and 4120SB (PDF, 20 Kb) - manufactured prior to October 2000 (About PDF)
Protect Yourself and Your Family Today!
In the event of a fire, properly installed and maintained smoke alarms will provide an early warning alarm to your household. This alarm could save your own life and those of your loved ones by providing the chance to escape.
Why Should My Home Have Smoke Alarms?
In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are a very important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal -- so you and your family can escape. Smoke alarms are one of the best safety devices you can buy and install to protect yourself, your family, and your home.
What Types of Smoke Alarms Are Available?
There are many different brands of smoke alarms available on the market but they fall under two basic types: ionization and photoelectric.
Ionization alarms sound more quickly when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs. Photoelectric alarms are quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires. There are also combination smoke alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit, called dual sensor smoke alarms.
Because both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting distinctly different yet potentially fatal fires, and because homeowners cannot predict what type of fire might start in a home, the USFA recommends the installation of both ionization and photoelectric or dual sensor smoke alarms.
In addition to the basic types of alarms, there are alarms made to meet the needs of people with hearing disabilities. These alarms may use strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to assist in alerting those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms when they sound.
Okay, Where Do I Put Them?
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night or in the early morning. For extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and outside sleeping areas. Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning possible. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Where Would I Get Smoke Alarms?
Many hardware, home supply, or general merchandise stores carry smoke alarms. If you are unsure where to buy one in your community, call your local fire department (on a nonemergency telephone number) and they will provide you with some suggestions. Some fire departments offer smoke alarms for little or no cost.
Are Smoke Alarms Hard to Install?
If your smoke alarms are hard wired, that is wired into the electrical system, you will need to have a qualified electrician do the initial installation or install replacements. For battery powered smoke alarms, all you will need for installation is a screw driver. Some brands are self adhesive and will easily stick to the wall or ceiling where they are placed. For all smoke alarm installations, be sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions because there are differences between the various brands. If you are uncomfortable standing on a ladder, ask a relative or friend for help. Some fire departments will install a smoke alarm in your home for you. Call your local fire department (on a non-emergency telephone number) if you have problems installing a smoke alarm.
Helpful Tip
Pick a holiday or your birthday and replace the batteries each year on that day.
If your smoke alarm starts making a "chirping" noise, replace the batteries and reset it.
How Do I Keep My Smoke Alarm Working?
If you have a smoke alarm with batteries:
Smoke Alarms powered by long-lasting batteries are designed to replace the entire unit according to manufacturer’s instructions.
In standard type battery powered smoke alarms, the batteries need to be replaced at least once per year and the whole unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
In hard-wired, battery back up smoke alarms, the batteries need to be checked monthly, and replaced at least once per year. The entire unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
What if the Alarm Goes Off While I’m Cooking?
Then it’s doing its job. Do not disable your smoke alarm if it alarms due to cooking or other non-fire causes. You may not remember to put the batteries back in the alarm after cooking. Instead clear the air by waving a towel near the alarm, leaving the batteries in place. The alarm may need to be moved to a new location. Some of the newer models have a “hush” button that silences nuisance alarms.
How Long will my Smoke Alarm Last?
Most alarms installed today have a life span of about 8-10 years. After this time, the entire unit should be replaced. It is a good idea to write the date of purchase with a marker on the inside of your alarm so you will know when to replace it. Some of the newer alarms already have the purchase date written inside. In any event, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacement.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Some smoke alarms are considered to be “hard-wired.” This means they are connected to the household electrical system and may or may not have battery backup. It’s important to test every smoke alarm monthly and replace the batteries with new ones at least once a year.
The U.S. Fire Administration would like to remind you of some important fire safety and prevention information.
Plan and practice escape plans several times a year.
Make sure your whole family knows when and how to call emergency telephone numbers.
Obtain and learn how to use a fire extinguisher.
Install carbon monoxide detectors.
Consider installing residential fire sprinklers in your home.
Contact your local fire department on a non-emergency phone number if you need help or have questions about fire safety in your home.
Related Topics
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Manufactured Homes
Children and Smoke Alarms
White Paper on Home Smoke Alarms
Related Publications (Download, Help)
Smoke Alarms: What You Need to Know (PDF, 166 Kb)
Related Publications (Free Order)
Smoke Alarms: What You Need to Know
Links of Interest
Fire Safety Features of New Homes
Home Smoke Alarm Tests
Digital Security Controls Recalls Smoke Alarms that Could Fail to Warn of a Fire
First Alert® ONELINKTM Battery-Powered Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms
BRK Brand Hard-Wired Battery Back-Up Smoke Alarms, Models 4120B and 4120SB (PDF, 20 Kb) - manufactured prior to October 2000 (About PDF)
Protect Yourself and Your Family Today!
