MIKI

Music industries and Globalization

2005-10-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

Nowadays we can see globalization in various fields. Especially, the Internet is one of the representatives of globalization. Most people use the Internet anywhere. We can buy something that we want through the Internet. So, we can enjoy Internet shopping. According to Dolfsma, “The Internet will change markets for information products” (2005, par. 32). In the past, we could not find out about or buy music of the world; but, now we can download music on the Internet. In addition, using the Internet to buy music is cheaper and useful; so many people do this. However, some people claim that buying music by the Internet makes the music industries worse because they are afraid of the fall of sales.

I think that globalization of music is good for us because we can get a lot of kinds of music cheaply. In addition, I consider that even music industries can get profits.

I insist that it is wonderful for us to can listen to other countries’ music anywhere and anytime. According to McChesney, global media will become more profitable and convenient than before by developing communication technology (2001). For example, even though I live in Japan, I can buy some kinds of music, such as American music. In addition, this music is cheaper and also, I can get them early; because I had to wait about one year to get other countries’ CD before the Internet improved. Improving the information technology is good for the music industries. The Internet brings chances to musicians in order to get new markets; moreover, the monetary situation of musicians will improve by more sales through new technology (Dolfsma, 2005).

In conclusion, I consider that globalization of music is very favorable. Both consumers and music industries can get profits. So, consumers like cheaper price; and, music industries can expand their business.

Reference:

Dolfsma, W. (2000, May). How will the music industry weather the globalization storm? First Monday. Retrieved from "http://www.firstmonday.dk/issues/issue5_5/dolfsma/", Oct. 5, 2005.

McChesney, R. (2001, October). Global media, neoliberalism, and imperialism. Monthly Review. Retrieved from "http://www.monthlyreview.org/301rwm.htm/", Oct. 5, 2005.

China's affiliation with the WTO -research paper-

2005-10-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

Abstract

In 2005, China became an official member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) after finishing the term the WTO allowed it. China will face some problems that are demanded from the WTO. And also, China is in the process of working on them. However, I think that China has problems besides demands from the WTO and also, that these are more serious. This paper argues that China has three problems. The first problem is lack of human rights. The second problem is product counterfeiting. The third problem is pollution. So, I insist that we should not accept China’s affiliation.

China applied General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1986, which was a multilateral agreement to regulate trade among about 150 countries. The World Trade Organization (WTO) set up including documents of the GATT in January of 1995. The WTO is an international organization whose purpose is keeping world trade order; about 140 countries are affiliated with the WTO. In July of the same year, China began negotiating in order to become a member of the WTO. Finally, China formally became a member of the WTO in 2001. More recently, China finished the term in which it was an interim member of the WTO in 2005.

China will be confronted with problems about foreign trade. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, China should change its “uneven and incomplete” trade system to an open market by accepting the demands of the WTO (Collinson, 2003, par. 1). One of the problems that the WTO offers is about tariffs. But now, China tries to solve the problem of reducing tariffs, on such things as food crops, wool, and vegetable oils, gradually. Moreover, China worked on non-tariff barriers in agriculture. And also, according to some reports, foreign trade of China will expand; foreign trade of China will reach “15 percent this year to exceed 1.3 trillion US dollars” (Xinhua General News Service, 2005, par. 11). Actually, China’s affiliation makes the international markets bigger for signatory countries of the WTO, and also, some countries, such as the U.S. and Japan, have many factories in China. However, China has some difficult problems that are not solved related to the demands of the WTO; for example, there are counterfeit and a problem with currency conversion between the US and China (Collinson, 2003), and the fact that China has the lack of ability to negotiate about the change of international markets (Xinhua General News Service, 2005). I think that China has more serious problems besides the demands of the WTO. So, I consider that signatory countries of the WTO will be confronted with issues about China’s affiliation.

I disagree with China’s affiliation with the WTO because China should not be pressured to deal with these important issues before it is fully accepted into the WTO. The first issue is disregarding human rights. The second issue is forging other countries’ technology and their skills. The third issue is increasing environmental pollution. I think that Chinese government undervalues these issues; the only thing that fascinates the Chinese government is the economic growth of China. If China’s behavior does not change and the Chinese government continues to ignore these issues, we should kick China out from the WTO. China will not be our partner with the WTO. I insist that the WTO should not accept China for member of the WTO yet. We, signatory countries of the WTO, can use this opportunity to pressure China into necessary changes. When these problems are solved, we can permit China’s affiliation.

First, China should improve its human rights record. We should have liberty to live in this world, so I believe that all people in the world should have equal right. China is one of the communist countries. The Chinese government disregards human rights; therefore, many Chinese do not have freedom and their good social condition entirely. According to human-rights monitor John Kamm (Elliott, 2005), about 3,000 people are persecuted for nonviolent religious and governmental crimes every year; 58,000 people that consisted of workers, farmhands, and investors in the stock-market protested against everything like overtaxation in 2003; however, nobody could change party rules. According to Elliot, the human rights tend to become better; however, they are still controlled under the government (2005). In addition, the human rights of China has remained poor and the Chinese government keeps on committing “human rights abuses including torture, mistreatment of prisoners and denial of due process” (State news service, 2005, par. 4). According to O’Sullivan, senior adviser for Asia in the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, it is still difficult for Chinese citizens to understand principles and rules exactly that were reinforced dogmatically by the Chinese government (State news service, 2005).

