Monday, September 16, 2019
Global Warming Report Essay
Over the past few decades scientist have been observing a warming trend in the over all temperature of the earth. Although the earth has been known to go through warm and cold periods, it seems that we humans are causing the earth to heat up this time. The greenhouse effect is causing the earth to go through this warming trend that we call global warming. The greenhouse effect is caused when the infrared radiation from the sun is absorbed in atmospheric gasses such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and methane. All of these gasses escape slowly from the atmosphere, therefore the heat stays here longer in a short of warm airy blanket. Without the occurrence of the greenhouse effect scientist say that the earths average temperature would be around 30 degrees C. or 50 degrees F. There are many greenhouse gasses that can trap the infrared rays of the sun. Carbon dioxide can be released into the atmosphere in several ways, the bulk of it is produced by car exhaust, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels. It is a colorless, odorless, non flammable gas, and it is also the most prominent greenhouse gas in earths atmosphere. CO2 is recycled through the earths atmosphere using the process photosynthesis, which makes most life on earth possible. Another greenhouse gas is methane and it is one of the most common gasses in the universe. methane is colorless odorless gas that is lighter than air and is produced by organic decay. Deposits of methane can usually be found in areas where lots of natural decay takes place, such as swamps, and land fills. Each year we add 350-500 million tons of methane to the atmosphere through mining, raising livestock, rice cultivation, and landfills. In fact a cow can release up to a half pound of methane into the air everyday. Nitrous oxide is another colorless and greenhouse gas, however it does smell sweet. It is mostly used medically because it deadens pain, because of this it is called laughing gas. It is released naturally from oceans and by bacteria is soil. It is important to reduce our emissions because nitrous oxide we release today will still be trapped in the atmosphere 100 years from now. The set of greenhouse gasses are fluorocarbons, that is a general term for any group of synthetic organic compounds that have fluorine and carbon. These can be found in aerosol cans, refrigerators, and air conditioners. When fluorocarbons are released into the atmosphere they breakdown molecules of the earths ozone layer. The effects of global warming are also good for human beings, because it could increase food production. The most important factor in crop production is climate, and global warming would facilitate a better climate for the growth of more crops. It would also create much more space for businesses were there was once ice and harsh climate. Also without global warming the earth temperature would be about 30 degrees F. n average. With global warming there would be far fewer deaths from cold exposer. If global warming caused enough arctic melt then shippers would have many new shortcut routes to take from place to place. After glacier melt we would have access to many new mining areas. However global warming will also have some large negative effects. Such as health concerns, scientist predict that there will be ma ny more deaths from diseases that are irritated by heat, including heart attacks and heatstroke. Another downside to global warming is the amount of flooding that will occur with coastal cities. Scientist have predicted that about a sixth of the country will be under water after global warming has taken full effect. The Maldive Islands are a nation of 1190 islands that are home to over 200,000 people. These islands are only 1. 5 meters above sea level and if global warming occurs then all of those people will have to be relocated. There are many things that we as human beings can do to help prevent global warming from happening. We can start to take advantage of all the different types of renewable energy instead of burning fossil fuels that pollute the atmosphere in multiple ways. There are many types of clean, efficient, renewable energy sources. There are many energy sources that the earth has provided for us that we need to take advantage of. We need to build more wind turbines, hydro electric plants, and solar power plants. Another way of producing clean energy include using fission through nuclear power to create a clean renewable energy source. Government can also be doing there part by funding research about global warming and raising awareness about how individuals can be doing there part to reduce pollution. In conclusion, Global warming is a very serious thing, it can affect the orld in many different ways. We just need to decide which effects help or harm the world the most and then make an educated choice as to which ones the earth can handle while taking the least amount of stress, and having the best long term effect. ââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬ââ â¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬â Patrick Michaels, ââ¬Å"The Satanic Gassesâ⬠Henry Willis, ââ¬Å"Earths Future Climateâ⬠Fred Singer, ââ¬Å"Hot Talk and Cold Scienceâ⬠Ronald Bailey, ââ¬Å"Global Warming and Other Eco Mythsââ¬
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Night World : Daughters of Darkness Chapter 13
