The Earth Hour Script Essay Example for Free

The Earth Hour Script Essay Host1: Our country has been through a lot of problems both economically and environmentally. And sadly there hasn’t been any progress. Problems before are still problems today and what’s worse is that it just keeps on piling up. Host2: As citizens of this country, what can we do? How do we contribute? Is there still hope? Is change still possible? Good day everyone and you’re watching, Both: The Earth Hour. Host1: Today we would be discussing three environmental issues. First, the improper waste disposal; second, pollution; and third is climate change. Host2: And we will be having guests and professionals. They will explain the causes and as well as the effects these problems may bring. All of these when The Earth Hour returns. Host1: And we’re back. One major problem that all of us, I’m sure, is well aware of is improper waste disposal. And right here, we’ve got Mr. Joseph  San Juan, a professor of Environmental Psychology in UP Diliman and Ms. Therez Subebe, an environmentalist. Good day, sir and ma’am! Both: Good day! Host2: Let’s start this straight, Mr. San Juan, what exactly is improper waste disposal? Joseph: Improper waste disposal is the failure of managing and monitoring of waste materials such as plastics and even biodegradable wastes like left-overs. Host1: How did this problem start in our country? Joseph: The alarming increase of improper disposal of solid and hazardous waste in our country is due to a number of reasons such as: increasing population, by this, we are consuming, we produce wastes, I mean, it is already given that when we were born we were bound to contribute waste. It’s unavoidable. That’s the sad fact. Other reasons are lack of integrated solid waste management system, lack of environmentally sound disposal system and lack of toxic waste treatment facilities. There is also the lack of public awareness support. People today just throw candy wrappers, tin cans and plastic bottles on the streets. They toss still usable plastic bags anywhere not even realizing how much it contributes to our already enormous problem on Waste Disposal. They continue to improperly dispose garbage because they are not educated about what might be the effects of their wrong doing. Host2: Given that it is getting worse what are the effects of this problem to the people, Ms. Subebe? Therez: Well, obviously, there are no positive effects. Its effects are purely negative. The spread of infectious diseases due to improperly dumped chemical wastes from factories, soil contamination, and floods due to garbage-clogged drainage are only some of the many serious effects of  improper Solid and Hazardous Waste Disposal. Host1: Oh my, I really didn’t know that it is so bad. Anyway, we have a question from an audience. Okay, what’s your name? Lari: Hi, I’m Lari. It is obvious that we should act regarding this issue, so what steps must be taken? Are there any laws and regulations for it? What programs must be launched? Joseph: uhhhhm, thank you for that, our country has had laws about proper waste management. There is this law REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9003 which is â€Å"AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, CREATING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS AND INCENTIVES, DECLARING CERTAIN ACTS PROHIBITED AND PROVIDING PENALTIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES†, only that this was not implemented well. Certain programs have been launched as well and two of the famous program are the triple R (reduce, reuse and recycle) and proper waste disposal. Host2: Do you mind telling our viewers how these programs work? Therez: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle is a program introduced in response to the increasing tons of wastes in our country. Reducing is simply to decrease the amount of plastics we use every day. Reusing, from the world itself, is using again trash that are still usable like plastic and paper bags and Recycle is the processing and upgrading of junk into something more for human use. Another program is Proper waste disposal which minimizes the spread of infectious diseases brought by hazardous odors of chemical wastes. In line with this program is Segregation where you separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage. Another is composting which is the process where biodegradable wastes such as leaves, saw dust, peel of the fruits/vegetables, are placed in a tank or a hole. It lessens the possibility of contamination not only in air, land, but as well as in ground water. Host1: Thank you very much. Uhm, Lari, were you satisfied with their answers? Lari: Yes. They’ve answered it beautifully. Thank you. Host2: Thank you as well Lari. And thank you to our guests for lending us their precious time. Both: You’re welcome. Host1: We still got lots of issues to talk about when The Earth Hour returns. Host2: And you’re still watching The Earth Hour. And for our second issue for the day, air pollution, we are with Ms. Fenee Monicado, a LIFE ambassadress and Ms. Athena Aungon, a pulmonologist, to talk about it. Good day Ms. Fenee and Ms. Athena. Both: Hello. Host1: Well, Ms. Fenee, you’re a LIFE ambassadress, would you tell us what LIFE stands for? What does