Plot of the Movie

The storey of the film is the life of Mr. Chu, an elderly and retired Chinese martial arts master, who travels to New York to join his grandson, Alex. Alex lives with Martha, an American woman who is his wife and is also a talented journalist. Martha is a neurotic who suffered from the block of the writer, which is a disorder that often affects the writer because of overwriting or lack of motivating thoughts. “As it so happens, Martha’s writer’s block started about the same time Mr. Chu moved in, and no one is more aware of this fact than she”As it happens, around the same moment Mr. Chu moved in, Martha’s writer’s block began, and no one is more aware of this fact than she. As Mr. Chu joined the Alex family, his wife was in a disturbed state, leaving Mr. Chu and Martha’s relationship sour.

As the movie “Pushing Hands” initiates, Mr. Chu is shown to be already in New York with his grandson and is uncomfortable and sharing a negative relationship with Martha. The film focuses much on this retired Chinese martial art teacher and his  attempts to cope up with his new living atmosphere .In this he also attempts to teach Tai – Chi in a local school, where Alex  is a student of Chinese Language. In the following part Mr.’ Chu encounters with a Chinese lady Mrs. Chen, and develops an attraction for her. However, due to Mr. Chu’s less aggressive nature this attraction towards Mrs. Chen s tends to falls out .Normally speaking, this movie tells all about the plight of an old Chinese immigrant in a foreign land and his attempts to fit in the new land of modernism.

Background and Theme of the Movie

The movie “Pushing Hands” is written by two writers namely; AngLee and James Schamas.Ang Lee is a Taiwanese man who made use of his Taiwanese heritage to create memorable movies which earned acclamation throughout the world. He has earned Masters from New York University on film, and got noticed in film arena with his classical movie like “The Wedding banquet”. This movie has earned him Academy award nomination and earned recognition as a director who crossed cultural and national barriers. James Shcamas is the co – writer of this movie “Pushing Hands” and also is an independent film producer and screen writer. During 1990s, James Schamus have produced many interesting films which gained much attention and appraisal from film fraternity. He is known for taking risks to bring about stories with is of challenging and versatile nature.

“The theme of the movie “Pushing Hands” is a clash of culture that is prominently seen between Mr. .Chu and the wife of his grandson. The film positions Mr. Chu, an elderly man, in a very dynamic urban arena in New York City and insists that he get used to it. The old man constantly copes with Martha, who is the wife of his grandson, along with New York City’s metropolitan lifestyle in the first half of the film. The film first sees him in a barren suburb of New York, coexisting with a daughter-in-law who is not of Asian descent and has almost no use for this lovely old man (Maslin). The film highlights on the complexities of the city life style and the point of views of an old man from a traditional Chinese background on this.

Movies in Parallel with Pushing Hands

The movie laid out for comparison and contrast with the movie “Pushing Hands” are “The Class” and “Brick lane”. The Movie “The Class” explains about the experience of a French teacher in dealing with the students in his class, who are of problematic nature. This film is based on a novel by Francois Bégaudeau ,and also stars him as a lead character in the movie, which is unique. The movie revolves completely in the school campus, and focuses on a teacher’s struggle to adjust with his rowdy type students and attempt to educate them. The character Marin as the tutor, fights daily with himself to educate the class which is highly disruptive .In the movie, even the smartest pupil called Esmeralda refuses to obey the tutor and in the climax the movie ends in utter violence.

The movie “Brick Lane” is all about the pathetic story of Bangladeshi women called Nazneen, who moved to London from rural area of Bangladesh upon marriage with a man much older to her. She was married to a man she completely dislikes and longed for a free life that her sister was leading back home in the village. She also bore two children from the dull marriage but was completely unsatisfied with the relationship with her husband. The movie takes a sharp turn when she falls in love with a handsome clothing worker who visits her house. The movie was set in the background of 9/11 period and showed the racial tensions and religious awareness existed in that duration.

Comparison of “Pushing Hands” with “The Class”

The Movie “Pushing Hands” is mainly about the life of an old martial art teacher from traditional background in an urban city called New York. Here the movie is concentrating on the ways in which old man called Mr.Chu trying to adjust with his Grandson’s family and their alien lifestyle in New York. He is trying hard to come in terms with the annoying and less friendly wife of Alex who is his grandson. Whereas in the movie “The Class”, the French tutor is as disturbed as Mr. Chu with his hostile students and trying all his luck to be friendly with them.” While the class has its share of diligent, well-behaved pupils like Asian immigrant Wei (Wei Huang), who speaks assuredly despite his less-than-perfect French, it’s the troublemakers who leave the most vivid impression”(Chang). We can here observe that both these movies depict the struggle of two people and steps they take to adjust to the difficult situation they are in.

Comparison of “Pushing Hands” with “Brick Lane”

In the movie “The Brick lane” the emphasis is on the Bangladeshi woman who moves to London city and the sorrow she go through in getting married to a man she never loved. She, same like Mr. Chu struggles to adjust with the city life and longs badly for her home country. Both the movie is increasingly expressing the way in which human sometimes have to live in conditions mostly they detest and have to fight against it. Even in both these movies, the key characters is in despair and falls in love with people for whom their desire in desperation. The movie explains that, at times it becomes difficult for people to live according to their will and has to surrender to the complexities and unfortunate situations in life.

Contrast of “Pushing Hands” with “The Class”

The movie “Pushing Hands” is a story of Chinese people and “The Class” is movie of French nationals. Here the key character is an elderly man and his interaction with his students who are teenagers. “If you’ve ever fought with a bunch of rowdy kids for control of a classroom, you know the tension that runs through the teaching sequences of The Class” (Jones). In the “Pushing Hands” the key character is struggling with one of his family members and is ending up in sorrow. Unlike the Key character Francois Bégaudeau, in movie “The Class” who is handsome and young, Mr. Chu is old and a retired person. In the movie “pushing Hands” Mr. Chu is a traditional Chinese man but in French movie the tutor Francois Bégaudeau is living in France and is modern and sophisticated.

Contrast of “Pushing Hands” with “Brick Lane”

            In “Pushing Hands” the location is New York City which is part of America, while in “Brick lane” the movie is set in London city which is capital of United Kingdom. The story of “Pushing Hands” revolves around an old Chinese man and in “Brick Lane” the story is oriented on young Muslim women named Nankeen, who moves to London from a village of Bangladesh. According to (Durham)Nazneen plays the role with remarkable restraint, enduring a lifetime of dreams she could never live”The movie “Pushing hands” show the cultural clash and other movie show the young desires of a girl trapped in an unhappy relationship. Love and desire is a subject in “Brick Lane” whereas in the movie” Pushing Hands” survival of man in unconditional circumstances is highlighted.

The Important Message in the Movie ‘Pushing Hands”

The movie “Pushing Hands” reach out to people, in making them understand the difficulty an immigrant can face in a foreign land. In this Ang Lee tries to explain the cultural as well as relationship conflict that can occur in a family in the modern urban environment.Mr. Chu, the old man who moves with his grandson Alex, finds it extremely difficult to adjust with Alex’s wife Martha who is an American writer. In this movie, the Chinese gentleman Mr.Chu, who has been a martial art teacher throughout his life in China moves to New York to join his grandson and meets with solitude and despair. Here the director shows how urbanization has taken away the feeling of love and care from the minds of young generation.

