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

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
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
Environmental policy is a highly contentious issue with unlimited constraining factors to contend with. Environmental issues continue to grapple with economic imperatives for policy superiority. This paper examines how the options available for managing environmental resources tend to volley between increasing regulatory frameworks or adopting a market based approach. The two options are explored along with examples of success or failure.

From the Paper
"Perhaps the most famous instance of using taxes to combat environmental problems is the case of The Tragedy of the Commons. Believing that pollution was the result of over population Garrett Hardin (1968) proposed a market response to rectify the problem whereby The Tragedy of the Commons could only be avoided by enforcing laws or taxes that would hold the commons accountable for their own actions. The primary goal was to make the treatment of pollutants cheaper than the mere disposal of them, at the heart of this was the notion of private property which in theory was supposed to deter people from damaging their own property by over grazing. In practice however Hardin's (1968) theory in his own words tends to 'favour pollution'. "

Tags:commons, conservation, decentralisation, framework, instruments, pays, regulatory, taxes

Abstract
This paper is a field study that presents the resource management for Lake Wivenhoe, a set of procedures established to maintain Lake Wivenhoe's quality at an acceptably high level, its certainty being guaranteed and its lifespan indefinite, if all appropriate decisions are made. This report investigates the theme of sustainable resource management and the implications that could occur if certain actions are not taken. The author states that the data came from local sources and field observation. Includes an attractive presentation and graphs.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Data Collection
Data Presentation and Analysis
Rural Management
Grazing
Trees
Runoff
Agriculture
Education of Framers
Monitoring
Wildlife
Fencing
Recreational Management
Fishing
Boating
Camping
Picnicking
Education
Publications
Commercial and Industrial Management
SEQ Water Board control
Hydroelectric Power
Scientific Management
Seismology
Water Quality
Rainfall and Runoff Monitoring
Flood Mitigation
Findings
Rural Management
Recreational Management
Commercial and Industrial Management
Scientific Management
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The SEQ water Board is the corporation that is in control of managing Lake Wivenhoe and its surrounding lakes. The Water Board has had over 15 years' experience running the lake at the highest standard possible. It is a stable corporation that that can control its own finances without any political interference. Also, it has always followed the guidelines set up by the government on water quality. The SEQ Water Board receives no government funding and is therefore responsible for its own financial state."

Tags:australia, geography, management, sustainable

Abstract
This essay discusses the history, geography and ecology of the introduction of the European rabbit into Australia. Special focus on eradication techniques and a discussion on whether the complete eradication of rabbits from Australia is feasible.

Contents:
Introduction and subsequent spread
Implications of invasion
Previous attempts for control
The future
Is eradication feasible?

From the Paper
"Although European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were first introduced into Australia with the arrival of the First Fleet, they did not become feral until an English settler by the name of Thomas Austin introduced 24 rabbits on to his homestead near Geelong in 1858 (EPA, 1999). It is difficult to exactly quantify the rate of spread of European rabbits, since liberation occurred independently in Victoria, South Australia and northern New South Wales, however figure 1 shows a plausible suggestion as to the progressive distribution of rabbit populations in Australia over time (AGPL, 1996)."

Tags:calicivirus, cuniculus, eradication, haemmorhagic, introduced, myxomatosis, oryctolagus, rhd, species

Abstract
There are numerous constraining factors that burden the process of forming an effective environmental policy in Australia. This paper discusses how clashing values and ideas prevent the formulation and implementation of coherent environmental policy in Australia. It looks at how Australia's over-reliance on a resource-based economy, federalist framework and failing policy processes often converge to create conjecture in the environmental arena. The conclusion is a brief summary, which reflects that the conflict and ambiguity plaguing environmental policy in Australia is the direct result of a confusion of ideas.

From the Paper
"A quick review of environmental policy in Australia reveals the extent of confusion surrounding the issue, this confusion can be partially attributed to Australia's dependence on and sometimes exploitation of its natural resources to generate revenue (Eckersley, 1996:89). This utilitarian trend began with European settlement and originated from the developmentalist approach to land management (Walker, 1999:24-5). An approach that fails to recognise the value of nature beyond that which is appropriate for development such as mining, logging and other economically productive practices (Aplin, 1998:173). Developmentalism comes at an immense cost to the environment; large portions of Australia's woodlands and forests have already been destroyed in the relentless pursuit of economic growth. "

Tags:bio, cycle, devolution, diversity, economic, federalism, natural, policy, rationalism, resources

Abstract
A look at conflict over the scarcity of natural resources. The author investigates the conflict over: the degradation of fossil fuels, forests and agricultural land as well as pollution of fresh water and depletion of fisheries. The author argues that scarcity of these will lead to environmental stress and increased economic deprivation leading to social turmoil and conflict, both inter and intra-state.

From the Paper
"The debate over whether environmental scarcity is a crucial factor in conflict and therefore worth paying close attention to in what is perceived as a world of diminishing resources is contentious. In many respects it seems logical to conclude that since so many wars in history have had economic causes then something like the scarcity of natural resources would in all likelihood be a source of conflict in the 21st Century."

Tags:water, environment, war, states, population, climate, fisheries, degradation, depletion, scarce