Abstract Ancient redwoods grow on land that is owned by Pacific Lumber Company, which was a reputable, responsible lumber company for decades until it changed hands in the 1980?s. The paper explains that Texas financier, Charles Hurwitz, purchased the company and, to pay off his debts, ordered the acceleration of logging in the Headwaters Forest, an area along the Northern California coast of over 6,000 pristine acres of ancient redwoods. These trees are some of the oldest in existence and are the home of many endangered species. This paper discusses the outrage expressed by environmental activists from around the country and many loggers over the rate of deforestation. The paper argues that Pacific Lumber Company has an obligation to retain these ancient trees.
From the Paper "There is no doubt in my mind that the trees need immediate protection. According to the article, if we wait for some rosy future when we will have responsible business practices and an enlightened people and dedicated public agencies, we will no longer have the redwoods. On the other hand, logging is necessary to build our houses and supply us with wood practices. Taking both sides of the story into consideration is important when determining if the trees and the industry can be saved."
Abstract This paper examines the scope of the problem of global deforestation, including frontier forests, tropical rainforests, and other kinds of forests, and also reports on why one suggested formula for a solution might not be in the best interests of the planet.
From the Paper "Just a few years ago, in the late 1990s, it seemed that the mushrooming problem of deforestation was receiving wide media attention. High school children and university students, and conservation activists throughout Western many societies, including to a large extent, America, were receiving publicity while they conducted fundraisers and seminars to help ?save the rainforests.? Television news channels ? along with other mass market media like the Internet, magazines print journalism, and film ? covered the calamitous loss of forestland with regular reports. But there are urgent and more dramatic issues ? such as terrorism, conventional war as part of the Bush Administration's search for so-called ?weapons of mass destruction,? and fears of biological attacks (anthrax, smallpox) ? which have dominated the news since September 11, 2001."
Abstract This paper looks at the vital role that the oceans play regarding the regulation and control of the world's temperature, winds, and precipitation.
From the Paper "Through the agency of ocean currents, heat and cold may be distributed over thousands of miles, for it is possible to follow the course of a mass of warm water that originates in the trade wind belt of the southern hemisphere, where a good portion of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans can be found. This redistributing function of the ocean tends to compensate for the uneven heating of the globe by the sun. As it is, ocean currents carry hot equatorial water toward the poles and return cold water equatorward by surface drifts, such as the Labrador Current, and other deep water currents."
Abstract This paper explains that, although the West Nile Virus (WN) has been around since 1937 when it was first discovered in Uganda, the summer of 1999 marks the first introduction in recent history of an Old World flavivirus into the New World. The author points out that mosquitoes are the principal vectors of the West Nile Virus; the virus has been isolated from 43 mosquito species in Africa, Asia, and the United States. The paper states that there is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection; although, in more severe cases, intensive supportive therapy is indicated, often involving hospitalization, intravenous fluids, airway management, respiratory support (ventilator), prevention of secondary infections (pneumonia, urinary tract, etc.), and good nursing care.
From the Paper "Studies have shown that the West Nile Virus replicates in a wide variety of cell cultures, including chicken, duck, and mouse embryo cells and continuous cell lines from monkeys, humans, pigs, rodents, amphibians, and insects, but has not caused obvious cytopathology in many cell lines. Although we know glycosaminoglycans play a major role in flavivirus entry, there is evidence that additional host cell surface molecules are necessary for flavivirus entry. Because flaviviruses are transmitted between insect and vertebrate hosts during their natural transmission cycle, it is likely that the cell receptor they utilize is a highly conserved protein. It is known that the virions enter cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis followed by fusion of the viral membrane with the endosomal vesicle membrane releasing the nucleocapsid into the cytoplasm."
Abstract This is an essay on solar panels that explains the history of their development. It examines how they work, different types and their practical application, losses, home systems, positioning, economics, and the future of photovoltaics.
