Text Production Essay # Draft 2

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

The planet is warming in accordance with the fast pace development worldwide. Human beings are creating pollutions for the sake of urbanisation and industrialisation. Professor Carter (2008) states that previous natural vegetations have been replaced by concrete jungles and skyscrapers. These developments increase the greenhouse gases emissions tremendously especially carbon dioxide which contribute to global warming. Global warming not only affects the life of human beings but also flora and fauna as well as the environment. Therefore, pragmatic actions should be taken to arrest its further impacts.

Global warming alters both average and extreme temperature. Majority parts of the world are experiencing hotter days and fewer cooler days (Riebeek, 2007). Woodford (2006) states that intense rainfalls, more snowfalls, extended droughts and more frequent hurricanes could be the consequences of extreme weather. These phenomenons bring devastating destructions. Moreover, warmer weather causes glaciers and polar ice shelves melt. The cracking of the largest Arctic ice shelf, Ward Hunt ice shelf six years ago is the most significant evidence as stated in the film An Inconvenient Truth A Global Warming (2007). This could lead to loss of coastal areas and a greater risk of flooding. Woodford (2006) predicts that increasing sea level could cause millions of people homeless by 2100.

In addition, biodiversity is severely affected by global warming. Flora and fauna face the danger of extinction as they cannot adapt to the sudden change in climate. According to Gore (2007), the rate of species loss is 1000 times larger than the natural background nowadays. As a result of the climate change, crops are easier to be cultivated in some regions while the other regions may fail to produce the crops. This situation causes food shortages and famine in poorer countries (Riebeek, 2007). Moreover, global warming gives rise to the outbreak of infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, SARS and avian flu. This is because increasing temperature favours their surviving conditions. Gore (2007) says that vectors move to higher elevations due to the warming effect. Therefore, there is an expansion of territories for disease-carrying vectors.

Revising all of the negative impacts brought by global warming, it is a crucial time to alleviate the damages created. In order to reduce global warming, the main contributor which is the emissions of greenhouse gases needs to be reduced in the first context. This can be done by using energy more efficiently. Burning of fossil fuels to generate power can be replaced with renewable energy such as solar energy and wind energy; market demand for hybrid cars should also be widen for environmental conscious. On the other hand, personal efforts to produce less carbon dioxide are important as well. For example, we can switch to environmental friendly products like fluorescent lamps, public transports and electrical efficient appliances (Woodford, 2006).

In daily life, we should plant more trees and practice recycling. This solution method is also supported by the film An Inconvenient Truth A Global Warming (2007) which shows that the emissions of carbon dioxide can be as low as the emissions in 1970s if the above initiatives are implemented. At the same time, legislation is also a practical move to curb global warming with the pledge from the government. The law should be stringent and practical enough for the public to obey.

Professor Bob Carter from Nzone Tonight (2008) shows that we cannot predict the next global signal and we should adapt to the climate change as all the natural disasters cannot be prevented. All parties should work hand in hand to preserve the wealth of the planet. Gore (2007) also proves that we, human ourselves have the capability to mend this crisis from the past evidences of noble scientists. We have only one Mother Earth, it is our responsibility to protect her or else our future generations will inherit a world that will no longer be able to sustain them.

Australia powers down for Earth Hour

FROM the nation's red heart to the tip of Tassie, Australians will flick a small switch on Saturday to make a big statement.

"Earth Hour is an opportunity for people around the world to speak in one voice on the issue of climate change," said Greg Bourne, CEO of Australia's World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Australia will be among the first places in the world to turn the power down, with some of the nation's biggest companies and organisations committed to turning off their lights for 60 minutes from 8.30pm on Saturday.

Ferries will blast their horns in Sydney - where the first ever Earth Hour was staged by WWF in 2007 - to signal the start of the event, which will see the lights go out at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tower, Harbour Bridge and Luna Park.

In Melbourne, a free movie screening and picnic will be held in Federation Square, with flyers urging people to bring "a rug, food and good company" as they watch the city skyline plunge into darkness.Among those doing their bit for the environment are Melbourne's Luna Park, Rialto Tower, Arts Centre and Crown Casino.

