Monday, September 30, 2019

Carrier Liability Under Various Shipping Rules Essay

From the perspective of the international shipping industry, the globe is divided into nations that own cargo and nations that own ships; the majority of nations fall into both categories. Among such differing interests exists great potential for conflict regarding damage to, loss of, or delay in the arrival of sea cargo and how the risks for such potentialities should be allocated among the parties. The issues at the base of the potential conflicts include: which party bears the risk; which risk allocation rules apply; to what extent is the carrier or shipowner liable for damage or loss while the cargo is in its possession; and to what extent should government be involved in the regulation of private transactions between private parties in attempting to determine what the extent of liability is for each party. Sea-going societies have promulgated maritime laws regarding the carriage of goods at sea since before the birth of Christ. As early as the Roman Empire, through the Middle Ages with the advent of the Law Merchant, the laws of Visby, Oleron and Hansa Cities, shipper and carrier were considered joint venturers, sharing in both the risks and the rewards of the cargo delivery. Shippers would travel on board during the journey to oversee the safety of their cargo, while carriers were obligated to provide a seaworthy ship and a competent crew. In the event the of the ship being lost at sea, the shipper and the carrier shared in the misfortune. However, as long as carriers have accepted cargo on behalf of shippers, conflict over the economic allocation of risk and liability has existed. As early as the latter decades of the 17th century, shippers and carriers used Lloyd’s Coffee shop in London as a meeting place to hammer out the provisions for general maritime policies of insurance and the insured risks for loss or damage to the shippers’ cargo. Eventually, during the 1800s, the interests further diverged as carriers formed organizations to protect against liability, such as the Shipowners Mutual Protection Society and the first modern protection and indemnity (â€Å"P&I†) club, the Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association. As recently as the mid-20th century, shippers and carriers were still essentially joint venturers sharing the risks and rewards of their transactions. This remained a logical arrangement in light of the vagaries of the sea and dangers such as natural disaster, incompetent crews and masters, attacks by warring nations and pirates, antiquated communications and navigational aids and equipment, or even volatile political situations. Operating in such an environment of constant peril, the risks to the interests of both the shipper and carrier were for all intents and purposes, equal. Even with centuries of conflict and attempts at uniform regulation, the law regarding the liabilities and rights of carriers and shippers for the loss of or damage to goods at sea remains largely unsettled. As ocean shipping continues to grow as an industry, maintaining its importance to the global economy, uniformity of law regarding carrier liability remains elusive. With the first decade of the 21st century behind us, and much political instability across the globe, it is imperative that a uniform and consistent body of law be established by the world’s seagoing nations addressing the legal rights and liabilities of shippers and carriers.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Creon and Antigone †Victims of Fate Essay

Sophocles put a lot of layers of meaning in his Creon and Antigone. For ancient Greeks these great tragedies were not only an entertainment, but they also possessed a lot of philosophical meaning which made people think about many different problems. When reading Sophocles’ play Antigone we get into a difficult life situation together with main characters, think about their choices and possible consequences of their mistakes. We can see two different systems of beliefs, two different worlds presented by two main characters – Creon and Antigone. Creon is a carrier of the state power; he expresses obedience to his fate and obedience to the state laws. He is driven by the burden of responsibilities put on him by his high position. We see that he is ready to forget about his feelings and emotions in order to perform his duties. â€Å"Kings, my girl, have other things to do than to surrender themselves to their private feelings† he says to Antigone during their talk (Sophocles 42). He can not influence his destiny and it seems that everything is predetermined for him. Antigone is a complete antipode of Creon. She is lively, impulsive, enthusiastic and counts on her feelings and emotions. She can break the limits of the state laws and even does not feel guilty for that. â€Å"I didn’t say â€Å"yes†. I can say no to anything I think vile, and I don’t have to count the cost. But because you said yes, all that you can do, for all your crown and trappings, and your guards- all that you can do is to have me killed† (Sophocles 45). She is driven by completely different motives and her inner truth is more important to her than formal laws and regulations. She makes decisions, which determine her fate. She influences her own life and people around her. Antigone seems free and determine. She makes her decisions and is ready to take responsibility for them. We can find a lot of things, which unite them if we look deeper than just on the surface of the play. Creon and Antigone do not seem so different if we study their personalities better. They both are stubborn; they both are directed by their goals and do not want to step aside. They have different values and look for different things in life but both are ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of these values. Creon recognizes himself in young and passionate Antigone. â€Å"Don’t think me fatuous if I say that I understand you; and that at your age I should have done the same thing. A moment ago, when we were quarreling, you said I was drinking in your words. I was. But it wasn’t you I was listening to; it was a lad named Creon†¦he was thin and pale, as you are. His mind too was filled with thoughts of self-sacrifice† (Sophocles 50). He knows that they are alike, were alike if to be precise. But the burden of state responsibilities has changed his thoughts and deadened his feelings. His ideals were replaced by the obedience to laws and higher power. Like in the most Greek tragedies Creon is dependant on the will of whimsical gods and has little choice. The only his choice is whether to follow his destination or not. Creon makes his choice and obediently follows his fate. Antigone challenges not only social norms, but also her own destiny and will of gods. Antigone easily breaks with her beloved sister when she refuses to help her. She does not forgive her even when Ismene comes to prison and wants to share Antigone’s guilt. The same thing does Creon, when refuses to listen to the advice of his old and loyal friend Polyneices. Both, Antigone and Creon could sacrifice their dear people and just forget about them in the fight for their ideals. Both, Creon and Antigone have their own moral standards and live according to them. Works Cited Sophocles: The Complete Greek Tragedies. Edited by David Grene. 2 vols. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1954-57.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

'Short and harsh'. Is this a fair description of life for the majority Essay

'Short and harsh'. Is this a fair description of life for the majority of 'ordinary' rural Scots between 1300 and 1500 - Essay Example It was essentially a pandemic which had severe social and drastic economic consequences therefore a discussion of these effects becomes very important when we are dealing with the social issues of the time. The Plague came to Europe from the East through trade routes that had ships which carried the Bubonic Plague. It hit Europe during an economic recession and only caused the economy to go down further (Bolton, 1970). Anyone struck with the plague would be dead within three to five days and some towns lost as much as 90% of their population within a matter of months. The rural areas were also affected by the plague even though the extent of the disease was comparatively lower. It was indeed a horrible experience as major European cities such as Venice and Pisa lost more than 70% of their population. Modern estimates show us that 25 million people died in Europe within a period of just five years between 1347 and 1352. The reaction to so many people dying at once was naturally one of fear and hatred. Fear of the wrath of god which started the Flagellant Movement and the fear of the outsider such as Jews who were blamed for having caused the plague. Artists also created works of art to deal with the huge number of dead and dying they saw around them and saints were made of individuals such as St. Roch and St. Sebastian who took it upon themselves to help the sick in those times. While Scotland was already in trouble before the plague, the coming of the plague only made matters worse (Hale et. al., 1965). The agricultural system in particular suffered greatly since the output was not high enough during those years to create food surpluses. In this manner, the plague only lowered the standard of living for many Scots. The church which was present in Scotland and across Europe was simply unable to deal with the disease and

Friday, September 27, 2019

American History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

American History - Essay Example Through speeches and demonstrations, black Americans to a considerable extent had their grievances heard. Among such blacks include; Booker T. Washington whose accommodative perspective as witnessed in his famous speech delivered in 1895 at the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta fundamentally appealed for the understanding of the significance of the mutual relationship between blacks and whites which was popularly termed as The Atlanta Compromise while Stokely Carmichael who while at Howard University became the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, that later changed its goal to a violent organization that could be used to forcefully address issues faced by black Americans gave rise to the famous slogan of The Black Power. This paper, through the analysis of Washington The Atlanta Compromise and Stokely’s The Black Power seeks to illustrate the differences, similarities, goals, and perceptions towards members of the white community by these two famous pe ople within the context of American history. In the famous Atlanta Compromise address, Washington underscores the essence of a friendly relationship between the whites and blacks.... He emphasized on the need to cultivate friendly relations between blacks and whites across all professions, be it in mechanics, agriculture, domestic service, and in commerce. Washington passionately appealed to the black Americans never to permit their grievances to overshadow their opportunities through asserting that meaningful life ought to progress from the bottom and not the top. He primarily underscored the need for a compromise between the black and white communities in order to attain common consensus in decision making. Just in the same way he reprimanded his fellow members of the black race, Washington conveyed the same message to the whites, â€Å"To those of the white race who look to the incoming of those of foreign birth and strange tongue and habits of prosperity of the south, Cast down your bucket where you are† (Booker 28). From the Atlanta Compromise speech, it is apparent that blacks while serving as slaves to whites, they did it honestly and diligently. Th is is expressed in his own appeal â€Å"†¦ Negroes whose habits you know whose fidelity and love you have tested in days when to have proved treacherous meant the ruin of your firesides, cast down your bucket among these people who have, without strikes and labor wars, tilled your fields, cleared your forests, build your railroads and cities,† (Booker 28). According to Washington, blacks in essence have the most beneficial characteristics that the white community had to tap. He describes blacks as being the most patient, faithful, law-abiding, and unresentful group of people that the world has seen (Booker 28). He appeals to the white community while guaranteeing that this relationship between

