How Long Does It Take to Decompose?

www.kopihangtuah.blogspot.com

PLANET EARTH is the only planet that we know of that we can live on. Sad to say that our civilisation has progressed quite tremendously on the back of technological advancement that is supposed to solve the world's problems but fail to protect the Earth. Why? Well, everything that we produce has grave consequences to the planet. We have not yet found an alternative planet and hence, why are we still playing ignorants to the extent of being arrogants?

Recently I came across the following information for which, we, citizens of Planet Earth, should use as a guide to better preserve our beloved planet. We are its custodian and we bloody well be a good one. It is our responsibility. God save Planet Earth:

How long does it take to decompose ?

Paper Towel - 2-4 weeks
Banana Peel - 3-4 weeks
Paper Bag - 1 month
Newspaper - 1.5 months
Apple Core - 2 months
Cardboard - 2 months
Cotton Glove - 3 months
Orange peels - 6 months
Plywood - 1-3 years
Wool Sock - 1-5 years
Milk Cartons - 5 years
Cigarette Butts - 10-12 years
Leather shoes - 25-40 years
Tinned Steel Can - 50 years
Foamed Plastic Cups - 50 years
Rubber-Boot Sole - 50-80 years
Plastic containers - 50-80 years
Aluminum Can - 200-500 years
Plastic Bottles - 450 years
Disposable Diapers - 550 years
Monofilament Fishing Line - 600 years
Plastic Bags - 200-1000 years.

We request you, please share this piece of information in your network as much as you can.

This will create awareness amongst people that plastic is one of the major reasons related to the Global Green House Effect.

* kopihangtuah

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The Ironic Evolution of Money: The Smart Ass Saga

www.kopihangtuah.blogspot.com

Then some smart ass computer scientist decided to make money virtual. You don't need to keep livestock nor agriculture produce - that's anticipated anyway. You don't need to keep gold or silver or any damn metal elements. You don't need to keep those papers we call notes either. This smart ass decided to transform the idea of money into electricity that can be transacted via computer circuits across network of circuits we call internet. Wallah.... behold the age of internet banking

There weren't many smart asses to begin with, initially. So it was simple and easy. Wealth was in the beginning measured in terms of livestock or agriculture produce. Basically you'd need to barter what you have to get what others have at a willing buyer and willing seller quantities of the different items. The issue with this is that, those items are perishable. Hence whatever value you put into them has a useful physical and economic useful lives of those item itself.

Then some smart ass miner discovered that value can be placed onto precious metal because of its scarcity. People began to equate what they have, whether livestock of agriculture produce, in terms of an agreed amount of such metal. Soon instead of exchanging items, they exchange those metal pieces with goods. Many types of metal were used but the most valuable, presumably because of its high ranking of scarcity, or because of its purity sustainability against nature's oxidisation, gold became the ultimate metal currency. Next was sterling silver and bronze. So, as greed radiated across mankind pervasively, everybody wanted to accumulate metal rather than the stuff that you actually need to eat and stay alive. Perhaps they thought that their tummies have evolved alongside their economic understanding where metal can be digested biologically?

Then some smart ass lawyer decided to equate all this fuss into black and white legal terms written on paper. Basically this document carries with it the legal tender to transact whatever purchase equivalent to a predetermined value of gold or any metal coins used by mandkind. The document would say something like this, "The bearer or this promissory note is entitled to whatever pounds of sterling silver claimable from the Bank of England" or some shit mumbo jumbo like that. This becamr the currency notes that we use daily. Funny that some cheap material like paper can now be valued higher than precious metals like gold and silver just because some banker with Royal Charter signs on it. Again, no matter how valueble these papers are, you still cannot eat them like you'd do with livestock and agriculture produce.

Then some smart ass computer scientist decided to make money virtual. You don't need to keep livestock nor agriculture produce - that's anticipated anyway. You don't need to keep gold or silver or any damn metal elements. You don't need to keep those papers we call notes either. This smart ass decided to transform the idea of money into electricity that can be transacted via computer circuits across network of circuits we call internet. Wallah.... behold the age of internet banking. But even so, the value of those electronically recorded data is still based on the underlying value of the papers we call notes, which by right, should have been based on the value of gold reserves a country has (and I don't this is still the case); and of course, those gold reserves should have been based by the value of produce a country can export or some shit theory like that. In short, we can still find some link from our e-bank account balance to the damn goat on the field.

Then some smart ass, big mama ass, shit head, decided to exclude the damn goat, the damn gold, the damn papers and the damn electronic representation of material wealth and replace it with the idea of mining some unique virtual universe blockchains of codes, or whatever hell it is called.... the bitcoin, I think. This is when we all started banging our heads on the wall. The idea of value has transcended our comprehension. Despite our conscious incomprehension (if there is such a word) of the damn saga, we place our utmost trust with the mama smart ass of all time and of all of humanity that our wealth is secured in this new age of demonic intangibility madinsanity economic evolutionised concept.

Meanwhile, some smart ass is quietly accumulating the livestocks or agriculture produce or the precious metals or any commodity for that matter; and at the same time, securing the sources, or the ability to procure, or the ability to produce, or the ability to control, or the ability to price those livestocks, agriculture produce or metals or any commodity. In the end we who evolve may lose everything and they who stayed purist gains. One day, a big mama ass magnetic field surge is gonna wrap the planet Earth as the yellow Sun releases its occasional bursts and in just split seconds, all those wealth we have accumulated in electronic form will be erased (unless we have proof written in legitimate ink on paper).