I think that the power of the Chinese government has become much stronger than the Chinese nation. In addition, almost all companies are owned by the Chinese government. If China’s foreign trade expands more, the power of the Chinese government will extend. I consider that these situations are a serious problem for China, especially Chinese citizens, because profits of foreign trade cause the Chinese government’s coercion of Chinese citizens to be stronger than now. We cannot help to increase the Chinese government’s power. We should reconsider China’s affliction with the WTO due to the fact that people of the world have freedom and equal rights.

Second, China should stop counterfeiting foreign technology. Signatory countries of the WTO suffer from China’s counterfeit due to lack of Chinese property rights. Nowadays, there have been increased foreign factories in China. Many countries have moved their factories to China, because labor wage is still lower. My country, Japan, also has many factories, such as electronics industries and apparel industries. In China, there are a lot of counterfeits; China can steal technological skill easily because regulations of counterfeit are still lax. Actually, some countries, such as Japan and the U.S., are damaged by Chinese pirating. According to Barton, U.S. representative, “more than 66% of counterfeit goods” come from China and also, there are many counterfeits and a lot of piracy (Congressional Testimony, 2005). So, China is infested with counterfeits. The U.S. deficits with China trade foresee over 160 billion dollars yearly trade (Becker, 2005). In addition, the U.S. president George W. Bush has failed to protect the U.S. industries from Chinese unfair trade (Becker, 2005).

Counterfeit of China is a severe and difficult problem for signatory countries with WTO, even though Chinese profits may grow. I think that counterfeit of China makes signatory countries unsatisfied or discontented. According to Brilliant (Becker, 2005, par.4), “China is public enemy No. 1 when it comes to theft of intellectual property rights” and “The Chinese made some great promises last year, but the situation has only worsened”. Moreover, Lee, the senior trade adviser for the union federation AFL-CIO, said that the Chinese government disregards international regulations that deal with problems of intellectual property; so, it keeps contented in spite of unmanaged promise (Becker, 2005). I consider that China will make more pirated material as it gets more high technology, because the Chinese government neglects counterfeit problems. So, I insist that China’s behavior for counterfeit is unfair business for signatory countries. Moreover, I think that signatory countries’ deficits with China trade will increase due to disregard of international rules. Therefore, I think that we should not accept China’s affiliation with the WTO before Chinese counterfeit problems are solved. I insist that the acceptance of China is not late after resolving this problem.

Third, China should reduce environmental pollution for our future. When the economy is developing, this creates some environment pollution inevitably. The uncontrolled development of Chinese economy makes various kinds of pollution, for example, deforestation, acid rain, and desertification (Sui, 2005). In addition, “seven biggest rivers and 25 out of its 27 major lakes” (Agence France Press, 2005, par. 6) that are Chinese waterways are polluted; “298 urban areas” (Agence France Press, 2005, par. 7) are damaged by acid rain came from using fossil fuels in order to generate electricity. Acid rain hurts trees, water, soil and so on. Moreover, the influence of acid rain caused by China will expand to other countries. In this case, China has a vast land and a large number of people, so environmental pollution made by the China will influence the environmental area on a global scale. There is another problem which is urban pollution. The urban pollution is an issue caused by fast growth. Although the Chinese economy is developing, according to statistics, “only one-third of the sewage and about 57 percent of the garbage generated in cities” (Agence France Press, 2005, par. 9) was managed. So, facilities for sewage and garbage are still insufficient. Recently, China is becoming one of the worst polluted countries.

However, according to state media report in March, even though the Chinese economic growth for 25 years has made a lot of pollution, “China’s spending on environmental protection will fall 30 percent short of targets for 2001-2005” (Sui, 2005, par. 10). Furthermore, according to Sui, local officials are forced to blind polluters by bribe in order to push on economic growth and maintain their job or promote their status (Sui, 2005). I think that the only important thing for the Chinese government is growing its economy. In the future, the environmental problem will increase as China continues to make environmental pollution. We must think about the environmental problems when an economy is growing. China should think about its environmental problems on ahead, instead of only considering the development of the Chinese economy, because these are irrevocable problems. So, I consider that we should regulate China’s behavior now.

In conclusion, I insist that the WTO should not accept China’s affiliation now because China has three problems that it must solve. These problems are lack of human rights, counterfeit of foreign technology, and pollution of the environment. I consider that China should solve them before entering the WTO because they are serious problems not only for China but also for signatory countries of the WTO. Even though Chinese and signatory countries’ economy will grow considerably, I feel that we will confront these issues someday no matter what we do. And also, I think that these issues will become more difficult and irrevocable than ever; therefore, resolving these issues promptly is important for our future. Moreover, I hope that China will solve these problems. Therefore, I think that we should not accept China’s affiliation with the WTO now and that China’s affiliation with the WTO after solving these problems is not too late for growing the Chinese economy. We should enforce a change in behavior on China. When these problems are on their way toward disappearing, we should admit China to be one of the WTO members.

Bibliography

Agence France Presse (2005, June 2). China faces “severe” environmental problems due to development. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Sep. 14, 2005.

Becker, Elizabeth (2005, August 25). U.S. business calls for WTO action to deal piracy in China. The New York Times. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Aug. 25, 2005.

Collinson, Stephen (2003, September 17). China must do more to meet WTO commitments: US Chamber of Commerce. Agence France Presse. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Aug. 25, 2005.

Congressional Testimony (2005, June 15). Impact of fakes on jobs and safety. Federal Document Clearing House. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Sep. 26, 2005.

Elliot, Dorinda (2005, June 27). The last frontier. Time. Retrieved from EBSCO, Sep. 18, 2005.

States News Service (2005, April 14). Human rights abuses systematic problem for China, official says. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Sep. 18, 2005.

Sui, Cindy (2005, June 3). China’s economic development creating dire consequences on environment. Agence France Presse. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Sep. 26, 2005.

