From the Paper "Introduction
This research will examine Marc Reisner's Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water. The research will set forth the political, historical, and economic context for Reisner's examination of water-related development and usage and then discuss the strategy Reisner uses to develop his ideas about the dire consequences to the West's economic and social infrastructure of continuing to exploit and pollute its nonrenewable water resources in the same way as in the past. The combination of poor water management, overdrawing of ground water from the major western aquifers, and a more general attitude that the resource would always be available has created a crisis whose consequences have not been sufficiently understood either by policy makers or by the American population as a whole."
Abstract This paper explains that the fossil records tell us that, through out the geological history of earth, mass extinctions have been the norm rather than the exception. This paper states that a better understanding of the role extinction plays in evolution is essential. The author concludes that human beings are uniquely adaptable; they invent procedures as medicine that give them extended control over their environments.
From the Paper "Of course, the most famous extinction event is that of the dinosaurs, about 65 million years ago. Such events appear in the fossil record as far back as Precambrian time when it is believed that life first began. Ideas of mass extinction has been an issue of controversy between many geologists towards the idea that it is related to intermittent catastrophes such as the striking of the earth's surface by a large asteroid or comet. Many paleontologists and evolutionary theorists reject such ideas and believe them to be unjustified."
Abstract This paper briefly explains that the problem of air pollution is in our control and that we should take more serious measures to fight this trend of a growing ozone hole and decreased air quality. The writer states that health hazards are increasing and it is our responsibility to put an end to this phenomenon. A number of suggestions include changing the fuels and type of transport we use.
From the Paper "The ring of haze surrounding modern cities looms ominously and the hole in the ozone layer grows, but people rarely understand that air pollution is within our control. The causes of air pollution are many, and save for natural contributions to temporarily poor air quality, the bulk of air pollution problems are results of human technological advances. Since the Industrial Revolution, massive amounts of fossil fuels like coal and oil have been and continue to be consumed. The benefits of industry may indeed outweigh the detriments, but it is finally time for technology to solve its own problems. Until the past few decades, the spoils of industrialization were taken for granted. We can forgive our forebears for their ignorance in developing technologies with unforeseen consequences. Who could have known how human life would benefit by burning coal for electricity or oil for automobiles? "
Abstract This paper discusses the hazardous effects of inadequate methods of solid waste disposal on the environment. The paper emphasizes the urgency of the need to deal with this issue, and describes fecal contamination as the major culprit. The writer illustrates how the lack of modern sanitation facilities and adequate health care in certain areas, are the main cause of fecal contamination.
From the Paper "Fecal waste may contain an undetermined number of bacteria, viruses, and parasites capable of causing disease in humans and animals. Studies have focused on numbers of indicator bacteria (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococci) or enteroviruses in feces and leachates, but have not estimated the total pathogen load or identified the major sources of these pathogens. This may be due to lack of detection methods for many of the pathogens in solid waste or leachate as well as potentially low numbers of viable but non-culturable organisms. Fecal waste is a breeding ground for diseases and even the smallest of contaminations can cause a great deal of problems."
Tags: bacteria, virus, parasites, garbage, recycling, health, hazard, water
Abstract This paper discusses how the development of technology has changed our lives and our world. The paper illustrates the damage done to the environment by human technology and makes us aware that technology can most certainly not be counted upon to save us. A brief history of the Industrial Revolution is presented. The paper concludes on an optimistic note that we can and should learn how to use technology for the advantage of the environment.
From the Paper "We do not tread lightly on the earth, we children of this high-tech age. All of our machines, which we have designed to help us live longer and more enjoyable ? and more carefree ? lives have damaged the world we live in, in some cases to the extent that the very good life that we have tried to engineer into being is itself in danger. We have for millennia increased the sophistication of our machines, but we have now come to a point in our historical and biological evolution that technology can most certainly not be counted upon to save us and we must ask ourselves very serious questions about what the relationship between technology and the environment is and what the future may hold for us."
Abstract This paper shows how prevention is the key to eliminating the continuation of environmental degradation and how environmental law makes sure that objective is realized. Environmental law has come a long way in cleaning up the mess created by man-made pollution. The paper examines both the Clean Air Act of 1963 and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 set out to rectify the insurmountable degradation overtaking the air, water and soil supplies. It shows that with their continued efforts, ongoing improvements will serve to further the purpose these two acts were established for in the first place.
