International Involvement in Breeding Rhinoceros in Indonesia

Kompas 27 Mar 10;

PANDEGLANG, KOMPAS.com - The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) in cooperation with an Indonesian counterpart is to establish a Javanese rhinoceros breeding center near the southern foot of Mount Honja in the Ujungkulon Natonal Park, Banten.

"IRF has stated its preparedness to fund the project which is to be implemented in collaboration with the Indonesian Rhino Foundation (YABI)," the park’s chief, Agus Priambudi, said here Friday.

Preparations to carry out the project had already started, and when the 4,000-hectare reserve was completed, it would be dedicated by Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah. If everything went well, work to build the center would begin later this year, he said, adding the area would then also serve as a wild life park.

He said the Javanese rhinoceros (rhinoceros sondaicus) population in the Ujung Kulon National Park in Pandeglang district now stood at 50 head. The number had remained relatively small because the animal was multiplying at a slow rate with most of them being studs.

So far, the one-horn rhinoceros in the park had never been killed by hunters and when dead rhinos were found, they proved to have died because of their advanced age or by an illness. The average Javanese rhino had a maximum life span of 40 years which was quite high among animals.

He said the park authority in cooperation with other parties including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was conducting periodic head counts on the rhino population.

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Aquatic Ecosystems Threatened by the Size of Non-Native Fish

ScienceDaily 27 Mar 10;

Fish introduced into rivers by human intervention over the past 150 years have modified the average body size of fish assemblages in many areas of the world. A study conducted by researchers from CNRS, the University of Toulouse, IRD and MNHN, as well as the universities of Antwerp (Belgium) and Utrecht (the Netherlands), shows that non-native fish are larger than native species by an average of 12 cm.

This modification in the size structure of fish assemblages poses a serious risk in terms of the alteration of aquatic ecosystems. The results of the project are published in the April 2010 issue of Ecology Letters.

Since the Neolithic era, human beings have been transporting and introducing new species. This practice has accelerated over the past 150 years along with the development of transportation methods and international trade. The phenomenon extends to freshwater fish, several hundred species of which have been introduced throughout the world, either unintentionally or for food or recreation purposes.

By cross-referencing data on the fish present in 1,050 river basins around the world, researchers at the University of Toulouse, CNRS, IRD and MNHN, as well as the universities of Antwerp (Belgium) and Utrecht (the Netherlands), have determined that the fish species introduced by human intervention are an average of 12 cm larger than the species naturally present in these rivers, which increases the average body size of the fish assemblages in a given river by about 2 cm. This modification affects, to a moderate but significant degree, Bergmann's empirical rule. A general rule that applies to most living beings, it expresses the fact that the farther an organism lives from the equator, the greater its body mass. This principle is the result of the joint evolution of species and their environment over millions of years, and, as this research reveals, humankind seems to be in the process of altering its profile.

Beyond these historical considerations, the introduction of species whose ecological characteristics differ from those of the native species can also affect the functioning of the ecosystem. Some of the larger species widely introduced throughout the world are predators (trout, black bass, catfish, etc.) whereas others are detritus feeders or herbivorous (carp, tilapias, etc.). These ecological characteristics are likely to modify the food chain or the recycling of organic matter. Modifications in the average body size of assemblages observed in river basins on a global scale could thus go hand-in-hand with modifications in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.

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Polynesia's Coral Reefs Wiped out by Cyclone Oli

ScienceDaily 27 Mar 10;

On 3-4 February 2010, tropical cyclone Oli hit western French Polynesia. From 7 February 2010, the Coral Observation Department at CNRS's National Institute of Earth Sciences and Astronomy (INSU), based at the Centre de recherches insulaires et observatoire de l'environnement (CRIOBE, CNRS/EPHE) in Moorea, rapidly undertook an inventory of the cyclone's effects after it had passed over two reference sites. The scientists were soon to discover the extent of the damage: the coral reef, which had already been made vulnerable by the invasion of a starfish that is a coral predator, had been almost completely destroyed.

On 3 February 2010, tropical cyclone Oli passed by the Leeward Islands, to the west of Tahiti. The islands of Bora Bora, Raiatea-Tahaa, Huahine and Maupiti were subjected to waves six to seven meters high and to wind gusts of 170 km/hour. In the evening of 3-4 February, it was the turn of Tahiti and Moorea (Windward Islands), followed by the island of Tubuai (Austral Islands) to undergo the cyclone's impact, with mean wind speeds of 210 km/hour. Four days later, after repairing the facilities, CNRS's INSU Coral Observation Department based at CRIOBE (1) measured the effects of the cyclone after it had passed over the two reference sites on the north coast of Moorea. The results left no room for doubt: cyclone Oli had planed down the coral populations and finished off a reef which was already vulnerable. In fact, Acanthaster, a starfish that preys on coral, had already decimated the coral populations on the outer slopes of Moorea (2). Although this was a cause for deep concern, the physical structure of the reefs, and especially that of the outer slope (which is the most favorable area for reef growth due to the well-oxygenated water) had nevertheless been little affected, since the skeletons of the dead colonies were still in place, holding out the promise of a possible revival.

However, after the cyclone had passed, the physical structure of Moorea's outer slopes (especially on the northern side) were found to be seriously and lastingly affected. Comparison of data before and after the cyclone struck reveals a very significant reduction in the relief of the outer slope. The rugosity indices (linear distance of developed reef/ linear distance of flat reef) have fallen by 50% at all depths down to 30 meters, as shown by statistical tests carried out at the sites studied. A large number of colonies present, even if dead as a result of predation by Acanthaster, were torn off by wave action and broken up by boulders. This time, it was the three-dimensional structure of the reef which was affected. This determines the habitat of much of the fauna associated with the coral, including many species of fish.

