Reflections on LulaLink to Part IV
(February 10, Havana, Sri Lanka Guardian) China, whose territorial area is 87 times our island's, with 117 times more population than Cuba, has just been hit by an unusual cold wave which affected Shanghai, the most developed area, as well as the southern and central regions of that huge country. Authorities report about the emergency broadcast by western international news agencies AFP, AP, EFE, DPA, and ANSA, among others: "Heavy snows have forced the shutting down of thermo-power stations and the reduction by a half of coal reserves, the main source of energy of the country, which has created a serious energy crisis".
"in the most affected area a 7 percent total energy loss- power stations have stopped operating, according to the Energy Commission.
"Ninety stations, which produce an additional 10 per cent thermo-power, could be shut down in the next days if conditions do not improve
"Coal reserves have been reduced by more than a half, authorities reported.
"The main problem is transportation. More than have of the existing trains are devoted to the transportation of coal. The paralysis of the railway network has caused many problems, said Wang Zheming, an expert of the State Security Commission.
"Wang remembered that these days coal transportation is facing the competition of passenger's transportation, since as a result of New Year's celebrations there is a railway transportation exodus of almost 180 million people in hardly a month.
"For China it is difficult to resort to another source of energy. The ideal source would be natural gas, but reserves are not enough yet, the expert said."
We should also take into account that in recent months, the Yang-Tze river basin as well as other central and southern areas suffered the worst drought in half a century, which affected hydro-power generation.
"Heavy snows will continue to fall in the next three days," according to the Chinese Association of Meteorology.
"The whole country has mobilized to cope with the emergency. In the city of Nanjing, 250,000 people were assigned to remove snow from the streets."
These news refer to "460,000 soldiers from the People's Liberation Army, deployed in the Chinese provinces, to help millions of people unsheltered who were affected by the lowest temperatures ever recorded in recent times, and to one million law enforcement agents to help re-establish traffic and services.
"The Ministry of Health sent 15,000 doctors to assist the victims.
"In the city of Canton Prime Minister Wen Jiabao addressed a crowd of travelers whose trains were paralyzed.
"An estimated 80 million people have been affected. Damages caused to agriculture and food production are being assessed."
BBC World reports as follows: "The Chinese government reported that a severe drought led to the most severe drop ever recorded in 142 years of the water level in one part of the Yang-Tze River, the biggest in the country.
"In the port city of Hankou, in the center of the country, water levels decreased by 13.98 m in early January, something which had not been seen since 1866, according to local media."
The cold wave was approaching Vietnam carrying unusually low temperatures.
Such news will give you an idea of the consequences of climate change, which scientists worry so much about. The two examples I have referred to are revolutionary countries, perfectly well organized, with great human and economic strength, where all resources are immediately put to the service of the people. Here we are not talking about hungry crowds abandoned to their own fate.
On the other hand, a news published by Reuters on January 29 states that "France is planning to modify its bio-fuels consumption policy, due to certain doubts that exist regarding the impact of the so called "green fuels" on the environment', as reported on Tuesday by the State Secretary for the Environment.
"France has become one of the biggest bio-fuels manufacturers in Europe, after adopting an ambiguous policy that anticipates in two years the European Union goal of mixing bio-fuels with standard fuels.
"In order to achieve its fuels mixing goalsFrance established a system of quotas that enjoy reduced tariffs, so that they could be competitive as compared to standard fuels.
"That policy encouraged many companies to invest in this sector and build ethanol and bio-diesel manufacturing plants all over the country".
All that I have just explained, whose main concepts were already foreseen, is a sum total of recent events. Most certainly, under such circumstances, these events will require Brazil, a country that fortunately has not been affected by these huge climate calamities, to take significant steps in its commercial and investment policy. As from now, its international impact is growing bigger.
Obviously, there are a number of factors that makes the situation of the planet all the more complex. We could list several of them:
1. Growth in the consumption of oil, a non-renewable and polluting product, due to the squandering of consumption societies.
2. Scarcity of food due to several causes, among them, the exponential population and animal growth which turn into increasingly demanded proteins.
3. Overexploitation of the seas and the pollution of marine species due to chemical wastes dumping by industries which are incompatible with life.
4. The macabre idea of turning foodstuffs into fuels for leisure and luxury.
5. Inability of the dominant economic system to make a rational and efficient use of science and technology to combat pests and diseases which attack humans, animals and the crops that feed them. Biotechnology transforms genes, and transnationals manufacture and use their products; they maximize their profits by resorting to publicity, with no guarantees for those who consume such products and depriving those who need them the most from having access to them. Among those products, there are the very new nano-technological molecules the term is relatively new-- which are disorderly making their way using the same mechanisms.
6. The need to have rational family and society growth plans, away from hegemonic desires or power lust.
7. The almost total absence of education in topics which are decisive for life, even in nations with the highest educational levels.
8. The real dangers posed by mass destruction weapons in the hands of irresponsible people, which were described by The New York Times, one of the most influential newspapers in the United States, as horrifying dangers.
Is there any remedy for these dangers? Yes: knowing them and confronting them. How? These would be purely theoretical answers. Let readers to find those by themselves, especially the youngest boys and girls, as it is usually said now, in order not to appear as discriminating against women. Do not hope to become first a Head of State.
Did or didn't have I several topics to talk about with Lula? It was impossible to talk to him about everything. This way it is easier to discuss the news that arrived after his visit.
I reminded him that I was trying to recover from two accidents: the one in Villa Clara and the illness that came about after my last trip to Argentina.