Jade sat in the wing chair, holding Tiggy upsidedown on her lap, petting his stomach. He was purring but mad. She stared down into indignant, glowing green eyes. ââ¬Å"The other goat,â⬠Kestrel announced from the doorway, saying the word as if it were something not mentioned in polite society, ââ¬Å"is just fine. So you can let the cat out.â⬠Jade didn't think so. There was somebody crazy inBriar Creek, and she planned to keep Tiggy safe where she could see him. ââ¬Å"We're not going to have to feed on the goat, are we?â⬠Kestrel asked Rowan dangerously. ââ¬Å"Of course not. Aunt Opal did because she was tooold to hunt.â⬠Rowan looked preoccupied as she answered. ââ¬Å"I like hunting,â⬠Jade said. ââ¬Å"It's even better thanI thought it would be.â⬠But Rowan wasn't listening she was biting her lip and staring into the distance. ââ¬Å"Rowan, what?â⬠ââ¬Å"I was thinking about the situation we're in. You and Mark, for one thing. I think we need to talk about that.â⬠Jade felt reflexive alarm. Rowan was in one of herorganizing moods-which meant you could blink and find that she'd rearranged all your bedroom furnitureor that you were moving to Oregon. ââ¬Å"Talk about what?â⬠she said warily. ââ¬Å"About what you two are going todo. Is he going to stay human?â⬠ââ¬Å"It's illegal to change him,â⬠Kestrel put in pointedly. ââ¬Å"Everything we've done this week is illegal,â⬠Rowan said. ââ¬Å"And if they exchange blood again well, it's only going to take a couple of times. Do you want him a vampire?â⬠she asked Jade. Jade hadn't thought about it. She thought Mark was nice the way he was. But maybehe would wantto be one. ââ¬Å"What are you going to do with yours?â⬠she asked Ash, who was coming slowly downstairs. ââ¬Å"My what?â⬠He looked sleepy and irritable. ââ¬Å"Your soulmate. Is Mary-Lynnette going to stayhuman?â⬠ââ¬Å"That's the other thing I've been worrying about,â⬠Rowan said. ââ¬Å"Have you thought at all, Ash?â⬠ââ¬Å"I can't think at this hour in the morning. I don'thave a brain yet.â⬠ââ¬Å"It's almost noon,â⬠Kestrel said scornfully. ââ¬Å"I don't care when it is. I'm still asleep.â⬠He wandered toward the kitchen. ââ¬Å"And you don't need to worry,â⬠he added, looking back and sounding more awake. ââ¬Å"Because I'm not doinganythingwith the girl and Jade's not doing anything with the brother. Because we're goinghome.â⬠He disappeared. Jade's heart was beating hard. Ash might act frivolous, but she saw the ruthlessness underneath. She looked at Rowan. ââ¬Å"Is Mary-Lynnettereally his soulmate?â⬠Rowan leaned back, her brown hair spreading likea waterfall on the green brocade of the couch. ââ¬Å"I'm afraid so.â⬠ââ¬Å"But then how can he want to leave?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Rowan hesitated. ââ¬Å"Soulmates don't always stay together. Sometimes it's too much-the fire and lightning and all that. Some people just can'tstand it.â⬠Maybe Mark and I aren't really soulmates, Jade thought. And maybe that's good. It sounds painful. ââ¬Å"Poor Mary-Lynnette,â⬠she said. A dear voice sounded in her mind:Whydoesn'tanybody say ââ¬Å"Poor Ashâ⬠? ââ¬Å"Poor Mary-Lynnette,â⬠Jade said again. Ash reappeared. ââ¬Å"Look,â⬠he said and sat down onone of the carved mahogany chairs. ââ¬Å"We need to get things straight. It's not just a matter ofme wanting you to come home. I'm not the only one who knows you're here.â⬠Jade stiffened. Kestrelsaid, almost pleasantly,â⬠Youtold somebody?â⬠ââ¬Å"I was staying with somebody when the family called to say you were missing. And he was there when I realized where you must have gone. He also happens to be an extremely powerful telepath. So just consider yourself lucky I convinced him to let me try to get you back.â⬠Jade stared at him. She did consider herself lucky. She also considered it strange that Ash would go to such trouble for her and Rowan and Kestrel-for any bodybesides Ash. Maybe she didn't know her brother as well as she thought. Rowan said, very soberly, ââ¬Å"Who was it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, nobody.â⬠Ash leaned back and looked moodily at the ceiling. ââ¬Å"Just Quinn.â⬠Jade flinched. Quinn â⬠¦ that snake .He had a heart like a glacier and he despised humans. He was the sort to take Night World law into his own hands if he didn't think it was being enforced properly. ââ¬Å"He's coming back on Monday to see if I've takencare of the situation,â⬠Ash said. ââ¬Å"And if I haven't,we're all dead-you, me, and your little human buddies.â⬠Rowan said, ââ¬Å"So we've got until Monday to figuresomething out.â⬠Kestrel said, ââ¬Å"If he tries anything on us, he's in fora fight.â⬠Jade squeezed Tiggy to make him growl. Mary-Lynnette had been sleeping like a stone-buta stone with unusually vivid dreams. She dreamed about stars brighter than she'd ever seen and starclouds shimmering in colors like the northern lights. She dreamed about sending an astronomical telegram to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to register her claim for discovering a new supernova. About being the firstto see it with her wonderful new eyes, eyes thatshe saw in a mirror-were all pupil, like an owl's or a cat'sâ⬠¦. Then the dream changed and she was an owl, swooping down in a dizzying rush from a hollow Douglas fir. She seized a squirrel in her talons andfelt a surge of simple joy. Killing felt so natural. All she had to do was be the best owl she could be, and grab food with her feet. But then a shadow fell over her from somewhereabove. And in the dream she felt a terrible sick real ization-that even hunters could be hunted. And that something was after herâ⬠¦. She woke up disoriented-not as towhere shewas, but as to who she was. Mary-Lynnette or a hunter being chased by something with white teeth in themoonlight? And even when she went downstairs, she couldn't shake off the sick feeling from her dream. ââ¬Å"Hi,â⬠Mark said. ââ¬Å"Is that breakfast or lunch?