...Introduction to International Business Global Food Prices 1. Who benefits from government policies to (a) promote production of ethanol and (b) place tariff barriers on imports of sugarcane? Who suffers from these policies? If CO2 emissions are actually bad for the environment, everyone benefits from the government promoting the production of ethanol. Of course, this is controversial and a highly debated subject. The companies and farmers that work together to produce ethanol also benefit from the government promoting production of ethanol. Everyone in the industry makes more money because of the demand for ethanol. The people that suffer from these policies are consumers. Prices of corn, soybean, and sugarcane have increased. This has an impact on grocery bills. The increase in the price of corn also increases the price of beef. Farmers have to buy corn at an increased price to feed their animals and the cost is passed to the meat buyer (Bullock). 2. One estimate suggests that if food prices rise by one-third, they will reduce living standards in rich countries by about 3 percent, but in very poor ones by about 20 percent. According to the International Food Policy Research Institute, unless there is a change in policies cereal prices will rise by 10 to 20 percent in 2015, and the expansion of biofuel production could reduce calorie intake by 2 to 8 percent by 2020 in many of the world's poorest nations. Should rich countries do anything about this...
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...Global warming: The beginning of Armageddon My Artefact (1) / My Newspaper article (1) Scientists, celebrities, and everyday people have been trying to understand the nature of global warming. Controversy is rampant and there is intense debate around the world on the subject. The most obvious thing that can be said about global warming is that the earth is getting warmer. Specifically, the temperatures near the surface of the earth and the temperatures in the ocean are rising. Since 1990, there have been 10 years that have been hotter than any others in recorded history. The greenhouse effect is said to be responsible for global warming. The greenhouse effect causes certain vapours and gases to form a sort of blanket that covers and warms the earth. Water vapour, methane, carbon dioxide, and several other trace gases make up this blanket. The greenhouse effect itself is not disputed. No controversy exists on this point because the greenhouse effect is recognized as an inherently beneficial process. If all the energy that struck the earth was reflected right back into space, no one could live on earth. This is what would happen without this blanket that is caused by acceptable levels of global warming. However, global warming is not all good. It can cause the earth's covering to increase in density. With a denser blanket over the earth, less of the heat is reflected back into space. This upsets the delicate balance between heat and cold that is usually maintained...
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...other problems, global warming has become one of the top issues in the world. As the consequence of emitting carbon dioxide, the world’s temperature has risen from the past. Despite the fact that there is statistical evidence, there have been controversies as in how much effort should be put in to solve the issue of global warming. The seriousness of global warming is evident. “In the 20th century, the world’s average surface temperature rose by… the fastest rate in any period over the last 1,000 years.” (Source A) In the ocean, the surface temperature increased nearly 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit from about 100 years ago. (Source B) It is not only people who are affected by global warming. Nowadays, “each spring, the robins are arriving in Wisconsin several days earlier than they did a decade ago” (Source F) These significant changes to the world has alarmed people and evoked efforts to stop global warming. In order to prevent global warming from getting worse, people have put in efforts in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. States and cities are setting goals for renewable energy. In New York, the aim is to “generate 25% of the state’s energy from renewables.” (Source C) For cities, “nearly 200 mayors have pledged to curb greenhouse gases in their cities.” (Source C) It is said that the “protection and restoration of forests may be able to offset up to 20 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.” (Source A) All of these efforts can contribute to stop global warming. However, the idea...
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...Hurricane Katrina ripped through the south of the United States. After this disaster there were many people doing research on the effects and cause of extreme hurricanes. John Prescott, a British politician, sparked a controversy by linking the emission of greenhouse gases that causes global warming to affect the amount of hurricanes (Jowit, Temko). There has been a lot of speculation on if there is a connection between global warming and hurricanes Global warming has been causing many controversies, and the effect on hurricanes is just one of the many speculations. Global warming is the overall raise of the Earth’s temperature (Houghton). Human activities have caused a large emission of greenhouse gases that have created the “greenhouse effect”. The gases have been getting trapped in the earth's atmosphere and creating a pattern of raising temperatures (Houghton). The need for action has been urgent. Since 1995 there’s been an increase in the number of storms and high category hurricanes. Hurricanes in the Atlantic usually form over the ocean in regions where the sea surface is higher than a certain temperature (Pielke, Landsea, Mayfield, Laver, Pasch). The water needs to be over twenty-three degrees Celsius. This temperature can be easier to achieve when the global temperature is rising so drastically (Pielke, Landsea, Mayfield, Laver, Pasch). Hurricanes have been known to gain their force and power from moisture and heat. Cloud will evaporate the heated water and will cause...