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Fracking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Fracking - Essay Example In this professional paper discusses business ethics of fracking, in order to analyze and evaluate the conduct of drilling companies in their quest to harness cheap energy from the earths interior. And their impact on the environment and mankind. Business ethics applies to all forms of business conduct and is related to the conduct of individuals and the entire organization. They have both normative and descriptive dimensions. It should be noted that the field is primarily normative as a corporate practice and career specialization. Academicians’ determination to understand business behavior employ descriptive methods. Interaction of profit-maximizing behavior with non-economic concerns reflects the range and quantity of business ethical issues. Governments use laws and regulations to control business behaviors in what the government perceives to be beneficial directions (Denver, 2013). Ethics specifically regulates details and areas of behavior that are beyond government control. The sprouting of extensive corporations with inadequate relationships and sensitivity to the communities they work from propagated the development of formal ethical regimes. Ethical norms reflect norms of historical periods; norms evolve as time passes resulting in accepted behaviors becoming objectionable. Firms started pointing out their ethical issues as early as 1980s by trying to distance themselves from business scandals like savings and loan crisis. Business ethics ideas caught the attention of media, academics, and business firms by the end of the cold war. Concisely, one of the aims of business ethics is to determine the fundamental purposes of the company, for instance, the company may have to sacrifice the profits to other concerns if a company’s purpose is to maximize shareholder returns. Ethical issues composed of duties and rights between the company and its stakeholders including suppliers, customers, employees and

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

UCC and UCITA models acts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

UCC and UCITA models acts - Essay Example Ogden where Chief Justice Marshall interpreted the Power of Congress to regulate commerce and in the same breadth prohibited states from interfering with the flow of goods and services across state boundaries by passing laws (Find Law n.d.). Chief Justice Marshall indicated that the clause was not limited to interstate commerce but also intrastate commerce. Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) refers to contracts for sale of goods (Cornell University Law School). The article is limited in scope and does no cover computer information and internet contracting. It governs transactions in tangible goods and does not cover intangible items. Article 2 of the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA) was specifically created to deal with the deficiencies in the UCC. Article 2 of UCITA relates to intangible items such as licenses. According to UCITA Online (n.d) the Act states clearly that contracts relating to computer information are licenses and therefore involves a set of legal considerations that are not applicable to sale of tangible items. The UCITA therefore established a clear set of rules relating to software licensing, online access and other transaction in computer information where none existed before UCITA Online (n.d.). Computer software though purchased with a computer has limitations and guidelines on how they are used.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Argument on the Proposal about Prison Education Research Paper

Argument on the Proposal about Prison Education - Research Paper Example Emergent trends indicate that education greatly influences the attitudes as well as behaviors of the learners. The decision of the government to take away from 3000 student’s financial aid in order to provide education for the willing and able prisoners is a positive development that should be embraced. This can go a long way in addressing the problem of crime in a sustainable manner. A society that is educated tends to report less cases of crime. This is because most members of that society tend to follow the rules and regulations that govern that society. Educated individuals also tend to have a good grasp of the moral responsibility that the society thrusts upon them/ To begin with, a demographic review of the financial wellbeing of college students ascertains that most of them can afford the fundamental tuition fees (Freeman and Robbi 96). Thus they use the aid they receive from the government for their sustenance and other leisure needs such as entertainment. In this resp ect, it is certain that their basic needs are already catered for. For this reason, the extra financial help that they get from the government can be employed for other important purpose of educating the prisoners. Nothing is as elemental as providing education to the prisoners. To ensure optimal and satisfactory results, the government should undertake screening exercise to ensure that students benefiting from the relative funds actually deserve the help. Those students who deserve the financial aid from the government should not be denied the same as this can be counterproductive. The extra resources should then be channeled to educating willing prisoners. When the prisoners are educated, they are likely to walk out of the prisons changed people and this is the main aim of correctional institutions such as prisons. In his research, Clements posits that inmates who undergo education programs while in prison are unlikely to assume criminal activities upon completion (Clements 1477). Educating the inmates is vital in eradicating inmates and keeping them informed about the law. Statistical evidence ascertains that ignorance is the root cause of crime and criminal activities in the society. Through education, the inmates are also able to acquire good work habits, learn various skills and finally master professions. When these inmates come out of the prison they are able to engage in meaningful income generating activities, thereby contributing immensely towards the development of the society. Attainment of all these attributes eases the social integration process especially upon completion of their sentence. Although not all of them undergo the positive change, Williford contends that the percentage that attains the positive status is satisfactory (Williford 59). Financial statistics indicate that the government employs a significant percentage of resources on correctional measures and institutions. Indirectly, the tax payer contributes a great deal to the respec tive expenditure. Quality educational programs for inmates according to Vacca can be able to reduce and even reverse the aforementioned trends. Although the initial and running costs would be high, the ultimate results would be positive and lasting (Vacca 299). In particular, reduction of recidivism, rates of crimes and tax contributions would be more rewarding. Comparatively, this would be better than continuing to spend on college students who can afford their basic

Monday, September 23, 2019

Explain why emissions' trading is a compromise between a) the Pigovian Essay

Explain why emissions' trading is a compromise between a) the Pigovian taxation approach and b) the pure Coase theorem approac - Essay Example 8). Pigouvian taxation approach Emission trading and Pigouvian taxation are both the approaches for reducing the emission s of greenhouse gases by providing incentives to firms and individuals. The Pigouvian tax involves the increase of cost of production of carbon by the government, and the market determines the efficient quantity. On the contrary, the emission trade entails the regulation of the amount of emission by the government with a market-determined price of the carbon, based on the reallocation of polluting permits (Mabey 2001 p. 61). Pigouvian tax effectively requires a polluter to internalize the cost of pollution by imposing taxes. This tax represents the cost to society, because of polluting the environment. The emission trade and the Pigovian approach can lead to the same reduction of pollutants. Emissions trade though is more advantageous, because the rights to pollute are given through a market to those who can make efficient use of them (Lane 2009 p. 145). For compa nies to trade their carbon credits, they have to reduce their emission. However, companies that generate higher emission will have to buy more credits (Tiwari & Dubey 2010 p. 316). Pure Coase theorem approach Coase theorem describes the financial effectiveness of an economic allocation, or the result in the presence of externality. According to this theorem, if there is the possibility of externality, and there are the absences of transaction costs, bargaining can cause an efficient result without considering the first allocation of property rights. Poor definition of property rights can obstruct the coasian agreement (Callan & Thomas 2009, p.69). The coase theorem is the motivation principle behind emission trade because when there are absence of transaction expenses, the involved individuals can negotiate to a jointly beneficial result (Fine & Milinakis 2009 p. 101) Bargaining to a mutually helpful outcome can be expensive because the transactions costs are almost never zero. This concept is very important for the market-based environmental policy. Reduction of transaction costs is a fundamental factor in facilitating people to use markets to handle and optimize pollution. Coase theorem rests upon restraining assumptions like the small size groups, and near-zero transaction costs. However, in practice, transaction costs are often prohibitive and the government has to intercede (Harris 2003 p. 39). Two major approaches to environmental regulations are the use of command and control together with economic instruments (Gokcekus, Umut & LaMoreaux 2011 p.257). Command and control methods like pollution standards and targets are commonly found in the developing and the developed countries. Actors who fail to meet the levels that were specified by the standard are liable to sanctions. This is in contrast to economic instruments, which work by modifying markets and the incentives of agents in order to achieve publicly desirable amount of pollution (Levin 2009 p. 741 ). Market creation for the emission trade is an efficient method of lowering transaction costs. In reducing the transaction expenses, it is important to define and enforce property rights so that a company that has a right to emit a certain amount per year can trade away some or all the rights, and will be held accountable for the amount that it emits. Therefore, if

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Cost benefit and economic approach related to health care services Research Paper

Cost benefit and economic approach related to health care services system - Research Paper Example Globally, there are certain common problems which are faced by the health care organizations. In subsequent paragraph, a brief look has been given upon the overall issues which prevail in the health care units globally. Issues in Healthcare System The health care system is facing serious problems globally. People’s health care needs are not being met in an adequate manner. The reason is there are countless cases of illness and diseases each day. Fortunately, there are also numbers of solutions available to deal with these day to day problems. According to The Centre for Health Design, (2001), the most common problems which are faced by the overall health care sector are: Issues related to Patient Care Issues related to patient satisfaction Issues relating to accommodating innovation and change Issues related to operational efficiency Environmental Impact Responding to uncertainties. (The Centre for Health Design, 2001, p.4) In order to resolve these issues, a certain policy fr amework has been designed which can assist in solving such critical yet important issues. The policy framework designed to meet these problems is discussed in subsequent paragraphs. Policy Framework for Improving Healthcare System According to Bradley, Pallas, Bashyal, Curry and Berman (2010), a framework has been designed to ensure financial protection and adequate access to health care systems. It also strengthens the delivery systems in order to serve vulnerable people. Six factors determine whether the goals at organizational level are achieved or not in order to enhance the level of performance. They are: i. Quality ii. Efficiency iii. Utilization iv. Access v. Learning vi. Sustainability Quality Maintaining the required level of quality is the foremost requirement for healthcare systems. Improper quality can endanger the valuable life of patients. In order to maintain quality, it is essential to keep track of the quality in three major areas, they are: Clinical quality Patient experience Management quality There are several measures required to be taken care of for these areas. By evaluating the performance of these measures, it can be determined whether the quality is up to the mark or not. These measures include avoidance of medical errors, level of satisfaction of patient, availability of medical supplies, adherence to clinical parameters and medical records system. Efficiency Efficiency is defined as the way by which an organization utilizes its resources to meet the demands. Three measures which define the level of efficiency of a health care system include: Number of patients or patient volume Ratio of staff to service Ratio of cost to service The above mentioned measures can define the level of efficiency of a health care system. It can be determined by observing key indicators like health workers or nurses which are available for each bed or visits of outpatients or inpatients per day, per health worker or per bed. It should be borne in mind that it is not necessary to allot maximum number of nurses to each bed in order to meet the benchmark efficiency but in essence what it means is that the number of nurses available must not be less than the number of patients or number of beds. Utilization Utilization can be measured by: Patient volume in regards to capacity Patient volume with respect to the population of health characteristics. The key indicators which can measure the level of utilization are visits of outpati

