Flooding in South Africa Essay Example for Free

Flooding in South Africa Essay Most floods take hours or days to develop, giving residents enough time to prepare or evacuate. Others happen quickly and with little warning. These flash floods can be extremely dangerous and cause major damage to the landscape and the habitants of such an area. Disaster specialists have various ways of classifying floods according to their likelihood of occurring and the intensity of the flood. A hundred-year flood, for example, is an extremely large, destructive event that would theoretically be expected to happen only once every century. Heavy rain in a short period of time in the part of South Africa, caused more than hundreds of people to be homeless by heavy flooding. Floods caused many to seek refuge on rooftops and on trees. This catastrophe killed more than hundreds of people causing the death toll to rise. Recently these floods caused evacuation of the Kruger National, a game reserve in Northern South Africa. Floods also covered some farmlands and crops were killed as a result forcing farms to close. Most of the roads, dams and large buildings were damaged. Due to flooding some mines were forced to close, this the case of a coal mines in Limpopo. Floods frequently causes major infrastructure damage of roads, railway lines, electricity supply systems, water supply and sewage disposal systems. Bribges over rivers are particularly exposed to damage and disruption of transportation systems follows. The economic effects of flooding are often greater than the flood itself. (Parker 2000) According to Parker (2000) be cause floods frequently destroy crops and livestock, food shortages are not uncommon in the aftermath. Floods may affect food availability in a number of ways. Food stocks may be damaged if storage areas are flooded. Serious flooding usually disrupts transportation of food deficit areas, particularly in towns, which are cut off from supply sources and have inadequate food stock. Impacts of flooding may hinder the economic growth and development that is the high cost of relief and recovery may adversely impact investment in infrastructure and other development activities in the area and in certain cases may cripple the frail economy of the of the region. Recurrent flooding in a region may discourage long-term investments by the government and private sector alike. Lack of livehoods, combined with migration of skilled labour and inflation may have a negative impact on a region’s economic growth. Loss of resource can lead to high costs of goods and services, delaying its development programmes. (Drep operation international federation of Red Cross and crescent societies). Figure 2 three kid were during floods in Limpopo As discussed under various perspectives, it is clear from the assignment that floods had adverse impact on the socio-economic status of livehoods for people in South Africa more especially the residents of Limpopo. It is also evident that there are varying underlying causes of floods i South Africa. Places near the flood event are the most susceptible to the dangers of the floods. Proximity of these places and poverty were identified as being the main cause of vulnerability of people

Prozac (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) :: Health Medicine Research Essays

Prozac (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors have been approved for use in the treatment of a wide area of psychological disorders, including major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, social phobia, post traumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. They are also said to be effective in treating dysthymia and chronic depression. (Tollefson and Rosenbaum, 2001) The manufacturer of Prozac, Eli Lilly advertises that this drug is particularly effective in treating clinical depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, bulimia and panic disorder. The manufacturer argues that, "While Prozac cannot be said to 'cure' depression, it does help control symptoms of depression, allowing many people with depression to feel better and return to normal functioning." (Eli Lilly, www.prozac.com) The diminished side effects of Prozac and its overall effectiveness in treating depression, OCD, bulimia and panic disorder has made it the drug of choice for over two decades. More than this, many psychiatrists have attributed to the drug some amazing transformative properties above and beyond that of just diminishing the negative symptoms associated with depression. As one physician put it, "Prozac seemed to give social confidence to the habitually timid, to make the sensitive brash, to lend the introvert the social skills of a salesman." (Kramer, Peter, D., p. xvii, 1993) Indeed, he argued that Prozac made patients 'better than well' and actually served to transform personality. "The transformative powers of the medicine went beyond treating illness to changing personality, it entered into our struggle to understand the self." (Kramer, Peter, D., p. xviii, 1993) Prozac's approval for use for patients under the age of 18 has also been a particular selling point for Eli Lilly. As recently as summer 2004, NPR reported that the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that "Prozac, in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy, is highly effective for treating depression in teens. But the study also showed a small increase in 'harm-related behaviors,' including suicide attempts, among teens on Prozac." (Baron, National Public Radio, 2004, www.npr.org) Other doctors have been more cautious about the behavioral change benefits of Prozac. They warn that Prozac has produced some very serious side effects leading to several lawsuits against Eli Lilly. "These side effects include akathisia (a condition in which a person feels compelled to move about), permanent neurological damage, and suicidal obsession and acts of violence." (Null