The damage varies according to depth. Thus it can be observed that:

* from 0 to 6 meters depth: a critical state of destruction. Most of the scattered live colonies have been broken off at the base. The area is totally covered with a fine pale yellow algal matting indicating an incipient algal bloom (a relatively rapid increase in concentration of algae). The percentage area covered with live coral is zero.
* from 6 to 10 meters depth: many live branched colonies are damaged but their base is still intact, which means that revival is possible.
* from 10 to 15 meters depth: the flanks of this area are in a critical state of destruction. The massive branched colonies (the vast majority of which were already dead following the Acanthaster episode but still intact before the cyclone) are no longer visible, although no algal matting is observed.
* from 15 to 30 meters depth: there is an abnormal covering of coral debris of small size (5 cm on average).
* apart from the coral, associated populations of fish, mollusks and sea urchins have also suffered considerably. For instance, many shellfish are in a state of decomposition between 6 meters depth and the surface.

Other observations carried out on the islands of Raiatea-Tahaa (Leeward Islands) and on Tubuai (Austral Islands) reveal an even more critical situation on the coasts that are most exposed to the action of cyclones.

Although it is still too soon to assess the impact of the cyclone on other species (fish, coral-eating starfish, etc), changes in the diversity and abundance of living organisms are to be expected. More precise data about fish populations are in the process of being collected, which will enable the real impact of the cyclone on these animal populations to be quantified. However, Oli appears to have been one cyclone too many for the reefs of some of the Polynesian islands (including Moorea, Tahiti, Raiatea, Tahaa, and Bora-Bora).

Two different scenarios are now possible: either the algae continue, dominating the system and getting the upper hand over the coral (leading to the death of the reef), which has happened in many reefs all over the world, or else the reef starts from scratch (its current state) and gets going again with assemblages of coral that are likely to be different (with regard to the species present, to abundance, etc), as it has always done before.

Since the 1980s, scientists have observed the resilience of the coral reef (3). Although its past record shows that it has always got going again, the series of stresses which it has recently undergone (coral bleaching, cyclones, local pollution, etc) give less cause for optimism. We shall know ten years from now, which according to scientists is the time needed for its regeneration. In this context, the surveillance and long-term monitoring of reefs is essential in order to take the measure of the resilience of coral reefs in Polynesia today.

(1) For around thirty years, CRIOBE has had access to monitoring data for coral communities and fish populations, regularly collected in the area as part of a Central and Eastern Pacific network of which it is in charge at international level.

(2) The coral was nearly wiped out as a result of predation by Acanthaster, populations of which have exploded since 2006. Percentages of live coral fell by 96.1 ((± 2.0) % on the north coast of Moorea (values at 12 meters depth), leaving coral cover at a mere 1.0 (± 1.1) %.

(3) The resilience of the coral reef was observed after having undergone 7 episodes of massive bleaching (1983, 1987, 1991, 1994, 2002, 2003 and 2007), several cyclones (Orama, Reva and Veena in 1983, Wasa in 1991 and Martin in 1997), and two outbreaks of Acanthaster planci, the starfish that preys on coral. (from 1979 to 1984, and since 2006).

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Abu Dhabi's 'green' city Masdar

Tom Heap, BBC News 28 Mar 10;

The world's first zero-carbon city is being built in Abu Dhabi and is designed to be not only free of cars and skyscrapers but also powered by the sun.

The oil-rich United Arab Emirates is the last place you would expect to learn lessons on low-carbon living, but the emerging eco-city of Masdar could teach the world.

At first glance, the parched landscape of Abu Dhabi looks like the craziest place to build any city, let alone a sustainable one.

The inhospitable terrain suggests that the only way to survive here is with the maximum of technological support, a bit like living on the moon.

The genius of Masdar - if it works - will be combining 21st Century engineering with traditional desert architecture to deliver zero-carbon comfort. And it is being built now.

Masdar will be home to about 50,000 people, at least 1,000 businesses and a university.

It is being designed by British architects Foster and Partners, but it is the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is paying for it. And it will cost between £10bn ($15bn) and £20bn ($30bn).

Renewable energy

The architects are turning the desert's greatest threat - the sun - into their greatest asset.
“ The quality of air will be better than any other street in the Gulf and in the world, and that alone will bring you safety, health and happiness ”
Kaled Awad, director of the Masdar project

They have built the biggest solar farm in the Middle East to power the city and to offset the inevitable burning of diesel and baking of cement in construction.

They are also experimenting. One project involves a circular field of mirrors on the ground, all reflecting towards a tower in the middle.

That, in turn, bounces the light down in a concentrated beam about a metre (3ft) wide to produce heat and drive generators.

But I was told firmly not to wander over and feel the warmth, as it could fry me in seconds.

The international team of engineers have real pride in their work.

This is more than building to them, it is a lab bench with the freedom to get it wrong, and Masdar's chief architect Gerard Evenden loves the concentration of expertise: "What Abu Dhabi is beginning to generate is the Silicon Valley of renewable energy."

Keeping cool

The Emirates have seen one of the world's most spectacular building booms paid for by oil and made tolerable by air conditioners, which also depend on oil to feed their vast appetite for energy.

But Masdar will have to be low temperature and low carbon.

Part of the solution is apparent the moment you walk in. And you do "walk in" because this is a city surrounded by a wall, a defined boundary.

Unlike the upward and outward sprawl of Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Masdar is compact like ancient Arab cities.

Streets are narrow so buildings shade each other, and the walls and roofs of buildings will do their bit to shed heat too.

The vertical faces are dressed with screens which look like a terracotta mesh. They keep the sun out but let the breeze in.

And as architect Gerard Evenden says: "Lunar technology has begun to influence our thinking."

One idea being tested is using a thin foil surface covering, a gas or vacuum blanket, to keep the heat out. It is an idea dreamt up for a moon base.

To encourage a breeze, wind towers are being built, drawing draughts through the streets without using energy.

