Global Warming and Drought in The Southwestern U.S. Essay Example for Free

Global Warming and Drought in The Southwestern U.S. Essay Pumphrey (2008) rightly observed that until fairly recently, no one would bought the idea that the worlds climate was changing, let alone that it was been influenced by human activities. The first insight into what is today known as global warming was first conceived by the Swedish scientist Arrhenius, who, late in the 19th century, suggested that the activities of the rapidly developing industries could cause the planet to warm up. Such ideas were often ignored, but over the course of the 20th century, opinions about climate change, â€Å"even rapid climate change† were becoming more apparent (Pumphrey, 2008, p. 1). As things stand now, there appears to be a growing pile of irrefutable evidences that point to the fact that human activities are affecting the heat/energy exchange between the earth, the atmosphere and space (Justus and Susan, 2006). The primary cause of global climate change has been attributed to the accumulation of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants in the earths atmosphere. These green house gases, as they are now known, form a blanket over the earth atmosphere, thus trapping the suns heat inside the planet and causing it to warm up (National Resources Defense Council, 2007). A substantial population of the worlds scientist have agreed that human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, have increased atmospheric â€Å"concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) by 36% from pre-industrial levels of 280 parts per million (ppm) to 380 ppm over the past 150 years, leading to an increase in global average temperature of 0. 9oF over the past 100 years†. Consequently, there has been considerable increase in global average temperature and sea levels, decreases of sea ice in the Artic and melting of the planets continental ice sheets and mountain glaciers (Justus and Susan, 2006). More frightening, however, is the assertion by scientists that if green house gases continue to accumulate at the present rates, more rapid and devastating consequences could result within a short period of time. While scientists largely agree on the evidences pointing to a warming planet, the severity and ramifications of its consequences is often a subject of controversy, doubts and heated debates. The drought in the Southwestern U. S presents one such example of the controversies and uncertainties surrounding the consequences of global warming. In the history of the Southwestern U. S. , drought has been a relatively periodic occurrence, due to climate variability that characterizes this region. For example, after reviewing the history of climate changes in the region, Thompson and Anderson (2005) concluded that over the long term, the climate of the region is constantly changing and that in the 18,000 years since the last glacial maximum the southwestern United States has experienced conditions that ranged from much colder to somewhat warmer than today. Moisture conditions have also varied, both through time and across the region (Thompson and Anderson, 2005). However, despite these assertions, scientists through several studies have pointed out that the present multi-year drought in the region is not another result of climate variability but a consequence of climate change. They assert that the present climate situation might be the new climate of the region and that drier and more sever droughts lies ahead if urgent measures are not taken. The proposed study intends to support and add weight to the contention that climate changes is already impacting the region and that increasing global warming will increase the severity of drought in the Southwestern U. S. Purpose Statement McNab and Karl (2003) observe that drought is a complex phenomenon that can be very difficult to define. They contend that the problem with defining drought derives partially from the fact that the term could be approached from different perspectives. That, notwithstanding, the central theme that underlie any definition of drought is the absent or deficiency of water. However, they point out that to completely define drought, the â€Å"component(s) of the hydrologic cycle affected by the water deficit and the time period associated with the deficit, must be specified†. The Southwestern U. S is a region vulnerable to droughts due to its variable climatology that derives from its peculiar topography. The entire Southwestern states of the United States fall into a climatic region generally known as the subtropics. These regions are known to be dry and susceptible to drought because the atmosphere moves water out of those regions into higher planes (Thompson, 2007). It is argued that the evaporation is higher in subtropics and the moist air from here is transported to temperate regions at higher latitudes. This climatic condition sometimes causes excessive dryness (drought) in these regions. The infamous dust bowl conditions of the 1930s and the severe droughts of the 1950s are typical examples. Pointing out the vulnerability of the region, Davis (2007) observe that in some years, exceptional drought has engulfed the entire Plains from Canada to Mexico; in other years, crimson conflagrations on weather maps have crept down the Gulf Coast to Louisiana or crossed the Rockies to the interior Northwest (Davies, 2007). Based on this argument, it is convenient to describe the present drought in the region as a result of such climatic variability. Unfortunately, recent data on global warming indicate otherwise. Scientists