Geriatrics and Depression - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 8 Words: 2307 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/04/15 Category Psychology Essay Level High school Tags: Depression Essay Did you like this example? When a person reaches the age of 65, their chances of getting dementia doubles every five years (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Mansah et al., 2014). Once a person has an altered mental state, like dementia, they often exhibit agitation, passivity, and depression (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Mansah et al., 2014). Since these interactions affect ones cognition, personality, and daily activities, the quality of life seen is often decreased, making engagement and perception of life also lessening (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Mansah et al., 2014). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Geriatrics and Depression" essay for you Create order As a person gets older, multiple factors can lead to a decline in the quality of life including loss of partners, siblings, or friends and even control of their everyday life events (Babatsikou et al., 2017; Kawamura, Niiyama, Niiyama, 2009; Prosser, Townsend, Staiger, 2008). Age is an inevitable thing that brings health problems along with physical and emotional changes (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016; Gopi Preetha, 2016; Kawamura, Niiyama, Niiyama, 2009; Wang, Ying Chair, Mi Ling Wong, Li, 2016). Depressive symptoms in the elderly population will continue to rise as the baby boomer population reaches the geriatric stage of their life (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016; Babatsikou et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2016). Unfortunately, most nurses admit to not knowing enough about geriatrics and that they would rather work with the patients who had easy and quick-to-apply interventions rather than the ones who had more time-consuming ones (Bleijenberg et al., 2016). A study done by Bleijenberg et al. (2016) shows that there is room for nurse to improve when it comes to how they divide their care and what quality they put into it. Significance to Nursing Depression is seen in 77% of older people with dementia, yet it often goes unrecognized even with its effects on the quality of life (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Mellor et al., 2008). Since some nurses feel like depression symptoms take longer to treat, appropriate medical attention is not achieved for these residents (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Mellor et al., 2008). However, caregivers often feel like they lack proper skills needed to recognize and help residents with depressive symptoms, so many feel like educational programs on the different types interventions would be beneficial, interesting, and used daily (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Mansah et al., 2014; Mellor et al., 2008). Education provided to nurses and care givers is one way to improve care to patients (Mansah et al., 2014). When nurses were provided with educational material and assessment tools, completed training programs, and implemented reflection techniques, they felt like the care they provided to each patient was improved (Bleijenberg et al., 2016; Mansah et al., 2014; Mellor et al., 2008). When a nurse implements their skills, they were able to increase the care and communication they provide to the nursing home residents, gain knowledge about care, and accomplish a sense of self-efficacy (Mansah et al., 2014; Mellor et al., 2008). With the geriatric population rising and nurses being the advocates for residents, an open mind and new innovative types of care need to be looked at to create an individualized treatment plan for residents (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Justine Hamid, 2010; Mansah et al., 2014). Oftentimes, pharmacologic interventions are the first, if not only, line of defense used in patients with an altered mental state (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010), but they typically lead to medication intolerance, increased fall risk, and daytime confusion (Wang et al., 2016). There are multiple structures therapeutic interventions that nurses can lead and implement to impact the geriatric populations quality of life (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016; Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Justine Hamid, 2010; Sampoornam et al., 2016). Since every person is different though, it is important to remember to keep interventions individualized to the patient/resident. The purpose of this paper is to com pare how structured versus nonstructural interventions affect the quality of life in geriatric nursing home residents. Review of Literature Structured therapeutic interventions that nurses can apply Initiating a personalized exercise program for each resident based on needs and abilities. As time passes and a person ages, the perception of the quality of life tends to decrease (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Justine Hamid, 2010) and the presence of insomnia increases (Sampoornam et al., 2016). Exercise has been shown to have positive effects on an older persons perception on the quality of life, while also decreasing fall incidents that can lead to morbidity and mortality (Babatsikou et al., 2017; Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Sampoornam et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2016). Some studies done show a positive correlation between exercise and the perception of quality of life, sleeping patterns, and the