SHELL TECHWORKS

SHELL TECHWORK is collaborating with technology entrepreneurs and start-ups outside the industry to help solve one of the world’s greatest challenges: how to meet growing demand for affordable energy with less environmental impact.

Shell TechWorks is an open innovation programme which brings together entrepreneurs and technology start-ups from outside the energy industry. Its goal is to find faster, more cost-effective ways to deliver technologies that the industry needs, for environments where safety is paramount, to produce more energy now and in the future.

Founded 2013 in the USA as a commercial start-up company inside Shell. Its office is located in the world’s most innovative square mile, in Cambridge, Massachusetts – a hub for leading technology organisations including Google, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Microsoft, Draper, Apple and Novartis.

For more information, contact techworksboston@shell.com

CLIMATE CHANGE: WINTER WEATHER HEADING FOR THE WEST

Another round of snow is in the forecast for the western half of the country, but this time we are forecasting feet for some areas.  Road trips for Thanksgiving holiday this weekend remains a concern for many as another round of snow forecast towards e western half of the country.

Over the weekend, winter weather alerts were issued and also in to the beginning of the new week as winter storm across the west. A bit of winter precipitation in Arizona with the weather advisory effect all through Sunday for Eastern and Northern Arizona.

Siskiyous, Cascades and Wasatch Mountains are expecting the greatest accumulation. At the mountainous areas one could see up to two feet of snow.  The Rockies also will get fair share of snow with at least half a foot in their forecast by the end of the weekend.

LAGOS: BEST SECURITY, SAFETY CONSCIOUS STATE IN AFRICA

Lagos emerges best security, safety conscious State in Africa at the award ceremony held in Johannesburg, South Africa organised by the Security Watch Africa (SWA).

The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command also emerged as the best anti-crime police squad in West Africa, while the RRS Commander, ACP Olatunji Disu took home the award of the most outstanding police operational officer in West Africa.

The awards were presented to officials of the State Government at the 2016 lecture series of SWA organized in partnership with Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA) and the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

While receiving the award for the State on behalf of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, thanked the organizers for recognizing Lagos State, saying that it was gratifying to note that the efforts of government on security were appreciated.

He said ever since emerging as Governor of Lagos State, Mr Ambode has made safety and security one of the focal objectives of his administration as he believes that there cannot be any development in the absence of security.

“I want to assure this gathering that Governor Ambode is very much committed to the security of lives and property of the people of the State and he is not tired of daily improving on the security situation in the State. The Governor believes that businesses cannot thrive in an environment devoid of safety and security, hence the massive efforts and initiatives geared toward security,” Bello said.
On his part, RRS Commander, who took time to lecture the gathering on the duties of the RRS, said being a unit of the Lagos State Police Command, the Squad is responsible for robberies and emergencies like collapsed building and other related situations.

He said the RRS is usually the first responders in emergency situation, adding that the Unit was also blessed with highly dedicated officials who carry out 24-hour job on a daily basis.

Speaking on the awards to RRS and to him, Disu said: “We like to appreciate the awards given to us and this will surely go a long way in motivating our men back home to know that everything they do is appreciated because the belief of an average police man in Nigeria is that police job is a thankless job and nobody appreciates what they do, but the awards will also spur us to better serve the people,” the RRS Commander said.

IT'S BLACK FRIDAY

Walmart, Target, Best Buy roll out Black Friday deals

Walmart, Target and Best Buy have rolled out their Black Friday plans.
Target (TGT) will open its doors at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Best Buy (BBY) stores will open an hour earlier at 5 p.m. Best Buy will also close at 1 a.m. early Friday and reopen at 8 a.m.

And Walmart (WMT) will start a Black Friday event at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Most Walmart stores are open 24 hours.

All three major retailers are also announcing expanded plans for digital and in-store deals.

Related: Macy's is opening even earlier on Thanksgiving

Walmart says the majority of its Black Friday deals will be available on its website starting at 12:01 a.m. ET on Thanksgiving. It's advertising HDTVs from $125 to $398, drones for as little as $30 and more than 750 DVDs and Blu-ray movies starting at $1.96.

