Ladakh is no longer pristine. Rising temperatures are drying up glaciers in this trans-Himalayan cold desert and generator smoke from the power -strapped twons across the rugged mountains in northernmost India are eating into the fragile ecosystem, destroying its sparse green cover.
The effect of climate change is very high in the mountains. More than 10 percent of the glaciers have melted and at the most I give Ladakh another 30-40 years, if measures are not taken to save the fragile ecosystem and conserve water," Sonam Gorjyes, director of the Ladakh Ecological Group, said. The signs of change are apparent in the topography. Barely 15 km from crowded Leh lies a desolate stretch of white sand dotted with nearly 50 small Buddhist shrines at the foot of a mountain, next to an ancient palace of the king of Ladakh. A decade ago, Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan and actress Monisha Koirala smouldered on the exotic stretch in an emotionally-packed shot in Mani Ratnam's hit movie "Dil Se". Ten years on, the little bend along the river Indus is home to a settlement, shacks, a tourist spot and acute water scarcity. In the district headquarters, Leh, the scene is even more alarming. Depleting ground water, ghetto-like buildings, an explosion of hotels, guest houses, motels, eateries and bazaars that run on diesel generators from noon till dawn, and a profusion of SUVs and cars belching noxious fumes make for a visitors' nightmare. The pungent smoke of the diesel first hits the eyes and then the nose as one enters the town. Coupled with the thin oxygen cover at an altitude of over 3,500 metres, the process of breathing stabilisation and altitude acclimatisation takes longer than the mandatory 24 hours. "Do not move for at least 36 hours and roll up the windows of your vehicle," instructs the taxi driver with an anti-pollution shield covering his nose and mouth. At least 40 percent of people in the town working outside homes cover their faces to avoid the diesel smoke -- which does not dissipate easily in the thin air. The construction of flush toilets in hotels, army bases and modern apartments have added to the water woes because the water used cannot be recycled owing to the absence of recycling systems, eco-experts rued. "The water system in Ladakh is snow-fed. Precipitation is less than 40 mm a year. So, most of the villages and towns, including Leh, is dependent on the melting snow. Statistics compiled by the Indian Air Force shows that temperature of Ladakh has risen by one degree Celsius over the last 35 years which is alarming for the region," said Gorjyes, whose group has been working for the last 25 years to promote renewable energy in the area. The average humidity in Ladakh is below 40 percent. A group of green NGOs met here in April to discuss climate change. The report of their deliberations, published by the UN organisation for mountain ecology, ICIMOD, said 35 percent of the glaciers in the region will disappear by another 20 years and temperatures across the Tibetan and trans-Himalayan region will rise by 2.5 degrees Celsius by 2050. The Himalayas have around 45,000 glaciers. The boom in tourism, the lifeline of this ancient trading post spread across 97,000 square km along the Himalayan and Karakoram Silk Route, is accelerating degradation, local eco-tourist operators said. According to department of wildlife officials who met the operators for the first time June 30 in Leh to discuss curbs on tourism to save Ladakh's environment, "75,000 tourists visited the district in 2008 and the number would go up by 2009-end". Ladakh, said Jigmet Thakpa, chief conservator and wildlife warden of the district, "boasted of a wide biodiversity with 36 mammals, 309 species of birds, 370 species of butterflies, 11 reptiles and 22 types of fish found in the streams. "But they have to be protected. We are trying to change to the nature of tourism in the countryside by building 300 homestays in the state with women's self-help groups and have restricted indiscriminate use of water and littering." The district has just been brought under the purview of the Non-Biodegradable Material Management Handling and Disposal Act (2007) passed by the Jammu and Kashmir government. The notification was issued May 14. "Women's groups are monitoring the imposition of the ban on non-biodegradable material across the district. The situation is alarming. All the small glaciers are gone," said filmmaker Stanzin Dorjai Gya, whose movie on Ladakh, "Living With Climate Change", has been screened worldwide. Laments divisional forest officer of Leh B. Balaji: "The whole world is focussing on islands, while high altitude cold deserts like Ladakh are being ignored. The crops are in peril due to locust attacks from China. It might result in a famine-like situation any time."
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Small islands want deeper emissions cuts
Greenhouse gas-cutting targets set by 16 leading nations in Italy this week will not protect island states from climate change, the chair of an alliance of small nations said.
