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"Himalayan Perceptions", 2008.
An analysis and review of "Himalayan Perceptions: Environmental Change and the Well-Being of Mountain Peoples," written by Jack Ives.
1,090 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper provides a summary and analysis of Jack Ives' book, "Himalayan Perceptions: Environmental Change and the Well-Being of Mountain Peoples". The paper looks at the book in context of the author's other writings and analyzes the purpose and viability of the research that was done for it. The paper also provides the writer of this paper's opinion regarding the book and Ives's position regarding the Himalayan ecosystem.
From the Paper
"Ives uses a compelling methodology followed by a strong amount of research. He structures the book to show the problem. By focusing on the area and its environmental problems first, he sets a tone that does not simply invalidate the fact that there are problems with the Himalayan ecosystem. He offers strong evidence to show that the natural disasters are real. However, he does not merely end there, but continues to show that the common perceptions are incorrect. As an example, he quotes an article the Basler Zeitung, which states, "The severe floods in eastern India and Bangladesh are not the result of a natural disaster, but of the ruthless exploitation of the forests which has been practised over many centuries in the Himalayas" (103). Ives then spends the rest of the chapter offering evidence that shows that this belief is incorrect. By doing this, he acknowledges the common belief, then uses research and facts to prove that common belief to be incorrect. This example is one of many, but it shows that Ives is not merely trying to remove an old lie and replace it with a new one, but rather to effectively communicate a new perspective that is founded on research and facts."
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Trans-Border Pollution, 2008.
This paper examines the policies of Canada and the United States vis-a-vis trans-border air pollution.
1,730 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 8 sources, APA, $ 55.95
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Abstract
The paper looks at the 1991 Air Quality Agreement between the two nations and the 2000 Ozone Annex. The paper briefly discusses some of the key measures implemented and to what extent each country is guilty of reneging on its environmental commitments. The paper concludes that both nations are pushing ahead, but shows how the pace of change could and should be increased.
From the Paper
"To start with, both Canada and the United States have worked cooperatively to reduce trans-border or trans-boundary pollution. To wit, as early as 1991 the two countries signed an agreement - the Canada-US Air Quality Agreement - wherein each pledged to reduce trans-boundary air pollution contributing to acid rain. Specifically, both nations agreed to implement measures reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide as well as nitrogen oxides. Both nations agreed to work together as well to develop the scientific and technical tools necessary for eliminating (or at least greatly reducing) acid rain levels in North America (Environment Canada, 2006). A little more than 9 years later, in December of 2000, the two countries also came together and signed an Ozone Annex that established benchmarks for reducing the "trans-boundary flow" of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, as well as reducing the flow and production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (Environment Canada, 2006). Understandably, both of these measures deserve to be looked at more closely insofar as they appear to constitute the foundations of both countries' approach to trans-boundary air pollution."
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"Pedestrianizing" Urban Areas, 2008.
An argument for the "pedestrianization" of urban areas in Vancouver.
864 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 30.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the importance of child friendly spaces in urban areas. It suggests that children and other pedestrians are often not taken into account when planning urban areas. The paper argues that Commercial Drive in the Grandview Woodlands Park Area of Vancouver, BC should be "pedestrianized" and vehicular traffic should be diverted from the area. The paper briefly describes the benefits of such a move.
From the Paper
"I would argue that these youthful rebels are correct - the space occupied by vehicular traffic on Commercial Drive should be allocated to children, youth and other residents. The No. 20 bus could easily be diverted to run on Victoria Drive for the section of road between Venables and 1st Avenue - or possibly even as far as Broadway. This should make the entire area a true children's paradise, where children could wander safely, without fear of traffic. It would also reduce the pollution that currently sails into the park and the schools, polluting the lungs of children. And it would facilitate the interaction of younger and older residents in a stress-free environment. The street could be converted into a park-cum-public space. All in all, Commercial Drive should be pedestrianized to create a much-needed public space for all local residents, thus facilitating inter-generational contact, and making the area safer and healthier for children."
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Mars: Not Exactly Home, but Better Than Venus, 2008.
