September 16 every year is observed as "World Ozone Day". The celebration of this day is made to pay our homage to the ozone layer, that saves our earth from the harmful ultra-voilet radiation of the Sun.
The life on the Earth , depends on the energy provided by the Sun in the form of various radiations.
Out of total energy received by the Earth, 35% will be reflected back to the space by the clouds, dust-particles and ice particles present in the atmosphere.
14% of the energy , which comes in the form of ultra violet radiation gets absorbed by the ozone layer, thus saving the earth from the harmful effects like over warming of the Earth or diseases like cancer
34% of the energy is radiated back from the Earth in the form of direct solar radiation and 17% radiated back from the Earth in the form of terrestrial radiation.
The part of the energy radiated back from the Earth unabsorbed is called "Albedo". Average Albedo ranges between 29% to 34%. Because of the artificial cover provided by the green house gases the Earth surface is unable to reflect the total energy thus gets heated. So lesser the Albedo more will be the temperature on the Earth and viceversa.
Besides this the tarnishing of ozone layer provides the way to ultra violet rays to enter in the Earth's atmosphere which can cause great destruction , catastrophies (famines ,droughts etc.) and diseases like cancer.
The fact that the density of ozone layer reduced considerably making the situation more horrified. (from 1956 to 1970 the density of the ozone layer was nearly 280 to 325 doveson which in 1994 got reduced to mere 94 doveson. The density has been on a decline since then.)
The gases which are responsible for increasing the Earth temperature artificially are called "green house gases " which includes:- carbon di-oxide, methane, chloro floro carbon (CFC), sulphur herxa-floride, nitrous oxide, perflorocarbon. These gases are called green house gases because they increase the temperature in the glass house made artificially to provide higher temperature in colder areas which in turn helps plants that are native to warmer climates, to grow in the hilly areas.
The gases like CFC, or carbon di-oxide have been used in the modern appliances like air-conditioners, refrigerators, fire extinguishers etc. So its looks like where there is more industrialisation there is greater chance of causing harm to the ozone layer.
But the reality is unbelievable and horrifying. Unbelievable because the ozone hole was discovered in the polar regions where there is negligible industrialisation and horrifying because this reality can cause more destruction in less time. The reason behind this reality is the polar stratosphere clouds provide basis for chlorine molecules (present in the CFC) to act freely in the colder regions ( as in polar regions) and in the presence of sunlight in the Antarctica region the chlorine molecules attacks on the ozone molecules (O3) and kill them in the process. More damaging fact is this molecule could have a life of 45 years to 250 years. This is also causing the glaciers to melt.
The recent report of the Inter-governmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC) states that Earth's temperature has increased by 0.74% in the past hundred years. Its effects are disastrous like:
Unexpected increase in the sea level that can submerge low lying regions including UK
The melting of glaciers like Himadri in India, which will first result in floods and then a long lasting drought
Exposure to ultra-violet rays can up the risk of cancers
Unexpected climatic changes
USA which pretends itself as a global leader, is also the biggest producer of these harmful green-house gases (nearly 30%) but hasn't signed the "Kyoto Protocal" - a legally binding global treaty for reducing the emission of these gases.
To efficiently deal with this current fearsome situation, we have to take stringent steps. Some are:
Save trees as they save life by inhaling harmful gas carbon-di-oxide.
more sustainable behaviour in our daily lives like saving energy at every step.
To use technologies which are environment-friendly, like bio-fertilizers.
The expansion of carbon trading by the developed countries from developing countries.
Globalize the technologies to the under developed nations that supports the climate.
Let us act now before it is too late.
Vasu Shena Misra (The author is a development activist who did his post-graduation from University of Lucknow. He is a fellow of CNS writers' bureau)
Assam defeated Tripura by 10 wickets in their opening group league match in Ronji trophy at Nehru Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.
