Text Production (Draft 2)

What are the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change and how can they be arrested?

Global warming is no longer a future fear, instead it is happening now. (Riebeek, 2007) With some countries like China and India which are developing at an increasing speed, there is a big boost in the number of factories and vehicles. Billions of tons of greenhouse gases, namely carbon dioxide, are emitted into the atmosphere, causing the thermal radiation to be trapped in the earth. Thus, the earth has warmed and climate change occurs. Unequivocally, there will be potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change like rising of sea levels, frequent happening of natural disasters and disorder of the balanced ecosystems but people can cut down the carbon dioxide emissions to arrest those problems.

One of the effects of global warming is the sea-level rise. It happens when the oceans get warmed up and the water expands. The melting of mountain glaciers and ice sheets has also contributed to the rise. According to Riebeek (2007), the rising sea levels will erode coasts and cause more frequent coastal flooding. This is a great threat for people who live in coastal areas less than 10 meters above sea level, for instance in Florida, California or Bangladesh. Although the sea levels are only rising 3cm per decade, it is massive enough to let the houses disappear underwater.

Another effect of global warming is that natural disasters will happen more frequently. Examples of those disasters included destructive storms, flash floods, widespread droughts, hurricanes and tornadoes. When the ocean gets warmer, it causes stronger storms. As the water temperature increases, the wind velocity increases and the moisture content increases. (Gore, 2007) Thus, Hurricanes Katrina formed in Florida at 2005. The consequences are pernicious. People are losing their properties, family and friends. Besides, heat wave also happened in Europe at 2003 which caused an estimated death of 35,000 people. In short, scientists expect that the erratic weather patterns will lead to more sufferings of people in earth.

Furthermore, global warming also affects our balanced ecosystems. Plants and animals grow well in the balanced four seasons. However, global warming leads to the earlier coming of spring and later of fall. Animals need to migrate earlier and plants need more water to withstand the longer growing season. If the temperature keeps on getting higher, the animals and plants which cannot adapt will face extinction. On the other hand, global warming also melts the ice sheets. The polar bears, which depend on the ice, will soon face extinction too. In short, global warming is putting pressure on ecosystems. (Riebeek, 2007)

In order to reduce global warming, people should lessen the emissions of carbon dioxide. There are many ways that an individual can do. For example, buy energy efficient appliances and lamps that reduce energy for heating. It is also better to walk, use bicycle, public bus or hybrid car to travel from one place to another. (Woodford, 2006) People should also switch to renewable sources of energy instead of fossil fuels which would emit large amount of carbon dioxide. Besides, use less electronic appliances to save energy. Open the window instead of turning on the air-conditional. In other words, every individual can help to cut down carbon dioxide emissions by small practices.

In conclusion, global warming in terms of climate change has devastating potential effects and they must be arrested. It will lead to sea-level rise, frequent happening of natural disaster and disorder of the balanced ecosystems. Reducing the carbon emissions will help to solve the problems. In fact global warming has been happening many years ago and most importantly it is irreversible. It is a good thing that we have the awareness of reducing global warming. However, in the meantime, we should adapt the climate change that happens. (Carter, 2008)

Text Production (Draft 1)

What are the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change and how can they be arrested?

Global warming is no longer a future fear, instead it is happening now. With some countries like China and India which are developing at an increasing speed, there is a big boost in the number of factories and vehicles. Billions of tons of greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere, causing the thermal radiation to be trapped in the earth. Thus, the earth has warmed and climate change occurs. Unequivocally, there will be potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change like rising of sea levels, frequent happening of natural disasters and affecting the balanced ecosystems but people can cut down the carbon dioxide emissions to arrest those problems.

One of the effects of global warming is the sea-level rise. It happens when the oceans get warmed up and the water expands. The melting of mountain glaciers and ice sheets has also contributed to the rise. According to Holli Riebeek (2007), the rising sea levels will erode coasts and cause more frequent coastal flooding. This is a great threat for people who live in coastal areas less than 10 meters above sea level, for instance in Florida, California or Bangladesh. Although the sea levels are only rising 3cm per decade, it is massive enough to let the houses disappear underwater.