From the Paper "Presently millions of people use solar electricity every day, anyone reading this essay will more than likely have used it unknowingly many times before. A simple calculator usually posses a small solar panel, some watches have solar panel faces, and the screen on a laptop that's just a solar panel working in reverse. Yet major generation of solar electricity has remained relatively miniscule. Now we are in the year 2003, and there are many signs it is gathering strength fast. Solar is poised to become a vital contributor to world energy production. It's almost surreal to think that solar provides clean energy, less smog, less air pollution and diminishes our dependence on fossil fuels. If our modern society wishes to proceed with ever advancing standards of living, we need to move into the future where solar and others can provide us with the environmentally friendly energy our society is destined for. This destiny is becoming more and more a reality as electricity prices skyrocket, power disruptions abound, and blackouts become more frequent. The opportunity for personal generation is predicted to reach 26% of total world generation by 2040 (Photovoltaics Bulletin 2002). In the near future solar energy generation will produce significant amounts of electricity with its advanced technology, leading economics and residential systems."
Abstract This paper examines the problem of climate change brought about by the operation of major global industries. The paper looks at the threats imposed by climate change and the opportunities presented by action on climate change. Also discussed are the different business strategies applied by American and European firms in response to climate change.
From the Paper "Climate change has become a major issue on the forefront of economic and political discussions. The cause of climate has been indicated as a build-up of greenhouse gases (mostly CO2) in the atmosphere as a result of emissions mostly from industry. The evidence presented in support of global warming has been robust but not completely conclusive (Levy & Kelley, 1997). The mass sum of greenhouse gas emissions produced by all nations of the world could yield potentially devastating ecological effects (Levy & Kelley, 1997). However, businesses and industry that rely on energy produced by fossil-fuels are concerned that early action on global warming in the absence of conclusive evidence could lead to terrible economic losses. On the other side, inaction could also prove disastrous, since global warming could potentially lead to floods, droughts, rising ocean levels, and disruptions in the global food supply. Moreover, there are both threats and opportunities that are presented to industries due to climate change."
Abstract This paper examines the company ZAP (Zero Air Pollution), whose purpose is to provide us with some alternatives that will help us live cleaner, cheaper lives. It looks at how ZAP is in the electric vehicle (EV) business and how its product line ranges from scooters to cars and includes most transportation devices in between. It explores the history of the company from its inception in 1994, through its inventions, to its potential market gains.
From the Paper "ZAP's marketing management team ?combines over 50 years experience in marketing electric vehicles, delivering over 75,000 electric vehicles to consumers, making it a world leader in personal electric transportation. One of the first companies to market in 1994, ZAP's brand helped spearhead consumer attention for electric bikes and scooters, helping it to leverage worldwide media and publicity attention. The Company invests heavily in its ZAP brand, focusing its marketing through placement of the brand on each of its futuristic products. In 1994 ZAP was one of the first companies in America to launch an e-commerce site for its products."
Abstract Although the United States has one of the safest public water supplies in the world, it needs ongoing protection from both naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants. This paper discusses the public health history and current issues in water safety. The paper looks at what caused the United States to set standards for its public water supply, as well as the laws and statutes which were formulated. The paper also examines what the future holds and whether the United States' water supply is as safe as we think it is.
From the Paper "In March of 2001, the Bush Administration suspended the 1996 Amendments to the SWDA. They rejected the arsenic safety standards. In a highly controversial situation, after severe public heat and political backlash, in October 2001, the Bush Administration finally conceded to the 10 ppb value. However, during the suspension, the administration required new studies to be carried out, suggesting the earlier research was inadequate. As Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) stated, ?It came back and bit them in the arsenic.? In September 2001, studies by the National Academy of Sciences completed their new studies on arsenic exposure. Their new study stated that even 10 ppb is too high and recommended lowering the standard to 3 ppb in order to protect the public health."
