EARTH IS HEATING UP
The Earth is
heating up. By burning fossil fuels and clear-cutting forests, humans are adding
carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases to the atmosp
here at a perilous rate. The consequences of global warming are potentially catastrophic. But there is hope. You can help to undo global warming by adopting , promoting
green energy with sustainable consumption.
WHAT DO WE STAND FOR
?
Pakistan has
limited natural energy resources depleting at alarming rate .At community level
the unwise use of the natural resources making it a grave concern for the
already depleting energy resources. As there is a little environmental education
awareness in this region due to poverty and illiteracy , energy efficiency
education and renewable energy technologies introduction and adoption is
important to sustain and manage the natural resources. It is also important in
the efforts of reducing global warming to introduce alternative environmentally
sustainable energy resources .
Green Cross Pakistan believes on these
lines of action for sustainable energy resources development , planning and
materialization in different aspects . Bio gas plants installation , with very
low methane emission . in rural participatory development program is an effort
to conserve natural resource of trees . This not only helps in conserving the
trees but also contributes in the health of house hold women who previously used
waste of cattle’s and tree cuttings for cooking food in intended sites of
activities .Smoke of fuel (wood and animal waste) for cooking purpose causes
lung cancer and respiratory disorders among the community women. We are working
for introducing cheaper fuel technologies at community and individual level for
sustaining health and achieving environomic approaches together.
We are
intended to work in research , development and materialization for renewable
energy resources in Pakistan at community level and to get Sustainable
Cities.
WHAT ARE THE SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES TO FOSSIL FUEL ?
The world currently obtains around 95% of its commercial
energy from coal , oil and natural gas. These traditional fossil fuels besides
causing green house gas effect and global warming , will not last forever and
some expert predicts that we will have used up our oil resources by the year
2032.We all consider alternative methods of processing energy if we are to
maintain our way of life and ensure the prosperity of our planet in
environmentally sustainable way.
There are variety of energy alternative
available to us. Some are already in use , supplementing traditional energy
production methods while other act as stand alone energy resources.
It is
possible to use a combination of these resources. Where achievable , ocean ,
wind ,geothermal , hydro, and solar energy should be processed. These methods
are renewable , harmless and will not spoil our planet, s natural environment
.However , these alternatives often do not produce sufficient energy to meet all
our needs
IS NUCLEAR POWER AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTANABLE OPTION?
Nuclear energy comes from splitting the nuclei of
Uranium atoms. This process creates heat , which boils water to create steam
that drives large turbines , generating electricity. When this reaction occurs
in a controlled environment , like a nuclear power plant , it is relatively
safe.
According to US energy Information Administration , nuclear power
plants in United States prevent as much green house gas emission as taking five
billion cars off the road ; the down side of using nuclear power is that nuclear
fission creates radioactive waste residues that remain harmful to people and the
environment for hundreds of years. No one has yet developed a 100% safe way of
storing or reprocessing this material though scientist are trying every thing ,
including burying it in deep mines and freezing it in glass blocks. Until we
have a totally safe way of disposing of nuclear waste, nuclear power will always
a questionable able option for energy futures.
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
Energy-efficiency indicators can measure some
kind of economic well-being, and can suggest that a wide range of indicators
will offer insight into the "ordinary business of life" and the relationships,
causes, and opportunities in energy consumption trends. Another suggested
concept of efficiency is a strict technological (equipment-based) concept. This
concept cannot be strictly measured by broad intensities, because intensities
tend to carry structural and behavioral components. It can be believed
that differentiating between intensity and efficiency is not possible.
Most
of what is defined as energy efficiency is actually energy intensity. Energy
intensity is the ratio of energy consumption to some measure of demand for
energy services—what we call a demand indicator. However, at best,
energy-intensity measures are a rough surrogate for energy efficiency. This is
because energy intensity may mask structural and behavioral changes that do not
represent "true" efficiency improvements such a shift away from energy.
.
Energy efficiency education program to reduce the electricity bills at community level and making their houses environmentally friendly GCP launched an awareness campaign by providing printed material telling the tips to save the energy to the communities. This program cached interest among communities especially the middle class masses
GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM
About one-third of all energy consumed in Pakistan. being used for heating,
cooling, lighting and appliances in buildings, considerable attention needed to
focus on enhancing energy efficiency within homes, offices, schools, hospitals
and other buildings.
Energy efficiency measures include elements such as
passive solar design, tight construction, windows and doors, as well as
efficient heating and cooling systems, appliances and light fixtures. These
approaches have been successful in reducing energy consumption at a relatively
low cost.
Recently, a more comprehensive view of the environmental impact of
buildings has led to the promotion of waste minimization, water conservation,
indoor environmental quality, low-impact use of land, and the greater use of
natural and recycled materials. These approaches minimize the impact of
buildings elements on human health and the environment.
The “Green Building” concept also includes the incorporation of renewable
energy technologies into buildings, particularly PV systems. Green building
practices that encompass renewable energy technologies are best considered at
the start of the building design phase.
Green Cross Pakistan support for the
disciplined inclusion of renewable energy technologies in the broader process of
Green Building development and will use the results to increase knowledge of
green building and renewable energy benefits and practices among building
professionals and the public. We will welcome partnership , support in technical
and financial aspects on Green building concepts.
GREEN
ENERGY FORUM 
The total number of vehicles running with fossil fuel in big cities of Pakistan are increasing, causing more air pollution and contributing to climate change.
Particulate matter (PM), 2-storke vehicles, adulterated engine oil, and the lack of clear policy for replacing aging vehicles are blamed for much of air pollution in
the big municipalities. Our new initiative GREEN ENERGY FORUM is a platform for businessmen , energy scientists , green investors and green think
tanks to think and invest on the green vehicles .The main aim of the forum is to educate and attract businessmen to invest in green energy to make
the big
cities healthy living places to breath and to combat the global warming
.
