Thursday, June 18, 2009

Hospital Goes Green

Do you know about a project in which hospitals in Wales try to reduce emissions by 20% by 2050? Why do they tackle this project right now? Because according to Brindley (2007), “a report today reveals that Welsh hospitals use the same amount of energy every year as it takes to power 32,000 homes. And 5% of all the UK’s emissions from road transport are caused by NHS-related journeys, while one in every 100 tonnes of domestic waste comes from the health service” (Brindley, 2007, para. 1) . They spend much energy for a one-year, so, they have tackled to this grappling recent years. Also, is this project leads to a good result for a sustainable society and environmental problems in the earth? Here is the other effort for global warming. Meat-free menus are to be promoted in hospitals as part of a strategy to cut global warming emissions across the National Health Service (2009, Schofield, para. 1). They try to improve about global warming using various ways. It is good trend, but say in other words, nowadays, global warming has become a common serious problem all over the world. In fact, “After a slow start, the seasonal ice retreat has now reached 2 million square miles, and could break the record before the Arctic begins winter cooling in mid-September. Already, some areas bordering North America and Siberia have less ice than at the same time last year. In other areas, ice is thinning (2005, Pink, para. 2). Do you know this fact? We should think through about global warming and solutions such as this. Climate change has more become crisis of the earth than we are thinking. In my opinion, this effort would have some advantages. For instance, if this project would be led to success, it might be able to influence global environments well; also, many people might be interested in environmental problems. There is the other point of view, that hospitals are symbols of health. That is why a sensible approach to the problems in hospitals such as making hospitals green would win reputation. Moreover, if each of us thinks about environments through this project and takes actions, it might be able to turn out well.

            I suggest that this project should be kept continually, because of some advantages reasons that I mentioned. Moreover, they clearly set a goal in the future. I think it is important for projects. According to the article (2009), “The NHS has set an ambitious goal to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 10% by 2015. However, the department of health had not disclosed how it will ensure the target is achieved” (Doubts over NHS strategy to cut carbon. 2009, para. 1). On the other hand, I strongly agree with these kinds of efforts in the world, even only one project has not strong power. Taking actions is much better than regret not having done it. Then, I’m going to talk about my opinions about this article.

             First, it is important to take whatever actions we can. This project shows it exactly. It might not significantly influence a change in the world. However, we can know causes that affect the earth badly through this grappling. For example, “The National Health Center (NHS) says meeting the targets is a ‘huge challenge.’ Despite efficiency improvements, its absolute CO2 emissions have risen by 40% since 1990 and are forecast to reach 22.8Mt CO2 by 2020- a 55% increase since 1990-if nothing is done” (Hospital plan to save 20,000 carbon tones. 2009, para. 4). If I didn’t read this article, I might not consider about environmental problems. Or we can say, if they didn’t tackle this project, I never know this fact, and never think about emissions, air pollution and so on. So, then we can have good opportunity to consider environmental problems right now. In addition, about 60% of the people in Wales and public agree with this project. It is revealed by survey report of publication. (2007, Brindley, para. 6). Recently, these kinds of projects are being tackled and widespread all over the world. I can often watch them through the Internet and television documentaries. I hope these efforts would pay off some day; also, we have to do for the earth. I believe these effects will improve the situation.

            Second, hospitals are known symbols of health. I think that health connects to environments closely, because when we think about our health; also, we consider the environment surrounding us. For instance, if we decide on our new house, nobody chooses to be near factories, industry and so on. So, making hospitals green as symbols of health has an important meaning, I think. If this project would succeed hospitals in Wales would win reputation. Therefore, hospitals in Wales are established not only as symbols of health but also as symbols of environment. Then, both health and environment will be close at no distance date; also, people will have more interest in not only their health but also environment. It could be expected t have multiplier effects. I hope that this effect would be widespread all over the world, then, all people in the world would tackle to save energy, waste, resources from the earth capacities some day. Jowit (2009) mentions as well, “the report will argue that reducing carbon emissions will cut bills for equipment, medicines, energy, water and waste services, and improve health- in the short term for example by encouraging people to walk, in the long-term by helping to reduce the impacts of climate change” (2009, Jowit, para. 16).

