Asses the View That Pressure Groups Benefit Democracy Free Essays

Weight bunches have numerous highlights about them that decide if they are equitable or undemocratic. On the off chance that we need to decide if Pressure Groups advantage majority rule government or not, we need to comprehend what part they play in our general public. As we probably am aware, pluralists have a positive view on pressure bunch governmental issues; accepting that they advance solid discussion and conversation. We will compose a custom article test on Asses the View That Pressure Groups Benefit Democracy or on the other hand any comparable point just for you Request Now This is valid in certain parts of society and our majority rule government, yet pressure bunches likewise have numerous undemocratic highlights about them. Initially, the most significant fair component of weight bunches is their method of speaking to the individuals in our general public. Their fundamental capacity is to speak to our inclinations and the individuals who are of minority, ensuring that their voice gets heard, regardless of whether we take a functioning part or not. To exhibit how delegate they truly are, in for all intents and purposes the entirety of our exercises, there is likely a gathering which is trying to make sure about positive enactment or choices and to maintain a strategic distance from ominous ones. Be that as it may, some weight bunch pioneers may not really speak to their individuals. Worker's guild heads were accused of this and it stays a peril. Moreover, party government officials are made responsible for their activities through the constituent procedure and through agent establishments; which is viewed as vey popularity based. Weight Group pioneers are not responsible, which implies that in the event that they don’t satisfy their delegate points we can’t take care of business which passes on that weight bunches are undemocratic. Be that as it may, pressure bunches are viewed as popularity based with regards to support, and how they are causing a lot more individuals to participate in legislative issues, and make governmental issues increasingly mindful to individuals. A uninvolved citizenship is frequently observed as an outrageous risk to majority rules system; numerous individuals don't include themselves in political movement; creating the solid likelihood that the legislature will get tyrannical, safe in that they realize that they’re force will presumably not get tested. Weight bunches are consequently significant on the grounds that right off the bat they forestall unreasonable aggregations of intensity and to guarantee that administration stays responsible to the individuals. It is realized that particularly youngsters appreciate partaking in showings which is proof for pressure bunches attempting to get individuals all the more politically mindful as dynamic. Notwithstanding, pressure bunches are questioned as undemocratic; because of their unbalanced impact. Some weight bunches don't adjust to majority rule standards around the idea of impact. In the event that all gatherings delighted in the measure of impact which their size and significance justified, the result may be viewed as popularity based in any case, a few gatherings use more force that their relative significance. For instance, the cultivating network represents a minuscule extent of the all out populace yet cultivates are answerable for quite a bit of our food gracefully. At long last, pressure bunches most significant popularity based component is the way that they ensure we all, in little or enormous gatherings, are assessed, granted an equivalent status, and secured. On the off chance that this doesn't work, we will just be controlled by the dominant part, which eventually implies that nothing would change. Greater part rule likewise, is certainly not a genuine majority rule government. Looking for lion's share support, ideological groups will unavoidably need to overlook the interests of numerous minorities. Weight bunches in this way have an extremely essential impact in guaranteeing that gathering rule isn't changed over into oppression and minority bunches are heard. Another undemocratic factor anyway that can adjust how majority rule pressure bunches truly is their size and money. Plainly some weight bunches are impressively more well off than others, having an unreasonable preferred position. Everybody from sectional interests definitely gain reserves though noble cause need to get their assets from the general population. It is viewed as undemocratic, on the grounds that with specific rich gatherings, they have embraced the act of giving cash to ideological groups so as to look for a thoughtful government. A case of this is the occasion â€Å"cash for peerages† where it was asserted that cash was being given in kind for peerages. Moreover pressure bunches size is viewed as an undemocratic factor in light of the fact that despite the fact that some weight bunches have a sheer measure of numbers to proceed to dissent, it doesn't generally mirror the popular assessment. For instance, The restriction on chasing with hounds for instance, 300,000 rioted and put the administration into alarm. Be that as it may, most of those individuals needed a full restriction on fox chasing. All in all, weighing up the law based and undemocratic highlights, by and large, pressure bunches do profit majority rule government. Right off the bat they advance solid discussion and conversation. Weight bunches have made a lot more individuals politically mindful and have expanded the measure of political investment through showings, dissent, walks and even petitions. They may even be the explanation behind the expansion of political decision turnout in 2010 races because of them making individuals all the more politically mindful. Another way that weight bunches advantage vote based system is their job of portrayal towards minorities just as everybody in our general public. Despite the fact that weight bunches do have a few viewpoints to them that are viewed as exceptionally undemocratic, pressure bunch legislative issues is an extremely sound method of reinforcing our legislature. Instructions to refer to Asses the View That Pressure Groups Benefit Democracy, Essay models

Cutting Class Essay -- American Society

In his paper â€Å"Race Over† Orlando Patterson talked about a move in the underclass that will incorporate more whites or â€Å"European Americans† on the off chance that one needs to utilize the politically right vernacular. He composed of the working class mass migration to gated networks or remade downtowns and a mixing of the races (Patterson). I accept this to be genuine in the upper east as well as everywhere throughout the nation because of shrinkage of the white collar class. The demolition of the once prosperous spine of American culture can't be accused on any one component. I do accept that the contributing elements are: corporate America’s practice of association busting, an ineffectively taught more youthful age and resulting deficiently gifted workforce, and the land lodging bubble and ensuing abandonment trick that followed. Ever have those Stella D’oro treats or biscotti at your grandma’s house? Not terrible for a locally acquired treat or cake. That’s in light of the fact that since 1930 they were made by a family claimed business that paid individuals a living pay. The laborers at Stella were endorsers. They had benefits, paid get-aways, days off, all the incredible things you don’t have on the off chance that you work at Wal-Mart or Sears, Kmart, most cafés. These individuals knew other very well since some of them cooperated for a long time. The vast majority of them were settler ladies from Latin America, with some from Italy, Greece, and Africa. â€Æ' The family that possessed the business offered the organization to the Nabisco/Kraft enterprise (yes Tom Brady’s chief) for 100 million who at that point offered it to Brynwood Corp. after fourteen years for 17.5 million. Brynwood is known for purchasing organizations, gutting them to make them look beneficial, and afterward exchanging them for a markup. At the point when it came time to renegotiate the workers’ association contr... ...Arnold, Chris. â€Å"Freddie Mac Bets Against American Homeowners.† http://www.propublica.org/article/freddy-macintosh contract eisinger-arnold 30th Jan. 2012. seventh April 2012. Dwyer, Liz. â€Å"Detroit High Schools Teach How To Work at Walmart.† www.good.is. http://www.good.is/post/detroit-secondary schools-instruct how-to-function at-walmart/ twelfth Feb. 2010. seventh April 2012. Fulton, Edithe A. â€Å"The Wal-Martization of Education.† www.blackcommentator.com http://www.blackcommentator.com/75/75_walmart_njea.html 29th Jan.2004. seventh April 2012. â€Æ' NYC Educator. â€Å"The Wal-Martization of Education.† nyceducator.com http://nyceducator.com/2007/12/walmartization-of-education.html third Dec. 2007. seventh April 2012. Toppo, Greg. â€Å"How Bush training law has changed our schools.† www.usatoday.com http://www.usatoday.com/news/training/2007-01-07-no-child_x.htm eighth Jan. 2007. seventh April 2012.

Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau

Common Disobedience was composed by Henry David Thoreau. The Letter From A Birmingham Jail was composed by Martin Luther King Jr. The two of them had likenesses and contrasts. There were shameful acts that were fouled up to every one of them by others in the general public in which the two of them lived. The shameful acts and common insubordination they caused ought to never transpire. Henry David Thoreau talked in a passionate tone in his paper â€Å"Civil Disobedience. † The passionate piece of his exposition of Civil Disobedience is that he needs the individuals to make some noise about what sort of government they would need to have.Another enthusiastic part was the point at which he began to advise the individuals to quit making good on their assessments so that on the off chance that the administration doesn’t get what they need, at that point possibly they will change and alter their way of life. The majority of the individuals fear the administration and what th e legislature will do to them and their property on the off chance that somebody resists their requests. The administration has the option to remove their property from them. The administration lets them keep their property if the individuals tune in and obey what they state. The individuals feel that the legislature is securing their rights.Thoreau need the individuals to defy the administration and reform together on the grounds that they are dealt with like slaves and exposed to military law. Individuals need a superior government yet they won’t successfully right the circumstance. They generally think another person will accomplish something however nobody ever does so nothing ever changes. It is exceptionally difficult to change the brains of individuals who bolster the legislature the manner in which it is. Men are apprehensive it will aggravate things much for them on the off chance that they conflict with the legislature regardless of whether they realize they are cor rect and the administration is wrong.Thoreau says, â€Å"If you think you are directly as you would like to think then you are the larger part and support your privileges against the legislature. Quit giving the legislature what it needs and perhaps the administration will change to what the individuals need. † He needs individuals to go to bat for their privileges and hazard being placed in prison. Individuals should consolidate as one to stop the shameful acts they have needed to manage from the administration. Individuals need to choose the correct individual for make changes in the legislature. In Henry David Thoreau’s â€Å"Civil Disobedience†, he makes a moral intrigue to he individuals since he thinks it is better not to have an administration at all and that the American government makes more issues as opposed to improving things. In spite of the fact that not everything isn't right, certain things need evolving. The administration doesn’t care ab out the individuals, it simply needs them to do what they instruct you to do, as to do battle and serve in the military whether you need to or not and pay expenses to the congregation whether you go to chapel or not. In the event that the laws are not obeyed by the individuals and the individuals don’t do as the administration instructs them to do then the legislature would place you in prison for an unsure measure of time.Thoreau thinks the constitution is underhanded and needs to improve things by requesting of the individuals since he needs to have a superior spot to live in. He additionally is stating that being in prison is better than complying with the administration and making good on duties and doing battle. At the point when you are in prison you get all that you need like free food and lodging and three dinners every day, except it would all simply be an exercise in futility since nothing would change. Individuals need to go to bat for their privileges and what the y put stock in on the off chance that they need things to change.Martin Luther King Jr composed the â€Å"Letter From A Birmingham Jail†. In his exposition he said numerous firmly spoken passionate interests. He attempts to speak to the individuals about the isolation of dark individuals when he says, â€Å"When you out of nowhere discover your tongue contorted and your discourse stammering as you look to disclose to your six-year old little girl why she can’t go the open carnival that has quite recently been publicized on TV, and recognize tears gushing easily when she is informed that Fun-town is shut to hued youngsters. † This statement has a great deal of importance to the shaded people.This is bigotry and it isn't right and it is a foul play that the minorities individuals needed to face and manage for some, numerous years. Martin Luther King Jr cherishes the congregation and needs the blacks to be remembered for everything that white individuals are. He wa s thankful to one reverend for remembering the dark individuals for a Sunday administration in a non-isolated way since it was the proper activity. Isolation has been a bad form that numerous individuals have needed to manage for such a large number of years. A moral intrigue that Martin Luther King Jr. was contending about were the shameful acts that minorities individuals face every day of their lives.He was contending about what was correct and what wasn't right. He needed individuals to understand that they were â€Å"victims of a messed up promise†. They were guaranteed that racial signs would be expelled however they were most certainly not. He was utilizing a peaceful direct activity fight and got captured for it in light of the fact that the whites kept the dark individuals out of everything. The dark individuals were being isolated and not permitted indistinguishable rights and kindnesses from the white individuals. Minorities individuals had a different restroom tha n the white individuals. Minorities individuals couldn’t sit at the lunch counter or ride in the front of a bus.Rosa Parks stood firm and fought in a peaceful manner. She chose one day to sit in the front of the transport and was captured. Martin Luther King Jr. says that â€Å"non-savage direct activity tries to make such an emergency and cultivate such a pressure, that a network which has continually would not arrange is compelled to stand up to the issue†. Negro pioneers have attempted to talk about these issues with white authorities however nothing has changed. This is the reason Rosa Parks stood firm for what she put stock in and furthermore why Martin Luther King Jr. ook a represent his privileges by going on a walk from Montgomery to Birmingham, Alabama. Martin Luther King Jr. likewise expresses that â€Å"A just law is a man-made code that squares with moral law or the law of God. An unreasonable law is a code that is out of concordance with the good law†. In his exposition he says thanks to one Reverend for permitting dark individuals into his congregation on a non-isolated premise. This was only a little advance in their activities to change the manner in which individuals think since they have languished these shameful acts over an excessive number of years. Both Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr. ave made amazing focuses in their papers about the shameful acts that have been exacted upon them in their general public. The two of them have needed to manage numerous treacheries and many individuals whose off-base doings toward them have made their general public a terrible spot where to live. Every individual was looking for approaches to make their general public a superior spot to live in, presently and later on. The two of them trust that individuals will see that they way they are being dealt with isn't right and will go to bat for what is directly as opposed to obliging what's going on.

Marketing Benefiting From Social Media - Free Essay Example

Did you know companies purposely give you ads or sponsors based on your likes on social media? Many see the negative side of social media, but what they overlook is how media has an impact on marketing. Media allows companies to analyze and target consumers demands. The platform that social media has created has changed how we see marketing today and has helped influence many audiences worldwide. Marketing has benefited from social media. Media gives chance for many companies to give an appearance and to gain many followers as possible. Social media has impacted the relationship between companies and its customers. This allows the customer to have more control instead of companies have the upper hand all the time. Corporations have developed new techniques in gaining more audience. Corporations also create polls and mini videos through media to appeal the audience demands. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook allow businesses to target more audience worldwide based their likes and dislikes on these platforms. They first start by seeing what social media accounts click likes on media, that will allow social media platforms to get more of the companies pop ups that fit the users interest. Companies now know how to target audience demands faster than ever. Media give companies a way to promote their companies through these pop ups. Companies gain better understanding o f their customers by them sharing their insight on media. It give companies a chance to improve their products to the likes of the audience. The significance of businesses using media as a form of marketing allows to reach a wider audience and how to fit their merchandise to the audience demands. Business ties in with the changing lifestyle, demands and resources of a consumer. When we have a role model we admire them and want to be like them; businesses have reached out to many audiences by celebrity endorsements. To this day celebrity endorsement are known as an old tactic. Social media takes a big part in this method. Now a days we see more Instagram role models also known as Instafamous take part in this as well. The followers notice the accessories these role models wear and purchased it. In the article Celebrity Endorsement In Social Media Marketing by Janina Rantanen she mentioned that Not only will an influencer have a wide network but everybody in that network have their own networks and so on. This means that if you get the celebrity to like your product and they talk about it or post it on their social media account, their followers will see it and be most likely at least a little bit in intrigued by that product and go do their own research on the subject and possibly will buy the product or service themselves and tell about it to their friends. They also consider it a way to test whether the company is trustworthy or not. The trust between the corporation and consumers is very important this days. Thats when celebrity endorsement comes in. We see their honest opinions about a certain company, and its merchandise. In conclusion social media has benefited marking in many ways and it helps them gain a bigger audience and is a faster way of knowing the customers demands. Many companies develop new tactics which have become very successful. Many corporations rely on the platform of social media to promote and understand their customers wants through celebrity endorsement.

Italian Verb Conjugations Farsi

Honor A Tragic Hero - 1399 Words

Evan Oblak Kochanski Honors English 10 19 January 2016 Honor Does Not Lead to Good Things The definition of a tragic hero is perceived as one who is neither wicked nor purely innocent, one who â€Å"is brave and noble but guilty of the tragic flaw of assuming that honorable ends justify dishonorable means†. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus takes the role of the tragic hero. Brutus’s honor, nobility, and self-righteousness makes him â€Å"a tragic figure, if not the hero† (Catherine C. Dominic). As the play opens, Brutus is known as a Roman nobleman and a member of one of the most illustrious families in Rome. He is first seen in Act I, scene ii, as one of Caesar’s â€Å"close friends† who is part of his entourage. But while alone with Cassius he is persuaded into taking a part in the assassination of Caesar. He is weary at first, and it seems as though it took Cassius some time to talk him into agreeing, yet Brutus looked at Caesar as some type of threat as well. As a â€Å"speculative man of high motives and refined sensibility†(Catherine C. Dominic) Brutus does have his confusion of motives. Act I, scene ii, is the first we see his weakness, â€Å"his concern with reputation and appearance, his subtle vanity and pride†(Gayle Green). Yet the main bases of Brutus’s bewilderment of motives takes place in Act II, scene I, with his famous soliloquy beginning with â€Å"It must be by his death†. This speech may be the turning point in which Brutus feels better about the assassination of his onceShow MoreRelated Essay on Hotspur as Tragic Hero of Henry IV1322 Words   |  6 PagesHotspur as Tragic Hero of Henry IV       In Shakespeares Henry IV Part One, the characters many different conceptions of honor govern how they respond to situations.   Each characters conception of honor has a great impact on the characters standing after the play.   For instance, Falstaff survived because he dishonorably faked his own death, and his untrue claim that he was the one who killed Hotspur may get him a title and land.   On the other hand, Hotspur lies dead after losing a duel forRead MoreWas Brutus A Tragic Hero772 Words   |  4 Pagesbackstabbing friend, or really a tragic hero? Marcus Brutus from William Shakespeare’s, Julius Caesar, was a tragic hero in my opinion. I am going to try and convince you that he was and why he was a tragic hero in this essay. 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A tragic is a character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his own demise. In The Crucible the character of John Procter being a tragic hero has been a big debate for many years. Based on the definition of a tragic he ro as well as information directly from The Crucible, it can be concluded that John Proctor is in fact a tragic hero. John Proctor plays a major role in the play and can easily be identified as a tragic hero. InRead More Brutus is the Tragic Hero of Julius Caesar Essay858 Words   |  4 PagesBrutus is the Tragic Hero of Julius Caesar      Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeares play Julius Caesar is a tragic play, where the renowned Julius Caesar is on the brink of achieving total control and power by becoming emperor of the Roman Empire. Ironically enough, when he thinks he is one step away from pulling it off, his friends (most from the senate) decide to overthrow him, with Caesars most trusted friend, Marcus Brutus, acting as leader of the conspirators. 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It incorpo rates incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplishRead More Shakespeares Macbeth and Hamlet as Tragic Heroes Essay893 Words   |  4 PagesHamlet as Tragic Heroes      Ã‚   William Shakespeare has written many literary works - from his sonnets to his plays, each has its own individual characteristics.   One popular characteristic that comes from his plays is the tragic hero.   The audience can always relate to the tragic hero and the many trials he faces.   Macbeth and Hamlet are just two of Shakespeares plays that involve the tragic hero.   Through their nobility, tragic flaws, and dignity Macbeth and Hamlet prove to be tragic heroes.Read More tragoed Oedipus as the Ideal Tragic Hero of Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex)1217 Words   |  5 PagesOedipus as the Ideal Tragic Hero of Oedipus the King In the introduction to Sophocles Oedipus the King, Sophocles defines a tragic hero as one who [behaves] admirably as a man, [but who] is nevertheless tripped up by forces beyond his control and understanding... (Sophocles 76).   In Oedipus the King, Oedipus is the tragic hero. The force that trips up the hero is fate, or, moira. It is Oedipuss actions that set the events into motion,   but it is ultimately his fate, and his attemptedRead MoreEssay on Sophocles Antigone923 Words   |  4 Pagescharacterized as the tragic hero in the story. The argument that Antigone is the hero is deffinatly a strong one. There are many critics who believe that Creon, however, is the true protagonist of the play. In order to determine whether or not Creon is the tragic hero one must first examine what a tragic hero is. Aristotle states that a hero is neither purely innocent nor purely malevolent. A hero is usually born into high rank of society, and this person must possess a tragic flaw. T his flaw normallyRead MoreEt Tu Brute: The Man Who Lost It All1037 Words   |  5 Pagesrightful name of tragic hero. Brutus lives in the golden age of the Roman era. He is one of the most honored men that walks the street; but while supposedly trying to protect his beloved country from tyranny, he looses everything and helps raise chaos and the exile of patriots. Brutus is seduced into the idea of blood for freedom, thus killing his closest friend Caesar. Through his mistake he looses his name, home, and faces the demise of his wife and himself. Brutus truly is the tragic hero of Tragedy

