Atlantic Ocean current slows down to the record low in 1,000 years; Scientists blame global warmingAtlantic Ocean current slows down to the record low in 1,000 years; Scientists blame global warming.

The second largest ocean in the world, Atlantic Ocean is slowing down, its water current is slowing down to be specific. Atlantic Ocean current is the exchange of warm water from the north and the cold water from the south that regulates the global climate and flux of heat which is why it is often referred as a conveyor belt of the ocean. But recent studies suggest that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) which is the actual term for Atlantic Ocean current, is slowing down. In fact, it is presently at its lowest tip in last 1,000 years. There are two approaches made by researchers that can explain the slowed down pace of the water current linking to the climate change.

According to Jon Robson, one of the study’s authors and a researcher at the University of Reading states that following the historical data available with respect to the AMOC, the last 100 years reported the lowest point when compared to the last few thousand years. This has triggered the scientists to study it further. Current stats were released by two new research papers both published in journal Nature where both take a different approach to explain how and what took place behind the slowing down of AMOC over the past 150-odd years.
 [Read More]

World Water Day: A positive message amidst a daunting global crisis

As several parts of the world desperately strive to offset the impact of water scarcity, Sanjeev Chadha, Chairman – PepsiCo (AMENA) urges us to believe in the power of simple solutions towards tackling a common disaster.

In 1995, former World Bank Vice-President Ismail Serageldin had famously claimed that ‘the wars of the next century will be fought over water’ – a statement that has been quoted often since.

As global population grows, there is an increasing need to balance our consolidated demand on water resources, so that every individual has enough to survive. And if the ongoing emergency at Cape Town has taught us anything, it is that the freshwater crisis is no longer restricted to far-flung countries and barren landscapes. It’s real, it’s happening, and it’s often far closer than we think.

The situation is dire; especially as increased industry proliferation is matching agricultural demands and depleting underground levels beyond repair. According to a 2012 World Bank report, at least 21 Indian cities are moving towards zero ground water level by 2020, if drastic measures aren’t taken up.

The crisis needs a comprehensive solution—one that involves not just common people, but also governments, environmental agencies, farming communities, and industries. More importantly, the solution need not always be a complex one. In fact, in most cases, it’s the smart and simple ones that have the most powerful impact, believes Sanjeev Chadha, Chairman – PepsiCo, Asia, Middle East, and Africa.

In 2009, PepsiCo became the first business to achieve ‘Positive Water Balance’ in the beverage world. The company, in 2016, saved over 21 billion litres through its two-pronged approach: firstly, by focusing on intensive water conservation and recharge efforts both within the plants and with communities around, covering better agricultural practices like direct seeding of rice & drip irrigation; community water recharging initiatives, and secondly, by reducing the consumption of water in its manufacturing facilities using innovative technologies like Zero Liquid Discharge, Membrane Bioreactors and practicing rooftop rain water harvesting.

This World Water Day, 2018, let’s all strive towards finding our own simple and smart solutions towards tackling this global crisis. [source site]