The Impact Of Hydroelectric Power Development Environmental Sciences Essay

Over the old ages, there has been increasing involvement in electricity coevals utilizing hydropower. However, it is merely late that the impacts of hydroelectric power workss on the environment have been recognized ; until now, it was assumed that hydroelectric power coevals was a clean and environmentally friendly electricity production method, compared to other methods. After extended research, it has been found that hydroelectric power production has some impacts that include production of nursery gases from the disintegrating flora that have been submerged in the dike, and implosion therapy of large land countries, rendering them unfit for agribusiness and other human activities, among others. Possibly the biggest impact from hydroelectric power production is the consequence it has on H2O quality. Dam building, for the intents of power production, can alter the measure and quality of H2O of a river. The disintegrating flora contains bacteria that may besides transform the quicks ilver found in basic reservoir stones into a H2O soluble signifier, which builds up in the fish organic structures and accordingly presenting a wellness hazard. This paper will research the impact of upgrading of bing hydroelectric power workss on H2O quality by, foremost, depicting typical proposed enterprises and options when upgrading bing hydropower workss, and so researching the environmental impacts of such proposed enterprises and options. 2.0 Description of proposed enterprise and options For any undertaking that aims at upgrading an bing hydropower works, the chief aim should be to increase efficiency and increase energy production and end product to the upper limit with no unwanted environmental impacts.2.1 Upgrading bing hydropower workssSeveral methods exist that can be used to increase the production of power at bing hydropower workss. Normally, these methods can be grouped into two: methods that increase the power production efficiency and methods that increase the useable H2O or caput volume. To better efficiency, old turbine smugglers and Gatess can be replaced with newer, more efficient designs ; coatings can be used to minimise loss of energy through clash in flow channels ; the public presentation of the turbine can be tweaked ; turbine smugglers can be replaced with newer 1s holding a similar design to cut down pits and other defects ; generator efficiency can be increased by rewinding them ; H2O escape can be reduced in Gatess and other constructions ; junk path cleansing can be bettered to minimise clash losingss ; and automated systems for aggregation and analysis of diagnostic informations can be set up. To increase the useable H2O or caput volume, the dam lift can be increased to increase the caput and storage capacity ; more turbines can be added to utilize the H2O that is being spilled ; put ining newer turbines and generators that have wider flow scopes ; and other alterations can be effected during distribution of storage and releases of the reservoir.2.2 Retrofiting dikes to develop new hydropowerThe chief activities during retrofitting a dike for hydropower coevals include: constructing sluicegates, consumptions, and a human dynamo that may, in high-head dikes, be located downstream, or, in dikes with low caput, replace subdivisions of the bing construction ; employment of extenuation actions to minimise the undertaking ‘s impacts ; hard-on of power lines to link the undertaking into the bing power grid ; and rerouting through the H2O turbines. Monitoring of quality of H2O, testing to forestall fish from come ining the turbine, edifice of fishing installations, and flow release conditions can do up the extenuation actions.2.3 Options to hydropower development at bing dikesWhen upgrading a hydropower works to better its bring forthing capacity, it is presumed it replaces the bing capacity since it is dearly-won to run because of high costs, for illustration disused workss or those that use dearly-won fuel, and the new capacity that is more expensive than hydropower coevals at bing dikes. To find the right capacity mix that the proposed hydropower ascent will replace, there is demand for a complete respect for future energy disbursals, the nature and location of bing and future hydropower workss, and environmental factors particular to a site.3.0 Environmental impacts of the proposed enterprise and optionsAs has been established, any hydropower development, and other methods of bring forthing power, causes several environmental impacts. The following subdivisions explore the impacts of hydropower ascents and besides for power coevals utilizing fossil fuels, which is the most likely option.3.1 impacts of upgrading bing hydropower workssNormally depending on the type of upgrade being done, the environmental impacts of hydroelectric works ascents are non as terrible when measured up against other energy development impacts. In fact, upgrades that merely necessitate the generators or turbines to be replaced, go forthing the reservoir ‘s volume and release timings unchanged, have few immediate impacts and may even hold several enduring environmental benefits. The ascents that see the volume and release timings change on the other manus may some permanent impacts.3.1.1 Water resources3.1.1.1 Construction ImpactsMinor ascents do non necessitate much work and therefore hold small or no impacts on the H2O resources, like eroding, oil spills, and riverbed break, among others. However, major ascents would necessitate more wide building and therefore the impact on H2O resources is increased. Activities in such ascents such as digging or heavy machinery usage during building addition the local creek beds ‘ and Bankss ‘ eroding, doing more sediment tonss and possible deposition downstream. The redistribution of deposits by building may hold harmful effects when the taint of the deposit is local. While enduring impacts on the H2O quality are improbable, building during ascents may take to short-run impacts like little oil spills. Due to the arrest of H2O flow in major ascents, short-run dewatering and stagnancy of the tailwater may happen, ensuing in high growing of algae and changing concentrations of dissolved O ( DO ) which finally adversely impacts aquatic life.3.1.1.2 Decreased AerationTurbines able to utilize higher flows may be installed during undertaking ascents where spillage of flow occurs via wasteweirs or Gatess because the bing turbines ‘ size can non utilize all the flow. During spillage, the spilled flow may slightly hold increased DO concentrations, or become aerated. When the tu rbines ‘ capacity is increased, there will be an addition in the flow per centum in the turbine, where aeration is minimum or absent. Entire concentrations of DO would diminish in undertakings where the DO concentration is low and an ascent would do less flow aeration during spillage. In undertakings where spillage happens during high flow periods merely, spillage may be used for power coevals because it does non hold important impact3.1.1.3 Improved Turbine AerationTo cut down jobs of H2O quality is some undertakings, turbine replacing may be the solution. In the hot season, stratification occurs in most deep reservoirs. At the underside is a bed of low DO concentrated cold H2O, which when released through the turbines means the tailwater will hold deficient DO concentration. To ease this job, the H2O can be aerated prior to go throughing it through the turbine. Research has shown that in a few workss where the turbines have been constructed to entrain air into the flow when it passes through them, aeration of the tailwaters is sufficient and economical ; aquatic life and efficiency may nevertheless be affected. In such undertakings, upgrading of old turbines may enable the installing of self-aerating turbines that accordingly may increase the DO concentrations of the tailwater, finally profiting the environment.3.1.1.4 Changes in reservoir storage and flow releasesAs seen, to upgrade bing hydropower workss, methods like increasing the turbines ‘ flow rates or increasing or changing reservoir storage, done by increasing the dike ‘s lift and altering the H2O release periods during the twelvemonth severally, can be used, which may impact the downstream and reservoir H2O quality such as altering the concentrations of DO and temperature of H2O.3.1.2 Air QualityThe impacts of hydropower workss ascents on the air quality are normally impermanent and minimum, and usually occur merely because of dust emanations and other emanations that have escaped from the equipment used in upgrade undertakings that need major building. In fact, hydropower ascents may positively impact the air quality by minimising coevals utilizing fossil fuel.3.1.3 Aquatic EcosystemsIt has been established that the alterations that may happen during building and operation activities during bing hydropower works upgrades impact aquatic life. While minor ascents do non significantly impact the H2O quality, major ascents may ensue in dirt eroding and deposit, chemical and building oil spillage, and break of contaminated deposits, which may impact aquatic life. Increased temperatures and reduced concentrations of DO, hapless tailwater quality, could ensue because of fluctuations in flow releases during building. Furthermore, because of go throughing lowly DO concentrated H2O through a turbine, instead than sloping the H2O over a dike, there could be decreased aeration which besides affects aquatic life.3.1.4 Riparian and tellurian ecosystemsBreak to riparian w etlands and home grounds due to building activities is the chief cause of the impacts of bing hydropower workss upgrade on tellurian ecosystems. However, these impacts, which depend on the site or undertaking, are normally insignifanct and merely a few undertakings may do important impacts. Upstream tellurian home ground may significantly be lost through flood because of developments that comprise heightening lifts of the dike. Short-run deposit and fluctuations in flow agendas during building, in add-on to equipment replacing inside edifices, is non likely to hold long-run impacts on tellurian ecosystems.3.1.5 Diversion3.1.5.1 Construction impactsRecreational installations will non be significantly impacted by minor hydropower works ascents except during a little building period. Major ascents on the other manus may impact recreational activities. With the possibility of the deposit loads increasing as a consequence of creek beds and bank eroding, the affected H2O quality may impac t recreational activities such as H2O skiing, fishing, yachting, and swimming, among others ; such activities may besides be affected by rare minor spillage of oil and lubricators. During upgrade building, there may be dewatering and stagnancy because of controlled flow, which consequences in unwanted growing of algae and low concentrations of DO, accordingly impacting activities like fishing. Open stones, awful odors, loud blares, dust, harmful gas emanations, and eroded Bankss, among others may besides impact the aesthetics and therefore the recreational activities.3.1.5.2 Long term ImpactsDecreased aeration in downstream dike H2O is among the permanent impacts of hydropower works ascent on recreational activities. New turbines decrease the DO concentration, impacting aquatic life and finally fishing activities. Recreational activities may besides be impacted in undertakings where high flow-capable turbines are used because there will be different flow agendas for impoundings. Alt erations in the downstream flow graduated table or programming may impact the aquatic life, therefore impacting recreational activities.3.1.6 Dam Safety and FloodingConcerns for dike safety are normally as a consequence of major, non minor 1s, hydropower works ascents which involves promoting the reservoir degrees that consequences on more structural tonss on the dike, accordingly compromising the general dike ‘s safety factor. In most upgrade developments, deluging frights are uncommon. Still, among the methods of increasing coevals at bing reservoirs is to minimise flood storage so as to do more H2O available for coevals. There would, as a consequence of this lessening in inundation storage, be an increased concern for downstream implosion therapy ; different sites have different impacts and magnitude of the excess implosion therapy.3.1.7 Energy security benefitsAlthough it will non significantly to the U.S. ‘s entire power grid, the ascent of bing hydropower workss wo uld supply inexpensive and valuable energy signifier that is local and renewable, therefore is non susceptible to foreign ordinance or fuel scarcenesss. The value of energy ensuing from such ascents is felt more during peak demands, even though it may sometimes turn out undependable, particularly during low flows or when more flow releases are required to better H2O quality and aquatic life.3.2 Impact of new hydroelectric power at bing dikesWhen an bing dike is developed by put ining new hydropower workss, many advantages are realized, minus the several bad environmental effects experienced during hydropower development at new dikes. This is because at bing dikes, the impacts caused by stream ictus such as submerging of tellurian home ground, obstructor of fish migration, alteration in volume and timing of downstream flow, among others, have already been felt ; more impacts may still be felt during retrofitting.3.2.1 Water resources3.2.1.1 Construction ImpactsThere may be some imper manent impacts on H2O resources that result from the building activities during retrofitting. Erosion at the site of building and the accidental discharge of unearthed stuffs into the watercourse may do the tailwaters to hold sediment tonss. Furthermore, the building activities may do spillage of oil and perturbation and distribution of contaminated deposits present at a dike. These impermanent impacts normally end after building is complete.3.2.1.2 Change in flow release formsDue to alterations in release agendas of H2O in hydropower workss, the downstream may hold harmful effects like interrupting aquatic life, recreational activities, and increasing eroding of