The Effects of War on the Environment

The natural environment has been a strategic element of war since the first rock was thrown by the first cave dweller. The armies of ancient Rome and Assyria, to ensure the total capitulation of their enemies, reportedly sowed salt into the cropland of their foes, making the soil useless for farming—an early use of military herbicide, and one of the most devastating environmental effects of war. But history also provides lessons in eco-sensitive warfare. The Bible, in Deuteronomy 20:19, stays the hand of the warrior to minimize wars impact on nature and men alike: When you besiege a city a long time, to make war against it in order to capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by swinging an axe against them; for you may eat from them, and you shall not cut them down. For is the tree of the field a man, that it should be besieged by you? War and the Environment: Weve Been Lucky so Far War is waged differently today, of course, and has widespread environmental impacts that last far longer. The technology has changed, and the potential effects of the technology are very different, says Carl Bruch, co-director of international programs at the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C. Bruch, who is also the co-author of The Environmental Consequences of War: Legal, Economic, and Scientific Perspectives, notes that modern chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare has the potential to wreak unprecedented environmental havoc that, fortunately, we havent seen—yet. This is a great threat, Bruch says. But in some cases, precision weapons and other technological advances can shield the environment by targeting key facilities, leaving other areas relatively unscathed. You could make the argument that these weapons have the ability to minimize collateral damage, says Geoffrey Dabelko, director of the Environmental Change and Security Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. Its Local: The Impact of War Today Warfare today also occurs infrequently between independent nations; more often, armed conflict breaks out between rival factions within a nation. These localized civil wars, according to Bruch, are usually beyond the reach of international treaties and bodies of law. Internal conflict is viewed as a matter of sovereignty—an internal matter, he says. As a result, environmental damage, like human rights violations, occurs unchecked by outside organizations. Though skirmishes, armed conflicts, and open warfare vary tremendously by region and by weapons used, the effects of war on the environment usually involve the following broad categories. Habitat Destruction and Refugees Perhaps the most famous example of habitat devastation occurred during the Vietnam War  when U.S. forces sprayed herbicides like Agent Orange on the forests and mangrove swamps that provided cover to guerrilla soldiers. An estimated 20 million gallons of herbicide were used, decimating about 4.5 million acres in the countryside. Some regions are not expected to recover for several decades. Additionally, when warfare causes the mass movement of people, the resulting impacts on the environment can be catastrophic. Widespread deforestation, unchecked hunting, soil erosion, and contamination of land and water by human waste occur when thousands of humans are forced to settle in a new area. During the Rwandan conflict in 1994, much of that countrys Akagera National Park was opened to refugees; as a result of this refugee influx, local populations of animals like the roan antelope and the eland became extinct. Invasive Species Military ships, cargo airplanes, and trucks often carry more than soldiers and munitions; non-native plants and animals can also ride along, invading new areas and wiping out native species in the process. Laysan Island in the Pacific Ocean was once home to a number of rare plants and animals, but troop movements during and after World War II introduced rats that nearly wiped out the Laysan finch and the Laysan rail, as well as bringing in sandbur, an invasive plant that crowds out the native bunchgrass that local birds depend on for habitat. Infrastructure Collapse Among the first and most vulnerable targets of attack in a military campaign are the enemys roads, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure. While these dont form part of the natural environment, the destruction of wastewater treatment plants, for example, severely degrades regional water quality. During the 1990s fighting in Croatia, chemical manufacturing plants were bombed; because treatment facilities for chemical spills werent functioning, toxins flowed downstream unchecked until the conflict ended. Increased Production Even in regions not directly affected by warfare, increased production in manufacturing, agriculture, and other industries that support a war effort can wreak havoc on the natural environment. During World War I, former wilderness areas of the United States came under cultivation for wheat, cotton, and other crops, while vast stands of timber were clear-cut to meet wartime demand for wood products. Timber in Liberia, oil in Sudan, and diamonds in Sierra Leone are all exploited by military factions. These provide a revenue stream that is used to buy weapons, says Bruch. Scorched Earth Practices, Hunting, and