Hundreds of councils nationwide have also signed up to the event from Alice Springs, in Australia's centre, to Tasmania's town of Cottesloe.

"This year's Earth Hour promises to be even bigger than last year," said WWF-Australia's national project manager for Earth Hour, Jennifer Croes.

"Already, 92 countries have signed up for Earth Hour 2010 - up from 88 countries in 2009 when an estimated one billion people across 4000 cities flicked off their lights."

In Queensland, icons like the Story Bridge, City Hall, Kangaroo Point cliffs and the XXXX Man above the Milton brewery have all committed to flicking off their lights.

Adelaide's Town Hall and Rundle Mall Lantern and the National Library and Australian War Memorial in Canberra are also on the list of those participating in Earth Hour along with international sites such as New York's Empire State Building, the lights of Las Vegas and world-famous landmarks including the Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower and Beijing's Forbidden City.

The campaign went global in 2008 and this year, more than 1200 of the world's best-known landmarks will kill their lights in what organisers describe as a "24-hour wave of hope and action".

My critique --
every country is doing their best to concern about the climate change nowadays. This year, Australia will be the first to turn off the switch. We can see that a lot countries have been taking part in this meaningful events. However, it is not just that we turn off the lights for this 24 hours, we should also practise the habits of switching off them when they are not in use in our daily life to make a small difference. Evry one effort can accumulate and become significant in the end!

'Untouchables' intimidated other sailors, inquiry hears

Male sailors aboard an Australian warship were known as "the Untouchables" because they used "Mafia-style" stand-over tactics to threaten and intimidate other sailors, an inquiry has heard.

The commission of inquiry into the alleged "predatory" conduct of sailors aboard HMAS Success has previously heard that male sailors allegedly bullied junior female sailors into having sex with them and that "bounties" were allegedly placed on the heads of new female recruits as to who could have sex with them first.

Sailors allegedly used drugs and steroids and drank excessively while on shore leave.

Two sailors allegedly had sex on board, in violation of the ship's strict "no touching" policy and there had been rumours that two sailors had engaged in a sex act at a bar during shore leave in China in April last year, the inquiry has heard.

Shortly after, as the ship docked in Singapore Chief Petty Officer Jason Thomas, Petty Officer Orlando Barrett, Petty Officer Jake Thompson and Able Seaman Daniel Gordon were removed after they were alleged to have made threats of violence against other crew members.

Today the inquiry heard that, in an email, the ship's commander Simon Brown wrote to his superiors that a small group of male sailors were intimidating and threatening other sailors and "feel they are untouchable".

"They believe they can do whatever they want," Commander Brown wrote in the email on May 9 last year.

"They have resorted to Mafia-style actions."

Commander Brown denied he had been "out to get" those sailors.

When asked by counsel for CPO Thomas, Colonel Gary Hevey why he had not questioned the officer about the allegations, Commander Brown said he did not want to "exacerbate" the problem.

"My concern ... turned immediately to the welfare and safety of my ship's company," he said.

The inquiry continues.

Bellinda Kontominas is a Herald Court Reporter.

My critique --
This report shows the discrimination in the women sailors and the irresponsibility of the sailors towards their work. They have break the rule and intimidate others. Legal action could be charged on these people. However, the commander concern is true. they should make the welfare and the safety of his ship's company as priority.

Text Production Essay # Draft 1

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

The planet is warming in accordance with the fast pace development worldwide. Human beings are creating pollutions for the sake of urbanisation and industrialisation. The previous natural vegetations have been replaced by concrete jungles and skyscrapers (Nzone Tonight, 2008). These developments have increase the greenhouse emissions especially carbon dioxide (CO2) which contribute to global warming. Nowadays, the weather pattern fluctuates drastically and we, human beings ourselves are suffering from the effects of extreme weather (Chris Woodford, 2006). Global warming not only affects the life of human beings but also flora and fauna as well as the environment. Therefore, pragmatic actions should be done to arrest the further impacts of global warming.