your organization aim for? Fenee: LIFE or the Lasallian Institute for the Environment, as part of the Lasallian Family, aims to provide environmental education and awareness not only to the Lasallian community but non-Lasallians as well. We aim to help them not only to love and appreciate the environment, but also to understand and take care of it as well. LIFE strives to provide education with values formation. The organization envisions a society of people who not only love their environment but understand and respect it as well. Host2: Wow! Being a Lasallian is surely something to be proud of, right? Well, what does the organization have to say about pollution? Fenee: You see, we have our programs launched. One is, 1 Million Trees Beyond, serves to provide a venue for more pro-active responses to environmental issues through tree-planting activities and reforestation programs that promote the propagation and caring for indigenous species. The goal is to plant and nurture one million trees by the year 2011. Another is Project Carbon Neutral which means removing as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as we put in. Both these programs are solutions for pollution particularly pollution in the air. Host1: Speaking of air pollution, what causes it? Fenee: Air pollution occurs when any chemicals or biological matter that can harm humans or other living things is introduced into the atmosphere. It is a problem that persists despite the passage of laws and the creation of agencies to fight it. Air pollution continues to cause negative effects on both people and the environment. Host2: Somebody from the audience wanted to ask something. Hi there, what’s your name? Karl: Hello, I’m Karl and I just wanted to ask what might be the effects of air pollution to our body and to our country? Athena: To our body it would be respiratory damage just like the lungs, most of the respiratory system is made up of exposed membrane, which makes it sensitive to pollutants, and alveoliair sacsin the lungs can be permanently damaged by toxins in the air. Some conditions that can be traced to, or made considerably worse by, breathing polluted air are colds, coughs, asthma, lung infections and lung cancer. There is also the smog. Though smog is sometimes described as a combination of smoke and fog, it is actually a mixture of pollutants and ground-level ozone. The pollutants that help make smog come mostly from vehicle emissions, factories, power plants and consumer products like paint and solvents. Smog can cause problems such as respiratory ailments, reduced visibility, and damage to vegetation, colds, and eye irritation. Fenee: Air pollution has effects also in our crops and property. Acid rain is rain that contains much higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. Some of this comes from natural sources, such as decaying vegetation  and volcanoes, but most of it comes from emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide from the burning of fossil fuels. The effects of acid rain on the physical environment are drastic. Acid rain damages trees at high elevations, and erodes paints and building materials. Acid rain also eats away automobile coatings, weakens trees by limiting their nutrients, and results in high levels of aluminuma substance that is toxic to aquatic lifein lakes and streams. And besides health and environmental effects, air pollution can also adversely affect the economy. With rising health problems among the population, health care costs rise. With air pollution causing illnesses among people in the workforce, time and productivity are lost. Areas of the world with high air pollution, such as the Philippines, also often report a drop in tourism and a loss of foreign investments. Host1: karl, what can you say? Karl: Now I know how harmful air pollution can be. Thank you for explaining. Host2: Very well, we’re really thankful that you’ve come to our show. Thank you. Both: â€Å"You’re welcome† â€Å"No worries† Host2: The last issue when we come back here on The Earth Hour. Host1: And we’re back here on The Earth Hour. Climate change has been the biggest issue prior to Global Warming. And talk more about this; we have Ms. Jaylen Saluria, a climatologist and Ms. Febe Ray Antolo, a meteorologist. Welcome to The Earth Hour. Jaylen: It’s good to be here. Febe: It’s my pleasure. Host2: So, climate change, what exactly is it? Jaylen: Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average. Climate change may be limited to a specific region or may occur across the whole Earth. Host2: How about our condition here in the Philippines? Are we affected? Jaylen: Sad to say but we are affected, we are all affected, you see, it is a global phenomenon. It is evident on the abnormal change in weather. Hot days and hot nights have become more frequent. Extreme weather events have also occurred more frequently since 1980. These include deadly and damaging typhoons, floods, landslides, severe El Nià ±o and La Nià ±a events, drought, and forest fires. Adversely affected sectors include agriculture, fresh water, coastal and marine resources and health. Climate change, if left unchecked, will also affect biodiversity and ultimately the earths natural systems and processes. Host1: Can you give us updates on how our country is