Domestic violence Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Domestic violence - Research Paper Example ic violence shelter has established several programs that can ensure the safety of domestic violence victims and provide the relevant support in an effort to eliminate domestic violence in the community. This paper will provide the details of all the processes and activities carried out by the program. The main objective of establishing a local, domestic violence shelter was to provide both short-term and long-term accommodation to domestic violence victims. Volunteers working in the shelter receive children, women, as well as men who have suffered domestic violence and can no longer live in their homes. Notably, women and children form the majority of domestic violence victims. Therefore, the local, domestic violence shelter receives children and women exposed to extreme domestic violence and present them with a safe place to live before situations return to normal. In some cases, the program organizes for long-term accommodation, especially for victims whose lives are at a risk. At the shelter, all the victims receive the relevant counseling from psychological experts. Domestic violence causes high levels of trauma in the victims. It can affect the normal development of children (Cook-Craig, Lane, & Siebold, 2010). Therefore, children who are exposed to domestic violence in the community can receive the relevant counseling and support in an effort to minimize long-term effects of domestic violence. In order to address issues related to domestic violence effectively, the volunteers indulge in a risk assessment process.The process sought to establish members of the community who are prone to domestic violence as well as establishing the potential causes of domestic violence in the community. All the volunteers recognize that it is impossible to address domestic violence effectively if the root causes of the problem are not identified (Cook-Craig, Lane, & Siebold, 2010). After identifying the social and community conditions that contribute to the increasing

History Comparison Betwen Mexican and African Americans Essay Example for Free

History Comparison Betwen Mexican and African Americans Essay The history of Mexican Americans is comparable to that of African Americans: filled with stories of conquest, racism, and discriminatory acts posed by society. The past has triggered Chicanos to fight back against injustices, in hopes of reforming immoral treatment, and emerging as an equal part of America’s society. The Chicano movement yielded some successes in this aspect. However, mass media and stereotypes confirm the notion that Mexican Americans are still viewed as a â€Å"lesser† people. This stems from the long-established concept of racial stratification. In this case, it indicates that Anglo-Americans have hierarchy over Mexican Americans. Consequently, discrimination towards Chicanos is still prevalent, despite ongoing efforts by activists for change. This nation was socially molded based on the idea that there is a hierarchy of races, and as long as that idea exists, Mexican Americans will continue to suffer inequality. In â€Å"Sexual Violence in the Politics of Conquest’, Castaneda explores the sexual crimes against Amerindian women during the Spanish conquest of Alta California. The soldiers accompanying the missionaries on the settlement raped and violated the native women openly. There were many incidents before rules were set to govern the matter, but even after the rapes continued to occur. One court case recorded in 1773 indicates that there was no intention to grant justice to the victims. The natives took matters into their own hands and formed forces to seek their own justice (similar to Chicano activist groups that seek reform for discrimination), but to no avail. Castaneda goes on to explain that the actions of the soldiers were not farfetched from practices of Western civilization (27-28). Because these dark crimes were normal for the dominant culture, they were automatically imposed on the natives, who were supposed to accept this without resistance. This is similar to Mexican Americans during the Chicano movement, who were not given equal opportunities for education and employment because they were not in the central group. In both situations, the majority emasculates the men and oppresses the women of the minority. The idea of hierarchy is apparent in this passage; Catholic missionaries try to strip the natives of their culture and convert them to value Western practices because they consider themselves the ‘prominent’ people. The history of the Chicano Movement can date back to the Manifest Destiny. In the 1840s, the United States planned to expand its territory and take Mexico, which had become independent from Spain. In reporting these events, Leo Cervantes notes the attitude of superiority that the Americans displayed in their imperialist plan. He