Another effect of global warming is that natural disasters will happen more frequently. Examples of those disasters included destructive storms, flash floods, widespread droughts, hurricanes and tornadoes. When the ocean gets warmer, it causes stronger storms. As the water temperature increases, the wind velocity increases and the moisture content increases. (Al Gore, 2007) Thus, Hurricanes Katrina formed in Florida at 2005. The consequences are pernicious. People are losing their properties, family and friends. Besides, heat wave also happened in Europe at 2003 which caused an estimated death of 35,000 people. In short, scientists expect that the erratic weather patterns will lead to more sufferings of people in earth.

Furthermore, global warming also affects our balanced ecosystems. Plants and animals grow well in the balanced four seasons. However, global warming leads to the earlier coming of spring and later of fall. Animals need to migrate earlier and plants need more water to withstand the longer growing season. If the temperature keeps on getting higher, the animals and plants which cannot adapt will face extinction. On the other hand, global warming also melts the ice sheets. The polar bears, which depend on the ice, will soon face extinction too. In short, global warming is putting pressure on ecosystems. (Holli Riebeek, 2007)

In order to reduce global warming, people should lessen the emissions of carbon dioxide. There are many ways that an individual can do. For example, buy energy efficient appliances and lamps that reduce energy for heating. It is also better to walk, use bicycle, public bus or hybrid car to travel from one place to another. People should also switch to renewable sources of energy instead of fossil fuels which would emit large amount of carbon dioxide. Besides, use less electronic appliances to save energy. Open the window instead of turning on the air-conditional. In other words, every individual can help to cut down carbon dioxide emissions by small practices.

In conclusion, global warming in terms of climate change has devastating potential effects and they must be arrested. It will lead to sea-level rise, frequent happening of natural disaster and affect the balanced ecosystems. Reducing the carbon emissions will help to solve the problems. Actually global warming has been happening many years ago and most importantly it is irreversible. It is a good thing that we have the awareness of reducing global warming. However, in the meantime, we should adapt the climate change that happens. (Bob Carter, 2008)

WTF Aussie News (Weird True Freaky) -- A wrong Song to play

Teen Nathan Wilkie arrested for playing 'offensive' rap music from car


A TEEN has been arrested for listening to what police deem offensive rap music.

In what could be a legal test case, 19-year-old Nathan Michael Wilkie faces a charge of offensive behaviour after police arrested him when he was listening to music by underground rapper Kid Selzy on his car stereo, the Herald Sun reports.

Mr Wilkie was parked outside a Timboon supermarket, waiting for his mother, when he was arrested.

The Warrnambool Magistrates' Court heard he was listening to lyrics such as "shut your f------ mouth bitch, f------ motherf-----".

The court was told the arresting officers found the music offensive and derogatory to females.

Mr Wilkie allegedly told officers: "You're a joke, go do some real police work."

The teenager is believed to be the first person charged under Australian law with offensive behaviour for listening to music.

Through his lawyer, Amanda Chambers, Mr Wilkie plans to plead not guilty when his case continues on June 11.

Mr Wilkie said he was thankful to have the support of Kid Selzy, who plans to attend in June.

"I am grateful to have Kid Selzy's support as this charge is a reflection on his music, that is not supposed to be offensive in any way," Mr Wilkie wrote.

"As Selzy said, 'I know what I mean and the people who buy it know what I mean, and that's what really matters'.

"He also mentioned 'if you read my lyrics, it's just my opinion'.

"And from what I believe, everyone has the right to their own opinion.

"I have lost two of my best mates in the last couple of years in tragic circumstances and I feel that listening to his music relates to life."

Kid Selzy, who gave his real name only as Jack, said he was astounded at the arrest.

"It's a joke that some kid's been arrested for doing something that's not illegal," he said.

