Environmental Issues In Australia Environmental Sciences Essay

Environmental Issues In Australia Environmental Sciences Essay Climate change has come to a stop and is now a major political talking point in Australia in the last two decades. Persistent drought and resulting water restrictions during the first decade of the twenty-first century are an example of natural events attributed by the mainstream media to climate change 1.1 Energy use Australia is a major exporter and consumer of coal, the combustion of which liberates CO2. Consequently, in 2003 Australia was the eighth highest emitter of CO2 gases per capita in the world liberating 16.5 tonnes per capita. Australia is claimed to be one of the countries most at risk from climate change according to the Stern report. Most of Australias demand for electricity depends upon coal-fired thermal generation, owing to the plentiful indigenous coal supply, limited potential for hydro-electric generation and political unwillingness to exploit indigenous uranium resources (although Australia accounted for the worlds second highest production of uranium in 2005) to fuel a carbon neutral domestic nuclear energy program 2 Conservation Conservation in Australia is an issue of state and federal policy. Australia is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, with a large portion of species endemic to Australia. Preserving this wealth of biodiversity is important for future generations. A key conservation issue is the preservation of biodiversity, especially by protecting the remaining rainforests. The destruction of habitat by human activities, including land clearing, remains the major cause of biodiversity loss in Australia. The importance of the Australian rainforests to the conservation movement is very high. Australia is the only western country to have large areas of rainforest intact. Forests provide timber, drugs, and food and should be managed to maximize the possible uses. Currently, there are a number of environmental movements and campaigners advocating for action on saving the environment, one such campaign is the Big Switch and I Love Earth. Land management issues including clearance of native vegetation, reafforestation of once-cleared areas, control of exotic weeds and pests, expansion of dryland salinity, and changed fire regimes. Intensification of resource use in sectors such as forestry, fisheries, and agriculture are widely reported to contribute to biodiversity loss in Australia. Coastal and marine environments also have reduced biodiversity from reduced water quality caused by pollution and sediments arising from human settlements and agriculture. In central New South Wales where there are large plains of grassland, problems have risen fromà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬unusual to sayà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬lack of land clearing. The Daintree Rainforest, a tropical rainforest near Daintree, Queensland covering around 1200 square kilometres, is threatened by logging, development, mining and the effects of the high tourist numbers. 3 Invasive species Australias geographical isolation has resulted in the evolution of many delicate ecological relationships that are sensitive to foreign invaders and in many instances provided no natural predators for many of the species subsequently introduced. Introduced plants that have caused widespread problems are lantana and the prickly pear bush. The introduction and spread of animals such as the cane toad or rabbit can disrupt the existing balances between populations and develop into environmental problems. The introduction of cattle into Australia and to a lesser extent the dingo, are other examples of species that have changed the landscape. In some cases the introduction of new species can lead to plagues and the extinction of endemic species. The introduced species red fox has single-handedly caused the extinction of several species. Tasmania takes the threat of red fox introduction so seriously that it has a government sponsored taskforce to prevent fox populations from taking hold on the island 4 Land clearing In the prehistory of Australia the indigenous Australians used fire-stick farming which was an early form of land clearing which caused long term changes to the ecology. With European colonisation land clearing continued on a larger scale for agriculture particularly for cattle, cotton and wheat production. Since European settlement a total of 13% of native vegetation cover has been lost. The extinction of 20 different mammals, 9 bird and 97 plant species have been partially attributed to land clearing. Land clearing is a major source of Australiaà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s greenhouse gas emissions, and contributed to approximately 12 percent of Australiaà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s total emissions in 1998. The consequences of land clearing include dryland salinity and soil erosion. These are a major concern to the landcare movement in Australia. The clearing of native vegetation is controlled by Federal laws (indirectly), State law and local planning instruments. The precise details of regulation of vegetation clearing differ according to the location where clearing is proposed. 5 Waterway health The protection of waterways in Australia is a major concern for various reasons including habitat and biodiversity, but also due to use of the waterways by humans. The Murray-Darling Basin is under threat due to irrigation in Australia, causing high levels of salinity which affect agriculture and biodiversity in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. These rivers are also affected by pesticide run-off and drought. 6 Water use Water use is a major sustainability issue in Australia. During times of drought Water restrictions in Australia apply to conserve water. Climate change may intensify drought in Australia putting pressure on water resources and leading to alternative water sources including construction of Water tanks, dams, Water transportation and desalination plants many of which affect water catchments and put increasing pressure on the environment. www.tu.org/ www.abc.net.au/news/topic/mining-environmental-issues www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2009/12/07/2764044.htm www.fwrgroup.com.au/10-environmental-problems.html www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0//46130_2010.pd

