Well, not exactly, but that is Enviroman's interpretation of this very sad report. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment drawn up by 1,300 researchers from 95 nations over a period of four years concluded that human activities threaten the Earth's ability to sustain future generations. The report says the way society obtains its resources has caused irreversible changes that are degrading the natural processes that support life on Earth. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment authors say the pressure for resources has resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on Earth, with some 10-30% of the mammal, bird and amphibian species currently threatened with extinction. Humans are damaging the planet at an unprecedented rate and raising risks of abrupt collapses in nature that could spur disease, deforestation or "dead zones" in the seas. If that is not cancer, than what is?
MORE
Professor Sir John Lawton, former chief executive of the UK's Natural Environment Research Council said, "there will undoubtedly be gainsayers, as there are with the IPCC; but I put them in the same box as the flat-Earthers and the people who believe smoking doesn't cause cancer."
Just as human cancer has a cure, so too this report offered some hope. Modelling of future scenarios suggests human societies can ease the strains being put on nature, while continuing to use them to raise living standards. It will require changes in consumption patterns, better education, new technologies and higher prices for exploiting ecosystems. Among the solutions suggested:
Abolition of production subsidies which imbalance world trade and in agriculture are blamed for overloading land with fertilisers and pesticides as farmers chase high yields.
Putting a value on "externalities" that are currently deemed to be "free".
Examples - airlines do not pay for the carbon dioxide they put into the atmosphere; and the price of food does not reflect the cost of cleaning waterways that have been polluted by run-off of agrochemicals from the land.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
More good tidings
Good news or bad news? Which should come first?
I think we should deal with the bad news first and get it out of the way. According to The Star, the mangrove forests in Pulau Ketam, Pulau Tengah and Pulau Klang – all located off Port Klang – are fast depleting due to over-logging. Villagers claimed that about 80% of mature mangrove trees had been felled in the cluster of islands, and that even the young trees were not spared by illegal loggers. Young trees measuring seven to 10cm in diameter were being felled. It seemed only young mangrove trees were left in the forest and this had apparently created an imbalance in the ecosystem.
Now the GOOD NEWS.
In line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s call for the preservation of mangrove swamps following the tsunami disaster in December, the Selangor Forestry Department said it will be submitting a proposal soon to the state council to convert the mangrove forest in Pulau Ketam and the surrounding area into a forest reserve. Its director Nik Mohd Shah Nik Mustafa said “It’s curently state land but we want it to become a forest reserve so that it can be preserved and rehabilitated. There will be tighter control once it becomes a forest reserve as loggers have to follow forest reserve rules and regulations, which includes buffer zones. (The Department are working with university experts to map out a new forest management plan for the state, especially to better manage mangrove forests.) They are expected to start working on the plan next month. We hope to complete it by the end of this year and implement it by next year once it is approved.”
Even more GOOD NEWS. Gold Coast Project to be scaled down.
The ambitious Sepang Gold Coast multi-billion-ringgit beach resort project will be scaled down drastically to protect the ecology of the area.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, confirmed that the state would scale down the RM4bil project due to environmental concerns, said "For now, the Sepang Gold Coast project is stopped temporarily, along with other projects in sensitive areas, such as the U10 housing development near Bukit Cahaya.”
The project would only be built on a 60ha area now, about one-tenth of the earlier proposed 604ha Sepang Gold Coast. Instead of a massive holiday paradise complete with a Jurassic theme park, a nature resort, an open zoo and even a replica of the Venice canal, the “revised” Sepang Gold Coast will be just a cosy hideaway featuring clusters of water chalets “branching” out into the sea like a palm tree.
The (Gold Coast) project involved land reclamation and the destroying of mangrove swamps in the ecology-sensitive Bagan Lalang-Tanjung Sepat shoreline.
Even more, more GOOD NEWS. Johor rehabilitates swamp on Forestry Day
The Johore state government marked the 34th World Forestry Day celebration by replanting some 3,000 bakau seedlings at a mangrove swamp in Kampung Seri Menanti.