Almost at the end of his visit he told me: "You are invited to go to Brazil this year". Thanks, I answered, at least in my thoughts I will be there.
Finally he told me: I will tell your comrades and friends in Brazil that you are very well.
We walked together to the exit. The meeting was really worthwhile.
(Concluded)
"in the most affected area a 7 percent total energy loss- power stations have stopped operating, according to the Energy Commission.
"Ninety stations, which produce an additional 10 per cent thermo-power, could be shut down in the next days if conditions do not improve
"Coal reserves have been reduced by more than a half, authorities reported.
"The main problem is transportation. More than have of the existing trains are devoted to the transportation of coal. The paralysis of the railway network has caused many problems, said Wang Zheming, an expert of the State Security Commission.
"Wang remembered that these days coal transportation is facing the competition of passenger's transportation, since as a result of New Year's celebrations there is a railway transportation exodus of almost 180 million people in hardly a month.
"For China it is difficult to resort to another source of energy. The ideal source would be natural gas, but reserves are not enough yet, the expert said."
We should also take into account that in recent months, the Yang-Tze river basin as well as other central and southern areas suffered the worst drought in half a century, which affected hydro-power generation.
"Heavy snows will continue to fall in the next three days," according to the Chinese Association of Meteorology.
"The whole country has mobilized to cope with the emergency. In the city of Nanjing, 250,000 people were assigned to remove snow from the streets."
These news refer to "460,000 soldiers from the People's Liberation Army, deployed in the Chinese provinces, to help millions of people unsheltered who were affected by the lowest temperatures ever recorded in recent times, and to one million law enforcement agents to help re-establish traffic and services.
"The Ministry of Health sent 15,000 doctors to assist the victims.
"In the city of Canton Prime Minister Wen Jiabao addressed a crowd of travelers whose trains were paralyzed.
"An estimated 80 million people have been affected. Damages caused to agriculture and food production are being assessed."
BBC World reports as follows: "The Chinese government reported that a severe drought led to the most severe drop ever recorded in 142 years of the water level in one part of the Yang-Tze River, the biggest in the country.
"In the port city of Hankou, in the center of the country, water levels decreased by 13.98 m in early January, something which had not been seen since 1866, according to local media."
The cold wave was approaching Vietnam carrying unusually low temperatures.
Such news will give you an idea of the consequences of climate change, which scientists worry so much about. The two examples I have referred to are revolutionary countries, perfectly well organized, with great human and economic strength, where all resources are immediately put to the service of the people. Here we are not talking about hungry crowds abandoned to their own fate.
On the other hand, a news published by Reuters on January 29 states that "France is planning to modify its bio-fuels consumption policy, due to certain doubts that exist regarding the impact of the so called "green fuels" on the environment', as reported on Tuesday by the State Secretary for the Environment.
"France has become one of the biggest bio-fuels manufacturers in Europe, after adopting an ambiguous policy that anticipates in two years the European Union goal of mixing bio-fuels with standard fuels.
"In order to achieve its fuels mixing goalsFrance established a system of quotas that enjoy reduced tariffs, so that they could be competitive as compared to standard fuels.
"That policy encouraged many companies to invest in this sector and build ethanol and bio-diesel manufacturing plants all over the country".
All that I have just explained, whose main concepts were already foreseen, is a sum total of recent events. Most certainly, under such circumstances, these events will require Brazil, a country that fortunately has not been affected by these huge climate calamities, to take significant steps in its commercial and investment policy. As from now, its international impact is growing bigger.
Obviously, there are a number of factors that makes the situation of the planet all the more complex. We could list several of them:
1. Growth in the consumption of oil, a non-renewable and polluting product, due to the squandering of consumption societies.
2. Scarcity of food due to several causes, among them, the exponential population and animal growth which turn into increasingly demanded proteins.
3. Overexploitation of the seas and the pollution of marine species due to chemical wastes dumping by industries which are incompatible with life.
4. The macabre idea of turning foodstuffs into fuels for leisure and luxury.
5. Inability of the dominant economic system to make a rational and efficient use of science and technology to combat pests and diseases which attack humans, animals and the crops that feed them. Biotechnology transforms genes, and transnationals manufacture and use their products; they maximize their profits by resorting to publicity, with no guarantees for those who consume such products and depriving those who need them the most from having access to them. Among those products, there are the very new nano-technological molecules the term is relatively new-- which are disorderly making their way using the same mechanisms.
6. The need to have rational family and society growth plans, away from hegemonic desires or power lust.
7. The almost total absence of education in topics which are decisive for life, even in nations with the highest educational levels.
8. The real dangers posed by mass destruction weapons in the hands of irresponsible people, which were described by The New York Times, one of the most influential newspapers in the United States, as horrifying dangers.
Is there any remedy for these dangers? Yes: knowing them and confronting them. How? These would be purely theoretical answers. Let readers to find those by themselves, especially the youngest boys and girls, as it is usually said now, in order not to appear as discriminating against women. Do not hope to become first a Head of State.
Did or didn't have I several topics to talk about with Lula? It was impossible to talk to him about everything. This way it is easier to discuss the news that arrived after his visit.
I reminded him that I was trying to recover from two accidents: the one in Villa Clara and the illness that came about after my last trip to Argentina.
Almost at the end of his visit he told me: "You are invited to go to Brazil this year". Thanks, I answered, at least in my thoughts I will be there.
Finally he told me: I will tell your comrades and friends in Brazil that you are very well.
We walked together to the exit. The meeting was really worthwhile.
(Concluded)
 China, whose territorial area is 87 times our island's, ...){kind=link}
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