This paper is an extensive discussion of genetic modification (GM) of food, also known as genetic engineering, genetic manipulation, gene technology, and recombinant DNA technology, which is the most recent application of biotechnology to food.
Abstract This paper explains that, for many centuries, farmers fought pests using everything from usual plant-breeding techniques to chemicals, such as pesticides and herbicides; but, as new chemical treatments increased health and environmental concerns, gene modification became the agro-scientists? tool for advancing molecular biology. The author points out that over 40 plant varieties have completed all of the federal requirements for commercialization as per the FDA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The paper explains that, although customers in the U. S. are accepting GM foods, customers in Japan are beginning to show a strong liking for unmodified fruits and vegetables in supermarkets offering both GM foods and unmodified foods.
Table of Contents
Do We Need Genetically Modified Food?
Does the Human Race Need GM Food?
Background Information on the Types of Plant Genetic Engineering
The Worldwide Issue of GM Food, Advantages and Disadvantages
How Prevalent are GM Foods?
What Plants Are Used?
Genetic Engineering Techniques
Other Issues
How GM foods are Regulated and the Government's Role
What Limits are Put on Farmers?
How they are Labeled for the General Public?
Ethical and Social Aspects Involved and Implications for the Third World
From the Paper "Genetically modified foods (GM foods or GMF) provide opportunities to swiftly enhance crop nature such as yield, pest resistance, or herbicide tolerance, which is not successful with conventional methods. From the predecessor to plastics to consumable vaccines, GM crops can be molded to make completely artificial substances. The methods of modern genetics have made it probable for the direct action of the genetic makeup of organisms. Using genetic engineering, plants from wild relatives, other distantly related plants, or almost any other organism can be relocated with simple genetic qualities into the crop."
Abstract The Mexican-U.S. dispute over water shortages in the Rio Grande has its roots in Mexico's failure to abide by a 1944 water treaty. As a result, U.S. farmers on the American side of the Rio Grande have been strongly impacted, with many losing their businesses, and the area's agricultural industry has been severely damaged by the water shortage. This paper discusses how the U.S. government has been accused of dragging its feet on the issue and how Mexico has remained largely defiant of its action. It suggests that the solution to this issue may lie in stricter enforcement and the creation of new international laws involving the use of shared water resources, as well as beefing up water conservation on both sides of the border.
From the Paper "In recent years, Mexico and the United States have clashed over water shortages on either side of the Rio Grande River in South Texas. Mexico's failure to abide by a 1944 water treaty since 1992 has severely damaged U.S. agriculture. While Mexico seems largely unrepentant and unwilling to release water to the U.S., U.S. officials have been accused of ignoring the issue in the wake of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). While steps are being made to address the issue, including water conservation and the release of some water owed to the U.S., much remains to be done to solve the shortage. Changes to international law involving the use of shared water resources may provide some long-term relief while the creation of more water conservation measures will likely help alleviate the shortage in the short-term."
Abstract This paper examines how the general definition of an ecological footprint is the way a community, a nation, or an individual makes use of the ecological resources available to it and how much it taxes the currently existing resources of the present, as well as how this will impact the environmental future. It looks at how the footprint is usually deployed as a way of calculating the methods by which that entity makes use of the particular resources available to it on a collective or personal level and how it is important both as a predictive device of how the environment may be damaged by particular ways of life and as an important political tool for environmental organizations.
From the Paper "The typical lifestyles and luxuries of the average American, the notion of an ecological footprint suggests, does little to enhance the ecological qualities of life, and does much to cause the deterioration of the land. (Ecological Footprint Calculator, 1999) The notion of calculation poses the notion that the resources of the earth and every land pass are indeed finite, and cannot be squandered for only a relatively few members of the population of the earth, most of whom are concentrated in Western, industrialized nations such and most particularly in the United States. "
Abstract This paper focuses on the history of the U.S. Space Program, the role of the people and agencies that were responsible for starting and developing the program, how the rivalry with the Soviets affected the program, the significance and benefits, if any, of space exploration, the future of the space program, and its usefulness.