doing regarding climate change? Febe: The Philippines has experienced temperature spikes brought about by climate change. It has been observed that warming is experienced most in the northern and southern regions of the country, while Metro Manila has warmed less than most parts. In addition, the regions that have warmed the most (northern Luzon, Mindanao) have also dried the most. Largest precipitation trends are about 10 percent during the 20th century. Host2: And uhhmmm, we have Jesse here, an audience, she has something to ask. Go on, Jesse. Jesse: Hi, I’m just curious, is there anything we can do to eliminate climate change? I mean, to stop it. Jaylen: Well, it might hurt everybody but there is nothing we can do to stop  it. But what we can do is to leave it as it is, if not, slow it down and not add up to it. You know what I mean? Jesse: I think so. That’s very unlucky though. So, what must we do? Febe: Ultimately it is up to each of us, as individuals and families, to take action to slow down and eventually reverse global warming and climate change through everyday awareness of our energy use, and attention to ways we can conserve electricity and minimize fossil fuel usage. Jesse: I’ll do that then. Thank you for answering. Host1: Thank you Jesse and a big thank you as well to our special guests, Ms. Jaylen and Ms. Febe. Both: â€Å"You’re welcome† â€Å"Anytime† Host2: And that’s it our dear viewers. Surely, you have learned a lot. We now know what to do in order to contribute to the change of our country. Everything starts within each of us. Host1: Thank you for watching until next time and this has been, Both: â€Å"The Earth Hour†

The Importance of Interdependence and International Cooperation Essay

The Importance of Interdependence and International Cooperation We are not a nation alone in the world. We do not make up the beliefs, developmental status, and environment of the entire globe. To act as if there is no interdependence within states is not only ridiculous, but also dangerous. Professor Squibwell draws attention to this issue, and while his views may be a little extreme in the statement that â€Å"the world functions as a single integrated unit,† he is accurate in suggesting that we â€Å"collaborate with other states, strengthen international organizations, and support the humanitarian and educational activities of international civil society.† International relations are dictated, to a large degree, by a set of norms. While some states may, at times, disagree on what actions should be considered â€Å"normal,† the majority of nations recognize the mutual benefits that can be attained through cooperation on generally accepted â€Å"rules†. Some examples of norms include peaceful settlement of disputes and respect of national borders. These expectations are adhered to by most state leaders and are somewhat institutionalized by international organizations (IOs) such as the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Whether they be humanitarian, economic, environmental, or any other form of focal group, each of these organizations is in charge of regulating different standards of behavior. With anywhere from 2 to 100 members, IOs would not exist if there was not a need for nations to lean on each other for a regulation of norms or assistance. The creation and ongoing existence of such groups proves that Professor Squibwell’s call for the collaboration of states is valid. Another trend in world politics that gives legitimacy to Professor Squibwell’s viewpoint is the importance of trade. Annually, close to $5 trillion of trade takes place internationally, making up 15% of the globe’s economic activity. (Goldstein, 351) While mercantillists take the standpoint that it is not the pl.ace of international organizations to set up plans for mutual gains in terms of trade, liberalists hold more practical views on the issue. They believe that states should not be looking at their own, short-term gain as if in competition with the rest of the world, but instead that states should find ways in which to fulfill the long-term, mutual gain of nati... ... that cannot be ignored is the communication and information roles that are creating supranational relationships. Telecommunications have advanced so much in recent history, and is advancing further as we speak. These improvements are bringing people in different states, cultural groups, and mindsets together more closely than the world had ever imagined. While there are still great rifts in beliefs and cultures, common people are able to quickly and easily hear the voices of the people from whom they are so incredibly dissimilar. A sort of global culture is beginning to emerge. Supporting integration of this form would not be putting down the notion of diverse cultures, but rather be adding a sense of understanding and the identification of individuals as human beings as well as members of national groups. As you can see, interdependence is a fact of political, economic, and living life. The world now needs to cooperate to solve pressing problems. With communications and political coordination abilities of today’s global society, it is necessary to take a forward stance on issues, bringing states together in order to relish in the vast benefits that are available to all of us.

