Environmental Studies Essays | Biomass Energy

Environmental Studies Essays | Biomass Energy Biomass Energy The use of biomass energy as a wide spread, renewable power source provided with proper knowledge, state control and technological how-to, can change both the earths environment and our attitude towards alternative power resources. To understand how this can happen, the basics of what biomass energy is and how it works have to be presented. All organic matter, such as agricultural residue, wood and animal waste, energy crops, and methane, is a potential source for biomass energy (http://www.mna.hkr.se/~ene02p10/biomass.htm). Biomass energy can be produced by either growing crops especially for this purpose (i.e. sugarcane, soya bean, corn, sweet potato, maize, willow and eucalyptus trees), or converting organic waste (http://www.inforse.org/europe/dieret/Biomass/biomass.html). The organic matter can be burned to produce heat, like the wood fire of old, or they can produce ethanol or other alcoholic fuels (http://www.mna.hkr.se/~ene02p10/biomass.htm). There are differing opinions betw een respectable scientific communities and one has to analyze the different arguments for and against the use of biomass energy in order to make an informed decision concerning biomass energy. There are a number of arguments advocating the use of biomass energy. As we see an increase of the greenhouse effect, the trend is to start using renewable power sources. Because in order for biomass energy to be produced needs only organic matter and no chemical is needed for its production, it qualifies as a clean renewable power source. For these reasons, biomass energy generates far less air emissions than fossil fuels. Methane, a more powerful greenhouse gas, can be used for the production of biomass energy thereby decreasing the methane levels in the atmosphere. Biomass materials are often waste products from existing industrial activities that would otherwise be disposed ofat considerable cost. For example, if you burn unusable waste material such as bark, construction waste and tree clippings, you reduce the pressure to expand local landfill sites while generating useful energy (http://www.canren.gc.ca/tech_appl/index.asp?CaId=2PgId=62). Biomass energy decreases the reliance on fossil fuels that may be imported, and whose price therefore is subject to variable economic and/or political issues. Bioenergy has a generally positive impact on the local economy. Biofuels are bulky and have a low-energy density so it is not economical to transport them long distances. As a result, the money spent to purchase biofuels generally remains in the local area (http://www.canren.gc.ca/tech_appl/index.asp?CaId=2PgId=62). As biomass energy is produced locally, it creates thousands of jobs at a local scale as it is labor intensive to create biomass energy. As such, the production of biomass energy helps revitalize rural communities. Extra income without an investment in special equipment can be derived from the collection of agricultural residues, such as straw or corn stover, or from the removal of dead, diseased or low-quality trees from forests. However, there are arguments that contradict those above. Scientists found that reforestation would sequester between two and nine times as much carbon over 30 years than would be saved by burning biofuels instead of gasoline. You get far more carbon sequestered by planting forests than you avoid emissions by producing biofuels on the same land says a prominents scientist (http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn12496-forget-biofuelsburn-oil-and-plant-forests-instead.html). The unsustainable and uncontrolled conversion of natural and even virgin ecosystems into managed energy plantations in order to produce material suitable for biomass energy, can lead to the release of carbon from the soil as a result of the accelerated decay of organic matter. (http://www.ecology.com/archived-links/biomass-energy/index.html). It has been established that since the beginning of farming the soybean in Brazil, seven million hectares of the Amazonian rainforest have been converted into energy pl antations. Thus, the concerns