* kopihangtuah

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Belaskah Kita?

www.kopihangtuah.blogspot.com

Apabila kesinambungan pewarisan Belas ini putus, bala akan menimpa kita semua. Adakah ini yang kita mahu sebagai pengakhiran hidup sebelum kita berangkat untuk menikmati Belas dari Tuhan? Terserahlah

BELASKAH KITA? Di dalam hidup ini ada satu fenomena yang menyambungkan sesama kita insan, hidup atau mati; dan juga dengan alam, warisan, haiwan dan Tuhan akhirnya. Fenomena ini adalah perasan Belas. Ini adalah satu kaedah yang menyatukan kita tanpa perlunya kita berinteraksi samaada melalui sentuhan fizikal, internet, suara, lisan atau lukisan. Ia cuma perlu diwujudkan di sanubari.

Sememangnya sudah ada bukti biologi bahawa apabila perasaan Belas itu dirasai oleh seseorang, badannya akan menghasilkan hormon-hormon yang membangunkan kesihatan. Sebaliknya, apabila kita sedih dan muram, hormon-hormon yang durjana akan dihasilkan (oleh tubuh kita). Sudah banyak juga cerita-cerita ajaib dimana pesakit barah pulih melalui penghasilan elemen-elemen kegembiraan di dalam hidup mereka.

Apabila perasaan Belas itu diradiatkan kepada alam, maka wujudlah sikap mahu menjaga kebersihan sungai, laut dan sebagainya. Dari mana datangnya polisi Hijau? Sudah tentu dari kesedaran untuk membersihkan Bumi kita. Dari mana datangnya kesedaran ini? Sudah tentu dari keinginan untuk menjaga Bumi yang kita sayang. Ini adalah Belas.

Apabila disalurkan perasaan Belas itu kepada haiwan, terjagalah kebajikan mereka. Manusia kebanyakannya suka menyimpan haiwan peliharaan seperti kucing, anjing, hamster dan sebagainya. Apabila haiwan-haiwan ini menyedari Belas yang kita sampaikan kepada mereka, maka berlembut dan manjalah haiwan tersebut kepada manusia. Ini adalah Belas balasan dari haiwan.

Apabila dinostalgiakan Belas itu kepada zaman lampau, teringatlah kita kepada insan-insan yang telah pergi dan berkembanglah sikap pembelajaran dari sejarah. Ini menjadi pemangkin untuk penerapan dan juga konservasi elemen-elemen warisan dan jati bangsa. Kita selalu berkata "Belajarlah dari sejarah". Sebabnya ialah untuk bersatu semula dengan masa lampau.

Belas sesama insanlah yang menjadi sumber kekeluargaan, persahabatan dan pencintaan sesama manusia. Maka tidak hairanlah mengapa kita memanggil anak-anak kita Belasan apabila mereka memerlukan kasih sayang yang kritikal sebelum menjadi dewasa. Belas sesama insan lah menjadi faktor mewujudkan NGO-NGO seperti National Cancer Society, Kitchen Soup, Unicef, WWF dan banyak lagi. Dengan Belas inilah kita menaruh harapan.

Konsep Belas ini juga sudah menjadi berkurangan dewasa ini. Semakin ramai insan yang bercanggah dengan fenomena murni ini. Mereka sering memaki sesama sendiri terutamanya di media sosial. Mereka membenci sesama sendiri. Mereka berperang sesama sendiri. Mereka membunuh sesama sendiri. Kita seharusnya kesal.

Apabila tidak ada usaha untuk mengembalikan Belas, maka makin pudarlah harapan untuk kemanusiaan untuk terus hidup. Apabila kesinambungan pewarisan Belas ini putus, bala akan menimpa kita semua. Adakah ini yang kita mahu sebagai pengakhiran hidup sebelum kita berangkat untuk menikmati Belas dari Tuhan? Terserahlah.

* kopihangtuah

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The New Slavery, A Perspective on Bit'fuckin'coin

www.kopihangtuah.blogspot.com

The question is, who are "They"? "They" are not our Government but they have significant influence over our Government, our products and services, our communication, our knowledge, our money, our behaviours, our mind, our life, our future, our freedom, our very purpose of existence. Yes my friends, we have been (if not about to be) colonised in the most modern and advance way possible. We are but slaves whether we realise it or not

THE NEW WORLD ORDER has many styles on how to control the World. They control the communication side. They control the political powers. They control military powers. They control the financial world as evident by the many financial meltdowns that we have seen. Bitcoin is the natural next stage for the financial element.

So far "They" have conquered many economies via IMF, the World Bank and many more economic hitman style organisations. Now "They" are on the ground looking at the actual consumers. If we study the economic formula of C+I+G+X-M-T (whoever studied Macroeconomics will understand), we will notice that globalisation has on many levels has its grip on how our socioeconomy works.

The biggest component of that equation is C, i.e. Consumption Expenditure, the sum of all individual's spending behaviour or pattern or strength. Once many (consumers) are hooked and majority daily consumption expenditure, or even wholesale trading transactions, are accepted in Bitcoins, money matters will no loger follow any country's Reserve Bank's rulings. This is because Bitcoin is not legally governed by any laws on this planet Earth, yet, or will never ever be?

Demand for conventional currencies will plunge one by one depending on the level of Bitcoin utility for each nation as and when transactions are done lesser and lesser on conventional currencies method. A concept of e-wallet being made really really big but with its own dedicated currency like how we would when playing the board game, Monopoly.

"They" will not hesitate to abandon current global currencies such as USD or GBP and use Bitcoin as the Super Currency. In this era of Internet of Things, behaviours can change over night. Look at Pokemon. Look at Social Media. Hence, "They" will control consumers directly. "They" can make a nation's consumer base paralyse just by declaring an economic sanction (Whether via UN or not) and block all Bitcoin accounts for a particular nation.

