12/27/2008

Article from SCMP

Dear All.

Here is another SCMP article for your perusal about saving energies, reduce power bills and saving our Earth planet:-

" We must opt for energy-saving light bulbs

I noted the reports ("Power firm cuts tariffs by 5.9 pc", and "HK Electric's tariff cut not enough, say traders", December 17). The latter story included a comment by a shop owner who has a lighting store as well as a reference to other stores.

As an initial comment, all retail commercial premises in Hong Kong appear to have no idea how to regulate their air-conditioners. In the 30 years I have been resident here I have frozen in more restaurants than I can remember, winter or summer. If they set temperatures to suit their customers' needs rather than their staff, they could save half their power bills alone.

With respect to the lighting shops, I have been in many this year in the Morrison Hill area as I was refurbishing my flat. The vast majority have lights that still use obsolete incandescent lamps that use eight to nine times more power than modern compact fluorescents for the same light output. The waste is emitted as radiant heat - increasing their power bill alone - but more importantly their air-con bills as they need to dump the excess heat out of the premises.

This is also true of halogen lamps that have been superseded by light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In the end, I fitted my flat with a combination of compact fluorescents, recessed tube fluorescent and LED down lighting, which are both stylish and practical and emitting 90 per cent less heat than incandescent bulbs. I do not have an incandescent bulb in my apartment (apart from inside my fridge I suspect) and enjoy greatly reduced power bills every month.

Australia will ban the sale of incandescent bulbs in 2009.

Wal-Mart in the US is pushing compact fluorescent bulbs very hard and this has changed GE's bulb business to increase production as they last eight to 10 times longer than Thomas Edition's 120-year old invention that created GE in the first place.

Numerous EU countries are also considering banning the old bulbs. The city of Des Plains in the US gave compact fluorescent bulbs away free in April as a promotion on energy conservation.

Hong Kong should follow suit. This will reduce electricity consumption and save everyone money, to say nothing of reducing our carbon footprint and helping clean the air.

Michael R.K. Mudd, Wan Chai."
"Hongkongers must do their bit to save planet"

A great deal of concern is now rightly being expressed over the world's depleted natural resources.

Our consumption of resources had already exceeded the Earth's production capacity by an alarming margin of 30 per cent in 2005. It has been projected that by 2030 the world will need another planet Earth to sustain its resources.

We can all help, even by looking at how we live from day to day. We need to think about the resources we are using on a daily basis. For example, if you keep a light on in your flat while you are sleeping you are wasting energy. Some families keep electrical appliances plugged in even when they are not using them, which is unnecessary. Why have a television still plugged in if no one is watching, or allow a tap to keep dripping when it can be easily fixed? The bad habits of Hongkongers have to change. Education is extremely crucial in this regard. Schools should teach pupils the importance of saving natural resources and launch programmes to get students involved. For instance, they could bring their own cutlery for eating school meals.

Car owners should take more public transport rather than use their own vehicles. Some sort of scheme should be adopted restricting the numbers of vehicles on the road each day. It could be based on odd and even numbers on registration plates. The government should come up with some form of financial inducement in order to get the drivers to use public transport.

It is important to reduce oil consumption globally.

I would also like to see more rooftop gardens on Hong Kong buildings.

I believe this could help lower the overall temperature in the city (which has been rising).

Hongkongers should try and reduce their consumption of electricity, in particular of air-conditioners, so that less carbon dioxide is produced.

If we can all work together to cut our use of natural resources, then there is a chance that the Earth can recover slowly.

Florence Wu, Shan Shui Po."

Get rid of plastic obseeeion

"Get rid of plastic obsession" by a writer in the SCMP newspaper

The recent correspondence about plastic bags is not really about plastic bags at all. The ubiquitous bags are symbolic of wider environmental degradation and our blind and arrogant unwillingness to do something about it.

Plastic shopping bags are unnecessary, period. With a little forethought we can dispense with them. The have come to symbolise the unpalatable truth that if we are too lazy and self-absorbed to forgo something devastating to our children's future that we can easily prevent with no cost or effort, then what hope for things plastic that might cause us a little inconvenience?

We buy billions of plastic water bottles every hour, use them for a few minutes and cast them into a landfill where they will remain for millions of years. Pretty well all the plastic produced since its development more than 60 years ago is still with us, and the North Pacific vortex, an area the size of Texas, contains an estimated 3 million tonnes of the stuff. Our oceans are littered with it, killing seabirds and the most of the already endangered ocean life that the Japanese aren't busy harpooning. Almost a;; children's toys are plastic, millions of tonnes that are used for a few months and thrown away.

