Sea level rising 60 percent faster than estimated

Washington: The world's sea level is rising 60 percent faster than the central projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), says a new study. Satellite measurements show the sea level is actually rising at a rate of 3.2 mm a year compared to the estimate of two mm a year in the IPCC report. Results were obtained by taking averages from the five available global land and ocean temperature series, the journal Environmental Research Letters reports. The study was led by Stefan Rahmstorf, professor of physics of the oceans at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany. It included researchers from Tempo Analytics, US, and Laboratoire d'Etudes en Geophysique et Oceanographie Spatiales, France The researchers believe the findings are important for keeping a track of how well past projections match the accumulating observational data. 'This study shows once again that the IPCC is far from alarmist. But in fact has under-estimated the problem of climate change. That applies not just for sea-level rise, but also to extreme events and the Arctic sea-ice loss,' Rahmstorf said. The study involved an analysis of global temperatures and sea-level data over the past two decades, comparing them both to projections made in the IPCC's third and fourth assessment reports, according to a Postdam statement. After removing the three known phenomena that cause short-term variability in global temperatures -- solar variations, volcanic aerosols and El Nino/Southern Oscillation -- the researchers found the overall warming trend at the moment is 0.16 degree Celsius per decade, which closely follows the IPCC's projections. Satellite measurements of sea levels, however, showed a different picture with current rates of increase being 60 percent faster than the IPCC's AR4 projections. Satellites measure sea-level rise by bouncing radar waves back off the sea surface and are much more accurate than tide gauges as they have near-global coverage; tide gauges only sample along the coast. Tide gauges also include variability that has nothing to do with changes in global sea level, but rather with how the water moves around in the oceans, such as under the influence of wind..

Sea level rising 60 percent faster than estimated

Washington: The world's sea level is rising 60 percent faster than the central projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), says a new study. Satellite measurements show the sea level is actually rising at a rate of 3.2 mm a year compared to the estimate of two mm a year in the IPCC report. Results were obtained by taking averages from the five available global land and ocean temperature series, the journal Environmental Research Letters reports. The study was led by Stefan Rahmstorf, professor of physics of the oceans at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany. It included researchers from Tempo Analytics, US, and Laboratoire d'Etudes en Geophysique et Oceanographie Spatiales, France The researchers believe the findings are important for keeping a track of how well past projections match the accumulating observational data. 'This study shows once again that the IPCC is far from alarmist. But in fact has under-estimated the problem of climate change. That applies not just for sea-level rise, but also to extreme events and the Arctic sea-ice loss,' Rahmstorf said. The study involved an analysis of global temperatures and sea-level data over the past two decades, comparing them both to projections made in the IPCC's third and fourth assessment reports, according to a Postdam statement. After removing the three known phenomena that cause short-term variability in global temperatures -- solar variations, volcanic aerosols and El Nino/Southern Oscillation -- the researchers found the overall warming trend at the moment is 0.16 degree Celsius per decade, which closely follows the IPCC's projections. Satellite measurements of sea levels, however, showed a different picture with current rates of increase being 60 percent faster than the IPCC's AR4 projections. Satellites measure sea-level rise by bouncing radar waves back off the sea surface and are much more accurate than tide gauges as they have near-global coverage; tide gauges only sample along the coast. Tide gauges also include variability that has nothing to do with changes in global sea level, but rather with how the water moves around in the oceans, such as under the influence of wind..