Xinhua General News Service (2005, April 30). China focus: more challenges ahead in China’s foreign trade. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Aug. 30, 2005.

China's affiliation with the WTO -Argumentative essay-

2005-09-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

China finished the term in which it was an interim member of the WTO; in 2005, China will be confronted with problems about foreign trade. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, China should change its “uneven and incomplete” trade system to an open market by accepting the demand of the WTO (Collinson, 2003). One of the problems that the WTO offers is about tariffs. But, China could solve the problem of reducing tariffs, on such things as food crops, wool, and vegetable oils, gradually. Moreover, China worked on non-tariff barriers in agriculture. And also, according to some reports, foreign trade of China will expand (Xinhua General News Service, 2005). Actually, China’s affiliation increases the international markets. However, China has some difficult problems that are not solved related to the demands of the WTO; for example, there are counterfeit and a problem with currency conversion between the US and China (Collinson, 2003), and the fact that China has the lack of ability to negotiate about the change of international markets (Xinhua General News Service, 2005). I think that China has more serious problems besides the demands of the WTO. So, I consider that signatory countries of the WTO will be confronted with issues about China’s affiliation.

I disagree with China’s affiliation with the WTO due to three serious issues that China has. If China’s behavior does not change, we should not allow that China to be our partner with the WTO. I think that the WTO should not accept China for member of the WTO yet. We, signatory countries of the WTO, cause this opportunity to pressure China into necessary changes. When these problems are solved, I can permit China’s affiliation.

First, China should improve its human rights record. China is one of the communist countries. The Chinese government disregards human rights; therefore, many Chinese do not have freedom and their good social condition entirely. In addition, almost all companies are owned by the Chinese government. According to Elliot, the human rights tend to become better; however, they are still controlled under the government (2005). In addition, human rights of China stay humble and the Chinese government keeps on offending “human rights abuses including torture, mistreatment of prisoners and denial of due process” (State news service, 2005). If China’s foreign trade will more expand, the power of the Chinese government will extend. I think that the power of the Chinese government has become stronger than the Chinese nation. I think that these situations are a serious problem for China. We should reconsider China’s affliction because we may help to increase the Chinese government’s power.

Second, China should stop counterfeiting foreign technology. Nowadays, there have been increased foreign factories in China. Many countries have moved their factories to China, because labor wage is still lower. My country, Japan, also has many factories, such as car industries and apparel industries. In China, there are a lot of counterfeits because China can steal technological skill easily. Actually, some countries are damaged by Chinese pirating. And also, I consider that China will make more pirated material as China has more high technology. So, that is unfair business; moreover, China will not need imports from foreign countries. Therefore, I think that we should regulate China’s counterfeit.

Third, China should reduce environment pollution. Recently, China is becoming one of the worst polluted countries. In this case, China has a vast land and a large number of people, so environmental pollution made by the China will influence the environment area global scale. There are problems about acid rain and urban pollution. The urban problem is an issue that is fast growing because China is one of the less developed countries and China does not have well-made sewage systems. In the future, the environmental problem will increase. I must think about the environment problem when an economy is growing. However, China does not think about its environmental problems even though it considers just industry development. So, I consider that we should regulate China’s behavior now.

In conclusion, I insist that the WTO should not accept China’s affiliation now, because China has three problems that it must solve. However, I believe that China can solve these problems. After that, I think that we should allow that China to be our partner in the WTO.

Reference:

Collinson, S. (2003, September 17). China must do more to meet WTO commitments: US Chamber of Commerce. Agence France Presse. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Aug. 25, 2005.

Elliot, D. (2005, June 27). The last frontier. Time. Retrieved from EBSCO, Sep. 18, 2005.

State News Service. (2005, April, 14). Human rights abuses systematic problem for China, official says. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Sep. 18, 2005.

Xinhua general news service. (2005, April 30). China Focus: more challenges ahead in China’s foreign trade. (2005, April 30).Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Aug. 30, 2005.

China's affiliation with the WTO -Research Paper Proposal -

2005-09-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

I came to think about some effects of China entering the World Trade Organization after I read several articles about it. China finished the term in which it was an interim member of the WTO; in 2005, China will be confronted with problems about foreign trade. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, China should change its “uneven and incomplete” trade system to an open market by accepting the demand of the WTO (Collinson, 2003). One of the problems that the WTO offers is about tariffs. But, China could solve the problem of reducing tariffs, such as food crops, wool, and vegetable oils gradually. Moreover, China worked on non-tariff barriers in agriculture. And also, according to the some reports, foreign trade of China will expand (Xinhua general news service, 2005). Actually, China’s affiliation increases the international markets. However, China has some difficult problems that are not solved for demands of the WTO; for example, there are counterfeit and a problem with currency conversion between the US and China (Collinson, 2003), and the fact that China has the lack of ability to negotiate about the change of international markets (Xinhua general news service, 2005). Finally, China’s affiliation has more disadvantages than advantages.

I plan to write that there are three things that the WTO should do in order to control China’s behavior toward foreign trade. First, the WTO should protect signatory domestic industries. China’s affiliation of the WTO will reduce domestic production and increase signatory unemployment. Second, the WTO should regulate counterfeit. Nowadays, some advanced countries have many factories in China. China can steal technological skill easily from other countries. Third, the WTO should tackle environment problems. The growth of Chinese economy creates environmental pollution because China has a vast land and a large number of people.

In conclusion, I found several articles from which I could learn about China entering the WTO and found a helpful website. I need to find other ideas about the solution that the WTO should do.

Reference:

China Focus: more challenges ahead in China’s foreign trade. (2005, April 30). Xinhua general news service. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Aug. 30, 2005.