Masdar will still use electricity for gadgets, some air conditioning and, most crucially, to desalinate sea water but, when it comes to power, the city has a simple mantra: "Only use energy when you have exhausted design."

Driverless vehicles

Conventional cars must be checked in at the city gates and then you can choose between the oldest and newest modes of transport.

At street level, it is all pedestrianised and the planners have done their best to keep the city compact and foot-friendly.

But if fatigue overtakes you, then slip down a level and meet the Personal Rapid Transit or podcars.

These driverless vehicles are guided by magnetic sensors, powered by solar electricity, and they stop automatically if an obstacle appears. They are programmed to go where you ask.

Kaled Awad, director of the Masdar project claims: "The quality of air will be better than any other street in the Gulf and in the world, and that alone will bring you safety, health and happiness."

The future success of the project will be clear to see.

On top of the wind tower, there will be a beacon betraying the city's actual energy use: red for too much, blue for just right.

It will be 45m (147ft) up and visible for miles around so, when Masdar is finished in five to 10 years' time, we will all know if it is in the red.

Costing The Earth: Eco-City Limits will be broadcast on Monday 29 March at 2100 BST on BBC Radio 4 and will be available on the BBC iPlayer .

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Protesters rally against Lake Baikal's mill operations

Reuters 27 Mar 10;

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Small protests took place across Russia Saturday against the reopening of a Lake Baikal paper mill over concerns it was polluting the world's largest freshwater lake.

Around 200 people gathered in St. Petersburg, thousands of kilometers away from the lake, demanding to revoke the government's January decision to restart Baikal Paper Mill.

Another 500 rallied closer to Baikal, which holds a fifth of the world's total surface fresh water, in the city of Ulan-Ude in the Buryat Republic, according to the organizers.

The loss-making Soviet-era factory was shut in October 2008 after the government ordered it to install a system for drainage away from the lake.

Environmentalists and politicians have staged several protests in recent months, saying the waste from the plant contains harmful substances that destroy the lake's rich wildlife of 1,500 species of animals and plants.

"Putin - hands off Baikal" read a banner displayed at the St. Petersburg rally.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signaled in August his willingness to lift the restrictions that prevented the plant from dumping waste into the lake after diving to the bed of the lake and consulting with scientists.

"I worked myself in a paper producing industry," Grigory Borisov, a 45-year-old engineer from St. Petersburg told Reuters. "I know that Baikal is getting polluted and no purifying facility will save the lake."

Several hundred supporters of the factory, which employs 1,600 people, gathered Saturday in the city of Baikalsk, on the shoreline of the lake, which remains sacred for some Siberian tribes, in a rally organized by the mill.

A closure of the mill could lead to another ecological problem for Baikalsk, which would be left without revenues to operate water purifying plants and sewage facilities for the town, the organizers said.

The decision to reopen the Soviet-era mill is seen as part of the government's broader support for Russia's single industry towns, often in remote areas.

The government owns 49 percent of the mill. Tycoon Oleg Deripaska owns a minority stake.

(Reporting by Denis Pinchuk; Writing in Moscow by Lidia Kelly)

Russians rally to save Lake Baikal
Yahoo News 27 Mar 10;

SAINT PETERSBURG (AFP) – Russians on Saturday protested at the reopening of a paper mill on the shore of Lake Baikal which environmentalists say endangers one of the world's largest freshwater reserves.

Nearly 200 people turned out in central Saint Petersburg, Russia's former imperial capital, as environmental organisations including Greenpeace warned of turning the scenic Siberian lake into a sewer.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in January gave the go-ahead for the reopening of the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill which has been shut since 2008 and is owned by billionaire oligarch Oleg Deripaska.

Demonstrators were planning to send a collection of toilet paper to Putin whose decision they argue would lead to discharging tonnes of sewage into the lake and incinerating waste on the lakefront.

"If authorities are in dire need of paper and need to destroy the Baikal, we're giving them paper," said Dmitry Artamonov, the local Greenpeace chief.

Lake Baikal, the world's deepest freshwater lake and a UN World Heritage site, is renowned for its unique flora and fauna and contains about 20 percent of the planet's freshwater reserves.

"The attitude toward the Baikal shows the pervasive ecological arbitrariness in the country," said 37-year-old demonstrator Yevgeny Kozlov.

WWF Russia representative Yevgeny Schwartz has warned that reopening the mill is dangerous "because they are going to resume the production of white cellulose with chlorine", which is a toxic gas.

About 100 people rallied in a similar protest in the eastern Siberian city of Ulan-Ude, Russian news agencies reported.

Nearly 700 people turned out to back Putin's decision in the town of Baikalsk where the mill is located.

Agencies said the plant employs about 1,600 people.

An official said in late January that the factory's closed water circulation system, built to avoid pollution to the lake, had not been put back into service.

The high cost of operating the system had led to the plant's closure in 2008.

Critics say the reopening of the mill also is an obstacle to the development of alternative economic activities for the region, mainly in tourism and ecology.

Russian protesters say factory to pollute world's oldest lake
Yahoo News 28 Mar 10;

MOSCOW (AFP) – Hundreds of people protested on Sunday in Moscow against the reopening of a factory environmentalists say will lead to waste being dumped into the world's oldest lake, a Greenpeace activist said.

"The fate of (factory) workers must be decided while taking into account the fate of (Lake) Baikal -- and not that of the oligarchs," Russian writer Valentin Rasputin said in a message read out during the protest.

Greenpeace activist Evgeny Usov put the number of protesters at nearly 1,000.

The cellulose factory, on the shores of Lake Baikal in Siberia, was closed in October 2008, but Prime Minister Vladimir Putin authorised its reopening earlier this year.

It was controlled until recently by Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, but he announced in February that slightly more than a quarter of his capital was transferred to one of his partners, making him a minority shareholder.

The state holds a 49 percent stake.