Poaching The destruction of your own homeland is a time-honored, albeit tragic, wartime custom. The term scorched earth originally applied to the burning of crops and buildings that might feed and shelter the enemy, but its now applied to any environmentally destructive strategy. To thwart invading Japanese troops during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), Chinese authorities dynamited a dike on the Yellow River, drowning thousands of Japanese soldiers—and thousands of Chinese peasants—while also flooding millions of square miles of land. Similarly, if an army marches on its stomach, as the saying goes, then feeding an army often requires hunting local animals, especially larger mammals that often have lower rates of reproduction. In the ongoing war in Sudan, poachers seeking meat for soldiers and civilians have had a tragic effect on bush animal populations in Garamba National Park, just across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At one point, the number of elephants shrunk from 22,000 to 5,000, and there were only 15 white rhinos left alive. Biological, Chemical, and Nuclear Weapons The production, testing, transport, and use of these advanced weapons is perhaps the single most destructive effects of war on the environment. Though their use has been strictly limited since the bombing of Japan by the U.S. military at the end of World War II, military analysts have grave concerns about the proliferation of nuclear material and chemical and biological weaponry. Weve been very fortunate that we have not seen the devastation that we might see, says Bruch. Researchers point to the use of depleted uranium (DU) as one particularly dangerous military trend. DU is a byproduct of the uranium-enrichment process. Almost twice as dense as lead, its valued in weapons for its ability to penetrate tank armor and other defenses. An estimated 320 tons of DU were used in the Gulf War in 1991; in addition to soil contamination, experts are concerned that soldiers and civilians may have been exposed to dangerous levels of the compound. How Environmental Problems Lead to War While the effects of war on the environment may be obvious, whats less clear are the ways that environmental damage itself leads to conflict. Factions in resource-poor countries like those in Africa, the Mideast, and Southeast Asia have historically used military force for material gain; they have few other options. Bruch explains that once armed conflict begins, soldiers and populations under siege must find immediate sources of food, water, and shelter, so theyre forced to adapt their thinking to short-term solutions, not long-term sustainability. This short-term desperation leads to a vicious cycle of conflict, followed by people who meet their immediate needs in unsustainable ways, bringing deprivation and disillusionment, which then leads to more conflict. One of the chief challenges is to break that cycle, Bruch says. Can Warfare Protect Nature? It seems counterintuitive, but some have argued that military conflicts often end up preserving the natural environment. Its one of the findings thats utterly contrary to expectations, says Jurgen Brauer, Ph.D., professor of economics at Augusta State University in Augusta, Georgia. The most preserved area in all of Korea is the demilitarized zone because you have the exclusion of human activity, he says. Other researchers have noted that despite the massive amounts of herbicide use during the Vietnam War, more forests have been lost in that country since the war ended than during it, due to peacetime commerce and Vietnams quest for prosperity. The coal-black skies caused by the Kuwaiti oil fires in 1991 provided dramatic visual evidence of war-related environmental damage. However, these oil fires burned in one month roughly the amount of oil burned by the United States in a single day. Peace can be damaging, too, says Dabelko. You have some of these ironic twists. But experts are quick to emphasize that this is not an argument in favor of armed conflict. War is not good for the environment, adds Brauer, who is also an author of War and Nature: The Environmental Consequences of War in a Globalized World. And Bruch notes that warfare only delays the environmental damage of peaceful human activity and commerce. It may provide a respite, but the long-term effects of war arent that different from what happens under commercial development, he says. Winning the Peace As military planning evolves, it becomes apparent that the environment now plays a greater role in successful combat, especially after an armed conflict ends. At the end of the day, if youre trying to occupy an area, you have a strong incentive not to ruin it, Dabelko says. The aforementioned biblical quote from Deuteronomy about preserving trees is, perhaps, good advice for the ages. And some warriors are learning that theres more to be gained from preserving the environment than in destroying it. In war-torn Mozambique, former military combatants have been hired to work together as park rangers protecting the wildlife and natural habitats that they once sought to destroy. That built bridges between the military and the park service. It has worked, Bruch says. Natural resources can be very important in providing jobs and opportunities in post-conflict societies.