meaning of life experiences (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016; Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Justine Hamid, 2010; Sampoornam et al., 2016). Changes in the central nervous system from age can cause a person to lose balance, muscle strength, and mobility all together (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016). There are many types of exercise training techniques that can be implemented to improve the overall quality of life and slow the physical limitations down. Some of these implementations include, but are not limited to, walking (Sampoornam et al., 2016), cardiorespiratory endurance, strength and balance training, flexibility (Justine Hamid, 2010), cross training (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010), resistance training, Tai Chi, and dancing (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016). Dancing was implemented in a study done by Adam, Shahar, and Ramli (2016) that allowed the residents to be themselves, have fun, and enjoy the exercise while they were partaking in it. Providing animal interaction opportunities or ability for residents to have pets. Companion animals can help minimize the feeling of loneliness and assist with transition of the normal aging processes by providing a companion, being someone the older person can to talk to and have physical contact with, and being a topic that can be brought up with a stranger (Kawamura, Niiyama, Niiyama, 2009; Prosser, Townsend, Staiger, 2008). By animals increasing social interactions, a positive effect occurs and decreases agitated and depressive behaviors (Kawamura, Niiyama, Niiyama, 2009; Moretti et al., 2011; Prosser, Townsend, Staiger, 2008; Thodberg et al., 2016). Pets also allow the older patient with something to touch and since older patients have a more positive response to touch rather than communication, animals can be a perfect addition to those who have lost loved ones (Prosser, Townsend, Staiger, 2008). In a study done by Moretti et al. (2011), pet therapy was able to decrease symptoms associated with depression by 50% and increased the quality of life measured in long-term care facility residents. During the post-intervention interview in the study done by Prosser, Townsend, and Staiger (2008), many residents wanted the companion program to continue because they enjoyed contact with the animals, they had more social interactions, and it brought variety to their lives. Participants often found pleasure knowing the animals were coming and felt like it provided them with a positive experience at the nursing home (Kawamura, Niiyama, Niiyama, 2009; Moretti et al., 2011; Prosser, Townsend, Staiger, 2008). Using pets as therapy for elder nursing home residents is often implemented when the animals are brought in by a volunteer, but nurses can help encourage protocols to be developed that motivate animal therapy as a common occurrence (Kawamura, Niiyama, Niiyama, 2009; Prosser, Townsend , Staiger, 2008; Thodberg et al., 2016). Offering music and singing programs that residents can be involved in. Music and singing therapy can be used to manage the effects aging has on health maintenance, daily functioning, and the quality of life (Gopi Preetha, 2016; Wang et al., 2016). Through the use of music and singing, depressive symptoms can be decreased and the meaning of quality of life can be more significant to residents (Gopi Preetha, 2016; Wang et al., 2016). Since music interventions are safe, easy, and generally effective at decreasing depressive symptoms, along with increasing the quality of sleep, music could be a simple implementation to add to a nursing home residents daily activities (Gopi Preetha, 2016; Wang et al., 2016). Music that has tranquilizing effects have been thought to calm the body and suppress the sympathetic nervous system and turn on the parasympathetic nervous system (Wang et al., 2016). In addition, music also lets the mind focus on something other than thoughts, which allows the mind to relax (Gopi Preetha, 2016) and can even initiate sleep (Wang et al., 2016). When music is blended with different tones, restoration of emotions, physical relaxation, and spiritual wellbeing is met (Gopi Preetha, 2016). Implementing different massage and relaxation techniques that residents can partake in. There are many types of massage and relaxation techniques that can be used on nursing home residents daily (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016; Keerthi, Malathi, and Nidagundi, 2018). In a study done by Keerthi, Malathi, and Nidagundi (2018), the use of footbath on joint pain was tested. A foot bath was given to the residents in the experiment twice a week and the effects were tested based on the amount of joint pain the residents felt afterward (Keerthi, Malathi, and Nidagundi, 2018). The footbath is able to cause blood vessels to dilate, which then increases the blood flow to other parts of the body (Keerthi, Malathi, and Nidagundi, 2018). When the dilation occurs, the blood movement causes the muscles to relax and release tension which leads to pain being relieved (Keerthi, Malathi, and Nidagundi, 2018). Relaxation therapy is another technique that has been used for a while to treat stress and anxiety (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016). This type of therapy has been used to restore harmony in the body, reduce physical and mental tension, decreasing depressive symptoms, and creating an overall positive outlook (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016). There are many different types of relaxation techniques that can be used, but some of the most common