It might be a good start for parents to start educating the next generation by refusing to buy plastic toys; parents win, kids win, the planet wins.

Peter Sherwood, Discovery Bay."

Meaningful talks needed

"Meaningful talks needed" by Chris HH LIM

Some months ago, President Hu Jintao (Chinese names printed) offered an olive branch of friendship to Taiwan, with a view to the possible peaceful reunification of the two foes.

By contrast the central government continues to take an extremely unfriendly attitude towards the Dalai Lama.

I am a Buddhist and I am sure other Buddhists and those who are not followers of this religion, would like to see the animosity between the two sides come to an end.

I would like to see an end to the issuing of the sometimes highly aggressive and negative rhetoric. What is needed is the constructive dialogue between Beijing and the Dalai Lama. The aim should be to ensure peaceful co-existence between Tibetans and the Chinese people as a whole.

In any discussions which do take place I hope the parties will get involved which have less of a political agenda.

Chris H.H. Lim, Blakehurst, New South wales, Australia"

Banning Plastic bags target not reach?‏

Research by Chris HH LIM

About 250,000 of that overall reduction might be thanks to the small NSW South Coast town of Mogo. Coles Bay in Tasmania, a small town on the whale migration route, was the first Australian town to ban plastic bags five years ago. It has used 1.75 million fewer bags since then and is the inspiration for a ban in Modbury, Devon, hailed by the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
At the Kangaroo Valley general store, they pack groceries in paper bags, for which they impose no charge.
"People come in and say, 'Oh, wow, you see these in the movies,' " the shop's co-owner, Andrea Neill, says. No one is ever stroppy to be told plastic is not an option, she says.
But are paper bags any better than plastic? Much has been written about the energy and water required to make a paper bag being far greater than that for its plastic competitor. Dee argues this ignores the long-term environmental effect of plastic, its failure to break down for as long as 1000 years, and that billions of the bags are imported to Australia from China, consuming more energy.
He says it also ignores that paper is a biodegradable, renewable, recyclable resource, and it takes no account of the trouble that a single plastic bag can create when it contaminates a recycle bin. It can shut down machinery at a recycling plant and be a nightmare for sorting staff to untangle. Only about 5 per cent of Australia's plastic bags are recycled, despite recycling bins in supermarkets.
At Bangalow, in northern NSW, women have joined almost 700 morsbags groups worldwide, which work in sewing bees to make reusable shopping bags from second-hand fabrics: old sheets, curtains, whatever. They give the bags to shoppers free.
But South Australia will be the real test case. It expects its ban could result in 400 million fewer plastic bags - or 1600 tonnes of plastic - becoming litter or landfill every year.
In the land of the Tidy Town, will South Australia be crowned the Tidy State? If there is ever an Australian Beauty, might it be shot in South Australia - without a plastic bag? Or, perhaps, a biodegradable, compostable plastic bag?

12/23/2008

藍天白雲下的植樹活動

藍天白雲下的植樹活動 濟光
慈濟的環保列車又要啟動了, 這一回是駛向離分會十餘分鐘車程公園的植樹活動.

十二月二十一日, 晴空萬里, 是個充滿藍天白雲的好日子. 和五歲孩子起了個大早, 只因為今天是個大日子, 是我們慈濟兩個月一次的植樹活動. 大家相約九點在Magdala Park 見.

八點三十分抵達會所, 只見師姐早已準備好一盤盤精美糕點, 飲料. 看了令人垂涎心動, 還真以為是去郊遊野餐呢. 為鼓勵共乘車, 我們一車坐滿五人, 即便出發. 其餘人則坐上我們的白雲號小巴士. 抵達現場大門, 見Council 的主辦人Sandra 早已在大門口等著我們. 心中感恩之心, 油然而生.

一行人陸續地抵達現場, 本來預估三十人參加, 結果來了近六十人. 在Sandra 詳細地解說下, 我們了解了整個公園地理位置, 種樹區域, 碎木碎的功用及種樹方法等. 著實為我們這些成日坐在電腦桌前的大人, 上了一課寶貴的環保課程, 也在小小朋友的心中, 種下了一棵小小的環保樹苗.

