Nuclear Power Station Advantages and Disadvantages

Nuclear Power Station Advantages and Disadvantages Introduction As the human civilization has advanced, so have the energy demands of humankind. The modern world requires huge amounts of energy resources to sustain its need. For over a century, these energy demands have been satisfied by fossil fuels.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Nuclear Power Station Advantages and Disadvantages specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, the energy demands have increased significantly and it has been recognized that the un-renewable fossil fuel reserves will not be able to satisfy the global energy demands for long. This together with the observed negative environmental impacts of the sources has necessitated the search for alternative energy sources. Nuclear energy has emerged as a potential alternative energy source to fossil fuel. Loyn (2011) declares that while there are other alternative sources of energy, nuclear power is the most reliable and sustainable one. The t echnology to exploit nuclear power has already been well developed and as of 2011, nuclear power stations were supplying 6% of the worlds energy needs. This suggests that nuclear power is a feasible replacement to fossil fuels as a primary source of energy for the world. Nuclear Power: An Overview Nuclear power refers to the process of creating heat through a nuclear reaction and then harnessing this heat to produce electricity. It was an offshoot of the nuclear weapons industry. After scientists successfully learned how to build the atomic bomb, government funded research and development was committed to civilian application and nuclear development. Researchers hoped to be able to harness the enormous energy produced by nuclear reactions for peaceful use. Governments have continued to play a crucial role in the nuclear industry and Western governments have expended significant financial resources to the development of nuclear power. The US government spent $70 billion between 1948 and 1998 while the OECD governments had spent $318 billion by 1992 on nuclear energy research and development (Caldicott, 2006).Advertising Looking for research paper on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Nuclear energy encompasses two varying but related forms of reactions fission and fusion. In nuclear fission, nuclear power is produced by splitting a radioactive isotope of a heavy element into two or more smaller nuclei (Benedict, 1971). The newly formed nuclei are positively charged and they repel each other thereby traveling at high speeds in opposite directions. If there are other fissionable atoms nearby, they may be induced to fission by colliding with the high speed traveling nuclei from the first fission atom and this creates a chain reaction (McKinney Schoch, 2012). The chain reaction taking place due to nuclear fission has to be controlled. If it is allowed to go on in an uncontrolled manner, it will lead to a nuclear meltdown. Control rods are the devices used to regulate the nuclear fission process. These rods are made of material that readily absorbs neutrons, such as cadmium and boron. The nuclear chain reaction can be completely stopped by inserting the control rods fully into the nuclear reactor. In the fusion process, the nuclei of light elements fuse together to form heavier elements. An enormous amount of energy is released in this process thereby creating nuclear power. The first artificial fusion reaction was attained when the US detonated a hydrogen bomb in 1954. However, controlled and sustained fusion reactions are not yet feasible as a commercial energy source. The lack of success in harnessing energy from the fusion process for commercial energy production is due to the extremely high temperatures needed to initiate the fusion reaction. McKinney and Schoch (2012) reveal that researchers are working to come up with a practical means of producing t he extremely high temperatures needed for fusion and to contain the fusion reaction after it gets started. How Nuclear Power Works All modern nuclear power plants make use of the fission process to produce energy. A great amount of energy is required to split an atom and to accomplish this a nuclear reactor, which is a machine that shoots electricity-charged neutrons at atoms at great speeds, is used. The reactor consists of a core, which has the nuclear fuel (usually uranium), a moderator to slow neurons down, and control rods to regulate the rate of the fission process (Sivanagaraju, 2010). When the nuclear power plant is in operation, vast amounts of heat energy are generated in the reactor core. Water is used as the main coolant for the core.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Nuclear Power Station Advantages and Disadvantages specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The water in the nuclear power plant is contain ed in a primary and a secondary loop. The primary loop circulates around the core and its water directly cool the core. During the cooling process, the water in the loop absorbs the core’s heat energy. Lilley (2010) states that the water in the primary loop is push under high pressure to retain it liquid form. The primary loop is exposed to the core and the water in it potentially becomes radioactive. The water is therefore recycled and not exposed to the environment. The secondary loop contains water that is heated by the primary loop through a heat exchanger. This heat turns the secondary loop water into steam. Since the water in the secondary loop does not come into direct contact with the primary loop water, it is not radioactive. The steam is therefore used directly to turn turbines in generators and produce electricity. Advantages of Nuclear Power Nuclear power reduces the negative environmental impact that electricity generation activities cause. Without nuclear power, industrialized countries such as the US would have to rely overwhelmingly on coal burning to generate electricity. McKinney and Schoch (2012) assert that coal causes severe environmental degradation as harmful greenhouse gases are produced and harmful particles are introduced into the environment. The other major source of electricity generation is hydro power plants and these facilities result in significant pollution to the environment. Hydroelectric power plants lead to flooding in