So the more acceptable a nation is on this whole Bitcoin phenomenon, the more susceptible the nation is to the threat of this new breed of the Economic Hitman. So when the nation is trapped, wallah.... instant bankrupcy for an entire nation can be curated not from a Government monetary perspective but from basic broadbase consumer purchasing power perspective.

This Bitcoin is indeed a more pervasive species of economic hitman I suppose. A damn efficient one I must say (If they succeed in spreading their wings). The more I observe the evolution of our socioeconomy building blocks vis a vis its technological advancement, the more I feel that our World is changing into one of those Sci-Fi movies we all like to watch. The Matrix is a good example especially when we can combine sociology with, say, Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (ER). If you have the time, go binge watch a TV series called West World, and you will understand.

The question is, who are "They"? "They" are not our Government but they have significant influence over our Government, our products and services, our communication, our knowledge, our money, our behaviours, our mind, our life, our future, our freedom, our very purpose of existence. Yes my friends, we have been (if not about to be) colonised in the most modern and advance way possible. We are but slaves whether we realise it or not. God help us.

* kopihangtuah

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How to Destroy a Country 101

www.kopihangtuah.blogspot.com

To shout negativity everywhere with conclusions that even authorities themselves have not yet reached is an utter irresponsible act by a citizen. It destroys the country, just like what the Economic Hitmen wanted.

HITMEN of the modern world works at a pervasive level. They sought to destroy countries. The 4 main methods used by economic hitmen to topple countries that do not entertain their wishes are:

Step 1: Destroy the country's economic livelihood via various tools such as currency attack, commodity price attack, international monetary aid that has unreasonable terms that breach the sovereignty of the country, masterminding excessive development funded by excessive debts and economic sanctions. The final objective is to get a regime change that installs a leadership team that is friendly to the hitmen's needs.

If Step 1 does not cripple the country or not easy to be implemented due to the country's strong leadership, then they will go for Step 2.

Step 2: Capitalise on local issue to create havoc and chaos with the main objective of breaking down the political landscape and an eventual change of regime to one of their choice. This is often targeted on key political figures and the subject matters used are often those very sensitive to the citizens of the country. Accusations are the fuel for character assassination. The accusations can be from various angles such as corruption, racial sentiments, religion, Government policies, sex scandals and many more. The more naive and angry the citizens are, the more effective is this method. It has the "zombie" effect to the citizens.

If Step 2 does not cripple the country or not easy to be implemented due to the country's strong leadership and/or the citizens' maturity, then they will go for Step 3.

Step 3: Engage in military action on that country either by single foreign country attack, or joint forces by multiple foreign countries, or via international pack such as NATO, or, most commonly used, gain access to the country's internal military force to takeover from inside. This is often done sugar coatedly behind ideologies such as to restore democracy or to stop dictatorship or to fight for humanity and many more as long as it has the effect of the Step 2 on the citizens. Of course the final objective is still to get a regime change to that of their choice.

If Step 3 does not cripple the country or not easy to be implemented due to the country's strong leadership, local military force and/or citizen's maturity, then they will go for Step 4.

Step 4: Hire an assassin to take out the unwanted person of interest, often the top leader of the country.

All Steps 1 to 4 is done concurrent with Step X. Step X is to nurture, finance and create an easy pathway for political progression of a potential leader of their choice that will eventually be that replacement for the unfavourable existing leader.

Many of these steps have taken place in many countries around the world. Some successful and some not. To name a few, whether successful or not, and not in any particular order: Step 1 was used on Panama, Venezuela, Argentina, Indonesia and Thailand. Steps 2 and 3 was used on Palestine, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Vietnam. Step 4 was used in Libya.

As the World unite to prevent wars and military activities, Steps 1 and 2 will become more and more effective now. Step 4 is a last resort, hence not many attempts. Libya had Gadafi sacrificed as he was putting in place a gold Dinar mechanism as potential pervasive currency. Saudi Arabia was mentioned earlier and many may be wondering why? Well, Saudi had its current rulers, the Saud family, put in place by the English after capitalising on a religious strategy that they, the English, had nurtured. The strategy was Wahabism. They even made a movie out of it called Lawrence of Arabia. Finally, under Step 1, we saw many countries gone bankrupt.

This is not a new phenomenon. It has been going on since before World War 1. In fact, World Wars 1 and 2 may have been ignited by the same people who wishes to control the world. We have heard of many conspiracy theories such as the dropping of the unwarranted Atomic Bomb, CIA operations to overthrow governments, the New World Order under Freemasons/Illuminati/Zionism and the like. There is no direct evidence to conclude but what we see happening to many countries does fit in nicely into the puzzle. Henry Ford, the car maker, once tried to expose all these. He lost his wealth doing so.

So what can we do? The first step, as a citizen of this beloved country, is to have a robust mind to consider all facts by all parties and to have a conscious mind to assess whether you can comfortably accept those facts. Accepting does not mean to conclude straight away. Accepting means to tag a status on it as either facts of the case, accusations, evidence, suspicions and/or propaganda.

To shout negativity everywhere with conclusions that even authorities themselves have not yet reached is an utter irresponsible act by a citizen. It destroys the country, just like what the Economic Hitmen wanted. The best way to react is to accumulate knowledge and digest and only let go its implications when you are axing the box for the General Elections. For the time being, let the authorities do their jobs. God help us all.