the bank. As such, flow alterations are normally prohibited because they may take down the dike ‘s capacity to run into its initial marks.3.2.1.3 Changes in tailwater quality due to alterations in release liftWater in a retrofit hydropower workss can be extracted from lifts separate from the initial impounding ‘ s backdown lift. During summer, the quality of H2O in deep storage reservoir normally fluctuates with lift. An impounding, with cold H2O normally holding low concentrations of DO in its lower lifts and warm H2O holding high concentrations of DO in the higher lifts, is caused by thermic stratification. In such graded impoundings where the bing release is through a wasteweir or high lift Gatess at the top, there would be fluctuations in downstream quality during hot conditions from high to low concentrations of DO and high to low temperatures when there is installing of a hydropower works retreating from low lifts. There is normally a high heavy metal concentration like Mg and Fe, irritant compounds, in yatter discharged from low lift. Rarely, shallow impoundings may besides hold stratified H2O quality.3.2.1.4 Change in reserve H2O quality due to alterations in release liftVariations in the backdown lift from a reservoir, in add-on to the impacts discussed before, may besides impact q uality of H2O in the impoundment upstream of the dike. A gate release replacing with a turbine consumption at even the slightest lift alteration for case may take down the volume of cold H2O on the reservoir ‘s underside and raise the warm H2O volume in the reservoir in hot conditions. These fluctuations may impact temperature of H2O, production of algae, concentration of DO, and other issues of H2O quality at changing times and sites in the reservoir. Reservoir simulation theoretical accounts are employed in the anticipation of the compound, unpredictable, and site-exclusive impacts. Changing the backdown lift may sometimes be utile for the H2O quality in the reservoir, and sometimes harmful.3.2.1.5 Nitrogen Super impregnationHydropower upgrade undertakings cause nitrogen ace impregnation and later the fishes ‘ gas bubble infection which causes the formation of gas bubble in a organic structure of the fish which may kill. Three conditions may ensue in the formation of n itrogen ace impregnation: when releases from the reservoir are really aerated, when air is entrained into severely constructed sluicegates, and when N saturated H2O from inside the reservoir is discharged to tailwaters. Nitrogen ace impregnation does non by and large have big impacts in hydropower development at retrofitted dikes.3.2.2 Air QualityAs has been established, impacts of air quality of retrofitting dikes are similar to hydropower works ascent ‘s local, impermanent and minimum impacts. Happening merely during building, effects may include get awaying dust emanations and equipment usage emanations and are by and large minimum compared with other emanations.3.2.3 Aquatic ecosystemThe aquatic resources during building from dike retrofitting are impacted the same manner as during ascent of bing hydropower workss. There is nevertheless greater opportunity for the impact on aquatic resources, by degrading the H2O and home ground quality, to be more, peculiarly from H2O deb asement, because of the major building in this option. Despite the already bing reservoir and the beings ‘ version to the H2O environment, get downing of hydroelectricity production may alter the releases ‘ volume and timing. Consequently, there may be instant and more terrible H2O degree fluctuations in the tailwaters and reservoir, which destroy critical shallow-water home ground for aquatic life. Furthermore, when lowly concentrated DO, cold, deep H2O is discharged from stratified reservoirs will degrade the quality of H2O of the tailwaters and negatively impact the ecosystem adapted to deep warm, extremely concentrated DO H2O releases.3.2.4 Dam safety and implosion therapy3.2.4.1 Dam safetyRetrofiting hydropower dike has a few dike safety concerns. Because building may necessitate removing of some of the bing dike ‘s parts, there is a possibility of the dike ‘s basis or construction weakening if improperly done.3.2.4.2 DelugingDesign-specific, the buildin g of hydropower workss at dikes with low-head may upsurge the implosion therapy upstream ‘s rate and graduated table. If there is the slightest obstructor in the flows ‘ way due to building, the upstream inundation lifts would increase.3.2.5 Energy security benefitsAlthough it will non significantly to the U.S. ‘s entire power grid, energy from retrofitting dikes would supply inexpensive and valuable energy signifier that is local and renewable, therefore is non susceptible to foreign ordinance or fuel scarcenesss. The value of energy ensuing from such an option is felt more during peak demands, even though it may sometimes turn out undependable, particularly during low flows or when more flow releases are required to better H2O quality and aquatic life.3.3 Impacts of coevals utilizing fossil fuelsMost of U.S. power production capacity is due to the usage of fossil fuels ( coal, gas and oil ) . The power that would hold been produced by hydropower is so got from th e usage of these fossil fuels.3.3.1 Water resourcesThe coevals of fossil-fuels can take to a figure of effects to H2O resources. In most instances fossil fuels workss are normally constructed following to big H2O organic structures to supply H2O for chilling or to thrust ahead as agencies of conveyance for the fuels. The building of these workss besides interferes with the land countries taking to eroding and as a consequence taking to residue tonss in the H2O organic structures. Coal excavation and transit are the chief effects of coal- power coevals to legion H2O organic structures. In the humid parts coal mines have for a long period triggered serious pollution of H2O organic structures due to altering of the river channels ( because of direct excavation effects, hydrologic alterations to watershed, and increased residue tonss ) and drainage of acids from mines. Although these impacts can be controlled, to a certain extent they can non be wholly avoided. In waterless countries, these effects are less compared to those in humid countries. However, impacts such as change of groundwater can happen. Even though, the transit of fossil fuels by flatboat on H2O resources can do minor impacts, other agencies of transit such as coal slurry grapevines, can ensue into terrible impacts on local H2O organic structures. The lavation of coal at the power works or mine to better its combustion or emanations qualities ; big sums of H2O are consumed every bit good as pollut ion as a consequence of these procedures. Water resources can besides be degraded due to production and transit of gas and oil used in the production of electric power. These effects can be due to offshore oil production and oil spills in the class of refinement and transit. The production of fossil-fuel power workss is the root to several pollution effects to H2O organic structures. Cooling H2O is required by these workss in the condensation of steam after it has been recycled in the boilers. The cooling H2O can be used one time and channeled to come up H2O or it can be recycled through the chilling tower let go ofing the heat out to the ambiance. Significant temperature addition and vaporization in the receiving H2O organic structure can besides be caused by chilling procedures. Water is likewise consumed by the chilling towers through vaporization and the discharge of blow down H2O, which contains higher concentrations of dissolved solids.3.3.2 Air qualityThe major beginning of air emanations is due to the usage of fossil fuels in power coevals as compared to the usage hydroelectric coevals. Some of these emanations include ; dust discharged from coal hemorrhoids and mines, vehicles used in excavation and transit of these fossil fuels, the storage and use of crude oil and gas besides release hydrocarbon emanations and emanations from burning. Air quality as an impact of fossil- fuel production is of the greatest concern as it leads to the emanation of burning merchandises such as S dioxide, azotic oxide, atoms and C dioxide. Approximately 70 % sulfur emanations, 40 % of azotic oxide emanations and 10 % of particulate emanations of U.S. are produced during fossil- fueled power production. With most emanations coming from oil and coal burning, natural gas- fuel workss have significantly lowered air emanations. The chief concerns are sulfur dioxide and azotic oxides ; they non merely affect human wellness but besides contribute to acidic rain and dry deposition. Particulates can likewise hold terrible effects on human wellness, conditions and visibleness. Carbon dioxide emanations are besides possible subscribers to planetary heating. Ever since the 1950s, a steady rise in the emanations of C dioxide has been experienced. Whereas about half of the emitted C dioxide released remains in the ambiance lending to planetary heating, the staying half is either dissolved into oceans or taken up by workss or sequestered.3.3.3 Aquatic ecosystemSeveral of the impacts due to the building and operation of fossil-fueled power workss to aquatic ecological resources are really different both in sort and magnitude to the impacts brought approximately by several hydropower replacements. Unless a chilling lake is created by the dodo fuel works, the loss of aquatic home ground will be relativity little, compar ed to those due to upgrading or retrofitting of already bing reservoirs. This will be much less compared to the sum of riverine home grounds that would be lost due to a new hydroelectric impounding. Entrainment, encroachment and chemical and thermic discharges are some of the effects brought approximately by the operation of a chilling system capacitor of a dodo works to aquatic beings. Large sums of solid wastes such as burning ash and scrubber sludge are besides produced by coal-burning power workss. If non controlled, leachates form coal and ash hemorrhoids can degrade the H2O quality every bit good as holding toxicant effects on the aquatic beings. Furthermore, aquatic communities over a big geographical country can see important H2O quality effects and habitat loss associated to the whole fuel rhythm ( coal and oil excavation, polish or cleansing, and ash deposition ) . Aquatic beings in widespread countries can likewise be affected by acerb deposition from fossil fuel workss.3.3.4 DiversionThe state ‘s uninterrupted dependance on fossil fuels as the chief beginning of production for electrical power has appeared to hold important effects on recreational avocations in assorted countries. During the air inversion episodes in some of the major metropoliss in the U.S. , air quality effects due to the burning of coal are already impacting people with respiratory complications who the usage some of these recreational resources. In New England and other parts of the U.S. , acidic depositions from coal burning is said to hold affected fishing in assorted lakes. Drain of acids from coal mines has non merely affect fishing but white water canoeing and kayaking, yachting, swimming, hike and the overall aesthetic qualities of watercourses in Appalachia and in other topographic points. Through the surface excavation of coal recreational chances such as hunting, hike and nature observation can be disturbed throughout the U.S. However, through renewal, these sites may heighten some of these recreational resources. Increased concentrations of nursery gases in the ambiance can besides convey with it impacts to recreational resources such as alteration in the precipitation measures and governments of a part, more serious or more perennial air inversions, raising or take downing of reservoirs capacities, legion or more terrible major storms in the coastal countries, rise in the sea degree, altering of wildlife home grounds, and change of wildlife migration waies and times. Any out-of-door recreational avocation will be significantly be affected by all these. The boring rigs near the refineries for gas and oil used in power coevals can likewise consequence in H2O quality impacts from rigs, oilers or grapevines which may take to occasional oil spills both onshore and offshore. Recreational activities such as fishing, yachting, swimming, and nature observation can besides be affected as consequence of these impacts. Refinery installations ( with both ocular and olfactive effects ) are frequently seen to be noxious topographic points doing them incompatible with recreational resources. Aesthetic enjoyment of such recreational resources can be reduced where there are grapevines. Drilling, production and other research activities due to increased used of gas and oil can hold possible negative effects on these diversion resources particularly in wildlife safeties and delicate offshore locations. In Western United States, in some of the comparatively pristine environment where natural gas desulfurization installations are located near the boring rigs ; ocular, audile and olfactive impacts could be produced where this gas is found. Activities such as hike, runing and nature observation could besides be affected.3.3.5 Energy security benefitsSupplies form Coal and domestic gases are considered to be unafraid energy resource suppliers. In the United States, coal is known to be the richest unrenewable energy resources. Although, fossil-fueled workss are considered to be extremely dependable, they can be besides be affected by terrible conditions conditions such as drouths ( that consequence into inefficient chilling doing it expensive for power production ) . Following the day-to-day rhythm demands, fossil-fuel power workss are non all that efficient. In the quest to extenuate this inefficiency, pumped storage hydroelectric power undertakings and gas turbine workss though less ef ficient are frequently used because the turbines respond rapidly to altering demands. Environmental impacts which involves air emanations both regional and globally and the high ingestion of H2O are some of the factors that limit the development of new fossil-fueled workss at assorted sites. 4.0 Decision