The replanting was carried out after bakau trees in the area were felled by mistake following the construction of a canal along the coast recently. State Forestry Department director Hashim Hassan said Johor decided to rehabilitate the area to ensure the mangrove swamp continued to become a natural buffer zone. Some of the 600 participants busy replanting 'bakau' seedlings at the mangroves swamp in Johor Monday. Hashim said besides Kampung Seri Menanti, the department would also carry out replanting projects at other mangrove forests, which had been damaged by development activities. The department had identified about 60ha of degraded mangrove forests in Johor and had received RM250,000 to rehabilitate them this year. He said the Dec 26 tsunami, which destroyed coastal areas in many countries, had prompted the Government to call for greater protection of such areas. The forests, besides providing shelter and food to marine life, also protected the land along the coasts from erosion and if they were destroyed, the land would be exposed to destruction.
I think we should deal with the bad news first and get it out of the way. According to The Star, the mangrove forests in Pulau Ketam, Pulau Tengah and Pulau Klang – all located off Port Klang – are fast depleting due to over-logging. Villagers claimed that about 80% of mature mangrove trees had been felled in the cluster of islands, and that even the young trees were not spared by illegal loggers. Young trees measuring seven to 10cm in diameter were being felled. It seemed only young mangrove trees were left in the forest and this had apparently created an imbalance in the ecosystem.
Now the GOOD NEWS.
In line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s call for the preservation of mangrove swamps following the tsunami disaster in December, the Selangor Forestry Department said it will be submitting a proposal soon to the state council to convert the mangrove forest in Pulau Ketam and the surrounding area into a forest reserve. Its director Nik Mohd Shah Nik Mustafa said “It’s curently state land but we want it to become a forest reserve so that it can be preserved and rehabilitated. There will be tighter control once it becomes a forest reserve as loggers have to follow forest reserve rules and regulations, which includes buffer zones. (The Department are working with university experts to map out a new forest management plan for the state, especially to better manage mangrove forests.) They are expected to start working on the plan next month. We hope to complete it by the end of this year and implement it by next year once it is approved.”
Even more GOOD NEWS. Gold Coast Project to be scaled down.
The ambitious Sepang Gold Coast multi-billion-ringgit beach resort project will be scaled down drastically to protect the ecology of the area.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, confirmed that the state would scale down the RM4bil project due to environmental concerns, said "For now, the Sepang Gold Coast project is stopped temporarily, along with other projects in sensitive areas, such as the U10 housing development near Bukit Cahaya.”
The project would only be built on a 60ha area now, about one-tenth of the earlier proposed 604ha Sepang Gold Coast. Instead of a massive holiday paradise complete with a Jurassic theme park, a nature resort, an open zoo and even a replica of the Venice canal, the “revised” Sepang Gold Coast will be just a cosy hideaway featuring clusters of water chalets “branching” out into the sea like a palm tree.
The (Gold Coast) project involved land reclamation and the destroying of mangrove swamps in the ecology-sensitive Bagan Lalang-Tanjung Sepat shoreline.
Even more, more GOOD NEWS. Johor rehabilitates swamp on Forestry Day
The Johore state government marked the 34th World Forestry Day celebration by replanting some 3,000 bakau seedlings at a mangrove swamp in Kampung Seri Menanti.
The replanting was carried out after bakau trees in the area were felled by mistake following the construction of a canal along the coast recently. State Forestry Department director Hashim Hassan said Johor decided to rehabilitate the area to ensure the mangrove swamp continued to become a natural buffer zone. Some of the 600 participants busy replanting 'bakau' seedlings at the mangroves swamp in Johor Monday. Hashim said besides Kampung Seri Menanti, the department would also carry out replanting projects at other mangrove forests, which had been damaged by development activities. The department had identified about 60ha of degraded mangrove forests in Johor and had received RM250,000 to rehabilitate them this year. He said the Dec 26 tsunami, which destroyed coastal areas in many countries, had prompted the Government to call for greater protection of such areas. The forests, besides providing shelter and food to marine life, also protected the land along the coasts from erosion and if they were destroyed, the land would be exposed to destruction.