Ethics and Legal Environment Essay

Something’s Rotten in Hondo is a case wherein a plant manager, George Mackee, needs to decide whether to get rid of the charges inflicted by the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA or to move in Mexico. He is in a dilemma because if he would choose the former, he has very little chance of eliminating the problem since Bill, George boss, refuses to finance the cleaning of the smokestack. On the other hand, if he would choose the latter, he has to lay off his current employees and hire Mexican workers as a trade-off for not being reprimanded about the EPA standards. His boss leaves the decision up to him. The most obvious ethical concerns in this case are two-fold. The first one is that if George would choose the first option – that is to devise a strategy or a technique that would eradicate the problem with the fines imposed by EPA, he would have to follow what his contemporaries are doing – that is by scheduling the heavy emissions of smokestack during nighttime when the EPA is not in patrol. This entails that he would allow the severance of the environmental pollution (particularly air pollution) for the exchange of not paying any fines to EPA. On the contrary, if George would choose the second option – that is to relocate in Mexico, he would have to dismiss most of his current employees in place of the Mexican workers. And such would include the laying off of his friends and extended families. Furthermore, if he would choose the second option, he would be tolerant of the air pollution caused by the plant’s incapacity to reduce air pollutants. In effect, George has also eliminated the problem of the company on fines issued by EPA. Application of Ethical Theories The case presented in this paper suggests particular ethical problems. For this matter, the author presents two distinct ethical dilemmas for George to decide on: Should he decide to relocate the plant to Mexico or should he just follow the strategy used by his contemporaries? But before he could arrive to a decision, he must first analyze the pros and cons of his decision. If he would choose the former, he could really eliminate the problem with the imposition of fines by the EPA since Mexico assure him that it would not reprimand the plant whatever it does. The only thing is that he has to hire Mexican workers that which implies laying off of his present employees including his friends and extended families. Conversely, if he would agree with that proposal he would also have to bear the dreadful effects of the plant’s operations on the environment, particularly on U. S. Nonetheless, if he would choose the latter, he could also get rid of the problem with the fines imposed by EPA because of failure to meet its guidelines. However, he has to take so much risk by doing the same strategy being used by his contemporaries. In addition, he also has to endure the environmental effects of such strategy just to avoid being reprimanded again by EPA and his boss. Kantian Categorical Imperative If he would apply Kantian’s Categorical Imperative that is by doing his duty, he ought not to do the strategy utilized by his contemporaries (his first option). This is for the reason that he has a duty to protect the environment for both the present and future generations. Plus the fact that his workers have to suffer if he would fire them out of their works. Kant’s Categorical Imperative suggests two maxims in which a person could use to examine the morality of his action. The first maxim states that an action is morally right if one could make such action a universal law. This means that if one could make his action universal or applicable to all others by making it a rule then such action is morally accepted thus it is right. The second maxim, in contrast, focuses on the idea of always treating all human persons as ends and never as means to an end. This maxim argues that every human person has dignity to be respected and has rights as a human thus everyone must act in promoting others rights and not promoting harm to them On the other hand, Kant would not also choose the second option because it also implies environmental degradation. Though he avoids being fined by EPA as well as not even being reprimanded by EPA whatever their operation is, for Kant, he would fail to do the maxims under the Categorical Imperative. He could never make his action or decision as a universal law. Likewise, he would treat other people as mere instruments to achieve his goal by inflicting heath hazards due to smokestack emissions. Kant would suggest that George must never make a decision that would tend to harm the environment because such would also cause severe consequences to the people. As evident in the two options, both would result to the degradation of the environment. Thus, Kant would say that George decision, whichever of the two, would be unethical and morally wrong. Kant would recommend that George must be able to find ways that would not lead to the toleration of environmental pollution. For example, George could instead convince his boss that the only way to solve the problem that would not require him to sacrifice the welfare of the environment is to invest for new technologies