Inequalities within the Criminal Justice System - 2475 Words

This essay will crucially consider whether there is inequalities within the criminal justice system between mothers and fathers, this will analyses a lot of statistics about males and females within prison with ratios of mothers in prison and that is compared to fathers, also compare between the crime and relations to the crime to show a clear cut understanding if there is or isn’t inequalities. The essay will discuss criminological theories linking in to how crime is seen in society the differences of each gender having committed the same crime the theories that will be used is, feminist theory which will focus on how mothers end up in prison and also how they are treated differently to fathers within the criminal justice system. The†¦show more content†¦(Malloch McIvor, 2012, p. 136). Carrying out community work would subsequently minimise the impact that it would have on the family. (Ministery of Justice, 2008). This would suggest that women hostels and community work has developed over the years taking into consideration how this could help children that would have been victims if mothers were sent to prison and also having successful rates on non-reoffending due to hostels means that hostels for probation and rehabilitation are working for mothers as they was not taken away from their children however men are more likely to not finish community work (Prison Reform Trust, 2010). Mothers are more than happy to be sent to a rehabilitation centre then prison as this would be seen as a easy escape from prison but also being able to still stay at home whilst attending rehabilitation centres, with community work offered to convicted offenders too it is proved that women finish community work more than males and are able to cope with the work as they see a means of not going to prison. Women are a target to pressure and over half of women within the criminal justice system have suffered from ‘domestic violence, compared with a quarter of men’ and with a quarter of having ‘experienced sexual abuse in comparison to just under a tenth of male prisoners’. (Corston, 2007). Mothers feel more pain of imprisonment then fathers/males this is because the role as a mother can be as primary carers. WorryShow MoreRelatedGender Inequality Within The Criminal Justice System974 Words   |  4 PagesThere are many disparities within the criminal justice system that can be recognized. One of the most commonly researched disparities is with race and ethnicity. However, there is another disparity that, while just as important, may be less recognized. This disparity is gender. For many years, criminologists have developed theories as to why females commit crime dating back to 1895. One more recent theory of crime is Sampson and Laub’s life course theory. 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The poor do not have the luxury of retaining adequate representation. Inequalities do not end with once a guilty verdict is delivered. They continue on through the penalty phase as lower class citizens are processed through the penal system. The incarceration rates of those in the lower socioeconomic class have increased significantly over recent years. Most of the increase in attributed to the war onRead MoreCriminology And Sociology : Criminology1296 Words   |  6 Pagesthey can examine anything from the smallest interactions between everyday people to vastly complex international or multinational relationships. Within this they attempt to understand the social processes; that is why humans think and behave in a certain way. Concepts and Theories of Criminology and Sociology: The generalisability problem is a concept within feminist criminology that adds women to male knowledge on crime, thereby the findings on men are generalised to women. 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Ethical Dilemma in IT Profession for Figures - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theEthical Dilemma in IT Profession for Facts and Figures. Answer: The doing ethics technique (DET) is a modus operandi which facilitates an examination of diverse moral problems in changing circumstances. Although it does not pledge that the final consequence would be the best resolution, but it positively aids the individual to ponder in a principled way. So as to ensure that the DET is applied productively, eight questions in the chronology mentioned should be responded to and they are , What is happening, the details and the facts and figures, the various ethical and non-ethical issues, who is effected, ethical problems found out along with the impact, the resolution to embark upon the same, various accessible alternatives and which one is best with rationales (Simpson et al 2003). The video makes it very evident that the project manager in the particular case is acting in an unethical way and thereby putting extraordinary pressure on the project developer by demanding from him to deliver the software within a very short duration and that too without testing the same and without the encryption as well. As per ICT i.e. information and communication technology ethics, the developer of any IT software should ensure that while doing so, he/she is adhering to all the ethical issues. However, the said case makes it clear that the in order to grab further contract from the company, the manager surrenders himself to greed and lust, hence pressurizing the developer of the program to deliver ahead of time as is desired by the company (Raicu, 2016). Hence the said action is unethical on the part of the project manager simply because releasing of any software program wherein encryption and security is absent would basically mean risking the crucial and critical data of mil lions of people. The end result of such an act is very alarming and can lead to various damaging effects as well. Releasing of a software much before time, in an incomplete state without encryption and testing would man risking the critical data of millions of users in the hands of the potenti0l cyber attackers. Along with the same, the said act would also lead to impacting the goodwill of both