Confucionism vs Legalism Essay

Amidst the chaos of political instability and constant warfare during ChinaÊ ¼s Period of Warring States, two new philosophies emerged. Legalism and Confucianism were two of the philosophies intellectual thinkers developed to try and stop the mayhem of China before it could be conquered by a greater nation. â€Å"Confucianism became the paramount school of thinking and later signiï ¬ cant philosophies such as and Legalism gained immense recognition as well. Each party had their own proposals for creating an idealistic political society where the many problems they faced in their everyday lives could be eliminated.† Both approaches were very distinct, but at the same time they contained certain similarities as well. Confucianism disfavored a harsh government. Confucius urged to lead the people with virtue and rituals as opposed to government policies and punishments. He believed that the ruler should gain respect through his deeds rather than achieving it through his status and authority. Confucianists disliked government that employed killing and wished for a non aggressive rule. They believed individuals should foster compassion, humility and moderation for a successful society, whereas Legalism believed the people should be controlled by fear and aggression. Legalists had a ruthless approach to crimes and even the smallest of unlawful acts resulted in harsh punishment. Legalism and Confucianism both provided structure and stability for the time they were used. Out of Legalism and Confucianism, Legalism was a success in the sense that it achieved what the other desperately strove for – the uniï ¬ cation of China. Even though it only lasted twelve years. â€Å"Many of the Legalist ideas were quite thought provoking and praiseworthy; they believed in equality for all and government according to merit. However, the system gained a rotten reputation according to the ruthless rule of the First  Emperor. Confucianism thus became the ofï ¬ cial Philosophy, gaining wide acceptance in China.† The Confucian and Legalist governments had very different morals in which their people should be treated. In Confucian government a ruler had to lead by example and be an overall virtuous person for his subjects to obey him. Government existed for the  beneï ¬ t of the people, not the other way around. People should love each other and treat everyone with respect. In Legalist government the people are there to serve the government. People are ruled by fear and violence. Citizen should not focus on being loving and caring. Instead, they should spy on everyone around them and report and law breaking. â€Å"According to them, a strong rule with a strict hand was necessary in order to keep the citizens from growing lazy and disrespecting the authority.† â€Å"One central issue which interested ancient Chinese thinkers was how to regulate human relations and how to govern a country.† Under the Qin dynasty Legalism achieved what many other philosophies wished- control and uniï ¬ cation of China. Similarities united the two because they had a single goal, but different strategies to fulï ¬ ll it. After multiple rebellions against Legalist rule, Confucianism dominated the competition and accomplished the structure and stability that was needed for a successful and evolving civilization. Site used: http://www.international-relations.com/wbcm5-1/wbrule.htm

Anchors Aweigh History of the United States Navy Free Essay Example, 1500 words

It is evidently clear from the discussion that Josephus Daniel was the secretary of the navy in the 19th century. He strengthened the naval force of the US in the period between 1913 and 1917 to a great extent. He was totally against the war, yet he did every possible effort to make navy the strongest military force of the US. Many men stood against Daniel and argued that he was making the entire naval force incapable of fighting in the wars. Daniel claimed about the shortage of men in the naval force of the US. More men were employed in the army, and the force was enlarged to a great extent (Howarth 122). The author of the paper states that the naval act of 1916 was passed by congress on 29th August 1916. It was a strong act and was strictly ordered to be implemented on the US navy. It basically comprised the rules and regulations, the new policies of the US navy, the recommendations for the entrance of new men in the force and many other important issues. We will write a custom es say sample on Anchors Aweigh: History of the United States Navy or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now In 1917, Daniel was replaced by Wilson, and he started preparing the force for war. He strengthened the Naval Militia and established a Naval Reserve force. Large shipbuilding programs were introduced and the navy was made stronger. Different bureaus were established in the period of 1914 to 1918 including the bureau of navigation, construction, and repair, steam engineering, yards and docks, and ordinance as well (Howarth 325). According to the essay findings, it can, therefore, be said that the war started in 1917, and different districts were established by Wilson. Each district managed a specific area of England. This made the work relatively very easy for the US navy. The total number of districts was 13 and each managed its own territory. Schools were organized to train the reserve army of Navy as well. In 1920, there were 28,000 regular men and 23,000 reserve men in the US navy because of the efficient working of the training camps started by Wilson (Howarth 326).