The victory gave the host team a bonus point as they got seven points from the encounter. Ratra from Tripura gleaned 124 run before he was adjudged leg before wicket off pacer Arup Das and any hopes of saving the match was gone for Tripura. Ratra hit 18 boundaries during his 255-ball stay at the crease. He added 77 runs to his overnight score before becoming the ninth wicket to fall.
Encouraging news. A huge fund is in the pipeline to uplift the state’s roads and bridges. Courtesy World Bank. The Centre has signed the Loan and Project Agreements in New Delhi on Monday. The agreement was signed Prabodh Saxena, Joint Secretary with economic affairs department and Onno Ruhl, Country Director of World Bank. The Project Agreement was signed by Mohan Chandra Boro, Commissioner & Special Secretary, Public Works Road Department on behalf of the Government of Assam.
The objective of the project is to enhance the road connectivity in Assam by assisting the Public Works Road Department to improve and effectively manage its road network.
Bhupen Hazarika's song is out in English and Bengali translation. This was what the maestro’s younger brother Bolen Hazarika in Shillong on Monday.
Hazarika said that the last song of his life had been translated into English by his UK-based brother Probin Hazarika. The song is yet to be out in the market.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said that Bhupen Hazarika's music will keep living as long as the mighty Brahmaputra flows. In a brief address at a function in Latasheel playground organize to remember the cultural doyen, Gogoi said that his works would inspire the youths to come through his rich legacy. Dr Amarjyoti Chaudhury recited a poem in presence of Dr Hazarika’s estrange wife Priyam and his son Tez.
Dr Bhupen Hazarika is still living in the hearts of millions of people across the north east if the rich tributes paid to the maestro on Monday is any indication.
The Asom Ratna was remembered in the state on his first death anniversary with all-religion prayers, cultural shows and processions.
From early in the morning his evergreen songs started filling the air. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi led the state to pay tribute to the legendary musician in several functions after he arrived in Guwahati from Delhi. Dr Hazarika’s family members organised a day-long event at their Nizarapar residence. The main function took place at Jalukbari. The All Assam Students' Union held lit 10,000...
Good news for Assam cricketers. Captain Dheeraj Jadhav led from the front with an unbeaten ton taking the host to 220 for five at stumps on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Group C match against Tripura in Guwahati on Friday. Jadhav held Assam`s innings together with a patient 127 off 280 balls. He claimed 17 boundaries during his knock. Assam: 220 for five in 90 overs.
Dr Bhupen Hazarika Cultural and Literary Forum is organizing a human chain and pledge t mark the first death anniversary of the music maestro in presence of Tez Hazarika. Tez will lead the human chain with members of the forum and people on November 5. The mother will also accompany him. The event will be led by Amarjyoti Choudhury, who is the president of the forum. The human chain will commence at Latasil.
In a major relief for the tourists, the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary opened on Friday. Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain flagged off the first batch of more than 100 tourists, including nine foreigners for the jeep and elephant safari.
Hussain said the state government was committed to providing improved facilities in the sanctuary in Morigaon district three months are it was severely affected by flood waves. Hussian further launched the eco-friendly solar cycle to enable people to move around the sanctuary. Manas National Park will open on November four.
Yet another blow awaits the common people. The state’s power distribution company is preparing to levy an extra charge of 27 paise per unit for the next three months. The new tariff has come into force from Thursday and it is expected to stay till January 31.
The additional burden will be levied as Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment will by Rs 1.03 per unit. The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) had wanted a hike of 36 paise per unit in FPPA, which was rejected by Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission and settled at 27 paise per unit.
Tension is simmering along the Assam-Bangladesh border in Cachar district following reports of entering extremists from entering the district for creating law and order problem. The district administration has promulgated prohibitory orders to restrict extremist elements. The prohibitory orders have been enforced as a preventive measure. The district magistrate has directed that no person shall move within one km radius of the Indo-Bangladesh border between 8 pm and 5 in the morning.
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