the organizations i.e. the company who is demanding an early delivery as well as the project management company who is delivering the said software. The importance of encryption cannot be ignored as it is the only way via which one can secure its data. Taking such a big peril is an immoral act of greater substance, only because it wants to grab further contracts, is basically playing with the personal lives of many who would be using the same. Hence the said launch can cause theft of crucial data, misutilization of the said stolen data, loss of faith and goodwill and also compromising on the secrecy (Schneier, 2016). Last but not the least, ICT professionals cannot let go of the fact that their actions would have an irreversible impact on the employees, organization as a whole and all those who would be using the said software. Various theories have been put forward by eminent theorists with regards such moral issues associated with ICT. To begin with, first is the ethics of conscience, in which one decided on his own as to what is correct and what is not. As regards the said case study, the project developer and the project manager were not seen standing at the same level simply because the former is of the opinion that it is unethical on the part of his profession to launch any software without proper testing and encryption (Malaj, 2015). The only reason for the said difference in opinion was the conscience which was stopping the project developer from performing such an unethical act. Another theory which counts in this scenario is that of ethical egoism which was showing in the mannerism of the project manager when he was seen pressurising the project developer. As per the said theory, a person would always prefer to act in a manner which would be best suited for satisfying his or her personal interest. Thereby here the project manager in order to grab more work from the organization, hence satisfying his ethical egoism was wanting the project developer to act in an immoral manner (Charlesworth 2009). Unfortunately, if in future any mishaps occur then the said theory would not succeed and the project manager would realise and come to terms to the fact that the project developer was right and his stand was incorrect. Hence these ethical theories put forward by the various ICT professionals makes it very evident that all the professionals should cater to delivering best possible product i.e. it should be protected against all the flaws and that all safeguards should be installed from the beginning. This would be best from the perspective of both the organizations. The particular video being discussed about, makes it very evident that the best solution to the said issue would be that the project developer should make all efforts to complete the project before time by running, testing and ensuring encryption programming as well by employing more professionals or if the same is not possible then the developer should ensure that he personally informs the company about the consequences of such an early launch (Kerstein, 2005). The investors should be made aware of such an event in advance and even after the same, if they insist on the launch, then a written consent should be taken so that the developer is safeguarded. The importance of the encryption should be highlighted and informed in written. The project developer should not surrender itself to the pressure of the manager as it is unethical and also the same is not as per his will. As per the professional ethics, an individual should act in a moral way and also if forced to behave in an unacceptable manner, then he should deny for the same (Lurie Mark, 2015). Thereby, on going through the said video in detail, the most apt way out would be either the project developer should put down his papers or make a written announcement to the management of the company about the issues that may occur due to the same. Thus it is understood that one of the best solution is to emphasize the issue in the best possible manner. The investors will definitely would not want to agree to something that may cause their goodwill to deteriorate as this would have an alarming impact on their income as well. Hence on a concluding note, one can say that the project manager is behaving in an unethical manner and is ignoring the risk to which many innocent individuals would be exposed to. Satisfaction of ones own interest and greed at the cost of the public is unethical. There are high chances that the project manager would have hidden the risks involved in the early launch and hence the same should be highlighted by the project developer so that he secures all the risky ends. Hence, installation of a technology and not paying heed to these vital issues which would be against ethics is not acceptable out of an ICT professional. References https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5M7ohdZ6qA Charlesworth,M. (2009). Ethical theories and Computer Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/ethical-theories-computer-ethics/21580 Kerstein,P. (2005). Ethical issues for Security Professionals. Retrieved from https://www.csoonline.com/article/2118391/data-protection/ethical-issues-for-security-professionals.html Lurie,Y. Mark,S. (2015). Professional Ethics of Software Engineers : An Ethical Framework. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277817334_Professional_Ethics_of_Software_Engineers_An_Ethical_Framework Malaj,J. (2015). Ethical Codes- vital for ICT Professionals and businesses. Retrieved from https://silvaetechnologies.eu/blg/12/ethical-codes--vital-for-ict-professionals-and-businesses Raicu,I. (2016). Ethical Questions About Encryption. Retrieved from https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/technology-ethics/resources/ethical-questions-about-encryption/ Schneier,B. (2016). The Importance of Strong Encryption to Securtiy. Retrieved from https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2016/02/the_importance_.html Simpson, C. R., Nevile, L., Burmeister, O. K. (2003). Doing ethics: A universal technique in an accessibility context. Australian Journal of Information Systems, 10(2), 127-133.

