Colleen Morrison

A Simple but Complex Response to CO2 Emissions

5:00 AM - July  16, 2009

This is a tale of science fiction come to life. It describes how path-breaking technologies developed in different corners of the world are merging to benefit the Earth. It explains how a bioreactor being developed in China  may help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of coal gasification plants around the globe.

Coal gasification to reduce warming

It a fascinating story that draws on simple ideas backed by incredibly complex science and mathematics. Researchers at China's ENN are using micro algae, which replicates rapidly when it is exposed to sunlight and carbon dioxide, to consume the CO2 produced by coal gasification plants.

Why is this important? Because the CO2 emissions from coal-fired plants add a huge amount to the accumulation of greenhouse gases surrounding our Earth, believed to be a leading cause of global warming. Research in coal gasification suggests that the process may prove to be an effective weapon in our ongoing struggle against environmental degradation.

A bioreactor that "eats" carbon dioxide

Back to our story. The folks at ENN built a large bioreactor (a complex assembly of tubes and more tubes engineered to "manufacture" algae) and dropped in a bit of sea algae (they like algae because it consumes CO2 very rapidly). They then introduced the harmful CO2 gas from the coal plant to their algae. At the end of the day, the algae grows and greenhouse emissions don't.

Gasification is a process that uses steam, air and high temperature and pressure to break coal down into its component parts; the resulting "clean" gases can be captured and used in a variety of applications. Once the stuff of science fiction, government agencies around the globe, including the US Department of Energy, are taking a hard look at the technology as one way to minimize the negative impact of carbon fuels on our atmosphere.

Technologies working together

Part of the benefit - harmful CO2 gases are easily captured and prevented from entering the atmosphere. And once captured, it's a small thing to send them to the belly of the bioreactor for "digestion." Researchers are still working to resolve some issues with the process, for example, what to do with all the algae offspring produced in the bioreactor.

Chinese researchers are doubtful that the algae bioreactor is the ultimate solution for CO2 emissions, but the research is a step in the right direction. And the by-products of the process may yet prove to be valuable: algae may be used in the production of biofuels, and the gases and heat produced by coal gasification power plants provide two separate sources of power for electrical generation.

Takeru V. Maeda

5:00 AM - July  9, 2009

In the last decade, China has been revered by other leading nations for from an economic standpoint. However, because of this prosperity, China has been seen by environmentalist groups around the world as the world's biggest contributer to our globe's natural dilemma.

Takeru V. Maeda

Escalating Ethnic Clashes inChina

5:00 AM - July  16, 2009

Ethnic conflict in the Xinjian region of China continues to flare between the Han Chinese  -- who make up for most of China's population -- and Uighurs -- Turkic-speaking Muslims --  where the clashes have claimed the lives of close to two hundred civilians.

What started as a fight between factory workers in Shaoguan City just less than a month ago, led the region to a fierce and ugly battle of hatred between the Hans and the Uighurs; thus, uncovering the divisive line that segregated the two cultures, which the Chinese government has worked for years to eradicate. More than 100 workers were injured that day, while two died.

After the factory incident, thousands of Han Chinese in Urumqi, the capital of the Xianjing region, flooded the streets seeking vengeance for the Hans that were injured by Uighurs during the factory brawl. Local authorities responded to the riots swiftly and attempted to control the angry mobs, however, many were still roaming the streets, armed with just about seemingly anything -- knives, sticks, chains, axes, etc -- and were rampaging through stores and attacking Uighurs.

These attacks on the Uighurs have led many other Uighurs in and around the Xianjing region to ready themselves for any possible assaults made against them.

While the Chinese government has claimed that the tension between the two cultures have been thinning out in the last several years, the clashes that have recently taken place are merely reflections of the cultural tensions that existed for several decades.

The Xinjiang province has been dominated by the 10 million-plus Uighur population -- most of which are
Sunni Muslims -- despite the government's past involvement in fluctuating the Han population in the region. Many Uighurs have claim that the ethnic Chinese have long discriminated them because of the Uighurs's economic prosperity in the region, as well as having some advantages with government policies that alleviate them from restraints that the Han Chinese must obey; some of which include
Muslim women being allowed to give birth to more than one child without being fined, unlike the Han, as well as extra points added to Uighur students on their standardized tests for university placement.