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...Professor Rudolph English 102 13 December 2011 Warming Up Topic The issue of global warming has been front page news for over a decade from magazines, newspapers, journal articles, books and even local news channels. This has begun 20 years ago when a Global Warming treaty was signed at the United Nation Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992(Qtd. Harf p. 141). Global warming is the unusual rapid increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere and is responsible for changes in global climate patterns. It occurs when greenhouse gasses including carbon dioxide, methane, black carbon, and other toxic gasses trap the heat and light from the sun in the earth's atmosphere, which increase the temperature. Some scientists agree that human consumption of the earth's natural resources and activities over the years had contributed to the earth's current state of being. However, opposing sides claim that there is no evidence to support this; rather it is just a bogus statement. They believe human action has nothing to do with the earth’s hot temperature. The controversy involves a disagreement over the fact, cause and consequences of the global warming. Both sides of the issue can find multiple experts to support their case that the earth is or is not warming, that global warming is either the consequences of human activities or a cyclical phenomenon and that global warming will be good for us or will bring tragedy. Global warming has created awareness amongst the public and...
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...as time has progressed. The change of public opinions overtime may very well be due to the fact of how the media presents the topic to the public. The portrayal of a certain controversial subject can either demonize or glorify a particular topic all depending on the public’s mindset during that specific time and the presentation of the story. Such specific controversial topics overtime to name which created this bias include: Freedom of Speech, African-American rights, women’s rights, racism, and the topic of In God We Trust vs. Freedom of Religion in America. These are just a few to name from previous years as today’s ethical issues include: war, same sex- marriages, legalization of marijuana, divorce, crime increase, equality, and Global Warming. The different forms of communication that have been used to reach the mass media overtime are the newspaper, telegraph, radio, magazines, television, and internet. The definition of the news can be classified into two concepts. “News and newsworthiness”, that means that the main objective of the press is to release information about significant changes that can affect a large group of people or possibly society as a whole (Vivian, 2011). Television reporter’s main intent is to always stay away from sounding biased, which means both debating parties should be presented in the story. An example of a current ethical issue with strong controversial debate is pollution, where there are two parties which fell they have credible evidence either...
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...ESSAY OUTLINE I. Opposing viewpoints on Global Warming A. Who or What is to blame? 1. Studies that humans lifestyles are related to global warming 2. Theories that affects are related to other environmental issues Climate change has caused the polar-regions which are located in the Arctic within the Northern Hemisphere and also in Antarctica which includes the Southern Hemisphere to gradually diminish their area of frozen land. A study was done that shows that due to the higher rate of reflectivity on ice the Arctic region will experience an accelerated rate of warming compared to other regions. (IPCC, 2007). The climate is the primary control of how ecosystems adjust to the environment, as global warming continues is affects and alters how the ecosystem coincides with natural resources and society. The ecosystem regardless of size is a vital part of life and without it various organisms and species of types like marine and land animals, insect and plant can become extinct. This endangerment can result in a global catastrophe that would affect mankind and the world as we know it. (IPCC, 2007). Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornados, tsunamis and earth quakes are believed by some to be related to global warming. Many experts believe that severe weather is a normal earthly event that is unable to be predicted or blamed on any particular reason. An increased amount of rain could cause mudslides and landslides destroying farms and natural resources...