Cellulose is used to manufacture a range of products, including paper.

Environmentalists say its reopening will allow waste water to be dumped into the lake and rubbish to be burned on its shores.

Lake Baikal, a UN World Heritage site, is believed to be 25 million years old. It is the world's deepest and contains 20 percent of the globe's total unfrozen freshwater reserves, according to UNESCO.

On Saturday, nearly 200 people turned out in central Saint Petersburg as environmental organisations warned of turning the lake into waste water.

Nearly 700 people turned out to back Putin's decision in the town of Baikalsk, where the mill is located.

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Best of our wild blogs: 27 Mar 10

'Bad' biodiversity: Invasive alien species
from Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity!

Oriental Pied Hornbill in courtship mode
from Bird Ecology Study Group

Venus Drive
from Singapore Nature

Water from the sky... and we are not talking about rain
from Water Quality in Singapore

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$24m shortfall hits new building plans for Singapore's new natural history museum:

NUS project team for showcase needs to raise amount by June
Eisen Teo, Straits Times 27 Mar 10;

THERE are more than enough specimens, the expertise is there and the land has been allocated, but plans for Singapore's own natural history museum are falling short of one crucial element: Money.

The museum, to be situated in the heart of the National University of Singapore's (NUS) new University Town in about three years, is spearheaded by the NUS' department of biological sciences.

The department needs to raise at least $24 million by June this year, or it may have to look for a new site.

The Straits Times understands that since a $10 million donation from a mystery donor, which was received in January, the department has raised only an additional $1 million in public and corporate donations.

However, a minimum of $35 million is needed for a 6,000sqm to 8,000sqm building to store, study and exhibit about 500,000 specimens of mammals, birds, amphibians and other invertebrates - the oldest natural history collection of animals in Singapore.

Currently, less than 1 per cent of this collection is on display at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR) - a modest public gallery run by the department and housed within its premises on the NUS campus - because of a severe lack of space.

The two professors spearheading the project team of 13 - director of special projects at NUS' science faculty Leo Tan, and head of RMBR and NUS' Tropical Marine Science Institute Peter Ng - remain cautiously optimistic about coming up with the remaining cash for the project.

Professor Tan emphasised that the team is 'leaving no stone unturned' in reaching out to the public and corporations.

It will be sending out e-mail and letters to a list of past and potential contributors to persuade them to donate.

They also set up a website for donations last week at rmbr.nus.edu.sg/ buildingfund/index.html, and are mulling over the use of social networking tools like Facebook.

Prof Tan said: 'If you believe in something, pursue it, don't think of the consequences of failure.

'Do it because you know it's the right thing to do...and this museum is for our children and grandchildren, not for us.'

The proposed site in the University Town will be ideal for the museum, he added, and will be an iconic attraction for the Town.

If the June target cannot be reached, 'there will probably be another site', he said, 'but we think the people of Singapore deserve to get the museum as soon as possible'.

Since media reports highlighted the RMBR's collection last year, it has seen a sharp increase in visitors - from 400 walk-in visitors in 2008 to 6,841 last year.

Prof Tan, whose previous projects included the Science Centre and the successful bid to designate Labrador Park as a nature reserve, is adamant that his last project before he retires 'in several years' time' succeeds.

'Our collection is not just Singapore's heritage, but the heritage of South-east Asia too,' he said.

When contacted, an NUS spokesman said that the university will be providing information on its University Town at a media briefing on Monday.

More links
Plans for the new museum and how the public can donate on the Celebrating Singapore's Biodiversity blog.

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Singapore authorities on dengue alert with onset of El Nino phenomenon

Imelda Saad Channel NewsAsia 26 Mar 10;

SINGAPORE : Singapore authorities are on the alert for a rise in the number of dengue cases here with the onset of the El Nino phenomenon.

The Aedes mosquito breeds faster and the rate of infection is higher during warmer months.

The good news is that Singapore is seeing a downward trend in dengue cases. So far, the damage from the Aedes mosquitoes has been kept in check.

But the situation may change when the weather gets warmer, due to the El Nino phenomenon.

The full impact of Singapore's hottest month in February is likely to be felt in the middle of next month.

The last time there was an El Nino phenomenon in 1998, there was a worldwide resurgence in dengue. In Singapore, case numbers peaked at more than 5,000 during that year.

Another challenge is areas with emerging Types 1, 3 and 4 of dengue circulating in Singapore. These are the lesser predominant types of dengue here.

The dominant dengue type currently circulating in Singapore is Type 2.

Ironically, Singapore's success in keeping dengue cases low means that fewer people have built up immunity against the disease.

Tai Ji Choong, head operations, National Environment Agency, said: "Cases are likely to increase slightly, and of course we are approaching the warmer months of the year, so we expect (that during) these next few months, cases are likely to rise".

The good news is that Singapore's dengue prevention strategy has proven to be effective. Over the past three years, the number of cases has gone down consecutively. For example, last year, there were about 4,500 cases, about 40 per cent fewer compared to 2008.

And from January till the third week of March this year, there were about 980 dengue cases - down about 30 per cent compared to the same period last year.

This downward trend means Singapore has managed to break the cycle of dengue outbreaks.

Typically, dengue cases spike every five to six years.

The last peak was in 2004 and 2005 when there were 9,459 and 14,209 cases respectively. The next peak would be in 2011.

Based on this cycle, it is estimated that Singapore could expect to see about 49,000 dengue cases in 2011. But this is now unlikely to happen.

The NEA is hopeful that if a new type of dengue does not emerge in Singapore, cases could be capped at levels seen in 2009 and 2008.

An inter-agency task force has started its annual Intensive Source Reduction Exercise, targeting dengue hotspots and potential breeding grounds.

The NEA is also keeping its eye on areas with emerging cases of the less dominant dengue types.

It has expanded its network of GPs to take blood samples from patients.

