WAU Chile

Squamous cell carcinomas are a more common type of skin cancer that has a mortality rate in humans of about two to three per cent. This is more significant than it may seem because it is so common. About 250 Australians die each year from squamous cell carcinomas. As ozone depletion increases the incidence of skin cancer will also increase unless people reduce their exposure accordingly. It is estimated by scientists that for every one per cent decrease in ozone, there could be a 4-6% increase in skin cancers. At the moment Queens land is the most susceptible state because it is the closest to the equator and the amount of
ultraviolet radiation is stronger there.
However the ozone hole comes up from Antarctica so it affects cities that are further south such as Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney in that order. Many scientists warn that the whole problem is going to accelerate in Australia. The prediction now is that by the year 2005 there will be something like a 15% increase in the ultraviolet radiation. This could all add up to something like a 50-60% increase in non-melanoma skin cancers in Australia in the next fifteen years.
Such predictions are difficult because the relationship between ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer is complicated, especially with respect to melanomas. Moreover, such predictions assume that people will not change their habits and be more careful about being exposed to the sun. The impacts on animals and plants are even more difficult and could be far more serious because plants, and fish and plankton in particular, cannot easily move out of the sun or adopt extra protection. Yet the health of ecosystems and human beings is dependent on them.

WAU Chile

The Alerce, or Chilean Larch (Fitzroya cupressoides), is one of the most emblematic species of Chile, and is condemned to disappear if the government does not take immediate measures to avert its destruction. Its distribution in Chile is between the parallels 39o 50’ and 43o 30’ south latitude. It grows principally in the
Coastal and Andes mountain ranges, generally at altitudes of between 700 and 1,000 meters above sea level. It can grow to be 50 meters high and 5 meters in diameter. It is one of the oldest trees in the world, with some individuals living to be more than 3,600 years old. Some studies indicate that in the year 1550,
approximately 617,077 hectares of Alerce forest existed. Today, only 263,191 hectares remain. Of the remaining forest, 17% is protected by the state, and only 2.6% of that protected area is in the coastal mountain range.
In 1973, Alerce was included under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, which prohibits its
exportation. In 1976, the Chilean government declared Alerce a Natural Monument through Supreme Decree No. 490 and its exploitation was
prohibited. Yet this decree has proved to be ineffective, and wide-scale destruction of the species continues. There are however loopholes in the law
- the government authorizes logging of Alerce that were damaged by fires or logging before 1973, and also allows logging of trees that died in “natural
ways” and that were buried in the soil under the forest.
DOCUMENTATION OF THE DESTRUCTION
A team aboard the Green peace ship MV Arctic Sunrise has documented Alerce destruction in two important areas in Chile: the Andes range and the Coastal Mountain Range. In the Coastal range, the Alerce forests are under much greater threat than in the Andes range. Green peace documented areas of illegal logging throughout the Sarao mountain range, located in the Fresia area in Region X. Green peace was able to identify several types of illegal logging and an extensive network of roads to transport the illegal wood by undertaking surveys by helicopter. We were able to identify Alerce logging by examining the color of the sawdust left on the soil.
Illegal logging of Alerce in this sector has been reported consistently for a few years, but the exploitation continues unpunished and the government has not made an effort to prosecute the responsible parties. The difficulty accessing this region and the lack of funding to enforce the law are two important reasons that
illegal logging of Alerce continues unabated.
In the Andes range, there are Lenca, Puelo and Hornopiren sectors, located to the east of Puerto Montt. In this region, the two greatest threats are intentionally set forest fires and illegal logging. Illegal loggers set fire to the forests and then apply to CONAF for a permit to log the Alerce. A prime example of this illegal logging took place in 1999 in the Candelaria area, located between Puelo and Hornopiren National Park. 25 Alerce trees with diameters between 0.7 and 2 meters were cut while alive on land owned by the Piedras Moras Investment Society. Even though the logging was denounced and the State Defense Council was asked to intervene, there have not been any prosecutions to date.

MEASURES NEEDED TO PROTECT ALERCE
The state of the Alerce forests in Chile clearly reflects the failure of the Chilean government to provide adequate conservation measures and protection, and
brings into question its ability to abide by international treaties such as CITES. The Chilean government must urgently implement policies aimed to preserve and
recover Alerce forests. These policies should take into account the following elements: The ownership of Alerce forests, now that a significant amount of forest area belongs to the private sector.
Putting a definitive end to the massive illegal logging in sectors located in the Coastal range in the Fresia area in Region X. The illegal logging must be treated
as a crime. There must also be investigations into the chain of custody associated with destruction of Alerce forests, and the buyers must also be held responsible. Amend Supreme Decree 490, prohibiting extraction of dead Alerce in areas that haven’t been inventoried and identified by the agencies in charge of protecting and conserving Chile’s native forests. Increase the role of and funding for the National Forests Corporation, the entity that oversees conservation and protection of Chile’s forests.