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Early Childhood Curriculum and Methods Essay Example for Free

Early Childhood Curriculum and Methods Essay Creative Curriculum is probably the most effective curriculum that would appeal to every type of child. With this curriculum, every activity can be altered to fit the needs of each individual child, rather than a certain type of child or children. The Waldorf approach to learning goes hand-in-hand with the Creative Curriculum. They both suggest that learning should be fun and filled with interesting activities that will keep the children engaged in the learning process. This curriculum and approach is perfect for Pre-K children. At this age, the children are getting familiar with the education process and their first impression on learning will stick with them for life. If this is so, why not give them an impression that is filled with good fun and learning, all in one? The Waldorf approach and Creative curriculum support the learning process by promoting movement and allowing the children to be free to explore their surroundings and learn from their experiences. Pre-K children are constantly moving around and being curious about things around them, therefore, Creative curriculum give the teacher a guide of what types of activities to prepare and what affects they will have on the children. â€Å"The curriculum includes information on children’s development and learning, classroom organization and structure, teaching strategies, instructional goals and objectives, and guidance on how to engage families in their children’s learning.† (What Works Clearinghouse) â€Å"Steiner believed the purpose of education was to allow children the freedom to develop their inner potential. He also believed that learning should be driven by childrens interests and questions.† Children should be allowed to freely choose their own activities as their interest is stimulated and curiosity sets in. If the children are engaged in such activities that they choose on their own, learning would be more fun. The children get the chance to investigate, problem-solve, and trouble-shoot on their own. With all of this independence, the children should always be encouraged to seek assistance when needed and assistance should be accessible as soon as it is asked for. (Jaruszewicz) The classroom is designed to be intriguing and attention-grabbing to the children to get them enthused about learning. The setup of each area and the materials in each area will contribute to the children’s learning in ways unimaginable. The materials are to be rotated, preferably on a weekly basis, to decrease the chances of boredom. Items should be bright and colorful and should be open-ended, such as paints, clay, and blocks. The classroom must be arranged in a way that respects each individual area and their purposes. Quiet, calm areas, such as Reading, Computer, and Science, should be around each other. Noisy, active areas, such as Blocks, Music, Dramatic Play, and Art should be arranged near each other. Spacing is also important when the children are in the areas. There should always be adequate spacing to allow the children to move freely without knocking over objects and causing harm to themselves or anyone else. Toys in the classroom should stimulate the children’s interest and be used as reference to indirectly teach life skills. Toys such as building blocks, beads, wooden trains and cars, and peg boards are fun for the children, and at the same time, they help the children strengthen everyday muscles that will be used in their everyday lives. â€Å"Objects have always played a role in educating children, but the concept of an educational device or toy to instill specific lessons is only about three hundred years old.† (Ogata) â€Å"Like the concept of the toy, notions of play, creativity, and childhood have been knit together as a modern construction. Embedded in historical and philosophical discussions of play, creativity has had close links with a belief in the positive effects of the human imagination.† The types of objects, or toys, which are stationed in the areas, will help to draw attention to the activities and reel in the children to engage in them. The use of technology has also been incorporated in the school system. Computer tablets and various educational software are used to help the children learn, too. Some children are familiar with different technology from the home environment and their interest is in the computer programs. (Ogata) Dramatic play in highly encouraged and the children should be provided with materials that reflect the home environment as much as possible. It is in the dramatic play area where teachers would most likely get familiar with the children as individuals. For some reason, the children â€Å"open-up† in this area than any other area. Children act out things they may have seen on television or in the home. They also pretend a lot in the dramatic play area. They may pretend to be a chef, cooking a great meal, a waitress, bringing someone some food, or maybe even a cashier, counting money and giving change. â€Å"Children love to move. Movement is a part of their lives from the very moment they are born. Children obtain joy and happiness through movement. There are many reasons for providing opportunities for children to move. It has been shown that prime learning and growth comes by and through movement (Andress, 1991). Movement is the primary form of expression from a childs earliest days. Even when speech becomes the major vehicle for expression, a child still falls back on gesture and movement for nuance and emphasis. It is through movement that the child very often finds the only means to manifest deeply felt emotions (Liselott, 1991). A preschool childs primary means of communication is through movement. Movement is both functional and meaningful. Children use movement instinctively, expressing their feelings, thoughts and desires through their bodies, in ways that are spontaneous and imaginative (Taylor, 1975). Creative movement promotes growth in many areas of development, including the physical, mental, social, and emotional. It allows children to develop creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and motor skill abilities. The effects of movement naturally overflow into other aspects. Stimulation of these skills and abilities allows children to apply them to the learning of other subjects (Clements, 1995; Gilbert, 1992; Pica, 1990a, 1997, 2000).† (Wang) The curriculum should include activities that present the opportunity for each child to participate and be included in them. Because children move around so much and enjoy it, it only makes sense to include movement into the areas to enhance learning. For Math, an activity that allows the children to move and learn would be very successful, such as â€Å"Hop-Scotch†. It can be played with shapes, numbers, or colors. In the Science area, the children can be engaged in some outside play that allows them to investigate the weather and nature, such as kite flying or simply let the children pretend to be the wind. They can also stand still and see if the wind is strong enough to blow them out of their spot and then try to run against a strong wind. A Reading activity that would be beneficial to the children would be to toss bean bags on target letters and make the sound of the letter when the bean bag lands on it. To enhance the learning, the letters can then be exchanged with sight words. For fine Arts, the children can use different objects to paint, such as spray bottles, water balloons, eye droppers, sponges, and their body (hands and feet) to create works of art. Children should not be restricted to simply using paint brushes to express their artistic interests. They may even think of things on their own to paint with. The teacher in the classroom is expected to be engaged in the activities, as well. Many children adapt to situations by seeing someone else go through them. By having the teachers model the activities for the children and explain as he/ she goes, the children receive a visual note of the activity, as well as an auditory note. The teacher helps to set the tone for the classroom, so if the children see the teacher enjoying activities and having fun, the chances of the children wanting to get involved in it would increase greatly. Parents play huge parts in the children’s education, too. Without the additional help from parents, the teachers’ jobs are far more strenuous than if there were cooperating parents helping the children to further their education through activities that have been expanded to the home environment. The teachers and parents work together to keep the children interested in learning and also lets the children know that they have support when needed to help them. The teacher and the parents can collaborate to enhance the children’s learning experience by having the teacher send home material and suggestive activities that coincides with the curriculum for the month. Daily, or perhaps weekly progress reports can be sent home to fill in the parents about what their child/ children have learned, will be learning the following day or week, and what the parents can do to help out. Maybe once a month, there could be parent meetings or training to give the parents some support about their child/ children’s education and how they can help out. Using the Creative curriculum and the Waldorf approach would help to make the children’s learning experience fun and allow them to express themselves creatively and learn at the same time. By incorporating interesting activities and providing materials that spark the children’s interest and allow them to manipulate them and explore them on their own, the children’s learning experience will be very pleasant and one to remember. Jaruszewicz, C. (2012). Curriculum and methods for early childhood educators. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education What Works Clearinghouse, (. (2009). The Creative Curriculum[R] for Preschool. WWC Intervention Report. What Works Clearinghouse Hargreaves, J. (2008). Risk: The Ethics of a Creative Curriculum. Innovations In Education And Teaching International, 45(3), 227-234. Almon, J. (1992). Educating for creative thinking, the Waldorf approach. Revision, 15(2), 71. Wang, J. (2003). The Effects of a Creative Movement Program on Motor Creativity of Children Ages Three to Five. Amy F. Ogata. Creative Playthings: Educational Toys and Postwar American Culture. Winterthur Portfolio , Vol. 39, No. 2/3 (Summer/Autumn 2004), pp. 129-156. Published by: The University of Chicago Press on behalf of the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Inc. Article DOI: 10.1086/433197. Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/433197

Friday, September 20, 2019

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy Environmental Sciences Essay

