All throughout the Northeast there have been single day record breaking heat in July. The climate center reported that in July Washington’s Reagan National Airport hit 105 degrees, Baltimore and Newark recorded 104 degrees, Syracuse hit 101, and New York City’s LaGuardia Airport also saw temperatures of 101 degrees.

The US is not the only nation suffering from drought, extreme dry spells in China, Africa, Russia, Australia and Western Europe may be suggestive of a permanent change in climate patterns.

Last year was no better, as the summer of 2011 was marked by record heat and drought. Russia lost 13.3 million acres of crops, or about 17 percent of its production. Also in 2011, drought was so severe in the Horn of Africa that it killed 60 percent of Ethiopia’s cattle and 40 percent of its sheep.

If it were not for last year and the year before, this year could be easily dismissed as an anomaly. When you have consistent warming and a string of record breaking years for heat and drought all occurring in the last decade, it looks increasing like this represents a disturbing trend that is here to stay.

AUTHOR: Richard Matthews
URL: http://www.thegreenmarketoracle.com
E-MAIL: smallbusinessconsultants [at] gmail.com

According to an EPA report, seven of the top ten warmest years on record for the continental U.S. have occurred since 1990. The frequency of heat waves have also steadily risen since the 1960’s and the percentage of the US population experiencing heat waves has also increased. Perhaps most convincing is the fact that seventeen of the warmest years in recorded history have occurred over the last twenty years and the warmest years on record occurred in the most recent decade.

The summer of 2011 was one of the hottest on record and the summer of 2010 saw record-setting temperatures in more than a dozen nations. There were record-breaking temperatures all around the world in 2010 and a new record was set for the second highest average global temperature over a 12 month period. In 2011, the U.S. experienced widespread record-breaking heat waves and droughts, which along with other extreme weather events, have been linked to climate change.

In 2010, China recorded the second highest temperatures it had ever seen, and India recorded its warmest year ever. Many heat records were also set in the U.S. in 2010. According to NASA, 2010 was tied for the hottest year ever in the U.S. and NASA’s temperature record showed that it was the hottest January to April in recorded U.S. history. In the U.S. there were more than 4000 daily high temperature records that were tied or broken in June. There were also 159 reports of record high temperatures for June and 42 reports of all-time record hottest temperatures.

The Great Russian drought of 2010 prompted fires and destroyed 25 million acres of crops. Thousands died around the globe as many parts of the world suffered under the record-breaking heat. More recently, the Amazon faced its second “hundred-year drought” in the past five years.

Even before 2010, the evidence for a warming trend was building. Researchers have been pointing to a link between weather and climate for decades. Eight years ago, a study published in NatureNews indicated that global warming was partially responsible for the deadly heat wave that scorched Europe in 2003. Hurricane Irene pushed the U.S. yearly record for billion-dollar natural disasters to 10 in 2011, smashing the 2008 record of nine.

The extreme heat and drought we are experiencing in 2012 looks increasingly like the years that preceded it. We may very well be dealing with global weather patterns that have been permanently changed by global warming.

AUTHOR: Richard Matthews
URL: http://www.thegreenmarketoracle.com
E-MAIL: smallbusinessconsultants [at] gmail.com

Source: NASA

Between 7-12 May, NL-Aid is enjoying a spring recess. From 13 May, you can read articles of our authors again. Untill that time, we have selected Youtube videos in which the strength of people is centered;). In this episode: Global Fires.

AUTHOR: Hans Sluijter
URL: www.NL-Aid.org
E-MAIL: info [at] www.NL-Aid.org

Meanwhile Bangladesh capital and other places experienced two medium tremors at around 14:38 (local time), but authorities said there appeared to be no threat of a tsunami.

The center also lifted the warning from India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia shortly afterwards.

The tsunami warning came in the wake of an earthquake followed by aftershocks that jolted various parts of the country, including the capital, triggering widespread panic among people.

Shamsuddin Ahmed, an assistant director of Bangladesh Meteorological Department, said earlier the Pacific Centre issued a tsunami warning for Bangladesh other countries of the Indian Ocean.

Dhaka University’s earth observatory’s caretaker Professor Humayun Akhter said, “The tremor in Bangladesh resulted from the earthquake in Sumatra. The tremor registered a 3.8 magnitude on the Richter scale.”