Monday, March 14, 2005
Good Tidings
Very interesting. Blogger (Blogspot) have a provision for one to blog by just emailing to a secret email address. Very nice feature for a lazy fellow like Enviroman. Also very good when one come across an article or newspaper report that is very interesting and have a button that upon clicking allow us to email that article to anyone (such as that secret email address) who have an email address. This is even more useful when the article contain not-so-good news. Some people are bound by General Orders and are restrained from public criticism (but is allowed to criticise in private). In this case these not-so-good news which can be taken as criticism of past practices were written by that newspaper, not by Enviroman. Enviroman just need to consult with the legal advisor whether this action constitute public criticism.
Now the opposite. The good news. Enviroman came across this article in the New Straits Times. RM100m to restore mangrove forest.. That is GOOD NEWS! It showed that our government is serious, that it is actually taking remedial steps, it is actually doing what they say they would. Enviroman would like to email this news article too to that secret email address. Unfortunately, that didn't work. Enviroman tried twice and failed, and gave up. But one should not keep good news to oneself. Good things are to be shared. That is the reason for this post.
Maybe Enviroman would even copy-paste bits and pieces of that good news here so that those who do not want to click on that link to see that good news can just read bits and pieces of it here. And probably Enviroman would not be in danger of being sued for copyright infringement because that, I think, would be considered fair use.
From the New Straits Times:
RM100m to restore mangrove forest
Audrey Dermawan. PENAGA, Mar 13:
The Forestry Department has asked for RM100 million to restore the country's mangrove and coastal forests under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, its deputy director-general Datuk Azahar Muda said. The restoration, especially replanting of mangrove trees, had become a priority since the forests had helped protect coastal communities in Penang and Kedah from the full brunt of the deadly tsunami.
Following the disaster, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ordered the swampy forests to be protected, and that none should be cleared for development.
See earlier post Enviroman on Tsunami and mangrove swamps.
Also The Environmentally Friendly Prime Minister.
Also Environmentally Friendly Head of State Award 2005. Unfortunately a sponsor have not been found for that trophy yet. Also, there have not been many nominations, except one in an Orkult group for the environment.
Enviroman need to work harder at telling people of this Award and get more nominations from many many more countries so that he will not be accused of being biased.
Now the opposite. The good news. Enviroman came across this article in the New Straits Times. RM100m to restore mangrove forest.. That is GOOD NEWS! It showed that our government is serious, that it is actually taking remedial steps, it is actually doing what they say they would. Enviroman would like to email this news article too to that secret email address. Unfortunately, that didn't work. Enviroman tried twice and failed, and gave up. But one should not keep good news to oneself. Good things are to be shared. That is the reason for this post.
Maybe Enviroman would even copy-paste bits and pieces of that good news here so that those who do not want to click on that link to see that good news can just read bits and pieces of it here. And probably Enviroman would not be in danger of being sued for copyright infringement because that, I think, would be considered fair use.
From the New Straits Times:
RM100m to restore mangrove forest
Audrey Dermawan. PENAGA, Mar 13:
The Forestry Department has asked for RM100 million to restore the country's mangrove and coastal forests under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, its deputy director-general Datuk Azahar Muda said. The restoration, especially replanting of mangrove trees, had become a priority since the forests had helped protect coastal communities in Penang and Kedah from the full brunt of the deadly tsunami.
Following the disaster, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ordered the swampy forests to be protected, and that none should be cleared for development.
See earlier post Enviroman on Tsunami and mangrove swamps.
Also The Environmentally Friendly Prime Minister.
Also Environmentally Friendly Head of State Award 2005. Unfortunately a sponsor have not been found for that trophy yet. Also, there have not been many nominations, except one in an Orkult group for the environment.