Export And Import Of Widgets Galore Products Australia To Germany

Question: Discuss about the Export And Import Of Widgets Galore Products From Australia To Germany. Answer: Introduction The import process is a cumbersome and companys such as widgets Galore should follow the following process when importing. For any company it is vital that they know how to carry out importation and have a good understanding of the importation and exportation process to avoid numerous charges when the right process is not followed and also ensure that the goods arive or reach their destination on time and in the correct manner(Cypher and Dietz, 2009). Assessment on the most appropriate Import process for the new component Step 1: Contact Supplier The supplier must be reliable, responsible and above all comply with delivery times, under the quality established or agreed in the contract. There must be constant communication during the import process. Step 2: Competent Entity Issuer of the Permits, Sanitary Registries, records of permits correspond the merchandise and according to each competent entity must obtain documents that must be presented between them we have: Form for registration. Affidavit of the veracity of the information provided to the corresponding Entity. User Manual of the product to be registered. Catalogs / Brochures of the products to be registered(Cypher and Dietz, 2009). Step 3: The charge agent is the person trained by the competent authority both in the country of origin and in the country of destination to organize shipments (freight), consolidate and deconsolidate goods. This agent can be contacted by both the Exporter and the Importer after coordination to organize the shipment indicating costs based on the number of packages, volume or weight of the goods up to port arrival point. Once the shipment has been established, the cargo agent will send you a copy of the B / L or AWB to carry out cargo tracking. The original documents are sent with the cargo or Courier. Once the cargo arrives, they notify you by sending you an arrival notice. They indicate to you in which warehouse your cargo will load. Step 4: Temporary Storage It is advisable to carry out a preliminary inspection in order to verify the state of the cargo arrived. For which it is presented: Copy of AWB or B / L Copy of flyer Copy of DNI and / or Dispatcher's meat Letter Notarially legalized power (If there was a legal representative) Note: The previous capacity is requested by electronic mail to the warehouse. Step 5: The Customs Agent is given the respective documents to generate the DUA or DS for listing: Commercial invoice. B / L or AWB endorsed by legal representative. Insurance policy or non-insurance letter.. It is advisable to deliver a catalog of the merchandise to the specialist of customs in the physical capacity to familiarize and identify the merchandise. In the physical examination can be present the office assistant and a representative of the company.It awaits the release authorized by the customs to withdraw the merchandise(Laliwala, Mansuri and Wishkerman, n.d.). Step 6: Withdrawal of the cargo Once the lift is given, the days of storage are canceled for the time our merchandise remained. The following documents are presented: An assessment on the transportation model When importing goods, Widget Galore needs to assess the suitability of the transportation mode. The following are the factors that influence the decision on the mode of transportation during importation. One is the availability and cost of the different types of transportation modes. The quantity, nature, size , weight and volume of the product being imported. The company also needs to check at the time take from the origin to the destination. The other factor is the distance to be travelled. For a long distance, the company may opt to use air transport. Ability of certain airports to handle the goods. Availability of customs and immigration at the airport. Discuss and outline the full import process that would be relevant to this scenario The import process has got many challenges, costs and regulations that Widget Galore has got to be aware of to offer their customers the best prices and quality goods. The following is the full import process that is relevant to the scenario of Widget Galore(Laliwala, Mansuri and Wishkerman, n.d.). The first step is making sure that they are aware of government regulations and importing laws. There are a number of regulations that the company needs to follow before it begins the importation process as all imports must follow the regulations of the government. The import rules can be found from the Department of immigration and border protection. This department is responsible for clearing of goods through imports. The second step is to find out if there is a specific permit that the company should get in order to get their goods from Germany. There is no requirement for individual or business to have an overall license to import goods into Australia. However, the company may required to have some permits when importing certain goods through customs. The goods that Widget Galore is importing is not are not restricted from imports(How to prepare and process export and import documents, 2005). The third step in Australias importation process is learning if the goods being imported will need to be quarantined. Luckily for the goods of Widget Galore the goods being imported are not biological hence they wont be quarantined. The fourth step is paying all the relevant taxes and tariffs such as import processing charges and entry cost, excise duty, custom duty e.t.c. The fifth step is understanding the charges for import duty and goods and services sales tax. Valuation of the goods, the custom fee of $200AUD for processing your goods. However, this charges can be influenced by FTA ( Free Trade Agreements). The next step for the company is making sure that company takes advantage of any concessions when importing the goods(Export-import bank, 2004). The final step in this process is making sure that the goods being imported are labeled correctly in so that there may be no confusion when they arrive at the border or at the airport. A risk assessment of the import process and mitigation strategies There are various risks associated with the import export business. Judging from a list of major projects of investment that are import related, the risks involved are subject to important potential losses in the future(Export-import bank, 2004). The risks in this case may include government political risks and financial pressures that face the economy and the company. Although generally very good political environments, Australia as well as Germany may see many internal political bickering that may influence the process of importation and exportation. Most governments believe that a lot of risks are limited to potential savings in the macroeconomic environment and the potential is small for mitigation. The strengthening of the company control structures in the import process will reduce risks that are associated with the import process(Cook, Alston and Raia, 2012). For reasons like this, assessment of risk should estimate the damage that the project may suffer or in the estimation of benefits and costs of mitigations. With this information, the company may compare the mitigation costs with the value of any possible losses in the case of risks. Other risk assessment modes include time and the mode of transport in the import export process. The most appropriate method of transport is usually the most convenient and cost efficient for Widget galore. There are many more additional risks which include the vulnerability of the products generated by the products and the physical structures. The company should also look at the effective cost adopting measures of mitigating. Assessment and recommendation on the viability of large scale importation of the new component Discuss and outline the full process involved in the export of "Widgets galore" products to Germany. It is a sale that is carried out beyond the tariff boundaries in which the company is located. Export is to sell and only to sell. The same technology used for sale must be used for export. Before a certain export the entrepreneur must take into account all the factors that would use to sell in its own market, naturally, some more; the incentives of the National Administration that favor him, the barriers that he will find in the Administration of the country to which he directs the sales, and also will take into account that the techniques proper to the sale(Cook, Alston and Raia, 2012). Design, packaging, transport, contracting, etc. They are somewhat different in international trade. Basic Documents for Export and Import Customs Declaration or Export Manifesto. Document prepared and presented by the Exporter through a Customs Agent, duly registered with the Ministry of Finance (provision established in the Regulation of the OrganicLaw of Customs), reason why only the Customs Agents are authorized to carry out the Customs Operations, except in the exceptions that it establishes .- Document of Transport.When the transport of the merchandise is done by sea or land , this document is called "Bill of Lading". Since it has a dual function, it constitutes, on the one hand, the charter contract and, on the other hand, the title to the goods. By air and having the functions, the document of transport is denominated "Air Guide". This document is issued by the company that provides the service(Manresa, 2010). FacturaComercial. It is the document that the exporter must send to its client abroad, protecting the goods shipped. It must be presented in the corresponding place with the data and declarations necessary for its recognition. Export License. Is the document that allows the export of those goods subject to quantitative or qualitative restrictions. The license must be used in the Port of Shipment that is indicated therein, and only covers a certain amount(How to prepare and process export and import documents, 2005). Export Process The process begins with the submission and acceptance of an application for a shipment authorization through the customs computer system, which, following the steps below, becomes an export declaration. The process ends with the shipment of the merchandise Presentation of the application for shipment through the customs computer system. Provision of documents supporting the request for authorization of boarding: good visas (consult the website of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism) or authorizations when this is necessary, mandate when acting through a customs brokerage or agent , and the documents proving the export operation(The handbook of country risk 2008, 2008). Validation and acceptance of the shipping authorization Receipt of goods to the primary customs zone or warehouses of the conveyor, destined to the loading of the merchandise of export, for the selective or random determination of the shipment or of the physical or documentary inspection. Realization by the customs authority of the practice of documentary or physical inspection of the goodsargue) of the goods in the respective means of transport, with the prior authorization of the customs authority.Certification of the shipment and assignment of the number and date of the manifesto of loading.After previous procedures, the boarding authorization, with the assigned manifesto number, it becomes a definitive export declaration(The handbook of country risk 2008, 2008). Conclusion Project costs are quantified based on market prices inimportation These remain constant throughout the project analysis period. The operational costs of the Project were estimated based on the category of concurrent costs that, as already mentioned, includes all those costs that the institutions of the respective area will have to carry out even when the project ends, such as: agricultural extension services and forestry, road maintenance and forest protection. For the five years of project execution, the costs will be included in the financing(Westwood,2012). In estimating these costs, it has been assumed that the intensity in the development of certain activities such as extension and training services will decrease as the beneficiary population assimilates the proposed technological changes, so that in the projection they remained constant for the year 5 to 10, decreasing by 10% annually from year 11 to 15 and leaving them constant from year 16 to 20 References Cook, T., Alston, R. and Raia, K. (2012). Mastering import export management. New York: American Management Association. Cypher, J. and Dietz, J. (2009). The process of economic development. London: Routledge. Export-import bank. (2004). [Washington, D.C.]: U.S. Government Accountability Office. How to prepare and process export and import documents. (2005). Merrick, N.Y.: International Wealth Success. Laliwala, Z., Mansuri, I. and Wishkerman, A. (n.d.). Activiti 5.x business process management beginner's guide. Manresa, M. (2010). How to Open Operate a Financially Successful Import Export Business. Ocala: Atlantic Publishing Group. The handbook of country risk 2008. (2008). London: Coface. Westwood, J. (2012). How to Get Started in Export. London: Kogan Page.