Jerusalem A City of Three Faiths

Jerusalem, the city of the three faiths. Jerusalem founded in between 4500-3500 BCC has become a center of the three major monotheistic faiths in the world, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Rising from a proto-Cantle village to a city that has had crusades and Jihads launched In Its name has truly been an amazing turn of events. How did It happen? Why Is It Important? Why here and not elsewhere? What makes people so driven to capture Jerusalem? Why has It been captured and recaptured no less than forty four times? Questions that have great difficulty to be answered often times yield the most interesting answers.Jerusalem has been beckoning those of the three major monotheistic faiths to come and seek her since all three faiths inceptions, The City of David, The City of Jesus and the place where the prophet Muhammad ascended to Heaven can be seen as truly a focal point of the World's religions, though it is in a relatively isolated area in the Eleven. Jerusalem has been a center of r eligious fervor almost since it's inception, it has perhaps been this way due to its almost geocentric position in accordance with the empires of the world. At first glance, Jerusalem on a geographic level seems to have very little owing for It.In a region of relatively little rainfall and with an elevation of approximately 2500 feet It Is difficult to move water Into the city. The forests that were once around Jerusalem have been devastated by wars. Overall, It does seem to indeed have very little actually going for it in the geographic sense. The majority of Jerusalem allure might be seen to have come from the location and the centrality in world politics that it has had. Perhaps the main reason that it has been such a religious center since its inception is not due to the geography of the region at all but it's location. Jerusalem is located in the center of the Eleven.The Eleven is located at a prime position to be a part of quite a few empires. The Babylonians, Persians, Eclect ics, Romans, and the Ptolemaic peoples laid claim toastmaster at some point during the Biblical time frame. The Byzantine, Muslim, Turk, French and British empires have also led claim to it since then as well. Jerusalem has been fought over so many times that It has been fully destroyed and rebuilt twice. Being In a prime location has surely helped Jerusalem be a city of all three major monotheistic faiths, f one looks at the original monotheistic faith, one might see this in practice.With the Jewish faith, one sees a people that came from the legendary figure Abraham who purportedly gave a figure named Milkweed a tithing of his possessions. Moses, another patriarchal figure of the Jewish faith desired to lead his followers into the promise land. This promise land was none other than Canaan, the land in which Jerusalem is located. After the conquest of Jerusalem, David made it his capital and following the building of the Temple by Solomon, it became the capital of the Jewish Faith. With being the Political capital, there surely was some incentive to be the religious capital as well. When It comes to the Christian faith, It Is one of the two holiest clues In Christianity. Rome and Jerusalem are these two holiest cycles in the Christian faith. Jerusalem was the orally of the Christian faith and has always been the epicenter of protestant faith. Catholicism associates Rome as Its faiths epicenter. Other cities also exhibit importance in various churches as well. Jerusalem journeys of Jesus are centered around Jerusalem.With all of this writing based round Jerusalem, there was absolutely no reason for it not to be one of the primary centers of the Christian faith. When it comes to Jerusalem and the Muslim faith, it is the third holiest city of their faith behind Mecca and Medina. Jerusalem is the location where the prophet Muhammad allegedly ascended to Heaven. The Dome of the Rock is located on top of where the prophet Muhammad allegedly ascended to Heaven. Due t o this fact, several Jihads have been launched in the name of reclaiming Jerusalem for Islam. Jerusalem is definitely a holy city by any measure of the word.The three major monotheistic faiths have claimed Jerusalem among their holy cities since each of their inceptions. The reasons that they have claimed it originally were not strictly and completely religious. Some of the claims over Jerusalem have been due to its central location. Because of this central location, the propensity for historical events to occur there has greatly increased. One could also argue that from a religious perspective, like the formerly pagan Pantheon, that some cultures find sites that do have something truly special about them and other cultures come and build upon this belief.

