Abstract This paper discusses the definition and causes of acid rain, as well as its harmful effects on aquatic systems, forests, man-made structures and human health. It also discusses the global implications of acid rain as a migratory form of air pollution and how this presents problems in the regulatory arena, especially from an international standpoint--for example, when acid rain generated by factories in the southern U.S. states is blown by wind patterns across the Mexican border, or vice versa.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is Acid Precipitation?
Definition
Common Pollutants and Reactions Involved
Sources of Acid Precipitation Pollutants
The Harmful Effects of Acid Precipitation
Effects on Aquatic Systems
Effects on Forests and Other Terrestrial Ecosystems
Effects on Man-Made Structures and Materials
Effects on Human Health
Global Implications of the Acid Precipitation Problem
Air Pollution Migration
The International Challenge
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Air pollution is a well-recognized environmental problem throughout the world. Studies have shown, time and time again, that the environmental and health-based impacts of air pollution are both detrimental and undeniable. One of the most important forms of air pollution for our society as a whole to recognize and deal with in an expedient manner is acid precipitation. Because of the very nature of this type of air pollution, the direct and indirect effects of acid precipitation are both far-reaching and difficult to get under control. Understanding more about the causes, effects, and implications of acid precipitation and its impacts on our daily lives is the first step that we all need to take in adopting a more proactive approach to solving this problem."
Abstract This paper studies the incident that took place on December 2, 1984 in Bhopal, India when a series of mechanical and human failures led to the worst industrial disaster known to mankind--a gas leak of 40 tons of methyl isocyanate from a Union Carbide chemical plant that killed an estimated 10,000 people. The effects of this tragic incident were global. Corporate environmental awareness was raised to new levels as industrial giants worldwide scrambled to preemptively reevaluate the safety of their own chemical processes, while lawmakers put together new environmental regulations in response to Bhopal. Public environmental awareness was also brought to the forefront as the "right-to-know" movement gained impetus. Ultimately, these three factors paved the way for environmental auditing and management systems--because these were the controls that gave the chemical industry the tools to prevent another Bhopal, while also meeting expected new government regulations and gathering information to satisfy the public's newly awakened interest in industrial processes.
From the Paper "One of the largest and most horrific industrial disasters of modern times took place in Bophal, India on the evening of December 2, 1984, when about 40 tons of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from an underground storage tank at a Union Carbide chemical plant into the environment, killing 2,000 to 3,400 people almost immediately and leaving about 8,000 others to die gradually from exposure to the killing fumes.1 The gas polluted an area of over 18 square kilometers and displaced over 500,000 people. There were at least 250,000 people injured as a result of this accident. The MIC gas caused severe respiratory distress, pulmonary edema, eye and lung diseases, gynecological problems, psychological crisis, and many other medical problems before it had run its course. The sheer magnitude of the accident drew over 12,000 relief operations personnel to the area in hopes of rendering aid, but for many of the victims, it was already too late (Bisarya & Puri, 2001; EPA, 2001; Nolan & Street, 2000)."
Tags: act, air, auditing, caer, carbide, care, chemical, clean, disaster, environmental, epcra, gas, india, mic, responsible, union
Abstract This paper defines what global warming is and gives an in depth analysis of its long term affect. It describes what we can expect if the temperature of the Earth continues to rise. Between flooding and coastal erosion, severe weather, disease, loss of farming, hunting and grazing land and the loss of inhabitable territory, the very existence of the human race would be threatened. Although we do not expect to feel the effects for at least another 200 years, examples of natural disasters in recent history are linked to possible effects of global warming.
From the Paper "Scientific speculations about the possibility of global warming have been ongoing for years. During the last two decades, the truth about global warming was frequently called into question, and hotly debated. Conservatives, big business, and even many well-intentioned and intelligent scientists all proclaimed such scientific prophecies to be at best an error in computation, or at worst outright deception. Many condemned the prophecies as just another attempt by radical anti-technology, anti-human environmentalist-wackos to stifle everyone's fun."
Abstract This paper discusses the concept of green architecture which simply means building in a way that is in harmony to nature, as opposed to being superimposed on it. This research demonstrates through example how green architecture in Japan is a direct result of traditional elements found in Japanese religion and culture. The paper provides examples of different "green" architects and some of their works.
Table of Contents
Defining Green Architecture
An Overview of Japanese Philosophy
Building Material for Green Architecture
Environmental Psychology
Blending the Old with the New
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "Man has been building structures since shortly after they began to emerge from caves and to explore areas outside his immediate vicinity. Many animals build structures, such as birds and beaver. Many of these structures are functional and serve only to offer protection from predators and the elements, and so it was with the first structures built by man. They were made from the limited building materials locally available and the emphasis was on functionality, little, if any thought was given to artistic form."