* kopihangtuah

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Bumi Yang Berdarah (The Bleeding Earth) : An Artistic Reaction to the Palestinian War

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BUMI YANG BERDARAH

Artwork by Azrin Mohd

Mixed Media: 3D and digital printing, bitumen, acrylic, plastics on Canvas

115cm x 218cm x 10cm (Diptych)
Narration by Zena Khan
Great Malaysian Contemporary Art 2014 of
Art Expo 2014 at Matrade 24 to 28 September 2014

 

There has been notable silence from several high-profile international media outlets, such as the BBC, CNN and Fox News, on the effects of Operation Protective Edge on the Palestinians. Noticing this silence, Azrin attempts to use his work to explore the immediate and long-lasting visual dimensions of this strike, which appear to be absent from a large majority of official current accounts of events 

UMI YANG BERDARAH is a 2014 mixed media assemblage by up-and-coming artist Azrin Mohd. This three-dimensional diptych was created as a reaction to recent events in the Gaza Strip, and what the artist perceives to be a lack of reaction from international governing bodies and world superpower nations to the ongoing crisis.

On July 8th 2014, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip, a coastal strip of land bordering the Mediterranean, Egypt and Israel. Israel controls Gaza’s airspace and territorial waters thus having the ability to restrict the movement of people and goods into Gaza. The import of construction material such as steel, cement and bricks has been barred due to the ability to manufacture weapons from these materials. Israel is considered an occupying power in Gaza, where they regularly launch military operations. Operation Protective Edge is the deadliest military operation to have taken place in Gaza since the 2008-2009 Gaza War, and has resulted in the death of hundreds of Palestinians, mostly civilians. The Israeli Defence Force justify their bombing of civilian- populated areas with claims that Hamas hides in these spaces, a pattern that is repeated every time the occupying force launches a campaign in Gaza. Due to the ban on importing construction material, rebuilding bombed buildings is close to impossible, and Gaza is left with the permanent appearance of being ravaged by war. The background of each panel in "Bumi yang Berdarah" shows the literal devastation caused by bombing a city, and its inability to rebuild and move forward. Azrin digitally prints scenes of the landscape of Gaza, littered with shells of bombed-out buildings and rubble. There has been notable silence from several high-profile international media outlets, such as the BBC, CNN and Fox News, on the effects of Operation Protective Edge on the Palestinians. Noticing this silence, Azrin attempts to use his work to explore the immediate and long-lasting visual dimensions of this strike, which appear to be absent from a large majority of official current accounts of events.

Across the top of each panel, Azrin has added a carnival-like bunting, whose festive associations are at odds with the connotations of destruction and despair cast by the background print. Matching these are the carousel horses floating across the center of "Bumi yang Berdarah". Azrin prints his horses three-dimensionally, a new technique he began experimenting with in 2014, as seen in his set of works "Bila Pandangan Mata Hati Tertutup #1-#4". Historically, horses have regularly been used in warfare; Azrin makes this connotation by painting his horse in colours suggestive of a military animal. The horses seem to be suspended in an up and down movement, suggestive of the actual movement of carousels. In this way, Azrin speaks to the unending cycle of violence in the Middle East, likening it to a game controlled by a single source. This allegory raises the question: which power is the source constantly fuelling this unrest, and for what reasons? By raising this discourse, Azrin encourages his audience not only to broaden their knowledge on the Gaza situation, but also to analyze information from news sources or international governing bodies before drawing conclusions.

Azrin is known for composing his three-dimensional assemblages in the form of dioramas, and uses this format again here in "Bumi yang Berdarah". He encases the work with a Perspex sheet overlaid with digital prints of objects associated with war. Images of weapons, aircraft and skulls provide strong associations with combat and act as palpable visual markers of cause and effect.

The term “war horse” is used to refer to soldiers or politicians who have fought several campaigns, and is an apt description for a work that speaks about an ongoing crisis. Although Azrin usually focuses on Malaysian issues, this time he was struck by what he deems a lack of sensitivity demonstrated towards civilians caught in the crossfire in Gaza. He comments on the expectation for world superpowers and governing bodies, particularly the United Nations and NATO, to stand up for the rights of civilians in accordance with their official charters. "Bumi yang Berdarah" is a personal analysis of Middle East conflict, and an attempt by the artist to resolve his own understandings of the reactions he sees. As a contemporary artist, he views his responsibility in disseminating information and encouraging discourse, and by hand-fabricating all the elements within this striking and thought-provoking assemblage, this has allowed him to tailor his message with a specificity that allows it to resonate within his audience long after viewing "Bumi yang Berdarah".

 

 

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* kopihangtuah




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Get Into the Habit of 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

www.kopihangtuah.blogspot.com

We will be talking to our kids about turtles, whales and other marine animals as if these are "myths". These animals are at risk of extinction.

Rs: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle, is what we all must be in the habit of. Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, in his article in the NST on 8 May 2012, preaches that we ought to make 3Rs a way of life. This is an education matter. It should start from the lowest level, i.e. elementary all the way up to professional level. We have been talking about sustainability in a higher technological manner such as green building, renewable energy and what not, but we fail to understand that it is not a matter of technological shout! it is a matter of human behaviour. Hence, educational in perspective.

Tan Sri Lee said "3Rs is not difficult. just be a smart shopper, disciplined home owners and helpful/caring neighbour". This sounds sweet and all but I think we should take a more bold action. We should look at the educational system and ensure that adequate material is effectively conveyed to children of today. The kindergarten that my son goes to has 3 of those huge rubbish bin. I think green, orange and blue. I cannot remember. One for paper, one for bottles and the other for plastics I think. This is a bold step. From thereon, something more advance should be taught at primary schools and then secondary schools. A more intellectual discussion should be introduced at tertiary level and implementative actions seriously considered at professional level.

... over 250 species of marine animals are known to have ingested or become tangled in plastic. Animals often mistake rubbish for their prey, such as jellyfish, and they choke on rubbish

On a more serious note, rubbish can be lethal. It will destroy our beloved Earth if not managed appropriately. I don't have a proper statistic for the world but I do have some information from the NST 10 May 2012 in an article "Plastic Soup Endangering Ocean Life".