Bacon essays

Bacon essays "Where we do well know that all our causes will be impartially heard and equally justice administered to all men," as stated by, Nathaniel Bacon. 1 In 1676 an uprising known as Bacon's Rebellion occurred in Virginia. The immediate cause of this revolt was the dissension between the planters and the Indians. Because Sir William Berkeley, the Governor of Virginia had willingly denied support to the farmers, Bacon assumed leadership of an unauthorized expedition against the Indians. When Bacon learned that Governor Berkeley was rising a force against him, he turned away from the Indians to fight with Berkley. This had now become a serious problem for the governor. When news of this revolt had reached King Charles II, it alarmed him so that he dispatched eleven hundred troops to Virginia, recalled his governor, and appointed a commission to determine the causes of the dissatisfaction. Bacon's Rebellion is considered to be the most important event in the establishment of democracy in colonial America because the right to vote and social equality were denied to the farmers The right to vote is a small but crucial part of the democracy. During the first half of the 17th century the farmers on the plantations in Virginia were not able to exercise their right to vote. The only people that were able to vote during this time were the wealthy men who owned land. Overall the colonists had not been treated fairly. They had been over taxed and denied their voting rights. To them voting meant that the person they elected was the person they felt was responsible enough to motivate them and support them. Unfortunately Governor Sir William Berkeley was not living up to those standards. Berkeley did not care about the farmers. It was obvious that the only thing he cared about was making money. The event that sparked the rebellion occurred when the Indians attacked the farmers. Normally t ...

MLK - I have a Dream essays

MLK - I have a Dream essays Martin Luther Kings I Have a Dream delivers a powerful message driven by dreams of brotherhood and equality. The speech not only appeals to the same dreams shared by his listeners but also to their sense of reason and understanding that their goal is to right and undeniable wrong. Through different analogies and historical references, Dr. King is able to create a stirring and emotional speech sure to bring out the best in all who listen to it. King goes to great lengths to draw valid comparisons between the Negros plight and, of all things, banking. By doing this, Dr. King is able to simplify what could be construed as a complex argument into the basic process of cash(ing) a check. However, in the Kings speech, the person giving out the check is America and, much to his and the Negro peoples discontent, the check is being returned for insufficient funds. King believes that once the check can be cashed, the Negro people will be able to demand the riches of freedom and security of justice. King continues to make more analogies when he begins to draw comparisons between freedom and nature. King believes that that black people should rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. This is an appeal to those not in the fight to rise up and begin demanding justice. No one should have to live their lives in a desolate valley but rather should escape the quicksands of racial injustice and climb the solid rock of brotherhood. King even goes on to describe the racial climate as a sweltering summer which will not pass to autumn until freedom and equality are there for all to share. This can be seen as a warning to the movements opposition that, yes, the Negro people are infuriated and will fight, though peacefully, until justice has rained down acros...