that environmentalists have expressed about the destruction of the forests in order to make room for biomass crops, such as maize and sugarcane, have been realized. Says, Renton Righelato of the World Land Trust, a conservation agency that seeks to preserve rainforests, When you do this, you immediately release between 100 and 200 tonnes of carbon [per hectare] (http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn12496-forget-biofuelsburn-oil-and-plant-forests-instead.html). Another by-product of the planting of crops suitable for the production of biomass energy is the loss of biodiversity. Transforming natural ecosystems into energy plantations with a very small number of crops, as few as one, can drastically reduce the biodiversity of a region. Such monocultures lack the balance achieved by a diverse ecosystem, and are susceptible to widespread damage by pests or disease (http://www.ecology.com/archived-links/biomass-energy/index.html). Another important argument is that there simply may not be enough land to grow energy crops and food crops simultaneously. According to a UK survey, the most productive energy crop in the UK is rapeseed and the average yield is 3-3.5 tons per hectare and one ton of rapeseed produces 415 kg of biodiesel, so every hectare of arable land could provide 1.45 tons of transport fuel. Road transport in the UK consumes 37.6m tons of petroleum products a year (http://www.sovereignty.org.uk/features/eco/fuelines.html). The total hectares needed to be planted in order to produce the biodiesel quantity of equal to 37.6m tons of fossil fuel would be roughly 25.9m hectares. The UK does not have this much arable land. In the case of Brazil, Alexandre Conceicao, a member of the MST (Landless Workers Movement), pointed out the orientation was towards the global market concerning energy crop plantations with no regard to the domestic production of food (http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38051). So, th ere might not be any reliance on foreign fossil fuels, but there may be reliance on foreign food exporters. There are also arguments against the intended location of future energy crop plantations. There has been the suggestion that by converting arable land in Africa into energy crop plantations, both global warming would be tackled and Africans would be helped. It was said that this strategy, provides a sustainable development path for the many African countries that can produce biofuels cheaply (http://www.sovereignty.org.uk/features/eco/fuelines.html). Although palm oil can produce four times as much biodiesel per hectare as rapeseed and is grown in places where labor is cheap, planting it is already one of the worlds major causes of tropical forest destruction (http://www.sovereignty.org.uk/features/eco/fuelines.html). It is obvious that the production of biomass energy in this manner would entail serious environmental consequences. The possible creation of jobs has also come under doubt. There have been protests in Brazil about the slavery conditions that the sugar cane plantation workers face. The social cost of this policy is the overexploitation of labour with an army of seasonal workers who cut one ton of sugar cane for 2.50 reals (1.28 dollars) in precarious conditions which have already caused the deaths of hundreds of workers, says Alexandre Conceicao of the MST (http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38051). Camilla Moreno of the Rural University of Rio de Janeiro said that, the growth of the ethanol industry is breathing life into a modern-day version of the sugar plantation slave-labour past, along with the expansion of a new form of ecological imperialism. Moreno pointed out that large tracts of land have been purchased by international (largely U.S. and European) investment funds, which has brought a new form of capitalism that was not familiar to Brazil (http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38051) The above statements show that not only do the Brazilian people, as a whole, do not benefit from the production of biomass energy, but also that the actual workers are not rewarded properly for their work and work under wretched conditions.

