Energy and Environmental Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Energy and Environmental Security - Essay Example Over the years there have been rising concerns with regard to the ability of fossil fuels, which constitute the main source of energy, in ensuring energy security. In Australia for instance, high reliance on fossil fuels as the core source of energy has been noted to be increasingly unviable since it is more economically marginal. This is because of the high dependence on foreign regimes which control supply and pricing of oil and gas (Jones, 2009, pp.3). Such rising concerns have resulted to increased attention on other potential alternative energy sources. This paper argues that renewable energy sources, to a large extent, are viable alternative sources of energy, and play a critical role in ensuring energy security. The world consumes about 13 trillion watts (terawatts, TW) of energy, with 85% of this representing energy from fossil fuel such as coal, gas and oil, while 2% of this representing renewable energy forms such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydro energy (Lewis , 2007, pp.808-809; Valentine, 2011:4573). Indeed, fossil fuels still remain the king pins in energy supply due to various advantages such as availability and high energy content that it possesses. However, fossil fuels have core disadvantages that make it a threat to both current and future energy security. Not only is it exhaustible, but it is also detrimental to the environment, and is undependable since countries have to depend on a few controlling regimes which regulate the supply of oil and gas (DiPeso, 2011, pp.97; Valentine, 2011). From historical evidence, oil and gas which currently form the major part of fossil fuel have had the tendency to fluctuate in prices with most countries’ ability to control such prices limited. This makes it in the long term unreliable, unaffordable and inadequate (Riesz and Tourneboeuf, 2011). The high dependency on fossil fuels, and the fact that such fossil fuels do not guarantee energy security to most of the world’s countries, has necessitated a look at various alternative sources that would ensure energy security. For most of the world’s countries, the response to energy risks posed by fossil fuels has been diversification of energy sources. Renewable sources of energy have been widely recognised as potential sources of energy and expected to comprise a bigger part in future energy generation portfolio to ensure energy security (Valentine, 2011). Renewable sources of energy are often indigenous to a country hence tends to reduce high dependency on energy imports (Olz, Sims, and Kircher, 2007, pp.23). Hence, can be exploited locally where by the variations in availability and capacity of such energy sources in various regions, ensures that energy security is site specific, with regions increasingly becoming self sufficient. Although renewable energy sources incur higher capital costs in terms of development , installation and per unit capacity, this high cost, to some extent, can be offset by the l ow to zero cost of fuel over the life of the installed system which make renewable more competitive (Olz, Sims, and Kircher, 2007, pp.16). Furthermore, the long cited constraints of renewable energy sources such as intermittency and availability can be resolved through energy storage technologies which make energy available when needed and stores energy when it is available (Evans, Strezov, & Evans, 2012). There are six main

Chimestry Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Chimestry - Lab Report Example This is an indication of corrosion in the given metal. This experiment’s main purpose is the determination of the properties of metals and to find out the corrosive effect on metals. The properties of the metals, iron, brass and copper, were compared. This involved comparing the conductivity of both iron and copper, Hardiness, and brittleness. The observations were made and recorded. In testing for conductivity, the metals were heated and time taken to heat up observed. In comparing for brittleness, the wires of the respective metals wire bent and the number of times the wire was bent before breaking observed. Comparison of the hardiness between copper and iron resulted in iron being harder than copper. On comparing the hardiness between copper and brass, it was found that brass is harder than copper. Also, it was found that alloys of these metals are harder as compared to the pure metals. Copper has a higher conductivity as compared to iron and brass. This is due to the fact that copper contains a large number of de – localized electrons. These electrons move freely and as a result facilitate the conductivity process. From the experiment, it’s clear that iron is harder than copper. This is due to the strong covalent bonds which exists between the iron molecules making it to be harder than copper. Comparing the two pure metals with its alloys resulted in the alloys being harder than the metals. On brittleness, iron was found to be more brittle than copper. It can be concluded that copper has high conductivity as compared to iron, copper is more corrosion resistance than iron and iron is more brittle than copper. The alloys of the metals have enhanced properties as compared to the pure metals. Finally, Copper was found to be corrosive resistant as compared to iron and