From the Paper "The environment has been in trouble for a long time. Decades and decades of misuse, exploitation and degradation have placed a tremendous burden upon the land to the point where humanity is having to scramble to preserve what is left. Re-establishing what has already been destroyed, as well as protecting what still exists, is what environmentalist and government agencies are working feverishly to achieve. With the support of environmental law, significant trends have been established to rectify damage already done and prevent any further from occurring."
Abstract This paper discusses the ability of the government to take property based on the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. The paper reviews whether it is efficient for the government to declare a piece of property to be a wetland without compensation. The author believes that, as with takings, the government should provide compensation equal to the amount money by which the land was depreciated.
From the Paper "There has been significant controversy about whether or not land has been rendered useless in one such type of regulations called zoning ordinances. One such ordinance is defined in section 301 of the Clean Water Act, which makes it illegal to deposit fill materials into "navigable waters" (including wetlands) without a permit. It is important to protect our wetlands, because they serve several purposes that benefit society as a whole; they provide us with protection against erosion and flooding, water filtration and wildlife habitats."
Abstract The paper shows that immediately after the September 11 terror attacks the initial solution to potential exposure of toxic pollutants left the EPA with a significant list of issues to be addressed, not the least of which was providing an open line of communication to those who were most at risk at ground zero. Within the first several days of the rescue mission, the EPA and other agencies worked hard to obtain and distribute respiratory and eye protection equipment; provide health and safety training upon request; design and implement a site monitoring plan and addressed many more issues. he paper examines how, one year after the attacks, the EPA is still monitoring for water and air contamination and testing for high toxic levels.
From the Paper "The extent to which the terrorist attack upon the World Trade Center has impacted both the nation and the cradle of humanity as a whole is undeniably far-reaching. However, people are not the only entities to suffer from this display of social intolerance, inasmuch as the explosion aftermath has created great concern for environmental safety with regard to asbestos, airborne particles, burning plastic and concrete dust, with the latter issue presenting a potentially significant threat to wildlife with regard to runoff into local waterways."
Tags: center, health, terrorism, trade, world, 911, asbestos
Abstract The paper's thesis states that preservation and efficient management of the rain forest's botanical, cultural and therapeutic resources is the key to a healthier life and a better world. On this basis, the paper reviews the book "Tale of a Shaman's Apprentice" by Mark J. Plotkin, in which he demonstrates the urgent need to cease the rapid environmental destruction increasing at an alarming pace. The paper shows that by describing the reactions of medicinal plants of the rain forests on the human body and outlining the various classifications of forest plants, Plotkin has successfully managed to accomplish his aim of spreading the much-needed awareness regarding the protection, preservation and management of the rain forests spread world wide and the need to take care of and conduct research of the fragile cultures that inhabit these forests. The paper discusses how this captivating book highlights the importance of the Amazonian forests by describing in detail their diverse and unique botanical power and the availability of the majority of the insects and other animals in various regions of the Amazon jungles. It shows, too, how Plotkin also puts emphasis on the botanical wisdom of the shamans of the Amazonian forests.
From the Paper "Examining and exploring the characteristics, distribution, origins and classification of the plant life of a region is the primary concern of an ethno botanist. Since Plotkin was the principal ethno botanist, his job status demanded exploration of rain forests for the betterment of human kind. Hence, to hunt down shamans who are well aware of medical treatments done though the plants, were the basic requirements of his work. However, this was not the only reason as the author suggests in his book. He was intrigued by plant life and it all started on a September night lecture in 1974 at Harvard University (Plotkin: 2) that ignited a spark in the thirsty soul and made him discover the wonders of the Amazonian ever developing plant life and the cures that the medicine experts in the rain forests of the Amazon exposed (Plotkin: 3). For the same reason, he chose the particular plant life of the Amazon areas to study and learn, how to ameliorate the contemporary world and the ensuing deadly ailments with the advancement of industry and science."
Abstract This essay provides many logical arguments against the theory of global warming and the many misconceptions that people on the subject. It exposes the false use of statistics and gives other true statistics. The paper exposes many lies of several big media companies such as National Geographic and Science Daily. It concludes by explaining how reducing so-called greenhouse gas emissions would not be beneficial economically as well as socially.
