Looking for Home Solar Kit in Malaysia

Solar Powered Your Home? Everyday when I look at the sun shinning into my house, I always wondering how to make it power my electrical appliances to save the electric cost. And the chance come by now, I will be moving into a new house and it is still under renovation.

Since last January, I have been spending time to source the suitable Solar Home Kit in the internet. Many hits went to the China made system which is has very "reasonable" price that fit my budget to start my solar home dream. However, after considering the difficulties in the logistic of product import, warranty, installation, and lack of confidence of the China supplier. I decide to look for the solar kit in Malaysia.

Malaysia government just starting the FIT system in 2012, and it really helps to boots the number of people looking to make good investment in selling their green power. There are quite a number of company providing the services and products. However, they are likely to be more on the On-Grid and non of them located near my place, which is a small town at the north. After spending weeks of searching, I have listed a few company that can provide small stand alone solar system.

In Malaysia, your google search on solar related keywords will lead you to one local company called Solar Power Mart (solarpower-mart.com/), and SCorigin  (www.scorigin.com), which looks like a same company. They provide very comprehensive information and YouTube movies on their solar system. It is a very resource full website.

Searching the online market place did help me to locate some potential solar supplier. In Mudah.my, I found Pg Solar and a few companies who provide solar kit and products. There a quite a number of active sellers from Sabah and Sarawak as well. I think the east Malaysia has a better solar market than Peninsular as there are many remote areas not well connected.

The story will continue............

PRE-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN AFRICAN CLIMATE CHANGE AND POLITICAL STABILITY

PRE-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN AFRICAN CLIMATE CHANGE AND POLITICAL STABILITY

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

------------------------------------------
DEADLINE: 31 MARCH 2011------------------------------------------
   
The Climate Change and African Political Stability (CCAPS) program at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin will offer up to three pre-doctoral fellowships for the 2011-2012 academic year. The CCAPS pre-doctoral fellowship program aims to stimulate the development of the next generation of researchers and thought leaders on the topic of climate change and political stability in Africa.

ELIGIBILITY: Pre-doctoral fellowships are available to advanced PhD students, with preference given to those who have made substantial progress towards the completion of their dissertation. U.S. and international PhD students are encouraged to apply.

CCAPS will consider applicants working on a broad range of topics related to climate change, political stability, and security in Africa. Suitable topics may include, but are not limited to: climate change vulnerability in Africa; potential impacts of climate change on political stability or security in Africa; and strategies for addressing climate change challenges in Africa.

The call for applications and information about the fellowship and application guidelines are available at: http://ccaps.strausscenter.org/fellowship.

Full scholarship for MSc in Climate Change and Development

Full scholarship for MSc in Climate Change and Development at University of Sussex/Institute for Development Studies, UK

A full scholarship (fees plus maintenance and travel) funded through the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme is available for applicants to the MSc in Climate Change and Development programme for entry October 2011.

Note: Potential applicants must undertake the following process in the order stated.

1.      Check their eligibility for the award (see criteria below)

2.      Submit an application for the MSc in Climate Change and Development using the online application facility at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/2011/taught/3331/23691

3.      Only after applicants have received an offer of a place on the course should they request an application form for the scholarship, be contacting climate@sussex.ac.uk. The deadline for applications for the scholarship is 1st May 2011.

Scholarship Criteria

Applicants must
(i)     be nationals of (or permanently domiciled in) a Commonwealth developing country, and not currently be living or studying in a developed country (please see the booklet for a list of eligible countries)
(ii)    hold a first degree at either first or upper second class level;
(iii)   be sufficiently fluent in English to pursue the course
(iv)    have not previously studied for one year or more in a developed country
(v)     not be employed by a government department (for this purpose the Commission counts this as being employed by a Government Ministry).
(vi)    be able to confirm in writing that neither they or their families would otherwise be able to pay for the proposed course of study
(vii)   be willing to confirm that they will return to their home country as soon as their period of study is complete


Further information

(i)     MSc in Climate Change and Development

This is unique course that aims to provide state-of-the-art training for the rapidly expanding market for development professionals with specialisation in climate change.  The programme is strongly multidisciplinary and students will acquire specialist knowledge of the causes of climate change, the implications for developing countries, and the policy and practice of efforts to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate. Courses are taught by leading researchers in these fields from the world renowned Institute for Development Studies (IDS), the Geography Department and Science and Technology Policy Research Unit (SPRU).