35 billion plastic bottles are thrown away in the ocean a year in the US. 500 billion plastic bags used annually worldwide. Over 40% of plastic usage is in packaging. 8% of world's oil production goes into plastic manufacturing. A 2002 UN study estimated USD7 trillion a year of economic risk from plastic pollution. And the saddest of all, over 250 species of marine animals are known to have ingested or become tangled in plastic. Animals often mistake rubbish for their prey, such as jellyfish, and they choke on rubbish.

There is a swirling mass of waste in the Pacific and it has grown 100-fold in 40 years threatening the ecology. Scientists warned that the killer soup of microplastic (particles smaller than 5mm) are accumulating in 2 mega patches formed by the ocean and wind currents, one in the West of Pacific Ocean and the other in the East. Scientists estimate that the patches are the size of Texas each. The garbage patch cannot be seen by satellite as most are of confetti sized flecks spreading over thousands of kilometres across the ocean. Such size is the consequence of the rubbish being broken into pieces by way of natural forces such as pressure from ocean currents. All these disturbing news came from University of California as reported by NST on 10 May 2012 article "Plastic Soup Endangering Ocean Life".

The article further reported that such patches provide new habitat for ocean insects called Sea-Skaters, which preyed on plankton and fish eggs. I repeat, preyed on plankton and fish eggs. These insects spend its entire life at sea and lays eggs on the flecks from rubbish, which was previously limited, but now being made available widely. What a disastrous evolution. Are we saying that fish will be extinct by this double sworded ecology development, i.e. death of their eggs and death of their source of food, i.e. planktons?! The plankton and fish eggs were fed on by seabirds, turtles and other fish species. With the increase in population of the Sea-Skaters, it will disrupt the food source of other marine animals which have been living in the habitat for thousands of years.

I cannot imagine how the world would be, say 5 decades from now. Ya! only 5 decades, it'll all be different for our kids. We will be talking to our kids about turtles, whales and other marine animals as if these are "myths". These animals are at risk of extinction. At a very, very high risk actually. It will be really sad that our kids will not be able to see real life dolphins, turtles, seals and many other beautiful creatures of God's creation. In fact, our kids may also know the world in a manner that we have never imagined before. For example, they may understand that Hermit the Crab only uses man-made bottles as their home! Why not? It is possible! If not, how on Earth would I be able to get this image (above) of Hermit the Crab using the bottle as its home? Fascinating! Horrifying! I hope we will not be forced to use rubbish as our home, like the Hermit.



* kopihangtuah



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When the Clock Strikes 23:59:59, Humanity Faces Extinction?

www.kopihangtuah.blogspot.com

"Global warming is not only the number one environmental challenge we face today, but one of the most important issues facing all of humanity. We all have to do our part to raise awareness about global warming and the problems we as a people face in promoting a sustainable environmental future for our planet" - Leonardo DiCaprio

Title: The 11th Hour
Type: Documentary
Focus: Save the Planet
Year: 2007
Length: 1 hour 32 minutes
Host & Narrator: Leonardo DiCaprio
Producers: Leonardo DiCaprio
Association with: Warner Independence Pictures
Directors: Leila Conners Petersen & Nadia Conners

lobal warming is not only the number one environmental challenge we face today, but one of the most important issues facing all of humanity. We all have to do our part to raise awareness about global warming and the problems we as a people face in promoting a sustainable environmental future for our planet - that was the inspiring words of the producer of this documentary, Leonardo DiCaprio, an actor with clear conscience. Humans, with their technological advancement are destroying Earth. Destroying the World they live in. Destroying Nature. Eventually, they destroy mankind. They chart their own extinction. They dig their own grave. Inevitable? Not really. They have the power to undo the course of evolution. An evolution that is derived from the actions of Humans themselves. In their dreams, their future generations are screaming "What are you doing?" but they ignore. Ignorance in the name of money and wealth that are not sustainable.

We (Humans) used to only depend on current energy. What is current energy? Resources that derive life from the Sun. From the Sun, comes light. From light comes vegetation, water, animals and everything that are contained in this planet we call Earth. We used to consume resources only to the extent provided by the Sun. With technology, uncovered by Humans, we now consume energy far beyond that provided by the current Sun. We now consume energy from ancient energy from Sun billions of years ago trapped in a form of hydro-carbon fossil fuels. No wonder our (Humans) population is at 7 billion. If it was only energy from the current Sun, our population would have been maintained at less than 1 billion, a sustainable figure supportable by current energy.

How does the technology made consumption of ancient energy possible? With the discovery of fossil fuels, Humans are able to expand their activities further. They can travel farther with various types of transportation that live on fossil fuels. They can travel deep out in the ocean to catch more fish. They can produce more electricity from various power plants. They can grow more from agriculture activities. All of these lead to various other technological advancements such as biotech, medical, mass-production, mass distribution, news and information networking. All of which that made it possible for more Humans to survive causing a surge and exponential growth of the population from less than 1 billion to 7 billion in the last 100 years. The entire Human civilisation prosper until they become the leaders on Earth (perhaps at the expense of nature itself?). The fossil fuel industry is so wealthy that they become powerful, far powerful than the politicians rendering the peoples' voices (via politicians) unheard - those who love mother Earth gets ignored.

Global Warming as God's warning to Mankind. A warning that punishment awaits for those who have sinned. Who have sinned? Humanity have sinned. We have sinned,... to mother Earth

Such advancement in Human civilisation has its consequences. Global warming and climate change are the most apparent ones. After 200 years of industrial revolution, Human civilisation has magnified itself in the ecology. It is as if what we have now is Humans vs Nature. Temperature has risen quite dramatically. We have wildfires everywhere. The ice cap in the arctic are melting by the day. Floods destroying many lives. Tornados. Hurricanes like the one in New Orleans in 2005. Earthquakes. Tsunamis. With all these continuing, planet Earth may end up like its sister planet, Venus, with temperature of 250 Celsius and sulfur gas in the air which is not liveable by Humans.