Best Buy is offering hundreds of dollars in savings on Macbook Airs and DSLR cameras. The company is also selling video games for less than $30 and the Fitbit Charge 2 for less than $130, savings of $30 and $20, respectively.

Related: Amazon to customers: Start shopping

Target, meanwhile, is offering a selection of deals through Thursday, including 30% off shoes and 25% off Apple TV models. The company says it is also bringing back its 10 Days of Deals and Black Friday Presale promotions.

PRESIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT GIVEN TO THE MILITARY RECENTLY HAS CRASHED

Presidential Aircraft Crashes in Makurdi, Benue due to lack of expertise

Agusta AW 101, one of the presidential aircraft recently given to the military, has crashed at the Nigerian Air Force base in Makurdi, Benue State.

The plane, a medium-lift helicopter specially designed for military operations, reportedly crashed due to poor training of crew members who manned its operation, according to a report.

The rate of casualties is currently unknown and there is no official statement from the Nigerian army.

Extent of the damage, still very sketchy. The aircraft was repainted after hand over from the initial white and green to camouflage.

MONTHLY ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION EXERCISE CANCELLED IN LAGOS

The Lagos State Government has cancelled the monthly environmental sanitation exercise held every last Saturday of the month, following resolution arrived at in Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting which approved the need for a review of the environmental laws and procedures in the state in order to meet the present day challenges and to promote a clean and healthy.

The statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde said “It is no longer appropriate to restrict movement of people for three hours in a mega city like Lagos at a time they should be pursuing commercial and entrepreneurial activities.

“In the last two decades, Lagos has grown exponentially into a mega city with the attendant huge environmental problems associated with managing a population of over twenty million people.

“But sadly, the environmental laws, policies and procedures being practiced in the State have not been able to match the phenomenal growth and the dream of a 24-hour economy, hence the need for the reform.”

Ayorinde said the State Government was aware of a recent Court of Appeal judgment.

He said that the thrust of the fresh initiatives, among others, is to promote holistic and modern solutions to the unique environmental challenges confronting the State, while encouraging citizens to voluntarily partner with government to achieve the desired goals.

It said,  “After a careful consideration, the State Executive Council has therefore resolved that the present economic climate can no longer support the continued lock down of a mega city like Lagos, when the citizens should be free to engage in commercial and entrepreneurial activities that can promote economic growth and prosperity.

“Furthermore, Government will also accelerate the introduction of fresh reforms through the passage of the new harmonized environmental laws that will drive meaningful changes in areas of harmonized billing, waste management, modern Landfill sites, noise pollution, introduction of an Environmental Trust Fund and an Environmental Advisory Council.

“The Government wishes to reiterate its strong commitment to a clean and secure environment for the benefit of its citizens, and will continue to provide the necessary leadership to meet the environmental challenges of a mega city like Lagos. Lagosians and visitors alike are therefore urged to embrace these changes and imbibe a culture of voluntarily maintaining and preserving their environment to create a beautiful and healthy city that we all can be proud of.”


The statement added that the State Government would henceforth be tougher in ensuring expeditious enforcement against contraventions of its policies and regulations and as such, residents should voluntarily comply with the necessary laws and support government in its bid to have a clean and healthy environment

DSS STORMS NAICOM

Department of State Security, DSS, in Abuja, stormed National Association of Insurance Commissioners, NAICOM headquarters today, took away the Commissioner of Insurance, Mohammed Kari, into custody. Reason for arrest, still sketchy.

The operatives of the Nigerian Secret Service who earlier arrested judges suspected to be corrupt in a sting operation have whisked away another public official away.

Expecting more details on the development as further made available.

VIDEO: WOMAN CAUGHT VICIOUSLY SLAPPING A NEWBORN BABY

The woman caught beating and slapping a baby in a video that went viral last week has been identified as the biological mother of the newborn and not a nanny as most people assumed.