Global warming causes both average and extreme temperature to alter. Majority parts of the world are experiencing more hot days and fewer cool days as the heat waves are intensifying. (Holli Riebeek, 2007). Chris Woodford (2006) states that intense rainfall, more snowfalls, extended droughts and more frequent hurricanes or storms could be the consequences of extreme weather. These phenomenons bring devastating destructions. Moreover, warmer weather also causes glaciers and polar ice shelves melt. Arctic is one of the fastest regions to take on the impacts of global warming. The cracking of the largest Arctic ice self, Ward Hunt ice shelf six years ago is the most significant evidence as stated in the film An Inconvenient Truth A Global Warming (2007). This could lead to loss of coastal areas and a greater risk of flooding in coastal areas. Chris Woodford (2006) predicts that increasing sea level could cause millions of people homeless forever by 2100.

In addition, biodiversity is severely affected by global warming. Many species of plants and animals face the danger of extinction as they cannot adapt to the sudden change in climate. According to the film An Inconvenient Truth A Global Warming (2007), the rate of species loss is 1000 times larger than the natural background nowadays. As a result of the climate change, crops are easier to be cultivated in some regions while the other regions may fail to produce the crops. This situation causes food shortages and famine in the poorer countries (Holli Riebeek, 2007).
Moreover, global warming gives rise to the outbreak of infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, SARS and avian flu. This is because increasing temperature favours their surviving conditions. Vectors move to higher elevations due to the warming effect. Therefore, there is an expansion of territories for disease-carrying vectors.

Revising all of the negative impacts brought by global warming, it is a crucial time to alleviate the damages that have occurred. In order to reduce global warming, the main contributor which is the emissions of greenhouse gases needs to be reduced in the first context. This can be done by using energy more efficiently. Burning of fossil fuels to generate power can be replaced by renewable energy such as solar energy and wind energy. Green energy can also be the offered by power company; the market demand for hybrid cars should also be widen for environmental conscious. On the other hand, personal efforts to produce less carbon dioxide are important as well. For example, we can use environmental friendly products like fluorescent lamps, public transports and electrical efficient appliances (Chris Woodford, 2006). In daily life, we should plant more trees and practice recycling. This solution method is also supported by the film An Inconvenient Truth A Global Warming (2007) which shows that the emissions of carbon dioxide can be as low as the emissions in 1970s if the above initiatives are implemented. At the same time, legislation can also be the other effective move to solve global warming. The law should be stringent and practical enough for the public to obey. This approach is only valid when we vote for the government who pledge to solve this crisis.

Nzone Tonight (2008) shows that we cannot predict the next global signal and what we can do is we adapt to the climate change as all the natural disasters cannot be stopped. All the parties should work hand in hand to preserve the standard of living and the wealth of the planet. In the film An Inconvenient Truth A Global Warming (2007), Al Gore also says that we human ourselves must have the capability to mend this crisis from the past evidences of the noble scientists. We have only one Mother Earth, it is our responsibility to protect her and for the future generations.

Bullying affects brain structure

They lurk in hallways, bathrooms, around the next blind corner. But for the children they have routinely teased or tormented, bullies effectively live in the victims' brains as well - and not just as a terrifying memory.

Preliminary evidence shows that bullying can produce signs of stress, cognitive deficits and mental-health problems.

Now University of Ottawa psychologist Tracy Vaillancourt and her colleagues at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario plan to scan the brains of teens who have been regularly humiliated and ostracised by their peers to look for structural differences compared with other children.

"We know there is a functional difference. We know their brains are acting differently, but we don't know if it is structural as well," said Vaillancourt, an expert in the biology of bullying.

She says she hopes her work will legitimise the plight of children who are bullied, and encourage parents, teachers and school boards to take the problem more seriously.

Vaillancourt has been following a group of 17-year-olds since they were 12. All 70 of the children were routinely bullied during those years - teased, harassed, threatened or excluded.

Physical violence is relatively rare, she says, because their tormentors are smart enough to know it will get them into trouble.

"For many of these kids, every day is a nightmare," she said. They go to school and no one will talk to them. Someone deliberately bumps into them in the hallway, and all the other children laugh. They get called horrible names.

The researchers will start with brain scans of 15 of the extreme cases, like the child who stood in her gym uniform while other kids put her school clothes in the toilet and urinated on them.