In this movie, it is shown that a man from traditional background finds it very difficult to adjust with the technological and super advance life style of developed nation. The director also wants to let people know that men should try to hold on to circumstances, how much ever adverse they are. Life is not a ball game; it has twists and turns unexpected and young or old people need to confront it boldly. According to (Levy,45) “A gentleman, Mr. Chu has to face the cruel reality that, unlike the Chinese, Americans have no respect for the elderly”. This movie is a clear message to young generation that sophistication is something which has to be reflected in their morality and attitude in every society whether it is urban or rural.

Definition and Genrification of East Asian Cinema

East Asian Cinema can be defined as the film produced in East Asian region or by natives of East Asian countries. It can be referred to as a subsection of International cinema and includes all movies made by East Asian countries or natives. It includes mainly countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong. East Asian movies have a rich and diverse culture to project and this is the main reason for these films’ acclamation in foreign region. It is widely seen that Western countries have a high regard and obsessions for East Asian culture and heritage and this count for the success of these movies in West. The East Asian movies have an attribute of mystery, exotic quality and dangerous touch to it which other movies lack.

Normally East Asian movies represent Asian movies as a whole, and have immense recognition in UK and US and France. The East Asian cinema can be described as having the martial and heroical masculine genre. The violent action sequence of the East Asian movies has no equals in the cinema world. It is also evident that such aggressive masculine acts of violence have give way to a rise in homoerotic male bonding. The act of samurai from Japan, Tai- Chi and Kung fu from china, all were the important elements of East Asian movies which western audience yearn to see. Even though East Asian cinema covers a vast dimension of styles and genre, the, martial art and heroic masculinity is an all-time favorite of movie lovers all over the global.

Different Genres of East Asian Movies

The various genres of East Asian Movies can be classified as follows:

1. a) Martial art movies: Martial art movies are very famous among all the genres of East Asian movies and it is also a symbolic style of East Asia. These fighting arts have such a charisma and elegance that it arouses anxiety and energy in western film world. The martial arts like kung fu , Taeakwondo and tai – chi all are of extremely potentiality for self-defense, and the same factor made it appealing to people all over the world.
2. b) Samurai films: Samurai movies are more drama based than action movies. It has more violent and intense fighting and displays mentally and physically harmed warriors. The more exaggerated violent scenes in samurai films had an extraordinary substance to it, which made them special.
3. c) Horror movies: The horror movies form East Asian genre can be classified to Japanese horror movies and Korean horror movies. Japanese horror movies are very focused on psychology and making the viewer look forward to and nervous. It also covers the subject of ghosts, possessions and exorcism with the occult in it. Korean dramas, on the other hand, rely more on character sufferings and hardships than supernatural powers.
4. d) Japanese Animated Movies: It is a matter of surprise that the true roots of animation movies was in Japan. The date of origin of animated films can be traced back to 1916. For East Asian cinema, animated films such as Manga became a feather in the crown and received a great deal of popularity from worldwide audiences.
5. e) Tokusatsu: These Japanese science fiction films are live action dramas that include special effects and super heroes. It has fantasy, horror and science fiction, which makes it a delight to watch as television series.

Japanese Directors of 1940- 1960 and Movies they Created in that Era

Some of the renowned directors of Japan during 1940 – 1960 can be listed as below:

1) Akira Kurosawa: He is a Japanese director who has made many movies during 1950s and 1960s which have crossed many conventional ideas of otherwise normal filmmaking. He is also a producer and screenwriter apart from being director. In 1990s, he was given life time achievement from academy awards jury. Some movies directed by him are Drunken Angel,Ikiru,Seven Samurai and Kagemusha.

2)Mikio Naruse: Mikio is a japanese movie director, producer and screen writer, who made more than 89 films in the duration of 1930 to 1967.His movies were dramatic, and focused on traditional and modern elements of Japanese culture. Few movies created by him were Travelling actors,A face from the past , Both you and I and Dancing girl.

3) Hayao Miyazaki: This Japanese film director was born in 1940, and has gained reputation as the world’ leading brain behind animated movies. He being the co – founder of Studio Ghibli, is the creator of movies like My neighbor Totoro, Princess Momonoke and Castle in the sky. As per, (Mcarthy,1945) Miyazaki is one of the few directors in the industry who personally check every key frame and redraws any he doesn’t find suitable a task most leave it to senior animators” One of his creation Spirited Aay is the highest grossing film of all time in Japanese film history.

Bibliography;

• Chang, Justin. “The Class.” www.variety.com. Reed Elsevier Inc., 23 May 2008. Web. 23 Apr 2011.
• Durham, Bryan. “Brick Lane – Movie Review.” www.mid-day.com. Mid-day Informedia Ltd., 29-05-2010. Web. 23 Apr 2011. <http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/may/290510-Brick-Lane-Movie-Review.htm>.
• Jones. “The Class: Powerful French classroom film.” www.cltampa.com. Creative Loafing Tampa, 2011. Web. 23 Apr 2011. <http://cltampa.com/tampa/the-class-powerful-french-classroom-film/Content?oid=2034381
• Levy, Emmanuel. Cinema of Outsiders: The Rise of American Independent Film. 1st ed., New York: New York University Press, 1999. 45. Print
• Maslin, Janet. “Pushing Hands (1992) FILM REVIEW;Another Wise, Gentle Patriarch.” www.movies.nytimes.com. The NewYork Times Company, 02-06-1995. Web. 23 Apr 2011. <http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B0CE1DC1639F931A35755C0A963958260>.
• Mcarthy, Helen. Hayao Miyazaki: master of Japanese animation: films, themes, artistry. 2nded.,. Berleley: Stone Bridge Press, 2002. 1945. Print
• Nix. “Pushing Hands (1992) Movie Review.” www.beyondhollywood.com/. Beyond Hollywood, 03-01-2005. Web. 23 Apr 2011. <http://www.beyondhollywood.com/pushing-hands-1992-movie-review/.>.

4) Different viewpoints- Hanson, World Bank, IPCC, Lovelock

According to Hansen, dangerous climate change can happen when carbon dioxide concentration is at most 350 ppm. He points that the indication that climate tipping point has been reached include melting of ice sheets, rise in the sea level, ocean acidification as well as disappearing alpine glaziers and reducing water supply. Hansen believes that the tipping point can be reversed by undertaking a number of measure including stopping oil and gas exploration, total ban of use of coal by 2030 and an intensive reforestation and practicing biochar agriculture.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) model foresees gradual changes in the climate in future. IPCC concluded that if global warming increases by 2^oC or more, the biodiversity and ecosystem are likely to suffer irreparable losses. As a result, IPCC requires that global warming should be limited to 2^oC -2.4^oC relative to the temperature before the industrial age. This will be caused by about 445 ppm and 490 ppm of concentration carbon dioxide. According to IPCC, to avoid situation of dangerous climate change, developed countries must reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by about 25 percent and 40 percent before the end of 2020. IPCC believes that the planet earth can be saved if appropriate measures are implemented to reduce carbon dioxide concentrations to manageable levels between 445 ppm and 490 ppm.