have shown that this time, the drought in the region is not just a passing phase in climatic conditions, it is a reality that has come to stay. It is evident that this time, it is the base climate that is changing and dire consequences looms ahead. Supporting the argument that the aridity in the Southwestern U. S is different this time, Davis (2007), point out that Lake Powell had fallen by nearly eighty feet in three years, and crucial reservoirs along the Rio Grande were barely more than mud puddles. The Southwestern winter of 2005-06, meanwhile, was one of the driest on record, and Phoenix went 143 days without a single drop of rain. Noting that some scientists have regarded the present situations as the worst drought in 500 years and with the several scientific evidences showing the link between global warming and severe drought, Davis concluded that the present climate condition is not simply episodic drought but the regions new normal weather' (Davies, 2007). Statement of the Problem Both global warming and droughts portend grave dangers for both the region and the world at large. Despite the sometimes dissenting voices in the science world, there is unanimous certainty that the planet is warming up. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its 2007 report stated that it is unequivocal that the planet is heating up and that, with utmost certainty, the warming is caused by human activities. It is clearly understood that increased global temperatures will facilitate the propagation of certain deadly bacteria and the spread of diseases. For example, Kolivras and Andrew (2004) carried out a study that revealed that the presence and spread of four diseases; hantavirus, plague, dengue and coccidioidomycosis in the Southwestern U. S could be attributed to the increased in temperature in this region. Again, it is clear that higher global temperatures will lead to increase in the incidence and severity of droughts which will affect agricultural production, causing global food crisis. Also, the melting of continental and Artic ice, due to global warming, will cause flooding and other devastating problems that will affect millions of people globally. Persistent drought, on the other hand, also severely impacts a society. Besides the shortage of food and water that characterizes drought conditions, Davis (2007) also point out that drought rapidly destabilizes the natural ecosystem. Buttressing this fact, he observed that, without sufficient moisture to produce protective sap, millions of acres of pinyon and ponderosa pine have been ravaged by plagues of bark beetles; these dead forests, in turn, have helped to kindle the firestorms that have burst into the suburbs of Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Denver, as well as destroyed part of Los Alamos (Davies, 2007). However, despite the frightening consequences of droughts and/or global warming, the real issue here is the misunderstanding of the problem at hand. A clear understanding of the real cause and nature of the drought in the Southwestern United States will greatly help in containing the problem before it get out of hand. In a study for the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Richard Seager and other scientists point out that all the models used for the third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicated a general decrease in rainfall in the subtropics during the 21st century and gradual drying up of the region with increasing concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (Seager et al, 2007). The present drought in the region is therefore, evidently a consequence of a much bigger problem, the realization of this fact is important in shaping public attitudes and opinions required for finding a lasting solution to the problem. Theoretical Framework The states of the Southwestern United States fall in a climatic region known as the subtropics. The climate in these regions is characteristically dry because the atmosphere moves water out of these regions. Moist air from these regions is often transported to temperate regions at higher latitudes. This phenomenon is referred to as the Hadley cell (Thompson, 2007). This flow of moist air away from subtropics induces rising air over the equator and descending air over the subtropics. The descending air over the subtropics suppresses precipitation, which further increase dryness of the regions. With global warming, the blanket of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere heat up the air over the subtropics enabling it to carry and transport more moisture away from the region. Furthermore, with increasing global temperatures, Hadley cell (the flow of air out of the subtropics) expands pole ward, bringing the United States Southwestern region under the increasing influence of descending air, further compromising precipitation and further worsening drought. The link between reduced precipitation and drought was established by McNab and Karl (2003) who asserted that precipitation can be considered to be the carrier of the drought signal and stream flow and ground-water levels can be considered to be the last indicators of the occurrence of a drought (McNab and Karl, 2003). It has been argued that whilst past droughts in the region was because La Nina brought cooler ocean temperatures to the equatorial Pacific, which resulted in drier conditions over North America, the present drought is caused by changing climatic conditions characterized by increasing global temperatures that enable more moisture to be transported out of the region and suppressed precipitation.

