GreenWorld Magazine 2014

The Annual Magazine of the GreenWorld Earth Club 1
Greenwatch 14
Md. Sami Iftee
Editor, GreenWatch
Publication Secretary,
GreenWorld Earth Club
Class X Jupiter
CHIEF PATRON
Sister Virginia Asha Gomes, rndm
PATRONS
Sr. Reba V. Cost, rndm
Sr. Gracie M. Gomes, rndm
Sr. M. Barbara, rndm
Sr. Maria Goretti Gomes, rndm
Sr. Mary Michelle, rndm
EDITORIAL BODY
Rahat Nilofer
Shravasti Roy Nath
EDITOR
Md. Sami Iftee
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Sophea Urbi Biswas
VOLUME
3rd Edition
Published on September 28, 2014
COVER DESIGN
Domion N. Penheiro (Titu)
LAYOUT DESIGN & PRINT
Color Horizon
PUBLISHER
Julian Malcolm Mendez
Moderator, GWEC
malcolm_mendez@hotmail.com
E
Editorial
Dear Readers,
I
would like to thank you for taking out the time to read the
third publication of GreenWatch, We proudly present it to
you in the hope that you will come to admire it, as it
showcases what we have accomplished and what we strive to
achieve. We struggle in our dream of change towards a better
world, but to think big, we must dream small, one dream at a
time. We must start somewhere, and where better to start
than our own country?
Our topic of discussion this year is renewable energy and
alternative energy sources to fossil fuels. The aim of our club
is to create awareness, and our combined effort is sure to
make an impact on anyone who reads our magazine. Every
day, we waste energy and resources so much, that it will be
surprising if we have anything left in the near future. Before
we sit on a throne of mistakes, let us plan ahead. It's the little
things which matter most. We brush our teeth in the morning
but we leave the tap on even when we don't need it. Some
lights are always turned on in our homes, even though no
one really requires them. Why must we take away someone
else's joy? As we waste away, someone out there is suffering;
someone out there doesn't have enough water or is deprived
of light. We are literally stealing a person's right. But the sad
truth is that, it's not only one person in need.
I had asked a question to over 300 of our students during
our "Charge Handover Ceremony," the question was, "Why
shouldn't we waste our resources?" An eight year old child
had raised his hand to answer, "Because we don't need to."
That is perhaps the best answer there is to this question. So
I ask all the readers of this magazine, if a child can
understand with his nave thoughts, why can't we?
We must take charge. It's our Earth, our home, if we don't
protect it, nurture it and take care of it, no one else will. A
journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, let us
take that step and do our bit to conserve energy. Using
renewable energy and financing it is a big step, so before
starting big, let's start small, and let's do what we can to
conserve energy, so that we don't have to suffer for it later.
Think Big, Start Small.
Greenwatch 14
M
Message from the Principal
I
am happy to write a few lines for your club's
magazine-2014. This time you have chosen the
topic - "Renewable Energy". It is a huge topic. It is
quite impossible for you to do something when you
are so young and busy in your studies. My
suggestion for the club members are that you do
something yourselves within your capacity. You
should attempt something that is more practical
and something that touches your heart; things that
you can easily do whenever occasion arises.
Such as, listen carefully when, your Club
Moderator, your Cabinet Officers, your
Teachers/Sisters speak to you. Keep faithful to your
small promises. Try to take one step at a time. Do
one meaningful thing daily and decisively. You
need not do something to impress anyone. Just
keep doing the right things. The Renewable Energy
means to save our Mother Earth in manifold ways.
Save her water, soil, air, energy, etc. etc.
In order to create a better environment, what
can you do? My recommendations for you are very
simple. You, the young members of the GreenWorld
Earth Club can do some following things:
- You can start from your very self. Promise to
follow a personal routine where you can take
care of your prayer life. Take care of your self-
learning. Take care of your studies and take care
of your health.
- To keep yourself healthy, always keep your
personal space clean and tidy. Remember
cleanliness is next to Godliness! Make a corner of
beauty in your room at home, using your own
creativity.
- Save water at home and in school. The whole
world is suffering from want of clean water. Stop
littering at home or in public places. Have
respect for yourself, your parents, your grand-
parents, and all the elders and also have respect
for your class-mates and school-mates. Abide by
the civil laws. In a word: be a responsible citizen
of our country. If you can do all these activities
mentioned above, your membership to the
GreenWorld Earth Club will become meaningful.
Remember that if you remain faithful in little
things, you will
be chosen for
bigger things!
T h e
E nv i r onme nt
m e a n s
e v e r y t h i n g
about us and
things that make
our life happy
and a
successful one.
The GreenWorld Earth Club's story goes back to
2007 when all the schools were invited by the
Ministry of Environment to do something about
this, global 'burning' issue. From 2009 onwards
this club took a sharp leap and started taking a
structural shape. Many generous graduates with
some our very generous teachers ( Yaqub sir,
Dilshad miss, Nawreen miss, Rinku miss, Raunak
miss) who shared their talents and time. Among
the students who are doing very well now I
would like to mention two three names that have
made our institute very proud. Prianka Ball who
initiated several programs for this club received
a, 100% scholarship from Byrne Moore
University, USA and Anthony Priyo Gomes, the
club's first president. He too worked for the
club's success and spent his time generously for
it. He received 100% scholarship from Arkansas
University, USA. It shows that we can never outdo
God in generosity! Through these extra-curricular
activities you can:
- Enrich yourselves and gain knowledge and self
confidence. You discover your hidden talents by
sharing generously.
I congratulate all of you beginning from the
Moderator Mr. Malcolm Mendez, all the teachers
from its inception, all the cabinet members and all
the members, for your great passion to work
through the GreenWorld Earth Club of SFX
Greenherald International School. May God bless
your goodwill! Long live GreenWorld Earth Club!
Sister Virginia Asha Gomes, RNDM
Principal, S.F.X. Greenherald International School
Greenwatch 14
M
Message from the Moderator - GWEC
O
ver the recent years Bangladesh has
made a very significant development in
electricity production, the production
capacity of electricity which was around 5275
MW in 2006 and has risen up to 10445 MW as
of today. But, Bangladesh is still one of the
most deprived nations in this sector in the
world. Despite large potential for renewable
energy sources in Bangladesh, currently their
contribution to the electricity supply remains
insignificant. The meagre percent electricity is
being produced through fossil fuels.
Examples of fossil fuel include coal,
petroleum, and natural gas. Their benefits
affect our everyday lives. Think of electricity,
transportation and infrastructure. We have
become so dependent on them that we have
actually doubled our usage in the last one
hundred years. And fossil fuels are not
renewable, meaning once we have used them
up, there will be no more. While it is true that
fossil fuel can be cheap, readily available and
convenient to use, and its importance deeply
ingrained in our daily lives, the environmental
effect of its usage is slowly making its
presence felt as well.
Global warming is the foremost downside
of fossil fuel consumption. Coal being one of
the primary sources of energy, happens to be
the dirtiest as well. Fossil fuel produces
carbon dioxide when burned, thus creating a
greenhouse effect.
However, use of renewable energy is
considered an indispensable component of
sustainable energy systems, as renewable
energy technologies are clean sources of
energy that have a much lower environmental
impact compared to conventional fossil fuel
energy systems. On the other hand renewable
energy will not run out, whereas other sources
of energy are
finite and will
someday be
depleted, so
r e n e w a b l e
energy is energy
which is
mandatory for
the survival and
advancement of
generations after us.
But unfortunately the use of renewable
energy has yet to be developed. It is really
very interesting that initiatives from private
sectors have made a great impact in
renewable energy more particularly in the
rural life of Bangladesh. Now the present
government seems to have also given due
importance in this sector, we are happy that a
number of large solar power projects are
under implementation which includes 650
KWp (400 kW load) Solar Mini Grid Power
Plant at remote Haor area of Sullahupazila in
Sunamgonj district. Besides this, the
government is exploring the potential of wind
energy in the coastal areas and other inland
open areas of Bangladesh. In order to
generate electricity from Wind Energy, BPDB
installed 4x225 KW = 900 KW capacity grid
connecting Wind Plant at Muhuri Dam area of
Sonagazi in Feni.
However, to advance such sustainable
energy systems, appropriate strategies and
institutional settings need to be established.
To address this issue, we from GWEC have
decided to focus on this very topic. I hope our
little endeavour will be able to draw the
attention of our readers in order to consider a
more integrated effort.
Julian Malcolm Mendez
Senior Teacher, S.F.X. Greenherald International School
Greenwatch 14
M
Message from the President
H
ello Everyone! This year I have the privilege of being the president
of the GreenWorld Earth Club. With this honor comes great
responsibility and I find it my duty to further the ambition of this club.
Our aim is prevention, because prevention is much better than finding a
cure. We are trying to prevent damage, prevent harm to our earth and
this year, we are focusing on renewable energy. You all know that all
over the world we are running out of fossil fuels. For this reason we must
look forward to considering the renewable energy sources. Not only is
there a reduction in the world fossil fuel reserves but there also the risk
of the nature not being conserved properly. Initiated by ex-student
Priyanka Ball and moderated by Malcolm Mendez of Greenherald, the GreenWorld Earth Club raises the
awareness among all its members in the school about the importance and conservation of nature. I
along with the new cabinet members and Teachers involved in this club will try our level best in
accomplishing this mission.
Pius Vincent D'Rozario, Class X Jupiter
GreenWorld Earth Club, Class X Jupiter
M
Message from the Secretary General
Dear Readers,
I
am indeed truly humbled and extend my heartfelt thanks to
theModeratingCommittee and the Advisory Council for elevating me
to the status ofSecretary General of such a prestigious club. I would also
like to take this opportunity to congratulate my companions and fellow
executive members on their receipt of this honour as well.
We, the human species, are confronting a planetary emergency - a threat
to the survival of our civilization that is gathering ominous and
destructive potential even as you read this.
If we look at all of the intractable environmental challenges and pull
hard the common thread, all of these complex problems begin to unravel and we find that we're holding
the answer to all of them right in our hand: The answer is to end our reliance on carbon-based fuels.
Thus, what if we could use fuels that are not expensive, don't cause pollution and are abundantly
available right here at home?We have such fuels.
This issue of Green Watch focuses precisely on that: renewable energy sources; that it is completely
sane to imagine that one day all of the world's electricity can be provided through renewable means.
We have everything we need to get started, save perhaps political will, but political will is a renewable
resource as well.So let us act to save this world.
Raisa Binte Huda, Class X Jupiter
Greenwatch 14
Advisory Council, 2014-15
Executive Committee, 2014-15
President Vice President Secretary General
Pius Vincent D' Rozario Reean Raisa Abdullah Raisa Binte Huda
Jt. Secretary General Treasurer Asst. Treasurer
Sefat Uddin Samee Rahman Sharar Justin Z. Costa
Publication Secretary Asst. Publication Secretary Secretary Olympiad Division
Md. Sami Iftee Sophea Urbi Biswas Shravasti Roy Nath
Asst. Secretary Olympiad Division Event Management Secretary Asst. Event Management Secretary
Nafeez Ishmam Ahmed Anuradha Biswas Raisa Islam Aishy
Office Secretary Asst. Office Secretary Members Affairs Secretary
Progya Paromita Roy Amreeta L. Chowdhury Yosra Suzanne Rahman
Asst. Secretary Members Affairs
Adrita Azad
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
Aonkon Dey- Event Management Ma Htay OO - Event Management
Novera Moyeen - Event Management Raiyana Nabi Nikita - Project
Lamisa Anjum Nabiha - Project Faiza Hakim - Project
Faiza Humaira - Project Nasrullah Babar - Olympiad Division
Nahian Nabiha Hossain - Olympiad Division Vironica C. Gomes - Olympiad Division
Syed Nabil Ahsan - Member affairs Abrar Bin Tohid - Member affairs
Aahir Mrittika - Member affairs Nubha Munjerin- Member affairs
Ireen Tasnim Progga - Member affairs Souram Basak - Member affairs
Addito Nag - Member affairs.
PRESIDENT SECRETARY GENERAL
Faiza Khondokar Nisarga Frederick Baral
CORE MEMBERS Eric Peter Prattya
Anjan Hamid Jarif Avoy Datta Saima Mehedi Khan
Asmita Clara Baral Md. Ashraful Alam Sarker Shuborno Islam
Victor C. Rozario Tahsin Mushab Nicholas Gomes
Amlan Chowdhury Rose Prema Quazi Adelina Billur
Labiba Tashin Nishuti Shezan Ahmed Anika Tahsin
Shenin Mehnaj Ananya Bhowmik Afrida Haque
Maria Antora Gomes. Baliate Fahim Sarkar Rafid S. Karim
Greenwatch 14
Teacher's Committee, 2014-15
MODERATOR CO-MODERATOR CORE MEMBERS
Julian Malcolm Mendez Mohamad Yaqub Dilshad Begum
Syed Nazrul Ahsan
Taslima Raunak - Olympiad
Rinku Costa - Olympiad
Nawreen Zaka - Olympiad
Qazi Musarrat Fateema - Finance
Shariful Anwar
Ronald Cruz
MEMBERS
Rahat Nilofer Dr. H. M. Sen Gupta Amy J. Gonzalves
Scholastica K. Pereira - Project John Paul Gomes Domion N. Penheiro - Project
Anzumanara Haque - Olympiad Shilpi Roy Shazia Khan - Project
S
cientifically speaking, a biofuel is a fuel
containing energy from geologically
recent carbon fixation. In simple words,
they are energy sources obtained from
living organisms or from their metabolic
byproducts. In order to be considered a
biofuel a fuel must have over 80%
renewable materials. Biofuels are produced
as a result of conversion of biomass to
convenient energy-containing substances
in three different ways- thermal, chemical
or biochemical conversion. The products of
this transmogrification are solids, liquids or
gases, which are then used as biofuels.
Biofuels have increased in popularity
because of rising oil prices and the need for
energy security.
Fossil fuels are dwindling and in order
to maintain the current levels of energy use
and the transport systems we rely on we
need to find alternatives. There are also
environmental concerns about the effects
of using fossil fuels such as pollution and
climate change. Bioenergy may be part of
the solution to these problems.
In 2010, worldwide biofuel production
reached 105 billion liters (28 billion gallons
US), up 17% from 2009, and biofuels
provided 2.7% of the world's fuels for road
transport, a contribution largely made up of
ethanol and biodiesel. Global ethanol
fuelproduction reached 86 billion liters (23
billion gallons US) in 2010, with the United
States and Brazil as the world's top
producers, accounting together for 90% of
global production. The world's largest
biodiesel producer is the European Union,
accounting for 53% of all biodiesel
production in 2010. As of 2011, mandates
for blending biofuels exist in 31 countries
Biofuels: Fuel for the Future
Avoy Datta, Class XII
Greenwatch 14
Greenwatch 14
at the national level and in 29 states or
provinces. The International Energy Agency
has a goal for biofuels to meet more than a
quarter of world demand for transportation
fuels by 2050 to reduce dependence on
petroleum and coal.
At present Bangladesh faces a power
crisis that threatens to impede our
development. Only about 32% of the
population has access to electricity and 6%
to natural gas. The situation is even worse in
the rural area, where only 22% of
population has electricity, and no gas
supply. Furthermore, our fossil fuel reserves
are limited, and at present rates of use will
be exhausted within the next few decades.
As such, future development of our country
rests on the development of alternative
sources of energy, which can provide both
clean and sustainable energy sources in the
future. Biofuels, though still at their
embryonic stages of development in
Bangladesh, can provide long-term
solutions to our energy requirements by
being clean to use and sustainably mass-
produce in the future.
The biofuel most at use in our country at
present, and one that has played an
influential role in supplying many rural
homes with sustainable energy is biogas.
Biogas is methane produced by the process
of anaerobic digestion of organic material
by anaerobes. It can be produced either
frombiodegradable waste materials or by
the use of energy crops fed into anaerobic
digesters to supplement gas yields. The
solid byproductdigestate, can be used as a
biofuel or a fertilizer.Biogas can be recovered
from mechanical biological treatment waste
processing systems. Farmers can produce
biogas from manure from their cattle by
using anaerobic digesters.
Biodiesel and bioethanol are still in
their infancy in Bangladesh, although their
future is promising. . Ethanol can be
obtained by yeast or bacteria induced
fermentation of sugar crops such as sugar
cane, sugar beet and sweet sorghum or of
starchy crop, such as corn and cassava or
other cellulosic and woody crops. Ethanol
can be used in petrol engines as a
replacement for gasoline; it can be mixed
Greenwatch 14
with gasoline to any percentage. Most
existing car petrol engines can run on
blends of up to 15% bioethanol with
petroleum/gasoline. Ethanol has a smaller
energy density than that of gasoline; this
means it takes more fuel (volume and mass)
to produce the same amount of work.
Biodiesel fuels can be obtained from oil
crops and algae. The terms first, second and
third generation can be used in the contexts
of both feedstocks and process. For
instance, corn and maize represent first
generation ethanol feedstocks, and
fermentation represents the first
generation ethanol production process.
However, reservation is growing in this
regard.
While public perceptions on biofuels
may have changed over the years, quite a
lot of interest in the pros and cons of this
fuel source still remain. It is important for all
consumers to seriously consider both the
positive and negative aspects of this still-
emerging technology.
Biofuel advocates frequently point out
the advantages of these plant- and animal-
based fuels, such as:
Cost: Biofuels have the potential to be

