Global Warming and its Effects Essay Example for Free

Global Warming and its Effects Essay There is no doubt that our world has been warming up. Eleven out of the past twelve years, that is, 1995 to 2006, have been ranked among the twelve â€Å"warmest years since 1850 (â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4,† 2007). † Humans did not keep systematic records of temperature before 1850; nevertheless, scientists are confident that there is something terribly wrong with the steady increase of global surface temperature between 1995 and 2006. The evidence of global warming includes the shrinking of beautiful mountain glaciers in many parts of the world; thawing of permafrost; the early breakup of lake as well as river ice; lengthening of growing seasons (especially mid to high latitude); shifting of animal, insect and plant ranges; early flowering of trees; early emergence of insects and egg laying of birds; changes in ocean currents as well as patterns of precipitation; and the increasing lifetimes and intensities of tropical storms in several regions of the globe (â€Å"Climate Change 2007,† 2007). Seeing that the poorest people of the world are rather dependent on a hospitable as well as stable climate for their crop growing needs in addition to the gathering of natural resources, it is vital to understand climate change before attempting to manage it. Poor people are reliant on the monsoon seasons, for example, but climate change is about to turn their lives around. Moreover, it is the poorest people of the world that are most vulnerable to the destruction caused by natural disasters. The Asian tsunami of 2004 provides evidence of this phenomenon. Increase in drought frequency in Africa is another reason why policymakers around the globe must consider decisions that would have a long-term impact on humanity. Other examples of the destruction caused by climate change to the poor communities in particular include the effects of Katrina in the United States and the heat wave that was experienced by Europeans in 2003. As these examples reveal, poor people in rich societies are also vulnerable to the devastating effects of global warming (â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4†). Additionally, the effects of global warming are expected to vary across the globe. According to a publication of the United Nations Environment Programme: While the Earth’s climate has varied throughout the prehistoric ages, the last few decades have witnessed a global climate disruption that is unprecedented over the recent millennia, a period of relative climatic stability during which civilization emerged. Some regions, particularly the Arctic, will be more affected by climate change than others closer to the equator. In many regions, the agricultural sector will be particularly affected. The combination of high temperatures and decreased soil moisture projected for parts of Africa will be particularly hard to adapt to (â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4†). The publication of the UNEP, â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4,† also describes the main responsibility that human beings must assume for global warming: that, in fact, humans have placed great pressure on the climate system with increasing anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The greenhouse gas that is mainly responsible for climate change appears to be carbon dioxide, primarily originating from the consumption of fossil fuels. But, other gases are similarly responsible for climate change. According to the report: â€Å"Since the dawn of the industrial age, the concentrations of these gases have been steadily increasing in the atmosphere (â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4†). † Overly excited about their achievements during and after the golden Industrial Age, human beings did not realize that materialism and greed could even be responsible for ending their existence on Earth in the near future. Indeed, if climate change is not managed through effective, global environmental policies at present, huge natural disasters may very well finish off all life on our planet. As it is, global warming is accompanied by spells of really high temperatures that are known to destroy life through heat stress in addition to air pollution. In June 2003, Europe experienced such a spell. It raised temperatures twenty to thirty percent higher than the average temperatures during summer. What is more, the spell covered a huge portion of the European continent, from Germany to Italy, and from the north of Spain to Czech Republic. With social as well as economic impacts, besides its environmental impacts, the heat wave presented heavy losses to the European continent. In point of fact, thirty thousand European people lost their lives during June 2003. Forestry and agricultural production were impaired; forests were burned; crop cycles were disrupted; nuclear reactors cooled by water from rivers had to be closed; demand for electricity could not be met; and the stability of rocks was affected (â€Å"Impacts of Summer 2003 Heat Wave in Europe,† 2004). Europe had experienced significant development during the Industrial Age, although it did not have any power over the heat wave of 2003. More importantly, perhaps, it is evident that the European Union would now play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The heat wave of 2003 served as a warning for the entire continent to begin taking serious action against greenhouse gas emissions, while enjoying the fruits of the Industrial Age even in the twenty first century (â€Å"Impacts of Summer 2003 Heat Wave†). As bad as the European heat wave of 2003 was, there is no way for it to compete with the rising average temperatures in the Arctic. In fact, temperatures in the Arctic are â€Å"rising almost twice as rapidly as in the rest of the world (â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4†). † Sea ice and glaciers in the Arctic are presently melting, while the permafrost temperatures are rising. In Siberia and Alaska, permafrost is also melting. This is expected to release methane into the Earth’s atmosphere from the frozen hydrates. Scientists are aware that fifty million years back, a large amount of methane was released into the Earth’s atmosphere. Temperatures around that time must have risen approximately five to seven Celsius. Additionally, scientists have determined that it took approximately one hundred and forty thousand years for the atmosphere to return to its normal state after the initial release of methane (â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4†). Perhaps, therefore, the effects of global warming would remain with us for a very long period of time. Our future generations would have to suffer because of the excessive greenhouse gas emissions that our generation has been held responsible for. Other effects of global warming include increased changes in precipitation around the world. While wet regions are experiencing more rain, the dry areas of our world are turning more arid than before. In addition, regions like Africa with â€Å"the lowest contribution to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions† are projected to suffer most due to these changes (â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4†). As a matter of fact, water scarcity is projected to become a dangerous problem for the African people in the days to come (â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4†). Global warming is also increasing â€Å"intense tropical cyclone activity,† especially in the North Atlantic (â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4†). This has been going on since 1970, and is definitely associated with increases in the surface temperatures of tropical seas. Furthermore, there is evidence of increased tropical cyclone activity in certain regions of the world where it is difficult to gather high quality data. In any case, over the past thirty five years the number of Class 4 and 5, high intense storms, has almost doubled. These storms are now occurring in virtually all ocean basins. Of a certainty, our world would warm up even more because of this activity in the deep (â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4†). It is time, therefore, for all countries of the world to seriously consider the kinds of policies that could reverse the damage caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Humans have no control over unknown natural powers that may be causing climate change. Even so, they instinctively know the route they must take so as to help all living beings on the planet. The UNEP publication, â€Å"Global Environmental Outlook 4† refers to our world as a â€Å"one planet economy,† where all resources must be shared. So even though the Africans did not pollute the environment as much as the Americans and the Europeans during the Industrial Age, they must suffer because they did not even consider advising the Americans and the Europeans to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Of course, they were in no position to advise the polluters. Global warming has been showing its severe effects only now – a time when the world seems to have accepted the idea that life on Earth may end pretty soon if human beings do not stop harming the environment. References Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basics. (2007, Feb 5). Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Retrieved Dec 10, 2007, from http://ipcc-wg1. ucar. edu/wg1/docs/WG1AR4_SPM_Approved_05Feb. pdf. Global Environmental Outlook 4: Environment for Development. (2007). United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved Dec 10, 2007, from http://www. unep. org/geo/geo4. Impacts of Summer 2003 Heat Wave in Europe. (2004, Mar). United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved Dec 10, 2007, from http://www. grid. unep. ch/product/publication/download/ew_heat_wave. en. pdf.