Collinson, S. (2003, September 17). China must do more to meet WTO commitments: US Chamber of Commerce. Agence France Presse. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Aug. 25, 2005.

China's affiliation with the WTO -summary-response#2-

2005-09-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

In "China must do more to meet WTO commitment: US Chamber of Commerce," by Stephen Collinson from Agence France Presse, Collinson says that the US Chamber of Commerce says that China should change its "uneven and incomplete" trade system to an open market by accepting the demand of the WTO. The US Chamber of Commerce admonishes that it confronts China with strict appeals of US if China does not change anything about the offer of the WTO. However, China could solve some problems about the offer of the WTO, such as "reducing tariff" and "non-tariff barriers in agriculture". But, between China and US, there are difficult problems, for example, counterfeit and a problem with currency conversion.

I disagree with China's affiliation with the WTO because it has some issues. It makes a lot of benefits for international business people, but it makes serious problems about our environment and human rights. I consider that WTO should make a rigid law toward China entering the WTO.

First, the WTO should deal with China's increasing pollution. Recently, China is becoming one of the worst polluted countries. When its economy grows rapidly, there has increased environmental problem. In this case, China has a vast land and a large number of people, so environmental pollution made by China will influence environment of global scale.

Second, the WTO should protect human right because the China government disregards human right. The Chinese economic system is socialism. The Chinese government acts against national right to get profits from foreign trade. The only power of China government will strengthen. Even if the China economy is growing, national life will still have the present condition. I think that the WTO needs to urge the China government to change this.

Third, the WTO should regulate counterfeit because China will make more pirated material. There are a lot of counterfeits in China. China has many foreign factories. China can steal technological skill easily. Actually, some countries are damaged by Chinese pirating. That is unfair business and also, the amount of copying has increased now. I consider that the WTO needs severe regulation.

In conclusion, I believe that China has a lot of problems that it has to solve. The WTO should control risks that China has. I think that the WTO should regulate China's trade.

Reference:

Collinson, S. (2003, September 17). China must do more to meet WTO commitments: US Chamber of Commerce. Agence France Presse. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, 2005, August 25.

Effect of China’s foreign trade -summary-respnse#1-

2005-09-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

In “China Focus: more challenges ahead in China’s foreign trade,” from Xinhua general news service, the author says that China will be confronted with a dare about foreign trade in 2005; after finishing the term that the world trade organization allowed them to open foreign trade. China will gradually pull down tariff rates on products, such as food crops, wool, and vegetable oils. Foreign trade with China will expand, but the profit of exportation will be relatively small because China does not have high technology of the export and brand-name goods, and also chaos will be caused by free trade. In addition, China will be sensitive about the change of international markets because of the lack of ability to negotiate. However, some articles mention that foreign trade of China will develop.

I disagree with China’s affiliation with the WTO because it has a bad influence upon signatory economy. Actually, the international market has increased because of China’s affiliation. And also, some countries could get large profits. However, I consider that China’s affiliation has more disadvantages than advantages.

First, China’s affiliation with the WTO will reduce signatory domestic production. Nowadays, some developing countries, including my country, Japan, have many factories in China. We can see many products made in China anywhere, and also, they are quite cheaper than domestic products. Many domestic companies have suffered heavy losses. Therefore, I think that we should kick out China.

Second, China’s affiliation with the WTO will increase signatory unemployment. China is one of the less developed countries and China has a large population. The average wage is lower than that of other countries. This is a useful advantage for ambitious companies. However, it will increase unemployment of our countries.

Third, China’s affiliation with WTO will cut down imports into China from abroad. Many companies have their factories in China and China can export many commodities. However, China is a poor country and it has natural resources and some agricultural products. So, the import is not so necessary for China. Moreover, if China gets high skills alike advanced countries, it will not need to import from other countries. I consider that unfair incidents among signatories of WTO will happen.

In conclusion, I believe that China’s affiliation with the WTO has some demerits because it makes our economy worse. I think that we need to oust China from the WTO or we need to make strict rules due to protective trade.

Reference:

China Focus: more challenges ahead in China’s foreign trade. (2005, April 30). Xinhua general news service. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis, Aug. 30, 2005.

Ketsumeishi

2005-09-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

My favorite singer is Ketsumeishi. Ketsumeishi is a famous group in Japan. Ketsumeishi consists of 2 rappers and 1 singer and 1 DJ. HipHop and Reggae are based on their music. Their music is very comfortable and their lyric is impressive for me.

by Miki

Globalization

2005-08-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

In “Myths of globalization,” by Ralph Peters from USA TODAY, Peters says that globalization has two untrue stories. The first story is that globalization is modern. But, this story is overturned because it had already occurred in the past. The second story is that globalization converts the relation of each country, but it cannot convert human personality. Recently globalization displays an international instability due to the 9/11 event. And globalization menaces the worth of the heritage of a traditional society.

I disagree with this author because globalization has some benefits. I think that globalization is necessary for our life even though it has some shortcomings. I believe that we can sustain the present societies even if globalization keeps growing.

First, globalization can help our business. Globalization can make many markets for our business. I worked at a food company in Japan. My company has a market in Korea. And also, it has profited by this business. So, I consider that globalization is important for people who engage in business to increase markets in the world.

Second, globalization can make our life better. I can get foreign goods even though I lived in Japan. So, we can make a choice among so many. In addition, as globalization grows, a competition about the cost and quality will happen between nations. So, we can get new things that have more quality and are cheaper than conventional things.