Mans Impact on the Everglades Essay

Man has never been content to leave the natural preserved in the state in which it was discovered. Likewise, the Everglades ecosystem has been bombarded by this pressure as man seeks to â€Å"redesign† the environment to suit the needs of the ever encroaching human population. This has brought about profound changes in this system and the way it operates. Collectors were among the first to extract a toll on this area because of its exotic indigenous creatures. Species which now face extinction include: several varieties of unusual Orchids and ferns, Florida tree snails, and the indigo snake. But the impact of collectors is not merely limited to the disappearance of species. For example, collectors burned Hardwood Hammocks to facilitate collecting tree snails. The high demand for feathers as the plumes of ladies’ hats also endangered the Snowy Egret at one time. Another source of destruction includes off road vehicles such as air boats and swamp buggies used to negotiate the difficult terrain. These vehicles create ever widening soil ruts because the tracks are slippery and subsequent vehicles avoid them. Because hydroperiod plays a powerful role in habitat determination, even a slight change in water depth can profoundly effect the composition of the ecosystem. Channels interrupting sheet flow provide an alternate route for the water. Vegetation is uprooted and lost, as a result, enhancing the likelihood of invasion by opportunistic species such as cattails. In some areas, off road vehicles have resulted in the damage of tree islands. Melaleuca, an Australian tree, poses a different kind of the threat: that of introduced species. The trees overtake Sawgrass marshes and Cypress swamps in areas reduced by drainage. Their tolerance of fire further enhances their spread. Eventually, dense forests form which exclude the natural vegetation and dry up the environment. Brazilian pepper began its stay in the Florida area as an ornamental. Like the Melaleuca, it forms a closed forest, destroying feeding areas of many water birds. Brazilian pepper primarily overtakes coastal lowlands and pinelands. Over 200 plant species have been introduced â€Å"successfully† into the Everglades environment. Plants are not the only successful invaders. The Blue Tilapia, an animal intruder, grows too large to be eaten by the wading birds, while creating a devastating effect on the aquatic plant life. By far the most serious effect of man on the environment remains the alterations of water flow patterns for agricultural and metropolitan purposes. The direct channeling of fresh water from Lake Okeechobee to the coast alters sheet flow, causing soil fires and saltwater backflow. Faced by these ever worsening scenarios, the Central and Southern Florida Project for Flood Control and Other Purposes (C&SF) took over the project in 1948. First, the C&SF built a perimeter to prevent encroachment of the sheet flow on developing metropolitan areas. Second, agriculture reclaimed the Okeechobee by draining the Lake swamp and rerouting the water to the Water Conservation fertile land directly south of Areas to the south. Total, Water Conservation Areas, which regulate water flow toprevent flood and drought, now represent 32 % of the original Everglades ecosystem. Everglades National Park, established in 1947, only contains 25% of the historic freshwater system. Other problems facing this ecosystem include the loss of wild life species diversity. Like the Snowy Egret, alligators, hunted for their hides, almost reached extinction until their sale was prohibited by law. Since that time, populations rebounded, however, bird populations still face intense reducing pressures. Wading birds follow the drying front during the drydown as the water flow concentrates prey at its border. Wading birds, therefore, only need make minor adjustments to determine the position of food daily. Consequently, larger rookeries and breeding seasons coordinate with the water flow so the drydown approaches the nest, allowing the parents to fly less distance every successive day. The intrusion of the Water Conservation Areas though places this pattern in serious jeopardy. The levee system interrupts the drydown as conditions on one side may not correlate with conditions on the other. For example, birds following a drydown front may reach a levee only to discover that the across the embankment, the water is too deep or the drydown in that area may have already occurred. The birds then must search other areas for other prey concentrations which may not exist, seriously impairing successful reproduction. Use of the conservation areas for flood control and unnatural releasing of water also adversely effects these communities. Often this reverses the drydown fronts. Changes in the dry/wet season cycle, likewise, affect alligator reproduction, interrupting courtship and often drowning their eggs. Alteration of alligator nesting patterns adversely affects the wading bird population because their holes customarily congregate prey during the low water season. Although, the canal construction provides alligators a substituted habitat, these canals are sufficiently deeper and steeper than traditional gator nesting holes. Consequently, wading birds can not effectively harvest prey. Nutrient rich agricultural water released from the land reclaimed below Lake Okeechobee has increased the proliferation of cattails. Cattail encroached areas do not encourage food supplies for wading birds, essentially removing this wetland area from use. However, the South Florida Water Management District has begun an experimental program using peat soil beds to remove this phosphorus from the water supply entering the Everglades region. Methylmercury, a highly toxic form of mercury, recently has been found in regional fauna in unusually high levels. The food web concentrates this chemical in the system’s top predators, causing mutations, abnormal growth and neurological disorders. Although, agriculture was originally blamed for this elevation, historical evidence provides a more accepted theory. According to this hypothesis, soil formations naturally trap small amounts of mercury. Recent drainage and oxidation of the soil caused its release. Sugarcane burning, and incineration of other products including fossil fuel have also received blame for this phenomenon. Interestingly though, an inverse relationship appears to exist between phosphorous and mercury levels. The diversion of freshwater directly to the ocean from Lake Okeechobee also adversely affects Florida Bay. The lack of water cycling through the bay caused a severe increase in hypersalinity, killing seagrass beds, mangroves, fish, sponges, and birds. The hypersalinity level approximately doubles that of sea water. However, projects undertaken to remedy this situation appear to at least initially effective. Other reasons for this salinity increase include the lack of major storm systems recently in this area. Accumulation of sediments and shoaling prevent the bay from flushing out naturally, causing stagnation. Also the construction of Highway 1 and the Overseas Railroad may have contributed to the problem, hampering further the circulation of water. Any attempt by man to undo the damage perpetrated must come from a comprehensive understanding of the function and operation of the original ecosystem in order to prevent further â€Å"well intentioned† catastrophes. Wading birds, because of their high position on the food chain, serve as trustworthy indicators of change on this fragile environment. However, the main problem to be address is not one of abuse of the Everglades in particular, but mankind’s underlying philosophy concerning our environment. We must realize that our survival remains closely linked with that of our surroundings. Any threat to our biosphere will eventually cycle through and return to affect us. The restoration of the Everglades is an ongoing effort to remedy damage inflicted on the environment of southern Florida during the 20th century. It is the most expensive and comprehensive environmental repair attempt in history. [1][2] The degradation of the Everglades became an issue in the United States in the early 1970s after a proposal to construct a jetport in the Big Cypress Swamp. Studies indicated the airport would have destroyed the ecosystem in South Florida and Everglades National Park. [3] After decades of destructive practices, both state and federal agencies are looking for ways to balance the needs of the natural environment in South Florida with urban and agricultural centers that have recently and rapidly grown in and near the Everglades. In response to floods caused by hurricanes in 1947, the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project (C&SF) was established to construct flood control devices in the Everglades. The C&SF built 1,400 miles (2,300 km) of canals and levees between the 1950s and 1971 throughout South Florida. Their last venture was the C-38 canal, which straightened the Kissimmee River and caused catastrophic damage to animal habitats, adversely affecting water quality in the region. The canal became the first C&SF project to be reverted when the 22-mile (35 km) canal began to be backfilled, or refilled with the material excavated from it, in the 1980s. The restoration of the Kissimmee River is projected to continue until 2011. When high levels of phosphorus and mercury were discovered in the waterways in 1986, water quality became a focus for water management agencies. Costly and lengthy court battles were waged between various government entities to determine who was responsible for monitoring and enforcing water quality standards. Governor Lawton Chiles proposed a bill that determined which agencies would have that responsibility, and set deadlines for pollutant levels to decrease in water. Initially the bill was criticized by conservation groups for not being strict enough on polluters, but the Everglades Forever Act was passed in 1994. Since then, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers have surpassed expectations for achieving lower phosphorus levels. A commission appointed by Governor Chiles published a report in 1995 stating that South Florida was unable to sustain its growth, and the deterioration of the environment was negatively affecting daily life for residents in South Florida. The environmental decline was predicted to harm tourism and commercial interests if no actions were taken to halt current trends. Results of an eight-year study that evaluated the C&SF were submitted to the United States Congress in 1999. The report warned that if no action was taken the region would rapidly deteriorate. A strategy called the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) was enacted to restore portions of the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee River, and Florida Bay to undo the damage of the past 50 years. It would take 30 years and cost $7. 8 billion to complete. Though the plan was passed into law in 2000, it has been compromised by politics and funding problems.

Nursing research Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nursing research - Assignment Example On the other hand Van Schoonhoven defines the concept as the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of the best current evidence which is available in the decision making process. The decisions made should be applicable to the individual patients; above all the optimality of the evidences is core (Herdman & NANDA International 2011). EBP helps nurses to make informed decisions on the quality of the services they offer, it is very crucial to base judgements and formulate decisions based on the use of EBP as compared to the traditional methods. By doing this it improves the health care system as it basically facilitates and ensures consistency in the decision making process. According to Prior, Wilkinson, and Neville (2010) the system helps nurses to make informed decisions based on an up to date technology, thereby ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the practice (Herdman & NANDA International 2011). EBP is the right channel towards achieving fully functional nursing services. Each of the techniques imparted on these nurses is a clear functional criterion which will spearhead the whole process of efficiency and effectiveness. Most times patients will have beneficial and improved outcomes where the EBP mechanism has been utilized which typically gives maximum results on different topologies in the practice. By doing this different preference of the individual and the entire society are addressed (Hoffmann, Bennet & Del Mar 2010). Prior, Wilkinson, and Neville (2010) quantitative analysis was the start incarnation to formulate a robust and quantitative question which was intended to provide a clear cut direction to the literature search. This study suggests that a strong question corresponds to the research technique, it also touches on; methods used for research, the interactions and the general outcomes of interests. It is also evident that there are three aspects of consideration; search of relevant evidence, the decision on whether the evidence is