Papyrus :: essays research papers

"Papyrus Papyrus was the most important writing material in the ancient world. Our word ""paper"" derives from the word ""papyrus,"" an Egyptian word that originally meant ""that which belongs to the house"" (the bureaucracy of ancient Egypt). Papyrus is a triangular reed that used to grow along the banks of the Nile, and at an early stage of their history the Egyptians developed a kind of writing material made out of the pith within the stem of the papyrus plant. At the same time they developed a script that ultimately provided the model for the two most common alphabets in the world, the Roman and the Arabic. . The task of the papyrologist is not only to decipher, transcribe and edit what is preserved, but also to reconstruct what is lost between fragments and reconstruct the whole. Most fragments of literature derive from rolls of papyrus, which could extend up to 35 feet in length. Papyrus was the most important writing material of the ancient world and perhaps ancient Egypt's most important legacy; alongside it were used other (often cheaper) materials, like wood and clay (broken pottery sherds with writing are called ostraca). On these materials were recorded everything from high literature to the myriad of Nine of ten published texts are private letters or documents of every conceivable documents and other communications of daily life. they reflect the quotidian affairs of government, commerce, and personal life in much the same way that modern records do. From the papyri, moreover, have come abundant new works of religious literature not only for Judaism and Christianity but also for traditional Greek and Roman cults, for Manicheism, and for the early history of Islam. The papyri are also our most important source for the actual working of law in ancient societies. . In addition to the papyri, the Michigan collection contains other writing surfaces that were in use in the ancient world, such as ostraca (pot shards), lead, wax and wooden tablets, parchment, and rarely, paper. The papyri are mainly in Greek, but with a range similar to that of Michigan.Condition of the Materials But it is of course much older than most paper manuscripts, and most papyri are torn on several, if not all, sides. They usually emerge dirty, crumpled, and twisted, unless they have been preserved in a box or jar (as occasionally happens). Ostraca are often broken, and sometimes have significant salt in the fabric if they have lain in land reached

