earthPoems
Environment, British Columbia and the PunjabArchive for September 17, 2008
The ozone hole of 2008 is larger than in 2007
16 September
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER
Press Release No. 829
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Geneva, 16 September 2008 (WMO) – “After decades of chemical attack, it may take another 50 years or so for the ozone layer to recover fully. As the Montreal Protocol has taught us, when we degrade our environment too far, nursing it back to health tends to be a long journey, not a quick fix”, said Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the occasion of the International Day for the Preservation of Ozone Layer today.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the 2008 Antarctic ozone hole will be larger than the one of 2007. The observed changes in the stratosphere could delay the expected recovery of the ozone layer. It is therefore vital that all Member States with stratospheric measurement programmes continue to support and enhance these measurements.
Routine ozone measurements in all parts of the world using surface-based spectrophotometers, balloon-borne sensors, aircraft and satellites have been made by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of WMO Members and partners worldwide since the 1950s. Thirty years later, comprehensive measurements started under coordination of the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW). These measurements have been critical to the series of Scientific Assessments of Ozone Depletion published since the mid-1980s by WMO and the Ozone Secretariat of the United Nations Environment Programme documenting progress made under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. The most recent of these assessments came out in the spring of 2007. The work on the next ozone science assessment will begin in the middle of 2009.
In 1985, the Vienna Convention was signed by 22 countries. Two years later, the Montreal Protocol was signed on 16 September, a day which has since been designated by the United Nations as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The theme for 2008 is “Montreal Protocol – Global partnership for global benefits”.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer underpins our efforts to combat depletion of the Earth’s fragile protective shield. It also contributes to combating climate change, since many of the chemicals controlled under the treaty also contribute to global warming. By phasing out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – once common in products such as refrigerators – and now deciding to accelerate a freeze and phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the treaty has provided two benefits at once. The UN Secretary-General expressed the hope that “Governments will look at such results and feel empowered to act across a wide range of environmental challenges, and not only in prosperous times.”
At the end of August 2008, WMO released its first of the 2008-series bi-weekly Antarctic Ozone Bulletin on the current state of stratospheric ozone in the Antarctic. These bulletins use provisional data from the WMO/GAW stations operated within or near the Antarctic, where the most regular and dramatic decreases in ozone occur.
According to the latest bulletin, the vortex is presently more circular than at the same time last year. This has led to an onset of ozone depletion that is close to the 1979-2007 average and somewhat later than last year, when the vortex was more elongated and more exposed to sunlight. The meteorological conditions observed so far could indicate that the 2008 ozone hole will be smaller than that of 2006 hole but larger than that of 2007.
Usually, the Antarctic ozone hole reaches its maximum intensity in late September/early October. In 2008, the ozone hole appeared relatively late. However, during the last couple of weeks it has grown rapidly and has now passed the maximum size attained in 2007. Since the ozone hole is still growing, it is too early to determine how large this year’s ozone hole will be. On 13 September 2008 the ozone hole covered an area of 27 million square kilometers. The maximum area reached in 2007 was 25 million square kilometers. WMO and the scientific community will use ozone observations from the ground, from balloons and from satellites together with meteorological data, to keep a close eye on the development during the coming weeks and months.
Scientists are increasingly aware of the possible links between ozone depletion and climate change. Increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) will lead to warmer temperatures in the troposphere and at the Earth’s surface. In the stratosphere, at altitudes where we find the ozone layer, there will be a cooling effect. A cooling of the stratosphere in winter over the last decades has indeed been observed, both in the Arctic and in the Antarctic. Lower temperatures enhance the chemical reactions that destroy ozone. At the same time, the amount of water vapour in the stratosphere has been increasing at the rate of about one per cent per year. A wetter and colder stratosphere means more polar stratospheric clouds, which is likely to lead to more severe ozone loss in both polar regions.
These observed changes in the stratosphere could delay the expected recovery of the ozone layer. It is therefore vital that funding agencies continue to support research on stratospheric ozone and harmful ultra violet radiation and that all nations with stratospheric measurement programmes continue to enhance these measurements.
