The Future of Global Warming

                Global warming is a serious issue, and one of the few that will have a negative impact across the entire globe. As time progresses, global warming will cause us more and more problems. From extreme weather patterns to rising sea levels, global warming is an unavoidable issue that we will have to face as a species. However, because humans have been contributing so much to the climate change, there are ways that we can help our planet from this tragedy. 

                Scientists believe that the warming of our climate will cause more extreme weather patterns. This would mean more hurricanes and drought and longer spells of dry heat or intense rain. A biological oceanographer at Harvard University noted that the world’s oceans are 27 degrees warmer than usual during the summertime. Thus increasing the occurrence of major storms. “When water reaches such temperatures, more of it evaporates, priming hurricane or cyclone formation. Once born, a hurricane needs only warm water to build and maintain its strength and intensity.” (Shah, 2015)

                 One effect of global warming that has been becoming increasingly prominent is the rising sea level. Research has shown that over the past 20 years the average speed of rising has doubled compared to the past 80 years. This increase can be attributed to several factors. For one, water molecules expand when they are heated, and exponentially more heat has been trapped in the atmosphere. Also, masses of ice such as glaciers are more rapidly weakening, breaking apart, and melting. Although rising sea level can seem insignificant, over time it could dramatically affect the planet. It would eventually cause cities and wildlife habitats along coastlines to flood, forcing animals and residents to relocate. 

                Despite the evident effects global warming has presented, there are countless things we can do to combat it. Simple solutions around the house can be as easy as replacing a lightbulb with a compact fluorescent lightbulb or unplugging appliances to save electricity. Another quick change is to turn your thermostat down 2 degrees in the winter and up 2 degrees in the summer. Reducing electricity use is just one of many things to help counteract global warming.

                Many people might make the argument that a change in climate has occurred previously, so what do we have to do with it? John Cook, writer of the Skeptical Science blog, shares with us the “10 Indicators of a Human Fingerprint on Climate Change”: Less heat escaping to space, shrinking atmosphere, rising tropopause, cooling stratosphere, less oxygen in the air, more fossil fuel carbon in the air, more heat returning to Earth, nights warming faster than days, and the 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide being produced per year. 

                Global warming is a pressing issue that the planet is currently facing. Although some people may not believe humans are global warming’s source, it is scientifically proven to be an undeniable problem. It will cause the earth to face new challenges ranging from drastic changes in weather to rising sea levels. If we work together as a species, we can better understand all aspects of global warming and overcome its impending doom. 

Sources:

http://globalwarming-facts.info/50-tips/2/

http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/critical-issues-sea-level-rise/

http://www.globalissues.org/article/233/climate-change-and-global-warming-introduction 

The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011

The 2011 earthquake and tsunami of Japan happened on a Friday in March. The massive tsunami that this earthquake caused created massive amounts of destruction that is still being dealt with in Japan today. This incredible disaster killed about 16,000 people in total and injured over 6,000. A total of 2,572 people are said to be missing. This earthquake is said to be the most powerful earthquake to have ever hit Japan. 

Damage from the Japan earthquake was tremendous. The tsunami caused by the earthquake hit the area with 30-foot waves, damaging many nuclear reactors. This damage turned into massive amounts of nuclear destruction. The tsunami caused equipment failures which caused nuclear meltdowns from the loss of a coolant. This resulted in the release of radioactive materials. 

Even though a massive amount of deaths were caused from this disaster, the warning system that was put in place reduced what it could have been. After the first shock wave was detected, alerts were automatically sent out through television and cell phones. This gave people more time to prepare for what was still yet to come. Along with saving people, the warnings also caused industrial and energy facilities, as well as many transportation services to shut down immediately. Detection buoys in the Pacific Ocean were also able to detect the upcoming tsunami, which then sent warning to several different nations. 

