Local & International Disasters the

Local & International Disasters The great American scientist Benjamin Franklin mentioned an old proverb - "an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure." Two current events affecting the world could learn from this wise adage. First, climate change caused by global warming or the greenhouse gases emissions effect. And secondly, but equally devastating if not mitigated are the air borne killer-pathogens currently circulating our atmosphere such as the swine (H1N1) flu virus.

Global warming has been given more focus lately, although this should have been done decades ago, if we, human beings really had the foresight and discipline to preserve mother earth. For it is the only place we have survived and lived in. Simply put, global warming is caused by uncontrolled and destructive gas emissions from the industry sector such as factories, power plants, irresponsible vehicle owners who do not keep their vehicles well-maintained, and deforestation.

Gaseous pollutants such as chloro-flouro-carbons (CFCs), carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other harmful chemicals bore holes in the earth's ozone layer, which actually protects the earth from harsh rays of the sun that get trapped in and around the earth's atmosphere with these harmful pollutants, thereby enveloping the earth with heat that causes earth's temperature to rise. This is called the greenhouse effect.

In a report by Richard Black (Environment Correspondent, BBC NEWS website), it was noted that if the current carbon dioxide concentration on Earth's atmosphere is not mitigated, Earth's temperature could rise to about to 1.5° Celsius to 4.5° Celsius. The heat enveloping the earth causes glaciers to melt down. These in effect elevate sea levels. Rising sea levels could flood low lying and coastal areas. A report in Science Daily noted sea levels along the northeast coast of the U.S. could rise by 5 inches annually due to global warming.

The impact of all these can be catastrophic for the agriculture sector - the source of our food supply, and thus, to our daily lives. With incessant rains, floods and typhoons, crops and arable lands could be destroyed. And for developing nations this outcome could even become worse. Developed countries such as the United States, Japan and China are some of the largest emitter of greenhouse gases from industries.

Although industrialization contributes to the progress and development of countries, it is also hoped that the industry sector contribute to reversing the adverse effects of global warming. Power suppliers, say of electricity should not just rely on sources that aggravate the degradation of the environment. Other favorable to mother earth methods of supplying electricity and power to states should be studied and applied if found to be viable, as the earthly clock is ticking. Solar power can be resorted to.

As its source -- the sun is untiring even when it is not visible at night. We see therefore the symbiotic relationship of climate, the environment and life. We have no harvest, we have nothing to eat. And then what? Possibly, famine and then death. We have no electricity, no means of communication and then what? Chaos and anarchy may ensue.

On a worldwide level, the United Nations has been initiating steps to combat global warming and a major event for the year 2009 is the United Nations Climate Change Conference on December 7-18, 2009, posted on its website. But whatever programs developed by multi-sectoral groups concerned to save mother earth are, if these programs are not implemented, on a daily basis by each person on earth, then saving mother earth might just be an impossible dream, as each tick of the clock counts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified at category 5 the current pandemic swine (H1N1) flu virus, reflecting the urgent need for containment and eradication of the easily spreadable air-borne pathogens. As of May 2, 2009, CNN has reported there are 160 confirmed cases of swine flu across the United States of America and about 108 cases throughout the rest of the world.

Although the swine flu (H1N1) strain's discovery in the 1930s has shown not so much an aggressive spread of the disease through the years worldwide, a flaccid approach to the prevention and eradication of any communicable pathogen could result into a catastrophe worldwide, as transmission methods are numerous and casual like mere sneezing, coughing, and usual human activities, like handshakes, kissing and talking with an infected or healthy pathogen carrier.

Preventive measures include keeping one's self healthy by having a well-balanced diet, taking in ample or optimal amounts of water (8 glasses of water for normal individuals) to keep one normally hydrated, getting enough quality sleep and rest (normally 8 hours of sleep) with some stress relieving naps, taking food supplements like vitamins and sources of good bacteria like lacto-bacilli, and keeping fit through exercise to boost one's stamina and immune system. Practicing proper hygiene in daily life at all times, e.g., covering one's mouth when sneezing or coughing with.