Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Global Warming as a Global Issue of Concern

Global Warming as a Global Issue of Concern CONTROVERSIES OF GLOBAL WARMING TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION GLOBAL WARMING AS A GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN CONTROVERSIES OF GLOBAL WARMING ISSUE EXPLANATION OF THE CONTROVERSIES PRESENTED CONCLUSION REFERENCES INTRODUCTION As a global environmental issue of concern, controversies have been presented for and against global warming. Such controversies have stemmed from its causes as well as effects. This is because since the first international awareness of the problem that took place in 1992 during a United Nations (UN) Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, several opinions have continued to grow concerning the genesis of this problem as well as the potential effects posed on the planet. Such international meeting saw an intellectual exchange among the many delegates concerning the best approaches that can be used in dealing with the causes and effects of global warming. However, this problem is still a controversial one among many environmentalists around the world. Therefore, this essay analyzes the various controversies presented by different articles and authors concerning global warming, its main drivers, and seriousness of the issue as well as claimed consequences. GLOBAL WARMING AS A GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN As a global environmental concern, global warming has had several impacts especially for both the biodiversity and the climatic conditions of the planet (Elkins and Simmonds, et al., 2010). This is because current trends have shown that it affects flora and fauna as a result of the increase in the amount of the anthropogenic gases that are accumulated in the atmosphere such as neon- surface air. As a result, this leads to the melting of the ice caps, rise in the sea levels and other climatic changes. Hence global warming represents a major threat especially to the fundamental life forms of living things on the earth. Back, Russ, Liu, Inoue, Zhang and Otto-Bliesner (2013) contends that global warming leads to the increase in the rate of water evaporation into the atmosphere. This is of great concern owing to the fact that water is life and without it, no life can be realized. This is further compounded by the fact that the water vapor is in itself is a greenhouse gas that exacerbates the problem leading to warming of the atmosphere. As such, this increase in the water vapor can further be compounded by the excessive use of the fossil fuels and through land use changes. Burning of fossil fuels contributes to the addition of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in the sense that such fuels produces anthropogenic gases such as CFCs, methane and nitrous oxide which are responsible for the global warming. In addition, deforestation, explosive population growth, technological advancement, growing urbanization, and industrial expansion are some of the factors that account for the increases in these gas es in the atmosphere. However, it is projected that the rate of the rise will continued if this global issue of concern is not nipped in the bud. Among other major causes, deforestation is argued to be the main causes of the increases in the global warming (Liss, 2012). This is because trees play a major role in the global carbon cycle since they are considered as one of the largest land-based carbon mechanism that helps in the removal of excessive carbon dioxide from the air. Due to this, deforestation has been considered as the second principle cause of atmospheric carbon dioxide contributing for 25 per cent of all the carbon emissions in the atmosphere especially through burning and cutting of trees. For instance, estimates are that over 5500 acres of rainforest are destroyed daily leading to a rise in the global carbon dioxide level which is approximated to be 0.4 per cent each year. The long effects of such changes are inclusive of the melting of the glaciers, increased intensity and frequency as well as the changes in rainfall patterns. According to Liss (2012), imbalances that are created between various life forms on earth makes global warming a controversial issue of global concern. Such imbalances are showing through signs in the form of increased occurrences of cyclones, landslides, tsunami, flood, drought among others. As a result, the increases in the rise of the aforementioned disasters on this planet threaten different life forms. For instance, due to the extreme weather patterns, this can lead to increased effects of malnutrition, airborne as well as water-borne diseases, starvation and extinction of the flora and fauna. CONTROVERSIES OF GLOBAL WARMING ISSUE For the purpose of discussion of the controversies presented in the global warming issue, this essay will analyze four news articles from different media sources. Such controversies will run from the works of the two main authors as presented in the four news articles. As such, the two notable environmentalists who discuss and analyze this issue are J.R. McNeill and Bjorn Lomborg. McNeill’s arguments have been contained in the news article, Something New under the Sun: an Environmental History of the Twentieth-Century World whereas Lomborg discusses it in, The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the Real State of the World. Other two news articles that will be discussed are the Forecasting the consequences of climate driven shifts in human behavior on cetaceans. and â€Å"States Adapting to Climate Change. Environmental Forum.