Discuss One environmental problem facing cities and outline some solutions Essay Example for Free

Discuss One environmental problem facing cities and outline some solutions Essay Discuss One environmental problem facing cities and outline some solutions The issue of a severe problem called solid waste in Manila and Beijing is becoming a matter of concern. Causes of numerous waste aroused widespread attention. Therefore, the solution to reduce greenhouse gas emission from solid waste management can be regional and international (Ooi, 2009, p.189). It seems that waste has become an important part of the environmental problem in cities. Waste can be divided into two distinct parts, hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste, and the non-hazardous waste is consisted of municipal solid waste, industrial waste and some other types (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2012). Because of the large amount of waste, government needs to spend more human and financial resources. Therefore, some additional environmental problems in cities are related to waste, such as air pollution, water pollution and the greenhouse effect. This article will introduce the causes of municipal solid waste, industrial waste and hazardous waste, and some effective prevention methods to solve these problems. The spawning of municipal solid waste, which including residents living garbage, hospital waste and commercial waste, building waste, leads to the most serious problem. Most of human behaviour could cause the growth of solid waste. Materials which are thrown away by citizens, such as the product bottles, food scraps, newspapers and batteries are the direct causes of solid waste. Consequently, effective methods need to be implemented. The most direct method is to decrease the amount of waste. To perform the principle of waste prevention, the society should focus on the recycling and collecting, which means to withdraw useful and organic materials, then turn these items into new products. This method could reduce the needs of raw materials. In addition, waste can be used as a resource and it will be economical use (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2012). Manufacturing and industrial procedure are the most direct cause of industrial waste. Stone tools and sickles are difficult to be seen in current-day, because in factories, up-to-the minute production lines that produce numbers of waste per day are used as a substitute for wood and stone. To show an example, by 1990 the amount of industrial waste has raised  up to 265 million tons, which is a shocking figure to the public (Waste Industries, 2013). Hence, the city government should provide a convenient environment for factory managers and convince them that they should undertake the environmental responsibility. Meanwhile, managers should comply with the principle of recycling industrial waste. Therefore, waste management issues in cities should be people-oriented (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2012). Hugo (2012) stated †Some industrial waste management services companies even emphasize on understanding clients’ industrial processes that produce waste and then supplying the tools for deterring accurate chemical and physical properties.† In addition, hazardous waste is damaged in both human health and the city environment. Solvents, electroplating wastes, heavy metals, and acids, which all produced by laboratory and chemical plant in cities cause substantial accumulation of hazardous waste. In agriculture, citizens’ non-standard behavior of using pesticides can lead to the generation of hazardous waste. Moreover, non-standard behavior in city life can also cause the creation of hazardous waste, such as batteries and some items containing heavy metal thrown away by citizens (Harris et al, n.d.). Thus, cities should take some actions to reduce producing hazardous waste. In industries, numbers of methods need to be done. For instance, melt materials like batteries can be recycled. To recover resource and lean production, Harris (n.d.) claimed â€Å"Zinc can be gathered from smelting furnaces. Used oil, hydraulic fluids, refrigerator compressors and more can be taken from cars and fridges.† Citizens should pay attention to establishing especial collection facilities in cities. Considering the problem of land, the city government needs to find a suitable place in the city where could offer special disposal of toxic waste (Harris et al, n.d.). In recent years, the number of waste becomes a growing tendency, which is a common phenomenon, has aroused wide concern in cities. The causes of waste are the spawning of Municipal Solid Waste, industrial activities and citizens’ and industries’ non-standard behavior. What is more, to decrease the amount of waste, citizens should standardize their behavior and use waste as a resource, and managers should release their environmental responsibility so that factories could reduce the discharge of industrial waste. Government needs to establish especial collection facilities in cities and find a suitable place for toxic waste. In conclusion, the whole society should pay close attention to the problem of recycling and reducing. Citizens of the future may be more environmentally conscious than people in the current society.