tyger :: essays research papers

The Tyger In the poem the tyger William Blake shows a lot of symbolism, imagery, and irony. He likes to explain to his audience how he writes with all the knowledge he knows. Reading this poem makes me think of how a person feels when he is taken advantage of at work. Like when ones work is difficult to cope with, suffering, and pain is all that is left. It seems to that in the end all the pain endured happens to what is left for this person and suffering is what hurts the most. William Blake shows symbolism in this part of the poem, â€Å" In the forest of the night,†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. (line 2). This part shows that you can be trapped from your work or even your life. â€Å" what immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?’† ( line 3-4). This part shows how much struggle he has in his life and all the pain he feels in his life. â€Å" in what distant deeps or skies burnt the fire of thine eyes.† (line 5-6). He shows his emotions and how much anger that was built up in his heart. He feels like crying because he is frustrated. â€Å"What the hammer? What the chain†. ( line 13). This shows that his been treated like a slave and has endured what slaves endued like working on the rail roads. â€Å"When the stars threw down their spears, and watered with their tears, (lines 17-8). Shows that he has mellowed down and is ready to accept all that has happen to him. â€Å"Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the lamb make thee? â€Å"( lines 19-20). He is talking to god and its bringing out his emotions. Asking for forgiveness and wants to be treated normal in his life.† Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright in the forest of the night,† ( lines 21-22). This phrase started in the beginning and ended at the end. Its because it’s the true meaning behind the whole poem no matter what you do or how hard you work there is always something that gonna take you down. throughout the poem I have seen a lot of Irony and symbolism. The parts that I chose from the poem brings out a lot of pain, suffering, hard work. tyger :: essays research papers The Tyger In the poem the tyger William Blake shows a lot of symbolism, imagery, and irony. He likes to explain to his audience how he writes with all the knowledge he knows. Reading this poem makes me think of how a person feels when he is taken advantage of at work. Like when ones work is difficult to cope with, suffering, and pain is all that is left. It seems to that in the end all the pain endured happens to what is left for this person and suffering is what hurts the most. William Blake shows symbolism in this part of the poem, â€Å" In the forest of the night,†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. (line 2). This part shows that you can be trapped from your work or even your life. â€Å" what immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?’† ( line 3-4). This part shows how much struggle he has in his life and all the pain he feels in his life. â€Å" in what distant deeps or skies burnt the fire of thine eyes.† (line 5-6). He shows his emotions and how much anger that was built up in his heart. He feels like crying because he is frustrated. â€Å"What the hammer? What the chain†. ( line 13). This shows that his been treated like a slave and has endured what slaves endued like working on the rail roads. â€Å"When the stars threw down their spears, and watered with their tears, (lines 17-8). Shows that he has mellowed down and is ready to accept all that has happen to him. â€Å"Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the lamb make thee? â€Å"( lines 19-20). He is talking to god and its bringing out his emotions. Asking for forgiveness and wants to be treated normal in his life.† Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright in the forest of the night,† ( lines 21-22). This phrase started in the beginning and ended at the end. Its because it’s the true meaning behind the whole poem no matter what you do or how hard you work there is always something that gonna take you down. throughout the poem I have seen a lot of Irony and symbolism. The parts that I chose from the poem brings out a lot of pain, suffering, hard work.

Performance Management System Essay

A performance management system is the process in which an organization will involves its employees, as individuals and members of a group, in improving organizational effectiveness in the accomplishment of the organization’s mission and goals. Employee performance management includes: planning work and setting expectations, continually monitoring performance, developing the capacity to perform, periodically rating performance in a summary fashion, and rewarding good performance. Planning Work and other processes are planned out in organizations; one of the best ways the organization knows to ensure that the employees are effective in the organization is by implementing the employees in the planning process. This helps the employees understand the goals, what needs done, why it needs to be done, and how well it should be done within the organization. Monitoring Within effective organizations, projects and other assignments are monitored, positive monitoring is consistently measuring performance as well as providing positive and negative feedback to and from employee’s on their progress toward reaching goals. Requirements for monitoring employees performance is compared against their elements and standards in the organization, monitoring provides the organization opportunity to check the employees performance and the ability to measure the unacceptable performance. Developing Employee development should be evaluated and addressed; this form of developing can increase the capacity to perform through training, give tasks that work on new skills of higher levels of responsibility, improve the work process, and many other methods. When employees are provided with training and developmental opportunity’s, organizations encourage good performance, strengthen job-related skills and competence, and helps employees keep up with changes in the organization such as; new policy, standards, or technology. Rating Organizations will summarize employees performance allowing them to compare  performance over time or amongst a variety of employees, this allows the organization to see who the best performers are as well as the employees that need work. Rating is evaluating employees or a group of employee’s performance against the standards in a performance plan and assigning a summary rating record. There are rating of records assigned according to procedures included in the organizations appraisal program, which is biased on the performance by employees during an entire appraisal period. Rewarding Rewarding is when the organization recognizes the employees, either as individuals or a team for their performance and acknowledging their contributions to the needs of the organization. Positive performance can be recognized without waiting for nominations for awards, recognition can be implemented in all day-to-day operations within the organization. Using a Performance Management System Any organization that uses a performance management system creates positive work practices among the employees, as well it allows the management in the organization to see where the employees performance is at. Organizations need to gather information about employee performance in order to figure out who would be a good fit when it comes to promotions and who would be better equipped to handle more responsibilities. Performance management system helps the organization to determine which employees are best suited to hire from within, not only do they already know the operations of the organization, but the organizations management knows their work ethics and has already been monitoring their progress.