ones are breathing, meditation, and progressive muscular relaxation (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016). Perception on the quality of life for nursing home residents The depression rates decreased in geriatric residents. In a study done by Buettner, Fitzsimmons, and Dudley (2010), agitation, passivity, and depression were all measured at the start and after two weeks of exercise treatments for each patient. This measurement showed that agitation in patients with depression was lowered after the individualized treatments were performed and went hand in hand with changes in passivity (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010). Contrary, Justine and Hamid (2010) found that participants had an improvement in their life satisfaction, but there was no change when it came to their levels of depression. Dancing however was shown to have a positive outlook for residents with depression and anxiety (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016). This exercise not only implements movement, it also incorporated music, which allows muscles to be worked, stress to be released, and fun to be had (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016). Since music is so easy to implement and use, it is a simple thing to add to an exercise routine (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016; Gopi Preetha, 2016; Wang et al., 2016). Music therapy is able to allow relaxation of the mind and body to occur, which in turn has a positive effect on mood and feelings (Gopi Preetha, 2016). Ensure that residents obtain a more consistent sleeping pattern. When quality of sleep is measured after walking exercise is implemented, a decrease in chronic insomnia was seen and sleeping habits were improved (Sampoornam et al., 2016). Sleeping disorders are common as age increases as falling asleep becomes harder and waking up early happens more often (Sampoornam et al., 2016). Circadian rhythm problems have been thought to go hand in hand with cognitive issues (Sampoornam et al., 2016). If cognitive issues are able to be assessed and put in check, sleeping problems could be resolved also. Slow the onset of dementia for nursing home or long-term care facility residents. Since dementia is a progressive brain disease, reversal of this disease is not likely, but some interventions were able to slow the onset down or minimize symptoms (Thodberg et al., 2016). When residents affected with dementia are able to engage in animal interactions, improvement in cognitive functions, motivation, and emotions was seen (Moretti et al., 2011). Meaningful life experiences are important for residents with dementia and these events can change both passive and agitative behavior (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010). Conclusion Summary When a nurse is able to work with other healthcare professionals, the resident, and their families, stronger therapeutic communication skills are gained, interpersonal relationships are improved, knowledge about personal events are shared, and multiple assessment tools are looked at to create an improved and individualized treatment approach (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Mansah et al., 2014; Mellor et al., 2008). When nurses have the proper knowledge and education needed to help care for residents (Mansah et al., 2014; Mellor et al., 2008), implementations like exercise programs (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016; Justine Hamid, 2010; Sampoornam et al., 2016), animal therapy (Kawamura, Niiyama, Niiyama, 2009; Moretti et al., 2011; Thodberg et al., 2016), music and singing (Gopi Preetha, 2016; Wang et al., 2016), and relaxation techniques (Adam, Shahar, Ramli, 2016; Keerthi, Malathi, and Nidagundi, 2018), can be implemented and individualized for each elder. All of the interven tions talked about previously can be applied into a residents activity schedule based on what their interests are and their physical ability. It would also be beneficial to educate nurses on how to properly implement structured therapeutic interventions and provide nursing homes with the ability to offer those interventions. Areas for Future Research Most study researchers felt like they needed a longer adaptation period during their study so they could have more observations (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Justine Hamid, 2010; Mansah et al., 2014; Moretti et al., 2011; Sampoornam et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2016). This longer period might allow more time for the positive impact on the quality of life to occur and ensure that the participants are comfortable and familiar with their new interventions (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Justine Hamid, 2010; Moretti et al., 2011; Sampoornam et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2016). It was also a common that authors thought there needed to be a larger test group with more diversity in a future study done (Buettner, Fitzsimmons, Dudley, 2010; Justine Hamid, 2010; Kawamura, Niiyama, Niiyama, 2009; Keerthi, Malathi, and Nidagundi, 2018; Moretti et al., 2011; Sampoornam et al., 2016). Research can also be done to test the effects on younger children visiting and interacting with nursing home residents. This would provide the resident with someone to talk to that they can teach and do activities with. Gardening and cooking might be other areas that can be looked at. It might be hard for aging residents to partake in activities like this that they once enjoyed, but if modifications could be made to help them adapt to physical changes, these activities might be achievable.

