Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Text Production Essay #2

There is a greenhouse gases layer in the atmosphere which traps outgoing infrared radiation in the Earth. It is good because it keeps the Earth warm. However, the concentration of greenhouse gases has increased dramatically because of human activities. This makes the layer becomes thicker and more radiation is trapped in the atmosphere. (Al Gore 2007) This phenomenon is called global warming. Generally, global warming refers to an increase in the average global temperature due to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. There are many potential consequences of global warming in terms of climate change and they should be tackled with prompt actions as soon as possible.

One of the conceivable impacts of global warming is the rising of sea level. Since the middle of 19th century, sea level has been raised, mainly due to the human-induced climate change. During the 20th century, sea level rose about 15 to 20 centimeters each year. In fact, Greenland is now in melting process. According to a scientific advisor, Tony Blair, if the melting process of Greenland continues, the map of the world has to be redrawn. The low altitude countries such as Florida, San Francisco, Beijing and Bangladesh will sink into underwater. As a result, hundred million or more people will suffer. (Al Gore 2007)

Besides, the extinction of the animals is also one of the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change. Arctic is a country which affected by climate change significantly. As the temperature of Arctic rises rapidly, the summer ice disappears gradually. Polar bears which depend on sea ice for hunting will be unable to survive in the future. Furthermore, the erratic weather will affect the growth of plants, thus reducing the habitats and food resources for certain animals. Undoubtedly, it decreases the number of migratory birds flying to the Arctic every summer to breed and nest because some breeding habitats have been vanished. (Chris Woodford 2006)

Therefore, global warming must be solved in order to save the Earth from being damaged continuously. As the research shows that greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide have caused temperature to rise between 0.6°C and 0.9°C over the past century (Holli Riebeek 2007), a very effective way to solve the problem is to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide. To do that, we can use energy efficiency appliances. For example, we can replace the incandescent lamps with fluorescent lamps. We can cycle, walk, or take ride on buses instead of using personal cars. According to Al Gore An Inconvenient Truth A Global Warming, the 2007 film directed by Davis Guggenheim, if we all use more energy efficient appliances, we can reduce the carbon dioxide emission to the level achieved in year 1970.

Moreover, it is ridiculous to compare our planet with economy. If we do not have planet, we can do nothing. If we do the right thing, then we can create a lot of wealth and jobs which can lead to economic growth. (Al Gore 2007) Therefore, the world’s governments should participate in Kyoto Protocol which aimed at fighting global warming. According to the Stern Report, the cost of solving this problem will be greater tomorrow so it is important to tackle climate change immediately. Stern also claims that it only cost one percent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) which is 20 times less if we deal with the effects later. (Chris Woodford 2006)

In conclusion, global warming in terms of climate change brings many problems to the Earth such as the rise of the sea level and the extinction of animals. It is a very serious issue and we, as human beings, should take responsible actions to tackle this problem expeditiously. Reducing the emission of carbon dioxide is a good way. As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure”, it would be better if we can do something to prevent the global warming from getting worse.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Text Production Essay #1

What are the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change and how they can be arrested?

There is a greenhouse gases layer in the atmosphere which traps outgoing infrared radiation in the Earth. It is good because it keeps the Earth warm. However, the greenhouse gases have increased dramatically because of human activities. This makes the layer becomes thicker and more radiation is trapped in the atmosphere. (Al Gore 2007) This phenomenon is called global warming. Generally, global warming refers to an increase in the average global temperature due to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. There are many potential consequences of global warming in terms of climate change and they should be tackled with prompt action as soon as possible.