Together with the International Council for Science (ICSU), WMO is coordinating the International Polar Year 2007-08. Thousands of scientists are collaborating to increase our understanding of processes that take place in polar regions, including those of stratospheric ozone and ultra violet radiation. On 25 February 2009, WMO and ICSU will celebrate the closure of the International Polar year in Geneva, and release WMO’s Status of Polar Research.
City playgrounds disappearing fast
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
By Ali Raza
LAHORE
THE city, known for its greenery, has paid a high price for development as its greenness is fading away with each passing day due to conversion of public gardens and playgrounds into commercial buildings, plazas and residential plots. Concrete structures have replaced playgrounds and green patches, leaving behind memories for those who were once regular visitors of such places.
There was no shortage of playgrounds in the provincial metropolis till the late 80s. Almost every locality had a playground or open space for its youngsters and many famous players were groomed there. Besides such nondescript grounds, there were a few regular grounds like the University Ground, Wahdat Colony Ground and Dungi Ground, Gulberg.
Cavalry Ground, Green Town, Wapda Town, Township, Sabzazar Scheme, Dharampura, Railway Lines are some of the localities, which were developed with the passage of time and youths used to go to these areas to play different kinds of sports, especially cricket.
Negligence of the authorities concerned of residential localities has forced citizens to stay away from public parks and playgrounds. Even youngsters have stopped playing traditional games in the playgrounds due to their non-maintenance. Though most of the playgrounds and parks in the walled city are still intact, a number of them have been converted into commercial centres or residential plots.
Two main playgrounds, which were once a hub of outdoor sports, especially cricket, for the Lahorites have been replaced by multi-storey buildings of the Punjab Assembly and the MPA Hostel. A ground, named as Scout Ground, in the Railways Colony was turned into flats.
The Waris Road ground in Mozang, where cricketers like Wasim Akram had played during their teenage, is in a state of dismay. Presently, the ground is being used for marriage functions instead of sports activities. Likewise, the Mochi Gate ground was also used by youth for playing games some years back but presently it is not used for the purpose. Many test cricketers, who have made a name in the world, used to practice on this ground, located in the heart of the city.
In Wapda Town, last bus stop was the place where youngsters used to play cricket, especially at Saturday night but now the place was being used for Sunday bazaar. Same is the case with Green Town ground where Sunday bazaar has replaced the sports activities.
Gulberg had playgrounds in its residential blocks but with the passage of time the main grounds vanished and those left were only used for localised sports activity.
Another main ground in the Township area was just behind the Green Town Police Station where youngsters used to play cricket on holidays. Now the ground has turned into a dumping place for solid waste, generated by the marble cutters operating in the nearby residential societies.
Old-timers recall that several international hockey players used to play matches in different city grounds and open places. Unfortunately, crass commercialisation has destroyed the playgrounds and erected multi-storey buildings in their place.
Sports psychologists are of the view that when a child grows, his urge is to play at the nearest available ground, and even parents are wary of sending children far away from their residence.
They say the three main reasons for vanishing playgrounds are conversion of playgrounds into multi-storey buildings, dumping of waste on open places and increased use of computer and play stations by the youngsters. They said that schools and other educational institutes should encourage physical activities among children and such activities should be made part of their routine so that they value fitness even after school days.
Increased commercialisation has also resulted in increase in population. Absence of playgrounds and open spaces has forced a majority of children to stay indoor, watch TV and play video games and even if they want to play outside they do not find the space.
“Everyone still loves to play and watch games, but the question is, ‘Where can we play?,” said Mrs Mujahid, a resident of Faisal Town. She said most children, therefore, spend time watching TV or playing video games.
“The most crucial factor for all budding sportsmen is the age. For an athlete, especially a runner, the age between 6 and 17 years is the prime time when he has to develop the two most important qualities, the stride frequency and length. He needs a playground for regular practice to develop these qualities,” Jamshed Khan, a former Athlete, said, adding that lack of sports was making next generations dull.
“Ten to fifteen years ago, every school had a large playground and it used to be available for the students even during holidays but the situation has totally changed and the schools, especially private ones don’t have proper buildings what to talk of playgrounds,” said Khurram, a banker. He said the government should create playgrounds that will be accessible to all children, adding that children were blamed for staying glued to TVs and computer screens but no one dared raise voice against the vanishing playgrounds.