The Shortcomings of College Education Essay -- Personal Narrative

The Shortcomings of College Education "The more we know the world around us, the more successful we will be." This quote, from the introduction of my high school chemistry book, was my driving force as a teenager to attend college. My expectations of college were to gain insight into a world that I had not yet discovered. I had high aspirations of receiving a good education and obtaining a good job when I graduated. But four years later when graduation day arrived, I felt unfulfilled. In evaluating my education, I realized that I learned how to get good, but not great grades. I learned how to study to make the most of my time. The focus I shared with many of my peers was not always to appreciate the information received, but rather, to value the counsel from someone else who previously took that professor's class and maybe to be lucky enough to get a hold of last semester's examinations. Basically, I acquired useful skills for any job: to follow directions, to give the boss what he or she was asking of me, and to network and gain insight from other colleagues. It was still disturbing to me that after four years of schooling, I felt I had not received the education I initially expected. Overall, college does not bring out the full academic potential of the students who invest the time and money into an education. Teachers need to set aside their biases and restructure and develop curriculum, as well as student-teacher relationships, in order to truly develop college students into freethinking, exploratory people. Structured, pertinent curriculum is the foundation of a good class. If students are not interested in the information presented, then the class has no value to the student but to merely satisfy a graduation requir... ...heir instruction, they they should stay in the field or in the labortory where their energy is concentrated. Quit wasting the time and money of the students and give college instructors the fair evaluations they deserve. Set standards for their positions and hold them accountable for skills in teaching, not just their content knowledge. Works Cited Cheney, Lynne V. "PC: Alive and Entrenched." In The Presence of Others: Voices that Call for Response, edited by Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. New York: St. Martin's Press. 1997. Glasser, William. "Noncoercive Discipline." In Building Classroom Discipline, edited by C.M. Charles. New York: Longman Press. 1999. Rose, Mike. "Lives on the Boundary." In The Presence of Others: Voices that Call for Response, edited by Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. New York: St. Martin's Press. 1997.

The movie industry

The movie industry has already established its roots in this lifetime, and probably even in the next. Hollywood itself is a historical entity; it has its own life, its own people, and its own followers and worshippers. It is like a cult that creates a huge amount of money every single day. It has invaded not only the big screen, but our televisions and music players as well. In fact, the three categories of entertainment have often intertwined and exchanged characters. We obsess over the movies that we feel like we can relate to. Maybe it’s because of the theme, or the ending of the story that has really touched our lives.Or it was a favorite book that we have read a million times that can now live outside our imaginations and can visually please us on the big screen. Or we watch a movie simply because we adore the actors in it, so much so that we know what they ate for breakfast for the whole week. We have been following the movie industry for a long time now. We praise and w orship those who make the biggest money on its opening week and almost not mention those who do not even make it to the big screen and directly to DVDs. Money is the ultimate cause and end of this industry. And it is said that money is also the reason why the ratings exist.Almost all movies have a rating by the MPAA. However, the accuracy and the legitimacy of these ratings are being questioned not only by the film industry players, but mostly by the people the MPAA swore to exist for, the American parents and their innocent children. The issue that exists now is not whether or not parents should allow their children to watch movies that have been labeled as restricted for them, but the integrity of the ratings itself is questionable. The controversies surrounding the ratings of Hollywood movies cloud over the fact that the principal reason for the existence of the ratings is responsibility and sensibility.Their goal as an association is to be of assistance to the American parents t o help them guide their children in restricting and choosing which movies to watch. As it was stated by Jack Valenti, former MPAA president, in an article that he wrote, â€Å"To offer to parents some advance information about movies so that parents can decide what movies they want their children to see or not to see (Valenti). † But several critiques and hullabaloos have been shed in lieu of the existence of this ratings organization.Some say that the board members are biased towards the producers and directors that they have come to love. Some say that the members of this board abhor movies that targets issues that they are sensitive about. It seems that the existence of such an organization cannot really protect anybody, if that is what they are really for. If I was a parent, and I was asked if I should allow my children to watch movies that were labeled unsuitable for them by a group of people that have questionable goals and motives, I would say yes, I will definitely al low them.I would advocate allowing children to watch restricted stamped movies because I know that even if the ratings do not exist, the parents will be responsible enough to discuss issues with their children firsthand. The parents have the discretion when it comes to watching these movies with their children. Parents exist for guidance and support, for explanation and for realization. Some parents