Friday, October 30, 2009

Strategist

At top management or strategic level, we set the direction to "do the right thing" - the strategies. In the execution of the strategies, we must "do the thing right" - the methodology to execute the strategies in the battle fields.

We may refer to books in history and strategies for the way great leaders set strategies at different point in time and contexts. However, due to the differences in the context and age, we must adopt these strategies
in consideration to our own unique contexts and environment. I like a Chinese cliche that say "If one read and adopt what the authors of books said whole heartedly, better do not read any book". The key is to understand the historical path that lead to current situation and learn from the great leaders how they solve their problems and crisis. Understanding in the historical path can help us to analyse and predict the future better. The KEY is exercise, broad general knowledge, in depth knowledge in your field, system thinking, ability to analyse, strategise and execute under intense pressure. By solving problems regularly, one can become a dispute resolution expert and strategiest.
The Confucious says "a genuine man do business for profit without forgoing his principles, dignity and values". They take profits from the society and return them in due course for the benefits of the society

Monday, October 19, 2009

Laws of Nature - Equilibrium




Ying and Yang are symbolic words for opposition, i.e. Positive and Negative, Male and Female, Strong and Weak, Dynamism and Stagnance, complimentary and contradictary forces in the nature, etc. It is believed that the cosmo is regulated and operated in the Laws of Equilibrium whereby the Ying and Yang forces correspond and react continuosly with each other in dynamism in search for a state of equilibrium.




On the other hand, the five elements, namely Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth stands for physical creature, symbolic items or environments with their attributes or properties that resemble the elements respectively. The five elements are the core of nature whereby they work in either affinity or enmity with each other. They also represent "Movement", "Changible" and "Development" and each of them have their Ying and Yang sides, too.




In our life, the Yang and Yang, and the five elements prevail. Some people who exert pressure to change the current situation will encounter resistance in opposite direction eventually. A move from equilibrium is possible should it is conducted in a way that do not forgo principles of Law of Equilibrium. Balance is the Key. For instance, sustainable health can be achived when we exert enormous amount of efforts and time in achieving your goals without forgoing the need for rest and attainment in emotional fulfillment.

Historically, any development of civilisation and advancement involved development of knowledge, technology and humanity. However, on the words of civilisation, there are too many instances where we develop our technology for the comfort of ourselves faster than the way we can develop our humanity. Greed and ignorance of human caused incredible disturbance to the Mother Nature. We exhaust and take the Mother Nature for granted greedily and selfishly without seeing the big picture what damage can we do to the Mother Nature. Let us take the closest example for discussion now. We turn on the air conditional system to cold down our workplace and the outdoor compressors are working hardly to emit the heat to the environment. Imagine how many air conditional systems are out there emiting Green House Gases to warm up our Environment and Earth. The cumulative effect of such damages should not be taken lightly. Global warming is bringing us the Act of God which is devasting and deadly to our living and life.

The equilibrium of Nature has been disturbed and what have we done. Every year, the "Great 8" meets and hardly achieve any consensus in the assistance to the poorer and less fortunate countries. Furthermore, they hardly take any determined actions in reducing Green House effect in order protect their economic growth. Scarcity mentality is so prevalent. To the public, this is merely a party where the celebritis and "World Leaders" rest and socialise among themselves.




Now, we are playing a chess game with the gigantic "Mother Nature" who is angry and planning its revenge. Elements are working to regain the Balance. More natural disasters and diseases are on their way to counter our greed and ignorance to mess up the Laws of Equilibrium. So, what element can we adopt to counter such angry "Mother Nature"? We need leaders who can see the situation as a whole instead of in parts. We may live in different continents, regions or countries. However, we all live in "the Earth". System thinking is a powerful tool to assist us to link different components in our world so that we can see the big and thorough picture. Also, we need strategists to find the leverage in order to "turn around" such difficult chess game. He must be able to bring us all to a vision for sustainability so that our civilisation can persist. He should collaborate with other leaders, scientists and engineers to build up a sustainable environment in search for Green Technology instead of the technology in military for the seek of soveriegnty, both politically and economically.

I pray to God so that HE will send us such person to help us before the Judgement Day.





Saturday, October 3, 2009

3 Footed Altar

Three footed Altar can be found in temples where people put joss sticks. The Chinese word of the said item carries special meanings which amazed me sometimes ago.

The three foots represents "Power", "Wealth" and "Fame". The big "Bowl" with holds the Content represents "Value", "Personality" and "Dignity".

