Articles on the Environmental Issues Essay

The earth is in dire need of solutions to combat environmental problems. We have two great weapons that could fight environmental enemies. These are technological innovations and humans’ personal capacity and discipline. Which among these would be more effective and efficient when it comes to the battle of saving the only known living planet in the universe? It has been said that technological advances were largely responsible for the continuous destruction of nature, and so these are also the very things that can provide solutions for its restoration. One technological development being considered and being anticipated is the use of electronic paper. This would make a real paper made from tress a thing of the past. With an electronic paper, people can read newspapers, magazines, and books in the same sheet of paper. The possibility of water-powered and solar-powered cars is increasing. This would not only let people save on gas, and thus save money. It can also save the environment by reducing pollution caused by modern cars that use gas to operate. Solar energy is not only possible with cars. In fact, there are already a number of households and offices that enjoy the benefits of sun’s energy, which does not only produce heat, but also electricity. These are only a few of the top ten emerging environmental technologies from Live Science. All of these sounds good, but this kind of technology may not be practical because of production cost. Another problem would be the distribution and availability of a particular technology to people around the world. Solar-powered cars may not be used in places that do not have enough sunlight. There may be people who could not afford technological advancements such as electronic papers, and solar power collectors, because of their cost. Nevertheless, even if we are not scientists who can invent technologies aiming to save the environment, and/or we do not have the purchasing power to avail some of them, we can still opt for technology-free means of solving environmental issues. All we have to do is to take responsibility, and use our ingenuity to breathe life again to Mother Nature. One good example is to start planting trees, flowers, and other plants. These reduce carbon dioxide, which is a component of greenhouse gases, because they naturally need this gas for their food production. We could also use what nature provides. Use biodegradable products. Use paper bags, than plastic ones. Choose clothes, bed sheets and towels made of cotton. We could also choose those made from hemp. The good thing about this plant is that it can be recycled many times. Even if we do not have solar cells and solar thermal collectors, we can still enjoy solar power by using its light during the day. Besides these means, we also need to be responsible and disciplined in using and maximizing natural resources. Good examples would be conservation of water, electricity and other forms of energy. These technology-free means are hard work, and to achieve long-term and good results, these have to become established habits. Changing our ways is difficult, and takes much time. It seems that to alter technology is much faster and easier compared to changing flaws in a person’s character that has affected not only himself, but everything around him. Advancement in technology, and human ingenuity and discipline has their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to environmental concerns. However, when they are combined, we can produce maximum results. We do not need to depend on technology solely for solutions regarding environmental issues. Since this is everybody’s responsibility, every one should also participate and be responsible in taking care of nature. It is not what you choose to do that counts. The most important thing is you choose to take a step away from apathy and do something to achieve results. Global Warning on Global Warming: Action Needed Now No matter how scientists and environmentalists do to warn people about the dangers brought about by global warming, people could not seem to care enough. Even terms used in this environmental concern do not sound alarming at all. Have you handed a reading material to someone with the title: GLOBAL WARMING AND GREENHOUSE GASES? Have you noticed their reaction? They would probably ask, â€Å"What is global warming, and what is wrong with a mere increase in temperature? † They may also add, â€Å"By the way, greenhouse gases, is it not good for plants? † Apparently, people do not seem to be bothered about global warming as much as they are worried about global financial crisis. Global warming is indeed a change in temperature caused by greenhouse gases, which have heat-trapping capacity. As long as it reach normal temperature, this is good. In fact, without global warming and greenhouse gases it would be too cold on earth that life would be impossible. However, the increase uses of cars and increase number of factories have contributed greatly to too much greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Thus, the earth’s temperature increased evidently, enough to melt the ice sheets in the Arctic. This would cause increased sea level, thus low lands would disappear to the sea. Also, heat waves would be frequent. These are just some of the dangers of global warming. Some scientists think that there is not much time to solve the problem. Immediate action could mean the difference between life and death. Here are a few ways on how people can move into action: Be interested. Have a commitment to make matters of the environment your own. Although money makes the world go round, there would no place money would be used for if we neglect what the earth needs. Be informed. No matter how global warming and greenhouse gases sound, they can be dangerous to the only planet we live in. Get information to right places. Do not assume what they are be just referring to their names. Read books, newspapers and other sources about the environment and what you can do to help. Be updated. We are so engrossed by what happens to other people –celebrities, public figures, etc. Thus, we are updated by everything that happens to them. In the same way, we have to be totally concern about the everyday changes in our environment. We have to be updated in terms of information, and in terms of ways on how we can be useful on solving this worldwide problem. If we are interested, we begin to gather information. As we gather information, we have to be updated. After all, we live in a fast-paced world. This is how one is moved to action. If a person is interested, well-informed and updated, he begins to take action. Action speaks louder than words, and this is what our dying nature needs. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, â€Å"When a man says to me, â€Å"I have the intensest love of nature,† at once I know that he has none. † Moreover, David Orr asserted, â€Å"When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves. † This is true because the earth is our only habitat, the only planet that can sustain life. If we leave it alone in its ailments, it is as if we leave ourselves to die in illness. We cannot give this responsibility to other living creatures. Our existence lies on our planet, and our planet’s existence lies in us. Global warming should really be a global warning. Now that we can still act to resolve the matter, everyone must do what he could to heed the call, because actions are needed now.

