6 Environmental Costs (and 3 Benefits) of Hydroelectricity

Hydroelectricity is a significant source of power in many regions of the globe, providing 24% of the global electricity needs. Brazil and Norway rely almost exclusively on hydropower. In the United States, 7 to 12% of all electricity is produced by hydropower; the states which depend the most on it are Washington, Oregon, California, and New York. Hydropower vs. Hydroelectricity Hydropower is when water is used to activate moving parts, which in turn may operate a mill, an irrigation system, or an electric turbine (in which case we can use the term hydroelectricity). Most commonly, hydroelectricity is produced when water is held back by a dam, led down a penstock through a turbine, and then released in the river below. The water is both pushed by pressure from the reservoir above and pulled by gravity, and that energy spins a turbine coupled to a generator producing electricity. The rarer run-of-the-river hydroelectric plants also have a dam, but no reservoir behind it; turbines are moved by the river water flowing past them at the natural flow rate. Ultimately, the generation of electricity relies on the natural water cycle to refill the reservoir, making it a renewable process with no input of fossil fuel needed. Our use of fossil fuels is associated with a multitude of environmental problems: for example, the extraction of oil from tar sands produces air pollution; fracking for natural gas is associated with water pollution; the burning of fossil fuels produces climate change-inducing greenhouse gas emissions. We, therefore, look to sources of renewable energy as clean alternatives to fossil fuels. However, like all sources of energy, renewable or not, there are environmental costs associated with hydroelectricity. Here is a review of some of those costs, along with some benefits. Costs Barrier to Fish. Many migratory fish species swim up and down rivers to complete their life cycle. Anadromous fish, like salmon, shad, or Atlantic sturgeon, go upriver to spawn, and young fish swim down river to reach the sea. Catadromous fish, like the American eel, live in the rivers until they swim out to the ocean to breed, and the young eels (elvers) come back to freshwater after they hatch. Dams obviously block the passage of these fish. Some dams are equipped with fish ladders or other devices to let them pass unharmed. The effectiveness of these structures is quite variable but improving.Changes in Flood Regime. Dams can buffer large, sudden volumes of water following spring melt of heavy rains. That can be a good thing for downstream communities (see Benefits below), but it also starves the river from a periodic influx of sediment and prevents the natural high flows from regular re-countering of the river bed, which renews habitat for aquatic life. To recreate these ecologic al processes, authorities periodically release large volumes of water down the Colorado River, with positive effects on the native vegetation alongside the river.Temperature and Oxygen Modulation. Depending on the design of the dam, water released downstream often comes from the deeper parts of the reservoir. That water is therefore much the same cold temperature throughout the year. This has negative impacts on aquatic life adapted to wide seasonal variations in water temperature. Similarly, low oxygen levels in released water can kill aquatic life downstream, but the problem can be mitigated by mixing air into the water at the outlet.  Evaporation. Reservoirs increase a river’s surface area, thus increasing the amount of water lost to evaporation. In hot, sunny regions the losses are staggering: more water is lost from reservoir evaporation than is used for domestic consumption. When water evaporates, dissolved salts are left behind, increasing salinity levels downstream and harming aquatic life.Mercury Pollution. Mercury is deposited on vegetation long distances downwind from coal-burning power plants. When new reservoirs are created, the mercury found in the now submerged vegetation is released and converted by bacteria into methyl-mercury. This methyl-mercury becomes increasingly concentrated as it moves up the food chain (a process called biomagnification). Consumers of predatory fish, including humans, are then exposed to dangerous concentrations of the toxic compound.Methane Emissions. Reservoirs often become saturated with nutrients coming from decomposing vegetation or nearby agricultural fields. These nutrients are consumed by algae and microorganisms which in turn release large amounts of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. This problem has of yet not been studied enough to understand its true extent. Benefits Flood control. Reservoir levels can be lowered in anticipation of heavy rain or snowmelt, buffering the communities downstream from dangerous river levels.Recreation. Large reservoirs are often used for recreational activities like fishing and boating.Alternative to Fossil Fuels. Producing hydroelectricity releases a lower net amount of greenhouse gases than fossil fuels. As part of a portfolio of energy sources, hydroelectricity allows greater reliance on domestic energy, as opposed to fossil fuels mined overseas, in locations with less stringent environmental regulations. Some Solutions Because the economic benefits of older dams wane while the environmental costs mount, we have seen any increase in dam decommissioning and removal. These dam removals are spectacular, but most importantly they allow scientists to observe how natural processes are restored along the rivers.   