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy Environmental Sciences Essay On December 3, 1984. In the city of Bhopal, a cloud of toxic gases escaped from an American pesticide plant, killing and injuring thousands of people. When the noxious clouds cleared, the worst industrial disaster in history had taken place. Now, Dominique Lapierre in her book Five Past Midnight brings the hundreds of characters, conflicts, and adventures together in an unforgettable tale of love and hope. Introduction Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) was asked to build a plant for the manufacture of Sevin, a pesticide commonly used throughout Asia. As part of the deal, Indias government insisted that a significant percentage of the investment come from local shareholders. The government itself had a 22% stake in the companys subsidiary, Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL). The company built the plant in Bhopal because of its central location and access to transport infrastructure. The specific site within the city was zoned for light industrial and commercial use, not for hazardous industry. The plant was initially approved only for formulation of pesticides from component chemicals, such as MIC imported from the parent company, in relatively small quantities. However, pressure from competition in the chemical industry led UCIL to implement backward integration the manufacture of raw materials and intermediate products for formulation of the final product within one facility. This was inherently a more sophisticated and hazardous process. In 1984, the plant was manufacturing Sevin at one quarter of its production capacity due to decreased demand for pesticides. Widespread crop failures and famine on the subcontinent in the 1980s led to increased indebtedness and decreased capital for farmers to invest in pesticides. Local managers were directed to close the plant and prepare it for sale in July 1984 due to decreased profitability. When no ready buyer was found, UCIL made plans to dismantle key production units of the facility for shipment to another developing country. In the meantime, the facility continued to operate with safety equipment and procedures far below the standards found in its sister plant in Institute, West Virginia. The local government was aware of safety problems but was reticent to place heavy industrial safety and pollution control burdens on the struggling industry because it feared the economic effects of the loss of such a large employer. At 11.00 PM on December 2 1984, while most of the one million residents of Bhopal slept, an operator at the plant noticed a small leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and increasing pressure inside a storage tank. The vent-gas scrubber, a safety device designer to neutralize toxic discharge from the MIC system, had been turned off three weeks prior. Apparently a faulty valve had allowed one ton of water for cleaning internal pipes to mix with forty tons of MIC. A 30 ton refrigeration unit that normally served as a safety component to cool the MIC storage tank had been drained of its coolant for use in another part of the plant. Pressure and heat from the vigorous exothermic reaction in the tank continued to build. The gas flare safety system was out of action and had been for three months. At around 1.00 AM, December 3, loud rumbling reverberated around the plant as a safety valve gave way sending a plume of MIC gas into the early morning air. Within hours, the streets of Bhopal were littered with human corpses and the carcasses of buffaloes, cows, dogs and birds. An estimated 3,800 people died immediately, mostly in the poor slum colony adjacent to the UCC plant. Local hospitals were soon overwhelmed with the injured, a crisis further compounded by a lack of knowledge of exactly what gas was involved and what its effects were. It became one of the worst chemical disasters in history and the name Bhopal became synonymous with industrial catastrophe. Estimates of the number of people killed in the first few days by the plume from the UCC plant run as high as 10,000, with 15,000 to 20,000 premature deaths reportedly occurring in the subsequent two decades. The Indian government reported that more than half a million people were exposed to the gas. Several epidemiological studies conducted soon after the accident showed significant morbidity and increased mortality in the exposed population. These data are likely to under-represent the true extent of adverse health effects because many exposed individuals left Bhopal immediately following the disaster never to return and were therefore lost to follow-up. AFTERMATH Immediately after the disaster, UCC began attempts to dissociate itself from responsibility for the gas leak. Its principal tactic was to shift culpability to UCIL, stating the plant was wholly built and operated by the Indian subsidiary. It also fabricated scenarios involving sabotage by previously unknown Sikh extremist groups and disgruntled employees but this theory was impugned by numerous independent sources. The toxic plume had barely cleared when, on December 7, the first multi-billion dollar lawsuit was filed by an American attorney in a U.S. court. This was the beginning of years of legal machinations in which the ethical implications of the tragedy and its affect on Bhopals people were largely ignored. In March 1985, the Indian government enacted the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster Act as a way of ensuring that claims arising from the accident would be dealt with speedily and equitably. The Act made the government the sole representative of the victims in legal proceedings both within and outside India. Eventually all cases were taken out of the U.S. legal system under the ruling of the presiding American judge and placed entirely under Indian jurisdiction much to the detriment of the injured parties. In a settlement mediated by the Indian Supreme Court, UCC accepted moral responsibility and agreed to pay $470 million to the Indian government to be distributed to claimants as a full and final settlement. The figure was partly based on the disputed claim that only 3000 people died and 102,000 suffered permanent disabilities. Upon announcing this settlement, shares of UCC rose $2 per share or 7% in value. Had compensation in Bhopal been paid at the same rate that asbestosis victims where being awarded in US courts by defendant including UCC which mined asbestos from 1963 to 1985 the liability would have been greater than the $10 billion the company was worth and insured for in 1984. By the end of October 2003, according to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department, compensation had been awarded to 554,895 people for injuries received and 15,310 survivors of those killed. The average amount to families of the dead was $2,200. At every turn, UCC has attempted to manipulate, obfuscate and withhold scientific data to the detriment of victims. Even to this date, the company has not stated exactly what was in the toxic cloud that enveloped the city on that December night. When MIC is exposed to 200 ° heat, it forms degraded MIC that contains the more deadly hydrogen cyanide (HCN). There was clear evidence that the storage tank temperature did reach this level in the disaster. The cherry-red color of blood and viscera of some victims were characteristic of acute cyanide poisoning. Moreover, many responded well to administration of sodium thiosulfate, an effective therapy for cyanide poisoning but not MIC exposure. UCC initially recommended use of sodium thiosulfate but withdrew the statement later prompting suggestions that it attempted to cover up evidence of HCN in the gas leak. The presence of HCN was vigorously denied by UCC and was a point of conjecture among researchers. As further insult, UCC discontinued operation at its Bhopal plant following the disaster but failed to clean up the industrial site completely. The plant continues to leak several toxic chemicals and heavy metals that have found their way into local aquifers. Dangerously contaminated water has now been added to the legacy left by the company for the people of Bhopal LESSONS LEARNED The events in Bhopal revealed that expanding industrialization in developing countries without concurrent evolution in safety regulations could have catastrophic consequences. The disaster demonstrated that seemingly local problems of industrial hazards and toxic contamination are often tied to global market dynamics. UCCs Sevin production plant was built in Madhya Pradesh not to avoid environmental regulations in the U.S. but to exploit the large and growing Indian pesticide market. However the manner in which the project was executed suggests the existence of a double standard for multinational corporations operating in developing countries. Enforceable uniform international operating regulations for hazardous industries would have provided a mechanism for significantly improved in safety in Bhopal. Even without enforcement, international standards could provide norms for measuring performance of individual companies engaged in hazardous activities such as the manufacture of pestic ides and other toxic chemicals in India. National governments and international agencies should focus on widely applicable techniques for corporate responsibility and accident prevention as much in the developing world context as in advanced industrial nations. Specifically, prevention should include risk reduction in plant location and design and safety legislation. Local governments clearly cannot allow industrial facilities to be situated within urban areas, regardless of the evolution of land use over time. Industry and government need to bring proper financial support to local communities so they can provide medical and other necessary services to reduce morbidity, mortality and material loss in the case of industrial accidents. Public health infrastructure was very weak in Bhopal in 1984. Tap water was available for only a few hours a day and was of very poor quality. With no functioning sewage system, untreated human waste was dumped into two nearby lakes, one a source of drinking water. The city had four major hospitals but there was a shortage of physicians and hospital beds. There was also no mass casualty emergency response system in place in the city. Existing public health infrastructure needs to be taken into account when hazardous industries choose sites for manufacturing plants. Future management of industrial development requires that appropriate resources be devoted to advance planning before any disaster occurs. Communities that do not possess infrastructure and technical expertise to respond adequately to such industrial accidents should not be chosen as sites for hazardous industry. Since 1984 Following the events of December 3 1984 environmental awareness and activism in India increased significantly. The Environment Protection Act was passed in 1986, creating the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and strengthening Indias commitment to the environment. Under the new act, the MoEF was given overall responsibility for administering and enforcing environmental laws and policies. It established the importance of integrating environmental strategies into all industrial development plans for the country. However, despite greater government commitment to protect public health, forests, and wildlife, policies geared to developing the countrys economy have taken precedence in the last 20 years. India has undergone tremendous economic growth in the two decades since the Bhopal disaster. Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita has increased from $1,000 in 1984 to $2,900 in 2004 and it continues to grow at a rate of over 8% per year. Rapid industrial development has contributed greatly to economic growth but there has been significant cost in environmental degradation and increased public health risks. Since abatement efforts consume a large portion of Indias GDP, MoEF faces an uphill battle as it tries to fulfill its mandate of reducing industrial pollution. Heavy reliance on coal-fired power plants and poor enforcement of vehicle emission laws have result from economic concerns taking precedence over environmental protection. With the industrial growth since 1984, there has been an increase in small scale industries (SSIs) that are clustered about major urban areas in India. There are generally less stringent rules for the treatment of waste produced by SSIs due to less waste generation within each individual industry. This has allowed SSIs to dispose of untreated wastewater into drainage systems that flow directly into rivers. New Delhis Yamuna River is illustrative. Dangerously high levels of heavy metals such as lead, cobalt, cadmium, chrome, nickel and zinc have been detected in this river which is a major supply of potable water to Indias capital thus posing a potential health risk to the people living there and areas downstream. Land pollution due to uncontrolled disposal of industrial solid and hazardous waste is also a problem throughout India. With rapid industrialization, the generation of industrial solid and hazardous waste has increased appreciably and the environmental impact is significant. India relaxed its controls on foreign investment in order to accede to WTO rules and thereby attract an increasing flow of capital. In the process, a number of environmental regulations are being rolled back as growing foreign investments continue to roll in. The Indian experience is comparable to that of a number of developing countries that are experiencing the environmental impacts of structural adjustment. Exploitation and export of natural resources has accelerated on the subcontinent. Prohibitions against locating industrial facilities in ecologically sensitive zones have been eliminated while conservation zones are being stripped of their status so that pesticide, cement and bauxite mines can be built. Heavy reliance on coal-fired power plants and poor enforcement of vehicle emission laws are other consequences of economic concerns taking precedence over environmental protection. In March 2001, residents of Kodaikanal in southern India caught the Anglo-Dutch company, Unilever, red-handed when they discovered a dumpsite with toxic mercury laced waste from a thermometer factory run by the companys Indian subsidiary, Hindustan Lever. The 7.4 ton stockpile of mercury-laden glass was found in torn stacks spilling onto the ground in a scrap metal yard located near a school. In the fall of 2001, steel from the ruins of the World Trade Center was exported to India apparently without first being tested for contamination from asbestos and heavy metals present in the twin tower debris. Other examples of poor environmental stewardship and economic considerations taking precedence over public health concerns abound. The Bhopal disaster could have changed the nature of the chemical industry and caused a reexamination of the necessity to produce such potentially harmful products in the first place. However the lessons of acute and chronic effects of exposure to pesticides and their precursors in Bhopal has not changed agricultural practice patterns. An estimated 3 million people per year suffer the consequences of pesticide poisoning with most exposure occurring in the agricultural developing world. It is reported to be the cause of at least 22,000 deaths in India each year. In the state of Kerala, significant mortality and morbidity have been reported following exposure to Endosulfan, a toxic pesticide whose use continued for 15 years after the events of Bhopal. Aggressive marketing