AIDS patients struggling to win battle against social exclusion

New Delhi: Usha Desai, a sex worker in Maharashtra's Parbani district, has been successful in fighting AIDS, but it is the struggle against social exclusion and stigma related to the disease that has cost her more. The 40-year-old, like over 2.3 million HIV/AIDS patients in India, feel that the real war against the disease will be won only when they will be accepted in the society. So now, she along with many other sex workers suffering from HIV/AIDS in the district under SETU, a community based organisation of sex workers and tamasha (drama) artistes, have been at the core of a small revolution that has ultimately transformed the lives of many like them. 'We want to send our children to schools, but we are unable to produce documents like residence proof, father's name, and ration card asked by school authorities. When we tell them our profession and status, we are further discriminated,' Desai told IANS over phone. 'But we are determined to fight for our and our children's right,' Desai said. Shubha Gaikwad, a member of the organization, said learning about safe-sex practices was not enough and through the organization they got to know about their rights. 'We were associated with the HIV programme since the year 2000; it enabled us to learn about safe sex, sexually transmitted infection and management of HIV. Slowly we realised that talking about health alone is not enough,' Gaikwad, a tamasha artist, said. 'Besides safe health, the women were confronted with larger issues such as those of security and social recognition. It is then that we decided we need to work towards claiming our space as women and as citizens of this land,' she said. Through the organization, they have been able to take up the issue of social entitlements, including vote id card, pension benefits, with the local authorities. Gaikwad said if the government had been able to bring the long-delayed HIV/AIDS bill some of their problems could have been addressed. Civil society groups slam government's role in delaying the HIV/AIDS bill that seeks to protect their rights and provides a redressal mechanism against discrimination. 'The drop in new HIV infection in the country is a huge feat and it has become possible because of organisations like SETU,' Akhila Sivadas, director, Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) working with NGOS working on HIV/AIDS, told IANS. According to National Aids Control Organisation (NACO), an apex body that formulates policy to prevent and control HIV/AIDS in the country, the rate of new HIV/AIDS infection has come down by 56 percent in India and there are 172,041 people who have died due to AIDS in the country. But, Sivadas said the sad part is people recover from the dreaded disease, but discrimination against them continue. 'Social stigma attached to HIV/AIDS is a bigger threat yet to be won,' she told IANS. According to Nochiketa Mohanty, national development manager, AHF India Cares, 'the bill provides a redressal mechanism against discrimination in society.' 'The irony is that the bill was drafted in 2006 after a long consultation process with over 90 NGOs but it is yet to see the light of the day. We have been repeatedly asking government to show us the final draft but have been denied,' Mohanty said. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) operates free AIDS treatment clinics in India as AHF/India Cares. The bill makes it the responsibility of the government to provide complete treatment free of cost. Amitabh Awasthi, president, Lucknow Network of Positive People feels that they have been betrayed by the government. 'What HIV/AIDS patients want is an assurance from the government that they won't die in absence of treatment. We have to face so much of discrimination at hospitals, government offices and other places and what we are asking for a right to live with dignity,' Awasthi told IANS. For Desai, in the absence of the bill, life looks like a long battle for acceptance in society. 'We feel alone in our fight.. if the government brings this bill, our life will become little bearable,' added Desai.

AIDS patients struggling to win battle against social exclusion

New Delhi: Usha Desai, a sex worker in Maharashtra's Parbani district, has been successful in fighting AIDS, but it is the struggle against social exclusion and stigma related to the disease that has cost her more. The 40-year-old, like over 2.3 million HIV/AIDS patients in India, feel that the real war against the disease will be won only when they will be accepted in the society. So now, she along with many other sex workers suffering from HIV/AIDS in the district under SETU, a community based organisation of sex workers and tamasha (drama) artistes, have been at the core of a small revolution that has ultimately transformed the lives of many like them. 'We want to send our children to schools, but we are unable to produce documents like residence proof, father's name, and ration card asked by school authorities. When we tell them our profession and status, we are further discriminated,' Desai told IANS over phone. 'But we are determined to fight for our and our children's right,' Desai said. Shubha Gaikwad, a member of the organization, said learning about safe-sex practices was not enough and through the organization they got to know about their rights. 'We were associated with the HIV programme since the year 2000; it enabled us to learn about safe sex, sexually transmitted infection and management of HIV. Slowly we realised that talking about health alone is not enough,' Gaikwad, a tamasha artist, said. 'Besides safe health, the women were confronted with larger issues such as those of security and social recognition. It is then that we decided we need to work towards claiming our space as women and as citizens of this land,' she said. Through the organization, they have been able to take up the issue of social entitlements, including vote id card, pension benefits, with the local authorities. Gaikwad said if the government had been able to bring the long-delayed HIV/AIDS bill some of their problems could have been addressed. Civil society groups slam government's role in delaying the HIV/AIDS bill that seeks to protect their rights and provides a redressal mechanism against discrimination. 'The drop in new HIV infection in the country is a huge feat and it has become possible because of organisations like SETU,' Akhila Sivadas, director, Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) working with NGOS working on HIV/AIDS, told IANS. According to National Aids Control Organisation (NACO), an apex body that formulates policy to prevent and control HIV/AIDS in the country, the rate of new HIV/AIDS infection has come down by 56 percent in India and there are 172,041 people who have died due to AIDS in the country. But, Sivadas said the sad part is people recover from the dreaded disease, but discrimination against them continue. 'Social stigma attached to HIV/AIDS is a bigger threat yet to be won,' she told IANS. According to Nochiketa Mohanty, national development manager, AHF India Cares, 'the bill provides a redressal mechanism against discrimination in society.' 'The irony is that the bill was drafted in 2006 after a long consultation process with over 90 NGOs but it is yet to see the light of the day. We have been repeatedly asking government to show us the final draft but have been denied,' Mohanty said. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) operates free AIDS treatment clinics in India as AHF/India Cares. The bill makes it the responsibility of the government to provide complete treatment free of cost. Amitabh Awasthi, president, Lucknow Network of Positive People feels that they have been betrayed by the government. 'What HIV/AIDS patients want is an assurance from the government that they won't die in absence of treatment. We have to face so much of discrimination at hospitals, government offices and other places and what we are asking for a right to live with dignity,' Awasthi told IANS. For Desai, in the absence of the bill, life looks like a long battle for acceptance in society. 'We feel alone in our fight.. if the government brings this bill, our life will become little bearable,' added Desai.