Phenomenology and the sociology of knowledge Essay Example for Free

Phenomenology and the sociology of knowledge Essay Phenomenology can both be understood to be a discipline and a movement in the history of philosophy. As a discipline, Phenomology can be defined to be the study of structures of experience and consciousness. Ontology, epistemology, logic and ethics are other disciplines which are related to Phenomology though they are distinct (Schulz, Wagner, 1997). In a different perspective, Phenomology can be defined as a historical movement which was launched by great thinkers such as Edmund Husserl among others in the 20th century. Phenomenology and social science Common theories present in social science are based in the real world. This leads to my conviction that phenomenological research can be used in the future studies of some methods which are in use in social science. Phenomenology can further be used in social science to facilitate the understanding of some phenomenon’s which are often taken for granted. For instance, man is assumed to be social being and language and communication systems do exist. Methods in social science fail to address why there is mutual understanding and communication and why men are motivated by certain experiences. Moreover, the social science methods fail to describe the underlying assumption and their implications in the interpretation of social interrelationship (Collins, 1998). All these can only be addressed through philosophical analysis which Husserl referred to as phenomenological philosophy. Phenomenology can also be used to bring meaning and insights to the study of grief, anxiety and pain which are some social issues which affect the very existence of man. Through phenomenology, social scientists can account and analytically describe the acts of intentional consciousness. Finally, phenomenology creates a bridge for the phenomenological sociology which provides an understand ding of the formal structures common in everyday day life. Sociology of knowledge Sociology of knowledge refers to the study of the social sources of knowledge and its impact on the society. In the study, knowledge is assumed to be a cultural product which can only be understood in the social context of its origin. The study is important to Collins in that it provides an explanation to most of the philosophical ideas which exist. In his book, he asserts that great and philosophical ideas are only produced through interaction between humans whose construction relies on the social structure of the intellectual world. Through the sociology of knowledge, Collins is able to explain that the rationalization process of Western, Indian and Asian philosophies has only been achieved through conceptual framework and social knowledge. He uses the sociology of knowledge to explain that social processes have an explanation as to why what is said to whom which he calls the sociology of thinking (Geoffrey, 2003). He also asserts that through the sociology of knowledge one is in a capacity to predict the conversation between two individuals if only their characteristics and the emotional synergies are known. He further uses the sociology of knowledge to explain how it is possible to predict the thinking process of an individual. Though thinking is an internalized conversation, Collins asserts that what we think is often a reflection of what we write on paper or we talk with other people. Collins believes that emotional energy and what we anticipate for the future determines our thinking process (Collins, 1998). Finally, the sociology of knowledge has enable Collins to describe the philosophical transformations which have been achieved in modern Europe, Japan and china. References Collins, R. (1998). The Sociology of Philosophies: A Global Theory Of Intellectual Change Harvard University press, USA ISBN 0-674-00187-7 Geoffrey, L. (2003). Modern Philosophy. London: Routledge Schulz, A. Wagner, H. (1997). On Phenomenology and Social Relations: Selected Writings. University of Chicago press. London ISBN 0-226-74153-2

Teaching Philosophy as Education and Evaluation of Thinking Essay

ABSTRACT: Teaching philosophy and critical thinking is one of the main ways to clearly reaffirm the value of human persons and of goodness and freedom. It is not sufficient to propose a philosophical message, but we must teach it systematically (curriculum) with a real synergy between teachers and parents. We must also build a curriculum, which includes an evaluation model based on clear goals and objectives: the intermediate and final evaluation and assessment will enable us to be sure that we have reached our aim. It is also necessary to verify every step, evaluate it and compare it to the criteria (general project, goals, objectives) we put in our mind and use in our teaching. This critical evaluation needs methods and some teaching instruments described herein. The final philosophical education will be much stabler and assure us about our scientific and formative project. I. Teaching Philosophy Philosophical thinking includes an educational dimension, according to the dialogical structure of human thinking. First of all a preliminary question: is philosophy teaching and learning possible? This is the main problem, from Socrates to today: if a science exists and can be transmitted: without any objective and universal philosophical knowing about justice, goodness, truth, man becomes the measure of all things (according to Protagoras; science becomes sensation and human knowing is under subjectivism. But it's possible to get truth by dialogue: then it is also possible teaching and philosophically thinking using argumentation and research of universal ideas, transcending simple and unfounded opinions (CIFUENTES, 1997 #4922). This thesis, from Plato to Kant and German idealism (Fichte, Schelling, Hegel) seems the main scient... ...Three Tests of Critical Thinking, in  «Journal of Experimental Education », 29, 2, Dec, 177-182, 1960. RUST V. I., JONES R. S., KAISER H. F., A Factor-Analytic Study of Critical Thinking, in  «The Journal of Educational Research », 55, 6, 252-259, 1962. SMITH B. O., The Improvement of Critical Thinking, in  «Progressive Education », 30, 5, March, 129-134, 1953. WALLEN N. E., HAUBRICH V. F., REID I. E., The Outcomes of Curriculum Modifications Designed to Foster Critical Thinking, in  «The Journal of Educatinal Research », 56, 10 (Jul-Aug), 529-534, 1963. WATSON G., GLASER E. M., Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal, Harcourt, Brasce and World, New York 1964. WILSON D. G., WAGNER E. E., The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal as a Predictor of Performance in a Critical Thinking Course, in  «Educational and Psychological Measurement », 1319-1322, 1981.