She is Aygul Kozabahaevna and has since been arrested by the Police in the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan.

Her reaction some said is related to post-pastum depression, simply put as mental illness.

SENATE: KACHIKWU TO BE SUMMONED OVER $115bn CHINA, INDIA DEALS

Senate to summon Kachikwu over $115bn China, India deals

The Senate on Tuesday said it will probe into Nigeria’s recent oil deal with India, which worths over $80bn and another with China worth $15bn, with an additional $20bn deal with China’s two biggest petroleum companies.

The upper chamber of the National Assembly has therefore mandated its Committees on Petroleum (Upstream), Petroleum (Downstream), Petroleum (Gas) and Foreign Affairs to summon the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, to explain the details of the deals.

The move was made following a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Edo-Central Senatorial District, Senator Clifford Ordia, titled, ‘The Need for a Detailed Explanation of the $15bn Proposed MoU with Indian Government and Over $80bn MoU Signed by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources with Chinese Firms.’

“The Senate observes that outside these (MoU for $80bn investments), the two largest oil companies in China, Sinopec and CNOOC, signed investment MoUs with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, committing the companies to further investments in Nigeria’s upstream oil sub-sector to the tune of $20bn,” Ordia said while moving the motion.

The senator said the Senate was aware that the Minister of State for Petroleum negotiated a $15bn investment with India, where the Indian government would make an upfront payment to Nigeria for crude oil purchases.

He said, “The Senate is further aware that the two countries have agreed to sign an Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate investments by India in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, and specifically in areas such as refining, oil and gas marketing, upstream ventures, the development of gas infrastructure and in the training of oil and gas personnel in Nigeria.

“The Senate notes that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources also carried out a road show in China, where a Memorandum of Understanding worth over $80bn to be spent on investments in oil and gas infrastructure, pipelines, refineries, power, facility refurbishments and upstream financing spanning five years were signed with Chinese companies.”

CBN, NOT PART OF MOVE TO JAIL HOARDERS

The Central Bank of Nigeria has denied being a party to a legislation that seeks to bar citizens from holding foreign currencies for more than 30 days.

The Nigerian Law Reform Commission had recommended a review of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Act to the Senate.  It recommended that people who have foreign currencies in their possession for more than 30 days should be jailed for up to two years or pay a fine of 20 per cent of the amount.

Reacting, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, denied knowledge of the proposed clause recommending a jail term of two years for any holder of foreign exchange in cash or a fine of 20 per cent of the amount.

He stressed that the apex bank, in line with its mandate, was committed to safeguarding the international value of the country’s legal tender.

He said, “To the best of my knowledge, the Central Bank of Nigeria has not proposed any bill seeking to arrest and jail persons holding foreign exchange for more than 30 days.”

He also denied that the CBN was planning to confiscate funds in domiciliary accounts of individuals, saying such a claim was false.

CBN: MONETARY POLICY RATE RETAINS AT 14%

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria today left the Monetary Policy Rate unchanged at 14 per cent.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who announced the decision of the committee at the end of a two-day meeting held at the apex bank’s headquarters in Abuja, explained that all the 10 members that attended the meeting agreed to maintain the current monetary policy stance.

Apart from the MPR which was retained at 14 per cent, the governor said the committee also voted to retain the Cash Reserves Ratio at 22.5 per cent.

Also retained are the Liquidity Ratio, which was left at 30 per cent; and the Asymmetric Window which was left at +200 and -500 basis points around the MPR

LITTLE EMMANUELLA CROWNED PRINCESS OF COMEDY

Australian Government Crowns Little Emmanuella Princess Of Comedy And Gives Mark Angel Leadership Award.

Emmanuella was crowned the Best New Comedienne and Princess of Comedy. As a fast rising comedienne became the youngest recipients of the Afro-Australia Music & Movie Awards (AAMMA).

The AAMMA AWARDS was established by Scrim Entertainment (owned by Daniel Okoduwa) to celebrate Artists of African origin irrespective of borders or National identities.

