Acid Rain Essays (1702 words) - Inorganic Solvents, Acid Rain

Acid Rain Introduction: What Causes Acid Rain? One of the main causes of acid rain is sulfur dioxide. Natural sources, which emit this gas, are Volcanoes, sea spray, rotting vegetation and plankton. However, the burning of fossil fuels, such as Coal and oil, are largely to be blamed for approximately half of the emissions of this gas in the world. When sulfur dioxide reaches the atmosphere, it oxidizes to first form a sulfate ion. It then Becomes sulfuric acid as it joins with hydrogen atoms in the air and falls back down to earth. Oxidation occurs the most in clouds and especially in heavily polluted air where other compounds such as ammonia and ozone help to catalyze the reaction, changing more sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid. However, not all of the sulphur dioxide is changed to sulfuric acid. In fact, a substantial amount can float up into the atmosphere, move over to another area and return to earth unconverted. In the following pages I will show the effects of acid rain on: ? Effect on Trees and Soils ? Effect on Lakes and Aquatic Systems ? Effect on Materials ? Effect on Atmosphere ? Effect on Architecture ? Effect on Humans Effect on Trees and Soils One of the most serious impacts of acid precipitation is on forests and soils. Great damage is done when sulfuric acid falls onto the earth as rain. Nutrients present in the soils are washed away. Aluminium also present in the soil is freed and the roots of trees can absorb this toxic element. Thus, the trees are starved to death as they are deprived of their vital nutrients such as calcium and magnesium. Not all of the sulphur dioxide is converted to sulfuric acid. In fact, a substantial amount can float into the atmosphere, move over to another area and return to the soils unconverted. As this gas returns back to earth, it clogs up the stomata in the leaves, thus hindering photosynthesis. Research has been made where red spruce seedlings were sprayed with different combinations of sulfuric and nitric acid of pH ranging from 2.5 to 4.5. The needles of these seedlings were observed to develop brown lesions. Eventually, the needles fall off. It was also found that new needles grew more slowly at higher concentrations of acid used. Because the rate at which the needles were falling was greater than the rate at which they were replenished, photosynthesis was greatly affected, The actual way in which these needles were killed is still not yet known. However, studies have shown that calcium and magnesium nutrients are washed away from their binding sites when sulfuric acid enters the system. They are replaced by useless hydrogen atoms and this inhibits photosynthesis. Effect on Lakes and Aquatic Systems One of the direct effects of acid rain is on lakes and its aquatic ecosystems. There are several routes through which acidic chemicals can enter the lakes. Some chemical substances exist as dry particles in the air while others enter the lakes as wet particles such as rain, snow, sleet, hail, dew or fog. In addition, lakes can almost be thought of as the sinks of the earth, where rain that falls on land is drained through the sewage systems eventually make their way into the lakes. Acid rain that falls onto the earth washes off the nutrients out of the soil and carries toxic metals that have been released from the soil into the lakes. Another harmful way in which acids can enter the lakes is spring acid shock. When snow melts in spring rapidly due to a sudden temperature change, the acids and chemicals in the snow are released into the soils. The melted snow then runs off to streams and rivers, and gradually make their way into the lakes. The introduction of these acids and chemicals into the lakes causes a sudden drastic change in the pH of the lakes - hence the term spring acid shock. The aquatic ecosystem has no time to adjust to the sudden change. In addition, springtime is an especially vulnerable time for many aquatic species since this is the time for reproduction for amphibians, fish and insects. Many of these species lay their eggs in the water to hatch. The sudden pH change is dangerous because the acids can cause serious deformities in their young or even annihilate the whole species since the young of many of such species spend a significant part of their life cycle

Colonial Life DBQ essays

Colonial Life DBQ essays There are several reasons as to why the colonies of the Chesapeake and the colonies of New England differed so greatly. The reasons all had to do with the climates, the religions, the people, and their motives for coming to the areas in which they settled. The climates of New England and the Chesapeake area differed greatly. This factored in and effected several different key differences. The climate down south was more conducive to cash crops such as sugar, tobacco, and rice- while New England's rocky and infertile soil catered to a lifestyle that revolved around manufacturing. The north would purchase crops from the south and then use them to manufacture goods. Then, they would sell the finished products to the south or to England. This ensured economic stability because Britain always bought products from the colonies, and the south depended on the north for finished goods. The climate also affected the quality and length of life. In the Chesapeake region, life expectancy was rather poor. Diseases like malaria were not uncommon and long days working in the fields often took years off one's life. Another problem was that when the colonists who had come to the south arrived, most were not into the whole idea that one had to plant crops and hunt in order to survive. They were mostly into looking for gold that didn't even exist. So from the start, their numbers dwindled and many died over the Because so many young men passed away, women actually had to be afforded certain rights, such as the widow's right to inherit her husband's property. This was a far cry from the rights of women up north. Basically, their rights included taking care of their children (they usually had about eight) taking care of the household, and being accused of practicing witchcraft. In New England, women just really didn't have that much power, mostly because men didn't ...

ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) Research Paper

ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) - Research Paper Example In the year 2006, the group further joined other Sunni insurgent groups to form the Mujahedeen Shura Council. The rise of the Mujahedeen Shura Council, lead to the emergence of an Islamic state, the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI). After the taking over of the leadership of the group by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the group expanded much more where it further entered in Syria through participation in the civil war that was going on in the country. In this instance, the group formed itself in the areas dominated by the Sunnis of Syria through the governance of Ar-Raqqah, Idlib, Deir ez-Zor and Aleppo. After gaining control of Syria, the group, in this case, changed to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in April 2013. The action followed after the announcement by al-Baghdadi of the merger with al-Nusra Front group from Syria. The group maintained their close cooperation with the al-Qaeda until February 2014 when they broke ranks with each other due wrangling issues related to power (Mastors, 75). According the information obtained from the Iraqis and the spokesmen from the United States, the Islamic State of Iraq, and the Levant supported themselves. They supported themselves through raising of the money got from the kidnappings of wealthy Iraqis who paid to them a given ransom for their release. Apart from kidnapping of the wealthy citizens for ransom payments, the rebel group also used such activities like car theft, hijacking fuel trucks, and counterfeiting. Other sources of finance came from the raised supplies by commandeering rations and shaking down Iraqi soldiers for ammunition. The last cases involved the most lucratively stole oil in the region of Bayji for the black market to raise money for supporting their activities (QutÃÅ'Â £b, 56). Besides kidnappings and corruption means of sourcing for finance, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant also got financial assistance from jihadists in

The War Against The White American Man Research Paper

The War Against The White American Man - Research Paper Example Racism against white people is one of the critical areas of concern. The country has undergone tremendous changes for many years and there are prospects of continual growth in the coming years in regards to the strong economic backbone. Therefore, all people need to get it through there minds that there will always be people out there that do not have similar looks as they do, and do not have the same reasoning capacity the way they do, won't die the way they do, do not have dietary perspectives a theirs and would not raise there kids the way they do. This characterizes complexities of life. Everything on this planet has to come to terms with its surrounding. Thus people have to either learn to adapt or face the wrath of being rigid to change. Do know how dull life would be if everyone was the same color? If you are a believer in God or any other form of a supreme creator, then the decision to make everyone to look the same would not have been a problem (Strong, 2008). Existence of d ifferent races is just analogous to the difference in Everything that comprise our environment such as birds, plants, and natural features. Therefore, it is inconceivable for any reasonable being to escalate racism among the white American man since they society holds him as the instigator of racism. Just like it is easier for the minority to receive public recognition, the white American man requires similar recognition in order to curb racism propagated against the group (Wise, 2012). White men have been blamed by many nationalities for every ill thing that has been infused into the society (Flemming, 2003). Worse of it all, is that their own women are league with other races in blaming them. In regards to these racism actions, the white man has become an endangered human species because the world is embracing thugs, drug dealers and their form of life, while those things pioneered by the white boys or males is shunned away due to memories of the slavery (The Telegraph, 2011). As a white American husband to a black woman, I experience prejudice from the male black and other ethnic groups but not from my white counterparts. According to my own understanding, white people do not have any advantage against the Indian, Chinese, colored, or black community because we are human beings subject to feelings, need to belong to a family, love, feeling and much greater need to live life. There are several forms of bigotry in the society that has received much support due to the entertainment aspect associated with it. To begin with, my evaluation of the Japanese donning themselves with bushy wigs or beards, large fake nose embellished with speaking in loud, broken, and poor English is a direct demeaning activity to the white population. The white communities that take note of these practices are left in the dilemma whether to perceive it as offensive or as a form of amusement meant for entertainment purposes (Morgan, 2008). Nevertheless, the white person is not allowed to stereotypically dress like the Japanese people in yellowish skin, â€Å"slanted eyes,† geeky glasses, and buck teeth because the world would immediately recognize that as an unpleasant negative typecast. Similarly, the black community has received much recognition through their comedy routines where they openly say almost every thing they wish about the