Gessert (2010) revealed that Lovelock generated Gaia hypothesis, which proposes that Earth’s biosphere functions like a living organism under ecological relationships and feedback loops. According to Gaia hypothesis, the Gaia’s feedback loop has worked in favour of mankind from the end of ice age to the current time. However, the climatic stability that favoured mankind since the end of ice age is ending as huge amounts of carbon dioxide is spewed to the atmosphere by activities of mankind. Lovelock perceives that an opportunity for sustainable development has lapsed and is not sure whether ant single species will survive in future. This is because he argues that if melting polar ice melts and allow for exploration of vast reservoir of natural gas and oil under Arctic Ocean, Earth’s temperatures will automatically rise beyond IPCC predictions, so high that no species will survive except for few thermophiles. This is because temperatures may be pushed beyond the boiling point of water. As a result, and the planet will become too hot and remain so until, after a billion years when it will be consumed by the sun. Though his prediction is hopeless, he believes that man has a role to play to save self and others as they prepare for the next role. Consequently, humans need to develop earth-based religion rooted in science. The science-based religion should be able to situate mankind within a larger picture of the biosphere and elevate the earth beyond personal interests.

5) Dangerous Climate Change Means that Tipping Points May Arise

According to Little (2010), tipping point refers to a specific point (threshold), where a slight change in human activity may cause a sudden and rapid climate shift to a new state. It is a point farthest away from climatic equilibrium and any slight change in the climate could result to non-reversible consequences. Therefore, tipping point is a dangerous climatic position that can easily be pushed to a new state that is normally extremely disastrous. A climate system is pushed to a tipping point by human activities. Eccleston (2008) suggests that in ten years, the loss of Arctic sea ice and the greening of the Sahara will occur, as well as the disturbance of the West African monsoon. In three hundred years, the melting of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets will take place, although it will take 100 years for the Atlantic thermohaline circulation to fail and the El Nino Southern Oscillation to rise. Finally, in fifty years, the death of the Amazon and Boreal forests will occur. Melting and any other change in the climatic or environmental phenomenon is a sign of a tipping point and should serve as a warning that something terrible is about to happen if the climate is stressed beyond the current level. Tipping points help to distinguish global warming problem from other problems (Spratt and Sutton 2008).

6) Implications of Dangerous Climate Change

Dangerous climate Change claim thousands of lives each year in developed countries and claims millions more people in developing countries. Developed countries experienced heatwaves which claimed over 65,000 lives in Europe alone as temperatures rose to over 104 F (40⁰C). Heatwaves are silent killers claiming lives of the elderly, chronically ill and very youngest members of the society. It also destroys crops and leaves millions of hectares of land burned. It was estimated that Russia losses resulting from Heat Wave was over $15 billion (Guardian, 2011). According to Watts (2009), scientists have linked earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, avalanches, and tsunamis to global warming. This is because carbon dioxide levels are increasing from vehicles, power stations, and factories alters Earth’s geology. Scientists further found out that ice cap disappearance alters the pressures acting on the Earth’s crust and triggers volcanic eruptions. The Intergovernmental Commission on Climate Change, according to Polya (2007), cautions that if harmful climate change is not discussed, temperatures are likely to rise by 4^oC and sea level is likely to rise by 0.6 metres before 2013. When sea level rises, islands, and coastal areas risk being submerged. This may cause extensive damage to agriculture and crops will fail. High magnitude droughts, hurricanes, and floods will endanger thousands of populations. According to lovelock, if emission of carbon dioxide reaches 500ppm the Greenland ice would be eroded and ocean phytoplankton system will disappear. If ocean phytoplankton system disappears, global temperature balance will not be achieved and global warming will be fiercer. Climate change researchers have found that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is actually 380 parts per million (ppm) and rises by 3.3 percent per year. In addition, Williams (2010) notes that 50,000 endangered species have been identified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 17,000 species are facing immediate extinction, out of the 50,000 species listed. By the end of the 21st century, the IUCN estimates 50 percent of amphibians, 70 percent of botanical life, 37 percent of freshwater fish, 28 percent of reptiles, 21 percent of mammals, and 12 percent of all birds to be extinct. Such global warming effects include acidification of the seas that would destroy coral reefs. According to Hansen (2009), dangerous climate change will cause Arctic sea ice to melt. At the same time, melting ice sheet and glaciers will release frozen methane as tundra also melts.

7) Reversion Strategies

7.1) Hansen: Hansen thinks there should be zero coal plants by 2020. (He wants to raise the price of carbon emissions and make technology obsolete.)

Hansen suggested a number of reverse strategies to control dangerous climate change. First, Hansen suggested that use of unconventional fossils and coal must be phased out by 2020. However, use of unconventional fossils fuels may be allowed where it is possible to capture and sequester CO₂. In addition, construction of old technology coal-fired power plant must also be stopped. Secondly, he suggested that concerted efforts must be put on reducing human-made hydrocarbons as well as black carbon, ozone and methane. Thirdly, forestry and farming practices should be improved to reduce atmospheric CO₂. Furthermore, biofuel-technology power plants with CO₂ sequestration should also be improved to reduce atmospheric CO_2. Finally, producers of carbon emissions must be highly taxed and energy efficiency standards set. There should also be removal of barriers to energy efficiency actions to spur innovation that will bring about more use of renewable energies. Innovations should also be developed to increase efficient use of oil and gas so that less mobile fuel can be used in the transition to another phase of industrial revolutions.

7.2) Government Regulations: Government Regulation Strategy/ Private Sector/ Government Subsidy

Various governments are promising to take steps to reverse the dangerous climate change. The steps include reducing greenhouse gases, increase use of renewable energy controlling imports of tropical timber, increased energy efficiency and setting high tax on emissions. Governments have entered into international agreements. The agreements include Kyoto Protocol and Copenhagen 2009 among others. Countries that ratified Kyoto Protocol accept to reduce levels of carbon dioxide emissions and participate in emissions trading. Through the international agreements, governments commit themselves to implement environmentally friendly activities in their area of jurisdictions. United States of America, India, Australia, Japan, South Korea and China agreed to the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate. The partnership makes the countries to invest in technologies that help to reduce global warming. Methane to market initiative is a new technology that is aimed at reducing methane emissions by capturing emitted methane and used for generation of clean energy.

World Bank Advance

Subsidies

Government can offer subsidies to entities or individuals who generate energy from renewable sources. It can also give tax subsidies to consumers who use renewable energy to meet their energy needs. Subsidies may be in the form of direct cash transfers, indirect support mechanism, rebates or preferential tax treatments. Subsidies help to lower the cost of production or the cost of paying for energy. Direct cash transfers could be paid in terms of grants. It can also refer to borrowing loans in furtherance of the renewable energy production or usage. Preferential tax treatments refer to exemption from specific tax or duty levied on conventional energy sources or uses such as fuel. Subsidies are provided for renewable technologies such as wind, wave and hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, fossils and nuclear power. This is to encourage many people or entities to adopt the use of renewable energy or energy-saving technologies and equipments. Prototype Carbon Fund through public-private partnership under Clean Development Mechanism stipulated in the Kyoto Protocol to help developing countries to minimize carbon emissions.

Carbon Emission Trading

Carbon emission trading or cap and trade refer to an environment-oriented policy meant to impose cost or quota on carbon emissions. Carbon emission trading is based on cap and trade or baseline and credit. Government of a given country set a price for carbon dioxide emissions, which will be paid by entities of companies that emit carbon dioxide. This will impact negatively on companies and as a result will discourage process or activities that produce high levels of carbon dioxide. In a cap, government set up limits beyond which entities are not allowed to cross. Therefore, each company will be told the amount of carbon dioxide it has to produce and beyond that will attract some serious sanctions. On the other hand, some governments may grant cash subsidies or rebates to companies that operate below their threshold, which is equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide that was not produced. For example, European Union Emission Trading scheme commenced operations on January, 1 2005 and all the twenty five European member states participate.

