Wednesday, June 3, 2009
A Ghost Story: Additional Postings 1
On that day I just had finished my two week shift. I worked away from Abu Dhabi offshore. I was heading back to the airport to get in the helicopter. It was a clear and sunny day.
The flight took off at afternoon 2:00pm. My friends and I normally take the same flight, but this time one of them went in the morning. The flight takes about thirty five minute to reach to Abu Dhabi airport. On the way back some passengers read books or play hand held games.
However, for me I was just looking down at the sea. The pilot normally doesn’t fly at high altitude so I normally see dolphins swimming in the clear water. But at that time I saw thick black spots moving along side almost at the same speed. I thought it was the choppers shadow. I tried to focus on the figure and what is was because when the chopper turned I saw the real chopper’s shadow. The black spot had an unusual movement. It was slowing and speeding up like if it had a mind of its own. It could not have been a vehicle or a boat because it was moving through the sea and on land. Before I told my friend the object sped up and vanished.
After we landed I headed back to my home. I tried to forget about what I had seen. Then my Mobil phone rang. It was my friend who left in the morning. He had some of my stuff and he wanted to return it to me. However I got a shock when he started talking about a strange black spot that he had seen!
Instant coffee: Additional Postings 2
Instant coffee has become so popular nowadays, but so many people don’t know how it’s made. In this essay I will describe the steps that show us how it is made.
First, the coffee beans are picked and dried under the sun. After that the coffee beans are collected it will be send to the next process where it will be roasted. After the beans are roasted they are rapidly cooled. The beans are ground and mixed in hot water and they strained the mixture. Next, the mixture will be frozen for the second grinding process.
The water in bean mixture will vaporize in the vacuum device and only the dry mixture will be left. Finally, the mixture is taken and packed into instant coffee jars.
That’s how the coffee beans are changed to instant coffee from dry beans to a dry ground mixture in the instant coffee packs.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Hazardous Waste
Everyday each individual person in the world desires to modify or buy new stuff. If this continues, it will consequence in creating enormous amount of waste. We can’t just change our lifestyle instantly. However, this habit can be controlled. UAE is one of the countries facing this hazardous waste problem. In this essay I will discuss and contrast this issue on the outcome of this problem, the effects on the environment and suggest some solutions.
Hazardous waste spawns various kinds of problems. The major problem is polluting our land. Naturally, the number of people growth in the UAE multiplied the waste. Around 1532 tonnes of waste is generated each day. (Waste) All this waste generally is taking large scale of land. The second problem is the toxic chemicals. Basically, all this chemicals either goes to underground water. It as well become gas in the air comes back as rain. Therefore, it limits our water resource. The other problem is to get rid of the chemicals or radioactive materials. Obviously, as the chemicals mixes up it becomes stronger and much more dangerous.
There are a lot of effects generated by hazardous waste. First of all, it will limit our land. We either move the landfill to farther place or just work near it like in Mussafah. The second effect of hazardous waste is that it’s going to affect ecology in the UAE. For example, a boy has died in New Jersey because of chemical gasses released in the air from industry. (Hazardous Waste) If we allow the same situation we will have the same effect. The third effects are diseases. It will endanger human life or the environment with all mix chemicals. Cancer is one the sickens which can be caused by the wrong disposal of radioactive materials.
However, there are number of solutions that can protect us from the danger of hazardous waste. The main solution is to recycle the waste. Therefore UAE is going to spend over Dhs65 million for the upcoming recycling plant in Al Lusaily. (UAE region's leader in waste management) That way we will reduce the amount of waste buildup and put it in better use. The second solution is limiting the amount of chemical in the industry. The government has to debate about regulations of disposal of waste and also limit it. The other solution is to create proper storage. This way we can limit the exposing of unsafe material to our environment.
In conclusion, hazardous waste can lead to many complex issues. The effect of this matter can be globally, so we all and each individual person should contribute to minimize the risk of it in the future. Everything can’t be solved right away, but if we start to manage and do the right thing we will be having better ecology.
