Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Management - Essay Example As per the forms of emergencies, they require skills, interventions, and special knowledge of their management. Despite the fact that treatment settings vary in terms of their organization and resources and health professionals may be having different ways and levels of experience of working, they must deal with dangerous situations when they arise (Kleespies, 2009, p. 65). There are no rules and guidelines to be followed and applied equally in all cases. However, certain principles should be understood and well known by all those who are exposed to non medical emergencies. This paper will attempt to explain some issues, which involve the management of non medical emergencies which can occur in a treatment setting. It acknowledges the importance of clinical officers in controlling and containing the expressions in treatment settings and stressing the needs of properly trained staff in limiting and identifying some risk factors. It reinforces some needs for members of the treatment gr oup and patients to understand their roles in the treatment process. In addition, they should be aware of the impacts of undesirable code of conduct and behaviors if they occur. It is obvious that we learn from experience. When problems or difficulties are experienced in hospitals or health centers, all the staff, clinicians or the treatment team should learn from it and make some improvements. This is very important so that the same incidences cannot appear in the future. The first step is to examine the department or parts affected by the incident. Then they should identify the opportunity in which it needs an improvement. For example, the clinicians might have identified a process, which is not effective in the health Center or hospital. The clinicians or treatment team should question the production team about the process and how it was implemented. After all these stages, the team should consider if the process needs to be improved or replaced. In addition, it is very important to consider who will benefit from the improvement of the process

Harlem Renaissance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Harlem Renaissance - Essay Example This huge group contained people from every aspect of life and of different occupations, particularly the musicians and those who study literature. There was also unskilled labor that was forced to move in big cities due to the problematic situation caused by war. Hence there was actually a form of migration by the Negro community from their hometowns to big cities as there were fewer opportunities in their local areas. This whole situation was named as the great migration which started in 1910s originally but resulted in a great New Negro Movement, or the Harlem Renaissance. During this time, the blacks from the American community came in front and took every respectable position in the society of whites by their skills and education. Harlem became the centre of black professionals who belong from every class of the society and started to recognize themselves and their community in the post slavery culture of US. Since that time, Harlem has the dominant population of blacks1. In rea l meaning, Harlem Renaissance originated from the participation of Negros in local theatres. Before that, it was a common conception that black faces and skins cannot convey the human emotions as good as a white face. This participation of Negros in plays boasted their moral and the event was termed as the most important event for Negros of US of their entire history. Another mild stone was the war poems written by different white poets which were taken by the Blacks as the right time to end the unequal treatment they face from the white community and the racial injustice. The whole movement was led by first African American Rhodes scholar, Alain Locke, a professor of philosophy at Howard University at that time. The movement blossomed in 1920s, particularly in the year 1925, when there had been a flood of literary articles and different artistic performances by the African Americans, who drew attention of white intellects to their culture and their participation as active and benef icial members of the society2. The Harlem Renaissance was indeed a blossoming time for the African American culture, particularly in the field of creative arts. It was considered to be a literary movement which laid the basis for all later African American literature and had noteworthy impacts on the overall black literature. Many famous names are attached with the movement, which include Jean Toomer, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Jessie R. Fauset, Claude McKay, Arna Bontemps, Rudolph Fisher, Alain Locke, Wallace Thurman and Zora Hurston. All of these African American novelists and writers evoked the spirit of pride into black community with their writings and literary works. Some of the above persons publish journals of their own which were full of black literature depicting the black culture and their lives. In this way, several people contributed their best towards the revival of black literature and its introduction to modern society3. The Harlem Renaissance was not only limi ted to the publications and literature activities. From its beginning it was associated with every form of art, whether it is music or some other form of creative art. The Negro migration from the south towards north during the war times was not only due to earning purpose, but also to find a better place where skilful and intellectual people can really flourish apart of their color and race. Harlem provided

Causes of Macrofaunal Outline on a Dissipative Beach

