From the Paper
" In A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold presents a series of portraits of nature and the natural landscape, coupled with related musings on life, the environment, and man's place in this world. The approach taken is not dissimilar to a tradition in American literature extending back through such writers as Emerson and Thoreau. both of whom also used observations of nature to glean philosophical and practical knowledge of themselves and their world. In the Preface to the Enlarged Edition, the author's children note that the book was originally published in 1949 after Leopold's death and that much of what he discusses in this book, offering his insight into the American landscape and to our need to preserve and enjoy it, has passed into common currency, though much distorted. In 1966 when this edition was published, roadside beautification had replaced "the.."

Abstract
This paper provides an overview of what energy means to humanity. The paper explores the problems associated with non-renewable energy sources. This is followed by an examination of some of the more promising alternative energy sources being investigated and used today. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.

Contents:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Problems Associated with Non-renewable Energy Sources
Alternative Renewable Energy Sources
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"People have always been looking for alternative forms of energy to improve their chances for survival and simply to make their lives easier. From the first hitching of an ox to a plow, a horse to a wheeled cart, or a primitive water wheel for milling grain, people have always tried to minimize their labor and maximize their efforts. Up until about 1800, though, the primary source of fuel was wood and people still relied heavily on animals for transportation and power. However, since the Industrial Revolution, there has been in increasing reliance on nonrenewable fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum as a main source of energy. The costs associated with the use of such fossil fuels has been enormous, both in terms of environmental impact and the high economic costs involved with how these fuels must be obtained, refined and delivered to consumers. All of these steps require energy in and of themselves, and many observers are questioning the logic of continuing to pursue antiquated technologies in view of the alternative energy sources that have emerged over the last few decades."

Tags:fusion, oil, petroleum, power, wind, electricity

Abstract
This is a discussion paper on the distribution of water in the southwestern part of the United States. There is an emphasis on how the limited amount of water makes it a commodity thereby a cause of increasing social and political tension over water distribution. There is also an emphasis on the environmental consequences of changing naturally-occurring water patterns.

Tags:environment, environmental, natural, policy, resource

Abstract
This paper discusses the problems we face with our current methods of creating energy and list other possible ways to generate energy as well as the pros and cons for each instance. The paper also discusses hydroelectric, biomass, wind power, solar power, nuclear power, and fossil fuel energy.

From the Paper
"Fission, a nuclear process, is already in use throughout the planet. In order to produce electricity, the energy released by fission is generally used to heat water which in turn produces steam to power a turbine (Energy Matters). Relatively little fuel is needed for fission and it's generally an inexpensive method. Another benefit: fission is not believed to cause pollution or contribute to global warming in any way. However, not every country can use this method, depending on the amount of uranium present in that area. Also, fission can be a dangerous procedure. A nuclear meltdown can prove harmful to humans and the environment around a nuclear plant, and the waste left over from the fission process can be used to make nuclear weapons a highly destructive tool. (Energy Matters)."

Tags:biomass, fission, fossil, fuels, fusion, greenhouse-effect, hydroelectric, light, nuclear, pollution, solar, solar, panels, watt

Abstract
This paper is an in-depth look at the Galveston hurricane, the path it followed, the conditions and characteristics of the storm. The author discusses the loss of life and damage caused by the hurricane, as well as the cleanup efforts by the city and future precautions taken after the devastation in Texas.

From the Paper
"On August 27th, 1900, meteorologists began to notice a small storm developing in the equatorial mid-Atlantic. Still getting organized, it drifted westward through the Greater Antilles with moderate winds and torrential rains. In Jamaica, miles of roadway, railroad tracks, and sidewalk were washed into the ocean. Cuba was submerged in over two feet of rainwater, and much of southern Florida faced the wrath of the hurricane, as well. As it crossed over the tepid waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the storm gained strength, eventually making its way to the shores of Galveston, Texas."

Tags:disaster, gulf, storm, surge, texas, tropical, miles, hour

Abstract
The paper presents an assessment of selected issue fronts concerning Hurricane Katrina, focusing on human and environmental issues. The paper discusses the ineffective response of government agencies, notably Homeland Security and FEMA. It also highlights the physical facts of a hurricane.

From the Paper
"When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in August and September the response of government agencies was ineffective and became politically controversial . The winds of the Category storm did great damage and the city's flood-control and energy ..."

Tags:Hurricane Katrina, FEMA, Homeland Security

disaster planning, government

environment

Abstract
This report contains the considerations to be taken when planning, designing, and implementing storm water management projects. The paper details the human, physical, and managerial concerns.

From the Paper
" Frequency and intensity of storms will be another factor to be considered by those planning the system, as they will have to make the decision of what is the acceptable risk of damage, if overwhelmed. The discharge can be considered a method of control, in terms of how successful the system is. It will also be the quantifiable factor leading to assessing the effects downstream, good or bad."

Tags:management, stormwater

Abstract
This paper compares the highly centralized government planning system in the UK as compared to the control of development in the USA. It shows how the US has a stronger localized tradition, with more layers of government that understand local planning matters, while the UK reserves the right to become involved in conflicts where 'the national interest' is concerned. Ultimately, the author contends, the differences between the two countries' constitutions can be detected in their planning systems.

From the Paper
"The ownership of property, at first glance, appears to confer certain rights to the owner in respect of the development of that land. But in reality the situation is more complicated, especially within the British planning system. In this country the ownership of land rights does not bring with it the right to develop that land. The government at both a local and national level ultimately decide whether or not development can go ahead. However, the government itself is not constrained by specific regulations or constitutional considerations. The state in Britain has significant discretion in the control of development. Here I shall discuss the advantages and limitations of giving a central role to governmental discretion in the control of development. For comparative analysis, planing practice in the USA shall also be discussed".

Tags:comparative, planning, spatial, town, urban, usa, uk, united, states, america, britain, british, united, kingdom, local, national, government, constitution

Abstract
This paper assesses the ecological and life model of social work practice, the theoretical presumptions on which it is based and the manner in which proponents of such theory justify their position. Following this there is an examination of the relationship such theory has to the actual practice of social workers in their working relationships with ordinary people.

From the Paper
"There are a whole host of issues that present themselves when social workers assess whether a mentally and physically disabled person should be allowed to live relatively independently. The ecological approach to the problem could offer a wide variety of uses. Firstly, the individual is placed within the family and friends network. Secondly, ecological methods could be employed to examine the wider social forces that are at play, for example, access to education and health services."

Tags:interconnected discipline ecomaps genograms, family tree

Abstract
A detail look at the flood management schemes on the river Chichester that flooded in 1994. The author offers a detailed analysis of the effects of the flooding and these were controlled.

From the Paper
"In January 1994 Chichester suffered extensive flooding. The national Rivers Authority (NRA), west Sussex Council the fire brigade and other emergency services battled together against the floods that deluged the city of Chichester and the surrounding area. The flooding occurred when the river Lavant burst its banks in its upper catchment and could not be contained in the culvert, which runs underneath Chichester. As a consequence, the hornet district of the city was inundated several times and large areas to the east lay under waters for days."

Tags:geography, schemes, flood, environment, control