There are also teenagers in the study who have been bullied for five straight school years.

The scientists have already shown that children who are bullied are more likely than other kids to have cognitive deficits.

They score lower on tests that measure verbal memory and executive function, a set of skills needed to focus on a task and get the job done. Mental-health problems, such as depression, are also more common.

Vaillancourt suspects they will also have a smaller hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in memory. Depression has been shown to be related to a smaller hippocampus. As well, animal studies have shown that chronic high levels of stress can kill brain cells. Vaillancourt says this kind of damage may help explain why children who are bullied often perform poorly academically.

She will also be looking for a smaller prefrontal cortex, which plays a role in being able to pay attention and other executive functions.

These kinds of differences have been documented in functional magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, studies of children who have been neglected or abused. Vaillancourt suspects the chronic stress of being bullied will have a similar impact.

She and her colleagues have already published research showing that boys who are bullied tend to produce more of the stress hormone cortisol. It is as if their system is in permanent overdrive.

It's the opposite for the girls; they tend to produce less cortisol than average, as though their stress response system is overly subdued.

"At some point, their brains stop reacting," said Vaillancourt, who holds a Canada Research Chair in children's mental health and violence prevention.

These changes to the brain's stress response system may be linked to the higher rates of depression among children who are regularly picked on by their peers, especially girls. The adolescent years are when peer relations are most important and when girls, more than anything, want to belong, Vaillancourt says.

SHNS


My critique --
This article shows the impacts of bullying on teenagers. Bullying really affect the life and characters of teenagers. They are poorer in academic under long term harassment and teasing. Mental bullying is more powerful than physical bullying and it is the trend now as they know that they will be easily sentenced to punishment if they victims are found bullied from physically. It is harder to be found if they bully mentally. In my opinion, bullying should not be continued and stringent school regulations and education need to be conducted so that bullying cases can be reduces. The victims have to be counselled as well.

Mobile phones may help reverse Alzheimer's disease

DESPITE the debate that radiation from mobile phones can cause brain cancer a new study has found a possible health benefit – that the electromagnetic waves may protect against and even reverse Alzheimer's disease.

The debate has raged for years on the dangers of mobile phones and whether the radiation emitted from the devices cause brain tumours.

But researchers at the University of South Florida found mobile phones might be good for users after conducting a study that exposed 96 mice, most of whom had been genetically altered to develop the Alzheimer's disease as they aged, to electromagnetic waves generated by mobile phones.

The mice were zapped with 918MHz of frequency twice a day for one hour each time over a period of seven to nine months - the equivalent of several decades in humans.

In older mice with Alzheimer's, long-term exposure to the electromagnetic fields caused deposits in the brain of beta-amyloid, a protein fragment that accumulates in the brain of Alzheimer's sufferers to form the disease's signature plaques, to be erased.Memory impairment in the older mice disappeared, too, the study showed.

Young adult mice with no apparent signs of memory impairment were protected against Alzheimer's disease after several months of exposure to the mobile phone waves, the study showed.

And the memory levels of normal mice with no genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's disease were boosted after exposure to the electromagnetic waves.

The study was the first to look at the long-term effects of mobile phone exposure in mice or humans and its findings took even the researchers by surprise.

"Frankly, I started this work a few years ago with a hypothesis that the electromagnetic fields from a mobile phone would be deleterious to Alzheimer's mice," lead author Gary Arendash, a professor at the University of Southern Florida, said.

Based on the findings in mice, the researchers hoped electromagnetic field exposure could be an effective, non-invasive and drug-free way to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease in humans.

My critique --
Wow...If this is a real fact, it should be a great finding which will benefit a lot of people!The microwave and radiation from the mobile phone has their unique function which is so unbelievable!!I really hope it is the real fact which may help the alzheimer patients~

Number of teenage mothers mounts in West Australia

WA figures reveal 5 mums aged 13
11 WA mums aged 14
57 WA mums aged 15

HIGH school teens, barely out of primary school, are falling pregnant at an alarming rate.

Birth Registry figures reveal in Western Australia alone, five girl aged just 13 became mothers.

