Mammals shrink in size when Earth heats

Global Warming is an ever increasing phenomenon right now our world is facing due to ever increasing anthropogenic activities. So, today to spice up your knowledge, we have come up with a different topic related to Global Warming & its repercussions.

You all are aware of problems animals are facing due to Global Warming & climate change, but have you ever heard of size shrinking of animals due to global warming?

Yes, our beloved readers, you heard it right. Mammals do shrink in size when Earth heats up.

A study shows that, Global  Warming shrank certain animals in the ancient past & scientists worry it could happen again. Warm blooded animals got smaller at least twice in Earth's history when carbon dioxide levels soared & temperature spiked as part of a natural warming.

The size reduction  phenomenon of large animals into smaller one's is known as ''INSULAR DWARFISM''.

Three different species shrank noticeably about 54 million years ago when the planet suddenly heated up. One of them an early compact horse got 14% smaller, going from about 17pounds (7.7kg) to 14.6pounds (6.6kg).

Another creature that contracted was a lemur like animal that's the earliest known primate. It shrank about 4% while it may not seem like much, its noticeable because studies of animal over millions of years showed it was usually getting bigger over time.

Scientists & farmers have also long tracked animals such as cows, that shrink & give less milk during hotter stretches. These results are very significant because they provide another independent test of whether climate drives changes in body size in mammals.

In hotter climates, mammals & other warm blooded animals need to shed heat so they shrink. Smaller animals have more skin or fur per pound than bigger animals so more heat can escape, making them better adapted for warmer climate. Larger animals do better in the cold because they have less skin per pound & keep their heat.

The bigger natural warming 56 millions years ago saw temperatures rise 5.8⁰C or more probably from giant belches of methane from dead plants & animals that had accumulated on the sea floor.

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World Water Day

History

• World Water Day is celebrated annually on 22^nd March. 
• This day focuses on importance of clean water & sustainable management of fresh water bodies. 
• World Water Day is supported by prominent organization, institution across the globe. 
• The U.N. designated 22^nd March as International World Water Day in 1992 at UNCED(United Nations Conference on Environment & Development). 
• The first World Water Day was commemorated in 1993.

There are many contaminants which contaminates water making it less useful or of no use. For example; dumping of industrial pollutants, nuclear dumping, plastics. But the biggest concern above all is Oil Spilling because not only it deteriorates whole water body, but it pollutes water organisms which leads to loss of species & habitat.

The below video shows how to overcome this problem:-

Scientists at the US department of Energy's Argonne National Lab have invented a "sponge" that could prevent a similar situation in future spills. The foam called ''OLEO SPONGE" can soak up 90 times its own weight in oil before it needs to be wrung out to be reused & the oil can be recovered.

For Good Earth, 

                                       Many prominent institutions, organizations, NGOs around the globe have teamed up with respective Government of concerned countries. These institutions, organizations like WB(World Bank), IMF(International Monetary Fund) are providing financial assistance to under-developed & developing countries to overcome problems related to Water.

For example:- 

• Rs. 6000-crore World Bank-backed scheme proposed to manage groundwater resources.

Deforestation

Definition

PC:- Mahesh Chovatiya

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• Indiscriminate felling of trees results in urbanization, industrialization, mining operation and use of wood for domestic and other purposes have caused heavy depletion of forest .This phenomenon is known as deforestation.

Causes

·         Shifting cultivation

·         Development project

·         Fuel and raw materials requirements

·         Over grazing

·         Defense and communication activities

·         Palm oil cultivation

Shifting cultivation:-  In this practice a patch of land is cleared, vegetation is burned and ash is mixed with the soil thus adding nutrients to the soil. This patch of land is used raising crops for 2-3 years and yield is modest.

Then this area is abandoned and is left to recover its fertility. The same practice is repeated elsewhere on fresh piece of land.

Developed project:-   Development projects like hydro-electric projects, large dams and reservoirs,  laying down of railway lines and roads are not only extremely beneficial, but they are also linked with several environmental problems. Many of these projects requires immense deforestation.

Fuel and raw materials requirements: -    The increasing demand for firewood with ever growing population increases greater pressure on the forests which result in increased intensity of deforestation.

over grazing:-  Over grazing of cattle leads to over grazing.

Defense and communication activities:- Military and defense activities in forest For examples - Land used for military bunkers, training camps.

Palm oil cultivation:- Palm oil has emerged as main global source of vegetable oil due to adequate availability versatility in usage, higher yield and lower cost, as compared to other vegetable oils. Palm oil is generally sold in the name of vegetable oil.

Global edible oil consumption has grown from 123 mn metric tonnes in 2007 to 158 mn metric in 2012. This growth has been fuelled by increase population, incomes and per capita consumption especially in developing countries like India, Indonesia and China. Palm oil at 48.7 mn metric is the largest consumed edible oil in the World.

·          Environmental impacts of palm oil production

       1.       Deforestation

       2.       Loss of biodiversity

       3.       Climate change

1. Deforestation:-   Substantial tracts of tropical forest are cleared to make room for large plantations to service an ever increasing demand for palm oil. Studies show that the forest cover on Island of Borneo had declined from 73.7 % in 1985 to 50.4% in 2005, while the projected cover in 2020 was 32.6 %. Loss of forest cover in Sumatra, Indonesia has also been very alarming.

2. Loss of Biodiversity:-  Concerns about biodiversity loss are directly related to loss of natural forest. In particular, Orangutan habitats have been threatened by palm oil production. In 1900, there were around 315000 Orangutans in Indonesia and Malaysia. Today, fewer than 50000 exist in the wild, split into small groups. The palm oil industry is the biggest threat to Orangutans, the species like to be driven to extinction within 12 years unless the devastation of their natural habitat is halted.

 3. Climate change:-  15% of all human induced greenhouse gas emissions are caused by deforestation, forest degradation and peat land emissions. As land on mineral soil becomes less readily available, the expansion of oil palm is increasing on peat lands. As these areas are drained, the peat is exposed to oxidation resulting in significant CO₂ release over an extended period. Other significant sources of GHGs emissions associated with oil palm are the use of fires for land clearing and emission of methane from effluent treatment ponds of palm oil mills. Forest are felled, peat swamps drained and burnt, creating a haze that covers large areas, affecting people’s health and disrupting economic activities. 

World Forestry Day

Hey Guys, Happy World Forestry Day.

    Introduction

•  World Forestry Day is being celebrated on 21st of March to make people aware of problems related to forests and how to over come it.

History

• World Forestry Day's history lies way back in November 1971 when the states members at 16th session of conference of Food And Agriculture Organization voted to establish World Forestry Day on 21st March each year.
• From 2007-2012 organized 6 forest days events on behalf of and in close cooperation with other members of collabrative on forest following the international year of forest 2011.
•  International day of forest was established by resolution of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 28th November 2012.