From the Paper "Homelessness is a major social problem facing America today, and while many may see it as an intractable problem, it is not clear that this is so. What is reburied first is a close analysis of the causes of homelessness and an understanding of the characteristics of the people who find themselves homeless. Jonathan Kozol offers an analysis of one family that faced this issue that points up some of the dynamics of the issue and that should be applicable to other situations and cases.
Kozol wrote the book Rachel and Her Children in 1988, and at that time the subject of homelessness was serious but was not yet a critical issue to all forms of government. Eight years later, in 1996, most functioning Americans and all government agencies are very aware of and concerned about the number of homeless..."
Abstract The paper gives a biography of Thoreau starting from his childhood. It gives insights to his thoughts and philosophies and comments on his essays ?Resistance to Civil Government,? ?From Walden,? and ?Life in the Woods.? It describes his influence on writers, philosophers, poets, conservationists, politicians, and statesmen.
From the Paper "Thoreau believed that government was at its best when it governed the least, and that no government was the ideal. However, he also campaigned for the government to foster culture and education, build roads, prevent crime, and protect wildlife. A pioneer ecologist and conservationist, Thoreau was one of the first Americans to understand that natural resources were not inexhaustible. He said, "A town is saved not more by the righteous men in it than by the woods and swamps that surround it" (Walking pg). He distrusted institutions, disliked churches and rejected or ignored many aspects of Christianity. He believed that "man flows at once to God when his channel of purity is open" (Thoreau pg)."
Abstract This paper provides a brief insight into the Everglades, a unique ecosystem that enables people to live and do business in South Florida. It is the source of drinking water for the area's five million people and sustains a productive agricultural industry. It describes how water management is one of the most severe environmental issues facing the Everglades today due to population growth in the area and how drainage projects and development have negatively influenced the systems water quality and biodiversity. It discusses the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan that has been created as a solution to the problem of water with a complex network of reservoirs, treatment areas and recovery wells.
From the Paper "The first water management activities of humans were designed to drain the Everglades and exploit the natural resources of rich soils and tropical climate for agricultural development. Years later, the canal system was improved for navigational use to move products to coastal markets. Humans created canals, pump stations, and structures to provide water supply to coastal areas, and flood protection for agricultural development. Over the years, management priorities of this system have evolved, with an emphasis on flood control during hurricane years, water supply during droughts and, more recently, environmental protection of Everglades' natural resources."
Abstract This paper is an examination of nuclear energy as a power source, focusing on the environmental impacts associated with producing and using the fuel. The history of the development of nuclear technology is briefly discussed. Then some of the positive attributes associated with nuclear power are given, as an argument for having pursued this technology despite its many uncertainties and pitfalls. Next, the many drawbacks commonly associated with nuclear power are presented, including the problem of radioactive waste. The paper concludes with a short look into what the U.S. government is doing to address the situation created by the nuclear industry and the areas in which it falls short of solving the problems at hand.
From the Paper "Safety concerns have rightly plagued the nuclear industry since its inception. On one front, there is the threat of nuclear proliferation, which has already become a reality with feuding countries like India and Pakistan, both possessing nuclear capabilities. This poses a major threat to the global population as well as the global environment. If even one of these weapons were to be detonated, the immediate impact on human and other biological life would be devastating. But the long term effects to the ecosystem are assumed to be equally as grave and ruinous."
Tags: atoms, reactor, uranium, Three, Mile, Island, Chernobyl
Abstract This paper provides evidence through studies and reports that mental illness shares a powerful relationship with homelessness. The mentally ill often suffer from symptoms that alienate them from supportive networks, thus leading them to homelessness. Bereft of stable living conditions, the mentally ill thus have an even more difficult time obtaining treatment to improve their condition. The paper shows that on the streets, these people are victimized by traumatic situations -- assaults by criminals and harassment by police. Concomitantly, social policies have contributed to the plight of many homeless people through de-institutionalization without providing support through community mental health services and the housing market. The paper shows that with the implementation of cost-effective and well-researched intervention, the relationship between homelessness and mental illness can be increasingly weakened.