Private Sector

Twenty three multinational corporations came together at the G8 Climate change discussion. Among them are British Airways, Toyota Motors, Ford and British Petroleum. There are different ways in which private entities can help reverse climate change menace.  According to Weidman (2010), ICT sector can help reverse or minimize the climatic change. This can be done by private entities through sponsoring of climate change meetings and symposiums, financing innovative technologies that use renewable energies and using their technologies as a platform to influence members of the public to adopt environmentally friendly techniques in their operations. For example, mobile communication providers can use their short messaging service platform to urge the subscribers adopt environment friendly technologies to reduce carbon emission to the environment. There are about five billion mobile subscribers in the world and it is estimated that the number will increase to fifty billion subscribers in 2020. It is estimated that through smart application of ICT, at least 15 percent of world carbon dioxide emission could be offsets by 2020.

Taxation

Emission tax is levied on individuals owning and operating greenhouses on the basis of each tonne of greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere. Emission taxes are cost-effective and environmentally effective.

7.3) Technology: Carbon Capture Strategies (When will they get in? How much will it cost? Which technology is at which point now

Stangeland (2007) stated carbon capture storage strategy has been invented and implemented by some countries. This aims to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted into the atmosphere. Under the Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage, carbon dioxide is captured, stored temporarily, transported and stored in safe and isolated locations away from the atmosphere. Places appropriate for storing carbon dioxide include saline aquifers as well as depleted oil and gas fields. Presently, they are stored in the North Sea where one million tones of carbon dioxide have been stored annually since 1996 in an underground geological formation called the Utsiru. Infrastructure for capturing carbon dioxide is set up in large power plants fired by fossil fuel, large petrochemical as well as aluminum and steel plants. Transportation of capture carbon dioxide is done via pipelines or shipped. The first carbon capture and storage project is Sleipner. It began operation in 1996 and stores at least one million tons of carbon dioxide each year. The Weyburn-Midale Carbon Dioxide Plant is the main carbon capture and storage project situated in Saskatchewan, Canada. Another site also includes In-Salah located in Algeria. Canada has invested over $ 3.4 billion in the development of carbon capture and storage technology.

            Delarue, Luickx and D’haeseleer (1450) were able to find out the effects of wind power around the expense of producing power and CO2 pollution. They found that per mega watt of installed wind power capacity in a year, fuel reduction cost is around €56 thousand and 1.26 kilo ton of CO2 emission reduction. However, their wind forecast errors do not have significant impact on the cost reduction and CO2 emission.

            There are some important reasons why wind-based generations have become so common especially to some deregulated power system (Olsina et al. 1257). Environmental concerns are widely viewed to be significant factors prior to finding for energy source capacity. Aside from these, the issues on fuel price uncertainties have added to the intense need to go for alternative power source. Strong subsidizing programs are said to be driving forces that ensure rapid wind development in some countries. It was also added in the problem that the isolation of wind investments from market signals create a high wind installed capacity leading to the distortion of power prices and eventually loss of social welfare. To somehow address these claims, it was found from the simulation conducted that the wind investment rates for gasoline, implementation and funding costs are said to be influential factors on the optimum wind capacity to be accommodated in a market-based approach (Olsina et al. 1257).

In electricity generation system, wind power is viewed to significantly create impacts considering that it replaces other forms of electricity generation and the bottom line of this is to lower the overall fuel costs and greenhouse gas (Luickx, Delarue and D’haeseleer 2019).

Considering that the wind power may vary due to its intermittency and unpredictability, its full potential may not be fully realized (Luickx, Delarue and D’haeseleer 2019). This is the reason that there must be some other important moves in order to create sufficient supply of electricity from wind power even if there is low power output.

It is in line with this that the proponent tries to emphasize the developments made in generating electricity from wind power, its growth, its in this area, current situation and other relevant topics. Below, more of these specifics are discussed.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Power

The benefits and drawbacks of wind energy are as follows: (Asplund 126-128). It is an inexhaustible source of electricity with no waste or greenhouse gas emissions, minimal operational and maintenance costs, onshore or offshore construction of a wind turbine, accessible surrounding property, generating employment and diversifying the source of energy. In the other side, its related drawbacks are the following: its intermittent strength, its output it has high potential at less than maximum capacity costs, its position determines its efficiency, it may be hazardous to biodiversity and it has communities with associated noise and visual disturbance.

Wind is produced through atmospheric pressure, regular rotation of the earth on its axis, effects from the land and sea, and varying differentials between weather systems. For as long as these natural activities continue to be part of life on earth, wind is always in its inexhaustible supply. The impact of wind power as an energy source is clear. Since wind towers operate in mechanical process to produce electricity, wind power does not need to make use of chemicals and any combustion. This implies that wind power is a potential energy source due to constant availability of wind and at the same moment, there is no such term as corresponding pollution and greenhouse gases involved.

Every power plant requires operating and maintenance costs in order to continue its production of energy. It is entirely different from wind power since it does not require any fuel just to produce an ample amount of electricity. As mentioned earlier, wind power does not need any chemicals or combustion in its process of creating electricity. What it only needs is enough supply of wind to turn on its wind turbine so as the mechanical process of production of energy will take place. This what makes the total operating costs for wind power substantially lower than fossil fuel plant. According to Asplund (126) the average total operating cost between 2000 and 2005 for wind power is 0.8 cents per kilowatt-hour. This is almost the same with 0.81 cents per kilowatt-hour for the average operating cost of a fossil fuel power plant. However, this 0.81 cents of average total operating cost in fossil fuel plant does not yet include the fuel purchase cost. It is therefore implied that the operating and maintenance cost is substantially lower in wind power compared to a fossil fuel power plant.

The good thing about wind power farm is its versatility of installation from either onshore or offshore. However, it is known that wind is much stronger somewhere at the sea. This provides an idea that it is better to have the wind power farm constructed somewhere offshore. However, it is known that construction of wind power farm offshore is substantially expensive than having it constructed onshore. The reason for this is the higher initial capital required and maintenance cost. This consideration involves the fact that offshore construction of wind farm requires much durable material and even highly advanced so as to fight adverse natural conditions. For example, it is important to have wind turbines that are highly resistant to rusting. This is just one of the considerations needed implying that it requires a substantially high capital for offshore construction of wind power farm so as to make it effectively operate in the long run. In fact, most wind power farms find their way for onshore installation in most countries and only a little number of them can be found at sea in Europe (Asplund 126).

Explicitly, there is a need to actually go for lager wind turbines and eventually huge wind towers in order to consequently generate large amount of electricity. This means that vast area of land is required for wind power farms. The good thing about this is that the area between large wind towers can be substantially used for farming purposes and other related productive activities that cannot affect the operation of wind power. Somewhere in the US, some farms are constructed with wind towers and at the same time farming and livestock grazing activities are taking place at the same time. Asplund (126) reported that the annual estimated income of farmers who allow energy operators of wind powers to lease their farms is at an estimated $55 per acre. This is viewed as a substitute income for depleted oil well in Texas farms for instance.