Maya Angelo - Phenomenal Woman - 766 Words

â€Å"Phenomenal Women† By Maya Angelo – Analysis In the poem â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† by Maya Angelo expresses many viewpoints on the topic of women. She describes the many attributes of women throughout the poem. Many think that a slim and trim body or pretty faces are the many features of a true woman. But Angelo explains the small insignificant features of a woman that people or society never mention. She believes and convinces the reader that these are the marks of a woman. The poems central idea is; Women should embrace their natural traits and characteristics even if society keeps telling you otherwise. Angelo starts this narrative poem by saying â€Å"Pretty women wonder where my secret lies/ Im not cute or built to suit a fashion†¦show more content†¦She says it’s the â€Å"Its in the click of my heels/ The bend of my hair/ The palm of my hand/ The need of my care†. She is confident and knows that she is a strong, confident, fierce , independent, natural, beautiful woman. No matter what people or society tell – her she can recognize her own femininity and can see that all the little things of a woman make her a â€Å"PhenomenalShow MoreRelatedPhenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou1591 Words   |  7 Pagescan one identify a phenomenal woman? Can one say it is measured by the good deeds she has done or maybe even her personality? Maya Angelou gave a deep reasoning of why and how she is a phenomenal woman. This poem, Phenomenal Women, has uplifted many woman all across the globe and inspired the youth to know there worth. Maya Angelou’s book â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† was published in 1995. The book contains four poems â€Å"Still I Rise†, â€Å"Weekend Glory†, â€Å"Our Grandmothers†, and â€Å"Phenomenal Woman†. These poems inspireRead More Maya Angelo Essay474 Words   |  2 Pagesmeeting that one person it would be Maya Angelo. She was an inspirational and phenomen al woman of her decade. Not only was she an actress and poet, she was a mother too. Maya Angelo was a beautiful black woman in her time that stood for what was just. She experienced slavery, and even endured it. Her legacy and history is passed on through many of her books like â€Å"I know why the caged bird sings†, or through her poems such as â€Å"A raisin in the sun† and â€Å"phenomenal woman†. Thanks to her tenacity andRead MoreMaya Angelou Research Notes1165 Words   |  5 PagesMaya Angelou Research Notes First source: Maya Angelou. Poetry Foundation, 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. †¢ Childhood: o Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri. o During her childhood, she lived in Stamps, Arkansas with her grandmother and her brother. o Angelou was sexually assaulted by her mothers boyfriend when she was seven years old. o Angelou’s uncles killed him when they found out about the assault. Although she was the victim of a heinous crime, Maya Angelou felt responsible for hisRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Phenomenal Women By Maya Angelou Essay932 Words   |  4 Pages– anonymous. How can a noun actually be an attractive quality in a person? In â€Å"Phenomenal Women† by Maya Angelou she answers this question. To Angelou, the power of confidence is limitless for every woman, that many do not recognize. Angelou uses many literary devices such as, rhyme, repetition, metaphors, and idioms to convey that to be a ‘phenomenal’ woman, you must have confidence and be proud to be yourself. Maya Angelou was born April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a very famousRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem I Know Why The Caged Bird Sing And Phenomenal Women 1217 Words   |  5 Pages The importance of Maya Angelou’s, â€Å"I know why the Caged Bird Sing† and â€Å"Phenomenal Women† is the focus of identity, feminism and racism. Throughout these poems, we will see the way she explores the life of women in a male dominated society and the racial segregation between whites and blacks that took place for over hundreds of years. Each poem reflects its own form of identity for both women and African Americans during segregation. Her use of metaphors, symbolism, figure of speech, and imageryRead MoreMaya Angelou Essay883 Words   |  4 PagesMaya Angelou was an inspiring activist, poet, and woman. Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 4, 1928. Throughout her lifetime she explored her career options as an actress, dancer, singer, writer, and editor among many other careers. Angelou had a tough childhood. Her parents divorced when she was very young and she was sent to live with her grandmother in Arkansas along with her brother Bailey . As an African American, Angelou experienced discrimination and racial prejudices. AngelouRead MoreMaya Angelous Poems Essay1288 Words   |  6 PagesMaya Angelou’s Poems Maya Angelou’s poetry occupies a very special position in her development as a writer (Chow 1). As a child, Angelou went through five years of complete silence after she was raped at the age of seven years old, by a man named, Mr. Freeman. As a result of telling about her traumatic experience, her uncle’s literally kicked the man that raped her to death. Beings she spoke of her traumatic experience and the result of the man dying, she then imagined that her voice had the potentialRead MoreAnalysis Of Maya Angelou s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Essay1484 Words   |  6 Pages â€Å"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.† By Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. This is the quote my mom has been telling me every day since I was 13 and able to understand it. Maya Angelou wrote this poem in 1969 and it still speaks to millions of people today. Millions of people who have everything to say but never speak. This is just one e xample, my example on how relatable poems are even if they are hundreds of years old. Being able to relate to a poem