are willing to be open and discuss important life changing issue with their children and do not encounter any problems with it.Some parents shy away from the issue because they think their children would not understand. But this is not true. School-aged children are old and mature enough to try to understand issues. According to Erik Erikson’s theory of developmental tasks, school-aged children are already curious as to how and why things operate the way they do. Their intense curiosities may be able to teach them a lot already, especially if someone they trust, like their parents , will be delivering the information to them firsthand (Kaplan). There is nothing wrong with a child knowing some sensitive topics at such a young age.In fact, children today are very aware of global issues and how these things affect them. The MPAA can stamp their ratings on movies as long as they want and they could, but they really could not stop any parent from allowing their children to watch movies. Secondly, I deem it unnecessary for a ratings board such as the MPAA to exist. Ratings are arbitrary and subjective; the people who stamp these ratings on movies are people just like us, human beings that can be subjected to persuasions and influences. Some filmmakers are making their case against the MPAA heard.According to Scoot Bowles of USA Today, Harvey Weinstein’s movie Grindhouse was in the brink of being rated NC-17, a rating that cannot only lower your sales, but can totally cross out your movie from existence. So Weinstein’s game plan was to make Quentin Tar antino, infamous creator the Kill Bill series, which also happens to be the director of Grindhouse, face the debate with the MPAA (Bowles). Apparently, the board loves Tarantino, and instead of giving the Grindhouse an NC-17 rating, they got an R with little trimming in the horror exploitation film. Also, rating is even voluntary (The Classification and Rating Administration).Film makers can opt not to get their movies rated, this is a freedom of choice. However if this is the case, why is it that almost all films are getting ratings when it isn’t really a requirement? There are issues surrounding this statement. Some are saying that it is a taboo when a film is not rated, or unrated, mostly because unrated films are foreign films, obscure independent films, direct-to-video films, pornographic films, made-for-TV films, large format (IMAX) films, or documentaries that are not expected to play outside the art house market, films that are not going to hit the top ten box office sales any time soon (Medved).In addition to that, when a film is unrated, some cinemas of DVD stores do not sell them anymore, which is equal to lesser revenues (Bowles). Films rated NC-17 are also almost unable to sell, hence when a film gets this rating, the makers usually plea for a change in rating. The film makers and the MPAA members agree on a new rating, with a compromise. There would be more cuts and whatever else the MPAA board decides to do. This in itself is questionable. When a rating is made, the rating should stick.How can the organization prove to the parents their worthy is they accept negotiations? Ratings should be given and they should be final. The NC-17 rating is most dreaded because not only will this cut your market in half, but will also make an impression already before it can be given the chance to be seen and heard. There are currently five categories of MPAA ratings. First is the G rating, which means General Audiences-All Ages Admitted, the PG rating, P arental Guidance Suggested.Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children, PG-13 is Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13, next is the R rating, or Restricted, Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent Or Adult Guardian and finally the NC-17 or No One 17 And Under Admitted rating (Valenti). Regardless of rating, children should be allowed to see works of art. Movie making is creativity at its best, for a targeted audience. I believe that movie makers should be given this freedom to express their art and their visions, how they see the world.And as their audience, people should be given the chance to see it and appreciate it, give the applause it deserves. Unfortunately, movie making has become a money making industry. Some independent films are really worthy of the exposure, but because they are being crushed by the bigger movie moguls, they cannot compete with it. The MPAA is even said to be biased towards the movie moguls in the industry (Medved). Eventually it will all boil down to choice. It is the movie maker’s choice to heed the advice of the MPAA and accept their ratings.It is the MPAA board’s choice to give a rating to the movie. Most importantly, it is the audience’s choice whether or not to see the film, whether or not to allow their children to watch it. Restrictions are just guidance, a reminder that there may be some issue or graphic scenes that the MPAA deem not suitable for such an audience, but it is still up to the parents to assert their final decision. Responsible parenthood can immediately and automatically turn down the tables for the MPAA or the movie industry itself.Nobody really has to be told about their morals, for it is subjective, it depends on the individual. The system at how movies are rated is questionable, no doubt, but the way parents discipline their children is not. They can opt to allow their child to see R rated movies, and the consequences of such an act, may it be good or bad, is theirs for the taking. Works Cited: Kaplan. The Basics. New York: Kaplan Publishing, 2007. Medved, Michael. â€Å"R-Rated Movies Not A Good Investment For Hollywood. † 2000. Texas A&M University. 10 December 2008 . â€Å"Questions & Answers: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About The Movie Rating System. † 2000. The Classification and Rating Administration. 10 December 2008 . Bowles, Scott. â€Å"Debating the MPAA's mission. † 2007. USA Today. 10 December 2008 . Valenti, Jack. â€Å"How it all began. † 2000. MPA. 10 December 2008 .