Analysis of the Coca-Cola Company Essay -- Business Management Soft Dr

Analysis of the Coca-Cola Company The Coca-Cola Company is the world's leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of soft-drink concentrates and syrups. The Coca-Cola Company is the world's leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of soft-drink concentrates and syrups. The Company markets many of the world's top soft drink brands, including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite and Fanta. Through the world's largest and most pervasive distribution system, consumers in nearly 200 countries enjoy the Company's products at a rate of more than one billion serving a day. On May 8, 1886, pharmacist John Stith Pemberton stirred up fragrant caramel-coloured syrup in a three legged brass kettle. He carried a jug of his new formulation to the Jacobs's Pharmacy, Atlanta. On the following day, the new product debuted as a soda fountain drink for five cents a glass. By accident or by design, carbonated water was mixed with the syrup which has created the world's most popular drink. Pemberton's partner suggested the name "Coca-cola" and penned the now-famous trademark in his unique, flowing script. Averages of nine drinks were sold per day after the advertisement. Pemberton died in 1886 and Asa Candler began to purchase the outstanding shares of Coca-Cola. In 1893, Coca-Cola was registered in the United States and then further investment was put it to expand the business. To handle the enormous scope of its business, the Coca-Cola Company has divided into six operating units: Middle and Far East Groups, Europe, The Latin America Group, The North America, The Africa Group and The Minute Maid Company. The head Quarter is in the United States. Methods of Research I will use The method of research which I will use is the secondary research, i.e. I have asked The Coca-Cola Company to send me their history and annual reports. I will also call The Coca-Cola Company office to ask some details, I will also use ask them some relevant questions (questionnaire method), interview the people on the high street and will do some research over the Internet. From those sources I am going to finish my all other tasks. Task One E1 They type of businesses 1. Private and Public enterprise 2. Limited Liability 3. Franchising I will define each type of business with some advantages and disadvantages. For The Coca-Cola Company ... ...in keeping the wheels of the business. The maintenances of the company equipments etc. They also acts as a help support of the company, this means if there is any enquiry by the customers, the customers will ring the helpdesk support and complain about the products or any information that the customers need will be provided by the this department. About the complains, these complains will be transfer to the research and development department to make the product better or to fix the problem the consumer having. These departments are the most important department of The Coca-Cola Company because they helps the company to meets the objectives of The Coca-Cola Company i.e. surviving, customer satisfaction and make more profits. As I said that the help desk department satisfy the customer by providing the information they needs and taking the complains and passing to the research and development departments who improves the products. The marketing departments are responsible for marketing the products and advertising the products and promoting the products. If all these departments perform their duty firmly then the objectives of The Coca-Cola Company will meets.

My Ideas Essay

Australian vision means that which are seen or imaginative image and people mind. Therefore the phrase †Australian vision† simple means something which are seen or imagined on people’s mind to describe Australian as a unique country. On the film â€Å"Strictly ballroom†, show Australian vision on every figure’s vision was obvious on the mind. One of the ideas about Australian is the multicultural; it’s obvious vision of the film about Australian’s vision. The vision show on the part of Scott dance Paso doble on Fran’s home, that Australian vision is multicultural. Fran’s family come form Spanish, is different to Scott’s cultural, Scott is a local of Australia, they are living on different cultural, even so they are make friendly and respect each other, happy dance together, enjoy a freedom steps world, Scott looked like a part of the Spanish family, in effect he not a real a Spanish, but it relevantly show sense of Australian is multicultural. We can saw very clearly, Scott is a professional dancer, he always dance wears colorful clothes, dance on dance hall, but in the film of part of dance on Fran’s home, Scott just wears comfortable clothes and dance on the backyard of a house, near railway, the very noise when the train passing. He is happy and enjoys it, dance with Fran’s family, and integrate with the Spanish family. Can be got idea about the vision, the vision for Australian, are multicultural country. On the life in Australia many different colors of people, many different cultural of people, and many different languages of people, the country just like a palette, many different come together, many possibility.