            Third, if we consider our environmental problems, it will be a big power to change the world toward well. Here is an example. Even if a person who carries an eco bag to buy food to the market keeps doing it every day, it might not have big meaning. However, if each of us keeps doing the same thing, it might lead to a big result. I think. A unique sensible approach to the environmental problems must change the earth for the better. Also, when this grappling spreads all over the world, the earth really can arrive from the crisis. When I was in Japan, I used to divide trashes, but when I came here, I never care about that, because in U.S. doesn’t strict about dividing wastes. That is why I’m getting forgot to divide wastes. However, after reading this article; also, I have tackled this paper, I try to divide wastes even here. It is good effect for the environmental problems. I hope that everybody else would consider about environment of our planet through this research paper project.

            However, these projects cost too much money, and it takes long time to see effect toward well. If national hospitals tackled these projects, it could be covered by our taxation. But if private hospitals did the same thing, it would have to be covered by the treasury themselves. Do you think it is possible or impossible? Or, do private hospitals tackled kind of this project seriously? I think it is difficult to tackle for private hospitals. In fact, there are many private hospitals more than national hospitals all over the world. Moreover, by this grappling, medical bills might be raised, especially, in private hospitals. Therefore, patients will try to not to check with a doctor, and health problems will become serious problems as environmental problems are. It will be a negative synergism. Next, this project has been tried in U.K. now. What I want to say is that this kind of project is still not known the people in the world. In addition, this project has been tackled by main hospitals in U.K. I have an another point of view, not only hospitals but also factories and industries create more than thousands emissions for every year. If these associations didn’t tackle about these environmental problems, we couldn’t expect the good results. However, It is complicated because we have to think about economy growth and environmental problems. That is why these field’s companies avoid these projects.  Not only global warming problems but also poverty problems, war, terrorism, religion problems, and internal trouble are big problems for human being. We have to solve these problems as well.

            In conclusion, this project has surely advantages and disadvantages. Cost problem is a big block to tackle to this problem. Moreover, there are a lot of problems all over the world as well. In fact, we can’t just focus on global warming problems. It may take a lot of time to lead to success these kinds of projects. However, everybody else knows that environmental problems have become more serious problems than a long time ago. Also, we know surely what is a priority problem in the world. However, nobody else takes actions until now, because they pursued their profits. Also, they hadn’t care about the earth, because they didn’t have enough knowledge about environmental problems. But technical innovation has been growing recent years, and they give a lot of knowledge’s about environments. If nobody takes actions to improve our environmental problems as before, the earth will go to ruin. Also, nobody knows whether this project will be good or bad. I think that now is time to action involving all over the world. Brindley (2007) concludes that “the trial is being rolled out across the trust’s eight other hospitals and, if it is successful, it could reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by thousands of tones every year” (2007, Brindley, para. 18). However, we have to try for our planet whatever we can do for the earth, because it is our task and responsibility that we live in the earth.  

(References)

Brindley, M. (2007, June 25). Hospitals go green but can do more to ward off threat of global warming. Retrieved June 2, 2009, from Lexis Nexis datebase.

Doubts over NHS strategy to cut carbon. (2009, February 24). ENDS Report.  Retrieved June 2, 2009, from Lexis Nexis datebase.

Hospital plan to save 20,000 carbon tones. (2009, February 19). Birmingham Post. Retrieved June 2, 2009, from Lexis Nexis database.

              Retrieved June 2, 2009, from Lexis Nexis database.

Jowit, J. (2009, January 26). Front: Hospitals will take meat off menus in bid to cut carbon. Guardian Home Pages; Pg.1. Retrieved June 2, 2009, from Lexis Nexis database.

Schofield, B. (2009, April 14). City legal firm embarks on NHS emissions mission. Daily Post (Liverpool). Retrieved June 2, 2009, from Lexis Nexis database.

Pink, R. (2005, February). Global Warming refusing to be ignored. Retrieved June 2, 2009, from The General Section database.

Don't students become addicted to Wikipedia

What do you think about using the Wikipedia is useful for our studying or not, especially academic fields? According to some articles about the Wikipedia, it has both advantages and disadvantages. I think that it should not be used in academic field because in these fields, students have to study more specific and figure out themselves. However, sometimes we need it as resources, but too much depending on this site makes us to never consult for studying (Byers, 2007, para. 2). However, in fact, “Launched Jan. 15, 2001, it is already the ninth most popular Web site in the United States, according to Alexa Internet, a company that monitors Web Traffic” (Wolverton, 2007, para. 9).  Do you know this fact? Actually, It has become popular more than I expected. If students become addicted of the Wikipedia, they would depend on it every day. Therefore, they might not think themselves. Moreover, especially academic fields need special knowledge. I think that only the Wikipedia couldn’t cover all academic fields. 