The world has an obligation to ensure that 'no island is left behind,'" said Grenada's UN ambassador Dessima Williams, head of The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). "It is a cruel irony that without adequate global commitments, the countries contributing least to global warming will be the ones most affected by its consequences," she added. At a summit in L'Aquila, Italy, leaders of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) -- a combination of the Group of Eight (G8) countries and emerging economies such as China, India, Brazil and Indonesia -- agreed to cap the rise in the Earth's average temperature to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above 18th-century levels. But AOSIS said it wants that cap set at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above 18th-century levels. "Two degrees of temperature rise is still unacceptable, because it exceeds safe thresholds necessary for the protection and survival of small islands," according to Williams. "For the smallest and most vulnerable among us, climate change is already here, causing damage," she said. The alliance also rebuked the MEF for failing to provide details of how emissions will be curbed, and by how much. AOSIS called for several specific goals, including an 85 percent overall reduction in global emissions below 1990 levels by 2050. The grouping also wanted developed nations to commit to a 45 percent reduction in emissions from 1990 levels by 2020. "Given the decades-long time lags between accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and changes in average temperatures, a mere temperature goal is insufficient," Williams said. "Targets need to be specific, measurable, quantifiable and defined by reference to the 1990 baseline emissions agreed to under the Kyoto Protocol." At the L'Aquila summit, the MEF committed "to identify a global goal for substantially reducing global emissions" by 2050, but it did not say how the reductions would happen, or specify who would be reducing emmision.
The world has an obligation to ensure that 'no island is left behind,'" said Grenada's UN ambassador Dessima Williams, head of The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). "It is a cruel irony that without adequate global commitments, the countries contributing least to global warming will be the ones most affected by its consequences," she added. At a summit in L'Aquila, Italy, leaders of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) -- a combination of the Group of Eight (G8) countries and emerging economies such as China, India, Brazil and Indonesia -- agreed to cap the rise in the Earth's average temperature to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above 18th-century levels. But AOSIS said it wants that cap set at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above 18th-century levels. "Two degrees of temperature rise is still unacceptable, because it exceeds safe thresholds necessary for the protection and survival of small islands," according to Williams. "For the smallest and most vulnerable among us, climate change is already here, causing damage," she said. The alliance also rebuked the MEF for failing to provide details of how emissions will be curbed, and by how much. AOSIS called for several specific goals, including an 85 percent overall reduction in global emissions below 1990 levels by 2050. The grouping also wanted developed nations to commit to a 45 percent reduction in emissions from 1990 levels by 2020. "Given the decades-long time lags between accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and changes in average temperatures, a mere temperature goal is insufficient," Williams said. "Targets need to be specific, measurable, quantifiable and defined by reference to the 1990 baseline emissions agreed to under the Kyoto Protocol." At the L'Aquila summit, the MEF committed "to identify a global goal for substantially reducing global emissions" by 2050, but it did not say how the reductions would happen, or specify who would be reducing emmision.
BSP leader's institute polluting Gomti river: Officials
An educational campus, owned by Bahujan Samaj Party general secretary Akhilesh Das has been charged with polluting the Gomti river, where thousands o fish have died due to discharge of hazardous effluents from it, officials said tuesday.
Situated on the outskirts of the state capital, the campus has two engineering colleges
, a dental college and a management school named after Das's father, late Banarsi Das, a former chief minister of the state. Das is considered close to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati. While the institution has erected a huge Ganesh Temple at its entrance, which allegedly encroaches upon the Lucknow-Faizabad highway, effluents from the campus were draining into the Gomti river which flows behind the campus. The case of polluting the river by the institution was raised at a meeting of the state environment department here Monday, following which the authorities concerned issued a show-cause notice. "While going into reports about large scale death of fish in the Gomti river, the pollution control
board officials discovered that the discharge from Banarsi Das group of institutions was largely responsible for causing pollution, so we had to initiate necessary measures," principal secretary (environment) Alok Ranjan said on Tuesday. "The institution authorities have been given 15 days' time to submit their plan to put up an effluent treatment plant, failing which we would have no option but to initiate prosecution proceedings," he added.
Situated on the outskirts of the state capital, the campus has two engineering colleges
, a dental college and a management school named after Das's father, late Banarsi Das, a former chief minister of the state. Das is considered close to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati. While the institution has erected a huge Ganesh Temple at its entrance, which allegedly encroaches upon the Lucknow-Faizabad highway, effluents from the campus were draining into the Gomti river which flows behind the campus. The case of polluting the river by the institution was raised at a meeting of the state environment department here Monday, following which the authorities concerned issued a show-cause notice. "While going into reports about large scale death of fish in the Gomti river, the pollution control
board officials discovered that the discharge from Banarsi Das group of institutions was largely responsible for causing pollution, so we had to initiate necessary measures," principal secretary (environment) Alok Ranjan said on Tuesday. "The institution authorities have been given 15 days' time to submit their plan to put up an effluent treatment plant, failing which we would have no option but to initiate prosecution proceedings," he added.
Cooking fires weakening Indian monsoon, says expert
Soot from the wood-based cooking fires used by 70% of Indians is forming a cloud of pollutants that is impeding the monsoon winds, according to a senior scientist.
