Monday, September 30, 2019
Permanent Establishment
The concept of permanent establishment (PE) in tax jurisdiction is changing as a result of digital innovations in international business. For a country like Nigeria, permanent establishment allows the country to tax the income or profit of foreign companies with a fixed place or physical presence in the country for 183 days or 12 months. But digital businesses do not need a fixed place or maintain a physical presence in the country before they can make a profit. They do not necessarily need to have an office, a factory, or a workshop in Nigeria before generating a stable income from the country. Examples of digital businesses that make income from Nigeria include GoDaddy.Com, Amazon.Com, Ebay.Com, etc. These companies do not have a fixed place of operation in Nigeria but generate income through digital presence in the country. This puts to test the concept of a permanent establishment in Nigerian tax jurisdiction. To understand the nature of permanent establishment in a digital economy, there is a need to investigate taxation jurisdiction on digital business from the angle of a developing country such as Nigeria. This study will be guided by the following objectives:Examine the principle of permanent establishment as expounded in the United Nations (UN) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Model;Discuss the impact of digital business on the concept of a permanent establishment? Explore the possibility for a source state, such as Nigeria, to tax incomes generated by web platforms (i.e. Google or Facebook);Identify and discuss the challenges faced by the Nigerian government in getting taxes from companies who operate in the digital economy;Use the new definition of a permanent establishment in Italy to analyze tax jurisdiction on digital business in Nigeria. This study will adopt qualitative research method of legal research, analyze the concept of permanent establishment as a framework for tax jurisdiction on digital business in Nigeria. Primary documents such as the Nigerian tax laws (including the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement), the Italian tax laws (Conventions to Avoid Double Taxation), the UN Model Double Taxation Convention, the OECD Model and other documents that are relevant will be explored in the study. Secondary source materials covering monographs, journal articles, magazines, books, movies, textbooks, long essays, dissertations, and theses will equally be explored to analyze tax jurisdiction in digital business in Nigeria. Content analysis will be used to study legal decisions relating to the permanent establishment and digital business in Nigeria.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Hamletââ¬â¢s Characterisation Essay
The aspect of Shakespeareââ¬â¢s Hamlet that is most interesting to me is the playwrightââ¬â¢s intimate depiction of Hamletââ¬â¢s daily struggle againt the world. Through soliloquies and characterisation, we see that Hamletââ¬â¢s world is a cold, political one, unreceptive to his grief, and this fundamental incompatibility is ultimately what creates and drives the playââ¬â¢s great drama behind his struggle, his murderous plot, uncertainty, and finally his thoughtful, accepting resolve at the end of the play. Early in the play we see this great incompatibility between Hamlet and his society emerging, as he, stricken with grief, is surrounded by cold political plotters. Shakespeare revels in his use of irony, as Claudius utters the oxymoron ââ¬Å"lawful espialsâ⬠, and Polonius, evangelising that ââ¬Å"this above all else: to thine own self be trueâ⬠, endeavours with ââ¬Å"this bait of falsehoodâ⬠to ââ¬Å"by indirections find directions outâ⬠and thus ââ¬Å"take this carp of truthâ⬠. Hamlet continues this tradition of fish-related metaphors in accusing Polonius of being a ââ¬Å"fishmongerâ⬠, a claim which reflects his own struggle to comprehend how cold and contriving his society is. Hamlet even wonders how ââ¬Å"a beast that wants discourse of reason would have mourned longerâ⬠than his mother, Gertrude, the ââ¬Å"pernicious womanâ⬠whose ââ¬Å"salt of most unrighteous tearsâ⬠falls from merely ââ¬Å"galled eyesâ⬠. That she could be ââ¬Å"like Niobeâ⬠is a twisted classical allusion which adds to the sentiment of tension which Hamlet feels against his society, which, in the disillusioned wake of his grief, he has found is superficial and immoral, especially as ââ¬Å"one may smile, and smile, and be a villainâ⬠, while ââ¬Å"virtue itself of vice must begâ⬠and ââ¬Å"rank corruptionâ⬠¦mining withinâ⬠¦infects unseenâ⬠. Thus this great tension forms an integral part of the early part of the play and drives the drama which underlies Hamletââ¬â¢s characterisation, and his struggle to find where he belongs in this morally void society. Hamletââ¬â¢s soililoquy at the end of Act II reveals how this tension has acted upon his soul. He questions his own sanity, asking if it is, in fact, the ââ¬Å"pleasing shapeâ⬠of the devil, which ââ¬Å"abuses me to damn meâ⬠. This particular tension between Hamlet and his world is what reveals several important character elements in Hamlet. That the Player could invoke such passion in such a superficial ââ¬Å"fictionâ⬠, and ââ¬Å"for Hecubaâ⬠at that, while Hamlet sits statically racked with indecision, is reflective of the superficiality which frustrates him and drives him to see imself as a ââ¬Å"dull and muddy-mettled rascalâ⬠. It drives him inwards to consider what kind of person he is, and how best to resolve the tension which has evolved as a result of his societyââ¬â¢s immorality. Yet as the soliloquy changes tone dramatically, and marked by Hamletââ¬â¢s cry of ââ¬Å"Oh, vengeance! â⬠, the apostrophic appeal to Nemesis herself reve als an early attempt to break free from these chains of indecision and uncertainty set upon him due to his struggle. Thus the tension between him and his immoral peers is what ultimately produces this first change of heart, from ââ¬Å"pigeon-liveredâ⬠to the successful invocation of the mythical figure, the ââ¬Å"rugged Pyrrhusâ⬠, out to ââ¬Å"drink hot bloodâ⬠, whom he struggled to portray and rehearse earlier in the scene. That the tension is so central to this first episode of self-realisation, and subsequent ascents to personal conviction, reflects how truly crucial his struggle and journey towards self-understanding is to Hamletââ¬â¢s textual integrity. Hamletââ¬â¢s obsession with death, beginning with the Act III soliloquy not long after, is another seeming affliction brought on by this grievous tension with the world around our hero. That the world could so easily forget a human life, and that this life was that of a king, brings on a deep sense of aporia for the young prince, as he struggles to reconcile the significance of life with the great ease with which it is forgotten when lost. His turn to ââ¬Å"what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this mortal coilâ⬠forms part of the plaintive introspection revealed by this soliloquy as he searches for truth, away from the ââ¬Å"pangs of disprized loveâ⬠for which he was informed that ââ¬Å"to persever in obstinate condolement isâ⬠¦unmanly griefâ⬠. His obsession with death throughout the play and in this soliloquy is hence marked as a decided escape from the constant tension with his society and its many unknowable uncertainties, as portrayed by a play whose opening line is ââ¬Å"whoââ¬â¢s there! â⬠. Death plays the role of the only certain, pure truth, as symbolised by the memento mori of Act V, the skull held in Hamletââ¬â¢s hand which in all its graspable physicality and feeble perishability becomes a source of finality, and certainty for the young prince. His tension with society is characterised by great inaction and uncertain angst, but in death, all souls return to absolute dust. Whether they bear the ââ¬Å"pate of a politicianâ⬠or the ââ¬Å"skull of a lawyerâ⬠is insignificant in this regard, for ââ¬Å"eââ¬â¢en soâ⬠, even the great Alexander ââ¬Å"looked oââ¬â¢ this fashion iââ¬â¢thââ¬â¢earthâ⬠. He finds great solace in the promise of this finality away from the contrarious moods of his ââ¬Å"comradesâ⬠. This characterises the self-reckoning which ultimately leads him to his final resolvel and faith by which he stands ready to once more face his society and his fate, whatever it may be. With this sentiment he remarks ââ¬Å"there is Providence in the fall of a sparrowâ⬠¦let beâ⬠. Lastly, Hamlet and Opheliaââ¬â¢s relationship with the world reveal analogous tensions which manifest in different ways and provide interesting insights into the dramatic consequences of this tension. Ophelia and Hamletââ¬â¢s relationship is torn apart by Poloniusââ¬â¢ meddling. Hamletââ¬â¢s proclamation that ââ¬Å"frailty, thy name is woman! â⬠foreshadows the way that we soon see Ophelia being influenced to a great extent by her filial, obedient devotion to Polonius, so much so that, struggling to reconcile her personal integrity and her duty to her family, she descends into her own madness, ââ¬Å"divided from herself and her fair judgment, without the which we are pictures, or mere beastsâ⬠. Polonius, the ââ¬Å"fishmongerâ⬠, tells her that her love is that of ââ¬Å"a green girlâ⬠, and her submission to such worldly expectations is what begets her destruction. Yet even in her insanity she finds a resolve which, though markedly more frenzied, mirrors Hamletââ¬â¢s own. Her flowers are each symbols of denouncement of the courtââ¬â¢s treacherous figures, whose ââ¬Å"rue with a differenceâ⬠Ophelia insists they must acknowledge for their most distressing actions. There is thus a great tension which arises out of the persistent degradation of the loversââ¬â¢ relationship, and their final destruction at the hands of Laertes for Hamlet, and in the river for Ophelia. These elements are undeniably integral elements of the play which drive its enduring drama and converge to form a crucial part of Hamletââ¬â¢s textual integrity. Thus we can see that the tension of the world, manipulative, cold and immoral, as it acts on the fundamentally honest, if perhaps naive prince, is the source of the great drama which underpins Hamletââ¬â¢s struggle through the play to pit his own psyche against that of his peers. This tension time and time again proves to be central to a true consideration and understanding of Hamletââ¬â¢s episodes of character evolution which sees him descend into the murky depths of his worldââ¬â¢s uncertainty. It is only with the realisation and grasping of truth, whether he finds this in the finality of death or the power of fate, that Hamlet ascends once more to the safe anchorage of sanity and resolve, and finds the courage and conviction needed to face his society once more, and finally his death.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
What steps need to be taken in order to reduce crime Essay
What steps need to be taken in order to reduce crime - Essay Example The type of successful law enforcement strategies relies on the form of criminal activity (Bouza 1993). For instance, violent offenders are not as knowledgeable and/or coherent about the repercussions of their behavior hence law enforcement is largely successful when it responds to criminal behavior by seeking imprisonment for repeat criminals. Second, public support is very important in the effort of the criminal justice system to reduce crime. Public support for penalizing crime-reduction strategies can be helpful in the application of law enforcement policies. The general public could also be an immediate or rich source of suggestions on how to effectively approach crime-control efforts. Third, several of the most potential solutions to crime involve public lands, such as public housing and streets. The consideration of the government in this domain can educate architects and rouse individual safety measures. Tort court cases, declaratory resolutions, and crime impact reports can additionally inform the general public and architects about applying architecture to reduce criminal activity (Bouza 1993). Other techniques, obtained from the criminal justice system and other considerations, present extra mechanisms for the government to improve crime-reduction policies. Reducing crime is the greatest challenge any criminal justice system faces. However, this challenge does not have to remain a challenge if proper research and implementation are carried out. Law enforcement strategies are the primary means available to deter or eliminate crime. But strong public support will ensure the smooth and effective execution of these law enforcement strategies. And apparently, although not mostly taken into account, architecture plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of crime-control
