Light Pollution: A Growing Problem for Wildlife‎ and Environment

Air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, soil contamination are the terms, we know very well. different names for light pollution which refers to multiple problems, all of which are caused by inefficient, unappealing, or unnecessary use of artificial light. It also causes damage to the environment and health, as do other forms of pollution.

Light pollution, also known as photo pollution or luminous pollution, is excessive or obtrusive artificial light.

Artificial light at night can disrupt everything from astronomers' views of the stars to the path-finding abilities of migrating animals.

The most well known light pollution effects are on migratory birds.sometimes leading them to fly into the sides of buildings. But migratory animals are not the only victims. Night-foraging creatures, such as bats and mice, rely on the darkness to either hunt or provide protection from predators.

The more researchers uncover about the startling effects of light pollution, the more obvious it is that something needs to change in the way humans use and direct light.  Some cities, like Chicago, have implemented “lights out” programs where tall building lights are dimmed during bird migratory seasons. The effort is thought to save more than 10,000 birds each year.

Estimates by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the number of birds killed after being attracted to tall towers range from 4-5 million per year to an order of magnitude higher. The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) works with building owners in Toronto, Canada and other cities to reduce mortality of birds by turning out lights during migration periods.

The U.S. National Park Service, whose Night Sky Team determined that almost every park that it surveyed has noticeable light pollution.

Right To Information Act (RTI) : A guide to gain information about the Government Departments

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, similar to the Freedom of Information Act in the United States - was enacted almost five years ago and is aimed at providing a practical way for all citizens to access information held by public authorities.

The RTI Act entitles you to receive all the information you need from government departments and it's time for more widespread use.

RTI is a law enacted by the Parliament of India "to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens." The Act applies to all States and Union Territories of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. This law was passed by Parliament on 15 June 2005 and came fully into force on 13 October 2005.

India is ranked 84th or near the middle of 180 countries in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index

The Act specifies that citizens have a right to

    * request any information
    * take copies of documents
    * inspect documents, works and records
    * take certified samples of materials of work
    * obtain information in form of printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes 'or in any other electronic mode' or through printouts.

Public Information Officer (PIO)
PIO is the person responsible in a department for receiving RTI applications, and sending responses, or rejecting applications if applicable. PIO is liable for penalty of Rs 250 per day in case of delay beyond 30 days, or even disciplinary action if information is delayed or denied on no just grounds.

Constituents of an RTI application
1. Name and address of applicant.
2. Name and address of PIO
3. Particulars of information required
4. Postal order, draft, cash etc
Click here to download the sample RTI application

How to go about solving a problem using RTI
1. State a personal or public problem area which you need to solve.
2. Find the department responsible for that area.
3. Find the address of PIO responsible for that area.
4. Draft an RTI application addressed to PIO.
5. Enclose a postal order (of Rs 10 in most cases) addressed to PIO and send letter by registered or speed post to the PIO. Postal order is most convenient since it can be purchased in bulk at a post office, and then one can file RTIs one by one.
6. Wait for 30 days for response. If response is not received within 30 days or rejected, you can file appeal

5 ways to follow on Earth Day to save the Earth

Earth Day  was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in held on April 22, 1970.

Earth Day is now observed each year on April 22 in virtually every country on Earth. Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network. Its aim is to protect the Earth's environment.

Historically, our lawmakers have always been more concerned with the Gross National Product—maintaining economic growth at any cost. It’s funny that the environment should take a back seat to the economy.