Oedipus Rex A Tragic Hero - 882 Words

The ancient Greek’s culture was greatly influenced by their belief in many gods. They believed that the gods would guide them and that everyone was destined to live out their fates. In the case of Oedipus Rex, fate drove him into a downfall. Oedipus Rex is a part of the great Sophoclean play, written by Sophocles. Sophocles wrote this story to exemplify a tragic hero, he uses specific character flaws to explain the downfall of his hero. Oedipus is a perfect tragic hero because his early life forces the audience to admire as a privilege young man and also pity him as he falls into a crushing downfall towards the end. Oedipus’s tragic flaws are pride, persistence, and ignorance. They lead to his fate and help him fulfil his destiny. Sight is a very symbolic in this play. Oedipus is unable to see his fate clearly because he is blinded by his tragic flaws. Sophocles really drilled the motif of sight vs. blindness into the fabric of this play. The first sight of this motif is at the beginning of the play when the prophet Teiresias graces the stage. Teiresias is blind, but he can see Oedipus s life very clearly. Even though Oedipus s eyes are fine, he is blinded to his fate because of pure ignorance. Oedipus’s ignorance purely ironic because he was praised for his intuition, after solving the riddle of the Sphinx. Oedipus even calls Teiresias powers into question because he failed the Sphinx s mind-game. Oedipus saids, â€Å"This tricksy beggar-priest, for gain alone Keen-eyed,Show MoreRelatedOedipus Rex : A Tragic Hero945 Words   |  4 Pagesfates. In the case of Oedipus Rex Fate drove him into a downfall. Oedipus Rex is a part of the great Sophoclean play, written by Sophocles. Sophocles’ write this story to portray a tragic hero, using character flaws to explain his downfall. Oedipus is a perfect tragic hero because his whirlwind of a life force the audience to admire him in the beginning of the story as a privilege young man and also pity him a he falls into a crushing downfall. Sophocles intentionally gave Oedipus certain flaws becauseRead MoreOedipus Rex : The Tragic Hero735 Words   |  3 Pagesa tragedy a hero must possess a tragic flaw that leads to his or her ruin. An example that backs up this argument is Sophocles’s tragedian play, Oedipus Rex, in which its protagonist was a victim of such fatal flaws that caused ruination in his life. In this case, Oedipus tragic flaws were both his anger and his pride. Furthermore, the fate that Oedipus suffered because of such flaws not only caused his downfall, but also the death of those he cherished. The tragic flaws that Oedipus possessed madeRead MoreOedipus Rex: Classic Tragic Hero921 Words   |  4 PagesIn the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus is a classic tragic hero. According to Aristotles definition, Oedipus is a tragic hero because he is a king whose life falls apart when he finds out his life story. There are a number of characteristics described by Aristotle that identify a tragic hero. For example, a tragic hero must cause his own downfall; his fate is not deserved, and his punishment exceeds the crime; he also must be of noble stature and have greatness. Oedipus is in love with hisRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Sophocles Oedipus Rex972 Words   |  4 Pagesread across the world in modern-day. Oedipus Rex, a standout amongst the popular tragedies, is written by Sophocles. Within every tragedy play, one character takes the role of a grievous or tragic hero. As stated by Aristotle, certain attributes characterize a deplorable legend or a tragic hero. In Oedipus Rex, the fundamental character, Oedipus, carries imperfections as well as inevitable fate much like a tragic hero. 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The reasoning behind this concept is simple to understand. Were there to be a completely virtuous hero with no flaws, no hamartia, as Aristotle describes it, there would be no sense of catharsis or enjoyment at watching horrible events afflictRead MoreAnalysis of Oedipus As an Aristotelian Tragic Hero in Sophocles Oedipus Rex1799 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Oedipus as an Aristotelian tragic hero Although one might be inclined to express uncertainty concerning the role of Sophocles Oedipus as a tragic hero (when regarding matters from a general point of view), the character perfectly fits Aristotles definition of a tragic hero. The protagonist in Oedipus Rex is noble and can be appreciated for his greatness, considering that he embodies a series of virtuous attributes. Even with this, he is not perfect and thus makes it possible for readers toRead More tragoed Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex) as Ideal Tragic Hero1245 Words   |  5 PagesOedipus Rex as the Ideal Tragic Hero If we give ourselves up to a full sympathy with the hero, there is no question that the Oedipus Rex fulfills the function of a tragedy, and arouses fear and pity in the highest degree. But the modern reader, coming to the classic drama not entirely for the purpose of enjoyment, will not always surrender himself to the emotional effect. He is apt to worry about Greek fatalism and the justice of the downfall of Oedipus, and, finding no satisfactory solutionRead MoreEssay on Pride and the Tragic Hero in Oedipus Rex and Othello1217 Words   |  5 PagesPride and the Tragic Hero in Oedipus Rex and Othello   Ã‚  Ã‚   Pride is one of the seven deadly sins. Most proud people will never consider themselves to be truly proud until they come face to face with the consequences of their pride. Sophocles and Shakespeare both address this dilemma in their plays Oedipus Rex and Othello. Through their nobility, their tragic flaws, the fall these flaws cause, and the suffering and wisdom they derive from these falls, Oedipus and Othello reveal the true characterRead MoreSophocles Oedipus Rex: The Epic and Tragic Hero in Myth and Culture2021 Words   |  8 PagesOutline- Background to story and structure Thesis the hero as both epic and tragic Oedipus Rex Theme and Plot The Epic and Tragic Hero in Myth and Culture How myth is ingrained, purpose Oedipus as a tragic Hero Formation of myth and commonalities with the everyman Aristotelian definition of hero Conclusions How Aristotles definition fits Oedipus Background- Within the rubric of the human experience we can find a number of commonalities that relate to psychology, culture, and the manner