This paper looks at different planets and focuses on Mars as the most preferable option for sustaining human life after planet earth.
1,696 words (approx. 6.8 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 54.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that the solar system is a unique combination of many different types of planets, which has many different things that it can offer to humans. However, the the writer points out, planet Earth offers the most beneficial climate and diversity for human life. The writer notes that many of the other planets are entirely devoid of life. The writer discusses that despite the fact that there are eight planets in our solar system, only Mars (other than Earth) seems to be capable of containing human life at all. The writer maintains that Mars has many of the requisites that are needed to sustain human life, such as the possibility of water, small amounts of oxygen, and a possibility of life. The writer concludes that if humans were to ever colonize another planet in the solar system, Mars would be the most intelligent choice.
From the Paper
"Apart from the cold at its poles (which is far more extreme than Earth's), Mercury shares very little in common with Earth. It would be very difficult for humans to inhabit Mercury. The temperature extremes, the lack of water, and the lack of a protective atmosphere would quickly decimate human life attempting to live there. Current space craft could succeed in landing humans on Mercury, but it is unlikely that there would be a way to maintain proper oxygen levels for survival.
"Venus is another planet that is very inhospitable. Yet, for several reasons, it is known as the sister planet to Earth: Venus is similar to Earth's size (95% its diameter, 80% of its mass. Both planets do not have many craters, which points to young surfaces."
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Planning a City, 2008.
An analysis of the issues that need to be taken into consideration when planning the development of a city.
1,466 words (approx. 5.9 pages), 4 sources, APA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses issues related to urban planning. It looks at the reasons why urban planning may be needed in a city and issues related to zoning. It discusses concerns that may be of issue in city planning on a local, state and federal level and how these are addressed. It also briefly discusses business, environmental and transportation needs. The paper contains a sample zoning map for Staten Island, New York.
From the Paper
"City planning must also focus on the environment that the city wishes to create for the community. Within the scope of environment factors that are important for planners include the contentment of residents, the safety of families and the ability to attract tourists in the area. Most residential areas desire an atmosphere that is conducive to raising children and in which schools are close in proximity to residential units. On the other hand, most business sectors desire that the area be pleasing to tourism in order to draw in the multi-billion dollar tourist industry and increase profits. Business areas that are filled with waste and that are not well maintained, therefore, will be detrimental to business over time. However, those business areas that are cased for by the city and that are inviting to the tourist trade will draw in tourists and maintain their business throughout the years. Some municipalities believe that signs, banners and billboards are unattractive and that they depredate the beauty of a city. However, in cities such as New York, it is evident that signs, billboards and banners are part of the tourist experience that people believe is important to allowing tourists to comprehend all that is occurring within the city."
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Urban Planning in Canada, 2008.
This document discusses the need for greater urban planning across Canada.
1,535 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 5 sources, APA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
The paper relates that if Canada wishes to maintain its advantage in sustainability and environmental leadership, it must continue to implement urban planning as a core strategy of sustainable development. The paper focuses on the greater Toronto area and discusses how urban planners have defined its geographic boundaries by the character of the surrounding geography itself. The paper shows, however, how its overall boundary making strategy may not be as clear as it could be. The paper concludes that without the technology to remap the region for various purposes, assigning requisite resources for specific purposes would be very difficult indeed for the city's urban planners. The paper includes two color maps of Toronto.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Urban Boundaries in Planning
Determining Borders as Urban Planning
Urban Planning Characteristics
Conclusion
From the Paper
"European settlers, across the breadth of Canada, have long utilized boundary setting and the definition of geographical boundaries for both cartographic and political purposes. This began with the earliest colonization of the Canadian provinces and continues, to one degree or another, today. Harris points out that the expansion of the suburbs following World War II created growing strain on Canada's cities and its natural environment that was quickly recognized as a threat vis-a-vis sustainability (2004). Yet, with the ever expanding population following the war, due both to natural population growth as well as to Canada's ever-more friendly immigration policies, urban planning became not only a benefit to sustainable development but a necessity."
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Canada and Climate Change, 2008.
This paper explores Canada's climate change policies from 1997 until 2006.
