SEPTEMBER 2014 | VOLUME 1| ISSUE 5

ECO-AWARE : ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OZONE

Ozone is a natural gas that is found in two
different layers of the atmosphere.

IN THIS ISSUE
ECO AWARE

FLORA AND FAUNA

OF UAE

STAR DAYS OF THE

MONTH

FUN TIME

CROSSWORDS

CREATIVITY
CORNER

PHOTO OF THE
MONTH

The ozone layer or ozone shield refers to

a region of Earth's stratosphere that protects
life on earth by absorbing most of the
Sun's UV radiation. The ozone layer absorbs
9799% of the Sun's UV light, which otherwise would potentially damage exposed life
forms near the surface.
Although the concentration of the ozone in
the ozone layer is very small, it is vitally important to life.

Exposure to ozone and the pollutants damage mucous and respiratory tissues in animals. it is linked to heart attack and other
cardiopulmonary problems. It is also harmful
to plants. Ozone can also be present in indoor air pollution, partly as a result of electronic equipment such as photocopiers.
Ways to protect the ozone layer:
There are many and simple ways in which
we can save our ozone layer.

Avoid using fire extinguishers with halo-

genated hydrocarbon since it is a very agThe ozone layer is mainly found in the lower
portion of the Stratosphere, from approximately 20 to 30 kilometers above Earth.
The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by
the French physicists Charles Fabry and Henri
Buisson

gressive substance for the ozone layer.

up of CFC. Instead you can use dark chipboard cork that performs the same function
and does not contaminate the environment.

The standard way to express total ozone

levels (the amount of ozone in a vertical column) in the atmosphere is by using Dobson
units. Point measurements are reported as
parts per billion, ppb) or as concentrations in
g/m3.
But Low level ozone (or tropospheric ozone)
is an atmospheric pollutant. It is formed by
the reaction of sunlight on air containing
hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides that react
to form ozone. It is a key components of
smog

Avoid buying insulating material made

Maintain air-conditioning clean because

if they do not function properly, they emit

CFC to the atmosphere.

Check

the

freezer

and

car

air-

conditioning. If they do not function properly, have them repair because they may
have leaks.

Encourage growth of plants that pro-

duce oxygen and prevent deforestation.

EDITORS NOTE
BACK TO SCHOOL !!
So, its Back to School ! Hope all of you had a wonderful and refreshing vacation. Vacations are times
when we get to learn and explore new things. I learnt swimming. How about you?
There were several reasons to celebrate in August and Indias independence day was the best. My cousins
and I celebrated it in our small way. September too has its share of international days. One of the most
important days is 16th September, International day for the preservation of ozone layer.
Let us all contribute to these important days in our little ways. If each one of us did our bit for charity and
the environment the world would definitely be a better place.

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FLORA AND FAUNA OF UAE

Acridocarpus orientalis

FAST FACTS

Less than 200 individuals are present in

the wild.
It is only restricted to a small area
within Jebel Hafit.
But its current status in the UAE is unknown.
It is a traditional medicinal plant used
for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Acridocarpus orientalis, locally

known as Qafas is a small perennial shrub with highly branched,
hairy stems and yellow flowers,
which grow in clusters .The young
leaves of Acridocarpus orientalis
are covered in reddish-brown hair,
which is lost as the plant grows,
creating a smooth, leathery leaf

Biological investigations of Acridocarpus

Acridocarpus orientalis is one
orientalis crude extracts demonstrated
species that has many ecological
as well as medicinal advantages. promising antioxidant, properties.
It is rare and prone to extinction.

with prominent veins.

There are characteristic hairs on
the stems which are easily detachable from the plant and can cause
irritation to the skin.

It is restricted to a small area

within Jebel Hafit and is of outstanding conservation value as its
the only know population of the
species in the UAE, apart from a
few other locations on Jebal Hafit.