Wind power industry substantially creates jobs. At some point, this is another business form which would also rely on manpower prior to the implementation of its entire business plan. There is a higher market in the US for jobs and thus the government is encouraging more private sectors to open up jobs for everyone. The government itself is trying to maximize its effort to provide jobs for its citizens. This is to consider that jobs are important for everyone prior to maintaining a healthy status of the economy at its both micro and macro level. Thus, the existence of wind power industry is a good opportunity to create jobs for the people. This is not only to provide additional source of energy, but creation of job is another highlight that the wind power industry is trying to offer. This is a good news then and the bottom line of this is a substantially positive impact for the economy in the long run. Asplund (126) reported that every megawatt for every installed wind capacity creates corresponding direct and indirect 15 to 19 jobs or approximately 60 person-years of employment this is also according to European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

The law of supply and demand emphasizes that when there is higher demand for a certain product or service, its supply will most likely run out. In this case, in order to cater this need, the producer takes advantage by increasing the price of the offering. It guarantees that only those who can manage it can such price increase will most likely to have the opportunity to take hold of the product or service offering. In this case, the government may try to implement its power so as to continue regulate the right price for all. The same principle is applicable to the availability of energy sources. The more available energy sources, it is more advantageous for the consumers since they have variety of choices to choose from. The availability of wind power can diversify energy sources. Its availability and even its dominion can try to raise the price of energy source at its most convenient or affordable point. Thus, the diversification of energy sources of a country through wind power can further create economic and political advantages (Asplund 126).

On the other hand, wind power is considered energy source with intermittent power. Wind turbines for wind towers are relatively large enough that it requires substantial speed for wind in order to move them in a way it is enough to produce electricity. Wind speed is one of the most important factors in the availability of electricity using wind power. If wind speed is too slow, no electricity can be generated because wind turbines will not move. If wind velocity is, on the other side, too fast, the wind turbines will be turned off to prevent corresponding damages that may take place. By picking the right one, this can be fixed location where it is conducive for smooth energy production. It is also of great consideration to take into account electricity storage system which can be capable of allowing constant output. In the event that there is intermittent production of electricity from wind power, power producers will correspondingly tap independent wind plants just to have enough access to electricity to be distributed across a specified demand.

Other than the intermittent operation in the production of energy, wind power operates at less than of its full capacity. Wind power operations depend on the average wind speed as stated earlier. Consequently, there is a desire to know the best location as possible. The problem is that not every location can be suitable for wind towers. This specific constraint adds up to the additional problem on the creation of enough numbers of wind towers to generate enough supply of energy source from wind power. According to Asplund (127), wind turbines operate only at 65 to 80 percent of the time and it operates at full capacity only at 10 percent of the time. Thus, even if the right location is found for wind powers, there is still no enough assurance that wind turbines will operate at its full capacity. The entire activity of producing energy through wind power depends on the wind speed. However, it is also implied that the right location is identified for wind towers so as to at least hit the highest possible performance of wind turbines.

Wind power is associated with its high cost for the following reasons: high installation costs, power transmissions line costs and intermittency increases costs for the power grid (Asplund 127). Wind towers are noted to require strong foundation from an architectural point of view. Most of modern wind towers stand high as average of 440 feet and others stand higher than this. Not only that strength of the blades for wind turbines must be ensured and therefore the needed materials must be specialized and of exceptional strength. This actually is the reason why there is a need to spend much for the start up cost of wind power. There is a need, as stated earlier, to find for the best location suitable for wind towers. There are some cases in which the wind towers are found in remote locations because there is substantial wind speed somewhere there. In this case, the consumers are to pay for the power transmission line. The usual issue regarding this will always boil down between the power producers and their consumers. On the other hand, as reliance on wind power increases and considering its intermittency nature, there is a tendency of increase costs as the law of supply and demand supplies it. On the other hand, the intermittency increases costs for the power grid because power producers will try to find for energy source from independent wind power suppliers. This eventually will increase the price for power grid as the power producers will try to integrate mark up costs to gain at the expense of consumers.

What do North Dakota, Texas, Kansas, South Dakota and Montana have in common is their capacity to be productive for wind power output due to their availability of sufficient wind speed for wind farm. As mentioned earlier, in finding the location for wind farm, it is of primary consideration to choose the most suitable site. Unfortunately, not all sites can be suitable for onshore wind power production plant. This means that for wind farm or for wind power, location determines output (Asplund 127). It is one of the most noticeable weaknesses in wind power because not all places on earth have sufficient wind speed. In consideration of this, not all places can have access to wind power. Wind power, unlike any other alternative sources of energy requires the perfect location. For instance, the solar panels do not require the best location for as long as there is sufficient amount of energy that can be accessed coming from the sun. Geothermal power plant is implied to be installed somewhere in waterfalls that have sufficient amount of water speed and volume. In other places where waves are of considerable strength, power plants can eventually be created in order to produce considerable energy source.

It was reported that birds and bats are occasionally caught dead from wind turbines (Asplund 128). Birds play an important part in the food chain and in the ecosystem in general. Birds are capable of maintaining the health of the ecosystem. Birds are known to help in the production of plants and trees by scattering seeds that could go somewhere for shelter of other important organisms. Birds have other important roles and if they are momentarily caught dead from wind turbines, this will become a threat to their population. Although the number of birds caught dead from wind turbines is of only small amount, the impact of such from a biological point of view is significant. In the same way as birds, bats as mammals also have important biological functions. Killing them momentarily at some point will contribute to the decrease of their population. In fact, a one bat killed in wind turbines might be capable of reproduction. This means that killing a bird or two or a bat or two would mean possible reduction of the number of their future population. Thus, from a biological point of view, wind power is a mere threat to wildlife at some point.

Other power plants create noise and visual nuisance to communities. This is true with the case of hydro power plants where there is considerable level of noise prior to the production of energy source. In the same way, wind power is considered noisy, has destructing flickering shadows and has negative effect in local valuation (Asplund 128). These are just some of additional disadvantages of wind turbines. Wind power plants can be both destructing to eyesight due to its flickering shadow or either too noisy. However, the advancement of modern technology can probably help eliminate these problems. There are specialized materials that can be used as wind turbines and will only produce minimal level of noise. These technical products, though, do not come at a cheap price. As their names suggest, prior to producing them as raw materials ready for any commercial application, advanced means must be involved in additional processes.

The Economic Point of View

Cost and practicality of wind power are always among of the most important considerations prior to investing in it. Asplund (133) pointed out that a 3-megawatt wind tower can sustain electricity to 825 homes. Today, the capacity of produced electricity by a wind tower can even be increased more than 3-megawatt due to advancement in modern technology. However, this will always be dependent on the wind speed considering the following: the cube of the wind speed is the electricity output from a wind turbine (Asplund 134). Thus, this only implies that the wind speed is indeed an important factor. By considering these facts, the case of practicality might be one of the most important issues at hand in line with the consideration of wind power as energy source. This may sound very practical in places where there is considerable wind speed. Thus, those countries with considerable wind speed can actually invest in wind power and make it as one of their best energy sources.

As also mentioned earlier, wind tower requires a high initial investment but since it does not need a fuel, its operating and maintenance costs are actually low. Thus, adding the project’s costs and dividing it by the expected electricity output over a life-time of the equipment is actually the expected cost of electricity produced by the wind farm (Asplund 135). However, the initial investment, operating and maintenance are not only the costs that need to be considered in wind power production.

The costs of raw materials, transmission costs and utility stemming costs are other important considerations particularly in the US (Asplund 135).

            The rising cost of raw materials for wind power production plant raises the costs of electricity per kilowatt-hour in the US especially in 2006 (Asplund 135). However, due to US federal government’s Production Tax Credit (PTC), the price did not rise to an average of 7 cents or from the range between 5.0 to 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour.

