Green groups want emissions caps in central and southern Taiwan

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2013/09/21/2003572620

Poor air quality has plagued central and southern Taiwan for many years. Citizen of the Earth, Taiwan and lawmakers held a joint press conference on Sept. 12 at which they criticized the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), saying that the ministry has not adhered to the Air Pollution Control Act by not joining up with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to announce that the air pollution emissions in central and southern Taiwan is controlled through a total quantity control system. They also said that this was one of the main causes of the air pollution problem in the region.

Citizen of the Earth, Taiwan deputy secretary-general Wang Min-ling says that the act was promulgated in 1975, and even though an amendment which included a total quantity control system was added in 1999, it stipulates that the EPA and the MOEA must announce the measures together. Central and southern Taiwan has many factories that are causing serious pollution, and once a total quantity control system is enforced they would have to reduce the amount of pollution they are emitting. Wang said that the MOEA’s passive attitude has allowed the region’s air pollution problem to grow increasingly serious over the years.

The pollution standards index (PSI) is based on the density of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and ground-level ozone in the air on a particular day, all calculated as subsets, while the largest subset value is the given PSI for that day.

Wang says that from January to August this year the pollution index in the center and south was poor as much as 73.91 percent of the time. Looking at last year, Greater Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin and Pingtung counties had good air to breathe less than 50 percent of the year, while Chiayi County, Greater Tainan and Greater Kaohsiung were all below 30 percent, meaning they only had good air to breathe on three out of every 10 days, posing a serious threat to people’s health in the region.

Lawmakers Lin Chia-lung and Chao Tien-lin say that during the next legislative session they will work hard to push amendments to the act, abolishing the section of the act which states that emissions caps must be enforced in conjunction with the MOEA.

The MOEA’s Industrial Development Bureau said on Sep. 12 that the EPA currently exercises partial control over emissions, and that the MOEA is not opposed to adhering to the act and enforcing emission cap regulations, but says that the government agencies involved must equally weigh all factors concerning the environment and economic development. If total control over emissions went into effect, the toll on industry development and society as a whole would be formidable, the MOEA says.

(Liberty Times, Translated by Kyle Jeffcoat)

中南部空氣品質長年不佳，地球公民基金會跟立委九月十二日召開記者會批評，經濟部不依照空污法會同環保署公告中南部空氣污染物採取「總量管制」措施，管制污染物排放總量，是造成中南部空氣污染的元凶之一。

地球公民基金會副執行長王敏玲表示，空污法於一九七五年公布，一九九九年修正時雖將「總量管制」條文入法，但規定環保署需要會同經濟部才能公告實施。中南部重大污染工廠林立，一旦實施「總量管制」，污染工廠必須污染減量，經濟部態度消極，導致中南部長年空氣污染嚴重。

空氣污染指標（PSI）係依據當日空氣中懸浮微粒、二氧化硫、二氧化氮、一氧化碳及臭氧濃度，分別換算出副指標值，當天各種指標值最大值即為PSI。

王敏玲表示，今年一至八月空氣污染指標不良的累積日數，發生在中南部比率高達百分之七十三點九一。以去年一整年來看，台中市、彰化縣、南投縣、雲林縣、屏東縣，呼吸到好空氣的比率不到五成，嘉義縣市、台南市、高雄市呼吸到好空氣的品質更不到三成，亦即十天只有三天可以呼吸到好空氣，對中南部民眾健康造成嚴重威脅。

立委林佳龍、趙天麟表示將在下一會期全力推動修法，取消空污法「總量管制必須經濟部會同發布」相關規定。

經濟部工業局九月十二日表示，目前環保署對空氣污染已有逐量、逐項管制，經濟部並不反對配合空污法進行空污總量管制，但相關單位必須考量兼顧環保和經濟發展，一旦強制實施空污總量管制，對產業發展和整體社會代價恐會很大

How to Avoid Genetically Modified Foods

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carole-bartolotto/how-to-avoid-genetically-_b_3463653.html

Despite the fact that over 90 percent of people want genetically modified organisms (GMOs) labeled, we still don't have that right in the U.S. -- yet. But we are not powerless. Awareness about GMOs is growing steadily. And I believe it is the "small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk" that can make a big difference. If our elected officials will not do our bidding, then we can take our power back right now by not buying or eating any genetically modified foods. Need some motivation to cut them out of your diet? Here are some sobering facts.

1. We eat on average 193 pounds of genetically modified foods in a year, at minimum. Yes you read that right -- 193 pounds!

2. There are no long-term safety studies in humans. Thus, the long-term health effects are unknown.

3. Genetically modified crops use more pesticides. Their use has increased by 404 million pounds from 1996 to 2011. And stronger herbicides are needed to counter weed resistance,including 2,4-D, which is one of the chemicals found in Agent Orange! This is bad for the environment and can't be good for us.

4. Chemical companies that create GMO seeds -- such as Monsanto -- patent them so farmers have to buy new seeds each year. I just don't think it's right to patent seeds, GMO or otherwise. And think about it, do you really want chemical companies to control our food supply?