Business Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Business Research - Essay Example Customer satisfaction gains all the more relevance in hospitality industry like the hotel industry. The Ritz hotel is one of the prestigious and luxurious hotels in France. The hotel is located at the heart of Paris in France and is one of the seven recognized Parisian palace hotels. Ritz presently offers 159 rooms with suites, restaurant, bars and private salons. True to the spirit of Ritz, each room offers a harmonious blend of modern ease and classical charm in a quintessentially French style. While there can be many reasons to choose Ritz over others; some reasons can only be experienced (Ritz Paris, n.d.). The hotel, now, plans to evaluate the level of customer satisfaction with the help of a survey. ‘Guest Satisfaction Questionnaire’ is distributed in various guest rooms and suites of the hotel. This report contains the questionnaire along with proper methodology to analyze the same. A conclusion has been inferred from the analysis and plausible recommendations are suggested to improve the service. Customer satisfaction is majorly understood as the sense of satisfaction that a customer feels when he or she compares his or her expectations with the actual quality of the acquired service. Satisfaction is closely related to the quality of the service (Krivobokova, 2009). In the absence of customer feedback, the quality of service is extremely difficult to assess. That is why direct involvement of the customers is necessary to analyze the improvement activities. Since evaluation of the level of customer satisfaction demands a considerable involvement from the customers, surveys are of paramount importance. Customer survey is a part of primary research. In this case primary researches are used to investigate an issue specific to business and to get feedback from the customers. Primary research delivers more specific results than the secondary research. On the other hand, secondary research is done on