† The central theme in McNeills article is revolving around the fact that environmental problem like global warming comprises some of the byproducts of the modernization as well as development (Cho, Martens, Kim Rodrigue, 2011). As such, he is of the belief that humans have impacted our planet more deeply in the twentieth century than we did in all previous history combined.† Hence the irony in this debate according to McNeill is the fact that some of the same factors that have helped humankind to develop such as economic prosperity as well as technological advancement, are inherent the real causes of the serious environmental problems such as global warming. Consequently, McNeill makes an argument that global warming with no exception from other environmental problems, cannot be dealt with in an effective manner without necessarily having to involve the technological advancements (Dos Santos, 2012). Moreover, McNeill puts it clearly by stating that if global warming consists a serious environmental problem, then the equation will be revised in the direction of a stronger role for the environment. Paradoxically, if humanity is to escape projected environmental crises, then technology, which helped bring them on, will be asked to lead us out. Therefore, McNeill sees technology to be the only solution in dealing with the problem of global warming that can minimize the negative consequences especially of this environmental dilemma that runs rampant across the globe. On the other hand, the rhetoric of global warming has been presented by Lomborg and his argument lies in the premise that global warming together with the other environmental problems, is a mere exaggeration especially from the media specialists, scientists and politicians (Long, Xie, Zheng Liu, 2014). According to him, global warming is a less serious and severe threat as opposed to the weight that is accorded to it in media and among the scientists. As such, Lomborg believes that inaccuracy of studies and predictions that have been made by complicated computer software consist the causes of the fears among the scientists concerning this issue. This is evident through his statement, â€Å"the limitations of computer modeling, the unrealistic nature of basic assumptions made about future technological change and political value judgments have distorted the scenarios being presented to the public.† In addition, Schuldt, Konrath and Schwarz (2011) argue that Lomborg raises many doubts in regard to greenhouse gas emissions considered as the real cause global warming. His main thesis of argument is that greenhouse gas emissions cannot have any impact on the world temperatures. His argument is that even specialized scientists cannot make accurate predictions of the future climate primarily because the climate system is much complex. On the basis of this argument, Lomborg makes a conclusion that global warming is unlikely to be a devastating issue. As such, this raises an important question regarding to whether the temperature change leads to catastrophic consequences. Although in all the environmentalists in the four articles raise valuable claims about the issue of global warming, independent review of the news articles have indicated that McNeill is quite reasonable in his warning and realistic. The point of departure that makes this to be an issue of controversy is the fact that Lomborg’s argues against global warming being a real environmental problem. EXPLANATION OF THE CONTROVERSIES PRESENTED An analytical review of both the environmentalists’ arguments in all the four news articles in regard to global warming brings out the controversies that are presented for and against global warming debate. According to Sharpe (2012), McNeill makes valid as well as reasonable argument in comparison to Lomborg because McNeil bases his argument on the historical backgrounds making references too many past examples in proof of his assumption especially about the relationship that exists between the global warming and economic activities. For instance, McNeil makes a reference to the New Caledonia’s nickel production that took place in 1920s as well as its negative impact especially on the environment, air and weather. According to him, the production of nickel through mining activities led to the pouring of the smoke as well as dangerous gases that were released into the atmosphere. Furthermore, McNeill also refers Londons notorious fog in 1950s as a result of coal mining that caused death of many thousands of people (Sharpe, 2012). This makes McNeill’s argument to have a proof that global warming is not necessarily a very recent environmental problem but as a result of accumulated economic activities of the past century that have paved the way especially for the complication of this problem. Accordingly, in the controversies of global warming debate, McNeill has raised a very strong as well as valid argument as he reviews the information in the recent past in sending the message that the current global warming should be seen as a severe environmental problem that is deeply rooted in the past actions of humankind. The strength and credibility to McNeil’s warnings on the impacts of global warming environmental problem is refereed to authenticated cases especially from the past. Contrary to McNeil’s strong and supported argument, Lomborg’s assumptions are weak and invalid (Schuldt, Konrath Schwarz, 2011). This is because Lomborg does not make any much insight as regards his argument that global warming is not an environmental problem because of the less severity it has in practical in comparison to the predictions made by the scientists and environmentalists. For instance, Lomborg refutes scientific assumptions about the global warming by mentioning that the greenhouse gases does not comprise the only cause of global warming and that there are other factors such