Much of the environmental problems described here are associated with large-scale hydroelectric projects. There is a multitude of very small scale projects (often called â€Å"micro-hydro†) where judiciously placed small turbines use low-volume streams to produce electricity for a single home or a neighborhood. These projects have little environmental impact if properly designed. Sources and Further Reading Filho, Geraldo Lucio Tiago, Ivan Felipe Silva dos Santos, and Regina Mambeli Barros. Cost Estimate of Small Hydroelectric Power Plants Based on the Aspect Factor. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 77 (2017): 229–38. Print.Forsund, Finn R. Hydropower Economics. Springer, 2007.  Hancock, Kathleen J, and Benjamin K Sovacool. International Political Economy and Renewable Energy: Hydroelectric Power and the Resource Curse. International Studies Review 20.4 (2018): 615–32. Print.Johansson, Per-Olov, and Bengt Kristrà ¶m. Economics and Social Costs of Hydroelectric Power. Umeà ¥, Sweden: Department of Economics, Umeà ¥ University, 2018. Print.---, eds. Modern Cost-Benefit Analysis of Hydropower Conflicts. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2011.  ---, eds. The Economics of Evaluating Water Projects: Hydroelectricity Versus Other Uses. Springer, 2012.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine - 1468 Words

Laughter is the Best Medicine Encouraging other Pastors has always been a passion of mine. When I was invited to speak at a Pastor’s retreat at a northern Saskatchewan camp about coping with stress, I accepted, offering not my expertise but my own experience of what it was to be a survivor. Older pastors were trained to be available 24/7, and as the demands and nature of ministry changed, many became victims of over-responsibility and high self- expectations. Over the years, pastoral families have experienced the short end of the balance of time between home and parish needs. Much more consideration is now extended to young Pastor both in their training and continuing education in the area of stress management. The retreat was one of those continuing education events. It was a full day with an overnight and a breakfast session. There was an evident uneasiness among the group as they assembled, but as the sessions progressed, the participants were able to reflect on their own experiences of parish life over against my own. I approached the issue with genuine honesty and openness, and it was not long before the group was openly sharing their successes and failures in balancing time schedules and providing adequate self-care for themselves. The group was made up of an equal balance ofShow MoreRelatedLaughter Is the Best Medicine730 Words   |  3 PagesSPEECH OUTLINE Topic: Is Laughter Truly the Best Medicine? General Purpose: To Inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience three main reasons on ï » ¿how can laughter be the best medicine for human ï » ¿ being - physical Health Benefits Thesis statement:  Laughter help trigger the release of endorphins, protect us against heart attack, and relaxes our muscles. Introduction:   Laughter is a great thing, thats why weve all heard the saying, Laughter is the best medicine. There is strong evidenceRead MoreLaughter Is the Best Medicine1282 Words   |  6 PagesLaughter IS The Best Medicine Post written by Dayne. Follow him on Twitter. 20 Happy Comments Be Proud. Laugh Out Loud. Have you laughed lately? If not, get out of your serious self and loosen up. Laughter is a powerful tool for combating stress and conflict.   It can dissipate anger, sadness and other negative emotions.   In addition to making you feel good, laughter can improve your health and make your relationships with others closer and stronger.   There are a wide variety of benefits toRead MoreInformative Speech1183 Words   |  5 PagesSpeech Title: Laughter is the best medicine. Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the benefits of laughter. Central Idea/ Thesis statement: There are several benefits of laughter in terms of physical, mental and social. Introduction 1. Attention Material How we can improve our health without having a drug or doing an exercise every day? While it hears seem impossible, Id like to let all of you know about this fact. Based on your knowledge, what is laughter? AccordingRead MoreUsing Laughter as Medicine696 Words   |  3 PagesUsing Laughter as Medicine The saying â€Å"laughter is the best medicine† is one that many people know. But is this actually true? Can laughter be used as a form of curing the body? With three out of four adults claiming to laugh four or more times a day (Polaroid Corp, 2004) it is something that is obviously easy to do, and of which the answer to the time old question of whether or not it is the best medicine, might surprise many skeptics out there. To laugh is defined as: â€Å"to express certainRead MoreBenefits Of Laughter As Medicine1483 Words   |  6 PagesUsing Laughter as Medicine There are thousands of medicines ranging from the modern medicines to those medicines that are not necessarily commonplace, hence the name alternative medicine. The question arises around the idea of what exactly â€Å"medicine† is. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines medicine as â€Å"the science that deals with preventing, curing, and treating diseases†. So with this vague definition what should be considered medicine? I say that laughter is definitely a medicine because ofRead More The Use of Laughter as Medicine in Ken Keseys One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest777 Words   |  4 PagesThe Use of Laughter as Medicine in Ken Keseys One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest For years, it has been said that laughter is the best medicine. In Proverbs 17:22 it says, A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Imagine being in a place where medicine takes the place of laughter. This is the environment the patients at an Oregon psychiatric hospital in Ken Keseys One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest (1962) experienced before the arrival of a new patient. Chief Bromden, who is presumably deafRead MoreHumor and Healing the Research Essay1486 Words   |  6 PagesHumor and Healing the Research General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my listeners about the benefits of laughter how to incorporate it in their daily life Central Idea: Humor incorporated in your daily life promotes emotional, mental, and physiological healing INTRODUCTION I. Attention Device Rapport Building (Self-Disclosure) A. Humor [Infomercial]. 1. Different types of humor- this product is authentic. Not like all those copycats†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 2. PositiveRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Patch Adams 921 Words   |  4 PagesDefined as a system of moral principles that apply values and judgments to the practice of medicine. This however, can become quite tricky when deciding what is morally correct to one person to another. The movie Patch Adams deals firsthand with an aspect of medical ethics. The movie displays Robin Williams as the main character, Patch Adams, as a medical student who believes treating patients with happiness is the best way to help them. (Patch Adams, Tom Shadyac) The movie starts out with the main characterRead MoreHow Humor Heals647 Words   |  3 Pagesconclusion, and when I did a research on this, I discover it is true. why: Have you ever need to cheer up, combat fear, feel more comfortable, relax, reduces pain or reduce stress? Well I have the solution. central idea: Laughter can make a person feel better, it’s truly the best medicine. purpose: All of the tools to combat depression and sadness, humor is by far the most fun. Besides, by know how humor heals, you can help a friend that is in problems. thesis: Humor has interesting healing powers thatRead MoreWhy People Should Laugh Every Day? Essays976 Words   |  4 Pagesperson can find laughter in humorous films, TV sitcoms, or friends’ anecdotes. Furthermore, laughter is quite important, it is associated with good health and wellbeing, and it is truly the best medicine and its benefits are far-ranging. It is estimate, according to UNICEF an average adult laughs about fifteen times a day, and an average child laughs about 400 times a day. It seems as if people have forgotten about laughter, and how to laugh. I ask can you imagine life without laughter. I wouldn’t

Analysis Of The Kite Runner - 1078 Words

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, a story of a boy as he unravels his journey throughout his life. The novel consists of multiple themes such as love, friendship, betrayal, guilt, , secrets, loyalty, and redemption. As the main character, Amir recalls his past events, all of these themes start to unravel specific events that occurred in his life. â€Å"There is a way to be good again† (Hosseini 2) is where the novel unfolds the deep dark life of Amir’s regret and guilt, Baba’s secret, and Hassan’s devotion. The book is a true masterpiece which keeps the readers glued to the story as it unfolds. One of the reasons, the story attracts many readers is due to The United States recent conflict with Afghanistan. However, the story has a personal†¦show more content†¦Amir stumbles upon an alley. In the alley, he sees the Hassan trap by three boys named Assef, Kamal, and Wali. All they asked of Hassan is to give up the blue kite. However, Hassan’ s loyalty and friendship toward Amir prevented Hassan to give up the kite. As the tension built, Assef lets Hassan have the kite, but in-return he does unthinkable. Assef rapes Hassan as Amir watched unnoticeably from the alley (Hosseini 62-66). This was Amir’s chance to prove his true friendship by stepping in to save Hassan. Instead, Amir ran â€Å"because I was a coward. I was afraid of Assef and what he could do to me. I was afraid of getting hurt. That’s what I told myself as I turned my back to the alley, to Hassan† (Hosseini 68). According to Amir, â€Å"Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba† (Hosseini 68). â€Å"He was just a Hazara, wasn’t he?