WOW!
Acridocarpus orientalis is a traditional
medicinal plant used for treatment of
inflammatory diseases that may have
potential in cancer treatment.

Five-lined snapper (Lutjanus quinquelineatus)

A beautiful bright yellow fish of

FAST FACTS

This fish is native to the In-

reefs , the five-lined snapper is so

dian Ocean and the western

named for the lines of vibrant

Pacific Ocean.

blue that decorate the sides of its

It is an inhabitant of coral

body. The five-lined snapper ,

reefs being found at depths

Lutjanus quinquelineatus, is a

from 2 to 40 m.

species of snapper native to the

It is a commercially important

Indian Ocean and the western

species.

Pacific Ocean. The Fiveline Snap-

Often sought after as a game

per can be recognised by its

fish.
Commonly seen in the aquari-

colouration. It is yellow with five

ums.

blue lines on the body.

This attractive fish also has yel-

WOW!

low fins, a round, dark blotch

Five lined snapper is also

known as blue-banded sea
perch, blue-striped snapper, five
lined snapper, gold-striped seaperch, tropical snapper

about the size of the eye below

the long, spiny dorsal fin, and
dark brown lines bordering the
blue stripes.

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PAGE 3

STAR DAYS OF THE MONTH

5th September : International Day
of Charity
Poverty persists in all countries of the world, regardless
of their economic, social and cultural situation, particularly in developing countries.
On this International Day of Charity, the UN invites all
countries, organizations and individuals, to commemorate the Day in an appropriate manner, by encouraging
charity.
Charity is anything that can be given to the needy like
money, books, food, medicines, clothes etc.
It is celebrated on 5th sept. every year, because this
date marks the anniversary of the passing
away of Mother Teresa,
who devoted all her life
to
the poor and needy.

8th September : International

Literacy Day
Can you imagine if you did not know how to
read and write? The sad fact is that more than
774 million of the world's adults do not.
UN believes that literacy is the right of every
individual and an important tool for progress,
sustainable and social development.
Literacy empowers people so that they can
make the right decisions in the areas of economic growth, social development and environmental integration

Each one of us should

follow her example and
do our part for charity.

15th September : International Day

of Democracy
Democracy is a universal value
based on the freely expressed
will of people to determine their
own political, economic, social
and cultural systems and their
full participation in all aspects of
their lives which means that it is a form of government
in which people choose their leaders by voting for them.
The roots of democracy can be traced back to the time
of ancient Greeks.
This year's theme - Engaging Young People on Democracy - highlights the challenges
and opportunities of young people
engaging in democratic processes.
UN has declared this day with the aim
of raising public awareness and
strengthening its ideals around the
world.

Literacy is a key lever of change and a

practical tool of empowerment on each of the
three main pillars of sustainable development:
economic development, social development
and environmental protection.
Former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan

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PAGE 4

STAR DAYS OF THE MONTH

16th September: International day for the
Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

21st September: International

day of Peace

The (UN) International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone

Layer is celebrated on September 16 every year. This event commemorates the date of signing, in 1987, the Montreal Protocol on
Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer

Each year the International Day of Peace is

This day focuses on the importance of protecting human health

and the environment.

a shared date.

Without the Protocol, atmospheric levels of ozone-depleting substances could have increased ten-fold by 2050.

The theme of this year, which marks the30th

The controlled uses of ozone depleting substances have

tion is "Right of Peoples to Peace. This anni-

observed around the world on 21 September.

This day provides an opportunity for individuals
and nations to create practical acts of peace on

anniversary of the General Assembly Declaraversary offers a unique opportunity to reaffirm

helped protect the ozone layer for this and future generations,

the United Nations commitment to the pur-

contributed significantly to global efforts to address climate

change;

poses and principles upon which the Organiza-

protected human
health and ecosystems by limiting the
harmful ultraviolet
radiation from reaching the earth.

tion was founded.