Enviroman need to work harder at telling people of this Award and get more nominations from many many more countries so that he will not be accused of being biased.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
A year's rubbish in 40 Petronas Twin Towers
Every one knows that 'story' "Around the world in 40 days." Well this story now has a new twist.
In the Sun newspaper Ravindran said, "In nine days, there would be enough to fill the Petronas Twin Towers!"
Enviroman says, "That will work out to be a year's rubbish in 40 Petronas Twin Towers."
The average person generates about 800g of waste a day; a city-dweller throws out between 1.5kg and 1.8kg. The nation as a whole throws out 16,000 tonnes of rubbish a day. 16,000 tonnes of rubbish a day, multiplied by 365 and one come up with a figure of 5,840,000 tonnes or almost 6 billion. 6 don't seem like a very large figure, so let us change that to kilogramme which bring the Malaysian rubbish population to 5,840,000,000 kg. Lets try to convert that to ringgits and sens (the local equivalent of dollars and cents).
Some Malaysian statistics: The composition of Malaysian Solid waste:
WASTE PERCENTAGE KILOGRAM
Organic 47.00% 2,744,800,000
Paper 15.00% 876,000,000
Plastic 14.00% 817,600,000
Wood-based 4.00% 233,600,000
Metal 4.00% 233,600,000
glass and ceramic 3.00% 175,200,000
Textile 3.00% 175,200,000
Others 10.00% 584,000,000
organic: 47%
paper: 15%
plastic: 14%
wood-based: 4%
metal: 4%
glass and ceramic: 3%
textile: 3%
others: 10%
Let's try to figure out in ringgits (dollars) term how much Malaysian are dumping into their dustbin. Will be back later when I have the figures. In the meantime, if any readers have the figures, putting them into the comments will be highly appreciated.
"In nine days, there would be enough to fill the Twin Towers!" Ravindran says.
In the Sun newspaper Ravindran said, "In nine days, there would be enough to fill the Petronas Twin Towers!"
Enviroman says, "That will work out to be a year's rubbish in 40 Petronas Twin Towers."
The average person generates about 800g of waste a day; a city-dweller throws out between 1.5kg and 1.8kg. The nation as a whole throws out 16,000 tonnes of rubbish a day. 16,000 tonnes of rubbish a day, multiplied by 365 and one come up with a figure of 5,840,000 tonnes or almost 6 billion. 6 don't seem like a very large figure, so let us change that to kilogramme which bring the Malaysian rubbish population to 5,840,000,000 kg. Lets try to convert that to ringgits and sens (the local equivalent of dollars and cents).
Some Malaysian statistics: The composition of Malaysian Solid waste:
WASTE PERCENTAGE KILOGRAM
Organic 47.00% 2,744,800,000
Paper 15.00% 876,000,000
Plastic 14.00% 817,600,000
Wood-based 4.00% 233,600,000
Metal 4.00% 233,600,000
glass and ceramic 3.00% 175,200,000
Textile 3.00% 175,200,000
Others 10.00% 584,000,000
organic: 47%
paper: 15%
plastic: 14%
wood-based: 4%
metal: 4%
glass and ceramic: 3%
textile: 3%
others: 10%
Let's try to figure out in ringgits (dollars) term how much Malaysian are dumping into their dustbin. Will be back later when I have the figures. In the meantime, if any readers have the figures, putting them into the comments will be highly appreciated.
"In nine days, there would be enough to fill the Twin Towers!" Ravindran says.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Deforestation and rainfall
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation said, "less trees, less rain."
Australian scientists plotted the cycle of a heavy molecular version of water common in the Amazon that evaporates more readily through plants than from lakes and rivers and have concluded that deforestation along the Amazon River in South America was reducing rainfall and causing climate change in the region. The study found that a loss of forests meant less water evaporated back into the atmosphere leading to less rainfall.
