From the Paper
"In recent years the environment has become the focus of an ongoing and seemingly never-ending controversy; a controversy that centers itself on the human exploitation of the natural world. Although the exploitation of nature has been happening for centuries, interest in the well-being of the environment only became important when the Western world, especially Americans, realized that their rate of growth, progress, and development, while affording them a better lifestyle, was at the same time causing an unhealthy and deteriorating environment in which the much needed and used resources were-rapidly disappearing or becoming unusable. "

Tags:forests, land, pollution, resources, water, wildlife

Abstract
This paper discusses the National Energy Security Act of 2001, designed to protect the energy security of the United States and reduce America's dependency on foreign oil. It provides a complete analysis of the bill itself, as well as a report on the opposition to, and support for the bill. This leads to a broader discussion of partisan politics and the political system in the United States.

Tags:american, congress, environment, law, policy, politics, public, states, united

Abstract
This paper discusses animal rights causes. The author examines issues of animal equality and speciesism, and refutes arguments made by anti-animal rights groups.

From the Paper
"Getting animals to have basic rights is still a long ways away, but every little bit counts. As the animal rights movement becomes even more mainstream in the next 10 to 20 years, the idea that animals have some sort of rights will be commonplace (future speak 56). Americans have seen this social trend in many different ways. Common ideas today, like recycling and organic foods used to be uncommon, but today there are health food stores around every corner and recycling bins in every cafeteria. Once consumers take hold of the animal rights movement it will move along at a much quicker pace. Companies that believe animal rights activism will increase their sales, will be forced to conform. The most important question to remember about animals though, as Jeremy Bentham pointed out, is not "can they reason" or "can they talk" but, can they suffer?(Ryder 39)"

Tags:animal, rights, equal, kill, legal, law, fair

Abstract
This paper discusses the different types of deforestation and their causes, and suggests various areas in which possible solutions may be found. Both tropical deforestation and dry forest clearing are addressed. Increased population growth, agribusiness, cattle ranching, and small-scale farming and wood collecting are among the reasons given for destruction of forests. Proposed solutions include a discussion of preservation policies, greater economic use of forests currently destroyed, and 'tolerant forest management'.

From the Paper
"The deforestation of vegetation has been carried out for millennia, in all parts of the world inhabited by man. But in recent decades, with the growth of "green" issues in general, great concern has been raised about deforestation and it's causes, especially in developing countries, which do not safeguard their forests in the way the west usually does. The term deforestation is vague, which makes it difficult to define, record and make comparisons. But deforestation can generally be divided into two broad categories. These are tropical deforestation (the clearing of dense rainforests, usually for agricultural purposes) and dry forest clearing (where trees are generally cut for firewood (Todaro: 1997). We shall look here at the causes of deforestation in developing countries in all it's forms, and then hopefully outline possible solutions to the apparent destruction caused to the bio-diversity of plants and animals, and environmental stability. "

Tags:country, environment, forestry, Budongo, Amazonia, logging

Abstract
This paper focuses on the passion of a writer for wilderness and its protection. Aldo Leopold, the author of 'A Sand County Almanac', was known for his love for land and he wanted to protect it from rapid industrialization. In his works, he constantly pleaded with the people of his country that land must not be destroyed as it is sacred and therefore must be respected.

Abstract
A look at the controversy surrounding the drilling of oil in Alaska. The writer presents political opposition as well as environmental concerns. On the other side, economic factors are taken into account.

From the Paper
"For some years, Congress as well as those interested in both the energy industry and the preservation of wild areas in the United States have argued whether drilling sites in Alaska should be expanded. One area of debate has been the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska."

Tags:arctic, preservation, environment, barrel, wildlife, energy

Abstract
This paper discusses how Queensland's Great Barrier Reef is an invaluable Australian region that is confronted with many threats. It focuses on two specific issues: the crown of thorns starfish (COTS) population levels and the problems associated with shipping - specifically the introduction of foreign marine species. For each issue, the nature and the history of the problem are explained, as are the management methods currently being implemented. New approaches are suggested and analyzed in light of their potential advantages and disadvantages, so that policy makers may come to the best decisions regarding the protection of this exceptional region, now and into the future.