of asbestos continues in developing countries as a result of restrictions being placed on its use in developed nations due to the well-established link between asbestos products and respiratory diseases. India has become a major consumer, using around 100,000 tons of asbestos per year, 80% of which is imported with Canada being the largest overseas supplier. Mining, production and use of asbestos in India is very loosely regulated despite the health hazards. Reports have shown morbidity and mortality from asbestos related disease will continue in India without enforcement of a ban or significantly tighter controls. UCC has shrunk to one sixth of its size since the Bhopal disaster in an effort to restructure and divest itself. By doing so, the company avoided a hostile takeover, placed a significant portion of UCCs assets out of legal reach of the victims and gave its shareholder and top executives bountiful profits. The company still operates under the ownership of Dow Chemicals and still states on its website that the Bhopal disaster was cause by deliberate sabotage. Some positive changes were seen following the Bhopal disaster. The British chemical company, ICI, whose Indian subsidiary manufactured pesticides, increased attention to health, safety and environmental issues following the events of December 1984. The subsidiary now spends 30-40% of their capital expenditures on environmental-related projects. However, they still do not adhere to standards as strict as their parent company in the UK. The US chemical giant DuPont learned its lesson of Bhopal in a different way. The company attempted for a decade to export a nylon plant from Richmond, VA to Goa, India. In its early negotiations with the Indian government, DuPont had sought and won a remarkable clause in its investment agreement that absolved it from all liabilities in case of an accident. But the people of Goa were not willing to acquiesce while an important ecological site was cleared for a heavy polluting industry. After nearly a decade of protesting by Goas residents, DuPont was forced to scuttle plans there. Chennai was the next proposed site for the plastics plant. The state government there made significantly greater demand on DuPont for concessions on public health and environmental protection. Eventually, these plans were also aborted due to what the company called financial concerns. QUESTIONAIRE Name : Alkesh R Takpere Age : 43 Company Name : RCF Designation: Chief Manager (Technical services) Which products do you deal in ? Fertilizers and other chemicals 1) Fertilizer Urea 2) Complex fertilizers (NPK) 3) Methanol 4) Sodium Nitrate 5) Ammonium bicarbonate 6) Methylamines 7) Dimethyl Form amide 8) Dimethylacetamide Which is the most hazardous chemical and what is the harm caused due to it ? Methanol is a hazardous chemical. It has severed effects on the body such as severe abdominal, leg, and back pain. Amounts of methanol can also cause Loss of vision and even blindness. Have your company faced any tragedy with regards to gas leakage? No, RCF has never faced any gas leakage problems. During the start up and the shut down all the gases are arrested using flares. If yes, how did you deal with the situation? We have upgraded ourselves with all the latest technology. There are 22 plants in all and they are installed with DCS systems in all the plants. Being established in 1968 we gradually modernized all the systems. We have computerized control systems which help us track all the activities around the manufacturing units. The temperature level of all the vessels can be moderated via computer. Internalized LAN system connections with the ammonia plants help in keeping a check on functioning of the plant, temperature and chemical levels, MCS 1010 degree Celsius. Workplace monitors help us to take corrective actions via Alarms and CCTVs which command the operators and the analysts. What are the ideal norms to be followed in a chemical manufacturing company? There are two types of Norms followed by the RCF: Safety norms and environment norms. Safety norms: Training to all contract employees Time to time health check up Separate training given to the engineers Fire fighting training Gloves, goggles and shoes to deal with hazardous chemicals Welding shield for welding jobs Environment norms: Norms related to Sox ,Nox,Ammonia , PM2.5,CO etc Other stipulated norms given by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) and MPCB(Maharashtra Pollution Control Board) and RCF works way below these norms. What precautions are taken as a measure of safety ? Studies done by allocated bodies ISO 14000 ,ISO 9000 OSAS -18000 ( Certified) Proper medical aid availability at the time of accidents Due care for worker life by availing the insurance Health check up from time to time Workers with Phobias detected by the doctor are not permitted to work Fire Fighting Training is given to the workers in the welding department Mock drill on Levels 1,2,3 is conducted once in a quarter for monitoring safety Level 1 : Deals with gaseous emissions Level 2: Deals with Fire Department Level 3: Mutual group discussions are done in case of major issues. Level 3 Mock drill is performed once in a year. BPCL HPCL are members with RCF who are taken into consideration at level 3 Example: Heavy leakage Did the company undergo any changes after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy? RCF has set up the environment cell in 1978. 500 cr. was spent for environment protection while setting up the cell. 4 ambient air quality monitoring sections are set up around each plant of RCF to monitor the gas emissions from the plant. They function 247; to transmit and capture data every 15 minutes. Meteorological Department is set up in one of the plants to control the air pollution around RCF. Are all the employees in your company insured? There is a group insurance policy The contract workers are insured under ESI What is the role of the company in social responsibility? Ans: The following initiatives have been taken by the company: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Farmer Education on farm inputs à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Soil Testing of major and micro nutrients à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Water/Irrigation management à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Plant Protection Measures à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Training on post harvest technology marketing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Field and Crop Demonstrations are other effective means of imparting knowledge to farmers. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Tie-up with M/s ITC e-choupal à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The Company has 6 static and 4 mobile soil-testing vans. More than 60,000 soil samples are tested every year and recommendations on efficient use of fertilizers are given through Soil Health Cards. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 600 Krishi-melas conducted serving around 3,00,000 farmers per year à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ RCF has launched a dedicated website for farmers www.rcfkrushisamridhi.com What are the various monitoring surveillance system adopted by the company for security purposes? Ans: For security purposes the company follows various policies like: The Fraud Prevention Policy of RCF-2010 has been framed to provide a system for detection and prevention of fraud, reporting of any fraud that is detected or suspected and fair dealing of matters pertaining to fraud. The policy will ensure and provide for the following:- 1. To ensure that management is aware of its responsibilities for detection and prevention of fraud and for establishing procedures for preventing fraud and/or detecting fraud when it occurs. 2. To provide a clear guidance to employees and others dealing with RCF, forbidding them from involvement in any fraudulent activity and the action to be taken by them where they suspect any fraudulent activity. 3. To conduct investigations into fraudulent activities. 4. To provide assurances that any and all suspected fraudulent activity will be fully investigated. This policy applies to any fraud, or suspected fraud, involving employees of RCF (all full time, part time or employees appointed on adhoc / temporary / contract basis, probationers and trainees) as well as representatives of vendors, suppliers, contractors, consultants, service providers or any outside agency doing any type of business with RCF. The company also employs 12 to 15 security guards in around the office premises. What is the back-up plan of the company in case of untoward accident or any emergency? Ans: There is availability of ambulance at factory site Safety alarms are available as a warning signal to act quickly in case of emergency Workers are provided with proper and maintained machineries What role does ethics play at RCF? We make sure that air pollution Act, water pollution act and noise pollution act are followed strictly. In MOU with government of India we ensure that are 2 man days per employee for training. What measure has RCF taken apart from the government norms? Instead of N2O, RCF uses DN2O acid catalyst which has the potential of depleting pollution by 300 times. We also use selective catalytic reactor to emit colorless fumes instead of brown fumes as earlier. Interpretation Analysis of the Interview RCF produces fertilizers and other hazardous chemicals of the grades :15-15-15 20-20-0 RCF being one of the largest chemical fertilizing plants takes utmost precautions and applies stringent practice of safety measures. They are very particular about the safety and take heavy measures for the same. They give adequate training to all the workers as well as the contract employees. They are one step ahead in applying the safety norms. There have no incident taken place in RCF with respect to gas leakage or other such disaster. They are very innovative and have modernized all the plants since 1968.They use computerised monitoring system to check the functioning of every plant which is reviewed in every 15 minutes.There are 22 plants and a plant is shut down once a year for annual maintenance either in May or October for a maximum period of 20 days one plant at a time.They have spent around 500 crores for developing the environment cell thus contributing to the protection of environment. They are also very particular about the health of every worker. Also after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy , the government norms have become very stringent.Thus, the whole interview gave us a idea that RCF believes in Better Safe than Sorry Q. Describe the systematic errors that led to the disaster in December 1984 ? These were the above factors that contributes to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984.    PRODUCTION : The use of hazardous chemicals like (MIC) instead of less dangerous ones   . MAINTENANCE: Storing these chemicals in large tanks instead of over 200 steel drums.   Possible corroding material in pipelines  Ã‚   Poor maintenance after the plant ceased production in the early 1980s   SECURITY SAFETY : Failure of several safety systems (due to poor maintenance and regulations).   Safety systems being switched off to save money-including the MIC tank refrigeration system which alone would have prevented the disaster. GOVERNMENT : The problem was made worse by the plants location near a densely populated area, non-existent catastrophe plans and shortcomings in health care and socio-economic rehabilitation. Analysis shows that the parties responsible for the magnitude of the disaster are the two owners, Union Carbide Corporation and the Government of India, and to some extent, the Government of Madhya Pradesh. FINANCE : Providing less wages no promotions to highly skilled workers which made them to switch the organisation. TRAINING : Forcing the workers to use english manuals even after knowing they are not familiar with the language. Q. Find out trigger points that a continuous process manufacturing plant dealing with hazardous materials need to watch out for ? A continuous process manufacturing plant have to watch out on following points : Chemical levels of : Nox Sox Ammonia $ other hazardous Chemicals Temperature levels of the Vessels After Bhopal Gas Tragedy , all the chemical manufacturing companies have started having stag monitors in every branch as a precaution measure. Wherever these hazardous chemicals are produced, stored, used or handled, a proper and effective health management programme should be implemented so as to protect the interest and safeguard the safety and health of people who are exposed to such materials. Policies and strategy the responsibility of the management regarding the safety of employees and the use of the chemicals should be stated in the policy statement. To give effect to the policy, the management must frame a wide strategy on managing the hazardous chemicals. Register of chemicals these should contain the information regarding the location and the inventory of the chemicals. Also it should mention the number of people exposed to those hazardous chemicals. Risk assessment and control 1) identification of the safety and the health hazardous events, 2) Frequency of the exposure to the chemicals and likelihood of occurrence of the events and its evolution too. If the finding shows that the risk is too high and not acceptable than preventive measures should be taken as soon as possible. Safety work procedures at any point where and when this chemicals are used in handling there should be a written procedure for the start up, routine operation, shut down and maintenance work. It also include the use of personal protective equipments when necessary and also other precautions to be taken. Storage of chemicals a storage system is established based on the nature of the chemical, incompatibility, quantity and environmental conditions. So the layout of the storage design should take into the consideration like the statutory requirement, material safety data and also other national and international standards to be followed. Personal protection equipment include respirators, safety glasses, field shields overall, aprons and gloves. Workplace monitoring it reveals which workers, area of the workplace and nearby vicinity of the plant will be most affected if level of the airborne contamination increases. A regular checkup by a competent person should be carried out and also result of the monitoring should be correctly evaluated and properly recorded. Emergency planning responses and first aid procedures its needed to cope up with chemical acciidents such as fires, explosions, spills, or leaks of hazardous materials. Emergency procedures should be established so that the source of release should be properly rectified and the area of contamination could be properly contained. The first aid programme will ensure that provisions for emergency treatment of victims of chemical poisoning or excessive exposure to toxic chemicals are met. Information and training employees who handle chemicals or may be affected by them should be informed of the hazard potential of these chemicals and the procedures for safe handling, minimization of exposure. A training programme should be instituted to ensure that the safe handling procedure are both known and understood by all concerned. Information on hazardous chemicals and safe handling procedures should be disseminated regularly to employees involved via group and individual training, data sheets and other aids. Programme review and audit the management should conduct an annual review of its hazard