Causes of Macrofaunal Outline on a Dissipative Beach Investigating the causes of macrofaunal outline on a dissipative beach in Abberffraw. Aim: To investigate macrofaunal abundance and distribution pattern across five different shore levels. Hypothesis: whether physical and biological factors have direct correlation on community structures of infauna species. Cisneros et al. (2011) and Croker Hatfield (1980) have tested this hypothesis and reported significance. Figure lists are illustrating distribution and abundance of 31 species sampled on a vertical gradient across 5 shore heights. Out of these, three polychaetes species; Scolelepis squamata, Scoloplos armiger, Nephtys sp, including twocrustaceans Bathyporeia sp, and Eurydice pulchra were found throughout sampling stations (Fig 2). As shore slope decreases species diversity increases (Fig 1). Station 2 had maximum abundance (4050 ind./ m2) whereas station 4 had the greatest species richness (SR = 18) (Fig 1). Sandy shores are dynamic environments with biotic (Croker Hatfield, 1980) and abiotic (Cisneros et al., 2011) conditions changing continuously, influencing species spatial scales along shores. Three major environmental factors, influencing community structures (McLachlan Brown, 2006); 1. beach type (physical gradient/ sediment texture); 2. tidal regime (wave action/ moisture/ organic enrichment); and 3. swash climate (water filtration) (Defeo, McLachlan, 2005). Zonation patterns are evident, due to tidal movement (Brazeiro Defeo 1996), seasonal migration (De Alava Defeo 1991), and predation contributing to the variations. Ansell et al., (1999), reported that predators migrate following prey species. Cisneros et al. (2011), stated physical drivers influenced macrofaunal community. Abberffraw shore consists of fine grainy sand particles with small interstitial space facilitating burrowing (McLachlan et al., 1996) and slower water filtration (McLachlan Brown, 2006) providing suitable living conditions. Dominating middle and lower shores are Polychaetes (Connor et al., 1997) in water-saturated sediments whiles crustaceans are generally distributed at different shore levels (Dahl, 1952). Work, et al., (2008) found that water drainage is critical in determining polychaets presence; Scolelepis squamat, Scoloplos armiger andNephtys sp.can tolerate drained sediments (Connor et al., 1997) explaining the occurrence at higher stations (Fig 2). More studies are needed in determine zonation and causes (Defeo, McLachlan, 2005). References. Brazeiro, A., Defeo, O. (1996). Macroinfauna zonation in microtidal sandy beaches: Is it possible to identify patterns in such variable environments? Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 42(4), 523-536. Cisneros, K. O., Smit, A. J., Laudien, J., Schoeman, D. S. (2011). Complex, dynamic combination of physical, chemical and nutritional variables controls spatio-temporal variation of sandy beach community structure. PloS One, 6(8), e23724. Connor, D., Brazier, D., Hill, T., Northen, K. (1997). Marine nature conservation review: Marine biotope classification for britain and ireland. volume 1. littoral biotopes. JNCC Report, 229. Croker, R., Hatfield, E. (1980). Space partitioning and interactions in an intertidal sand-burrowing amphipod guild. Marine Biology, 61(1), 79-88. Dahl, E. (1952). Some aspects of the ecology and zonation of the fauna on sandy beaches. Oikos, 4(1), 1-27. De Alava, A., Defeo, O. (1991). Distributional pattern and population dynamics of excirolana armata (isopoda: Cirolanidae) in a uruguayan sandy beach. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 33(5), 433-444. Defeo, O., McLachlan, A. (2005). Patterns, processes and regulatory mechanisms in sandy beach macrofauna: A multi-scale analysis. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 295, 1-20. McLachlan, A., Brown, A. (2006). Sandy beaches as ecosystems. Work, F., Hubble, M., Teague, L., Tennant, K., Skidmore, L., Webb, H., Gillespie, B. Lister, J. (2008). Project: SC 410354 Date of Issue: June 2008. McLachlan, A., de Ruyck. A., Hacking, N. (1996). Community structure on sandy beaches: patterns of richness and zonation in relation to tide range and latitude. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 69, 451-67

Balancing Principles in Beauchamp and Childress :: Beauchamp Childress Ethics Essays

Balancing Principles in Beauchamp and Childress ABSTRACT: In the latest edition of Principles of Biomedical Ethics, Tom Beauchamp and James Childress provide an expanded discussion of the ethical theory underlying their treatment of issues in medical ethics. Balancing judgements remain central to their method, as does the contention that such judgements are more than intuitive. This theory is developed precisely in response to the common skepticism directed at "principlism" in medical ethics. Such skepticism includes the claim that moral reasoning comes to a dead halt when confronted by competing conflicts between moral norms in a given pluralistic situation. In this paper, I use examples from the text to show that despite the authors’s arguments to the contrary, balancing judgements are the product of unreasoned intuitions. Given the necessity of some such judgements in any principle-based system, my argument highlights the degree to which principled ethical reasoning rests upon an arational core. "Principlism" is the term often used, sometimes derisively, to refer to a method of moral reasoning found in medical ethics and elsewhere. At the core of principlism is the idea that ethical justification rests primarily, if not exclusively, in appeals to more general or "higher level" moral norms under which any more particular ethical claim can be subsumed. Principles of Biomedical Ethics, by Tom Beauchamp and James F. Childress, has for many critics in medical ethics exemplified the worse sins of "principlism." From its first edition, the authors have argued for the importance and usefulness of general principles for justifying ethical judgments about policies and cases in medical ethics. The organization of their book reflects this conviction, dividing discussion of particular ethical problems under the rubrics of the key ethical principles which the authors believe should govern our moral judgments: principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence and justice. It was always a caricature of their views to label them as straight-arrow deductivists. (1) At the very least, they have from the first insisted on the necessity of making judgments about the proper balance to be struck between competing ethical commitments when they are in conflict. Since Beauchamp and Childress disavow appeal to any overarching framework from which such a balancing judgment could be derived, particular moral judgments could never for them be simple deductions from any single moral principle. But then one may ask how Beauchamp and Childress handle one of the key criticisms of principlism, which points to the inevitable conflict among principles in the sort of pluralistic system favored by many, (2) and the resulting need to "balance" or prioritize the norms in conflict.