Third, globalization can provide us a lot of information. I can get and send some information by using the Internet now. However, we can share much more information by globalization. Moreover, globalization accelerates the speed of communication. This is a good opportunity for us to have an international outlook.

In conclusion, globalization has some advantages. Globalization gives us a better life. I consider that globalization is important to improve our life. I think that we should advance globalization.

Reference:

Peters, R. (2005, May 23). Myths of globalization. USAToday. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis database, Aug. 23, 2005. p.11A.

Micro Hydroelectric power in India -Research paper-

2005-08-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

Abstract

In India, there is not yet consistent electricity in rural area. And also, India does not have enough infrastructure because India is one of the less developed countries. So, India does not have enough money to improve their life and economy. However, India needs electric power to emerge from poverty. India tries to develop hydroelectricity, which is produced by using water power, because of the improvement of its economy. There are two sorts of hydroelectric power plant, which are small dams and big dams. The difference between small dams and big dams is the problem for India. Big dams have some problems, such as high cost, more pollution, and unsustainable. However, small dams are more useful than big dams for India. This article points out three advantages to small dams. The development of small dams will help Indian economy.

In 1947, India became independent from the British. After India became an independence country, it continues to expand its economy gradually. However, India is still one of the less developed countries. Many people are still suffering from poverty. India does not have enough money to keep improving its economy. Especially in the rural area, there is not much electricity, and also, there is not enough infrastructure. India needs electric power to improve not only rural area, but also its economy. And then, hydroelectricity is the best way to produce its electricity because it is using waterpower. Water resource is cheap and renewable energy. In addition, there is plenty of water due to the monsoon. Other resources, for example, oil, coal, and nuclear power are more expensive than water and are nonrenewable energy. Therefore, it is helpful for India to develop hydroelectric power. There are two sorts of hydroelectric power, which are micro-hydroelectric power and large-hydroelectric power. These power are produced by dams. It is profitable to build a lot of dams in order to supply inhabitants in rural area with electricity. Big dams will be able to produce a considerable electric power, moreover, they will certainly develop India economy. However, big dams have grave consequences. The construction of big dams is not useful for India. So, building big dams causes some problems, such as, high cost, destruction of environment, and difficult management and so on. But, building small dams do not have a bad influence upon Indian economy and lives. Finally, I think that India should develop small dams to improve its economy because small dams are cost-effective, cause less pollution, and provide sustainability in rural areas.

First, small dams are more cost-effective than big dams. The cost of building dams is one of the big problems for Indian economy because India is not a wealthy country. Building big dams needs a huge amount of money. For example, the cost of the construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam is $8.1billion(Smith, 2000, para 2). In fact, the construction of big dams has been postponed even though they were not yet finished because of enormous payments for interest and expense (Kripalani, 1999, para 5). And also, the management of big dams costs so much money. If big dams break, India cannot repair them. Therefore, it is difficult for India not only to build big dams, but to manage big dams as well.

On the contrary, the construction of small dams is not difficult for India because small dams are cheaper than big dams. According to The Hindu, small dams are "glow cost" and they are suitable types for less developed countries (2005, para 8). The construction and administration of small dams is feasible for India. For example, if small dams fail, their repairs are cheaper and easier than those of big dams. In addition, the motive power of hydroelectric plant is water. Water is cheap due to natural resource. I think that the development of small dams is significant for India. Building small dams does not aggravate Indian economy. Indeed, India should make the small dams in order to save money. Finally, I think that the construction of small dams is connected with saving money and it helps the Indian economy.

Second, small dams have less pollution and cause less destruction than big dams. Big dams may kill inhabitants and villages. In India, floods sometimes happen because of the monsoon. In such case, the big dams cause villages to submerge. These floods are very dangerous for Indian people. Actually, in July 2003, at least 40 inhabitants in India were killed by floods caused big dams (Devraj, 2005, para 13). Furthermore, Kripalani says that when the annual monsoon pulls up the water level of the Narmada River, Domkhedi and 50 other villages could be sunken as an effect of the massive Sardar Sarovar Dam project (1999, para 1). Big dams threaten their property and surroundings as well as inhabitants. According to Smith, big dams change vast areas of farm into wastelands that are caused by submergence (2000, para 7). The land that is changed into a malnutrition soil needs a lot of time to recover, or it has never been recovered. In such case, inhabitants have to take the situation seriously because their agricultural land is done. So inhabitants may lose all of their property by disasters that come from big dams.

On the other hand, small dams create less pollution and problems than big dams. When disasters such as, floods, downpour, and inundation happen, small dams do not cause serious problem because small dams do not need widespread deforestation. So, people who live close to small dams are not forced to resettle, and they can stay at the same place for a long time. In addition, water is not a harmful resource for human health. India has a large population. If people use other resources, for instance, oil, coal, and nuclear power, these resources cause various pollution. And then, these pollution affect many people, and they may get serious disease. That is a terrible occurrence. Finally, small dams not only make less serious problems for inhabitants and villages in rural areas, but also can produce hydroelectric power. I consider that small dams do not give great damage of the environment, so small dams will provide that inhabitant can keep property and resources.

Third, small dams are more sustainable than big dams in rural area. Bringing electricity into rural area is the best way to prevent from poverty in India because electricity can pull up rural economy. So rural area needs to keep on managing small dams for both electricity and economy. In other words, inhabitants should maintain small dams by themselves. Unfortunately, villagers have never operated machinery in the past because there was no electricity. If the management of dams is very complicated, villagers cannot handle dams and hardly keep on running dams. Actually, it is difficult for villagers to manage big dams. In addition, training villagers to use big dams is hard because villagers do not have basic skills. Therefore, the difficult anagement of big dams causes a lot of errors and mismanagements. After that, it needs a large amount of money to fix many miscontrols. In this case, Indian economy is still being aggravated.