The Asian Brown Cloud, as the blanket of pollutants over South Asia and the Tibetan plateau is called, is not only weakening the monsoon but is responsible for half the warming observed in the Himalayas, Syed Iqbal Hasnain, senior fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute, said here Monday evening. He was delivering a talk organised by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation on the melting of Himalayan glaciers due to climate change. Scientists fear the melting will lead to water scarcity in the north and south of the Himalayas, affecting well over a billion people. "With 70% of the Indian population using biomass for cooking, the Asian Brown Cloud covers the entire sub-continent at a height of around 3,000 feet," said Hasnain, a former vice chancellor of Kozhikode University and formerly from New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University. The effect of this cloud gets worse in the cold atmosphere of the Himalayas where the soot gathers and impedes wind, he explained. Apart from the weak monsoon that is causing consternation in India now, the cloud also held up the westerly winds in winter. "There was not much of a winter in Kashmir this year," Hasnain pointed out. "And hardly any winter snow." It had a bad effect on horticulture. Scientists have measured the average temperature in the Himalayas had risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius in the last 100-odd years. Hasnain said 0.6 degrees of this was due to increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide -- the commonly known villain in global warming -- and the other 0.6 degrees is due to black carbon (BC), as the soot is called by scientists. Hasnain said the effect of BC in reducing monsoon rainfall had also been shown by a recent study carried out by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. "We have measured BC up on the East Rathong glacier in Sikkim. The concentration is three times as should be." He explained that BC is reducing albido -- the ability of snow to reflect heat -- and thus accelerating melting of the glaciers. East Rathong glacier has reduced in area from 7.125 sq km in 1962 to 0.46 sq km in 2009, a loss of 93 percent. Another glacier Hasnain has been studying -- Kolahai in Kashmir -- has receded 10 metres per year since 1965. "The smaller glaciers, those below 10 square kilometres, are disappearing much faster than the big ones like the Gangotri glacier," Hasnain said. "And these small glaciers are the majority among the 15,000-odd glaciers in the Himalayas." He rued that hydroelectric projects being planned in the lower slopes of the Himalayas were not taking glacier melt into account. "When these glaciers start melting, they form lakes, and there is a serious danger of these lakes bursting, which will bring huge amounts of silt, rocks and dirt to choke the dams being built downstream."
The Asian Brown Cloud, as the blanket of pollutants over South Asia and the Tibetan plateau is called, is not only weakening the monsoon but is responsible for half the warming observed in the Himalayas, Syed Iqbal Hasnain, senior fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute, said here Monday evening. He was delivering a talk organised by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation on the melting of Himalayan glaciers due to climate change. Scientists fear the melting will lead to water scarcity in the north and south of the Himalayas, affecting well over a billion people. "With 70% of the Indian population using biomass for cooking, the Asian Brown Cloud covers the entire sub-continent at a height of around 3,000 feet," said Hasnain, a former vice chancellor of Kozhikode University and formerly from New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University. The effect of this cloud gets worse in the cold atmosphere of the Himalayas where the soot gathers and impedes wind, he explained. Apart from the weak monsoon that is causing consternation in India now, the cloud also held up the westerly winds in winter. "There was not much of a winter in Kashmir this year," Hasnain pointed out. "And hardly any winter snow." It had a bad effect on horticulture. Scientists have measured the average temperature in the Himalayas had risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius in the last 100-odd years. Hasnain said 0.6 degrees of this was due to increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide -- the commonly known villain in global warming -- and the other 0.6 degrees is due to black carbon (BC), as the soot is called by scientists. Hasnain said the effect of BC in reducing monsoon rainfall had also been shown by a recent study carried out by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. "We have measured BC up on the East Rathong glacier in Sikkim. The concentration is three times as should be." He explained that BC is reducing albido -- the ability of snow to reflect heat -- and thus accelerating melting of the glaciers. East Rathong glacier has reduced in area from 7.125 sq km in 1962 to 0.46 sq km in 2009, a loss of 93 percent. Another glacier Hasnain has been studying -- Kolahai in Kashmir -- has receded 10 metres per year since 1965. "The smaller glaciers, those below 10 square kilometres, are disappearing much faster than the big ones like the Gangotri glacier," Hasnain said. "And these small glaciers are the majority among the 15,000-odd glaciers in the Himalayas." He rued that hydroelectric projects being planned in the lower slopes of the Himalayas were not taking glacier melt into account. "When these glaciers start melting, they form lakes, and there is a serious danger of these lakes bursting, which will bring huge amounts of silt, rocks and dirt to choke the dams being built downstream."