Merchant Of Venice Essays (1257 words) - Film, Literature

Merchant Of Venice "How little is the cost I have bestowed in purchasing the semblance of my soul,"(3.5.19-20) is where the heart of this play is in my eyes. Portia doing what she can for her one true love, Bassanio. Money is of no importance to her especially when it comes to the happiness or unhappiness of Bassanio. There are many places in the Merchant of Venice that show Portia and Bassanio's indifference, and what seems to be apathy toward wealth. Many are hidden and many are as clear as day to the reader. I found that reading into The Merchant of Venice was a fun and interesting experience. The way Shakespeare wrote his plays makes people really think about what they are reading; it reminded me of a maze. Portia, an unspoiled Princess to riches, a Princess that doesn't need to think or worry about money. It is something she has an unimaginable amount of, yet it doesn't change who she is or what her values are. Her father seemed to instill in her that money isn't everything to everybody; how you care about people and values are what matter the most in life. When we first see Bassanio, he is telling Antonio of a secret trip he plans to take to win the heart of Portia; yet he has no means to get there due to his extravagant living which has left him in debt to others. At first money seems to be of some importance to Bassanio, but towards the middle of the play his thoughts seem to change. Although Portia's father does not have a so-called character in The Merchant of Venice; his presence is definitely felt through Portia's character, as well as the scrolls on the caskets. In doing this, Portia's father in a way still had a hand helping to choose the right husband for his daughter. When each of the princes come to woo Portia and go into the casket room, they look for what would be the most creative answer in picking out the casket. The gold casket scroll reads "Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire." (2.7.4-5). When the reader first sees this, he thinks the gold casket would make the most sense. Portia's father would have put her picture in there, because it is gold and full of riches as is Portia. Reading into this the reader might think that Portia's father would not put her picture in this one, because love is richer than gold. The prince that would pick this one is not interested in love only Portia's wealth. The second casket made of silver states "Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves." (2.7.7) I have yet to think why any Prince with half a brain would pick this casket over gold or lead. To pick this, deep inside, they did not want to marry Portia. Apparently, the gold wasn't intriguing enough for them yet the lead was too poor. The lead casket would be the most appealing to the Prince who really wants to win Portia's heart and not her riches. This scroll reads "Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath." (2.7.9) When Bassanio and Portia discuss his choices she asks him to think about his choices carefully because it will determine their future forever. Bassanio although deeply in debt to moneylenders, can see past the gold and silver of the first two caskets, and hazards his chance with the lead casket. The scroll inside this casket proves this point;" You that chose not by the view, Chance as fair, and choose as true: Since this fortune falls to you, Be content, and seek no new. If you be well pleas'd with this, And hold your fortune for your bliss, Turn you where your lady is, and claim her with a loving kiss."(3.2.130-138) From the beginning of the play, Portia seems for those times more or less of a free spirit. She has been in Belmont all of her life and knows little about Venice and its residents lifestyles. Portia's father seemed to have instilled values and love in Portia from a very young age. She was taught to love and to be kind and that money could not buy love and happiness. Earlier in the play Bassanio borrows 3,000 ducats from Shylock on Antonio's word that it will be paid back in full. Shylock is a stereotypical Jew who is a moneylender that insists on charging interest on monies loaned out. He needed

Corrosion and Rusting Essays - Chemistry, Corrosion, Rust

Corrosion and Rusting.txt Essays - Chemistry, Corrosion, Rust Corrosion and Rusting Introduction Some people may be annoyed by their car wearing out. Kids may have trouble with rust forming on their bicycles. One may think how to prevent rusting, but do one knows what is happening when a metal corrode? Corrosion is defined as the involuntary destruction of substances such as metals and mineral building material by surrounding media, which are usually liquid (i.e. corrosive agents). Most metals corrode. During corrosion, they change into metallic ions. In some cases, the product of corrosion itself forms a protective coating. For example, aluminium forms a thin protective oxide layer which is impervious to air and water. In other cases (e.g. iron), however, the coating either flakes off or is pervious to both air and water. So the whole piece of metal can corrode right through. The most common forms of metallic corrosion are caused by electrochemical reactions, wherein two metallic phases (e.g., iron oxide and iron) react in the presence of electrolytic solution. Another mechanism of metallic corrosion is caused by chemical reaction, which explains how the protective layer of the metal is formed. Rusting is the corrosion of iron which is the most widely used structural metal. Most of it is used in making steel. The wide range of products made from steel includes all types of vehicles, machinery, pipelines, bridges, and reinforcing rods and girders for construction purposes. Therefore, rusting causes enormous economic problem and is the reason why extensive measures of corrosion protection have had to be developed. The economic importance of corrosion and corrosion protection can be shown by the following example: It is estimated that roughly 3% of the annual production of steel is lost by corrosion. In 1974, 140 millions tons of steel were produced in the United States at a cost of approximately $400 per tons. So this gives a monetary loss of about 1.7 billion dollars. It is clearly of the utmost importance to reduce as far as possible the financial loss by corrosion, which not only affects steel but to the extent all other building metal as well. It is obvious that corrosion and rusting affect significantly the life of the society, so it is worthy to investigate this topic. In this essay, the cause of the corrosion and rusting and consequently the protection of the corrosion will be explored. Electrochemical corrosion reactions This type of corrosion takes place when two metallic phases with different electrochemical potentials are connected to each other by means of an electric conductor. Electrolytes such as acids, alkalis, salt solutions, or even milder media (e.g., rainwater, river water, groundwater, or tap water) also need to be present. Metallic phases with different electrochemical potentials exhibit electric potential differences. Potential differences may also arise because of impurities, internal stresses, corrosion products, damaged protective coatings, etc. They also occur when different metals are used. The larger the potential difference, the faster the rate of corrosion. The electrochemical EMF series (Table 1) gives the electrochemical potential of metals under normal conditions with respect to hydrogen (hydrogen is 0). The farther two metals in electrochemical series are apart, the larger the potential difference between them. A metal is said to be less noble than those which stand to its right in the electrochemical series. In the case of electrochemical corrosion it is always the less noble metal which is removed. Table 1. Electrochemical Potential Series, Volts. KCaMgAlZnCrFeNiSnPbHCuAgAu -2.92-2.84-2.38-1.66-0.76-0.71-0.44-0.24-0.14-0.130.000.340.801.42 not noble -> noble Likelihood of passing into solution decreases from left to right. The potential difference does not, however, always fully correspond with the corrosion phenomena experienced in practice. The reason is that oxide and other metal compounds have differing electrochemical potentials. Chemical corrosion reactions Metals have a tendency to combine with oxygen to form oxides and this is one of the chemical reactions. This tendency is the stronger the less noble the metal. The layers of oxide on the metal surface which are formed even in dry air may be insoluble and stable against an aqueous medium in contact with them. Therefore, if the oxide layers are dense and adhere well to the metal, they prevent further attack and act as a corrosion prevention layer. An example of this is aluminum oxide. However, iron differs in that, although it does form a surface

Heroes and Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Heroes and Culture - Essay Example But the way these heroes have affected the present cultures is different. They have ignited in people the will and power to be like them and fight for their rights. Today, people imitate them and follow their ideals. Obviously, no one will go to war but people do indulge in a silent war waged through the ideals of their heroes and proper channeling of plans. Today, heroes inspire people to bring about a desired change and fight against terrorism to save mankind. The name of the hero, Beowulf, is accepted as the title of a poem, originally untitled. The greatest surviving old English poem, in a volume of the Cottonian collection now placed in the British museum, London, known as Vitellius A XV. Beowulf a warrior at heart was a young nobleman of Geatas. (a people who lived in southern Sweden}.The main deeds of his bravery depict court life, social and moral problems of the layman. The legendary Geatish Hero killed two super natural demons, Grendel and Grendel's mother, who in human form, were terrorizing the court of Hrothgar, a Danish monarch. The other event depicts the killing of a dragon that was guarding a treasure since three hundred years. He died himself while pursuing this noble deed since Beowulf belonged to the inherited Germanic heroic traditions. ... The ethical values he transpired are manifest by the Germanic code of loyalty to the chief and tribe and vengeance to enemies. The critics see Beowulf as the champion of goodness and light against the forces of evil darkness. His sacrificial death is not seen as tragic but as a fitting end of a great hero's life. Role he played in inspiring others to imitate him Beowulf has inspired heroes in laymen to sacrifice for their people and to gain earthly joy. He has inspired goodness in many and also the common man to wake up from their deep slumber and take a stand. He has inspired heroes in a nation of the then cowardly people. Today, in the 21st century the age old tale has once again brought into light since Beowulf is now an epic movie about to be released soon. The legend has come alive and will inspire many yet again. Wolverine Wolverine is a fictional character and a superhero created by writer Len Wein, artist John Romita and illustrator Herb Trimpe. Recently, the character of Wolverine was refreshed by the movie X-men's writer Chris Claremont. Wolverine's catch phrase describes his character best; "I'm the best there is at what I do, but what I do isn't very nice." Wloverine is a mutant with animal keen senses and incrdible physical capabilities. He has the power to recover from his wounds supernaturally. Using the Weapon X with the indestructible metal alloy adamantium, Wolverine has long razor sharp nails. He is a master at martial arts as well. Deeds Wolverine has a long confusing history but the character gained limelight when it was included in the popular X-men series. He is a super hero who kills evil and especially goes against authoirty of all kinds. His deeds basically depict cunningness, sharpness, quickness and fearlessnes. These qualities

Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Proposal - Essay Example With increase service activities, it is but vital for this four Ps to be addressed within the service sector. For the greatest communication impact, Kotler, (2003) argued that the entire marketing mix must be carefully coordinated for greatest success. Against this background, this research seeks to answer the following questions With previous work experience and knowledge in the hotel industry, I have nested an interest in the sector, especially within the marketing department. The main objective of this paper will be to find out and evaluate the various marketing and promotional techniques adopted by four stars hotels in the London municipality. Other objectives will include As the fight of market shares and quest for product success continue, marketers are employing all the necessary tactics, and methods to give their product a break through, or remain competitive (Brennan, Baines, and Garneau, 2003, Rowley 2004). According Kortler (2002), the marketing communication mix or promotional mix involves specific mix of advertising, personal selling, sales promotion and public relations a company uses to achieve it advertising and marketing objectives. The five major types of promotion are:- Previous research has shown that consumers often use their existing perceptions of a brand to evaluate new offerings such as product or line extensions (Aaker and Keller 1990). Because it appears similar to the original brand, consumers will then transfer attributes of the original brand to the brand imitator, thereby affecting evaluations and purchase decisions. These attributions include, but are not limited to, product quality, performance, reliability, and origin (d Astrous and Gargouri 1999). Francesca Sterlacci, a fashion designer, who heads the fashion design department at New Yorks Fashion Institute of Technology, says that copying is simply a way of life (Karr 2003). In a recent website interview Sterlacci admits that it is â€Å"expensive and

Most Lethal Sniper in American History Essay Example for Free

Most Lethal Sniper in American History Essay Chris Kyle was a natural born killer from the first time he was handed a gun. Born in Odessa, Texas, he began hunting with his own rifles and shotguns at age eight. After he finished school, he became a professional bronco rider, but his career ended quickly after he injured his arm. After his arm healed he turned to the military for a job, but was turned down because of the pins in his arm. After a few months he received a call and was invited to the training for the Navy SEALS. He ended up becoming a sniper in SEAL Team 3 and served four tours of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over the four tours of duty, Kyle racked up 255 claimed kills and 160 confirmed kills. His longest successful shot was 2,100 yards or 1.2 miles, just outside Sadr City in 2008. Chivalric Codes were a huge part of a knight’s life, was developed to keep knights in check during a time where laws were difficult to come by. They generally consisted of honoring the church, protecting and serving the people, the lord of the land and the country, being honorable as a person, perseverance, honoring your enemy, protecting women and children, and to protect your fellow knights. Chris Kyle upheld the Code of Chivalry in many ways but in others he did not. These breaks in the code were not always his fault though, because of the radical change in war from the middle ages to now, and the decisions of whether to protect his countrymen or the values of chivalry. Kyle’s first kill was an example of a decision between elements of the code. A woman with a grenade was approaching a group of Marines. Kyle was reluctant to shoot a woman, which is generally against the Rules Of Engagement, and most soldiers’ moral standards. He hesitated before shooting her and saving his troops lives. He said afterward that he was angry at the woman for putting him in that situation. It was the only time he ever killed anyone other than a male enemy. Another way that he strayed from the Code of Chivalry, was that he claims that all of his actions were done out of necessity, not for glory. He constantly repeats that no true hero ever does anything for glory. He says throughout his book that all of his kills were necessary to protect his fellow soldiers. The last way that Chris Kyle broke the code of chivalry was that most of his kills were unfair fights. His training and weapons gave him a huge advantage over his Iraqi adversaries, who were equipped with low-tech equipment and had no training. He often shot enemies from far away in concealed hiding spots, and sometimes in the back. This was a huge infraction in medieval times, but with the advances in warfare and technology, in order to stay alive on the battlefield today you must kill your enemy as soon as possible or he could kill you in an instant. Kyle was not totally against the code of chivalry though, he was a devout Christian, as you would expect as his father was a Sunday school teacher. He justifies his killings by citing that the Commandment is against murder, and killing innocent people not against killing people trying to kill you and your countrymen. Kyle also shows exceptional patriotism and service to his country and the President, our equivalent to a knight’s king. He was awarded two silver stars and five bronze stars with valor, but denies that he ever did anything special to deserve them. He says any soldier would have done the same thing to protect the freedom of America and its people. All in all, Chris Kyle will always be remembered as a hero in the War on Terror, and a modern day testament to the values of chivalry. Although he was not able to uphold all of the values, he did the best he could in the situations he was put in. It is impossible for him to uphold a code as old as that in the changing conditions of war. Many parts are just not feasible to the modern day soldier. With what Kyle was able to accomplish and be able to uphold the standards that he did, Chris Kyle was definitely as chivalrous as he could possibly be. Works Cited Kyle, Chris. American Sniper. N.p.: HarperCollins, n.d. Print. Seidl, Jonathon M. This Navy SEAL Sniper Is the ‘Deadliest in U.S. History’ — Can You Guess His Longest Shot? The Blaze. N.p., 2 Jan. 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2012. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/. Smith, Terry. What Are the Rules of Engagement With Military Use of Force? EHow. N.p., 16 Feb. 2012. Web. 4 Oct. 2012. http://www.ehow.com/way_5659354_rules-engagement-military-use-force_.html.

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and The Social Pressures of Adolesc

Although we live in modern times, stigmas regarding gender identity cease to exist. These biases are prevalent within various cultures. Male and female adolescents are stifled from expressing themselves based on how they personally relate to their own femininity or masculinity and sex roles. The cause of this constriction of emotions is due in large part to these young people being coerced into obeying the rules of society. In addition, societal constructions seem to totally disregard the physiological and biological aspects of adolescent puberty. We acquire sexual orientation and gender identity during adolescence due to puberty, culture and our surrounding environment. For instance, puberty takes place over several years in which physical growth and psychological changes occur, concluding in sexual maturity. The average onset of puberty is at age 10 or 11 for girls and age 12 or 13 for boys. Physiological changes in body composition, the individuals’ height and weight are some of the most significant parts involved in pubertal maturation. Boys develop an adams apple, girls begin their menses, and the growth of pubic hair begins to surface. These changes are influenced by hormonal activity. Hormones play an organizational role, preparing the body to behave in a certain way once puberty begins. Puberty begins with hormone production, which in turn causes a number of physical changes. This is triggered by the pituitary gland which secretes hormonal agents into the blood stream, initiating a chain reaction. The male and female gonads are subsequently activated, which puts them into a state of rapid growth and development. The testes primarily release testosterone, and the ovaries predominately rel... ...hy T. F. (2005). The Search for the Gay Gene. Brittish Medical Journal. 330, 7498, 1033-1036. National Mental Health Association, (2005)., What Does Gay Mean. . retrieved April 10, 2012, from http://www.nmha.org/whatdoesgaymean/whatdoesgaymean.pdf Regan, C. & Fogarty, K. (2010). Understanding Sexual Minority Adolescents. University of Florida IFAS Extension, Vol. 1. retrieved April 10, 2012, from http://www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy749 Volpicelli, J. & Szalavitz, M. (2000). Recovey Options The Complete Guide, How You and Your Loved Ones Can Understand and Treat Alcohol and Other Drug Problems . US & Canada: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Ward, E. G. (2005). Homophobia, Hypermasculinity and the US Black Church. Taylor & Francis Group, Vol. 7, No. 5. retrieved April 11, 2012, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4005477 Watson, J. B. (2008). Behaviorism. Tuscon, AZ: West Press.