Small dams do not create big mistakes that threaten Indian economy. Moreover, small dams can carry electricity to the rural area. According to The Hindu, one of the advantages about small dams is easy management (2005, para 8). Controlling micro hydroelectric power plants is simple to understand for their worker. That connects not only with accurate managements, but also with saving money. After rural area has electricity by small dams, inhabitants will be able to continue running them because of easy management. It is important for inhabitants to maintain small dams and also, sustainable managements bring better life to rural area. A good example of this, UNIDO, the United nations Industrial Development Organization, gives a faculty to generate "110KW of power daily", "10 computers, a refrigerator, a deep freezer, and a wet grinder" to Mankulam in Idukki that does not have electricity, access road, and use Internet by "a micro-hydel power project"(The Hindu, 2005, para 2). In addition, this organization offers that inhabitants can get opportunities to learn how to use computers (The Hindu, 2005, para 5). Thus, enough power supply enriches the quality of life for poor people in rural area. That is an epoch-making incident concerning for rural area economic development. According to The Hindu, rural area will be self-sufficient with adequate power supply (2005, para 7). I believe that India will be able to sustain small dams and then, the quality of life in rural area will be advanced.

In conclusion, it is necessary for Indian economy to develop small dams. Building small dams has useful factors that are cheaper and more conservative nature than big dams, moreover, they can produce self-support. The construction of big dams does not help Indian economy, moreover, it has a bad influence on its economy even though India needs enough power supply in order to improve its economy. As a result, I consider that building big dams is not the solution of the emergence from poverty. However, the development of small dams has made tremendous progress to the rural area. As rural area has been served with electricity, it brings on superior lives. With electric power supply, rural area will have infrastructure, such as railroads, hospitals, and schools. Furthermore, inhabitants will be able to get the chance to use computers for learning and expanding their knowledge. India is growing economy and problems about supply of electricity in rural area will be vastly improved by the construction of small dams. I believe that India should make more small dams instead of big dams and it can sustain small dams to grow its economy.

Bibliography

Black,Maggie & Talbot, Rupert.(2005).A Matter Of Life And Health. New York: Oxford.
Devraj, Ranjit (2005, April, 14). 65 die in water from dam, but apathy reigns. IPS-Inter Press Service. Retrieved July 7, 2005, from LexisNexis
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=7d1b45a9d2574d94c6135f0b98b8283e&_docnum=91&wchp=dGLbVlz-zSkVA&_md5=ef4b4d5d5b
Kripalani, Manjeet (1999, September, 20). Dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t. Business Week, 3647. Retrieved July 7, 2005, from EBSCO http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=2269766
Smith,Gar(2000).Villagers defy rising waters. Earth Island Journal , 14(4), 26. Retrieved July 7, 2005,from EBSCO http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=2434034
Staff Reporter(2005, March, 29). Micro-hydel project ushers in development. The Hindu. Retrieved July 7, 2005, from LexisNexis
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=7d1b45a9d2574d94c6135f0b98b8283e&wchp=dGLbVlz-zSkVA&_md5=15bd17b538

Cell phones & Driving Interview

2005-08-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

Nowadays, the number of people who are using cell phones while driving has increased. In some states, they have already enforced a law that bans a person driving from using cell phones except hands-free phones and headsets. And also, in Chicago, a similar ordinance will be passed soon. According to some research, the human brain can not control two actions at the same time. This means using cell phones, even hands-free phones or headsets, while driving is dangerous. So, using hands-free phones or headsets does not help decrease traffic accidents.

I asked one man who works at First Cellular, and he answered me even though he was busy at his work. He has already known about the new Chicago law and he said Carbondale is not concerned with the Chicago law. He disagrees with the new Chicago law because it is unnecessary and using a cell phone is not so different from listening to the radio while driving. And also, a $200 fine is too expensive. Next, I questioned him about hands-free phones and headsets; he said that using hands-free phones or headsets is better than using cell phones. However, he said that he had never seen traffic accidents caused by using cell phones and did not think that using hands-free phones or headsets caused less traffic accidents. Finally, he said, ÅgTo handle car audio is the most dangerous thing while drivingÅh. I understood his opinion; however, I consider that using cell phones, even hands-free phones or headset, while driving is dangerous action because it causes less attention. I think that it may make more traffic accidents.

by miki

Hydroelectric power in India -Research paper proposal-

2005-08-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

I became interested in the consequence of micro-hydroelectric power in India after I read some articles about it. In India, there is not yet consistent service of electricity in rural area and do not have enough infrastructure. In addition, India is one of the less developed countries. So, India does not have enough money to improve their life and economy. However, India need power and tries to develop hydroelectric generation. There are two sorts of hydroelectric power, which are micro-hydroelectric power and large-hydroelectric power. The difference between micro-hydroelectric power and large-hydroelectric power is scale. This scale is the problem for India (Kripalani, 1999, para 6). So, large-hydroelectric power has some problems. One of problems about big-dams is that construction of big-dams costs so much money. Actually, the construction of big dams has been postponed even though they were not yet finished (para, 5). Another problem is destruction of the environment. Large-scale dams create more pollution than small-scale dams. Building big dams may cause disasters, for example, floods and inundation. Moreover, large-scale dams are the one of factors that reduce natural resource and inhabitant’s property. Finally, large-scale dams have some serious problem about Indian economy and environment. However, small-scale dams are more effective than large-scale dams.