            Transmission cost is a real problem because every time a new operator is involved for the transmission system, additional cost is incurred which is payable by the consumers. These new operators will add up cost which will always reflect to the actual electricity payment. This is a real problem especially in remote areas where there is potential wind speed. In this case, there is enough amount of energy from wind power but consumers are to shoulder the expense due to transmission cost involved.

            The intermittent nature of wind power to supply electricity creates cost for utility stemming. The lack of wind speed forces the power producer to get enough power supply somewhere else from independent wind power producers to meet the demand. This eventually will add up to the cost since the power producer needs to pay for additional energy source involved.

The Environmental Point of View

            On the other hand, wind power is known to help reduce greenhouse gases emission and by such, it is viewed as a good way to help the environment fight the adverse green house gases effects.

            Shown in Table 1 are different countries with corresponding amount of greenhouse gases emissions such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. All of these countries have been using fossil fuel-based electricity generation.

            As pointed out by some environmental experts, the emitted green house gases into the atmosphere are the responsible factors for the global warming issue. Countries that believe on this fact are now trying to reduce production and emission of green house gases. Sad to say, most of these countries in Table 1 are depending on their energy source from a fossil-based electricity generation. This is a dilemma on their part knowing that they need to produce enough amount of electricity to help their economy but they cannot also compromise the environment on the process. Global warming issues involve the entire life on earth and the balance of ecosystem in general. Global warming is said to be the reason of increase of sea level, typhoons, change of migration patterns of animals, reduction of the balance in ecosystem and more. Humans eventually cannot afford to loss their homes by focusing only on a certain need. Thus, there must always a way out prior reducing the production of energy dependent on fossil fuels. One of the most commonly argued way to help this problem is the use of wind power as a way for electricity generation.

Table 1. Specific average emissions (CO2, SO2, NO2) from fossil fuel-based electricity generation in the different EU-27 Member States in 2007 (European Wind Energy Association 375)

            Shown in Table 2 are the possible fossil fuel-based electricity that can be replaceable or avoidable by wind energy. It shows that the natural gas or derived gas can be the primary energy source that can just be replaced by wind power. Since they can be replaceable by wind energy, this means that some economic and other considerations are already taken into account.

Table 2. Fossil fuel-based electricity generation replaceable/avoidable by wind (and other renewable electricity generation technologies) in the EU-27 Member States in 2007 (European Wind Energy Association 378)

Shown in Table 3 is significant information showing that wind energy can eventually help avoid total emission of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel-based electricity generation. The large amount of greenhouse gas reduced by wind energy is the carbon dioxide primarily because fossil fuel is known to emit large portion of this type of gas once it is ignited. This shows a higher level of practicality considering that at present situation, the world is between the issue of balancing its economy and at the same time the environment. These two need to be harmoniously balanced and the wind energy has been proven to help reduced green house gases from a purely fossil fuel based of electricity generation. This is a matter of evaluation and data primarily suggest that there is a good reason to employ wind energy from an environmental point of view. However, it is always implied that not every country can be sold out to this knowing the fact that wind speed is not the same to all nations. On the other hand, aside from environmental considerations, there are also economic considerations that need to be taken into account.

            Europe is known to aggressively support the global warming issue. In its own way, reduction or even total elimination of green house gases emission is one of the best option to help save the environment from further future destructions. There is a sense of practicality then for Europe to implement wind energy because it can play a significant part in its goal to help save the environment. However, not every nation is now ready and willing to be part of the goal that the European nations have on the environment. Some are actually still attached to their economic activities and even disregarding the probable impacts they might contribute to the environment.

Table 3. Total emissions (CO2, SO2, NO2) from fossil fuel-based electricity generation already avoided by wind energy in the EU-27 Member States in 2007 (European Wind Energy Association 380)

It is not only for the sake of reducing green house gases emission that can be pointed out by wind energy. Some external costs can also be avoided through electricity generation by wind energy. This can be illustrated in Table 4. This sounds a bit practical considering that the cost of energy produced by wind energy is substantially lower due to the fact that the maintenance and operating costs for wind towers are eventually low. Thus, not much of amount can be passed on to consumers.

Table 4. Distribution of avoided external costs (average values) through wind generation in the EU-27 Member States in 2007 (European Wind Energy Association 383)

Let us take it closely now from the general perspective. Shown in Table 5 is the total percent of electricity derived from wind which is 0.90% in 2006. In the US alone, only 0.80% of electricity is derived from wind since 2006. What do these figures imply? It seems wind energy is not the best priority of the US. However, a remarkable higher percentage from Denmark can be observed.

The implication of these figures lies on the fact that wind speed is the main determinant of wind power. The involvement of other citizens, on the other side, alternative energy sources makes wind power not a primary consideration particularly in the US considering that only 0.80% of its electricity is derived from wind. Thus, there must be substantial sources that could still outweigh the advantages of wind power. As of the moment, it can be said that the status of wind power in the US is purely as an alternative and it is not as primary source in which the entire country could depend on.

Table 5. Percent of Total Electricity Derived from Wind (2006) (Asplund 135)

Conclusion

            It is without question that wind power is a potential energy source. It finds its way in other countries as potential source of electricity; it cannot be denied that there is a maximum use of it considering that it gets a certain percentage in the derivation of electricity. However, it cannot be denied that the wind speed is one the primary consideration in choosing the best location for wind farm. Considering that there is a staggering high amount for capital investment in wind power, investors must always ensure higher return of investment. However, such can only be defined by understanding how consumers would actually react on the cost of electricity they are paying from wind power. Considering that there are other alternative energy sources available, wind powers must always ensure low cost in order for them to succeed in the market. This is quite achievable. However, the unpredictability of wind speed does not ensure consistent amount of price to be paid for electricity derived for wind power. This is a significant consideration prior to creating a market for electricity derived from wind energy.

            In other countries, their total dependence on wind energy comes from the fact that there are major environmental concerns they need to take into account. This is true in most of European countries where there is a need to consider the amount of green house gases emission. These countries have long been relying on fossil fuel to generate energy. What seems to be the most important issue in here is the ability to save the environment while not actually compromising the healthy flow of the economy.

            When the government tries to consider wind power as an alternative energy source by giving substantial support for it, independent producers might be encouraged to go for it. Thus, creating more supply of electricity derived from wind energy. The more supply means affordable energy source of electricity for all. This cannot actually be implemented without proper understanding the true nature and characteristics of wind power in the first place. The bottom line is that the practicality and affordability of wind power depends on the chosen location and the level of understanding towards it. Thus, it is of great importance to create more related studies for wind power as another potential source of alternative energy.

Discussion 4

Organizing for Social Change: A Dialectic

Yes, poor people are also as creditworthy as the wealthiest or rich people. Because all human beings are equal. Races and economic status differences are humanmade, not biological. God created all human being equal without any superiority based on the financial status of the person. In my views, Grameen America Bank can also work in the United States if all employees accept the reality that human being is equal and has equal right on this universe. Through ethical training programs, discrimination and stereotyping can be removed from the Grameen America Bank, and it can work successfully.   

Discussion 5

Good Work’ Community Suppers – Athens Ohio

Friday nightlife is different from the soup kitchen. The only similarity between both is just the purpose of both programs as Friday nightlife and soup kitchen are both working for the people to support them lead a beautiful life. At the same time, the difference is related to the way or method to achieve the purpose. Friday nightlife organizes greeting and cheer up people affected by hunger in the community by doing well with them. At the same time, the soup kitchen provides food to the people who are hungry and homeless. They promote the use of social media platforms. In comparison, I will advance through the mass media and interpersonal communication. 