Mr Tai said: "Now we want to prevent another serotype from getting predominant in Singapore. We are working very closely with the GPs, the hospitals and clinics to encourage them to send samples to us for blood testing, so we are able to know what are the serotypes that are circulating in Singapore, so that we can deploy resources over there to control the spread of these serotypes."

The NEA has also reminded the community to remain vigilant.

Mr Tai said: "We know that mosquitoes can breed anywhere, whether in public places or in homes. If everybody cooperates and is alert about stagnant water, I think together we can control the mosquito population and control the dengue situation in Singapore".

As with previous years, households account for the most number of breeding sites detected.

The most common places where mosquitoes are found to be breeding are domestic containers, flower pot plates and discarded receptacles. - CNA/ms

As the weather warms up, the war on dengue heats up
Alicia Wong, Today Online 27 Mar 10;

SINGAPORE - The continuing warm weather and the increasing likelihood of another dengue type overtaking the current one, has put the National Environment Agency (NEA) on alert. Highlighting these as factors for an anticipated spike in dengue cases, NEA said it has started working to increase its network of General Practitioners.

When cases of non-predominant dengue type are found during random nationwide sampling, the NEA's Environmental Health Institute will get GPs in the affected areas to submit more blood samples so it can narrow down the locations affected, and send officers to tackle the problem.

There are four dengue types: 1, 2, 3, and 4. Dengue 2 has been predominant here since 2007 and hence, most people would have immunity only to this.

Data shows the predominant dengue type changes every two to three years. After a change, the number of cases usually spikes. This was seen in 2007, when there was 8,826 cases, compared to 3,126 cases in 2006 when Dengue 1 was predominant.

Some areas found to have two or more Dengue 1, 3 or 4 cases this year include Woodlands, Veerasamy Road and Richards Avenue. NEA's environmental health department's head of operations. Mr Tai Ji Choong, said if there is no type change, the number of cases this year could hold at 2008 and 2009 levels.

There were 7,031 cases in 2008 and 4,497 last year. These figures bucked the six- to seven-year dengue cycle, where the number of cases rises until it peaks during the last year of the cycle. The current cycle which started in 2006 could theoretically have peaked in 2011 with a projected 49,200 cases.

But instead, there has been a downward trend, attributed to NEA's surveillance, enforcement and education efforts. The agency continues to urge the public to exercise vigilance to keep homes free of stagnant water.

Mr Tai also noted that the current El Nino conditions are expected to persist until end-April before gradually weakening. Singapore is also approaching the warmer months of the year, and cases are expected to rise, he said. Typically, cases start increasing from mid-April to June.

The last El Nino was in 2004 to 2005, which saw 9,459 and 14,209 dengue cases respectively. 2005 was also the peak of the dengue cycle. So far this year, there have been 978 cases as of March 20, about 30 per cent fewer than in the same period last year. Alicia Wong

Dengue alert
NEA watching for spike in cases here as less common strain surfaces
Karamjit Kaur Straits Times 27 Mar 10;

SINGAPORE is on alert for a possible spike in cases of dengue fever, especially for people coming down with a less common type of the virus.

The current warm spell, brought on by the El Nino weather phenomenon, is partly to blame, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said yesterday.

Though mosquitoes need stagnant water to breed, it is dry weather that not only accelerates breeding, but also makes the insects infective faster.

While there is no reason for alarm, the authority is on alert because there is evidence that Dengue Type 1, 3 and 4 may be becoming more rampant, said the head of operations at NEA's environmental health department, Mr Tai Ji Choong.

Random blood samples taken from those who caught the disease this year showed that cases of the less common viruses have surfaced in parts of Woodlands, as well as in Serangoon Road and Serangoon North.

In the last few years, Type 2 has been the more common dengue strain in Singapore, said Mr Tai.

But with the cycle usually changing every two to three years, experts believe another shift is imminent.

Although no one virus type is more dangerous than the other, the problem is that fewer people here are immune to Type 1, 3 and 4, said Mr Tai.

A person who has caught one dengue type has lifelong immunity to it, but not to the others.

The key to battling the potential threat is to ensure that the less dominant viruses do not spread and are quickly nipped in the bud when they occur.

The NEA is seeking the cooperation of the medical community for this.

Mr Tai said that the NEA will be working very closely with the hospitals and clinics to encourage them to send blood samples to the NEA for testing.

This will help the NEA determine what dengue type is out there.

'The more samples we receive, the more we are able to know what the situation is so that we can quickly deploy resources to control the spread,' he added.

As for the public, NEA's appeal is the same: Get rid of stagnant water.

Mr Tai said: 'If we are able to contain the situation and there is no change in the predominant dengue type, all things being equal... I think we will be able to further contain the problem this year... We hope this year will be as good as 2008 and 2009.'

Last year, a total of 4,498 people caught the disease, down from 7,031 in 2008 and 8,826 the year before that.

As at the end of last week, 978 cases have been reported so far this year, a 28.4 per cent drop over the same period last year.

By contrast, in nearby countries such as Malaysia for example, cases have been on the rise.

Singapore has done well to contain the dengue situation so far, said the NEA.

But with the warmer months approaching and El Nino expected to persist, more cases will be expected in the coming months, said Mr Tai, adding that the number typically peaks in June and July.

Apart from working with hospitals and clinics, NEA will continue to partner various government agencies, as well as town councils and industry bodies, to contain the mosquito situation.

After the last peak hit in 2004 and 2005, the agency went into full swing with a new action plan, which among other things, laid down how often each home, hawker centre or school should be checked.

Since then, regular meetings have been held with representatives of 26 government agencies and other partners to share information and keep tabs on what is happening on the ground.

Last year, more than 4.3 million inspections were carried out, compared to about 2.8 million in 2008.

The checks led to 16,977 breeding habitats detected last year, down from the 20,263 that were discovered the year before that.