Other recipients in the past includes Hollywood icon Vivica A Fox, Ramsey Nouah, Anne Kansiime, Desmond Elliot, Pascal Atuma, TUFACE Idibia, John Dumelo, Mercy Johnson, Monalisa Chinda, Awilo Longomba, Emerson Bockarie, Jimmy B, Ejike Asiegbu and many others. The organisers described the talent of Emmanuella as simply phenomenal.

Mark Angel Comedy Won Best Subsaharan Channel In The Just Conclude Youtube Awards.

ENTERTAINMENT: KANYE WEST HOSPITALIZED

Kanye West Hospitalized After Cancelling Saint Pablo Tour

LILY HARRISON

Less than a day after cancelling the remainder of his Saint Pablo tour, Kanye West has been hospitalized.

E! News has learned that the Grammy-winning rapper admitted himself into a Los Angeles area hospital Monday evening. A source tells us that "he is exhausted."

According to NBC News' sources, no criminal activity was involved and the decision to hospitalize the "Fade" rapper was for "his own health and safety."

We've also learned that the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call at 1:20 p.m. and upon the authorities' arrival, "the disturbance call became a medical emergency" only.

The news comes on the heels of Yeezy's controversial rant mid-concert about his recent rift between longtime friends Jay Z and Beyoncé as well as his comments on Hillary Clinton and President-Elect Donald Trump.

"The remaining dates on the Saint Pablo Tour have been canceled," a rep for West told E! News in a statement. "Tickets will be fully refunded at point of purchase."

KANYE WEST CANCELED HIS WORLD TOUR

Kanye West Cancels Remaining Saint Pablo Tour Dates

"The remaining dates on the Saint Pablo Tour have been canceled," a rep for West told E! News in a statement. "Tickets will be fully refunded at point of purchase." The Grammy-winning "Fade" rapper canceled Sunday's show at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., without explanation. After arriving 90 minutes late to his show in Sacramento Saturday, West ranted about Beyoncé, Hillary Clinton and Jay Z—then left after three songs, shouting, "I'm on my Trump s--t tonight."

"Beyoncé, I was hurt 'cause I heard that you said you wouldn't perform unless you won Video of the Year over me and over 'Hotline Bling.' Now, don't go trying to diss Beyoncé. She is great. Taylor Swift is great. We are all great people. We are all people. But sometimes we be playing the politics too much and forgetting who we are just to win. F--k winning. F--k looking cool. F--k being cool," the 39-year-old rapper told his fans. "I've been sent here to give y'all my truth even at the risk of my own life, even at the risk of my own success, my own career. I've been sent here to give y'all the truth. Jay Z—call me, bruh. You still ain't called me. Jay Z, call me, Jay Z; I know you got killers. Please don't send them at my head. Just call me. Talk to me like a man."

Kanye West Talks Kim Kardashian and Touring With Family

West was next scheduled to perform at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., Tuesday, with more concerts scheduled in Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Louisville, Orlando, Philadelphia, Toronto, Washington D.C. and more major cities through New Year's Eve.

When E! News' Ken Baker spoke to West backstage after one of his gigs in August, the rapper revealed his goal was to "take the concert experience to another level." To do that, he had his stage suspended above a mosh pit, so fans could better experience his show. "I wanted people to get into it and have a fun time, make it not be just about watching the artist, but people watching their friends and singing along to the lyrics and being able to see themselves, their outfits. It's not just about what you're seeing on the screen or what you're seeing me doing up on the stage, but what you and your friends are doing," he said, adding, "I want people to come to the Pablo shows and know it's just going to be the best time they've had in their life."

TOURISM AND SANITATION: SANITATION COMPETITION IN ILE-IFE

His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Ogunwusi was crowned Ooni of Ife, followed by the presentation of staff of office by the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on the 7th of December last year.