Economy grows at 5.3 percent in second quarter

New Delhi: India's economy grew at a sluggish 5.3 percent in the second quarter of 2012-13, slipping from the 6.7 percent growth posted in the corresponding quarter last fiscal, official data showed Friday. The July-September data is lower than the 5.5 percent growth registered in the gross domestic product (GDP) during the quarter ended June 30. The sluggish growth in the second quarter was mainly on account of a mere 0.2 percent growth in the manufacturing sector, against 3.4 percent in the corresponding quarter the previous fiscal. The farm sector growth dropped from to 3.1 percent to 1.2 percent. Similarly, the electricity sector's growth slumped from 10.5 percent in the second quarter of 2011-12 to 2.8 percent, according to data released by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO). However, mining and quarrying sectors showed improvement, with a growth of 1.9 percent from a decline of 5.4 percent in the corresponding quarter last year. The construction sector grew by 6.7 percent from 6.3 percent posted in the second quarter of 2011-12. India's GDP growth slumped to 6.5 percent in 2011-12, even lower than the 6.7 percent level achieved during the global financial crisis of 2008-09. The economy had expanded by 8.4 percent in 2010-11. India's GDP at factor cost at constant (2004-05) prices is estimated at Rs.12,93,922 crore in the second quarter of 2012-13, compared to Rs.12,28,982 crore during the corresponding period last year, showing a growth rate of 5.3 percent, the CSO data showed.

Economy grows at 5.3 percent in second quarter

New Delhi: India's economy grew at a sluggish 5.3 percent in the second quarter of 2012-13, slipping from the 6.7 percent growth posted in the corresponding quarter last fiscal, official data showed Friday. The July-September data is lower than the 5.5 percent growth registered in the gross domestic product (GDP) during the quarter ended June 30. The sluggish growth in the second quarter was mainly on account of a mere 0.2 percent growth in the manufacturing sector, against 3.4 percent in the corresponding quarter the previous fiscal. The farm sector growth dropped from to 3.1 percent to 1.2 percent. Similarly, the electricity sector's growth slumped from 10.5 percent in the second quarter of 2011-12 to 2.8 percent, according to data released by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO). However, mining and quarrying sectors showed improvement, with a growth of 1.9 percent from a decline of 5.4 percent in the corresponding quarter last year. The construction sector grew by 6.7 percent from 6.3 percent posted in the second quarter of 2011-12. India's GDP growth slumped to 6.5 percent in 2011-12, even lower than the 6.7 percent level achieved during the global financial crisis of 2008-09. The economy had expanded by 8.4 percent in 2010-11. India's GDP at factor cost at constant (2004-05) prices is estimated at Rs.12,93,922 crore in the second quarter of 2012-13, compared to Rs.12,28,982 crore during the corresponding period last year, showing a growth rate of 5.3 percent, the CSO data showed.

India records 57 percent drop in new HIV case

New Delhi: India has recorded a 57 percent drop in number of new HIV infections during the last decade, say latest figures from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). India has demonstrated an overall reduction of 57 percent in estimated annual new HIV infections (among adult population) from 2.74 lakh in 2000 to 1.16 lakh in 2011, said a NACO report released Friday. 'Major contribution to this reduction comes from the high prevalence states where a reduction of 76 percent has been noted during the same period. However, rising trends of new infections are noted in the some of the low prevalence states,' the report said. The report, released by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, also says nearly 1.5 lakh lives have been saved due to free ART medicines provided to HIV/AIDS patients. 'The latest round of HIV Sentinel Surveillance was completed in 2011. The data generated there has been used for estimation of HIV burden and projection of HIV epidemic trends in the country,' a statement said. 'The HIV estimations 2012 indicate an overall continuing reduction in adult HIV prevalence, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in India'. Released on the eve of World AIDS Day, the report says adult HIV prevalence at national level has continued its steady decline from estimated level of 0.41 percent in 2001 through 0.35 percent in 2006 to 0.27 percent in 2011. The estimated number of people living with HIV was 20,88,642 in 2011, the report said. It is estimated that about 1.48 lakh people died of AIDS related causes in 2011 in India. Deaths among HIV infected children account for 7 percent of all AIDS-related deaths. It is estimated that around 1.16 lakh new HIV infections among adults and around 14,500 new infections among children occurred during 2011.