Free Essays on Adolescent Eating Disorders

With children as early as age 7 showing dissatisfaction with their body, and as young as 9 starting dieting, eating disorders are a serious issue in our society. Taking a look at perceptions, behaviors, and medical issues associated with the disorders of anorexia and bulimia, scholars have tried to categorize and find answers to the problems which certain adolescents suffer. In this paper I focused on the two major eating disorders of anorexia and bulimia. In 1978, Brunch called anorexia nervosa a â€Å"new disease† and noted that the condition seemed to overtake â€Å"the daughters of the well-to-do, educated and successful families.† Today it is acknowledged and accepted that anorexia affects more than just one gender or socio-economic class; however, much of the current research is focused on the female gender. â€Å"Anorexia nervosa is characterized by extreme dieting, intense fear of gaining weight, and obsessive exercising. The weight loss eventually produces a variety of physical symptoms associated with starvation: sleep disturbance, cessation of menstruation, insensitivity to pain, loss of hair on the head, low blood pressure, a variety of cardiovascular problems and reduced body temperature. Between 10% and 15% of anorexics literally starve themselves to death; others die because of some type of cardiovascular dysfunction (Bee and Boyd, 2001).† Bulimia nervosa is a slightly less serious version of anorexia, but can lead to some of the same horrible results. Bulimia involves an intense concern about weight (which is generally inaccurate) combined with frequent cycles of binge eating followed by purging, through self-induced vomiting, unwarranted use of laxatives, or excessive exercising. Most bulimics are of normal body weight, but they are preoccupied with their weight, feel extreme shame about their abnormal behavior, and often experience significant depression. The occurrence of bulimia has increased in many West... Free Essays on Adolescent Eating Disorders Free Essays on Adolescent Eating Disorders With children as early as age 7 showing dissatisfaction with their body, and as young as 9 starting dieting, eating disorders are a serious issue in our society. Taking a look at perceptions, behaviors, and medical issues associated with the disorders of anorexia and bulimia, scholars have tried to categorize and find answers to the problems which certain adolescents suffer. In this paper I focused on the two major eating disorders of anorexia and bulimia. In 1978, Brunch called anorexia nervosa a â€Å"new disease† and noted that the condition seemed to overtake â€Å"the daughters of the well-to-do, educated and successful families.† Today it is acknowledged and accepted that anorexia affects more than just one gender or socio-economic class; however, much of the current research is focused on the female gender. â€Å"Anorexia nervosa is characterized by extreme dieting, intense fear of gaining weight, and obsessive exercising. The weight loss eventually produces a variety of physical symptoms associated with starvation: sleep disturbance, cessation of menstruation, insensitivity to pain, loss of hair on the head, low blood pressure, a variety of cardiovascular problems and reduced body temperature. Between 10% and 15% of anorexics literally starve themselves to death; others die because of some type of cardiovascular dysfunction (Bee and Boyd, 2001).† Bulimia nervosa is a slightly less serious version of anorexia, but can lead to some of the same horrible results. Bulimia involves an intense concern about weight (which is generally inaccurate) combined with frequent cycles of binge eating followed by purging, through self-induced vomiting, unwarranted use of laxatives, or excessive exercising. Most bulimics are of normal body weight, but they are preoccupied with their weight, feel extreme shame about their abnormal behavior, and often experience significant depression. The occurrence of bulimia has increased in many West...

In the summer of 1975 world-renowned director Steven Spielberg produced a film so frightening Essay Example