significantly less expensive than
gasoline and other fossil fuels. This is
particularly true as worldwide demand
for oil increases, oil supplies dwindle,
and more sources of biofuels become
apparent.
Source material: Whereas oil is a limited

resource that comes from specific
materials, biofuels can be manufactured
from a wide range of materials including
crop waste, manure, and other
byproducts. This makes it an efficient
step in recycling.
Renewability: It takes a very long time

for fossil fuels to be produced, but
biofuels are much more easily
renewable as new crops are grown and
waste material is collected.
Security: Biofuels can be produced

locally, which decreases the nation's
dependence upon foreign energy. By
reducing dependence on foreign fuel
sources, countries can protect the
integrity of their energy resources and
make them safe from outside
influences.
Economic stimulation: Because biofuels

are produced locally, biofuel
manufacturing plants can employ
hundreds or thousands of workers,
creating new jobs in rural areas. Biofuel
production will also increase the
demand for suitable biofuel crops,
providing economic stimulation to the
agriculture industry.
Lower carbon emissions: When biofuels

are burned, they produce significantly
less carbon output and fewer toxins,
making them a safer alternative to
preserve atmospheric quality and lower
air pollution.
Despite the many positive
characteristics of biofuels, there are also
many disadvantages to these energy
sources.
Energy output: Biofuels have a lower

energy output than traditional fuels and
therefore require greater quantities to
be consumed in order to produce the
same energy level. This has led some
noted energy analysts to believe that
biofuels are not worth the work.
Production carbon emissions: Several

studies have been conducted to analyze
Greenwatch 14
the carbon footprint of biofuels, and
while they may be cleaner to burn, there
are strong indications that the process
to produce the fuel - including the
machinery necessary to cultivate the
crops and the plants to produce the fuel
- has hefty carbon
emissions.
High cost: To refine

biofuels to more
efficient energy
outputs, and to
build the necessary
ma n u f a c t u r i n g
plants to increase
biofuel quantities,
a high initial
investment is often
required.
Food prices: As
demand for food crops such as corn
grows for biofuel production, it could
also raise prices for necessary staple
food crops.
Food shortages: There is concern that

using valuable cropland to grow fuel
crops could have an impact on the cost
of food and could possibly lead to food
shortages.
Water use: Massive quantities of water