Australian scientists plotted the cycle of a heavy molecular version of water common in the Amazon that evaporates more readily through plants than from lakes and rivers and have concluded that deforestation along the Amazon River in South America was reducing rainfall and causing climate change in the region. The study found that a loss of forests meant less water evaporated back into the atmosphere leading to less rainfall.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Human Society - cancer of the earth
Web definition of CANCER: any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream
Had wanted to post somewhere this troubling thoughts of mine, that "human society is cancer of the earth". What do I mean by this?
Cancer is uncontrolled growth. What is the state of human society now? With all the governments of the earth placing a large premium on economic growth, my opinion is the human society is on an unending and unsustainable upward path, with no end in sight. Cities are expanding to mega size with huge demand on the environment. Plantations are encroaching into the forest uncontrolled. Heads of States are only happy when they see growth and economic development as they are then seen as champion of the people, providing them jobs, economic security. Head of States are so proud when they announce various development projects, but I cringe when I think of what may happen to our world if this continue ad infinitum. Must economic development be the supreme goal of a government? Must we be continuously getting more prosperous in material terms? Or do we have to go through a painful adjustment period when Heads of States eventually realise that all "good" things must come to an end. Is it possible for an economic society addicted to economic growth to keep their citizens happy to avoid pain when we are eventually forced to adjust to the limitations of a finite earth? With the present emphasis on growth it is correct to say that our human society in its present state is the cancer of the earth? When one see large exposed wounds of Mother earth from the air, it is hard to think otherwise.
Hope someone with better writing skills can elaborate on these thoughts. Do put them in the comments.
Update: Sat - Apr 16, 2005
Some links to other sites that express this much better than Enviroman can:
Dr. Hern's Diagnosis: Humans as a Cancer of the Earth
The Earth Charter
IMPACT OF POPULATION GROWTH ON FOOD SUPPLIES AND ENVIRONMENT
Had wanted to post somewhere this troubling thoughts of mine, that "human society is cancer of the earth". What do I mean by this?
Cancer is uncontrolled growth. What is the state of human society now? With all the governments of the earth placing a large premium on economic growth, my opinion is the human society is on an unending and unsustainable upward path, with no end in sight. Cities are expanding to mega size with huge demand on the environment. Plantations are encroaching into the forest uncontrolled. Heads of States are only happy when they see growth and economic development as they are then seen as champion of the people, providing them jobs, economic security. Head of States are so proud when they announce various development projects, but I cringe when I think of what may happen to our world if this continue ad infinitum. Must economic development be the supreme goal of a government? Must we be continuously getting more prosperous in material terms? Or do we have to go through a painful adjustment period when Heads of States eventually realise that all "good" things must come to an end. Is it possible for an economic society addicted to economic growth to keep their citizens happy to avoid pain when we are eventually forced to adjust to the limitations of a finite earth? With the present emphasis on growth it is correct to say that our human society in its present state is the cancer of the earth? When one see large exposed wounds of Mother earth from the air, it is hard to think otherwise.
Hope someone with better writing skills can elaborate on these thoughts. Do put them in the comments.
Update: Sat - Apr 16, 2005
Some links to other sites that express this much better than Enviroman can:
Dr. Hern's Diagnosis: Humans as a Cancer of the Earth
The Earth Charter
IMPACT OF POPULATION GROWTH ON FOOD SUPPLIES AND ENVIRONMENT
Friday, March 04, 2005
The environmentally friendly Prime Minister
A Utusan Malaysia (a local Malay language daily) expose on the ecological damage done to the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agricultural Park kicked up a huge hue and cry in Malaysia, and hopefully also stimulated more decisive actions to protect the environment by the Malaysian government.
The environmentally friendly Prime Minister of Malaysia took a hands on approach to the scandal and took to the air for a first hand look the the damaged landscape. and was highly upset by what he saw, a huge difference from the "Semuanya OK" (Everything OK) response by the Mentri Besar (Chief Minister) of the affected State Selangor.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said, “If you do not want to develop the land, give it back to the Government. We will set up recreation parks for the public instead.”