Ile ife has since been witnessing transformations in various economic sectors such as Agriculture, Education, Transportation, Youth Development and Women Empowerment, Improved Sanitation Exercise, Infrastructure and Tourism Revolution leading to the rejuvenation of festivals like Olokun , Osara, Oramfe, Olojo and so on and so forth.

In preparation of making Ile-ife "A World Class Tourist Destination", Ooni Ogunwusi launched "Gba'Femo" Literally connoting 'Keep Ile-ife Clean'. A multi-million naira Environmental Sanitation Program which has since engaged about 200 youths in collaboration with the Local Government Authorities.

Ooni Ogunwusi, accompanied by his Queen, Olori Wuraola, while commissioning the project with two (2) new Leyland trucks and waste disposal bins declared that "Environmental Sanitation or Cleanliness" is crucial in the drive to make Ile-ife 'ATourist Destination'.

Challenging each and every household to ensure cleanliness at home and their environs. Quite rewarding is the sanitation competition as the cleanest street would be receiving an award of one hundred Thousand Naira every month.

The two new leyland trucks and waste disposal bins provided by the monarch would go round the city collecting refuse, transport to designated dumpsite for recycling and reclamation process that is "A Waste To Wealth Program'.

Appeal for support and co-operation has gone to all and sundry in Ile-ife and its environs to make the program successful.

TOURISM: MOREMI STATUE OF LIBERTY IN ILE-IFE

Queen Moremi Ajasoro Statue of Liberty first of its kind was yesterday unveiled, the tallest in Nigeria and the 3rd in Africa (42ft) as part of the drive of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II to turn Ile-ife to the hub of “Global Tourism Destination’’

She was a brave and pretty queen who in order to solve the problems facing her people, offered anything she had to give in sacrifice to the spirit of Esimirin river so as to discover the strength of the enemies of Oodua race. She is a heroine who liberated the people of Oodua land from slavery invasion of faceless terrorists.

The Queen Moremi Ajasoro Statue of Liberty is the first of its kinds in this great fist of cultural exhibition and transformation of Ife into a major tourist zone.

Ooni Ogunwusi in extolling the virtues of the great African Heroine, praised God for making one of his greatest dreams come to reality within his one-year on the throne of his forefathers. Described the heroine (Moremi) as the real mother of liberty in the world whose legacy must not be left in the oblivion.

“God Almighty has given me the grace of achieving one of my greatest ambitions within my first year on this sacred throne of Oduduwa.

“Moremi Ajasoro, an Ife queen who in her lifetime exhibited an unrivaled heroism of world’s liberty dedicated her life to the liberation of mankind by sacrificing her only child to free the people of Oodua land from the invasion of some faceless terrorists thousands of years ago.

The 42ft Moremi Liberty Statue, erected right where Moremi lived before she became a diety thousands of years ago, as a goddess of liberty. 

-

TOURISM AND CLIMATE CHANGE

CALABAR CARNIVAL AND FESTIVAL 2016 THEME: CLIMATE CHANGE

"Africa's Biggest Street Party" 2016 is here again! The Calabar Carnival and festival in Nigeria showcases the richness of our cultural diversities, multi talented artistes, mosaic of costumes attracting tourists and millions of spectators cutting across the continent and the rest of the world.

The carnival, a big time party usually starts December 1 till 31 has truly pushed Cross River State to be the number 1 Tourist Destination in Nigeria and the continent at large. It has been endorsed by many multinational companies and their horizon is still rising.

We're bowling, so let's go there! Have fun and dance to the variety of tunes from the line up of international and home based artistes.

There are series of activities for this year edition Themed "CLIMATE CHANGE" which include 10,000 Tree Planting to support the "GREEN CARNIVAL"

ORDER OF PROGRAMS:

1st -10th  (DECEMBER) MILLENIUM WEEK

12th -17th  (DECEMBER) SPORT FIESTA

19th -24th (DECEMBER) THE TINAPA FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL

25th -31st  (DECEMBER) THE CARNIVAL WEEK

YOUR TOILET SECRET GOLDMINE

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT!
DON'T FLUSH!