as solar energy that may impact global warming. However, this makes his argument to be an invalid one because it has no logical basis due to the fact that existence of many causes of global warming does not refute the fact that it is not a severe environmental problem with many destructive effects especially on life on the earth. Hence Lomborg does not trust technological advancements through computer modeling that allow scientist to make predictions concerning the environment. According to him, he has a belief that scientific predictions are not accurate to make certain real seriousness as well as severity of such environmental phenomena. In these controversies, Lomborg uses ‘doubt’ technique in developing his arguments in his manipulation of global warming being an environmental problem (Dos Santos, 2012). As such, his arguments have received a lot of responses from many experts as well as environmentalists. For instance, Sharon Begley, an environment expert is of the idea that Lomborg’s argument is based on bad logic especially through Lomborg’s argument that people should not to fear global warming because there is high number of deaths resulting from the ‘cold’ weather as opposed to death as a result of the ‘warm’ weather. Begley is right in his refutation of Lomborg’s argument because this means that regardless of the fact that the death toll from the warm weather is slightly less in comparison with cold weather, and then this still remains a problem that calls for a confrontation in order to minimize deaths from the global warming (Anthony and Maynard, p.1802). As such Begley noted that, â€Å"according to a 2006 study, 850,000 deaths from cold will be averted in a warmer world, not the 1.4 million, as Lomborg says.† This makes it an effective strategy in raising an argument especially against severity of global warming and scientists should make an exploration of all possible means in fighting this global problem. Another response to Lomborg’s discussion is that he deals with the issue of global warming from an economic point of view (Cho, Martens, Kim Rodrigue, 2011). This is because lives of people should be seen as being much worthier in comparison with whatever cost is needed especially to in fighting global is warming. In this regard, the problem of global warming â€Å"is approached as an economist would approach it, asking whether the benefits of intervention would exceed the costs.† This is illustrated from his attempt to convince audience with a cost-benefit argument concerning global warming. For instance, Lomborg cites William Nordhaus, a well-known economist in his defense that â€Å"the cost of implementing Kyoto would exceed the total projected cost of global warming† hence this is not a sound argument in dealing with global warming especially from an economic point of view because it is a matter of life and death issues. Liss (2012) claims that one way of refuting Lomborg’s argument is that if global warming problem had not been serious the way Lomborg assumed, concerns of many countries as well as environmental organizations would not have been raised especially through the meeting in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and in Kyoto in 1997 to assess individual countries’ efforts in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. These meeting involved studies conducted by highly reputable scientists as well as professional experts that led to a conclusion that global warming is a an environmental problem caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The findings of the meetings enumerated the ice melting as well as depletion of sea shores as some of the serious consequences of global warming. Accordingly, McNeill gives a more reasonable account than that given by Lomborg because the former respects and trusts scientific facts and predictions due to his full confidence in the technological tools as well as computer sof tware that are used in predicting ill consequences of the global warming. Therefore, global warming still remains an environmental problem that needs confrontation adequately. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the foregoing controversies of global warming debate illustrates that global warming is a very serious environmental problem with destructive negative consequences like ozone depletion and an increase in temperatures as presented by McNeil’s strong and supported argument. Hence global warming should be fought adequately due to the data, statistics, and scientifically-based predictions that such a threat is real. REFERENCES Elkins, A and Simmonds, et al. (2010). Forecasting the consequences of climate driven shifts in human behavior on cetaceans. Marine Policy 34(5): 943-954. Back, L., Russ, K., Liu, Z., Inoue, K., Zhang, J., Otto-Bliesner, B. (2013). Global Hydrological Cycle Response to Rapid and Slow Global Warming. Journal Of Climate, 26(22), 8781-8786. Liss, B. (2012). States Adapting to Climate Change. Environmental Forum, 29(1), 10. Cho, C., Martens, M., Kim, H., Rodrigue, M. (2011). Astroturfing Global Warming: It Isnt Always Greener on the Other Side of the Fence. Journal of Business Ethics, 104(4), 571-587. Dos Santos, M. O. (2012). Investigating consumer knowledge of global warming based on Rogers knowledge stage of the innovation decision process. International Journal Of Consumer Studies, 36(4), 385-393. Long, S., Xie, S., Zheng, X., Liu, Q. (2014). Fast and Slow Responses to Global Warming: Sea Surface Temperature and Precipitation Patterns. Journal Of Climate, 27(1), 285-299. Schuldt, J. P., Konrath, S. H., Schwarz, N. (2011). â€Å"Global warming† or â€Å"climate change†?. Public Opinion Quarterly, 75(1), 115-124. Sharpe, M. (2012). Will We Stop Global Warming Before It Kills Us? Challenge (05775132), 55(5), 123-124. Urpelainen, J. (2012). Global Warming, Irreversibility, and Uncertainty: A Political Analysis. Global Environmental Politics, 12(4), 68-85.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Behavioral Aspects of Project Management Essay -- Operations Project M