Friday, September 27, 2019
Short Stories Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Short Stories Summary - Essay Example Although, when he heard about his brother that he was jailed, this made him fear that some of his students may end up like his brother who indulged in drug abuse to forget about his problems. The narrator does not communicate with his brother for a long time until the death of her daughter. Sonny later replies his brotherââ¬â¢s letter, and this makes them be in touch. The narrator recalls how they had differences with his brother when he decided to become a musician. The story shows how at first the two brothers had differences but later the story ends with them understanding and appreciating each other. The story tells us of the problems that the two brothers had and how they were able to tackle them. Thus, the story illustrates how there was anguish and recovery in the Harlem ghetto. It is evident that the narrator was able to handle his problem because of the teaching job that he had. From the story, we see him to be concerned about his students hoping that they would not be th e same as his brother. He also cares for his brother as he was the oldest. This is contrast to his brother who indulged into taking drugs to tackle his problems, which leads him to jail. As Sonny tries to deal with his problems, he tries to find his identity and feel accepted in the society. The narrator does not comprehend why his brother prefers to play piano. In the story, piano represents his problems, and in the end the figure of Sonny playing the piano, indicates how he struggles to deal with his problems. Summary of Paulââ¬â¢s case Acceptance and freedom of expression is two virtues that should be practiced to avoid emotional confinement (Brown 67). According to Willa Cather, in the story Paulââ¬â¢s case he tells of how Paul tries to fight against the social standards in the area where he lives in because he had no freedom to express what he felt. The story tells of a youth who is emotionally confined and how he tries to confront his problems. In school where Paul is, h e is called and faces the school faculty for his misbehavior. Paul is a student who does not follow teacherââ¬â¢s instructions and is less concerned with his studies. He ends up being a rude and comical student. He lived with his father in a quiet place but he wanted to go to New York where he could live the life that he was expecting. Although, he is seen to be careless and does not seem to care about anything, he loves music, theater, and arts. In contrast, Paulââ¬â¢s father wants him to work hard in school and venture into the business world. His father believes that it is only money that matters in peopleââ¬â¢s lives. This creates a big difference between them and has great influence on Paulââ¬â¢s character. For example, when his father stops him from going to watch movies in the theater drives him to steal money where he is working. He also ran from home and went to New York because he was not given the freedom to enjoy his life. Even though he enjoyed his life shor tly, his decision to leave home made him lose his life. Summary of Revelation In the story of Revelation by Flannery Oââ¬â¢Connorââ¬â¢s, the main character feels that everyone is equal before God, regardless of their race and social status. The story starts when Mrs. Turpin goes to see a doctor with her spouse. As she gets in the hospital, she attracts peopleââ¬â¢
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Issues in Multicultural Britain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 1
Issues in Multicultural Britain - Essay Example ultures and traditions; however critiques believe that multiculturalism promotes negative aspects such as riots, terrorism, ethnic division, clash of ideologies, etc (Pathak, 2008, p. 72). Britain has been a multicultural society for years but now it tends to have been failing. The national curriculum was introduced in 1988 in the United Kingdom. It was the nationwide curriculum for all the primary and secondary state schools of Britain. The curriculum has been recently revised in order to catch up with the worldââ¬â¢s best education systems. The government has designed curriculum changes which would help the children to compete and catch up with the best. This is also referred to as the revolution in education by the Prime Minister and he believes this is vital for the economic prosperity of the country. Moreover, the new national curriculum is written by purely experts in the field, and thus it does not depend on the personal prejudices of the ministers. As the globalization is rapidly spreading all across the world, including Britain, it has become even difficult to conserve our identities. The international borders have been nullified due to the globalization and in order to ensure that the people of every religion, race, ethnic group, and culture are living in peace, the governments have introduced some reforms and legislations (Aydin, 2013, p. 58). The national curriculum is also a part of the educational reforms which covers the long history of multiculturalism and diversity in England. The curriculum includes the historic development of multiculturalism and ethnic diversity, and the progress of multiculturalism education (Pitcher, 2009, p. 24). Since Britain is shaped by a wide variety of cultures and religions, the blood alone is not the factor anymore which makes someone British. However, what it means to be British is related to the fundamental values of Britain which are present in every person living there. These values include the peopleââ¬â¢s right to
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
The Chinese Store Giordano Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
The Chinese Store Giordano Case Study - Essay Example In 1985, Giordano opened its first retail shop in Singapore. It was the beginning for expansion for Giordano. In 1987, the competitive market forced Lai to redefine its corporate strategy and introduce unisex casuals that were attractive and affordable for men, women and children. It was highly innovative and firm used unit sales of value-for-money merchandize as against profit margin to maximize its revenue. The strategy was a huge success helped it to maintain its competitive advantage within the market. Giordanoââ¬â¢s expansion also resulted in differentiating its product line into well defined categories and specialized outlets that catered to more trendy casuals and semi formals for men, women and children through its brands like Giordano, Giordano Ladies, Giordano Junior and Blue Star Exchange. Giordanoââ¬â¢s corporate strategy is aligned with its corporate vision. It relies on exceptional customer service, quality, knowledge, innovation and simplicity. It judiciously app lies FSA (feasibility, sustainability and acceptability) tools on its strategic options to optimize its productive outcome. It meets the needs of the customers by implementing the desired changes within its operations and production. Its sales team is highly skilled and equipped with socio-psychological tools to deliver exemplary service to its customers. Performance is evaluated not only by the firmââ¬â¢s supervisor and auditors but also by the customers. It believed in limited variety within its core items so it can maintain quality. Knowledge management was critical aspect of its operational success. Giordano continuously strives to learn from its past errors and uses technology extensively to improve and improvise its processes vis-a-vis inventory management, supply chain, analyzing changing trend in customersââ¬â¢ preferences etc. With low inventory and effective supply chain, it is able to provide customers with the latest trend fashion wear. At the same time, using cent ralized distribution system, low store inventory also enables it to exploit store space innovatively that attracts customers. The real time production, based on current sales greatly facilitates in meeting the changing demands of the customers. Moreover, the short cycle of its products save expenses of dead inventory or slow moving inventory, thus making its operations cost effective. Answer 2 According to Kotler and Keller (2012), position is critical element of market that helps create an image that is preferred by customer. The major aim is to ensure that the consumer identifies with the brand when product or service is required. As such, repositioning becomes highly desirable strategy for firms that deal in consumer goods and constantly need to meet the challenges of changing customersââ¬â¢ requirements. Repositioning strategy provides the businesses with great leverage to introduce new products or add value to existing processes or products to meet fast changing dynamics of the markets. In 1987, it had to reposition its strategy of exclusive menââ¬â¢s casuals with unisex clothing to target womenââ¬â¢s segment also. With the changing external environment, firms need to adapt new strategies to compete and maintain their niche market position (Kotler et al., 2010). While Giordanoââ¬â¢s core competency has always been its customer service, its value-for-money was hugely successful strategic option. In the highly competitive environment of global business, especially when Giordano needs to expand beyond its traditional market of
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Will fax it Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words
Will fax it - Essay Example The success of the company can be explained by the extremely high quality of the products offered, the continuous evaluation and restructuring of the customersââ¬â¢ support which enforce the creation of a friendly and effective support available on a continuous basis to the companyââ¬â¢s customers. The perspectives for the company in the future seem to be positive. The company has managed to obtain a significant share of the global telecommunications market and to control the development of its competitors through the continuous research of the trends and the requirements of the telecommunications industry. In order to evaluate Vodafoneââ¬â¢s financial performance particularly regarding the companyââ¬â¢s shareholders we should present and evaluate the particular financial results (as stated in the companyââ¬â¢s accounts) which show the companyââ¬â¢s current financial strength but also its prospects for the future. We should also take into account that even when the financial results present a very positive aspect of a companyââ¬â¢s financial performance, it is sometimes an issue of temporary conditions and in any case that one would proceed to the investment in a particular company, he should take into account that there is always the risk involved. In this context, Drury (2001, 222) states that risk ââ¬Ëis applied to a situation where there are several possible outcomes and there is relevant past experience to enable statistical evidence to be produced fro predicting the possible outcomesââ¬â¢ while uncertainty ââ¬Ëexists where there are several possible outcom es, but there is little previous statistical evidence to enable the possible outcomes to be predictedââ¬â¢. This differentiation between uncertainty and risk is practically with no particular meaning especially when the amount which is going to be invested in a specific company is significant. In this occasion there is no space for ââ¬Ëuncertaintyââ¬â¢ but it is
Monday, September 23, 2019
Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 49
Leadership - Essay Example In Kuwait, Sara Akbar is the female Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Energy agency (Thomson, 2011). The leadership keys and concepts contribute to leading my new companyââ¬â¢s generating high business revenues. My academic knowledge, Bachelor in Library and Information Science, honed my business leadership skills. The textbook concepts equip me to lead others to meet prescribed business goals. Similarly, my being born with leadership skills ensures I can catapult my subordinates to increase their current production and sales outputs (Nohria, 2013). My preference for a business degree is pegged on one concept. The concept states more women will become Saudi Arabiaââ¬â¢s future leaders. Within less than six years, more women leaders are capable of leading others. Many family businesses located in Saudi Arabia include women business leaders (Barrett, 2009). Based on the above discussion, women can be equally effective business leaders. Library textbook knowledge hones the womenââ¬â¢s business leadership prowess. My academic background ensures will be one of Saudi Arabiaââ¬â¢s future leaders of change. Evidently, women like me can be equally effective Saudi Arabian business