The Service Change Health And Social Care Essay

This essay critically analyses service alteration required in physical therapy services for older people in India, specifically concentrating on developing falls bar. Fallss are one of the most common geriatric syndromes endangering the independency of older individuals. Hazard factors for falls include musculus failing, a history of falls, usage of four or more prescription medicines, usage of an assistive device, arthritis, depression, being older than 80 old ages of age, and damages in pace, balance, knowledge, vision, and activities of day-to-day life ( Krishnaswamy & A ; Usha, 2007 ) . There is therefore a demand for developing a comprehensive service which can supply preventative, healing and rehabilitative services for the aged in India. This is peculiarly of import as the aged population in India is turning. Harmonizing to the WHO, it is expected that there will be about 107 million in 2010, 198 million in 2030 and 326 million in 2050. The rapid addition in the figure of old people in the population raises assorted societal, economic and wellness issues ( Kumar et al, 2008 ) . However, unlike the developed states, India does non hold good structured, bing wellness services for the aged, taking to a comparatively ad hoc system of wellness attention bringing to this vulnerable population ( Krishnaswamy & A ; Usha, 2007 ) . Consequently, a specialised geriatric wellness service has to be developed, to educate, develop and help in the care of healthy life styles and to supply comprehensive wellness attention. There is a demand for extended instruction and communicating programmes to be undertaken through assorted media every bit good as governmental and nongovernmental organisations sing autumn events and preventative steps ( Krishnaswamy & A ; Usha, 2007 ) . In relation to the specific context of falls, this paper presents a service alteration which would imply the development of a autumn bar plan. This would affect preparation of cardinal stakeholders, su ch as Physicians, Health workers and Care givers. The development of the programme would besides look into the effectivity and feasibleness of utilizing new and advanced diagnostic and showing devices. These are required non merely to be cost effectual and advanced but should supply a practical tool for placing and forestalling possible falls. Specifically the essay foremost analyses further, the context of this service alteration, discoursing how it relates to wellness & A ; societal attention policy and pattern. Drivers and facilitators for the alteration are critically discussed along with possible barriers and suggestions for how these may be addressed are made. Perceived benefits and the possible impact on the bing service and patient result are so evaluated. How the alteration will be promoted, implemented and its impact evaluated will besides be discussed.2. MAIN BODY:Section 1: The context of the service alteration, discoursing how it relates to wellness & A ; societal atten tion policy and patternOver the following several decennaries, aged people will stand for a big section of the population. Aged people have common geriatric jobs such as impaired mobility, falls, impaired knowledge and urinary incontinency ( Prudham & A ; Evans, 1981 ) . Out of this, falls are common events in the lives of older people and can ensue in a scope of inauspicious results, from minor contusions to breaks, disablement, dependance and decease ( Kumar et al, 2008 ) . Recurrent falls are an of import cause of morbidity and mortality in the aged and are a marker of hapless physical and cognitive position ( Krishnaswamy & A ; Usha, 2007 ) . There are many factors taking to or doing falls in the aged, classified into intrinsic and extrinsic factors and can be a complex interaction between both ( Drozdick & A ; Edelstein, 2001 ) . Merely three large-scale national studies have been carried out entirely with the purpose of understanding the magnitude and form of assorted physical disablements among the aged population ( Reddy & A ; Sureender, 1992 cited in Krishnasawmy & A ; Usha, 2007 ) . Among the 35 provinces and brotherhood districts in India, Kerala has registered the highest proportion of aged. The aged in Kerala constitute 11 % of the population. The Kerala Aging Survey ( KAS ) , conducted among more than 5,000 aged ( 2,271 work forces and 2,722 adult females ) in 14 territories of Kerala reported that falls and breaks are a important issue among older grownups ( Krishnaswamy & A ; Usha, 2007 ) . Another survey by Joshi et Al ( 2003 ) conducted a cross-sectional study of 200 topics over 60 old ages old in a urban population of Chandigarh metropolis and rural population in Haryana metropolis in India reported that break occurred in 21.3 % , and other hurts occurred in 79.6 % of those who had fallen. Furth ermore, breaks among females ( 26.4 % ) were reported more often compared with males ( 16 % ) and break was seen more in urban topics ( 29.4 % ) compared with rural topics ( 13.4 % ) . On the other manus, Johnson et Al ( 2006 ) examined the frequence and nature of falls and fall-related hurts among older adult females in the province of Kerala, India and reported that about 1.5 to 2 million individuals are injured and 1 million succumb to decease every twelvemonth in India due to fall. Falling is emerging as a important public wellness job and is of import cause of morbidity and mortality in the aged. Most frequently the cause of autumn is multifactor. Falls and their squeal are potentially preventable and hence it is importance to cognize the hazard factors for falls in the aged. Therefore, fall bar schemes to turn to falls should be explored and implemented within the Indian context.Section 2: Drivers and facilitators for the alteration are critically discussed along with possible barriers and suggestions for how these may be addressed are made.At the beginning, it is desirable to sketch nucleus constituents that drive successful grounds based pattern execution known as â€Å" drivers † ( Metz et al. , 2007 ) . This would assist to fix a program and accomplish a success. A PESTLE analysis ( Renewal Associates, 2003 ) can look into the internal and external