WAU chile

Over a five-year period, the researchers collected daily values of various air pollutants in Athens. They also collected data on heart disease and strokes. The main finding: A 10-unit increase in carbon monoxide ups heart and stroke deaths by 46%. Panagiotakos reported the findings at this week’s Scientific Sessions 2003 meeting of the American Heart Association. The results shouldn’t be a big surprise. Similar studies in other cities reach similar conclusions.
A Drag on the Heart
For a person who smokes, even a short-term increase in air pollution could mean a heart attack. Yves Cottin, MD, PhD, of the University of Dijon in Burgundy, France, and colleagues collected data on heart attacks that came on bad air days. Not everybody who got heart attacks on these days was a smoker. But pollution was more likely to trigger heart attacks in smokers than in nonsmokers. It’s also a warning for people already at risk of heart attacks to stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise on bad air days, Cottin says. Tiny particles floating in the air — the kind of pollution mainly caused by diesel trucks — were the worst offender. Even at levels below national standards, they increased the risk of heart attacks. Cottin reported the findings at this week’s Scientific Sessions 2003 meeting of the American Heart Association.

WAU chile

WAU Chile

Toxic wastes are poisonous materials that are being dumped into the ocean. They harm many plants and animals in the ocean and have a huge impact on our health. Toxic waste is the most harmful form of pollution to sea life and humans. When toxic waste harms an organism, it can quickly be passed along the food chain and may eventually end up being our seafood. In the food chain, one toxic organism gets eaten by another, larger animal, which gets eaten by another
animal, and can end up being our seafood. Toxic waste gets into seas and oceans by the leaking of landfills, dumps, mines, and farms. Farm chemicals and heavy metals from factories can have a very harmful effect on marine life and humans

Many fishermen believe that the toxic chemicals in the ocean are killing much of the fish population. One of the most harmful chemicals in the ocean
is lead. Lead can cause many health problems. It can damage the brain, kidneys, and reproductive system. Lead can also cause birth defects for people. It has been shown to cause low IQ scores, slow growth, and hearing problems for small children. House and car paint and manufacturing lead batteries, fishing lures, certain parts of bullets, some ceramic ware, water pipes, and fixtures all give off lead.

Many things found in the ocean may cause seafood to be dangerous to human health. The effect on humans from contaminated seafood may include birth defects and nervous system damage. Medical waste found in the ocean is being tested to see if swimmers have a chance of developing Hepatitis or AIDS. Other waste has been known to cause viral and bacterial diseases. Watching what pollution we are letting into the ocean can stop this type of pollution. People are trying to decrease the amount of waste in the oceans by recycling, as much garbage as they can so there is a smaller amount of very harmful materials in the ocean.

WAU Chile

What are earthquake (Seismic) Waves?
A seismic wave is simply a means of transferring energy from one spot to another within the earth. Although seismologists recognize different types of waves, we are interested in only two types: P (primary) waves, which are similar to sound waves,
and S (secondary) waves, which are a kind of shear wave. Within the earth, P waves can travel through solids and liquids, whereas S waves can only travel through solids. The speed of an earthquake wave is not constant but varies with many factors.
Speed changes mostly with depth and rock type. P waves travel between 6 and 13 km/sec. S waves are slower and travel between 3.5 and 7.5 km/sec.

WAU Chile

It was in May 22, 1960 when the history of Valdivia was darkened by tragedy. A tremendous earthquake of 8,5 degrees affected the cities of Valdivia and Puerto Montt in Chile. The quake originated 180 feet below the bottom of the sea and 100 miles into the Pacific Ocean.There were not extremely large numbers of victims,for such an earthquake, because the opulation was alerted on that something was going to happen by previous shakes and underground noise.

However, 2300 people lost its life in the quake and in the tsunami that followed it. 80 feet high waves devastated the Chilean and Peruvian coasts and they propagated at more than 200 miles an hour to the coasts of Hawaii, Philippines, and Japan, destroying everything on its way and killing many people. In Valdivia, the stories of the earthquake are alive in people’s minds. Immediately after the quake and knowing what will came next, the people of the lowlands run to the hills for
protection. But not all of them follow those security measures. Meanwhile the tide started to retreat
into the ocean, leaving the rivers dry.

Afterwards the inevitable arrived, a huge 80 feet tidal wave devastated everything on its way,taking with it fishing boats and sinking large ships. The wave followed the river course and damaged the city’s industrial zone leaving ruins that are
visible even today. Then the wave returned to the sea carrying back small boats with fishermen and whole houses with people alive asking for help while in their fatal travel to the ocean. They were not to be seen again. The landslides blocked the rivers and they threaten to produce a major flood, which could have erased Valdivia from the map. Hardworking and sacrifice stop it from happening, sparing the city of a worst disaster.