notes one adherent’s thoughts, who asked â€Å"why resign this beautiful country to the custody of the ignorant cowards who have ruled for the last 25 years? † (13). Cervantes also quotes Thomas Jefferson, who has similar views of the matter, and promoted â€Å"policies of non-miscegenation† during the expansion (14). Even before Anglo-Americans were acquainted with Mexicans, they held predisposed opinions of contempt for them. As I suggested, Arturo Rosales agrees, â€Å"An underlying cause for the hostility Anglo-Americans felt for Mexicans was a preexisting ideology of racism† (5). These preconceived notions of Mexican Americans were the beginning of negative stereotypes attached to them. Today Chicanos are often represented in the media as uneducated thugs, loose women, or undocumented workers. Even whites who claim they are not racist may practice aversive racism by absorbing the images portrayed in media. It is this ideology of racism has contributed to discrimination over the years and inversely, the building of the Chicano Movement. The movement flourished in the 1950s and 1960s, feeding off other civil rights movements, particularly the African American movement. Both African American civil rights activists and Chicano activist protested the unlawful repression of minorities in America. They protested the terrible education system, police brutality, and denial of economic opportunities. Arturo Rosales compares Chicano activist, Cesar Chavez to Martin Luther King. It is expected that on this path to address the plight and repression of their people, Chicanos were met with resistance from White Americans. Rosales notes that police officers and other uniformed officials â€Å"were employed to suppress manifestations of discontent and did so using violence† (xv). It can be suggested that Anglo-Americans considered Chicanos a threat to the racial hierarchy, so they took action. Cervantes supports this theory, quoting Brooks Adams who said, â€Å"When a highly centralized society disintegrates, under the pressure of economics condition, it is because the energy of the race has been exhausted (18). This point illustrates the pressure Anglo-Americans felt to keep superiority over Mexicans. The American achievement ideology suggests four points: Anyone can make it. American society is fair and open. Success is based on merit. Moreover, inequality is the result of differences in ability and ambition. This ideology contradicts the apparent effects of a racial hierarchy. Stratification of races has formed structural discrimination among minorities, specifically, Mexican and African Americans. The poor education, poor neighborhoods, and badly equipped jobs that these minorities are subjected to prevent them from achieving upward mobility. However, white America still neglects to acknowledge these factors. Historian, Oscar Lewis, believed that people living in poverty are to blame for their own situation, yet minorities’ history in America consists of repression and treatment as inferior beings. There is no questioning it; racial classes have been socially constructed and this has directly affected minorities. The Chicano Movement has led to some advances for Mexican American such as the growing numbers of Latinos attending school, and raise concerns about unequal treatment to Chicanos. However, because underlying values of America are products of a deep-rooted, corrupt social structure, issue of prejudice will continue to exist.

Impacts of Green Energy Production on Ireland

Impacts of Green Energy Production on Ireland An Evaluation of the Impacts of Green Energy Production on the Flora and Fauna of Ireland Introduction Green energy production has significantly increased in recent years. Its rise is primarily due to environmental concerns and the vital need to find alternative energy sources as fossil fuels supplies decline. In terms of the environment, the use of renewable energy in order to alleviate the effects of global warming is supported internationally. (Warren, et al., 2005) There are several sources of renewable energy used in Ireland today, these include; wind power, solar, hydroelectric energy and biomass etc. Global Policy and legislation: In 1992, at the Earth summit in Rio, many nations joined an international treaty, which was known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)ÂÂ   (United Nations, 2017). This treaty was put into effect in 1994 and its main aim was to fight the challenges of climate change. In order to achieve this, they encouraged member states to keep their greenhouse gas emissions at a steady state. (United Nations, 2017). This treaty was accompanied by the Kyoto Protocol which was more successful as it committed developing countries to reduce their emissions by introducing legally binding reduction targets. (United Nations, 2017) EU policy and legislation: In 1997, the EUs renewable energy policy came about with the implementation of the White Paper which was called Energy for the future: renewable sources of energy (European Commission , 2011). This paper gave details of how gross energy consumption in terms of renewable energy needs to increase from 6% to 12% by 2010 (European Commission , 2011). Then in 2008 the Commission proposed an ambitious Climate Change and Energy Package. The European Union accepted this package in December of 2008. This energy package stated that European Union Member States must achieve the following targets: 20% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 in comparison to the 1990 levels. 