factors involved in the service of autumn bar. First, an appropriate authorities investing is require d to develop a showing tool appropriate for public consciousness runs, in coaction with academic establishments with expertness in research and development of showing tools ( Krishnaswamy & A ; Usha, 2007 ) . Second, preparation of Physicians, Health workers and Care givers in autumn bar plans, is desperately needed. Furthermore, pre-service and in-service preparation should be delivered. Training should include activities related to supplying specialised information, direction, or skill development in an organized manner to staff members at all degrees. Third, it is besides necessary to look into the effectivity and feasibleness of utilizing new and advanced diagnostic and showing devices. These are non merely cost effectual and advanced but could supply a practical tool for placing and forestalling possible falls. Additionally, puting up of wellness attention installations for the aged, at both authorities and private infirmaries and medical colleges will supply comprehensive atte ntion and to develop, informations, research methodological analysis and intercession techniques for falls and other related morbidities ( Krishnaswamy & A ; Usha, 2007 ) . Performing studies on falls among the aged life in all parts of India could assist in obtaining a comparative position and information proposing suited constabularies at regional and national degrees, to assist the aged to populate healthy and disability-free life. In add-on, there should be internal direction support available excessively. It refers to activities related to set uping constructions and processes that facilitate implementing a new evidence-based pattern by staff. These activities will supply leading and information on decision-making, back up the overall procedures and assist staff to stay organized and focused on the specific causes and bar of falls in aged population. Furthermore, persons or organisations, funders, policy shapers, or other community organisations that support a pattern, but are non straight involved in service bringing, should make systems-level partnership. It will guarantee the handiness of the fiscal, organisational, and human resources that are required to back up practicians and carry through any demands needed to set pattern into the day-to-day work. Finally, it is necessary to command practician ‘s public presentation and attachment to the new pattern introduced every bit good as observes accompli shments of peculiar results. This will assist to measure and better the pattern that does non run into staff member ‘s and patient ‘s outlooks. Apart from these, the societal, economical and legal factors are every bit of import drivers which influence the alteration. The aged populations, their household members and siblings are the chief facilitators of the physical therapy service alteration for the autumn bar and the population expects the service to be extremely equipped and treated by skilled healers and attention givers. They want to be given the greatest attending from a physical therapist and be provided the best attention possible. Therefore, the healers and attention givers are needed to be extremely skilled and have a complete thought of history of falls and autumn bar. As drivers are more than the facilitators, it is necessary to convert the drivers to ease proper service and carry through other demands through which both drivers and facilitators would be benefited. Finally, for the success of the new service, the authorities of India and the society should be unfastened to alterations and pull the concerned population for the service. Apart from drivers and facilitators for the autumn bar in older people in India, there would be possible barriers in the alteration which is needed to be considered. First, there would be a opposition from the doctors or healers to the new system of alteration, who find comfy in the bing system and may act upon other stakeholders from making the same. Second, deficiency of consciousness about the hazard factors of autumn and late entries in infirmaries may be a barrier to the service for fall bar. On the other manus, the long list of waiting in infirmaries, handiness to infirmaries and healers would be major barriers in service alteration. Apart from this, the support of the service would make up one's mind the eventual quality of the stakeholders and the autumn bar service group. Time is required to prosecute specializers, provide preparation and motivate physical therapists to make their best in handling patients. It would be advisable to pay physical therapists for the preparation taking into history the fact that physical therapy puting would profit largely from the evidence-based pattern ; it would be recognizable as the one lovingness about its patients. Furthermore, the money given would represent an inducement to derive physical therapists ‘ attending and encourage specializers to portion the cognition about evidence-based pattern. Some of physical therapists may defy the alterations in fright of occupation loss or debasement doing it more hard to present evidence-based pattern of the autumn bar service. Therefore, good leader and director may be needed to discourse future programs with employees and back up them. The positive effects can be seeable in many old ages and they may non carry through increasing demands of patients. In other words, it is hard to foretell accomplishments of peculiar ends and their consequence on physical therapy pattern. Therefore, it is necessary to pass on with patients, by studies and so set up accomplishable ends and timeframes to enable alterations and non let down physical therapy service users.Section 3: Perceived benefits and the possible impact on the bing service and patient result are so evaluatedThe autumn bar physical therapy service would decidedly profit the older people from the bing services. The older population need non hold to travel to the general infirmaries and base in the waiting line for long hours. Furthermore, the older population can straight come to the physical therapists. On the other manus, presenting a new autumn bar centres may make consciousness about the autumn