â⬠ââ¬Å"Both,â⬠Mary-Lynnette said, sitting down on the family room couch with her two granola bars. Mark was watching her. ââ¬Å"So,â⬠he said, ââ¬Å"have you been thinking about it, too?â⬠Mary-Lynnette tore the wrapper off a granola bar with her teeth. ââ¬Å"About what?â⬠â⬠Youknow.â⬠Mary-Lynnette did know. She glanced around to make sure Claudine wasn't in earshot.â⬠Don't think about it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why not?â⬠When she didn't answer, he said,â⬠Don't tell me you haven't been wondering what it would be like. To see better, hear better, be telepathicâ⬠¦and live forever. I mean, we could see the year three thousand. You know, the robot wars, colonizing other planetsâ⬠¦. Come on, don't tell me you'renot even a little curious.â⬠All Mary-Lynnette could think of was a line from a Robert Service Poem: Andthe skies of nightw re alive with light, with a throbbing, thrilling flameâ⬠¦ . ââ¬Å"I'm curious,â⬠she said. ââ¬ËBut there's no point in wondering. They do things we couldn't do-they killâ⬠She put down her glass of milk as if she'd lost herappetite. She hadn't, though-and wasn't that the problem? She ought to be sick to her stomach at just the thought of killing, of drinking blood from a warm body. Instead, she was scared. Of what was out there inthe world-and of herself. ââ¬Å"It'sdangerous,â⬠she said aloud to Mark. ââ¬Å"Don'tyousee? We've gotten mixed up in this Night World-and it's a place where bad things can happen. Not just bad like flunking a class. Bad like â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ â⬠¦ white teeth in the moonlight â⬠¦ ââ¬Å"Like getting lolleddead,â⬠Mary-Lynnette said. ââ¬Å"And that's serious, Mark. It's not like the movies.â⬠Mark was staring at her. ââ¬Å"Yeah, but we knew that already.â⬠His tone said ââ¬Å"What's the big deal?â⬠And Mary-Lynnette couldn't explain. She stood up abruptly. ââ¬Å"If we're going over there, we'd better get moving,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"It's almost one o'clock.â⬠The sisters and Ash were waiting at Burdock Farm. ââ¬Å"You and Mark can sit in the front with me,â⬠MaryLynnette told Jade, not looking at Ash. ââ¬Å"But I don't think you'd better bring the cat.â⬠ââ¬Å"The cat goes,â⬠Jade said firmly, getting in. ââ¬Å"OrI don't.â⬠Mary-Lynnette put the car in gear and pulled out. As they came in sight of the small duster of buildings on Main Street, Mark said, ââ¬Å"And there it is, downtown Briar Creek in all its glory. A typical Friday afternoon, with absolutely nobody on the streets.â⬠He didn't say it with his usual bitterness. MaryLynnette glanced at him and saw that it was Jade he was talking to. And Jade was looking around with genuine interest, despite the cat's claws embedded in her neck. ââ¬Å"Somebody'son the streets,â⬠she said cheerfully. ââ¬Å"It's that. boy Vic. And that other one, Todd. And grown-ups.â⬠Mary-Lynnette slowed as she passed the sheriff'soffice but didn't stop until she reached the gas station at the opposite corner. Then she got out and looked casually across the street. Todd Akers was there with his father, the sheriff and Vic Kimble was there with his father. Mr. Kimble had a farm east of town. They were all getting into the sheriff's car, and they all seemed very excited. Bunny Marten was standing on the sidewalk watching as they left. Mary-Lynnette felt a twinge of fear. This is what it's like when you have a terrible secret, she thought. You worry about everything that happens, and wonder if it's got something to do with you, if it's going to get you caught. ââ¬Å"Hey, Bunnylâ⬠she called. ââ¬Å"What's going on?â⬠Bunny looked back. ââ¬Å"Oh, hi, Mare.â⬠She walkedunhurriedly-Bunny never hurried-,acrossthe street. ââ¬Å"How're you doing? They're just going to check out that horse thing.â⬠ââ¬Å"What horse thing?â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh. . .didn't you hear?â⬠Bunny was looking behind Mary-Lynnette now, at Mark and the four strangers who were getting out of the station wagon. Suddenly her blue eyes got rounder and she reached up to fluff her soft blond hair. Now, I wonder who she's just seen, Mary-Lynnettethought ironically. Who could it be? ââ¬Å"Hiâ⬠Ash said. ââ¬Å"We didn't hear about the horse thing,â⬠MaryLynnette said, gently prompting. ââ¬Å"Ohâ⬠¦ um, one of Mr. Kimble's horses cut his throat on barbed wire last night. That's what everybody was sayingthis morning. But just now Mr.Kimble came into town and said that he didn't think it was barbed wire after all. He thinks â⬠¦ somebody did it on purpose. Slashed its throat and left it todie.â⬠She hunched her shoulders in a tiny shiver.. Theatrically, Mary-Lynnette thought. ââ¬Å"You see?â⬠Jade said. ââ¬Å"That's why I'm keeping my eye on Tiggy.â⬠Mary-Lynnette noticed Bunny eyeing Jade. ââ¬Å"Thanks,Bun.â⬠ââ¬Å"I've got to get back to the store,â⬠Bunny said,but she didn't move. Now she was looking at Kestreland Rowan. ââ¬Å"I'll walk you there,â⬠Ash said gallantly. Withwhat, Mary-Lynnette thought, must be his usual putting-the-moves-on manner. ââ¬Å"After all, we don't know what could be lurking around here.â⬠ââ¬Å"It's broad daylight,â⬠Kestrel said disgustedly, but Ash was already walking Bunny away. MaryLynnette decided she was glad to get rid of him. ââ¬Å"Who was that girl?â⬠Rowan asked, and something in her voice was odd. Mary-Lynnette glanced at her in surprise. ââ¬Å"Bunny Marten. I know her from school.What's wrong?â⬠ââ¬Å"She was staring at us,â⬠Rowan said softly. ââ¬Å"She was staring at Ash. Oh, and probably youthree, too. You're new and you're pretty, so she's probably wondering which boys you'll take fromher.â⬠ââ¬Å"I see.â⬠But Rowan still looked preoccupied. ââ¬Å"Rowan, what is it?