Acid Rain (781 words) Essay Example For Students

Acid Rain (781 words) Essay Acid RainFor years ever since most of the world has been industrialized, the effects ofpollution have plagued nations alike. Acid rain is one of the largestcontributors to this industrialized form of pollution. Throughout this report anexplanation of the devastating effects to the environment caused by acid rainwill be given along with what is being done to stop it. Acid rain is made whenpollutants arise from the use of coal in the production of electricity, frombase- metal smelting and from fuel combustion in vehicles. Once the sulfur andnitrogen oxides from these man made causes are released into the air they arecaught by wind currents and are blown hundreds of miles away. The gas pollutantsdrift along with clouds until the rain eventually converts the sulfuric dioxideinto sulfuric acid, and the nitrogen oxide into nitric acid. The newlytransformed acid rain, acid snow or fog, falls to the earth where the effects onaquatic habitats, humans, animals, trees, crops, and other forms of plant lifeare devastating. When acid rain comes in contact with aquatic ecosystems thechemistry of the effects can be extremely complex. If one species or group ofspecies changes or dies out in response to the acid rain, then the whole entirebody of water, especially in lakes, is affected through the predator- preyrelationship of the food web. In some places where the acid deposition falls,natural substances absorb and neutralize the acid but in most places they buildup and the water becomes as sour as lemon juice. In these instances the chanceof a food web being disrupted are more likely to happen. When the acidity of thewater is around the ph level of 6.0 fish cannot lay eggs. When they cantreproduce and the acidity level grows then the fish out, and when in lakes areextremely difficult to be replaced. Around this acidity level plants also dieout and are poisoned. Insects no longer have a food source and soon they aregone. The water fowl and other birds in the area that fed on fi sh and insects nolonger have a food source and they are the next to go. As the whole entire foodweb come toppling down the aquatic ecosystems become quiet; quiet as a grave. Acid rain also effects crops and other plant life. Surprisingly though acid raincan actually help out some crops such as strawberries, corn, and tomatoes. Othercrops like soybeans can be affected for the worse. When they are watered withacid rain the size and number of the seeds and pods on the plants can cut inhalf or be totally wiped out. The effects on other terrestrial plant life can bealso very destructive. It accelerates soil weathering and removal of nutrientsalong with slowing down or stopping plant germination or reproduction. The waxysurface protecting the plants leaves can be altered, drastically lowering theplants disease resistance. Also toxic elements such as aluminum can be made moresoluble making the uptake of nutrients of plants much more difficult. Many ofthe trees throughout the world are also greatly affected. In the green mountainsof Vermont, some scientists think that as much as thirty percent of forests havedied in the past twenty years because acid rain. Anoth er large study has beenconducted in Northern Europe. In 1984, for example, reports said that more thanhalf of the trees in Germanys Black Forests had been severely damaged by acidrain. Acid rain has also struck, in a major way, the northeastern past of theU.S. and Canada. Besides for destroying most of our crops, acid rain effectshumans in many other ways. The air we breathe, when coming in contact with aciddeposition, can pollute our lungs as well as the water we drink. What is reallybeing done to stop this killer? Industrial emissions have been mainly to blamefor the acid rain. To start, industries first took it upon themselves to startfurther studies on the problem, and because of the cost of pollution ourgovernment began to support them. In 1988 the U.S. , along with 24 othernations, made a protocol, freezing the rate of nitrogen oxide emissions, as partof United Nations- Sponsored long-range Transboundry Air Pollution Agreement. .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb , .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb .postImageUrl , .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb , .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb:hover , .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb:visited , .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb:active { border:0!important; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb:active , .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u0486adc5348bed21e366ae231285fecb:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Rosa Parks EssayThe 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act of 1967 put in place regulations toreduce the release of sulfur dioxide from power plants to 10 million tons peryear by January 1, 2000. With our present and future efforts to make our plantlife, aquatic ecosystems, and humans safe from this killer, we will hopefullyfind a way to control or diminish acid rain. BibliographyAcid Rain. Effects on Trees and Soils. Downloaded from America Online. Thursday, February 4, 1999. Acid Rain. Environment Canada. Downloaded fromAmerica Online. 1994-1999. Acid Rain. Microsoft Encarta 96 Encyclopedia. Microsoft Corporation. 1993-1995. Woods, Harold. Acid Rain. Pollution. United States: Geraldine and Harold Woods, 1985.