Anonymous – Creative Writing

The powerful low winter sun illuminated the seemingly endless road. The glass glistened like walls of diamonds; the highly polished doorknobs that led to the place of ones dreams were glowing like hot molten lava that had just erupted from the brittle and frozen pathway. The place would have been perfect if it weren't for the thick yellow lines that ran parallel with the crisp frozen pathway and the people who waltzed up and down it with no time to stop and look at the wondrous beauty, to time to stand and talk and no time to care about other people. Berny took one long deep breath of the cool refreshing air and filled his lungs with courage, for he knew he was going to need a lot of it. He stepped out onto the frost-covered pavement and immediately became one of those people. Yet secretly, he was taking in all of the smells of this beautiful street. He was secretly admiring the way the glass glistened and the doorknobs glowed. He wondered if he would ever be able to visit this wonderful place again and if so why. He reached the end of the street he loved so much. He knew this because there were now cars, vans and big red buses ploughing through the wide streets that were full of even more people that only cared about themselves. Berny started tapping his feet as he waited for the eyesore that changed the speed of the mercurial vehicles to tell him it was now safe to cross. Safely across the energetic and hectic road Berny opened the door of the inconspicuous Lexus that was parked waiting for him. As he slipped inside the nondescript, matt black box he was greeted by three men who he had never met. Although he had never met them he knew their names, well what they were called anyway. Even they probably couldn't remember their real names anymore. No one spoke as they were going through the dense traffic. The only sounds were that of buses stopping with a hiss or ambulances flying past with their sirens on; other than that there was nothing except for the heavy breathing of the three men he had the pleasure of travelling with. Whilst adjusting himself for the third time on the luxurious cream leather seta, he got a whiff of the man in front of him, the driver. He was obviously a bit of a chain smoker and it showed, as around his mouth there were wrinkles so deep Berny was sure he could see dust in the great canyons between them, or perhaps it was ash from the little white sticks he put in his mouth. He had tried to cover up the fact he was addicted to the little white sticks, by covering himself in a strong fragrance, it was too strong, he had probably got it half price in Superdrug. Berny despised cigarettes and felt no pity for the people who put them in their mouths and then complained of lung disease or some other illness caused by them. There was one reason for this; Berny's father had been a heavy smoker and died of cancer as result when Berny was still young. The only memory of his father was the strong smell created by the toxic smoke. Berny had blamed his fathers death for ruining Berny' life and getting him in to such a mess. A single tear had appeared from the bottom of his right eye. The salty liquid was stinging his eye and made it feel like he had been hit. He turned his head to the one-way window and right on cue the saturated tear ran down the harsh, bold contours of his face; over the faded ink scar he had been given by an energetic broom handle. He made no effort to stop the acidic liquid and it fell to the floor like a snow onto ice. He turned to face the person next to him; it was Knuckles, very original, so called because he had none. He was a thug and he looked like one, he had a shaved head, a prominent brow and very heavy shoulders. He looked uncomfortable in his pin-striped suit, and would have probably preferred to be wearing a leather jacket. As Berny looked at him, Knuckles' jaw twitched quite sporadically, his jaw seemed to be having a fit. Berny chose to ignore it and returned to looking out of the window. They had stopped at another ghastly set of poles with lights on when a police van containing enough policemen to storm The Ritz pulled up beside their box on wheels. This seemed to make the three men nervous, as far as Berny knew they had no reason to be, as they weren't in any trouble and hadn't done anything wrong, yet. The lights changed and the car and the threatening van went their separate ways. They were reaching the edge of the crowded and over populated city when Knuckles' phone rang. It was one of those really annoying tones Berny loathed, but everybody else seemed to love. Knuckles brought the inconspicuous brick out of his jacket pocket and put it to his ear. He did not talk, he just listened. Towards the end of the conversation, he spoke softly into the mouthpiece and said â€Å"Yes that's fine, see you tomorrow†. Berny had never heard him speak before. He had a timid but clear voice that would have been more suited to a poet rather than a football hooligan. â€Å"The plan's changed Bob† Knuckles said softly. â€Å"Where to now then?† Bob, the driver bellowed in a coarse Northern accent, which would have suited Knuckles much better than his existing one. â€Å"The barn† he replied as if he had rehearsed it. â€Å"K† was the acknowledgement he gave back. Berny sat thinking, the barn? He didn't know of any barn, was it actually a barn or was it code for something? He'd know soon enough. As they left the smog of the city behind them the eerie tension lifted also. â€Å"Alright chaps?