The quake was felt as far away as Singapore, Thailand, India and Bangladesh. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage in Bangladesh.

Prof. Humayun Akter, head of the Earthquake Observatory Centre said after Wednesday’s earthquakes that Bangladesh will remain safe from any devastating tsunami.

“The tsunami route is East-West. Bangladesh is situated at the north of Indonesia. So, Bangladesh will remain safe from tsunami,” said Dr Humayun.

Dr Humayun said a devastating tsunami hit Indonesia after a 9.1 earthquake in 2004 claiming 230,000 lives in 13 nations and that tsunami did not affect Bangladesh.

AUTHOR: Saleem Samad
URL: http://bangladeshwatchdog.blogspot.com
E-MAIL: saleemsamad [at] hotmail.com

Type One Earthquakes

Type Two Earthquakes
The type 2 earth quake are the most common of the two, and are caused by excessive pressure in underground natural gas, and/ or crude oil wells. These types of earth quakes have occurred in South America, Central America, California, Northern Texas, Alaska, China, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, the Middle East, and during the December-2004 earthquake, and tsunami in the Indian Ocean, etc. All these places have experience earthquakes, and all these places have natural gas, and/or crude oil wells beneath the ground in the area where the earth quakes occurred, this is a very important point to remember. These natural gas, and/ or crude oil wells are located all around the planet. I believe there is crude oil, and methane gas wells in the countries of Haiti, and Chile, because there are no volcanoes in the immediate vicinity. These earthquakes are caused by the ignition of large pockets of natural gases. Natural gas is a very volatile gas once it is ignited. Once the gas is ignited it explodes, and expands, and push the crust apart, laterally, and / or upwards. Lateral, and upward movements of the crust can occur on land, or on the ocean floor. If upward movement of the crust occurs in a large body of water, a tsunami be generated. The size of the tsunami will depend on the area that’s push upward, and the speed at which the ocean floor was pushed up. These types of earthquakes can be controlled. To reduce the possibility of these types of earth quakes/ tsunamis, reduce the volume of natural gas in the natural gas/ crude oil well that generated the earthquakes. This will weaken any future earth quakes, or totally eliminate them all together. Caution, natural gas, and crude oil wells are part of the earth’s fuel systems. The pressure in natural gas, and crude oil well forces the crude oil, and natural gas into the lower mantle, and liquid outer core of this planet, where it combusted long before, it reaches the outer core. This in turn sustains the high temperature in the outer core (the earth’s engine). The more hydrocarbons forced into the outer core,and lower mantle the higher the temperature in the inner core, and the stronger, more violent volcanic eruptions, and the more stronger the earth’s magnetic field. The earth’s magnetic field sustains all life in this bio-sphere called earth. The pressure is generated in the lower mantle, and outer core of this planet, and is forced back up into the crude oil,and natural gas well. Tact tonic plates, and faults don’t cause earth quakes, because they can’t move on their own.

An Artificially Triggered Earthquakes
There are large pockets of natural gas wells all around this planet, including beneath the ocean floor. In nature the ignition source that’s responsible for earthquakes are large, hot, and the gases are expose to the ignition source for long periods of time. This allows enough natural gas to be ignited, and create enough pressure to move the crust. This is what happens when the natural gas come in contact with high temperatures in the lower mantle. These temperatures are above the flash point of natural gas, and crude oil. The powerful explosion (the epicenter) is silenced by the surrounding rock, and soil. That’s why the powerful blast can’t be heard by people on the surface. The explosion from the natural gas, and the epicenter are one in the same. It’s the explosion (the epicenter) that causes the shock waves, and it the expanding natural gases that causes the earthquakes. The shock waves from the explosion is picked up by richter magnitude scales. The richter scales pinpoint where the natural gas explosion (epicenter) took place. It is possible to drill down in the area of the epicenter of the last earthquake, and tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004, and artificial create another earthquake, and tsunami by following the instructions below. The gas will explode, expand, and move the crust. Pressure is the anatomy of an earthquake, and tsunami.