Theories of psychological research

Theories of psychological research Humans are expected to deal with an immense amount of information whilst dealing with everyday complex tasks such as driving at high speeds in variable weather conditions and road conditions. Yet, research has shown that there is a limit to what humans can handle. It is well documented that human error on the road causes minor injury to fatal accidents and even damage. Treat et al (1977) calculated that human error is a major contributing factor in 90% of accidents and was also the only factor in 57% of accidents. This essay will consider two theories of psychological research on human memory. Attention and perception that can be used to assist understanding of the cause of human error on the roads. It will provide an overview of these two theories and the limitations in human information processing that contributes to accidents. It will also consider human error and how the research mentioned can be applied to minimise driver errors on the roads. It will conclude with a number of possibilities considered to reduce human error. Several studies noted that capacity of humans to process information is limited in capacity. Green(1991)research confirms that the flow of information whilst undertaking everyday tasks as driving is complex with the driver handling various information at the same time such as auditory and visual input vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, weather conditions. There is a continuous demand on the drivers memory who is also handling other auditory information such as talking to other passengers, listening to music, and recalling or recognising directions. Information processing theory is used to explain the importance of attention. Several studies show that accidents occur when the driver was focussed on something else. Several studies reveal that the driver can carry put all of the above tasks if visual and auditory input is low. However, if there is an increase in demand for attention when there is poor visibility or the driver is driving very fast, or driver is affected by fatigue or alcohol then attentional capacity is reduced. This limitation in capacity relates to bottleneck theories which suggests information enters the awareness one at a time whilst the information capacity theories propose information is processed through various channels, but each channel has a limited capacity. The driver does not have the capacity for inputs; they can only pay attention to certain number of information. Broadbent(1958),Treisman(1960) and Deutsch Deutsch(1963) put forward the theories of selective attention that remains influential, despite current theories focus on capacity theory, and the decay of information explained by Baddeley Hitch(1974). Broadbent Filter Model theory is based on Atkinson and Shiffrin multi-store memory model (1968) that explains memory processes and sequences stages; sensory, short-term and long term memory. The research confirms that the driver processes two types of stimulus. According to Broadbent the input comes through the filter and the other stimuli are held in a bottleneck for processing later. Baddeley Hitch (1974) working memory not only has limited capacity but also information decays, this gives limitation in regards to new information being held. There is some difficulty with Filter model Theory of attention. Cherry (1953) cocktail party effect experiment confirms the subject focuses attention on interesting stimuli whilst ignoring other stimulus. Again, Treisman (1960) proposed that if stimulus has meaning it can be processed, whilst Deutsch and Deutsch (1963) proposed that if stimulus needs to be responded to it can be selected later. The conclusion to be drawn from this, is that driver capacity to interact safely on the road is reduced and the possibility of human error increases because of the demands placed on attention. With such complex tasks as driving, information would not be retained or recalled, and as the capacity for inputs are limited the driver can only pay attention to certain pieces of information, so information which could be important could slip from memory. The issue remains of how to get drivers to focus their attention fully on the road. Human perception is another research area that can be applied to human error on the roads. Human perception is based on context and expectations the bottom up and top down approach. Several studies reveal that perceptual error jeopardise road safety. For example drivers often admit to not seeing visible information such as pedestrians crossing the road. In addition drivers misinterpret information such as speed or closeness to other vehicles. or drivers misread the speed or the closeness of other vehicles. Mack Rock (1992) researched visual perception of unexpected shapes whilst looking at it directly. This phenomenon is called inattentional blindness or perceptual blindness. This phenomenon occurs when subjects do not see visible objects in front of them. This can be for reasons such as overload of information or their attention is focussed on something else that has meaning, or no internal reference to the visible object. Simons, Chabris (2004) experiment on perception resulted in showing how subjects did not see an incident happening in front of them. This experiment involved participants playing basketball game and missing an unexpected appearance of someone dressed up in a white gorilla suit walk onto the ball court during the game. Subjects did not recall seeing the white gorilla. Scholl et al (2003) research also suggests that auditory input such as talking on mobile telephone can increase the opportunity of a subject failing to notice the unexpected and leading to increased