Google docs Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Google docs - Assignment Example Along with these tools, Google Docs also allows us to store documents created using these applications over the Internet. For this purpose, it currently offers a disk space of 1GB. However, this storage space is offered free of cost and there are no additional charges involved in its upgrading. Moreover, Google Corporation is always trying to implement ways to improve the performance and capabilities of its applications, services and capabilities. In this scenario, it has implemented a service for its users through which they can upload documents or files of any type to available storage space. This service allows its users to effectively backup files online. Furthermore, the use of Google Docs and its support for application storage through cloud environment allow its users to access these applications and documents developed through these applications from anywhere and anytime (Firth & Mesureur, 2010; Ragupathi, 2013; Meloni, 2010; Zhou, Simpson, & Domizi, 2012). Without a doubt, this suite can be used by the students a number of ways. For instance, one of the most important use of Google Docs is to improve collaboration among students while working in teams. It is an admitted fact that students at university level work in groups. So using this suite they can be able to create documents that are available online for all the team members and changes made in these documents will become visible immediately (Firth & Mesureur, 2010; Meloni, 2010). Along with improved collaboration, Google Docs also provides an excellent platform for documents sharing. For instance, a student working on a specific task can share their work with their group fellows without sending individual emails (Firth & Mesureur, 2010; Meloni, 2010). It is an affordable way to share documents. In fact, it is a secure and cost-effective mechanism for data backup. It provides a considerable

Regulatory Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Regulatory Theory - Essay Example In fact, before these far-reaching reforms, telecommunication service provision remained a monopoly of state corporations or in rare cases, was monopolized by private entities. Due to the fact that the provider of telecommunication services in most cases was the government, the regulation of this sector was never quite independent since, all the policy-making and regulatory powers lay with the government and its agencies (Welfens, 2010). Therefore, the management of telecommunication frequencies and the responsibility of operating networks were a preserve of the government of the day (Davidson et al., 1986). For many developed countries, this classical approach to ICT management was quite profitable for some time, given that the increased international tariffs for telecommunication services covered for the subsidized local tariffs. In addition, with the decreased telecommunication cost that resulted from technological advances, the classical approach to ICT operations did well for mo st developed countries (Welfens, 2010). Unfortunately for the developing and the underdeveloped countries and regions, the classical approach to ICT operation did not work well. The reason for this scenario being that these countries’ networks were somehow restricted to major cities and towns, implying that only the middle and high socioeconomic status citizens could access and utilise ICT services in these countries. While the low socioeconomic status citizen had to make do with poor quality telecommunication services and long waiting lists, the high-income end of the population were advantaged by the cross-subsidisation of ICT prices (Welfens, 2010). Regrettably, the classical approach to ICT regulation did not generate investment income for the developed and the developing countries alike. During the 1980s and the 1990s, the role of telecommunication in the economic growth of countries and the entire world became rather apparent, leading to the development of a number of r egulatory and competition polices, even though to a limited extent, in many countries (Koops et al., 2006). Besides, regulating competition, the regulatory and competition policies were expected to instill dynamism, innovativeness, augment availability, accessibility and increase ICT choices and lower tariffs for customers. The first effect of the wave of ICT reforms that peaked in the 1990s was the privatisation of telecommunication service operators. The second effect of the ICT regulatory policies was the introduction of new varieties of services such as mobile telephony and value-added services (Koops et al., 2006). This paper thus explores the need for the regulation of ICT, whether regulation works in the interests of the public and the implications of convergence and innovation on ICT regulation. The Importance of Regulation That the core role of regulation in any industry is to enable sustainability, growth and development is quite apparent and cannot be overemphasized. Ther efore, the information and communication technology sector, like the other sectors of an economy, requires a strong legal framework and regulatory mechanisms to function for the betterment of the public. A number of reasons have since been identified to underlie the need for the regulation of information communication and technology. Generally, ICT the need for ICT regulation arises from the recently observed structural changes in the communication industry. The transformation of the industry from a monopoly to a competitive one in many a country has particularly necessitated its stronger regulation (Baldwin et al., 2012). Therefore, the regulation of the ICT sector has been particularly important in the creation of an effective environment for fair competition that supports both

Financial Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Financial Accounting - Essay Example One useful content is the report that the company was able to achieve a good set of results in the areas of sales, profits, and earnings per share growth. Another useful content is the increase of the company’s ROCE by 13 percent. The increase brings the company closer to achieving its 2014 benchmarks. Another useful content is restating the United Kingdom as the company’s outstanding core business (http://www.tescoplc.com/). Some of the contents of the chief executive officer’s report are irrelevant. Stating that the company must focus on increasing sales is redundant. All companies strive to increase sales, without exception. Another irrelevant content is the focus on climate change policies. All companies are required to implement environmental laws. (http://www.tescoplc.com/). (b). Chairman’s Statement. Some of the contents of the Chairman’s report are useful. The useful contents include reporting the company’s successful business operati on during the 2011 accounting period. Tesco’s Chairman, David Reid, emphasized favorable financial results in the 2011. Another useful content is stating the current year’s dividend is 10.8 percent higher than the prior year’s dividend distribution. Some of the contents of the Chairman’s Review report are irrelevant. ... (b) Audit Committee Chairman’s Report. Some of the contents of the Audit Committee Chairman’s report are useful. One of the useful contents is focusing on the Audit Committee’s meetings focusing on internal control matters. Another useful content is stating that the Audit Committee meetings are done five times during the year. Likewise, another useful content states that the affected departments cooperated with the Audit Committee. Some of the contents of the Audit Committee Chairman’s report are irrelevant. One irrelevant content is stating the group internal controls and risk management processes are embedded in their businesses. All businesses are required to implement internal controls to reduce or stop fraudulent and erroneous transactions. Another irrelevant content is stating the board is organized each year to one or more of the Group’s international businesses. PART TWO Background Information (a) Property Plant & Equipment IFRS compliance: Property, Plant and Equipment. Tesco Plc records the ? 24,398 m property plant and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. IFRS standard Section 17, Property, Plant, and Equipment, requires entities to property, plant, and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes all amounts paid to put the said assets into operations. The same IFRS concept requires entities to record the same assets at carrying value (net of accumulated depreciation). The assets must be depreciation over each asset’s useful life (Mehta 2010) Intangible Assets. Tesco Plc complies with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Specifically, Tesco Plc’s ?4,338 m goodwill and other intangible assets amount complies with IFRS no. 3, Business Combinations, which states that must identify

Cloud Migration Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cloud Migration - Research Paper Example The Amazon may be able to exploit the service opportunity provided by the Amazon Web Services (HORNE, 2011). In the year 2011, the Amazon Web Services (AWS) was responsible for the profit gain of approximately $1.19 billion as estimated in a report. In October, same year the business was estimated as a billion-dollar run rate and out of which around $108 million or 9% was mentioned as a pure profit for Amazon Web Services. However the company was able to maintain its profit gaining history constantly by lowering the cost spent on cloud services. This is acknowledged because the company utilizes a cost-plus pricing model. In addition, the cost of delivering the services adds up to 10% premium that continues to fall as, Amazon leverages its economies of scale to purchase and operate more gear and bandwidth at less prices. Though, the margin related to profit remains flat as mentioned in a report. Conversely, the Amazon Web Services (AWS) compromises on a particular portion of Amazonâ⠂¬â„¢s overall technology expense in order to drive slowly, predictable profit from it is a good thing. The analysts estimate that the non-AWS technology expenditures is approximately 4 percent of the total sales â€Å"representing the largest opportunity for operating margin expansion in the near-term.† The cost lowering technique leads the company towards great percentage of profit. Conversely, the report submitted by the Morgan Stanley does not represent the possibility for the Amazon Web Service (AWS) to actually start rising on a margin because the company is expanding its services beyond pure infrastructure and managed services (HORNE, 2011). The database services NoSQL DynamoDB for instance; it provides a service for the Amazon that helps the company to add value or cost outside the delivery services of Cloud-based infrastructure. There is also stories of a huge data analytics services that are able to provide higher-level services as compared to Amazon Web Service (AW S) and its current Elastic Map Reduce offerings. However, there is still a possibility of AWS expanding its licensing activities as it is embedded as the de facto clod computing platforms for several companies, other service providers and software specialist. Adobe The Adobe has announced two new achievements in order to remain relevant as a desktop computing. Following are the two new acquisitions a creative cloud to augment its Creative Suite software and a handful of touch-based tablets apps. Equally, the company has launched its existing released Flash Player 11 and Air 33 updates. Adobe said that it had acquired Type kit, an online font provider, and that it has signed an agreement  to acquire Nitobi, creator of the open-source HTML5-based mobile development framework Phone Gap and Build, a hosted development and app creation service (Rossello, 2011). In a conference call for the press, Adobe VP of product management Lea Hickman described the company's news as a major initiat ive that radically redefines the creative process. CTO Kevin Lynch called the company's Creative Cloud "a major component in the transformation of

Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 5

Report - Essay Example competition but has had to dictate and shape organisations in terms of what consumers wants, how and when they want it and what they are prepared to pay for it (Hagan 1996:1). Kanter (1995:71) on his work of â€Å"Mastering Change† argues that success in the present day business is not for those companies that re-engineer the way they do things, or for those fixing the past. According to Kanter (1995) such an action will not constitute an adequate response. This is so because success is based on an organisation’s ability to create, rather than predict the future by developing those products that will literally transform the way the world thinks and view it self and the needs (Kanter 1995:71). This paper focuses on Tesco and using certain analytical techniques such as the PESTLE framework and Porter’s competitive advantage to diagnose the activities of the company in the phase of the global financial crisis. The last part of the paper uses the cultural and the organisational paradigm to challenge the taken for granted assumption and consequently design a way forward change program for Tesco. Tesco PLC is an international retailer. According to the company web page, the principal activity of the Company is food retailing with over 2,000 stores in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan and China. On September 30, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to dispose of its operation in Taiwan to Carrefour as part of a transaction to acquire Carrefours businesses in the Czech Republic and Slovakia (Company 2007 Report). The company is in simple insurance, telecoms, personal finance and recycling. The Tesco Plc website states â€Å"shareholders. Today the Group operates in 12 markets outside the UK, in Europe, Asia and North America. Over 160,000 employees work in our international businesses, serving over 28 million customers and generating  £13.8