Imagine, if the foots grows higher, the altar will become more unstable. Should any of the foot grow indefinitely by itself, the "bowl" will start to jerk aside and shall collapse eventually.

The greed of "Power", "Wealth" and "Fame" worsen the situation. Indeed, we must understand that they are not sinful by itself.

Power is entrusted to a person so that he can make decisions professionally for the benefits of his organisation.

Wealth is the reward for carrying out the work professionally and in due course.

Fame is the recognition of the professional work.

Should any of these is taken for granted and goes toward polarity, one's Values, Personality and Dignity will collapse. Then, he will be in bigger hunger for "Power", "Wealth" and "Fame" and the cycle multiplied leading to irrational move toward "Insanity".

How much Power do we need to execute the appointed job professionally? How much money do we need to live confortably? How famous do we wish to be in order to feel the recognition by others? What will happen if the "Power", "Wealth" and "Fame" overwhelmes a person's mind?

Carbon Cycle and Titanium Dioxide

Carbon in Nature

The three most important substances that make life possible are water, oxygen and carbon dioxide. The primary structural and functional element in all living things is carbon. All carbon in protein, fat, carbohydrate and other organic molecules in living things is derived from atmospheric carbon dioxide. Without atmospheric carbon dioxide, life as we know it would not be possible.

The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged between the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere of our planet Earth. Carbon is stored in four major reservoirs:

• The atmosphere

• The biosphere (including freshwater systems and ground soil)

• The oceans (including dissolved inorganic carbon)

• The sediments (including fossil fuels)

Carbon is exchanged between these reservoirs via sequences of various chemical reactions and biological processes.

Carbon exists in the Earth’s atmosphere primarily as the gas carbon dioxide. Although it is a very tiny percent of the atmosphere (approximately 0.04%), it plays an essential part in supporting life. In particular, plants absorb carbon dioxide in the presence of sunlight to produce carbohydrate, and release oxygen into the air. This process is known as photosynthesis, and provides plants with the key organic compounds required to support life.

In nature, carbon can then be released naturally back into the cycle in many different ways with the most common being respiration, decay of animal and plant matter, and the release of dissolved carbon dioxide from the oceans by marine life.




Carbon in Today’s World

Disruption of the natural carbon cycle occurs with human intervention and the results of exponential growth in the world’s population. Burning of fossil fuels releases stored carbon, increasing the overall percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Today, the debate continues on whether global warming is myth or fact. However, what is certain is that combustion of fossil fuels through industrial activities, vehicle exhaust fumes, smoking, use of petrochemical products in buildings, etc, produces by-products which affect the quality of the air which humans breathe. These by-products are tiny particles, whose chemical composition, particle shape and size are all factors that determine how they impact human health.

The primary by-product of burning fossil fuels is carbon dioxide. However, this exists naturally in the carbon cycle. Of more significance in impacting human health are the by-products of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and hydrocarbons. Suspended particles from these compounds can combine in the atmosphere to form tropospheric ozone, the major constituent of smog.

Carbon monoxide is a deadly toxic gas, undetectable by smell that can harm or kill animals, plants and people. It is produced during incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Inhalation is poisonous and causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, light-headedness and, in extreme cases, death . People with heart disease will be susceptible to more stress on the heart. Motor vehicles are the primary source of carbon monoxide.




Impact on Air Quality from the Combustion of Fossil Fuels

Both nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide are also produced in combustion. Unlike carbon monoxide which cannot be detected, nitrogen oxides are yellowish-brown in colour and are the major contributor to haze in city air, injury to plants and destruction of forests near industrial areas. Oxides of nitrogen are emitted by internal combustion engines, power stations, furnaces, cars and fertilizers. Exposure to oxides of nitrogen may lead to death from pulmonary lesions (due to reduced partial oxygen pressure in the lungs); sudden death from spasms of the lungs and respiratory failure; pulmonary oedema; or inflammatory responses in the bronchiole system.

Sulfur oxides are another common by-product of combustion and released into the environment. Exposure to air contaminated with sulphur dioxide will cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, resulting in choking and coughing. Individuals with asthma are particularly sensitive to sulphur dioxide.

Both nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides are primarily irritants to human health. The by-products of major concern are the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been identified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are chemical compounds that consist of fused aromatic rings, whose resulting structure determines whether they are non-toxic or highly toxic. Polycyclic hydrocarbons are not only caused by combustion of fossil fuels, but are also formed by incomplete combustion of wood, coal, diesel, fat, tobacco or incense.