human errors. This research on perception has implications for road safety, as drivers often report they did not see the pedestrian or car in front. The driver focus on what they expect to see top down processing rather than on the unexpected objects. This results in the likelihood of important and unexpected objects being missed. Neisser (1976) suggests that is not either or for humans. Perception involves both top down and bottom up processing becoming a perceptual cycle. Reason (1991) extensive research on human error defines error as circumstances in which planned action fail to achieve the desired outcome. Examples of this are stepping on the brakes too late and failing to stop at red traffic lights. Norman Shallice(1986) and Reason(1991)theory could be used to explain human error in driving tasks and knowledge. Norman and Shallice propose two types of control controlled control and automatic control. Controlled control being within awareness, but conscious and limited and automatic control out of awareness, creates automacity in tasks already rehearsed over a long period of time. This become out of awareness and is performed without effort like driving. Reason (1991) also suggests that there are 3 types of cognitive processes that cause errors. Skills based error or slips these consist of automatic action that was unconscious Rules based mistakes these consist of non-appliance of a heuristic to undertake a task Knowledge based conscious thought to solve a problem Finally Reason (2000) Swiss Cheese Model of human error can assist in understanding how road accident occurs. All slices of the cheese model have gaps which have to be aligned for an accident to occur. Thus a combination of factors can cause human error. To reduce the chance of accident road experts could use Reason model to identify the factors that contribute reducing unsafe acts such as talking on mobiles whilst driving, visible multiple cues, signals, colour coding, speed limits and road examinations are some of the examples observed to reduce road fatalities. Conclusion This essay has attempted to briefly explain the psychological research on memory that could be applied to the road. It concludes that this research on attention and perception can help to understand the cause of human errors on the road. However, memory research is still laboratory based, and opens to criticism regarding ecological validity. In deed human error is inevitable and getting humans to adapt their behaviour may prove challenging. References Treat,J,R, Tumbus,N,S,McDonald,S,T,Shinar,D,Hume,R,D,Mayer,R,E,Stanisfer,R,L and Castellan,N,J(1977) Tri-level study of the cause of traffic accidents report No.DOT-HS-034-3-535-7777(TAC) Green, M (1991) Visual Search, Visual streams and Visual architectures. Perception and Psychophysics, 50,388-403 Cherry, C (1958) some experiments in the recognition of speech with one and two ears, Journal of acoustical society of America, 25,975-979 Broadbent, D (1958) Perception and Communication London/New York, Pergamon Press Atkinson,R and Shiffrin,R(1968) Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes, In K,W Spence and J,T Spence(Eds) The psychology of learning motivation (vol2) London Academic press Baddeley,A Hitch,G (1974)Working memory in G Bower(Ed) The psychology of learning motivation(vol 8)pp.47-90 San Diego, Academic Press Treisman, A (1960) Contextual cues in selective listening. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 12,242-248 Mack, A Rock, I (199 ) Inattentional Blindness Cambridge,MA,MIT Press Scholl,B Noles,N,Pashera,V,Sussman,R(2003) Talking on cellular phone dramatically increases sustained Inattentional blindness[abstract]Journal of vision,3(9):156,156a Simons,D Chabris,C(1999) Gorillas in our Midst: Sustained Inattentional blindness for dynamic events.Perception,28,1059-1071 Reason,J(2000) Human Error, Models and management, British Medical Journal,320 768-770 Norman,D,A,Shallice,T(1986) Attention to Action: Willed and automatic control of behaviour in R.J. Davidson,G.E Schwartz and D.Shapiro(Ed)The design of everyday living, New York, Doubleday Neisser(1976)Cognition and Reality San Francisco,CA,W.H Freeman

Business Education Essay -- essays research papers

Argumentative Draft Formal Education Is the Key to Success   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The advancement of technology in the last decade has increased the demand for Americans to seek higher and formal education. No longer do we live in the age of manual labor, family owned & operated conveniences, but rather a computerized age. Thirty-years ago job seekers could find stable and secure work that would ensure stability and a prosperous future. Those white collar jobs could be obtained and secured by individuals lacking a formal and/or higher education. Today, blue collar jobs like fast food restaurants, warehouse labor, and/or janitorial services prefer and sometimes require some form of education. Employers have become more openly concerned about their employees ability to represent their companies. (Formal education is the key to empowerment, but it is not necessary in order to become successful in today’s society.)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Education has become a large importance and often the determining factor for competitive job seeker. More than half of Americans citizens seek some form of education at one time or another whether it be for job placement or advancement. Technology is always changing and requires employers to train and re-train its employees to keep then afloat. College students like myself have always been for warned that higher education is the key to ensure success in the career world and will be the only means of providing a competi...