Air Pollution Essay

BEIJING — Outdoor air pollution contributed to 1.2 million premature deaths in China in 2010, nearly 40 percent of the global total, according to a new summary of data from a scientific study on leading causes of death worldwide. Figured another way, the researchers said, China’s toll from pollution was the loss of 25 million healthy years of life from the population. The data on which the analysis is based was first presented in the ambitious 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study, which was published in December in The Lancet, a British medical journal. The authors decided to break out numbers for specific countries and present the findings at international conferences. The China statistics were offered at a forum in Beijing on Sunday. â€Å"We have been rolling out the India- and China-specific numbers, as they speak more directly to national leaders than regional numbers,† said Robert O’Keefe, the vice president of the Health Effects Institute, a research organization that is helping to present the study. The organization is partly financed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the global motor vehicle industry. What the researchers called â€Å"ambient particulate matter pollution† was the fourth-leading risk factor for deaths in China in 2010, behind dietary risks, high blood pressure and smoking. Air pollution ranked seventh on the worldwide list of risk factors, contributing to 3.2 million deaths in 2010. By comparison with China, India, which also has densely populated cities grappling with similar levels of pollution, had 620,000 premature deaths in 2010 because of outdoor air pollution, the study found. That was deemed to be the sixth most common killer in South Asia. The study was led by an institute at the University of Washington and several partner universities and institutions, including the World Health Organization. Calculations of premature deaths because of outdoor air pollution are politically threatening in the eyes of some Chinese officials . According to news reports, Chinese officials cut out sections of a 2007 report called â€Å"Cost of Pollution in China† that discussed premature deaths. The report’s authors had concluded that 350,000 to 400,000 people die prematurely in China each  year because of outdoor air pollution. The study was done by the World Bank in cooperation with the Chinese State Environmental Protection Administration, the precursor to the Ministry of Environmental Protection. There have been other estimates of premature deaths because of air pollution. In 2011, the World Health Organization estimated that there were 1.3 million premature deaths in cities worldwide because of outdoor air pollution. Last month, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, based in Paris, warned that â€Å"urban air pollution is set to become the top environmental cause of mortality worldwide by 2050, ahead of dirty water and lack of sanitation.† It estimated that up to 3.6 million people could end up dying prematurely from air pollution each year, mostly in China and India. There has been growing outrage in Chinese cities over what many say are untenable levels of air pollution. Cities across the north hit record levels in January, and official Chinese newspapers ran front-page articles on the surge — what some foreigners call the â€Å"airpocalypse† — despite earlier limits on such discussion by propaganda officials. In February, the State Council, China’s cabinet, announced a timeline for introducing new fuel standards, but state-owned oil and power companies are known to block or ignore environmental policies to save on costs. A study released on Thursday said the growth rate of disclosure of pollution information in 113 Chinese cities had slowed. The groups doing the study, the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, based in Beijing, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, based in Washington, said that â€Å"faced with the current situation of severe air, water and soil pollution, we must make changes to pollution source information disclosure so that information is no longer patchy, out of date and difficult to o btain.† Chinese officials have made some progress in disclosing crucial air pollution statistics. Official news reports have said 74 cities are now required to release data on levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller, which penetrate the body’s tissues most deeply. For years, Chinese officials had been collecting the data but refusing to release it, until they came under pressure from Chinese who saw that the United States Embassy in Beijing was measuring the levels hourly and posting the data in a Twitter feed, @BeijingAir. Last week, an official Chinese news report said the cost of environmental degradation in China was about $230 billion in 2010, or 3.5  percent of the gross domestic product. The estimate, said to be partial, came from a research institute under the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and was three times the amount in 2004, in local currency terms. It was unclear to what extent those numbers took into account the costs of health care and premature deaths because of pollution. National Park Service Air Pollution – Its Nature, Sources, and Effects http://www.nps.gov/shen/naturescience/airpollution.htm Last Updated: 04/09/2014 Summer View, mountains in the distance from Skyline Drive. John F. Mitchell – NPS Volunteer Introduction Air pollution occurs in many forms but can generally be thought of as gaseous and particulate contaminants that are present in the earth’s atmosphere. Gaseous pollutants include sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), hydrogen fluoride (HF), and various gaseous forms of metals. These pollutants are emitted from large stationary sources such as fossil fuel fired power plants, smelters, industrial boilers, petroleum refineries, and manufacturing facilities as well as from area and mobile sources. They are corrosive to various materials which causes damage to cultural resources, can cause injury to ecosystems and organisms, aggravate respiratory diseases, and reduce visibility. Particulates come in both large and small or â€Å"fine† solid forms. Large particulates include substances such as dust, asbestos fibers, and lead. Fine particulates include sulfates (SO4) and nitrates (NO3). Important sources of particulates are power plants, smelters, mining operations, and automobiles. Asbestos and lead affect organisms, while sulfates and nitrates not only cause health problems, but also contribute to acid rain or acid deposition and a reduction in visibility. Particulate matter, a term sometimes used instead of particulates, refers to the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Toxic air pollutants are a class of chemicals which may  potentially cause health problems in a significant way. The sources of toxic air pollutants include power plants, industries, pesticide application, and contaminated windblown dust. Persistent toxic pollutants, such as mercury, are of particular concern because of their global mobility and ability to accumulate in the food chain. More research is needed to fully understand the fate and effects of mercury and the many other toxic pollutants. Primary pollutants are those that are emitted directly into the air from pollution sources. Secondary pollutants are formed when primary pollutants undergo chemical changes in the atmosphere. Ozone is an example of a secondary pollutant. It is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are mixed and warmed by sunlight. Ozone (O3) is a major component of what is often referred to as smog. The ozone which is present in the troposphere, or the atmosphere that is close to the ground, should not be confused with beneficial ozone that is located in the stratosphere or upper atmosphere. This beneficial ozone in the stratosphere helps protect the earth from harmful ultraviolet light from the sun. Sources of Air Pollution Stationary and Area Sources A stationary source of air pollution refers to an emission source that does not move, also known as a point source. Stationary sources include factories, power plants, dry cleaners and degreasing operations. The term area source is used to describe many small sources of air pollution located together whose individual emissions may be below thresholds of concern, but whose collective emissions can be significant. Residential wood burners are a good example of a small source, but when combined with many other small sources, they can contribute to local and regional air pollution levels. Area sources can also be thought of as non-point sources, such as construction of housing developments, dry lake beds, and landfills. Mobile Sources A mobile source of air pollution refers to a source that is capable of moving under its own power. In general, mobile sources imply â€Å"on-road† transportation, which includes vehicles such as cars, sport utility vehicles, and buses. In addition, there is also a â€Å"non-road† or â€Å"off-road†Ã‚  category that includes gas-powered lawn tools and mowers, farm and construction equipment, recreational vehicles, boats, planes, and trains. Agricultural Sources Agricultural operations, those that raise animals and grow crops, can generate emissions of gases and particulate matter. For example, animals confined to a barn or restricted area (rather than field grazing), produce large amounts of manure. Manure emits various gases, particularly ammonia into the air. This ammonia can be emitted from the animal houses, manure storage areas, or from the land after the manure is applied. In crop production, the misapplication of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides can potentially result in aerial drift of these materials and harm may be caused. Natural Sources Although industrialization and the use of motor vehicles are overwhelmingly the most significant contributors to air pollution, there are important natural sources of â€Å"pollution† as well. Wildland fires, dust storms, and volcanic activity also contribute gases and particulates to our atmosphere. Unlike the above mentioned sources of air pollution, natural â€Å"air pollution† is not caused by people or their activities. An erupting volcano emits particulate matter and gases; forest and prairie fires can emit large quantities of â€Å"pollutants†; plants and trees naturally emit VOCs which are oxidized and form aerosols that can cause a natural blue haze; and dust storms can create large amounts of particulate matter. Wild animals in their natural habitat are also considered natural sources of â€Å"pollution†. The National Park Service recognizes that each of these sources emits gases and particulate matter into the atmosphere but we regard these as constituents resulting from natural processes. Air Pollution at Shenandoah Sources of air pollution that affect Shenandoah National Park are largely outside of the park. These include industrial facilities located throughout the mid-Atlantic region and the Ohio River Valley as well as urban centers in this same region. Because most areas adjacent to the park are rural and agricultural, it is clear that transport of pollutants from distant  locations is an important element upon which park air quality hinges. Even some agricultural activities, such as ammonia from the poultry industry and pesticides that are applied to adjacent fields, may contribute to air pollution in the park. In-park emission sources are relatively small, but do include motor vehicles, maintenance equipment, small boilers and generators. The relative contribution from the in-park sources is very small compared to other sources. In a July 2002 report describing an emissions inventory for Shenandoah National Park, it was determined that less than 1% of emissions were produced from in-par k sources. How does air pollution move? Air transport is the term used to describe the mechanism by which air pollution moves from an emissions source to a receptor. A source is a location (i.e., smokestack, chimney, exhaust pipe) from which the pollutant emanates and a receptor is the place (i.e., soil, vegetation, waterbodies, human lungs) where the pollutant is deposited. The atmosphere itself is the transporter of pollutants from sources to receptors. If the wind carries the plume of pollution high enough in the air, it may travel for hundreds of miles before being brought to earth. This is known as long-range or long-distance transport. Air Pollution Effects The air is an important component of the natural system of a park in its own right. The presence of pollution in the atmosphere results directly in air quality degradation. Air pollution is also a