Mystery mechanism drove global warming 55m years ago
A runaway spurt of global warming 55 million years ago turned Earth into a hothouse but how this happened remains worryingly unclear,
Previous research into this period, called the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, or PETM, estimates the planet's surface temperature blasted upwards by between five and nine degrees Celsius in just a few thousand years. The Arctic Ocean warmed to 23 C, or about the temperature of a lukewarm bath. How PETM happened is unclear but climatologists are eager to find out, as this could shed light on aspects of global warming. What seems clear is that a huge amount of heat-trapping "greenhouse" gases -- natural, as opposed to man-made -- were disgorged in a very short time. The theorised sources include volcanic activity and the sudden release of methane hydrates in the ocean. Even though there are big differences between Earth's geology and ice cover then and now, the findings are relevant as they highlight the risk of hidden mechanisms that add dramatically to warming, says the paper. After the big warm-up, the planet eventually cooled around 100,000 years later, but not before there had been a mass extinction, paving the way to the biodiversity that is familiar to us today.
Previous research into this period, called the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, or PETM, estimates the planet's surface temperature blasted upwards by between five and nine degrees Celsius in just a few thousand years. The Arctic Ocean warmed to 23 C, or about the temperature of a lukewarm bath. How PETM happened is unclear but climatologists are eager to find out, as this could shed light on aspects of global warming. What seems clear is that a huge amount of heat-trapping "greenhouse" gases -- natural, as opposed to man-made -- were disgorged in a very short time. The theorised sources include volcanic activity and the sudden release of methane hydrates in the ocean. Even though there are big differences between Earth's geology and ice cover then and now, the findings are relevant as they highlight the risk of hidden mechanisms that add dramatically to warming, says the paper. After the big warm-up, the planet eventually cooled around 100,000 years later, but not before there had been a mass extinction, paving the way to the biodiversity that is familiar to us today.
Nine elephant poaching cases reported in three years
Nine cases of elephant poaching have been reported in the last three years in Kerala, according to state forest minister Binoy Viswam.
In all, 23 persons were arrested and seven others had surrendered in connection with these case, Viswam informed the state assembly in a written reply. Steps to check poaching and ensure safe movement of jumbos in the four elephant reserves in the state had been taken. They included creation of elephant passages, protection of water sources and building of check dams in forests to ensure availability of water for the animals, the minister said. A recent bird survey across the state had put 31 avian species as endangered, he said. During the survey, some new varieties of birds, which were not found earlier in forests and other avian environs in the state, had been sighted. They included 'lesser fishing eagle', 'large hawk cockoo', 'broad billed rovers' and 'forest eagle owl', Viswam said.
In all, 23 persons were arrested and seven others had surrendered in connection with these case, Viswam informed the state assembly in a written reply. Steps to check poaching and ensure safe movement of jumbos in the four elephant reserves in the state had been taken. They included creation of elephant passages, protection of water sources and building of check dams in forests to ensure availability of water for the animals, the minister said. A recent bird survey across the state had put 31 avian species as endangered, he said. During the survey, some new varieties of birds, which were not found earlier in forests and other avian environs in the state, had been sighted. They included 'lesser fishing eagle', 'large hawk cockoo', 'broad billed rovers' and 'forest eagle owl', Viswam said.
Green India Movement
As the modern world is developing very fast, there is a gradual increase in the temperature of the Earth's surface and hence causing the Global warming. Most of this warming has been caused by human activities, growing industries etc. That's to say we have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through a buildup of greenhouse gases like primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Impact: Rising global temperatures will cause sea level to rise and alter local climate conditions, affecting forests, crop yields, and water supplies. It may also affect human health, animals, and many types of ecosystems. Deserts may expand and some of our countryside may be permanently altered.
This is an initiative to make India Green through different ways like by Promoting use of Renewable energy, Energy saving, providing Education for using renewable energy and helping India to Go Green !!!
Apeal to The Citizens
Act today !!!
Start reducing your carbon footprint by reducing your carbon emissions.
Buy Green products
Use Energy saving products
Use and Promote Renewable Energy products
Promote and help us to expand
Help us to reach every citizen
Manufacturers & Dealers
Green India Movement, invites all the manufacturers, dealers and distributers to actively participate in this movement.
By showcasing your Green products
By selling or leasing your Products
Help us to make India Green
Impact: Rising global temperatures will cause sea level to rise and alter local climate conditions, affecting forests, crop yields, and water supplies. It may also affect human health, animals, and many types of ecosystems. Deserts may expand and some of our countryside may be permanently altered.
This is an initiative to make India Green through different ways like by Promoting use of Renewable energy, Energy saving, providing Education for using renewable energy and helping India to Go Green !!!
Apeal to The Citizens
Act today !!!
Start reducing your carbon footprint by reducing your carbon emissions.
Buy Green products
Use Energy saving products
Use and Promote Renewable Energy products
Promote and help us to expand
Help us to reach every citizen
Manufacturers & Dealers
Green India Movement, invites all the manufacturers, dealers and distributers to actively participate in this movement.
By showcasing your Green products
By selling or leasing your Products
Help us to make India Green
Green Movements
Eco India talks about the several severe problems facing the country. It has mainly focussed on the movements that have gained the enormous fame throughout the world's environmentalist circle. It covers the role of the common masses and the prominent leaders involved in the movemnts such as the Chipko Movement, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Project Tiger Scheme, Tiger Task Force and many more.