Anzia Yezierska’s novel Bread Givers and Assimilation of Jews Essay

Anzia Yezierska’s novel Bread Givers and Assimilation of Jews An entire chapter of Eric Liu’s memoir, The Accidental Asian, is founded on the supposition that Jews today serve as a metaphor for assimilation into American culture. According to Liu, this is due to the ease with which Jews have been able to assimilate. However, the progress that Jews have made in embracing and affecting America has been gradual rather than instantaneous, as evidenced by the character Sara Smolensky in Anzia Yezierska’s novel Bread Givers. Sara is not the symbol of an assimilated Jew, but instead represents a period of transition between complete assimilation into American identity and complete dissimilation from her Jewish and Polish heritage, neither of which she can fully accomplish. Her identity was both â€Å"made† and â€Å"unmade† by her interaction with America, and she is left struggling for a new self that can interweave her ancestral past and her American present. Perhaps the best example of Sara’s deviation from her Jewish heritage and her attempt to assimilate was her refusal to allow the undertaker to tear her suit during her mother’s funeral service. The clothing that she wears is a symbol to her of wealth and of being an American. For Sara the ripping of her clothing had become an â€Å"empty symbol,† a cultural construction with only symbolic meaning that could help to identify her ethnicity, and does not serve any logical purpose. After being distanced from her family and immersed in American culture for so long, she no longer understands the purpose of the action, and posits verily that â€Å"Tearing [her only suit] wouldn’t bring Mother back to life again† (Yezierska 255). This represents a clear distinction between volunta... ...rself in between the two, and in doing so partially â€Å"unmakes† the ethnic identity passed on to her from her ancestors. The question of whether she is more assimilated into American culture or is more dissimilated from the culture of her ancestors is arbitrary and ambiguous. She is simultaneously both and neither; she is a new person who enjoys the American way of life but will always feel burdened by the â€Å"weight† of her ancestors â€Å"upon [her]† (297). Works Cited Liu, Eric. â€Å"New Jews.† The Accidental Asian. New York: Vintage Books, 1998. 145-74. Sollors, Werner. Forward. â€Å"Theories of American Ethnicity.† American Quarterly. 33.3 (1981): 257-83. Takaki, Ronald. â€Å"Between Two Endless Days.† A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1993. 277-310. Yezierska, Anzia. Bread Givers. New York: Persea Books, 2003.