Valdivia lost much with the earthquake, however the city was rebuilt and it is now one of the most beautiful of Chile. The ruins of industrial installations and sunken ships are the only testimony of such a tragic day.

WAU Chile

This careless behavior is aggravated by the appearance of “cartoneros”. Cartoneros is a term that describes unemployed, poor people who rummage in trash bags in order to take out whatever may be useful for them and are one (if not the main) reason why our streets are so dirty. After rummaging in trash bags, the cartoneros move to the next bag leaving behind them the trash they cannot use. The result: streets looking like a battlefield, a battlefield through which we will have to walk the following day. Let us also consider the fact that Buenos Aires has become a favorite city for tourists. Most tourists describe Buenos Aires as a very nice city BUT also very dirty. This is a very embarrassing description!

We can help to have cleaner streets by simply adopting some habits, such as:

• Do not throw paper, bottles or other trash on the street; it is much better to keep it in our purses or pockets until we find a waste basket.

• If we are on a bus or underground train, let’s do the same.

• If we take our pet for a walk, don’t let them perform some of their “bodily functions” and then go away. Instead, we can take with us all the necessary elements to pick it up or clean the dirt they made. It is not a nice job but having a pet implies responsibilities and this is one of those responsibilities. In addition, we can try to avoid taking our pets to parks where children usually play.

It is also important to bear in mind that dirt attracts cockroaches, rats, worms (among others) all of which carry diseases whose transmission to humans can be avoided in simple way: putting trash where it belongs!

It is our duty to teach children to be clean and respect and love the Mother Nature, and we must correct adults who are disrespectful toward her. A change of attitude concerning this issue will improve everyone’s life quality.

WAU Argentina

Tourist Information

Dunmore Caves – Dearc Fearnas – Co. Kilkenny

Dunmore Cave is described in folklore as the mouth of a huge beast, with ten thousand teeth above his head and as many under his feet. The huge, imposing entrance, has been known for centuries, but it is only comparatively recently that it has been fully explored. Until the seventeenth century caves were regarded with dread and awe as being entrances to Hell. From the eighteenth century onwards a number of visitors, including scientists and historians, have written about the cave. Research on geological and historical aspects of the cave has been pursued making it one of the best documented cave sites in Europe.

Dunmore Cave- A Viking Massacre Site.

January 2000 saw the natural cave at Dunmore, Co. Kilkenny under the world spotlight as a hoard of 43 silver and bronze items which had been discovered late in 1999 was displayed to the public at the National Museum of Ireland for the first time. The hoard was dated by several coins minted in the North of England to around 970 AD It consisted of hack silver and ingots as well as conical buttons made of fine silver wire woven expertly to form their present shape. The richness of the hoard which had been concealed in a rocky cleft deep in the cave and the fact that it was never returned to, hints that a personal tragedy overcame its owner.

The cave was known in the Irish Annals as ‘Dearc Fearna’- the ‘Cave of the Alders’ and was one of the three darkest places in Ireland. In the Annals of the Four Masters it is recorded that ‘Godfrey, son of Imhar with the foreigners of Dublin plundered Dearc Fearna and killed 1000 people in 928 AD. Bones have frequently been found by cavers giving credence to the tale of a massacre. A recent study of bones from the cave identified 44 individuals, 19 of which were adult, 25 children. The bulk of the adult bones were female. In 1996 a group of bones were discovered and analysed by the author which gives a sad insight into one personal tragedy that happened at Dunmore.

The bone was from a cavity beside a feature in the cave known as Town Hall. It consisted almost entirely of animal bone but there was a small amount of human bone present. The majority of human bones were from an infant but there were also three fragments of long bone from an adult and one fragment of adult rib.

The frontal bone, part of the right temporal bone and the left maxilla survived from the infant skull. The partially formed crown of a central incisor was the only tooth present.

Most of the left side of the infant, including the left clavicle and scapula, three left ribs, left radius and ulna and left tibia were complete and in a relatively good state of preservation. The right illium remained from the pelvis and there was also a fibula and fragments of a femur present.

The infant bones were probably from one individual and from the state of development of the incisor and from the length of the long bones it was probably not a full term infant.

The length of the long bones was used to estimate the body length (Kosa 1991) and hence to estimate the state of foetal development. All the bones are consistent with a foetus of about 36 weeks gestation.

As the group of bones was so small it is not possible to assess how the tragedy came about. The infant could have been born prematurely and did not survive or the infant could have died when the mother died. Whether the mother died of an infection, during childbirth or as a result of the massacre is also unknown but this case study does serve to bring home the personal nature of this distant tragedy.