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Willy Russells Our Day Out Essay -- Willy Russell Our Day Out Essays

Willy Russell's "Our Day Out" Willy Russell has written many plays over the last thirty years, but there is one feature that is common to all of them: the issue of social and cultural background. This is the situation of the characters; their surroundings; their class; the society in which they are brought up, and the culture of that society. It is this that can lead to the behaviour, feelings, opinions and general outlook of the characters. Russell explores the effects that society and culture can have on people in all his plays, but in none is it so poignant as in 'Our Day Out', the story of what happens when Mrs Kay takes her Progress class out of inner-city Liverpool on a school trip to Conwy Castle, Wales. Throughout 'Our Day Out' the issue of social and cultural background is ever-present, but it is discussed and conveyed in many different forms; the colloquial dialect Russell uses; the symbolism that is featured; the behaviour and attitudes of the children; the way that people react to these children, and the insights we get into their family lives. Willy Russell himself said that he writes for the theatre because 'it's concerned with the spoken rather than the written word'. In 'Our Day Out' we see the importance of the spoken word through the language that the children use. Having grown up and taught at a Comprehensive school in Liverpool, Russell knows the Liverpudlian dialect perfectly, and he uses his knowledge to give a truly representative feel to the play. The children use words such as 'agh'ey', 'ooer', and 'nott'n', and the authentic language that the children use help to make the play feel more real. Because Russell writes the words as they would be spoken in a Liverpudlian acce... ...ry isn't. The poignancy and intensity of the play is somewhat masked in places by the comedy, but we do catch glimpses of the hopeless, desperate situation these children are facing. As Mrs Kay says, 'Ten years ago you could teach them to stand in a line, you could teach them to obey, to expect little more than a lousy factory job. But now they haven't even got that to aim for. There's nothing for them to do, any of them; most of them were born for factory fodder, but the factories have closed down.' Throughout the play this is the underlying tone, and the subtle way that Russell conveys this message heightens the effect when it comes. This day out is simply an oasis; one day of fun out of their whole lives, and at the end of it we see how the glimmer of something bright and beautiful makes it all the harder to turn your eyes back to the grey and mundane.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

America Needs Environmental Equity Essay -- Environmental Racism

Introduction "...We live in a breakable takeable world, an ever available possible worldÃâ€"" These words, by poet and singer-songwriter Ani Difranco, articulate the relationship between the environment and its inhabitants. Society is constantly manipulating the environment. Our capacity for changing the environment is kept in check by the destructible aspect of nature. The changes we make, those advancements in technology, are limited. While the industrial revolution, per say, is over, industry is ever expanding, moving us into a faster, more efficient lifestyle. However, efficiency and advanced technology are not without their price, and that fee, even more so than monetary in nature, is more accurately quantified by an increased duress on the environment and its inhabitants. As industry expands, waste products increase, and often this waste is toxic to humans, plants, and animals. So-called advancements, such as pesticides, which can greatly increase crop production, may cause chronic health problems. Environmental stressors, such as smelters, chemical plants, incinerators, and landfills all result from efforts to improve the functioning of society, and all have adverse effects on the populations living within proximity of these stressors (Bullard 1994). The Problem We have decided as a collective society to further our technology and expand our industries at the cost of a less healthy environment. Because this decision is one that affects all of us, we must be willing to take equal responsibility for the harm done to the environment and to its inhabitants. Unfortunately, white members of the middle and upper socio-economic classes have not accepted the price of advancement, and have instead placed the burdens of ou... ...onmental Planning and Management. June 1996, Volume 39:2. "Less Equal than Others." Lancet. April 2, 1994, Volume 343:8901. Payne, Henry. "Green Redlining." Reason. October 1998, Volume 30:5. Bibliography Boerner, Christopher. "Environmental Injustice." Public Interest. Winter 1995, Issue 118. Bullard, Robert D. "Overcoming Racism in Environmental Decisionmaking." Environment. May 1994, Volume 36:4. Durning, Alan. Action at the Grassroots: fighting poverty and environmental decline. Worldswatch Institute: Washington D.C., 1989. "Environmental Racism?" Wilson Quarterly. Spring 1995, Volume 19:2. Sachs, Aaron. Eco-Justice: linking human rights and the environment. Worldswatch Insititute: Washington D.C., 1995. Reilly, William K. "Environmental Equity: EPA's position." EPA Journal. March/April 1992, Volume 18:1.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

The Lost City Atlantis Essay -- Mythology

Introduction We have all heard about the legend of Atlantis. It’s said that Atlantis was an advanced civilization with highly developed economy and technology. But one day, catastrophe occurred in sudden. Atlantis entirely sank beneath the waves in only one day and one night. In thousands of years, Atlantis has caught the imagination of people from all over the world. Many adventurers, historians and anthropologists spent their whole life trying to open the mysterious veil of Atlantis. But has Atlantis ever existed? Description of Atlantis Plato gave the first and principal written account of Atlantis in his dialogues, â€Å"Critias† and â€Å"Timaeus†. In his description, Atlantis was a huge island located near the Straits of Gibraltar. In this island, there was a great empire which had flourished more than nine thousand years earlier. Atlantean residents had extraordinary intelligence. Their society was far more advanced than any other civilization at that time. The wealth of Atlantis was so unimaginable that even the walls were covered in gold. Furthermore, Atlantis had a huge trading network and a powerful navy. But with the passage of time, the Atlanteans became more and more arrogant, and they even wanted to rule the whole world. They were defeated by brave Athens soldiers. After that, fatal earthquakes and floods occurred in Atlantis; and in a single day and night, the island of Atlantis was swallowed up by the sea. Arguments about existence of Atlantis In 1882, Ignatius L. Donnelly published a book named â€Å"Atlantis: the Antediluvian World†. In this book, Donnelly tried to demonstrate his hypothesis that all known ancient civilizations were descended from a specific civilization, which was Atlantis. He observed that ancie... ....co.uk. 24 Feb. 2012 . Mystery Quest: Lost City of Atlantis. Prod. Ryan Miller. DVD. A&E Home Video, 2010. News, CBC. "Signs of Atlantis found in southern Spain." CBCnews. 14 Mar. 2011. CBC/Radio Canada. 24 Feb. 2012 . Staff, Msnbc.com, and News Service Reports. "Lost city of Atlantis believed found off Spain." Msnbc.com. 14 Mar. 2011. Msnbc Digital Network. 24 Feb. 2012 . Stewart, Iain. "Echoes of Plato's Atlantis." BBC News. 17 Feb. 2011. BBC. 24 Feb. 2012 .