"'UAE region's leader in waste management' UAE - The Official Web Site - News." UAE News and information - UAEinteract. 24 May 2009 http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/UAE_regions_leader_in_waste_management_/30950.htm.
"Waste." State of the Environment Abu Dhabi. 24 May 2009 http://www.soe.ae/Abu_Themespage.aspx?m=237.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Masdar: Futur Abu Dhabi
Source:
"Dailymotion - Futur Abu Dhabi : Masdar City - a Tech & Science video." Dailymotion - Online Videos, Music, and Movies. Watch a Video Today! 24 May 2009 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2zeod_futur-abu-dhabi-masdar-city_tech.
One Planet Living & Cool Cities (Task 6)
The main reason that I believe, it depends on the economy of the country. For example, to build Masdar city it will cost $22 billion.(Work starts on gulf 'green city') For that reason not every country can just start this project. On the other hand, they can contribute with just accumulate small ways to reduce Co2 in their country by either using renewable energy or recycling waste.
Another reason that can restrict this plan it is the population. Masdar city is limited with only 50 thousand of residents.(Work starts on gulf 'green city') The total population in the UAE is 4,104,695.(UAE population) If we follow this scheme we will be going to need 82 cool cities to occupy all of them. This idea is not practical as our population raises, so it better start with changing the way we live to close or similar in Masdar city.
In a result of that a further issue is arise on lifestyle in Masdar. Traditions, customs and cultures that can’t be change in seconds. With this different environment especially in UAE with hot weather it’s difficult to live without coolant devices. In addition, this city does not have everything because it will be limited products and have zero carbon emission. However, if we altered our lifestyle and just use public transportation or reduce usage amount of electricity. This can help us to reduce the Co2 in the world.
In conclusion, most of the people can’t live in cool cities. Masdar city can decrease carbon footprint if it provided to everyone within suitable lifestyle.
"UAE population." UAE News and information - UAEinteract. 06 May 2009 http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/UAE_population_touches_4.104,695/21620.htm.
"Work starts on gulf 'green city'" BBC NEWS News Front Page. 06 May 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7237672.stm.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Carbon Footprints
The measurement of our footprint was easily done by using two websites http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ and http:// www.myfootprint.org/ . In each of those footprint calculators gave big different results. As I gone through the website some are divided in food, travel, home and stuff. (WWF Footprint Calculator) However, in the other footprint calculator is more specific which also has extra division for services and transportation in its category. (Ecological Footprint)
Based on my average 7.9 earths I was the highest consumer between them all with Mohamed on the second. On the other hand, Hammed was much better result with faisel who has 4.57 earths. Nevertheless, we all consuming much more than we need for our comfort. In total, UAE is producing 1000 tonnes of Co2 in every 3.5 minutes. (Bleja) Globally, if stay producing same amount of Co2 we will need 1.5 earth to live. (What it measures)
It’s still not too late. My suggestion is follow some of those ways by educate people about this issue, cutting to power down, less waste and recycle, by green products and uses much more efficient devices. (Another Way)
All in all, I think we should look from biggest to smallest consumptions to reduce greenhouse gases. These changes no matter how tiny they are it make big different from us all to our earth.
Bibliography:
"Another Way." The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard. 23 Apr. 2009 http://www.storyofstuff.com/anotherway.html. Bleja, David. CO2 emissions, birth & death rates by country, simulated real-time. 23 Apr. 2009 http://breathingearth.net/.
"Ecological Footprint." Ecological Footprint Quiz by Redefining Progress. 23 Apr. 2009 http://www.myfootprint.org/en/.
"What it measures." Ecological Footprint Quiz by Redefining Progress. 23 Apr. 2009 http://www.myfootprint.org/en/about_the_quiz/what_it_measures/.
WWF Footprint Calculator. 23 Apr. 2009 http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/.