Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy Technologies Essay

Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy Technologies - Essay Example Biomass combustion and geothermal plants release greenhouse gases in qualities that are comparable to coals was well as sulfur and nitrogen dioxides which pollute the air and cause acid rain. Finally, there is nuclear power, which poses catastrophic threats in case of accidents and the release of radioactive water and gases into the atmosphere in addition to the production of GHG from emergency diesel engines. Figure 1 Fig 1.1 World primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions. (Hung 2010) Introduction In most of the world’s countries, the primary sources of energy are carbon based fossil fuels, this are however finite considering the fact that it takes millions of years for them to form although they are depleted in substantially less time. They are gradually becoming harder to extract as well as more expensive and this has in retrospect resulted into political conflict as nation’s battle each other in competition for these resources (Asif and Muneer, 2007). In additio n, the environmental impacts of fossil fuels have proved dire owing to the inevitable production of GHGs, which follows their combustion. The corollary has been a myriad of negative environmental effects such as a marked increase in the greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere that is threating to drastically change the global climate. In addition, the CLC that are also byproducts of burning carbon fuels have depleted the ozone layer and this exposes the world to dangerous infrared shortwave radiation, which poses a plethora of health danger for life on earth (Drabyk, 2001). More direct and short term impacts of fossil fuel include massive pollution of air and water the former resulting in acid rain, health problems such as Asthma and the latter mainly merging in oil seepages and leakages in water bodies. The innumerable problems attributed to fossil fuels and their apparent finiteness has necessitated a shift to renewable energy that many tout as the only feasible source of energy. Whil e conceding that renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power portend clean and efficient energy, they are not a silver bullet and just like the non-renewable sources, they come with their share of environmental impacts (Letcher, 2008). This is in view of the fact that the new energy sources require significant investment in terms of resources and infrastructure to harvest them and this ultimately results in certain ramification for the environment that are however not very widely researched owing to the popular opinion that they are the embodiment of eco- friendly power Figure 2 Fig 2: Shares of energy sources used in electricity production, 2007. (Lenzen 2010) Solar power The sun is a source of a considerable amount of clean renewable energy that is arrested through solar panels and used to power machinery and generally provide energy both for industrial and domestic use. Notwithstanding, solar power plants have the potential to significantly impact the env ironment through; land use habitat loss and environmentally hazardous materials that are used in the manufacturing of the hardware. Large scale solar power plants have raised concerns about the land degradation and power loss, typically the amount of land that wil be require often depends on the topography or an area and the

Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 7

Research - Essay Example The increase in crime is brought about by the creation of more hardened, violent criminals who are more likely to break the law and end up back in a prison. The number of prisoners currently is six times more than they were during the 1980’s. The rate of imprisonment is currently increasing along with the number of prisoners. The chart below shows the increase of number of incarcerated citizens from 1920-2006. Prison overcrowding is an issue that needs to be addressed by the General Assembly, so as to authorize the expansion of the correctional institutions. This study will focus also on programs and or activities that address the needs of inmates in a crowded prison. Inmate program or activities keep them productive and provides a powerful incentive for positive behavior maintenance, and has proved to be an effective management plan in prisons. This means that programs bring something constructive that inmates can do and learn; thus, creating less time for negative behaviors, meets inmates basic needs, assigns inmates to housing, define and convey expectations of inmate behavior, and supervise inmates. This makes the staff work environment safer with reduced violence and hostility threats. Effective jail program planning assimilates an assessment of jail and inmate needs with evidence-based programs. These programs are aimed to assess the needs of inmates in an overcrowded prison. These programs are divided into three types mainly: activity-focused, reformative, and reintegration. Activity-focused programs aim at keeping inmates busy w hile they are still in custody. Reformative programs offer inmates with knowledge and skills; this is vital as it addresses their personal needs. Reintegration programs concoct inmates for their reappearance to the community as productive citizens. Assessment of these programs will be done to demonstrate that even in situations where correctional facilities have minimal resources; the correctional professionals can plan,