â⬠ââ¬Å"It's nothing. I'm sure it's nothing. It's just thatshe's gota lamia name.â⬠â⬠Bunny?â⬠â⬠Well.â⬠Rowan smiled. ââ¬Å"Lamia are traditionallynamed after natural thingsââ¬âgems andanimalsand flowers and trees. So Bunny' would be a lamianame-and isn't a marten a kind of weasel?â⬠Something was tugging at the edges of Mary-Lynnette's consciousness again. Something about Bunny â⬠¦ about Bunny and â⬠¦ wood â⬠¦ It was gone. She couldn't remember. To Rowan she said,â⬠But-can you sense something suspiciousabout her or anything? I mean, does she seemlike one of you? Because otherwise I just can't see Bunny as a vampire. I'm sorry; I just can't.â⬠Rowan smiled. ââ¬Å"No, I don't sense anything. And I'm sure you'reright-humans can have names likeours, too. Sometimes it gets confusing.â⬠For some bizarre reason Mary-Lynnette's mind wasstill on wood. ââ¬Å"You know, I don't see why you name yourselves after trees. I thought wood was dangerous for you.â⬠ââ¬Å"It is-,and that makes it powerful. Tree names are supposed to be some of the most powerful nameswe have.â⬠Ash was coming out of the general store. Immediately Mary-Lynnette turned around and looked for Jeremy. She didn't see him in the empty gas station, butshe heard something-something she realized she'dbeen hearing for several minutes. Hammering. ââ¬Å"Come on, let's go around back,â⬠she said, alreadywalking, not waiting for Ash to reach them. Kestreland Rowan went with her. Jeremy was around back. He was hammering a long board across a broken window. There wereshards of thick, greenish-tinted glass all over the ground. Light brown hair wasfalling in his eyes ashe struggled to hold the board steady. â⬠What happened?â⬠Mary-Lynnettesaid. She moved automatically to hold the right end of the board in place for him. He glanced up at her, making a grimace of reliefas he let go of the board. ââ¬Å"Mary-Lynnette-thanks. Hang on a sec.â⬠He reached into his pocket for nails and began driving them in with quick, sure blows of the hammer. Then he said, ââ¬Å"I don't know what happened.Somebody broke it last night. Made a real mess.â⬠ââ¬Å"Last night seems to have been a busy night,â⬠Kestrel said dryly. Jeremy glanced back at the voice. And then â⬠¦ his hands went still, poised with the hammer and nail. He was looking at Kestrel, and at Rowan beside her,looking a long time. At last he turned to MaryLynnette and said slowly, ââ¬Å"You need more gas already?â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh-no. No.â⬠I should have siphoned some out,Mary-Lynnette thought. Nancy Drew would defi nitely have thought of that. ââ¬Å"I justit's been knocking a lotthe engine-and I thought you could lookat it-under the hood-since you didn't last time.â⬠Incoherent and pathetic, she decided in the silencethat followed. And Jeremy's dear brown eyes were still searching her face. ââ¬Å"Sure, Mary-Lynnette,â⬠he said-not sarcastically, but gently. ââ¬Å"As soon as I get finished.â⬠Oh, hecan't be a vampire. And so what am I doing here, lying to him, suspecting him, when he's only ever been nice to me? He's the type to help old ladies, not kill them. Sssssss. She started as the feral hiss tore through the silence. It came from behind her, and for one horrible instant she thought it was Kestrel. Then she saw thatJade and Mark had rounded the comer, and that Tiggy was fighting like a baby leopard in Jade's arms. The kitten was spitting and clawing, black fur standing on end. Before Jade could get a better grip, he climbed up her shoulder and leaped, hitting the ground running. â⬠Tiggy! ââ¬Å"Jade shrieked. She took off after him, silvery blond hair flying, agile as a kitten herself. Markfollowed, ricocheting off Ash who was just comingaround the comer himself. Ash was knocked into thegas station wall. ââ¬Å"Well, that was fun,â⬠Kestrel said. But Mary-Lynnette wasn't really listening. Jeremywas staring at Ash-and his expression gave Mary Lynnette coldchills. And Ash was staring back with eyes as green as glacier ice. Their gazes were locked in something like instantaneous, instinctive hatred. Mary-Lynnette felt a quiver of fear for Jeremy-but Jeremy didn't seem afraid for himself. His muscles were tight and he looked ready to defend himself. Then, deliberately, he turned away. Turned hisback on Ash. He readjusted the board-and MaryLynnette did what she should have done in the beginning. She looked at his hand. The ring on his index finger glinted gold, and she could just make out the black design on the seal. A tall duster of bell-shaped flowers. Not an iris,not a dahlia, not a rose. No-there was only one flower Rowan had mentioned that this could possiblybe. It grew wild around here and it was deadly poison. Foxglove. So now she knew. Mary-Lynnette felt hot and sick. Her hand began to tremble on the board she was holding. She didn't want to move, but she couldn't stay here. ââ¬Å"I'm sorry-1 have to get something-â⬠The words came out in a painful gasp. She knew everyone wasstaring at her. She didn't care. She let go of the board and almost ran away. She kept going until she was behind the boardedup windows of the Gold Creek Hotel. Then she leaned against the wall and stared at the place where town ended and the wilderness began. Motes of dust danced in the sunlight, bright against a dark background of Douglas fir. I'm so stupid. All the signs were there, right in front of my face. Why didn't I seebefore? I guess because I didn't want to â⬠¦. ââ¬Å"Mary-Lynnette.â⬠Mary-Lynnette turned toward the soft voice. She resisted the impulse to throw herself into Rowan's arms and bawl. ââ¬Å"I'll be okay in just a few minutes. Really. It's just a shock.