francene--blog. Year 2013
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June 24th

6/24/2013

 
Picturenews.msn.com
The dire effects of worldwide weather changes continue. While rescue efforts continue in the flooded areas of India, Malaysia has declared a smog emergency in the dry heat. Thick haze from forest fires in Indonesia continues to shroud parts of Malaysia. On Monday, officials ordered schools closed in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor state.

Can you imagine how it must be if every breath you took threatened to choke you? Mothers must worry about the long term effect on their children.

In Singapore, air quality continued to improve after last week's record haze as wind conditions changed. Officials warned against complacency, saying the situation could deteriorate again if monsoon winds carrying smoke and particulates from Indonesia's island of Sumatra changed direction.

So, the smoke blows away from Singapore, giving them relief, only to hit the residents of Indonesia.

I'm familiar with both places. I stayed in Singapore for three weeks in the 80s and became familiar with the polite people in their clean city. I can picture their relief as they go about their daily lives. In the 70s, I spent two weeks in Bali, a province of Indonesia. My mother and I visited the temples and traveled along the roads beside rice fields. Who could forget the Balinese people who show great reverence to everyone they met?


Pictureinsights.wri.org
The Indonesian authorities are working to control the blazes but so far cloud-seeding has not produced enough rain. The smog is being blamed on illegal land-clearing fires burning near the provincial capital of Indonesia's Riau province, Pekanbaru. Indonesian authorities say close to 100 forest fires are still burning out of control on the island of Sumatra, casting a thick pall of smog across hundreds of square kilometres. Palm oil companies are suspected of illegally starting widespread forest fires in Indonesia in order to clear land for palm oil plantations.

The smoky haze may be life threatening to vulnerable people—different to traffic pollution but equally toxic. The immediate effects of smog can include problems with breathing, wheezing, coughing and watery eyes. In the longer term, prolonged exposure to air pollution of any kind can have an impact on human health and reduce life expectancy. Masks may be sufficient to keep out some particles, but other gases would go straight through them.

I don't want the wind to blow the smog on anyone. If only I could send the drenching rain from India in Indonesia's direction. Don't think there's nothing you can do, because you can—just by using the power of the mind. I once concentrated on a cyclone off the Australian north-west coast and it disappeared overnight. If each of us wishes the fire to die, it must have an impact especially since government leaders throughout the world are working toward pollution control.


Sophie Bowns link
6/23/2013 09:24:32 pm

The change in the weather across the globe is really quite scary. I hope there's a huge downpour of rain to prevent the fire from spreading further/ put it out. It does make me slightly concerned, I mean surely it's only a matter of time until it's England's turn RE: natural disasters! Very worrying!

Francene Stanley link
6/23/2013 11:34:21 pm

Maybe the disaster of overcast weather in summer is enough. I hope so.

Amy link
6/23/2013 10:53:33 pm

Francene,
There are wildfires in the U.S. right now, too, in the state to the west of us, Colorado. It's so hard to watch on the news, and it makes me count my blessings that my own area is not on fire.

Francene Stanley link
6/23/2013 11:36:04 pm

Oh, no. Bushfires are the worst thing anyone can suffer. I'll pray for all the people affected. Fire is the devil's friend, they say.

Suerae Stein link
6/24/2013 02:44:33 am

I am appalled at the Palm oil companies. Greed never ceases to amaze and offend me. I can only imagine the affects of that pollution on pregnant women and their yet-to-be-born babies. How awful for all of those people!

Francene Stanley link
6/24/2013 03:34:39 am

How do they live with themselves, knowing they affected so many people?

Wendy Bottrell link
6/24/2013 03:56:30 am

It is remarkable how many "natural disasters" are happening presently. Here in Canada there is major flooding out west in Calgary. People have been removed from their homes, and the damage is extraordinarily huge. Keeping positive thoughts for all living in problems areas globally! Best Regards, Wendy http://wendybottrell.com

Rachel Lavern link
6/24/2013 04:49:59 am

Ugh. The earth is getting warmer because people are adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, mainly by burning fossil fuels. I look at all of the warmer temperatures that are causing other changes around the world, such as melting glaciers and stronger storms. Of course, the earth's air, water, and land are all linked to the climate. The world-wide climate has changed before, but this time is different. Unfortunate that we, the people are causing these bigger/faster changes,

Rachel recently posted <a href="http://workfromyourhome101.com/the-16-habits-of-highly-unsuccessful-people/">The 16 Habits of Highly Unsuccessful People</a>


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    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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