The new champion of the environment also announced various measures to protect the Malaysian environment, among which are:
1. IMPOSING Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirement for any development covering 20ha of land and above. The current minimum is 50ha;
2. FORBIDDING developers from cutting down trees with a diameter of six inches (15.24cm) or more in new housing areas; and
3. RECLAIMING idle land set aside for development and converting it into a recreation area for the public.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi will also personally chair a National Committee of
Physical Development meeting on April 1 to discuss changes to existing policies and instruced agencies to monitor and study existing guidelines and laws to make sure they stay relevant.
The hue and cry also promted the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to propose to the Selangor government that it hand over the 886ha park to the ministry to develop and monitor.
The Minister said, "It is the hope of this nation that the beauty of the park be maintained for future generations. By gazetting its status as federal land, no one will lose out.”
The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry will claim compensation for ecological damage done to the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agriculture Park by developers of Section U10 Shah Alam. “We will ask all 39 developers to pay damages. The cabinet has also told the state government to take stern action against the developers and ensure that they will carry out rehabilitation works,” The Agriculture Minsiter said.
The embattled Mentri Besar (Chief Minister) of the affected State Selangor, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo and his councillors were forced to take various damage control measures including:
1. issuing a stop work order to the housing developers to protect the environment
2. announcing a "probe" to quiz developers on how they were given approvals for projects around the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam agricultural park in Shah Alam.
3. Forming with immediate effect, a technical development committee chaired by state secretary Datuk Ramlan Othman would decide on approval of development projects close to environmentally sensitive areas. Other members of the committee will be from the Anti-Corruption Agency, the police as well as various state and federal heads of department.
4. A new ruling announced by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo for an indefinite freeze on applications for development projects at places such as the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agriculture Park, Templer's Park, Zoo Negara and Paya Indah Wetlands.
5. Two companies, will be brought to court, will be charged under the Shah Alam City Council Earthwork by-law 1990. Seven other errant developers will also appear in court next week for alleged illegal land-clearing at Section U-10.
What is disturbing, however, is this. A measly RM2,000 - that's the maximum two companies will have to pay for not providing retention ponds and a satisfactory drainage system near the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agricultural Park.
In another development the Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo has
promised to "let the people decide" whether a proposed landfill should take place on Pulau Carey after appeals by non-governmental organisations and environmentalists to the State Government to spare the island.
Pulau Carey, so called ‘heritage island’ is under threat from a proposed landfill to be located in the middle of a mangrove swamp about a kilometre from the Tanjung Rhu beach on the island. If approved, this project could displace an Orang Asli community and destroy the mangrove swamp which could act as a buffer against tsunamis.
Background on the "heritage" Carey Island.
The environmentally friendly Prime Minister of Malaysia took a hands on approach to the scandal and took to the air for a first hand look the the damaged landscape. and was highly upset by what he saw, a huge difference from the "Semuanya OK" (Everything OK) response by the Mentri Besar (Chief Minister) of the affected State Selangor.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said, “If you do not want to develop the land, give it back to the Government. We will set up recreation parks for the public instead.”
The new champion of the environment also announced various measures to protect the Malaysian environment, among which are:
1. IMPOSING Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirement for any development covering 20ha of land and above. The current minimum is 50ha;
2. FORBIDDING developers from cutting down trees with a diameter of six inches (15.24cm) or more in new housing areas; and
3. RECLAIMING idle land set aside for development and converting it into a recreation area for the public.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi will also personally chair a National Committee of
Physical Development meeting on April 1 to discuss changes to existing policies and instruced agencies to monitor and study existing guidelines and laws to make sure they stay relevant.
The hue and cry also promted the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to propose to the Selangor government that it hand over the 886ha park to the ministry to develop and monitor.
The Minister said, "It is the hope of this nation that the beauty of the park be maintained for future generations. By gazetting its status as federal land, no one will lose out.”