Critical analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Critical analysis - Essay Example h her implications that our generation today is self-absorbed, less committed than the previous generation whose capacity for love has shrink and withered as we wait for the perfect one to come along (196). For many generations, women have been forced by society to conform to sets of norms. Even in this present generation, many people still believe that women need to get married and have children to be complete. As Crittenden kindly put it "A woman will not understand what true dependency is until she is cradling her own infant in her arms; nor will she lively achieve the self-confidence she craves until she has withstood, and transcended, the weight of responsibility a family places upon her – a weight that makes all the paperwork and assignments of her in-basket seen feather-light (976)." Yes, motherhood is a big responsibility and caring for a family is something that should never be taken lightly by any woman or even by a man for than matter but the point is, womanhood is not just about making babies and caring for the family. Such idea is too simplistic. Its like putting a woman inside a box and limiting her potentials and capacities. The sense of wisdom and maturity does n ot only come when woman gets married and have children of her own. The author may not be aware of it but a lot of women and men for that matter get married, have children but never really grow up both emotionally and mentally. Growing up should never be tied to the idea of marriage and having children. We are not cows that are grown so that they can breed when they reach maturity. We are human beings and we a have a choice when it comes to these things. Another thing that the author failed to mention here is that marriage is not a means to and end. You do not get married to grow up, to be become more responsible, to be "stronger" or to be happy as the author would like to believe. Besides, a lot of people who are married are not happy at all. Just look at the staggering divorce rate that

Body Image Essay Example for Free

Body Image Essay Ones body is what makes one who one is. Every inch of someone is what sets a person apart from everyone else. Even though everyone has an opinion about what his or her perfect body would be, changing ones personal features would take away from individuality. I personally would never have plastic surgery because when I look at myself, I do not see a young woman with a funny looking nose and big bug eyes, but I see a beautifully sculpted masterpiece that God has made just for me. It is a body that gives me character, individuality, and confidence. In my personal opinion, and I say this as humbly as I can, I am a beautiful young lady. I have a very animated face that goes well with my personality, which is humorous, but in a mature fashion. I can be serious and stare at others with my endless snowflake hazel eyes, but if I get too drastic for the mood, it is easy to look at my nose and then laugh to lighten the air. I take pride in the fact that there is no one else on this earth exactly like me. Not just my inner beauty, but my outer beauty makes me different from everyone else. Life would be so boring if everyone looked exactly the same, but what is inside oneself makes one beautiful, not only inside, but outside as well. I personally could not be more content and happy with who I am. If I were to walk down the street, there would be many different comments going through peoples heads as I passed. Some people would find me attractive, and some would find me ugly. Some people might find me beautiful, and others might find me weird looking. The bottom line is that it does not matter what they think. It only matters what I think because I am the only one in the whole world that has to live with myself. I am proud to be me, and no surgery could make me any more confident, or any happier to be me. In conclusion, unless I had a huge rock fall on my face, which made it difficult to eat or breathe properly. I would never have plastic surgery done to any part of my already existing body. I would never second-guess my own character, individuality, or confidence. I am perfect just as God made me.

Truth and Lies Essay Example for Free

Truth and Lies Essay There are different types of lies. Distorted views and fabricated truths are two of them. Misunderstanding, on the other hand, is not a lie. Misunderstanding is a when we fail to understand something correctly and accurately. This happens a lot in our daily lives. A lot of conflicts and hard feelings are caused by this mistake. In order to avoid it, we should be more careful about the way we express our opinions and feelings. Simultaneously, we should listen to what people say and understand what they mean carefully. Sometimes, we misunderstand a fact. We can correct by asking others about that or study about it. C. G. Lichtenberg once said: â€Å"The most dangerous of all falsehoods is a slightly distorted truth†. When we see the reality through distorted eyes, it can have an extreme effect on our emotions, thoughts and our interactions with other people. Imagine you want to drive to school today. Surprisingly, you see the green lights red and the red lights green. Needless to say, you stop at green lights and pass the red lights. You will be shouted at both times. You wonder why people are shouting at you without any reason, and after a while you get anxious and angry. You decide not to pay attention to traffic lights anymore. The reason is obvious: accident. This is what happens in our lives when have distorted views toward facts and reality. We had better change our views and try to solve this problem. Fabricated truths are the lies that are used to mislead people for centuries. These are so-called truths that are invented in order to deceive. We can see them in all aspects of life from religion to science and politics. Telling these lies is not limited to authorities, scientist or religious people in power. Ordinary people produce lies everyday to achieve what they want. We can’t fight these lies. All we can do is to research and seek the truth ourselves or at least don’t accept them easily and without proof. The truth is hard to find for different reasons. First of all, all people want others to have a positive picture of them in mind. They don’t want their lies to be revealed and they try hard to maintain that positive image of themselves. This is why people try to show that they are not responsible when something negative happens. So they lie about it. When something positive happens, people want to take credit for it. They lie again! This is also the case for different groups, organizations, religions, etc. who claim to have the â€Å"truth†. They don’t have the complete truth. This is what gets people in trouble. These groups don’t want their followers to find out their weaknesses and stop their support. So they tell people a lot of lies and try to sustain them. In addition, lying is a part of human nature. Sometimes people say the same lie so often that they forget the real truth and start believing their own lies. Furthermore, people don’t want to hear the truth. We prefer a good story rather than the fact. We actually don’t like to deal with truth. We want to believe something, so we assume that it’s the truth. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said: â€Å"We are never deceived; we deceive ourselves. † Another reason is that lies spread faster than truth, especially in the internet and other media. As Mark Twain said: â€Å"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. † Sometimes, there is enough so-called evidence to support both sides of the conflict, the falsehood and the truth. So people are actually sitting on the fences when facing them. So the truth won’t be revealed. Sometimes, the truth is out there, but we don’t seek for it and we expect others to provide it for us. These might be the reasons of most hidden truths. Whatever the reason is, people don’t want their lies and dishonest behavior to be revealed. When someone exposes the truth, their positive image is ruined. So they attack that person. People don’t try to disclose the truth when they are attacked. So some truths are not revealed because of this. Sometimes, the truths is easy to find, but hard to accept. We are lied to a lot and some of our beliefs are shaped according to those lies. When we find the truth, it seems like a vague idea that doesn’t fit the lies. So we can’t accept it and it’s like we have never found the truth. The complete truth is not told most of the time. Thomas Sowell said: â€Å"There are only two ways of telling the complete truth: anonymously and posthumously†.