In the summer of 1975 world In the summer of 1975 world-renowned director Steven Spielberg produced a film so frightening Essay In the summer of 1975 world-renowned director Steven Spielberg produced a film so frightening Essay Essay Topic: Dracula Jaws In the summer of 1975 world-renowned director Steven Spielberg produced a film so frightening that still today 30 years after the film was first previewed, the infamous theme tune brings Goosebumps to viewers all over the planet. This now legendary movie tapped into the most primal of human fears, the fear of what lurks below the dark surface of water. Jaws now known as the mother of all summer blockbusters uses many iconic images to create tension, in this essay I shall analyse the first four scenes of the movie paying careful attention to imagery, pace of tension and iconic references In the very first scene, Spielberg uses a black background. This mise-en -scene is used to target the fear, within humans of being unable to se your attacker. To connote further Spielberg could have used the black mise-en-scene to hint at the weakness of the viewer in that situation, alone in the dark and vulnerability. Diegetic noises can be heard, the sound of bubbles and swift water movement. Spielberg used this to add tension; he used the sea noises to remind the viewer of the fact they are in danger. The sea in inhabitable for humans and so whatever is in the water is not humanly natural; this plants an enigma into the audiences minds. What kind of monster swims in the pitch black? Spielberg uses a swimming motion with the camera; this gives the audience the impression of searching. The camera manages to move fast but with a certain amount of grace, this is an example of intertextuality as this kind of camera movement known as sweeping was used in earlier horror movies such as count Dracula and Frankenstein Spielberg uses iconography to show that whatever is swimming is just as frighteningly in control as the vampires and monsters from the earlier films. The music starts with a low violin sweeping, until gradually other instruments get involved. Here Spielberg is using the music to increase the tension. As the music speeds up it mimics a heart beat pumping faster and faster, as if running or in fear of something. However the music leads you to an anticlimax and it becomes deathly quiet and calm In the second scene a harmonica can be heard. The camera begins to pann the view of the beach it stops at a long shot then zooms in gradually you are lead into a beach side party. People are drinking and smoking around a bonfire. Here Spielberg twists the stereotype of fire within horror films. Instead of the fire being scary, out of control and dangerous Spielberg makes it look safe and relaxing. By having the people drinking and smoking Spielberg is adding irony; this is because as a viewer we are aware that no good comes out of teenage drinking within horror movies. The camera uses a mid-shot whilst it searches amongst the people trying to find its victim. This echos the first footage of the monster The victim turns out to be a young blonde teenage girl, quintessentially a must in any horror film. The camera shot is then changes to a close-up of the young couple running across a sand dune into the darkness of the night. The camera seems to follow or even stalk the victims as they descend further and further away from the light of fire and the safety of number. A mid-shot of the male stumbling drunkenly across the dunes calling to the female asking her where they are going is used to enhance the isolation of them. The young girl replies to his query with a high-pitched swimming The fact she has stressed this word reminds the audience of their prior knowledge of something evil in the waters. By this point tension is beginning to mount. The young blonde dives into the water naked. I can connote two facts that are relevant with this scene. Number one is that the girls dive is perfect showing the audience that however dumb and naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve the picture has painted her, she is skilled in water an able swimmer. The second is the fact that the female is naked, this not only used to add vulnerability but to also add tension. The view from underneath the girl is a low angle long shot, the fact she is alone is mimicked by the starless sky and darkness of the night. As the motif begins to play, you know something terrible is about to happen. There is a close up on the girls face; Suddenly the girl is pulled underwater screaming and crying. The film then cuts to the male who ironically is sleeping peacefully on the safety of dry land; the first light of dawn is beginning to break in the background birds can faintly be heard The young woman is eventually dragged underwater. The shot is a mid-shot of the dark sea looking calm and still. Diegetic noises can be heard. Here Spielberg is using irony once more, as only the viewers really know what has just gone on beneath those deathly still waters. At this point the audience are still left with the enigma of what the monster is. By scene three first light has broken through the clouds. It is now daytime. There is a close-up of a males face peering out of his window onto the ironically still seas. Soft lighting is used on the womans face this makes her look soft and pretty, the home is bright and airy. A child runs into the kitchen claiming to have been bitten by a vampire Here once again dramatic irony comes into play as only the viewer know about the vampire like movements of the monster in the first few scenes of the movie. A phone is heard ringing in the background, the husband rushes to pick up one of the two phones that are fitted upon the wall. Unfortunately he picks up the wrong phone and the line is dead, by using the stereotypical Horror movie hoax call Spielberg is referring to iconic movies such as psycho. The man picks up the other phone and proceeds in having a conversation with the person on the other line; this leaves the audience with a mystery. Who was the husband talking to? The husband then stands up and sets off to work. In the background one or the children is heard asking to go swimming, this mimics the high-pitched innocence of the young girls voice and reminds the viewer of the nature of the film. As the Husband drives away from his idyllic home, his wife is heard telling him to be careful. He then drives off at a safe speed. Of course by this point as a viewer you are aware that something is going to happen to ruin this perfect family. Scene four begins with non-Diegetic noise a radio can be heard playing but no radio is within view at this point. There is a long shot of a billboard that ironically features a blonde haired girl who is strikingly similar to the young girl that has just been killed. This is Spielberg once again using dramatic irony as only the audience know about the death of the young girl. Suddenly the car stops, and a mad come into mid-shot crying and blowing his whistle. The mise-en-scene is that of a rough ocean possibly signifying turmoil below the waters. The camera shot then changes to that of a close up. Gulls and other sea side Diegetic noises can be heard, the view is that of a mutilated hand. The fact Spielberg does not show more of the mutilated body gives the Audience an enigma. The men struggled to hold down vomit, the man who originally found The body has saliva dribbling down his face showing pure shock horror. All in all I believe Spielberg used many useful iconic images to help him create the ultimate summer horror film of all time. But at the same time created many iconic images of his own, Such as the eerie jaws jaws motif. People from all ages can hear the tune and feel Goosebumps surging from there skin as the horror sets in.