Project Tiger Scheme
Project Tiger concieved in, 1973, was the attempt made to put an end to the continuously declining population of teh tigers. It is considered as the most powerful and most ambitious conservation projects in the world for the protection of the tigers. more...
Ridley Turtle Orissa
Olive Turtle is one of the seven species of the sea turtle found all over world and has been declared as endangered by IUCN. They are the migratory creatures that nests on the sandy beaches close to the bay or estuaries.more...
Chipko Movement
Chipko Movement, started in 1970's, was a non violent movement aimed at protection and conservation of trees and forests from being destroyed. It was based on the Gandhian philosophy of peaceful resistance to achieve the goals. more...
Narmada Bachao Andolan
Narmada Bachao Andolan is the most powerful mass movement, started in 1985, against the construction of huge dam on the Narmada river. Led by one of the prominent leader Medha Patkar, it has now been turned into the International protest. more...
Waterman of Rajasthan
Rajendra Singh, waterman of Rajasthan isengaged in conservation of water sources in Rajasthan, is a winner of 2001 Ramon Magsaysay Award For Community leadership. The work done by the Rajendra Singh is a inspiration for the million others in the nation.more...
Panchgani
Tucked amidst the five hills, Panchgani is the best of eco holidays destinations in India. Panchgani derives its name from the five hills that surrounds it. 'Panch' means five and 'gani' means settlement. It is also popularly known as the 'Mecca of Maharashtra'. more...
Rainwater Harvesting
The Rainwater harvesting is the simple collection or storing of water through scientific techniques from the areas where the rain falls. The Rainwater harvesting is the simple collection or storing of water through scientific techniques from the areas where the rain falls. more...
Tiger Task Force
In 2005, following the open exposure by the media on the sudden disappearance of the tigers from the Sariska Wildlife Reserve, The Prime Minister of India set up the Tiger Task Force to strengthen the conservation of Tigers in the country.more...
Golden Langur Conservation
Golden langur is a kind of primate which is only confined to the foothills of Himalayas and jungles of the North East India. These are enlisted in the endangered species category due to the illegal activities of human beings.more...
Marine Turtle
Marine turtles, also known as the Fossil turtles, are regarded as one of the endangered aquatic species. India has five types of marine turtles among the seven species found in entire world. They are on the verge of extinction due to the attacks of natural predators like sharks and also because they are used in food industry. Indian government is protecting them under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).more...
PETA In India
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, is the sister concern of the global PETA organization. This NGO was launched in India in the year 2000. It is the largest organization in India which fights for the protection and welfare of animals in India. Many Indian celebrities are also engaged in protecting the lives of poor animals through this organization. more...
Primates of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh, the largest North eastern state is famous for housing eight species of non- human primates. These are Slow Loris, Stump-tailed Macaque , Snub-nosed Monkey and Hoolock or White-browed Gibbon. These are under constant threat due to poaching and deforestation, 'jhum' (burning and shifting) cultivation and several other reasons. more...
Global Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WASH)
Global access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene education can reduce illness and death from disease, leading to improved health, poverty reduction, and socio-economic development. However, many countries are challenged to provide these basic necessities to their populations, leaving people at risk for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-related diseases. CDC programs such as the Safe Water System can empower communities to improve their water by using household treatment options.
Asthma
Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. You must also remove the triggers in your environment that can make your asthma worse
OUR HEALTH
Air Quality, Fires, and Volcanic Eruptions
Smoke from wildfires or burning debris after natural disasters is a mixture of gases and fine particles that can cause breathing difficulties or coughing and can harm your eyes. More »
Asthma
Asthma is a serious environmental health threat, but it can be controlled by taking medication and by avoiding contact with environmental "triggers" such as dust mites, furry pets, mold, tobacco smoke, and certain chemicals. More »
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death, is found in combustion fumes produced by cars and trucks, generators, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, gas ranges, and heating systems. More »
Mold
Mold grows anywhere there is moisture but can be prevented. Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or skin irritation.
Smoke from wildfires or burning debris after natural disasters is a mixture of gases and fine particles that can cause breathing difficulties or coughing and can harm your eyes. More »
Asthma
Asthma is a serious environmental health threat, but it can be controlled by taking medication and by avoiding contact with environmental "triggers" such as dust mites, furry pets, mold, tobacco smoke, and certain chemicals. More »
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death, is found in combustion fumes produced by cars and trucks, generators, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, gas ranges, and heating systems. More »
Mold
Mold grows anywhere there is moisture but can be prevented. Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or skin irritation.
Environment and Health Group, Inc.
Environment & Health Group Inc. is a start-up company founded in 2000 with the express purpose of hastening the translation of the results of projects funded by the National Institutes of Health to commercial applications. Our core strength lays in the development of gero-technology - using the latest technology to translate scientific knowledge into innovative e-health tools for elderly populations and their health care providers. Through collaborations with public and private groups, we develop information services and e-technology products to provide education and training for health care professionals, and to meet the psychosocial needs of older adults and their families. Our current work is focused on geriatric behavioral health, minority health, and global aging.