Your Own Franchise, Part 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Your Own Franchise, Part 2 - Assignment Example In this paper, the researcher will focus on issues like legal rights of the franchisee, financial obligations of franchisees, market segments for this franchise, factors involved in determining a site for the franchise, possible challenges and current phase of franchisee. Background of Allstate Insurance Company will be briefly discussed in the next section in order to develop situational framework for this paper. Allstate Insurance Company & Franchise Model Allstate Insurance Company was founded in 1931 and became publicly traded in the year 1993 (Allstate, 2013a; Bond, 2012). In USA, Allstate Corporation is regarded as largest publicly held insurance company that offers both personal lines property and casualty insurance services (Allstate, 2013a). As of 2011, total asset of the company is hovering over $125 billion while it was ranked 93 in Fortune 500 list. Allstate Insurance Company business model focuses on developing chain of franchise owners’ or entrepreneurial individ uals who are ready to act as â€Å"Allstate Exclusive Agents† and sell wide range of financial and insurance products of Allstate Insurance Company to customers such as auto insurance, property insurance and investment services (Allstate, 2013b; McCarthy, 2010). ... ce*, Allstate*, and Esurance† while promoting and marketing Allstate Insurance products like life insurance cover, retirement insurance cover, health insurance covers, fixed deposits, auto insurance, home insurance and fixed deposits (Bond, 2012). Legal Rights as a Franchisee In case of working under the trademark Allstate Insurance Company, individual agents holding the rights to sell Allstate Insurance products are being classified as franchisee owner while Allstate Insurance Company can be classified as franchisor. From 2000 onwards, Allstate Insurance Company converted all of its existing franchisee as independent operation in order to get tax advantages while legal rights of these franchisees are being governed through ‘independent contractor’ norms (Napaausa, 2013). Although, Allstate Insurance Company converted its franchisee owners to independent agents but job description remained unchanged. Therefore, legal rights of independent contractor or franchises r emained disregarded in case of franchisee-franchisor relationship for Allstate Insurance Company. As par Employee Agent (EA) agreement, franchisee owners are needed follow all the employee responsibilities on behalf of Allstate Insurance Company yet they would not be liable to get compensation like federal unemployment compensation or contract compensation (Napaausa, 2013). As par Section XVII, Section XVII.B.2 and Section I.A of the EA Agreement, franchisee contract can be terminated without payment of commission or non compliance of responsibilities mentioned by Allstate Insurance Company (Judiciary, 2012). Legal rights of franchisee is being dominated in EA Agreement while some undue favor has been given in favor of the franchisor such as minimum accountability for supporting actions of franchisee,

Medical negligence litigation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Medical negligence litigation - Case Study Example (Garfield, 3) In assessing the patient's sufficiency to understand, the court considers whether the patient believes it and is capable of "weighing it in the balance to arrive at choice" as stated in the case of Re C (Adult: Refusal of Treatment)] [2002] All ER 449. Since the scenario involves Charles, a minor, it is important to discuss consent to treatment in relation to minors. Minors under the age of 18 are divided into three categories for the purpose of deciding their capacity. This is guided under section 8 of the Family Law Reform Act 1969. (Garfield, 7) In the scenario involving Charles, a young boy who initially injured himself falling from a climbing frame at the local park, Charles is subjected to multiple medical treatments. His parents believe they may not have been completely necessary based on the advice of a nurse. Each decision by Dr. Green will be discussed as well as the likeliness of a successful claim against Dr. Green in the tort of negligence. Lord Winfield suggests that: "Negligence as a tort is a breach of a legal duty to take care, which results in damage undesired by the defendant to the plaintiff". (Rogers, 134) Not every act of carelessness which causes harm leads to legal liability and compensation for the claimant. The following elements must be established: (i) legal duty to take care; (ii) breach of that duty; (iii) damage resulting from that breach caused injury complained of which would have otherwise been avoided (as long as it is not too remote). (Garfield, 10) Initially, the issue of owing a duty of care arises in the case of Donoghue v Stevenson [1932], where Lord Atkin established the 'neighbour' principle, which states that: "you must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbour". (Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562, at 580) A doctor owes a general duty of care to his patients; however, the extent of the duty owed (standard of c are) is determined by the actual position held by the doctor within the unit in which he practices. (Rogers, 248) The first question to be decided upon is the type and level of duty owed by a doctor. Firstly, doctors are judged by their specialty, for example a neurologist would be expected to show the skills of a neurologist and not that of a neurosurgeon. (Garfield, 10) Second, they are judged by grade and not by seniority. Third, doctors are judged by only what they "ought to know but also by what they actually know". (Garfield, 10) For example, if a registrar does in fact have specialist knowledge but fails to use it, he or she may be liable where other registrars only have average knowledge. (Garfield, 10) Based on the facts, Dr. Green works in the Casualty Department at Wellington Hospital, which is where Charles was brought in immediately after his fall. Dr. Green's initial action of giving a sedative to Charles and sending him for an X-ray of his right knee (as this is where Charles had indicated the pain was focused), seems to fulfill the standard of care owed by a doctor to his patient. Since Dr. Green was the apparent doctor on duty, he would seemingly owe a relatively high standard of care to any of the patients which are brought in to the Casualty Depa