â⬠ââ¬Å"Mary-Lynnette â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"It's just-it's just that I've known him so long.It's not easy to picture himyou know. But I guess it just goes to show you. People are never what they seem.â⬠ââ¬Å"Mary-Lynnette-â⬠Rowan stopped and shook her head. ââ¬Å"Just what are you talking about?â⬠ââ¬Å"Him.Jeremy. Of course.â⬠Mary-Lynnette took abreath. The air felt hot and chokingly dusty. ââ¬Å"He did it. He really did it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why do you think so?â⬠ââ¬Å"Why?Because he's a werewolf. ââ¬Å" There was a pause and Mary-Lynnette suddenly felt embarrassed. She looked around to make sure nobody was in earshot, and then said more quietly,â⬠Isn't he?â⬠Rowan was looking at her curiously. ââ¬Å"How did you know?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well-you said black foxglove is for werewolves. And that's foxglove on his ring. How did you know?â⬠ââ¬Å"I just sensed it. Vampire powers are weaker insunlight, but Jeremy isn't trying to hide anything. He's right out there.â⬠ââ¬Å"He sure is,â⬠Mary-Lynnette said bitterly. ââ¬Ë I should have sensed it. I mean â⬠¦ he's the only person in town who was interested in the lunar eclipse. And the way he moves, and his eyes â⬠¦ and he livesat Mad Dog Creek, for God's sake. I mean, that land's been in his family for generations.And' -Mary-Lynnette gave a sudden convulsive sniffle-ââ¬Å"people say they've seen the Sasquatch around there. A big hairy monster, half person and half beast. Now, what does that sound like?â⬠Rowan was standing quietly, her expression grave-but her lips were twitching. Mary-Lynnette's vision blurred and wetness spilled onto her cheeks. ââ¬Å"I'm sorry.â⬠Rowan put a hand on her arm. ââ¬Å"I'mnot laughing.â⬠ââ¬Å"I thought he was a nice guy,â⬠Mary-Lynnettesaid, turning away. ââ¬Å"I still think he is,â⬠Rowan said. ââ¬Å"And actually, really, you know, it means he didn'tdo it.â⬠ââ¬Å"The fact that he's a nice guy?â⬠ââ¬Å"The fact that he's a werewolf.â⬠Mary-Lynnette turned back.â⬠What?â⬠ââ¬Å"You see,â⬠Rowan said, ââ¬Å"werewolves are different. They're not like vampires. They can't drink a little blood from people and then stop without doing anyreal harm. They kill every time they hunt-because they have to eat.â⬠Mary-Lynnette gulped, but Rowanwent on serenely. ââ¬Å"Sometimes they eat the whole animal,but they always eat the internal organs, theheart and liver. They have to do it, the same way that vampires need to drink blood.â⬠ââ¬Å"And that means â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"He didn't kill Aunt Opal. Or the goat. They wereboth intact.â⬠Rowan sighed. ââ¬Å"Look. Werewolves and vampires traditionally hate each other. They've been . rivals forever, and lamia think of werewolves as sort of-lower class. But actually a lot of them are gentle.They only hunt to eat.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh,â⬠Mary-Lynnette said hollowly. Shouldn't shebe happier about this? ââ¬Å"So the guy I thought was nice just has to eat the odd liver occasionally.â⬠ââ¬Å"Mary-Lynnette, you can't blame him. How can I explain? It's like this: Werewolves aren't people whosometimes turn into wolves. They're wolves who sometimes look like people.â⬠ââ¬Å"But they still kill,â⬠Mary-Lynnette said flatly. ââ¬Å"Yes, but onlyanimals.The law is very strict aboutthat. Otherwise humans catch on in no time. Vam pires can disguise their work by making it look like a cut throat, but werewolf kills are unmistakable.â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay. Great.â⬠I should be more enthusiastic, Mary-Lynnette thought. But how could you ever re ally trust someone who was a wolf behind their eyes? You might admire them the way you admire a sleek and handsome predator, but trust them â⬠¦no. ââ¬Å"Before we go back-we may have a problem,â⬠Rowan said. ââ¬Å"If he realizes that you recognized his ring, he may know we've told you about you know.â⬠She glanced around and lowered her voice. ââ¬Å"The Night World.â⬠Mary-Lynnette understood. ââ¬Å"Oh, God.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes. That means it's his duty to turn us all in. Or kill us himself.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, Godâ⬠ââ¬Å"The thing is, I don't think he will. He likes you, Mary-Lynnette. A lot. I don't think he could bring himself to turn you in.â⬠Mary-Lynnette felt herself flushing. ââ¬Å"But then, that would get him in trouble, too, wouldn't it?â⬠ââ¬Å"It could, if anybody ever finds out. We'd better go back and see what's going on. Maybe he doesn't realize you know. Maybe Kestrel and Ash have managed tobluff him.ââ¬
Saturday, September 14, 2019
The environmental, social and economic consequences of urbanisation in Bombay
Bombay is the largest city in India (but not the capital), and has a growing population of 14,350,000 people. Bombay also serves as the financial hub of India, along with a major shipping industry, heavy industrial centres and is home to the ââ¬ËBollywood' film industry, the largest in the developing world. Due to the services available in Bombay, coupled with the hope of jobs, it is a major hub for migration of people from the countryside, a process known as urbanisation. People are drawn from a large part of western India, as well as other parts of the country looking to fill the jobs that the booming economy needs. The disparity between the ââ¬Ërich and the poor', the ââ¬Ëgood jobs and the menial' is vast. Bombay has many millionaires from the expanding banking sector, located in the Bandra Kurla zone, contrasted with street sellers and beggars in the shanty town areas like Dharavi, made famous through the multi Oscar winning film ââ¬â Slumdog Millionaire. The