the upstream areas and encourage the proliferation of disease-bearing organisms due to the disruption caused to natural water flow. Nuclear energy provides the only feasible solution to provide for the growing electricity demands in the world. The global electricity demand is expected to double in the next 2 decades (Hore-Lacy, 2011). Nuclear energy is able to provide continuous reliable supply to meet the global energy demands. To reduce the reliance on the non-renewable fossil fuels, renewable alter natives such as wind and solar energy have been proposed. Many nations have established power plants that harness these resources to produce electricity. However, these alternatives suffer from a lack of reliability. Wind power relies on the presence of substantial amounts of wind while solar energy requires the continuous radiation from the sun. For these two alternatives to be exploited, the power station has to be fitted with substantial back-up capacity in order to provide continuous energy.Advertising Looking for research paper on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The prices for the fuel for nuclear reactors is low and relatively stable making the unit cost of electricity from nuclear power stations fairly predictable (Sivanagaraju, 2010). The Fossil fuel prices are unstable and most times, they are escalating. This makes reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation unreliable and expensive. The price fluctuation has a negative economic impact on the countries that rely on fossil fuels for electricity generation. The price for uranium, which is the primary fuel for nuclear reactors, is stable which makes the cost of electricity from nuclear power stations steady over extended periods of time. Nuclear power stations are capable of providing cheap electricity especially when the power generated is large (Sivanagaraju, 2010). After the initial capital expenses have been incurred, the running costs of the power station are low. The amount of energy obtained from a small amount of nuclear fuel also contributes to the reduction in the cost p er unit. Nuclear power plants have established themselves as the safest means of large-scale commercial power generation. Since the start of commercial nuclear energy production, nearly 6 decades ago, nuclear power generation has shown an impressive safety record (Benedict, 1971). McKinney and Schoch (2012) reveal that the wide publicizing of the few nuclear accidents has caused the perception that nuclear power plants are unsafe. In reality, other sources of electricity generation have had many accidents and caused more deaths than nuclear power plants. The use of nuclear power to produce electricity increases the energy dependence of a country. Most nations rely on the fossil resources to satisfy their energy production. Overdependence on fossil fuels leads to energy dependency on the nations that have huge fossil fuel reserves. The non-oil producing nations of the world are forced to spend a lot of foreign currency importing these products. Nuclear power plants reduce the demands for coal, gas, and oil therefore promoting energy reliance in countries that lack fossil fuel resources. This increases the freedom of the country and also saves it millions of dollars that would have been used importing fossil fuels. Nuclear power plants have less space requirements compared to other electricity production methods such as hydroelectric. This is a major advantage since land is becoming a scarce resource as the human population increases and more land is required for industrial activity. The limited space requirements of nuclear power stations mean that they can be constructed relatively nearer to the load center in order to reduce transmission losses. Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Nuclear power makes use of nonrenewable resources, which means that this source of energy cannot provide for humanity’s energy needs indefinitely. Loyn (2011) documents that uranium, which is the main fissile fuel use in nuclear reactors, is a finite resource and the available ura nium deposits are expected to run out in about 100 years. The widespread availability of uranium is already diminishing as more nations set up nuclear power stations. Nuclear power can therefore not be relied upon to provide energy for generations to come. Nuclear power plants produce toxic waste that can be harmful to the environment. Nuclear plants make use of uranium and plutonium to produce the heat energy through the nuclear reaction. Once these raw materials have been used for the production of nuclear energy, they are radioactive in nature and must be stored safely. Meisen and Hunter (2007) document that these toxic byproducts have a very long half-life and they must be stored safely for thousands of years. A nation that wishes to use nuclear power to generate electricity has to invest in a sophisticated waste disposal program. Nuclear power plants require large quantities of water during routine operations. This water is used for cooling purposes and for turning the turbines to generate electricity. While most of the water is reused in the operation, significant water is released into the atmosphere therefore making the water requirements for the power plant great (Caldicott, 2006). The huge water requirements make it expensive for nuclear power plants to be constructed at locations where there is no large water supply. In addition to this, nuclear power plants lead to the contamination of water since the water in the primary loop becomes radioactive due to contact with the core. The mining and processing of the uranium resources necessary to fuel nuclear power plants has a major impact on the environment. Uranium is found in small concentration and a significant amount of uranium ore has to be mined in order to extract uranium from the earth. McKinney and Schoch (2012) state that more than 140,000 metric tons of uranium ore has to be mined to supply the uranium fuel consumed by a 1,000-megawatt capacity nuclear power plant annually. Caldicott (2006) r eveals that as more nuclear power plants are commissioned, the demand for uranium will increase and this will deplete the high-grade deposits of uranium ore making it necessary for more land to be mined in order to extract the uranium. The level of damage in case of a major disaster in a nuclear power plant would