are required for proper irrigation of
biofuel crops as well as to manufacture
the fuel, which could strain local and
regional water resources.
Biofuels are not a silver bullet for the
energy problems of the world. To solve the
issue of dwindling fossil fuel reserves, all
viable means of harvesting energy should
be pursued to their fullest. However, the
fact remains that biofuels are a reliable
alternative energy resource. With more
development and research, it is possible to
overcome the disadvantages of biofuels
and make them suitable for widespread
consumer use. When the technology is
available, many of the disadvantages will
be minimized and the market very clearly
has a lot of potential. Much of this could
rely on the ability of energy producers to
discover better plants to cultivate for fuel
that use less water, less land, and grow
quickly.
Greenwatch 14
H
ow often do we find ourselves being
annoyed at the sudden blackouts that
take place almost always when we are
poring over a book or revising for our next
day's exam? Worse is the scenario, when we
are watching our favourite TV series, and
just when the cop gets to know who the real
criminal is- black out! Then again, this
generation is rarely dependant upon
television. When we can easily download
shows telecasting in America right now,
why would we bother waiting for a year to
have it telecast in our very own satellite?
Surely, we would also be saved from the
attacks of load shedding affecting our lives.
But alas, even our good old laptops and
smartphones need electricity to be in
good health.
With 154.7 million people treading on
the surface of our homeland, we cannot
really point a finger at its poorly managed
energy infrastructure. Electricity is the
major source of power for most of the
country's economic activities. Bangladesh's
installed electric generation capacity was
10289 MW in January, 2014; only three-
fourth of which is considered to be
'available'. Only 62% of the population has
access to electricity with a per capita
availability of 321 kWh per annum.
Problems in the Bangladesh's electric
power sector include corruption in
administration, high system losses, delays
in completion of new plants, low plant
efficiencies, erratic power supply,
electricity theft, blackouts, and shortages of
funds for power plant maintenance. Overall,
the country's generation plants have been
unable to meet system demand over the
past decade. Noncommercial energy
sources, such as wood fuel, animal waste,
and crop residues, are estimated to account
for over half of the country's energy
consumption. Bangladesh has small
reserves of oil and coal, but very large
natural gas resources. Commercial energy
consumption is mostly natural gas (around
66%), followed by oil, hydropower
and coal.
This is where renewable energy fits into
the picture. It is only for so long that we can
depend upon the energy sources that
would soon become extinct.
You may not see it happening on a daily
basis, but renewable energy is taking over
the grid. The transition isn't happening
overnight, but evidence is growing that
renewable energy is replacing coal, nuclear,
and even natural gas and will play an
increasingly larger role in our future.
In the last decade, renewable energy
has become more economical and is being
built in larger numbers because of it's the
lowest cost option. Wind has returned from
its depths during the recession, and solar
Depend Upon Solar Energy
After all, it is the Sun's responsibility
to help our Earth
Saima Mehedi Khan, Class XII
Greenwatch 14
energy is behind only natural gas in MW
completed so far during 2014. If we added
in distributed solar energy, which is built on
residential and commercial rooftops, the
amount of solar installed would rival that of
natural gas this year.
Solar energy is one of the most common
forms of renewable energy sources. It is
radiant light and heat from the sun
harnessed using a range of ever-evolving
technologies such as solar heating, solar
photovoltaics, solar thermal electricity,
solar architecture and
a r t i f i c i a l
photosynthesis.
Solar technologies
are broadly
characterized as
either passive solar or
active solar
depending on the way
they capture, convert
and distribute solar
energy. Active solar
techniques include
the use of
photovoltaic panels
and solar thermal
collectors to harness
the energy. Passive
solar techniques include orienting a
building to the Sun, selecting materials with
favorable thermal mass or light dispersing
properties, and designing spaces that
naturally circulate air.
Illustration: how solar energy works.
Solar energy is lauded as an
inexhaustible fuel source that is pollution
and often noise free. The technology is also
versatile. For example, solar cells generate
energy for far-out places like satellites in
Earth orbit and cabins deep in the Rocky
Mountains as easily as they can power
downtown buildings and futuristic cars.
But solar energy doesn't work at night
without a storage device such as a battery,
and cloudy weather can make the
technology unreliable during the day. Solar
technologies are also very expensive and
require a lot of land area to collect the sun's
energy at rates useful to lots of people.
Despite the drawbacks, solar energy
use has surged at about 20 percent a year
over the past 15 years, thanks to rapidly
falling prices and gains in efficiency. Japan,
Germany, and the United States are major
markets for solar cells. With tax incentives,
solar electricity can often pay for itself in
five to ten years.
Greenwatch 14
"R
enewable energy", "think green" and
"save the earth" were some of the
most commonly used phrases in the last
half of this decade. They were received with
equally popular retorts of "not enough",
"unprepared" and, most repeatedly, "too
expensive". No matter how much we talk
about charity beginning at home, ultimately
the world is controlled by corporate giants,
people who don't really care about solar
powered streetlights or geothermal power
generators. Thus, until we can convince
companies like Coal India and Gazprom that
investing in renewable sources of energy is
worthwhile, all our efforts for sustainable
living are going to be in vain. But lucky for
us tree-huggers, there are a few visionary
firms willing to consider the long-term
profitability of converting to eco-friendly
methods of energy production.
Coal is the simplest and cheapest
source of energy. It is being used for years
now and researchers are more than familiar
with its efficiency. This means there is no
need for additional funding for experiments
and betterments if we stick to this source. It
is quite obvious why something this
dangerous to the earth is still all the rage:
money. Focusing on a safer method of
energy production would cost millions in
research and necessary equipment
building, a cost people would like to avoid.
At the same time, our needs are growing at
a massive rate every day; the search for
alternative efficient sources is just not fast
enough to cope. Somehow, present-day
profits are considered to be more important
than our impending doom.
One common argument is against the
amount of space needed in sources such as
HEP or wind-powered generators.
Hydroelectricity is already one of the
cheapest renewable resources. Yes, it is set
up far away from the towns that use
electricity and there is a certain cost of
transporting the energy but the toxic
carbon oxides oozing out of the
conventional power plants also need to be
set up in equally remote areas. Secondly,
renewable sources are said to be inefficient
as the sun cannot be expected to shine and
the wind expected to blow 24/7. They
would need to have backup power sources,
but all generating plants require backup. In
fact, traditional fossil fuelled and nuclear
plant needs about 5GW; while wind would
need about 1.5GW. Also, a particular area
can exploit at least two to three different
sustainable sources of energy, which will
bring the need for back up even lower. The
governments can play a huge role in
encouraging this by taxing our damaging
methods of producing electricity and
funding the research and equipment
building of firms willing to spend on RE
sources.
"The perception that fossil fuels are
cheap and renewables are expensive is now
out of date", said Michael Liebreich, chief
executive of Bloomberg New Energy
Finance. "The fact that wind power is now
cheaper than coal and gas in a country with
some of the world's best fossil fuel
Fortune or a Future?
Shravasti Roy Nath
Secretary of the Olympiad Division, GreenWorld Earth Club, Class X Mars
Greenwatch 14
resources shows that clean energy is a
game changer which promises to turn the
economics of power systems on its head,"
he said. An example to support his
statements is how recent popularizations
have decreased the costs of renewable
energy. Long-term contracts for wind
energy are being signed by utilities in
several states of U.S.A. in the range of 3
cents per kwh over 20 years. According to
data from the U.S. Energy Information
Administration, this puts the cost of wind at
roughly 50% below coal and 25% below
natural gas-resources that are generally
considered some of the least expensive
forms of energy.
Thus, basically, all we need to do now is
invest on RE industries because it has
already been proven how significantly the
costs will decrease in the long run. The
challenge is attracting enough investors,
and then keeping them interested. The
simple survival instinct is enough to push
us towards renewable energy sources. If we
don't wake up, pretty soon we will be
fighting for our existence rather than about
the petty issues we have the luxury of
squabbling over now. As for the general
skeptics, the full price of fossil fuels is not
incorporated in the prices we pay, because
it ignores the massive but obscure cost of
climate change. We are leaving that bill for
future generations.
Greenwatch 14
I
am very pleased to present to you this
issue of greetings. I am very much
interested about the topic 'Renewable
energy' which is derived from natural
processes that are replenished constantly.
In its various forms, it derives directly from
the sun, or from heat generated deep within
the earth. Furthermore, it is said,
'Renewable energy'- wind, solar,
geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass -
provide substantial benefits to our climate,
our health, and our economy. Each source
of renewable energy has unique benefits
and costs; Improved Public Health and
Environmental Quality.
I hope you will enjoy reading and be
especially interested in the articles about
the topic 'Renewable Energy' in the
'GreenWatch' 2014.The GreenWorld Earth
Club had a successful year of 2013-14. We
heard a very positive feedback about the
club and the club is fortunate enough to
enroll students from classes III-XII who fit
the mission of our school. It was a pleasure
to look across the Imelda Hall during the
Charge Handing over Ceremony on Sunday,
14th September 2014.
Our students embrace the fact that learning
does not have any end. Their participation
in extracurricular and volunteer activities
will benefit them for decades to come. The
teachers, who are involved, realize that they
signed up for a lifestyle rather than a job
and put in, all their effort into everything
they do. Their hard work enables
Greenherald students to attend some of the
most prestigious activities in the school.
Think back on
the impact that
Gr e e n Wo r l d
had made, the
potential doors
that could open
for the new
g e n e r a t i o n s
like you. There
