Socio-economic and political impacts of climate change in Africa
'The cause of the warming of the African continent (and of the world as a whole) over the past 100 years is not clear. The change in atmospheric composition associated with rising levels of greenhouse gases must be one of the most plausible explanations, but there are other possibilities (Wigley et al., 1992). The trend may, for example, be the result of natural climate variability, shifts in the ocean temperature distribution or changes in the solar output. The progressive degradation of dryland areas, by reducing surface soil moisture, may have contributed to the warming over Africa, although the results of recent analyses suggest that the effects may account for no more than a small proportion of the trend observed over the continent as a whole (cf. Balling, 1991, with Hulme and Kelly, 1993). Whatever the cause of the warming trend, it provides one benchmark against which we can judge the projections of future climate warming for Africa' All that one needs to look at is the Annual rainfall during the mosts recent three decades to see that there has been around 20 to 40 percent less than was expected around the 1960's. Take extreme years such as 1984 and 1990 where rainfall levels have dropped below 50 percent of what is normally expected. But the real question we are trying to answer here is how sensitive are African natural resources, managed ecosystems and national
Lab- Response Time
Response Time Aim: To investigate whether the age of a human affects the reaction time. Introduction: Reaction time refers to the response of an organism to a stimulus, i.e. a factor leading to an organism reacting in some way. The average reaction time for a human is 0.200 to 0.250 seconds. This difference in reaction time varies from person to person due to various factors such as Age, Gender, Time, Environmental conditions, etc. Age being the most suitable factor, was chosen for the experiment. A stimulus is detected by the eye and is transmitted to the brain in the form of a nerve impulse. This impulse is interpreted by the brain which sends another impulse to the muscles in order to respond appropriately. This process is slow for aging people as well as humans below the age of 10 while are comparatively faster for people in the age group of 10-25. Hypothesis: I hypothesize that humans who belong to age group 10- 25, will have a lesser reaction time when compared to humans belonging to the age groups :- below 10 and above 25. Plan Variables Dependent Independent Controlled * Response Time * Age of human conducting experiment * Time of day * Apparatus(ruler) * Gender Apparatus: - * 1 x 30 cm ruler * 'Distance of ruler drop to Reaction time' Conversion graph * Results table * Stool Fig 1 Conversion graph Fig 2 Method . Collect apparatus as shown
Response to Pandemic Death: The Black Death in Europe
Response to Pandemic Death: The Black Death in Europe In his what some perceive to be his best known work, The Decameron, Boccaccio writes about his experience as a witness to the infamous 1348 pandemic known as the Black Death. The Decameron is a collection of stories about the Black Death, in one of which he wrote "The healthiest of all humans ate breakfast in the morning with their relatives, companions or friends, and had dinner that evening in another world with their ancestor"(Boccaccio)! This image suggests the rapid and serious nature of the Black Death that killed nearly 25 million people in Europe from 1347-1352(Janis, Rice, Pollard). As would be expected, a pandemic such as this had immense effects on the people of Europe who witnessed it; people reacted in a variety of ways, some rejected religion and lived a more "sensual life," others lived in seclusion, or even resorted to self-inflicted punishment. So how exactly did the Black Death effect the people of Europe? What were their responses to the pandemic? How did these responses effect the social, religious, political and economic structures of medieval Europe? Some, like Zeigler would say that the course of Europe "changed by the coming of the Black Death, which did but accelerate a movement already in being,"(258) suggesting that the Black Death was merely a catalyst for change. Perhaps this is true, but
Macbeth Critical Response Essay
Macbeth Critical Analytical Response If Hollywood ever dared to take a second attempt at making Macbeth into a movie, it would probably have to be rated 18A. Aside from the violence, and other mature content the amount of blood present in the play would be enough to deter any viewers under 18 years of age. However, just as violence is necessary in every action movie, blood plays an essential part in Macbeth. In his play Shakespeare uses blood as a symbol for guilt. Using this symbolism in combination with the behaviour and actions of his two main characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth; Shakespeare is able to clearly communicate his theme that one's ambition in combination with certain circumstances may compel one to respond with acts of evil, and as a result these people may be consumed and destroyed by their resulting guilt. At the beginning of the play Macbeth is introduced as brave, honourable and loyal, a great general who fought loyally to defend his king. When the sergeant introduces him for the first time, he is referred to as "brave Macbeth" the sergeant goes on to praise "well he deserves that name". In the first few scenes ambitious Macbeth is praised to the point where it seems he can do no evil. It is not until Macbeth is confronted by a special set of circumstances presented to him by the Witches does he begin to have dark desires and evil intentions. "All hail,
How does Bram stoker manipulate audience response to Jonathan Harker and Dracula in his entopic novel?
How does Bram stoker manipulate audience response to Jonathan Harker and Dracula in his entopic novel? Since Dracula was written in 1897, by the successful Bram Stoker it has since been a popular novel. The story line is based upon a mysterious vampire in Transylvania who travels to England in the search of fresh blood but complications arise when Jonathan Harker and accomplices intervene, causing a catastrophe. Bram Stoker manipulates his audience's response to Jonathan Harker and Dracula. The book is set pre-1915 and is of a gothic genre, so is intended to be frightening and mysterious, which are general expectations of a gothic genre. To begin with the first four chapters are written from Jonathan Harker's point of view, through his journal. Therefore, indicating that Bram stoker wants us to have a good understanding of Jonathan's character before any other characters are introduced. So that we can get a very clear idea of what he usually like, his habits, what he is like before, during and after going to Transylvania. There are many indications that Bram stoker wants us to view Jonathan as an intellectual, as he focuses on Jonathan's time spent at the British museum in England, researching for his journey to Transylvania. He wants us to view him as an intellectual so that later on the book you will trust what he is writing about his journey, and not think he has gone
Factors affecting rates of population change across the world.