† Al the man in the front passenger seat asked. Of all of the men he was travelling with Berny liked Al the best, he did not know why, he just did, perhaps it was because he was he was older than the other three and reminded Berny of his father. Knuckles gave a squeak that Al seemed to understand as â€Å"Everything is fine†. â€Å"Good† was Al's reassurance. â€Å"How you doing Berny? Long time no see mate† Berny didn't quite know what this meant as he had never seen Al before, he had spoke to him, many times they had spoken on the telephone and on internet chat rooms. In fact they knew each other so well it did feel like they had known each other for a very long time, they knew each other well but not too well as there were things they did not want to know about each other, these things were never discussed. â€Å"I'm fine. Still not sure what we're meant to be doing.† Replied Berny. Berny had dropped that question in as he did not want to confront Al directly about it. â€Å"We're going up North to see someone who would like to talk to you† was the answer to his cleverly disguised question. They were on a motorway now. The fields either side were empty except for the thin layer of ice that was preventing the rich soil underneath from being exposed to the harmful rays of the sun. they were going slower than the other polluting vehicles. This gave Berny a chance to get his bearings. The land was flat with small rolling hills. The clouds were lightly spread and presented no threat, allowing the powerful rays of the sun to shine off anything that was stupid enough to get in their way. Bob broke the silence â€Å"Off here Al?† â€Å"Yep† was the well thought out reply. Berny couldn't see anywhere to turn off. But Bob found the small lane and directed the car down like a heron swoops in on a fish. The lane was bordered by a hedge, which had lost all of its leaves and was now just one big mess of tangled branches. There was one on both sides. They grew over the road and touched once or trice in the middle. This place must look really beautiful in the summer or early autumn when the leaves are crisp and brown. Berny wished it wasn't winter, because now the mess of twigs were bare, they looked evil, each one trapping itself around the other starving it of the precious light there was. The peaceful little lane had now turned into a spiralling labyrinth of sharp bends and deep gully's. Berny leant to his left so he could see out of the front windscreen. Left right left again, the bends were getting closer together. Some of them you couldn't tell which way they went until the last second. Bob must have been a rally driver in a past life. Bob was now accelerating on every bend. It was as if he wanted to tip the car over. He was making it very hard for himself. Perhaps he liked a challenge. Everyone else started looking worried. It wasn't just Berny who thought Bob was taking the corners too fast. Al screamed to Bob â€Å"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?† Bob didn't hear, or didn't want to hear. He was in a trance. It was knuckles turn now â€Å"SLOW DOWN YOU'RE GANNA KILL US ALL!† This provoked no reaction either. Berny felt obliged to have a go â€Å"BOB STOP IT NOW† Bob must have heard this but it did not prompt the response they were all looking for. Instead it made Bob speed up even more. The corners were getting sharper, the speed was getting faster. There was nothing they could do except hold on and hope Bob would come to his senses. Bob was now finding it hard to see the corners. He was leaning forward. He was squinting to get a better look. His breathing was shallow and very fast. His arm started first. Then his leg, his hands and finally his neck. Bob had no hands on the wheel. He curled into a ball against the side of the car and started rocking like a pendulum going three times faster than it should. A thick froth had formed at his mouth and was now coming out of every hole on his body, including the tiny holes in his skin. Berny knew what was going to happen. He saw it first. It was a great oak. The most beautiful and overpowering tree he had ever seen. It did not feel like he had imagined it would. He was slammed into the seat in front of him. His legs hurt the most, there was a loud hiss. He was alive, well he thought he was. It was hard to tell. He looked at his legs, they were still there. He looked around him. Knuckles was covered in blood and stuck between the two seats. Berny did not even try to see if he was still alive and if he was what kind of life would he be able to live as his neck was at an angle that should b impossible to put it in. Where were Bob and Al? They weren't there, they couldn't have got out. Where they would have been sitting was now just a mess of tangled metal. The door opened first time, Berny slipped though the small inviting gap and found himself in a pool of liquid. As he inspected the liquid he found some of it was petrol and the rest a deep scarlet of red blood. Whose blood he did not know, he did not care either. The petrol and the blood did not mix, the blood sat in the centre surrounded by the strong smelling, flammable fuel. Berny pulled himself away from the wreckage. He sat in the road covered by blood and fuel. The birds sang almost as if trying to comfort him. Berny tried to take in what had happened. Was it his fault? What should he do now? Where will he go? Before he had time to answer any of those questions a face appeared in the wreckage. It was Al. He smiled and winked. His pleasant face was now a blur of deep red and pale yellows. Berny rushed over as fast as his crippled legs would take him. He was halfway when he heard it, a loud click. He was pushed back by the heat of the monstrous flames. Berny sat watching the overpowering flames take over the wreckage. He sat in his pool of fuel and blood and a single tear formed in his right eye.