The Sunday Times can reveal that the number of very young mothers in WA jumped by almost 20 per cent in the past 12 months.

WA Births Registry figures show that 73 girls, aged 15 or under, registered as parents in 2009 - up from 62 in 2008.

This included 11 babies born to 14 year olds and 57 babies born to 15 year olds.

Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney said she was shocked.

"(These girls) are in no way emotionally mature enough to cope with the birthing process let alone the realities of looking after the demands of a baby," Ms McSweeney said.Health Minister Kim Hames shared her alarm.

"It has concerned me to see the number of adolescent girls becoming mothers at such a young age has increased, and it certainly highlights how important our early intervention programs are," Dr Hames said.

Parenting WA manager Donna Legge urged parents to talk openly to their children about sex from a young age.

"Sex education should not be confined to the school system," Ms Legge said. "It's a very wise thing for parents to speak to their children honestly about relationships and sexuality."

Ms Legge said parents could discuss sexuality with their children from as early as primary-school age. She said underage girls would cope with motherhood only if they had a strong family and friend support network.

Ms McSweeney said there were various agencies to help young WA mothers.

Parenting WA offers an around-the-clock helpline for young mothers, family and friends. It also provides one-on-one support for teen parents at home.

Dr Hames said King Edward Memorial Hospital has a clinic that specialises in health care for mothers under 18 and in their first pregnancy.

Opposition child-protection spokeswoman Sue Ellery called for more sex education in the school system.

"It's clear that we need to be more vigilant to the early education of boys and girls about the consequences of sexual activity too early," she said.

My Critique--
It is really saddening to see this news. I am sure that this is not just happening over in australia but in many other countries,, including Malaysia. I agree with the statement in the news that they really not mentally-mature enough to give birth to a new born baby. Some of them not even capable to take care for themselves yet how they are going to bear the responsibility to bring up the baby? Therefore, sex education is a crucial issue to be discussed and take into action. Pre-parenting should also be provided to these teenage mothers.

Body of dead baby girl found in Pinkenba water treatment plant

Foetus found in water treatment plant
Baby girl either born early or aborted
DNA tests to be carried out on the body
MYSTERY surrounds the discovery of a baby girl's body, dumped at a Brisbane water treatment plant or washed into the system following an abortion or early birth.

Police remain tight-lipped about the gruesome find after two male workers at the plant on Main Beach Road, Pinkenba discovered the body at 11.30 last night.

The workers who found the body are in shock as well as the police officers who attended the scene.

"We'll make sure counselling is available to them," Acting Inspector for North Brisbane, Tod Reid said.

He said it was not known if the child, who was not carried to full term, was born or aborted.

"It is possible the baby was two months premature," Detective Reid said.

DNA testing is being carried out on the tiny body while police have launched a criminal investigation.
It's not known how long the baby had been dead for and police refused to say if there were any signs or bruising, cuts or broken bones.They also wouldn't confirm if the body was found in the water system or if it was dumped on the grounds of the treatment plant, which services the greater metropolitan north area.

Police are checking the list of people reported missing in the area and Detective Reid said the force was treating it as a priority case.

"Detectives will be working on it all day and all night," he said, adding that a post-mortem examination was being carried out on the the baby's body.

"We've got a number of lines of inquiry open to try and establish the identity of the child's mother, with a number of different agencies and other government departments."

Police are concerned for the mother's health and welfare and are appealing for public assistance to locate her.

My Critique--
What a cruel scene?A premature foetus was dumped into the water treatment plant! Is it the case of abortion? Or it is a case of early birth? I would say that the mother of the foetus is too cruel to do such an action...It is worse if it is a case of abortion!The foetus has its rights to come to this world and enjoy its life!If it is a case of early birth, the mother should not dump her baby in that way also.I personally think that this is a consequence of teenage pregnancy which they do not know how to handle...What is your opinion??

Body found, fears that it is of missing three-year-old boy Gurshan Singh Kaurchanna

UPDATE 10:46pm: POLICE are hunting a child killer after the body of a missing toddler was found, six hours after he vanished from a suburban home while his mum was having a shower.

