The hottest global topic today is the environment. Transportation is one of the leading causes of global warming today and things must change globally to prevent catastrophe. Several countries are pushing to make significant environmental changes; Brazil, Japan, and Denmark being front-runners. Brazil has mad some remarkable changes in the automobile industry by introducing ethanol-fueled cars. One third of cars sold in Brazil today can run both on gasoline and ethanol. This allows the drivers to choose between the two, generally choosing the economical ethanol fuel. Ethanol is an alcohol that is from the sugar cane plant, which is abundant in Brazil. This idea has risen in North America, but North American ethanol is produced from corn and the carbon emissions put into growing the crop doesn’t significantly change the carbon emissions.
Several Japanese automobile manufacturers in the past few years have revolutionized the automobile industry by introducing hybrid fuel vehicles. These vehicles join a gasoline driven engine and an electric motor. These cars use the fuel-efficient gasoline engine while driving at high speeds, but when idling and driving at slow speeds the electric motor kicks switches on. The most fuel-efficient car on the roads today is the Toyota Prius. This car can cut your carbon dioxide emissions by 70 per cent. Several scientists and professionals worldwide believe that this is what’s required for the climate to stabilize by 2050. Europe is leading the charge by investing very much in the hybrid technology. They have also begun research on a compressed-air car for the future. Flannery believes that hydrogen technology is inefficient and that hybrid fuel cars are the most effective. While explaining the compressed-air car, Flannery describes a potential family in Denmark that could use their windmills to power their house and to compress the air for their cars, allowing them to have a very small environmental footprint.
Automobile pollution is noticed the most because cars are everywhere, but there are other means of transportation that are causing serious air pollution. Cargo shipping and air travel are major producers of air pollution. Cargo shipping has doubled over the past 10 year and has become a major source of air pollution. These ships run on a thick fuel that must be heated before used. It is the leftover fossil fuel from previous production. Going back to wind-powered travel could be the only way to make shipping a carbon free way of transportation. Air travel is the fastest growing source of CO2 emissions. Contrails are trails of water vapour generated by jet aircrafts. These can create cirrus clouds, which cover thirty per cent of the planet. These clouds have a serious impact on global climate, and if planes were to fly lower without affecting airtime, it could cut cirrus cloud formation in half, resolving this issue.
1. How long do you think it will take before the compressed air cars begin commercial production?
2. You talked about transportation and its effect on the environment. Which of the three do you believe causes the most damage?
3. How long do you think it will take for all commercial automobiles to run on gasoline alternatives?
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Ash Garden
“For months, after waking up in the Red Cross Hospital, I was forced to lie on my stomach in order to let the wounds on my back breathe and heal. My left eye had sealed over with scar tissue and pus since I was shipped here from the Oshiba Aid Station, where we had been taken after being found near the river by a group of soldiers.”
This quote is taken from the beginning of the novel. Emiko is talking about the months after the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and how it affected her life. I chose quote because it depicts the horrors of what happened in Hiroshima quite vividly. This quote puts in to question the morality and logic behind dropping the bomb. This is a question that Anton struggles with throughout much of the novel.
"He was no stranger to this sort of ambush, which was not uncommon during these hot and emotional summer days. He'd been sought out often enough to know he had to prepare in advance for whatever words came: war criminal, butcher, mass murder. He had learned to hold his tongue. To offer the silent respect each of his accusers deserved, without, of course, ceding a single point."
This quote appeals to me as it shows that Anton is fully aware of the pain and suffering that was caused from the atomic bomb. Many points are brought up by the interviewers comparing Anton to that of Adolph Hitler or Saddam Hussein. He understands their point of view and does not try and defend his actions. This shows that he was fallowing orders and when looking back maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do but it was necessary.
"At night he reminded himself why all this had happened. He'd close his eyes and remember that there had been no alternative. Us or them. The sad fact of the world. A tragic inevitability."
This quote appeals to me because it is humanizing Anton. He is trying to convince himself that there was no alternative to dropping the bomb. By doing what he had done, he had spares many more deaths, thus making the action just. This begins to show you that Anton has a soft side that is deeply affected by what he did. This is a change from the cold work driven scientist that the rest of the novel had portrayed him as.
What parts of the novel were the toughest to write?
Would you change anything about your book?
Do you agree or disagree about the use of the atomic bomb?
This quote is taken from the beginning of the novel. Emiko is talking about the months after the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and how it affected her life. I chose quote because it depicts the horrors of what happened in Hiroshima quite vividly. This quote puts in to question the morality and logic behind dropping the bomb. This is a question that Anton struggles with throughout much of the novel.