Motivation Learning Strategies In The Classroom

Motivation Learning Strategies In The Classroom Motivation is an important drive in our life if we dont have any motivating we will face many difficulties in our road. You can say that learning without motivation is as food without salt. So each person in this life need motivation to continue his/ her life because motivation helps us to be more affective on our society. We can do many things in a right road if we have motivation. Motivation is a powerful to do the best thing in daily life. Introduction Motivation is one of the most used words in teaching today, usually in the phrase, How can I motivate these kids? it is also a very misunderstood process. Motivation is important for people life. It plays a main role in almost everything we do. If we dont have motivation in our life, we would simply not care about many things such as outcomes, means, education, success, failure, etc. As you know people are different, so also their motivations have to be different. There are types of motivations that may some people care about it and other doesnt care. In my research, I focus on the definition of motivation, types of motivation, theories of motivation, etc.. Statement of the problem: I study the motivation learning strategies in the classroom which is important to help students to learn English. Some students dont have any motivation to complete their studying and they dont care about learning. On the other hand, some students have big motivations to challenge the difficulty of learning life. Statement of purpose: I write this research that about motivation for some reasons, these are: To know the motivated students and non-motivated students at ADU. To know the factors that cause to make students less motivated. What motivation is ? Each person has his own definition of motivation. We dont have a specific definition for motivation. In fact its very difficult to define motivation. According Ezine (2009) the definition of motivation is to give reason, incentive, eagerness, or interest that causes a specific action or certain behavior. Motivation is present in every life function. Simple acts such as eating are motivated by hunger; education is motivated by desire for knowledge and so on. Motivators can be anything from reward to compulsion. Also, Brown (2001) defines motivation is the degree to which you make choices about goals to pursue and the effort you will devote to that pursuit. (p72). On my point of view motivation is as the driving force behind an action. This is probably the simplest explanation about motivation. So teachers consider the motivation as a tool to encourage learners to do something. Ellis defines motivation as referring to the labors which learners put into learning an L2 as a result of their need or want to learn. (1995). According to the Websters, to motivate means to provide with a motive, a need or desire that causes a person to act. Many researchers think motivation as one of the main elements that decide success in developing a second or foreign language; it determines the degree of active, personal participation in L2 learning. (Oxford Shearin, 1994). Types of motivation Motivation is what drives you to behave in a certain way or to perform a particular behavior. Its the strong reason that leads you to achieve something in your life. There are many types of motivation that can influence in you. These include the following: Primary or basic motivation This type of motivation needs the person to show self presentation. This include needs to show hunger, warmth, sex, thirst, avoidance of pain and other primary motivation which can influence in the persons behavior.(articlesbase,2005-2008) Secondary motivation This type of motivation is known in psychology as learned motivation. It can be different from person to another. It can be describe as a persons own sense of values and ways to keep moving in life. Many behaviors in secondary motivation are conscious ones. That is, a person consciously put in his mind a particular goal or result and acts in a similar way that brings them closer to that particular goal. What drives them to do or perform the goal is the longing for something which they do not have. This kind of motivation falls into two basic types, extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. (Articlesbase, 2005-2008) Extrinsic motivation Extrinsic motivation involves the concept of rewarded behavior. This come, by particular types of activities or acting in a particular manner, you are rewarded by a desired ended result. Extrinsic motivation comes from the surrounding areas of the person. (Schunk|Pintrich|Meece, 2008) In teaching, teachers use this type a lot; they use it because they are obligated to. In schools, there are many types of students who do not have motivation. These types of students have many characteristics such as shyness, being afraid from the teacher and other characteristics. Here come the role of the teacher, the teacher support these students by using extrinsic motivation. For example, if the teacher notices that one student is not participating with his group. Then, he can support him by showing him how to act positively in the group, rewarded him etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Intrinsic motivation These types of motivation are less visible. Intrinsic motivation is when you want to do something (e.g. I want to write this report). Intrinsic motivation is internal. It happens when people are compelled to do something out of happiness, importance, or desire. For example, a student is motivated to get high grades (external motivation) but his desire to know about particular subject is intrinsic motivation. Getting high grades is the reward visible for other. For student, being able to master or being expert in a particular subject is a psychological reward for his desire to learn. (Pan, 2006) Intrinsic motivation can be described as invisible things arise from your depth telling you that you must perform the task which was assign to you. Intrinsic motivation differs from one person to another. Some students do not have the ability to express their thoughts, ideas and perspectives and here come the job of teachers. Teachers should provide their students with intrinsic motivation to achieve the determined goals. However, there are some students who have the ability to act positively inside the class room and sometime their intrinsic motivation surprise the teachers. Intrinsic motivation and motivation based on extrinsic rewards are, to some degree, in competition with each other. Research has shown that under certain situations, offering extrinsic rewards for engaging in tasks actually undermines intrinsic motivation. ( Stipek, 2002, p129) Principles of motivation learning strategies There are some basic principles of motivations exist that are appropriate to learning in any situation. According to Weller, (2005) the principles of motivations are: The students attention depends on the environment that can be used to focus on what needs to be learned. Teachers can make atmospheres that help students to get persistent effort and positive attitudes toward learning. So the good teachers usually try to create warm and accepting environment that help students to be more motivated that will make them learn better. I think this strategy will be successful in both children and adults. Interesting visual tools, like pictures, posters, brochures, or practice tools, motivate students by capturing their curiosity and attention. Incentives motivate learning. Incentives contain human rights and receiving admire from the teacher. The teacher decides an incentive that is likely to motivate an individual at an exacting time. In a general, I think without rewards in self-motivation, learning situation will not succeed. As you know each student must find satisfaction in learning based on the understanding that the goals are useful to them or, less commonly, based on the pleasure of discovering new things. Internal motivation is longer lasting and more self-directive than is external motivation, which must be frequently reinforced by admire or concrete rewards. Some people, mainly children of certain ages and some adults, have little capability for internal motivation and must be guided and reinforced constantly. The use of incentives is based on the principle that learning occurs more effectively when the student experiences feelings of satisfaction. Caution should be exercised in using external rewards when they are not absolutely necessary. Their use may be followed by a refuse in internal motivation. Learning is most effective when an individual is ready to learn, that is, when one wants to know something. The teachers role sometimes is to encourage its development and sometimes the students readiness to learn comes with time. If a desired change in behavior is urgent, the teacher may need to supervise directly to ensure that the desired behavior happened. I think that a student may not be reliable in following instructions and therefore must be supervised and have the instructions repeated again and again, if he/she is not ready to learn. Motivation is enhanced by the way in which the instructional material is organized. In fact, the information can be meaningful if the material organized to the individual. One technique of organization includes relating new tasks to those already known. Other ways to communicate meaning are to decide whether the persons being taught understand the final result desired and teach them to compare and contrast ideas. Theories of motivation: Most of motivation theorists believe that motivation is related in the performance of all learned responses. This mean, a learn process cannot occur unless it is energized. The common question among psychologists is, whether motivation a primary or secondary influence on the learner behavior. Psychologists believe that motivation is associated with the learner behavior. (Huitt, 2001) There are many theories of motivation, learners use different types of theories to accomplish their goals but I focus on two of these theories include: behavioral, cognitive etc Behavioral: According to some psychologist, all process of motivation stands on the behavior of the learner. Actually the learner works on the sequences, the learner put the sequences as the primer goal. For example, I want to get A in professional ethics. Since the learner determines this goal in his mind, he will work on that goal until he achieves it. (Huitt, 2001) A behavioristic psychologist like Skinner or Watson would stress the role of rewards in motivating behavior. In Skinners operant conditioning model, for example, human beings, like other living organisms, will pursue a goal because they perceive a reward for doing so. A behaviorist would define motivation as the anticipation of reinforcement Reinforcement theory is a powerful concept for the classroom. Learners, like the proverbial horse running after the carrot, pursue goals in order to receive externally administered rewards: praise, gold stars, grades, certificates, diplomas, scholarships, happiness, etc. (Brown, 2001, p 73) Cognitive: There are many motivational theories that follow their roots to the information processing approach of learning. There was a theory called attribution theory, this theory implies that every learner tries to find a reason for success or failure of self and others. The learner tries to use some certain attribution to find out what was the wrong in his behavior. The attributions could be internal or external and it could be under control or not under control. (Huitt, 2001) In teaching environment, it is important to help the learner to develop a self- attribution for his behaviors. We have different types of students; some students love to learn about anything and others are not. Otherwise, we should help the learner to make attributions. Being able to make attributions will raise the performance of the learner. When I move to the college, I see two types of learners. The first type is, when they get a high or low grade; they make some kind of attribution like why did I get this grade, the teacher is not fair etc And others say, it was my fault, next time I will study hard etc These attributions enable the learners to higher their performance and make some kind of follow up. Otherwise, attribution theory is important for both students and teachers and teachers should teach their students how to do attribution. Maslows hierarchy of needs Abraham Maslow (1995-2009) is considered as the most influential writer in the area of motivation. Maslow divided the hierarchy of human needs into two groups: deficiency needs and growth needs. In deficiency needs, the learner must move through the lower level before the upper one. The eight levels are organized as the following order: Physiological Safety/ security Belongingness and love Esteem Cognitive Aesthetic Self- actualization Self- transcendence Every one of us is motivated by needs. The human being inherited the love of needs from thousands of years. Abraham Maslows hierarchy of needs help us to know how these needs motivated us. Maslow (1995-2009) says that we should satisfy each need. We should start with the lower level and then move to the upper level. Consequently, if we are satisfy by the lower level of needs, we dont have to concern about the upper level. So its a kind of self enrichment. Literature review: There are many researchers who study the motivation, the types of motivations, the theories of motivation, motivation of learning strategies, etc. I mention that some researchers who are:  ¤ Harter (1981) assumed that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation was negatively correlated.  ¤ Generally speaking, extrinsic motivation means external causality based on the perceived locus of causality, which was suggested by Heider (1958), deCharms (1968/1983), and Deci and Ryan (1985).  ¤ Lepper et al. (1997) found a decrease in intrinsic motivation with age, but no evidence of an increase in extrinsic motivation. Methodology: I distributed 20 questionnaires for the ADU female students. My questionnaire include 10 questions, each question has 4 or 5 parts. Each student should select agree or disagree about each statement. This questionnaire studies that ADU students motivation and does the ADU students motivated or not. I found different result because I distributed my questionnaire to different students some students are in second year, some are in third year and other in forth year. Finding result: In first part of my questionnaire, I found that 70% of the ADU students, when they study they practice saying the material to themselves over and over but I found 30% of students who dont agree with this statement. 