Health through a better environment
Proper environmental management is the key to avoiding the quarter of all preventable illnesses which are directly caused by environmental factors. The environment influences our health in many ways — through exposures to physical, chemical and biological risk factors, and through related changes in our behaviour in response to those factors.
Thirteen million deaths annually are due to preventable environmental causes. Preventing environmental risk could save as many as four million lives a year, in children alone, mostly in developing countries.
Thirteen million deaths annually are due to preventable environmental causes. Preventing environmental risk could save as many as four million lives a year, in children alone, mostly in developing countries.
Meditation... Towards a Stress Free Life
An ordinary person may consider meditation as a worship or prayer. But it is not so. Meditation means awareness. Whatever you do with awareness is meditation. "Watching your breath" is meditation; listening to the birds is meditation. As long as these activities are free from any other distraction to the mind, it is effective meditation.
Meditation is not a technique but a way of life. Meditation means 'a cessation of the thought process' . It describes a state of consciousness, when the mind is free of scattered thoughts and various patterns . The observer (one who is doing meditation) realizes that all the activity of the mind is reduced to one.
A Tibetan Lama was being monitored on a brain scan machine by a scientist wishing to test physiological functions during deep meditation. The scientist said - "Very good Sir. The machine shows that you are able to go very deep in brain relaxation, and that validates your meditation". "No", said the Lama, "This (pointing to his brain) validates the machine!".
These days it is commonly understood to mean some form of spiritual practice where one sits down with eyes closed and empties the mind to attain inner peace, relaxation or even an experience of God. Some people use the term as "my gardening is my meditation" or for jogging or art or music, hence creating confusion or misunderstanding.
The word meditation, is derived from two Latin words : meditari(to think, to dwell upon, to exercise the mind) and mederi (to heal). Its Sanskrit derivation 'medha' means wisdom.
Many years ago meditation was considered something just not meant for modern people, but now it has become very popular with all types of people. Published scientific and medical evidence has proved its benefits, but it still needs to be much understood.
Traditionally, the classical yoga texts, describe that to attain true states of meditation one must go through several stages. After the necessary preparation of personal and social code, physical position, breath control, and relaxation come the more advanced stages of concentration, contemplation, and then ultimately absorption. But that does not mean that one must perfect any one stage before moving onto the next. The Integral yoga approach is simultaneous application of a little of all stages together.
Commonly today, people can mean any one of these stages when they refer to the term meditation. Some schools only teach concentration techniques, some relaxation, and others teach free form contemplative activities like just sitting and awaiting absorption. Some call it meditation without giving credence to yoga for fear of being branded 'eastern'. But yoga is not something eastern or western as it is universal in its approach and application.
With regular practice of a balanced series of techniques, the energy of the body and mind can be liberated and the quality of consciousness can be expanded. This is not a subjective claim but is now being investigated by the scientists and being shown by an empirical fact
Meditation is not a technique but a way of life. Meditation means 'a cessation of the thought process' . It describes a state of consciousness, when the mind is free of scattered thoughts and various patterns . The observer (one who is doing meditation) realizes that all the activity of the mind is reduced to one.
A Tibetan Lama was being monitored on a brain scan machine by a scientist wishing to test physiological functions during deep meditation. The scientist said - "Very good Sir. The machine shows that you are able to go very deep in brain relaxation, and that validates your meditation". "No", said the Lama, "This (pointing to his brain) validates the machine!".
These days it is commonly understood to mean some form of spiritual practice where one sits down with eyes closed and empties the mind to attain inner peace, relaxation or even an experience of God. Some people use the term as "my gardening is my meditation" or for jogging or art or music, hence creating confusion or misunderstanding.
The word meditation, is derived from two Latin words : meditari(to think, to dwell upon, to exercise the mind) and mederi (to heal). Its Sanskrit derivation 'medha' means wisdom.
Many years ago meditation was considered something just not meant for modern people, but now it has become very popular with all types of people. Published scientific and medical evidence has proved its benefits, but it still needs to be much understood.
Traditionally, the classical yoga texts, describe that to attain true states of meditation one must go through several stages. After the necessary preparation of personal and social code, physical position, breath control, and relaxation come the more advanced stages of concentration, contemplation, and then ultimately absorption. But that does not mean that one must perfect any one stage before moving onto the next. The Integral yoga approach is simultaneous application of a little of all stages together.
Commonly today, people can mean any one of these stages when they refer to the term meditation. Some schools only teach concentration techniques, some relaxation, and others teach free form contemplative activities like just sitting and awaiting absorption. Some call it meditation without giving credence to yoga for fear of being branded 'eastern'. But yoga is not something eastern or western as it is universal in its approach and application.