This day
also recognises the
efforts of
those who
have worked

The theme for this years

celebration is Ozone
Layer Protection: The Mission Goes On. The Montreal Protocol has so far been successful in meeting some of its targets. As
a result, the ozone layer is expected to recover around the middle
of this century.

hard to promote peace.

It is also a
day of ceasefirepersonal as well as political.

27th September: World Tourism day

Tourism is growing by leaps and bonds and today is a trillion dollar sector involving the movement of over one billion tourists a year around the world and
another five to six billion domestically.
The UN has recognised tourism as a tool for
progress, education and global bonding. It is
also a sector representing 9% of global GDP as
well as a key revenue sector for developing and
emerging economies. Tourism is widely acknowledged for its capacity to respond to global challenges
In line with the global transition to the Sustainable Development Goals as
the guiding principle promoted by the UN from 2015 and beyond, this years
theme is Community development.

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PAGE 5

FUN TIME
RIDDLES

Riddle of the month

think its time to tease your brain!

Right?!.... Lets Go!!!

1.

A man got killed in his office. The suspects are

Mary, Jade, Jason, Nike and Sofia. At the site
of the murder, the numbers 6, 4, 9, 10, 11 are
inscribed on a calendar with blood.
Who's the murderer?

2.

Im tall when Im young and Im short when Im

Decode this Anagram.

old. What am I?
3.

NAMELESS

Throw away the outside and cook the inside,

then eat the outside and throw away the inside. What is it?

(Clue: Related to Job)

LAUGH OUT LOUD

Whew! That was good, right?! Now its time to Laugh Out Loud!
1.

Where do pencils come from?

Pennsylvania!

2. What city cheats in an exam?

Peking!
3.

Who made King Arthur's round table?

Sir-Cumference

4.

Why aren't you doing well in history?

Because the teacher keeps on asking about things that happened before I was born!

5.

What is the fruitiest subject at school?

History, because it's full of dates!

Corn on the cob, because you throw away

the husk, cook and eat the kernels, and
throw away the cob.

3.

A candle

2.

1. Jason. Each number denotes the corresponding months, Ex: 6th month-July "J" 4th month:
.April "A"
Answers:

Hope is the little voice which whispers maybe when

the whole world is shouting NO

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SEPTEMBER
2014VOLUME1 ISSUE 5

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MaIgNeD6S P A C E

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I s s u e6 1

FUN
FACTS
ABOUT
ANIMALS
Ostriches can run faster than horses, and the male ostriches

can roar like lions

Kangaroos use their tails for balance, so if you lift a kangaroos tail off the ground, it cant hop.

A cat has 32 muscles in each ear. All the better for them to
eavesdrop on your conversations and plot your demise.

On average, there are 50,000 spiders per acre in green areas. Bet
youll think twice before going outside now

You might want to thank a squirrel the next time you enjoy
the shade of a tree. Millions of trees are accidentally planted
by squirrels that bury nuts and then forget where they hid

Tigers not only have stripes on their fur, they also have them
on their skin. No two tigers ever have the same stripes.

Fleas can jump up to 200 times their height. This is equivalent

to a man jumping the Empire State Building in New York.

Dont try this at home, but a snail can grow back a new eye if
it loses one.

Since beavers teeth never stop growing, they must constantly gnaw
on objects to keep them at a manageable length. Their teeth would
eventually grow into their brain if they didnt maintain them.

Heres a titbit that might be useful if you plan on becoming the

next Steve Irwin: To escape the grip of a crocodiles jaw, push
your thumb into its eyeball It will let you go instantly.

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SEPTEMBER 2014VOLUME1 ISSUE 5

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

LAST monThS AnSWERS

CROSSWORD

PAGE 7

SEPTEMBER 2014VOLUME1 ISSUE 5

MINDSPACE

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Water colour by Neha Nilesh.

And Coloring competition conducted thereafter

Dont forget to send me your comments and articles to my mail id :

niranjanasunil2014@gmail.com

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