problems that face the city authorities of Bombay are immense. There is a genuine struggle to keep up with making provision for the vast numbers of migrants moving to Bombay. The location of the city goes a long way to exacerbating the issues faced. Also read thisà Cheating in a Bottom Line Economy Bombay was originally a collection of small fishing villages, which expanded to become an important port in the Arabian Sea, and was a major calling point for the traditional Dhows which plied the waters from Arabia, Somalia and Iran. As the city is located on a headland peninsular, this maritime orientated city thrived on the ease and convenience of the coastal access. During the days of colonialism where India was lucky to be a British Colony, Bombay was a major port of entry for people travelling to India and onwards to South East Asia and Australia. Due to this huge influx in commercial trade, the areas around the port developed extremely quickly as an area of industry and shipping related services such as import/export, cargo handling and packing. All of this went a long way to the urbanisation of Bombay, drawing in more farming people when they learned of the prospects available to them. Following the British withdrawal in 1947, this upwards ââ¬Ëboom' only increased. Nowadays, it is a huge problem for city planners and developers. The site of the city is hugely restricted resulting in the eventual creation onto the mainland in the form of a ââ¬Å"greater metropolitan areaâ⬠. These new sites, onto which the city has expanded, are becoming very overcrowded even 100 years ago. Today, the density is just under 60,000 people per square mile. Due to popular demand, the price of inner city land has risen astronomically, a feature of all developing cities. As a result, rather incongruously, the land prices in Bombay are among the highest in the world. This just adds to the overcrowding of the slums, as people are forced to live there as they are unable to afford anything in the city where property costs in the region of US$3180 per sq. t. this, coupled with the short supply of housing, results in an accelerated growth of shanty towns, another case example being the farvelas on the outskirts of many (expansive) Brazilian cities such as Sio Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It is an inescapable upwards escalation into greater levels of poverty, as new migrants to the city locate themselves on the edges of the slums, furthest away from the centre of the city, where the jobs are located and are often built on dangerous land (old mines, near railways, on river marshland etc. and very few have land rights, so there are just squatters with no legal protection. This is a major environmental issue and also poses significant problems to the inhabitants' health, in a country where the death rate is already 7. 9/1000 (as of July 2009) and where the average life expectancy is just 60. Levels of sanitation in the slum areas, such as Dharavi are often of a substandard level. Sewage removal and treatment is minimal and in most areas, non-existent. Running clean water is also scarce, leaving children and babies without adequate levels of hygiene, needed to grow healthily. Electricity connections are also very sparse, so people have to make do with more primitive methods, often far more dangerous than modern methods, such as cooking for example. All of these issues have major social consequences, as the people become ââ¬Ëtrapped' in a permanent state of poverty, unable to better their lives, but remain as it is perceived to have a better standard of living than in the rural areas. In Dharavi itself, the Indian local governments in Bombay and the Maharashtra state are planning a large-scale redevelopment of Dharavi. They plan to clear away areas of the slum housing section by section, replacing the little 1 or 2 storey shacks with 7 floor tenement blocks. Families who can prove they have lived in Dharavi since at least 1995 will; receive free new housing, and everyone will receive temporary accommodation for the duration of the massive redevelopment programme. The remainder of the new housing will be sold cheaply (or rented) on the open and free market that India enjoys with its relatively stable political and economic situation. This however, though it would improve the situation for over 600,000 people rather drastically, it will create a lot of significant conflicts between residents and developers, and may be seen by some as a bit too ââ¬Ëidealistic', just like Mandela's promise to black South Africans for better housing. The reality is, that these things take time to materialise, if they ever do. The project will not even go ahead unless a majority of the [registered] residents of Dharavi agree to do so. This means that those residents who are not officially registered as residents of Dharavi (a large number of migrant squatters), will not have their opinions counted in any capacity. It is also widely feared that such a development would not yield economic benefits for the developers, and so, much needed residential accommodation for the [ex] residents of Dharavi, will be used for commercial and office space to serve the ever expanding business sector ââ¬â defeating the whole initial development objective. In conclusion, from the evidence laid out, it is clear that Bombay is suffering heavily as a result of mass urbanisation, and has done throughout its history, spanning back to even before the colonial days of the Raj. Projects such as the expansion of the Bandra Kurla complex threaten the condition of the poorer people, often illegally squatting on land, and are planned to solely benefit the banking and business/commerce sector. Migration from the countryside rural areas adding the issue of urbanisation are increasing the population at a large rate. Alongside this, poor planning and mismanagement from the authorities, failing to address the genuine needs of the city, all result in a city with gigantic disparity, overcrowding in slums and an ââ¬Ëall encasing' state of impoverishment for the vast majority of the population of the city.