However, Ughurs in the region believe that the government is working to cleanse Xinjiang of Muslims by laying out religious restrictions that prevent them from practicing or even expressing their faith in public and in the work place. Facilities for Muslim practices have been sparsely designated to certain areas in the region and Muslims have even had passports revoked by security to prevent them from undertaking Haji pilgrimage. Praying at the work place is prohibited in many places and many Uighurs have claimed to have been forbade from fasting during Ramadam, having been forced to eat during the day.

The official death toll has shot up to exactly 184 -- for now -- with 137 accounted for Hans Chinese and 46 for Uighurs, while well over a thousand have been reported injured. The city has been utterly gripped by the increase of authorities, enforcing curfews and apprehending suspicious men, especially Uighur men, off the streets (by observing the suspicious for any wounds that could've been caused by a fight).

Civilians from both sides have voiced their feelings and protested, while the government has acted to help restore order in the city. Civilians in the city of Urumqi are discouraged to gather in packs in public and from distributing leaflets or any material of propaganda in any public venues or on the streets. At least, for now, there is silence; yet, for some it appears to be the calm before the storm.

With China's prosperity comes the great numbers in its population. With more than one billion people, it is only inevitable for a nation that large to endure a lacking in natural resources, thus, migrant energy and mining industries established in regions beyond their borders. China continues to grow but ringing the alarms. Their growth may be hurting our planet, and although they're not the only ones contributing to our global problems, according to some, they're indefinitely doing the most damage.

Greenhouse gases have been a major concern in the world in the last several years. Major countries around the world are continuing their efforts to help with utilizing new ways of industry with less CO2 emissions. Since 1990, China had already accounted for 10.5% of the CO2 emissions in the world. Currently, China is considered the world's biggest emitter of CO2.

On the other hand, some have argued that despite the high numbers in emissions, China's population
is more than 3 times that of the US population and that a Chinese citizen only uses 25% of energy used by their US counterpart. With the country's size and massive population, yet in actuality, using very little energy compared to people in other nations, China's numbers in energy consumption is very well below what it could if its citizens used more energy. Also, most of China's energy consumption is used by goods manufacturing; the industry of exports, which Europeans, Japanese, and Americans have spent big. Our interests in their manufacturing is, somewhat, a contributing issue to CO2 emissions.

China has also come under fire from wildlife prevention groups, accusing China of endangering wildlife for the use of exotic medicines and other wildlife products. However, China has shown effort in protecting the wildlife. In 1981,China signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, agreeing to ensure that any trade that involves wild animals or plants, will not harm its survival; and to this day, much of illegal wildlife products have disappeared from markets in China.

There has also been an increasing number of nature reserves and national parks to help protect natural growth and the wildlife inhabitants. Currently, more than 15% of China's land area is protected by the government.

Despite China's mostly positive response to global needs, its impact greatly lies with its alarming numbers in CO2 emissions. Fortunately, with the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, part of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change '98, China has gone on to make emission reduction a national policy, setting goals to annually reduce its energy consumption by 20% after five years.

While China has clearly shown promise for the world, the EU and the US have yet to bring big numbers to the table. Despite the US's newly-found eco-friendly "green" attitude and its infatuation with organic foods, Americans are still one of the top nations in contributors to the globe's emission problems -- and one of the few nations that have done so the longest. Before we can truly call out another nation as the villains, in our planet's most precious hour, how about we pay more attention to what we have to do ourselves before helping others?

In New Delhi , the Delhi High Court made a groundbreaking ruling by lifting the 1860 anti-gay British-era statute, known as Section 377, and officially decriminalizing homosexuality.

Although, while the ruling only applies to the capital, many homosexuals throughoutIndia hope that this will influence other courts to do the same.

Section 377, or more specifically, the Indian Penal Code, was written by Lord Macaulay during the British colonial era, and basically stated that anyone who voluntarily has intercourse with their own sex will lead to imprisonment and fine.

Those who have criticized this policy, including some of India's top officials who've met to talk about the statute, believe that the Section 377 Indian Penal Code is what's obstructing India from fully dealing with their HIV/AIDS problem, claiming it to be difficult to help educate non-infected and infected homosexuals from spreading the disease. With the penal code in place, homosexuals who have the disease can't reach out for AIDS/HIV prevention groups, etc.