From the Paper "However, in O"Dwyer's study (1997), the schizophrenic participants in the study also had an unhealthy and unstable home life (p. 301). Many of the younger participants ran away from home due to conflict with their parents (p. 301). The older respondents, who were more than fifty years old, led an itinerant lifestyle because of their work situations. They never considered themselves to be homeless even though their lifestyle meant that they never formed close and supportive relationships. Therefore when their illness prevented them from working, they did not have any supportive networks to assist them (O"Dwyer, 1997, p. 303)."
Abstract This paper examines the history of San Francisco as presented in "Imperial San Francisco: Urban Power, Earthly Ruin" by Gran Brechin. It reviews how Brechin discusses the impact the California Gold Rush, San Francisco's elite and powerful, the control of water sources and the shipbuilding industry had on the development of San Francisco.
From the Paper "Brechin's book, "Imperial San Francisco" is a compelling history of the "City by the Bay," which pulls no punches in San Francisco's rise from sleepy bayside community to one of the most powerful cities in the world. From the preface, where he compares the imperial cities of old and their contados, areas surrounding the city that the city dominates and contribute to the city's well-being and growth, to the last chapter, where he illustrates modern power development in the Bay Area through her educational facilities, Brechin paints a complete and convincing picture of San Francisco's roots and development."
Tags: city, bay, bayside, community, william, randolph, hearst, john, hays, hammond, william, ralston
Abstract Juvenile delinquency is a contemporary term for an old problem. One of the oldest relevant studies of the phenomenon is "social disorganization" theory, which was developed by the Chicago school of sociology in the 1920?s. The paper shows that this theory posits that there exist areas in a city in which traditional institutions have little or no control. This was studied in Chicago using a system of "Concentric Zones" which demonstrated that most of the crime in the city occurs within certain areas that are typically associated with poverty. The paper discusses studies done by Shaw and McKay in the 1940s which used this theory to show a strong association between census tracts and crime rates. The paper describes the theory and analyzes it, showing the arguments of those schools who utilize the theory as well as its critics.
From the Paper "She felt that court appearance was too narrow of a metric to judge delinquent behavior in children. She argues that the customs of diverse cultural groups are such that irrespective of the location of the groups in the city the proportions of their populations who come before the courts will inevitably vary. Robison's concept of delinquency is broader than Shaw?s, and extends to cover behavior, which is generically described as anti-social. She argues that that the higher the parental income the fewer the child's chances of coming into court. Robison's arguments would appear reasonable in its universality: view of the fact that the efficiency of various cultures in controlling the behavior of individuals can scarcely be measured in the same way."
Tags: central, business, district, transitional, zone
Abstract This essay discusses the effects that human population growth has on the earth and the environment. As population increases, life sustaining resources are often depleted. Paul Ehrlich, Paul Harrison and Julian L. Simon shine significant light of varying perspectives and theoretical insight on these dark and ominous clouds of modern human forecast. The paper examines how, in three very diverse and distinguishable articles, they discuss the effects that population growth, environmental degradation and resource depletion will have on the environment and the future of human subsistence.
From the Paper "Malthusians and Neo-Malthusians tend to regard environmental degradation as a direct result of human population growth. Ehrlich believes that while human population manifests itself in the form of food shortage and starvation in under-developed countries, it also triggers "environmental deterioration" in more industrialized nations (Ehrlich 35). Harrison sees a decrease in population growth as the only formidable solution to environmental deterioration. He views humans as naturally destructive, and he feels that a depletion of this naturally negative force will eventually promote a more sound environment. Cornucopians like Julian Simon, however, believe that increased human population will produce more humans capable of solving problems attributed to population expansion. He suggests that humans are not the end, but the means."
Abstract This paper focuses on the passion of a writer for wilderness and its protection. Aldo Leopold, the author of 'A Sand County Almanac', was known for his love for land and he wanted to protect it from rapid industrialization. In his works, he constantly pleaded with the people of his country that land must not be destroyed as it is sacred and therefore must be respected.
Abstract This looks at the question "What is keeping us from designing sustainable architecture (limitations of sustainable architecture) and how can we as architects treat those issues to make better architecture?" and as such looks at the idea of sustainable housing and how it affects the environment and the individual. The paper also looks at key areas where environmentally friendly style buildings have been developed, especially in the UK and in the Far East and how the environment has benefited from their design.
Abstract What now seems repetitive was once radically innovative when architects, such as Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Le Corbusier, attempted to reshape the urban metropolis in order to reflect the aesthetic principles of an industrial, democratic age. This paper will examine the achievements of the three architects noted above. Their works will be examined with respect to both theory and practice. It will be argued that, while their legacy in the field of architecture remains controversial to this day, their contributions to the establishment of the International Style fundamentally altered the landscape of the modern city.