From the Paper "Many people are worried about the so-called rising temperatures at home as well as in countries such as Greenland. People believe that this will usher in the end of New York City and other major cities which are at or below sea level. This would be if the global average temperature rises by 2 degrees Fahrenheit (Clark, 2003). What if the temperatures in places like Greenland and Russia are actually dropping? What if this is the case around the world? What then should we call it, global cooling? Wouldn't that mean that global warming is inaccurate?"
Tags: accord, conference, global, kyoto, melting, usa
Abstract A discussion of the demand and supply of water market as well as the inefficiencies of water market as natural monopoly. This paper emphasises on methods to regulate natural monopoly and explains the few ways in which government should regulate natural monopoly. It discusses two distinct types of government policy, marginal cost pricing and average cost pricing. It also identifies the benefits and costs of each pricing method.
From the Paper "Water is one of the most precious natural resources. Human beings are now becoming increasingly aware of the importance of water to their survival and its limited supply, especially in such a dry continent as Australia. Water market is not static as both exogenous (outside the market) and endogenous (inside the market) effects tend to result in shifts and movements of both the demand and supply curves (Materano and Atkinson: 1996). There are many factors that influence the quantity demanded and quantity supplied in the water market, not only the prices. Supply and demand are the forces that make market economics work. The basic model of supply and demand is the workhorse of microeconomics (Pindyck and Rubinfeld: 1989) because they determine the quantity of each good produced."
Tags: monopoly, natural, supply, demand, resource, cost, price, production
This paper discusses the urbanization of the late 19th century America with emphasis on population migration, European immigration, technology and city-based industries.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 4 sources, 1972, $ 55.95
From the Paper "The years following the Civil War ushered in the modern era of cities. It was during the half century between the Civil War and World War I that the move from the country to the city took place. In 1860, less than a quarter of the American population lived in a city or town; by 1890 the figure had reached a third; by 1910, nearly half.
The urbanization of late 19th century America took place at a staggering pace. Chicago, for example, doubled its population every decade but one between 1850 and 1890, growing from 30,000 to over a million in little more than a generation. Los Angeles jumped from less than 5,000 in 1860 to more than 100,000 in 1900, and Denver from nothing at all to 134,000, while Memphis with 23,000 in the earlier year exceeded 100,000 in the latter. In the nation as a whole, the proportion of people living in towns ... "
This paper examines issues of water pollution and its control, with particular emphasis on Los Angeles: Types and sources of pollution, effects, regulations, sewage system, hazardous waste, water quality management, control methods and politics.
1,012 words (approx. 4 pages), 11 sources, 1984, $ 135.95
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine issues of water pollution and its control, with particular emphasis on these issues in Los Angeles in recent years. Before discussing the problems of Los Angeles, this paper will focus on the major types of water pollution, the sources of water pollution, and the effects of water pollution. Following an extended discussion of control and problems in Los Angeles, this paper will discuss methods of water pollution control. It will conclude with a brief consideration of the politics and economics of water pollution in the United States over the past twenty-five years."
Examines the causes & climatic effects of heated ocean current in general & specifically the 1982-1983 example. Discusses drought, animals, sea life and weather prediction.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 5 sources, 1987, $ 39.95
From the Paper "One of the most fascinating and far-reaching weather phenomena to occur in recent years has been that of El Ni"o. This paper will briefly describe what this phenomenon is, and specifically discuss the 1982-1983 El Ni"o which caused extreme changes in the Earth's oceans and atmosphere and often widespread devastation on land.
"El Ni"o is Spanish for "The Child," a reference to the Christ child, so named by South Americans because this ocean current is felt off their coast around Christmastime. According to Dr. Eugene Rasmussen of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it occurs in cycles of about every four to five years and can be two years apart or as many as 10. The last El Ni"o occurred in 1976-1977 when the eastern United States had its worst winter and California its worst drought (Canby 153)."
From the Paper " A global ecological disaster is a very real possibility in light of the rate at which forests are being devastated and biological species wiped out. Deforestation, or the deliberate removal of trees, is one of the most longstanding and significant ways in which man has changed the environment. It is believed that humans have been destroying the environment since the Mesolithic and Neolithic times. Because man has found so many uses for trees, they are being used faster than they can replace themselves (Goudie, 1986). Although trees are renewable resources, they are being cut down faster than nature can replace them. Forests are also cleared for farming and grazing of livestock. Much of the Midwestern United States has been cleared for livestock as well as farmland. Homes and office buildings (...)"