The Indian boy, Gurshan Singh Kaurchanna, 3, who was on a three-month holiday in Australia with his parents, disappeared from a house in Lalor about 1.10pm.

His body was found by a council worker in grassland about 20km away near Melbourne Airport six hours later.

Police tonight confirmed it was murder.

Earlier, his distraught family, due to leave Australia tomorrow week, had told how they feared he had been kidnapped.

"He was home playing. The mother was out the back of the house in the bathroom. When she went looking for him she found the security door ajar," Sgt Geoff Gauci told the Herald Sun.

The Indian consul general in Melbourne was told of the tragedy by the State Government in light of recent attacks on Indian nationals.As soon as she discovered her son was missing, mum Harpreet Kaur, who is studying in Australia, and another member of the household frantically searched the home.

When they couldn't find the boy, Ramen Deep Singh, the cousin of the boy's father, Harjit Singh, called police.

A huge air and ground search was mounted and police called for help from the public to find the youngster.

The search was stepped up about 4pm when 50 SES volunteers joined 15 police units and the police airwing in the huge hunt.

His frantic parents were supported by relatives during the search.

"Maybe someone picked him up - whatever. I don't know," Ms Kaur said before the body was found.Ramen Deep Singh told the Herald Sun he was worried someone may have taken the "mischievous" toddler.

"I think someone pinched the baby," he said.

Mr Singh described the boy as playful.

"He's a very naughty boy, mischievous."

A council worker saw the boy's body lying in grassland near the intersection of Wildwood and St Johns roads in Oaklands Junction about 6pm.

About 7.30pm the child's father and a woman, believed to be his mother, were taken from the Lalor home in separate police cars.

Homicide squad detectives and forensic police headed to the scene of the tragic find near the back of Melbourne airport.

Police tonight started to canvass the area, looking for witnesses who may have noticed anyone acting suspiciously near the intersection.

Police initially hoped the boy had wandered off, but their concerns mounted by the hour until the body was found.

A post-mortem examination was to be performed last night to establish how and when the boy died.

The investigation was initially handled by detectives from Epping but the homicide squad was called in when the boy's body was found.

- with Mark Buttler

My critique--
A toddler murder tragic again!A 3 year old Indian toddler who was on 3 month holiday in Australia was killed! Why all these innocent children have to be the victim of the murderers? Why are they so cruel? I really hope that the policemen with the cooperation of detectives can find the sinner as soon as possible so to return the victim's family a justice. Besides, returning back the peace of the society. All the parents and children should also be aware of the risks all the time....

Earth days could be shorter after Chilean earthquake

THE earthquake that has killed over 700 Chileans and displaced over two million more has now caused our days to be shorter.

The earthquake that struck Chile measured at an 8.8 magnitude and put the entire Pacific on tsunami alert.

But scientists say the shifting in the tectonic plates has also shifted the Earth's axis.

The Earth’s overall mass distribution has likely been altered which has made the length of a day 1.26 microseconds shorter, NASA scientists say.

"The axis about which the Earth's mass is balanced should have moved by 2.7 milliarcseconds (about 8 centimetres or 3 inche)]," NASA told Bloomberg.

“It’s what we call the ice-skater effect,” David Kerridge, head of Earth hazards and systems at the British Geological Survey in Edinburgh told Bloomberg.
“As the ice skater puts when she’s going around in a circle, and she pulls her arms in, she gets faster and faster. It’s the same idea with the Earth going around if you change the distribution of mass, the rotation rate changes.”


The last time a day was shortened was after the 9.1 magnitude earthquake that sparked the Boxing Day tsunami.

That shift in the tectonic plates that lie underneath the ocean surface caused days to shorten by 6.8 microseconds, scientists say.

My Critique-
Oops!Now just I know the seriousness of the natural disaster!The devastating tsunami hit Chile leave such a great impact on human!It makes the days shortened by 6.8 microseconds. Although it seems to be insignificant, days after days its impact is big as the loss of time accumulates. It may also be worsen by the consequent natural disaster. Therefore, it's time for us to protect our Mother Earth to reduce the additional destruction brought by human beings. We, human ourselves are going to suffer in the end!