hazards and can finally cut down the rate of autumn and morbidity in I ndia. However, clip is required to get the better of all the barriers but placing the hazard factors of autumn can cut down the instances of breaks in older people. By placing opposition from stakeholders, it would be possible to work on carrying those against or seeking to maintain them on the side in instance of farther uncertainty non to allow them negatively act upon the others. Movement involves alteration execution with promoting employees to see the job from fresh position and work together to accomplish a success. Finally, refreezing demands to take topographic point after the alteration has been implemented in order for it to be sustained. Its purpose is to stabilise the new state of affairs taking topographic point because of the alteration introduced. The effects of alteration should be evaluated loosely by studies, focal point groups and statistics informations. Observation could be used every bit good to cognize how physical therapists ‘ attitude changed after evidence-based pattern execution. By placing opposition from stakeholders, it would be possible to work on carrying those against or seeking to maintain them on the side in instance of farther uncertainty non to allow them negatively act upon the others. Movement involves alteration execution with promoting employees to see the job from fresh position and work together to accomplish a success. Finally, refreezing demands to take topographic point after the alteration has been implemented in order for it to be sustained. Its purpose is to stabilise the new state of affairs taking topographic point because of the alteration introduced. The effects of alteration should be evaluated loosely by studies, focal point groups and statistics informations. Observation could be used every bit good to cognize how physical therapists ‘ attitude changed after evidence-based pattern execution. Health attention policy shapers could execute every bit ‘observers as participants ‘ with no engagement but interaction wit h the other participants ( Polgar & A ; Thomas, 2008, p. 119 ) .They would be able to enter events and observe patients and interview physical therapists about their attacks towards peculiar status. Lewin ‘s three-step alteration theory is easy to follow and can assist to put appropriate program taking into history bing drivers, facilitators and barriers for alteration. In add-on to implementing the theory, coincident promotional activities could be included such as accessing through telecasting, wireless, newspapers and wellness magazines. The chief purpose to make so is to make to each and every corners of India about the autumn bar service. However, people of India besides suffers from poorness, hence, free services at rural countries and place based services for the people who can non come to the clinics or infirmaries would be great alteration of aid to the community. This essay critically analyses the service alteration required in physical therapy services for older people in India, specifically concentrating on developing falls bar. From the above treatment the chief findings of the service alteration is to place the issues of autumn hazard and consequently the alterations would be made. Again, for the autumn bar service, skilled physical therapists are required and present healer should be trained to get the better of the barriers. Finally, the survey recognised a demand for a good leader and a director to take the system alteration with coaction with Government of India. Unfortunately, this essay lacks grounds and literature about the autumn of aged people in India taking to generalisability of the consequence. Therefore, farther research and studies are warranted to advance grounds based pattern and could implement for the rehabilitation of the older population enduring from autumn.

Hybrid Vehicles: the Dark Side Essay

Abstract In the past decade, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) have been making a big commotion with the innovative, gas saving technologies that accompany them. The illusion that HEVs are 100 percent environmentally friendly in all aspects also follows the HEV wave. Sadly the illusion often wins over unsuspecting customers the instant better gas mileage is offered. This review on the environmental impact of the hybrid electric vehicle observes the unseen sides of the automotive â€Å"green movement.† The piece compares how an ordinary gasoline vehicle (non-HEV) can achieve gas mileage that is just as good, if not better, than the more expensive hybrid option. This reality check on the newest technologies uproots what manufacturers do not want anyone to know or think about when buying a vehicle including: environmental pollution of the hybrid electric vehicle, non-HEV fuel economy, the lack of pay-back from owning an HEV, and how the HEV lacks the level of versatility required for many Am erican families. Hybrid Electric Vehicles The Dark Side Thesis: Hybrid Electric Vehicles should cease to be produced because of four main issues: environmental pollution has not reduced, better fuel economy can be achieved in non-hybrid vehicles, there is no payback in owning a hybrid, and hybrid vehicles do not possess the same versatility many American families need. I. Environmental Pollution and the Hybrid Electric Vehicle A. Batteries contain Nickel, Lithium, and Lead 1. Mining these materials is hazardous, causes acid rain 2. Shipping these materials is costly and [the transportation vehicle] contributes to pollution B. Car accidents happen 3. Vehicular accidents happen all of the time, HEV batteries are prone to damage and can leak harmful materials (acids) into the environment. 4. Recycling batteries is impossible right now. Where do the batteries go? II. Non-HEV Fuel Economy C. European Diesels vs. HEV 5. For decades European automotive companies have been producing diesel powered cars achieving mpg in the 40-90 range depending on the size of the vehicle 6. Americans have yet to adopt this technology due to discrepancies in emissions controls and standards. D. Alternative Fuel Technologies 7. Hydrogen power is becoming more available to the consumers in larger cities such as Los Angeles and New York City. 8. The technology is still rather expensive, but if the government stopped wasting money on HEV development and started spending on the development of Hydrogen Power, our depending on foreign oil would diminish and we would have a reliable, renewable, and ecologically sound energy III. HEVs Do Not Pay To Own E. Non-HEV vs. HEV 9. Most non-HEVs will tend to pay themselves off in a matter of years because they have small maintenance costs and relatively easy upkeep. 