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The behavioral aspects of project management consist of many different areas that a project manager must master. The organizational culture is one area that can take time to master for many project managers. The culture of an organization can be the success or the failure of a project. Management must share common beliefs and values and be willing to stand by them at the most critical times.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The personality of the project leader is critical to the project. The project leaders leadership will dictate if the project will be successful. The team has to believe in the manager and for this to happen the manager has to follow though with what they say they will do.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To build and manage a successful project team the project manager must be skilled in many areas. The project manager has to be able to select team members that will fit in with the team, manage meetings skillfully, establish a team identity and vision, establish ways of rewarding the team as well as individuals, manage conflicts within and outside the team, and be able to rejuvenate the team over long projects. Organization Cultures Influence Organizational culture research has identified ten primary characteristics that lead to successful or unsuccessful teams within an organization. These characteristics will in turn affect the selection, sponsorship, prioritization, and ultimate success of all projects in an organization (Gray, Larson, 2011). 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Member Identity – is the employee’s ability to identify with the organization. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Team Emphasis – the activities of the organization in which the team or individuals are emphasized. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Management focus – the decisions management makes that affect the employee’s. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Unit integration – are teams within in an organization expected work independently or as a team. 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Control – the oversight and control over an employee’s behavior. These types of rules and policies of the organization to oversee employees will dictate to the employee what is acceptable and what is discouraged. 6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Risk tolerance – this allows or sets limits on an employee and teams to have a certain amount of innovation and risk seeking. 7.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reward criteria – the organizational culture to allow or disallow promotions and salary increases based on merit rather than nonperformance factors. 8.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Conflict tolerance – the limits at which em... ...ansferred to the actual project or the significance will lessen and not be effective (Gray/Larson, 2011). Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The project manager has to be skilled in many areas of an organization and usually has to work under less than ideal situations. The areas noted earlier are important but probably the most important area is the behavior of the project manager. The behavior of the manager is critical for the success of any project. If the manager has a bad attitude then the team will be lacking in enthusiasm and the project will likely be over budget and not on schedule. Leading by example is hard, especially when stress of the project is mounting. Corporate leaders influence the managers who influence the employees the same goes for project managers leading teams. The project manager must have discipline and be constantly aware of how personal actions are perceived by others (Gray/Larson, 2011). Work Cited Gray, C.F., Larson, E.W. Operations Project Management: The Managerial Process, 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. 2011. Web 16 May 2015. http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/fayad/current.courses/cmpe203-fall2014/docs/ERM/Project%20Management%205th%20Edition.pdf Behavioral Aspects of Project Management Essay -- Operations Project M   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The behavioral aspects of project management consist of many different areas that a project manager must master. The organizational culture is one area that can take time to master for many project managers. The culture of an organization can be the success or the failure of a project. Management must share common beliefs and values and be willing to stand by them at the most critical times.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The personality of the project leader is critical to the project. The project leaders leadership will dictate if the project will be successful. The team has to believe in the manager and for this to happen the manager has to follow though with what they say they will do.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To build and manage a successful project team the project manager must be skilled in many areas. The project manager has to be able to select team members that will fit in with the team, manage meetings skillfully, establish a team identity and vision, establish ways of rewarding the team as well as individuals, manage conflicts within and outside the team, and be able to rejuvenate the team over long projects. Organization Cultures Influence Organizational culture research has identified ten primary characteristics that lead to successful or unsuccessful teams within an organization. These characteristics will in turn affect the selection, sponsorship, prioritization, and ultimate success of all projects in an organization (Gray, Larson, 2011). 