"He was no stranger to this sort of ambush, which was not uncommon during these hot and emotional summer days. He'd been sought out often enough to know he had to prepare in advance for whatever words came: war criminal, butcher, mass murder. He had learned to hold his tongue. To offer the silent respect each of his accusers deserved, without, of course, ceding a single point."
This quote appeals to me as it shows that Anton is fully aware of the pain and suffering that was caused from the atomic bomb. Many points are brought up by the interviewers comparing Anton to that of Adolph Hitler or Saddam Hussein. He understands their point of view and does not try and defend his actions. This shows that he was fallowing orders and when looking back maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do but it was necessary.
"At night he reminded himself why all this had happened. He'd close his eyes and remember that there had been no alternative. Us or them. The sad fact of the world. A tragic inevitability."
This quote appeals to me because it is humanizing Anton. He is trying to convince himself that there was no alternative to dropping the bomb. By doing what he had done, he had spares many more deaths, thus making the action just. This begins to show you that Anton has a soft side that is deeply affected by what he did. This is a change from the cold work driven scientist that the rest of the novel had portrayed him as.
What parts of the novel were the toughest to write?
Would you change anything about your book?
Do you agree or disagree about the use of the atomic bomb?
Monday, April 21, 2008
Letter to Joseph Kertes by Matt Bunston
Dear Joseph Kertes,
I recently read your novel Gratitude and I thought it was a generally effortless read. Your writing style is such that it allows the book to flow from topic to topic making it enjoyable to read. When I say books are effortless, I am talking about how much I enjoyed them, which would make them easier reads for me. The mixture of history and story telling really appealed to me. Although your novel deals with some of the most gruesome and upsetting subjects that this world has seen, I did not have trouble continuing to read, as it seemed like there was always a light at the end of the tunnel. I found the one part in the novel where the SS guard pulls Marta out of the gas chamber quite astonishing. In most of the movies, novels, and textbooks that I have seen or read, almost every Nazi is portrayed as somewhat of a monster. This part shows complete and utter caring for another human being although it goes against what he was taught to believe in. The fact that you could write about this was a great change to the harshness of that point in history. I enjoyed the fact that many of the main characters contributed to the plot. Sometimes characters are just in a book to fill up space on the page but it seemed with your novel that every character had a purpose and a contribution to make. I’m sure the book was a mentally and emotionally draining process for you. As hard as it was for me to read at some points, these parts must have been quite challenging for you to write about.
I thank you for giving another outlook on WWII with the personal struggles of the characters in your novel.
Sincerely,
Matt Bunston
I recently read your novel Gratitude and I thought it was a generally effortless read. Your writing style is such that it allows the book to flow from topic to topic making it enjoyable to read. When I say books are effortless, I am talking about how much I enjoyed them, which would make them easier reads for me. The mixture of history and story telling really appealed to me. Although your novel deals with some of the most gruesome and upsetting subjects that this world has seen, I did not have trouble continuing to read, as it seemed like there was always a light at the end of the tunnel. I found the one part in the novel where the SS guard pulls Marta out of the gas chamber quite astonishing. In most of the movies, novels, and textbooks that I have seen or read, almost every Nazi is portrayed as somewhat of a monster. This part shows complete and utter caring for another human being although it goes against what he was taught to believe in. The fact that you could write about this was a great change to the harshness of that point in history. I enjoyed the fact that many of the main characters contributed to the plot. Sometimes characters are just in a book to fill up space on the page but it seemed with your novel that every character had a purpose and a contribution to make. I’m sure the book was a mentally and emotionally draining process for you. As hard as it was for me to read at some points, these parts must have been quite challenging for you to write about.
I thank you for giving another outlook on WWII with the personal struggles of the characters in your novel.
Sincerely,
Matt Bunston
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Female Novelist: The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny
Overall, I really enjoyed the third addition in Louise Penny’s series, The Cruelest month. The residents from Three Pines such as Olivier, Gabri, Peter, and Clara provide great characters that the reader can relate to and enjoy. The best part about these books is Sergeant Gamache. The cool, calm, and collected detective always knows what to do and is also a character in which Louise describes so vividly that I have a distinct picture of him in my head. The concept of this novel was somewhat interesting as it dealt with supernatural things, which I am not extremely familiar with.
In certain ways I found the whole supernatural aspect interesting but I did not really like it. The fact that some of it was hard to believe was not very appealing to me. I can take such things in doses but I would have enjoyed a more realistic murder mystery novel over one such as this. The whole tree’s having feelings part really didn’t do it for me and just added to my overall frustration.
