Abstract Genetically modified foods have emerged as a topic of great controversy in recent years. As agricultural technology grows by leaps and bounds, the presence of enhanced and or modified foods becomes more ubiquitous at grocery stores and on dinner tables. However, this proliferation has been met with concern by many people who fear that the new foodstuffs will have environmental ethical and human consequences that the proponents of such items are as yet dimly aware. This paper explores the environmental implications of genetically modified food.
Abstract This essay examines a marine ecosystem and a forest ecosystem and identifies and ranks the three most important ecosystem services that are provided by these two systems, describing the nature of the relationship between two of the ecosystem services and the well being of humans. Furthermore, the essay discusses the most significant direct and indirect drivers of degradation within the two systems and discuss the scenarios that would best protect them as well as the scenarios that are most likely to happen.
Abstract This paper analyzes the different factors which together influence and effect changes in oil prices in the global market. It explains that natural calamities that are an ever-present danger for the rich oil shores along the Gulf of Mexico, the volatility of the Middle East, swelling domestic consumption and natural disasters together contribute to the high oil prices in the nation.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Increase in Oil Price (Different reasons)
Oil Refineries
Natural Disasters
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "As mentioned above, different political and economic reasons affect oil prices. First of these is the political unrest in Iraq. As a huge oil-producing nation, Iraq has a considerable effect on the global oil economy. The 1978 revolution in Iran affected oil production. [LSA] During the 1980'war between Iraq and Iran, we saw the drastic increase in oil prices. Then again during the first gulf war between Iraq and Kuwait, we witnessed the shooting up of oil prices. So the political instability of these nations that come under the oil belt have a direct influence on production capacity and consequently affect the price. Currently, American invasion of Iraq has created a volatile situation with increasing terrorist activities. The insurgents are targeting the oil fields and the important pipelines. Monitoring the complete stretch of pipelines is practically impossible."
Abstract This paper defines ethics and explains some of the different viewpoints on ethics that exist. The paper then gives a critical view of ethics. Next, it discusses Aldo Leopold's land ethic. The paper concludes that there are many different opposing viewpoints in ethics and every person must make up their own ethics by which to live.
Table of Contents:
How do we Define Ethics?
A complicated System of Groups
Ethical Theories
Deontological Versus Teleological Theories
Every Situation is Different
The Critical View of Ethics
The Never Ending Story
Ethics as a Limiting Factor
Ethics as Propaganda
Ethics and the Environment
Aldo Leopold's Ethics
Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic
Conclusion
In the Literature
The Rose Theory
From the Paper "In order to discuss ethics, one must first attempt to understand the intricacies involved in this discipline. First, a distinction must be made between ethics and morality. "Ethical wisdom consists in knowing how to frame the ideal, and moral sagacity consists in knowing how to put the ideal to work and realize it in practice" (Rader 1964). In other words, ethics may be thought of as the theory by which morality is practiced. Although separate ideas, neither morality nor ethics can exist without the other. Once this distinction is made, the question must be asked, is ethics a science? Researchers have long tried to answer this question, and many have come to the following conclusion. It is believed that ethics is a "normative science: concerned with norms and standards not empirical facts" (Rader 1964)."
Abstract The Endangered Species Act is one of the most ubiquitous examples of environmental policy. Under the aegis of the Fish And Wildlife Service, the act lays out protocols for listing species, the protections that species have, and methods of enforcement for violations of the law. This paper deals with the details, as well as the history of the Act and recent attempts by a political appointee from the Department of Interior to undermine it.
Outline:
Introduction
Purposes of the Act
Protocols For Listing
Major Exceptions to the Rule
Command and Control
Success Stories
Recent Attempts to Undermine
Conclusion
From the Paper "One of the most far reaching natural resources policy, as well as one of the most ubiquitous, is the Endangered Species Act (Title 16, Chapter 35, Section 1531 of the United States Code). This was created in response to a finding by congress that various fish, wildlife, and plants have gone extinct due to human actions, and other species, which have many values in terms of science and aesthetics, are being threatened by human activity (Cornell University Law School 2007), and that in its most basic form, states that no person may "harm harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect any threatened or endangered species" (U. S.Department Of Agriculture 2007). This act has been amended several times throughout the years, and there have currently been attempts to make it harder to list a species, though recently, some rulings have been reversed."
Abstract This paper examines the causes of global warming in North America. The writer points out the evidence of climate changes which are linked to global warming. The writer suggests how people living in North America can contribute in their own way to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and save money.
Outline:
Introduction
Causes for Global Warming in North America
Evidence of Climate Changes in North America
Impact of Global Warming on North America
Steps to Reduce the Consequences of Global Warming in North America
From the Paper "Global warming is considered as one of the most significant environmental problems throughout the world. The earth's atmosphere has turned out to become warmer than ever before due to an increase in the level of greenhouse gases. Research has proved that human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels are the main reason for the problem of global warming. The impacts of climate change which were predicted by scientists have already
started occurring in our environment in the form of increased droughts in some areas and flooding in others, rise in the ocean temperatures and sea levels, severe weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes, melting of glaciers and reducing icecaps, drying coral reefs, coastal erosion and loss of coastal ecosystems, indicating that global warming has set into the world. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its latest report in January 2001, states that "there is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities". "
Abstract This paper explains that things, such as cell phones, i-pods, planes and cars have made lives more convenient but they leave an ecological footprint by using up environmental resources. The author points out that the concept of an ecological footprint also is a resource management tool, which measures how much land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes under prevailing technology. The paper stresses that each region of the earth has a biological capacity. The author underscores that the responsibility to preserve the environment for the future generations can be achieved by seeking alternative methods, such as prevention, adaptation and mitigation. The paper stresses that it is up to individuals to monitor activities and resource consumption and to play an active part in the sustainability of the environment.