To artificially trigger an earthquake, and tsunami locate, and drill down into a large underground crude oil, and/ or natural gas well, and pump a large volume of air into the well for one to five days. insert a spark plug into the drill pipe, with the electrode protruding out on the side of the drill pipe.Now, fill the drill pipe with an air, and gas mixture. Now, sent electricity to the spark plug. The flames will travel down into the gas well, and ignite the air, and gas mixture inside the natural gas well. The large volume of natural gas will explode, and expand, and push the crust apart, or upwards, which will be seen as an earth quake. If a large area is pushed upwards in a large volume of water a tsunami will be generated, just like the December-2004 Indian earth quake, and tsunami. If someone were to ignite the gas in the Indian Ocean crude oil, and natural gas well another earth quake, and tsunami would be generated.

To prevent an earthquakes locate the gas in the area of the last earthquake, and drill down into the reservoir, and release the gas. The gas can be liquefied, and sold on the open market. Reducing the volume within the natural gas well will greatly decrease the possibility of another earthquake.

To detect type two earth quakes install a pressure gauges with an alarm assembly in the drill pipe, when the pressure in the drill pipe, and natural gas well reaches a certain point the alarm will sound. This system will detect an earthquake, before it actually occurs. Unfortunately, earth quakes, and volcanic activity are signs of a healthy planet. The stronger they are the healthier the planet.Type two earth quakes can be used as weapons. Earthquake for in land areas, and tsunamis for coastal area. Prove me wrong if you dare!

AUTHOR: Mr. Willie McDonald
URL: http://www.orbital-decay1.blogspot.com
E-MAIL: cdnld30 [at] gmail.com

The Local Council five (LC5) chairman Simon Wananzofu said “this is devastating; it is terrible.” “We can’t explain this but our appeal is for excavators to help retrieve the bodies trapped under the rubble and for relief.”

Bulambuli District

Bulambuli is one of the newly-created districts of Uganda at the border between Bugisu and Sebei, roughly 30 kilometres northeast of Mbale town.

Residents said the avalanche crashed and submerged parts of at least four hamlets between 1:00am and 3:00am on Sunday night following 17 hours of uninterrupted downpour, which also drenched large parts of central Uganda.

The rain continued to pound much of the Mt. Elgon region and National Environment Management Authority (Nema)’s Information Systems Specialist, Dr Mary Goretti Kitutu, speaking from the neighbouring Mbale District, predicted more mudslides. “The rain is the trigger for mudslides and people living higher up the mountainous areas have to run to lower, safer areas quickly,” she said. “If they do not leave the hills, there will be more disasters.
”
Gardening and construction activities are understood to have led to removal of grass and other vegetation cover crucial for holding rocks in place. As a result of these invasive actions, the soils are bare and easily get soaked and loosen, releasing dangerous mud and rock flows downhill, according to experts.

Last year, hundreds died in a similar incident nearby. Officials said then they would relocate up to half a million people to avoid any repeat.

However, following some local opposition to the plans only a few thousand – those deemed most at risk – were actually moved.

Red Cross workers and villagers are digging in the mud hoping to find survivors and retrieve bodies in the area 270km (167 miles) north-east of the capital, Kampala.

Several roads in the region have been cut after heavy rains over the past month.

Following last year’s landslide disaster on the slopes of Mount Elgon which killed over 3000 people, it was said that rapid population growth had led people to cut down trees on the mountains, making mudslides and flooding more active.

AUTHOR: Nangayi Guyson
URL: http://www.africanews.com/
E-MAIL: n.guyson [at] yahoo.com

The Company was hired by the Liberian government through the Public Works Ministry to carry out the pavement of the GSA Road.

But it appears that the pavement of the long time dusty road is doing more harm than good, as most of the GSA Road Community residents in Paynesville are now homeless, and are blaming the Liberian government for not doing much to improve their welfare.

The residents blamed the Government for awarding the contract to the SSF, which has on the other hand reportedly engaged into a cheap pavement work.

The residents described as substandard, the road construction work by the SSF, because according to them, the drainages on both sides of the road are not properly dug, and that the culverts are not professionally placed, thereby resulting to flood whenever it rains.

This is the second time in less than a week that residents of GSA Road Community in Paynesville have experienced such disaster. Some of the residents complained that they have lived in the community for decades and never experienced such flooding, refusing to attribute the situation to climate change.

The GSA Road Community residents challenged the Government to revisit the contract, to ensure that the unbearable situation is urgently addressed. The residents want the re-digging of both drainages and replacement of the culverts.