2,351 words (approx. 9.4 pages), 12 sources, APA, $ 72.95
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Abstract
The paper reveals that global climate change is one of the most pressing environmental, economic, political and social issues facing the world. The paper discusses how the Canada's conservative government of today is moving away from the Kyoto Protocol, following a policy path closer to that of the United States. The paper explains why Canada's policies around climate change have been changing so often.
Outline:
Introduction
Why has Canada taken these Actions?
What Should Have Been Done?
From the Paper
"Canada has engaged in a number of activities in relation to combating global climate change. On December 17, 2002 Canada became the one-hundredth country to ratify the Kyoto Protocol(Weibust 2003: 287). By ratifying the Kyoto Protocol Canada made firm commitments to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. According to MacDonald Douglas and Heather A. Smith in "Promises Made, Promises Broken", Canadian Negotiators agreed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 6 per cent no later then 2012(Douglas and Smith 1999-2000: 357). What this means is that Canada under Prime Minister John Chretien was certainly willing to co-operate with the larger world community. They had made firm commitments and seemed to be following similar policy paths to European Union."
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Destruction of Rainforests, 2008.
This paper discusses the environmental problem of the destruction of the rainforests.
1,046 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 36.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer maintains that the destruction of the tropical rainforests is one of the biggest global environmental problems that one faces today. Although the rainforests are 'local' and confined to certain areas of the world, their destruction is, nevertheless, a global problem, and this is so for several reasons. The writer explains that first, the rainforests are the lungs of the planet. They absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Rainforests are also sinks, storage reservoirs of natural substances, in particular of carbon. Finally, the writer notes that rainforests are the only habitats of literally thousands and thousands of plant and animal species. The writer discusses that mist developing countries are attempting to improve and develop their economies and deal with population growth and the rainforests represent valuable natural resources and opportunities for export and foreign revenues. The writer concludes that deforestation can be fought by taking into consideration a broad range of issues and applying a broad range of policies and the sustainable management of forestry as well as agriculture. Further more conservation targets must be set, not just for the rainforests but also for the protection of the species diversity they contain.
From the Paper
"Industrial development is also the reason for deforestation in the Amazon, as the region contains mineral deposits of gold, diamonds and other minerals as well a huge supply of fresh water that could potentially supply much hydroelectric energy. Mining is an environmentally devastating economy in itself and requires additional clearing for road or rail development in order to transport the mined minerals. A cattle ranching is also a source of deforestation exclusive to Latin America, although according to Myers it has been on the decrease. One of the ways to deal with deforestation in the Amazon is to focus on more sustainable means of agriculture and less destructive logging methods as well as reforestation. Extractive reserve is an example given by Chasmer and Perry-Globa, (1998) for a way for more sustainable economic development of the Amazon. Rubber tappers collect small amounts of latex from rubber trees each day, which they sell. The trees are not destroyed. These activities can be extended to other forest products in the Amazon: nuts, fruits and vegetables. However, the biggest problem with preserving the rainforest I countries such as Brazil is the fact that these countries must balance conservation with the need for economic development and foreign capital."
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Placebo Environmental Policies, 2007.
This paper describes the use of placebo policies in the management of Canadian environmental issues.
760 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 27.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that placebo policies in environmental management are used by some government entities to mislead the government on its anti-environment agenda. The author cites specifically the Harris government in Ontario, which imposes policies that seem to be for the environment but are not, and the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, which has a more effective history depending on implementation. The paper relates that placebo policy has the effect of manipulating public opinion on the issue, reducing public input and participation in the process of making policy, and rolling back earlier environmental initiatives.
From the Paper
"A number of placebo policies can be found in Ontario, such as the government's attempt at manipulating public opinion on the issue of urban smog. When a highly publicized smog patrol program was introduced, along with summer gasoline volatility limits to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by 2 per cent, analysts found that overall VOC emissions were expected to rise by 10 per cent per decade as a result of other government policies that promote urban sprawl."
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A Tree Planting Strategy, 2008.
This paper presents a tree planting program for a suburban neighborhood.