Thin-Layer Chromatographic Analysis Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Thin-Layer Chromatographic Analysis - Lab Report Example 2) Aspirin has the ability to lower the possibility of cancer. According to a recent research, patients who use aspirin are 38% less affected by this disease. Also, using aspirin, it was possible to lower mortality from cancer by 15% and make metastasis less common (Clayden et al. 300). Undoubtedly, aspirin is highly versatile and can be used in multiple situations. But also it has side effects which must be considered before treatment with aspirin is undertaken. For example, aspirin lowers the possibility of formation of clotted blood in the body, which leads to lowering the risk of a stroke. Because of this aspirin cannot be used by people with tendencies to bleed. Also, aspirin cannot be used by pregnant women, because this drug increases the percentage of mortality of infants, stillbirths, prolongs pregnancy and promotes maternal bleeding. It is also important to note that children who recover from chicken pox or flu must never be treated with aspirin. As it is known, this drug significantly promotes Reye’s syndrome if given to children in the described conditions. In these cases, acetaminophren must be prescribed. On the diagram above a solvent that will be used in separation is placed inside a TLC vessel. Usually, no more than 1 cm thick is necessary. In order to prevent solvent evaporation, the vessel is closed with a lid. A TLC plate with two spots is placed inside the vessel. The first spot (Black) is a known compound; the second is unknown (White). Initially, both compounds start at the same level (a) and the solvent pushes both compounds up. Gradually, the plate becomes wet with the solvent. The plate should be removed once the solvent reaches the level (b), dried and placed under UV. If both spots travelled the same distance, then the compounds were identical; and they are different if the travel distances are different. Capillary force is a well-known force that moves the solvent up the TLC plate. During this movement the

PHILOSOPHY AND TRADITIONS IN MANAGAMENT RESEARCH Assignment

PHILOSOPHY AND TRADITIONS IN MANAGAMENT RESEARCH - Assignment Example Despite these assumptions of agent control and responsibility, human social, political, and economic aspects make business hardly imaginable. In this paper, I will critically evaluate some of the major business operations and use them in gauging whether they are free will, are there alternatives or simply not free at all. The organization’s operations include a firm’s establishments, finances, employees-boss relationship, public relations, the firm’s disciplinary, success, and moral responsibilities Before critically analyzing a firm, the firm must have started somewhere. Someone must have conceptualized the idea before making it real. Thus, the question is whether the entrepreneur or business owner started the firm out of free will or not. One definition of â€Å"free will† is that, it is means of fulfilling a certain desire through a selected line of action (OConnor, 2002). In such a scenario then, the entrepreneur’s choice to start a firm is free will when he/she accepts the notion. Thus, such endeavors also cement the idea of genuine will. Therefore, from a genuine free-will position, the entrepreneur can have done otherwise, but the â€Å"free will† aspect influences his/her decisions (Fiese, 2009). However, from the agent causal theory, one philosopher David Hume, holds that our preferences and decisions are results of other proceedings in the brain’s desires, beliefs, favorites, feelings, and so forth (OConnor, 2002). Therefore, regarding this theory it is clear that something informed the entrepreneur’s choice for the business and the decision to start a firm. For instance, the innate desires for best business outcomes such as profits, fame and riches and stability form the major determinants influencing an individual’s decisions about forming a company. Once a firm develops and manufactures products, an enormous task of