Global warming which leads to climate change causes the sea level to rise. Since the middle of 19th century, sea level has been raised, mainly due to the human-induced climate change. During the 20th century, sea level rose about 15 to 20 centimeters each year. In fact, Greenland is now in melting process. According to a scientific advisor, Tony Blair, if the melting process of Greenland continues, the map of the world has to be redrawn. The low altitude countries such as Florida, San Francisco, Netherlands, Beijing, Shanghai, Calcutta and Bangladesh will sink into underwater. As a result, hundred million or more people will suffer. (Al Gore 2007)

Besides, the extinction of the animals is also one of the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change. Arctic is a country which affected by climate change significantly. As the temperature of Arctic rises rapidly, the summer ice disappears gradually. Polar bears which depend on sea ice for hunting will be unable to survive in the future. Furthermore, the global warming will affect the growth of plants. Undoubtedly, it decreases the number of migratory birds flying to the Arctic every summer to breed and nest because some breeding habitats have been vanished. (Chris Woodford 2006)

Therefore, global warming must be solved in order to save the Earth from being damaged continuously. As the research shows that greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide which mainly spewed by the factories and vehicles have caused temperatures to rise between 0.6°C and 0.9°C over the past century (Holli Riebeek 2007), a very effective way to solve the problem is to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide. To do that, we can use energy efficiency appliances. For example, we can replace the incandescent lamps with fluorescent lamps. We can bicycle, walk, or take bus instead of using personal car. According to Al Gore An Inconvenient Truth A Global Warming, the 2007 film directed by Davis Guggenheim, if we all use more energy efficient appliances, we can reduce the carbon dioxide emission to the level achieved in year 1970.

Moreover, it is ridiculous to compare our planet with economy. If we do not have planet, we can do nothing. If we do the right thing, then we can create a lot of wealth and jobs which can lead to economic growth. (Al Gore 2007) Therefore, the world’s governments should participate in Kyoto Protocol which aimed at fighting global warming. According to the Stern Report, the cost of solving this problem will be greater tomorrow so it is important to tackle climate change immediately. Stern also claims that it only cost one percent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) which is 20 times less if we deal with the effects later. (Chris Woodford 2006)

In conclusion, global warming in terms of climate change brings many problems to the Earth such as the rise of the sea level and the extinction of animals. It is a very serious issue and we, as human beings, should take actions to tackle this problem expeditiously. Reducing the emission of carbon dioxide is a good way. As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure”, it would be better if we can do something to prevent the global warming from getting worse.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Hammer killing of Charlie Boulos, 24, prompted by jealously

  • From:AAP
  • March 11, 2010 11:38pm
  • A JEALOUS lover lay in wait before brutally murdering his girlfriend's male friend, a court has heard.

    Troy Joshua Townley used a hammer and knife to kill Charlie Boulos, 24, at the home of Karen Hanna, Townley's on-again off-again lover, Crown prosecutor Paul Darcy told the Victorian Supreme Court today.

    Defence lawyer Wayne Toohey, however, told the court Ms Hanna and her brother conspired in a plan to rob Boulos and Ms Hanna landed the fatal blows while Townley helped them dispose of the body.

    "Mr Townley never agreed to forcefully injure him ... Karen Hanna went off on a frolic and mission of her own,'' he said.

    Mr Toohey said Townley, of Derrimut in Melbourne's west, was part of the conspiracy with Ms Hanna to assault and rob Boulos, but had not killed him.

    Mr Boulos's badly charred body was found a week after the mechanic went missing by a man walking his dog at a reserve in Laverton North, 13km south of where he was allegedly killed at Ms Hanna's home in St Albans.

    Mr Darcy told the court Ms Hanna claims Townley, 25, was sending jealous text messages on the night Mr Boulos was killed on June 23, 2008.

    "Karen Hanna said over a period of months leading up to the event occurring, there were tensions and jealousies with the accused man,'' he said.

    Boulos, Ms Hanna and her younger brother Michael were using illegal amphetamines in her furnished shed on the night of June 23 when Michael saw Mr Townley lurking in the backyard, Mr Darcy said.

    "The accused man came up behind Charlie, put his finger on his lips and Michael thought he was going to play a joke on him,'' he said.

    "What happened was anything but a joke, the accused man started the process of hitting Charlie in the head with a hammer forcefully.''

    Graphic images displayed how Boulos's skull was fractured countless times from blows with a hammer to his scalp, eye sockets, cheekbones and jaw, with several depressed fractures touching his brain.

    He was also stabbed 10 times in the torso and plastic was shoved down his throat but he had died from the hammer blows, forensic pathologist Melissa Baker told the court.

    She said the blows were delivered with "severe force'', which the prosecution will argue reveal Mr Townley's intent to murder Boulos.

    The trial before Justice Betty King continues.