Sunday, September 22, 2019
US History Essay Example for Free
US History Essay 4. Describe how prokaryotes carry out photosynthesis and cellular respiration when they lack compartmentalized organelles such as chloroplasts and mitochondria. The area of cellular respiration in prokaryotes is the respiratory membrane. For aerobic prokaryote the infoldings of the plasma membrane are similar to the cristae of mitochondria, whose purpose in eukaryotic cells is cellular respiration. In photosynthetic prokaryotes, the area responsible for cellular respiration is the thylakoid membrane. It functions are similar in manner to chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells. 5. Explain why prokaryotes are unable to grow in very salty or sugary foods, such as cured meats or jam. Prokaryotes have the ability to live harsh environments. Prokaryotes however are unable to live in very salty or sugary foods like cured meats or jams because they lack the essential nutrients that water etc provide. In response to these harsh conditions endospores are formed. In essence, endospores are a touch wall surrounding a set of chromosomes. Eventually as water is removed from the cell its metabolism halts and the rest of the cell disintegrates. In this manner prokaryotes die out in harsh conditions like sugary or salty foods. 6. State the function(s) of each of the following prokaryotic features: a. Capsule i. A capsule is a sticky layer that surrounds the cell wall of some prokaryotes, protecting the cell surface and sometimes helping to glue the cell to surfaces. b. fimbriae ii. A short, hairlike appendage of a prokaryotic cell that helps it adhere to the substrate or to other cells; also known as an attachment pilus. c. sex pilus iii. In bacteria, a structure that links one cell to another at the start of conjugation; also know as a conjugation pilus d. Nucleoid iv. A dense region of DNA in a prokaryotic cell. e. Plasmid v. A small, circular, double stranded DNA molecule that carries accessory genes separate from those of a bacterial chromosome. Plasmids are also found in some eukaryotes, such as yeasts. f. Endospores vi. A thick-coated, resistant cell produced by a bacterial cell exposed to harsh conditions. 7. List three factors that give rise to high levels of genetic diversity in prokaryotes. Rapid Reproduction- Rapid reproduction is comparable to a prokaryote reproducing by binary fission repeatedly. After rounds of division most of the offspring cells are identical Mutation- Genetic Recombination- 8. Describe three processes that produce recombinant DNA in prokaryotes.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
The Stepping Stones of Labor in America Essay Example for Free
The Stepping Stones of Labor in America Essay Throughout time, in all places, there is an upper class and a lower class. During the 16th to 19th century in America people came from all over Europe. People from Europe found America as an escape from their life; a new start. Some could not afford to take a boat ride across the Atlantic with their whole family. Because of this, some people became indentured servants. Later on, the South revolutionized America by bringing in black slaves and getting rid of indentured servitude. Slaves generated the economy for the South, but was also the main cause of the civil war. Both slaves and indentured servants were treated badly, however, black slaves were much more expensive and had to work for life, whereas indentured servants worked for a reward. Both the indentured servants and black slaves did very similar agricultural work. They were treated dreadfully and were not able to change their employer. They didnt get to choose what labor they did and they were not able to own the product from their labor. Black slaves were captured in Africa and brought on boats to come to America. A lot of black slaves didnt make it to America because of sickness and diseases on the boat. Indentured servants were often forced to go with their owner or were kidnapped and put on ships, where the boats were unsanitary. During this time in America there was too much land for the amount of people so when they servants and slaves were brought over they had to sustain the crops and the fields. They worked long hours in the cold winters and in the brutal summer days in the fields. Both the indentured servants and black slaves were scarred mentally for being taken from their families and coming to a new land. They were physically beaten if they tried to escape or didnt do their work well. Sometimes they were beaten without a reason. Both groups were treated badly and couldnt do anything about it. Indentured servants had a certain amount of time they had to work to get a reward so they had more motivation for becoming free and had hope during tough times whereas black slaves were forced into labor for their whole life and didnt have any hope to escape. After the indentured servants had did their time depending how long their contract was, they were given money, land and often a sustainable job. Black slaves were permanently slaves and didnt have as much hope as indentured servants because they had no family and they knew that they were stuck living their life the way it was forever. Also, indentured servants often had learned some economically valuable skills, so when their contract was up, they were more prepared for the outside world, while black slaves were not usually and were not let out. Indentured servants were slaves and dehumanized during their time of their contract, but often had a better life because of what they learned from being a servant and their reward. While both slaves and servants typically did similar work, slaves were bought and put into work whereas indentured servants signed a contract and the owner didnt give up any money value until the end of contract. During this time the cost of a black slave was about 130,000 dollars. This was a lot higher because this is when there was no more indentured servitude and the Souths economy relied on black slaves for cotton. Paying 130,000 dollars for a slave seems like a bad investment, but they got the slaves for life and the slaves could reproduce and have more slaves in the future. The biggest reason why black slaves were a better investment was that they were permanent and were with the owner forever or could be sold whereas white servants were short term and had to give up land and money in the land. Indentured servants were like a loans; youd get them and at the end you would have to give up some money. Black slaves were worth so much more at the time then indenture servants and because of this indentured servants no longer existed. The ultimate purpose of slaves and indentured servants are identical, however, the conditions on which they worked was completely different. Slaves had no hope for any freedom unless they risked the danger of escaping while indentured servants would one day be free from their masters, once they fulfilled there contracts which stated how long they would work for. Slaves were worth a lot more money and helped generate the economy for the South. Eventually indentured servitude disappeared and slavery had become one of the biggest forms of labor in America. While indentured servitude had little impact in the making of America, slavery become one of the most controversial issues of the 1800s, and the issues over racial discrimination which had started in America in the 1600s, would continue on into the mid-twentieth century.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Analysing the cause and effect of Urban Riots
Analysing the cause and effect of Urban Riots Riots are civil disorders that are characterized by intense violence against people in authority or property. Since it is a herd behavior occurrence, many people take part and this leads to civil unrest. They usually occur as a result of a perceived grievance which people feel has not been adequately dealt with. The are many reasons as to why riots occur including; poor living conditions, oppression by the government, high taxation, ethnic diversity, religion or differing views of a sporting activity. Mostly, riots are accompanied by violence, vandalism and destruction of both private and public property. This can also be directed to a certain specific targets according to grievances on peoples minds (Gilje 2). In the United States of America, many riots took place during the Civil War and which saw many lives lost. As years progressed, new types of riots emerged as well as their cause. In 1960s, a new form of riots called urban Riots came in to being. In 1967 for instance, more than 120 cities in the U.S suffered more than 160 riots. The most notable among urban riots was the Newark riots of 1967 and Stonewall Riots of 1969; each of which had various reasons for its outbreak. In general though, between 1964 and 1971, there were about 752 spontaneous riots especially in black communities occurring in 316 American cities. Many of these conflagrations were however exaggerated by the media with only the major ones as already discussed having severe magnitude in terms of violence, arson and property damage. In exploring the various causes of such urban riots, many social scientists have advanced different theories. Among these reasons are racial grievances and competition for jobs in the inter-ethnic setups of communities. Further, in a search for answers as to why cities could experience racial riots of varying magnitudes, scholars usually focus on broad trends. Mainly they pinpoint the high unemployment rate amongst the blacks which they relate to cities or the whole nation as a whole. But it is evident that they ignore the local factors which too may provide more insight in to the causes of urban riots. This therefore led to a number of analysts confining their research on the event itself and the surrounding circumstances such as police mobilization (Gilje, 10). Based on this concept, it is important to find the effect of police presence and its effect on the magnitude or severity of an urban riot. The urban riots of 1960s were somewhat escalated by the intervention of the federal government. But this should not be misconstrued to imply that local and state place agents did not play any part. Eventually, upon studying a number of riots that occurred, it emerged that police response has a major impact on the nature of a riot. The timing so as to ensure there is not under-response or over-response is vital as police presence will determine the end result. It is also evident from history that many of American urban riots had a connection with racism. In many occurrences, such riots were initiated by the whites and were directed to blacks. This trend however changed in the 1960s when the roles were reversed and blacks found themselves initiating urban riots. The most notable of these include the Rochester race riot of 1964. This riot took place in Rochester, New York on Friday evening of July, 24th when the Rochester Police Department tried to arrest a nineteen year old intoxicated black on a street. The police after having been notified of him responded with a dog and since rumors of police brutality had spread quickly, an angry crowd formed on Joseph Avenue. This was followed by violence that lasted for three days leaving a trail of destruction. Statistics finally recorded 4 dead, 35 injured, 1000 arrested and 204 store houses looted. It later emerged that the local, especially the good kids had initiated the riot which the adults joined in later. This was further fueled by the fact that many African-Americans had low pay and low skill jobs and they used violence to cast their personal grievances (Wasow, web). The Philadelphia race riot of 1964 was in similar manner black-initiated. From August 28th to 30th, the black neighborhood of North Philadelphia erupted as they accused police of brutality. The Philadelphia Police Department had over the years tried to improve it relationship with the black majority, 400,000 in number, by patrolling the city in twos; one black and one white officer. Unfortunately, one black woman, Odessa Bradford, engaged a patrol squad in to an argument after her car had stalled on Columbia Avenue. As the two police officers attempted to force her to remove the car, a crowd formed and came to the rescue of Odessa. Due to crowd herding mentality, rumors started to flow that white police officers had mistreated a pregnant woman and thus violence ensued. The police response took a turn and instead of confronting