Discuss the Significance of Names in of Mice and Men Essay

As seen in the book Of Mice and Men, author John Steinbeck uses a range of different names for his character, but as it seems, it is not just a coincidence that they are named this way. Steinbeck uses these specific names to match personality of a character and to show the significance of these characters to the society. Many characters names begin with a C for example Candy, Crooks, Curley, to create a direct reference to ‘Cain’ a nomad from the bible; who was cursed by God that he would never be able to settle down because of his wrongdoings for power, this signifies that the characters and Cain have a similarity; they are not able to settle down but are forced to keep moving from one area to another. Curley’s Wife, is perhaps the most major female character that is essential to the story, but has no name in the book. The most obvious assumption as to why Steinbeck has decided to do this is because he is using a historical reference to the American community, where woman were considered to be a man’s possession. â€Å"When they had them previews I coulda went to them, an’ spoke in the radio, an’ it wouldn’ta cost me a cent because I was in the pitchers†. In the book, Curley’s Wife has a dream/desire to have her name known as an icon, however, the results were that she had married a ‘nobody’ which makes her an even smaller existence to the society and the world. We can come to a conclusion that Curley’s wife is unnamed because Steinbeck reflects her complete lack of individual identity. Lennie Small, one of the two most major and necessary characters in the storyline, has a very ironic name. ‘Lennie’ is short for ‘Leonard’ or abbreviated to ‘Leo’ has a definition of lion, has symbolizes courage, rulership and strength, which is a complete opposite of Lennie’s character. ‘Small’ is also an addition to the irony, where Steinbeck uses this to emphasize his huge physical appearances. â€Å"I don’t want no trouble, don’t let him sock me George†. As seen in the book, Lennie is a ‘coward’, as he has a huge body and strength, yet doesn’t know how to defend himself in certain situations and cannot stand-up for himself. Slim is perhaps the most unique characters throughout the whole book. The reason as to why Steinbeck has decided to name this character in this way is to reflect on the American society (similar to Curley’s wife’s reasoning) as to where people were depressing and rarely had a reason to laugh or be ‘positive’ meaning that his physical appearance as being a tall skinny man refers to this. Slim however, is often thought as a hero, and thinks deeply about his actions toward other people as seen in chapter 6 where Slim out of all men goes over to check on Curley’s Wife’s lifeless body. â€Å"Then Slim went quietly over to her, and he felt her wrist. One lean finger touched her check, and then his hand went under her slightly twisted neck and his fingers explored her neck.† In other words, Slim’s naming is decided on to reflect and perhaps to criticize the American society at the time. Carlson, is the complete opposite of Slim, with ‘Carl’ meaning ‘man’ or ‘manly’ and ‘son’ meaning son, creating a definition of man’s son. Carlson as seen in the earlier parts of the story is seen to show no respect or value to Candy’s dog because of its putrid odor, not considering that the pet could be Candy’s only companion, showing that his character is arrogant and selfish. Carlson’s name is also decided to reflect on the American society, where his physical appearance also represents the average man. â€Å"Carlson stepped back to let Slim precede him, and then the two of them went out the door†. Nonetheless, Carlson shows in chapter 2 that he pays respect to the more superior than him, in this case to Slim, as he precedes back to let Slim past by. In conclusion, the names of characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’ are not just coincidences. In fact, the names John Steinbeck have chosen a re to symbolize and signify certain images and personalities and sometimes to criticize the American society, therefore, names in ‘Of Mice and Men’ are also a great significance to the story.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Fat Sam and Cadillac Joe

Fat Sam and Cadillac Joe There was a mobster named Fat Sam and his partners; â€Å"Funky Don† Parsons, Howard â€Å"Big Bill Bass and Pat Willey had spotted a right ulna of a human arm. After a couple of hours of digging Bill Bass and other men had found two thoracic vertebrae, fifteen teeth, four fragments of an They had decided to kidnap a man named Monty Hudson and his wife Liz Hudson.Not only did he kidnap them, but Monty Hudson was killed. Monty Hudson and his wife Liz Hudson, who was six months pregnant at the time, were kidnapped in broad daylight at gun point at the hotel, Holiday Inn by three men. They left in two different cars. One car Liz wastaken in and the other car, which just so happened to be his own car, Monty was taken in. Liz was released a couple days later in Nashville. Liz Hudson was very uncooperative, hoping that if she would not say anything that they would not kill Monty.Liz had told the FBI that the kidnapping had been a simple misunderstanding and that Monty had left on a business trip. She could not tell them when he would be back or where he was at. About five months or so went by and investigators got a tip about Monty. According to an informant, Monty was in a shallow grave some seventy-five miles south of Nashville, on a farm near the Alabama border in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. By 1980, Fat Sam already had a bad record for counterfeiting , money laundering, marijuana farming, drug distribution, and trafficking in stolen property.When Fat Sam got indicted for counterfeiting, his partners knew they were not far behind. Earl Carroll, figuring he would be the first to snitch, would get the best deal. Carroll offered to tell about Fat Sam's crimes, including the kidnapping and murder of Monty Hudson. Carroll went on to tell about how Monty Hudson was a con man whose nickname was, Cadilllac Joe, because he had a thing for stealing Cadillacs. It all started because Hudson had offered to sell him more than thirty pure silver bar s.Each bar was a good foot and a half long and six inches wide. The bars werenearly a hundred dollars a piece. Silver at this time was selling for fifty dollars an ounce. Just one of the bars could be worth $80,000 a piece. Monty was willing to sell Fat Sam all of them for $20,000. Fat Sam did not trust Monty so he had his partner, Funky Don, check it out because he had some expierence with special metals. Fat Sam had it resampled after he had bought what he had thought was pure silver was really zinc.Which was not even worth $200. At this point Fat Sam was furious. Monty had made a comment in the back of the car that just ticked off either Sam or his partner who was sitting in the front seat. Now here is where things started going wrong. Sam did not have the heart to kill Liz and her unborn baby so he called one of his friends to get the job done. Unfortunately, Sam's friend had said, â€Å"No matter what kind of a sorry son of a bitch I am, I can't kill no pregnant women. † After that they had released her.Sam had ordered his partners to dig two graves one for Monty and one for his Cadillac right outside Laweranceburg, said Carroll. Bill Bass and Pat Willey had spotted a right ulna of a human arm. After a couple of hours of digging Bill Bass and other men had found two thoracic vertebrae, fifteen teeth, four fragments of an occipital, five fingers, toe bones, fragment of a long bone, human hair, empty pupal casings, tatters of cloth, and a bullet, which i had learned about where all these bones were located in anatomy. Dr.Bass had to determine the Big Four: sex, age, race, and stature. Most the time it is easier to determine the sex by the pubic bone, hip bone, or face. In this case they had determined the sex by how massive the ulna was and how pronounced and bore heavy muscle markings were of the occipital bone, which was charecteristics of a man's neck muscles. The age was hard to judge since the only thing they had was the ulna, finger, toe bones, and the thoracic vertebrae that showed the first stage of osteoarthritic lipping, which showed he was in between 30-50 years old.Without a face or cranial vault theycould not figure out his race. The stature was a little bit easier for them to figure out they had; one long bone, ulna, and the distal. After measuring everything out they figured out that the man had to be around six feet one to six feet two. Monty was finally discovered by the x-rays of his teeth. I knew what every bone Dr. Bill Bass was talking about and where it was located. I remember learning in class that x-rays of teeth is a great way to help identify who a person is if they have records at a dentist facility.What also helped Dr. Bass identify Monty was by knowing that it was a male. We had learned in class the differences in the hipbone and the pelvic bone of a female and a male's. In my opinion after reading through the book anthropoligists never know what they are going to be dealt. Every death has its own m eaning behind it weather it is caused naturally or on purpose. It is amazing how you can discover gender, race, and age just by bones and teeth and a lot of times anthropoligists do not have much to work with.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Dialogue “Healthy Lifestyle” Essay