Mana and Kaitiakitanga Essay

Noa is often paired with tapu indicating that often noa refers to restoring a balance, unrestricted. A high level of tapu is regarded as dangerous. The role for tikanga and tohunga is to reduce th level of dangerous tapu until it is noa. However, it is not plainly the case to think of noa as being opposite or the absence of tapu. For instance, a person could be very tapu if one got very sick or there was bleeding. That one still has personal tapu even though the increasing of tapu symptoms have passed lead the person to return to the safe state. Health is restored after a crisis passes, which means a balance has been reached (the state of noa). Mead, H. M. (2003). (3) 2. Mana tangata According to The New Zealand Auction Plan for Human Rights, human rights (mana tanga) underlie our expectation about our education, work, life, and health. The essence of mana tangata is rights, control, and authority that are emanated directly from human. Injury or illness attributable to human activities, deaths through warfare, lifestyle changes affecting exercise, nutrition, and sanitation are all connected to Maori Hauora. Mana tangata relates to mana because it is an acknowledgment of acquired skills and inheritance (mana) which influence certain people to direct the daily activities in order to towards higher quality of life within Maori community. http://www2. ohchr. org/english/issues/plan_actions/docs/New_Zealand. pdf (4) 3. Mana â€Å"house nigger† According to Amanda Cameron’s article – Health book tells Maori to smoke – on Maori health, the term of â€Å"house niggers† was describe as the people who have been brainwashed by Pakeha and kept tamed by greedy â€Å"Uncle Tom† Maori health managers. ttp://www. nzherald. co. nz/nz/news/article. cfm? c_id=1&objectid=10347182 (5) From the book, Maori Health, was co-authored by the trust’s chairman Peter Caccioppoli and Rhys Cullen, Maori are persuaded to change their lifestyle because the Crown thinks it would reduce the number of Maori requiring treatment for disease if they change their diet (eat less and better), exercise more and stop smoking. In fact, people do not know how Maori health was defined and how healthcare for Maori was delivered. They just put Maori in position that relies on research on Pakeha. There is no reason why Maori cannot have their rights to choose their own life style. The health system is against what Maori enjoy and is racist, which can directly influence the mana of Maori. Caccioppoli, P. Cullen R. (2005) (6) 4. Mana (Respect) Respect, the most essential term of mana, is a key professional and social responsibility for all who are involved in the sector of health and disability services. This term for uniqueness of each individual child underlies all the rights within the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumer’s Rights. The right to dignity and independence is the basic requirement to respect the dignity and mana of the child. Negative attitudes held about consumer’s values and beliefs can impact upon their mana and wellbeing. For example, a nurse should provide respect in accordance with people with cultural requirement. http://www. hdc. org. nz/education/presentations/the-code,-child-and-adolescent-mental-health-and-concepts-of-maori-health (7) 5. Mana (Pride) – Whakama Whakama gives the notion of embarrassment and shame. The restoration of mana and tapu of all parties involved can sometimes help to eliminate the feeling of whakama. Hence, this term is bound up with the loss of mana. Collective whakama are able to affect the whanau, hapu and iwi that can be intense on both group and individual. The embracement or shame felt is an extremely strong and emotional force which can contribute to violence and suicide. List of Maori terms – http://www. justice. govt. nz (8) Question 2: 5 terms relating to Kaitiakitanga 1. Ira tangata (gene) and surrogacy Surrogacy means a woman gives birth to a child on behalf of another woman who lost her ability to carry her own children. The term of ira tangata (gene) and surrogacy is mentioned by Maori Attitudes to Assisted Human Reproduction. The surrogate mother may be paid to nurture the fertilized egg, giving the birth to the new life and then handling the new life to the natural parents. The aim of surrogacy is to produce a new life and thus create a new mauri. However, this would raise different sorts of moral and social issues. Mead, H. M. (2003) (9) For example, where a surrogate carried the intended parents’ embryo (gestational surrogacy), the integrity of whakapapa are not undermined. Whereas, when a surrogate is also donating an egg (contain her ira tabgata – gene) to the process and therefore the biological mother, then concerns about the integrity of whakapapa would rise. The surrogate may not be mentioned in whakapapa. http://lens. auckland. ac. nz/images/3/32/AHR_report_final. pdf (10) 2. Manaakitanga At the Cole’s Medical practice in New Zealand 2011, Peter Jansen and David Jansen articulated the term of Manaakitanga refers to the obligations and responsibilities to describe care for family and for visitors that is related to kaitiakitanga. Being hospitable and looking after one’s visitor is given priority. The provision of food (kia) and accommodation are involved in the process of welcoming and caring for visitors. http://www. mcnz. org. nz/portals/0/publications/coles/005%20-%20george. pdf (11) The aim of manaakitanga is to nurture relationships and as far as possible to respect the mana of other no matter what their standing in society might be. Mead, H. M. (2003) (12) Manaakitanga seeks to maintain balance harmony by informing kaupapa and protecting the quality or integrity of relationships among groups. www. tumana. aori. nz/assets/Te-Tauranga-Waka. doc (13) 3. Collective Responsibility In Maori society, collective responsibility is normally emphasised on the well-being of group, as opposite to the Pakeha focus on the individual. Grant Berghan(2007) (14) Collective responsibility is essential seem in terms of caring and whanaungatanga which belongs to the individual, the whanau, hapu and iwi (descended from a common ancestor. In The Code, Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Concepts of Maori Health, the right 4(4) of the Code emphasises holistic health is a cornerstone of Maori health. Te Hingengaro generally refers to mental health. Te Tinana is the physical body/representation of the ancestor. Both of them together determine how people feel about themselves and are therefore vital factors influencing a person’s health. Maori believe tat the mind, body, and soul are all closely inter-related and influence physical wellbeing. Physical cannot be dealt with in isolation, nor can the individual be seen as separate from their family. http://www. hdc. org. nz/education/presentations/the-code,-child-and-adolescent-mental-health-and-concepts-of-maori-health (15) 4. Family violence (Child abuse) Family violence is any violent act inflicted by one member of the household. Families and whanan are strong and richly interconnected with communities. They are able to support their member’s wellbeing, identity, participation in society and independence. Strong families are central to achieving wellbeing for all New Zealander, today and in the future. Family violence, including child abuse and neglect, is a major problem in New Zealand. Maori are more likely than non-Maori children to be assessed as abused and neglected. In 2002, 10. 3 Maori children compared with 5. 9 non-Maori per 1000 were assessed as abused and neglected. Ministry of Social Development has strengthened early intervention for vulnerable children and family. They are trying to improve health, education, and parent support services, as well as strengthen monitoring to prevent the family violence. http://www. msd. govt. nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/corporate/statement-of-intent/2005/families-and-whanau. html(16) 5. Whanau and smoking Whanau refers to family relationship, friendship, and other interpersonal relationship. The tendency of smoking in Maori community can result from lack of whanau support and care. Smoking represents one of the mechanisms by which socioeconomic factors affect health status. Recent national surveys (below) have shown that Maori adults smoke tobacco at a higher rate compared with the percentage of total population. [pic] http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470538/ (17) Smoking is the key risk factor for causing or contributing to death in Maori society. Thus, the programme Aukati KaiPaipa offers a strong cultural identity and support within whanau in order to address smoking addiction. http://www. bpac. org. nz/magazine/2009/july/smoking. asp (18) Question 3: Examples based on mana and kaitiakitanga terms Tapu In the Cole’s Medical Practice in New Zealand 2009, noa is the absence of tapu and donates the state of being normal, ordinary or safe. On the other hand, tapu can be understood as the state of dangerous. However, tapu is believed to be scared by psychotherapist and clinical advisor Cabrini ‘Ofa Makasiale. The concept of tapu is more about safety than about a punitive measure. The function of tapu is to protect and enhance people’s lives. Cabrini ‘Ofa Makasiale(2007) (19) These two meaning are quite different in terms of the theory described by different health sectors. Tapu defines the boundary between safe and unsafe. They analyse tapu from different kaupapa (subject) of the term. Auahi Kore The term Auahi Kore is used by The Hauora provider Te Kotahitanga Trust in order to mean Maori should have their own rights to make choices on issues about smoking. This opinion was mentioned by Peter Caccioppoli and Phys Cullen in their book Maori Health on page 108. However, Hon Peter Hodgson who is the minister of health uses the same term to mean Auahi Kore is a good lifestyle which can lead a longer and healthier life for Maori people in New Zealand Health Strategy. Smoking is the root of a variety of disease like lung cancer and heart disease, which are trend to shorten human’s life. www. moh. govt. nz/moh. nsf/pagesmh/5507/$File/mentalhealth-toolkit-relinked08. doc (20) The difference in meaning is that they focus on two different theories. The previous one concentrates on rights, while the other concerned about health, which is dominant culture using Maori term to promote a healthier life. Question 4: 5 terms relate to Hauora Outcomes Tapu and mental disease: Tapu is about scared bonds between people. These bonds could stem Pacific eople from the cosmic and spiritual relationships between them, their patients and their gods. Spirituality is a key component in Pacific models care and exists alongside the mental aspect of a person’s wellbeing. For Pacific people, the concept of wellbeing focuses on the collective, rather than the individual. Therefore the breakdown of the holistic self as well as breach of tapu can contribute to m ental illness. www. leva. co. nz/file/Documents/090428-le-va-seitapu-real-skills-web. pdf (21) Take cervical screening for example, many women are not willing to see doctor even though they have already known their situation. Womb is scared and a part of tapu for woman. Barriers such as shyness caused by tapu may contribute women of any ethnicity to suffer regular cervical screening. The chart below shows cervical screening rates in different areas by 2009. [pic] http://www. bpac. org. nz/magazine/2010/november/cervicalscreening. asp (22) Mana tangata and Lifestyle Awareness Mana tangata refers to human rights which are closely connected with human lifestyle. According to National Health Committee (NHC, 1998), Maori are over-represented in the areas of unemployment, poverty, crime, poor diet, and harmful lifestyle choice such as alcohol and drug abuse.