be catastrophic. McKinney and Schoch (2012) chillingly warn that the typical modern nuclear power plant contains within its walls radiation equivalent to that of a thousand Hiroshima bombs (p.223). In a worst-case nuclear accident scenario, up to 100,000 immediate deaths would occur and tens of thousands of subsequent deaths would follow due to radiation poisoning. The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 demonstrated the huge environmental implications that a nuclear power station accident can cause. Chudley (2012) documents that this accident led to the severe contamination of over 10,000 square kilometers of territory in former USSR Is Nuclear Power Friendly to the Environment? Nu clear power presents an additional danger to the environment since an accidental spillage has adverse effects on the surrounding environment. Caldicott (2006) warns that there is danger of the huge quantities of radioactive waste accumulating from nuclear power leaking and contaminating drinking water and food chains in many parts of the world. In addition to the risk of accidental spillage, nuclear power plants are making the environment unsafe. Nuclear power plants emit routine radiation that may be dangerous to the environment. Caldicott (2006) states that the radioactive elements released from the nuclear fuel cycle cause damage to living cells. The environment is in constant danger from the harmful byproducts of nuclear power stations. Nuclear power plants produce toxic radioactive waste that must be safely stored to avoid environmental contamination. Caldicott (2006) states that a regular 1,000 megawatt nuclear power plant generates 30 tons of extremely dangerous radioactive w aste annually. So far, a safe means of disposing of the deadly radioactive waste is yet to be developed. However, it should be noted that the dangers to the environment all require catastrophic failures in the nuclear power plants. While nuclear power plants pose significant threats to the environment, the US Environmental Protection Agency (2012) asserts that these power plants are built with safety considerations as a priority. The reactor plants are shielded to ensure that the radiation is contained and does not escape into the environment. The impressive safety record of nuclear power stations all over the world suggests that nuclear energy is actually friendly to the environment. In addition to this, nuclear power plants reduce the environmental effects caused by traditional energy production methods since they do not release any harmful gases into the environment. The Future of Nuclear Power Nuclear power plants promise to reduce carbon emissions while at the same time guarant eeing energy security for decades to come. However, this energy production method can still be improved upon. At the present, the nuclear power generation plants make use of nuclear fission. Loyn (2011) states that nuclear fusion is yet to be developed for use in civilian power stations. Hore-Lacy (2011) reveals that it is hoped that by the time the uranium supplies in the world are exhausted, nuclear fusion will be an option. If this technology is perfected, the society will be able to benefit from the enormous amount of energy produced from this process. In addition to this, the resources needed for nuclear fusion are in abundant supply. Loyn (2011) reveals that Deuterium, the isotope of hydrogen used in nuclear fusion, can be extracted from ordinary water. Since ordinary water is available in abundance, nuclear fusion can provide enough energy to last humanity for millions of years. The major disadvantages attributed to nuclear power plants are associated with the use of fission reactors. If major developments are made in fusion technology, these demerits of nuclear power will be eliminated. Scientists agree that fusion would be an ideal energy source since it would provide enormous amounts of energy from an infinite resource (ordinary water) and without the radioactive waste products that fission produces (Loyn, 2011). Conclusion This paper set out to discuss nuclear power station with focus on the advantages and disadvantages of these stations. The paper begun by defining nuclear power and elaborating on how nuclear power can be used to produce electricity. It has demonstrated that nuclear power is capable of producing enough electricity to satisfy the growing global energy demands. The paper has also highlighted some of the most important advantages of nuclear power, including its low environmental impact, reliability, reduced unit price, and limited space requirements. In addition to this, the paper has recognized that there are major risks associated w ith using nuclear power to generate electricity. However, measures can be taken to mitigate these risks and ensure that the society is able to harness the enormous energy held in nuclear power at minimal risk. A discussion on the future of nuclear energy has been made. The paper has demonstrated that for nuclear power to serve as an alternative to fossil fuel, major developments have to be made in nuclear fusion since the currently preferred method, nuclear fusion, is unsustainable. However, the current fission power plants are a relevant alternative to fossil fuels. These nuclear power plants will continue to play a crucial role in providing for the growing global energy demands for decades to come. References Benedict, M. (1971). Electric Power From Nuclear Fission. PNAS, 68(8), 8-16. Caldicott, H. (2006). Nuclear Power Is Not the Answer to Global Warming Or Anything Else. Melbourne: Melbourne Univ. Publishing. Chudley, A. (2012). Genetic implications and health consequences follo wing the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Clin Genet, 77(1), 221–226. Hore-Lacy, I. (2011). Nuclear Power and Energy Sustainability. S CB, 23(1), 159-176. Lilley, S. (2010). System Failure Case Studies: Island Fever, NASA Safety Center, 4 (3), 23-34. Loyn, C. (2011). Can Nuclear Power Save the Climate? Young Scientists Journal, 9(1), 16-19. McKinney, M.L. Schoch, R.M. (2012). Environmental Science: Systems and Solutions. NY: Jones Bartlett Publishers. US Environmental Protection Agency (2012). Nuclear Power Plants. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/radtown/nuclear-power-plants Sivanagaraju, S. (2010). Generation and Utilization of Electrical Energy. New Delhi: Pearson Education India.