Tanakawho/Flicker

Bacteria feeds on excrement and other wastes leaving behind sludge. Just so you know, that sludge is "secret goldmine" says Paul Westerhoff an Environmental Engineer at Arizona State University.

Secret goldmine better still called 'Money in Metal' as estimated by Westerhoff contains large quantities of gold, silver and other valuable metals seep into bio solids from a variety of sources such as teeth fillings and industrial processes.

Miners not targeting such metals translates to society flushing millions of naira down the drains and toiltet.

Waste Equivalence:
57 Pounds (25.86 Kg): Amount of sludge a person produces annually.
N220,000: Value of metals in a ton of sludge.
N3.2 Billion: Estimated worth of all gold and silver that could be mined annually from the waste of 1million people.
N5.2 Billion: Estimated worth of all metals that could be mined annually from the waste of 1 million people.



SOURCE: March/April 2016 Issue of Popular Science, under the title “Waste Not, Want Not.”
TAGS: WASTE,  SLUDGE,  METALS,  GOLD, SILVER, RESOURCES, MINING
(NICOLE LOU)

GLOBAL WARMING PAUSITY

In the last few years, there has been a lot of talk about a pause in global warming. Commentators argued that since 1998, there had been no significant global warming despite ever increasing amounts of carbon dioxide being emitted.

Scientists have tried to explain this in a number of ways. These include:
1) Variations in the Sun's energy output
2) Decline in atmospheric water vapour
3) Greater storage of heat by the oceans.
But so far, there is no general consensus on the precise mechanism behind the pause.

Sceptics highlight the pause as an example of the fallibility of predictions based on computer climate models. On the other hand, climate scientists point out that the hiatus occurs in just one component of the climate system - the global mean surface temperature - and that other indicators, such as melting ice and changes to plant and animal life, demonstrate that the Earth has continued to warm.

In fact, a study published in Science journal in June 2015 doubted there had been a warming hiatus in the first place.

Predictions on temperature rise in future?
In its 2013 assessment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecast a range of possible scenarios based on computer modelling. But most simulations indicate that global surface temperature change by the end of the 21st Century is likely to exceed 1.5°C, relative to 1850.

A threshold of 2°C is generally regarded as the gateway to dangerous warming.
Even if we cut greenhouse gas emissions dramatically now, scientists say the effects will continue because parts of the climate system, particularly large bodies of water and ice, can take hundreds of years to respond to changes in temperature. It also takes greenhouse gases decades to be removed from the atmosphere.

FOSSIL FUEL: EFFECTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE

Scientists believe we are adding to the natural greenhouse effect with gases released from industry and agriculture (known as emissions), trapping more energy and increasing the temperature. This is commonly referred to as global warming or climate change.

The most important of these greenhouse gases in terms of its contribution to warming is water vapour, but concentrations show little change and it persists in the atmosphere for only a few days.

On the other hand, carbon dioxide (CO2) persists for much longer (it would take hundreds of years for it to return to pre-industrial levels). In addition, there is only so much CO2 that can be soaked up by natural reservoirs such as the oceans.

Most man-made emissions of CO2 are through the burning of fossil fuels, as well as through cutting down carbon-absorbing forests. Other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide are also released through human activities, but their overall abundance is small compared with carbon dioxide.

Since the industrial revolution began in 1750, CO2 levels have risen by more than 30% and methane levels have risen more than 140%. The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is now higher than at any time in at least 800,000 years.

CLIMATE CHANGE: EXTREME WEATHER

The scale of potential impacts is uncertain. The changes could drive freshwater shortages, bring sweeping changes in food production conditions, and increase the number of deaths from floods, storms, heat waves and droughts. This is because climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events - though linking any single event to global warming is complicated.

Scientists forecast more rainfall overall, but say the risk of drought in inland areas during hot summers will increase. More flooding is expected from storms and rising sea levels. There are, however, likely to be very strong regional variations in these patterns. Poorer countries, which are least equipped to deal with rapid change, could suffer the most.