Power Plants Role in Escalating Global Warming

Introduction The world has evolved unprecedentedly with each successive decade witnessing massive transformations including rapid industrial growth. Agricultural activities during the Agrarian Revolution had little impact on the climate as compares to the innovations of the modern world. Since the advent of the Industrial Revolution, human beings and their activities have resulted in massive gas emissions, including poisonous emissions.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Power Plants Role in Escalating Global Warming specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Environmental reports and scientific studies on atmospheric gases have increasingly indicated that the levels of the harmful gas emissions are on a constant rise. The European Fourth Assessment Report concluded by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) extrapolates a 70% rise in global greenhouse and power plant emissions due to human activities from 1970 to 2004 (Pachauri, Reisinger, 2007). Since the world needs these developments to enhance economic growth, the serious implications of greenhouse gas emissions have wrongly remained underplayed or frequently ignored (Bartnik, 2013). Prevailing scientific evidence suggests that these atmospheric changes are the causal factors in many disastrous occurrences in modern days. Rising sea levels, food shortages, presence of harsh weather changes, rigorous water shortage,s, loss of important tropical forests, and changing patterns of diseases are just, but a few consequences of climatic change occasioned by harmful gas emissions (Pachauri Reisinger, 2007). Also, most experts in the modern scientific studies project that the next few decades may undergo potentially high levels of dangerous atmospheric changes. Problem statement The advent of erratic climatic conditions occasioned by careless human activities in the recent past continues to elicit ambivalent reactions and controversies, with no one willing to take responsibility for the consequences. While the modern environmentalists rightly identify global warming as one of the gravest threats to the environment, its perpetrators have refused to be accountable for their deeds. Although apportioning blame may seem wrong, scientific evidence strongly suggests that carbon emissions, especially from the fumes produced by power plants or energy companies, are largely responsible for these climatic changes (Pachauri Reisinger, 2007). Global temperatures are currently beyond initial expectations and are escalating even further to surpass earlier scientific predictions (Bartnik, 2013). Past efforts to address gas emissions have prompted mixed reactions with some energy companies unwilling to cooperate and declining to desist from their harmful business practices. Against this background, this study explores the global warming scourge in terms of the role played by power plants in aggravating it, its adverse effects, and the possible solutions.Advertising Looking for report on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Expected research impacts This study is expected to give a clear-cut picture of the current levels of incidence of global warming. It shall highlight the extent to which global warming is caused by power plants and delineate the consequences it has had on the world as well as the potential dangers it poses to the world. The study is anticipated to give an insight into the reasons behind the unwillingness by the perpetrators of global warming to adopt measures that have been outlined by experts as the possible solutions such as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technologies to mitigate global warming and by extension, its adverse effects. Methodology and Resources This study is entirely based on secondary data due to the enormous nature of environmental issues. Environmental reports released by environmental organizations, w ebsites and databases maintained by such organizations form the main sources of data for the study. Scientific studies carried out by environmental experts shall also provide vital input for the success of this study. Further, any other material that is relevant to the topic of study shall be incorporated to help achieve the overall goal of the study. The use of secondary data and resources for this study is considered appropriate due to the view that it allows the researcher to fuse the findings of several studies, which in most cases are resource intensive, to come up with a clear concept of the problem at hand (Boslaugh, 2007). It also allows the study to access a wide scope of relevant data because it is already available. To cap it all, when using secondary data, an individual researcher needs not to worry about the expertise that may be required to collect primary data (Boslaugh, 2007). However, with all these benefits also come some limitations that are typical of secondary d ata based studies. The researcher may face challenges in fashioning the available data to suit the purpose of his/her study because the data was collected to answer a different research question (Boslaugh, 2007).