Friday, September 13, 2019
Mercedes Benz India Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words
Mercedes Benz India - Case Study Example The case bring into focus the issues that the Chief Information Officer of the global automobile companyââ¬â¢s India subsidiary faces while catering to the decision of the top management officials of shifting the global automobile companyââ¬â¢s India based manufacturing operations from the already existing site in Pune to the newly acquired sites at Chakan. The worldââ¬â¢s twelfth largest car maker in terms of production volume was one of the first foreign automobile companies to enter the Indian market through the process of formation of a joint venture with Tata Engineering Locomotives Company (TELCO). The company focused on evolving growth in the company by the process of manufacturing of various models of automobiles falling mostly to the commercial segment over the next couple of years/. Around the year 1994, the company focused on the process of development of the E-class luxury sedans for the companyââ¬â¢s Indian portfolio. Owing to the significant growth in the number of first generation entrepreneurs handling successful businesses in the Indian market as well as the significant growth in the number of Indian high net worth individuals over the recent years, the market of India belonging to the luxury automobile segment appeared highly appealing to the luxury carmakers all over the globe. Most of the luxury carmakers around the globe, felt that the luxury automobile market in India is ripe for investments due to the rising number of high net worth individuals market and will increasingly contribute to a significant amount of growth for the company. This led to a rise of investments in the Indian market by luxury car makers around the world thereby significantly increasing the competition that is already existing in the Indian market. The Mercedes Benz India, which is the Indian subsidiary of the worldââ¬â¢s twelfth largest car maker in terms of production volume, Daimler AG undertook an internal sur vey. The internal survey that was undertaken by Mercedes Benz India forecasted a highly favorable rate of growth in terms of production and sales for the companyââ¬â¢s luxury segment portfolio. This prompted the organization to focus on the acquiring of new production facilities within the Indian landmass in order to significantly augment and catalyze and capitalize on the growth opportunities and prospects with regards to the forecasted demand for the companyââ¬â¢s portfolio belonging to the luxury vehicles. However, a series of uncertain macro economic factors which got initiated in the middle of the year 2007, due to the subprime crisis in the United States significantly created a shortage of cash flow for the highly capital and credit intensive automobile sector all over the world. The global crisis had a spillover effect on the organizationââ¬â¢s various other product portfolios, thereby creating the scenario of non sustainability and uncertainty for the companyââ¬â ¢s predicted forecasted growth rates. Overview of Porterââ¬â¢s 5 Forces Model The Porterââ¬â¢s 5 forces model increasingly falls in the domain of strategic management, the processes, tools and tactics of which are increasingly employed by organizations
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Child sexual abuse is a form of harm outlined in Working Together to Essay
Child sexual abuse is a form of harm outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006). Having considered the literature related to this form of harm, a - Essay Example In the past there was a sense of shame and guilt on the child, where they were made to feel that the abuse was their own fault and that talking to anyone about the abuse they were suffering would bring shame on their families. Despite this new openness towards discussing abuse in the family the social workers are constantly facing difficulties in being able to assist those in need. Firstly the powers they are given to intervene are very limited and orders to have the child removed from the family home are only issued under the most extreme of circumstances. A further area that causes difficulties comes with having to deal with ethnic minority families. Within these families the children are often encouraged to not discuss the things that are happening in their homes. There are also cultural issues that can affect the way the child deals with the abuse they are suffering. Within some ethnic families sexual abuse of the child is in some ways regarding as normal. Some ethnic communities might regard the father of the child involving in sexual activity with the child as normal within their community. In order to protect children from abuse several pieces of legislation have been implemented. Child abuse first came under the spotlight in 1889 when the childrenââ¬â¢s charter was passed1. The aim of this was to prevent the cruelty of children by allowing the state to intervene in relationships between parents and children. Under the charter the police had the power to arrest anyone believed to be ill treating a child or to enter the home of a child they believed to be in danger. The Childrenââ¬â¢s Act 1908 introduced in Ireland made further changes towards protecting children and created juvenile courts and the registration of foster parents. Irish law went one stage further at this point in time by introducing the Punishment of Incest Act2. Prior to the inclusion of this Act the church were responsible for punishing those who committed incest. Despite legislation