From the Paper "When the Soviets successfully launched Sputnik I, the first ever artificial satellite, in orbit on October 4, 1957, the event took the Americans and the entire western world by surprise. Sputnik I was just a 2-foot sphere with nothing more than two tiny radio transmitters on it, but the symbolic significance of the event?the implication that Communist Russia had taken a significant technological lead over the United States was a massive blow to the American nation's pride. It signaled the start of the Cold War space-race between the two major super powers of the time and developed into a race for putting the first man on the moon that culminated in the historic "giant leap for mankind" on July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of hybrid vehicles. Specifically, it argues that, since it has been proven that the technology for hybrid vehicles works, we should only build and sell hybrid vehicles so that we can help reduce the damage done to the nation's air quality.
From the Paper "Hybrid electric vehicles have been talked about for many years. It is only in the last decade that they have been made both affordable and applicable to the daily lives and commutes of millions of Americans. Dictionary.com defines the word "hybrid" as: "Something of mixed origin or composition." Indeed, these vehicles, produced primarily by Japanese manufacturers Toyota and Honda at the present, combine the best of two fuel sources ? gasoline and electric. This technology uses the best of each type of fuel, and can save drivers at least 50 percent at the fuel pumps (Editors). In addition to being less costly to drive, HEVs are much cleaner than conventional gas and diesel engines. They do not pollute as much, and this is a vital consideration for the air quality in America, and in the world. Our air quality is suffering dramatically, and automobile emissions are one of the leading causes in the depletion of our overall air quality."
Abstract This paper reports that, in 2004, New York City set a record when the number of homeless New Yorkers residing in shelters reached the highest point in the city's history. The author points out that 90 percent of homeless New Yorkers are black or Latino, even though only 53 percent of New York City's total population is black or Latino; moreover, over 60 percent of homeless families previously lived in four of New York City's poorest neighborhoods, and over half of the homeless mothers have a history of domestic violence. This paper concludes that it will take years of dedication and focus for New York City to ease the problem of homelessness by creating not only adequate permanent housing for the homeless, which actually will cost less than the present shelter and other emergency care programs, but also available services for those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse.
From the Paper "According to the Coalition for the Homeless, in the month of August 2004, some 36,400 homeless men, women, and children were sleeping each night in the New York City shelter system, including 15,300 children, 12,700 adult family members, and 8,400 single adults, with many thousands more sleeping on city streets, park benches, and subway trains. New York City's homeless shelter population has increased by 73 percent since 1998, from 21,000 to the current 36,400. The past six years has seen the number of homeless families sleeping in New York City shelters and welfare hotels increase by 99 percent, from 4,429 families in January 1998 to 8,726 families in August 2004. Moreover, the average stay for homeless families in the municipal shelter system has almost doubled over the past decade, from six months in 1992, to nearly twelve months today."
Abstract This paper discusses global warming and pollution. The paper contends that global warming occurs because of an accelerated greenhouse effect and that pollution occurs because of harmful emissions caused by fossil fuels and industrialization. The paper describes how pollution can result in serious health problems, including lung cancer and stunted lung growth in children, in addition to irritating existing conditions. The paper presents preventative measures that must be taken to reduce air pollution.
From the Paper "In addition, an article entitled "Global Warming and Ozone Layer Depletion: STS Issues for Social Studies Classrooms" explains that the impact of Global warming may prove detrimental in the future. The article asserts that continued global warming will result in ?melting polar ice along with thermal expansion of the oceans could raise the sea level, flooding coastal cities, and many agricultural landscapes could dry out, becoming deserts (Rubba et al).? The article also explains that many believe that global warming is a result of industrial activity. The authors assert that the emissions that are produced from factories, vehicles and other sources result in the acceleration of the greenhouse effect."