活動開始後, 師兄姐們有幫忙搬運木碎的, 有幫忙犛平木碎整地的, 有除雜草的, 有挖洞種樹的, 大夥不用指派工作, 卻好像每位師兄姐都能找到自己工作崗位般, 一切顯的是那麼的和諧與自然. 四百顆小樹苗在約兩小時光景, 眾師兄姊齊心的努力下, 一顆顆終於挺立在微風中. 想到在十年後的今天, 它們終將會茁壯, 長成一顆顆還抱的大樹, 怎不令人感到欣慰與感恩.

植樹活動結束後, 我們一齊祈禱, 祈禱上蒼能一齊保護我們這片人間淨土, 讓我們這片大地無災無難. 小小的心願, 道盡了我們慈濟人的心聲.也訴盡了我們上人的期許.

用餐時間, 眾師姐們相談甚歡. Sandra 及她的澳洲朋友Lorren 竟也說要加入我們慈濟大家庭, 希望我們將來活動一定要通知他們. 真是人間處處有菩薩, 處處道真情. 走在菩薩道上, 一點也不孤單寂寞呢. 實在感恩.

12/17/2008

Be Vegan and Save the planet


According to:

http://www.gan.ca/lifestyle/vegetarian+guide/vegetarians+and+the+environment/index.en.html

Do you know
when you eat
a hamburger, you aren’t just causing a cow to suffer; you are also supporting an industry that is rapidly destroying our water, air, soil, and forests. It takes an estimated 4.8 pounds of grain, 390 gallons of water, and .25 gallons of gasoline to produce a pound of beef. Livestock production requires 10 to 1000 times more land, energy, and water than is necessary to produce an equivalent amount of plant food. The Earth could support a vegetarian population many times its present size. But the current world population could not be sustained on meat-based diets.

Plastic Evil

"Plastic bags create visual pollution problems and can have harmful effects on aquatic and terrestrial animals. Plastic bags are particularly noticeable components of the litter stream due to their size and can take a long time to fully break down.

The Australian Government is working with industry and the community to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags. However, everyone shares some responsibility for this problem - from plastic bag manufacturers and importers who sell the bags, shop keepers who give them away, and the customers who use them. It is up to all of us to help find the solution."

reference found

http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/plastic-bags/index.html

Batteries

People are using more and more household batteries. The average person owns about two button batteries, ten normal (A, AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, etc.) batteries, and throws out about eight household batteries per year.

Batteries may produce the following potential problems or hazards:
bulletPollute the lakes and streams as the metals vaporize into the air when burned.
bulletContribute to heavy metals that potentially may leach from solid waste landfills.
bulletExpose the environment and water to lead and acid.
bulletContain strong corrosive acids.
bulletMay cause burns or danger to eyes and skin.

For more information, please visit

http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/batteries.php#Summary


Global Warming

Global warming is a term used to describe the increase over time in the earth’s average temperatures as a result of what are now commonly known as ‘greenhouse gases’ (such as carbon dioxide and methane). These gases cause pollution that builds up in the earth’s lower atmosphere and prevents heat escaping into space. Scientists predict that global average temperatures will rise by between 1.8 and 4.0 degrees Celsius this century.

This article is found from

http://www.greenpower.gov.au/about-the-environmental-challenge.aspx

12/16/2008

Water & Environment


Water is an integral part of all our lives. We need water for human activities such as drinking, growing food, and recreation. These activities all depend on...

http://www.environment.gov.au/water/environmental/index.html

for full story

Love our Trees


a single tree produces nearly three-quarters of the oxygen required for one person; and a canopy of trees in an urban environment can slash..........

http://www.scenic.org/tree/environmental

for full story

12/14/2008

13-12-08 Meeting Minutes


佛教慈濟基金會
[Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation ]

環保工程會議記錄
[Environmental Project]-MEETING MINUTES ]

此次會議於Eastwood NSW舉行時間: 008年12月13日下午1︰30
The following is an account of the minutes taken at the Environmental Project (also known as EP Team)meeting held between 1:30pm & 4:30pm on 13th December 2008 at Eastwood NSW Chapter