“Peter Morrow knew the old Hadley house was wicked. It stole things. Like lives. And friends. Souls and faith. It had stolen his best friend, Ben Hadley. And the monstrosity on the hill gave back only sorrow.”
This descriptive passage appeals to me because of the writing style. Louise Penny is able to shows the reader how much one of the characters disliked this house. Peter Morrow was quite frightened of this place, and his fear is conveyed through this passage.
“He suddenly felt something grab him. From behind. It reached forward and right into him and took hold. Peter grasped at the pain, the searing, scalding pain of it. Tears came to his eyes as he was overcome by this wraith that had threatened all his life. That he’d hidden from as a child, that he’d run from and buried and denied. It had stalked him and finally found him. Here, in his beloved wife’s studio. Standing in front of this creation of hers the terrible monster had found him.
And devoured him.”
This passage appeals to me because it is somewhat of a mystery. A deep, and possibly evil force inside of him grabs the usually mild mannered Peter Morrow, as it breaks him down. This passage was in the first 5 chapters of the novel and the apparent foreshadowing allows the reader to be intrigued enough to continue reading.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Blog #6: Letter to the author
Dear Seymour Schulich,
I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed your book Get Smarter: Life and Business Lessons. You have been very successful in life and I appreciate you sharing your lessons with your readers. Reading this collection of lessons has given me some great ideas for my future endeavours in life and in the business world. I feel that this information will be quite relevant in the future even when new and improved technologies come into the working environment. I am writing to you with some questions about some of the aspects of your young life. I am currently in grade 11 attending Royal St. Georges College and I am starting to think about possible universities to attend. I am aware of the schools that you fund throughout Canada as I am very much intrigued by them. My friends and I have had much discussion on the subject of student’s primary degrees after finishing their first stint in university. Do the marks during these degrees determine what and where you will work for your life? Do you need to have phenomenal marks to get into law school or other such institutions? These are questions that many of us students have and that do not always have the clearest answer as obviously schools have different criteria when applying. In my opinion, I believe that no degree can have a bearing on what you want to do with your life. Obviously there are different companies that probably won’t hire you unless you have these diplomas but if you have the drive to become rich then you probably will be successful. I think that good people skills and great ideas go a long way. Way further than any grade on a paper will take you. This isn’t to say you don’t have to be shrewd in the business world because that is very important as well but if people enjoy working for or with you then your company will be successful. Let me know your thoughts Mr. Schulich. Your book was passed on to me from a successful uncle who once read it. I plan on doing the same thing with one of my children or nephews. I would love to discuss different aspects of your book the next time I write.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Matt Bunston
I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed your book Get Smarter: Life and Business Lessons. You have been very successful in life and I appreciate you sharing your lessons with your readers. Reading this collection of lessons has given me some great ideas for my future endeavours in life and in the business world. I feel that this information will be quite relevant in the future even when new and improved technologies come into the working environment. I am writing to you with some questions about some of the aspects of your young life. I am currently in grade 11 attending Royal St. Georges College and I am starting to think about possible universities to attend. I am aware of the schools that you fund throughout Canada as I am very much intrigued by them. My friends and I have had much discussion on the subject of student’s primary degrees after finishing their first stint in university. Do the marks during these degrees determine what and where you will work for your life? Do you need to have phenomenal marks to get into law school or other such institutions? These are questions that many of us students have and that do not always have the clearest answer as obviously schools have different criteria when applying. In my opinion, I believe that no degree can have a bearing on what you want to do with your life. Obviously there are different companies that probably won’t hire you unless you have these diplomas but if you have the drive to become rich then you probably will be successful. I think that good people skills and great ideas go a long way. Way further than any grade on a paper will take you. This isn’t to say you don’t have to be shrewd in the business world because that is very important as well but if people enjoy working for or with you then your company will be successful. Let me know your thoughts Mr. Schulich. Your book was passed on to me from a successful uncle who once read it. I plan on doing the same thing with one of my children or nephews. I would love to discuss different aspects of your book the next time I write.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Matt Bunston
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Blog #5: The Runaway Jury
Quote 1
“Dear Mr. Fitch: Tomorrow, juror number two, Easter, will wear a grey pullover golf shirt with red trim, starched khakis, white socks, and brown leather shoes, lace-up.”
This is a letter from Marlee to Mr. Rankin Fitch. This quote contributes to character development because it shows that Marlee could have pull within the jury. This is the first message of many phone calls and meetings between these two characters. The decisions that they make contribute largely to the outcome of the court case.
