Last week I watched the two much publicized CNN episodes called Planet in Peril. The show took the viewer to multiple continents and multiple countries. The show was hosted by Anderson Cooper, Dr Sanjay Gupta- CNNs medical correspondent and Jeff Corwin -the familiar face from Animal Planet. The Part I dealt with species getting extinct at a very fast clip in the last few years. They particularly talked about Madagascar and the biodiversity found there which is unique to that place and can not breed in any other environment. Madagascar Tortoise was illegally up for sale in a Bangkok market. The part I also dealt with pollution in China, the scarcity for food and water etc. Part II focused on Greenland , the melting glaciers/ice ( three times size of California in one year, if I heard it right), the underfed polar bears leaving under the threat of extinction. This part took us to Alaska’s Northern frontiers, Greenland and Amazon rain forests.They also took to one island somewhere in Africa which was fast getting submerged under sea water. All the evidence pointed towards climate change, global warming. The episode concluded with interview of some skeptics, who think it is inconclusive at best that global warming is being caused by human beings reckless use of fossil fuels.
I thought the episodes were done nicely and must have made many people to think. I for one, was convinced that an urgent action is called for to save this planet. The earth resources are being pushed to the limit, it was all evident from looking at starving population in some part of the world, species getting extinct and pollution causing cancer to young people. I admire the high profile people who have associated themselves with the subject, notably Al Gore. I hope he can make a difference! These episodes have gotten me thinking- Is there a way I can help in my individual capacity? Nothing jumps at me immediately, but I will keep looking. Has to be something I can do to help fight this battle. May be help develop a software solution to optimize energy uses at big energy consumers- mining companies, fleet operators even airlines-although I don’t have much experience in that industry. It is not evident today which way I can help, but I am sure I will find something to make my constructive contribution and be as carbon neutral as I can get!!

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Last week I watched the two much publicized CNN episodes called Planet in Peril. The show took the viewer to multiple continents and multiple countries. The show was hosted by Anderson Cooper, Dr Sanjay Gupta- CNNs medical correspondent and Jeff Corwin -the familiar face from Animal Planet. The Part I dealt with species getting extinct at a very fast clip in the last few years. They particularly talked about Madagascar and the biodiversity found there which is unique to that place and can not breed in any other environment. Madagascar Tortoise was illegally up for sale in a Bangkok market. The part I also dealt with pollution in China, the scarcity for food and water etc. Part II focused on Greenland , the melting glaciers/ice ( three times size of California in one year, if I heard it right), the underfed polar bears leaving under the threat of extinction. This part took us to Alaska’s Northern frontiers, Greenland and Amazon rain forests.They also took to one island somewhere in Africa which was fast getting submerged under sea water. All the evidence pointed towards climate change, global warming. The episode concluded with interview of some skeptics, who think it is inconclusive at best that global warming is being caused by human beings reckless use of fossil fuels.
I thought the episodes were done nicely and must have made many people to think. I for one, was convinced that an urgent action is called for to save this planet. The earth resources are being pushed to the limit, it was all evident from looking at starving population in some part of the world, species getting extinct and pollution causing cancer to young people. I admire the high profile people who have associated themselves with the subject, notably Al Gore. I hope he can make a difference! These episodes have gotten me thinking- Is there a way I can help in my individual capacity? Nothing jumps at me immediately, but I will keep looking. Has to be something I can do to help fight this battle. May be help develop a software solution to optimize energy uses at big energy consumers- mining companies, fleet operators even airlines-although I don’t have much experience in that industry. It is not evident today which way I can help, but I am sure I will find something to make my constructive contribution and be as carbon neutral as I can get!!