Abstract
This paper examines the outlook of conservationists regarding the degradation of habitat around the world. According to the paper, conservationists see the effects of pollution in various forms, with the loss of habitat meaning that the animals and plants that once thrived in these areas no longer have a place to live and so face the possibility of extinction. Habitat degradation further described in its different forms and in different types of ecosystems, while the nature of the threat and the type of pollution causing it may vary from place to place.

From the Paper
"Conservationists point to the degradation of habitat around the world as one of the effects of pollution in various forms, with the loss of habitat meaning that the animals and plants that once thrived in these areas no longer have a place to live and so face the possibility of extinction. Habitat degradation is seen in different forms in different types of ecosystem, while the nature of the threat and the type of pollution causing it may vary from place to place. Canada has been facing this problem as much as other countries and may be especially hard hit by any changes to come from global warming, which will reduce the ice sheets to the north and alter the flora and fauna now common in these areas."

Tags:habitat, degradation, canada

Abstract
The following paper is a recommendation to local government officials in the Indian state of Maharashtra on how best to utilize the degraded lands in that district. The paper specifically focuses on land found within the eastern flanks of the Western Ghats mountain range. The paper compiles information on the area and suggest three alternatives. After considering the options, the introduction/implementation of water harvesting and water spreading technology makes the most sense because it has the greatest prospect of enduring success and because it has the least down-side of the three options.

From the Paper
"Finding the best use for degraded lands in western India Summary The following paper is a recommendation to local government officials in the Indian state of Maharashtra on how best to utilize the degraded lands in that district - specifically land found within the eastern flanks of the Western Ghats mountain range. The paper will compile information on the area and suggest three alternatives: turning the area into a sugar cane production site; doing nothing more than introducing water harvesting or water-spreading technology; and choosing to maintain the present status quo. After looking at the options, the introduction/implementation of..."

Tags:india, degraded, lands

Abstract
The paper argues that there is a deep-rooted relationship between environmental degradation and poverty that is often poorly understood by policy makers at the international and local levels. The paper asserts that as a result, efforts to fight poverty in recent decades have shown slow progress. The paper examines the ways in which environmental degradation causes poverty and discusses some possible solutions to the problem.

From the Paper
"The poor are particularly vulnerable to environmental degradation because most of world's poorest population lives in rural areas and is critically dependant for their livelihoods and well-being on environmental factors such as fertile soil, clean water and healthy ecosystems. This has been conclusively shown in recent reports prepared for Poverty-Environment Partnership-- a network of bilateral aid agencies-- by international agencies such as UNDP, UNEP, IIED, IUCN and WRI."

Tags:soil, water, resources, ecosystems, sanitation, conservation, pollution

Abstract
The paper looks at the direct causes of deforestation and at the means by which soil degradation can be reduced. The paper offers the most extreme solution that is a moratorium on commercial timber sales and road construction on federal forests. The paper also suggests that governments provide assistance to workers who feel compelled to engage in activities that contribute to soil degradation and considers the possibility of artificially re-flooding areas that were formerly flooded naturally. The paper also notes the option of encouraging citizens to need less of the products that are harvested from the rain forests in order to reduce the supply of timber logged.

From the Paper
"Environmental problems are often and not surprisingly all are interrelated. Two of the elements that are interrelated most closely are deforestation and soil degradation, because soil degradation contributes to deforestation, and the problems that arise from each are one and the same. These two areas of concern are most reflected and well known in South America, in the Amazonian forest, which is losing trees at a disproportionately alarming rate due to land development. These trees are part of an ecological balance because trees clean the earth, and deforestation mixed with soil degradation leads to not only a reduction in trees but a reduction in the amount of trees that are being restored and that can be restored."

Tags:road, construction, timber, logging, trees, rainforests

Abstract
This paper discusses the issue of land degradation in the Arab region over the past 70 years. This paper reviews the various reasons and causes of this land degradation, focusing on the increase in population who require water for human consumption and agriculture, land for agriculture and land for their livestock.

From the Paper
"Land degradation in the Arab region is primarily the result of a surge in the population growth in the past several decades. As the population had increased within the Arab region the need for water for human consumption, grazing land, and agriculture has risen. In an area that was already dry and naturally scarce in water supplies this added requirement for water has led to severe issues concerning the natural water sources and their ability to sustain the Arab civilization over time. Furthermore, cultivation of marginal land, as well as deforestation has created a situation in which natural trees and foliage have been depleted from the land surface, adding to the landmasses that are dry. As these dry land masses, or deserts are increased in the Arab lands the water is absorbed into the ground and the loss of foliage eventually leads to a loss of water."