rioters, they retreated and left the area. Final statistics showed 341 injured, 774 arrested and 225 stores looted or damaged in the course of three days. The urban riots left the North Philadelphia city without many vital businesses as many businessmen never returned. All in all, there were other urban riots which started due to racial segregation circumstances through out the 1960s. Their cause and eventual destruction of both property and live had similar characteristics as the already discussed ones. These included: Watts Riots in 1965, Hough Riots in 1966, Racial Tension in Omaha in 1966, Newark riots in 1967, Chicago Riots in 1968 and the 1969 North 24th Street Riot in Omaha. One thing that made these urban riots among many others to stand out is the large number of participants as well as the effects they finally caused. Statistics however show that despite the escalation of black-initiated urban riots in the 1960s, the number of occurrences decline at the turn of the decade. Government commissions that were formed to seek the cause of the riots indicated that majority of riots in the 1960s and early 1970s were due to racial grievances and deprivation. A commission that presented the Kerner Commission Report indicated that these riots were an aftermath of prior white discrimination of blacks and hence was unavoidable. Between 1970s and 1980s urban riots continued in many American cities albeit marked with less and less casualties like in the sixties. However, this did not remain for long since in 1992, a significant form of riots broke out in Los Angeles. These riots which started on April 29, were as a result of a beating Rodney King, a motorist, received in the hand s of Los Angeles Police Department officers. The prelude can be traced back to March 3, when King and two passengers were driving on Foothill highway. Upon being stopped they refused but chose to speed of under what transpired to be a high speed chase by traffic cops. The presence of five LAPD officers made the case worse since they had beaten King with batons on his arrest. This was in contrary to a video shot in this event which showed that LAPD officers continued to beat King instead of cuffing him as was in law. The also accused him of having been under influence of PCP which later test proved untrue. The video which had been shot by a neighbor as he witnessed the beatings became a focal point in the media after presentation in the court case. The five LAPD officers were charged with assault and use of excessive force. This was not however to be as some influential whites doctored the case as it was about to come for deliberation. They then proceeded to acquit the LAPD officer of assault and use of force but one. This ruling as it was heavily publicized by the media drew mixed reaction even from the president. After the verdicts, riots began in Los Angeles and continued to escalate despite the presence of National Guard, the Army and the Marines. Over the next few days numerous acts of violence and looting were recorded as well as personal engagement among the law enforcers, the blacks and the whites. They included beatings received by Reginald Denny, a white truck driver by blacks an incident recorded live on television. This was followed by Fidel Lopez severe beating and possible killing of him though he was rescued. The second and third day too were marked by widespread riots and massive destruction even after law enforcers numbers were increased. Many important American figures were also drawn in to numerous debates as well as begging for end of hostilities. Order started to flow back from the fourth day but not after massive destruction in the city had occurred. The final statistics recorded 53 dead, 2,000 injured, material loss of approximately $ 1 billion, and over 3,000 arson cases destroying more than one thousand buildings. The factors that led to Los Angeles riots were cited including a fatal shooting of a black teenager by a Korean American. Others included cultural differences, high unemployment among the residents of Central Los Angeles due to recession and poverty. Sociologists on their part cited disparity in economic growth as a cause which led to powerlessness and frustration among urban dwellers. In conclusion, riots have continued to wreck havoc on the society and the general order of things. From the many instances that have been recorded in history it is clear that they have causes and if dealt with properly, urban riots can be avoided. The government must therefore put in measures to ensure there is equal employment opportunity for all people regardless of their racial background. Social institutions which promote unity and shun segregation also need to be encouraged in order to avoid urban riots (Dreier 52).
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Essay --
The idea of justice although obvious for philosophers like Locke, Rousseau, and John Rawls, proves itself to be a labyrinthine issue for Americans; nevertheless, ones thing is clear: the people are guaranteed the ability to pursue happiness. Sometimes searching for American equity juxtaposes the American Dream to the pursuit of happiness with a paralytic justice. However, justice in all forms plays a part through the governments duty; who does the government serve and protect? Despite this, opportunity continues to play a major role in correlation to the hopes and aspirations of many Americans; what freedoms to pursue happiness would Americans receive if they were striped of their rights? Justice is a means to an end-it's something done to achieve something else. It's the search for equal opportunity and protection of one's rights under the law. So then what's the destination of justice? For most people there is no destination but merely a trail or pursuit if you will. A pursuit of happiness. Happiness is a state of well being and contentment that is received alongside the individual, the community, and society. Individual justice can be seen in protecting one's rights from being infringed upon. In the case of Brown vs. EMA (2010), several parents pushed for the banning of selling violent video games to their minors. Playing violent video games is not illegal nor unconstitutional so then why should there be a fine for the sellers in correlation with every infraction? Why should the decision of one parent's lack to monitor and parent their child affect every single parent in the nation? In this case, most Americans saw their rights being infringed upon with a crippled form of justice. Individual justice is seen... ...ciety's duty to aid it's individuals and communities, who follow the law, in their quest for merriment. When man disavows opportunity cost and its intergenerational implications, they constrict the range of options available to current and future generations. In fact, the rights to liberty and the pursuit of happiness now become infringed. This becomes the duty of the sovereign: to promote equal terms to each individual within a community or more generally speaking, society. Without the balance of power offered between the government and the people, there would be no state of well being and contentment. Individual justice would be infringed through the neglect of one's rights, communal justice would't exist because there wouldn't be equal opportunity for man to thrive, and societal equality wouldn't be permitted because no one would be equal under the law.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Kripkenstein: Rule and Indeterminacy :: Philosophy Philosophical Papers
Kripkenstein: Rule and Indeterminacy ABSTRACT: Indeterminacy theories, such as Wittgenstein's and Kripke's indeterminacy principle on rules and language and Quine's indeterminacy of radical translation, raise some fundamental questions on our knowledge and understanding. In this paper we try to outline and interpret Wittgenstein's and Kripke's indeterminacy, and then compare it to some other related theories on indeterminacy of human thinking, such as raised by Hume, Quine, and Goodman. Quine's indeterminacy differs from Wittgenstein's in several aspects. First, Wittgenstein and Kripke's indeterminacy applies to a single individual in isolation and this indeterminacy disappears when the single person is brought into a wider community. Thus, this indeterminacy is only logically possible or hypothetical. Second, in Quine's problem, two translation manuals are distinguishable; while Wittgenstein's hypotheses, such as 'plus' and 'quus' and many others, are indistinguishable for the subject's past and the subject would never aware of the distinctions. Third, in Wittgenstein's view, whether a member follows the rules or not can be determined by 'outward criterion'. Quine's indeterminacy denies the existence of such 'outward criterion' for his two translation manuals. Goodman's hypothesis of 'grue' is quite different from the above two indeterminacy in terms of both objective of introducing the concept and the usage of it. Goodman's issue is to search for the rules in screening out 'bad' assumptions in induction. This induction issue is not indeterminacy of Wittgenstein's skeptic arguments or Quine's radical translation. Wittgenstein and Kripke's conclusion that that rules are brute facts seems to be questionable. Form of life is one of Wittgenstein's key concepts in his theory on rules and is linked to rules in some crucial ways. A community cannot agree on arbitrary rules and rules other than some highly selected ones cannot bind a community together. What a community agree or disagree is not an arbitrary game. Kripke presents Wittgenstein's theory on rules in his book Wittgenstein on Rules and Private Language. The topic is difficult and the presentation seems to inherit some characteristics of the original work, which "is not presented in the form of a deductive argument with definitive theses as conclusions,..." (Kripke, 1982, p.3). Kripke tells the reader: "The point to be made here is that, at the same time the second part is important for an ultimate understanding of the first.'' (1982, p.84) "In this way the relation ship between the first and the second portions... is reciprocal." (1982, p.85). We find that a reciprocal reading helps me to understand and absorb the main points and arguments.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Slavery’s Injurious to All
Slaveryââ¬â¢s Injurious to All During the time of slavery, being black meant you were probably a slave and being a slave was brutal. They were treated more like animals than like humans. In Frederick Douglassââ¬â¢s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, he said, ââ¬Å"slavery proved as injurious to her as it did to meâ⬠(22). I disagree however as well as agree with him on this, because being a slave you went through ridiculous amounts of punishment and torture that nobody else went through at that time.But, slavery did change the owner's personality as well. Being a slave meant going through struggles, hardships and not having any family around to help. Their masters were not the nicest people. When they were twelve months old they were taken away from their birthmothers and given to another female slave who cared for them. Children should not be taken away from their mothers at such a young age. They are supposed to have the nurturing care of th eir mother. When taken away from their mother after being with them for quite some time children get a sense of loss.Not only did they get separated from their mothers, according to Frederick Douglass it was common for their masters to be the father of some of the slave children. The masters would sell their black kids ââ¬Å"out of deference to the feelings of his white wifeâ⬠(3). It was cruel to sell any human being let alone their own children just because of their class/race difference. If he did not sell the slave, the father would have to whip his own child and watch his white sons tie up his own brother. Slaveholders did not have to go through any of that cruel and unusual punishment as the slaves did.Slaves suffered greater hardships than any other person during this time period. They did not receive sufficient clothing to keep themselves warm during those winter days. And if they ever ruined their clothing they would have to wait till the next ââ¬Å"allowance dayâ⠬ . As well, they did not have any beds to sleep on, they slept on the floors with the little blankets they had. Their slaveholders did not have to go through that suffering of sleeping on a hard floor. They do not compare to what slaves go through. Slaveholders are the wealthy ones compared to slaves; they got to live in comfort while slaves did not.So