Quality Tale - News on Technology: October 2009

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Quality of Life

Some environmental issues do not relate to a direct threat to survival but play an important part in the general quality of life. Access to the countryside, noise, dust, litter, traffic congestion and so on all effect the general well-being of the human population.

In Britain, for example, massive protests have arisen due to the construction of roads through ancient countryside and have lead to polarisation of opinion between those who prefer the construction of roads and those who wish to preserve the existing landscape.

In many countries, the flooding of areas due to the construction of hydroelectric dams has lead to mass displacement of populations - again often accompanied by protests. Governments often offer compensation to displaced persons but this may be insufficient to balance the sense of loss of being removed from an area that a family has farmed for generations.

The right to a traditional lifestyle has often come into conflict with the drive for economic development. For example, in Brazil, large portions of area are designated as reserves for the native Indians, but the logging and mining interests are in constant conflict with Indians leading to some deaths.

As the amount of eco-capital decreases there will be an inevitable struggle between competing groups to control the available resources.

Points for Discussion - the problem of Scientific Uncertainty :

Which is more environmentally friendly - a car running on diesel or a car fitted with a three-way catalyst running on petrol? Is it possible to define one option or the other as environmentally preferable?

Is it reasonable for an environmentally minded government to reduce taxation on diesel fuel relative to petrol to encourage its use? Is it QUALITY OF LIFE????

Economics and the Environment

Two new large-scale infrastructure projects are planned for Poland: a 2,600-kilometre motorway network and a cascade of dams on the Vistula River. Poland currently has only 300 kilometres of existing motorways. This is seen as a barrier to commercial transport passing from East to West Europe. Look at the potential costs and benefits shown on the slide opposite.

Which is more important - the economic benefits of the infrastructure projects or the environmental damage caused and increased pollution from the tripling of road traffic?

What will the overall effects on Poland be, if the projects fail to generate enough revenue to repay the original loans?

What methods could you use to decide if the projects should go ahead?

Costs of waste and pollution abatement:

As resources become more scarce, they become more expensive. Many companies are now adding up the costs of raw materials and trying to find ways of reducing the amount of material required to make their products. This can lead to substantial economic gain, as well as reducing demand for nonrenewable resources.

The cost of retro-fitting pollution control technology is now so high that many companies prefer to reduce pollution at source through the use of clean technology and best practices. When companies expand or up-date their process, cleaner technology can be built into the design. However, for many companies, the cost of replacing existing processes with clean ones is excessive.

Waste and emissions minimization strategies have also lead to impressive savings for many companies. Again, reducing waste at source is the best option but recycling and re-use of materials has also become more common.

Rare Gold Coins: An unforgettable gift to offer

Is it really affordable to offer a gift to your beloved one? Yeah! It is not an ordinary thing. I am talking about rare cold coins. Yes! In one case you can offer such coins to your beloved one that it prices to your expectations. But in today’s scenario it is not possible because the hike in gold prices at the world market. What one can do to grab such memorable moment in his/her life? Where one can buy such an unforgettable gift? Yeah! Here is the place known as “ZoomCoin.com” It is your online jewelers shop where one can buy any size and weight of rare gold coins; in fact the coins that suits your wallet. One more thing I would like to explore here is, all are certified rare gold coins belong to the Monaco family. Please do not ask me about the Monaco family. It is better to surf at this website to get more information about it. Because all you are going to deal with gold – a precious and valuable thing so just dial at 1-888-900-9948 to clear your doubts. I think this is the enough explanation to offer an unforgettable gift to your beloved one. Isn’t it?

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Role of Environmental Management Systems

Environmental management systems provide an opportunity for companies to examine which of the pressures listed above have most bearing on their particular operations. They can then formulate a policy, which allows them to improve their environmental performance, in line with their overall business strategy. For each of the above pressures, the EMS provides a framework by which the company can address the issue to its best advantage.

Despite the fact that to establish an EMS requires commitment in terms of financial and human resources, an organization may expect to reap some or all of the following benefits according to ISO 14004:1996: -

Monday, October 05, 2009

Depletion of Natural Resources

Natural resources include stocks of fossil fuels, minerals, clean water, biological matter and land. In the 1970s, there was much concern over the depletion of minerals, land and fossi! fuels in the face of increased population growth.

In the 1990s the issue is much more clearly one of distribution. There are sufficient food and mineral reserves for every person but these are concentrated in certain areas or available to only a minority within a given country.

It has been suggested that wars in the future will be fought over access to water supplies, much as wars have occurred in the last decades over access to reserves of fossil fuels.

Desertification is also a major problem. The Sahara is spreading rapidly towards Southern Spain, for example.

Migrations of people in search of access to natural resources are also likely to increase and many countries are now strengthening their internal legislation against immigration in preparation for the expected rise in refugees.

The term Eco-capital is used to describe the amount of natural resources available and we will see later that the concept of sustainable development is closely linked with how countries spend their eco-capital. I think it is the time to think on this issue. Isn't it?

Pediatric Links - Must See

Pediatric Surgery
This blog describes various medical and surgical diseases in children.

Laparoscopic procedures
Laparoscopic surgery though require skill, it is less morbid, less painful, gives good cosmesis and avoids large scars.

Pediatric Cancer
It is an informative blog which describes various types of cancer in children, their clinical presentation,diagnosis and management written by a surgeon.

Atlas of Pediatric Diseases
It includes the exclusive pictures of various diseases in children. This is very useful site to remember the pathology in a glance. Especially for doctors as well as for persons who are interested in pediatric medicine and surgery. Disclaimer :The images in this blog are from real surgeries, and they might not be suitable for all readers.