The Beach

Amanda Matya The Beach The bright sun emerges up over the water, like a giant lollipop coming out over the horizon. The sky fills with its fierce pink and orange glow. A strong gust of wind blows past me, warms my face and the fresh scent of the salty ocean water makes its way through my nostrils as I take a deep breath taking it all in. The warmth of the sun covers my whole body like a blanket. You can hear the faint sounds of seagulls in the distance out searching for their morning breakfast. I can tell this day is already going to be beautiful.As I walk along the beach, the grainy sand sinks beneath my feet, in between my toes and then covering my toes with sand with every step. I can feel the half crushed seashells under my feet. As I get closer to the water the sand becomes a moist damper substance almost like walking on a wet sponge. The water is warm on my feet as the tide flows in a slow repetitive motion up and down the sea shell covered beach. The waves rippling against the shore remind me of a couple making love so passionately. This is my favorite place to be.Beach shop owners opening their shops and early morning joggers start to accumulate at the beginning of their day. Early morning boaters are spotted on the horizon. Some days you can even see cruise ships sailing past. Soon there will be happy little kids running around with their yellow and red pails and shovels. Making sandcastles and motes, running around chasing each other, with their sunscreen covered bodies, trying to catch fish and other sea animals. Parents under their big beach umbrellas catching the mid-day sun rays. There are groups of young kids playing volleyball, and guys playing catch.Everywhere there are lots of laughter and amusement. This is the place where I feel most free. It’s so peaceful to lie on the beach with a long beach towel, a sweet cool drink and a good romantic book, it is very easy to lose yourself into complete paradise. Have good laughs with friends and enjoy a beautiful amazing day on the beach. When on the beach for some reason gives you a feeling of being calm and relaxed. It is a beautiful equation where the water meets land. If I could spend every day on the beach I would. Only one word of advice remember to always wear sunscreen!