            First, in academic fields, we shouldn’t use the Wikipedia mainly, but we can use it as part of resources. If we use it too much, there will be no our opinions and arguments, also; everyone might take same answers and opinions. It is kind of boring, and it is not valuable for our studying. At first, we try to find our answers, then, we can retrieve some resources from the Wikipedia. Recognizing our opinions and resources from Web site make our study more interesting and exciting. I it has big mean toward well.

             Second, in fact, according to Wolverton (2007), the Wikipedia , Web site, has been used increasingly common all over the world, especially the United States (Wolverton, 2007, para. 9). This result indicates that many students in the United States use this Web site for their studying, hobby and so on. If they use it too much, they will not consult about their studying any more, also; they would be lazy or addictive about Web information such an s Wikipedia. Then it will be apprehensive a drop in scholastic ability.

            Third, by the academic field, especially university, we need more special knowledge than on Web site’s it. I think knowledge on Web site is not enough to write and study for academic reports and papers. We have to find out more specific and more unique resources from many journals, books, and newspapers, not only Web site. Otherwise, we can’t cover academic field. “ It found that Americans aged 25 to 34 in the sample named Wikipedia as the second most credible source business information, after business magazines” (Gapper, 2008, para. 9). This mean is not first resource for business. It shows opinion same as me.

            However, the Internet has infiltrated many aspects of our daily life. Also, we can get much information on the Web site whatever we want. The Internet helps us as useful information tools. Therefore, it helps our studying very well, and we can absorb a lot of knowledge widely from the Internet. When we can’t find answers from books that really I want to know, we can get answers easily from the Internet such as the Wikipedia. We just put some key words on the search box, then, the computer will be searched easily. We can save the time to study.

            In conclusion, I refer that the Wikipedia sometimes works good for us. For instance, we can save the time to study, and we can get answers easily. However, conversely to put it the other way around, it has risk to be addicted about using the Internet resources. We should use the Wikipedia carefully. Then the Internet might help us very well, and our grade might be gone up some day. 

(reference)

Byers, M. (2007, August 3). Controversy over use of Wikipedia in academic papers arrives at Smith, Spohian, Smith College. Retrieved June 8, 2009. from; http://tinyurl.com/2dyt65

Wolverton, J. (2007, Jan 22). Wikipedia Wisdom, Valey Vanguard. Retrieved June 8, 2009. from; http://www.svsu.edu/clubs/vanguard/stories/1141

Lengel, J. (2006, July 2). Authority, Teaching with Technology.Retrieved June 8, 2009. form; http://tinyurl.com/n5clt2

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Spending A Time On You Tube

I spend a lot of time on you tube, because I want to follow latest Japanese entertainments on You Tube. Have you ever spent more than 5 hours on You Tube? Sometimes I’m focus on You Tube, and I feel time goes by so fast. It’s a kind of addictive You Tube. Actually, I never use it for searching information. I just use it for fun. What kind of film clips do you watch as usual? I watch Japanese comedy mostly, then, sometimes I listen to music, but it’s from all Japanese culture. I think that it’s not good to improve my English skill, however, I really miss my culture and comedy, because I’m in U.S. right now. That’s why I spend a lot of times on You Tube. Say in other words, You Tube is the only one amusement which I can touch latest Japanese topics such as entertainment, music, comedy, and drama. On the other hand, I have to use it for studying. There are a lot of useful materials for studying English. I must found them out, and I have to use not only having fun but also studying English. Anyway, You Tube has infiltrated many aspects of our daily life. We would spend a lot of time on You Tube also from now on.

Is Global warming a serious problem in Japan?

In Japan, I couldn’t feel global warming seriously. However, sometimes there is some extraordinary weather in Japan, but I don’t know how extraordinary weather relates to global warming. For example, especially in summer, weather has become similar to tropical weather. We often get like a squall same as the tropics. Some of Japanese meteorologists refer that Japan will become the tropics in the future because of global warming. Actually, I can’t believe right now. However we should consider about it. Next, nowadays flood has been increasingly in Japan. I often can watch them on TV news. If heavy rain occurred, it will be flood easily, recently. Also, deforestation is a big problem to occur flood. Anyway, a convulsion of nature often is occurred on the earth. It might indicate global warming and crisis of the earth. We have to tackle about environmental problems and take actions from each of us. At no distant date, we would face crisis of the earth. For it, we have to take care of the planet.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Pros and Cons About McDonald's