are tangible
benefits for students, who pursue to get
themselves involved in different
extracurricular activities that Greenherald
offers.
The 'GreenWorld Earth Club' is a community
that opens its arms to every student as
family and provides them the support they
need to form a new home.
The GreenWorld Earth Club is an immense
success. Through this club, students
participate in fun activities and educational
I embrace the fact
Sr. Gracie M. Gomes RNDM, Senior Section In-Charge
"We all have to start
somewhere and in
order to succeed; we
must overcome
great obstacles
in moments
of self-doubt"
-Ellis
Greenwatch 14
sessions designed by the club
management, which helps to get them
engaged in group activities. As a result, they
learn about cleanliness of our environment.
Students get involved in orientation
sessions, quizzes, and competition, which
could cover relevant topics. One must
remember that club activities do not only
help for achievements that happen in the
classroom, but also help to build the great
friendship that lasts long even after
graduates go their separate ways.
Moreover, through these activities,
students participate in numerous contests
exams that often result in winning
scholarships and awards in national and
international levels.
I encourage all the students of Greenherald
to participate in these programs so that
they can find their hidden talents, grasp
how good they are and understand how
much they will be gaining through all
extracurricular activities. I wish and make it
a priority to get more students involved in
the Greenworld Earth Club. I do believe that
the different activities keep up energy by
inspiring sisters, teachers and students as
well. I congratulate Mr. Malcolm Mendez,
the moderator, the cabinet members and all
other active leaders and members who
have dedicated themselves to this
particular club and give their best services
for the benefit of our school. Thanks to all!
The 'GreenWorld Earth Club' is a community that opens its arms to every student as family and provides them
the support they need to form a new home.
Greenwatch 14
H
ere's the truth. Over millennia, the world's
resources have been declining at an alarming
pace. With population increasing everywhere and
land becoming increasingly scarce, it is but natural
that the brunt of this decline will be borne by nature.
And nature has been paying a price. Forests have
been shrinking, rainforests have been disappearing.
Where the accepted standard has been of a country
having 25% of its land mass covered by forests, the
reality is that in large areas of the globe that figure
has been going down drastically. A most significant
example is Bangladesh, where human depredations
have been causing deforestation to such an extent
that policy makers and environmental experts are
worried about the consequences for the future. How
much of nature and its bounties are we leaving
behind for future generations?
Add to that the very troubling question of
climate change. The climate has been going through
severe changes in pattern. Where once it was easy to
predict the kind of climate and weather that one
could find in the various geographical regions of the
world, it is today hugely difficult to anticipate the
forces that nature might unleash in some part or the
other of the globe. The tsunami which left a large trail
of devastation in South East Asia a few years ago is a
hint of how much damage is being caused by climate
change. There are, then, the series of floods which
have battered countries which previously had not
come across such natural furies. Up in the north, in
the Arctic region to be precise, ice has been melting
rapidly, leading to fears that the natural balance may
well be disturbed to a point where increasing heat
will leave the earth with much of its natural
protection gone. A sign of how climate change has
been having a negative impact on lives everywhere is
to be seen in the unpredictable state of the monsoon,
which now occurs erratically. Winters are beginning
to be not so wintry any more.
Now, did all these incidents occur on their own?
Far from it. A number of countries, especially those
with vast economic resources and therefore wanting
to make progress in as rapid a way as possible, have
been causing pollution to such an extent that the
environment has become badly affected. Large
industrial complexes have been releasing gas
endlessly. Indeed, there are cities where entire days
appear to be covered in mist, except that it is not mist
but gas particles that successfully hide the sun.
People are inhaling such gases, falling ill and dying;
trees are no more capable of living on; agriculture is
affected and even rivers are no more a safe sanctuary
and breeding place for fishes.
Environmental pollution today affects not just
particular countries but people everywhere across
the globe. Governments are concerned, especially
those in poorer societies. There is the very legitimate
worry that unless measures are taken to replenish
nature through renewed efforts and renewable
energy, this planet of ours could well be taking some
early steps toward extinction. Unless nations come
together, in the realization that it is a common future
that is ours, the world will not be a safe place any
more. It has already been said, ominously, that future
wars will not be fought over possession of territory
but for the right to water. Nothing could be truer and
sadder.
And yet such oncoming disasters can be rolled
back --- through undertaking the task of covering the
earth once more in green. And green being the
symbol of life, of renewal, it is easy to understand
what needs to be done. In Bangladesh, through the
concerted efforts of such dedicated souls as the
young people in this remarkable educational
institution, in this place we call Greenherald School,
nature can indeed be reclaimed. Let us plant more
trees. Let us save those trees that have not been cut
down in the interest of so-called development.
Remember Wangari Mathaai, that wonderful woman
from Kenya who won the Nobel Prize for Peace some
years ago? No, it was not a peaceful resolution of
disputes between countries for which she won the
Nobel. She planted trees, thousands of them,
informing us in so many words that if the world is
green, there is a guarantee of peace. Green is
symbolic of nature's richness. It is a call to us about
the need not only to revive nature but also to explore
the ways and means by which we can recreate energy
that is renewable. The raw materials for such energy
are all there around us. We simply need to identify
them, sort them out and put them to healthy use.
Wangari Mathaai planted trees...
Syed Badrul Ahsan, Associate Editor, The Daily Observer
Greenwatch 14
M
Message from the Moderator:
FX 13 Chrome
E
verybody is a product of the environment. We choose the
environment that will best develop us toward our
objective. If we analyze our lives in terms of its environment
we will find that the things around us are helping us towards
success. The number of stress has multiplied exponentially in
our everyday life, such as traffic, money, success, work life
balance, the economy, the environment, parenting, family
conflict, relationships, and disease. As our life has become far
more complicated, our ancient stress response hasn't been
able to keep up and we need to work on that.
Look at chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, they have
been living for hundreds of thousands of years in their forest,
living fantastic lives, never overpopulating, never destroying
the forest. And now look at us, humans; I would say that they
have been, way more successful than us as far as being in
harmony with the environment, and protecting its right
without making any laws.
But I believe that there is a group of conscious people who
think about the conservation of environment and they have
started working. I wish this Earth Club one day, Transform the
world into Green again. I believe working with good people
matters because there, the working environment is good and
if there is a sense of respect and belief among the people we
work with, that is when good work is done. Wish you all
the best.
Ronald Cruz
Sr. Teacher- SFX Greenherald International School
Greenwatch 14
M
Message from the Moderator- GDS
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but
not every man's greed." - Mahatma Gandhi
Warmest Congratulation! Green World Earth Club has been
accomplishing a great deal of activity in raising the
awareness in the society through the systemic approach of
its organization. It gives immense satisfaction to know, why
there is a need for a safer natural world. The club has
undertaken the responsibility to rearrange what is left for a
better world and for a better future for generations to
come. I hope and believe the movement that has begun by
the club will ever last.
Syed Nazrul Ahsan
Greenwatch 14
S
ixty-eight percent of Bangladeshis now
believe that human activity is
responsible for global warming. Sixty-nine
percent believe that the Earth is heating up
in a significant way. They are aware. There
has been progress.
However, today as important it is to
change the light-bulbs in our homes as
individuals, it is not enough. It has become
more important to take a step forward as a
whole, as a nation.
Even now, when given a list of
challenges to confront, global warming is
still listed at near the bottom. What is
missing is a sense of urgency.
Thus this year, we worked on
campaigns, to call upon the nation to dispel
all illusions, to move quickly and boldly,
shake off complacency, throw aside old
habits and rise, clear-eyed and alert, to the
necessity of big changes.
As the Secretary-General of Green
World Earth Club, it has been my privilege
to have led and witnessed this club as it
crusades for a greener environment, for
now and the future.
The year started off with the ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING on the 26th of
September, the second of hopefully many
more to come. The new executive body was
inaugurated: LabibaTahsin for President and
Shezan Ahmed for Secretary General.
The first activity of the club this year
and a quite a feat too, was to form a cyclist
group and promote a greener, carbon-free
form of transport. The slogan stands as
'Green Transport, Greener Earth.' The
common thread running through all our
seemingly, intractable environmental and
economical crises is our dangerous over-
reliance on carbon-based fuels. As such,
GREEN WORLD EARTH
CLUB (GWEC)
for Now and the Future
LabibaTahsin (President, 2013-14)
ShezanAhmed (Secretary General, 2013-14)
Greenwatch 14
taking up cycles, especially by the youth of
the nation is a huge step towards a green
environment.
On 3 March 2014, GWEC, along with
multitudes of participants from all over the
country took part in the 'World Wildlife Day'
rally. For millennia, people and cultures
have relied on nature's rich diversity of wild
plants and animals. Despite all that, wildlife
today is under threat. While the threats are
great, we can reduce them through our
collective efforts.
On the inaugural World Wildlife Day,
we urged all sectors of society to end illegal
wildlife trafficking and commit to trading
and using wild plants and animals
sustainably and equitably.
On 7 March 2014, GWEC figured out a
healthy and nutritious (also widely
profitable) way of raising awareness. In the
annual Meena Bazar, organized by S.F.X
Greenherald Int. School, GWEC set up an
eco-friendly stall. We cast away colas, and
welcomed natural drinks. The bumper sale