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...Global Warming: Fact or Fiction Skye Shaver American Intercontinental University-Online BUSN300-1203A-47 June 26, 2012 Dr. Albert Socci Abstract Global warming is a highly debatable subject. Within the scientific community, the only debate there is the rate of global warming. The debate is held among the scientific community and the politicians or common people. This essay will address some viewpoints of both sides of the global warming controversy. Global Warming: Fact or Fiction What is global warming? Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are released into the atmosphere on a daily basis as a result of human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels for energy consumptions or new technologies. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere form a layer that inhibits the suns reflected light from leaving the Earth’s atmosphere. (Pasha, 2009) This makes the planet warmer, thus; global warming. Global warming is actually the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface. (Pasha, 2009) The average temperature is just that, the average. Not all places will experience the same warming effects, but the average temperature increases. The impacts of global warming Global warming is causing the average surface temperature of the Earth to rise. According to Hawkes, the United States has experienced increasing temperatures of about .12 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1895. Globally, 2011 tied 1997 as the 11th warmest year...
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...and as a society toward long-term sustainability. Recent research has sent a message that global warming may not be a hypothetical threat, but a current issue warranting immediate action (Krogh, 2009). Global Warming There is a steady rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is estimated that the average carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has increased approximately 17% in the past 45 years (Campbell, Reece, & Simon, 2007). It is estimated that 20% of the excess carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere can be attributed to the burning of trees after deforestation. The burning of fossil fuel accounts for another 70-80% of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Global temperatures are concurrently on the rise. Carbon dioxide lets radiation through the atmosphere, but retains some of the heat it generates (greenhouse effect). When carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere, this greenhouse effect is enhanced, and too much heat from the sun is retained in the atmosphere. Some scientists, therefore, believe that elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are responsible for global warming. Increased temperatures, in turn, may have deleterious effects on various species (Issues, 2009). Harlequin Frogs and Global Warming In 2006, the effect of global warming came sharply into focus. Ecologist Alan Pounds and his colleagues identified a link between the warming of the planet and the extinction...
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... 05/03/2012 GLOBAL WARMING: A THREAT TO THE PLANET. Human activity is subjected to weather major upheavals. The evaluation of all information related to climate change is effected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). According to their latest report of 2007, global warming is unequivocal because it appears with evidence in the observation of the increase in global average temperatures of the atmosphere and ocean, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising average sea level. The high concentration of greenhouse gases generated by human activities cause global warming. Their concentration in the atmosphere keeps increasing since the beginning of the industrial era. If today, the state of scientific knowledge and models used by climatologists cannot make fine predictions at the regional level, they predict the overall global large developments that need expect. However, predictions regarding human and environmental consequences are alarmist: disturbance of Gulf Stream, wildfires, ice caps thaw, disappearance of plant and animal species, decrease of water resources, increased flood risk, droughts, forced migration of population, resurgence of diseases…the reality of the risk and the phenomenon is now almost a consensus. The economic, political, social, environmental, even moral stakes, being major, they arouse numerous debates, on an international scale, as well as controversies. Governments, businesses and individuals, through...
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...Global Warming Anita Orzel Southern New Hampshire University Global Warming The earth has undergone periodic changes known as global cooling, and global warming. Today’s global warming is unique, due to human influences. American people should be concerned, as the world's scientific experts agree that industrial and land use activities are having an unfavorable impact on global warming. Burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gasoline cause buildup in greenhouse gasses, in addition, deforestation, and destruction of ozone layer create global warming. Earth will suffer serious environmental damage if there are no precautions taken now to reduce global warming pollution. To prevent further damage to global warming caused by human activities, policies must be implemented and diligently enforced, all nations need to partake in action plan to implement policies such as fossil fuel conservation and recycling programs. Greenhouse gases help sustain life on earth by trapping heat from the sun and keeping the earth warm. Some greenhouse gasses develop naturally some occur from human activities. Naturally occurring gasses are, water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide (An Overview of Greenhouse Gases 2009). Human activities, such as, burning of solid waste, fossil fuels such as, oil, natural gas, and coal, wood, raising of livestock, and industrial activities add to the greenhouse gasses, and destroy the ozone layer. Lynas M. (2006) burning fossil fuels release...