Quote 2
“No. Because you’re tracing the call. And if you keep tracing the calls, I’ll stop calling.”
This is a part of one of the phone conversations between Rankin Fitch and Marlee. It shows what Mr. Fitch’s intentions are because he really wants to find this girl. It also shows that Marlee is no slouch and understands that these calls are being traced.
Quote 3
“Mornin’, Colonel,” Nicholas said warmly. “You’re here early.”
This is Nicholas Easter greeting another member of the jury as he walks in the door. It shows that Mr. Easter is very friendly and could be trying to win the hearts of the jury. He would gain their respect and be able to create a verdict based on what he would think and say.
Quote 4
Shortly after they reached their house, she had Judge Harkin on the phone, and gave him an earful of her thoughts on these most recent developments. Her husband was blind, she reminded him more than once, and he needed special assistance. Herman sat on the sofa, drinking his one beer of the day and fuming at his wife’s intrusion.
This excerpt from the novel shows character development for three characters. It shows that Mrs. Grimes is a strong woman who will not lay down when she wants to voice her opinion. It also shows that she has to care for her husband more then normally as he is blind and needs assistance. It shows that Herman, although grateful for his wife’s help, does not like her stepping in and voicing such a strong opinion. The next excerpt fallowing this one is Judge Harkin giving the okay for Mrs. Grimes to be with Herman in the Hotel in order to assist him. This shows that Judge Harkin is fair and compassionate and most likely will be able to judge a fair trial.
Quote 5
“Oh hell, Judge, what’s the big deal?” he blurted. “These folks aren’t carrying plastic explosives.”
This is the lawyer who is fighting the tobacco company and he is saying this to Judge Harkin. Judge Harkin ordered to have the juries bags searched because they were all to be staying at a hotel for the duration of the case. When Nicholas Easter arrived he refused to let the guards search his bags and then told everybody else that their privacy should be kept and they all fallowed suit. This shows that the jury looks to Mr. Easter for guidance or for somebody with sense and knowledge to confide in. He is beginning to win the jury over which is pivotal in the plot.
“Dear Mr. Fitch: Tomorrow, juror number two, Easter, will wear a grey pullover golf shirt with red trim, starched khakis, white socks, and brown leather shoes, lace-up.”
This is a letter from Marlee to Mr. Rankin Fitch. This quote contributes to character development because it shows that Marlee could have pull within the jury. This is the first message of many phone calls and meetings between these two characters. The decisions that they make contribute largely to the outcome of the court case.
Quote 2
“No. Because you’re tracing the call. And if you keep tracing the calls, I’ll stop calling.”
This is a part of one of the phone conversations between Rankin Fitch and Marlee. It shows what Mr. Fitch’s intentions are because he really wants to find this girl. It also shows that Marlee is no slouch and understands that these calls are being traced.
Quote 3
“Mornin’, Colonel,” Nicholas said warmly. “You’re here early.”
This is Nicholas Easter greeting another member of the jury as he walks in the door. It shows that Mr. Easter is very friendly and could be trying to win the hearts of the jury. He would gain their respect and be able to create a verdict based on what he would think and say.
Quote 4
Shortly after they reached their house, she had Judge Harkin on the phone, and gave him an earful of her thoughts on these most recent developments. Her husband was blind, she reminded him more than once, and he needed special assistance. Herman sat on the sofa, drinking his one beer of the day and fuming at his wife’s intrusion.
This excerpt from the novel shows character development for three characters. It shows that Mrs. Grimes is a strong woman who will not lay down when she wants to voice her opinion. It also shows that she has to care for her husband more then normally as he is blind and needs assistance. It shows that Herman, although grateful for his wife’s help, does not like her stepping in and voicing such a strong opinion. The next excerpt fallowing this one is Judge Harkin giving the okay for Mrs. Grimes to be with Herman in the Hotel in order to assist him. This shows that Judge Harkin is fair and compassionate and most likely will be able to judge a fair trial.
Quote 5
“Oh hell, Judge, what’s the big deal?” he blurted. “These folks aren’t carrying plastic explosives.”
This is the lawyer who is fighting the tobacco company and he is saying this to Judge Harkin. Judge Harkin ordered to have the juries bags searched because they were all to be staying at a hotel for the duration of the case. When Nicholas Easter arrived he refused to let the guards search his bags and then told everybody else that their privacy should be kept and they all fallowed suit. This shows that the jury looks to Mr. Easter for guidance or for somebody with sense and knowledge to confide in. He is beginning to win the jury over which is pivotal in the plot.
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