critical factor affecting the quality of other environmental resources as well as the human-made structures and facilities in the area. Polluted air can and has harmed park resources in a variety of ways depending upon the chemistry of the pollutant, weather and environmental conditions, and the nature or sensitivity of park resources. Examples of this harm include vegetative discoloration and growth disruption from ozone, loss of aquatic species from stream acidification, shifts in nutrient availability from acid deposition, and erosion of building surfaces and rock formations. Air pollution impairs visibility and contributes to climate change. Air pollution can also be detrimental to human health. Shchooltoday Your Cool Facts and Tips on Air Pollution What causes air pollution? Air pollution can result from both human and natural actions. Natural events that pollute the air include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of organic compounds and natural radioactivity. Pollution from natural occurrences are not very often. Human activities that result in air pollution include: 1. Emissions from industries and manufacturing activities Have you seen a manufacturing company before? You will notice that there are long tubes (called chimneys) erected high into the air, with lots of smoke and fumes coming out of it. Waste incinerators, manufacturing industries and power plants emit high levels of carbon monoxide, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air. This happens almost everywhere that people live. Petroleum refineries also release lots of hydrocarbons into the air. 2. Burning Fossil Fuels After the industrial age, transportation has become a key part of our lives. Cars and heavy duty trucks, trains, shipping vessels and airplanes all burn lots of fossil fuels to work. Emissions from automobile engines contain both primary and secondary pollutants. This is a major cause of pollution, and one that is very difficult to manage. This is because humans rely heavily on vehicles and engines for transporting people, good and services. Fumes from car exhauts contain dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and particulates. On their own, they cause great harm to people who breath them. Additionally, they react with environmental gases to create further toxic gases. Click here to see the effects 3. Household and Farming Chemicals Crop dusting, fumigating homes, household cleaning products or painting supplies, over the counter insect/pest killers, fertilizer dust emit harmful chemicals into the air and cause pollution. In many case, when we use these chemicals at home or offices with no or little ventilation, we may fall ill if we breathe them. What are the common air pollutants around? Carbon Monoxide (CO) Fuel combustion from vehicles and engines. Reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the body’s organs and tissues; aggravates heart disease, resulting in chest pain and other symptoms. Ground-level Ozone (O3)  Secondary pollutant formed by chemical reaction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and NOx in the presence of sunlight. Decreases lung function and causes respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath, and also makes asthma and other lung diseases get worse. More on Ground Level Ozone Here Lead (Pb) Smelters (metal refineries) and other metal industries; combustion of leaded gasoline in piston engine aircraft; waste incinerators (waste burners), and battery manufacturing. Damages the developing nervous system, resulting in IQ loss and impacts on learning, memory, and behavior in children. Cardiovascular and renal effects in adults and early effects related to anaemia. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Fuel combustion (electric utilities, big industrial boilers, vehicles) and wood burning. Worsens lung diseases leading to respiratory symptoms, increased susceptibility to respiratory infection. Particulate Matter (PM) This is formed through chemical reactions, fuel combustion (e.g., burning coal, wood, diesel), industrial processes, farming (plowing, field burning), and unpaved roads or during road constructions. Short-term exposures can worsen heart or lung diseases and cause respiratory problems. Long-term exposures can cause heart or lung disease and sometimes premature deaths. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) SO2 come from fuel combustion (especially high-sulfur coal); electric utilities and industrial processes as well as and natural occurances like volcanoes. Aggravates asthma and makes breathing difficult.It also contributes to particle formation with associated health effects. What are the effects of air pollution? Acidification: Chemical reactions involving air pollutants can create acidic compounds which can cause harm to vegetation and buildings. Sometimes, when an air pollutant, such as sulfuric acid combines with the water droplets that make up clouds, the water droplets become acidic, forming acid rain. When acid rain falls over an area, it can kill trees and harm animals, fish, and other wildlife. Acid rain destroys the leaves of plants. When acid rain infiltrates into soils, it changes the chemistry of the soil making it unfit for many living things that rely on soil as a habitat or for nutrition. Acid rain also changes the chemistry of the lakes and streams that the rainwater flows into, harming fish and other aquatic life. Eutrophication: Rain can carry and deposit the Nitrogen in some pollutants on rivers and soils. This will adversely affect the nutrients in the soil and water bodies. This can result in algae growth in lakes and water bodies, and make conditions for other living organism harmful. Ground-level ozone: Chemical reactions involving air pollutants create a poisonous gas ozone (O3). Gas Ozone can affect people’s health and can damage vegetation types and some animal life too. Particulate matter:  Air pollutants can be in the form of particulate matter which can be very harmful to our health. The level of effect usually depends on the length of time of exposure, as well the kind and concentration of chemicals and particles exposed to. Short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and  pneumonia. Others include headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Short-term air pollution can aggravate the medical conditions of individuals with asthma and emphysema. Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or compli cate medical conditions in the elderly. Air pollution prevention, monitoring and solution. Solution efforts on pollution is always a big problem. This is why prevention interventions are always a better way of controlling air pollution. These prevention methods can either come from government (laws) or by individual actions. In many big cities, monitoring equipment have been installed at many points in the city. Authorities read them regularly to check the quality of air. Let’s see more below: Government (or community) level prevention Governments throughout the world have already taken action against air pollution by introducing green energy. Some governments are investing in wind energy and solar energy, as well as other renewable energy, to minimize burning of fossil fuels, which cause heavy air pollution. Governments are also forcing companies to be more responsible with their manufacturing activities, so that even though they still cause pollution, they are a lot controlled. Companies are also building more energy efficient cars, which pollute less than before. Individual Level Prevention Encourage your family to use the bus, train or bike when commuting. If we all do this, there will be less cars on road and less fumes. Use energy (light, water, boiler, kettle and fire woods) wisely. This is because lots of fossil fuels are burned to generate electricity, and so if we can cut down the use, we will also cut down the amount of pollution we create. Recycle and re-use things. This will minimize the dependence of producing new things. Remember manufacturing industries create a lot of pollution, so if we can re-use things like shopping plastic bags, clothing, paper and bottles, it can help. Basic Air Pollution Facts Below are some random facts and info on environmental pollution. Air pollutants (dangerous things that make the air unclean)come in the form of gases or particles. In March 2011, a very powerful earthquake in the sea (tsunami) hit the Japan coast. The sea level rose and water came into the land, damaging 4 of the 6 reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. World Health Organisation (WHO) experts confirm that there is slight increased risk of some cancer types for some people who were exposed to the radiation. These included people living in that area and some workers at the plant. Below is a peice of the information given on BBC website: â€Å"The biggest lifetime risks were seen in those exposed as infants, compared with children or adults. For girls exposed to radiation from the accident as infants, the report found a 4% increase above the lifetime expected risk of solid tumours and a 6% increase above that expected for breast cancer. Boys exposed as infants are expected to have a 7% increased risk of leukaemia above that expected in the normal population. The biggest risk was seen in thyroid cancer, which for infant girls could be up to 70% higher than expected over their lifetime.† BBC Website: /news/health-21614722 It is estimated that you breathe 20,000 liters of air each day. This means the more polluted the air is, the more we breathe into our lungs dangerous chemicals. Air can be polluted both indoors and outdoors. Tobacco and other kinds of smoking are examples of indoor air pollution. Sick Building Syndrome is a health condition related to pesticides, insecticides and chemicals we use at home and offices. In the great â€Å"Smog Disaster† in London in 1952, four thousand people died in a few days due to the high concentrations of pollution. Air pollution affects kids more than adults  because, for their body size, kids breathe more air and spend more time playing outside. More hazardous pollutants are discharged into the air each year than are released to surface water, ground water, and land, combined. Motor vehicles produce more air pollution than any other single human activity. One full commuter bus can mean 40 less cars going through your neighborhood. In America, vehicle exhaust contributes roughly 60% of all carbon monoxide emissions nationwide, and up to 95% in cities. Indoor air pollution and health Around 3 billion people cook and heat their homes using open fires and leaky stoves burning biomass (wood, animal dung and crop waste) and coal. Nearly 2 million people die prematurely from illness attributable to indoor air pollution from household solid fuel use. Nearly 50% of pneumonia deaths among children under five are due to particulate matter inhaled from indoor air pollution. More than 1 million people a year die from chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) that develop due to exposure to such indoor air pollution. Both women and men exposed to heavy indoor smoke are 2-3 times more likely to develop COPD Source: WHO Ozone Depletion: Losing Earth’s Protective Layer National Geographic The ozone layer is a belt of naturally occurring ozone gas that sits 9.3 to 18.6 miles (15 to 30 kilometers) above Earth and serves as a shield from the harmful ultraviolet B radiation emitted by the sun. Ozone is a highly reactive molecule that contains three oxygen atoms. It is constantly being formed and broken down in the high atmosphere, 6.2 to 31 miles (10 to 50 kilometers) above Earth, in the region called the stratosphere. Today, there is widespread concern that the ozone layer is deteriorating due to the release of pollution containing the chemicals chlorine and bromine. Such deterioration allows large amounts of ultraviolet B rays to reach Earth, which can cause skin cancer and cataracts in humans and harm animals as  well. Extra ultraviolet B radiation reaching Earth also inhibits the reproductive cycle of phytoplankton, single-celled organisms such as algae that make up the bottom rung of the food chain. Biologists fear that reductions in phytoplankton populations will in turn lower the populations of other animals. Researchers also have documented changes in the reproductive rates of young fish, shrimp, and crabs as well as frogs and salamanders exposed to excess ultraviolet B. