Category: environmental studies

There’s no use in recycling (or changing light bulbs, or installing solar panels, or adopting a vegan diet

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Respond to each of the following questions. You will need to write at least 2 paragraphs, one for each question. When you are done posting your response, reply to at least one classmate in no fewer than 75 words.

1. Some students interpret Heglar’s essay, “” as, “There’s no use in recycling (or changing light bulbs, or installing solar panels, or adopting a vegan diet). There’s not much the individual can do.” But is that Heglar’s point? What is the basic argument that Heglar makes in her article? Write a one-paragraph summary of at least 100 words that explains her argument. You need to read to the end of the article to really understand her main idea. It is not what the title implies.

2. Do you agree, disagree, or both agree and disagree with Heglar’s point? Write a one-paragraph argument of at least 100 words that explains your answer to this question.

 

 

High-Rise Office Building Fires: Lessons from the Tragic Incident at One Meridian Plaza

Posted on | by Kelvin

Read TR-049 High-Rise Office Building Fire One Meridian Plaza.
Using the information you gained in that reading write a paper on the following:
On Saturday, February 23, 1991, the Philadelphia Fire Department received an alarm for a fire in the 38-story high-rise One Meridian Plaza. This twelve alarm fire would take over 18 hours to control and take the life of three firefighters before the thirtieth floor sprinkler system stopped the vertical spread. This was just one in a series of high-rise incidents which demonstrated problems unique to these structures.
1. Considering all the problems noted in the technical report, which problem or problems caused the most difficulties at this fire?
Then, considering the pressure reducing devices that are used in high-rises:
2. Discuss the issues firefighters had with these devices at One Meridian Plaza.
3. Be sure you also discuss the difference between pressure reducing valves and flow restricting devices and what should be done to insure that these devices operate properly.
4. What can fire departments’ do to be better prepared for these types of fire protection system issues?

System safety engineering and risk assessment

Posted on | by Kelvin

 

These 2 assessments are based on the book
Bahr, N.J., 2015. System safety engineering and risk assessment: a practical approach. CRC press.
QUESTION 1
Select three qualitative safety tools, and compare and contrast each of the three tools as they relate to deployment and application in different scenarios. Be sure and provide a possible scenario for the use of each of the three selected tools.
QUESTION 2
Discuss in detail the software safety analysis technique. Be sure to include a discussion on the potential for human error to negatively impact the software safety analysis outcomes.

Fuel Cells Discussion

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One of the “goals” of the 21st century is the replacement of fossil fuels with non-polluting renewable energy sources. Solar and wind are widely explored ideas, but so far, have not provided the availability and reliability necessary to replace existing sources of energy. Although practically non-polluting, solar and wind technologies have a significant footprint in the environment requiring thousands of acres for solar and wind farms that produce only fractions of the energy requirements of this country. Another potential energy source that is currently being explored for use in automobiles and manufacturing is the “fuel cell,” defined as “a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction of positively charged hydrogen ions with oxygen or another oxidizing agent (Wikipedia).” Fuel cells also have the potential to provide energy to individual homes and communities, small businesses and organizations, and major industries. The benefits seem to be enormous, but like all new technologies there are significant issues to deal with.

Discuss your thoughts on the use of fuel cells and how they will impact energy companies and the labor markets.

Alternative Energy Sources Discussion

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The U.S. and other countries are taking steps to develop domestic renewable production to address the stresses put on the energy infrastructure. Discuss Ocean and Hydrogen energy and how it will further reduce our dependence on traditional fossil fuels. Describe the energy sources and how they are being used or can be used today as a viable energy source. What are the pros and cons of its use? What technological changes, if any, will further advance its progress in becoming a primary source of energy?

 

The natural disaster (Hurricane Maria)

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A minimum of five sources outside of the course textbook. (Glarum, Jan, Adrianopoli, Carl. (2020). Decision Making In Emergency Management.
ISBN: 978-0-12-815769-5)

The student will focus this paper on the incident, the response to the incident, the decisions that were made prior to and during the incident, recovery after the incident, and what changes have been made due to this incident.

 

 

Declared Disasters in the US

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Please select a topic of interest from the list of Declared Disasters in the US during your lifetime, according to FEMA.gov (link below). You will need to cite at least three (3) credible references and explain this event in detail:
1. How did this natural disaster occur, and explain using knowledge from the course (this may be one of your cited sources)?
2. What was the extent of damage, including data that overviews emergency response calls, medical reports, financial burdens, etc.?
3. How does the human race prepare for such future events and overcome the challenge(s)?
4. How has it affected you and your family personally (if applicable), and/or what have you learned from this event?