Some choose not to believe in this fear called "Global Warming". The thing is, Global Warming is not a religion. It is not the question of whether one believes or not. It is a matter of facts that requires responsible actions by Humans. These facts (scientific evidence of Global Warming) are supportable by findings by many scientists. The United Nations conducted the World's biggest Global Warming research involving 1,300 scientists from various countries across the globe. All these scientists agree on a consensus that Global Warming is very real. Regardless of religion, Global Warming presents to us signals that we ought to open our eyes. If religion is indeed to be inserted into the equation, take Global Warming as God's warning to Mankind. A warning that punishment awaits for those who have sinned. Who have sinned? Humanity have sinned. We have sinned,... to mother Earth. No wonder God, via His prophets, forewarned armgeddon. Are we facing armageddon soon? We may, if we don't do anything.

The cost of putting back oxygen into the air is USD35 trillion per annum. That is the value of service trees and forests are giving Humanity free-of-charge! Sum of all the countries' Gross Domestic Product is only USD18 trillion. Indeed nature is 2 times more wealthy than Humans, in its capability to operate Earth

We (Humans) have taken too much, too frequent, too fast, too irresponsibly and we have not given anything back. In fact we have dumped too much, too frequent, too fast and too irresponsibly back to nature. We have polluted the sea, the air, the rivers and many more, some at huge proportions such as oil spills. Studies have showed that seafood now contains dangerous level of chemicals such as mercury to the extent that seafood becomes dangerous if consumed in large proportion. It is believed that it can cause cancer. We (Humans) continue to fish. We have so far consumed 90% of the ocean dwellers. Seafood will become extinct. Even if there are some left, it'll probably be dangerous to eat them.

At least 7 countries have already lost 100% of forests. The United States of America (US) has lost 90% of its forests. Forests are nature's way of managing water. Trees absorb gallons of water. purifies it and returns water back to Earth in a manageable manner in the aquifers. The water from aquifers flows naturally at manageable speed back into rivers and the sea. If you cut the trees, you are taking away this magnificent mechanics of nature for water management. With no trees, you have nothing to absorb water. The water are dirty with nothing to purify it. It returns back to the sea disasterously through floods that destroy lives and properties. Truly, industrial civilisation is taking away nature from us. The worse and worst thing that can happen is, we (Humans) are not doing anything. Scientists and economists have together estimated that the cost of putting back oxygen into the air is USD35 trillion per annum. That is the value of service trees and forests are giving Humanity free-of-charge! Sum of all the countries' Gross Domestic Product is only USD18 trillion. Indeed nature is 2 times more wealthy than Humans, in its capability to operate Earth. We cannot afford to replace nature, at least economically as proven.

We forget the power of love. If we apply love appropriately, we can save the Earth. Save the Planet, and we will save Humanity. We will save Ourselves.

50,000 species of animals extinct every year. Since Humans are at the top of the food chain, when we extinct, majority of animals would probably have extinct. What a shame that will be given that we (Humans) are an infant species. We must act now! Energy is the key solution. We have to find ways for sustainable development. As mentioned earlier, our capability to harvest ancient energy is the cause of Global Warming. Hence, that very action ought to be where the solution is. Scientists have come out with many methods of sustainable energy generation - Renewable Energy! - e.g. wind, hydro and solar. At this 11th hour, we face our own extinction? or do we save ourselves from extinction? Not only we are at the 11th hour, we are at the 11th hour 59th minute 59th second. We need to change. We are capable to change. We forget the power of love. If we apply love appropriately, we can save the Earth. Save the Planet, and we will save Humanity. We will save Ourselves.




* kopihangtuah



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Save the Planet: Al Gore Reveals the Inconvenient Truth

www.kopihangtuah.blogspot.com






Title: An Inconvenient Truth
Type: Documentary
Focus: Save the Planet
Year: 2006
Length: 1 hour 36 minutes
Host: Al Gore
Producers: Laurie David, Lawrence Bender & Scott Z. Burns
Association with: Paramount Classics
Directors: Davis Guggenheim




l Gore, the former Vice President of the United States urges fellow Americans (and the whole world) to save the planet. He seems sincere but regardless of his motives, I do subscribe to his points of view. This documentary opened my eyes. Yours should be as well. It is so far, I think, the best short documentary I've watched with respect to saving our planet Earth. Highly recommended. Now, what can I share with you? I wouldn't want to spoil the documentary for those who haven't seen it. So, I'll keep it simple by just sharing salient points enough to pursuade you to buy this DVD from Amazon and embrace love for planet Earth!. Here goes (my first documentary review):

"This (global warming) is not a political issue. This is a moral issue. If not addressed, it is deeply unethical!"

Quotation by Al Gore in 2006

Let us start with the atmosphere. It is thickening because of the pollution. The heat from the sun via its infra red rays cannot escape the atmosphere when it is too thick. The heat gets trapped and accumulates surrounding Earth. This is what we call Green House Effect - the mechanism of global warming. How does the thickening happen? Well, naturally, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) gets absorbed by plants in their food-creation process. You take away those plants, you take away the primary cleaner for CO2.