† (Hosseini 68). This was the event that changed Amir’s life forever. However, was Amir decision of not doing anything justifiable? Many readers would argue that it was not. However, looking at social classes, social structures, and beliefs could of have prevented Amir to take any action. Amir grew up knowing that Hazaras are lower class people with no privileges. Even their education system and Amir’s teacher despise the existence of Hazara. Only thing Amir knew about Hazaras was â€Å"That they were Mogul descendants, and that they looked a little like Chinese people. School textbooks barelyShow MoreRelatedCritical Analysis Of The Kite Runner1090 Words   |  5 Pages– H 31 October 2017 Consequences of War: A Critical Analysis of the Kite Runner On a day to day basis, an individual is faced with an obstacle they must overcome, ultimately defining their morals and values. In the literature perspective, the novel The Kite Runner delivers multiple thematic ideas that portray the struggles of characters in their ordinary lives. Khaled Hosseini, author and physician, released his debut novel The Kite Runner in the year of 2003. This novel is written in the firstRead MoreThematic Analysis Of The Kite Runner 1377 Words   |  6 PagesThematic Analysis of the Kite Runner John Piper once said, â€Å"Redemption is not perfection, the redeemed must realize their mistakes.† One can see an idea similar to this in Kahled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. In the story, the author sends the message that redemption can be a lifelong pursuit, and until achieved, happiness will not be obtained. The first time the reader is introduced to the theme comes at a time when Amir is feeling as though he is not deserving of his fathers appreciation. â€Å"BecauseRead MoreAnalysis Of The Kite Runner 1016 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to the dictionary redemption means â€Å" The act of saving from sin†. The kite Runner is about two boys that goes through violence and betrayal in Kabul, Afghanistan. One of the main characters Amir decided not to help his best friend caused their conflicts to grow. This reveals the theme of redemption throughout the Kite Runner. Most importantly, there is a motivation behind why Amir battles very nearly his whole existence with reclamation and that is on the grounds that Amir s hirelingRead MoreThe Kite Runner Analysis1237 Words   |  5 Pageshow political power such as the Taliban can bring out the evil in people but he also demonstrates how there is oppressive male power in relationships that also brings out the same human nature. He uses overbearing masculine characters in the The Kite Runner and gender roles to express how men were given the right to act in such horrific ways towards women. In Afghanistan there are many restrictions against women. Men have control over their wives and girlfriends. They have the dominant power and sinceRead MoreThe Kite Runner Analysis772 Words   |  4 PagesThe Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini was a touching book that revolved around loyalty within a friendship. The friendship between Hassan and Amir had some difficulties. A true friendship can be hard to find(,) but c an be one of the most vital things to being truly happy. Both Hassan and Amir had proven their loyalty to each other by the end of The Kite Runner. Loyalty was a crucial part in Hassan and Amir’s friendship.   Ã‚  Ã‚   In the beginning, Hassan was not only loyal to Amir because that was his dutyRead MoreCritical Analysis Of The Kite Runner 1899 Words   |  8 PagesCritical Analysis of The Kite Runner â€Å"It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (142). Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner unfolds the story of the affluent youth Amir and his servant friend Hassan, who are separated by a traumatizing sexual assault and the 1979 Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan. Despite a fresh start in San Francisco, Amir is devoured by guilt for failing to protect his loyal friend. Many years laterRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of The Kite Runner 1229 Words   |  5 PagesShyanne Nobles Ms. Mastrokyriakos English 4A Literary Analysis on â€Å"The Kite Runner† Edward Michael a British adventurer, writer and television presenter of Man vs. Wild always says â€Å"survival can be summed up in three words - never give up. That’s the heart of it really. Just keep trying†. The Kite Runner is a fictional book with a heartbreaking plot and struggling characters that are easily sympathetic to the readers. An Afghani child that has to make life changing decisions at such