20% increase in the use of renewables. 20% increase in energy efficiency. (European Commission , 2011) All EU Member States were required to draw up National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs) as part of the Renewable Energy Directive (European Commission , 2011). These NREAPs outlined the way in which each Member State aimed to meet their approved share of the overall target of a 20% increase of renewables in energy consumption by 2020. Additionally, the NREAP must also describe the steps that will be taken to improve and grow the use of renewable energy. Examples of this include improving conditions to allow more access to electricity gird lines as well as having less administrative barriers. (European Commission , 2011). Irelands Policy and Legislation: Irelands renewable energy policy and legislation is entirely based on the context of European legal responsibilities. Our policies and legislations are specified in numerous Directives and Regulations, as well as in many international and national targets (Dineen, et al., 2015). In terms of the NREAP, Ireland submitted its final plan to the European Commission at the end June in 2010. We submitted our initial progress report in the January of 2012 followed by the second report two years later in February 2014 (Dineen, et al., 2015). There are many schemes that are carried out nationally to meet the EUs 2020 targets. Irelands Strategy for Renewable Energy: 2012 2020, proposed an ambitious statement which stated that Ireland could become a world-wide leader in the research and progress of renewable energy and other associated technologies (Dineen, et al., 2015). Irelands strategy for renewable energy recognises five goals, some of which include; an increase in both onshore and offshore wind; the construction of a sustainable bioenergy sector and building robust and efficient electricity networks etc. (Dineen, et al., 2015). Under the European Union Directive 2012 on energy efficiency all member states, including Ireland must have a NREAP. The European Energy Directive placed energy efficiency at the forefront of the EU Energy 2020 strategy. It became a part of the law in Ireland through the SI 426 of 2014 and SI 131 of 2014 (Dineen, et al., 2015). The directive is aimed at keeping energy use from economic growth separate as well as setting out a mutual framework of measures to meet the European Unions 20% target in energy efficiency by 2020 (Dineen, et al., 2015). It is obligatory that all member states submit three National Energy Efficiency Action Plans to the European Commission over a seven-year period. The action plans should detail the measures planned to meet the 20-20 targets (Dineen, et al., 2015). Irelands initial National Energy Efficiency Action Plan was available in May 2009. It reiterated the target which was originally included in 2007 in the White Paper on energy efficiency. This target aimed to save approximately 20% of the average primary energy used from a period of 2001 2005, with this target being reached by 2020 (Dineen, et al., 2015). In terms of Irelands legislation on the protection of flora and fauna, the protection of biodiversity on an international front comes from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in the form of an extensive strategy towards sustainable development. The CBD has three main aims which include; To conserve biodiversity. To sustainably use the components of biodiversity. To share the benefits that come from the use of genetic resources in a just and impartial way. (A, et al., 2005) Irelands main policy to protect the flora and fauna is included in the National biodiversity plan Actions for Biodiversity. This action plan outlines how Ireland plans to conserve and protect its biodiversity. This policy is supported by the following legislation; Birds Directive 1979 Habitats Directive 1992 (Natura 2000 sites) Wildlife Act 1976, plus amendment Act 2000 Irish Flora Protection Order 2015 (Scheer, et al., 2016) Discussion Currently there are numerous different types of renewable energy available in Ireland, which include; wind power, solar, hydroelectric energy and biomass etc. This section is going to focus on just wind and hydroelectric energy. Wind Power background: Wind power began to draw interest just after the oil shocks in the 1970s and it only started to grow during the 