With regular practice of a balanced series of techniques, the energy of the body and mind can be liberated and the quality of consciousness can be expanded. This is not a subjective claim but is now being investigated by the scientists and being shown by an empirical fact
Yoga and Health
Yoga and Health are closely related. Yoga is a popular aid in improving both physical and mental health. This is basically the most common goal of people who practice Yoga - for health reasons. They want to ease their back pain, find a method to ease stress, or learn ways to deal with their health problems. This section takes a closer look on how your body functions and how Yoga practice can benefit your body.
Benefits of Yoga - Why Yoga Exercise is Good for YouFor years, Yoga is considered therapeutic. Researches were conducted to look at the effects of this practice in the body. Know the various health benefits brought about by practicing Yoga.
What Yoga can Do to Your HealthSome believe that Yoga is a science of health. When Yoga is practiced correctly, it helps reduce the negative effects of stress on the mind and body and can help the body cope with aging.
Yoga for MenThis section covers a basic Yoga routine designed for men. The exercises can go with weight training and can also help in obtaining a healthier body.
Yoga for WomenWomen should always be healthy so they can handle everything that they need to do. Know the different Yoga Exercises that can help women in coping with stress and hormonal changes.
Yoga for KidsKids today have to deal with outside pressures like after-school activities, peer pressure, and academic workloads. But with the help of Yoga, you don't have to worry anymore.
Yoga for the ElderlyGrowing old is also the time when you are more susceptible to some ailments. For senior citizens, stay fit and healthy by doing some Yoga Exercises.
Yoga & PilatesYoga and Pilates are becoming more and more popular nowadays. Both practices are considered as mind-body exercises. Learn more about Yoga & Pilates in this section.
Yoga for the Musculoskeletal SystemYoga practice and proper diet can help improve the flexibility and strength of our Musculoskeletal System. Learn what Yoga can do to your muscles.
Yoga for the Respiratory SystemYoga provides a holistic approach in coping with respiratory ailments by improving one's physical, mental, and spiritual health. Learn Yoga exercises that can help you deal with respiratory problems.
Yoga for the Circulatory SystemA healthy circulatory system is important to a person's health. Practice Yoga to help reduce risks of some circulatory ailments that can be triggered by physical, emotional, and mental stress.
Yoga for the Endocrine SystemPracticing Yoga, having a proper diet, and following a complete Yogic Lifestyle can take good care of the endocrine system, tone abdominal organs, and reduce stress.
Yoga for the Nervous SystemYoga can help in coping with several ailments or health problems. In this section, know the different Yoga Exercises that can help you in dealing with migraine and tension-type headache.
Yoga for Mental HealthYoga helps you achieve deeper knowledge of yourself which leads to self-acceptance. Do not let anxiety and depression get you. Know how to deal with them through Yoga practice.
Yoga for the Digestive SystemYoga practice can also be beneficial to your digestive system. In this section, know what Asanas can do to your digestive system and learn how to deal with heartburn and IBS through Yoga.
Weight Loss with YogaAre you among those people who tried all kinds of diet and exercise but still failed to lose weight? If your answer is yes, maybe you should try Yoga! In this section, learn how to lose weight with Yoga.
Treatment of Illnesses with YogaYoga has been shown to help relieve diseases such as chronic back pain, diabetes, stress, and fatigue. In this section, know how Yoga practice helps in treating certain illnesses.
Yoga TherapyYoga Therapy was borne out of the combination of Yoga and Western Medical Science. Learn about its benefits and what you should expect in a Yoga Therapy session by reading this article.
Yoga FacialsYoga Facials relieve tension, improve circulation, relax facial muscles, and improve the overall condition of your skin in the long run.
Yoga & SportsYoga Exercises can help athletes in preventing injuries and improving their strength and flexibility. In this section, learn more about the benefits of Yoga to people who are into sports.
Learning Disabilities & YogaYoga can be a very helpful tool for people who have learning disabilities. By simply doing some Yoga Poses, they can feel calm and centered.
Yoga and Soccer: Teaming Up For A Better PerformanceTake a closer look at the benefits of practicing yoga and soccer, read on and discover more about these activities.
Thai Yoga MassageDelve deeper into the healing art of Thai yoga massage. Discover more about the practice through this article.
Yoga and SwimmingThe secret behind being a good swimmer lies not only on your gift, dedication, physical strength. It has an integral part that serves as its core, which coordinates everything, from your strength, flexibility and respiration.
Wii Yoga - A New Way To Be FitGet ready to bring out the health buff in you with the release of Nintendo’s Wii Yoga. Know more about Wii yoga through this article.
Yoga and ADHDLearn more about ADHD and the benefits Yoga can do to improve one's health.