Daoism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Daoism - Essay Example For instance, Du Guangtung created his account using the west queen mother by selecting, re-writing, and combining various texts from the old literature. Some of the sources used by Du Guangtung to record the assembled transcendent of the fortified wall city include; Taoist, Buddhism, historical, classical and other popular sources; which retained his personal tradition of precedence work (Cahill 107). Du’s work is considered allusive and condensed. For instance, his first records are about a queen mother’s biography. The writings express the queen’s primacy in lineage and power. This account is one of the beneficial sources of Du Guangtung, which gives a complete account of the perceptions Taoists have about goddesses (Cahill 146). Du Guangtung gave the Records of the Assembled Transcendent of the Fortified City to the ruling emperor because he was attempting to associate the imperial government with Daoism. The Tang emperor was finally influenced by Daoism (Cahill 144). For instance, Bian’s story is publicized to honor the agreement by recording his transcendence. The book reveals that the founders of Tang Dynasty were sisters who were mothers of Emperor Yang of Sui. These sisters ruled two emperors of different dynasties. From the beginning, Daoism played a major role in the politics of Tang. Li Yuan bid for power by attracting followers through the claim for Daoist and Laozi descents (Bokenkamp 204). Individuals who were bidding for office had to involve monks from Buddhist temples to pray for them openly and they were paid cash donations in return. Buddhism and Daoism were accepted in the Tang Dynasty before Buddhists faced persecution in the 9th Century. Daoism’s spectacular success brought about the reunification of Tang Dynasty. Li Yuan, the founder of the kingdom, became more influential and successful after he was deferred of