1990s (Warren, et al., 2005). Today, wind energy is at the forefront in terms of renewable energy as it has emerged as one of the cleanest, safest and cheapest sources of energy. Since the 90s the capacity of wind generating energy has been doubling approximately every three years and the production costs have been decreasing thus making it a favourable source of energy. In Ireland, the first operational windfarm came about in 1992 and as of 2015 there were 228 operational windfarms present across 27 counties (Irish Wind Energy Association, 2017). These windfarms are producing a wind capacity of 3025 megawatts. It is estimated that the value of 1MW can provide energy for approximately 650 homes, therefore the capacity of 3025MW is providing enough energy for 1.97 million homes in Ireland (Irish Wind Energy Association, 2017). However, for these windfarms to be effective it is vital that they are located in open, exposed areas where wind speed is high. Thus, the uplands, coastal and offshore areas are generally proposed (Drewitt Langsto, 2006). Impacts: From a report carried out by BirdLife (BirdLife Europe , 2011), wind power energy was classified as a medium risk technology, therefore meaning that it can have negative impacts i.e. habitat disturbance especially in terms of sensitive species. However, if the correct framework policies are in place and if they are strategically organised then they can be developed without any negative impacts (BirdLife Europe , 2011). Areas such as the uplands, coastal and offshore are important habitats for migratory, breeding and wintering birds and therefore their habitats may be affected by the development of windfarms. However, the impact of wind farms on bird populations can vary and depend on different aspects including; the habitats that are affected, the species that are present, the topography of the adjacent land and finally the biogeographic range of a species (Drewitt Langsto, 2006). At numerous poorly sited wind farms (specifically at offshore sites) collision mortality has had a significant effect on population level (BirdLife Europe , 2011). In addition, more indirect effects such as access to remote areas i.e. tracks may lead to an increased level of disturbance or an increased risk of predation. Cumulative mortality may contribute to the decline in more susceptible species due to other environmental or anthropogenic pressures (BirdLife Europe , 2011). Thus, impacts that are site specific in addition to effects on the local wildlife populations are in fact relevant apprehensions if windfarms are not developed properly. To mitigate the effects of developing windfarms there are two directives under EU environmental legislation that are directly applicable to the development of wind farms. These directives include; SEA Directive (Strategic Environmental Assessments) EIA Directive (Environmental Impact Assessments) (European Commission , 2011) Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) are assessments that authorities use to improve spatial plans for various infrastructure needs such as; energy installations (BirdLife Europe , 2011). These assessments include the process of analysing as well as allowing the publics input to combine the analysis of environmental protection into plans and to encourage sustainability through investment programmes (BirdLife Europe , 2011). Furthermore, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are carried out by developers with the aim of avoiding, reducing and mitigating the impacts of projects. They then consider their findings in the planning decisions (BirdLife Europe , 2011) Hydroelectricity background: Hydroelectricity is another major source of renewable energy and it is made from the movement of water. It is currently the worlds most extensively used source of renewable energy (O Rourke, et al., 2009). Three different categories of hydroelectric plants occur which include; Impoundment -ÂÂ   most prevalent and known kind of hydroelectric plant. It uses a dam to keep the water in a reservoir and a turbine releases the water, therefore generating electricity. Diversion the water is diverted/transferred from the river over a canal which turns the turbine. Pumped storage water is pumped from a low reservoir into a higher reservoir when the electricity demand is low. Thus, electricity is generated when the electricity demand is high and the water is released. (O Rourke, et al., 2009) In terms of Ireland, hydroelectric energy is our second greatest source of renewable energy, just behind wind. The development of this energy will increase with more focus on the smaller scale hydroelectricity plants. Currently the ESB oversee the larger-scale plants and they have stated that these plants supply approximately 6% of our electricity (O Rourke, et al., 2009). Impacts: Hydroelectric plants can have numerous negative impacts on both the land and in terms of wildlife. Firstly, hydroelectricity