India records 57 percent drop in new HIV case

New Delhi: India has recorded a 57 percent drop in number of new HIV infections during the last decade, say latest figures from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). India has demonstrated an overall reduction of 57 percent in estimated annual new HIV infections (among adult population) from 2.74 lakh in 2000 to 1.16 lakh in 2011, said a NACO report released Friday. 'Major contribution to this reduction comes from the high prevalence states where a reduction of 76 percent has been noted during the same period. However, rising trends of new infections are noted in the some of the low prevalence states,' the report said. The report, released by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, also says nearly 1.5 lakh lives have been saved due to free ART medicines provided to HIV/AIDS patients. 'The latest round of HIV Sentinel Surveillance was completed in 2011. The data generated there has been used for estimation of HIV burden and projection of HIV epidemic trends in the country,' a statement said. 'The HIV estimations 2012 indicate an overall continuing reduction in adult HIV prevalence, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in India'. Released on the eve of World AIDS Day, the report says adult HIV prevalence at national level has continued its steady decline from estimated level of 0.41 percent in 2001 through 0.35 percent in 2006 to 0.27 percent in 2011. The estimated number of people living with HIV was 20,88,642 in 2011, the report said. It is estimated that about 1.48 lakh people died of AIDS related causes in 2011 in India. Deaths among HIV infected children account for 7 percent of all AIDS-related deaths. It is estimated that around 1.16 lakh new HIV infections among adults and around 14,500 new infections among children occurred during 2011.

Ticket inspector shot dead on train near Delhi

Lucknow: A chief ticket inspector (CTI) of the Indian Railways has been shot dead on board the Mahananda Express, between Ghaziabad and New Delhi, police said Saturday. The incident took place late Friday when unidentified assailants shot Kifayatullah in the stomach when he sought to see their tickets. Hailing from Moradabad, the railway official was on duty on the Mahananda Express which runs between West Bengal and New Delhi. He was taken to the Guru Teg Bahadur hospital in New Delhi, where he died at around 10.30 p.m. due to excessive blood loss. Railway officials told IANS that the incident took place near the Sahibabad station when the official was checking tickets. A group of young men had a verbal spat with him and it turned ugly soon after. One of them whipped out a pistol and shot the railway official in his stomach. They then escaped. Shocked passengers pulled the emergency chain and informed the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel on train. When the train chugged into the Shahdra station, railway officials wheeled out the bleeding CTI and took him to hospital. During treatment, the injured official said he had an altercation with some youngsters as they were not travelling with tickets. He could not speak further, an official said. 'A hunt is on for the assailants,' Pankaj Lawaniya, GRP in-charge of Ghaziabad told IANS, adding that the passengers were being questioned. Train travel has increasingly become scary in Uttar Pradesh, with more than half-a-dozen cases of eve teasing and violence reported in the last six months from trains plying across the state.

Ticket inspector shot dead on train near Delhi

Lucknow: A chief ticket inspector (CTI) of the Indian Railways has been shot dead on board the Mahananda Express, between Ghaziabad and New Delhi, police said Saturday. The incident took place late Friday when unidentified assailants shot Kifayatullah in the stomach when he sought to see their tickets. Hailing from Moradabad, the railway official was on duty on the Mahananda Express which runs between West Bengal and New Delhi. He was taken to the Guru Teg Bahadur hospital in New Delhi, where he died at around 10.30 p.m. due to excessive blood loss. Railway officials told IANS that the incident took place near the Sahibabad station when the official was checking tickets. A group of young men had a verbal spat with him and it turned ugly soon after. One of them whipped out a pistol and shot the railway official in his stomach. They then escaped. Shocked passengers pulled the emergency chain and informed the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel on train. When the train chugged into the Shahdra station, railway officials wheeled out the bleeding CTI and took him to hospital. During treatment, the injured official said he had an altercation with some youngsters as they were not travelling with tickets. He could not speak further, an official said. 'A hunt is on for the assailants,' Pankaj Lawaniya, GRP in-charge of Ghaziabad told IANS, adding that the passengers were being questioned. Train travel has increasingly become scary in Uttar Pradesh, with more than half-a-dozen cases of eve teasing and violence reported in the last six months from trains plying across the state.