Two Opposing Perspectives on Egoism of Nietsche and Kierkegaard Essay

Two Opposing Perspectives on Egoism of Nietsche and Kierkegaard - Essay Example Nietzsche, on the other hand, might not have explicitly mentioned the atheistic foundation of his argument in his statement in Gay Science No. 304 but it is clear that he insisted that man should not be controlled by any rule or principle that restrains him from doing what he wants. Apparently, Nietzsche and Kierkegaard also differed in their views when it comes to their treatment of the ego or the individual. For Nietzsche, the individual is supreme and it is only by being so that he frees himself from the clutches of any entity that could hinder his struggle to achieve happiness. Rules that are imposed on him that tend to impede his freedom of movements must, therefore, be removed or repudiated. Kierkegaard, on the other hand, insisted that man should always consider the existence of a higher entity, God. Kierkegaard argued that man is governed by the rules of the Supreme Being and because of this there are limits to his freedom. However, it is necessary to discuss each of the key statements made by both modern philosophers in a more profound manner. The result of such discussion should clarify the opposing perspectives regarding egoism. No. 304 of Nietzsche’s Gay Science is a very explicit statement that describes the author’s personal conviction regarding the primacy of the individual. The last part of the section actually sums up in the most profound manner what he believed in. Nietzsche wrote: â€Å"I do not mean to strive with open eyes for my impoverishment; I do not like any of the negative virtues whose very essence is negation and self-renunciation.† (244) The previous sentences that led to this conclusion are highly critical of the set-up wherein man is ruled by laws that mostly pertain to activities or actions that should not be done. This results into an environment or a society in which people are restrained from undertaking efforts that they may deem as beneficial to them individually. Consequently, individuals are also depr ived of the chance to live happily according to their respective definitions of it. In the statement, Nietzsche asserts that he does not wish to live under such conditions and that he opposes all rules that results in these. Apparently, Nietzsche does not see the necessity of discussing the bases of the laws or rules which he points out as restrictive and violating of individual freedom. It is also clear that it does not matter whether such rules are secular or borne out of religious beliefs. As long as these explicitly tell man what not to do, then these deserve to be opposed. For Nietzsche, the argument against such restrictions should not be anchored on the cost-benefits analysis for society. It is in the actual effects that these produce on the individual. If such laws impede or hinder the individual, then these are not justified. It does not matter whether these are supposedly important for social order or whether these are for the common good. For Nietzsche, if it is restricti ve in essence then it is deplorable. It is quite obvious that he has made the individual as the center for all his arguments, which runs contrary to the perspectives adhered by governments and other power structures in society, whether religious or secular. If his statements are analyzed further, it would definitely appear

The Development of Amazon.com in Europe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Development of Amazon.com in Europe - Essay Example They expanded their Seattle distribution center, and added a center in Maryland. This allowed them to offer speedy delivery to customers in the east and in the west. In 1997 they added additional product lines, music and DVDs, but in 1998 it was evident that other online companies such as Buy.com, BarnesandNoble.com and CDNow were offering serious competition. Amazon.com chose to expand quickly to offset competition, adding several product lines. By 1999 in addition to books and music, the company offered video, drugstore, auctions, electronics and toys, software and video games, home improvement, lawn, patio, health, beauty, kitchen, and in 2000 partnered with ToysRUs and launched a computer category (Hammond & Chiron). By that time, their distribution centers had been increased throughout the country. The addition of cell phones, used products, and e-book store increased their volume. The company utilized Six Sigma (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) to improve their i nventory and record accuracy, finding their errors reduced by 50% in a year. With global marketing the way of the future, however, Amazon chose to expand into the European market and found it necessary to meet different challenges. Challenges Addressed in Amazon.eu It was quickly evident that methods that were successful in the United States would not work in Europe. The first challenge was to standardize and improve supply chain processes across Europe in the areas of vendor management, sales and operations planning, customer backlogs, and inventory management. Tom Taylor, Director of European Supply Chain Operations managed to meet these challenges by 2003 (Hammond & Chiron 209). In the meantime, other challenges had to be addressed beyond their acquisition of major online companies in Germany and the UK. For one thing, Germany had only one wholesaler and France had none so different acquisition methods had to be found. Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de offered only books in 1998, adding music in October 1999 and auctions and zshops in November 1999. Amazon quickly became a leading online bookstore in UK and Germany. In September 2000 Amazon entered the French market with Amazon.fr built from scratch and offering books, music, video, and DVD produc t lines all at the same time. Amazon Japan was launched in November 2000 and the international segment of Amazon was beginning to represent a significant portion of Amazon's total revenue. Europeans, however, were less likely to have credit cards, less experience with mail-order shopping, and were more conservative in their shopping habits. In 2000 German retailers were not allowed to discount the price of books, and some online privacy issues were more sensitive in Europe than in the U.S., necessitating an agreement between EU and US government on treatment of personal and confidential data.