plants can have a significant effect on aquatic ecosystems. For example, fish and several other species can be wounded or killed by the turbine blades, however there has been numerous mitigation methods to minimize these impacts e.g. fish ladders and in-take screens (UCS, 2017). As mentioned above the most common types of hydroelectric power plants use a dam and a reservoir and they generally can hinder the migration patterns of fish, thus affecting their population. These plants can also have an impact on the flow of the river and on the water temperature i.e. the temperature not being consistent. These changes can have a significant effect on the native flora and fauna in the river and on the land (Environment and Ecology , 2017). Wildlife impacts can also occur within the dammed reservoir in addition to downstream from the plant. Water from a reservoir is ge nerally more stationary compared to normal river water (UCS, 2017). As a result, it would be expected for the reservoir to have a higher amount of sediment and nutrients, which in turn would promote a surplus amount of algae and other aquatic weeds (UCS, 2017). This then allows the weeds to crowd out additional flora and fauna that exist in the river. (UCS, 2017). Conclusion Irelands Current State: Ireland has made significant progress towards achieving the energy efficiency and renewable energy targets. From a report carried out by SEAI (Scheer, et al., 2016) in 2016 they stated that to date Ireland has done the following; In terms of our energy efficiency target, Ireland has energy efficiency savings relating to about half of the countrys 2020 energy efficiency target (Scheer, et al., 2016). In terms of meeting our 2020 renewable energy target, we are also just over half way with 8.6% of our gross final consumption coming from renewables in 2014 (Scheer, et al., 2016). This has been achieved due to more than 40,000 homes and more than 550 businesses using some form of renewable energy. In terms of heat, 6.6% of the national 12% heat target has been achieved by end 2014 (Scheer, et al., 2016). Additionally, since 2003 around 190 wind farms, linked across 24 counties, have been developed. This compares to 2,375 MW of renewable electricity capacity. In total, over 6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions have been avoided each year through using energy efficient and renewable energy technologies (Scheer, et al., 2016). In terms of wind power energy, with careful development they can prove to be successful as they dont produce greenhouse gas emissions, pollutants, effluent or waste. In addition, its a natural source of energy. Hydroelectricity also has potential as a source of energy, as stated above it currentlyprovides approximately 6% of our electricity. However, Ireland is limited to a small number of large-scale of hydro sites for the generation of power. (O Rourke, et al., 2009). References A, Z., C, M. D, B., 2005. The Convention on Biodiversity and Its Potential Implications for the Agricultural Sector in Europe, s.l.: Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) . BirdLife Europe , 2011. Meeting europes renewable energy targets in harmony with nature , Sandy, U.K: The RSPB. Dineen, D. D., Howley, M. Holland, M., 2015. Renewable Energy in Ireland 2013, s.l.: SEAI. Drewitt, A. L. Langsto, R. H., 2006. Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds. International journal of Avian science , 148(S1), pp. 29-42. Environment and Ecology , 2017. Hydropower and the Environment. [Online] Available at: http://environment-ecology.com/energy-and-environment/100-hydropower-and-the-environment.html[Accessed 30 January 2017]. European Commission , 2011. Wind Energy developments and natura 2000, Luxembourg: European Union. Irish Wind Energy Association , 2017. Irish Wind Energy Association Environmental Impacts. [Online] Available at: http://www.iwea.com/environmentalimpacts[Accessed 30 January 2017]. Irish Wind Energy Association, 2017. Irish Wind Energy Association. [Online] Available at: http://www.iwea.com/index.cfm/page/windenergyfaqs?#q19[Accessed 28 January 2017]. O Rourke, F., Boyle, F. Reynolds, A., 2009. Renewable energy sources and technologies applicable to Ireland. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews , Volume 13, pp. 1975-1984. Scheer, J., Clancy, M. Gaffney, F., 2016. Irelands Energy Targets, Progress, Ambition Impacts, s.l.: SEAI Energy. UCS, 2017. Environmental Impacts of Hydroelectric Power. [Online] Available at: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-hydroelectric-power.html#.WI-UvfmLTIU[Accessed 30 January 2017]. United Nations, 2017. The UN and climate change. [Online] Available at: http://www.un.org/climatechange/towards-a-climate-agreement/[Accessed 10 February 2017]. Warren, C. R., Lumsden, C., ODowd, S. Birnie, R. V., 2005. Green On Green: Public Perceptions of. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Volume 48, pp. 853-875.

