About Me
My name is Humood Alshehhi and I’m 17 years old. I’m an Emirati and I was born in Abu Dhabi. I have lived in Abu Dhabi for 10 years. I currently live in Al shamkha with my family and I have been living there since 2002.
I like all kinds of music, Mostly Hip Hop, R&B and a little bit of Rock. I love sports and I’m a fan of Al Ain club. I play a lot of sports but I’m only good at Basketball, Football (soccer) and swimming. Sometimes when bored I like to watch TV.
I’m single, and I live with my family that consists of my mother, father and 11 brothers and sisters. I’m the 4th oldest of my brothers. I’m not yet employed and I’m currently studying in the HCT.
I study in the AD branch of the HCT. My major is Mechanic Engineering. This is my fourth semester and I intend to graduate after three years. After I graduate, I think I’m going to look for a job and I’m going to open a small garage.
My blog has one purpose which is informing people about the dangers of global warming.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The Story of Stuff
The story of stuff is a short movie that discusses some problems caused by the government such as wasting natural resources, pollution and garbage problems. The movie is hosted by Annie Leonard. She divided the system into five divisions the first is extraction it is the natural resources which are the forests and mountains and other natural resources. The second is production and it is the factories and the third is distribution and it is shifting the stuff to the shops and the fourth division is consumption which is the people and the last one disposal and it is getting rid of the stuff.
As Annie states that this system looks good but unfortunately it’s not. The first thing she said about the system was the way they use the natural resources. The production companies would go and tear down forests or destroy mountains without thinking the people who are living there, and because these people don’t have a choice they go and work in these factories and they be in an unhealthy environment because of the toxic gases and substances which are found in the factory. The second thing she talked about is production which is very polluting for the environment because of the toxic gases that come out of the factory. The third thing is distribution and they are the shops. Shops distribute these items in a way which makes you buy the item straight away. The fourth division is consumption and they are the people. People use these items and then they would see a new thing with their friends and would buy the same thing. The last thing is disposal and most stuff is disposed by burning or by throwing it in a pit in the ground which will pollute the environment.
Annie gives several reasons why this system continues in its way. She states that out 100 largest economies in the world 51 of them are production companies which made the government on the companies’ side instead of being there for the people. She also states that after the 1950s consumption mania exploded and the social life started to decline at the same time. Government must put pressure on these companies and make them produce their stuff and dispose their stuff in a safe way like recycling.
I agree with Annie and I think that companies must change their way in producing anything. If this system didn’t change we will be facing a major problem in our lives.
Bibliography:
Bibliography:
Leonard, Annie. "The Story of Stuff." The story of Stuff. Creative Commons Attribution. 23 Apr. 2009 .
Task 7- Global Warming
Global warming is a serious issue for people, governments and some countries. It has some negative effects on us and even on planet earth. This essay will describe causes and effects of global warming and outline some of the solutions to this problem.
The average temperature of the Earth has increased by 1 degree during the last 100 years because of global warming. There are a lot of factors that contribute to the problem of global warming. One of the causes of global warming is the increase of population over the last century. This rapid increase of population has caused a massive amount of consumption of fossil fuels, leading to the greenhouse effect. Another cause is the new technologies we use everyday such as cars and airplanes, those two technologies also produce a large amount greenhouse gasses. In addition, some people believe that wasting energy is a major contributor to the problem of global warming. Most power plants use fossil fuels to generate energy (Lerner, 2008).
Although the average temperature is only up by 1 F, global warming will have many effects and consequences. One of the potential effects of global warming is the melting of the ice caps and ice sheets over the world. This can result in a rise of sea levels, which can be dangerous to several countries. The people who live in these countries add up to almost 100 million and they will have to move. Another effect is the sudden weather changes in the pattern of rainfall and snowfall which lead to severe weather conditions such as heat waves, hurricanes and floods (Causes of Global Warming, 2009).
Fortunately, there are a lot of things that we can do to solve this problem or at least slow it down. The first solution is making fuel-efficient and high mileage cars and transport to reduce the usage of fossil fuels. The second solution is using energy-efficient house appliances such as air conditioners, bulbs and refrigerators. Another solution is switching to green power. Green power is generated from solar power, wind power or water power (Global Warming Solutions, 2008).