item was the fresh green-mango juice. In
addition, we had offered fresh, formalin-
free fruits and vegetables straight from the
rural areas and a plethora of pot flowers
and plants. Of these, surprisingly, the chili
plant (Capsicum annuum) and the cacti
(Cereus peruvianus) were the most popular.
21 March 2014, was the International
Day of Forests. This global celebration of
forests provided us with a platform to
acknowledge the vital role of forests and
pledge to work together to protect and
sustainably manage these vital ecosystems.
GWEC members and GWEC Cyclist group
participated in the rally, which started at
9:30 a.m. from South Plaza of National
Parliament.
Greenwatch 14
In April, GWEC had
organized an Intra-school
Nature Olympiad. The final
rounds were held on 6th
(Classes III to V) and 7th (VI to
VIII) April, 2014.It was an
exhilarating experience that
allowed us not only to share our
knowledge but also to be
astounded by the mental
prowess of the up-coming
leaders.
In conclusion I would like to state that
every step matters, no matter how small.
It matters because this 'tiny blue dot' is
all that we have in the vastness of the
universe. It matters because this is our
home.
I would like to make it clear, in
parenthesis, that this work is not
glamorous. You strive on, you work on, days
after days, nights after nights, yet still most
often any light at the end of the tunnel is a
hope rather than a reality.
But we have to, we must, do our part
regardless of others.
Every small step you take, every step I
take, matters. Changing a single light-bulb,
an action unseen by the whole world
matters, for the growing good of the world
is partly dependent on unhistoric acts.
Things are, today, not so ill with you and me
as they might have been, half owing to the
number who lived faithfully a hidden life
and now rest in unvisited tombs.
Greenwatch 14
M
Message from Moderator: GH Theatre
I
am very pleased to write a few words for GreenWatch. The
GWEC has stepped into its 7th year. Their journey started
in 2007 and I can proudly say that this is one of the most
active clubs of Greenherald.
The Theme of this year's GreenWatch is 'Renewable Energy'.
Aptly chosen, it aims to address this burning issue to make
the children aware of the global consequences of exhausted
fuel and how to use renewable energy.
I take this opportunity to congratulate the moderator
Mr. Malcolm and the club members for doing such a
commendable job under this club.
Rahat Nilofer
Greenwatch 14
M
Message from the Moderator-
Writers Club
O
urs is an age that is characterized by a chronic
restlessness, a deviation from purpose, and a
skepticism towards a hope that a more livable world could
await us. Julian Malcolm Mendez and his team's efforts to
purge a world that has nearly destroyed the green and the
holy are exemplary. I believe the members are united by a
resolve stronger than any despairing cynicism that could
part them from their altruistic aim - which is to save our
greenaries, animals, towns, townships and cities from greed
and ruthlessness. I hope they keep this determination alive.
I gladly congratulate the GWEC upon its success chronicled
in the present issue. I am certain they will go a long long way.
Shahryar Khan
Greenwatch 14
Greenwatch 14
A
Activities Photo Album
Moderator Malcolm Mendez giving speech in
AGM 2013
Sr. Asha giving speech in AGM
Mr. Badrul Ahsan giving speech in AGM Mr. Tapan Kumar Dey giving speech in AGM
Sr. Barbara inspiring participants of Nature
Olympiad
General Members of GWEC
Greenwatch 14
Teachers in AGM GWEC Teacher's Meeting
Junior Nature Olympiad Raunak Miss, Anzumanara Haque, Rinku Miss,
Nawreen Miss, Fatema Miss in Nature Olympiad
Participants concentrating in Olympiad President, Labiba conducting weekly meeting
A
President Labiba and Treasurer Anika in weekly
meeting
Weekly Meeting
Students in Wildlife Day Rally Teachers and Sisters attending the Nature
Olympiad
Wildlife Day Rally Top ten of each group in the Nature Olympiad
Greenwatch 14
A
Greenwatch 14
President, Labiba giving speech in AGM 2013 AGM 2013
Annual Magazine, GreenWatch 2013 Annual General Meeting 2013
Dilshad Miss inaugrating the GreenWatch along
with editor, Faiza
Executive Body in AGM 2013
A
Greenwatch 14
Executive Body with Ministry of Forest Forest Day
Green Transport, Greener Earth GWEC stall in the Meena Baazar
Advisory Council checking papers Participants of Nature Olympiad
A
Greenwatch 14
President Charge Handover Charge Handover 2014
Secretary General Charge Handover Secretary Olympiad Division Charge Handover
Publication Secretary Charge Handover Treasurer Charge Handover
A
Greenwatch 14
Financial Report
Being a treasurer for the period of 2013-2014 of the GreenWorld Earth Club, I, Anika Tahsin,
took the responsibility from the previous treasurer Ananya Bhowmik with a balance of Tk
43,310. During my tenure, the club had a steady growth and in total the balance of the club
has now become Tk 50,390. This balance is handed over to the present treasurer
Rahman Sharar.
Anika Tahsin
Treasurer
The Balance Sheet is shown below.
Income Amount (Tk) Expenditure Amount (Tk)
Balance b/d 43,310 AGM 14,920
Membership Fees 43,740 Magazine 30,000
Olympiad Fees 2,770 Banner 3,500
Meena Bazaar 20,720 Meena Bazaar 11,730
Total 110,540 Total 60,150
Balance 50,390
Greenwatch 14
S
ince you read so far in the magazine or
even decided to pick it up and read
through it, you should know how important
renewable energy is to us. Our dependence
on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas
accounts for 85% of the total energy usage
of the earth. Nuclear energy owns a further
6.3% which can also be termed as a non-
renewable energy source for its need of
uranium which is rare and has a very limited
supply, not to mention the hazards which
go along with the production. Bottom line
non-renewable energy always results in
something detrimental to humanity
whether it be, global warming due to large
emissions of greenhouse gases or mass
radiation from nuclear wastes. Decades
only bring a bigger population with
increasing demand for fuel and energy.
While solar panels and wind or water
turbines are the first thing that come into
mind when speaking of renewable energy,
man's needs cannot be satiated if these
inventions are left unmodified or as the
only sources of energy. Recent ideas and
inventions have made the future of only
renewable energy seem more like a reality.
In this article you will find what the modern
minds have contributed to the subject of
renewable energies.
Urine Powered Battery
Okay this might sound a bit gross to some
but it really is a promising venture for the
future. In August 15, 2005, physicists in
Singapore successfully made a paper
battery which generates electricity from
urine. This new battery will be the perfect
power source for cheap, disposable
healthcare test-kits for diseases such as
diabetes. Led by Dr Ki Bang Lee, a research
team at Singapore's Institute of
Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN)
have developed a paper battery that is
small, cheap to fabricate, and which
ingeniously uses the fluid being tested
(urine) as the power source for the device
doing the testing.
The Bloom Box
Another new invention made by Bloom
Energy, is a little power-plant-in-a-box
which is literally meant to be in your
backyard. You'll be generating your own
electricity and it'll be wireless. The idea of
this is to replace the big power plants and
transmission line grids. Twenty large, well-
known companies have already bought this
little device. The first customer was Google.
Four units have been powering a Google
datacenter for 18 months. They use natural
gas, but half as much as would be required
for a traditional power plant. John Donahoe,
eBay's CEO, says its five boxes were
installed nine months ago and have already
saved the company more than $100,000 in
electricity costs. eBay's boxes run on
Breakthroughs in the World
of Renewable Energy
Yosra Suzanne Rahman, Secretary of Members Affairs, GreenWorld
Earth Club, Class X Mars
Greenwatch 14
bio-gas made from landfill waste, so they're
carbon neutral.
The Blood Lamp
Now this invention is pretty weird and
unsurprisingly morbid. When designer Mike
Thomspon, the blood lamp's inventor,
asked himself, "What if power came at a
cost to the individual?" he ended up
creating the blood lamp as a statement on
energy conservation. This single-use lamp
requires a drop of blood to be activated - a
personal sacrifice, that will really make you
think twice before turning on the lights. The
lamp's secret ingredient is luminol, the
chemical forensic scientists use to check for
blood, which glows blue when it reacts with
the iron in red blood cells.
Hydrogen Power
A 25-employee firm in Cranbury, the Black
Light Power, has been working on a way to
convert water into a boundless form of
cheap energy. Such skepticism doesn't
daunt Dr. Randell Mills, a Harvard-trained
physician and founder of Black Light, who
recently claimed that he has created a
working fuel cell using the world's most
pervasive element: the hydrogen found in
water. Mills says he has a market-ready
product: a fuel cell that produces a
chemical reaction to alter hydrogen atoms.
The fuel cell releases heat that turns water
into steam, which drives electric turbines.
The working models in his lab generate 50
kilowatts of electricity - enough to power
six or seven houses. But these, Mills says,
can be scaled [up] to drive a large, electric
power plant. Mills developed the patented
cocktail that enables the reaction - a solid
fuel made of hydrogen and a sodium
hydride catalyst - only a year ago.
Now I have only have mentioned few of
the ways that can help us stray away from
the need of non-renewable resources who's
scarcity is not only increasing by the minute
but is also harming the world we live on.
The inventor claims
this electricity will
cost less than 2
cents per kilowatt-
hour, which
compares to a
national average of
8.9 cents.
Greenwatch 14
R
enewable energy is energy generated
from natural sources- such as sunlight,
wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat- which
are renewable (naturally replenished). This
energy cannot be exhausted and is
continuously renewed. It is named so
because it is environmentally friendly and it
can replace non-renewable energies like oil
and coal.
Sun is probably the most important
source of renewable energy today.
Traditionally the Sun has provided energy
practically, to all living creatures on earth
through the process of photosynthesis, in
which plants absorb solar radiation and
convert it into stored energy for growth and
development.
Solar power or solar energy is the energy
we derive from the rays and heat of Sun. It is
in use from the time immemorial. However, it
is now that mankind has realized its
importance as a safe and inexpensive energy
source. The energy from the Sun can be used
to overcome the energy crisis generated by
the scarcity of resources like oil and gas. Solar
energy is free and it is everywhere. That is
why more and more countries have switched
to processes which help them to conserve
the heat and light from Sun.
The development and research in the
field of alternative fuel generation has given
rise to improvement and utilization of solar
energy. The various applications of solar
energy include solar power houses, solar
vehicles, cooking, water purification and use
of solar thermal energy. This is the way to
harness solar rays to generate heat from
them. This process is used to heat water using