that would lessen the emission of smokestack. And such would not even require new scrubbers. Such action is a long-term advantage for the company as well as for the environment. Mill’s Utilitarianism JS Mill’s Utilitarianism would even strengthen the position of not deciding on either of the two options since both would result to environmental pollution. Mill’s Utilitarianism is premised on the idea that an action is right if it promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest number. In other words, Utilitarian principle is mainly directed towards the social utility of an act. This means that if an action can benefit or inflict advantages to more people then such action is morally right. In the case of George, either of the two options would make him tolerate the harm done against the environment. Environment is an essential mechanism that is necessary for human survival. If he would choose the first or the latter option as his decision, he could save the company but inflict great harm to more number of people. Mill would say that George must devise a way in which he could settle the crisis in the company without sacrificing the environment because lots people, including him and his family, depend on the environment’s gifts. Thus, Mill would also recommend the same thing as Kant. Convince his boss by arguing that it is risky and detrimental to the environment if he would follow what his contemporaries are doing. If EPA would find out such underground activities, the company could even be sanctioned more than the imposition of fines. The same thing goes with the second option. If the government of U. S. would find out that the company’s operation cause harsh effects to their environment then there is a big possibility that U. S. would inflict undesirable measures against the company. Rights-based Theory on Decision-making The rights-based theories suggest that it is not always the case that the morality of an action is based on the great benefit that it can produce. At the same time, the rights-based theories do not solely advocate the respect of rights of human persons. These theories suggest that while everyone has a duty to recognize and value the rights of other people (negative rights); it is also everyone’s duty to promote for other’s goals (positive rights). In such manner, the contending ethical theories of Kantianism and Utilitarianism are reconciled in a way that both their concerns are being considered. In the first place, rights are inviolable. They are inalienable or cannot be taken away from human persons no matter what the situation is. Thus, there is no sufficient and rational reason to go against their rights without their consent. The rights-based theories are premised on the idea that every person has the right to choose on how he would like to live his own life. It is not only a person’s duty to respect these rights but also to promote the accomplishment of the goals of other people. By doing so, the rights defined earlier are more strengthen and more realized. In the case of Hondo, George, as a manager, has a duty towards the company. Still, he has duty towards other people. Choosing either of the two decisions would disrespect the rights and disregard the goals of these people. For the rights-based theories, such decision is unethical. The more appropriate way to solve the problem is for George to lend money from a bank so as to install new technology that would lessen the emission of smokestack. He does not really need to hire new scrubbers. By having new technology, for instance machines that clean smokestack, he would not have to result to environmental pollution. It is costly in the beginning but its benefits would be greatly appreciated in the long run. Justice-based Theories in Decision-making In justice-based theories, the overriding principle is focus on the idea of fair. According to John Rawls, the morality of an action can only be measured by appealing to the principle of justice. In his A Theory of Justice, he suggests two principles: liberty and wealth. The former is expressed to explain justice by saying that all must have an equal extent in which they can enjoy and practice their liberties. A least extensive curtailment of liberty is advocated on the condition that such would be shared by all. This entails that an act is right is the product of such act is amenable to all. Hence, justice, in such context, is morally right. In resolving the ethical dilemma faced by George, Justice-based theories would advice him to consider if his decision would be fair to all. Obviously, both options are not beneficial to all. And at the same time, these two options are not the only available options which George has. If he would employ either one of the two options, he would not be just; knowing that if he would be in the place of other people who depend on and survive through environment he would not also endure such nor be willing to agree with such idea. It could be the case that the he and the company are amenable to either of the two options. Nevertheless, others are not really disposed to accept such. Hence, George must not employ such decisions. For George, he could, instead, make control-strategies that would monitor and