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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of peptides and their role in biological processes, how amidation of peptides works and its importance, and a description of the two functional domains of the PAM enzyme (PHM and PAL) and the roles they play in amidation. An assessment of whether amidation prevents C-terminal degradation is followed by a discussion of which peptides/proteins are susceptible to C-terminal degradation by carboxypeptidase. An analysis of whether E. coli can be modified to perform amidation is followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.
From the Paper "Further, there are currently methods to determine peptide binding to some HLA class II-DR and -DQ molecules; some of these methods measure the relative strength of the peptide -HLA interaction using isolated class II molecules and purified peptides. Other methods are used to predict peptide binding to HLA using computer algorithms (Harding, Mucha, Power & Stickler, 2003). The number of amino-acid molecules present in a peptide is indicated by a prefix: a dipeptide contains two amino acids; an octapeptide, eight; an oligopeptide, a few; a polypeptide, many (Conley, Schwartz & Desforges, 2004). The distinction between a polypeptide and a protein is imprecise and is regarded as being largely academic; some authorities have adopted, as an upper limit on the molecular weight of a polypeptide, 10,000 (that of a peptide that is composed of about 100 amino acids) (Conley, Schwartz & Desforges, 2004)."
Abstract Soil is an incredibly important resource and maintaining the fertility of our soils is a pressing issue at the forefront of environmental science as we try to feed an expanding global population. Queensland, Australia is one area of the world where soil is being depleted and degraded at an alarming rate. Through an examination of this specific resource management problem, this essay analyzes the concept of impact assessment to develop fair, efficient and effective solutions to this environmental problem.
From the Paper ?The preservation and conservation of the worlds soil is a serious resource management problem. The sustainable use of our soil will be a major challenge for the human species for many years to come. When assessing the impact of any resource management problem and developing feasible solutions to that problem certain factors must be taken into consideration. Examining the fairness, efficiency and effectiveness of a proposed solution is paramount to its potential success. A solution for soil loss that is completely unfair to farmers or ranchers will be rigorously opposed and impossible to implement.?
Abstract This paper focuses on the topic of female genital mutilation. It begins with a background look at the different types of FGC and at the motivations behind this practice. It explains why the practice is degrading to women and looks at how common the practice is. The paper concludes with a projection for the future and details why FGC should be outlawed worldwide.
From the Paper "As the world continues to globalize cultures are coming together and sharing traditions and values. Many of the traditions being shared have a positive impact on the cultures that they touch, but there are other cultural traditions that shock outsiders worldwide. Female genital mutilation is still practiced in several parts of the world. The practice of female genital mutilation should be outlawed, because it is degrading to all women whether or not they personally participate in it."
Abstract This essay will examine the ecological degradation and social injustice created by the oil corporations and the people who subsequently invaded the Huaorani's land and show that this is ultimately a representation of the negative impact of globalization and its effect on many places in the world.
Abstract This paper is on macroeconomics and air pollution. This is a serious problem in the world. Severe environmental degradation can cause problems in the macroeconomic performance in the long run. Many of the traditional air pollutants and greenhouse gases have common sources, the emission interact in the atmosphere, and separately or jointly they cause a variety of environmental effects at the local, regional and global scales.
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 In this article, the writer looks at the extraordinary impact of globalization upon the modern world. The writer argues that, while certainly not perfect, the permeable borders globalization makes possible is a key ingredient in making the global south and the entire developing world more prosperous than ever before. The writer maintains that more than that, the technologies associated with globalization - and their dispersal - will surely go a very long way towards reducing environmental degradation in developing lands. The writer concludes that while far from perfect, globalization does bind nations together in a manner that lessens the risk of warfare and strife and the growth of foreign direct investment and comparatively well-paying jobs in facilities built by wealthy foreign multinationals offers families in developing lands economic opportunities they would not have otherwise.
From the Paper "On the other hand, John A. Powell and S.P. Udayakumar claim that globalization has benefited the global north extravagantly while doing far less for those in the South. Additionally, the aforementioned writers argue that the United States, as the world's one great super-power, has pushed for a global trade agenda that is inimical to the interests of labour at home and abroad. As they see it, the USA has used its disproportionate power in international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund to push for the liberalization of trade and investment at the expense of environmental and labour-force concerns. As well, those same authors insist that democracy suffers in large measure because powerful global institutions committed to furthering the goals of capital effectively undermine the efficacy of the state while, at the same time, globalization prompts the state to serve the bidding of organized capital."
An analysis of the history of the relationship between the Canadian North West Mounted Police (NWMP) and the native people of Canada and who is to blame for the degradation of their culture.
Abstract This paper discusses the relationship between the Canadian North West Mounted Police (NWMP) and the native people of Canada. It briefly describes the history of the white Canadian's contact with the native people and how the NWMP became involved with them. The paper compares their attitudes towards the Inuit and the Indians and the conflicting opinions of how to deal with the Inuit. Finally, the paper looks at who is to blame for the degradation of the culture of the native peoples of the frontier.
From the Paper "The North West Mounted Police were dispatch to the frontier as the law enforcement representative of the Canadian government. They protected the native population from further exploitation from the white settlers, and although contemptuous at times, they were not responsible for the demise of the native culture. Similar the introduction of modern culture to the Inuit by the Mounted Police was not the root cause of the demise of their culture. The encounter of modern society was inevitable, and the generous attitude of the Mounted Police avoided the exploitation that was all too often a part of the integration of native cultures into modern society."
A comparison of approaches to escape racial degredation in "the Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison and "Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man," by James Weldon Johnson.
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?"