Jersey Shore Analysis

Jersey Shore’s Unrealistic â€Å"Reality† Jersey Shore, on MTV, is a wonderful model of reality television gone wrong. It is definitely one of the worst shows on TV, but has become one of the most popular. The cast of Jersey Shore reinforces negative stereotypes of Italian-Americans, and shows relationships and sex in an extremely negative light. Racial slurs are a part of everyday vocabulary, relationships are all about fighting and infidelity, and sexual activity is no big deal. The cast’s interactions with others show men and women negatively also. These images can have a negative effect on many of the shows young viewers. Although many people recognize the show’s lack of substance, they can’t seem to stop watching it, which only gives the impression that all of these things are acceptable. This show is definitely more than just a bad show, it negatively portrays groups of people, and downplays important issues. The plot of Jersey Shore involves cast members we’re led to believe are all Italian-American, living together in a house. The cast members take pride in their Italian heritage, and boast about it often. They talk about their roots, while using a racial slur when referring to Italians. They use it the same way many African-Americans use the â€Å"N† word. The Italian-American community was very offended by their nonchalant attitude towards the slur. The cast members show Italians in a negative and biased way. The lifestyles portrayed on Jersey Shore shine an extremely negative light on relationships and sexual activity. Relationships are avoided like a plague, and sex and making out are treated as if they’re no big deal. When the cast goes out drinking and partying, their drunkenness almost always gives way to promiscuity. They make out with strangers in bars, and bring random people home constantly. This gives a negative image to young people about sex. Only a few people on the show didn’t avoid serious relationships. Their relationships do not show relationships in a positive light either. There is constant arguing and infidelity. Some of the people in the relationships allow themselves to be mistreated all the time, which gives a negative example to younger people. If your only examples of sexual activity and relationships came from images like this, you could develop an extremely unhealthy lifestyle. The cast of Jersey Shore also sheds a negative light on all people. The show constantly shows people fighting, arguing, â€Å"hooking up†, and men disrespecting women. Whenever the group of people goes out, there’s almost always a fight. They drink, and they fight with other belligerent people. They, especially the guys, are constantly hooking up with strangers in bars. When they aren’t hooking up with a woman, it’s probably because they’re calling her disrespectful names, and making fun of her appearance. Everyone curses all the time, and the guys use homophobic slurs. Their personalities only represent the negativity we try avoid. Jersey Shore is a â€Å"Reality Show† that does not accurately depict real life. The real people have been turned into characters that reinforce negative stereotypes of Italians, and â€Å"good-looking† people, by acting out, using racial slurs, and disrespecting people they feel are below them (physically). They’re behavior also shows relationships and sexual activity in a negative light. Relationships are either non-existent, or unhealthy. Hooking up and having sex with strangers is an everyday occurrence. Jersey Shore is considered terrible TV by many of its viewers, but they can’t seem to stop watching it. All the fights, hookups, and break ups keep everyone coming back for more. Jersey Shore Analysis Jersey Shore’s Unrealistic â€Å"Reality† Jersey Shore, on MTV, is a wonderful model of reality television gone wrong. It is definitely one of the worst shows on TV, but has become one of the most popular. The cast of Jersey Shore reinforces negative stereotypes of Italian-Americans, and shows relationships and sex in an extremely negative light. Racial slurs are a part of everyday vocabulary, relationships are all about fighting and infidelity, and sexual activity is no big deal. The cast’s interactions with others show men and women negatively also. These images can have a negative effect on many of the shows young viewers. Although many people recognize the show’s lack of substance, they can’t seem to stop watching it, which only gives the impression that all of these things are acceptable. This show is definitely more than just a bad show, it negatively portrays groups of people, and downplays important issues. The plot of Jersey Shore involves cast members we’re led to believe are all Italian-American, living together in a house. The cast members take pride in their Italian heritage, and boast about it often. They talk about their roots, while using a racial slur when referring to Italians. They use it the same way many African-Americans use the â€Å"N† word. The Italian-American community was very offended by their nonchalant attitude towards the slur. The cast members show Italians in a negative and biased way. The lifestyles portrayed on Jersey Shore shine an extremely negative light on relationships and sexual activity. Relationships are avoided like a plague, and sex and making out are treated as if they’re no big deal. When the cast goes out drinking and partying, their drunkenness almost always gives way to promiscuity. They make out with strangers in bars, and bring random people home constantly. This gives a negative image to young people about sex. Only a few people on the show didn’t avoid serious relationships. Their relationships do not show relationships in a positive light either. There is constant arguing and infidelity. Some of the people in the relationships allow themselves to be mistreated all the time, which gives a negative example to younger people. If your only examples of sexual activity and relationships came from images like this, you could develop an extremely unhealthy lifestyle. The cast of Jersey Shore also sheds a negative light on all people. The show constantly shows people fighting, arguing, â€Å"hooking up†, and men disrespecting women. Whenever the group of people goes out, there’s almost always a fight. They drink, and they fight with other belligerent people. They, especially the guys, are constantly hooking up with strangers in bars. When they aren’t hooking up with a woman, it’s probably because they’re calling her disrespectful names, and making fun of her appearance. Everyone curses all the time, and the guys use homophobic slurs. Their personalities only represent the negativity we try avoid. Jersey Shore is a â€Å"Reality Show† that does not accurately depict real life. The real people have been turned into characters that reinforce negative stereotypes of Italians, and â€Å"good-looking† people, by acting out, using racial slurs, and disrespecting people they feel are below them (physically). They’re behavior also shows relationships and sexual activity in a negative light. Relationships are either non-existent, or unhealthy. Hooking up and having sex with strangers is an everyday occurrence. Jersey Shore is considered terrible TV by many of its viewers, but they can’t seem to stop watching it. All the fights, hookups, and break ups keep everyone coming back for more.