In autumn/winter, as we know it, there are not much leaves to absorb CO2 and vice versa for spring/summer. With that you can aspect that the level of CO2 during autumn/winter to rise and subsequently reduce - a yearly trend causing yoyo over the years. This is natural. One would aspect that if a hemisphere is experiencing a particular season, the opposite hemisphere should have the opposite season, negating the CO2 yoyo. That is only true if the land mass between northern and southern hemispheres are the same (... and we know they are not). What worries us is that, if that yoyo over the years forms an upward trend, it means heat is rising. The graph above shows that we ought to be worried. This is supported by scientists' study of trapped air burried in ice for the last one thousand years - i.e. rising heat in correlation with rising CO2.

Al Gore said "This (global warming) is not a political issue. This is a moral issue. If not addressed, it is deeply unethical!" Little do we realise that the global warming has significant negative consequences to us all. Heat level rising causes increase in wind velocity. True enough we do now see stronger hurricanes such as Katrina back on 29 August 2005. The number of storms has increased from 27 in 1975 to 93 in 2004 (USA only). Similarly, big floods have increased from 25 in 1960 to 100 in 2000. We have also noticed that the thickness of the ice in the North Pole has decreased by 40% in the past 40 years. The Arctic ice cap sea-ice extent has dropped by 1.5 million km2 since 1970. With that rate, by 2050 it would be fully melted! Polar bears will drown themselves in search of land (which is the case already in some areas).

We discussed about heat level, ice level, storms, floods, wind, etc. There are also bio-habitatual effects. Changes in climate cause disruption to the natural ecology of the animal kingdom. Scientists in Netherlands studied the seasons for bird reproduction. In 1980 they recorded that the birds hatched in June coinciding with the hatching of caterpillars. As a result of the shift of the world climate, caterpillars seem to hatch earlier in April (2000 study), depriving those chicks of their natural food source. There are many more examples that are devastating. Heat rise improves survival rate of microrganism, increasing the number of new diseases. Both deprivation of food and introduction of new diseases are the recipe for extinction for some animals. One other impact worth mentioning is the bleaching of corals. A sad case really. I have covered this in my earlier blog Coral Armageddon: A Field of Skeleton

This deteriorating health of planet Earth is/will be further compounded by human race's demand for more resources. The population is rising tremendously causing increase in consumption of food, oil and gas, water, tree-cutting, and many more. With the technological advancement of medical sciences and less wars, human race has multiplied itself from a 2.3 billion count in 1945 (just prior to World War 2) to 7.0 billion in 2011. With that rate, we will reach 9.1 billion by 2050. It is interesting to note that the human population was somewhat controlled at sustainable rate for thousands of years (at least from 5,000BC) and suddenly saw an event-turning numbers of significant increase just over the last 66 years (1945 - 2011).

CO2 level is at the top of the list nowadays with the introduction of Kyoto Protocol. Our (humans) attemp to control carbon emmission is noble but many have not yet embrace this. If, as mentioned earlier, significant disasters flooding our lives just in the space of 50 to 100 years, we then do not have enough time. We must rectify in the immediate 50 to 100 years. Back to carbon emmission, who is the biggest culprit of all? Well, surprise, surprise,... the United States of America ranks #1 at 30% contribution to the world carbon emmission of 5.47 billion metric tonnes. China comes second, then Europe, Russia and Japan.

What do we need to do? We should reduce the use of oil and gas and increase the use of electricity that is more efficient. We need renewable energy - the likes of hydro. If this is to be the main driver to reduce carbon emmission and thus, help address global warming, we need the political will to enforce it. Do we have the political will? Politicians have a lot to lose when they derive significant income from oil producing ventures. Kyoto Protocol must be taken seriously. At the time this documentary was made, only 2 nations have not yet ratified their support for the protocol - Australia and the U.S.A. I hope by now they have.

We need to do this collectively as human race. After all, we have not yet found another planet that can replace Earth. Are you ready? To change the way we live. The climate crisis can be solved. At least visit www.climatecrisis.net. At the end of the documentary, the following message was shared. If you love planet Earth, spread this message around. Save the Planet. Save our Planet. Save Earth. Save humanity. God bless.

You can reduce your carbon emmission to zero. Buy energy efficient appliances + lightbulbs. Change your thermostat (use clock thermostats). To reduce energy for heating + cooling, weatherise your house, increase insullation, get an energy audit and recycle. If you can, buy a hybrid car. When you can, walk or ride bicycles. Where you can, use light rail + mass transit. Tell your parents not to ruin the world that you live in. If you are a parent, join with your children to save the world they will live in. Switch to renewable sources of energy. Call your power company to see if they offer green energy. If they don't, ask them why not? Vote for leaders who pledge to solve this (global warming) crisis. Write to those leaders. If they don't listen, run for election. Plant trees, lots of trees. Speak up in your community. Call radio shows and write to newspapers. Insist to freeze CO2 emmissions + join international efforts to stop global warming. Reduce our dependence on oil. Help farmers grow alcohol fuels. Raising fuel economy standards require lower emmissions from automobiles. If you believe in prayers, pray the people will find the strength to change. In the words of the old African proverb "... when you pray, move your feet". Encourage everyone you know to see this documentary. Learn as much as you can about the climate crisis. Then put your knowledge into action.

"... when you pray, move your feet" An old African proverb

* kopihangtuah



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Something Fishy

www.kopihangtuah.blogspot.com

... we now enjoy Filet O' Fish from McDonalds. A decade from now, our kids may only enjoy McBilis?

omething fishy is going on. Years ago, we see decent sized fish being sold in the market. Now it seems they are growing smaller. Perhaps an evolution force taking place? I don't think so. The fact is, the average age of the fish we buy are reducing. We have consumed much of the adult and the queue has come for the babies to take their place in society,... human's society. Just recently I bought Pompret (Bawal Putih) from a commercialised supermarket and the first thought that came to mind was "they're pretty small little creatures aren't they? That's funny, I remembered them to be a lot bigger when my mom cooked them a quarter century ago".