<http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/2011/taught/3331/23691>
<www.sussex.ac.uk/climatechange>
Tel: +44 (0)1273 877686
Email: climate@sussex.ac.uk

(ii)    Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

For full details of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme see http://www.cscuk.org.uk/docs/DFIDSSSBOOKLET2011vi.pdf

PIFWA Mangrove Educational Center

Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association (PIFWA)

Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association (PIFWA) is one of the local Malaysian NGO working on protecting the benefits of local fishermen and actively conducting the mangrove planting activities. Currently, PIFWA is working with NGOs and government to establish a Mangrove Educational Center.

PIFWA Office

7 years old mangrove after replanted by PIFWA at the abundant Shrimp Pond

PIFWA Mangrove Nursery

Young mangrove plant at the nursery

Mangrove replanting project at Nibong Tebal

Mangrove replanting project at Seberang Jaya

Proposed site for Mangrove Educational Center

Resource:
http://geic.hq.unu.edu/ENV/Files/2008/SPA.pdf
http://geic.hq.unu.edu/ENV/files/InnComm%20Report/case%20study%203%20Malaysia.pdf

PIFWA Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=pifwa&w=8819274%40N04&ss=2&z=m

Penang's Mud Ball Campaign - Sungai Nibong Kecil

Sungai Nibong Kecil Mud Ball Throwing

Sungai Nibong Kecil located at Bayan Baru is one of the polluted river in this Industrial Area. When I was young, I used to catch the mud crab, fishes in that river, chasing the monitor lizard, however, it is seriously polluted now. I am wondering if we can still find any creature in this river.

The Penang State of Malaysia is now turning into leader of Greening Campaign. One of the popular campaign is throwing the EM contain mudball into the polluted river for cleaning purposes. EM™ stands for "Effective Microorganisms™" and was coined by Professor Dr. Teruo Higa, who developed EM™. EM™ consists of a wide variety of effective, beneficial and non-pathogenic microorganisms produced through a natural process and not chemically synthesized or genetically engineered. (http://emrojapan.com/about-em/about-em.html)

In Bayan Baru, the mudball campaign is supported by the company operating in the Free Trade Zone, which show their Corporate Social Responsibility to the local society. It was indeed an encouraging sign for the environmental awareness raising in this area.

Applying the EM Mudball for river cleansing is rather a long term process and need strong and consistent commitment. This will be the real challenge as there is a need to build long-term partnership within the acting parties. In such a case, the leading role of the government is important for the partnership to sustain.

Resource:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/33020658/Should-EM-Mudballs-Be-Used-for-Treating-Rivers-and-Seafro
http://emrojapan.com/about-em/em-products/activated-materials/howtomakeballs.html

Making Mudball for Malaysia
http://www.scribd.com/doc/17521409/Membuat-Em-Mud-Ball-Bagi-Pengurangan-Pence-Mar-An-Melalui-Kitar-Semula-Sisa

Sungai Nibong Kecil

Rubbish Floating on the river

Pollution from domestic discharge

Floating Food Container on the river

Petronas Station at Sungai Nibong Kecil

Oil discharge from the Petronas Station

Stop the Pollution

Environmental Monitoring by PSDC

Blackish water discharge from domestic source

マレーシア・ペナン―漁民とともにマングローブを植える旅

マレーシア・ペナン―漁民とともにマングローブを植える旅

期間：
2010年12月19日（日）～25日（土）　7日間

内容：
マレーシア・ペナンの美しい町並みは、19世紀の英国植民地の面影を今に伝え、世界遺産にも指定されています。中国系、インド系、マレー系住民という多民 族によって構成されるこの地は、食も、建築も、宗教も、言語も多彩です。自然に恵まれ、東洋の真珠ともいわれるこの島は、アジアでも有数の海浜リゾートと しても知られていますが、ここ数年、急激な開発と人口の増加により、河川や海岸の汚染がひどくなってきてもいます。そんななか伝統的な漁法を守り、マング ローブ植林、手長エビの稚魚放流などの環境保全活動に取り組んでいる漁民のグループ（PIFWA）がいます。この開発の波に直面する漁民たちを訪ね、その マングローブ植林に参加し、自然と人間がともに生きていくための知恵や方法を考えます。