India is considering building many dams to need its growing energy, however I think that micro-scale dams will provide three advantages compared with large-scale dams. First, micro-scale power is cost-effective. The management of large-scale dams is too expensive for India. Micro-hydroelectric power is “low cost” and “easily management” (The Hindu, 2005, para8). Second, micro-hydroelectric power creates less pollution than large dams. The construction of small dams does not cause serious problems about environment. And also, water is natural resource and clear compared with other resource, such as, coal, oil, and nuclear power. So, micro-dams can decrease harm to environment. Third, small-dams are more sustainable than big-dams. And also, small-dams are more easily accessible in small areas. India does not enough money to keep management of big-dams. If big-dams break, they can not repair big dams because of a huge amount of money.

In conclusion, I found several articles from which I could learn about hydroelectric power in India and found a helpful website. I need to find out other idea of the merit of development of micro-electric power.

References:
Dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t. (1999, September 20). Copyright 1999 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Kripalani, M. Business Week. Retrieved July 13, 2005 from EBSCO http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=2269766
Micro-Hydel Project Ushers In Development. (2005, March 29). Copyright 2005 Staff Reporter. Kasturi & Sons Ltd (KSL) The Hindu. Retrieved July 13, 2005 from LexisNexis
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=7d1b45a9d2574d94c6135f0b98b8283e&wchp=dGLbVlz-zSkVA&_md5=15bd17b538

Can high tech save your life?

2005-07-31T14:57:00.000-07:00

According to this article, “Can high tech save your life?” , America’s hospitals are confused about the issue that they use high technology, such as computer, to observe patient’s condition. There are two opinions. One of these is using computers helps patients. Actually, using high technology causes lower mortality rate. However, another one is using high technology may make new errors, such as double dosing.

I consider that using high technology is effective for hospitals. I have a friend who is nurse. She works at ICU. She always has to repeat three actions that are looking patient’s condition, checking monitor, and taking notes. If she uses computers, she watches only monitors. So, she will concentrate on patient beyond the present. I believe that computers support doctors and nurses.

By Miki

Energy -Synthesis Quiz-

2005-07-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

These days, in America, many people generally have cars because they tend to live in urban areas and use cars to go anywhere. In addition, the U.S. government helps people using cars and car industries. So, America depends on cars. This causes to waste resources, especially oil. I think that America should save energy by stopping using oil because of conservation of environment.

First, America should reduce the number of cars because of the reduction of pollution. Actually, America consumes 2.5 billion barrels of oil per year and 1.5 billion of these come from the Middle East, and also oil spills make an increase of air pollution (Richardson, 1994, P.17). According to Miller, there is a way to save a lot of oil: “stop driving Petropigs” (1994, p.78). Therefore, stopping using cars connects with saving oil and also, it supports a protection of environment.

Second, America should develop new energy that replaces oil. According to Carlos, “ changing cars and factories to new energy sources will be too expensive and will delay the advances that are being developed now” (1995, p291). It is difficult for America to change the circumstance that depended on cars. However, the solar energy is the way to substitute it for oil. Solar energy is manifold, and it is used to power cars effectively (Elliot, 1995, p.8).

In conclusion, America should quit overusing a lot of oil because saving their environment. The overuse of resource keeps on aggravating the environment. If America goes on wasting the energy, the resources may be exhausted. I consider that the save of energy is the shortcut method to preserve environment. And also, I think that the development of renewable energy is necessary for America.

Hydroelectric Power In India -Argumentative Essay-

2005-07-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

India is considering building many dams and supplying villagers with electric power to grow its economy. India does not have enough infrastructure and also, in rural area, there is not much electricity. India plans on constructing hydroelectric power plants, because water is a natural resource and more renewable than oil, coal, and nuclear energy. There are two kinds of dams: big dams and small dams. Big dams will be able to produce a considerable electric power, moreover, they will certainly develop India economy. However, big dams have grave consequences. Big dams cause the deterioration of the environment. The construction of big dams costs so much money, as a result, India economy may be aggravated. I think that India should develop small dams to improve its economy because small dams are cost-effective, cause less pollution, are easily managed in rural area and it will provide power to rural area.

Small dams are more cost-effective than big dams. India is one of the less developed countries and it does not have enough money to keep building and maintaining big dams. In fact, the construction of big dams has been postponed even though they were not yet finished because of huge payments for interest and expense (Kripalani, 1999, para5). If big dams break, India cannot repair them. Therefore, I think that small dams are adequate for India.

Small dams have less pollution than big-dams. When disasters such as, floods, downpour and inundation, happen, big dams destroy villager’s lives and surroundings. Actually, in July 2003, at least 40 villagers in India were killed by floods caused big-dams (Devraj, 2005, para13). However, small dams not only have less serious problems than big dams, but also can make hydroelectric power for inhabitants and villages in rural areas.

People in rural area can manage small-dams easily and also, it is a way to bring electricity there. For villagers who had not operated machinery previously, if the operation of dams is complicate, they can not handle dams. However, controlling micro-hydroelectric power plants is simple for their worker. That connects with accurate management, and also helps India economy. And then, with micro-hydroelectric power supply, villagers will make better their livings.

In conclusion, improving micro-hydroelectric power is significant for India. Building small-dams has useful factors that are cheaper, more conservative nature, simpler administration. I consider that the development of small-dams improves India economy. And also, inhabitants in rural area will sustain small-dams.