But today, many homosexuals throughout India are hopeful for this one small shimmer of light. Gone are the days where some were forced into marriages; having to deal with guilt and depression, and extreme harassment. Now that they have the country listening, homosexuals can work themselves for a future of equality.

In a June 28th article of The Times of India, titled, Is India ready to accept gays?, the reporter suggested whether India -- during the talks of possibly lifting the Section 377 ban -- is ready to follow what most of the world has already done by lifting an archaic ban or will it follow the likes of the few homophobic countries like Pakistan, Uganda, Tanzania. To others outside India but within the same region, it seemed odd that the country didn't turn gay-friendly after China lifted their ban in 1997 or when Nepal did the same a decade later, or like other Asian nations like Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, and Kazakhstan. India seemed out of sync with the rest of the world, the article suggested, but it nonetheless finally asked itself 'should it finally rid the ban once and for all?'

Manohar Elavarthi, a gay man, is viewed by the public as being India's first gay figure to bring a major voice and awareness for homosexuals by creating a mainstream political coalition. With his valiant effort in putting the homosexual agenda up front against opposing political parties, along with the support of the lower class, Gandhians, and members of the domestic workers unions, Elavarthi hopes to one day be the first openly gay man elected to a major political office.

"Our dream for Indian politics is to build a common front of lesbians, untouchables, eunuchs and low-paid workers -- people who really need a voice in this country," said Elavarthi. " India -- the new India -- is really changing. We need to build a party around social justice for minorities. It would be a sign that India is a true secular democracy."

Perhaps India is truly ready to move toward the future mindset.

A Growing Concern in Australia

Australians have come under fire from its Indian community for the numerous reports of attacks on Indian immigrants -- mainly students -- in Melbourne and Sydney. These recent attacks have sparked an outrage, and the community is trying to look for answers and solutions for these

unjustly acts , some are already speaking out and protesting for those who never received justice. 

"There is a huge discrimination against international students," said Sydney reporter Uttam Niraula. "I think the Rudd government should take immediate action to improve the environment. The students' movement is very powerful and unaddressed anger can lead to more violence."

5:00 AM - July, 2  2009

Colleen Morrison

Old Demons Return to Haunt Globe

Around the globe, scientists point to the damaging effects of global warming, and now there may be one more item to add to the long and growing list: DDT. There is evidence that the

the toxic pesticide is being released as a byproduct of melting ice and glaciers inAntarctica.

DDT (the chemical's full name is dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) was once hailed as a wonder chemical; in fact, the scientist who discovered its value as an insecticide was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine in 1948. In the US, communities sent out an armada of foggers during the warm summer evenings to eradicate seasonal pests, and farmers applied the chemical liberally to protect their crops.

The Dangers of a Silent Spring

In its earliest days, DDT did work effectively to keep mosquitoes under control and reduce the incidence of malaria in many parts of the Earth. It didn’t take long for scientists to begin noticing the negative impact of DDT, however. In 1962, biologist Rachel Carson published her path-breaking environmental piece, Silent Spring, which described in stark detail the potential long-term consequences of continued use.

Carson's book sounded an alarm which eventually led to a ban on the use of DDT in the US; by the 1980s, the United Nation's World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the danger posed by the chemical and took up the call. That agency recommended an end to the use of DDT as an indoor household pesticide in countries that suffered a high incidence of malaria.

Not Gone, Not Forgotten

The traces of DDT in Antarctic ice are troubling but the threat to human health from that source is limited. A greater threat may be found in the ongoing use of DDT in some parts of the world. In September 2006, the WHO reversed its position from two decades earlier and announced that it once again supported the use of "indoor residual spraying" of the pesticide to help contain the occurrence of malaria.

At that time, Dr. Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, WHO's Assistant Director-General for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, explained that, when applied properly, DDT continues to be an effective and economically viable method for controlling malaria, a disease which kills thousands of children around the world each week.

And now, the former Minister of Health in Uganda is urging that country's officials to return once more to spraying DDT in an effort to control that country's mosquito population and slow the spread of malaria, the leading cause of death by disease in the nation.