Circulatory System Essay Example for Free

Circulatory System Essay His first point criticised Paley’s analogy of the watch. The first part of the analogy claimed that if you found a rock while walking through a heath, you would not think anything of it. However, if you had seen a watch you would examine it and find that it had moving parts that demonstrate that the watch has a purpose, the parts work together for a purpose and they are ordered to make the watch function because if they weren’t, the watch won’t perform its function. He concluded the first part of his analogy by saying that the watch had a maker who must have existed at some time and place. The second part of the analogy claimed that if we suppose the watch had another imaginary function, and this function was the producing of other watches, then our admiration for the watchmaker would be increased. He concluded this part of his argument by saying that anyone who finds such a watch would conclude that the design of the watch implies ‘the presence of intelligence and mind’. Paley said that just like the watch being designed necessitates a designer as an explanation of its existence, all of nature requires a much greater designer. The complexity of nature is far greater than any machine human beings can make and therefore a grand designer is needed, this designer is God. Hume criticised this point by saying that the analogy is limited. For example, you could conclude from a study of the human blood circulatory system that animals had the same system. This would be a weak and mistaken analogy however to compare a human’s and an animal’s circulato ry system to the way sap circulates in a plant. Hume maintained his criticism of Paley’s analogy of the watch by an analogy of his own. This analogy said that we can conclude that a house had a builder and an architect but we cannot, however, deduce a builder or architect of the universe in the same way because there is no similarity between the two. He mentioned that if the house is faulty, what does this suggest about the designer? And so, if God did design the world, is he directly responsible for the evil within it? Paley, however, rejected this point because the issue was whether the universe exhibited signs of design. He was not concerned with questions relating to issues of quality concerning the design. Paley’s response was criticised to be unsatisfactory. Hume argued that there are other possible explanations than God for apparent design in the universe. Hume claimed that one of these possible explanations might be that as well as the possibility that there is a grand designer of the universe, it is equally possible that ‘matter may contain the spring of order originally within itself, as well as mind does’ and that unless there is perfect similarity between the object of comparison and what is being compared, you cannot draw a conclusion with any certainty. Another possible explanation for apparent design in the universe might be that any effects that we observe in nature may be caused by a variety of causes. This view supports the discovery of natural selection and the DNA and its role of shaping the growth of all living organisms. Hume claimed that there might not be just one single designer for the world. For example, we may look at a great ship and think about the great design of it, but the ship may be the result of years, even generations of trial and error. The ship may be the product of many hands and not just one great designer. From this, Hume concludes that there is no evidence to suggest the ‘unity of the deity’. Hume suggested three more theories as explanations for the design of the universe; aptness of analogy, the epicurean thesis and the argument from effect to cause. The aptness of analogy said that a watch is not a suitable analogy for the world. For example, just because a cabbage is fitted together/designed perfectly, does not mean that it has a maker/designer. By using a machine as an analogy, you would have already determined the outcome you want; you want there to be a designer and you’re already assuming that something natural, i.e. the cabbage, has a designer. The epicurean thesis was explained using an example. This example spoke about particles and said that if they were freely moving around over infinite time, by chance, one of the combinations they make would just happen to represent a stable order and this stable order is what we now live in. This example represented the view that the universe might have happened by chance. The argument from effect to cause claimed that we cannot go from an effect to a greater cause than that needed to produce the cause. We cannot say whether he made the watch alone or had some little helpers. This would mean that we do not and cannot know whether he is still active or even still alive, we can only say if the universe does/doesn’t have a designer and can’t list its traits by saying that he is benevolent, omnipotent, omniscient and infinite as many would portray him. Overall, Hume criticises the teleological argument in a number of ways. He very explicitly criticises Paley’s views on the teleological argument, using them to explain why he believes that the argument is deeply flawed.