regulate the emission of smokestack before, during, and even after the plant’s operation in order to examine well the problems concerning the smokestack. Furthermore he could meet with his workers and discuss the problem. He may solicit suggestions on how they could lessen the pollution secreted by their plant onto the environment. After that, he may ask for support from banks by lending or getting loan. Kohlberg’s Moral Development Lawrence Kohlberg was from the line of Piaget who used moral framework to discuss the psychological development of a human person. His thesis on Moral Development suggests that there are six stages wherein a person passes through before he reaches the ultimate state of being a moral person. This theory will be used to show how Kohlberg’s method would help George in resolving his faced ethical dilemma. The first stage is focus on the idea that one person is initially instructed to obey laws such that he could avoid punishment. This is the primary conception on morality that a person has during his early years. With regards to the case presented in this paper, the appeal to laws and rules concerning environmental protection is the most obvious consideration for George’s decision. He would not decide either of the two options since both would make him violate the law regarding the protection of the environment. On the other hand, if he fails to solve the problem immediately, he might receive punishment from his boss (i. e. termination or demotion). The point is that which of the two punishments could George endure more? More likely than not, he would choose not be imprisoned than being demoted or terminated by his boss. The second stage suggests that every person has his own way of thinking which makes every topic or matter subjective to each person. The thing that works for someone or the thing that is considered right by someone may not be the same for another person. Thus, morality in this stage is relative. George could say that the least that he could that would benefit him and put him out of the dilemma that he is in is by either doing the first option or the second option. Both would mean resolution of his problem yet would cause damage to the environment. If he is a nature-lover he would not go for such decision. But if he is a money-lover, he would employ one of the two alternatives. The third stage is concern on the character in which a person thinks of ways on how he can do good things to the persons close to him (e. . family and friends). This means that his initial moral outlook is directed towards the things that he can do for the sake of his loved ones. In the case, if George is at this stage, he would be more inclined to decide and act so as to promote his family and friends’ welfare. Thus, if he would decide on his problem, he would not choose to relocate since his wife is not in favor of this idea and such will inflict great personal unhappiness to his friends who work in the plant.

Apples International Businness Strategies Free Essay Example, 1000 words

In the UK, Apple is able to use viral publicity effectively, which is low cost, thus exporting from the U. S. and licensing is the most viable solution without having to invest in high-cost operations increases by establishing a UK-based production facility. The market research data returned from consumers in real-time also indicate that customers have a favorable brand attitude toward Apple products and would be willing to pay premium pricing (Rubicon Consulting, 2008). By understanding the pre-existing brand attitudes in certain countries, Apple is able to determine where costs can be reduced and choose more low-cost market entry strategies. The high availability of technology, such as in the UK, allows the customer to simply transfer existing promotional strategies from the U. S. to the UK since consumer profiles and characteristics in this country are similar to that of the United States. The major strategy of Apple s international marketing is to create relationships with custo mers and thus build brand loyalty through CRM. Steve Jobs, during his tenure, and other executives currently in charge of Apple are highly visible as spokespersons for products and rely on press releases to continue to promote its expertise and quality (Hood, 2009). We will write a custom essay sample on Apple's International Businness Strategies or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Countries that already have brand loyalty or understand the premium quality of this well-positioned company require less tangible capital investment in market entry strategy development. In countries where customers are less-familiar, market entry depends on the ability to gain their attention or whether a total, ground-up branding strategy needs to be developed in the country. Countries such as Nigeria have the limited brand preference for Apple and thus the logic behind establishing a base of manufacturing and marketing operations for long-term market growth and expansion. Apple does not seem to have a preferred entry strategy, except for gaining lifestyle connection with customers and the ability to use pre-existing marketing strategies and promotion that find success with American consumers.