References:
Dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t. (1999, September 20). Copyright 1999 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Kripalani, M. Business Week. Retrieved July 13, 2005 from EBSCO http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=2269766
Villager defy rising waters (2000, Winter 99). Gar,S. Earth Island Journal. Copyright Earth Island Journal Retrieved July 13, 2005 from EBSCO
http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=2434034

The Ecosystems of America -Synthesis Essay-

2005-07-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

The original forests and the number of diverse kinds of plants and animals in America have decreased and also, they are threatened with extinction. These phenomena are caused by human action. According to Donovan, in the state of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, houses and farms may outnumber the trees even though they had endless forest previously (1993, P42). In such case, people deforest to build their houses and farms, therefore, the number of plants and animals inhabited in the forests has decreased. In Florida Everglades, human action and economic development create ground to build houses and start businesses, and foreign species of plants and animals that enterprising businesses introduced, replace the native species (Connor, 1994, 2). Moreover, cutting trees by lumber companies in the National and State parks in several states is permitted by the government although many American think that these parks preserve nature (Grant, 1995, P42). In conclusion, human behavior causes the destruction of nature. I think that people have to reconsider deforesting because of the conservation of nature. And also, we must try to conserve ecosystems and look for the way to recover nature.

Dammed If You Do, Dammed If You Don't -Summ-Resp.#2 Final Draft -

2005-07-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

According to this article, “Dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t”(Kripalani, 1999), India wants electronic power by hydroelectric generation, but there are some contrary opinions about constructing big dams. New Delhi has issues with constructing big dams, because they displaced many people killed and effect an extreme damage on the environment. However, India calls for more hydropower to keep up an “economic reform program” (Kripalani, 1999, para4). Some activists said that large-scale hydropower is expensive and wasteful. Some groups insist that building small-scale dams is effective for India to decrease errors of control and their charge. There are opinions that construction of dams should be privatized because of the government’s corruption. I consider that India does not need to construct large-scale dams, because they have some risks.

First, large-scale dams may kill habitants and villages. In India, floods sometimes happen because of the monsoon. In such case, the big dams cause villages to sink. These floods are too dangerous for Indian people. However, small dams are quite different from big dams, so big dams cause huge scale deforestation and disorganization of people(The Hindu, 2005, para1). Small dams will not cause India disasters. So, small dams not only have less serious than big dams, but also can make hydroelectric power for habitants and villages in India.

Second, large-scale dams are aggravating India’s economy. It costs a huge amount of money to build big dams, but India is not a wealthy country. Actually, the construction of big dams has been postponed even though they were not yet finished (para, 5). India does not have enough money to construct large-scale dams. I consider that India should save money to defend their economy by preventing the construction of building big dams.

In conclusion, I think that it is worthless for India to build large-scale dams. Large-scale dams will bring chaos like floods. In addition, it takes an enormous amount of money to build and manage big dams. Large-scale dams will lead to make India economy worse. So, small dams are better and more forceful than big dams for India. I believe that India requires small dams and small dams will have their lives great consequences.

References:
Dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t. (1999, September 20). Copyright 1999 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Kripalani, M. Business Week. Retrieved July 13, 2005 from EBSCO http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=2269766

Micro-Hydel Project Ushers In Development -Summ-resp.#1 Final Draft-

2005-07-16T13:51:00.000-07:00

According to this article, India requires the development of mini-hydroelectric power. The United Nations Industrial Development (UNIDO) that produces “a micro-hydel power project” picks up Mankulam in Indukki in India to support electric development because it has no infrastructure (The Hindu, 2005, para2). UNIDO brings the countryside electric power, such as, computers, a deep freezer, a refrigerator, and a wet grinder, so this success makes UNIDO “sponsor a one-MW project” ( para 2). And then, micro-hydel projects will influence a rise of communication equipment and water service. In conclusion, UNIDO suggests that the exploitation of micro-hydropower will make local people’s living improve. I agree with this author because micro-hydroelectric power has less pollution and is more cost –effective than coal.

First, micro-hydroelectric power has less pollution than big dams. Micro-hydropower is better than big one for India. India has a large population. If Indians use other resource, for example, oil, coal, and nuclear power, these resource cause various pollution. And then, these pollution affect many people and many people may get disease. That is a terrible occurrence. However, micro-hydropower does not cause a serious problem. I think that India should improve micro-hydroelectric generation.
Second, mini-hydroelectric power is cost-effective. Managing hydroelectric power is too expensive for India. This author says that mini-hydroelectric power is “low cost’ and “ easily management”(para,8). India is one of the less development countries, so India does not have enough money to keep other electric power. Water resource is useful for India. In addition, controlling hydraulic power plants is simple for their worker. I think that the development of micro-hydroelectric power helps Indian economy. It will make rural communities self-sufficient.

In conclusion, there are several reasons why I agree with this author. First, less pollution depends on the improvement of small-hydroelectric power. Second, small-hydroelectric power is important for Indian economy. I believe that the evolution of hydroelectric power changes Indian way of life and their economy.

References:
Micro-Hydel Project Ushers In Development. (2005, March 29). Copyright 2005 Staff Reporter. Kasturi & Sons Ltd (KSL) The Hindu. Retrieved July 13, 2005 from LexisNexis
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=7d1b45a9d2574d94c6135f0b98b8283e&wchp=dGLbVlz-zSkVA&_md5=15bd17b538

Group calls for health warnings on soft drinks

2005-07-15T17:04:00.000-07:00

According to this article, "Group calls for health warnings on soft drinks," U.S. consumer group insists that the beverage companies should write warnings on soft drinks. Soft drinks contain too much sugar and caffeine. These ingredients could harm someone’s health.

I think that the beverage companies should write warnings on soft drinks because soft drinks have some problems about human health. Here are too many kinds of soft drinks. However, we can not get healthy drinks, such as, tea, fresh juice, and water. I consider that such circumstance affects human health.

By Miki

Hello!

2005-07-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

I'm Miki.