Outline:
The Reef's Value and the Threat it Faces
Crown of Thorns Starfish: Framing the Problem
Solutions Past and Present
Looking Forward
Shipping's Importance
Species Introduction: The Flaws in the Solutions
Inhibiting Pests in the Future
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The crown of thorns starfish is a natural component of the GBR. Since COTS are consumers of coral, however, they pose a direct threat to the wellbeing of the reef. This is because their populations frequently become too large, meaning coral is consumed faster than it can grow (GBRMPA 2004). At present, the question remains as to whether outbreak frequency, intensity and range are in fact increasing (see Fig.1 and Fig. 2), possibly due to human activity (GBRMPA 2004). If so, it is likely that overall abundance and diversity of GBR corals is decreasing, a worrying prospect for the region - especially if reef recovery is also hampered by factors such as coral bleaching and poor water quality. "

Tags:crown, of, thorns, starfish, shipping

Abstract
This paper begins by providing a brief definition of coral reefs and their main characteristics. It then discusses the different ecological problems -natural and man-caused which are slowly destroying the reefs. These include eutrophication - when the algae which is in a symbiotic relationship with the coral overgrows the coral using the increased nutrient content of the water and in the process destroys the coral. It also includes over fishing, coral bleaching and tourism. The paper finally examines the various laws and acts which have been passed to try and avert this phenomenon.

From the Paper
"Coral reefs are widely known as the "rain forests of the ocean". Providing a habitat to innumerable varieties of marine species the coral reefs are an important part of the marine ecosystem. Occupying an estimated 4,00,000 square miles (0.17%) of the ocean surface the coral reefs sustain more than 25% of all marine life. [Washington College of Law]. However uncontrolled fishing, tourism and other environmentally destabilizing activities of man have seriously endangered the coral reefs. This situation is alarming considering the fact that damage to the coral ecosystem has serious implications for all the countless species that depend on it for their survival. Let us explore the ecological effects of coral reef damage and the environmental laws, which protect them in a little detail."

Tags:fishing, tourism, algae, eutrophication

Abstract
This paper examines the problem of deforestation and attempts to shows why the problem exists in the Amazon and Alaska. The paper explores several of the consequences of deforestation, and offers some viable solutions that need to be implemented in order to circumvent its repercussions.

From the Paper
"Since the advent of agriculture, farmers have cleared the land to make way for pastures, gardens, and cultivated fields. The result is that millions of acres of forests have been destroyed over the centuries. But deforestation is not just a circumstance that happened in ancient history. At the present time all around the world, the deforestation of woodlands and jungles is occurring at an alarming rate. Deforestation is leading the entire earth into a crisis situation because the loss of millions of acres of forests and woodlands is upsetting the delicate ecobalance of the planet (Garland 127). The basic argument is that if people continue the practice of destroying millions of trees each year, then the earth as a whole will suffer drastic consequences such as global warming, the greenhouse effect, the loss of plant and animal diversity, and a depletion of oxygen and ozone in the atmosphere. To be concise, our current deforestation practices are destroying the environment. The consequence is that human life on our planet is under potential threat. "

Tags:ecology, rainforest, alaska, amazon, japan, South, America, ecobalance, diversity, Peace, Corps

Abstract
The paper compares and contrasts the situation of indigenous hunting practices in the Arctic and North Queensland and discusses whether indigenous peoples should be allowed to hunt species Western scientists deem to be threatened with extinction. The aim of the paper is to show what indigenous people can teach us and how indigenous knowledge can, indeed should, be considered a valuable resource to both the local non-indigenous and scientific community.

From the Paper
"The question of the value and legitimacy of "scientific", or quantitative knowledge, over indigenous, local, or qualitative, knowledge lies at the heart of the debate over many conservation issues. Whether indigenous people should be allowed to hunt species deemed "threatened" or "endangered" is a matter of concern both locally and internationally, with both scientists and indigenous people claiming certain rights and obligations. Scientists and conservationists in the broader community claim it is within their rights to ban certain hunting practices, these rights becoming an obligation when a species is threatened with extinction, while indigenous peoples claim it is within their rights to continue their hunting traditions, and an obligation to pass such traditions on to their children."

Tags:aborigine, conservation, endagered, species, environment, eskimo, protected, whaling