evacuated tube collectors and glazed flat
plate collectors. Thermal solar energy is also
used to disinfect water from the germs using
sun's rays. The heat from the sun's rays
eliminate, the bacteria present in tap water;
this process is called water treatment. Solar
energy is also used to cook food in solar
cookers. These cookers are specially
designed to store heat from Sun to utilize
later on. Another amazing dimension of solar
heating is the 'Process Heat'. Parabolic dish
antennas and scheffler reflectors facilitate
this process and the heat stored in this way is
used for industrial applications. This process
is not only helpful in generating electricity
but it also produces steam, a non-pollutant.
Salinity-gradient solar technology is a
generic name given to the application of
salinity gradient in a body of water for the
purpose of collecting and storing solar
energy. One type of salinity-gradient solar
technology is called the salinity gradient
solar pond, and considerable research has
been devoted to solar pond development. A
solar pond can be used for various
applications, such as process heating,
desalination, drying and solar power
generation.The approach is particularly
attractive for rural areas in developing
countries. Very large area collectors can be
set up for just the cost of the clay or plastic
pond liner.Salinity-gradient solar
technologies can deliver energy at night or
during periods of cloudy weather with no
short-term degradation in quality. So this
form of technology can be very useful to
our country.
Solar Energy:
Free and Everywhere
SHENIN MEHNAJ, SECRETARY OLYMPIAD DIVISION (2013-2014)
Greenwatch 14
F
rom the prime ministers of countries to
the man with a 'Save the world' banner,
it is quite obvious that today is the trend of
renewable energy. Nowadays people
everywhere are becoming aware of the fact
that if we don't conserve what we have left
of the fossil fuels we will soon be left into a
world of darkness. Also newspapers state
boldly that our nature is dying. We all know
that renewable energy is energy we extract
from the abundant sources of nature. When
we talk about renewable energy somehow
the first thought that comes into
everybody's mind is solar power or wind
power. However we fail to acknowledge that
there are other sources which we could put
into use even in our country quite easily!
There are sources which promise less
investment and consistency. Synthetic fuels
are one such way.
The Synthetic fuel is a sort of fuel in the
form of liquid or gas which is chemically
converted from synthetic gas or biomass. It
is also derived from gasification of solid
feedstockes such as coal. Synthetic gas is a
fuel gas made up mainly of hydrogen,
carbon monoxide and most of the time
some carbon dioxide. The chemical
conversion creates substances that are
chemically the same as crude oils or
processed fuels, but are manufactured
through artificial means. Unlike solar or
wind power, synthetic fuel is a constant and
stable source of energy. The weather varies
day to day, it may rain or there may not be
wind always but the synthetic fuels are
continuous and a better source. It is 'bio-
friendly', as the methods involve extracting
greenhouse gases from the air.
A bio-friendly method of producing
synthetic fuel is hydrogenation, a chemical
reaction between molecular hydrogen and
another compound or element generally in
the presence of a catalyst. A catalyst is an
additional substance which augments the
rate of a chemical reaction enabling the
reaction to go faster and also with less
energy. They can be recycled. Catalysts are
used since the process of hydrogenation
requires heat or high temperature.
Hydrogen is the simplest element which
is the most plentiful element in the
universe. However it is not really found
naturally as a gas since it's always
combined with other elements, such as
water: a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen.
Hydrogen is also found in many organic
compounds that make up most many of our
fuels. These fuels such as gasoline,
methanol, etc are called hydrocarbons.
Hydrogen can be separated from these
hydrocarbons through processes like
reforming. An electric current can also be
used to separate water into its components
of hydrogen and water. This deformation of
water into its original components is known
as water electrolysis.
Synthetic Fuels:
Bio-Friendly Fuels
Aahir Mrittika & Abrar B. Tohid, Class VII Mars,
Executive Members - Member Affairs
Greenwatch 14
LNG (LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS) LNG is
an alternative for the conventional CNG
(COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS) likewise LNG
is composed of Methane (CH4) that has
been converted into a liquid form for ease
of storage and transport. It takes about
1/600th the volume of natural gas in the
gaseous state. It is odourless, colourless,
non-toxic and non- corrosive. The
liquefaction process includes the removal
of certain components such as dust, acid
gases, helium, water and heavy
hydrocarbons, which could cause difficulty
downstream. The natural gas is then
condensed into a liquid at to atmospheric
pressure by cooling it to approximately-
162 C. Maximum transport pressure is set
around 25 KPa. LNG can keep out about
2,800 metric tons of CO2 out of the
environment per year. Such fuels are
carbon neutral because they do not
increase the net amount of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere. Since these
synthetic fuels are produced from waste
materials such as carbonic acid from
seawater and factory wastes, their
combustion is subject to carbon capture,
they result in negative carbon emission and
aids to the CO2 removal and thus is a
remedy to the green house effect.
These synthetic fuels are eco friendly
and cost effective. Our source for these, are
our everyday waste products and all we do
to them is filter them with Hydrogen in the
presence of a catalyst to make our fuel. Its
combustion won't harm the environment as
it's already filtered CO2. It acts as a remedy
for the Greenhouse Gases. This is possible
in Bangladesh, and this is exactly why it
should be supported and considered for
financing. The hydrogenation process, the
electrolysis of sea water can be done in our
Sea. It contains carbonic acid which can be
used for our purpose. In the long haul this is
both useful to us and it is something that
can replace our conventional fossil fuels
and it will help repair the Ozone layer. Since
this is possible in Bangladesh, wouldn't it
be wise for Bangladesh to take the first step
in a great change? A revolution can and will
start with a single idea, with the resolution
for a safer earth, a cleaner earth and a
greener earth.
Greenwatch 14
Class III
Roses
Anusree Chakraborty, Astitwa Dutta Jeet, Arannyo R. Chowdhury, Adel Thamid, Azmain
Fiaz(Mansib), Fahimur Rahaman Chowdhury, Ishmam Abtahi, Juhair Huda Tahmid, Kazi Abu
Talha, Mustaqim Mahfuz Addrito, Musabbir Uddin Arham, Manzur-E-Alam, Md. Khaja Nahian,
Nowshin Tarannum Nasim, Nusaiba Tasmia, Noborshee Chakma, Nurjahan Islam Tanisha,
Pritheeraj Saha, Rahim Islam, Rimjhim Antonia Gomes, Rahul Farhan, Sk. Samid Adnan, Syed
Albab Imam, Tahsin Kabir, Tasnia Mahjabin Tanisha, Tousaa Zarin, Zahin Ahmed.
Class IV
Roses
Ahmed Wafee Syed Khan, Arannya Roy, Aurneela Ghosh, Arghya Paul, Mary Cleopetrea
Penhiereo, Maliha Tasnim, Md. Munzed Rahman, Prottoy Roy, Rowajana Behterin Barbrie,
Rukhsar Rifat, Shovik Faiyaz, Sunehra Rahman, Srijita Das, Sahar Alma Siddiqui, Tahseenur
Rahman, Tanzil Sakib.
Tulips
Azmain Fiaz(Mansib), Adrin Nabia Azad, Aysha Anjum Hyder, Aye Khan May, Adil Ahnaf,
Aryan Royes Rozario, Adrian Shuvayu Baroi, Audri Rappa Ali, Fabia Bushra(Ajanta), Ishraq
Manjur, Koushin Unber , Mir Farzan Zubair, Moontasir Jubaer Nabil, Md. Siam Sadat, Mandal
Adrita Arna, Mahdin Ahmed, Nadia Mehajabin, Raisa Tarannum, Ricky Barua, Saif Sammi
Rahat, Sabyashachi Roy, Shazia Ali, Sarwar Sifat, Samara Illin, Shafaat Razin Sarder, Umme
Hony , Zannatul Tahsin, Zara Zaman, Afsara Rahman Deeah, Fatin ilham Chowdhury.
Lilies
Fahmid Xavier, Adrita Zaima Islam, Abrar Faiyaj Khan, Fahim Shahriar, Jashra Tasnim Dahiya,
Khalid Mahir Faisal, Laima Tasmeem, Nashetat Tahsin, Ramisa Tarannum, Sadia Mahfuza
Binte Arif, Saadman Ahmad, Yasa Zaheen.
Daisies
Abdulla Al Saifee, A.Aymaan Akhter, Arion Augustine Gonsalves, Anusua Saha, "Anindya
SenDibyendu Debnath", Fahmid Xavier, Leon Lawrence Baroi, Mirza Zahin Ifraz, Mamuna
Mahboob, Md. Tasdik-Ul Haque, Oysho Xavier Rozario, Prathom Mitra, Purma Nirupita
Hoque, Priyonti Tabassum Haque, Quazi Fuad, Richard Rory Guda, Sandrella Tripura, Sikder
Al-Mahi(Dhrubo), Shayanto Nawar, Sharad Mitra, Sudipto Shahriar Islam, Zarin Subah Eshika
Members List 2014-2015 GWEC
Greenwatch 14
Class V
Roses
Avishek Immanuel C. Gomes, Afifa Jahir Roza, Aolin Teresa Quiah, Atia Fiaroz, Anisha
Hossain Megha, Felix Niloy Hira, Iffat Tabassum, Mohammad Ahrazul Haque, Maclin Tiash
Sarker, Momena Khatun, Mahzuba Maliha, Md. Ahnaf Kashfi, Raisa Rafique, Radiah Fairuz
Ahona, Safaq Zilan, Tahity Mehran Abdulla.
Class VI
Mars
Afra Nawar, Alex Lawrence Gomes, Angela Shreya Baroi, Fariza Tanvir, Md. Nahian Nasir,
Mugdho Jeferson Rozario, Ryan Afreen.
Class VII
Mars
Mars, Amme Myat, Aadrito Mehrab Hossain, Aahir Mrittika, Ireen Tasnim Progga Islam, Joy
Sarker, Jahsin Jahiyat, Mohammad Raiyan Zaman, Nadee Zaman, Nubah Munjerin, Sumaiya
Alfi Zaman, Sunehra Tazreen, Sakif Ahamed, Abrar Bin Tohid.
Jupiter
Afrin Haque, Mahmud Amin Mashfi, Md. Nahian Bari, Nishat Nayeema Ahmed, Quazi
Rumman Rahman, Rownaq Saba Azom, Rashmia Shameem Nimita, Roja Khondokar, Shaolin
Ahmed, Talha Hasan.
Tulips
Auritri Kunda, Asma Ahmed, Eisha Sutar, Fiorella Hossain Bhuiyan, Juhaina Zareen, Proshun
Saha, Reeya Fariha , Ruksar Shahid, Sadika Rahman, Shammi Syera Simin, Tamishna Alam,
Richard Ronan Gomes.
Tulips
Ayaz Hamid Jaiyan, Azmain Feda, Aryan Zaman Mridha, Armin Ahmad Asnurvan, Anannyo
Progga Logno, Grace Annietta Aloysius, Ifrad Chowdhury, Ishrar Rafid, Isha Aariana, James
Haya, Labonya Das Gupta, Maung Thein Nyunt, Maliha Marzan Raima, Mahmudul Hasan
Ahmed(Farhan), Neeha Noireeta Hossain, Nowshin Nawar, Promit Das, Progga Abonti Nag,
Samit Sharma, Sadman Islam Sayor, Shayan Parvez, Sakim Rubaiya Tushin, Zaima Zarin.
Greenwatch 14
Jupiter
Abrar Shahriar Hossain, Christine Abantika Quiah, Evita Debnath, Nafisa Nawshin, Shreyon
Stephen Gomes, Souram Basak, Radiyaa Mehedi Khan.
Venus
Auddithio Nag, Kazi Jawadul Islam, Labiba Zahin, Orthi Onupom, Rumi Birtey Habib, Rafi
Sadik, Samantha Yandir Khan, Shayontee Serena Nath, Veronica Jacelyn Rodrick, Windy
Marylin Biswas, Zannatul Humaira.
Class VIII(Mars)
Faiza Humaira, Parisa Rahman, Raima Amin.
Class VIII Jupiter
Veronica Cheryl Gomes.
Class IX(Jupiter)
Arindam Saha.
Class X
Shafin Sadman Mallick, Farhana Shinjon.
Class XII
Mohammad Galib Abrar Akhand, Ronald Monk Botleroo, Raiyan Islam, Victor C.Rozario,
Syed Ashik Hossain, Asaduzzaman Rahat, Syeda Lamisa Aktari, Kazi Abdul Muktadir,
Salma Chowdhury, Mustafa-Al-Aff Wasee.
Class XI
Anika Tahsin, Anisha Jamil, Apurba Saha, Asmiya Hasan, Beliate Fahim Sarker, Faysal, Wahab
Siddiqui, Farhan Siddique Rafee, Jamsheed Jahangir, Maliha Tanjum Chowdhury Deneb, Md.
Sabib Mubassir, Sanjeeda Tazrin Shutrishna, Tasneem Tarannum Shafi, Toree Deepanwita,
Zahin Shuhrat Islam, Borhanulla Bhuyian, Samiha Rumali, Samin Haque, Abeda linda Rashid,
Raisa Binte Matin, Jannatul Atika, Mushfiq Khan, Ifraham Iqbal Aquib, Farhan Khan.
Greenwatch 14
F
or the last decade or so, we have come
