Flash Floods, Climate change, Tipping points and Solutions

We are now facing extreme weather condition in Singapore.

In Feb 2010, we have the driest month in 140 years of record keeping.
[only 6.3 mm of rain (less than 1cm) fell in Feb 2010. Compared to the monthly average of 160mm.]

Feb 2010 driest month since records began in 1869:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1040778/1/.html

In Jun, we have 2 flash floods :
15 Jun, 100 mm of rain falls within 2 hrs. [Orchard Road Flooded]
25 Jun, 100 mm of rain falls within 1.5 hrs [Boon Lay, Bugis, Thomson Rd flooded]

News report on Orchard Road Flash Flood, 15 Jun:
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_541187.html

25 Jun Flash flood:
http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/06/25/flash-floods-come-to-the-neighbourhood/
Photos for Orchard Road 15 Jun Flood:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/photosgallery/gallery_20100616170420.htm
……..

In other parts of the world, China, Austria, Europe, are also hit by floods while Russia is facing the worst drought in decades.

South China Floods: [Jun 2010]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_South_China_floods
Chinese Ministry of Water Resource Website [referencing Xin Hua She]
http://www.mwr.gov.cn/english/news/201007/t20100701_227796.html

Austria floods:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Victorian_storms

Central Europe Floods:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Central_European_floods

Droughts in Russia: [Jul 2010]
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/world/Medvedev-calls-for-urgent-action.6417662.jp
………..

Are these extreme weather conditions a result of Global Warming/ Climate change?

NASA Director Jame Hansen on extreme Weather conditions & Global Warming: [2 mins]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSz4F4jknlc

African Minister, Mr Samuel Nkomo, speaks about how climate change causes irregular weather patterns in Zimbabwe, Africa: [2 mins]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHt3L8_okM0

…………

Scientists are now warning about Climate Tipping points. Crossing the tipping points may lead to irreversible climate change. The following are some of the tipping points that the scientists surfaced:
Complete Disappearance of Arctic Ice
Accelerated melting of Greenland and Antarctic Ice leading to sea level changes.
Rainforest dieoffs.
Ocean Acidification leading to coral reef bleaching and disruption in ocean food web.
Melting of Arctic permafrost and release of Methane from Ocean Methane Hydrates

1. NASA Director Dr James Hansen on Arctic/ Greenland & Antartic Ice melt Tipping points:
http://solveclimate.com/blog/20091123/tipping-points-melting-ice-rising-oceans

2. Thomas Lovejoy, world-renowned tropical biologist, on Amazon Rainforest Tipping point:
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=50194
3. Arctic seabed Methane stores destabilizing: [Permaforst melts/ Clathrate Gun Tipping point]
http://www.physorg.com/news186920485.html

4.Climate Tipping points [Wiki]:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipping_point_(climatology)

………

Many scientists are now warning that we are running out of time to save the planet.

Urgency of Situation

1. Scientists on How much time to halt climate change:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Y7TYWL8LQ
[Dr James Hansen, Dr Rajendra Pachuari speaks on the urgency of climate change ]

2. James Hansen on "President has 4 years to save Earth"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jan/18/jim-hansen-obama

3. Al Gore: Arctic Ice Cap May Vanish By Summer, 2014
http://kdka.com/national/gore.arctic.ice.2.1369046.html?detectflash=false
4. Climate 'Tipping Points' May Arrive Without Warning, Says Top Forecaster
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209191445.htm

………….

However, the solution is at hand.

Scientist have found that Agriculture [particularly animal agriculture] plays a huge part in environmental destruction and green house gas emissions.

They recommend that the fastest/simplest way that an individual can do to reduce green house gas emission is to go on a “less meat, more veg” diet. [The type of diet that we have 30 years ago. Mostly plant-based with a bit of meat on special occasions.]

1. World leaders on Climate Change :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXnbIjZQY_g
[including US President Obama/ Philippine president / Taiwan President etc]


2: United Nations : Eat less meat to save the planet [May 2010]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/7797594/Eat-less-meat-to-save-the-planet-UN.html
3. NASA director, Dr James Hansen on less coal, less meat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lbtat_9wbQ


Given the urgency of the situation and the grave situation on our planet, we have to use all possible means to halt climate change.

These includes green energy, 3Rs and a global shift away from meat products. [More veggie, less meat.]

The “More veggie, less meat” Solution will also help to conserve the food and water resources in the world. [ Half of the world’s food is feed to the animals & 70% of the world’s water is used by the Agriculture sector. : / ]

This solution is getting a lot of attention around the world.
Various “Meat-out Day” “Meat-Free Day”, “Veggie Day” campaign are springing up around the world [Taiwan / US/ UK / Philippines / Germany]

These campaigns urges people to go meat-free at least one day a week to protect the environment, conserve the worlds’ resources, to protect the animals & to be Healthy. :>

Going Veggie once-a-week [as a start] make people more aware that there are veggie options around and that preparing veggies meals are easier than preparing meat meals. :> : )

Now-a-days, with all the soy-based mock meat available, a mock-meat veggie meal may even taste very close to the actual meat meal. [So there is even no sacrifice in taste :>]

Let’s work together to protect the environment and halt climate change.

Yours sincerely,
Low ck