10. HEVs have many new features that are expensive to keep up in today’s market, especially with limited accessibility to replacement parts. F. Maintenance 11. HEVs are filled with a plethora of new costs that can drain a wallet dry! Depending on how long an HEV is owned the owner must maintain both the electric and gas motor along with the battery. 12. A battery costs upwards of an expensive $2,000. IV. HEVs and the Population G. Urban Population and HEV Use 13. Many Americans live in congested cities where fuel consumption is tremendous and pollution is a major problem. 14. HEVs offer the convenience of shutting off the gas motor while stopped and operating only the electric motor when in stop-and-go traffic. 15. More accidents happen in and around the city; it is more likely for a hybrid to be subject to accidents in the city. H. Rural Population and HEV Use 16. Many people living in small towns and villages need four-wheel drive vehicles that can take hard labor. 17. Gas mileage is indispensible to this population. 18. HEV applications in trucks and sport utility vehicles have failed to deliver gas mileage vastly superior to that of non-HEVs. 19. Blue collar workers need vehicles with muscle and power, HEVs do not offer that. Conclusion Hybrid Electric Vehicles The Dark Side The hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) has become an extremely popular choice for many Americans in the past decade. Because it has become so popular, the HEV has lead to many new and harsh environmental impacts on a global level. Hybrids have been viewed as the answer to the United States’ oil dependency. Providing superior fuel economy and lower emissions, a hybrid car was sure to be a hit among city-dwelling citizens; however, the popularity of the HEV is beginning to look like a bad thing. HEVs require a battery to power the electric motor. The batteries contain chemicals that can be released into the environment in the case of an accident or disposal. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Hybrid Electric Vehicles should cease to be produced because of four main issues: environmental pollution has not reduced, better fuel economy can be achieved in non-hybrid vehicles, there is no payback in owning a hybrid, and hybrid vehicles do not possess the same versatility many American families need. Environmental Pollution and the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Smog infested cities have been searching for an answer to pollution; the hybrid vehicle was the response or so it seemed. HEVs have been around long enough to leave both a positive and a negative impact on the environment. A hybrid was meant to reduce fuel consumption and minimize harmful emissions and it does the job well; however, the people who see a hybrid as â€Å"eco-friendly† do not see the polluting monster that hides behind the cloak. Hybrids require a plethora of different parts that normal cars do not typically need. The entire process requires a tremendous amount of energy from other sources, such as diesel power. The process through which HEV batteries are made emits more impurities than an HEV will produce in its lifetime. Not only can HEVs produce pollution before they are made, but they can also contribute to pollution while driving down the road. If one of these vehicles were to get in a major accident, the harmful chemicals within the battery could leak into the ground and contaminate water supplies. The same thing happens when HEVs are sent to the wrecking yard. The batteries are not easy to recycle and there has yet to be an efficient and environmentally safe way to dispose of the hazardous materials. The hybrid electric vehicle has started to fuel controversy over the true environmental impact of such vehicles. Most batteries found in HEVs today consist of nickel metal hydride (NiMH), or lithium ion (Li-Ion); two very toxic chemicals. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (2011), the most environmentally vulnerable component of a hybrid vehicle is the battery. Disposing of the batteries is a major concern and manufacturers have yet to present proper disposal instructions. The largest environmental problem with batteries is the mining and manufacturing of the raw materials that go into them. Many human and machine workers are needed to extract the materials from the Earth, producing immense amounts pollution and damaging the health of the humans in the mines (para. 8). HEVs have a long way to go before becoming the optimal eco-friendly vehicle; Dr. Dominic Notter of Empa Technology and Society Laboratory (2010) writes that â€Å"15 percent of the total [environmental] burden can be ascribed to the battery (including its manufacture, maintenance and disposal),† (para. 7). Notter suggests that lithium batteries are not as environmentally bad as they were first understood to be. The Empa team speculates that the biggest environmental impact by HEVs is the sources where the electricity is produced to charge the batteries. The sources can be an assortment of nuclear, coal-fired, and hydroelectric power creating a heavily offset balance between the emissions of the source and the battery itself. In short, HEVs are indirectly responsible for the environmental impacts caused by the batteries (Niederà ¶st, 2010). Non-HEV Fuel Economy Setting aside the problems associated with HEVs, Non-HEVs are plenty capable of achieving tremendously better fuel economy. European diesel technology has come a great distance in the past ten years. Many small diesel cars are able to achieve seventy to eighty miles per gallon with stock configuration, compared to standard gasoline which in most small cars only achieves thirty miles per gallon. Thirty miles per gallon by U.S. standards