A Doll s House By Henrik Isben Essay - 1226 Words

A Doll’s House was published in Norway in 1879 by Henrik Isben. He is known as the father of Modern Theatre. He is also referred as the father of realism. The play is very interesting because of the funny dialogue, Ibsen s view of the place of ladies in the public eye and the unique characters. The main characters of the play is Nora Helmer and her husband Torvald Helmer. Imagine what it would be like to live in a doll s home? It s a house in which you are controlled and have no energy to settle on any solid choice; It s a house in which you are a play thing for another person s amusement. This sounds a ton like an awful marriage, so it s a house in which your husband holds the satchel strings, in a manner of speaking, and abandons you with no influence over your family s accounts. In fact, your husband keeps you on a tightrope. Such is the perceived life of Nora Helmer. A Doll’s House is an example of a literacy work with numeral possible themes. The idea of the play i s an expression of the need for women to escape from the confinement and restriction that they faced in nineteenth-century European society, it is supported by the condescending manner in which Torvald treats Nora and by his frequent references to the respective value of men and women. Another theme is in order for a marriage to be successful, the people involved should know and trust each other, show view each other as equals, and should have separate identities. Related to this idea is the theme thatShow MoreRelatedA Thousand Splendid Suns, By Henrik Isben s A Doll s House And Kamala Markandaya s Nectar2270 Words   |  10 PagesIn Khaled Hosseini s A Thousand Splendid Suns, Henrik Isben s A Doll s House, and Kamala Markandaya s Nectar in a Sieve, women face obstacles that disempower and silence them due to Men s treatment of women, the societal view of women, and the objectification of women. 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