Global Warming: True?
Is the Earth really getting warmer? Global warming has been in the spotlight for quite a while. It has been the centre of many political conferences and in the media, as world leaders try to figure out a way for the world to reduce carbon emissions, which are gradually warming up our planet. But is this true? Hadley's data (April 13, 2008) According to many scientists, the Earth's global temperature (°C) has increased, especially from the late 1900's, as is shown by the graph. They believe that the Earth is warming up, and the extreme, freak weather, and the ice caps that are melting, due to rising sea levels are proof that global warming is happening. If so, this will have a great impact on every country. Islands and cities bordering rivers are more likely to be flooded, and summers will be drier and winters will become wetter. But the weather, through history has always been constantly changing. For instance, if you put an ice cube from your freezer on the table, measured it and checked the melt rate, what you will find is that at a constant temperature, it melts faster as it gets smaller, no extra warming required. How is this proof of global warming? In January, 1998 in England (red bar) the average distance from normal was 1.5. In January, 2007 in England (red bar) the average distance from normal (degrees Celsius) was 3.3. In October 1998, the distance from normal
What effect does the Buddhist teachingsof metta, karma, anicca, anatta and equanimityhave on the environment?
What effect does the Buddhist teachings of metta, karma, anicca, anatta and equanimity have on the environment? I believe that these five Buddhist teachings of metta, karma, anicca, anatta and equanimity have a huge effect on the environment. Each of these teachings has a specific effect on the environment. Metta teaches Buddhists to spread love and kindness around the world. This means that this love and kindness should also be extended towards the environment. Therefore Buddhists will try to help to keep the environment healthy, i.e. unpolluted and safe. The law of karma states that actions have consequences. This means that if a Buddhist treats the environment badly (use CFC's or cut down trees), then they will gain negative karma. If they continue to treat the environment in this way then they will accumulate a lot of negative karma. This may cause them to enter a lower realm on the cycle of samsara, once they are reborn. Therefore the teaching of karma prevents Buddhists from harming the environment. Equanimity teaches Buddhists to treat all living beings as equal. This means that Buddhists should not cut down trees as this will mean killing a living being, a tree. If fewer trees are cut down, then the environment will be healthier and safer, as trees (and plants) absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which helps to reduce global warming. Anicca is one of
Scientists map bacterium genome
ARTICLE: "Scientists map bacterium genome" SOURCE: Toronto Star (www.thestar.com) DATE PUBLISHED: May 8th, 2002 SUMMARY Researchers compiled together a genetic map of soil bacterium that could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics and cures for cancer. The main bacteria that they mapped was streptomyces which is commonly used in the production of many antibiotics and for many natural medical compounds. RESPONSE I believe that having this genome map of this commonly used bacteria "streptomyces" is an excellent opportunity for scientists to discover cures for many of the sicknesses and cancers that live amongst many people. Finally more efficient cures for the many sicknesses that populate many of us will be discovered. Will being diagnosed with cancer ever be the same and as catching a cold? It will cut costs for medicine by large amounts, and generally more people will live for longer periods of time. By eventually overcoming many diseases and cancers society can concentrate on more important issues such as the environment and what we could do to make it a better place. I don't believe that a time will come when all negative factors that contribute to our lives (i.e. disease/cancer, pollution, mental illness etc) will ever come to an end, however the attempt to do so will result in better living environments for the society in general. The costs affiliated
Conservation of Grazing Lands
CONSERVATION FOR GRAZING LANDS One of the principles of conservation for grazing is the use of only a portion of the annual forage-plant production of a particular range in order to maintain healthy plant growth and reproduction. In addition, each range is stocked with the number of animals that can be nourished properly on the available usable forage and are permitted to graze only during the season suitable for that type of range. The conservation of ranges is based on a program of grazing designed to keep them productive indefinitely and to improve depleted areas by natural reproduction or by artificial seeding with appropriate forage species. Although these principles are well established, many hundreds of thousands of acres of public grazing lands are still overgrazed. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION One of the basic principles of wildlife conservation involves providing natural food and shelter to keep up populations of each species in a given habitat. A major threat facing wildlife is both the destruction of habitat, through drainage and agriculture. Illegal trade in feathers, horns, ivory, hides, and organs has brought many species to the verge of extinction. Wildlife is an important biological, economic, resource that can be maintained through careful management. Hunting regulations allow the take of many species without affecting population levels, and can even
Pros and cons of free range chicken farming.
Free range chicken farming is one of the best ways to grow healthy chicken. The benefits of free range: * Chickens live a more natural life * No heating/ lighting costs * Less food needs supplying as they find some for themselves * The farmers can charge more money for free-range eggs/ chickens The costs of free range: * Chickens more vulnerable to weather and predators * More land needed for each bird * Eggs can't be collected autimatically * Fewer eggs laid, especially in the winter when it's cold and dark for longer periods of
Should you be allowed to abort a baby ?
Should you be allowed to abort a baby ? By Ruth Rudd Abortion is a controversial issue which has been in the middle of a heated debate for many reasons. I have created this case study to show different opinions and sides of the argument from a variety of people from different religions, cultures and professions. I will also try and find evidence to support argument and eventually make a personal conclusion as to whether the current law concerning abortion is ethical and the best all round. As the law currently stands you are allowed an abortion 24 weeks into your pregnancy. It has been estimated that yearly, approximately 46 million abortions are performed worldwide. Of these, 26 million are said to occur in places where abortion is legal; the other 20 million happen where it is illegal. Some countries, such as Belgium (11.2 per 100 known pregnancies) and the Netherlands (10.6 per 100), have a low rate of legal abortion, while others like Russia (62.6 per 100) and Vietnam (43.7 per 100) have a comparatively high rate. The world ratio is 26 legal abortions per 100 known pregnancies. This shows that although the majority of abortions are legal, still 20 million are illegal and with no guidance and law emplaced there is nothing stopping them aborting a baby over the 24 week age period. Below is a graph to show the percentage of abortions by gestational development ( stages of