"It's not illegal to have your windows down or to buy a CD. It seems to be a waste of taxpayers' dollars.

"If profanity's not your thing, don't listen."

The rapper said the case first came to his attention when Mr Wilkie's mother, Carolyn Wilkie, posted a message on his MySpace page.

"My son bought your CD ... from JB Hi-Fi and was playing it in his car," the message reads.

"Unfortunately he saw me (his mum) coming out of the local supermarket with shopping bags and left his car running and music playing to help me with my bags and the local cops pulled in.

"They stuck their head in his half-open window and were very offended by the lyrics of your CD.

"The end result is he has been served a summons for offensive behaviour for playing your CD, which they said was too loud and the lyrics offensive, especially to women."

Police are expected to play Kid Selzy's latest album, The Creepshow, at the next hearing.

Critique:

It's indeed the most special news I'd read so far. It can't be denied that the increasing number of "Rapper" in the recent music industry like Jay-Z and Eminem had influence the teens' preference for music. Usually the content of rapping is quite offensive to the country and certain gender but all of those are only the own opinions of the song writer. However, if the song has caused hard feelings to the others and penalization need to be taken, the song writer should be the one who is sued, not the public who play their songs. It sound a bit weird and funny to arrest a teen who play a rap song in his car.

Aussie News -- Sydney for settling down?

Sydney the city of broken dreams as mortgage stress mounts

SYDNEY is still the toughest town in which to buy a house after a jump of more than 25 per cent in home loan repayments, the latest housing affordability survey found.

The pressure came from higher prices, a rise in interest rates and the winding down of the Government's first homebuyers' grants.

And it is unlikely to get easier as demand is tipped to overtake supply for the next four decades and interest rates rise over the rest of the year.

The Housing Industry Association calculated NSW would have to build more than 40,000 houses a year if the state's population was to reach its forecast population level of 10.5 million by 2050.

The HIA reported yesterday that mortgage repayments in Sydney rose by $627 in the three months of the December quarter. This related to the cost to average income earners of making a typical first home purchase.

It found that repayments went from $2413 a month in the September quarter to $3040 a month in the December quarter.

And Sydney was easily the lowest rating on the HIA's affordability index, falling from 127.4 points in September to 99 points in December. By comparison, Melbourne's affordability index was 115.6, Brisbane's 107.3, Perth 110.5, Adelaide 134.2 and Hobart 134.

Canberra had the closest affordability rating to Sydney's - 104.6 points - and an average repayment level of $2875 a month.

HIA's NSW executive director Graham Wolfe said slow construction, which was not keeping up with demand, meant "house prices and rents are expected to continue pushing upwards through 2010".

"Prior to the December quarter, first home buyers had a small window of favourable affordability conditions to enter the market," Mr Wolfe said.

"This window is now closing, with affordability retreating to early 2008 levels when interest rates were significantly higher."

Opposition parliamentary secretary for housing Gary Humphries said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his Government must explain why 2010 had become the year of housing unaffordability.

"When Kevin Rudd described the issue of housing affordability in 2007 as the 'ultimate barbecue stopper' Mr Rudd was clearly angling for political capital," he said. "When he got into Government, we have witnessed the number of homeless rise, private rental costs rise, interest rates go up and now housing affordability plummet."

Labor backbencher Kelvin Thomson said population growth was to blame for the spike in housing prices.

"Runaway population growth is damaging our young people's chances of buying a home," Mr Thomson said.

Critique: The raising demand for housing estates in Sydney but limited to scarce resources have lead to shortage and the rising price of houses. This problem has not only occurred in Sydney, but also in other cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and New York. The common characteristic of these cities is having a very concentrated population. Thus, what can be done to ease this situation? Government can provide subsidies for the housing estate agents to lower the price of houses. Besides, more jobs should be introduced to reduce the rate of unemployment and hence increase the people's affordability to buy a house.
p/s: Sorry that the critique might sound a bit ECON as there are full of economics terms and it's an business news too. However, i'll be glad if you can reply in a more econ way. =D

Aussie News -- Queensland: Waiting for floods

Towns wait grimly as floodwaters wind their way through the bush

ST GEORGE residents breathed a collective sigh of relief last night as the Balonne River peaked about 13.5m, sparing the town from major devastation.

