US scientist proposes new technologies can address worldwide water supply issues.

Professor Mark Shannon of the University of Illinois has published a paper in the current edition of Nature magazine, outlining ways to address the growing demand for clean water throughout the world.  Dr. Shannon, who also serves as Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Center of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems, is proposing environmentally-friendly methods of disinfection, reuse and reclamation through membrane bioreactors, nanoscale filtration and a host of other advanced technologies. Dr. Shannon will be leading an NSF Water Purification Science and Technologies conference in April.

We are deeply grateful for your extremely important and innovative work, Dr. Shannon. May your endeavors be graced with success for the benefit of all the world’s inhabitants.

http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=38634

US scientists find black carbon’s role in global warming is higher than previously estimated. 

Black carbon, or soot, originates from diesel exhaust, cooking with solid fuels, the burning of biomass such as coal, wood or dung, all of which are prevalent in India and China, the world’s most populous nations. Unlike CO2, which stays in the atmosphere for up to a century, black carbon is retained for only a few weeks. Thus, rapidly reducing its levels can have an immediate effect on slowing climate change. Vietnam Solar Serve, at www.vietnamsolarserve.org and Solar Cookers International, at www.solarcookers.org, are two NGOs that are working to improve this situation by providing Aulacese (Vietnamese) and African people with solar cookers and training.
We are deeply appreciative of your research, scientists, for helping us to uncover rapid solutions in averting the catastrophic effects of climate change.  Thank you, Vietnam Solar Serve and Solar Cookers International, for your important roles in helping developing nations adopt clean cooking technologies.  May Heaven grant your efforts with the greatest of success. 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080323210225.htm, http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/reducing-soot-could-help-slow-climate-change/2008/03/24/1206207010432.html, http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jObvKCK9ZDHzMqfZ9wnE73NBwq5g, http://www.solarcookers.org/, http://www.vietnamsolarserve.org/sunny

Irish meteorological service, Met Eireann, issues climate change report. 

The report indicates that that average temperatures in the country will rise by as much as 3.5 degrees over the next century. That would lead to rainier winters and drier summers, with coastal flooding and major metropolitan areas such as Dublin experiencing water shortages. Irish Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, and his colleagues plan to use the report to create a climate change adaptation plan.
Met Eireann, thank you for your timely report that helps raise awareness about the imminence of global warming effects. We pray for God’s grace in developing policies and practices that preserve our precious ecosphere.

http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=IRELAND-qqqm=news-qqqid=31488-qqqx=1.asp