Ethical or Unethical Argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethical or Unethical Argument - Essay Example Ethical arguments are based on evidence or fact which can be proven and cannot be challenged by multiple people. The evidence or fact is such that has been scientifically proven or is a fact based on recorded events that cannot be questioned. However, arguments based on mere opinion are those that are based on a person’s personal perception of things and require individual analysis. Inflicting your opinion on other people or trying to mold their opinion according to yours without providing facts or reasons is considered unethical (Vaughn, pp. 236-237). Some arguments contain sound reasoning or logic and consider others viewpoint within them before drawing to a conclusion. These arguments are based on logic, fact, and contain proof of reasoning instead of relying upon a single person’s judgment. Unethical arguments do not consider the viewpoint or perception of others and lack sound reasoning. They are based upon mere opinion or a single person’s judgment. They may be based upon inferences or predictions and may also carry the elements of prejudice and biases. Most of the time, unethical ways of argument cause harm to a certain cause without due reason and are concerned with the most trivial concepts (Stevenson, pg. 15). Hitler’s argument against the Jews and the argument for breeding a â€Å"better race† was an argument based primarily on his own opinion and prejudices. Other arguments which stereotype certain religions, races, ethnicities, and people, in general, are also considered unethical arguments as they are based upon mere opinion rather than objective fact which are non-refutable (Stevenson, pg. 22). In order to argue in an ethical manner, a person must consider the reason for which they are arguing. The purpose of the argument or the outcome that wants to be achieved must be such that must not cause undue harm to anyone and must not hurt anyone’s beliefs without due reason.

A Short Analysis Of Articles About Teachers Essay

A Short Analysis Of Articles About Teachers - Essay Example The article highlights the importance of technology in bringing out the leadership role of teachers. The authors have used data based on the survey of well-known schools, to know how teachers and leaders collaborate to bring up the best leadership using technology.  As an educational leader, I can use this knowledge to encourage my staff to learn competencies to become teacher-leaders, who can use technology to enhance learning in their classroom settings. It is very important if we want our teachers to be able to spread learning through the most modern and sophisticated way.  Gunn, T.M., & Hollingsworth, M. (2013). The implementation and assessment of a shared 21st century learning vision: A district-based approach. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 45(3), 201-228.  The study is based on changes that a school district went through when it conducted a professional development study focusing technological advancements in the area of learning. Teachers participated in the professional development study, and the number of hours that they had undertaken in the study showed how willing they were in embracing teaching by technology.  As an educational leader, I will use this information to start many such seminars and programs that aim at spreading awareness about teaching by technology. I would like to inform schools and teachers that teaching through technology is the greatest demand of the time. I would make my staff participate in authentic professional development courses and programs, o that they learn how to incorporate information and communication technology in their teaching process.  This study was conducted in 17 final year secondary school classes for Applied Information Technology course in Australia. The schools initially used assessment through traditional pen and paper system.

