MOSAIC: Tsunami damages
BEYOND the horrific loss of human life, the earthquake and resulting tsunami of December 26, 2004 had enormous impacts on Indonesia’s coastal environment, causing damage and loss to natural habitats and important ecosystem functions.
According to a preliminary damage and loss assessment of the disaster carried out by the Government of Indonesia and the international donor community, the economic cost to the environment has been estimated at approximately $675 million. United Nations Environmental Program — UNEP — was one of the key contributors to the report.
“These latest findings from just one of the affected countries show that there have been significant consequences for the environment and for the livelihoods of local people as a result of the tsunami. They underline how the environment can be both a victim and both a buffer against vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters,” said Klaus Toepfer, UNEP’s Executive Director.
“First and foremost we must continue to respond to the terrible human tragedy and humanitarian relief effort in Indonesia and other countries affected by the tsunami. But, it is clear that the recovery and reconstruction process underway must also invest in the environmental capital of natural resources, the forests, mangroves and coral reefs that are nature’s buffer to such disasters and their consequences,” said Toepfer.
Among critical coastal habitats in Aceh and North Sumatra, 25,000 hectares of mangroves, 30 per cent of 97,250 ha of previously existing coral reefs, and 20 per cent of 600 ha of seegrass beds have been damaged, according to the new report. The economic loss is valued at $118.2 million, $332.4 million and $2.3 million respectively.
As a result of infiltration of saline water, sediment and sludge, it is estimated that 7.5km of river mouth is in need of rehabilitation and hundreds of wells in the rural area need to be cleaned up.
Along the coastal strip, it is estimated that 48,925 ha of forest area was affected, with the assumption that 30 per cent of this area has been lost. In addition, large areas — approximately 300 kilometres — of coastal land area have been degraded or lost.
The report also notes the importance of properly managing the collection, processing and disposal of the huge amount of debris and waste caused by the tsunami. If not properly managed, wastes may pose a risk to human health as well as ecological functions.
Local environmental management capacity — buildings, equipment, staff and records — have also been significantly affected by the disaster and the report stresses the importance of early re-establishment of solid waste management and other essential services.
Three major industrial sites are confirmed to be damaged. Possible contamination, including negative effects to human health and the environment, caused by damage to these and other industrial installations are a matter of serious concern. — Samina Iqbal
Stop smoking!
QUITTING smoking gives many health benefits, states a recent issue of Medicine Digest. Passive smoking is as dangerous as smoking itself. The spouse and children of a smoker is exposed to similar risks of lung cancer and heart disease, even if they had never smoked themselves.
Female smokers are more likely to have a stillborn child or an infant who dies from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Stopping smoking will increase the amount of oxygen supplied to the baby, improve the baby’s lungs and have lesser chances for developing asthma and wheezing problems. Smoker’s babies are at a higher risk of being born premature and of low birth weight.
Studies have also shown that smokers have wrinkles on their face. Chances of blindness are high in smokers which is due to cataracts or macular degeneration.
Research has revealed that women who smoke are more depressed and anxious. Adolescents indulging in tobacco smoking develop phobias and anxiety. Smoking women are twice as more prone to heart attacks and lung cancer. More women die of lung malignancy than any other cancer.
Life span will increase as women who smoke loose on an average 14.5 years of their life. After quitting smoking entirely, quite a number of these years can be got back.
The risk of bladder cancer, stroke, and hip fractures is also dramatically reduced after stopping to smoke.
Also important is the money saved by quitting smoking. The best day in a smokers life is the day when smoking is stopped. — Dr Fatema Jawad
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