A Tragic Yet Passionate Play - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 500 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2019/03/13 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Romeo and Juliet Essay William Shakespeare Essay Did you like this example? Introduction Romeo and Juliet, a tragic yet passionate play written by William Shakespeare, tells the story of two teenage lovers who get caught in the clash of their familys ongoing conflict. One of the most profound and famous scenes in literature takes place in Romeo and Juliet, as the two young lovers are seen on a balcony, passionately declaring their unconditional love for each other. Released in 2011, a British-American Disney animated film titled, Gnomeo and Juliet tells a lighthearted and simplified version of Shakespeare’s famous play. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "A Tragic Yet Passionate Play" essay for you Create order Disney’s Gnomeo and Juliet takes an interesting approach in showcasing Shakespeare’s famous balcony scene. When comparing Shakespeare’s original balcony scene and Disney’s remade cartoon, there are many topics worthy of being discussed, such as: setting, characterization, and language. In Shakespeare’s original play, the famous balcony scene takes place in the Capulet family’s garden. Disney’s Gnomeo and Juliet also takes place in a garden: however, it is modernized and occupied with living gnomes instead of humans. The time period is also significantly different. As Romeo and Juliet takes place in the 1600s, Gnomeo and Juliet takes place in modern time. These small differences make a huge impact in modernizing Shakespeare’s classic play, especially for the impact and understanding of younger audiences. Although Gnomeo and Juliet displays a much simpler approach to Shakespeare’s tragedy, the traits of the characters are overall quite similar. In both scenes, Romeo is portrayed as being quite impulsive and immature, where Juliet appears to b e more cautious and reserved. Juliet’s reaction in both scenes is also quite similar, as she is embarrassed, yet relieved that Romeo feels the same yearning passion that she does. Although this is true, these is a noticeable difference in these two scenes; the contrast in the emotions expressed by the characters. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet showcases the love between the two teenagers as an ecstatic and overpowering need to be together; however, Gnomeo and Juliet lacks the intense yearning and overwhelming love the two share. The language expressed in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is very complex, surreal, and passionate; however, in the animated remake, Gnomeo and Juliet, the language is simplified, childlike, and displays a more innocent theme. Although this is a noticeable change, it is beneficial to a younger audience, as Shakespeare’s language can be difficult to understand. Conclusion In conclusion, Disney’s approach to Shakespeare’s famous balcony scene is lighthearted and entertaining, yet lacks the deep emotions and unconditional love that the original displays. Since â€Å"Gnomeo and Juliet† is an animated film created for children, Shakespeare’s incredible language lacks greatly. Although there are significant differences in the two, the characteristics and the overall message of the story are similar: love that is so intensely passionate will break all morals. Works Cited Shakespeare, William and Alan Durband. Romeo and Juliet. Hauppage: NY: Barron’s, 1985. Print. Accessed 4 January 2019. Asbury, Kelly. Gnomeo and Juliet. Hollywood: Walt Disney Studios. 2011. DVD. Accessed 8 January 2019.