From the Paper "Another type of ecological footprint that is affecting us at an alarming rate is the carbon footprints. Whenever human activities involve the burning of fossil fuels, carbon dioxide is emitted. This goes in the atmosphere, contributing to global climate change, unless it can be captured and stored by plants. The carbon footprint therefore measures the demand on bio-capacity that results from burning fossil fuels in terms of the amount of forest area required to absorb these carbon dioxide emissions."
Abstract This paper examines whether post-apocalyptic landscape in Cormac McCarthy's book, "The Road", departs thematically from his prior works and what message, if any, we should find in the ashes. The paper explains that McCarthy's novels have consistently relied upon the pastoral American South where the isolation of man provides a sense of humanity, morality and community. The paper notes that in "The Road", McCarthy uses a post-apocalyptic wasteland where a man and his son struggle to survive against the barbarism of others. The paper then looks at how the use of a different landscape raises the question of whether or not "The Road" is also different thematically from his other novels, even-though McCarthy still places an emphasis on man's constant struggle for survival and his need for community in "The Road". The paper also points out that some sources cite that McCarthy's choice of landscape comments on the dangerous capabilities of humanity to destroy itself using technology and a legitimate concern for the environment. To conclude, this paper shows that McCarthy's post-apocalyptic landscape does not signify a departure from his consistent themes, instead it further emphasizes and validates his commentary on human nature and society in his prior works.
From the Paper "Of course, it should come as no surprise to those familiar with McCarthy's earlier works that The Road takes place, like the others, against such a backdrop of a harsh and unforgiving terrain surrounded by terrifying isolation, and that that landscape, like McCarthy's novels before it, serves once more to cage his main characters in a "world defined by barbarism and violence," where their struggle for survival will test the hope that "civilized values and actions can endure, despite humanity's capacity for savagery." (Smith 26). In his earlier works, however, such as The Orchard Keeper (1965), Outer Dark (1966), Child of God (1973) and Blood Meridian (1979), the landscape in which McCarthy's characters struggled to survive was a natural one. The Orchard Keeper, for example, was set in a small, isolated community located somewhere in Tennessee between the two World Wars."
Abstract This essay begins with a definition of Green marketing and then talks about why companies should adopt a green marketing program. The paper then approaches the topic og Green marketing through the main philosophical theories- relativism, consequentialism, utilitarianism and Kantianism.
An examination of the problem of overpopulation in the near future, through various theories and experiments. The U.S.A, third in population, is compared to other populated countries such as India and China under a number of categories.
2,981 words (approx. 11.9 pages), 15 sources, 2000, $ 88.95
Abstract This paper examines the problem that overpopulation will pose in the near future. It examines several theories and predictions on this problem, ranging from the Book of Genesis to Thomas Malthus's mathematical hypothesis. Furthermore, the paper analyses several experiments done on the subject, proving how serious the problem is. The United States, third in population, is compared to other populated countries such as India and China in numerous aspects, including: population, industrialization, health, food supply, etc.
From the Paper "According to a study conducted by a social scientist Christopher Jencks in 1994, the number of homeless people at any given time is 350,000, and the Clinton administration estimated that a total of 17 million American at some point in the second half of the 1980s were homeless. Nothing happens without causes; the same applies to the matter of homelessness."
Tags: 20th, century, effort, facts, problems, resolution, solution
This paper deals exclusively with nature of solar power, detailing both its most basic theories and common applications. Diagrams and illustrations are included.
2,019 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 8 sources, 1998, $ 63.95
Abstract This paper takes a look at the problem of global warming, and how it stems from industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries. The paper also looks at why industrial owners are unwilling to take steps to help solve the problem.
From the Paper "Ironically, the industrialization of Europe and America in the 1800s has been the cornerstone of the environmental problems that we are experiencing today, one hundred years later. Now, when the earth's biosphere is suffering from a century of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane emissions, industrial chiefs are beginning to "squeal like pigs" because their industries are being forced to commit to the reduction of toxic emissions that result from their manufacturing processes and that are adding to the global warming problem. An examination of the past and present state of affairs of industrialization shows how this issue is one that the manufacturing community is unwilling to address."
Abstract This is a detailed and illustrated paper on using organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers on plants. Results of experiments concerning this topic are included with the paper.
From the Paper "Organic fertilizers can provide enough nutrients to plants, that is the reason why the plants can grow well. Also the organic fertilizers can change the structure of soil and create a good drainage system, and well-ventilated environment which can be a better place for microorganisms to survive. The organic fertilizers contribute a lot to the growth of plants, but they still have some disadvantages. If one adds too much organic fertilizers, the plants will die because the concentration of organic fertilizers is very high."
An in depth look at the potential of future conflict over the scarcity of natural resources. A look at conflict over the scarcity of natural resources. The author investigates the conflict over: the degradation of fossil fuels, forests and agricultural la
1,805 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 7 sources, 2001, $ 58.95
Abstract A look at conflict over the scarcity of natural resources. The author investigates the conflict over: the degradation of fossil fuels, forests and agricultural land as well as pollution of fresh water and depletion of fisheries. The author argues that scarcity of these will lead to environmental stress and increased economic deprivation leading to social turmoil and conflict, both inter and intra-state.
From the Paper "The debate over whether environmental scarcity is a crucial factor in conflict and therefore worth paying close attention to in what is perceived as a world of diminishing resources is contentious. In many respects it seems logical to conclude that since so many wars in history have had economic causes then something like the scarcity of natural resources would in all likelihood be a source of conflict in the 21st Century."