In the event of a fire, properly installed and maintained smoke alarms will provide an early warning alarm to your household. This alarm could save your own life and those of your loved ones by providing the chance to escape.
Why Should My Home Have Smoke Alarms?
In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are a very important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal -- so you and your family can escape. Smoke alarms are one of the best safety devices you can buy and install to protect yourself, your family, and your home.
What Types of Smoke Alarms Are Available?
There are many different brands of smoke alarms available on the market but they fall under two basic types: ionization and photoelectric.
Ionization alarms sound more quickly when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs. Photoelectric alarms are quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires. There are also combination smoke alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit, called dual sensor smoke alarms.
Because both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting distinctly different yet potentially fatal fires, and because homeowners cannot predict what type of fire might start in a home, the USFA recommends the installation of both ionization and photoelectric or dual sensor smoke alarms.
In addition to the basic types of alarms, there are alarms made to meet the needs of people with hearing disabilities. These alarms may use strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to assist in alerting those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms when they sound.
Okay, Where Do I Put Them?
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night or in the early morning. For extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and outside sleeping areas. Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning possible. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Where Would I Get Smoke Alarms?
Many hardware, home supply, or general merchandise stores carry smoke alarms. If you are unsure where to buy one in your community, call your local fire department (on a nonemergency telephone number) and they will provide you with some suggestions. Some fire departments offer smoke alarms for little or no cost.
Are Smoke Alarms Hard to Install?
If your smoke alarms are hard wired, that is wired into the electrical system, you will need to have a qualified electrician do the initial installation or install replacements. For battery powered smoke alarms, all you will need for installation is a screw driver. Some brands are self adhesive and will easily stick to the wall or ceiling where they are placed. For all smoke alarm installations, be sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions because there are differences between the various brands. If you are uncomfortable standing on a ladder, ask a relative or friend for help. Some fire departments will install a smoke alarm in your home for you. Call your local fire department (on a non-emergency telephone number) if you have problems installing a smoke alarm.
Helpful Tip
Pick a holiday or your birthday and replace the batteries each year on that day.
If your smoke alarm starts making a "chirping" noise, replace the batteries and reset it.
How Do I Keep My Smoke Alarm Working?
If you have a smoke alarm with batteries:
Smoke Alarms powered by long-lasting batteries are designed to replace the entire unit according to manufacturer’s instructions.
In standard type battery powered smoke alarms, the batteries need to be replaced at least once per year and the whole unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
In hard-wired, battery back up smoke alarms, the batteries need to be checked monthly, and replaced at least once per year. The entire unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
What if the Alarm Goes Off While I’m Cooking?
Then it’s doing its job. Do not disable your smoke alarm if it alarms due to cooking or other non-fire causes. You may not remember to put the batteries back in the alarm after cooking. Instead clear the air by waving a towel near the alarm, leaving the batteries in place. The alarm may need to be moved to a new location. Some of the newer models have a “hush” button that silences nuisance alarms.
How Long will my Smoke Alarm Last?
Most alarms installed today have a life span of about 8-10 years. After this time, the entire unit should be replaced. It is a good idea to write the date of purchase with a marker on the inside of your alarm so you will know when to replace it. Some of the newer alarms already have the purchase date written inside. In any event, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacement.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Some smoke alarms are considered to be “hard-wired.” This means they are connected to the household electrical system and may or may not have battery backup. It’s important to test every smoke alarm monthly and replace the batteries with new ones at least once a year.
The U.S. Fire Administration would like to remind you of some important fire safety and prevention information.
Plan and practice escape plans several times a year.
Make sure your whole family knows when and how to call emergency telephone numbers.
Obtain and learn how to use a fire extinguisher.
Install carbon monoxide detectors.
Consider installing residential fire sprinklers in your home.
Contact your local fire department on a non-emergency phone number if you need help or have questions about fire safety in your home.
Related Topics
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Manufactured Homes
Children and Smoke Alarms
White Paper on Home Smoke Alarms
Related Publications (Download, Help)
Smoke Alarms: What You Need to Know (PDF, 166 Kb)
Related Publications (Free Order)
Smoke Alarms: What You Need to Know
Links of Interest
Fire Safety Features of New Homes
Home Smoke Alarm Tests
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