Do the Press Have Too Much Freedom Essay

Freedom of expression has always been emphasized as an essential basis for the democratic functioning of a society. The reasons for this are: the right of an individual to self-fulfillment, which right requires the communication of thought and an attempt which is frustrated if information is suppressed or comment blocked. For this we need press and it has to be free for being unbiased. Newspapers is an important source of information spreads news in an unlimited way. Furthermore, newspapers spread appropriate information to the readers and motivate them to think and to be aware about current events that affect society; additionally they can undermine important people’s public image by spreading biased information. They do so, in order to provide exclusive stories with the objective of selling more. What is more, distortion of information, invasion of privacy and the dissemination of unfounded news are only a part of a long list of felonies that the written media commits in order to be read all over the world. For instance, many artist are victims of newspaper’s harassment and slander on their good names. In this sense, journalists invade actors or actresses’ privacy or invent stories that affect their integrity and self-image with the aim of getting the scoop. Nevertheless, how is it to be a newsman? My understanding of a reporter is that it is their job to report the news. That doesn’t mean anything beyond telling exactly what happened. The opinions and the slants put on the news by every network, cable and broadcast, are not reporting. They are television. They are looking for advertisers and ratings. They are looking for the best story instead of the truth. They are reality TV – scripted shows pretending to be spontaneous. Now, I do understand that a news reporter has to pre-write the story so they are not sitting there grumping trying to find the words. So, do newspapers have too much freedom? This question lead us to think about how powerful newspapers are and their real incidence in our lives. Moreover, how much freedom is too much? All of this needs to be looked into and needs to be answered. In addition, the media needs to be held much more accountable for the way they cover the news. Otherwise, history is going to show that our democracy fell apart because it was taken advantage of.

Comparison of Common Law and Civil Law Essay

COMMON LAW (characteristics)for comparing or contrast purpose Common law systems are mostly found in former british colony and protectorate including US, it is less prescriptive than civil law system,citizens are benefited by enactment and legislation in specific fields.more often are the implied terms usage. 1)represents the law of courts as expressed in judicial decision 2)based on precedents provided by past judicial decisions,no written statues or prescribed texts 3)trial by the jury and the doctrine of the supremacy of the law(originally meant king above law,now means acts of governmentall agencies are subject to scruting in ordinary legal proceedings) 4)everything is permitted which is not prohibited by law 5)binding ,overruling through same court or legislation Judicial precedents derive their force from the doctrine of stare decisions[lat=stand by the decided matter]i.e that the previous decisions of the highest court in the jurisdiction are binding on all other courts in the jurisdiction changing conditions,however soon make most decisions inapplicable except as a basis for analogy, and a court must therefore often look to the judicial experience of the rest of the English speaking world.This gives the system flexibility while general acceptance of cetain authoritative materials provides a degree of stability.Neverthless,in many instances, courts have failed to keep pace with social developments and it has become necessary to enact statues to bring about needed changes.In recent years ,statutes have superseded much of common law,notablyin the fields of commercial administrative and criminal law,typically however in statutory interpretation the courts have recourse to the doctrines of common law. Thus increased legislation is limited but has not ended judicial supremacy. A common law system is generally less prescriptive than a civil law system. A government may therefore wish to enshrine protections of its citizens in specific legislation related to the infrastructure program being contemplated. For example, it may wish to prohibit the service provider from cutting off the water or electricity supply of bad payers. Please go to Legislation and Regulationsections for more information on this. There are few provisions implied into a contract under the common law system – it is therefore important to set out ALL the terms governing the relationship between the parties to a contract in the contract itself. This will often result in a contract being longer than one in a civil law country. CIVIL LAW(CHARACTERISITICS) 1)based on statues and prescribed texts. 2)available in written form, specific codes covering mostly 3)corporate,tax,constitution with basic rights and duties 4)only legislative enactments are binding 5)precedents are to be followed Countries following a civil law system are typically those that were former French, Dutch, German, Spanish or Portuguese colonies or protectorates, including much of Central and South America. Also, most of the Central and Eastern European and East Asian countries follow a civil law structure. The civil law system is a codified system of law. It takes its origins from Roman law. Features of a civil law system include: * There is generally a written constitution based on specific codes (e.g., civil code, codes covering corporate law, administrative law, tax law and constitutional law) enshrining basic rights and duties; administrative law is however usually less codified and administrative court judges tend to behave more like common law judges; * Only legislative enactments are considered binding for all. There is little scope for judge-made law in civil, criminal and commercial courts, although in practice judges tend to follow previous judicial decisions; consitutional and administrative courts can nullify laws and regulations and their decisions in such cases are binding for all. * In some civil law systems, e.g., Germany, writings of legal scholars have significant influence on the courts; * Courts specific to the underlying codes – there are therefore usually separate constitutional court, administrative court and civil court systems that opine on consistency of legislation and administrative acts with and interpret that specific code; * Less freedom of contract – many provisions are implied into the contract by law and parties cannot contract out of certain provisions. A civil law system is generally more prescriptive than a common law system. However, a government will still need to consider whether specific legislation is required to either limit the scope of a certain restriction to allow a successful infrastructure project, or may require specific legislation for a sector. Please go to Legislation and Regulation and â€Å"Organizing Government to think PPP† sections for more information on this. There are a number of provisions implied into a contract under the civil law system – less importance is generally placed on setting out ALL the terms governing the relationship between the parties to a contract in the contract itself as inadequacies or ambiguities can be remedied or resolved by operation of law. This will often result in a contract being shorter than one in a common law country. It is also important to note in the area of infrastructure that certain forms of infrastructure projects are referred to by well-defined legal concepts in civil law jurisdictions. Concessions and Affermage have a definite technical meaning and structure to them that may not be understood or applied in a common law country. Care should be taken, therefore, in applying these terms loosely. This is further considered under Agreements.