＊パルシックは、2010年より、この活動への支援を行っています。

ツアーのポイント：
★世界遺産にも登録されたジョージタウンの街散策
★多文化・多宗教が共生するペナンの魅力的な食事
★東南アジアの環境問題について分かりやすく学べるプログラム

旅行条件：
1.　旅行期間：2010年12月19日（日）～25日（土）
2.　旅行代金：179,800円
＊往復航空運賃（成田⇔ペナン）、
全行程宿泊費、食費、全行程移動費、
入国税・空港税等含む
3.　最少催行人数：5名
4.　出発空港：成田空港
5.　添乗員：なし。プログラム企画担当者が同行
6.　利用ホテル/宿泊先：Cititel Hotel
7.　利用航空会社：マレーシア航空/シンガポール航空
8.　食事 全行程食事付（ホテル食、食堂など）

旅行日程：
■12月19日
成田発/ペナン空港着
■12月20日
（午前）世界遺産に登録された歴史あるジョージタウンの街を、ペナン出身の活動家、アンワール・ファザール氏と散策
（午後）PMペナンの歴史を学ぶ
■12月21日
（午前）漁民団体PIFWAを訪問・PIFWAリーダーや漁民の人々から活動についての話を聞く
（午後）沿岸漁民による伝統的漁法を見学
■12月22日
PIFWAが取り組むマングローブ植林活動に参加
■12月23日
（午前）エビの放流見学
（午後）ペナン市内観光
■12月24日
（午前）ペナン市内観光
（午後）自由行動後、ペナン発
■12月25日
成田着
＊以上は、現地側の都合などによって変更になる場合があります

★第1回申込締切　2010年11月18日（木）

CBD/COP10 side event - Satoyama Governors’ Summit

CBD/COP10 side event - Satoyama Governors' Summit

by GEOC (satoyama@geoc.jp)

Date & Time: 20 October, 2010, 13:15-14:30
Location: Interactive Fair Tent of Japan, Shirotori Park, Nagoya Congress Center 1-1 Atsutanishicho, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi, Japan Access Map »
Language: English and Japanese simultaneous interpretation

*No pre-registration required

Note: This event is free and open to all. Participants with an official accreditation pass for COP10 can enter the venue without pre-registration. For those without an official accreditation pass for COP10 can also attend the meeting by making registration from the online form below. Seating capacity for non-accreditation holders is 100 maximum.

Register Online

Governors, academics and experts will present advanced approaches for appropriate use and conservation of Satoyama and Satoumi, the traditional secondary natural systems maintained by farmers and fishermen for centuries, and their contribution to the revitalization of local communities.

The conclusions of the Biodiversity Governors' Summit on the use of Satoyama and revitalizing local communities, which will be held on 19 October in Nagoya, will be presented at this event for consideration by policymakers, academics, members of business community, NGO/NPOs and citizens participating in the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP10).

The establishment of a local biodiversity strategic vision, the implementation of forest management through a specific local tax system, and how we can activate communities which are influenced by the serious impacts of globalization and aging through the development and cultivation of Satoyama and Satoumi ecosystems will be also discussed.

Renewed and creative action on the appropriate use and conservation of secondary natural environments such as Satoyama and Satoumi and their role in revitalizing local communities is particularly timely now and will only become more crucial in a post-COP10 world.

Download:

You can download the poster in pdf format from the link below.
Satoyama Governors' Summit Poster (PDF 1.3MB)