1,441 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 47.95
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Abstract
The paper focuses on developing a tree planting strategy in order to retrofit a suburban neighborhood so that it has less detrimental environmental impact and greater resource efficiency. The paper details the many benefits of a tree planting program and looks at the technical challenges involved. The paper discusses the types of trees that could be planted as well as various layout options.
Outline:
Background
Technical Challenges
Performance Criteria
From the Paper
"The task is to retrofit a suburban neighborhood so that it has less detrimental environmental impact, greater resource efficiency, more opportunities for healthy living, and a sense of aesthetic splendor and improved lifestyle. The neighborhood consists of approximately 200 acres with wide streets, houses set back from the street and fronted by large garages, very low residential density, significant paving of the landscape, and no other land uses within a ten minute walk. Such a neighborhood would be considered relatively isolated but might also have a detrimental effect on the local environment because of the paving that removes natural land and that reflects heat from the sun, as might the houses themselves. The low residential density is a benefit. One way of improving the region is to develop a tree planting strategy for the area so as to make the neighborhood itself more given to renewal of the atmosphere."
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The Evolution of Ancient Cities, 2008.
This paper studies the history and evolution of the ancient cities of the Mediterranean.
1,076 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
The paper looks at the emergence of the ancient cities, where they emerged, and how they evolved in different regions. The paper shows how urban centers have evolved over time in large measure due to man's efforts to exploit the natural world to his advantage. The paper discusses how ancient cities laid the foundation for the modern urban community of today.
From the Paper
"The history of the ancient cities of the Mediterranean - indeed, the history of cities everywhere - is an interesting one. To begin with, cities as we understand the term today began to emerge right around the time of the Neolithic revolution as agricultural surplus became sufficient to support heavily-concentrated populations (Brakman et al., 15). In the Mesopotamian world, it appears as though the first genuine city - Eridu - took root around 4900 B.C. This city, like all the others that the Mesopotamians would construct for themselves, had its own patron god and there is evidence that these urban centers had their own education systems (apparently centrally-planned) in addition to being locations that served as religious loci for the people of pre-Christian Mesopotamia."
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T. R.Berger's "Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland", 2007.
This paper applies the critical-emancipatory paradigm and the constructivist-interpretive paradigm to T. R.Berger's 1988 book "Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland: The Report of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry".
1,615 words (approx. 6.5 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 52.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the critical paradigm recognizes that reality is the product of history and analyzes it accordingly through social, political, cultural, economic, ethnic and gender values developed over time. The author states that, when applying the critical-emancipatory approach to T. R. Berger's "Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland", the observer understands that the whole issue surrounding the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry involves a strong reaction to historical reality issues especially the importance of the First Nation people and the environmental supporters in deciding against the pipeline project. The paper relates that the constructivist-interpretive paradigm assumes that to understand the world and its meaning, one must interpret it. The author underscores that the constructivist-interpretive paradigm can be applied to Berger's work in that his assessment of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline is heavily subjective and based upon interpretation of multiple realities.
Table of Contents
The Strengths and Weakness of the Critical Paradigm
Application of the Critical-Emancipatory Approach to "Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland"
The Strength and Weakness of the Constructivist-Interpretive Paradigm
Application of the Critical Constructivist- Interpretive Paradigm to "Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland"
From the Paper
"It is easy to analyze the Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland document in terms of the critical-emancipatory approach. Indeed, the whole issue surrounding the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry involves a strong reaction of social, political, cultural, economic and ethnic issues derived from processes over history. The writer, Berger, has assessed the contentious issue of the pipeline development firstly in terms of economic issues: that is, that it will be good for the Canadian economy, particularly the northern Canadians who will be brought now into the "mainstream of the Canadian economy" (Berger, 1988, p. 3). Ultimately, however, Berger has acknowledged the role of ethnicity in appraising the pipeline project and assessing its worth. His final position assumes the First Nation Canadians are correct; environmentally-speaking, the project should not go on). The role of acknowledging the importance of the First Nation people and the environment in deciding against the pipeline project display evidence of cultural, social, political and ethnic values in evaluating the situation.
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