How Our Homes and Offices Affect Health

Hydrocarbons, and other gaseous pollutants, have been the subject of debate for years. Various studies have examined the effects of various fuels on the environment.

What the majority of the general public is less aware of is the quality of the air in our homes and office. Indeed, people spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors. Every day, they consume 25,000 litre of air a day. Inhaling air of poor quality everyday causes Sick Building Syndrome can lead to stress, respiratory illnesses headache, conjunctivitis, asthma, cancerous diseases, etc has become increasingly popular and debatable issues nowadays.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) studies have found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be two to five times higher inside homes and office than outside, causing sick building syndrome to the occupants therein .

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals emitted as gases from wide variety of sources. There are literally thousands of different VOCs produced, most of which are potentially harmful to health. Levels of VOC exposure in indoor air vary widely depending upon factors such as the building ventilation rate, outdoor concentrations and the time spent in the effected environment, be it home or office.

The walls of buildings emit VOCs from paints; the doors and floors emit VOCs from varnishes, wood preservatives and other solvents. Aerosol sprays, cleaners, disinfectants, repellents, air fresheners and pesticides all emit varying levels of VOCs. Newspapers, printers, photocopy machines, correction fluids, paper and permanent markers all produce VOCs within the office environment. Even less apparent sources such as dry-cleaned laundry, cosmetics and cooking can all cause adverse health effects from emission of VOCs.

Further key contributors to indoor VOC contamination are new carpets, new furniture, idling motor vehicles parked in attached garages, new paint jobs, chemicals stored in the home, recently applied adhesive as well as new plastic or electronic devices. From the materials which make up the building to the chemicals which are used to keep the home “hygienic”, these are all sources of VOCs .

How VOCs Affect Air Quality

Volatile Organic Compounds are gases that are emitted at room temperature. Under the term “organic”, these compounds all contain carbon. Upon entering the air, they react with oxides of nitrogen (in the presence of sunlight) to form ozone. This photochemical process is difficult to control as it is a very natural reaction which takes place close to ground level.

Ozone in the atmosphere is beneficial to human life as it filters potentially damaging ultraviolet light from reaching the Earth’s surface. However, ozone at ground level is a highly reactive gas which pollutes the air and damages human health, the respiratory systems of animals, and vegetation.

Breathing air with high concentrations of ozone can aggravate symptoms of sufferers with pulmonary diseases and increase rates of asthma attacks. Other acute effects of ozone exposure include eye irritation, nose irritation, throat irritation, headaches, nausea and dizziness. There is also evidence to show that prolonged exposure to ozone can cause permanent lung damage, cancer, kidney damage as well as interference with the functioning of the immune system.

Removing Hazardous Volatile Organic Compounds from the Air

There are many different methods for removing or minimising VOCs from the air. However many factors need to be considered in determining the effectiveness of each of these methods.

Source control can be employed to eliminate products from the home that contain high levels of VOCs. Some sources, like asbestos or chipboards, can be sealed or enclosed. However, not all pollutant resources can be identified and practically eliminated or reduced.

Increasing ventilation, especially in the presence of new products or appliances, can be achieved simply by opening windows or doors. Unfortunately, this often brings in air from outside which contains other contaminants from outdoor fuel combustion, etc. In addition, there are limits on measuring the effectiveness with which the airborne pollutants are removed from indoor air.

Air cleaners or purifiers come in many different forms and variations. Generally air purifiers work by removing pollutant particles from the air via filters, activated carbon, oxidation systems, ionisers or ozone generators. The fact remains that each process may remove different contaminants, limiting the full effectiveness of these systems. These filters can be blocked by ducts or particles which reduces its effectiveness as well. Regular maintenance is required for these devices. In particular, there are consumer concerns over the use of ozone generators, given that ozone on ground level is a highly reactive and damaging gas.




A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Removing VOCs from Our Life

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a naturally occurring oxide of titanium, mostly found in the minerals rutile, anatase and brookite. It has been classified as Class 4A inert ingredient which is safe to human health . Pure titanium dioxide is produced from chemical processing to leave a pure, white pigment which is odourless and absorbent.

Titanium dioxide in rutile form has a variety of uses, but by far the most widely used application is as a pigment for providing whiteness and opacity to products such as paints, coatings, plastics, paper, inks, fibres, food, toothpastes and cosmetics.