Televised Executions Essay -- Ethical Issues, Death Penalty

In recent years, more and more people have become aware of crime and murder. It is something that has affected them, their families and neighborhoods. Just about everyone in the world knows someone who has become a victim of murder, rape, and or robbery. In most cases the suspects are heartless and have no remorse in regards to the crime they committed. Some individuals are repeat offenders who have received a slap on the wrist from the justice system or only faced small jail time. A recent report by the Senate judiciary Committee, called America the "most violent and self-destructive nation on earth", and it was noted that violent crime in America had increased by 516% since 1960 (Economist, 1992). Many individuals have tried to come up with solutions and scare tactics attempting to deter those who commit crime. It appears that solutions are failing. One author has his own theory of deterrence. George Bryjak the author of â€Å"Why we should all watch Executions† believes that if the justice system televised executions to the public, this would deter individuals from committing crimes. Bryjak stresses his point saying: â€Å"deterrence relies on theory that people will refrain from participating in homicide or crime if they perceive the threat of swift and certain punishment, the death penalty could be made a more effective deterrent if executions were televised and reached a larger audience on a regular basis† (Bryjak, 2001). Bryjak appeals to readers in a serious tone and makes very valid points for his reasoning. Bryjak’s thus fails to provide sufficient evidence on some of his reasoning to convince readers on his position. In the article, Bryjak reaches the heart of his readers by reminding them of the man wh... ...e author doesn’t convince readers by simply saying â€Å"executions should be public spectacles† that this would deter crime. The author even presents credible evidence from those who oppose; Bryjak even agrees they make his position look bad. The author doesn’t refute that people are going to commit crimes regardless if they watch someone get executed or not. Research shows individuals are threatened everyday with the consequences they can face for disobeying the law, yet there still appears to be an increase in crime and violence. Many that commit crimes are aware of the possibility of receiving the death penalty if sentenced, however many individuals still continue to commit acts of murder. The article is entitled â€Å"Why we all should watch executions† and I don’t think Bryjak persuaded readers on why they should watch but more so on why there should be executions.

Airport Security: the Post 9/11 Age

Airport Security: The Post 9/11 Age Airport security in the world we live in today is drastically different then the security we knew before the events of September 11, 2001, when four passenger airliners were high-jacked over the skies of the United States, causing a global terror pandemic that still has long lasting effects today. We will look at, discuss and break down some of the key features of airport security in Canada as well as the United States, that have been improved, as well as certain security programs and features which were freshly implemented as a direct result.We will discuss â€Å"no-fly lists,† personnel training and armament, and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority or â€Å"CATSA,† including their security screening techniques and procedures (screening, responsibilities, Air Marshalls). The â€Å"No-Fly List† was created shortly after the events of 9/11, by the United States government’s Terrorist Screening Center (TSC). The list includes the names of people who are deemed unsafe, or a threat to Airline security and are no longer permitted to board a commercial airline for the purpose of travel coming in or out of the United States.The list now contains roughly 10,000 names (2011), the number people on the list fluctuates based on threat, and intelligence reporting. Canada also has a similar list called the â€Å"Passenger Protect,† a similar initiative to that of the United States list, implemented on June 18, 2007 in order to identify people who could be a threat to the security of aviation, and prevent them from boarding Canadian domestic flights as well as International flights to or from Canada.The Passenger Protect program has two main parts: a set of â€Å"Identity Screening Regulations† which requires all passengers 18 years of age and older to present a valid form of government-issued Identification in order to board a flight, as well as a â€Å"Specified Persons List† whic h has a name, birth date, and gender of the individuals believed to pose a security threat. The list contains roughly 1,250 names. Individuals who have been denied boarding and are in fact on the list can submit an appeal to a branch of Transport Canada, called the Office of Reconsideration.The program works by the government supplying the Specified Persons List to Airlines, who then compare names of people on the list with individuals who intend on boarding flights. When the airline finds a name match, they then reference the individual’s government-issued identification to confirm. The identification is then once more confirmed in person at the airport check-in area, when a confirmation has been established Transport Canada is immediately notified.Training is also provided by Transport Canada to the airlines to teach staff and agents how to implement the ID verification process, and establish procedures to ensure the rights of the passengers are respected. Of course with a system like this, controversy is brought up by civil liberty organizations citing