Twenty-four homes were flooded and 40 families remained at the evacuation centre.

But while the threat eased in St George – after fears water levels would exceed 14m – more outback towns were warned to prepare for flooding this week.

Floodwaters are continuing to head for Cunnamulla, 825km west of Brisbane.

The western Queensland community remains on 24-hour flood watch as the Warrego River continues to rise. It was 9.95m at the Cunnamulla Bridge at 6am today and is continuing to rise.

It is only a matter of hours before water floods the bridge.

A temporary levee bank has been created across the eastern end of the bridge and will be blocked off once the bridge is flooded.

Theodore, in central Queensland, and Hungerford, Eulo and Dirranbandi, in the state's southwest, could be swamped today, as water from swollen rivers continues downstream.

Authorities warned that Theodore could be inundated by floodwater levels not seen since 1983, with the local river expected to peak around 13.2m.

Evacuation centres have been established at the Theodore State School and Theodore Hotel in preparation for the flood's arrival.

Downstream from St George, residents of Hungerford, Eulo and Dirranbandi were warned to prepare for several days of isolation.

The Paroo River is expected to peak about 6m today, isolating the small township of Eulo, west of Cunnamulla.

Darcy Washington is one of many incredible stories of luck and survival coming from the region, having to spend a night in a tree after floodwaters swamped his ute last Tuesday night.

Mr Washington was 80km from St George on the Moonie Highway when his ute stalled in rising water.

"There was water gushing down from the hills and it washed me and the ute off the road. There was just no stopping her," he said.

"It was a bit scary, just like you see in movies, me trying to get out the window and the water coming in."

Mr Washington managed to scramble out a window, grabbed a torch as he went and then grabbed hold of a tree branch.

"I had to sleep in the trees. The water was dragging me one way and the ute another."

On Wednesday morning, a farmer on a tractor organised a boat from a neighbour's property to rescue Mr Washington.

But the Hughes family of Autumnvale Station, north-east of Thargomindah, were looking at the bright side – enjoying an "island" holiday without leaving home.

The family's homestead on the 33,000ha station was surrounded by water, with only levee banks protecting them from floodwaters.

"We're all on levee watch. If it comes over the levee we'll be in a lot of trouble," Andrew Hughes, 27, said.

EMQ estimated that about 300 homes had been affected in Charleville alone, with 65 SES volunteers deployed to Charleville and a further 19 to Roma to help clean up.

Emergency Management Queensland spokesman Mike Shapland said the state was not "out of the woods" yet, with communities in 17 local government areas isolated.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the worst rainfall was over, with only scattered showers predicted for the flood-affected areas over the next two days.

But the next major problem could be a mosquito plague, with the flooding creating a massive breeding ground for the pests and sparking a mad rush for repellents.

Charleville's Murweh Shire Council will this week seek urgent assistance from Brisbane City Council to bring in heavy duty vector management equipment.

It will join with a string of southwest councils including those centred on St George, Roma, Cunnamulla and Quilpie in a pre-emptive strike against the pests.

While dengue fever is not a concern, Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest Virus are.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the Federal Government would continue to provide support to the State Government through the national disaster relief and recovery arrangements.

Premier Anna Bligh will tour St George today.

Critique:

Our mother earth needs our attention! The weather is getting unusual recently. The continuous raining weather in Queensland increases the level of floodwaters day by day. This is no joke and a serious matter as the flash flood would lead to the loss of properties and even deaths. Subsequent effects arise like the dengue fever, Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest Virus. On the other hand, another example of natural disaster that happened last couple of days was the 8.8 scale earthquake in Chile. All of these provides us enough reason to love our one and the only earth. Save our planet people.