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals found mainly in spray aerosols heavily used by industrialized nations for much of the past 50 years, are the primary culprits in ozone layer breakdown. When CFCs reach the upper atmosphere, they are exposed to ultraviolet rays, which causes them to break down into substances that include chlorine. The chlorine reacts with the oxygen atoms in ozone and rips apart the ozone molecule. One atom of chlorine can destroy more than a hundred thousand ozone molecules, according to the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The ozone layer above the Antarctic has been particularly impacted by pollution since the mid-1980s. This region’s low temperatures speed up the conversion of CFCs to chlorine. In the southern spring and summer, when the sun shines for long periods of the day, chlorine reacts with ultraviolet rays, destroying ozone on a massive scale, up to 65 percent. This is what some people erroneously refer to as the â€Å"ozone hole.† In other regions, the ozone layer has deteriorated by about 20 percent. About 90 percent of CFCs currently in the atmosphere were emitted by industrialized countries in the Northern Hemisphere, including the United States and Europe. These countries banned CFCs by 1996, and the amount of chlorine in the atmosphere is falling now. But scientists estimate it will take another 50 years for chlorine levels to return to their natural levels. Clean Air Kids The Earth is wrapped in a blanket of air called the ‘atmosphere’, which is made up of several layers. About 19-30 kilometres above the Earth is a layer of gas called ozone, which is a form of oxygen. Ozone is produced naturally in the atmosphere. WHY DO WE HAVE AN OZONE LAYER? The ozone layer is very important because it stops too many of the sun’s ‘ultra-violet rays’ (UV rays) getting through to the Earth – these are the rays that cause our skin to tan. Too much UV can cause skin cancer and will also harm all plants and animals. Life on Earth could not exist without the protective shield of the ozone layer. WHAT IS THE OZONE HOLE? Every spring, a hole as big as the USA develops in the ozone layer over Antarctica, in the South Pole. A smaller hole develops each year over the Arctic, at the North Pole. And there are signs that the ozone layer is getting thinner all over the planet. Scientists have discovered that the ozone hole over Antarctica started in 1979, and that the ozone layer generally started to get thin in the early 1980s. The loss of the ozone layer occurs when more ozone is being destroyed than nature is creating. WHAT CAUSES THE OZONE HOLE? One group of gases is particularly likely to damage the ozone layer. These gases are called CFCs, Chloro-Fluoro-Carbons. CFCs are used in some spray cans to force the contents out of the can. They are also used in refrigerators, air conditioning systems and some fire extinguishers. They are used because they are not poisonous and do not catch fire. Most countries have now stopped using new CFCs that can be released into the atmosphere, but many scientists believe we must stop using old ones as well. THE OZONE HOLE AND OUR HEALTH The ozone layer is like a sunscreen, and a thinning of it would mean that more ultra-violet rays would be reaching us. Too many UV rays would cause more sunburn, and because sunburn causes skin cancer, this too would increase deaths. These UV rays are also dangerous for our eyes and could cause an increase in people becoming blind. That is why sun cream and sunglasses are very important. THE OZONE HOLE ON ANIMALS AND PLANTS UV rays can go through water and end up killing small water animals or  plants, called ‘plankton’ which form the base of the food chain in oceans and seas. Whales and other fishes have plankton as their main food, and if plankton die because of these UV rays, whales will start dying too, because they will not have anything to eat. Large amounts of UV rays could damage all green plants. If the ozone layer keeps getting thinner, there could be fewer and fewer plants on Earth, then there would be less food in the whole world. THE TWO-FACED OZONE GAS Ozone found between 19 and 30 kilometres high in the atmosphere is one of the reasons why we are alive on Earth. But when the gas ozone is found lower down where we can breathe it in, it becomes very dangerous for our health. This ozone is caused by a reaction between air pollution and sunlight and can cause modern-day smog. This is different to the smog that formed in the early 20th century from smoke and fog. What can you do: There are many things we can do to help reduce air pollution and global warming. Use buses and trains instead of cars, as they can carry a lot more people in one journey. This cuts down the amount of pollution produced. Walking or cycling whenever you can will be even better, as it does not create any pollution. It will also be good for your body, as regular exercise will keep you fit and healthy. If your parents must use the car, ask them to avoid using it for very short journeys if possible, as this creates unnecessary pollution. Try to encourage them to share their journeys with other people, for example when they go to work or go shopping. Also encourage them to drive more slowly as this produces less pollution and less carbon dioxide. Energy is produced to generate electricity and to keep us warm. Most energy is produced by the burning of fossil fuels, like coal, oil and gas, which release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Fuel burnt in our cars also releases carbon dioxide. As an individual, you do not have a lot of control on how your energy is produced. However, you can control the way in which you use that energy. Using less energy means less of it needs to be produced. So less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. We can also help prevent pollution from our own homes which may contribute to acid rain and poor air quality, and increases emissions of carbon dioxide in the  atmosphere. Turning off lights when they are not needed and not wasting electricity will reduce the demand for energy. Less electricity will need to be produced and so less coal, oil and gas will have to be burnt in power stations, which means less air pollution and less carbon dioxide! Pollution formed indoors can be reduced by ensuring that all gas appliances are working correctly. Good ventilation will improve indoor air quality by dispersing biological pollutants like dust mite, and other pollutants such as cigarette smoke. Most of the rubbish we throw away can be recycled, such as glass bottles and jars, steel and aluminium cans, plastic bottles and waste paper. Recycling used materials uses less energy than making new ones. Composting fruit and vegetable waste reduces the amount of rubbish buried at rubbish dumps. What are the Governments doing? Governments throughout the world have already taken action for these different environmental problems (i.e. Acid Rain, Air Quality, Ozone Hole, Global Warming). In their plans they hope to reduce the amount of emissions of greenhouse gases produced by man. About half of the greenhouse effect is caused by our use of energy, especially from fossil fuels. Other sources of energy could be used which do not emit carbon dioxide, e.g. wind power, solar (sun power) and wave power. In the home and at school, we must learn to use energy efficiently and not waste it. Rain is very important for life. All living things need water to live, even people. Rain brings us the water we need. But in many places in the world even where you live, rain has become a menace. Because of pollution in the air, acid gases from factories, cars and homes, the rain is becoming dangerous for the life of every living creature. This rain is known as ‘acid rain’. WHAT IS ACID RAIN? Acid gases are produced when fossil fuels like coal and oil are burned in power stations, factories and in our own homes. Most of these acid gases are blown into the sky, and when they mix with the clouds it can cause rain – or snow, sleet, fog, mist or hail – to become more acidic. The opposites of  acid are alkalis; for example, toothpaste and baking powder are both alkalis. Strong alkalis can also be dangerous, such as ammonia and bleach. Lemon juice, vinegar and cola are all acidic. Rain is naturally acidic, but acid gases make it even more acidic, sometimes as acid as lemon! Nature can also produce acid gases, such as volcanoes. When they erupt, the smoke that comes out of the crater is also full of acid gases. HOW DO WE MEASURE ACIDITY? There is a special scale called the pH scale that measures the strength of acids and alkalis. A low pH number means something is acid. A high number means something is alkali. And something in the middle is called neutral. Acidity can be tested using litmus paper. Usually rain is a little acidic, and has pH of about 5.5, if the pH of rainfall is less than 5.5, then the rain is probably polluted by acid gases. Acids turn litmus paper red, and alkalis turn it blue. With a special paper called universal indicator, you can test levels of acidity. WHAT ARE THE MAIN GASES THAT CAUSE ACID RAIN? When we burn fuels, chemicals called ‘sulphur’ and ‘nitrogen’ are released into the air. Once in the air, they mix with water in the air – rain, snow, etc – and are transformed into different chemicals called ‘sulphur dioxide’ and ‘nitrogen oxides’, which can be very dangerous for plants, animals and people. Most of the ‘sulphur’ comes from power stations, which make electricity, and also from volcanoes. Most of the ‘nitrogen oxides’ come from car and truck exhausts. We call ‘air pollution’ the bad gases that we produce and release in the air. ‘Sulphur dioxide’ and ‘nitrogen oxides’ are the most important causes of acid rain. A PROBLEM ALL OVER THE WORLD Air pollution can be carried over long distances. When acid gases are released, they go high up in the sky, and then they are pushed by strong winds towards other countries. The acid rain in Sweden is caused by air pollution in Britain and other countries of Europe. The pollution produced in Britain ends up mostly in Scandinavia – countries in northern Europe  including Sweden, Norway and Denmark. In the USA, the winds blow the air pollution to certain areas in Canada. HOW BAD IS ACID RAIN? When rain is acidic, it affects what it falls on: trees, lakes, buildings and farmland. Sometimes rain is not very acidic and does not cause a lot of problems, but when it is acidic, it can be very harmful to the environment. TREES AND PLANTS Acid rain can have terrible effects on a forest. The acid takes away important minerals from the leaves and the soil. Minerals are like vitamins for trees and plants. Without them, trees and plants cannot grow properly. They lose their leaves and become very weak. They are no longer strong enough to fight against illnesses and frost. They become very ill and can even die. Some soils are alkaline, when acid rain falls on them the acid becomes neutral. Plants and trees living on these soils are not in any big danger.. LAKES AND WATER LIFE Acid rain has a terrible effect on water life. Even if the acid rain does not fall straight into the lake, for example, it may enter from rivers and streams. Some of the life in the lake such as fish and plants may end up dying, because they cannot survive in acidic lakes. Thousands of lakes in Scandinavia have no more life in them. They have received so much acid rain for so many years, because of the winds pushing the acid gases, that nothing can survive. You can recognise a lake dead from acid rain by its clean and crystal clear water. But they look clean because there is very little living in them anymore. Tiny plants and animals are mostly unable to survive.. OUR HEALTH Particulates – very small particles of debris found in some of the air pollution – are one of the main causes of health problems. In towns and cities, these are released mainly by diesel engines from cars and trucks. When we breathe in air pollution, these very fine particulates can easily enter our body, where they can cause breathing problems, and over time even  cause cancer. Water we drink from taps can be contaminated by acid rain, which can damage the brain.. BUILDINGS Acid rain can also ruin buildings because the acid eats into metal and stone. It also damages stained glass and plastics. Some types of building materials are softer than others, and it is the softer ones which are most affected by acid rain. Sandstone and limestone are examples of stone which are fairly soft and are damaged easily. Granite is an example of a harder stone that can resist the effects of acid rain. In many places in the world, ancient and famous buildings and monuments are affected by acid rain. For example, the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, has had to be restored because of acid rain damage. Buildings are naturally eroded by rain, wind, frost and the sun, but when acidic gases are present, it speeds up the erosion.