The damage from this disaster is still being dealt with to this day. This disaster cause major economic impacts, as well as resulted in a shortage of food, water, shelter, and medicine. Many other countries sent search and rescue teams to help look for survivors in response to this major crisis. The Japanese government assembled Self-Defense Forces to help, and aid organizations from around the world responded along with the Japanese Red Cross with $1 billion in donations. Additionally, Japan had to deal with the destruction of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Because of the release of radioactivity from the power plant, it is now a long-term environmental hazard in need of a costly clean up. The total economic cost to Japan has been estimated at $309 billion. This includes loss of housing, damages to businesses and infrastructure in the worst affected areas. 

Recovery is still in process, but improvements have been made, especially along the coast. Ports have been reconstructed, farmland has been restored, and the waterfront has revitalized. Full recovery will take many more years of continued efforts.

Sources:
http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/recovery/140418.html
http://www.technologyreview.com/view/423279/how-japans-earthquake-and-tsunami-warning-systems-work/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_T%C5%8Dhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami
http://www.livescience.com/39110-japan-2011-earthquake-tsunami-facts.html

Incarcerating the Mentally Ill

Should mentally ill prisoners receive treatment while being incarcerated? “283,800 individuals with mental illnesses were confined in U.S. jails and prisons in 1998”, reported The Bureau of Justice Statistics. The Bureau also stated that 16% of inmates reported current mental health issues or overnight stays in mental hospitals. 14% of inmates had reported having mental health problems in the past. About 700,000 of the 10 million adults in jail currently have signs of a significant mental disorder. Many of these prisoners also suffered from substance abuse that was never treated. Many criminals who end up in prison are never examined for having mental health disorders. Because of this, these people cannot be provided with the treatment they need. Instead, they are just sent to prison. This is a problem that has been understated by many, and one that needs to be changed.

Having mentally ill prisoners presents a number of issues for our nation’s jails. Mentally ill prisoners tend to serve longer sentences than those who don’t have an illness, they are more likely to be victimized by other inmates, and they are more likely to be involved in violence while in jail. For those with a mental illness, prison is not a healthy environment for them to be in. It is necessary for mentally ill prisoners to be provided with the right treatment if they are to get better. Even when a prisoner has been diagnosed with mental health issues, they are unable to seek treatments (such as medicine) while incarcerated, making it even more impossible to care for these people correctly.

Some might argue that the mentally ill should be treated just like other criminals. However, research has proven that prisoners cannot improve their behavior in prison without also treating their mental condition. Another argument is that it is more costly to treat prisoners than to just send them to jail; especially since many believe that once they get out of jail, they will continue to commit crimes. Many don’t realize that these prisoners are continuing to commit crimes after jail time because they haven’t been treated properly. By having reassurance that criminals are receiving treatment, spending the money will help with re-incarceration rates.

Because jail officials are not trained to handle the thousands of mentally ill prisoners, they cannot supply them with the necessary help they need. As a solution to this issue, there needs to be a public mental health treatment system to keep mentally ill criminals out of jail. In order to achieve this solution, public officials need to do the following: reform mental illness treatment laws and practices, reform jail and prison treatment laws, implement and promote jail diversion programs, use court-ordered outpatient treatment, encourage cost studies, establish careful intake screening, institute mandatory release planning, and provide appropriate mental illness treatment.

In my opinion, mentally ill criminals should have a different option than just going to jail. They are unable to acquire the help they need if they are just sent to jail. Criminals should be evaluated to see if there is any special treatment needed for that individual prior to being sentenced to jail. Without this, mentally ill prisoners will be likely to continue their bad behaviors.

Sources:
-http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-mentally-ill-offenders-receive-treatment-instead-    of-jail-time
-http://tacreports.org/storage/documents/treatment-behind-bars/treatment-behind-bars.pdf
-http://www.coloradotech.edu/resources/blogs/june-2014/do-the-mentally-ill-belong-in-our-jails
-http://www.sentencingproject.org/doc/publications/sl_mentallyilloffenders.pdf
-http://www.jaapl.org/content/38/1/100.full