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Power Plants Role in Escalating Global Warming specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Additionally, the data may not be relevant to the geographic region that the current study is examining. Further, a primary researcher may withhold some vital details about published data, thus making it inaccessible to the secondary researcher. Results and Discussion Findings Bartnik (2013) posts, â€Å"Global warming poses one of the most serious threats to the global environment ever faced in human history† (p. 71). It is caused by the ‘greenhouse effect,’ which is instigated by the presence of certain gases (commonly called greenhouse gases) in the atmosphere (Stewart, 2011). The ‘greenhouse effect’ is used to denote the retention of heat by the earth’s lower atmosphere courtesy of the greenhouse gases. Atmospheric heating occurs when greenhouse gases absorb (trap) the sun’s radiations, retain, and release them to the earth’s surface as well as the ocean surfaces (Stewart, 2011). Therefore, the exponential rise in quantities of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has led to relatively higher atmospheric temperatures the world over. These heightened atmospheric temperatures constitute what is called global warming. The greenhouse gases responsible for the greenhouse effect include carbon dioxide (CO2) (major contributor), methane, halocarbons, nitrous oxide, and ozone (Stewart, 2011). The prevalence of these gases in the atmosphere varies, but CO2, which is of interest to this study, currently stands 400 ppm up from about 170 ppm in the 1800s (Stewart, 2011). Methane has also increased from 0.75 ppm to 1.75 over th e same period, while nitrous oxide has increased from 275 ppb to 310 ppb (Stewart, 2011). Carbon dioxide is of particular interest to this study because it accounts for up to 60% of the greenhouse effect and is the major emission from power plants (Pachauri Reisinger, 2007). The causes of global warming boil down to the sources of greenhouse emissions. In this respect, power plants emerged as major contributors to the escalation of atmospheric carbon dioxide because, in their operation, they release substantial amounts of the gas into the atmosphere. In 2012, in the US, which is one of the highest greenhouse emitters cross the world, power plants accounted for about 40% of the total CO2 emissions and 67% of the total emissions released into the atmosphere (Environmental Protection Agency, 2013). With the US as an example, it becomes apparent that traditional power plants are largely responsible for greenhouse gas emissions and consequently, global warming.Advertising Looking for report on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, it was established that by using Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technologies, the emission CO2 could be dramatically reduced. In effect, global warming can be mitigated because CHP technology, which is also known as cogeneration, allows for the generation of electric power and using the excess heat from the process to produce additional energy or serve other purposes like heating and so on rather than letting it dissipate into the atmosphere (Doukelis Kakaras, 2011). In this respect, CHP technology leads to energy efficiency that can tremendously reduce CO2 and help in countering the adverse effects of global warming instigated by power plants. The US has endeavored to adopt this technology. In 1936, New Jersey’s first CHP power plant was built in Parlin (Doukelis Kakaras, 2011). Over the years, similar plants have proliferated across the US with notable examples including the â€Å"Linden Cogeneration Plant, the BMW Manufacturing Plant in Spartanburg, South Caroli na, and Duke Energy’s several projects, which espouse the idea of clean energy technology† (Doukelis Kakaras, 2011). These plants have proved to be very good contributors in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The BMW Plant, for instance, is designed to produce only 11 MW of electricity, but by doing so, it saves between $5 and $7 million annually in terms of energy costs and reduces annual carbon emissions by up to 92,000 tons (Doukelis Kakaras, 2011). Similar projects such as Harrah’s Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas saves up to $750,000 annually in terms of energy costs; similarly, Adkins Energy saves up to $900,000 courtesy of a 5 MW CHP system it installed in 2002 (Doukelis Kakaras, 2011). Duke Energy, through the adoption of clean energy technology, reduced its CO2 by 21% since 2005 (Doukelis Kakaras, 2011). Therefore, it is imperative to adopt these environmentally friendly technologies because the world has already witnessed disa strous calamities occasioned by erratic weather patterns that are attributable to global warming. Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the state of New Orleans in 2005 causing close to 2,000 deaths and an extrapolated $100 billion in damages (Brinkley, 2007) is just a single example of the ravages of global warming. Europe has recorded growing rates of excess heat-related mortality in recent years as well as anomalous patterns in infectious disease vectors (Pachauri Reisinger, 2007). Other adverse effects have been attributed to climatic changes, which are linked to global warmings, such as widespread extinctions of species across the world, among others (Pachauri Reisinger, 2007). Global warming is detrimental to the well being of the world and needs to be mitigated at all costs. Discussion The global warming scourge is one that continues to defy the concerted efforts of environmental activists to rally concerned stakeholders in mitigating it, and thus it re, mains a major global concern. This unwillingness to join the fight against global warming wholeheartedly seems to stem from the idea that it emerges from human activities, which the human race cannot afford. Power plants, which are the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, provide the vital energy needed by industries. The human race cannot do without industries today; rather, it can adopt technologies such as CHP, which have the potential of reducing the quantities of greenhouse gas emissions. It should be noted that in the wake of the Industrial Revolution (the 1800s) the levels of CO2 were at their least levels (170 ppm), which were adequate to insulate the atmosphere against extreme temperatures (Stewart, 2011). At the time, erratic climatic patterns were not a common phenomenon as they are today. Therefore, it is arguable that the proliferation of industries the world over is largely responsible for global warming and its adverse effects. Although it is true tha t the world cannot do without its industries, the grave nature of the consequences of global warming makes neglecting it a worse option. If energy efficient technology had been adopted, for instance in th,e 1950s, it would have taken longer for the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to reach the current levels. According to Bartnik (2013), in May 2013, levels of CO2 above 400 ppm were recorded in Hawaii. What makes this the serious problem is that CO2 takes up to 100 years or more in the atmosphere and during this time, it continues to cause the greenhouse effect, which increases as more emissions reach the atmosphere. A proactive, rather than reactive approach is the best way to deal with this massive problem. It was supposed to have been addressed earlier because experts warned before 2007 that if the problems stayed unaddressed until 2012, it would be too late (Pachauri Reisinger, 2007). Now since these forecasted grave outcomes of the 2007 warnings have materi alized, the world must be prepared to face the consequences of its past environmental atrocities even as it attempts to curb further damage. Conclusion and Recommendations Conclusion Philosophy, which many have learned to use as the basis to guide their actions and thinking, was supposed to have guided the actions of countries across the world as well. The philosophical adage holds that every action has a consequence. If this line of argument is to be followed, the fate that awaits the world due to the activities of man in the last fifty years is dire. The issue is aggravated by the view that for global warming, once the damage is done, the consequences can last up to 100 years or more. Therefore, if corrective measures are taken today, it will take very long to start realizing the positive results. However, in this state, a proactive approach to addressing global warming is still the best way to go. There are new technologies, which can drive the fight to bring down global temperat ures to unprecedented levels if adopted. Moreover, this fight is important because global warming is dangerous, yet the negligence witnessed so far only serves to exacerbate it. Recommendations Global warming is rightly dangerous as noted by many experts, and thus, it is necessary to mitigate it and more importantly so today than ever before. In this respect, the following recommendations are derived from the study. A global organization with severe punitive abilities should be established to give countries the motivation they need to observe acceptable levels of greenhouse gas emissions by adopting technologies such as CHP. Alongside the punitive measures, endearing incentives need to put in place for those counties that stay within acceptable levels of greenhouse gas emissions. References Bartnik, R. (2013). The Modernization Potential of Gas Turbines in the Coal-Fired Power  Industry. London, UK: Springer. Boslaugh, S. (2007). Secondary Data Sources for Public Health. Cambridge , UK: Cambridge University Press. Brinkley, D. (2007). The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. New York, NY: Harper Perennial. Doukelis, A. Kakaras, E. (2011). The Integration of Micro-CHP and Biofuels for Decentralized CHP Applications. In G. Panagiotis (Ed.), Solid Biofuels for Energy: A Lower Greenhouse Gas Alternative (pp. 177-195). London, UK: Springer. Environmental Protection Agency. (2013). Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program: GHG 2012: Reported Data. Web. Pachauri, T., Reisinger, A. (2007). Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report. Geneva, Switzerland: IPCC. Stewart, W. (2011). Climate of Uncertainty: A Balanced Look at Global Warming and Renewable Energy. Florida, FL: Ocean View Publishing LLC. This report on Power Plants Role in Escalating Global Warming was written and submitted by user Luna Battle to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. 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