iGREEN- Tamil Nadu in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental Studies of Lady Doak College , Madurai conducted Orientation on Impact of Global Warming and 350 campaign at their Campus on 11th January 2011. A brief presentation on Impact of Global Warming, 350 campaign and iGREEN initiatives in Tamil Nadu was presented to the participants by Mr. Francis Xavier, Environmentalist and Convenor of iGREEN-Tamil Nadu along with Radio Jockey, Mr. Andrews of Radio Mirchi.
Mr. Francis Xavier explained about CLIMATE CHANGE, WHAT’ IS SAFE FOR OUR CLIMATE? and THE SCIENCE OF 350, and also he explained that CO2 and other greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun in our atmosphere. Before the Industrial Revolution, for thousands of years, the amount of carbon in the atmosphere was at 287ppm Now, after three centuries of burning coal, oil, and gas, we're at 390ppm – that’s above any levels we’ve seen in recorded history which has to be reduced to 350ppm to be safe. The world has never faced such a predictably massive threat to food production, disappearance of small islands as that posed by the melting mountain glaciers of Asia and it is predicted that Climate change could force 1 BILLION from their homes by 2050.
He also spoke about - NASA climatologist Dr. James E. Hansen, quotation that “If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced from its current 387ppm to at most 350ppm.”
He pointed out the main things we need to do right away according to Jim Hansen and other scientists as:
ü Stop coal use by 2030
ü Improve agricultural and forestry practices
ü Dramatically reduce the use of all other fossil fuels
About 750 students of Lady Doak College actively participated in the orientation. Students were motivated to plant trees and to take immediate step to reduce the carbon dioxide content by using public transport and bicycle as far as possible and also stop burning wastes. Manorama Dhanaseeli and Priscilla, Lady Doak College, Madurai coordinated the programme. The participants have been asked to submit polythene bags(not <20/student) along with a write up on the impact of polythene bags on environment for their assignment of the course on Human Environment and Society. The Centre for Environmental studies has planned to take an initiative for door to door collection of polythene carry bags which could reduce unnecessary burning that contributes to rise in CO2 level and to teach making paper bags at Sellur, Madurai. The bags collected will be given for laying roads.
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