is pretty good, but it can be better. Today there are large trucks that can achieve twenty-two miles per gallon on diesel fuel, yet smaller gas trucks will get only fifteen miles per gallon. The technology to make Non-HEVs more fuel efficient is there; it just needs to be utilized and executed. Part of the reason that the U.S. has not used new diesel technology is because of the emissions standards difference from Europe’s current standards, but there is no acceptable reason why the U.S. cannot invest bringing smaller, cleaner diesels to the mar ket. Engineers have been improving the efficiency of internal combustion engines for over one hundred years. The article â€Å"Fuel Economy Today—Alt Fuels Tomorrow† (2010) suggests that â€Å"the king of fluid energy efficiency is diesel fuel,† (para. 3). Diesel fuel is a major driving force in the U.S. economy by propelling nearly â€Å"1.3 million long haul semi trucks† on U.S. roads every day (â€Å"Aerodynamic†, 2011, para. 2). Nearly every item on today’s market is delivered by either diesel burning semi truck or locomotive, which constantly raises demand for the most updated diesel technologies as the U.S. economy strives to go green. On another front, diesel is becoming a popular option on smaller, lighter duty vehicles meaning diesel could be the next gasoline. This transition could lead buyers away from the hybrid market as most small diesels provide decent fuel economy and in the long run are a better deal. According to â€Å"Gasoline Panic 2011: Hybrid/Electric Vehicles Not the Answer† (2011), Joe Wiesenfelder, senior editor of Cars.com, believes that, for economic purposes, the purchase of an HEV because of fuel costs makes little sense. â€Å"Buying a [Nissan] Leaf or [Chevy] Volt now is no more logical – and probably less- due to market realities. The new compacts like the Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra are a better choice in the long run due to lower price and respectable fuel economy,† asserts Wiesenfelder (para. 6). Non-HEVs may not be as efficient as a gas/electric hybrid, but the extra expenses associated with HEVs are enough to say that Non-HEVs are the most economically reasonable choice when purchasing a new car. Alternative energy is another way America can eliminate its dependence on foreign oil. One of the most popular developing fuels is hydrogen. Hydrogen is an extremely efficient fuel that emits only water, while regular 87 octane gas is tremendously inefficient and it emits poisonous gases. If the U.S. strongly invested in the development of hydrogen within the next century, the nation could be fully independent of foreign oil and fuel prices would be minimal. Today hydrogen vehicles are available for lease in some major cities. Currently the technology is not quite ready for mass production as the system is not durable enough for mass production and the technology is still too expensive to make any giant leaps in progress. Politics are the major issue behind the slow progression of hydrogen fuel technologies. Jonathan Gal (2009) noted that the reason why alternative energies are not being pushed for with as much excitement is because the idea is worth billions of dollars and oil companies are taking advantage of the situation and jacking up prices on oil-based products. Big companies know that once alternative fuels become widely available to the public the profits will immediately disintegrate (para.3). Oil barons have been fighting against the move for alternative fuels, which is understandable; however, they do see the profitability in accommodating alternative fuels and are quickly scooping up companies that want to produce the new energies. Hydrogen is a great fuel for America to renew itself. In opposition to the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel, one might argue that it is far too explosive to use in a passenger car and is simply not safe; the Hindenburg is a prime example of its dangerousness. The Hindenburg was a German airship that was filled with hydrogen and coated with a powdered aluminum and iron oxide paint. The myth is that hydrogen was the main cause of the Hindenburg catastrophe. Although hydrogen was a key player, it was the highly reactive coating that ignited the flame to start the hydrogen on fire. Of course there is more to that story, but it proves that hydrogen is only as dangerous as the machines it is engineered into. HEVs Do Not Pay to Own Over the last decade it has been speculated that owning an HEV will never pay to own within the lifetime of possession. The average non-HEV will typically take five years to pay for itself. Americans want a car that will be useful, reliable, and will pay to own. Typical American families will run their cars for ten to fifteen years before getting a new vehicle because with all other expenses taken into account a new car is the last expense a growing family needs to worry about. HEVs are packed with relatively new technologies that are not easily and economically replaced. Replacement HEV parts are difficult to find and are never cheap. A typical battery for a HEV can run up a bill of more than $2,000. Fleming, Privott, Taylor, and McDuffie (n.d.) have done research regarding the lifetime of a typical HEV battery. Granted many HEVs have not been around long enough to need replacement, the team used a figure of ten years to estimate the annual cost of battery maintenance and replacemen t. After meeting with automotive dealers to gather prices of replacement HEV batteries, the team produced the price of an HEV battery to be â€Å"†¦about $2600, there would be an additional cost of approximately $3400 for installation.