Bilingual Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Bilingual Education - Essay Example Bilingual education has brewed arguments that have not to date settled, where both sides present conflicting reasons regarding why the system is incompetent or appropriate to adopt, especially for the non-English speaking. Bilingual education systems supporters argue that education should aim at building, instead of dismantling, the minority learner’s language and culture (Capetillo-Ponce & Kramer 4). They propose that where the students cannot understand English well, incorporation of other natives’ languages is necessary. Because they will be studying the two languages simultaneously and at an advanced level, transition will be easy rather than stubbornly using English that will segregate some individuals and quit learning (Wetig 30). This is due to the absence of understanding that will render them failures in class confinements, whereas it was inappropriate mode of transmitting the necessary information. Additionally, bilingual education once implemented will aid in safeguarding and transmittance of respective cultures to the learners while young (Capetillo-Ponce & Kramer 12). This will assist in molding the character of a student to have necessary morals that will make a reliable an d a mature citizen. Education needs to have an integrating aspect that will enable students fit well in a multiracial society with the absence of segregation. Conversely, critics argue against the idea of bilingual often relying on the phrase â€Å"sink or swim†. This implies that students need to learn to employ the principal language in education if they succeed in America. There is no office in an English-dominated country that will execute its policies or strategies using a native language (Wetig 31). Hence, they must strive to fathom and even be confident in English because it is only through English that many opportunities will be available for them. Emphasis upon English will enable numerous people from other states effectively

The economic consequences for Ukraine in joining the Thesis

The economic consequences for Ukraine in joining the Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan customs union - Thesis Example 1 Overview Statistics of Ukraine Economic Status p. 19 Fig. 2 Real Sector Performance of Ukraine p. 20 Fig. 3 State Budget Execution p. 21 Fig. 4 main State Budget Indicators for 2012-2013 p. 21 Fig. 5 Map of the Commonwealth of Independent States p. 22 Fig. 6 A Look at the Economic Picture for the CU in 2010-2011 p. 25 Fig. 7 EEU Timeline Implementation Infrastructure p. 29 Fig. 8 Nominal GDP of BRK Countries and Ukraine, 2000-2011 p. 32 Fig. 9 Structure of Gross Value Added in BRK and Ukraine, 2005 and 2010 p. 33 Fig 10 Structure of Industry by Branch in BRK and Ukraine, 2005 and 2010 p. 34 Fig. 11 Belarus Foreign Trade by Country Groupings p. 35 Fig. 12 Russia Foreign Trade by Country Groupings p.37 Fig. 13 Kazakhstan Foreign Trade by Country Groupings p. 39 Fig. 14 Ukraine Foreign Trade by Country Groupings p. 40 Fig. 15 Kazakhstan Foreign Trade Developments p.41 Fig. 16 Russia Foreign Trade Developments p.42 Fig. 17 Belarus Foreign Trade Developments p.43 Fig. 18 Ukraine Foreign Trade Developments p.44 Fig. 19 Service Imports p. 45 Fig. 20 Service Exports p. 46 Fig. 21 Belarus Export/Import Charts p. 47 Fig. 22 Kazakhstan Export/Import Charts p. 47 Fig. 23 Russia Export/Import Charts p. 48 Fig. 24 Common External Tariff of the BRK Customs Union p.50 Fig. 25 Gas Production Forecast Table 2005-2016 p. 52 Fig. 26 Gas Production Forecast Table 2014-2021 p. 53 Fig. 27 Major LNG Fields and Pipeline Network p. 54 Fig. 28 Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) Rankings p.55 Fig. 29 Mutualism in Europe: The Diverse Realities of the EU p. 57 Fig. 30 Common Principles of European Mutual Societies p.58 Fig. 31 Import Tariffs Before and After the Customs Union Creation p. 51 Fig.32.Global Financial... The purpose for this paper is to look at the surrounding circumstances of the Ukraine, what state the economy is in, what Ukraine’s main resources are, and how export and import situations would benefit if Ukraine were to join the Customs Union. In one section, three examples of Ukraine’s position in the marketplace will be examined with a projected analysis gleaned from literature review research as to whether joining the Union on a limited basis would be better or whether joining as a full member would be best, and finally, how Ukraine would manage by not joining at all. Consequently, this analysis would present a picture in time, based on certain circumstances only. War and natural disasters can strongly disrupt any strategic plans, no matter how carefully set up. Notwithstanding unexpected occurrences, perhaps other Unions may decide to relax some of their rules in order to bring Ukraine in to membership. For now, the European Union, while once a possibility, seems to be sidelined by Ukraine’s current political environment. The research motivation is to compare the various literature reviews by expert economists and scholars of scenarios and resulting factors of Ukraine joining the CU under various structures of membership. In that capacity, literature review is necessary for finding the picture currently available for the Ukraine and for the Customs Union through economic trends over the last few years and to bring that forward into the comparative analysis. The question in this thesis is to ‘determine how the Ukraine will fare economically if it does join the Common Union currently consisting of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.’