70% of the students at ADU that mean our university have lots of students who take care for their studying and have motivation to review their material. I found that 65% of the students when studying for classes, they read their class notes and the course reading over and over. I found that also 35% of the students who dont like to read their class notes. I think that each student should read his/her class notes over and over to be more familiar with this material and may he/ she understand it better. I found that 60% of the students memorize key words to remind them of important concepts when they study but 40% of the students may dont have ability to memorize key words. It is important thing that students try as possible as they can to memorize key words that will help them in their learning process. Students should try to motivate themselves by putting the aim in the front of their eyes. Also I found that 60% of the students when they study, they usually make lists of important words and learn by heart these words. I mean they memorize the lists. I found that 40% of the students who dont like to make lists of important terms and memorize it. As my experience I write a list of new vocabulary and I put it on the door of my room. So when I want to go out I look at this list and I read these vocabularies. This way helps me to remember these vocabularies. In the second part of my questionnaire, I found that 60% of the students who agree with this statement I often find myself questioning things I hear or read in this classes to make a decision, if I find them persuasive but I found that 40% of the students who disagree with this statement. This statement applies on me, I often find myself asking questions about what I hear and read in my classes. I found that 60% of the students who disagree with this sentence When a theory, understanding, or conclusion is obtainable in class or in reading, I try to make a decision if there is good supporting evidence. I found that 40% of the students who agree with this sentence. I treat the course material as a starting point and try to expand my own ideas about it. I found that 70% of the students who agree with this statement but I found that 30% of the students who disagree with this statement. I think this statement is completely true because If we treat the course material from the beginning and try to think more and say our own ideas about it, that help use to learn and understand the course material better. This way help students to be more motivated in all their courses materials. In third part of my questionnaire, I found that 65% of the students who prefer course material that really challenges them so they can learn new things but I found that 35% of the students who dont care about this kind of material if it challenges them or not. Students who prefer material that challenge them, they have motivation to learn new things and get new information and data. I want to say for the 35% of the students you dont have intrinsic motivation so please try to change your thoughts, feelings, ideas, etc about that and try to make intrinsic motivation in your heart. I found that 75% of the students who dont prefer course material that arouses their curiosity. I found that 25% of the students only who prefer course material that arouses their curiosity, even if it is difficult to learn. This result really overtakes me because most of students like to look over the new things and they have curiosity to know more things. The most of ADU students want to take the information or data without searching or tying to find it. They like to get it from their instructors. I think that also because some students dont have enough motivation that may help them to change their thought about that. I found that 80% of the students who agree with this statement trying to understand the content as thoroughly as possible is the most satisfying thing for me in classes but other students at ADU disagree with this statement. It is great percentage of the students who are trying to understand the content in classes. I found that 65% of the students when they have options, they choose course assignments that they can learn from even if they dont guarantee a suitable grade. I found that 35% of the students who dont. In fourth part, I found 85% of ADU students, the most satisfying thing for them right now is getting a good grade but other students dont care for getting a good grade, they just want to pass and finish courses as soon as they can. I think that students should think about the grade and the benefit of the course at same time. I found 65% of students want to get better grades than most of other students but 35% of students dont want to challenge other students. It is a good thing that students at ADU want to challenge other students to get better grades. Students who have this thought, I think they have a good motivation of learning. I found that 70% of the students want to do well in the course because it is important to show their ability to their families, friends, relatives, or others. I found that 30% of the students it is not important to show their ability to their families, friends, or others. I think that students who like to show their abilities to their families, friends, etc, they have motivation to study more to get good grades. In fifth part, I noticed that 65% of the students believe they will receive an excellent grade in the class and 35% of the students dont agree with this believe. This believe is completely true and all students should agree with it. I think that when students put in their mind that they are good students and they can get an excellent grade, they will get it because they have intrinsic motivation and they encourage themselves. I found that 50% of the students agree and 50% of the students disagree with this statement Im certain I can understand the most difficult material obtainable in the readings for the course. I wished that find more than this percentage because students should encourage themselves to simplify the difficult material and try as much as they can to understand this material. I found that 75% of the students confident they can understand the essential concepts taught in the course. I found that 25% of the students dont confident they can understand the essential concepts. I noticed that 50% of the students confident they can understand the most complex material obtainable by the instructor and 50% of the students not. I think that 50% of students who cannot understand the material, they should ask their instructor and please each student should not be shy. I found that 70% of the students confident they can do an excellent work on the assignments and tests in the course and other students at ADU dont agree with that. This point let us to know there are many motivated students at ADU because they usually try to do the best to get a good job on the assignments or tests in any course. In the sixth part, I found that 55% of the students when they take a test they think about how poorly they are doing compared with other students but I noticed that 45% of the students dont think about that. This thought appears from non-motivated student. He/she usually afraid about the score and he/she think that he/she gets low score than other. So each student should try to change this thought and be more motivated. I found that 80% of the students when they take a test they think about the items on other parts of the test they cant answer and 20% of the students dont care about that. I am sure students who think like that, they will face difficulty to answer other questions because all their thought will be with the parts they cant answer it. This also will effect of the score because most of time they will waste for thinking about the difficulty of the some questions. 80% of the students is a big percentage and we want to decrease it. The motivated student only can deal with this problem because he/she usually dont think like other students. I noticed that 55% of the students, when they take test also they think of the consequences of failing and 45% of the students dont think of consequences of failing. This thought is also not true because it may make students feel upset and disappointment to pass in the course. I found that 60% of the students at ADU when they take an exam, they dont feel upset but there are 40% of the students have an uneasy, upset feeling when they take an exam. I think that is good to get like this percentage of the students at ADU. That thing helps students to get good marks in an exam because they dont feel afraid and upset. I noticed that 65% of the students feel their heart breathing fast when they take an exam but 34% of the students dont. This feeling may dont let students to answer appropriately the questions even they know the answer. Sometimes I feel like this feeling specially when I dont prepare enough for the exam but we should try to deeper breathe before the exam time and say to ourselves we will answer all questions without any afraid and we will get a good marks. We should motivate ourselves. In the seventh part, I found that 80% of the students usually study in a place where they can concentrate on their course work and 20% of the students study anywhere. This factor is effect on learning process. Some students prefer to study in open places such as park, garden, sea, etc. I think that like these places where can help students to comprehend and understand better. I found that 55% of the students dont make good use of their study time but there are 45% of the students make good use of their study time. As you know time is very important to make everything good especially at learning process. If you manage your time appropriately, you will get what you want in the appropriate time. I found that 50% of the students agree and 50% of the students disagree of this statement I get it hard to stick to study schedule. I found that 75% of the students have a usual place set aside for studying and 25% of the students dont like to set in one place for studying. I found that 55% of the students make sure they continue with the weekly readings and assignments for their courses but there are 45% of the students dont. I found that 75% of the students are present at class frequently but 25% of the students at ADU dont. I noticed that 70% of the students rarely find time to review their notes or reading before an exam. There is 30% of the students find time to review the notes before an exam. I think that each student will at manage his/her time to get a chance to review his/her notes before an exam but unfortunately 70% of students who didnt try to organize their time accuracy. In the eighth part of my questionnaire, I found that 65% of the students often feel so lazy or bored when they study that they quit before they finish what they planned to do but others dont feel lazy or bored about that. I notice that 75% of the students work hard to do well even if they dont like what we are doing. The 25% of the students dont work hard especially if they dont like what there are doing. I found that 65% of the students agree and 35% disagree with this statement When course work is hard and difficult, I quit or only study the easy parts. I suggest for each student to try as much as her/she can to simplify the difficult part by asking his/her instructor or friends and dont ignore the difficult thing because may it will coming in his/her an exam. I found that 70% of the students, when course materials are dull and uninteresting, they manage to keep working until they finish. In the ninth part, I found that 70% of the students, when studying for a class, they often try to clarify the material to a colleague or a friend but 30% of the students dont. I noticed that 55% of the students usually try to work with their colleagues or other students to complete the course coursework or homework and 45% of the students dont like to work other students to complete assignments. They like work alone and they dont need others help. I found that 60% of the student at ADU when studying for a class, they dont to set aside time to discuss the course material with a group of students from the class. I found that 40% of the students often set aside time to discuss the material with a group of the students. At the final part, I noticed that 85% of the students, even if they have difficulty of learning the material in a class, they try to do the work on their own, without help from anyone. I found that 15% of the students only who try to do the work with help from others if they have difficulty of learning the material in a class. I found that 80% of the students ask the instructor to clarify concepts they dont understand well and 20% of the students dont ask the instructor about that may they fill of ask their friends or not. I think students should ask the instructor. When I dont understand the material in a course, I ask another student, in this class for help me to understand by this statement 50% of the students agree and 50% of the students dont agree. Some students at ADU like to deal with their colleagues if they want help but 50% of the students dont like to ask others to help them. I found that 60% of the students try to identify students in their classes whom they can ask for help if necessary but others dont. As you see I found some students at ADU who motivated more than others. After I get this result I write some recommendation for both teachers and students. CONCLUSION To summarize, the motivation can play roles in learning process. Motivation is appropriate tool to achieve your goals so we should give us a motivation to do thing whether it is difficult or not. Also, motivation is the power to do thing as soon as possible. I think that if you dont have intrinsic motivation that comes within, you will dont also has extrinsic motivation. Recommendations At the end, I want to give teachers, designer of protocol and students some recommendations. For teachers: Teachers should try to motivate their students by using different techniques that may help them to show their abilities and skills, for example, if the student make mistake, the teacher shouldnt punish him/her because the punishment may affect negatively on his/her feeling and attitude. This thing will let student to be passive rather than active and he/she doesnt want to share his/her ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc. Teachers should make different activities that make learning fun and interesting. So that will help students to be more motivated to learn and attend the class regularly. Teachers also should give students freedom to express their ideas, thoughts, etc because this thing may increase a will to learn. Teachers should start their class by smiling because students will be more comfort and happy to take this course with teacher like that. Also, teachers who more active and interest in the class, will help students to be more motivated. I notice that ADU students feel disappointment if the score of the first exam is bad so I recommend the teachers to give a chance for improving their scores such as makeup that includes (another quiz, assignment, homework, etc). For students: Students should be motivated in the learning process and their daily life. Students should read their class notes and the course reading over and over to be more motivated in the classroom. Students try to choose that arouses their curiosity, even if it difficult to learn. If the student doesnt have motivation, he should try to do something that will help him/her to be motivated, for example, put some aims that he/ she should achieved.