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Arwa Aburawa | February 24th, 2011

Green Prophet’s Arwa measures her family’s carbon footprint to Hajj.

Last year, my auntie and her family- the Hussains- did one of the most important things that a Muslim can do in their lives. They fulfilled one of the five pillars of Islam and went to Hajj which is a pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. However, as a journey required by every Muslim who can afford it, concerns have been raised about the impact of this annual pilgrimage on climate change due to aviation, waste and litter. If every year around 3 million people make the journey, what is their carbon footprint? Also how can we ‘green’ Hajj to make its impact on the planet gentler?

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We were contacted by Su Lin, an editor from the paper Malaysia Today a while back, requesting that we participate in a debate column on climate change. The idea was that i provide reasons on how climate change is relevant and real, while a climate skeptic provided points rebutting my points.

So, without further ado, here it is:-

Malaysia Today CC Debate

Thinking of a simple way to care for the environment and involve Scouts from around the world, Lucas Guilherme a Scout from the Rattlesnake Scout Group in Brazil had the idea to use the Internet as a tool (social networks, email and websites) to encourage every Scout to plant a tree!

His whole idea is based on the 7th Millennium Development Goal which is to “Ensure environmental sustainability”.

As you will see, it is really easy to take part…

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shared by Azimi from Help Our Penyu (HOPE)

This piece of news has garnered quite some attention recently.  Do read this article. Indigenous Ecuadoran woman humbles US oil giant (AFP) Let’s reclaim a sustainable environment from irresponsible entities…

Maria Aguinda helped bring a landmark judgment against US oil giant Chevron for polluting the rain forest she calls home

We need to make the irresponsible entities stop the genocide of forests and various species, and actions that also threaten the future humanity and our environment.  We need to make them pay for all the damages they have been doing.

But then again, how much do people VALUE our earth, its resources, the biodiversity of species and the entire ecosystem?

In the eyes of policy makers, negotiators, corporations, and courts, is the welfare of current youths and future generation WORTH anything at all?

If you are ready to change the world
If you’re ready to take real action to halt the destruction of the world’s forests
If you have the courage to protect and save wild animals (especially orangutans)
If you can handle becoming a global 3D Movie action hero…

Then your life is about to change forever!

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ABOUT EARTH HOUR

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

Earth Hour 2009

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

On Saturday 27 March, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday 26 March at 8.30PM (local time). This Earth Hour we want you to go beyond the hour, so after the lights go back on think about what else you can do to make a difference. Together our actions add up.

So save the date and sign up now. Read the rest of this entry »

An Adam Smith Institute report is the latest development as the palm oil industry attempts to rebrand itself as ‘the good guys’, but many of its claims appear to be unfounded – Article by Guardian UK

An orang-utan and baby in Borneo. Photograph: Tim Davis/Getty

Last week, I received an email from the Adam Smith Institute alerting me to a new briefing paper it is publishing this week. The ASI must have known that the title would catch my eye – and indeed it did: “Dispelling the myths: Palm oil and the environmental lobby.”

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Climate Change Scenarios for Malaysia 2001-2099
Download here

click to download

click to enlarge

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Greenpeace volunteers take part in an event during which solar panels were delivered to the Presidential palace in Manila. The Philippines and Indonesia - both straddling the "Pacific Ring of Fire" volcanic zone - have the biggest potential for geothermal energy, which harnesses steam coming from the Earth's belly.

AFP – From surging rivers to volcanic steam, Southeast Asia is blessed with abundant sources of renewable energy but governments are not doing enough to exploit them, experts and activists say.

Private firms are willing to invest in renewable energy, which could help rein in climate change, but are bogged down by policies that make it hard to reduce dependence on traditional sources like oil and coal, they said.

The recent eruptions of Mount Merapi in Indonesia and Mount Bulusan in the Philippines underscored the amount of geothermal power waiting to be tapped for electricity in Southeast Asia.

A technician gathers sulphur deposits in Banyuwangi, eastern Java, which could be used as a source of renewable energy. Experts and activists say governments are not doing enough to exploit these energy sources.

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