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Member Identity – is the employee’s ability to identify with the organization. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Team Emphasis – the activities of the organization in which the team or individuals are emphasized. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Management focus – the decisions management makes that affect the employee’s. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Unit integration – are teams within in an organization expected work independently or as a team. 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Control – the oversight and control over an employee’s behavior. These types of rules and policies of the organization to oversee employees will dictate to the employee what is acceptable and what is discouraged. 6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Risk tolerance – this allows or sets limits on an employee and teams to have a certain amount of innovation and risk seeking. 7.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reward criteria – the organizational culture to allow or disallow promotions and salary increases based on merit rather than nonperformance factors. 8.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Conflict tolerance – the limits at which em... ...ansferred to the actual project or the significance will lessen and not be effective (Gray/Larson, 2011). Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The project manager has to be skilled in many areas of an organization and usually has to work under less than ideal situations. The areas noted earlier are important but probably the most important area is the behavior of the project manager. The behavior of the manager is critical for the success of any project. If the manager has a bad attitude then the team will be lacking in enthusiasm and the project will likely be over budget and not on schedule. Leading by example is hard, especially when stress of the project is mounting. Corporate leaders influence the managers who influence the employees the same goes for project managers leading teams. The project manager must have discipline and be constantly aware of how personal actions are perceived by others (Gray/Larson, 2011). Work Cited Gray, C.F., Larson, E.W. Operations Project Management: The Managerial Process, 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. 2011. Web 16 May 2015. http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/fayad/current.courses/cmpe203-fall2014/docs/ERM/Project%20Management%205th%20Edition.pdf

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Buenvenido Lumbera Essay

Education: Bienvenido Lumbera received his Litt.B. and M.A. degrees from the University of Santo Tomas in 1950. Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Indiana University in 1968. Academe: Bienvenido Lumbera taught Literature, Philippine Studies and Creative Writing at the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, the University of the Philippine Diliman, and the University of Santo Tomas. Bienvenido Lumbera was also appointed visiting professor of Philippine Studies at Osaka University of Foreign Studies in Japan from 1985 to 1988 and the very first Asian Scholar in Residence at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Organizational Affiliation: Bienvenido Lumbera also established his leadership among Filipino writers, artists and critics by co-founding cultural organizations such as the Philippine Comparative Literature Association in 1969; Pamana ng Panitikan ng Pilipinas in 1970; Kalipunan para sa mga Literatura ng Pilipinas in 1975; Philippine Studies Association of the Philippines in 1984 and Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino in 1976. In such ways, Bienvenido Lumbera contributed to the downfall of Marcos although he was in Japan during the 1986 Edsa uprising, teaching at the Osaka University of Foreign Studies. Bienvenido Lumbera is also the founding and current chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the multi-awarded media group Kodao Productions and a member of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. Literary Reputation: Bienvenido Lumbera is now widely acknowledge as one of the pillars of contemporary Philippine Literature, Cultural Studies and Film, having written and edited numerous books on literary history, literary criticism and film. Bienvenido Lumbera also received several awards citing his contribution to Philippine Letters, most notably the 1975 Palanca Award for Literature; the 1993 Magsaysay Award for Journalism Literature, and Creative Communication Arts; several National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle; the 1998 Philippine Centennial Literary Prize for Drama; and the 1999 Cultural Center of the Philippines Centennial Honors for the Arts. Bienvenido Lumbera is currently the editor of sanghaya (National Commission on Culture and the Arts), Professor at the Department of English in the School of Humanities of the Ateneo de Manila University, Emeritus Professor at the Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature, College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines Diliman, and Professor of Literature at De La Salle University. For a time, Bienvenido Lumbera also served as President of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), a National Organization of more than 40,000 teachers and employees in