Jellyfish Invasion

The jellyfish invasion all over the world is becoming critical. Warning from experts as reported by CNN (above) claims that jellyfish is taking over the oceans.

 

Do you know why?

Global warming & over fishing is only part of the problem. The single factor that directly affect jellyfish population is TURTLE. They are the check and balance for jellyfish. When the population of turtles decreases, the population of jellyfish explodes.

 

And why does the population of turtle decreases?

Pollution is the main culprit. Many turtles were found dead with plastic bags in their stomach. What goes around comes around! What we throw into the sea today will eventually affect us - killing us through the stings of jellyfish. Be warned ok.

A river polluted with plastics in Penang, Malaysia (Photo taken on 7 Nov 2013)

 

When profit is more important than pollution.

This news (dated 18th March 2013) about the expansion of a sugar refinery is worrying. At 1000 metric tonnes, the untreated discharge already so frightening. If 4 times the output, it will be 4 times the output of pollution as compare to today. Read the news and see for yourself the picture taken on 17th March 2013 at the factory in Prai, Penang.

 

Washing Machine is Polluting Our Waters!

Look like our earth will be doomed as every household has one washing machine. Our clothes especially from the cheap china made fabrics are mostly recycled from "plastics". Right here in Penang, there are many cottage industries breaking up recycled plastic into fibers for export to China. And this is how we are actually wearing plastics! And these plastics eventually get washed down into the sewage system and out into the mighty oceans.
Read the frightening article below:-

How Your Washing Machine is Polluting The Oceans
by Paul Canning

A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has found that washing machines are a major source of microplastic pollution in the oceans.

Bits of plastic contain potentially harmful ingredients which go into the bodies of animals and could be transferred to people who consume fish. Ingested microplastic can transfer and persist into their cells for months.

The scientists, led by Mark Anthony Browne, a biologist with University College in Dublin, looked for microplastic contamination along 18 coasts around the world and tracked down its likely source.

Much of the clothing people wear today is made with polyester, acrylic, rayon and various other synthetic textile materials. The scientists found that more than 1,900 fibers can rinse off of a single garment during a wash cycle, and these fibers look just like the microplastic debris they found on shorelines.

The authors suggest two possible solutions:

· Washing machine manufacturers should look at ways to reduce the release of fibers into wastewater.

· Research into methods for removing microplastic from sewage.

Another solution is to promote clothing made from natural fibers such as organic cotton, linen, wool, silk and hemp.

Watch AlJazeera report:

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/how-your-washing-machine-is-polluting-the-oceans.html#ixzz1r4ROM1U1

Selective Prosecution?

I have seen about any kind of pollution by factories all over Malaysia when I travelled. I guess you would too. If a layman like me can see such discharging of pollution, I am sure the authorities would have seen them too. Cases of pollution were brought up to the court just to have some scapegoats once in a while. What is a fine of RM15k or RM10k to a factory making huge profit? Will there be any mitigation to stop the pollution? What mitigation does the factory submitted to the court? I believe there is none. Just look at the air pollution by a smelting tin company in Penang. Photo taken on 19 Dec 2009 at 11.46am. You can even see this when you are traveling on the ferry. Any action?

Wednesday February 3, 2010
Oil palm companies fined for water pollution
Star
By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH

BATU PAHAT: Two oil palm companies were fined a total of RM25,000 by a Sessions Court here for pollution by discharging waste matter into the river above the allowed limit.

The PPNJ oil palm factory in Batu 17, Mukim Kahang committed the offence on Feb 19, 2008 by releasing waste that contained biological oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids.

The factory was fined RM15,000 or six months’ jail for the offence.

In the same court, a Felda-owned oil palm factory in Kahang Timur was also charged with releasing waste that contained BOD on Oct 14, 2008.

Sessions Court judge Mohamad Haldar Abd Aziz fined the factory RM10,000 or six months’ jail for the offence.

Both factories were charged under Section 16 (1) of the Environment Quality Act 1974 and Section 16 (2) of the same Act.

Deputy public prosecutor Noor Mohd Emran Amir prosecuted the case, while both factories were not represented.

Dead fish float on the once pristine Sungai Dura

June 16, 2009
Star
By R.S.N. MURALI

KUALA TERENGGANU: Sungai Dura, a source of water for 800 villagers from Kampung Pueh, was contaminated by palm oil effluent a few days ago and is in danger of dying.

Dead fish and prawns are floating on the once crystal-clear waters now covered with a coat of sticky substance.

A sickening stench is pervasive.

Terengganu’s Department of Environment (DOE) director Rusli Che Husin said the river was polluted after a direct flow of effluent from the palm oil plant’s pipeline into the river in Hulu Terengganu, about 87km from here.

“We have sent a team of officers to monitor the water quality daily and send back the reports to the department here,” he said when contacted by The Star, Tuesday.

He said the situation was not critical but the water quality could deteriorate if the river was not urgently rehabilitated.

“We are doing our best to save the river as the leakage was considered unintentional as the plant was undergoing restoration work when the incident occurred a few days ago,” he said.

The department had questioned the mill’s owner and was investigating to see if punitive action needed to be taken against the polluter.

Kampung Pueh villager Azman Che Jusoh, 33, from said villagers had no choice but to turn to artesian wells for water.

“We hope the authorities do something about reviving the river before it is totally dead, he said.