McDonald's food that includes a lot of animal fat and salt might cause adult disease. It is clear that over ingestion of food such as too much salt, sugar, and fat is known to be bad for our body and our health. Also, those foods can causes to gain weight quickly and easily, especially our stomach (Spurlock, 2004). Moreover, "in only thirty days of eating nothing but McDonald's I gained twenty-four and a half ponds, my liver turned to fat and my cholesterol shot up sixty-five points. My body fat percentage went from eleven to eighteen percent" (Spurlock, 2004, para. 11). Therefore, I mention that McDonald's is bad for our health. The fast food, McDonald's, is very convenient for us to buy because we can eat easily and reasonable without waiting, and whether we want eat. As Kroc says, "we provide food that customers love, day after day after day. People just want more of it" (Kroc, 1995, para.17). Recently, McDonald's is keeping open during 24 hours. It has become more useful. Moreover, McDonald's is common food all over the world, because we can enjoy the same taste anywhere else. In addition, fast food in the U.S. has become common food dramatically at present (Schlosser, 2002). Finally, both service spirits and convenience make people want to go to McDonald's.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Laptop, which has both advantage and disadvantage, is useful?

Programs that try to give one laptop computer to every child have both advantages and disadvantages, I think. Therefore, I agree with both opinions, that they are a good idea and not a good idea. What point of view do you have about this programs?

First, I want to state that there are some advantages about this programs. Recently, computer has become global standard all over the world. So, we have to learn how to use computers such as laptops and desktops. If people could learn it from early childhood, it will work as their advantage in the future, such as job hunting. In addition, laptop is a more important tool as a source of knowledge than a desktop itself, because we can take it whenever we want. When we were in the childhood, I had various curiosity about everything. I think modern children are also the same as me; so, laptops would help them as a useful material.

Next, I think laptops sometimes influence children badly because they can bring it somewhere. This means that we can watch Internet without parents' permission. If a child did net surfing on illegal sites, parents can't know the fact. I think there are many potential risks on these sites. Moreover, if children use computer too much, they will be addicted to computer, and they will not know how to make relationships with their friends.

Finally, I think it is better to use laptops in front of parents if you want to use them. It is clear a laptop is very valuable tool, but we should never forget that human relation is more important than spending too much time with a laptop, especially in childhood. 

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The pioneering project for human and the earth

In the article “We can save babies,” the author refers to Western countries that are grappling with a pioneering project which is not only saving babies but also saving the planet. They plan to build a lot of neonatal intensive care units (NICU), and at same time, they have to care about environmental problem such as carbon footprint and greenhouse gas. Recently, also the NHS has tried to reduce greenhouse gas and emissions by demand of governments. In conclusion, this new pioneering project will be helping babies; also, it will be protecting our planet. This pioneering project is good for the earth, and us and using the another phrase, it kills two birds with one stone. I agree with this grappling because it is efficient, has a multiplier effect, and leads to prosperous years.

First, I think this project is very efficient, because they try to save the lives of babies and protecting the planet at same time. We have to find a connection between the environmental problem and the other problems like this project. A long time ago, they didn’t care about environmental problems such as air pollution, sea pollution, emissions, and so on. They just pursued their benefit and money. However in recent trends, they try to pursue both benefit and green. Then, we can gain from the project and turn a profit in different fields. Moreover, if we could have good results from both fields, we will be able to contribute to human beings and the global environment.

Next, according to my first opinion, it also concludes a multiplier effect. The NHS is trying to reduce emissions now. So, If they build a lot of hospitals including NICU, we don’t need to worry about air pollution. In addition, if NHS can be successful in reducing greenhouse gas and emissions, we can avoid the crisis from environmental problems. Then not only can we save the planet, but also we can take care of our children more than at present, because there will be a lot of NIUC by leasing to each region, and also they will employ many staff. This phenomenon will affect the U.S. economy to lead demand-pull inflation, and U.S. economy will go up. Moreover, we can prolong babies of survival rates. I think this project will be wonderful for the earth and us.

Third, do you know the population rate in the world? We are moving on again society. It means declining birth rate. We have to hold this phenomenon carefully because it is a crisis of human beings. If the number of people has continued to increase, also, birth rate has continued decreasingly, even if we could succeed in protecting our planet, it would mean nothing without human beings. So, this project might lead us to flourish and save the global environment.

In conclusion, we should consider our future and our planet at the same time. Then we might find out new pioneering project which is good for both humans and the earth. It is going to be wonderful effort for both of them.

(Reference)
We can save babies (and the planet). (2007, July 23). Western Daily Press.
Retrieved May 31, 2009, from Lexis Nexis datebase