† Compare this information with the cost of a Non-HEV battery price of about $30-$40 and the price differential becomes extremely apparent (p.6). Expensive repairs make a vehicle incredibly difficult to pay off within the lifetime of the ownership. Non-HEVs have been around long enough to the point where paying for repairs is relatively cheap and parts are easy to find; many components are interchangeable and can be installed by anybody. The internal combustion engine, according to Virginia Tech’s Consortium on Energy Restructuring (2007), has been the most preferred method of supplying energy to major companies globally because the machines are easy to maintain, familiar to all ages, and high dependability (para.4). Although HEVs are advertised to be the new family vehicle, it is obvious there are many issues that need to be taken into account before the HEV will truly be a family and economically friendly vehicle. HEVs and the Population There are billions of people on this planet, but only a few select groups of the populace really need or want HEVs. Many of the people who live in heavily urbanized areas, such as Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles are the only populations who could benefit from using an HEV. A convenience offered by an HEV is that it can shut off the gas motor when stopped and run solely on the electric motor to reduce the harmful emissions that all major cities are prone to. The use of the electric motor also eliminates gas consumption during stop-and-go traffic, which is when most pollution from exhaust accumulates. Cities are victim to a large number of accidents every year. From fender benders to pile-ups, all types of accidents are highly likely in a city setting. HEVs are equipped with all of the latest safety technologies, but what is most dangerous is the leaking and spreading of battery acid during an accident and afterword, not to mention hybrids are also quieter than gas vehicles making the hearing impaired pedestrian more likely to end up on the hood of an oncoming HEV. Joanne Silburner of NPR’s Health Blog, suggests that without the engine noise, blind people and people listening to music are the most likely to walk in front of an HEV without knowing any better. Silburner also points out that the uneducated driver of an HEV might be a possible risk to pedestrians as HEV engines shut off when the car is not moving; leading to what could be a panic reaction from the driver (para.6-7). In small towns and rural areas across the U.S. many families need fuel efficient, people-moving, and reliable vehicles that are easy to maintain. HEVs do not make the cut when it comes to meeting the needs of a rural-dwelling family. In rural areas, places and locations are commonly spaced widely apart and highways or two lane roads connect them. HEVs are known to get worse gas mileage on the highway than in the city, which is incredibly unappealing to the long distance commuters. Automotive companies have tried to address these problems with hybrid trucks and sport utility vehicles; however, the performance of the vehicles was too poor to achieve a tremendous upgrade in gas mileage. The failure to produce an efficient hybrid truck brought the automotive companies back to the drawing board. Today there are large diesel trucks that can achieve an impressive twenty-two miles per gallon while hauling heavy loads. According to U.S. Department of Energy (2011), diesel vehicles meet the same emissions standards and regular gas vehicles and the diesels are â€Å"more powerful and fuel efficient than similar sized gas engines (about 30-35% more efficient),† (para.1). With the technologies available today humans can fine-tune machines, like car engines, to run at top efficiency and still produce vast amounts of power to add both thrill and utility to the drive. Conclusion HEVs are popular; it is unlikely that the major automakers of the world will even consider pulling HEVs from their lineup of vehicles. The consequences in the marketplace would be too large. Being eco-friendly is a major perk to most people; companies need to accommodate their respective customer base. This accommodation restricts the companies from taking back their promises and providing a true eco-friendly product. Overlooked environmental pollution, non-HEV improvements, HEV cost of ownership and population demands are all reminders of how the eco-friendly revolution has blinded the general public from what happens behind the â€Å"green† screen. It is up to the people to understand that HEVs are not the key to a bright future, but are another obstruction to achieving the real eco-vehicle. References Aerodynamic add-ons reduce fuel consumption of semi trucks by 7-12%. (2011, February 16). Retrieved March 16, 2011, from http://missionzero.org/categories/12-Transportation/saved_entries/8007-Aerodynamic-add-ons-reduce-fuel-consumption-of-semi-trucks-by-7-12- Consortium on Energy Restructuring, Virginia Tech. (2007). Internal Combustion Engines. Retrieved March 23, 2010 from http://www.dg.history.vt.edu/ch5/ices.html Fleming, D., Privott, T., Taylor, J.R., & McDuffie, T. (n.d.). Hybrid electric vehicles vs. internal combustion engine vehicles: Which gives you more bang for your buck?. Retrieved March 22, 2011 from http://education.uncc.edu/cmste/summer%20ventures/2010%20World%20View%20of%20Math%20and%20Data%20Analysis/THomas%20Privott-%20Davis%20Fleming.pdf Fuel economy today: Alt fuels tomorrow. (2010) Fleet Equipment 36(3), 14. General Reference Center Gold. Web. Retrieved March 16, 2011 Gal, J. (2009, July 06). The politics of alternative energy. Retrieved March 24, 2011 from http://www.prlog.org/10275672-the-politics-of-alternative-energy.html Gasoline Panic 2011: Hybrid/Electric Vehicles Not the Answer. (2011, March 4). PR Newswire. General Reference Center Gold. Web. Retrieved March 16, 2011 Niderà ¶st, R. (Ed.). (2010, August 27). The eco-balance of Li-ion rechargeable batteries for electric cars â€Å"greener† than expected. Retrieved from EMPA Materials Science and Technology, Switzerland. Retrieved February 24, 2011, from http://www.empa.ch/plugin/template/empa/*/99149/—/l=1 Silberner, J. (2010, April 19). Hybrid cars’ silence just one factor in high pedestrian death rate. Retrieved on March 24, 2010 from http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/04/hybrid_cars_silence_just_one_f.html United States Department of Energy. (2011, March 24). Diesel Vehicles. Retrieved on March 24, 2011 from http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/di_diesels.shtml United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2011, February 18). Environmental impacts from automobiles. Retrieved February 22, 2011, from http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/OWCM.NSF/product+stewardship/autos-impacts#batteries