Our fish count has dropped. We are consuming our seafood at a rate faster than their natural reproduction speed. The population of Malaysia has grown from 20 million 20 years ago to 27 million today. To feed these extra 7 million people, our fish catch has increased from 951,307 tonnes in 1990 to 1,390,000 tonnes now (#1). The fisheries industry has also advanced its techniques not only to increase output and sales, but also to sweep clean the seabed off its natural habitat. This is true particularly on the use of trawlers with smaller mesh leaving minimal chances for small fish to escape. According to Wikipedia, this method of fishing involves active pulling of trawls through the water behind one or more trawlers. Trawls are fishing nets that are dragged along the bottom of the sea or in midwater at a specified depth. Trawling is controversial because of its environmental impacts. Because bottom trawling involves towing heavy fishing gear over the seabed it can cause large scale destruction on the ocean bottom, including coral shattering and damage to habitats. And guess what, 51% of our fisherman in malaysia uses this! (#1).

So there you go. A desastrous industrial invention. We should be sad. We now enjoy the Filet O' Fish from McDonalds. A decade from now, our kids may only enjoy McBilis for the extinction of quality fish. In fact, I still remember that when I was 10 years old, the Fish and Chips were made of quality fillets from the likes of Kurau, Senangin and Jenahak. Today, Dory conquers the Fish and Chips market. To be exact, a particular type of Dory now floods the market due to its vast commercialisation. This Dory is known as the Cream Dory (Pangasius), from the catfish family. A far more inferior quality when compared to Kurau or Senangin. Cream Dory made it onto the National Fisheries Institute’s “Top Ten” list of the most consumed seafood in America. The Top 10 is based on tonnage of fish sold. According to the NFI of USA, this mild-flavored white-flesh fish is farmed in Asia and is being used increasingly in food service. It is finding its way onto restaurant menus and into stores as well.

We progressed from Baby Boomers, to Generation X, Generation Y, Generation Z and maybe, just maybe, we ought to call the next one "Generation Who Has Never Seen Fish Before"

So let us take stock of the situation. We have more mouth to feed. So we catch more. How do we catch more? We use destructive techniques as mentioned earlier. This depletes the fish population. Hence we experience deterioration, not only from the count, but also from the size and quality. Good fish becomes rare and are replaced with more common less quality fish. It's anti-progression really. If we don't stop, we will deprive the future generations from experiencing what good quality fish tastes like, and of course, that is if there are any fish left! We progressed from Baby Boomers, to Generation X, Generation Y, Generation Z and maybe, just maybe, we ought to call the next one "Generation Who Has Never Seen Fish Before" and let them roam in museums to see pictures of fish or even visit the blue plaque marking the first Fish and Chips shop in Britain, in Oldham, Greater Manchester (See photo by the side).

Something must be done. Australia for example imposes rulings whereby fish, crabs and prawns must be released back to the sea if they are less than a prescribed size. Non-compliance is heavily punished by way of monetary penalties as well as jail term. It worked perfectly. Go to Australia and experience their seafood. Fantastic! They are of decent size, decent species and sustainable industry practice ensures the fish population are maintained at healthy levels in tandem with the progression of human's fish demand not to the expense of the ocean kingdom.

A big hurrah to Malaysian Nature Society and World Wildlife Federation for coming up with Malaysia Sustainable Seafood Guide in May 2010. This guide opens the eyes of public to the risk of not having any seafood to eat if we continue to consume indiscriminately. It also highlights that Malaysians are the biggest consumers of seafood in Southeast Asia and that 90% of Malaysia's fish stock has declined due to unsustainable fishing practices. In addition, it introduces the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) logo that is used to identify fisheries that practice responsible fish catch by meeting MSC's strict environmental standards. If possible, ask for MSC certified fish from your supermarkets.

The guide is a fantastic piece of work that should be alongside your credit cards. It is produced in small pamphlets that can easily be kept in wallets and pockets. It's labelled as "S.O.S : Save Our Seafood". Why would you want to bring the guide everywhere? Well, the guide lists down the types of fish in 3 different categories: (1) Recommended, (2) Think Twice and (3) Avoid. This is just awesome. It gives us new hope. Now all we have to do is just be guided by it. If it's difficult to get hold of one of these pamphlets, visit www.saveourseafood.my. In any case, I will take the liberty of sharing some good tips as listed below:

RECOMMENDED:
Well managed sustainable stocks not overexploited

1. Lala Clams
2. Anchovies
3. Tuna
4. Indian Mackerel
5. Spanish Mackerel
6. Mussels
7. Oysters
8. Mud Crab

THINK TWICE:
At risk of becoming unsustainable. Only eat occasionally when 'Recommended' option not available

1. John's Snapper
2. Flower Crab
3. Red Snapper
4. Banana Prawn
5. Coral Grouper
6. Seabass
7. Tiger Prawn

AVOID:
Unsustainable and overfished. Avoid at all cost

1. Silver Pompret
2. Black Prompret
3. Ray
4. Breams
5. Herrings
6. Flounder
7. Needle Cuttlefish
8. Trevally
9. Coral Trout
10. Sharks

I am a seafood lover and at the same time, I do care for the environment. I try my best to eat chicken and beef but being human, once in a while I do order fish at restaurants. I also face the problem of having kids who only eat fish and hates chicken and beef: that I will have to remedy,.. there is still time. I urge everyone to save our planet. Every little help, helps! Do care for our sea creatures. After all, if we don't look after them, we will lose a significant source of protein, iodin and essential oil such as Omega.











* kopihangtuah









Bibliography:
(#1 : Detailed and scientific/technical information was taken from an article "Cosuming Juveniles Dooms Fisheries" by Evangeline Majawat in NST Monday 6 September 2010)


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