Juvenile Crimes - 1247 Words

Juvenile crime is a growing problem that endangers virtually every American. Juvenile delinquency is enormously damaging to the health and well-being of the nations families and communities. A juvenile crime can consist of DUI, robbery, rape, minor in possession, weapon in possession anything an adult can be charged with. Individuals under the age of eighteen who commit these crimes can be charged as a juvenile delinquent. Statistics show that most juveniles that commit crimes are in a gang; weather its street related or school related. The average cost of caring for an incarcerated juvenile is more than $40,000 a year. Vandalism in schools cost more than two-hundred million a year, and vandalism directed at personal property is even†¦show more content†¦Some juveniles commit crimes because of poor parenting skills, because most parents do not page close attentions to their child and give them the attention they ask for. Not knowing what your child is doing are not having any thing to do with your child’s life is poor relationships between children and parents. According to Eric Lotke, â€Å"the numbers of juvenile homicides with firearm are starting to spiral upwards while the number of non-firearm homicides stays steady or is decreasing. Lotke and others contend that guns have led to higher rates of violence because they have replaced less fatal weapons. While juveniles use to fight with fits and knives they now resolve disputes with lethal firearms (qtd in Ojeda 53). Preventing juvenile crime is very hard to do. Recently authorities have tried various means of addressing the problem of juvenile crime including teenage curfew laws, parental responsibility laws, and after-school and early intervention programs (qtd in Ojeda 129). Family interactions have greater influence on delinquency. To prevent juvenile delinquency one should spend more time with their child, and be more controlling. If the parent feels like he or she can not control the child they should seek for assistance by calling social services. Parents should educate their child about the dangerous parts of drug use. Most parents should put their child in after school activities, such as community services,Show MoreRelatedJuvenile Crime And Juvenile Crimes1437 Words   |  6 Pagestoday is juvenile crime. Today the juvenile involvement in crime occurs for many different reasons in many different places. Ages still in the single digits all the way through 17 are committing illegal juvenile acts each and every day. Some of these crimes are done on purpose and with an intent and some of the crimes are done on total accident. Juveniles all over America in all different places are committing crime today and as you read this there are juveniles somewhere out committing crimes. â€Å"TheRead MoreJuvenile Crimes And Juvenile Crime1620 Words   |  7 PagesJuvenile Crimes Juvenile crime occurs when a person violates the criminal law under the age of majority (in most states it’s 18). The juvenile system is way different than the adult system. When a juvenile commits a crime there are legal consequences for their actions depending on what he/she did. Sometimes the system can put them in rehabilitation or a detention center. If the offense is minor, the juvenile could be released to the custody of a parent or legal guardian. In the United StatesRead MoreJuvenile Crimes Of Juveniles1055 Words   |  5 Pagesof anyone who has been a victim of a major crime? I live near the nation’s capitol and our local news channel carries stories about people meeting this fate every day. The worst part is that the criminal is often under the age of eighteen. In 2016, in Washington, D.C. alone, there were 3,278 juveniles arrested for criminal activity (â€Å"Biannual Reports†). I find myself wondering if that criminal will be tried as an adult or merely spend time in juvenile detention. I wonder if the child understandsRead MoreJuvenile Crime And Juvenile Delinquency1322 Words   |  6 PagesVersion). Juvenile crime, in law, term denoting various offense committed by children or youth under the age of 18. U.S. official crime reported that in the mid-1900’s â€Å"about one-fifth of all persons arrested for crimes were under the age of 18† (Funk Wagnalls, 2014). Such acts are sometimes referred to as juvenile delinquency (Funk Wagnalls, 2014. Offering constructive programs reduces juvenile delinquency and reduces recidivism. â€Å"From the beginning, the principal consideration of the juvenile courtsRead MoreJuvenile Crime And Juvenile Delinquency1458 Words   |  6 PagesDay in and day out residents and visitors to the Boston area are affected by juvenile crime and delinquency. Though the crime rates in MA and across the nation are on a steady decline, these juvenile crimes are still considered a serious matter that needs attention. It is thought that juvenile offenders do not cope as well with the criminal justice system as well as adults may be able to and therefore there needs to be a focus on how the system can better aid in the rehabilitation of these youthfulRead MoreJuvenile Sentencing : Juvenile Crime Essay793 Words   |  4 Pages Juvenile Sentencing Juvenile crime has skyrocketed to an all-time high, mainly in the big cities. The major problem is kids doing crimes and not being punish severely enough due to the lack of sentencing. Today’s generation knows how to beat the system because of the sentencing guidelines. Most of the kids in Florida knew that a simple misdemeanor charge they could be released the next day. During the years from 1997-2013 the amount of kids committed to juvenile facilities has dropped fromRead MoreCrime And Juvenile And Adult Crimes1019 Words   |  5 PagesStates, there is a lot of dispute between what the qualifications are for juvenile and adult crimes. Some believe that the only difference is age. Others say it is the severity of the crime. It’s obvious that when adults commit crimes, whether they are a misdemeanor offense or a felony, they pay for it. The confliction comes when a juvenile commits a crime. What exactly determines if they are tried as an adult or a juvenile? Does i t vary by state-to-state? Are there federal laws that govern that debateRead MoreJuvenile Violent Crime And Juvenile Crime Rates1720 Words   |  7 Pagesadults, depending on the crime they committed. Punishments even included death if the juvenile was deemed to be past the point of help. Later on courts were geared more towards rehabilitation than punishment. Reform movements came along and parents could send their children off to reformatories to live and work as part of their rehabilitation. Due to poor living and working conditions many of these places were closed down. Soon after the Progressive Era, the first juvenile court system was openedRead MoreJuvenile Justice : Juvenile Crime1035 Words   |  5 PagesStephani Portillo Honors English 10b Branson,6 May 19,2017 Juvenile Justice As juvenile crime increases over the years due to gang activity, bullying, etc. many offenders are given a life sentence without parole. There isn t a clear boundary that marks at what age should they be treated as adults because the severity of their action always effects that. Should a 6-year-old be convicted with life in prison or should they let them go? Is a 16-year-old enough to be charged with murder like an adultRead MoreJuvenile Crime And Juvenile Offenders988 Words   |  4 PagesJuvenile crime is at its lowest level since 1987, falling 30% between 1994 and 1998. Therefore it is only fair to acknowledge that the criminal justice system has made tremendous strides in it’s treatment of the typical juvenile offender. For example, there was once a time when there was no separation between the treatment of both juvenile and adult offenders. Meanwhile today we have separate courts for juveniles and adults which I feel is a step in the right direction because it enforces