their concerns for civil liberties, racial profiling, privacy, and the perceived failure of the no-fly list created in the United States. In the United States, several anomalies’ referred to as â€Å"false positives† have risen.A â€Å"false positive† happens when an individual who is actually not on the no-fly list, has a name matching or similar to a name on the list. One notable case of a false positive includes a United States Marine in April of 2006, who was flying home from Iraq when he was prohibited from boarding his flight home, as his name matched one on the no-fly list. The lists, although very controversial both here in Canada and in the United States play an important role in establishing airport/airline safety and security, and ensuring an event such as the attacks on September 11, 2001 will not re-occur.Secondly, the way Security Personnel are trained and armed has b een drastically affected in the post 9/11 world. In the United States, immediately after the attacks for several weeks to months afterwards, fully armed guards, either Local Police or National Guard would patrol airports in full tactical gear wielding assault rifles or tactical shotguns. In Canada the response was similar, however not as fully extended as in the United States.In Canada today, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) which is thoroughly explained in the next topic, handles all screening procedures by hiring third party private security firms to conduct screening. Our general airport security providing safety is executed by local Police forces. The RCMP once used to handle all general airport security, now only handles a few airports including Edmonton International Airport. Edmonton International Airport has a detachment of the RCMP located on site to ensure a quick and proper response to emergencies, ecurity and policing needs. The Police members on sit e are trained in emergency preparedness in order to be able to respond to a wide range of situations, including terrorism attacks. In addition to human Police officers, many airports such as Edmonton’s, implement canine members for certain situations such as sniffing out drugs, weapons, people, and explosives. In Edmonton specifically, at the RCMP airport detachment, they have Badge, a German Sheppard trained in attacking criminals, searching for lost people or baggage, as well as the ability to sniff out 15 different explosives.As well as the main goal of airport security of keeping a safe and problem free environment, security also includes Emergency Response Services (ERS). Fire and medical services are always ready at a moment’s notice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for emergencies such as fires, aircraft mayday emergencies, and terrorist attacks. The Emergency Response Services are always highly trained and outfitted with top of the line vehicles and equipment to deal with any situation, and all have requirements and policies on stringent response times.An example of the preparedness by the ERS in Edmonton is their ability to make it from the fire hall located on site to the mid-point on the furthest runway in 3 minutes. Finally, as a direct result of the attacks of September 11, 2001 we seen the formation of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority or â€Å"CATSA,† in December 2001, introduced by then Finance Minister Paul Martin, which included a very comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing economic and personal security in Canada.In April of 2002 CATSA took over responsibility of passenger and employee screening, although they still hire private security companies to do much of the screening, CATSA still oversees training and equipment available. CATSA states their mission is â€Å"to protect the public by securing critical elements of the air transportation system†¦ † Their responsibilities can be grouped into four major areas; Pre-board screening, hold baggage screening, non-passenger screening, and Restricted Area Identity Cards.Pre-board screening is done by Private Security firms hired and governed by CATSA, their tasks include getting all carry-on items coming onto an aircraft to go through X-ray, individuals must then pass through metal detectors and physical searches can and will be executed if an alarm is raised either through the metal detector, or random selection. Full body scanners are also used to reveal weapons, objects or explosives hidden under or within clothing. CATSA also implements the use of Explosive Detection Trace (EDT) technology at security checkpoints; this involves a quick swabbing of carry-on items or hands to test for explosives.Hold-Baggage Screening (HBS) is another major area of CATSA, this is what happens to our baggage once it has been checked in and is on its way to be loaded onto the aircraft. This is the process of screening all checked baggage using a co mbination of state-of-the-art explosive detection technology, as well as highly trained security personnel. During HBS the density of baggage is tested as well as additional testing for trace amounts of chemicals. HBS is currently in full deployment in 89 airports across Canada since 2006, for all domestic and international flights.CATSA is responsible for the instillation, deployment and renovations of HBS systems as well as regulatory compliance monitoring. Another major area of CATSA is non-passenger screening (NPS), this is required by Transport Canada starting back in 2004 and involves the random screening of people who work at the airports, these people can include flight crews, airport crews, caterers, maintenance workers, and baggage handlers. This subjects employees to unpredictable security screenings at entry points within