Hedging against a Weak Dollar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Hedging against a Weak Dollar - Essay Example From the research it is clear that for the five-year period ranging from 2007 to the end of 2011, the US dollar has experienced numerous fluctuations. The highest value of the Euro in comparison to the dollar was 1.5991, during the 2008 global economic crisis, when American multinationals were going into bankruptcy or requesting bailouts by the government. The lowest value was 1.1923, in the year 2010, two years after recovery from the meltdown. Over the course of last year, the dollar reached its highest and lowest points for the period at the start and at the end of the year. At these times, the dollar was stronger in relation to the Euro. In the middle of the year, the dollar was weaker in comparison to the Euro for the year, and almost reached a rate of 1.5 against the Euro in comparison to the beginning and the end of the year when it was below 1.3 against the Euro. Another short-run determinant to exchange rates between the euro and the dollar is the growing capital mobility ac ross the globe. All forms of financial markets now share access to each other on a global scene, and investors put their money in the markets that offer them the best returns, without restrictions to invest locally. Whenever demand for US assets is bigger in relation to relative demand across the globe, the demand for US dollars will likewise increase. The converse is true, when the demand for US assets falls, investors will have put their money in competing markets rather than the US market, and likewise the dollar will depreciate in comparison, as the investors make the most of the more profitable markets around the globe. Relative price levels A fall in prices causes an appreciation in the currency while a rise in price levels causes a decrease in the value of the currency. For the US dollar to fall in relation to the euro with regard to the price level changes, the goods in the European market would have to fall in prices in relation to the same goods in the American market, or fall at a greater rate in relation to the goods in the European market. A fall in the price of goods indicates a strengthening of the dominant currency in the market. Tariffs and quotas Barriers to trade may significantly affect a currency’s value. The tariffs decrease demand of foreign currency in as a fall in the demand for foreign goods occurs. The result is an increase in the value of the domestic currency. Consequently, the reduction of trade barriers has the reverse effect on the local currency. Enforcement of a quota system for some goods to the European region affects the amount of American exports into the region, which sets a ceiling for the amount in value the dollar can have in relation to the euro over the year. Preference of domestic over foreign goods Increase in demand for domestic goods, exports, causes an increase in the demands of the foreign currency. The converse is true; increase in the demand for the foreign currency causes the domestic currency to depr eciate. Increase in demand for domestic goods, for instance, the increase in American made automobiles increase the demand for the

The Gender and the Nature of Enquiry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Gender and the Nature of Enquiry - Essay Example In this study, two pieces of research into issues in education are used to compare and contrast the approaches used in terms of establishment of a theoretical basis. Backgrounds on the Studies The first study is by Philips (2002, pp. 409-414) who investigated the underrepresentation of women in the engineering profession in the UK. The study identifies the imagery and cultural stereotyping affecting the educational decisions and choices made by girls and young women as being responsible for the issue. The researcher embeds his study in the social construction of gender as her theoretical framework and argues that domination of engineering practice by men results in the field becoming masculine out of societal perceptions. Citing criticism of positivist approaches to social research, the researcher uses a qualitative approach, undertaking an interview-based methodology to achieve inter-objective understanding. The study sampled 15 participants drawn from female engineers already train ing and working in the UK. The second study is by Archer, Halsall and Hollingworth (2007, pp. 165-180) investigating the disengagement from education of inner-city, ethnically diverse working class girls due to their construction of hetero-femininities. The researchers are of the opinion that construction of identity and values based on heterosexual femininities by girls contributes to their disengagement from education and schooling, and address the paradoxes that arise when such hetero-feminist constructions spill over to oppressive power relations. The study itself was qualitative, involving in-depth interviews, focus groups and some photo diaries. It sampled young people across 6 urban London secondary schools aged between 14 and 16. The interviews were undertaken 3-4 times in two years and involved interviews with the staff. Theoretical Frameworks of the Studies Gerring (2001, pp. 8-9) discusses the absolute importance of basing social research on sound theoretical frameworks. Social research without these bases is inconceivable as they provide the guidelines used by scholars to define and refine their studies. They specify interconnected questions and hypotheses that then guide the researcher in establishing his/her study. Philips (2002, p. 410) selects social construction of gender over feminist theories such as standpoint perspective in explaining that the predominance of males in the engineering profession as a main contributory factor to under-representation of females in engineering education and practice. A self perpetuating stereotypical perception is created among people that engineering is a masculine field due to the prominence of men in the engineering practice. The masculine orientation of the field and thus education is maintained by these prevailing social and sexual stereotypes, and confirm the views that science and technology are an essential aspect of masculinity in the modern day. Basing on this theoretical context, the under-represent ation of women in the engineering education is explained by the perceptions of young women that engineering is a masculine field and thus they chose not to study it. It is thus important to break the perception if at all gender balance is to be achieved in the engineering education and practice. In contrast, Archer, Halsall and Hollingworth (2007, p. 167) underpin their study on two