GEOTHERMAL

GEOTHERMAL

What is Geothermal Energy?
The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat). So, geothermal energy is heat from within the earth. We can use the steam and hot water produced inside the earth to heat buildings or generate electricity. Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because the water is replenished by rainfall and the heat is continuously produced inside the earth.

Direct use of Geothermal Energy: The direct use of hot water as an energy source has been happening since ancient times. The Romans, Chinese, and Native Americans used hot mineral springs for bathing, cooking and heating. Today, many hot springs are still used for bathing, and many people believe the hot, mineral-rich waters have natural healing powers.

GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS: We also use geothermal energy to make electricity. A geothermal power plant works by tapping into steam or hot water reservoirs underground; the heat is used to drive an electrical generator.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Renewable Energy

What is renewable Energy?
All the energy we use comes from the earth. The electricity we use every day doesn't come directly from the earth, but we make electricity using the earth's resources, like coal or natural gas.

Both coal and natural gas are called “fossil fuels” because they were formed deep under the earth during dinosaur times.

The problem is that fossil fuels can't be replaced - once we use them up, they're gone forever. Another problem is that fossil fuels can cause pollution.


Renewable energy is made from resources that Mother Nature will replace, like wind, water and sunshine. Renewable energy is also called “clean energy” or “green power” because it doesn’t pollute the air or the water.

Why don’t we use renewable energy all the time?
Unlike natural gas and coal, we can’t store up wind and sunshine to use whenever we need to make more electricity. If the wind doesn’t blow or the sun hides behind clouds, there wouldn’t be enough power for everyone.

Another reason we use fossil fuels like coal and natural gas is because they’re cheaper. It costs more money to make electricity from wind, and most people aren’t willing to pay more on their monthly utility bills.

The five renewable sources used most often are:
Geothermal

Biomas- including wood and wood waste, municipal solid waste, landfill and biogas, ethanol, and biodiesel,

Water (Hydropower)

Wind

Solar

Nations with highest per capita income

Nations with highest per capita income:
According to the World Bank categories: Nations with per capita income (PCI) less than $935 are 'low income;' nations with PCI from $936 to $3,705 are 'lower middle income;' those with PCI from $3,706 to $11,455 are 'upper middle income;' and those with PCI from $11,456 or more are 'high income. This has been calculated using the World Bank Atlas method that employs official exchange rates for conversion.

1. Liechtenstein: So the nation with the highest per capita income in the world is Liechtenstein, a small country bordering Switzerland and Austria. Liechtenstein's per capita income is about $80,000 per annum. personal income tax rates in Liechtenstein too are exceedingly low: basic income tax rate is 1.2 per cent on income up to 200,000 Swiss Francs, and maximum is 5 per cent on income over 2 million Swiss Francs a year.
2. Bermuda: Bermuda is tourist's delight, located in the North Atlantic Ocean. Bermuda's per capita income is almost 50 per cent more than that of the United States. The tiny island nation's per capita income stands at just above $78,000. It has the second highest PCI in the world.

3. Norway: Norway's per capita income stands at $76,450, which is the third highest in the world. Norway has a mixed economy consisting of state-owned businesses and a robust free market. It's a high developed and industrialized state. Fishing, petroleum, hydel power, minerals contribute heavily to the nation's GDP.

4. Luxembourg : Luxembourg's per capita income is at $75,880. That makes it the world's fourth highest PCI. Luxembourg is located in Europe and is bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. The nation has highly developed industrial and financial sectors.

5. Qatar : The per capita income of Qataris is $60,000, the fifth highest in the world. Qatar is an Arab emirate located in the Persian Gulf. The nation's economy mainly depends on its huge oil and natural gas reserves. There is no income tax in Qatar.

6. Switzerland : The Swiss enjoy a financially comfortable life, with a per capita income of $59,880. Switzerland ranks sixth in the World Bank's per capita income rankings. Switzerland, a truly capitalist economy, has many giant banks and multinational corporations. It also has highly developed industries in sectors like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machine parts, electronics, precision instruments, banking, tourism, etc. Dairy farming too is an age old industry in Switzerland. It has very low tax rates

7. Denmark: Denmark's per capita income is at $54,910. According to World Bank rankings, it is the world's seventh highest PCI. Denmark has a highly industrialised economy, with robust agricultural and corporate sectors. Despite being one of the most competitive nations, the nation has a very weak financial regulatory system. Also, its labour laws are very lax and tilted heavily in favour of the employers.

8. Iceland: At $54,100, the per capita income of Iceland is the world's eighth highest. Iceland has a very healthy power sector which helps it be a highly industrialised country.

9-10-11. Cayman Islands: The per capita income of Cayman Islands is more than $48,140 and less than $54,100, as per World Bank figures. It has the 11th highest PCI in the world. It has the 11th highest PCI in the world. At number 9 is Channel Islands and in the 10th spot is Andorra. It is a major financial centre and also one of the world's best known tax havens

12- Ireland : The Irish have a per capita income of $48,140, ranking them twelfth in the world.