It is good news but the work continues, said Mr Tai, noting: 'We know that mosquitoes can breed anywhere; whether in public places or at home. If everybody cooperates... I think together we can control the mosquito population and control dengue in Singapore.'

Clinical director of the Communicable Disease Centre Leo Yee Sin said: 'Should the outbreak (if it happens) be of the same scale as in 2004 to 2005, we are now better prepared owing to more dengue research after the earlier outbreaks leading to better understanding of disease management.'

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Ship-cleaning robots save costs and the environment

Lee Zhi Xin, Straits Times 27 Mar 10;

A ROBOT that can carry out a range of ship-cleaning processes in a productive, safe and environmentally friendly way was unveiled here yesterday.

The Envirobot, as it is called, removes paint on ship hulls and other surfaces at a speed of 70 sq m an hour - 10 times faster than traditional abrasive blasting guns.

The robot is magnetically attached to the surface so it eliminates the need for workers to position themselves on high scaffolding.

'Certain members of some shipyards tell you they get 15 to 20 letters from Members of Parliament every week because of pollution from blasting,' said Mr Winston Chua, executive director of Heatec Jietong Holdings, which helped develop the robot.

'Having a custom vacuum system for the collection and disposal of effluent from the paint removal process means air pollution is greatly reduced.'

Mr Chua added that the technology saves clean-up expenses for companies, which are the hidden costs from traditional grit blasting processes.

It is also more efficient as it allows many other processes to be carried out concurrently, which would otherwise be stopped due to the pollution.

Mr Chua said the response to the new technology has been enthusiastic and he expects the unit producing it to start contributing revenue in the second quarter of this year.

He did not disclose the cost of providing the grit blasting robot's services but said it is competitive with the market rate of $24 per sq m.

Mr Zainudin Nordin, the Mayor of Central Singapore District, said at the launch ceremony at the Pan Pacific Hotel that the technology can help in the campaign to raise productivity here.

'These blasting machines will greatly reduce our dependence on workers, with a higher quality result than achieved

with manual blasting,' said Mr Zainudin, who is also an MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

A unit of Heatec Jietong Holdings - Heatec Chariot Envirobotics - developed the robot with a joint venture partner from America, Chariot Envirobotics.

Heatec Jietong Holdings has exclusive rights to the robots in Asia.

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SG Changi wins bid to build Changi Motorsports Hub

Patwant Singh Channel NewsAsia 26 Mar 10;

SINGAPORE : The Singapore Sports Council has declared SG Changi the winner of the race to build Singapore's first permanent racing track.

SG Changi was one of three consortiums that submitted bids for the Changi Motorsports Hub. The other two bidders were Singapore Agro Agriculture and Sports Services.

SG Changi's plan features a S$280 million facility, which can seat 20,000 spectators.

The centrepiece is a four-kilometre track, which is longer than the current 3.7-kilometre one, and is good enough to meet FIA requirements.

It will be divided in half, so that separate races can take place.

It also has a 1.2-kilometre karting track.

Away from the track are lifestyle attractions like food and beverage outlets, a beach front and a museum.

SG Changi's the design and look were deemed innovative, flexible and functional.

SG Changi topped it up with an assurance that it has secured sound financing.

The next step is to start work and get it ready on time, by the end of 2011.

Vivian Balakrishnan, Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister, said: "Although it is a significant investment, nevertheless I think it is still of a size which can be executed fairly rapidly, and I am hoping that there would be no undue delays. We will now help facilitate all their approvals for building permits and the rest of it."

The government hopes the Hub will promote and develop motor sports and groom home grown talent.

A racing academy is one way to achieve this goal.

As the work begins to get the Hub up and running, the work also goes on to deliver quality track action.

Eddie Koh, director, SG Changi, said: "There are many international races and we have been in contact with some of these companies that run races. We are looking at GT races from Japan, from Europe, maybe from Asia also."

The Grade 2 track cannot host the Formula One race - which will continue to be a street race in Singapore for now - but there are plans to bring the Moto GP, which is the F1 of motor bikes.

Like the Singapore Formula One night race, the permanent track too will host events under the stars. And there are also plans to build a 120-room hotel, once the authorities give the green light. After all, the facility is being promoted as a tourist attraction. - CNA/il/ms

Motorsports Hub awaits building green light
SG Changi plans to start construction as early as June, provided it gets approval from all relevant authorities
Nisha Ramchandani, Business Times 27 Mar 10;

CONSTRUCTION on Singapore's much anticipated Changi Motorsports Hub could flag off as early as June or July, if all goes according to plan.

The winning consortium, SG Changi, is targeting to have the $330 million mega project completed by end 2011, and the first race underway by 2012.

If SG Changi manages to get approval from all the relevant authorities, construction could kick off in three-four months, said director Thia Yoke Kian.

SG Changi, which edged out both Singapore Agro Agriculture and Sports Services to win the bid, came out tops based on the innovative design, flexibility and functionality of its proposal, financial strength of the consortium as well as the quality of racing events, the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) revealed at a press briefing yesterday.

'We can only say we would have enough funding,' confirmed SG Changi director and Singaporean lawyer Eddie Koh in response to a query on whether the group had secured sufficient financing.

The majority of the investment is said to stem from the consortium's Japanese counterparts, director and former Japan GT driver Genji Hashimoto and director Fuminori Murahashi.

SG Changi's proposed project, to be built on a 41 hectare sea-facing site near Changi Airport, will include an FIA Grade-2 3.7 kilometre racetrack designed by track specialists from Japan, a CIK Grade A 1.2 km go-kart track plus seating capacity for some 20,000 spectators.

Meanwhile, its motorsports academy will train talent from the motoring community with regard to both racing and engineering, with the long-term aim of creating ambassadors who can represent Singapore on an international platform. SG Changi has linked up with Korea-based E-Rain Racing Academy and a German consultant for the motorsports academy.

