1.
TEST YOUR GREY CELLS Mission S.O.S
1) One of the most famous contemporary
Vanguards of Mother Earth’s Renaissaonce
documentaries, this movie made a former Vice
President of the USA received critical acclaim.
Which movie are we referring to?
2) Which iconic cricketer recently appeared at the
MCA ground to endorse the BMC’s ‘Save
Water’ campaign?
3) They are geographically defined areas of
ecologically similar climatic conditions. Unlike
ecozones they are identified with particular
patterns of ecological succession and climax
The year is 2010. As much as the world is progressing
vegetation. Name them. towards a futuristic dream of a hypermodern civilization
and nations leave no stone unturned to achieve this
4) This American labour union activist who dream, a monster has been created which is now
worked as a chemical technician for making threatening to engulf all mankind in the near future. The
plutonium pallets at the Kerr-McGee plant died monster is Global Warming. And the situation demands
under mysterious circumstances after urgent action. This is not an action film where an
imaginary hero will emerge and bail us out of trouble.
investigating claims of irregularities and
This is our role and we are the protagonists. This is a
wrongdoings plant. She was immortalized by war, a war to protect our environment and beloved
Meryl Streep in an eponymous movie. Identify Mother Earth.
her.
Mission S.O.S is a campaign for the people, by the
people. The objective is common – To preserve our
5) As a young footballer he is believed to have
environment and create an awareness among the masses.
commented “hang the Greens while there still However, no endeavour can be successful without
are trees” seemingly expressing his dislike for support. YOU ARE OUR SUPPORT. YOU, the
the German Green Party. Who are we talking denizens of this planet. Instead of sitting back and
about? criticizing the apathy of the politicians of the world, it’s
time to take action. Through this webpage, we aim to
6) John Travolta plays the lead as a civil ligation unleash a wave of awareness throughout the world.
Internet is one of the most potent communication tools
lawyer and his decade long case against an
we have. And Mission S.O.S will harness its power to the
American corporation in a water pollution fullest. With a whole lot of activities, events, documents,
dispute brought by citizens of a Massachusetts quizzes and rallies, we intend to reach out to as many
town. Which movie? individuals as possible.
The battlefield is set. The knights have donned the
7) A beloved science fiction writer he passed away
armours. The mission is clear: S.O.S – Save Our
in 2008. In one of techno-thrillers he heavily Surroundings. Join us in the fight against climate change.
criticized global warming terming it a hoax. Al
Gore commented about the novel, “If your Kiran Shah Prashant Sree Uday Yerramilli
baby has a fever, you go to the doctor [...] if
your doctor tells you you need to intervene
here, you don't say 'Well, I read a science fiction Visit us and support our cause at:
novel that tells me it's not a problem”. Which
novel/author are we talking about? http://missionsos.spruz.com
http://www.missionsos.wordpress.com
Submit your answers at the Mission SOS stall and http://pages.rediff.com/mission-sos/5084
you could be in with a chance to win eco-friendly
prizes. Mission SOS – Facebook/Orkut/Twitter

2.
TIPS TO HELP SAVE
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
MOTHER EARTH
 The world has warmed by nearly 1° C over the last
century. The rate of warming over the last 50 years is  To save energy, set your thermostat as low as is
nearly twice that of the last 100 years.
comfortable in the winter and as high as is
 Eleven of the last 12 years rank among the 12
warmest years on record. comfortable in the summer. You save 3 percent on
 Sea levels are rising at a rapid rate (having risen by the day’s heating or cooling costs by setting your
20cm over the 20th century); in Asia, the homes of thermostat back one degree for that 24-hour period.
94 million people could be flooded by the end of the  Wash with cold water whenever possible.
century, leading to large-scale migration.  Select bulbs carefully. Look for the highest lumens at
 Between 1900 and 2004, 73% of disasters were the lowest wattage. Wattage is the power needed to
climate related; 94% of disasters and 97% of disaster-
make a bulb work. Lumens measure brightness.
related deaths occur in developing countries.
 Humanitarian responses to disasters cost donors $6  For greatest efficency set refrigerators at 40º F. and
billion every year. freezers at 0º F.
 By 2020 between 75 and 250 million people in Africa  Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water
will be facing increased water shortages. instead of running water from the tap.
 Temperatures in 2100 could be 1.4 to 5.8° higher  Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll
than in 1990 if emissions aren’t curbed now. save up to 150 gallons per month.
 By 2025 two-thirds of the earth’s population will
 Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and
suffer water shortages.
save 25 gallons a month.
 Climatic conditions affect diseases transmitted
through water, and via vectors such as mosquitoes.  Replace your regular light bulbs with fluorescent
Climate-sensitive diseases are among the largest ones. These will produce more light and cost less in
global killers. Diarrhoea, malaria and protein-energy energy. They also last 10 times longer.
malnutrition alone caused more than 3 million deaths  When you’re done using your television, radio, or
globally in 2004, with over one third of these deaths
Computer turn it off.
occurring in Africa.
 Malnutrition causes millions of deaths each year,  Repair leaky faucets and install low-flow
from both a lack of sufficient nutrients to sustain life showerheads.
and a resulting vulnerability to infectious diseases  Clean your lamps and bulbs regularly, because dirt
such as malaria, diarrhoea, and respiratory illnesses. decreases the amount of light given out.
Increasing temperatures on the planet and more
 Share these tips with family and friends.
variable rainfalls are expected to reduce crop yields in
many tropical developing regions, where food
Do you have any suggestions on how to conserve our
security is already a problem.
resources? Or simply a comment on the issue? Visit our
 The costs of ignoring climate change have been
estimated at more than that of the two world wars websites and Facebook page and post them right away.
and the Great Depression (5 to 20% of GDP)
 The cost of tackling the problem, however, could be
around 1% of global GDP if mitigation policies are
well-designed.