The Liberian government through the Public Works Ministry, and the Construction Company SSF have meanwhile taken exception to the GSA Road Community residents that they are responsible for the flooding. The Ministry and Company blamed the situation on what they call climate change, which they said have resulted to the continuous flooding of the GSA Road Community whenever it rains.

Public Works and SSF have meanwhile expressed regrets for the embarrassing situation, and promised the GSA Road Community residents that all will be done to address the problem.

AUTHOR: Shout Africa
URL: http://www.shout-africa.com
E-MAIL: news [at] shout-africa.com

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Shelter Progress
25 September 2010

NL-Aid received an alarming e-mail by Brother Gerard Haiti about mismanagement of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). They claimed that IFRC is not building emergency housing. According to Brother Gerard, IFRC is transferring money to criminal gangs in Haiti in order to enjoy protection in the dangerous neighborhoods of Port au Prince and in the rest of the country. The lists are not compiled by IFRC but by corrupt local officials employed by gangs. Reason for NL-Aid to do some research.

NL-Aid asked IFRC for evidence of emergency housing, by documenting the coordinates of Google Earth. Sebastien Kraaijeveld of IFRC Netherlands has put forward a list of 174 shelter constructions (see document above)

Statistics

NL-Aid received a detailed list of targets and goals.

Sebastien Kraaijeveld:
• About 15,000 people (2889 families) are helped with safe and improved accommodations (reference date, December 2010).
• 2947 temporary homes are built in Port-au-Prince, Léogâne, Jacmel, Marigot, Petit-Goâve and St. Marc.
• IFRC wants to solve the accommodation problems of 30,000 families (150,000 people).
• IFRC has received € 890 million for support to Haiti.
• IFRC had received € 20,49 million from The Netherlands (Samenwerkende Hulporganisaties - giro 555-)

Allegations

Matthew Cochrane (IFRC, Haiti), was very clear about the allegations:
• The allegations regarding gangs and corrupt local officials is wrong. I want to stress this very clearly. In all of our projects we work closely with communities. It is crucial that communities are involved in what we do. we need them to take ownership of the support we are trying to provide, and we also want to ensure that we can maximise the benefits for the community. For example, all of our construction is done by people who come from the local community. In that way we are providing people with employment opportunities and chances to learn new and valuable skills. And yes, by ensuring this community ownership, we can ensure that our sites and people are protected. Security is incredibly important in this country. We do not seek to work with gangs or gang members. However, gangs are a pervasive part of community life in Port-au-Prince, particularly in Cite Soleil and the surrounding areas. We cannot categorically say that we are not working with gang members, but we certainly don’t seek to do so.
• In terms of the beneficiary list: we choose beneficiaries based on vulnerability. We always prioritize the most vulnerable – that’s what the Red Cross does. At La Piste, where the land is owned by the government, we have begun to move families into our transitional shelters. The first 140 families are from the local deaf and mute community – a very marginalized group in Haiti and certainly a group that urgently needs support. The remaining residents on the site will also be chosen in terms of vulnerability (people with disabilities, the elderly, young families with lots of children, etc).
• About the coordinates of the houses: we don’t have GPS for every single house. We have coordinates for different project sites, but I’m not sure they are of much use. Oftentimes, shelters are dispersed across a sizeable area. Even when they are clustered together, you have the simple fact that Google Earth does not regularly update its imagery. As you know, they have only updated Haiti imagery twice since the earthquake. For example, there are now 198 houses up at La Piste with another 100 under construction or soon to begin. But the Google imagery is from November and only shows a handful of shelters. However, if you have colleagues here in Haiti, then we can take them to see as many of our projects that they want.
• Brother Gerards has not attempted to contact us here with his concerns. We would have certainly welcomed this dialogue.

We have discussed the communication of IFRC to Brother Gerard, but they do not respond to NL-Aid as well. Of course, it’s difficult to focus on documentation within the chaos of the remains of a shattered country. But, It still strange that only 174 shelters constructions are documented. Every house should be documented. NL-Aid wishes IFRC all best in their attempt to construct the accommodations of 150,000 people. We will continue to follow them.

Read more:
* Red Cross builds transitional shelters in Haitian capital

AUTHOR: Hans Sluijter
URL: www.NL-Aid.org
E-MAIL: info@www.NL-Aid.org