1. Save Energy By Washing Your Laundry in Cold Water Only :  Almost all of the energy used by a washing machine goes towards heating the water, so by simply turning down the temperature, you can really make a dramatic impact on energy use. In fact, washing in cold water costs 5 to 10 times less than using warmer settings. 
2. Save Water By Using As Little Water Possible To Wash Your Dishes :  If, you don’t have a dishwasher or would rather wash by hand, try to assess how much water you’re currently using and see if there’s any way to cut back. If you wash by filling up the sink or wash bins, figure out how much water they hold and how many times per day you wash.  If you just wash under the running faucet, keep in mind that faucets use about 2 gallons per minute. Get more tips on washing dishes more efficiently. 
3. Save Waste and Water By Switching From Bottled to Filtered Water :  The bottled water industry is extremely wasteful. It involves millions of barrels of oil each year and the process actually wastes water. Since bottled water is often consumed on the go, most bottles do not actually end up getting recycled. So why not get yourself a filter and a reusable bottle and fill up from the cheapest and most convenient place — your faucet. 
4. Save Energy and Waste By Switching from Regular Batteries to Rechargeables :  Rechargeable batteries embody one of our favorite principles. While traditional batteries can only be used once, rechargeable batteries, as the name implies, can be used again and again. By using the same batteries over and over again, you cut back on the waste created by disposable batteries. When your rechargeables are eventually used up, though, it is important to recycle them. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, any batteries “can cause serious harm to human health and the environment if they are dis­carded with ordinary household or workplace waste.”  
5. Save Waste By Buying in Bulk :  Packaging has gotten a bit out of control these days. More and more we’re seeing items that are wrapped with layer upon layer of unnecessary materials. One way to combat that problem is to buy necessities in bulk. If it’s something you use a lot, it’s worth it to upgrade to a larger size or multi-pack. This tip isn’t just relegated to wholesale stores either, although that’s a good place to start. Bring your own containers to stores like Whole Foods, where you can buy items like beans and grains in bulk–and skip the packaging all together.

Children with Autism

Autism is  likely that both genetics and environment play a role. Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with the disorder. Studies of people with autism have found irregularities in several regions of the brain.

Other studies suggest that people with autism have abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain. These abnormalities suggest that autism could result from the disruption of normal brain development early in fetal development caused by defects in genes that control brain growth and that regulate how neurons communicate with each other.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that affects many aspects of child development, including how a kid talks, plays, and interacts.

Parents should continue to educate themselves about the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, to be aware of what are their rights and benefits are as caregivers of autistic children.Primarily as a result of intense work by AFA with the Ministry of Health in the mid-1990's, the Government of India now recognizes autism as a disability.

Symptoms
    *  not play games
    * not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over)
    * not look at objects when another person points at them
    * have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
    * avoid eye contact and want to be alone
    * have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
    * prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to
    * appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds
    * be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them
    * repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia)
    * have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
    * repeat actions over and over again
    * have trouble adapting when a routine changes
    * have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
    * lose skills they once had (for instance, stop saying words they were once using) 


Prevention

• If you are a teacher/parents,  you should try to understand their language so that they understand yours
• you should keep yourself from calling them some sweet names, or shortening their names
• Never pressure the child, especially when he has failed to cover the given task correctly. Never shout at him
• Try to avoid long, descriptive sentences. Be as specific as you can and make only fundamental points
• You should always give the child an open, wide personal space for his movements so that he does not feel confined
• Try to develop his communicative skills 

Treatment

1. Antipsychotic drugs: This is the most widely studied group of drugs in autism. These drugs have been found to reduce hyperactivity, repetitive behaviors, withdrawal, and aggression in some people with autism
2. Antidepressants: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one class of antidepressants that are commonly used to treat people with depression obsessive-compulsive disorder, and/or anxiety. In some people with autism, these drugs reduce repetitive behaviors, irritability, tantrums, and aggression
3.  Stimulants: Drugs used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may help some people with autism. These drugs work by increasing the person's ability to concentrate and pay attention and by reducing impulsivity and hyperactivity
4. Other drugs: Other drugs may also help some people with autism. Anticonvulsants are frequently used to manage seizures in people with autism. Anticonvulsants may also be used to stabilize mood and/or behavior. Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists  are also sometimes used to manage hyperactivity and behavioral problems in some individuals with autism 

India launches world's biggest census

The nation is all set to embark on the largest census exercise, ever undertaken probably in the world, with Census 2011 on Thursday (April 1) will commence with President Pratibha Patil being the first citizen to be enumerated, followed by Vice President Hamid Ansari.

Indian Census has been the most credible source of information on Demography, Economic Activity, Literacy and Education, Housing and Household Amenities, Urbanization, Fertility and Mortality, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Language, Religion, Migration, Disability and many other socio-cultural and demographic data since 1872.

Spread across 35 States and Union Territories, the Census would cover 640 Districts, 5767 Tehsils, 7742 Towns and more than 6 lakhs villages. More than 24 crores households will be visited and 1.20 billion people enumerated during this exercise. The Census would cost around Rs. 2,209 crores. Every person over the age of 15 will be photographed and fingerprinted to create a biometric national database.

This is India's 15th census, carried out in the country every 10 years since 1872. India's population is around 1.2 billion people, 7,000 towns and 600,000 villages according to gender, religion, occupation and education. The full census results will be released in mid-2011.