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...Global warming Denzel D. Williams English 135/ Freshman Composition I Professor C. Small Global Warming In twenty to thirty years from 2011 the Polar Cap will be completely gone. There will be no sign that it was there or even existed with it goes all the animals that depend on the cap. For say the polar bears, the artic fox and many more. This is the first step to a chain of destruction and disbelief. Swaminathan, F. (2012, March 18). Global warming & climate change, The new York time, Retrieved from http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/topics/globalwarming/index.html# Global warming has become perhaps the most complicated issue facing world leaders. Warnings from the scientific community are becoming louder, as an increasing body of science points to rising dangers from the ongoing buildup of human-related greenhouse gases — produced mainly by the burning of fossil fuels and forests. Freeman, D, Horgan , J. (2011, January 07). The blog,. Scientific American, Retrieved from http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/2011/01/07/freeman-dyson-global-warming-esp-and-the-fun-of-being-bunkrapt/ “The Danger of Cosmic Genius" explores Dyson’s denial that global warming will wreak havoc on Earth unless we drastically curtail carbon emissions. Many scientist questions the computer models on which these scary scenarios are based, and he suggests that the upside of global warming including faster plant growth and longer growing seasons in certain...
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...Grosvenor, Roble and de Castro - Global W arming and Glaciers The Traprock, Vol. 3, M ay 2004, pp 16 - 19 16 Global Warming and its Effects on Glaciers Andrew Grosvenor, Will Roble and Marcus de Castro The addition of more greenhouse gasses to earth’s atmosphere has been blocking an increased amount of the heat radiated out from the earth’s surface. This in turn has lead to higher average global temperatures, or global warming. One of the main problems posed by this development is the melting of the earth’s glaciers. This is problematic because more liquid water will cause the planet’s sea levels to rise, possibly by as much as 66m if they are completely melted. Other environmental concerns related to melting include changes to mountain habitats and an accelerated water cycle. Although some modeling has shown no serious deterioration of the earth’s glaciers it is becoming increasingly evident that continued global warming would have serious repercussions on the planet’s ice. With the increasing acceptance of global warming as an important phenomenon occurring in our environment today, its effects on the natural cycles of the planet are becoming the center of research. One of the most interesting of these topics is the effect of global warming on the earth’s glaciers. It has been observed that increasing temperatures have and will continue to lead to glacial melting, and that the additional water will lead to a rise in the earth’s sea levels. The other potential effects...
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...Environmental Issues In the world today there are many issues and problems that cause a lot of controversy in American politics and government. A lot of these issues or problems affect the entire world in some way. One main problem that affects everyone around the world in some way is the environmental issues. Some of these problems consist of things like global warming, renewable energy, biodiversity, and recycling. Most people are starting to realize that if we keep going how we are going and don’t try to fix anything now, the problems are just going to keep getting bigger and worst. Most of the problems that the environment has can be controlled and not be as bad if we start doing something about it today. Once the environment is gone, it’s gone for good. One of the most concerning environmental issues the world faces today is the issue of global warming. Global warming just doesn’t affect a small part of the world, it affect the entire thing all the way from the United States to Europe. One way that global warming affects humans is by causing the overall world temperatures to increase. That ends up causing a number of problems such as the raising in sea level, changing in agriculture, and an increase in some deadly illnesses (Leonard). If the temperatures continue to raise that is going to lead to major ice caps and sea ice melting. Recent studies have shown that if nothing is done to try to stop this, the Greenland ice cap will start to melt. That would result in major...
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...The importance of space travel was always debatable but has become controversial in recent times. The substantial influences of space travel against current crucial problems by humans have sparked the controversy over the potential impact of this trend. One side of the audiences conjecture that we need to explore the space; on the contrary, many people assert that rather spending those tax money on space travel, we need to solve our current issues like global warming, poverty, and many more. In this essay, I am going to elaborate some points that will lead you to the logical reasoning. At the outset, there are innumerable reasons to agree with the fact that space travel has gained immense popularity over recent years but the most conspicuous...
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