To cater to a wider audience beyond race fans, the motorsports hub was designed as a lifestyle venue, integrating F&B and retail facilities, a motorsports museum, a club house, a bonded warehouse and even a hotel.

The group's winning bid also included 'green' initiatives, such as installing solar panels on the roof of the main grandstand, which could be used to generate power.

'This exciting new project will be a great boost for motorsports in Singapore by providing a permanent base to groom motorsports talent, promote industry development, host new international events and provide more entertainment and lifestyle options for Singaporeans and tourists,' affirmed Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.

As it currently stands, the racing calendar is expected to include international and regional events, such as the SuperGT series, Formula Nippon and the Japanese Formula 3 series. On the local front, events such as the Karting Championship, Drag Racing Championship and Drifting Championship are slated to take place.

While the Grade 2 track will not be able to host the Formula One (F1), the group is in talks to bring in MotoGP - the F1 of motorcycling - although the track first has to get the thumbs up from the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).

For organisations such as the Traction Circle Club, the upcoming motorsports hub will mean greater convenience and potentially, cost savings.

The club, whose members are made up of motoring enthusiasts, makes regular treks to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) for 'track days', said president Cheong Chung Kin.

SG Changi will operate the Changi Motorsports Hub for a 30-year period.

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Earth Hour? How about endangered species hour?

Christian Science Monitor 26 Mar 10;

Just as Earth Hour can pressure governments on global warming, so can consumers push politicians to protect endangered species such as bluefin tuna, several kinds of sharks, and corals -- all of which were abandoned at a UN wildlife conference.

Millions of people around the world are switching off their lights for Earth Hour Saturday night in a growing grass-roots effort to conserve energy and draw attention to global warming.

But can they also stop eating shark soup or sushi made from bluefin tuna?

That kind of consumer action may be what it takes to save certain endangered marine animals, because governments decided this week not to come to their rescue. About a half-dozen shark species, the bluefin tuna, various corals (yes, corals are animals), and the polar bear all failed to receive international protection at the meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

(For Monitor coverage of the CITES meeting, click here.)

This United Nations wildlife group meets every few years to consider whether to restrict the international trade of threatened plant and animal life. Over 35 years, CITES has helped preserve 5,000 animal species and 28,000 plant species by limiting their harvest and sale.

At the meeting just ended, the 175 countries that gathered in Qatar, United Arab Emirates, beat back efforts to relax the trade ban on elephant ivory. And they added protections to for rhinos, various reptiles sold as pets, and wild tigers.

But conservationists were deeply disappointed by the inaction on marine life, which took up more of the CITES agenda than ever before. The threat in oceans and seas has grown. Stocks of the bluefin tuna, for instance, have fallen more than 80 percent since 1970, much of it during the last decade. The fish is a big money-maker, and can sell for $100,000 per fish.

Japan, which imports most of the tuna, led the fight against a proposed ban. Nations where livelihoods depend on fishing the tuna and on harvesting other marine species held sway over countries, including the US, that pointed to scientific evidence of drastically dwindling populations.

Commerce vs. conservation is often at the center of environmental battles, whether they involve global warming or the spotted owl.

Over the years, environmentalists have learned that arguing solely on behalf of other life forms is not enough. They’ve had to earn degrees in economics and sociology to learn to marry their causes with the human one – explaining, for instance, that humans depend on bats to pollinate or on coral reefs to support other marine life that is advantageous to mankind.

In Qatar, the concern about lost livelihoods during difficult economic times was particularly acute. But jobs that depend on harvesting endangered species will quickly disappear if those species are not protected.

Governments should provide incentives to manage endangered ecosystems, and to help people transition into other kinds of work. Instead, they’re hastening the demise of species and the jobs related to them.

As countries prepare for the next CITES meeting in Thailand in 2013, they should not forget the marine species that were turned down this time. Grass-roots pressure can do much to push governments toward a more responsible approach to marine life management. On Saturday, when people switch off the lights at 8:30 p.m. for Earth Hour, they should also consider switching off their appetites for bluefin tuna or pink and red coral jewelry. And for longer than just an hour.

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Earth Hour in Singapore

Support to save environment grows as more groups rally behind cause
Lynda Hong Channel NewsAsia 26 Mar 10;

SINGAPORE : Earth Hour is less than 24 hours away, and the support for this environmental cause has been growing over the week.

It is a normal day at Anglican High on Friday until 12.15pm. Then the lights went off, the fans stopped spinning, and the aircon died.

Lessons moved outdoors - for some respite from the stuffy classrooms. For an hour, students and teachers tried to live without electricity and hopefully, learn the value of Earth Hour.

Tey Min Li, Anglican High School student, said: "Some of us may think that this is a basic right. So if we were to study in an environment without the lights and the fans, we would feel disgruntled.

"But there are little changes we can make, like for example, we could lower the speed of the fan and we can use energy efficient lamps."

This support for Earth Hour is also growing in the heartlands. Marine Parade Town Council is making the big switch-off on Saturday.

From 7pm, 76 sets of non-essential lighting will be switched off for 12 hours. These include landmark structures, park signages, banner posts, decorative lighting and roof top structures.

The message to all 68,000 households is that it is possible to save more in electricity and water.

Seah Kian Peng, MP for Marine Parade GRC, said: "All along, we are always trying to inculcate, not just within the town council, but also to all residents, ways to cut down on electricity, ways to save water."

The campaign to show support for the environment can be observed around the world on Saturday.

Organiser World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) will be holding the main event at the Esplanade Park.

To support Earth Hour and pledge your support, go to this website.

- CNA/al

More companies observing Earth Hour this year
Esther Ng, TODAY Channel NewsAsia 26 Mar 10;

SINGAPORE: More companies are observing Earth Hour this year with a slew of activities including countdown parties, "going lift-less" and dining by candlelight. But some green groups and environmentalists said more could be done.

