SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT-ENERGY SERVICE

It is predicted that over the next two decades, sustained economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region will require energy services in an order of magnitude much larger than today’s to meet the energy needs of industrialization and improved living standards. However, the situation in many rural areas is critically different as local demands for energy often outstrip availability. It is estimated that more than a billion people in rural areas of the Asia-Pacific region lack access to modern energy services, leading to a dependence on non-commercial energy supplies to meet basic needs. Energy is essential for domestic purposes, such as cooking, heating and lighting, as well as for agricultural and rural industry purposes. This means that the objectives of many of the Millennium Development Goals will not be met unless rapid progress is made in extending efficient and affordable energy services to the poor in support of development activities. The 40th Energy Resources Development Series publication Energy Services for Sustainable Development in Rural Areas in Asia and the Pacific: Policy and Practice focuses on an in-depth analysis of the issues, policies and mechanisms in widening access to energy services in support of achieving sustainable development in rural areas of Asia and the Pacific. It is largely based on materials and papers presented at the 2004 UNESCAP Expert Group Meeting on Energy Services for Sustainable Development in Rural Areas. However, it also touches on how enhancing eco-efficiency can be a strategy to address the growing pressure on environmental sustainability resulting from the region’s rapid economic growth.

NEW YEAR EVE- SPECIAL GIFT FROM NATURE

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Tornadoes fueled by unusually warm air pummeled the South and Midwest on Friday, killing at least six people and injuring dozens more across Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois. Forecasters said storms could hit along a stretch from near Chicago to New Orleans later in the evening as New Year's Eve celebrations begin.

Three people died in the northwestern Arkansas hamlet of Cincinnati when a tornado touched down just before sunrise, and three others died when a storm spawned by the same weather system ripped up the Missouri countryside near Rolla. A number of storms were also reported in the St. Louis area.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said storms later Friday could do more damage from northern Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico as communities prepare to mark the start of the new year. Forecasters posted tornado watches for the region that were set to run until 8 p.m.

GLOBAL WARMING

33 volcanic quakes rock Mt. Bulusan

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 33 volcanic earthquakes related to Mt. Bulusan’s volcanic activity on Monday.It said one of the recorded quakes was an explosion type that accompanied the ash emission at 7:22 a.m. last Sunday.A two-kilometer ash column coupled by a grayish steam was monitored last Nov. 21, obscuring the volcano’s summit for most of the day.During the early morning on Monday, a weak emission of white steam from the volcano’s crater and known thermal vents was observed.The alert status around Mt. Bulusan remained at Level 1, which means that the public is not allowed to enter the four-kilometer radius of the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) because the area is at risk to sudden steam and ash explosions.Earlier, volcanologist Julio Sabit said more explosions are expected tooccur in the coming days due to the volcano’s recent reactivation.But he said there are no indications that there will be a strong explosion similar to Mt. Bulusan’s activity in 2006-2007.Due to the prevailing wind direction, residents located in the northwest and southwest sectors of the volcano are advised to take precautions against ash falls.Phivolcs advised civil aviation authorities to warn pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may pose hazards to aircraft.

Reflection on Tsunami-the aftermath-phuket,Thailand

Inspired by true accounts of the killer tsunami that devastated coastal communities across Southeast Asia, this tale of loss, survival and hope follows a group of fictional characters whose lives are irrevocably changed by the traumatic natural disaster of December 2004. The movie really show what happen after tsunami hit Phuket, Thailand. it was really touching and everyone came to know half the truth about what happen. the tourist and the local were really miss everything the own. the worst part was most of them lost their family members and the people they love. most of them don't really know their family members really live or die. no one ever no what would be the effect of tsunami until it shows the Asian what tsunami really mean. Tsunami attacked in 2004 in Asian countries claimed an estimated 224073 live across 12 countries. There are 176300 bodies were recovered and 50773 bodies still missing. Some of them were died on the way to hospital. The limited access to the disaster areas made it difficult for speedy evacuation as well as medical aid. This happens due to lack of accessibility in those countries. Thousands of survivors are still trying to rebuild their homes and their lives. The limited resources which the government has at the striking time were not enough to serve everyone who involve in the attack.

TORNADO in MALAYSIA

These two pictures captured by The Star reader Ng Hock Hoo show a mini twister sweeping through Mata Air, Jejawi, Perlis. Roofs were blown off while signboards were uprooted and houses damaged during the incident, which took place on Thursday evening. A van was also overturned.Ng, an assistant maintenance manager in his 40s, captured the images while driving from Mata Air to his home in Arau.

“I have seen something similar before but never this close. I have also never seen this kind of damage before.

“It happened just before a heavy rain and thunderstorm. The ‘twister’ started moving a few kilometres ahead of me and caused a lot of damage and a traffic jam,” he said yesterday.

A Meteorological Department forecast officer said an intense thunderstorm could create very strong winds.

“There will be an up-and-down draft if there is a strong thunderstorm cell. There can be very strong winds when a thunderstorm is forming,” the officer said.

However, it was not a twister or tornado since it was small with low magnitude, the officer said.

His counterpart in George Town said that it was an isolated incident, reports FONG KEE SOON.

“Our radars in Butterworth and Bayan Lepas did not detect any unusual cloud formations or strong winds associated with cyclones over the last two days,” he said, adding that the department would study the video recording of the phenomenon to determine the causes.

Bernama reported that the gale damaged more than 50 houses, foodstalls and motor workshops in Jejawi, near Kangar. The van, belonging to a security firm, was at a workshop.No one was reported injured in the 6pm incident, according to Perlis Welfare Committee chairman Mansor Jusoh.

Rohana Abdul Rahman, 52, said she was alone at home when she felt the house move.

“All of a sudden, the front door gave way and the roof blew off,” said Rohana, who lives with her husband and daughter Raja Raine Shasha Raja Shariman, 30, who works at Universiti Malaysia Perlis.

Mansor said the gale caused damage estimated at more than RM100,000 but the actual amount was expected to be known after a welfare department census.He said a relief centre was opened last night but the victims preferred to stay with relatives.He said Baitulmal Perlis and the Perlis Human Development Unit would help the victims repair their houses.

Tsunami attact in INDONESIA-2010

After a tsunami triggered by Monday’s powerful earthquak more than 270 people are killed and many are missing in Indonesia. The earthquake triggered a 10-foot tsunami that pounded remote island villages in western Indonesia, killing at least 113 people and leaving scores more missing. Indonesian authorities appealed for aid on Wednesday after a tsunami smashed into an island chain and a volcano erupted less than 24 hours later, leaving scores dead and thousands homeless.Disaster officials were still trying to reach more than a dozen villages on the Mentawais — a popular surfer’s destination that is usually reachable only by a 12-hour boat ride.