Impact of Taxes and Human Capital on Private Client Portfolio Essay

Impact of Taxes and Human Capital on Private Client Portfolio Management - Essay Example Private clients in portfolio management tend to base their decisions on the overall tax burden, which creates a disincentive to engage in activities taxed at a higher rate (Parkin 56). Tax based income policies are policies that control inflation like the rate of increases in wages and the associated increase in prices through tax penalties and incentives. One of the main objectives of portfolio is to earn returns on the individual’s investment. Others include accumulation and preservation of capital. Tax policies and systems are potentially essential factors that determine private portfolio management because they too determine individual’s portfolio choices. These choices include the decision on whether to hold stocks, how much should be invested, and the period of time to be spent on speculation before the clients sell their securities. Moreover, different states offer different tax levels for the various available portfolio assets as well as incentives to encourage investment. Moreover, the tax policies and systems have significant effects on the number of private clients who will exploit the available investment opportunities. In addition, most of the countries embrace a tax system that treats all investors equally and offer private client’s incentives to stimulate their investments. Therefore, taxation has a significant effect on portfolio structure. There is clear evidence from research on how portfolios are greatly affected by tax rules. Similarly, evidence shows that human capital and other related tax policies and systems that the tendency of people to invest in portfolios depends on the investor’s perception on the tax-induced rewards, which are gained from investments. Whenever taxes increase in an economy, private clients become reluctant in investing because it becomes very hard to carry out any trade in a given location and therefore private investors tend to move to better places. Likewise, private clients have a tend ency of fearing direct investment in portfolios when substantial taxes are imposed by the government in order to reduce their expenses. Moreover, investors are quite sensitive to any increase or decrease in the marginal tax rates since this determines whether they will invest in portfolios or not. Introduction of transaction taxes by a government on trades and available investment opportunities has the ability to change the location of investors. Another implication of human capital on private client’s portfolio is that adjustments in the supply of capital to these households are costly especially due to the opportunity costs forgone. Therefore, a private client is more willing to invest in portfolios when there his or her human capital has a high rate of return or when there is maximum productivity on the invested capital. Therefore, availability and existence of human capital increases the rate of investment into portfolios as opposed to incidences when the households lack human capital. Recently, human capital has been highly debated and discussed by scholars due to its significance in portfolio choice. Furthermore, introduction of methods of control by the government also affects private clients indirectly since an increase in the tax rate on investments results into a decrease in the potential private investors. In fact, a significant reduction on taxes or

5 questions about China law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

5 questions about China law - Essay Example In relation to a work of a Chinese citizen, term of protection for the right to lease his publication shall be the life of the author and 50 years after his death, and it expires on December 31 of the fiftieth year after the death of the author. In case of a collective work, term of protection expires on December 31 of the fiftieth year after the death of the last of the authors (Article 21 of Copyright Law of PRC, 2001). No. The genral name / generic name or model of a product or good in respect of which trade mark is used cannot be regisered as trade mark under the Trademark Law of PRC 2001 (FN 2). Similarly, the trade marks which consist exclusively of signs or indications which have direct reference to the quality, main raw material, function, intended purpose, weight, quantity or other characteristics of goods or services and the trade marks which are devoid of any distinctive character cannot be registered.