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
George H.W Bush the first Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words
George H.W Bush the first - Essay Example Providence was much kinder to the eighth aviator. The eighth aviator was rescued by an American submarine, and this lone survivor among the ill-fated aviators went on to become the forty-first President of the United States of America. His name was George Herbert Walker Bush. (1) President George H.W. Bush was born on June 12, 1924. He was in his teens and a student, when the Second World War broke out. As soon as he was eighteen he enlisted in the armed forces, and was the youngest pilot, when he received his flying wings. He saw action in the Pacific Ocean as the pilot of a torpedo bomber a torpedo before he was shot down. His bravery in combat mission s earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. Returning from action in the Second World War George H.W. Bush re-started his education. He married Barbara Pierce in 1945. The couple had six children. He graduated from Yale University, and initially he chose to seek career prospects in the oil industry of West Texas. George H. W. Bush hailed from a family with traditional links to politics and public service. His father Prescott Bush had served as a Senator from Connecticut in 1952. Thus it was natural that George H.W. Bush would have an inclination for politics and public service. This inclination saw him enter politics and he served as Representative to the Congress from Texas for two terms. He next turned his attention to the Senate and contested twice. On both occasions he was unsuccessful. Though George H. W. Bush was unsuccessful in becoming a Senator, he was given the opportunity to serve the people of the United States of America through several high level postings. These postings included becoming the Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U. S. Liaison Office in the Peoples Republic of China, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Ambition was to drive George H.W. Bush to try
The Various Definitions of Freedom Coexisted in 17th Century America Essay
The Various Definitions of Freedom Coexisted in 17th Century America - Essay Example People were blocked of their rights by ascertaining classes on them like slaves, puritans, indentured servants, and many more. Even though there were divisions in the degree of freedom all of them meant the same and wanted to acquire it at any cost. Puritans To begin with, during the 16th century, Puritans was the name conferred on to the most extreme Protestants of the Church of England who thought that the English Reformation had not succeeded in renovating the principles and structure of the church. They wanted to decontaminate their national church by abolishing every piece of Catholic influence. In the early 17th century some puritan groups separated from the Church of England and headed to what is now New England. The reason behind their flight was that the repeated protests and complaints of the Puritans against the Anglican Church, the official state church of England where they were added as officials, ended the authorities to take action against the puritans. In 1630 Archbi shop of Canterbury William Laud, an anti-puritan Church leader had put a charge over the outspoken Puritan ministers by making it a criminal offense to attend Puritan worship services and succeeded in pursuing all puritans from opposing to the Anglican Church. ... Landowners in the American colonies made use of the European indentured servants as well as the forced laborers by enslaving the Africans. In the beginning, only few slaves were imported from Africa but later on when the tobacco farming got expanded, large number of slaves was imported from Africa. The landowners found slavery more economical than hiring a European laborer. At the end of the 17th century, the slavery and the slave transportation in the northern America were so cruel. During their course of travel from Africa, those slaves found too ill to endure the trip were thrown out to be drowned. As they landed in America they were treated as goods which can be easily bought or sold. The masters made advantage of the freedom of slaves and rejected their right of living. Even the rebellions and conspiracies of the slaves have reduced the slavery to some extent, that is not all enough for the slaves to be granted freedom. Evidently for the slaves, freedom meant nothing but escapin g from the arrogance of their masters; and the only way to achieve this was to ensure some constitutional privileges. Indentured Servants An employer getting into contract with a young and unskilled laborer to work for him for a fixed period of time is called indenturing a servant. Such indentured servants are not paid any wages other than transportation, lodging, food and clothing. They usually work as helpers in farms or as house servants for 4 to 7 years. Many of such servants were seized by force or recruited from the slums of London or of Bristol. These young people too had to suffer on their way to America as the slaves did. Once reaching their masters, they endured a lot of
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