when Douglass states ââ¬Å"slavery proved as injurious to her as it did to meâ⬠, about his mistress, I believe he was wrong. Compared to the slaves, the slaveholders and overseers lived a luxurious lifestyle. They did not have to work hard in the fields just to earn the clothing on their backs and their daily meals. No matter what the slaves did it was never the right thing to do to please their masters. Not only did were slaveholders and overseers able to order around their slaves but they also made their lives a ââ¬Å"living hellâ⬠. They were whipped for doing wrong or for no reason at all.According to Douglass he had a few masters who were really brutal. For instance, Mr. Severe, Douglass wrote, ââ¬Å"he was a cruel man. I have seen him whip a woman, causing the blood to run half an hour at a timeâ⬠(7). When an overseer could be as cruel as that, they would never be able to know what the other side of slavery was like. Gore was another cruel man. He was about to whip a slave, Demby. When Demby ran into a creek and stood there. Gore gave Demby three chances to come back to him so he could whip him, he did not listen to him, so Gore shot Demby.After shooting him, Colonel Lloyd, had asked why he resorted to shooting him, his response was, ââ¬Å"he was setting a dangerous example to the other slaves, ââ¬â one which, id suffered to pass without some such demonstration on his part, would finally lead to the total subversion of all the rule and order upon the plantationâ⬠(14). Demby was shot and killed for wanting to get away from being lashed and was punished for that. Slaves were no t allowed to have a say on what goes on in their lives, they were a piece of property.Being a slave took a toll on the slaves and their emotions. While slaveholders lived their lives, slaves were depressed. They had endured torture, pain and many more difficulties in their lives. Douglass wrote, ââ¬Å"I often found myself regretting my own existence, and wishing myself deadâ⬠(24). Slaveholders cannot and should not be compared to how the slaves felt and were treated. They got to choose the way they lived their lives so they had no regrets doing what they did to the slaves. It was not the slaves fault that they were born into that social class.However on one occasion, slavery does prove to have been as injurious to the slaveholders as to the slaves. When Douglass talks about his mistress, Mrs. Auld, he described her as a very kindhearted woman. She was teaching him how to read and write, since slaves were not allowed to become educated. She had clothing and food ready for him as well. Mrs. Auld was the only slaveholder to treat her slaves so kindly. After her husband banned her from teaching Frederick Douglass, she became coldhearted like all the other slaveholders.Douglass said, ââ¬Å"she now commenced to practice her husbandââ¬â¢s precepts she finally became even more violent in her opposition than her husband himselfâ⬠(22). Mrs. Auld had never had a slave before so she did not know what it was like. Douglass was her first slave to own. In this situation, slavery had then become injurious to slaveholders as it did to slaves. Slavery changed the mistressââ¬â¢s personality, she became cruel. Mr. Auld In conclusion, even though slavery maybe injurious to the white owners, it is proved to be more injurious to the slaves.They are the ones treated unfairly; the owners had a choice the slaves did not. Just because one instance can prove that slavery affected the slaveholders like it did to the slave, it does not justify it one hundred percent. Sl aves were the ones getting beaten every day; they had no control over their lives. They were treated like property because of their skin color and the social class they were born into. Some slaveholders enjoyed whipping their slaves, it just goes to show that slave owners did not care about their slaves.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Political Parties Essay
The five agents of socialization heavily influence a personââ¬â¢s political beliefs and views on different issues. Family and friends can influence a person on major political positions and even affect if that person considers themselves liberal, conservative, or moderate. A liberal is open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values. A conservative holds to traditional attitudes and values and is cautious about change or innovation, typically in relation to politics or religion. A moderate holds moderate views in politics and sits between the extremes of liberal and conservative beliefs. Because more Americans see both sides of complex issues and see both parties as overly ideological and wish politicians would compromise more, they identify themselves as moderates than as liberals or conservatives. The term political moderate can generally be used to describe someone who doesnââ¬â¢t hold views on the far edges of the political spectrum. Moderates can be known to possess lower levels of political information and less likely be politically engaged than those who are closer to one of the ideological poles. Since they are so open to different ideas they may feel less involved in the political process; however, moderate is a favorable term in politics, one that condones pragmatism as opposed to extremists or radicalisms. Pragmatism allows for a variety of views on any philosophical topic. In the 2012 American National Election Study, 31 percent of Obama voters rated themselves and Obama as ââ¬Å"moderateâ⬠or ââ¬Å"slightly liberal,â⬠while 21 percent of Romney voters rated both themselves and Romney as ââ¬Å"moderateâ⬠or ââ¬Å"slightly conservative. â⬠Some of these people may identify with a particular party or describe themselves as independents. If they consider themselves members of a party, such as the Democratic or Republican Party, they will be open-minded about ideas from the opposition parties. One reason more Americans consider themselves moderates can be because of how open-minded the public is becoming on different issues, such as gay marriage and the legalization of marijuana. Americans sense there is not only black and white on issues, but also gray spots they want to explore and learn about. Being too extreme with a political ideology can be harmful, because the politicians will not open themselves up for compromise or too hear the other issues stance. Moderates can hold a few beliefs on the far edges of the political spectrum, but their overall philosophy is more centrist. Most moderates do not feel really comfortable with any political party, but their views can often lean in one direction or another or another to some degree. Political moderates are less active in politics overall when compared to people in the liberal or conservative ideologies, because they have more aggressive viewpoints. Moderates may feel less passionate about issues, or overall pay less attention to politics on a day-to-day basis. Since the average American knows very little about our federal government and the issues that take place, that can also be a reason why more Americans consider themselves as moderates. They may hear an issue form the liberals side and agree with it, then hear an issue from the conservative side and agree with it. Liberals overwhelmingly, with 75 percent, worry government is not involved enough in the economy, while conservatives mostly, with 60 percent worry government is too involved in the economy; moderates lean toward the liberal side of the argument, with 53 percent saying not enough involvement to 40 percent who say there is too much involvement. Only 23 percent of moderates favor a larger government that provides more services (liberal view) and 37 percent favor a smaller government with fewer services (conservative view). Majorities of moderates believe government should play a role in creating equal opportunity for every American (liberal view), but moderates also believe that government has created incentives for poor people not to work (conservative view). More moderates see undocumented immigrants as hardworking people trying to care for their families (liberal view) and a slim majority disagree with the idea that giving them citizenship would reward bad behavior (conservative view). Americans share a wide range of political and cultural values as we can see with these political view examples. They can agree with an issue on one side and disagree with an issue on the other side. They are open minded to each side of the arguments and take into consideration each factor to form their belief. Moderates think that parties, Democratic and Republican, are overly ideological and wish that the politicians would consider each side of the arguments on different issues to compromise more. They see both sides of complex issues and can have a range of different views from each of the liberal and conservative side. The American public has been more open than ever to different values and beliefs and that is why more Americans consider themselves moderates, than liberals and conservatives.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Air Pollution Essay
BEIJING ââ¬â Outdoor air pollution contributed to 1.2 million premature deaths in China in 2010, nearly 40 percent of the global total, according to a new summary of data from a scientific study on leading causes of death worldwide. Figured another way, the researchers said, Chinaââ¬â¢s toll from pollution was the loss of 25 million healthy years of life from the population. The data on which the analysis is based was first presented in the ambitious 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study, which was published in December in The Lancet, a British medical journal. The authors decided to break out numbers for specific countries and present the findings at international conferences. The China statistics were offered at a forum in Beijing on Sunday. ââ¬Å"We have been rolling out the India- and China-specific numbers, as they speak more directly to national leaders than regional numbers,â⬠said Robert Oââ¬â¢Keefe, the vice president of the Health Effects Institute, a research organization that is helping to present the study. The organization is partly financed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the global motor vehicle industry. What the researchers called ââ¬Å"ambient particulate matter pollutionâ⬠was the fourth-leading risk factor for deaths in China in 2010, behind dietary risks, high blood pressure and smoking. Air pollution ranked seventh on the worldwide list of risk factors, contributing to 3.2 million deaths in 2010. By comparison with China, India, which also has densely populated cities grappling with similar levels of pollution, had 620,000 premature deaths in 2010 because of outdoor air pollution, the study found. That was deemed to be the sixth most common killer in South Asia. The study was led by an institute at the University of Washington and several partner universities and institutions, including the World Health Organization. Calculations of premature deaths because of outdoor air pollution are politically threatening in the eyes of some Chinese officials . According to news reports, Chinese officials cut out sections of a 2007 report called ââ¬Å"Cost of Pollution in Chinaâ⬠that discussed premature deaths. The reportââ¬â¢s authors had concluded that 350,000 to 400,000 people die prematurely in China eachà year because of outdoor air pollution. The study was done by the World Bank in cooperation with the Chinese State Environmental Protection Administration, the precursor to the Ministry of Environmental Protection. There have been other estimates of premature deaths because of air pollution. In 2011, the World Health Organization estimated that there were 1.3 million premature deaths in cities worldwide because of outdoor air pollution. Last month, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, based in Paris, warned that ââ¬Å"urban air pollution is set to become the top environmental cause of mortality worldwide by 2050, ahead of dirty water and lack of sanitation.â⬠It estimated that up to 3.6 million people could end up dying prematurely from air pollution each year, mostly in China and India. There has been growing outrage in Chinese cities over what many say are untenable levels of air pollution. Cities across the north hit record levels in January, and official Chinese newspapers ran front-page articles on the surge ââ¬â what some foreigners call the ââ¬Å"airpocalypseâ⬠ââ¬â despite earlier limits on such discussion by propaganda officials. In February, the State Council, Chinaââ¬â¢s cabinet, announced a timeline for introducing new fuel standards, but state-owned oil and power companies are known to block or ignore environmental policies to save on costs. A study released on Thursday said the growth rate of disclosure of pollution information in 113 Chinese cities had slowed. The groups doing the study, the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, based in Beijing, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, based in Washington, said that ââ¬Å"faced with the current situation of severe air, water and soil pollution, we must make changes to pollution source information disclosure so that information is no longer patchy, out of date and difficult to o btain.