Plant and animal extinctions are predicted as habitats change faster than species can adapt, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the health of millions could be threatened by increases in malaria, water-borne disease and malnutrition.

As an increased amount of CO2 is released into the atmosphere, there is increased uptake of CO2 by the oceans, and this leads to them becoming more acidic. This ongoing process of acidification could pose major problems for the world's coral reefs, as the changes in chemistry prevent corals from forming a calcified skeleton, which is essential for their survival.

Computer models are used to study the dynamics of the Earth's climate and make projections about future temperature change. But these climate models differ on "climate sensitivity" - the amount of warming or cooling that occurs as a particular factor, such as CO2. goes up or down.

Models also differ in the way that they express "climate feedbacks".
Global warming will cause some changes that look likely to create further heating, such as the release of large quantities of the greenhouse gas methane as permafrost (permanently frozen soil found mainly in the Arctic) melts. This is known as a positive climate feedback.

But negative feedbacks exist that could offset warming. Various "reservoirs" on Earth absorb CO2 as part of the carbon cycle - the process through which carbon is exchanged between, for example, the oceans and the land.


The question is: how will these balance out?

CLIMATE CHANGE: EVIDENCE OF WARMING

Temperature records going back to the late 19th Century show that the average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by about 0.8C (1.4F) in the last 100 years. About 0.6C (1.0F) of this warming occurred in the last three decades.

PHOTO CREDIT: BBC

Satellite data shows an average increase in global sea levels of some 3mm per year in recent decades. A large proportion of the change in sea level is accounted for by the thermal expansion of seawater. As seawater warms up, the molecules become less densely packed, causing an increase in the volume of the ocean.

But the melting of mountain glaciers and the retreat of polar ice sheets are also important contributors. Most glaciers in temperate regions of the world and along the Antarctic Peninsula are in retreat.

Since 1979, satellite records show a dramatic decline in Arctic sea-ice extent, at an annual rate of 4% per decade. In 2012, the ice extent reached a record minimum that was 50% lower than the 1979-2000 average.

The Greenland Ice Sheet has experienced record melting in recent years; if the entire 2.8 million cu km sheet were to melt, it would raise sea levels by 6m. Satellite data shows the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is also losing mass, and a recent study indicated that East Antarctica, which had displayed no clear warming or cooling trend, may also have started to lose mass in the last few years.

But scientists are not expecting dramatic changes. In some places, mass may actually increase as warming temperatures drive the production of more snows.
The effects of a changing climate can also be seen in vegetation and land animals. These include earlier flowering and fruiting times for plants and changes in the territories (or ranges) occupied by animals.

ECO-COOLER

Climate change translates in to increase in temperature no doubt, put at the average of 15°C. Some part of the world in Bangladesh experience scorching temperatures, especially those living without possible means to power air conditioner.

PHOTO CREDIT: GREY DHAKA GRAMEEN

DIY Eco-cooler is a cooling system consisting of used plastic bottles and a piece of cardboard.

The mechanism of Eco-cooler is such that the temperature of the hot air rushing in to the bottle is expanded before cooling takes place as the air passes through the neck of the bottle. The temperature is reduced by 5°C within a short time.

Eco-Cooler has shared the blue prints for anyone to make their own DIY cooling system

To make A DIY Eco-cooler, take the following 6 Steps

To make a homemade cooling system, grab a piece of a heavy duty cardboard and trim it to fit the window of your choice.

Next, cut holes in a grid pattern that are large enough for a bottle neck, but be sure the cuts are spaced out according to the size of the bottle.

Find as many used bottles as you can, and the bigger the size difference between the body and the rim, the better, notes Eco-Cooler.

Slice along the body of the bottle and cut away the tops of the caps before placing them back on the bottle – this helps fix the bottle into the board.

Pushing the cut bottle from the outer side of the board, twist the cap from the inner side and tighten in to keep the bottle in place.