Yoga and AnxietyAnxiety is a common health problem that affects about 40 million Americans each year. Learn more about yoga and anxiety through this article. Yoga practice is beneficial - whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. Just keep in mind that there are guidelines in doing Yoga Exercises. Make sure that you do not push yourself in doing poses which are beyond your limits. Moreover, Yoga is not the sole treatment to many health problems. If you are practicing Yoga for health reasons, it is still wise to consult your physician.
Benefits of Yoga - Why Yoga Exercise is Good for YouFor years, Yoga is considered therapeutic. Researches were conducted to look at the effects of this practice in the body. Know the various health benefits brought about by practicing Yoga.
What Yoga can Do to Your HealthSome believe that Yoga is a science of health. When Yoga is practiced correctly, it helps reduce the negative effects of stress on the mind and body and can help the body cope with aging.
Yoga for MenThis section covers a basic Yoga routine designed for men. The exercises can go with weight training and can also help in obtaining a healthier body.
Yoga for WomenWomen should always be healthy so they can handle everything that they need to do. Know the different Yoga Exercises that can help women in coping with stress and hormonal changes.
Yoga for KidsKids today have to deal with outside pressures like after-school activities, peer pressure, and academic workloads. But with the help of Yoga, you don't have to worry anymore.
Yoga for the ElderlyGrowing old is also the time when you are more susceptible to some ailments. For senior citizens, stay fit and healthy by doing some Yoga Exercises.
Yoga & PilatesYoga and Pilates are becoming more and more popular nowadays. Both practices are considered as mind-body exercises. Learn more about Yoga & Pilates in this section.
Yoga for the Musculoskeletal SystemYoga practice and proper diet can help improve the flexibility and strength of our Musculoskeletal System. Learn what Yoga can do to your muscles.
Yoga for the Respiratory SystemYoga provides a holistic approach in coping with respiratory ailments by improving one's physical, mental, and spiritual health. Learn Yoga exercises that can help you deal with respiratory problems.
Yoga for the Circulatory SystemA healthy circulatory system is important to a person's health. Practice Yoga to help reduce risks of some circulatory ailments that can be triggered by physical, emotional, and mental stress.
Yoga for the Endocrine SystemPracticing Yoga, having a proper diet, and following a complete Yogic Lifestyle can take good care of the endocrine system, tone abdominal organs, and reduce stress.
Yoga for the Nervous SystemYoga can help in coping with several ailments or health problems. In this section, know the different Yoga Exercises that can help you in dealing with migraine and tension-type headache.
Yoga for Mental HealthYoga helps you achieve deeper knowledge of yourself which leads to self-acceptance. Do not let anxiety and depression get you. Know how to deal with them through Yoga practice.
Yoga for the Digestive SystemYoga practice can also be beneficial to your digestive system. In this section, know what Asanas can do to your digestive system and learn how to deal with heartburn and IBS through Yoga.
Weight Loss with YogaAre you among those people who tried all kinds of diet and exercise but still failed to lose weight? If your answer is yes, maybe you should try Yoga! In this section, learn how to lose weight with Yoga.
Treatment of Illnesses with YogaYoga has been shown to help relieve diseases such as chronic back pain, diabetes, stress, and fatigue. In this section, know how Yoga practice helps in treating certain illnesses.
Yoga TherapyYoga Therapy was borne out of the combination of Yoga and Western Medical Science. Learn about its benefits and what you should expect in a Yoga Therapy session by reading this article.
Yoga FacialsYoga Facials relieve tension, improve circulation, relax facial muscles, and improve the overall condition of your skin in the long run.
Yoga & SportsYoga Exercises can help athletes in preventing injuries and improving their strength and flexibility. In this section, learn more about the benefits of Yoga to people who are into sports.
Learning Disabilities & YogaYoga can be a very helpful tool for people who have learning disabilities. By simply doing some Yoga Poses, they can feel calm and centered.
Yoga and Soccer: Teaming Up For A Better PerformanceTake a closer look at the benefits of practicing yoga and soccer, read on and discover more about these activities.
Thai Yoga MassageDelve deeper into the healing art of Thai yoga massage. Discover more about the practice through this article.
Yoga and SwimmingThe secret behind being a good swimmer lies not only on your gift, dedication, physical strength. It has an integral part that serves as its core, which coordinates everything, from your strength, flexibility and respiration.
Wii Yoga - A New Way To Be FitGet ready to bring out the health buff in you with the release of Nintendo’s Wii Yoga. Know more about Wii yoga through this article.
Yoga and ADHDLearn more about ADHD and the benefits Yoga can do to improve one's health.
Yoga and AnxietyAnxiety is a common health problem that affects about 40 million Americans each year. Learn more about yoga and anxiety through this article. Yoga practice is beneficial - whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. Just keep in mind that there are guidelines in doing Yoga Exercises. Make sure that you do not push yourself in doing poses which are beyond your limits. Moreover, Yoga is not the sole treatment to many health problems. If you are practicing Yoga for health reasons, it is still wise to consult your physician.
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