â⬠Chinese officials have made some progress in disclosing crucial air pollution statistics. Official news reports have said 74 cities are now required to release data on levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller, which penetrate the bodyââ¬â¢s tissues most deeply. For years, Chinese officials had been collecting the data but refusing to release it, until they came under pressure from Chinese who saw that the United States Embassy in Beijing was measuring the levels hourly and posting the data in a Twitter feed, @BeijingAir. Last week, an official Chinese news report said the cost of environmental degradation in China was about $230 billion in 2010, or 3.5à percent of the gross domestic product. The estimate, said to be partial, came from a research institute under the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and was three times the amount in 2004, in local currency terms. It was unclear to what extent those numbers took into account the costs of health care and premature deaths because of pollution. National Park Service Air Pollution ââ¬â Its Nature, Sources, and Effects http://www.nps.gov/shen/naturescience/airpollution.htm Last Updated: 04/09/2014 Summer View, mountains in the distance from Skyline Drive. John F. Mitchell ââ¬â NPS Volunteer Introduction Air pollution occurs in many forms but can generally be thought of as gaseous and particulate contaminants that are present in the earthââ¬â¢s atmosphere. Gaseous pollutants include sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), hydrogen fluoride (HF), and various gaseous forms of metals. These pollutants are emitted from large stationary sources such as fossil fuel fired power plants, smelters, industrial boilers, petroleum refineries, and manufacturing facilities as well as from area and mobile sources. They are corrosive to various materials which causes damage to cultural resources, can cause injury to ecosystems and organisms, aggravate respiratory diseases, and reduce visibility. Particulates come in both large and small or ââ¬Å"fineâ⬠solid forms. Large particulates include substances such as dust, asbestos fibers, and lead. Fine particulates include sulfates (SO4) and nitrates (NO3). Important sources of particulates are power plants, smelters, mining operations, and automobiles. Asbestos and lead affect organisms, while sulfates and nitrates not only cause health problems, but also contribute to acid rain or acid deposition and a reduction in visibility. Particulate matter, a term sometimes used instead of particulates, refers to the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Toxic air pollutants are a class of chemicals which mayà potentially cause health problems in a significant way. The sources of toxic air pollutants include power plants, industries, pesticide application, and contaminated windblown dust. Persistent toxic pollutants, such as mercury, are of particular concern because of their global mobility and ability to accumulate in the food chain. More research is needed to fully understand the fate and effects of mercury and the many other toxic pollutants. Primary pollutants are those that are emitted directly into the air from pollution sources. Secondary pollutants are formed when primary pollutants undergo chemical changes in the atmosphere. Ozone is an example of a secondary pollutant. It is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are mixed and warmed by sunlight. Ozone (O3) is a major component of what is often referred to as smog. The ozone which is present in the troposphere, or the atmosphere that is close to the ground, should not be confused with beneficial ozone that is located in the stratosphere or upper atmosphere. This beneficial ozone in the stratosphere helps protect the earth from harmful ultraviolet light from the sun. Sources of Air Pollution Stationary and Area Sources A stationary source of air pollution refers to an emission source that does not move, also known as a point source. Stationary sources include factories, power plants, dry cleaners and degreasing operations. The term area source is used to describe many small sources of air pollution located together whose individual emissions may be below thresholds of concern, but whose collective emissions can be significant. Residential wood burners are a good example of a small source, but when combined with many other small sources, they can contribute to local and regional air pollution levels. Area sources can also be thought of as non-point sources, such as construction of housing developments, dry lake beds, and landfills. Mobile Sources A mobile source of air pollution refers to a source that is capable of moving under its own power. In general, mobile sources imply ââ¬Å"on-roadâ⬠transportation, which includes vehicles such as cars, sport utility vehicles, and buses. In addition, there is also a ââ¬Å"non-roadâ⬠or ââ¬Å"off-roadâ⬠à category that includes gas-powered lawn tools and mowers, farm and construction equipment, recreational vehicles, boats, planes, and trains. Agricultural Sources Agricultural operations, those that raise animals and grow crops, can generate emissions of gases and particulate matter. For example, animals confined to a barn or restricted area (rather than field grazing), produce large amounts of manure. Manure emits various gases, particularly ammonia into the air. This ammonia can be emitted from the animal houses, manure storage areas, or from the land after the manure is applied. In crop production, the misapplication of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides can potentially result in aerial drift of these materials and harm may be caused. Natural Sources Although industrialization and the use of motor vehicles are overwhelmingly the most significant contributors to air pollution, there are important natural sources of ââ¬Å"pollutionâ⬠as well. Wildland fires, dust storms, and volcanic activity also contribute gases and particulates to our atmosphere. Unlike the above mentioned sources of air pollution, natural ââ¬Å"air pollutionâ⬠is not caused by people or their activities. An erupting volcano emits particulate matter and gases; forest and prairie fires can emit large quantities of ââ¬Å"pollutantsâ⬠; plants and trees naturally emit VOCs which are oxidized and form aerosols that can cause a natural blue haze; and dust storms can create large amounts of particulate matter. Wild animals in their natural habitat are also considered natural sources of ââ¬Å"pollutionâ⬠. The National Park Service recognizes that each of these sources emits gases and particulate matter into the atmosphere but we regard these as constituents resulting from natural processes. Air Pollution at Shenandoah Sources of air pollution that affect Shenandoah National Park are largely outside of the park. These include industrial facilities located throughout the mid-Atlantic region and the Ohio River Valley as well as urban centers in this same region. Because most areas adjacent to the park are rural and agricultural, it is clear that transport of pollutants from distantà locations is an important element upon which park air quality hinges. Even some agricultural activities, such as ammonia from the poultry industry and pesticides that are applied to adjacent fields, may contribute to air pollution in the park. In-park emission sources are relatively small, but do include motor vehicles, maintenance equipment, small boilers and generators. The relative contribution from the in-park sources is very small compared to other sources. In a July 2002 report describing an emissions inventory for Shenandoah National Park, it was determined that less than 1% of emissions were produced from in-par k sources. How does air pollution move? Air transport is the term used to describe the mechanism by which air pollution moves from an emissions source to a receptor. A source is a location (i.e., smokestack, chimney, exhaust pipe) from which the pollutant emanates and a receptor is the place (i.e., soil, vegetation, waterbodies, human lungs) where the pollutant is deposited. The atmosphere itself is the transporter of pollutants from sources to receptors. If the wind carries the plume of pollution high enough in the air, it may travel for hundreds of miles before being brought to earth. This is known as long-range or long-distance transport. Air Pollution Effects The air is an important component of the natural system of a park in its own right. The presence of pollution in the atmosphere results directly in air quality degradation. Air pollution is also a critical factor affecting the quality of other environmental resources as well as the human-made structures and facilities in the area. Polluted air can and has harmed park resources in a variety of ways depending upon the chemistry of the pollutant, weather and environmental conditions, and the nature or sensitivity of park resources. Examples of this harm include vegetative discoloration and growth disruption from ozone, loss of aquatic species from stream acidification, shifts in nutrient availability from acid deposition, and erosion of building surfaces and rock formations. Air pollution impairs visibility and contributes to climate change. Air pollution can also be detrimental to human health. Shchooltoday Your Cool Facts and Tips on Air Pollution What causes air pollution? Air pollution can result from both human and natural actions. Natural events that pollute the air include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of organic compounds and natural radioactivity. Pollution from natural occurrences are not very often. Human activities that result in air pollution include: 1. Emissions from industries and manufacturing activities Have you seen a manufacturing company before? You will notice that there are long tubes (called chimneys) erected high into the air, with lots of smoke and fumes coming out of it. Waste incinerators, manufacturing industries and power plants emit high levels of carbon monoxide, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air. This happens almost everywhere that people live. Petroleum refineries also release lots of hydrocarbons into the air. 2. Burning Fossil Fuels After the industrial age, transportation has become a key part of our lives. Cars and heavy duty trucks, trains, shipping vessels and airplanes all burn lots of fossil fuels to work. Emissions from automobile engines contain both primary and secondary pollutants. This is a major cause of pollution, and one that is very difficult to manage. This is because humans rely heavily on vehicles and engines for transporting people, good and services. Fumes from car exhauts contain dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and particulates. On their own, they cause great harm to people who breath them. Additionally, they react with environmental gases to create further toxic gases. Click here to see the effects 3. Household and Farming Chemicals Crop dusting, fumigating homes, household cleaning products or painting supplies, over the counter insect/pest killers, fertilizer dust emit harmful chemicals into the air and cause pollution. In many case, when we use these chemicals at home or offices with no or little ventilation, we may fall ill if we breathe them. What are the common air pollutants around? Carbon Monoxide (CO) Fuel combustion from vehicles and engines. Reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the bodyââ¬â¢s organs and tissues; aggravates heart disease, resulting in chest pain and other symptoms. Ground-level Ozone (O3)à Secondary pollutant formed by chemical reaction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and NOx in the presence of sunlight. Decreases lung function and causes respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath, and also makes asthma and other lung diseases get worse. More on Ground Level Ozone Here Lead (Pb) Smelters (metal refineries) and other metal industries; combustion of leaded gasoline in piston engine aircraft; waste incinerators (waste burners), and battery manufacturing. Damages the developing nervous system, resulting in IQ loss and impacts on learning, memory, and behavior in children. Cardiovascular and renal effects in adults and early effects related to anaemia. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Fuel combustion (electric utilities, big industrial boilers, vehicles) and wood burning. Worsens lung diseases leading to respiratory symptoms, increased susceptibility to respiratory infection. Particulate Matter (PM) This is formed through chemical reactions, fuel combustion (e.g., burning coal, wood, diesel), industrial processes, farming (plowing, field burning), and unpaved roads or during road constructions. Short-term exposures can worsen heart or lung diseases and cause respiratory problems. Long-term exposures can cause heart or lung disease and sometimes premature deaths. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) SO2 come from fuel combustion (especially high-sulfur coal); electric utilities and industrial processes as well as and natural occurances like volcanoes. Aggravates asthma and makes breathing difficult.It also contributes to particle formation with associated health effects. What are the effects of air pollution? Acidification: Chemical reactions involving air pollutants can create acidic compounds which can cause harm to vegetation and buildings. Sometimes, when an air pollutant, such as sulfuric acid combines with the water droplets that make up clouds, the water droplets become acidic, forming acid rain. When acid rain falls over an area, it can kill trees and harm animals, fish, and other wildlife. Acid rain destroys the leaves of plants. When acid rain infiltrates into soils, it changes the chemistry of the soil making it unfit for many living things that rely on soil as a habitat or for nutrition. Acid rain also changes the chemistry of the lakes and streams that the rainwater flows into, harming fish and other aquatic life. Eutrophication: Rain can carry and deposit the Nitrogen in some pollutants on rivers and soils. This will adversely affect the nutrients in the soil and water bodies. This can result in algae growth in lakes and water bodies, and make conditions for other living organism harmful. Ground-level ozone: Chemical reactions involving air pollutants create a poisonous gas ozone (O3). Gas Ozone can affect peopleââ¬â¢s health and can damage vegetation types and some animal life too. Particulate matter:à Air pollutants can be in the form of particulate matter which can be very harmful to our health. The level of effect usually depends on the length of time of exposure, as well the kind and concentration of chemicals and particles exposed to. Short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis andà pneumonia. Others include headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Short-term air pollution can aggravate the medical conditions of individuals with asthma and emphysema. Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or compli cate medical conditions in the elderly. Air pollution prevention, monitoring and solution. Solution efforts on pollution is always a big problem. This is why prevention interventions are always a better way of controlling air pollution. These prevention methods can either come from government (laws) or by individual actions. In many big cities, monitoring equipment have been installed at many points in the city. Authorities read them regularly to check the quality of air. Letââ¬â¢s see more below: Government (or community) level prevention Governments throughout the world have already taken action against air pollution by introducing green energy. Some governments are investing in wind energy and solar energy, as well as other renewable energy, to minimize burning of fossil fuels, which cause heavy air pollution. Governments are also forcing companies to be more responsible with their manufacturing activities, so that even though they still cause pollution, they are a lot controlled. Companies are also building more energy efficient cars, which pollute less than before. Individual Level Prevention Encourage your family to use the bus, train or bike when commuting. If we all do this, there will be less cars on road and less fumes. Use energy (light, water, boiler, kettle and fire woods) wisely. This is because lots of fossil fuels are burned to generate electricity, and so if we can cut down the use, we will also cut down the amount of pollution we create. Recycle and re-use things. This will minimize the dependence of producing new things. Remember manufacturing industries create a lot of pollution, so if we can re-use things like shopping plastic bags, clothing, paper and bottles, it can help. Basic Air Pollution Facts Below are some random facts and info on environmental pollution. Air pollutants (dangerous things that make the air unclean)come in the form of gases or particles. In March 2011, a very powerful earthquake in the sea (tsunami) hit the Japan coast. The sea level rose and water came into the land, damaging 4 of the 6 reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. World Health Organisation (WHO) experts confirm that there is slight increased risk of some cancer types for some people who were exposed to the radiation. These included people living in that area and some workers at the plant. Below is a peice of the information given on BBC website: ââ¬Å"The biggest lifetime risks were seen in those exposed as infants, compared with children or adults. For girls exposed to radiation from the accident as infants, the report found a 4% increase above the lifetime expected risk of solid tumours and a 6% increase above that expected for breast cancer. Boys exposed as infants are expected to have a 7% increased risk of leukaemia above that expected in the normal population. The biggest risk was seen in thyroid cancer, which for infant girls could be up to 70% higher than expected over their lifetime.â⬠BBC Website: /news/health-21614722 It is estimated that you breathe 20,000 liters of air each day. This means the more polluted the air is, the more we breathe into our lungs dangerous chemicals. Air can be polluted both indoors and outdoors. Tobacco and other kinds of smoking are examples of indoor air pollution. Sick Building Syndrome is a health condition related to pesticides, insecticides and chemicals we use at home and offices. In the great ââ¬Å"Smog Disasterâ⬠in London in 1952, four thousand people died in a few days due to the high concentrations of pollution. Air pollution affects kids more than adultsà because, for their body size, kids breathe more air and spend more time playing outside. More hazardous pollutants are discharged into the air each year than are released to surface water, ground water, and land, combined. Motor vehicles produce more air pollution than any other single human activity. One full commuter bus can mean 40 less cars going through your neighborhood. In America, vehicle exhaust contributes roughly 60% of all carbon monoxide emissions nationwide, and up to 95% in cities. Indoor air pollution and health Around 3 billion people cook and heat their homes using open fires and leaky stoves burning biomass (wood, animal dung and crop waste) and coal. Nearly 2 million people die prematurely from illness attributable to indoor air pollution from household solid fuel use. Nearly 50% of pneumonia deaths among children under five are due to particulate matter inhaled from indoor air pollution. More than 1 million people a year die from chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) that develop due to exposure to such indoor air pollution. Both women and men exposed to heavy indoor smoke are 2-3 times more likely to develop COPD Source: WHO Ozone Depletion: Losing Earthââ¬â¢s Protective Layer National Geographic The ozone layer is a belt of naturally occurring ozone gas that sits 9.3 to 18.6 miles (15 to 30 kilometers) above Earth and serves as a shield from the harmful ultraviolet B radiation emitted by the sun. Ozone is a highly reactive molecule that contains three oxygen atoms. It is constantly being formed and broken down in the high atmosphere, 6.2 to 31 miles (10 to 50 kilometers) above Earth, in the region called the stratosphere. Today, there is widespread concern that the ozone layer is deteriorating due to the release of pollution containing the chemicals chlorine and bromine. Such deterioration allows large amounts of ultraviolet B rays to reach Earth, which can cause skin cancer and cataracts in humans and harm animals asà well. Extra ultraviolet B radiation reaching Earth also inhibits the reproductive cycle of phytoplankton, single-celled organisms such as algae that make up the bottom rung of the food chain. Biologists fear that reductions in phytoplankton populations will in turn lower the populations of other animals. Researchers also have documented changes in the reproductive rates of young fish, shrimp, and crabs as well as frogs and salamanders exposed to excess ultraviolet B. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals found mainly in spray aerosols heavily used by industrialized nations for much of the past 50 years, are the primary culprits in ozone layer breakdown. When CFCs reach the upper atmosphere, they are exposed to ultraviolet rays, which causes them to break down into substances that include chlorine. The chlorine reacts with the oxygen atoms in ozone and rips apart the ozone molecule. One atom of chlorine can destroy more than a hundred thousand ozone molecules, according to the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The ozone layer above the Antarctic has been particularly impacted by pollution since the mid-1980s. This regionââ¬â¢s low temperatures speed up the conversion of CFCs to chlorine. In the southern spring and summer, when the sun shines for long periods of the day, chlorine reacts with ultraviolet rays, destroying ozone on a massive scale, up to 65 percent. This is what some people erroneously refer to as the ââ¬Å"ozone hole.â⬠In other regions, the ozone layer has deteriorated by about 20 percent. About 90 percent of CFCs currently in the atmosphere were emitted by industrialized countries in the Northern Hemisphere, including the United States and Europe. These countries banned CFCs by 1996, and the amount of chlorine in the atmosphere is falling now. But scientists estimate it will take another 50 years for chlorine levels to return to their natural levels. Clean Air Kids The Earth is wrapped in a blanket of air called the ââ¬Ëatmosphereââ¬â¢, which is made up of several layers. About 19-30 kilometres above the Earth is a layer of gas called ozone, which is a form of oxygen. Ozone is produced naturally in the atmosphere. WHY DO WE HAVE AN OZONE LAYER? The ozone layer is very important because it stops too many of the sunââ¬â¢s ââ¬Ëultra-violet raysââ¬â¢ (UV rays) getting through to the Earth ââ¬â these are the rays that cause our skin to tan. Too much UV can cause skin cancer and will also harm all plants and animals. Life on Earth could not exist without the protective shield of the ozone layer. WHAT IS THE OZONE HOLE? Every spring, a hole as big as the USA develops in the ozone layer over Antarctica, in the South Pole. A smaller hole develops each year over the Arctic, at the North Pole. And there are signs that the ozone layer is getting thinner all over the planet. Scientists have discovered that the ozone hole over Antarctica started in 1979, and that the ozone layer generally started to get thin in the early 1980s. The loss of the ozone layer occurs when more ozone is being destroyed than nature is creating. WHAT CAUSES THE OZONE HOLE? One group of gases is particularly likely to damage the ozone layer. These gases are called CFCs, Chloro-Fluoro-Carbons. CFCs are used in some spray cans to force the contents out of the can. They are also used in refrigerators, air conditioning systems and some fire extinguishers. They are used because they are not poisonous and do not catch fire. Most countries have now stopped using new CFCs that can be released into the atmosphere, but many scientists believe we must stop using old ones as well. THE OZONE HOLE AND OUR HEALTH The ozone layer is like a sunscreen, and a thinning of it would mean that more ultra-violet rays would be reaching us. Too many UV rays would cause more sunburn, and because sunburn causes skin cancer, this too would increase deaths. These UV rays are also dangerous for our eyes and could cause an increase in people becoming blind. That is why sun cream and sunglasses are very important. THE OZONE HOLE ON ANIMALS AND PLANTS UV rays can go through