Alex Calloway Factors affecting rates of population change across the world Throughout the world today, ones can see huge differences in rates of population change, from massive population growth rates to a gradual decline in population. There are some countries in the world today, where the rate of population change is extremely low and such a situation can occur for a number of reasons. When one reads of population growth or decline, it is impossible to avoid discussion of China's one child policy. However, this policy is an extreme violation of human rights and is limited to just one country and so should not form the basis of a discussion of population growth rates or as an example of a country with low growth rates. Instead, it seems apt to concentrate on those countries where government influence is not so draconian or tyrannical. Italy is one country with a negative rate of population change and does provide an example of many reasons why this situation can occur. Following the Second World War, Italy experienced a rapid process of industrialisation, geographically concentrated in the North, given Italy's current level of development and its late beginnings, it is simple to imagine how quickly the process occurred, as this graph, taken from www.thetimes.co.uk, shows. This development gave the citizens of Italy much improved health care provision, which in turn
With reference to a named country, evaluate attempts to manage population change
With reference to a named country, evaluate attempts to manage population change (15 marks) Thailand is located in south-east Asia, It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Cambodia and to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia. Mechai Viravaidya was a key influence in the change of population policy in Thailand, he came into government in 1973; he recognised that the fertility rate at the present time was not sustainable. In 1974 he set up the PDA or Population Development Association. It is arguable that at this time that Thailand was an LEDC where as now it is more commonly referred to as a Newly Industrialised Country (NIC), the faster transition through the demographic transition model may be a result of the change in population control. It was Mechai Viravaidya's plan to promote the use of contraception (formerly seen as a taboo subject) and family planning in order to control population development. The threat of Aids and HIV also became apparent to Viravaidya and the government; this gave him fresh impetus for his scheme. There were many successes of the program; this was attributable to a number of factors. Mechai's creativity helped to gain support such as free drinks after a vasectomy. This coupled with the willingness and openness of the Thai people allowed new ideas to thrive. The government gave Mechai the resources and support he
Investigation to find the change in the speed of light through perspex.
Investigation to find the change in the speed of light through perspex Aim I intend to investigate the change in the speed of light in perspex. I intend to do this by passing a narrow ray of light through a D-block of Perspex, by using the same concepts and ideas as Snell's Law. Background Information Light is an electromagnetic wave. The speed of light depends on the medium through which it propagates: it goes fastest in vacuum, almost as fast in air but considerably slower in glass. The speed of light in a vacuum has been given its own symbol: c. The speed of light in any other material is denoted with v. The ratio of the two is known as the refractive index with the symbol n. When light goes from one medium to another, it doesn't only change its speed. Part of the incident light is reflected, and the remainder is transmitted. The transmitted light is generally also deviated or refracted. It was found experimentally by Descartes and by Snell, some 400 years ago that: • The incident, reflected and refracted ray all lie in the same plane • The angles of incidence ? a and refraction ? b and the refractive indices na and nb of the media are related through what has become known as Snell's Law: Snell's Law = the refractive index of the medium light is passing into the refractive index of the medium light is passing out of = Sin(i)/Sin(r). Apparatus Perspex
Investigation of the response of a microphone / loudspeaker over a range of frequencies
Investigation of the response of a microphone/loudspeaker over a range of frequencies Aim & Hypothesis To become proficient with using a signal generator and a Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO.) Also, to investigate how the amplitude of a signal from a microphone varies as the frequency of a fixed amplitude signal applied to the loudspeaker varies, (between 100Hz and 1000Hz.) Safety RISK ASSESSMENT - LEVEL ONE This experiment does not carry many hazards. Bags and coats will be moved out of the way to ensure that no one will trip over them. The only other potential danger is as a result of using mains operated equipment. I will not be using the equipment near any water, taps etc. I will do a visual check on the equipment before use (not fraying or lose wires, etc.) Variables Independent Variable: Frequency (Hz) Dependent Variable: Amplitude (mV) I will be using the signal generator to alter the frequency being produced - therefore this will be the independent variable. This will alter the amplitude of the wave being shown on the CRO so this is the independent variable. I have used the same equipment throughout the experiment in order to ensure a fair test. Diagram Method The apparatus was set up as shown on the previous page. Firstly I did three 'checks' to ensure that (to check if they are properly calibrated.): * The amplitude of the signal remains constant *
A Christmas Carol How Does Scrooge Change Through Staves 1 - 5?
A Christmas Carol How Does Scrooge Change Through Staves 1 - 5? By Louise Sophocleous A Christmas carol is a moral story and focuses upon the redemption of the most hardened miser Ebeneezer Scrooge. In stave one he is presented as selfish, rude, angry and lonely. 'Warning all human sympathy to keep its distance.' he is thoroughly dislikeable. Through the attentions of Marley's ghost and the journey Scrooge takes through the past present and future Scrooge changes and becomes likable. He recovers his sense of joy in the world and this transforms all aspects of his life. How he reacts to people how he reacts to his setting, to Christmas and how he spends his money. It is a miraculous transformation. Dickens is saying that no matter how cruel, hard, old, bitter and unpleasant you are there is good in you and you can change. In stave 1 Scrooge is seen as a 'squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scrapping, clutching, covetous old sinner'. Dickens stresses the coldness of Scrooges bearing. 'He carried his own low temperature with him'. His atmosphere is like constant winter. However it also describes him as 'solitary as an oyster' and this image gives a hint that he is protecting himself and is scared of the world. His hatred is a defence. He is cruel to his Clerk who whom he will not allow more than one coal for the fire. A contrast is made between Scrooge and his cheerful nephew.