"It is good that more businesses are coming onboard, but these displays seem rather ritualistic and we have gone past advocacy already," said Mr Tay Lai Hock, president of environmental group Ground Up Initiative. "We need to reduce our carbon footprint and energy consumption on a daily basis."

Parties, meanwhile, generate a lot of waste or rubbish, said Ms Olivia Choong, founder of Green Drinks, a non-profit group.

According to her, lighting candles are not environmentally friendly as one burning candle generates about 16g of carbon dioxide per hour.

Still, Green Drinks did organise a film screening to commemorate Earth Hour last night.

It would be "more practical to get Singaporeans to give air-conditioning the flick as it is the biggest energy guzzler in Singapore", said self-confessed greenie Joe Lim.

Tomorrow, Concorde Hotel Singapore will switch off its lobby lights, leaving only the counter lights at its front office and entrance on. All lights at the hotel's facade will also be off.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Singapore is partnering Environmental Challenge Organisation (ECO) Singapore, in educating 20,000 households around the island on how to conserve energy.

Some 1,200 youth will spend the afternoon in Bedok, Siglap, Hong Kah and Pasir Ris, knocking on doors to distribute recycled paper bookmarks and share tips on energy conservation.

In a bid to incorporate more energy and climate saving initiatives into its systems, Coca-Cola changed all 319 metal halide bulbs in the warehouse and loading bay of its Tuas plant to energy saving light bulbs last year.

Not content with switching off lights for one hour, students from Nanyang Technological University's Earthlink, an environmental club, have launched a two-week campaign to get their peers to use the stairs and stop using straws for their drinks.

This is the third year that World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is organising Earth Hour, and director Carine Seror is heartened by the response.

"When we started in 2008, we didn't have a proper campaign and we didn't know how many companies took part, but this year 400 companies have pledged on our website and I expect the number to be higher after Saturday," she said.

WWF received 450 pledges last year.

Singapore landmarks heed the call
Straits Times 27 Mar 10;

Changi Airport will be switching off its decorative lights and dimming operational lights within terminal buildings and malls.

In Sentosa, Singapore's first integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa, will dim or switch off non-essential lights. Underwater World will also switch off roof lights, skylights, signboard lights and lamp posts in the carpark.

CBD: Iconic monuments and landmarks such as The Merlion, The Fullerton Hotel, One Fullerton and Clifford Pier will have some of their lights switched off. So will the Singapore Flyer's multi-coloured lightings on the wheel's rim. Decorative lightings on bridges and riverbanks along the Singapore River will be switched off for an hour.

At the Esplanade Park, there will be a concert held to raise awareness for Earth Hour.

Orchard Road: More than 10 shopping malls have agreed to dim or switch off their lights in support of Earth Hour. Some of these are 313@Somerset, Ion Orchard, Ngee Ann City, Plaza Singapura, Orchard Central, Tangs, The Centrepoint, The Heeren, Wheelock Place and Wisma Atria. The street lights along the shopping district will also be switched off for the hour.

Hotels: Hilton Singapore, Concorde Hotel and Shangri-La Hotel will be switching off their facade lights for this event. The former two will also be encouraging their guests to switch off the lights in their rooms.

Where will you be when the lights go out?
Singapore buildings and companies will turn off the lights between 8.30pm and 9.30pm to support Earth Hour
Abigail Kor, Business Times 27 Mar 10;

IF Suntec Singapore looks dimmer than usual between 8.30pm and 9.30pm tonight, it's because it is 'going dark to become green'.

As Earth Hour comes upon us, this iconic Singapore building will switch off all the lights that are not essential and then some. Before that, its staff will dine with the lights dimmed.

It is among the hundreds of local companies that have pledged to support Earth Hour 2010, a global initiative fronted by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) that stresses the need to do something about climate change.

And when the lights go out, some hoteliers will add a dash of romance to spice up a good cause. Guests dining in Ritz Carlton's Summer Pavilion and Greenhouse restaurants, or having drinks at its Chihuly Lounge will enjoy a candle-lit ambience.

Similarly, Four Season's One-Ninety bistro and Rasa Sentosa's Barnacles seafront restaurant will offer candlelight dinners during Earth Hour.

'We are delighted by the increased interest and commitment from businesses this year,' said Amy Ho, managing director of WWF Singapore. Some 500 companies here are backing Earth Hour 2010, compared to 450 last year.

Suntec Singapore's staff will even turn off lights and electronic appliances at home. 'As a leader in the MICE industry, we must set the pace for global efforts within the industry so we can all work towards a committed call to finding solutions on climate change,' said Pieter Idenburg, CEO of Suntec Singapore.

HSBC Singapore is taking a similar approach - switching off lights in its offices and inviting employees to do the same wherever they are.

ComfortDelGro, which became the first local transport company to be awarded the Green Office Label, says that more than 22,000 of its staff and their families are making it a point to switch off their lights during Earth Hour. Staff have also been urged to celebrate the occasion by having a romantic candlelight dinner at home.

'We are firmly committed to the green movement, ensuring that we don't just talk the talk, we walk the walk,' said Tammy Tay, chairman of the group's green committee.

Opting for a more novel way of supporting the climate change initiative, Datacraft Asia, an IT solutions provider headquartered in Singapore, is giving out lanterns to all its employees in the Asia-Pacific.

These lanterns are a symbol of hope for WWF's Create a Lantern for Earth Hour campaign, and staff are encouraged to use them to light up their homes when they turn the lights off.

To prepare for the hour, Datacraft switched off the lights in all its offices across the globe between 12noon and 2pm yesterday.

Started as a one-city initiative in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has grown into a global event, with more than 4,000 cities in 88 countries taking part in 2009.

Landmarks such as New York's Empire State Building, the Roman Coliseum and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge will be swathed in darkness as part of the initiative.

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