13-14 Sweden: Sweden's per capita income is $46,060, making its PCI 14th-highest in the world. San Marino, with a PCI of $45,130 is the 13th-highest. Sweden has a very well developed industry in sectors like engineering, telecom, power, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, etc. The nation's economy is heavily dependent on foreign trade. It also has highly skilled work force.

15- United States of America: America's per capita income is $46,040. It's the 15th-highest in the world. The United States is mostly a capitalist economy, with huge mineral and oil reserves, apart from fantastic infrastructure, skilled work force, and the highest number of the world's largest corporations

132- China: China's per capita income is $2,360. It ranks 132nd in the world. China is the world's second largest economy, with its GDP standing at slightly more than $7 trillion. China, the world's factory, has a highly developed manufacturing sector. It has a huge market which acts as a magnet for big multinationals who pour in billions of dollars into the economy to grab a chunk of the massive Chinese market.

Courtesy: Rediff

SCHOOLBUS SAFETY

To Students:
Get to the school bus stop five minutes early, so you won’t have to run across the road to catch the bus.

When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic. Line up at least five giant steps away from the the roadway to wait for the bus.

Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop.

Never push when getting on or off of the school bus.

Always walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing so that the school bus driver can see you.

Be aware – Cross with Care! Wait until the school bus has stopped all traffic before stepping out onto the road.

When the school bus is moving, always stay in your seat. Never put your head, arms or hands out of the window.

Talk quietly; do not distract your school bus driver.

If your school bus crosses railroad tracks, be calm and quiet so that your driver can listen for a train. Always obey your school bus driver’s instructions, so that he or she can make safe decisions.

Never play with the emergency exits. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.

When getting off of the school bus, make sure that all drawstrings and other loose objects are secure so that they don’t get caught on the handrail or the door.

If you leave something on the bus or drop something outside of the bus, never go back for it. The driver may not see you and begin moving the bus.

Stay away from danger zones around the bus. The blind spots where drivers cannot see. Always be sure you can see the driver that means the driver can see you.

Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger.

TO PARENTS:

Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so that they won't drop things along the way.

Have them wear bright, contrasting colors so that they will be more easily seen by drivers. Better still, attach a piece of high visibility fluorescent and reflective material to their clothing or backpack.

Make sure they leave home on time so that they can walk to the bus stop and arrive before the bus is due. Running can be dangerous.

Teach your children to secure loose drawstrings and other objects that may get caught in the handrail or door of the school bus as they are exiting.

Warn children that if they drop something near the bus they should never ever pick it up. Instead, they should tell the bus driver and follow the driver's directions. If they bend over to pick up a dropped object, they might not be seen by the driver and could be hurt if the bus pulls away from the stop.

Go to the bus stop with a young child and have older children walk in groups. There's safety in numbers because groups are easier for drivers to see.

If you decide to meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off, not across the street. Children can get so excited at seeing you after school they might forget safety rules and dash across the street.

IMPORTANT DAYS

July-11

World Population Day


World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. The event was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion (500 crore) Day on July 11, 1987, approximately the date on which the world's population reached five billion people.

This year’s World Population Day reaffirms the right of people to plan their families. It encourages activities, events and information that will help make this right real – especially for those who often have the hardest time getting the information and services they need to plan their families, such as marginalized populations and young people. This year’s World Population Day reaffirms the right of people to plan their families. It encourages activities, events and information that will help make this right real – especially for those who often have the hardest time getting the information and services they need to plan their families, such as marginalized populations and young people. When people can plan their families, they can plan their lives. They can plan to beat poverty. They can plan on healthier mothers and children. They can plan to gain equality for women. Plan to support World Population Day this year!

More than 1.5 billion people are between the ages of 10 and 25. This largest-ever generation of adolescents is approaching adulthood in a world their elders could not have imagined. But more than half of young people live in poverty, on less than $2 (Rs.80) per day. Often they lack access to the technology and information. Many also face social inequality, poor schools, gender discrimination, unemployment and inadequate health systems. They deserve better. And investing in them is an investment in the future leaders of families, communities and nations.

UNFPA (United National Fund Population Activitie) promotes and protects the rights of young people. It envisions a world in which girls and boys have optimal opportunities to develop their full potential, to freely express themselves and have their views respected, and to live free of poverty, discrimination and violence. Empower adolescents and youth with skills to achieve their dreams, think critically, and express themselves freely. Promote health, including by giving them access to sexual and reproductive health information, education, commodities and services. Connect young people to livelihood and employment programmes. Uphold the rights of young people, especially girls and marginalized groups, to grow up healthy and safe to receive a fair share of social investments. Encourage young people’s leadership and participation in decisions that affect them, including the development plans of their societies.

Courtesy: Wikipedia