across the words "fossil fuels", "global
warming" and "renewable energy" more
often than not. Now, since all these words
are interconnected let me explain how and
why they are the reasons we need to focus
on the pressing climate issues. Till today,
fossil fuels have been the world's main
source of energy. Fossil fuels are formed
when dead plants and animals decompose
and fossilize under pressure across millions
of years. They are irreplaceable sources of
energy such as oil, coal or petrol, which
produce huge amounts of energy and heat
when combusted. Almost 90% of the
energy we use comes from these fossil
fuels: about 40% from oil, 27% from coal
and 21% from natural gas. Since all these
sources are effectively non-renewable and
of a limited amount, scientists fear that they
will all eventually be used up at the current
consumption rate.
Burning of fossil fuels not only depletes
a major source of energy, it also releases a
number of harmful gases such as carbon
monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur
dioxide into the atmosphere. These gases
cause air pollution, coupled with numerous
health issues such as nose, throat and eye
irritation, breathing and chest problems etc.
These gases often mix with water vapour
and fall as "acid rain", another term we have
become quite used to. Acid rain may cause
crops to wilt, buildings to corrode and even
cause major diseases like skin cancer.
Combustion of these fuels also releases
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Although it is not a pollutant gas, it certainly
contributes to global warming. Normally,
heat energy from the sun's rays bounce off
of the earth's surface and escape through
the atmosphere; but high amounts of the
gas trap a large portion of this energy within
the atmosphere, gradually increasing the
global temperature.
The adverse effects of this include the
melting of ice caps near the poles which
has caused sea levels to rise. Now, to
prevent this increase in global temperature
or at least bring it under control, we are
required to find alternate solutions. This is
where "renewable energy" comes into
discussion. Since fossil fuels are of limited
amounts, scientists have searched for and
found alternate sources of energy. These
renewable sources all generate cheap and
clean energy. Examples include: solar, tidal,
wind, bio, geothermal and HEP (hydro-
electric power), all of which will be
explained in detail in the following articles.
These all theoretically provide the perfect
solution to the world's energy crises. Now,
questions may arise asking that if the
method is really so perfect, why doesn't
everyone just use these sources instead of
fossil fuels?
They might provide us with a perfect
solution, but there are certain
complications and disadvantages. For one,
renewable sources generate a
comparatively low amount of energy than
fossil fuels. Costs of setting up solar panels
or renewable energy plants can be quite
expensive too, because this equipment is
comparatively newer technology than
Renewable Energy
Amreeta L. Chowdhury, Class VIII (Mars)
Greenwatch 14
Renewable Energy
required for the traditional fossil fuels.
Many also argue that putting up windmills
will destroy the natural landscape since
multiple windmills are required to generate
an adequate amount of energy. Another
disadvantage is that renewable energy is
not very reliable as it depends on the
weather e.g. solar panels require a clear
sky, HEP dams require adequate rainfall
and wind farms require well, wind.
But there are advantages to using
renewable sources too. For example, this
type of energy is sustainable i.e. it will last
as long as there is adequate sunlight, water,
wind etc. It is clean and results in almost no
pollution, green house gases or net carbon
emissions. Although initial investments
may be high, once set up they generate
energy for minimum costs. Prices of this
type of energy do not fluctuate like those
of coal, oil or natural gas. Switching to
renewable energy also ensures the energy
supplies for our future generations by
reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
As a lot of people see it, renewable
sources are not very reliable or stable
sources of energy. Whether the benefits
outweigh the shortcomings of renewable
energy, is up to us to decide. While no one
can be forced to change their opinion, the
question can only be begged: are you
willing to risk the fates of our future
generations and the earth because you
refuse to sacrifice a little comfort and cope
to something new? For the way I see it-and
I hope some of you if not most will agree-
change is not loss, not always.
Greenwatch 14
W
ith the ever increasing rate of Global
Warming, use of renewable over fossil
fuels is increasing everyday. Bangladesh
being a low-lying country, is very much
likely to be badly affected by the
consequences of Global Warming. So many
initiatives for wide scale use of renewable
are being developed.
Biogas is one such example. The rural
population of Bangladesh is still suffering
from lack of energy supply. Biogas is the
best, most simple and cheap source of
energy that can be used.
In spite of being insignificant in
volume, the availability of biogas to very
large number of rural people and to very
remote areas make the technology very
suitable and effective. True, commercially
produced pipeline natural gas plays and
will continue to play vital role in the
industrialization and urbanization of the
country, but this gas will not reach the
remote village households any time soon, if
at all! In that respect there is no alternative
to biogas for the millions of villagers.
Bangladesh produces about 1100
million cubic feet of natural gas daily and
imports about three million tons of crude
oil and petroleum product per year. These
are referred to as commercial energy and
provide for 35 per cent of the total energy
consumed in the country. These commercial
energies are mainly used in urban based
industries to generate electricity, to run
industrial and commercial units and to
supply domestic households in major cities
and towns. Ironically, these commercial
energies are mostly out of bound of the
vast majority of the rural people of the
country. So where does the nation's energy
balance leave the vast majority of the rural
population? It is the biomass energy source
that is available to the latter and it consists
of fuel wood, leaves, agricultural residues,
cow dung and other organic wastes. These
are referred to as non commercial energy
and actually provide for the remaining 65
per cent of the total energy consumed in
the country.
About 80 per cent of the total
population of the country or about 100
million people live in rural area. The non-
commercial biomass energy sources
(fuelwood, cow dung, agricultural waste
etc), these people traditionally use are
inefficient and poorly managed. For
generations, their energy technology base
has remained inefficient and primitive. It is
estimated that only about 19 per cent of
the country's total population have
electricity, 4 per cent have natural gas
connection in the households. In the rural
area only 5 per cent of the population use
kerosene as fuel.
Commercially produced natural gas is
playing a vital role in the industrialization of
the country. With increasing
industrialization and urbanization the
demand for natural gas will continue
to grow
The above gas demand scenario is,
however, based on the projected
requirement of urban based power plants,
fertilizer factories, industrial and
Biogas in Rural Bangladesh
Faiza Khondokar, President, Advisory Council
Greenwatch 14
commercial units to be built in future. This
projection does not envisage providing
natural gas directly to the vast majority of
the rural people. This is not practical for two
reasons, i) it is not possible to build gas
pipe line infrastructure to connect
thousands of villages throughout the
country, ii) even if that were possible, the
rural population would not have the
purchasing power to use pipe line gas in
their households.
The aboves situation leave the rural
population to rely on the traditional
biomass sources for household supply of
energy. This is however not only a case with
Bangladesh, but many other developing
nations like India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, China etc. Over the last few
decades there have been renewed interests
and initiatives by many developing
countries to innovate new and improved
biomass energy technologies whereby the
biomass energy sources can be used more
efficiently and managed more scientifically.
The most popular and widely used of these
technologies has been the biogas
technology in which biomass (cow dung,
poultry dropping, agricultural residue etc) is
converted into biogas. The biogas is
supplied to households for use in cooking
in a similar way natural gas is used. In
addition, biogas may be used to light
houses as does the petromax. Biogas can
also be used to run small generator to
produce electricity for running electrical
household appliances like TV, electric light,
fridge etc.
Ideal technology for rural Bangladesh:
Biogas plant is built with simple technology
and uses raw material easily available with
the rural households -- mostly cow dung.
Biogas is a kind of gas generated when
biomass i.e cow dung or other animal dung
or biodegradable organic masses are stored
in underground chamber in an anaerobic
condition (absence of oxygen). It is a kind of
anaerobic bacteria that produces the biogas
from the organic debris. The composition of
biogas is mainly methane (65%) with lesser
amount of carbon di oxide (30-35%) and
trace hydrogen and nitrogen. It is a
colourless gas and burns in similar way as
natural gas (it actually burns at 800 degree
centigrade compared to natural gas which
burns at 1000 degree centigrade, both
suitable for cooking and any other
household application). A biogas plant
consists of a brick made underground
chamber about 10 feet in height connected
to a smaller surface feeding chamber on
one side and a debris outlet chamber on
the other side. Cow dung or other biomass
material with water (in 1:1 ratio) are fed
once a day into the underground chamber
from the surface and biogas is generated
and accumulated at the top part of the
chamber. The gas is tapped by inserting a
rubber pipe and supplied to kitchen or
other places in the house. After producing
gas, the cow dung is moved to the outlet
chamber under the gas pressure and
incoming new biomass materials and is
deposited in a pit as a very good quality
fertilizer ready to use in the field.
Greenwatch 14
A
bout 65% of the entire population of
Bangladesh (about 157 million) does not
have access to electricity. The per capita
consumption of 218-230 kWH is the lowest
among developing countries. The country's
energy infrastructure is small and insufficient.
About 88% of the energy produced is from
natural gas, 4% from coal, 6% from oil, just
2% from hydro-electric power, wind and solar
being negligent. Natural gas reserves are
expected to expire by 2020. The only coal
mine of the country is in the development
stage. Funnily enough, its reserve of is
expected to dry up 75 to 80 years after the
start of their operations.
Our agricultural sector has shrunk to
under 20% a decade into the millennium but
industry is growing to over 30% currently. The
demand for energy is increasing but the
supply is far from adequate. We need
something efficient, concrete, sustainable and
cheap in the long run. The vision of nuclear
power in our country was first seen by