1.參與者Attendees
此次會議參與成員如下
The following members of EP Team were PRESENT
水 (Water): 賈文俐 Wenley Ho
電 (Electricity): 何勵勝LieSing Ho, 蔡元秋Richard Chua,
種樹 (Tree Planting):蕙芳Wendy Lu,Chris Dunlop,
垃圾分類減量 (Waste Reduction): 詹素霞Susan Chan,
大眾交通 (Public Transport/CO2): 顏秀聰 Jackson Yen
塑膠袋減量(Plastic bag reduction):
評估小組 (Evaluation team): 李進安Herbert Lee,
公關 (Public Relationship): 賈文俐Wenley Ho, Simon, Ramya
訓練 (Training): 甘羽南Stephen Kan,
秘書 (Secretary) : Sandy, Louise, Chris Dunlop
電池 (Battery):
鋁罐 (Aluminum Can): 顏秀聰Jackson Yen, 趙立立Winnie Chiu, 陳金梅,
齋戒 (Vegi food promotion): 蕙芳 Wendy Lu

此次會議缺席成員如下
The following members of EP Team were ABSENT
水 (Water): Kim
電 (Electricity): 黃錦昌, 阿松, Chris Lim
種樹 (Tree Planting): Kim, 慈青
垃圾分類減量 (Waste Reduction): 林有堅, 廖麗君, 吳明荔
大眾交通 (Public Transport/CO2): 呂文松,
塑膠袋減量(Plastic bag reduction): 鍾秀雲, 黃碧玲, Chris Lim
評估小組 (Evaluation team): K.C.Lee 及師姐
公關 (Public Relationship): Kim, Chris,
訓練 (Training): Chris, KC Lee
秘書 (Secretary) : Annie
電池 (Battery): 晉燕鋼, 張長龍
鋁罐 (Aluminum Can): 林福全
齋戒 (Vegi food promotion): 香積組
會議記錄
Minutes Recorder: Sandy, Louise Chou, Stephen Kan

2.會議主題Reason for Meeting
這次會議討論︰
1.08年12月12日環保隊會議確認
2.任務分發 後續會議時間確認 志工參與簽到表
3.這是一個計畫每兩周一次的會議
This meeting was held in order to:
1.Provide an update on the status of 12th December 08 EP Team meeting
2.Make a decision regarding Task allocation, Time frame of follow-up meetings
and Registration of participator
3.This was a scheduled fortnightly meeting


3.議程表決Approval of Agenda
全部出席人同意今天的議程
The agenda was approved by all attendees today
3.1 上次會議記錄的回顧與表決
確認2008年12月12日會議記錄中小組任務分配
3.2 會議議程
會議的目標為慈濟環保隊發任務研討
3.1Review & Approval of Last Meeting's Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12th December 2008 were unanimously
approved as distributed
3.2 Meeting Agenda
The objective of the meeting was to allocate tasks in regards to Tzu Chi
Environmental Project

4.Announcements通告
歡迎 Chris Dunlop加入慈濟環保隊
We welcome Chris Dunlop in joining our EP Team.

5.Topics of Discussion 討論項目
5.1 項目
項目#1︰確認每組的責任
項目#2︰ 後續會議時間
項目#3︰ 志工參與簽到表登記
5.2討論結果
1.任務分發將保持與之前的會議相同
2. 後續的會議的時間為每兩周一次 於每月 的第1和第3個星期六下午1︰30
3. 志工參與簽到表請參閱附屬文件
5.1 Topic
Topic#1: Confirming the responsibilities of each group
Topic#2: Set out the meetings time frame
Topic#3: Registration of participators
5.2 Upon discussion this the following conclusion where made
1.Task allocation will remain the same as previous meeting
2. Time frame for the follow-up meetings will be held fortnightly 1st & 3rd Saturday 1:30pm
of each month
3. Registration of participator format as per attachment

6.Key Decisions 主要決定
基於以上所述下列決定之結論︰
1.在整個這項工程中降低紙張用量
2.尊重未來志工參與簽到表的隱私考量
此次會議出席人同意今天的議程
Based on the above conclusion the following decision were made:
1.To reduce the paper usage throughout this project
2.Privacy issues for future participator
by unanimous decision of all attendees

7.Actions to Be Taken 行動實踐
It has been unanimously decided to take the following actions

1.行動Action:資料聚集Information Gathering
合作者 Participator: 每小組成員 each team member
到期日Due Day:2008年12月20日

2.行動Action:資料編輯Information Editing
合作者 Participator :秘書組成員 secretary team
到期日Due Day :2008年12月27日

8.Agenda for Next Meeting下次會議議程
下列項目為下次會議議程討論內容; 會議時間: 008年1月3日下午1︰30 - 4:30
The following items need to be discussed at the next meeting between1:30pm to 3:30 pm on Sat. 3rd January 2009 at Eastwood NSW Chapter