The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry will claim compensation for ecological damage done to the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agriculture Park by developers of Section U10 Shah Alam. “We will ask all 39 developers to pay damages. The cabinet has also told the state government to take stern action against the developers and ensure that they will carry out rehabilitation works,” The Agriculture Minsiter said.
The embattled Mentri Besar (Chief Minister) of the affected State Selangor, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo and his councillors were forced to take various damage control measures including:
1. issuing a stop work order to the housing developers to protect the environment
2. announcing a "probe" to quiz developers on how they were given approvals for projects around the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam agricultural park in Shah Alam.
3. Forming with immediate effect, a technical development committee chaired by state secretary Datuk Ramlan Othman would decide on approval of development projects close to environmentally sensitive areas. Other members of the committee will be from the Anti-Corruption Agency, the police as well as various state and federal heads of department.
4. A new ruling announced by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo for an indefinite freeze on applications for development projects at places such as the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agriculture Park, Templer's Park, Zoo Negara and Paya Indah Wetlands.
5. Two companies, will be brought to court, will be charged under the Shah Alam City Council Earthwork by-law 1990. Seven other errant developers will also appear in court next week for alleged illegal land-clearing at Section U-10.
What is disturbing, however, is this. A measly RM2,000 - that's the maximum two companies will have to pay for not providing retention ponds and a satisfactory drainage system near the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agricultural Park.
In another development the Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo has
promised to "let the people decide" whether a proposed landfill should take place on Pulau Carey after appeals by non-governmental organisations and environmentalists to the State Government to spare the island.
Pulau Carey, so called ‘heritage island’ is under threat from a proposed landfill to be located in the middle of a mangrove swamp about a kilometre from the Tanjung Rhu beach on the island. If approved, this project could displace an Orang Asli community and destroy the mangrove swamp which could act as a buffer against tsunamis.
Background on the "heritage" Carey Island.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Enviroman says, "let's play the Transformer game"
Used tyres. There are tons of them. What can we do with it?
1. rethread
2. use as fenders for boats, wharfs, etc.
3. artificial reefs
4. Granulated rubber for playground and sports surfaces, carpet backing and road building.
5. Powdered rubber from scrap tyres, mixed with polyethylene to form a composite for use as roof covering.
6. leachate drainage layers in landfill sites
7. incineration (as proposed by the cement industry) for energy.
The objections to no. 7 are
incineration liberate Dioxins and Furans, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, CO, SO2, NO2, and HCl.
And now, the best from the kids' point of view:
8. Horse Swings.
Black Stallion tire horse swings are transformed from recycled tires to create fun for kids of all ages. Fun For All Ages. Extremely Durable. Clean. Does Not Mark Clothing.
1. rethread
2. use as fenders for boats, wharfs, etc.
3. artificial reefs
4. Granulated rubber for playground and sports surfaces, carpet backing and road building.
5. Powdered rubber from scrap tyres, mixed with polyethylene to form a composite for use as roof covering.
6. leachate drainage layers in landfill sites
7. incineration (as proposed by the cement industry) for energy.
The objections to no. 7 are
incineration liberate Dioxins and Furans, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, CO, SO2, NO2, and HCl.
And now, the best from the kids' point of view:
8. Horse Swings.
Black Stallion tire horse swings are transformed from recycled tires to create fun for kids of all ages. Fun For All Ages. Extremely Durable. Clean. Does Not Mark Clothing.
Money Saving Tips Say
Money Saving Tips Say: "Rember the 5 R's: Repair, Restore, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Always remember to put these tips into your daily life, you will save a lot of money. I have and you can too."
Example of a handy tip from "Money Saving Tips"
No Ants:
Sprinkle baby powder in cracks, along a window sill, or under doors where ants enter. Ants will not walk through baby powder.
Enviroman liked that - an environmentally friendly pesticide!!!!
Example of a handy tip from "Money Saving Tips"
No Ants:
Sprinkle baby powder in cracks, along a window sill, or under doors where ants enter. Ants will not walk through baby powder.
Enviroman liked that - an environmentally friendly pesticide!!!!
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