Tags:land, arab, region

Abstract
This paper discusses how there is no stopping the damage economic growth can do to the population and the environment unless major changes are made. The paper argues that especially in least developed countries, the fate of increased development will only hurt the tenuous relationship between economics, environment and population. The paper emphasizes that economic growth, poverty and affluence are absolutely agents of ongoing environmental degradation brought on by the unsafe and corrupt practices of our developing world.

From the Paper
"In the world today, one cannot think of anything as less than global and interconnected. Every factor- be it environmental, political, economic, social- touches and affects the furthest reaches of the earth. Economic growth is bound together with poverty, affluence and the erosion of earth's environment and there is no stopping the damage economic growth can do to the population and the environment unless major changes are made. Especially in least developed countries, the fate of increased development will only hurt the tenuous relationship between economics,..."

Tags:environment, policy, lcds

Abstract
This paper examines how Indian government officials have proposed introducing large scale sugar cane growing into an area. Local opponents of the sugar cane option feel that the problem of land degradation will get much worse. They favor preventing monsoon rains from flowing out of the area as surface runoff through simple and inexpensive modifications of the hill slopes. Both sides of the argument are presented.

From the Paper
"The problem presented is that the writer of this paper is a member of a commission designed to advise district level local officials on the best use of degraded land in western India. The local government officials lean towards some action to revitalize this land, though a decision is not final. "No action' has been specified as one possible result of this brief study...."

Tags:india, water, agriculture

Abstract
The paper discusses how the basis for jealousy, submissive female roles, and racism all interrelate to bring about the tragic dissolution of Othello and Desdemona's moral righeousness and ethical indignation through Iago's treachery. The paper shows how the cunning trickery of Iago's jealousy for Cassio's success has him flourish through Othello's lack of objective reasoning. The paper describes how since Othello is easily fooled by Iago, Desdemona enacts submissive female roles that do not actively confront her husband against his accusations, thereby further representing a moral weakness on her part.

Tags:othello, iago, desdemona

Abstract
This paper discusses environmental degradation at a national level within one country: India. It focuses on the damage caused, or related to, increased population growth in India which has a high population rate. The paper particularly reviews the link between high population growth rate and the environmental issue of deforestation in the nation of India.

Table of Contents:
India's Population
Deforestation
Causes of Deforestation

From the Paper
"Besides Africa, India has experienced one of the highest population increases in the past four decades. India has added about 600 million people to its population during the period ranging from 1951 to 1995. This is the second highest increment in population by any nation on Earth. Thus, India is the perfect example of a nation where population increases can be seen as directly relating to deforestation increases, and thereby, environmental degradation. What is more interesting about India's case is that it is an example of a developing nation with a democratic government that aspires to meet western developmental goals. As a result, India provides an excellent example of deforestation driven by western developmental influences and therefore provides an opportunity for developing countries to reflect on the desirability of western-style development. However, this additional scope of the India environmental topic is one that must be left for future examinations of the issue."

Tags:degradation, damage, soil, air, water, rain

Abstract
This paper discusses two opinions of ways to escape from racial degradation and the pain associated with it as an African-American male. It analyzes the views of Ralph Ellison and James Weldon Johnson in their works "The Invisible Man" and "Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man," respectively. The paper compares their approaches to escape and how they are portrayed in their books.

From the Paper
"Both Ralph Ellison and James Weldon Johnson chose a life of invisibility over the pain and suffering related to living in American society as a black man. Ellison's narrator chooses to ignore his individuality for the time being and instead to reside within the larger stereotype as a way to avoid the unwanted attention of a white audience. Despite his association with several African American groups aiming at social reform, the invisible man realizes that it is much easier to stay invisible then to try and force the white community to recognize you. James Weldon Johnson's narrator chooses a different form of invisibility but with the same motivations. Due to his mixed heritage, he has the choice to be seen as a white man. After seeing how horrible American racism can truly be, he decides to abandon his African heritage and all the degradation which accompanies it to live a middle class white life. He becomes invisible in that he "passes" as Caucasian in white society. This opens up new doors for him and ensures he will not have to deal with the prejudice many of his fellow black Americans must deal with on an everyday basis. Both characters show cowardice in their choice to become invisible to American racism, but can anyone really blame them for their choice?"

Tags:narrator, individuality, heritage, society