Steam Turbines :: essays research papers

Steam Turbines   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The invention of the water turbine was so successful that eventually, the idea came about for extracting power from steam. Steam has one great advantage over water-it expands in volume with tremendous velocity. To be the most effective, a steam turbine must run at a very high speed. No wheel made can revolve at any speed approaching the velocity that a steam turbine can. By utilizing the kinetic energy of steam flow, the turbine could achieve a higher efficiency. As a result, the steam turbine has supplanted the reciprocating engine as a prime mover in large electricity-generating plants and is also used as a means of jet propulsion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The action of the steam turbine is based on the thermodynamic principle that when a vapor is allowed to expand, its temperature drops. In turn, its internal energy is decreased. This reduction in internal energy is transformed into mechanical energy in the form of an acceleration of the particles of vapor. The transformation that occurs, provides a large amount of available work energy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The essential parts of all steam turbines consist of nozzles or jets through which the steam can flow and expand. Thus, the temperature drops, and kinetic energy is gained. In addition, there are blades, on which high pressure steam is exerted. Stationary blades shift the steam onto rotating blades, which provide power. Also, turbines are equipped with wheels or drums where the blades are mounted. A shaft for these wheels or drums is also a basic component, as well as an outer casing that confines the steam to the area of the turbine proper. In order to efficiently use this contraption, it is necessary to have a number of stages. In each of these stages, a small amount of thermal energy is converted to kinetic energy. If the entire conversion of energy took place at once, the rotative speed of the turbine wheel would be way too excessive.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Steam turbines are really quite simple machines, that have only one major moving part, the rotor. However, auxiliary equipment is necessary for their operation. Journal bearings support the shaft, and an oil system provides lubrication to these bearings. A special seal system prevents steam from

Is It Better to Fit in or to Be Different

In life, there are many ways when it is better to be different and there are many ways when it is better to fit in. There are times when it is good to be both. There are many times when they could be used well. Some times, it is better to be unusual. In academics, it is better to be diverse when somebody wants to be complimented and considered smart by using a new way to do a problem. In business, it is better for him to seem creative by not thinking like the others. In addition, when a person wants somebody to notice him he has to be different. For popularity, it is better to be unique because a person may become popular for being different and not have to follow the crowd in ways that he may not like. In some ways, it is better to fit in. In school, to fit in is to make good grades so they are not different in brains, which is better than to be different and not make good grades. In business, there is also a time where people would not be fired because they are doing as the boss tells them to and not trying to do something different that displeases the boss. In reputation, it is better to fit in because if somebody is different people may isolate that person. It is better to be both; in corporations, it is when a person thinks outside the box while doing what the boss is asking. In education, it is when a person is smart, but still being smart if others are doing badly. In popularity, it is when a person fits in with the crowd while making his opinion. There are many ways in which to be different and in which to fit in. There are also times when it is okay to fit in but not okay to be different. There are times when it is okay to be either one. That is why nobody should stick to doing just one thing all the time.

Japanese Law essays

Japanese Law essays The Japanese legal system: An overview of a Unique System According to Shinto legend two gods, Izanagi and Izanami, which were brother and sister, dipped a spear into the ocean and drops from the spear formed the island of Onokorojima. Izanagi and Izanami then fell to earth and married. Izanami then gave birth to the islands of Japan and a couple more gods. Jimmu Tenno the first emperor of Japan was given the right to rule by his grandfather, Ninigi, son of the fire God, Amaterasu. Japanese claim they can trace the imperial genealogy all the way to Jimmu Tenno and the gods. Many Americans would believe this to be nonsense or myth. This idea means as much to the Japanese who practice Shinto as the idea of Jesus Christ does too many Christians. The Japanese have a very long history and culture that coincides with that lengthy history. The mere fact that the Japanese culture and history is much different than Americans is not sufficient reason to consider them illegitimate. The legal system of Japan is also very legitimate considering the hi story of the Japanese government and its changes since the 1600s. The law in Japan completes its objective through the values that the Japanese have learned throughout their long history. Keeping this in mind, I will consider Japanese law and its history, its source of justification, governmental institutions involved, its players, and how the public perceives the law in Japan. The Japanese are very different from Americans, and many wonder why and how? Culture is the answer that is most commonly used. The legal system in Japan cannot be looked at without taking into consideration its people and culture. The Japanese have a very distinct culture. The Japanese have a group culture, and the influence of family, friends, neighbors, and fellow employees act as powerful constraints on individual behavior. This influence is a byproduct of Confucianism. Loyalty to the stat...