Discussion 6

People Who said No to Innovation: The Old Order Amish

Amish can be perceived as an UN-innovative person.  Acceptance of change is challenging, especially when you are not familiar with the difference. It requires learning new knowledge. Therefore people feel comfortable to work according to the old patterns. Amish teens find it very difficult to adopt change or innovation because they do not want to leave the Amish lifestyle and families. Design requires hardworking, that is also a challenge for them. Amish teens up bring among the Amish family; therefore, they quickly adapt their lifestyle, and lack of interaction with the external environment also contributes to this manner. Accordingly, adjust in their Amish categories only.

Discussion 7

Mainly cluster in the food is market demands and a group of people. Malcolm Gladwell discusses food clusters in his research studies. As a change agent in the food market, I will change the food’s tastes and presentation. I will try to present food in an innovative way that grabs the attention of the customers. Growth in the taste of the cake and other food items using different flavors seems an exciting idea for me for change in the food industry. Presentation styles for food items are ancient. I will bring change in the presentation of cake by presenting themes cake. The change agent can maximize the shift by bringing adaptive change that brings improvement, not only changes. It should fulfill the needs of the customers. People want the difference in their birthday and anniversary cakes’ tastes and designs because they want something new. In this way, my innovative taste and designs will grab their attention.       

Discussion 8

New Millennium Thought: Perspectives

Being a part of the company’s top management, I would like to work for innovation systems. In the meeting, I will present the company’s strategic plan for the next ten years. At first, I will give the problems in detail and the company’s mission that is ignored and fulfilled. Then I will present what changes top management will bring in the company for innovation. Innovation and growth will be firstly bringing in the communication system. The new system communication process will be strengthened to enable the employees to communicate efficiently. This will reduce the wastage of time and bring understanding among the employees. Innovation and changes are significant for the success of the company. Therefore I will also explain in detail to the employees what benefits they will take as the result of a new strategic change plan.

Although global temperatures constantly fluctuate, this is the longest period cooling has been experienced in history. Contrary to popular belief carbon dioxide emissions is not the only reason for global warming. Other forces affect the net energy flax into the climate, for example, stratospheric aerosols reflect sunlight back into space hence causing net cooling of the earth. If there is so much carbon dioxide emitted into thespace, some of it reacts with water to form carbonic acid and eventually lowers the overall pH of oceans. Weart(2008) states that the more the acidic the oceans are, the less the calcium carbonate and hence less material for shell building animals and plants which constitute the base of the food chain in marine life and in the long run distorting the entire eco system. Ocean acidification is majorly affects the top layer of the oceans but with time it diffuses into deeper parts of the water. In addition to that, cold water coral reefs which are feeding grounds for commercial fish species will also be exposed to corrosive waters and hence will die out. Humans too will be affected because feeding on fish, oysters and other marine products that have fed on corrosive coral reefs nay cause some types of cancers and it also makes the general immune system weak.

Burroughs (2007) argues that there is an almost direct relationship between the natural environment and human health. Not only is human health affected by land degradation, depleted water flows, acidic oceans and disrupted eco systems, but also disease like asthma, diabetes, cancers and heart attacks are predicted to increase if the current depreciation of the  earth goes on. Ignoring climate change and its effect on human health would be wrong sine it affects food, temperatures as well as water availability. Unprecedented floods, wildfires and tropical storms are some more results of climate change that directly influence human health. Food production is already on the decline due to climate change causing malnutrition, diseases caused by lack of some nutrients in the body and even death. Lack of water also causes diarrhea, cholera, malaria, typhoid and other water borne diseases and more often than not death. Humans need to avert climate change and conserve the environment for their own benefit.

Australia is an island continent surrounded by water on all sides hence the effects will probably be worse on it as compared to other countries (Houghton 2004). The rising sea levels result from climate change with a great amount of coastal erosion taking place and significant damage to infrastructure occurring. Several families will be at risk from sea inundation and hence will have to relocate. All businesses and other operations near the coat line too will be closed as business will not take place any more. Those not near the coastline will also be affected especially since farming is a major economic activity in Western Australia. Long periods of heat as well as lack of water will cause Australian agriculture and forestry and this will in turn cause reduced food production throughout the continent. Australians will also be affected by frequent, intense bush fires especially those who live near forests in South Eastern Australia.

Australians in general will be highly affected by climate change but those in the coastal regions, the Western region and South Eastern Australia will be most affected. Those in the coastal regions can bring early preparations of resettling in order to save up on cost and time as well as to reduce chances of death. Bush fires are natural disasters that are almost impossible to stop. The best and only way to evade bush fires is for the government to set up emergency centers to help in such calamities. According to Weart (2008) these centers should respond with speed and accuracy, but the natives too should be equipped with techniques on how to handle with minor, less serious disasters. Farmers may take up other economic activities but preferably, they should learn how to conserve water and grow crops that are resistant to drought. The government should participate by teaching them new farming methods and water conservation techniques.

Henry’s Law was Formulated by William Henry in 1803 as a Gas Law in Chemistry

The law states: at a steady temperature, the amount of a given gas dissolved in a given type and volume of liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with that liquid (Burroughs 2007).

Temperature is called the Henry co efficient because when the temperature of a system changes, the Henry constant will change. The solubility of a gas in a specific one atmosphere circumstance liquid at a specific temperature is proportional to the pressure of that gas above the liquid. Since volatile compounds are organic compounds and they have vapour pressures and they can affect the environment and human health, it is easier for these pollutants to cause environmental pollution.

Children’s body systems are still developing hence they eat more, drink more and breathe a lot more than adults in proportion to their body weight. Their body systems are also not very developed as is their immune systems therefore; they need clean food, water and air to enable them to thrive. Children learn through playing and crawling, they put their hands in their mouth increasing exposure to contamination by the environment. Children’s skins are also very sensitive to the sun’s ultra violet rays as their pigments are still not well developed hence exposure to the sun’s rays would cause skin cancer and other skin related diseases (Burroughs 2007). Aerosols sprayed into the air also easily affect children’s lungs and cause respiratory diseases for example, bronchitis, lung cancer and asthma. The effects of climate change pose numerous and unique risks but these risks can be reduced through preparation, planning as well as surveillance by health agencies at all levels.

According to Houghton (2004) disasters can be thoroughly traumatizing especially after the severe effects of climate change and natural disaster, for example when they get displaced by tides from the ocean or the sudden death of a loved one. This causes emotional as well as psychological trauma to those involved. Several patients are diagnosed with depression, stress, panic and other such types of trauma related illnesses. The Government should set up homes and shelters for those mentally affected by disasters in which they should be offered professional counseling sessions. They should also be sub divided into groups depending on how traumatized one was and how critical their condition is. They are guided through the emotional turmoil that they experience by well trained personnel without any cost. They narrate the feelings they went through in order to relieve them of the depression, Later; they too can volunteer and help others because they have first hand experience.

The guidance given by Barret et al (2008, p169) helps me a great deal to complete this assignment. The researchers describe the fundamental steps of writing essays and I follow those steps. I examined its title and main thesis after agreeing on the main subject, and then continued to gather material for the essay. I take note of the layout of my essay and prepare it during the lecture. I proofread and edit it after writing the essay to ensure that it is perfectly organised and delivers my intended sound. I use a research technique in this way and succeed in writing a well-organized essay following easy and useful essay writing steps.