Titanium dioxide is also a potent photo-catalyst, particularly in the anatase form. Under ultraviolet light, UV- A (fluorescent lamps provide sufficient UV-A for such purpose), it has been found that almost any organic compound can be broken down at its surface, in the presence of water vapour. As a result of the photo-catalytic properties of titanium dioxide, new technologies have been developed to capitalise on environmentally beneficial products, with particular interest on the effectiveness of VOC removal.

In the late 1970s, scientists had already begun to realise to potential of titanium dioxide. When exposed to ultra-violet light of a certain wavelength, in the presence of water vapour, two highly reactive chemical species are formed: hydroxyl radicals [OH] and a superoxide ion [O2-1]. Hydroxyl radicals are very strong oxidisers, capable of breaking down any organic matter into carbon dioxide and water (both of which are then harmless to the environment).

An innovative nano Titanium Dioxide coating has been developed recently for the reaction to produce a revolutionary product useful in air purification, water and wastewater remediation and as an advanced cleaning solution . With one application of its spray-based technology, organic molecules, no matter whether they are the result of grime, oils, VOCs or part of the cellular walls of bacterial microbes, are broken down into carbon dioxide and water. This ultra-fast reaction literally takes place in billionths of a second, in the presence of light, water vapour (present in the air) and titanium dioxide.

In addition, the superoxide anions which are produced in this reaction then bind with nitrogen oxides in the air to reduce the harmful components of smog and acid rain down to harmless nitrogen dioxide.

Superior generation of active oxygen anions is at the core of the smog-reducing power of Nano Titanium Dioxide solutions.

The effectiveness of nano-particle of anatase titanium dioxide has been confirmed in the extensive Photocatalytic Innovative Coverings Applications for De-pollution Assessment (PICADA-Project) .

Conclusion

The Environment Protection Agency of USA has invested heavily into researching the revolutionary product of Nano Anatase Titanium Dioxide is a “Green Technology” and harmless to humans. It has become the only solution for air quality, with the potential to replace air cleaners, purifiers, ioner and ozone generators . Nano Titanium Dioxide stands out from the range as an effective means to reduce Volatile Organic Compounds, ozone at ground level, carbon monoxide, and micro-organisms of all types in the air. The true benefits of Nano Titanium Oxide to human health has yet to be tested and realised in Malaysia.

Written jointly with Emily W

Friday, October 2, 2009

Mother Nature vs Tiny Men

The greed of human causes vast deforestation, green house effect and harm to the Mother Nature. Eventhough we are aware of what we did cause the harm to Mother Nature and it is on Its way for revenge, we are still unaware of what we should do next. This could be due to our existing system in the economy, historical burden and the way we are used to live. Well, the Mother Nature is angry now. It is roaming and revenging with more ailment, natural disaster and stronger events to come. How many life has the Mother Nature claim in the past decade? Uncountable? I really have no idea.




I experienced the power of Mother Nature again during my last visit to the Morib Beach. The wave that hit me was gentle. However, I cannot image how tiny I could be if the wave roamed and swallow me with anger. I will have to say "Bye bye" to you in seconds. Then, I looked at the vessels which passed by emitted smoke in the Melacca Strait and asked myself, yes, we may contribute a little smoke via our cars, kitchens and air conds everyday, but do you know that if everyone do so, what will our next generation pay for our enjoyment and confort that we are enjoying now? Who else will suffer from our enjoyment? Do you want to leave a world with frequent natural disaster to your children and grand children? Perhaps we should return to the system thinking (Peter Senge in the Fifth Discipline) to draw out a diagram which can show the whole picture, the causation of our action, the result brought about by our conduct, other contributing factors and how this cycle continues and multiplies. Do you know that while you are sitting reading this email, what type of Volatile Organic Compounds (from carpet, paint, furniture, solvent, computers, printers and photostating machines, abestos from the acoustic mineral fibre ceiling board, plaster ceiling, etc etc) you are inhaling now? How much green house gases have you contributed? What processed food have you taken? What vitamin suppliment which the pharmaceutical companies make distorted and baseless claim have you taken? This is all caused by the greed and ignorance of human. It leads to poor environmental, mental and physical health to us. We may speak marvel but conduct otherwise. However, I am sure that we cannot live without good health.
 


Perhaps we need to sit down and think, is our existing values, practices and perceptions of what is green and healthy living are correct? Do we have to have a paradigm shift which could be painful and time consuming? Are you willing to undergo the pain for the future and your next generation?