The Great Tangshan Earthquake of 1976

The Great Tangshan Earthquake of 1976 The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Tangshan, China on July 28, 1976, killed at least 242,000 people (the official death count). Some observers place the actual toll as high as 700,000. The Great Tangshan Earthquake also rocked the seat of Chinese Communist Party power in Beijing - both literally and politically. Background to the Tragedy - Politics and the Gang of Four in 1976 China was in a state of political ferment in 1976. The Party Chairman, Mao Zedong, was 82 years old. He spent much of that year in the hospital, suffering several heart attacks and other complications of old age and heavy smoking. Meanwhile, the Chinese public and the western-educated Premier, Zhou Enlai, had grown weary of the excesses of the Cultural Revolution. Zhou went so far as to publicly oppose some of the measures ordered by Chairman Mao and his coterie, pushing for The Four Modernizations in 1975. These reforms stood in marked contrast to the Cultural Revolutions emphasis on a return to the soil; Zhou wanted to modernize Chinas agriculture, industry, sciences, and national defense. His calls for modernization incurred the wrath of the powerful Gang of Four, a cabal of Maoist hardliners headed by Madam Mao (Jiang Qing). Zhou Enlai died on January 8, 1976, just six months before the Tangshan Earthquake. His death was mourned widely by the Chinese people, despite the fact that the Gang of Four had ordered that public grief for Zhou should be down-played. Nonetheless, hundreds of thousands of defiant mourners flooded into Tiananmen Square in Beijing to express their sorrow over Zhous death. This was the first mass demonstration in China since the founding of the Peoples Republic in 1949, and a sure sign of the peoples rising anger against the central government. Zhou was replaced as premier by the unknown Hua Guofeng. Zhous successor as the standard-bearer for modernization within the Chinese Communist Party, however, was Deng Xiaoping. The Gang of Four rushed to denounce Deng, who had called for reforms to raise the living standards of average Chinese, allow more freedoms of expression and movement, and end the rampant political persecution that was practiced at that time. Mao fired Deng in April of 1976; he was arrested and held incommunicado. Nevertheless, Jiang Qing and her cronies kept up a steady drumbeat of condemnation for Deng throughout the spring and early summer. The Ground Shifts Beneath Them At 3:42 am on July 28, 1976, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Tangshan, an industrial city of 1 million people in northern China. The quake leveled about 85% of the buildings in Tangshan, which had been built on the unstable soil of the Luanhe Rivers flood plain. This alluvial soil liquefied during the quake, undermining entire neighborhoods. Structures in Beijing also sustained damage, some 87 miles (140 kilometers) distant. People as far away as Xian, 470 miles (756 kilometers) from Tangshan, felt the tremors. Hundreds of thousands of people lay dead after the quake, and much more were trapped in the rubble. Coal miners working deep underground in the region perished when the mines collapsed around them. A series of aftershocks, the most powerful registering 7.1 on the Richter Scale, added to the destruction. All of the roads and rail-lines leading into the city were destroyed by the quake. Beijings Internal Response At the time the earthquake struck, Mao Zedong lay dying in the hospital in Beijing. As tremors rippled through the capital, hospital officials rushed to push Maos bed to safety. The central government, headed by the new premiere, Hua Guofeng, initially knew little of the disaster. According to an article in the New York Times, coal miner Li Yulin was the first to bring word of the devastation to Beijing. Dirty and exhausted, Li drove an ambulance for six hours, going right up to the party leaders compound to report that Tangshan had been destroyed. However, it would be days before the government organized the first relief operations. In the meantime, the surviving people of Tangshan desperately dug through the rubble of their homes by hand, stacking the corpses of their loved ones in the streets. Government planes flew overhead, spraying disinfectant over the ruins in an effort to prevent an epidemic of disease. Several days after the earthquake, the first Peoples Liberation Army troops reached the devastated area to aid in rescue and recovery efforts. Even when they finally arrived at the scene, the PLA lacked trucks, cranes, medicines, and other necessary equipment. Many of the soldiers were forced to march or run for miles to the site due to the lack of passable roads and rail lines. Once there, they too were forced to dig through the rubble with their bare hands, lacking even the most basic tools. Premiere Hua made the career-saving decision to visit the affected area on August 4, where he expressed his sorrow and condolences to the survivors. According to London University professor Jung Changs autobiography, this behavior contrasted starkly with that of the Gang of Four. Jiang Qing and the other members of the Gang went on the air to remind the nation that they shouldnt allow the earthquake to distract them from their first priority: to denounce Deng. Jiang also publicly stated that There were merely several hundred thousand deaths. So what? Denouncing Deng Xiaoping concerns eight hundred million people. Beijings International Response Although the state-run media took the unusual step of announcing the catastrophe to Chinas citizens, the government remained mum about the earthquake internationally. Of course, other governments around the world were aware that a significant earthquake had taken place based on seismograph readings. However, the extent of the damage and number of casualties was not revealed until 1979, when state-run Xinhua media released the information to the world. At the time of the quake, the paranoid and insular leadership of the Peoples Republic refused all offers of international aid, even from such neutral bodies as the United Nations aid agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Instead, the Chinese government urged its citizens to Resist the Earthquake and Rescue Ourselves. Physical Fallout of the Quake By the official count, 242,000 people lost their lives in the Great Tangshan Earthquake. Many experts have since speculated that the actual toll was as high as 700,000, but the true number will probably never be known. The city of Tangshan was rebuilt from the ground up, and now is home to more than 3 million people. It is known as the Brave City of China for its swift recovery from the catastrophic quake. Political Fallout of the Quake In many ways, the political repercussions of the Great Tangshan Earthquake were even more significant than the death toll and physical damage. Mao Zedong died on September 9, 1976. He was replaced as Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, not by one of the radical Gang of Four, but by Premiere Hua Guofeng. Buoyed by public support after his show of concern at Tangshan, Hua boldly arrested the Gang of Four in October of 1976, ending the Cultural Revolution. Madam Mao and her cronies were put on trial in 1981 and sentenced to death for the horrors of the Cultural Revolution. Their sentences were later commuted to twenty years to life in prison, and all were eventually released. Jiang committed suicide in 1991, and the other three members of the clique have since died. Reformer Deng Xiaoping was released from prison and politically rehabilitated. He was elected Party Vice Chairman in August of 1977 and served as the de facto leader of China from 1978 through the early 1990s. Deng initiated the economic and social reforms that have allowed China to develop into a major economic power on the world stage. Conclusion The Great Tangshan Earthquake of 1976 was the worst natural disaster of the twentieth century, in terms of loss of life. However, the earthquake proved instrumental in ending the Cultural Revolution, which was one of the worst man-made disasters of all time. In the name of the Communist struggle, the Cultural Revolutionaries destroyed the traditional culture, arts, religion, and knowledge of one of the worlds most ancient civilizations. They persecuted intellectuals, prevented the education of an entire generation, and ruthlessly tortured and killed thousands of ethnic minority members. Han Chinese, too, were subject to hideous mistreatment at the hands of the  Red Guards; an estimated 750,000 to 1.5 million people were murdered between 1966 and 1976. Although the Tangshan Earthquake caused tragic loss of life, it was key in bringing an end to one of the most horrific and abusive systems of governance that the world has ever seen. The quake shook loose the Gang of Fours hold on power and ushered in a new era of relatively increased openness and economic growth in the Peoples Republic of China. Sources Chang, Jung.  Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China, (1991). Tangshan Journal; After Eating Bitterness, 100 Flowers Blossom, Patrick E. Tyler, New York Times (January 28, 1995). Chinas Killer Quake, Time Magazine, (June 25, 1979). On This Day: July 28, BBC News Online. China marks 30th anniversary of Tangshan quake, China Daily Newspaper, (July 28, 2006). Historic Earthquakes: Tangshan, China U.S. Geological Survey, (last modified January 25, 2008).