S – 1st friend O – 2nd friend L – 3rd friend S: Hey? Guys! How are you? O: Oh, hi! I’m fine, thank you. L: Me too. What about you? S: I’m in the green! You know I’ve changed my life in some ways according to an article. Oh, have you read this article? O: Which one do you mean? L: Oh, probably I’ve understood what Sveta is talking about. You mean the article in our university newspaper about a healthy lifestyle. Am I right? S: Absolutely. So have you read it? O: Yes, I saw something last week. L: Yeah, me too. Some time ago. S: So what’s your opinion about it? O: I’ve found rather useful, you know. L: In what way? O: Well, there is a part about planning of the day. Of course, I knew about it’s importance but I had no idea what consequences it could have. L: Oh, yeah, for me it was extremely useful too because I often overwork and don’t sleep enough time and and besides I’m always dog-tired and in the black mood all that can cause diseases of cardiovascular system , diabetes, over-weighting, hypersomnia and insomnia†¦ S: And, of course, neurological problems. It’s very dangerous. So you should plan your day more carefully and sleep enough. I try to go to bed at the sane time every day and not very late. O: So you keep a kind of a timetable? S: It’ s possible to say like that. O: Isn’t it boring? I mean to do every day the same things at the same time? S: Well, I do not do everything in a special unchangeable order but sometimes following the plan help to do work more efficiently. O: There is something in what you’re saying. As you said, Lera, one of the possible disorders of unhealthy sleeping is overweighting. Nowadays it’s very topical problem. More than a billion people in the world suffer from it. This problem is becoming global! L: And this is the reason of the heart diseases,  diabetes, strokes, problems with liver and many others. S: So everyone should keep himself fit with exercises, sport and healthy diet. O: I wonder if you could give me some detailed information about diet. L: Well, first of all you need to eat everything with measure, not overeat. Also you should eat more vegetables and fruit, advisable without thermal processing to save all the vitamins. S: It’s also useful to drink a lot of water during the day and all this will help you to strengthen your immunity, to avoid overweighting and avitaminosis. O: Avitaminosis? L: Yes, it’s lack of vitamins in your organism. It’s fraught with such diseases as scuvy and rachitis. O: I didn’t have the faintest idea how dangerous shortage of vitamins could be! S: It’s said in the article. O: Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to read it wholly. So probably I missed it. L: By the way, coming back to the ways of preventing overweighting, sport is a very good notion. O: You’re dead right! There is a lot about it in the article and not in vain. It not only keeps you fit and helps you to look good but makes all the systems of your body steady to the stresses which we are exposed to every day. L: I absolutely agree with you. Sport is an essential part of my life and it helps me to be full of energy and to be just in the pink. O: As far as I understood Lera does sport regularly. And what about you, Sveta? S: As for me. I’m not a very sporty person. Of course, I know about the use of doing sport but I’m not very trained and not healthy enough to do it. O: Well, I reckon that you should start with small loading and increase it gradually. But you definitely should do sport. L: By the way, do you do sport, Olya? O: Oh, yeah, I do football. L: Really? Unexpectedly! O: And you? L: As for me, I’ve been playing volleyball for 5 years. S: Oh, very interesting! Did you take part in competitions? L: Yes, our team even took first place in the the competition in our city. S: Oh, that’s phat! L: Well, thank you. It was really wonderful! But now I’d like to ask you  about serious things. I wonder if you could let me know your opinion about various dependences such as smoking, alcoholism and drugs which also are mentioned in the article. O: As for the smoking I’d like to tell you that tobacco is the most used drug in the world. According to the statistics every 6 seconds one person dies because of the tobacco-related disease and every year 5 million people die. S: Oh, it sounds horrible. I didn’t know it. But I’ve known about the big list of diseases it causes connected with cardiovascular system, lungs, gullet, larynx, stomach and so on. L: Yeah, all that’s true. But do you know why people start smoking? O: I’ve read that all the reasons have psychological base. Young people start smoking in an attempt to prove they are a part of an adult world. Adults try to escape from problems by doing this. L: You know, I’ve tried smoking before I became a sportswoman. S: Oh, really? L: Yes, but it was a dog’s age ago. I just had such a company in which people seemed very cool to me and all of them were smoking and I didn’t want to be a black sheep. But fortunately I made a right decision and changed my life. S: Nice to hear that. Besides smoking there is an another huge problem now -it’s alcoholism. In Russia percentage of people who regularly drink alcohol is just enormous. O: Yeah, not only adults but more and more teenagers and even children are becoming involved into this problem. L: And all this leads not only to diseases but to the degradation of people, of the whole nation. But it seems to me that the worst thing is drugs.. Smoking and alcohol provoke disorder in your body but not always and drugs almost always lead to death. S: You know that Russia is on the first place of consumption of heroin. O: No way! It’s terrible! Taking in consideration fact the biggest part of drug-addicts die before thirty and almost no one lives after forty and the spread of AIDS , it’s a frightful tendency. L: Yes, but it should be more regulated by the government I guess. They must toughen control upon the drug traffic. S: I agree with you. Oh, we’ve almost forgot about two more topics. They are not so horrible and wide-spread but also important. I mean anorexia and bulimia. O: As for the first one I suppose it’s caused in general by fashion to be slim and a lot of girls try to get fit and it becomes an obsession. So it’s psychological problem. L: The truth is yourth. Bulimia is also usually caused by the problems with neural system,  various stresses and depression. S: I think it should be propagandized that it’s good to be in a normal weight in order to prevent an imitation to models by the young girls. O: And as for bulimia I’m not sure whether there is a way to prevent it. S: There isn’t actually. Maybe only healthy lifestyle, keeping diet, doing sport will help to avoid stresses and diseases. L: From my point of view you’re right. This article seems to be useful for us and probably for others. O: And we, thinking about health, must remember â€Å"what goes around, comes around†. Let’s keep healthy lifestyle.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Fossil Fuels – discovery, utilisation and future

As industry developed and increased, as did the need for reliable and efficient fuels to power the new machinery developed. It did not take long before fossil fuels were discovered, with their innate ability to provide high amounts of energy at seemingly low costs. Fossil fuels are found deposited in rock formations. They were formed between 350 million and 50 million years ago, and so, although are technically renewable, it would take this long to remake them, which does not really help us today, it is due to the fact we need this long to make them that they are considered nonrenewable, and therefore will at some point run out. The processes by which they formed are not totally understood, other than that sediments buried decayed remains of ancient plants and/or animals. This is then effectively baked over millions of years under conditions of very high temperature and pressure, creating coal, oil, and natural gas, which consist of roughly 90% carbon Fossil fuels are used widely in all forms of industry, in fact, coal, petroleum and gas provides over 90% of the energy used in most industrialized countries, compared with just 9% which hydroelectricity and nuclear power provide together. You can read also Waves When looking at the properties of a good fuel, it is easy to see why fossil fuels are used: * A fuel should react with an oxidiser to release large amounts of energy – carbon based fuels release over 30000 kJ per kilogram * A fuel must be oxidised fairly easily, ignite quickly and sustain burning without further intervention – gaseous or easily vaporized fuels (such as oil) usually perform well here as the mix easily and continuously with oxygen which speeds up the reaction. Coal is often crushed to form small powders to make it ignite easier, however it is evident from steam the reliability of steam trains that carbon is easily burnt. * A fuel should be readily available, in large quantities and at a reasonable price – initially this could be said to be true about fossil fuels, but now, as people become more aware of their cons, and of other fuels' pros, they are becoming more expensive and less available. Still, the price of oil is so heavily depended upon by the economy, that even the slight fluctuation in price can cause a country to go to war or a government to fall. * A fuel should not burn to give products that are difficult to dispose of, unpleasant or harmful – fossil fuels definitely do not fall under this category, but the only fuel that does fall under this category is hydrogen. * A fuel should be convenient to store and transport safely and with out loss – fossil fuels are the only type of fuel that people are currently comfortable with storing, hydrogen and methane are so flammable that people get nervous about using them for cars, and until a safe way of storing them is developed, fossil fuels will have to continue to be used You may then wonder what the problem with fossil fuels is as they are obviously good at their job. What we must consider is the fact that they are non-renewable, and that we are consuming them at an incredible rate. It is predicted that most of the Earth's oil sources will be depleted over the century. Also, fossil fuels are used in many important chemical industries, such as making plastics, medicines, and solvents, and by burning them, we are decreasing our the feedstock for these vital products. Fossil fuels such as oil are made into these products through a series of different processes. First the oil is fractionally distilled then the different sections join together to make polymers. These synthetic plastics and solvents are used largely in everyday life, such as polystyrene cups and PVC plastic. Secondly, the burning of carbon based fuels produces large amounts of carbon dioxide that is one of the main contributors to the â€Å"greenhouse effect†. There are such drastically high levels of carbon dioxide in the air that the only real solution would be to ban all use of fossil fuels, but countries have become so dependant upon them that is not feasible. Thirdly, spillages of fossil fuels cause serious damages to local environments. When an oil tanker crashes, immense amounts of sea life and birds die, and the effects are disastrous. Fourthly, inefficient burning of fossil fuels results in the production of carbon monoxide, which is a very harmful and poisonous gas. Inhalation of this gas is likely to cause death as it interferes with the transport of oxygen in the blood stream. Fifthly, combustion of fossil fuels also produces gases such as nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain. In particular we can look at oil. Numerous countries' entire economies now rely on the price of oil, as their entire wealth is in the drilling, extracting, and trading in it. This is cause for great concern as oil is non-renewable, and we are consuming it so quickly, it will inevitably run out, and counties will no longer be able to rely on it. We have seen in the past that countries' entire economies' have collapsed due to minor fluctuations in the oil market, therefore total collapse of the market would be devastating for many of the world's major and influential countries. Also, there would be immense amounts of job losses that would inevitably affect the society; this can be seen by looking at the destruction caused when the coalmines closed. There are few ways which can be seen to overcome this imminent problem, however, one, most likely solution would be to investigate alternatives to fossil fuels, but all of the possible alternatives have their advantages and disadvantages which must be taken into account before making any changes. * Biofuels (plants can be grown specifically for fuel or the production of fuel, such as wood or sugar cane. Biogas and biomass created by the growing and decaying of plants already produce usable fuel so this could easily be exploited to create a fuel source.) Advantages – renewable, reduces waste, simple technology. Disadvantages – not a large enough supply to totally replace fossil fuels * Methanol CH3OH (this is a simple alcohol which can be made from methane.) Advantages – burns cleanly and completely Disadvantages – more toxic than ethanol, provides less energy per litre than petrol, can cause corrosion of car engines. * Nuclear fission (energy is released when the nuclei of atoms of isotopes of uranium U-35 are split. The energy created can be used to heat water to turn steam turbines.) Advantages – no carbon, sulphur, or nitrogen oxides produces. Disadvantages – radioactive waste, safety systems needed are very expensive. * Nuclear fusion (energy is released when deuterium and tritium â€Å"fuse† to create helium) Advantages – potentially almost limitless as an energy supply as the reactants come from water. Disadvantages – very costly, cannot currently be produced at economic rates. * Moving air (wind turns windmills and wind turbines. Lots of research is already being carried out and soon may provide 10% of the UK's energy) Advantages – renewable, pollution and waste free, can be used in locality to where the energy is needed. Disadvantages – high initial expense, not reliable in calm weather, noise and visual environmental impact * Moving water (Hydroelectricity – water stored behind dams can be released through turbines to generate electricity. Waves – The motion of waves is used to create oscillating motion. Tides – incoming tides in river estuaries fill up large water stores behind barrages, which is then released through turbines.) Advantages – renewable, predictable, pollution and waste free, large scale. Disadvantages – costly to install, environmental impact. * Sunlight (Solar panels – collect solar heat and are used to heat water. Photovoltaic cells – convert light into electricity). Advantages – renewable, pollution and waste free. Disadvantages – Not good for places of low sunlight levels, high initial costs, not very practical for large-scale use. * Geothermal energy (heat from rocks under the Earth's surface can be used to heat water which can, in turn, be used to heat houses). Advantages – practically unlimited. Disadvantages – not widely available, large initial costs * Hydrogen (extracted from water by electrolysis, many things are capable of running on hydrogen). Advantages – no pollution. Disadvantages – people are nervous about using such a dangerously explosive gas, difficult to store and transport. If some of these possibilities were researched further, they could replace fossil fuels and help many of the previously discussed issues.