a young ageRead MoreThe Kite Runner Analysis 1844 Words   |  8 PagesTherefore, being a father is very difficult, having to overcome obstacles and being strong for each other. A well-known saying â€Å"like father, like son† is evident in this novel by the different ties of relationship each character had. In the novel, The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini proves that there is need of a fatherly figure when growing up. Having a father-son bond helps the child differentiate right from wrong. The relationship which demonstrates the need of a father figure is depic ted by Baba and AmirRead MoreAnalysis Of The Kite Runner 1229 Words   |  5 PagesThe Kite Runner’s plot is centered on the story of Amir, a young boy who grew up in Afghanistan with his father, and friend, Hassan. Amir was raised without a mother, and had no womanly influence in his life until he was married. This lack of women in the storyline has caused some to argue that the novel is demeaning to women (Gomez). The vulgar language and explicit themes are seen as demoralizing towards the female gender (Schaub). In the novel the women are required to remain committed and submissiveRead MoreAnalysis Of The Kite Runner 1359 Words   |  6 Pages One major theme that is evident in The Kite Runner is that scars are reminders of life’s pain and regret, and, though you can ease the regret and the scars will fade, neither will completely go away. We all have regrets and always will, but though it will be a long hard process we can lessen them through redemption. The m ajority of The Kite Runner is about the narrator and protagonist, Amir. Almost all of the characters in The Kite Runner have scars, whether they are physical or emotional. Baba

What is an American Essay Example For Students

What is an American Essay Some say the stripes on the American flag stand for the 13 colonies and the stars stand for the 50 states of the union. However, the American flag also stands for much more. Freedom, civil rights, and equality are all represented by the American flag. So, what is an American? The usual response would be a person who lives in America. There is much more to living in this wonderful, majestic country than many people believe. This includes Americas vast history, American culture, and American lifestyle. The actions of our forefathers made America what it is today. This is why the history of America is so important. Without them, America may not exist at all. It started on the early morning of November 9, 1620 when the Pilgrims arrived in Cape Cod. America was born when it was declared independent from Britain on July 4, 1776. Without the help of our forefathers, we wouldnt have the rights and freedoms we enjoy each and every day. There is no way to fully show our appreciation for the soldiers and leaders who gave their lives so we could live this dream. However, the least we can do is to hang an American flag on the front porch or recite the pledge every day. An American lives in a country with very diverse cultures and values. First, an American has many rights and freedoms. For example, we enjoy the freedom of speech, right to pray to any religion, and right to vote. These are the most important American traits for without them, we would be like any other country on earth. Second, we are a very diverse country. It is possible to take a walk and encounter people from all over. This lets citizens of America meet many different types of people and learn about their interesting backgrounds. Finally, an American citizen has a lot to celebrate for during holidays. Americans have the right to celebrate any holiday they desire, from Christmas to the Chinese New Year. The freedom to celebrate any holiday is one of the many reasons why it is the dream of people all over the world to live in America. The American lifestyle is the dream of many people in third world countries for many reasons. First, the standard of living of America cannot be beat. The roads are great, the economy is fairly stable, and the country is technologically advanced. Children in America get a good education and never go hungry. Second, living in America is carefree. For example, there are no worries about civil wars, assassinations, or civil unrest. This makes America an ideal place to raise a family. Third, American lifestyle is very patriotic. Americans show their pride by waving flag and joining the armed forces. Other countries do not have citizens as patriotic as America does. Finally, there are also some ugly sides to the American lifestyle. For example, obesity is plaguing the health of children and adults. Also, Americans are very wasteful, since not many recycle or put things to good use. The American lifestyle isnt without its faults but it is still a great way to live. So, what is an American? An American is more than someone who lives in the US. An American is the Fourth of July, freedom of expression, and patriotism. An American enjoys freedoms and rights others can only wish for. As Lee Greenwood said, There aint no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.