And finally, place the Eco-Cooler in the window with the wide part of the bottles facing outside.

Hot air will rush into each bottle, which is pushed to the rim where it starts to expand – this expansion is what cools the air before it enters the room

CLIMATE CHANGE: GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Going by BBC News looking at what we know and don't know about the Earth's changing climate.

What is climate change?
The planet's climate has constantly been changing over geological time. The global average temperature today is about 15°C, though geological evidence suggests it has been much higher and lower in the past.
However, the current period of warming is occurring more rapidly than many past events. Scientists are concerned that the natural fluctuation, or variability, is being overtaken by a rapid human-induced warming that has serious implications for the stability of the planet's climate.

What is the "greenhouse effect"?
The greenhouse effect refers to the way the Earth's atmosphere traps some of the energy from the Sun. Solar energy radiating back out to space from the Earth's surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases and re-emitted in all directions.
The energy that radiates back down to the planet heats both the lower atmosphere and the surface. Without this effect, the Earth would be about 30°C colder, making our planet hostile to life.

MAN COMMITTED SUICIDE IN IMO

The body of Nnaah was found dangling from where he hung himself on Wednesday 16th November, 2016 in Umuezikeoha in Uba-Umaka village, Njaba Local Council of Imo State, Nigeria. He was said to have committed suicide in the presence of his helpless bed ridden Father Mr. Iwuanyawu who is battling stroke.

Information gathered confirmed that late Nnaah got a visa to travel to South Korea and in a bid to source for fund was bent on selling the only plot of land the family farms on. The Father did not agree to sell even when the deceased brought a buyer that offered the sum of N1,000,000 million. Mr. Iwuanyawu turned down the offer but rather seek the opinion of his first Son, Emeka presently living in Senegal.

According to the tradition and custom of Umuaka, sacrifices have to be performed if anyone commits suicide by hanging, no one is allowed to touch the dead body before bringing it down for burial. Only some certain set of people in igbo land are permitted to touch the dead body.

Report going round revealed that Nnaah had threatened to kill anyone that stands in his way of  selling the plot of land in Umuezikeoha village. He went about furiously shouting he will kill someone and kill himself before the ugly incident happened.

Visitors have since been trooping in to the village to confirm the story.

BOY LYNCHED AT ORILE WAS NOTORIOUS

Following the argument that came after the jungle justice meted out on the thief caught at the popular Alafia busstop in speculating story of a 7-year old boy burnt over stealing Garri, more revelations are going round confirming he was a notorious thief in his 20's that had in the past terrorized and successfully dispossessed many of their valuables.

Digging further, the ugly incident happened on Saturday 12th November, 2016 at the Alaafia busstop, Orile. The boy met his waterloo as he was trying to rob a woman of her valuables and phones. Luck ran against him when an Hausa man caught him in the process. The rest of the gang escaped while the Hausa man sustained injury from been stabbed as he held him down.

Some of the residents confirmed that the Hausa had for long meant to target the lynched boy who seized the opportunity on Saturday when the sad event eventually happened. Just as notorious as the area is, the resident are shying away from going public on the matter and police are seen to be equally neutral on it as no arrest has been made so far.

GUNMEN KILLED 6, STOLE 700 CATTLE IN NIGER

Gunmen stormed Kukoyi community, Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State killed 6.


The council's chairman, Mark Jagaba disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the unknown gunmen suspected to be cattle rustlers made away with about 700 cattle and killed 6 in an attack that lasted for about four hours.

LUTH OR DUMP SITE

Huge refuse dump is what characterized the back of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-araba, Lagos. This is to call the attention of the Lagos State Government to what becomes of the one-time 'State of the Heart Teaching Hospital'.

Its a deplorable thing to behold, giving to the environmental impacts on the health of the patients, medical personnel, nonclinical staff. The residents living within the vicinity are the worst hit with severe health risks.

Least to talk about the size of the garbage which makes it easier to describe the place behind LUTH as "A Dump Site" for years.