airport restricted areas, the screening process is similar to that of the passenger screening, and also includes an Identification check.CATSA states t hat they screen 2,500 employees a day out of the 100,000 employees who have access to secure areas in Canadian airports. They also state that this program is continually evolving, as the only constant is â€Å"the cooperation needed between screening officers and non-passengers. † The fourth noted area of CATSA is the Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC) program, which is constantly advancing through the use of biometric scanners. The RAIC program uses state-of-the-art duel biometric scanner identification programs to ensure the identity of the personnel who have restricted access.The program includes cards with built-in microchips to store biometric information of fingerprint and iris scanner templates. The RAIC program has been fully functional since January 31, 2007 in over 28 major airports in Canada. It’s notable that the biometric technology used here is also utilized in non-passenger screening and these two programs work in conjunction with one another. CATSA al so jointly implements the Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program (CACPP) with Transport Canada; this program is similar to that of the U.S. Sky Marshall Program. This program strategically places highly trained, armed, undercover RCMP members, also known as In-Flight Security Officers (IFSOs), on Canadian registered commercial airliners. IFSOs mandate is to be able to successfully prevent the aircraft from being taken over by an unauthorized individual(s), as well as gather and interpret intelligence on terrorist and criminal activity within civil aviation. In conclusion, airport security in North America and the world will continue to grow and prosper.In the post 9/11 world today, policies and procedures will only grow tighter and more stringent in an effort to prevent terrorism. From no-fly lists created to prevent the wrong people from boarding passenger planes, to tighter and better trained local Police and Security personnel on the front lines preforming screening, security an d emergency response services. To government initiatives like the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority providing important and well-rounded security systems from x-ray scanners to In-Flight Security Officers, the airline industry has never been more stringent in counter terrorism.References Airport screening: 9/11 response. (n. d. ). In CBC News; the fifth estate. Retrieved October 25, 2012, from http://www. cbc. ca/fifth/fastenseatbelts/security. html No fly list. (n. d. ). In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 25, 2012, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/No_Fly_List Passenger Protect. (n. d. ). In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 25, 2012, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Passenger_Protect Security Screening. (n. d. ). In Canadian air transport security authority. Retrieved October 25, 2012, from http://www. atsa-acsta. gc. ca/Page. aspx? ID=7&pname=Screening_Controle&lang=en Canadian air carrier protective program. (n. d. ). In Transport Canada. Retrieved October 25, 2012, from ht tp://www. tc. gc. ca/eng/aviationsecurity/page-186. htm Gazette magazine – the canadian air carrier protective program . (n. d. ). In RCMP-GRC. Retrieved October 25, 2012, from http://www. rcmp-grc. gc. ca/gazette/vol70n3/air-eng. htm Emergency response. (n. d. ). In Fly EIA. Retrieved October 25, 2012, from http://www. flyeia. com/emergency_response. aspx

Glacier and Citrus College Chapter Essay - 4631 Words

ESCI 118 – Physical Geography Citrus College Chapter 17 – Solution Processes and Karst Topography 1. How does carbonic acid form? It forms when water and carbon dioxide combine and react. 2. What is meant by dissolution? Dissolution is the action of being dissolved. 3. What kinds of rock are most susceptible to solution processes? Why? Limestone and dolomite are most susceptible to solution processes because the water, which is slightly acidic, reacts with rock and dissolves the co2 gas carrying away or dissolving some of the sediment. 4. How does the underground structure of the bedrock influence the dissolution process? Bedrock that is made of carbonate is more†¦show more content†¦In an arid land, there is less precipitation than the potential evaporation which is not the case in humid regions. 2. What is meant by an impermeable surface and how does such a surface influence the results of rainfall in a desert? An impermeable surface cannot be penetrated by any element. Such a surface will not allow rain to percolate into the desert soil leaving no plants with root systems able to survive unless specifically adapted to the climate. 3. What is a basin of interior drainage? The land is uplifted crust blocks that form parallel ranges but surface water doesn’t run to the ocean. Instead, it evaporates over time leaving a salt flat. 4. What is the difference between an ephemeral stream and an exotic stream in a desert? An ephemeral stream is a stream that only exists during rainfall. Exotic streams come from an origin outside of the desert. 5. Although there is very little rainfall in deserts, running water is still the most important process of erosion and deposition in arid environments. Describe and explain at least two special conditions in deserts that tend to increase the likelihood of fluvial erosion whenever it does rain. Any rainfall increases fluvial erosion. When rain does fall, this creates ephemeral streams causing water erosion due to fast forces of water. Flash floods are possible as well creating even more erosion. 6.