VARK Analysis Essay Example for Free

VARK Analysis Essay Learning is a process that may occur consciously or unconsciously. Differences in the process through which different people accept/acquire information, process and interpret it, greatly influences the way individuals will react to the same stimuli. These differences carry on with an individual into the educational system and depending on an individual’s preference, their performance in school is greatly influenced-both academically and socially. There are several learning modes that individuals may ascribe to, the common ones being visual representation, audio representation, reading and writing and activity. This paper seeks to discuss these modes as brought out through the VARK analysis and give recommendations on how to make the best out of a particular learning mode. Learning Style To understand a concept, some people may prefer to observe others doing the same thing, others may prefer to be involved while others may prefer to read about it or be told about it by another person who they may regard as having a better understanding. These are learning styles that we employ to gather and process information. According to Keefe (1979), a learning style can be defined as â€Å"the composite of characteristic cognitive, affective, and physiological factors that serve as relatively stable indicators of how a learner perceives, interacts with, and responds to the learning environment. † As an individual, I particularly prefer to learn by being involved physically or doing something practically. This helps in embedding a concept or procedure to memory and allow for troubleshooting. Information gathered from literature is visualized and sometimes put in form of diagrams or patterns that can be easy to remember. Charts and graphs also serve as easy ways to grasp ideas being presented. In class setting, I prefer to look up information on my own, reading from different sources until a concept is understood. Occasionally I may enquire of others after exhausting all other avenues. Comparison of learning strategies According to the VARK analysis, individuals are considered to be able to take in and process information in through four channels; visual, aural, reading/writing or kinesthetic. No single way can be considered better than the others but understanding ones acceptance and processing channel can help in developing a study strategy to help the individual be able to improve the speed and learning efficiency. Any combination of the above learning preferences results in a multimodal (VARK) learning preference which may -in my opinion- be deemed more desirable than the single preference learning style. Being multimodal, having all preferences, allows the learner to be able to cope with learning challenges better as they are able to switch between preferences to the one most applicable in a given situation. This mode though may become a hindrance in itself in that the individual may be unable to decide fast enough onto which mode to switch into thereby resulting in delay in decision making or being out of sync with the learning environment. Following VARK analysis I am considered as multimodal with higher preference to kinesthetic, visual and reading/writing and least to aural which I consider as a true evaluation. Further analysis classifies me as a whole-sense multimodal individual – score over 25 – who makes use of several strategies before making a final decision (Fleming N. D. , 2010). This in itself is identified as a weakness due to the indecisive nature that results from taking to long to decide when presented with information through only one channel. Changes needed Though slowness in decision making is being viewed as a weakness, in some instances it is an advantage in that it prevents rash decision making and allows more time for reflection on any given topic. A most critical change required is in self-confidence, a capacity to take risk and act on the information at hand. This I consider as the most critical since in hospital setting, incase of a casualty case, there is not enough time to verify all information and instant decisions have to be made to save a patient. Another would be to determine the objectives of learning a particular subject and this would allow for faster decision making as it would allow for assumption to be made when only trying to get an idea (Bradford K. , Stewart K. L. , 1992) Summarization VARK analysis though not a learning strategy in itself, is a helpful tool in identifying ones own weaknesses and thus be in a position to identify the course of action to be taken. Instances where an individual is not able to integrate into a new learning environment can easily be dealt with since the individual knowing their strengths and weaknesses would easily try to adapt themselves to the environment or if possible change it to their preferred one. It also increases ones confidence when learning as clarification may be sought in a way the learner feels most comfortable with. Conclusion Though this analysis does give one a powerful tool with which to strategize their studies, it is important to understand that the outcome of studies depends entirely on that individual’s willingness to change their strategies to take advantage of their strengths and work on their weaknesses. It is also to be understood that learning styles in themselves are just preferences that an individual has and are not sure guarantees that presented with information in such a way they will instantly understand it. Although everyone has a preferred way of learning, it is possible for everyone to combine several strategies in order t achieve a set learning goal. ? References Flemiming N. D. (2010). VARK: A review of those who are multimodal. Accessed July 11, 2010 from http://www. vark-learn.com/english/page_content/multimodality. htm Keefe, J. W. (1979). Learning style: An overview. In NASSPs Student learning styles:Diagnosing and prescribing programs (pp. 1-17). Reston, VA: National Association of Secondary School Principals. Overview of Learning Styles, (2010). Accessed July 11, 2010 from http://www. learning-styles-online. com/overview/ Stewart, K. L. , and Felicetti, L. A. (1992). Learning styles of marketing majors. Educational Research Quarterly, 15(2), 15-23.