Frederick Douglas Essays - Slavery In The United States, Slavery

Frederick Douglas Essays - Slavery In The United States, Slavery Frederick Douglas Casey Connealy History Frederick Douglas The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave was written by Frederick Douglass himself. He was born into slavery in Tuckahoe, Maryland in approximately 1817. He has, "no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it" (47). He became known as an eloquent speaker for the cause of the abolitionists. Having himself been kept as a slave until he escaped from Maryland in 1838, he was able to deliver very impassioned speeches about the role of the slave holders and the slaves. Many Northerners tried to discredit his tales, but no one was ever able to disprove his statements. Frederick Douglass does offer a biased review of slavery, as he was born into it, yet even in his bias he is able to detect and detail the differences in the slave holders cruelty and that to which he was subjected. From being whipped and humiliated daily, "a very severe whipping for being awkward" (101), to being able to find his own work and save some money, "I was able to command the highest wages given to the most experienced calkers" (134), he is able to give the reader a more true picture of slavery. His poignant speeches raised the ire of many Northerners, yet many still felt the slaves deserved their position in life. Douglass, for his own safety, was urged to travel to England where he stayed and spoke until 1847 when he returned to the U.S. to buy his freedom. At that point, he began to write and distribute an anti-slavery newspaper called "The North Star". Not only did he present news to the slaves, but it was also highly regarded as a good source of information for those opposed to slavery. During the Civil war, Douglass organized two regiments of black soldiers in Massachusetts to fight for the North. Before, during and after the war he continued his quest to free all the slaves. He became known as a fair and righteous man and was appointed as the U.S. Minister of Haiti after holding several government offices. Frederick Douglass has woven many themes into his narrative, all being tied with a common thread of mans inhumanity towards man. Children were uprooted from the arms of their mothers, "before the child has reached its twelfth month, its mother is taken from it" (48) and sold to other slave holders. Brutal whippings occurred for even the smallest imagined offense, "a mere look, word, or motion" (118), women were treated as no better than common concubines and the slaves were forced into living quarters, "on one common bed cold, damp floor" (55) worse than some of the farm animals. The slaves were not allowed even the most meager portion of food, "eight pounds of pork and one bushel of corn meal" (54) to last a month. Clothes were scarce and illness was never tolerated. It was unthinkable for the slaves to practice any type of religion, hold any gatherings, become literate to any degree, "unlawful unsafe, to teach a slave to read" (78) or even make the simple decision of when to eat and sleep. One of the themes that the book dealt with is society and its handling of slavery under the guise of Christianity. Those who professed to being the most Christian i.e., the minister who lived next door, was actually the most cruel. Douglass stated adamantly that religion was, "a mere covering for the most horrid of crimes, - justifier of barbarity - sanctifier of hateful fraud, - protection for the slave holder" (117). "Religious slave holders are the worst" (117) because they thought it was their duty to "whip his slaves" (118). While being in the community of religious leaders, Douglass was subjected to the "meanest most cruel" (117) of acts of one human being towards another. The slaves were kept down, belittled and whipped into submission all under the tenets of Christianity. The Rev. Weeden, Rev. Hopkins and Mr. Freeland felt it was not only their right to own slaves, but also their God-given right to take these human beings and turn them into hard workers. The imagined acts of transgression and the punishments mettled