Study Skill Dairy 2

The day was really busy and I felt so exhausted and pressurised because in the examinations there is no time left to appear and there are many things to do. I use my time management skills at this level, which I learned from reading Marks-Beal (2009, p45). I first listed the tasks I had to complete before the exams and then grouped these tasks according to first priority. After that, I made a decision to begin working one by one on these tasks. There have been several writing assignments, and I also need to read some books and other resources to study for questions about the exams. I started reading and starting to take notes that will help me with the writing work later.

            There were too many things to do in short time and I started feeling stressed. Then I use the technique of taking a five-minute break as suggested by Tamblin and Ward (2006, p98). I use these five minutes to sit back and relax without involving my mind in the study matters. This break refreshed my mind and after these five minutes I become able to focus upon my work with more attention and motivation. In this way, I become able to complete the studies in effective manner because the study technique of taking a relaxation break help me completing my studies with fresh mind within the available time.

Study Skill Dairy 3

There is too much reading material and studying information related with constitution and administration law requires understanding the law glossary that is different from the ordinary reading. While reading, I found that I don’t know the meanings of certain words that are not present in the glossary as well. I found it very helpful that Nyren (2000, p3) explains different ways of using the glossary. He also explains the way of understanding some words that are not present in the glossary. Following this guidance, I look at the words and sentences around that particular word and try to understand the overall theme of the sentence. This understanding allowed me coming up with some substitute words and looking at the meanings of these words I become able to understand the meanings of the words not present in the glossary.

            The organization of reading material is also an important part of the studies. As Hosler (1991, p98) explains different ways of managing reading material, I also organize the reading material according to the topics. I arranged the material in a manner to get hold of basic information about the topic before reading the extensive information and details. In this way, I develop the background knowledge about certain issues under study and then go through their details and successfully understand the information presented in the material.

Study Skill Dairy 4

During the exams preparation, I keep on gathering and reading useful and relevant material from different sources. I studied almost all the required material I gathered from different resources and it seems I am equipped with the information that is needed to face the questions in exams. However, I was not sure how to utilize this information to prepare the answer of the questions in exams. Before appearing in the exams, I recall my memory and consult towards different examinations techniques that teach how to answer the exams questions. The study tips about preparing exams answers proved to be very beneficial for me during the exams.

          Barrass (2002, p188) explains that before starting writing the answers in exams it is important to thoroughly read the instruction paper and the questions. After reading and understanding the instructions, we have to focus upon the questions one after one on the basis of their importance. At first it is important to answer the compulsory question. Once decided which question to answer first, we have to recall the relevant information and start writing the answer. It is important to understand what is actually asked in the question to avoid the inclusion of non relevant information in the answers. Thus, method of preparing the answers of the exams question allow me coming up with appropriate answers for the questions asked in the exams.

Book Review: Study! A Guide to Effective Learning, Revision and Examination Techniques

There are several useful books written to facilitate the studying process of the students. One of the useful books studied for gaining knowledge about the study techniques and skills development is Study! A Guide to effective study, revision and examination technique. The book has been written by Robert Barrass who has several years experience of assisting students during their diploma courses and studies. The book contains extensive information and guidance to assist students in the process of learning and to improve their study approach (Barrass, 2002, p2). The author has shared some very important tools and strategies of studying in the book that makes it very useful reading experience.

            In the beginning the author suggests that the students should participate only in such sources and subjects that came under their area of interest so that they could find the studying process more interesting and motivating. The book also explains that the students have to organize the study and must have clear understood about their long and short term and immediate goals of study. Moreover, there are several useful tips and techniques included in the book that strive to assist the students during different stages of the study process like exams preparation, scheduling the study plans and organizing the work flow.

            The reading of the book allows having understanding of some useful techniques of study. However, there are some skills and techniques explained by the author that seem more interesting and facilitating. For instance, the author talks about the study pressure and suggest some ways to overcome it. This part of the book appears to be very interesting and close because this situation is often encountered especially at the eve of exams. After reading the techniques of reducing pressure during study, it becomes possible to exercise these techniques during studying because the author has explained these techniques in quite simple and understandable manner. For instance, he suggest to take five minutes break after every hours and to exercise, walk and relax during this break. I have practiced this technique during the study and it is found that five minute break after every hour is really significant way of reducing pressure and to concentrate upon the material with more attention and refreshed mind.

Another useful section in the book is about planning the answers for examination. In this section also there are some very practical tips provided by the author. After reading these tips, it becomes easy to understand that how to manage the acquired information and material in a manner that it will form the correct answer to the question being asked in the exams. The book explains that it is important to understand that what is actually asked and then recall the memory to gather and organize all the studied information related to the question. In addition to this, there are certain other study techniques that provide great help in enhancing the study skills like the tips about the organization of year, week and day. The book also explains the importance of taking notes during the lectures and significance of group work after the lecture. Hence, the book provides extensive and useful information about study skills development and after the reading it becomes possible to manage the study process in more effective and efficient manner.

Presentation Evaluation

            The essay evaluates the presentation I delivered in the class and expresses my response towards the feedback received for the presentation. It also reflects my understanding of learning certain important things from this exercise.

Title and Group Members

            The presentation was prepared on the topic of “community safety and crime reduction”. There were two members in the group and we equally distributed the work to prepare the presentation.

Positive and Negative Aspects

       The presentation was prepared on the topic selected after discussion and mutual understanding of both the group members. There are some negative and positive aspects of our work that identified during the delivery of the presentation. The negative aspect of work that is also responsible for underachievement of our presentation is the fact that the group lacks balance that is supposed to be an important characteristic of the group. Both of use decided to equally distribute the work responsibilities but when it comes to the execution of our plan, my mate failed to come up with his part of work completely due to his personal reasons and ultimately the compiled work was not complete and flawless.

Some areas of the presentation became weak due to some missing work but rest of the work was fine and the tutor also appraised the data collection and organization of work. This becomes possible because we went under a detailed discussion for planning the structure and outline of the presentation. We thoroughly discussed each aspect of the work several days before to get clear lines to work upon. As a result, all the information presented in our work was complementing the topic and the presentation well covers the main issues that came under our topic of presentation.

Improvement Based on Feedback

There is only one presentation delivered so far. The overall response received for the presentation was good however, there were some flaws also identified in our work. In the forthcoming presentations, the feedback will work as guideline for brining improvement in the work.

Learning Outcomes from the Exercise

There was specific timeframe for the delivery of the presentation but our presentation was exceeded the time limit and we also receive tutor feedback regarding the issue of management of data according to time limit. I believe we should consult towards the principle of time management that affirms the organization of work according to the available time. I learn from the presentation that it is important to give proper attention towards each aspect of work.

I also learn from the presentation that the constant contact among the group members is essential to accomplish any common goal. As my mate was having some problem that result in uncompleted work from his side, but I remain uninformed about his problem till the end time because after the initial discussion and work distribution we were not constantly in touch with each other and met just on the day of presentation when there was not enough time to amend the presentation structure according to the work done.

Along with importance of time management and communication, I also learnt the significance of leadership while working in a group. Though I really enjoyed working with my fellow in group setting and both of us really tried to work hard for the presentation, but I drastically felt the absence of effective leadership that ultimately worked for brining certain flaws in the presentation. Unfortunately, out group lacked the positive leadership due to which the group achieved lower then what actually was expected. This is because there were only two members and we worked on equality basis rather one acting as leader.