It is for these reasons that I avoid genetically modified foods. I hope you consider removing them from your diet as well. Let's use the power we do have -- our dollars -- and avoid GMOs now.

The current crops that are genetically modified are soy, corn, canola, sugar beets, cotton,Hawaiian papaya some zucchini and yellow crookneck squash and alfalfa (which is fed to cattle and not us). Here are some tips to cut GMOs out of your diet.

• Buy USDA Organic, especially when purchasing the current GMO crops. Organic foods are grown from seeds that are not genetically modified.
• Look for the Non-GMO Project Verified seal. For more information about the Non-GMO Project, see here.
• Buy brands that are sourced to be free of GMOs such as Trader Joe's labeled foodsor Whole Foods Market's 365 Daily Value labeled foods. If you eat a lot of processed foods, such as canned and packaged products, choose these brands or an organic brand. Better yet, eat more whole foods, which are less likely to contain GMOs.
• Since most corn and soy are GMO, choose organic or a brand that sources their items to be free of GMOs when you eat these foods. This includes sweet corn, corn tortillas, corn oil, corn chips, tofu, edamame, soy milk, and baby formula.
• Instead of canola, corn, soy, or cottonseed, choose extra virgin olive oil, organic canola oil (cold pressed), or safflower oil.
• Sugar and high fructose corn syrup are another source of GMOs. Cane sugar is not genetically engineered, so when you do have sugar, choose cane. However, processed sugar is not good for us anyway; therefore, it would be best to cut it out as much as you can.
• Most Hawaiian papaya and some yellow crookneck squash, zucchini, and are all genetically modified. Buy these foods organic. You can also try your local farmer's market. All Trader Joe's produce is sourced to be free of GMOs, so you can also buy these veggies there if you have a store nearby. You will notice that Trader Joe's sells Caribbean papaya and not Hawaiian, which is one of the ways they avoid selling GMOs.

Do you eat out a lot?

• Ask the manager at restaurants you frequent if their menu items contain GMO ingredients. This will help increase awareness and perhaps move them in the direction of removing GMOs from their menu.
• If the manager doesn't know, ask if organic foods are used. If organic products are not used, avoid tofu, veggie burgers made with soy, corn, corn tortillas, corn chips, edamame, and other foods from corn and soy. Also avoid sugar, sweets, and desserts.
• Ask what kind of oil they use. If it is soy, canola, corn, or cottonseed, they are most likely GMO.
• Salads can be a safe option, but ask for cruets with olive oil and vinegar instead of other salad dressings.
• The great news is that some restaurants have made the effort to avoid GMOs in the Los Angeles area, such as Real Food Daily, Hugo's, and Café Gratitude.

What else can you do? 

Tell restaurants, fast food chains, and grocery stores, you want products without GMOs. They will respond to customer demand, as they have done in the past. Remember what happened when we found out there was "pink slime" in our hamburgers?

First presentation – “Global Warming and Air Pollution” – September 17^th

^{(April, Flora, Angel, Ivonne)}

Second presentation – “Pesticides, Herbicides, and GM Products” – September 24^th

^{(Shelly, Lucy, Sandy, Michelle)}

Third presentation – “Alternative Energies (wind, solar, thermal)” – October 1^st

^{(Claire, Judy, Angel)}

Fourth presentation – “Tech Trash” – October 8^th

^{(Amy, Leona, Rainy)}

MIDTERM

Human Activity Responsible For Global Warming: UN Report

A group of scientists associated with the United Nations has just issued a report on “climate change.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changehas confirmed that human habits and activity is responsible for global warming and for higher sea levels.

If this continues, according to the report there will be more serious heat waves, more melting of land ice, and dramatic changes in plant and animal life.

Because it is a draft, the report is still being reviewed, but experts in climate change believe there won’t be many changes in the final version.

The report is published by a different group of scientists every five or six years, and is considered the standard on the risks of climate change.

Each report has found more evidence that the planet is warming and that humans are the cause.

Some critics believe that the current situation is more likely due to short-term factors or weather cycles. They believe that the climate situation will change on its own eventually.

But the UN report says the reality is clear and the facts are there.

Luckily, because humans cause the problem, humans can help solve the problem.

Everyone can use less energy (light and electricity), recycle and reuse, and use their cars less.

If this happens, less carbon dioxide will be released into the air and the air closest to the Earth will cool down.

And that would be a good thing.

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONSBy Kathleen Tilly

Writing/Discussion PromptWhat is global warming? What are the effects of global warming that you can see and feel? What are the effects of global warming that are invisible to you?

Reading Prompt:According to the article and your own understanding, what role do humans play in global warming?

How could you personally reduce climate change? How could your family? How could your school? How could your community?

Brainstorm and select one way that you could reduce global warming, which you could do immediately. Share this idea with a friend and your family and try it out for 2 weeks. At the end of the two weeks, reflect on the following questions:
1. How difficult was it to make a change in your life?
2. How do you think this change helped the planet?
3. Could you continue this change for the next month? Why or why not?

http://teachingkidsnews.com/2013/09/09/2-human-activity-responsible-global-warming-un-report/