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the
Father of our Nation, in 1961. The Rooppur
site in Pabna was selected 2 years later. Not
much was done afterwards.
Over the years, numerous feasibility tests
and studies had been carried out and the
feasibility of the project was affirmed.
Bangladesh signed an inter-governmental
agreement (IGA) with Russia. The later will
assist in the development of nuclear energy
infrastructure in Bangladesh. It has been
agreed to build 2000MW plant with two
reactors. The plant is expected to generate
600-1000MW of electricity.
What benefits are we to achieve from
nuclear energy? - Any fourth grader may know
the answer. It is renewable, our country has a
large store of uranium, uranium has a long
half-life, etc.
Are there any bad sides to the
cooperation? The project may cost around
US$1.5-$2 billion to build the power plant.
Needless to say, a large portion of the state's
revenue will have to be invested. This capital
could have been used to grant subsidies,
invest in the healthcare, repair and improve
infrastructure, and so much more instead.
Scientists voiced profound concern over the
safety and economic viability of the plant in
2013. They deemed the site unstable, the
VVER-1000 model questionable. Moreover,
the contract with Russia did not include
financial arrangements, costs or waste
disposal and to make matters more
troublesome, the site is quite near the river
Padma.
Dealing with nuclear waste is very
expensive. A unit ton of nuclear waste is far
more dangerous than the same amount of
coal-fired plant waste, if not managed
properly. No one wants another Chernobyl
incident. Speaking of which, a dome-shaped,
high density steel reinforced concrete
containment is included in the plans, a feature
absent in the Chernobyl plant.
The nuke plant is a part of the 'Digital
Bangladesh' scheme's Vision21. A second
plant will be established if the Rooppur
project goes successfully in south-western
region of the country. Khulna's Labanchara
has primarily been selected for the plant.
Nuclear Plants in Bangladesh,
are we up for it?
Anuradha Biswas, Secretary of Event Management, Class X Jupiter
Greenwatch 14
H
umankind has collected resources from
the earth's bountiful supply to improve
upon their quality of life. But the
development and progress of civilisation
has occurred at the expense of earth's non-
renewable resources, which are still being
depleted at an alarming rate.
It is our responsibility to maintain
ecological balance on the only planet that
can support life, our precious earth. We
must learn to use our natural resources
more efficiently and reasonably in order to
preserve the earth's beauty and climate, as
well as to survive. Moreover, if we fail to do
so we must come face to face with a future
where there is no place left to support life
as we know it.
All over the world, especially in third
world countries like Bangladesh, the
enormous and ever-growing population
demands a huge magnitude of cheap,
convenient and abundant resources for fuel
and energy supply. So it is easy to imagine
how quickly the non-renewable energy-
yielding resources such as coal, natural gas
and fossil fuels are being used up to supply
fuel for cooking, operating factories, driving
vehicles and to support the daily lives and
livelihoods of people all over the world.
Such resources take billions of years to be
formed and therefore cannot be renewed.
From scientists all over the world,
warning signs have already been issued.
Fossil fuels when burnt, create harmful
greenhouse gas emissions and our planet is
already feeling the impact of climate
change. By using renewable energy, instead
of using fossil fuels, we would significantly
decrease the current levels of greenhouse
gas emissions, and this would have a
positive environmental impact for our
entire planet. Therefore, we have come face
to face with a problem, which can threaten
the very existence of all forms of life on
earth. So in order to tackle this problem
head-on, and to ensure continuity of life, we
mustuse sustainable, renewable and non-
polluting resources as alternatives to their
non-renewable counterparts. The main
renewable energy resources include-solar,
wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and tidal
energies. These resources are constantly
replenished and will not be depleted.
The sun's heat also drives the winds,
whose energy, is captured with wind
turbines. Then, the winds and the sun's heat
cause water to evaporate. When this water
vapour turns into rain or snow and flows
downhill into rivers or streams, its energy is
trapped using power. This hydroelectric
power is used by Kaptai dam on a
Karnaphuli River in Bangladesh.
Along with the rain and snow, sunlight
causes plants to grow. The organic matter
that makes up those plants is known as
biomass. Biomass can be used to produce
electricity, transportation fuels, or
chemicals. The use of biomass for any of
these purposes is called bioenergy.
Use and Importance of
Renewable Energy Resources
Sauiba Amina Salahuddin, Class XI (Group II), Member, GWEC
Greenwatch 14
A
s we grow older, we change, a thought
changes, our perspectives change, we
change as a whole. Sometimes it's hard to
identify someone as the same person, his
whole personality changes and the change
in itself is inevitable, as a famous Bengali
poet had once said, "People change, they
change continuously and when they die,
they rot/decompose." This signifies the
change a person goes through, even in death.
Why can't we change our perspective?
It's only natural to adapt to the time and the
changes which come with it, however why
not start a new type of change? We may not
be the first to propose this but we may be
bringing a radical change in our proposal.
The people in our country lack a certain
sense, which we have termed as 'civic
sense.' It is the normal rules, regulations
and legislation which a person follows in
Changing Ideas,
Changing Transport
Md. Sami Iftee, Publication Secretary, GreenWorld Earth Club
Class X Jupiter
Not all renewable energy resources
come from the sun. Geothermal energy taps
the Earth's internal heat for a variety of
uses, including electric power production,
and the heating and cooling of buildings.
But it is expensive to drill deep into the
earth's surface to obtain geothermal energy
so it not the most convenient energy
resource.
The energy of the ocean's tides come
from the gravitational pull of the moon and
the sun upon the Earth. In fact, ocean
energy comes from a number of sources. In
addition to tidal energy, there is the energy
of the ocean's waves, which are driven by
both the tides and the winds. The sun also
warms the surface of the ocean more than
the ocean depths, creating a temperature
difference that can be used as an energy
source. All these forms of ocean energy can
be used to produce electricity.
Renewable energy will not run out.
Other sources of energy are finite and will
someday be depleted. Renewable energy is
reliable and plentiful and will potentially be
very cheap once technology and
infrastructure improve. Renewable energy
technologies are clean sources of energy
that have a much lower environmental
impact than conventional energy
technologies. So we the young generation
and future leaders of Bangladesh must
learn more about renewable resources and
try to reduce our dependability on non-
renewable energy resources. Because if we
want our future generations to lead
comfortable, modern and healthy lives in a
beautiful and balanced environment, we
must adapt in order to avoid a future where
civilization crumbles around the ruins of an
earth that once had been abundant in
resources and life.
Greenwatch 14
everyday life. We still run through a red
light, we still don't know how to cross the
road, and we really don't listen to the law
enforcement officers.
We have no right to disobey the law, no
one is above it, but sadly in our country,
rules are bended and broken without much
thought. Why must the people who have no
influence over the way things work, obey
the law, and be the only ones to do it? Many
of us have power, we have influence, but we
constantly misuse it, why should we do
this? We haven't reached rock bottom on
our ethics and morality, nor do we intend to.
It's the little things which count, every
little thing contributes to something bigger,
and sometimes our little acts of kindness or
obedience helps to pave a path, a structure
and the structure helps to guide others.
A small disturbance which occurs
almost each working day happens in our
own school. The most insignificant of things
happen which can be avoided quite easily.
The silliest fact is that cars wait for parents
and children, in front of the school main
gate, it makes no sense. If the cars left after
dropping the guardians and students, then
that would make sense, but the cars wait in
front of the gate, causing several other cars
to halt and form an unnecessary queue. Not
only does this cause noise pollution
because of the horns which all the
guardians or chauffeurs apply, as they all
know that the entire process is a complete
waste of time, yet they do it themselves.
There are more than 3 people who have
been given the responsibility to prevent the
chaos which happens every morning, but
they have nothing to do but control and
minimize the imminent damage. If we don't
start to change, who will? It's a small step
which is quite easy to take, a guardian out
of their love will definitely escort the child
to school, but that shouldn't mean that the
cars will wait for them, while the exchange
waves and goodbyes. It is our school; it is as
much yours as it is mine, before causing
an inconvenience to someone else just
like you.
Be the change. It all starts with one
person but only after initiation does a
structure develop, and development must
start with each one of us, only then progress
can be made.
Now that I have discussed the problem,
which can be easily solved with all of your
help, let me present a proposal.We are all
growing; we all are changing, so why not
take it in a positive manner? For example,
the guardians of the students belonging to
classes 8 onwards could encourage their
children to come to school by bicycle. If the
students come to school with bicycles then
they will develop more confidence, which is
an essential quality in today's world.
However the guardians may feel that the
students live very far away or they are
worried about the safety of their children,
that is understandable.
If the guardians accept the proposal, we
will decrease several problems such as
noise pollution, traffic congestion and
most importantly, we will reduce the
consumption and potential wastage of fuel,
and we will be able to prevent significant
damage to the environment.
Everything starts somewhere, let us
begin change with ourselves, only then we
can inspire others to change.

GreenWorld Magazine 2014

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GreenWorld Magazine 2014

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The Annual Magazine of the GreenWorld Earth Club 1

Cost: Biofuels have the potential to be

Source material: Whereas oil is a limited

Renewability: It takes a very long time

Security: Biofuels can be produced

Economic stimulation: Because biofuels

Lower carbon emissions: When biofuels

Energy output: Biofuels have a lower

Production carbon emissions: Several

High cost: To refine

Food shortages: There is concern that

Water use: Massive quantities of water

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