water and end up killing small water animals orà plants, called ââ¬Ëplanktonââ¬â¢ which form the base of the food chain in oceans and seas. Whales and other fishes have plankton as their main food, and if plankton die because of these UV rays, whales will start dying too, because they will not have anything to eat. Large amounts of UV rays could damage all green plants. If the ozone layer keeps getting thinner, there could be fewer and fewer plants on Earth, then there would be less food in the whole world. THE TWO-FACED OZONE GAS Ozone found between 19 and 30 kilometres high in the atmosphere is one of the reasons why we are alive on Earth. But when the gas ozone is found lower down where we can breathe it in, it becomes very dangerous for our health. This ozone is caused by a reaction between air pollution and sunlight and can cause modern-day smog. This is different to the smog that formed in the early 20th century from smoke and fog. What can you do: There are many things we can do to help reduce air pollution and global warming. Use buses and trains instead of cars, as they can carry a lot more people in one journey. This cuts down the amount of pollution produced. Walking or cycling whenever you can will be even better, as it does not create any pollution. It will also be good for your body, as regular exercise will keep you fit and healthy. If your parents must use the car, ask them to avoid using it for very short journeys if possible, as this creates unnecessary pollution. Try to encourage them to share their journeys with other people, for example when they go to work or go shopping. Also encourage them to drive more slowly as this produces less pollution and less carbon dioxide. Energy is produced to generate electricity and to keep us warm. Most energy is produced by the burning of fossil fuels, like coal, oil and gas, which release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Fuel burnt in our cars also releases carbon dioxide. As an individual, you do not have a lot of control on how your energy is produced. However, you can control the way in which you use that energy. Using less energy means less of it needs to be produced. So less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. We can also help prevent pollution from our own homes which may contribute to acid rain and poor air quality, and increases emissions of carbon dioxide in theà atmosphere. Turning off lights when they are not needed and not wasting electricity will reduce the demand for energy. Less electricity will need to be produced and so less coal, oil and gas will have to be burnt in power stations, which means less air pollution and less carbon dioxide! Pollution formed indoors can be reduced by ensuring that all gas appliances are working correctly. Good ventilation will improve indoor air quality by dispersing biological pollutants like dust mite, and other pollutants such as cigarette smoke. Most of the rubbish we throw away can be recycled, such as glass bottles and jars, steel and aluminium cans, plastic bottles and waste paper. Recycling used materials uses less energy than making new ones. Composting fruit and vegetable waste reduces the amount of rubbish buried at rubbish dumps. What are the Governments doing? Governments throughout the world have already taken action for these different environmental problems (i.e. Acid Rain, Air Quality, Ozone Hole, Global Warming). In their plans they hope to reduce the amount of emissions of greenhouse gases produced by man. About half of the greenhouse effect is caused by our use of energy, especially from fossil fuels. Other sources of energy could be used which do not emit carbon dioxide, e.g. wind power, solar (sun power) and wave power. In the home and at school, we must learn to use energy efficiently and not waste it. Rain is very important for life. All living things need water to live, even people. Rain brings us the water we need. But in many places in the world even where you live, rain has become a menace. Because of pollution in the air, acid gases from factories, cars and homes, the rain is becoming dangerous for the life of every living creature. This rain is known as ââ¬Ëacid rainââ¬â¢. WHAT IS ACID RAIN? Acid gases are produced when fossil fuels like coal and oil are burned in power stations, factories and in our own homes. Most of these acid gases are blown into the sky, and when they mix with the clouds it can cause rain ââ¬â or snow, sleet, fog, mist or hail ââ¬â to become more acidic. The opposites ofà acid are alkalis; for example, toothpaste and baking powder are both alkalis. Strong alkalis can also be dangerous, such as ammonia and bleach. Lemon juice, vinegar and cola are all acidic. Rain is naturally acidic, but acid gases make it even more acidic, sometimes as acid as lemon! Nature can also produce acid gases, such as volcanoes. When they erupt, the smoke that comes out of the crater is also full of acid gases. HOW DO WE MEASURE ACIDITY? There is a special scale called the pH scale that measures the strength of acids and alkalis. A low pH number means something is acid. A high number means something is alkali. And something in the middle is called neutral. Acidity can be tested using litmus paper. Usually rain is a little acidic, and has pH of about 5.5, if the pH of rainfall is less than 5.5, then the rain is probably polluted by acid gases. Acids turn litmus paper red, and alkalis turn it blue. With a special paper called universal indicator, you can test levels of acidity. WHAT ARE THE MAIN GASES THAT CAUSE ACID RAIN? When we burn fuels, chemicals called ââ¬Ësulphurââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ënitrogenââ¬â¢ are released into the air. Once in the air, they mix with water in the air ââ¬â rain, snow, etc ââ¬â and are transformed into different chemicals called ââ¬Ësulphur dioxideââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ënitrogen oxidesââ¬â¢, which can be very dangerous for plants, animals and people. Most of the ââ¬Ësulphurââ¬â¢ comes from power stations, which make electricity, and also from volcanoes. Most of the ââ¬Ënitrogen oxidesââ¬â¢ come from car and truck exhausts. We call ââ¬Ëair pollutionââ¬â¢ the bad gases that we produce and release in the air. ââ¬ËSulphur dioxideââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ënitrogen oxidesââ¬â¢ are the most important causes of acid rain. A PROBLEM ALL OVER THE WORLD Air pollution can be carried over long distances. When acid gases are released, they go high up in the sky, and then they are pushed by strong winds towards other countries. The acid rain in Sweden is caused by air pollution in Britain and other countries of Europe. The pollution produced in Britain ends up mostly in Scandinavia ââ¬â countries in northern Europeà including Sweden, Norway and Denmark. In the USA, the winds blow the air pollution to certain areas in Canada. HOW BAD IS ACID RAIN? When rain is acidic, it affects what it falls on: trees, lakes, buildings and farmland. Sometimes rain is not very acidic and does not cause a lot of problems, but when it is acidic, it can be very harmful to the environment. TREES AND PLANTS Acid rain can have terrible effects on a forest. The acid takes away important minerals from the leaves and the soil. Minerals are like vitamins for trees and plants. Without them, trees and plants cannot grow properly. They lose their leaves and become very weak. They are no longer strong enough to fight against illnesses and frost. They become very ill and can even die. Some soils are alkaline, when acid rain falls on them the acid becomes neutral. Plants and trees living on these soils are not in any big danger.. LAKES AND WATER LIFE Acid rain has a terrible effect on water life. Even if the acid rain does not fall straight into the lake, for example, it may enter from rivers and streams. Some of the life in the lake such as fish and plants may end up dying, because they cannot survive in acidic lakes. Thousands of lakes in Scandinavia have no more life in them. They have received so much acid rain for so many years, because of the winds pushing the acid gases, that nothing can survive. You can recognise a lake dead from acid rain by its clean and crystal clear water. But they look clean because there is very little living in them anymore. Tiny plants and animals are mostly unable to survive.. OUR HEALTH Particulates ââ¬â very small particles of debris found in some of the air pollution ââ¬â are one of the main causes of health problems. In towns and cities, these are released mainly by diesel engines from cars and trucks. When we breathe in air pollution, these very fine particulates can easily enter our body, where they can cause breathing problems, and over time evenà cause cancer. Water we drink from taps can be contaminated by acid rain, which can damage the brain.. BUILDINGS Acid rain can also ruin buildings because the acid eats into metal and stone. It also damages stained glass and plastics. Some types of building materials are softer than others, and it is the softer ones which are most affected by acid rain. Sandstone and limestone are examples of stone which are fairly soft and are damaged easily. Granite is an example of a harder stone that can resist the effects of acid rain. In many places in the world, ancient and famous buildings and monuments are affected by acid rain. For example, the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, has had to be restored because of acid rain damage. Buildings are naturally eroded by rain, wind, frost and the sun, but when acidic gases are present, it speeds up the erosion.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Aristotle on Gender Essay
The peer discussion held last week had its attention focused on a comparison of Aristotleââ¬â¢s and Platoââ¬â¢s ideas of justice and gender. As previously discussed from our lectures, Platoââ¬â¢s idea of justice was concerned with an internal equality between the members of the classes present within the polis. This focused more on individualism in that one must only be concerned with his/her business and not minding otherââ¬â¢s problems. The justice that occurs in their society depends on the class to whom one belongs. However, Aristotle, his student, was more for all-encompassing justice aiming for the ultimate goal of the constitution. Equality, for Aristotle, depends on the constitution in which the society is built upon. For democracy, it promotes equality for those who are equal, but only for those who are equal. Elaborating on this, equality only exists for the majority, who rules in this kind of polis. On the other hand, oligarchy focuses more on the distribution of office, in which there is equality for those who are unequal. (Curtis, 1981) However, this failed to consider the degree of goodness in a citizen. Oligarchs depended more on a wealthy upbringing, giving them superiority over the others who have less riches than them. Democrats was more dependent on free birth, all for equality among every member of the society. Aristotleââ¬â¢s justice was an advocate of excellence over birth. Considering his example of the story of the flutists, Aristotle concluded that justice all ends ups to the contribution of a good citizen to the aim of the society and to the ââ¬Å"endâ⬠of state. Aristotle could care less about the social standing of a citizen, instead focusing more on his triumphs instead of what he was born to be. Gender is another topic wherein these two philosophersââ¬â¢ opinions differ. For Plato, equality among women and men existed within the society itself. Women were free to choose what profession they have, provided that they have the proper education to back it up. Aristotleââ¬â¢s idea for gender, however, is a sexist one. He believed that only men were worthy to be citizens, and that was only if he was a holder of office. Women were ââ¬Å"naturallyâ⬠governed by men, as indicated in his works, specifically identified by the phrase ââ¬Å"mastery of husband over wifeâ⬠. He gave statements wherein the men were given rights over those of the opposite gender. In spite of their standings as teacher and student, their opinions differ regarding how a society must work in order to achieve peace and harmony within their constitution. However, important points can also be withdrawn from their works, such as the fairer justice referred to in Aristotleââ¬â¢s works, and Platoââ¬â¢s ideas of equality and the manner of governing a society. Not one person is perfect, and we cannot find fault upon one making a mistake that we ourselves may have committed. Group: # 4 ââ¬â Section: WBYDX.
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