Essay Example

Essay Example Essay – Term Paper Example â€Å"The unexamined life is not worth living† The quotation from Socrates means that life to have value should be examined, reviewed, and remunerated. There are diverse issues to be expounded on: firstly, from whose perspective should one’s life be deemed valuable? Secondly, who should do the examination of life that should be taken in significance? And thirdly, as human beings, should the reason for living be taken as a universal perspective or that from the point of view of the individual? To address these concerns and to clearly explain the quotation, the point of view that should be taken is the individual’s perspective where one’s life is deemed valuable when activities and endeavors are pursued for the improvement of the wellbeing of others – not only of oneself. One therefore agrees with Socrate’s contention that people should question the validity of one’s actions in able to gauge their relevance, not only to oneself but to ot hers. As averred by Angelo (2011), â€Å"the "unexamined life"†¦ is the opposite of the life Socrates tried to live, and in that sense I know = I have learned or I have discovered that I am without wisdom. Socrates knew that he was without wisdom because he had questioned [examined] himself and questioned [examined] all others he could find who were said to be wise, and nowhere did he find the wisdom that he has sought, wisdom meaning here: knowledge of the correct way for a human being to live, knowledge of the particular excellence that is proper to human nature† (Angelo par. 5). These statements indicate that when a person does not know or question learning how one should live, then, the purpose of living is defeated. To engage in frequent self-assessment gives humans validity to support that their lives are better than living things without rational abilities and therefore no way to indicate if the life lived is indeed worth living.Angelo, Robert Wesley. "The unexami ned life". 1 October 2011. 29 November 2011 .

QUESTION OF THE WEEK 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

QUESTION OF THE WEEK 6 - Essay Example It means unlike, Montreal, the major population of Los Angeles is Los Angeles born population. The total area of Los Angeles is 469 square miles while the total area of Metropolitan area of Montreal is 1,644  sq  miles. The population density of Los Angeles was 7,876.9/km2 whereas; the population density of Montreal was 4,439/km2. The birth rate, death rate and natural increase rate in Montreal according to the Census 2001, are 11%, 8.3% and 2.7% respectively. The death rate of Los Angeles in 2001 was very closer to Montreal death rate which was 7.03% (Department of Health Services). The average age of the women during fertility was 29.9 whereas; the fertility rate was 1.4%. The life expectancy of the people born between 2000 and 2001 was 76.6 for males and 82 for females. Interestingly, in Montreal the number of immigrant immigrated before 1991 (406,770) is higher as compared to those immigrated between 1991 and 2001 (215,120). According to Census 2000, the percentage of immigrants living in Los Angeles declined from 6.8% to 4.9% in 2000 as compared to overall US immigrated-population which increased from 14 million to 31 million (Light). Therefore, like Montreal, Los Angeles, also faced a decline in immigrants during this period. The mobility status of Montreal shows that around 172,535 people moved within the same territory (changed their addresses) and 48,135 entered into Montreal from other provinces, territories or countries. Median family income in 2000 was Canadian $72,175 in Montreal while the median family income in Los Angeles in 2000 was US $36,687. Since the exchange rate of US and Canadian dollar is not very significant therefore, it can be analysed that people in Montreal used to have high median income almost double than median income of Los Angeles. The median age of both sexes in Montreal was 37.9, in which median age for males was 36.8 and median age for women was 39.0. Majority of population is above 15 (1,814,170)

Homeland Security - Predaredness & Prevention Assignment - 3

Homeland Security - Predaredness & Prevention - Assignment Example The model includes some of the most important steps which could be taken during emergency. The need of management for emergency circumstances is now evolving in almost every state of the world as terrorist activities have been noted to increase with extreme socio-political movements around the world. The need of the preparedness and prevention is thus important because threats can considerably cause devastation of infrastructures. One example of devastation could be taken from the attacks of 9/11 in 2001. The need of the preparedness and prevention model is due to the fact that people needs to have awareness and training regarding how to counter terrorist threats. Moreover, there are some of the preparedness plans and models for prevention of terrorist attacks which are already in action. One of the most widely used and effective preparedness and prevention plan is by National Incident Management System (NIMS) (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2004). Devastating incidents which could not be controlled by agencies separately might be solved by interrelated patterns joi ned together by different agencies. National Incident Management System is basically allowing the agencies to interface and work together to mitigate the threat, survey vulnerability and prevent the dangers of threat (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2004). The first and foremost step in the plan of preparedness and prevention is that assets of the organization are identified. Assets could include any material or structure which could be regarded as beneficial and valued to the company. Identification of assets could be done on the basis of prioritizing the organizational structures and belongings. In case of varied and large amount of assets, it is suggested that assess are characterized in terms of its value. Categorization is the most helpful way to identify assets as noted in other preparedness and