the education sector. The launching of Bayan at Lipunan: Ang Kritisismo ni Bienvenido Lumbera, edited by Rosario Torres Yu and published by the University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, was celebrated by the University of the Philippines in January 2006. Bienvenido Lumbera was proclaimed National Artist in April 2006. Poetry: Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa nuong 1993. Poetika/Pulitika nuong 2008. Ka Bel. Works[edit source | editbeta] Poetry[edit source | editbeta] Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa, 1993 Poetika/Pulitika, 2008 Ka Bel Literary criticism[edit source | editbeta] Revaluation: Essays on Literature, Cinema, and Popular Culture, 1984 Tagalog Poetry, 1570-1898: Tradition and Influences on Its Development, 1986 Abot-Tanaw: Sulyap at Suri sa Nagbabagong Kultura at Lipunan, 1987 Textbooks[edit source | editbeta] Pedagogy Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology Rediscovery: Essays in Philippine Life and Culture Filipinos Writing: Philippine Literature from the Regions Paano Magbasa ng Panitikang Filipino: Mga Babasahing Pangkolehiyo Librettos[edit source | editbeta] Tales of the Manuvu Rama, Hari Nasa Puso ang Amerika Bayani Noli Me Tangere Hibik at Himagsik Nina Victoria Laktaw Awards[edit source | editbeta] National Artist, April, 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts, 1993 Pambansang Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, Unyon ng mga Manunulat ng Pilipinas (UMPIL) National Book Awards from the Manila Critics’ Circle Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature Visiting Professorship, Osaka University of Foreign Studies Professor Emeritus, University of the Philippines Philippine Centennial Literary Prize for Drama  Cultural Center of the Philippines Centennial Honors for the Arts 1st Asian scholar-in-residence at the University of Hawaii at Manoa *As a poet, he  introduced to Tagalog literature what is now known as Bagay poetry, a landmark aesthetic tendency that has helped to change the vernacular poetic tradition. He is the author of the following works: Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa (poems in Filipino and English), 1993; Balaybay, Mga Tulang Lunot at Manibalang, 2002; Sa Sariling Bayan, Apat na Dulang May Musika, 2004; â€Å"Agunyas sa Hacienda Luisita,† Pakikiramay, 2004. As a librettist for theTales of the Manuvu and Rama Hari, he pioneered the creative fusion of fine arts and popular imagination. As a scholar, his major books include the following:Tagalog Poetry, 1570-1898: Tradition and Influences in its Development; Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology, Revaluation: Essays on Philippine Literature, Writing the Nation/Pag-akda ng Bansa

Friday, January 3, 2020

Environmental Issues Affecting The Worlds Oceans

Ocean covers 71 percent of the world s surface and holds 97 percent of the total water on Earth. For centuries, people have regarded it as an inexhaustible resource and a useful transport route. The ocean also plays a significant role in regulating the climate, the atmosphere, carbon cycling, and nutrition flow. However, environmental problems, particularly over the last few decades, have pushed the ocean to its limits. This essay will argue three major environmental issues impacting the world s oceans by focusing on the present condition and phenomena of these problems, possible reasons or factors, and lastly, damage to the ocean environment. Plastic threatens the diversity of marine life and affects the ocean s ecological circulation. Plastic is a large part of ocean waste, and its proportions continue to grow. Under natural conditions, general plastic decomposition needs 50 to 70 years. However, some plastics take hundreds of years to decompose. 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But, really, we haven’t been affected so far. And by scientific predictions, any changes to the earth will be well into the distant future. So why should we worry? Why should we care? Far out in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Australia and Hawaii, lies a broken necklace of islands called Kiribati. Made up of 32 atolls interspersedRead MoreThe Drastic Effects Of Climate Change Essay1678 Words   |  7 Pagesour children and grandchildren an environment at least as good as we have enjoyed. Today, however, it is not just the local environment that is at risk but the global environment. Small amounts of pollution for which each of us is responsible are affecting everyone in the world. For instance, very small quantities of chlorofluoro- carbons CFCs emitted to the atmosphere from leaking refrigerators or some industrial processes have resulted in degradation of the ozone layer. 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The numerous benefits (food, climate regulation, nutrients recycling, etc) particularly the quality of life derived from marine and coastal areas have raised global concern for the adoption of sustainable strategies that will ensure the existence of marine and coastal areas in its natural state with less impact caused by externalities. The natural structure and function of coastal marine ecosystems are facedRead MoreThe Future of California1649 Words   |  7 Pageseconomies are also located off of the Pacific Ocean. Growth in the economy is good, but requires resources that California has a limited supply of. The main resource California always needs is water, since most of the state’s population resides in the southern regions, which are arid and receive minimal precipitation annually. The state is planning on improving efficiency and the aqueduct system to increase the water supply while decrease the environmental effects California’s aqueduct’s have on regions