In my opinion, more can be done to raise people’s awareness to the problem of global warming. I think that the there is a lot of solutions but there is not enough initiative from people and governments.
Bibliography:
Lerner, Lee, and Wilmoth Lerner. "Global Warming." 2008. Student Resource Center Gold. Abu Dhabi Men's College, Abu Dhabi.
"Global Warming." Effects of global warming Causes of Global Warming. 14 May 2009.
"Global Warming Solutions." GreenerChoices. July 2008. Consumers Union. 14 May 2009 .
"Global Warming." Effects of global warming Causes of Global Warming. 14 May 2009
Task 6- Cool Cities
Traffic and the increase of CO2 are some of the serious issues that are caused by industries in modern cities. If we keep emitting this huge amount of CO2 we will have to find another Earth to live in. This essay will describe the problems caused by modern cities and outline some of the solutions to this problem.
One of the problems we are facing these days is the rise in population which leads to more energy consumption and that could have a negative effect on the environment. We don’t have another Earth. Therefore, if we want to keep our planet we have to reduce the greenhouse emissions by a half (Cool City).
In order to achieve that there is plans by a company from Japan called SDCJ to build a cool city which can reduce carbon emissions by 60% as well as providing facilities for a comfortable lifestyle. In the cool city there are a lot of zones such as a business zone, residential zone and a sport zone. These zones are arranged in way to make it easier for people to travel by foot. A huge amount of trees and water is used to minimize emissions (Cool City). Other techniques can also reduce these CO2 emissions such as roofs that catch cool breeze and reduce sunlight and circulating seawater underground to cool the city (Hope, 2008).
In my opinion a cool city is expensive to build, but it is a positive step to solve towards solving the problem of global warming.
One of the problems we are facing these days is the rise in population which leads to more energy consumption and that could have a negative effect on the environment. We don’t have another Earth. Therefore, if we want to keep our planet we have to reduce the greenhouse emissions by a half (Cool City).
In order to achieve that there is plans by a company from Japan called SDCJ to build a cool city which can reduce carbon emissions by 60% as well as providing facilities for a comfortable lifestyle. In the cool city there are a lot of zones such as a business zone, residential zone and a sport zone. These zones are arranged in way to make it easier for people to travel by foot. A huge amount of trees and water is used to minimize emissions (Cool City). Other techniques can also reduce these CO2 emissions such as roofs that catch cool breeze and reduce sunlight and circulating seawater underground to cool the city (Hope, 2008).
In my opinion a cool city is expensive to build, but it is a positive step to solve towards solving the problem of global warming.
Bibliography:
Cool City. Sustainable Development Consortium of Japan.
Hope, Bradley. "Cool ideas to beat the heat." The National 5 May 2008. Abu Dhabi Media Company. 7 May 2009
Task 5- Carbon Footprint
A carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gasses emitted by each person. It’s usually measured by earth equivalents. The Earth equivalent is basically equal to the number of Earths you are living as you have (Wikipedia, 2009).
I measured my carbon footprint using the carbon footprint calculator and the answer was 2.52 Earths. I went to the WWF Footprint Calculater and there were four question categories: food, travel, home and stuff. The questions were about my eating habits, traveling habits and electricity consuming habits. It also asked about the size of my home and how many people live in it. Although my Earth equivalent is high, it is considered low compared to other people. Other students in my class had a carbon footprint equal to 5.03 and that is really high.
The UAE has one of the highest percentages of CO2 emitted per person. The average person in the UAE produces 32.28 tons per year which is only second to Qatar with 64.14 tons per year (Breathing Earth)
We have to start to do some changes to reduce CO2 emissions in UAE even if it was small changes. That can be done by saving energy by using more efficient lights or power, saving water, recycling or reusing, using public transportation or walking.
I measured my carbon footprint using the carbon footprint calculator and the answer was 2.52 Earths. I went to the WWF Footprint Calculater and there were four question categories: food, travel, home and stuff. The questions were about my eating habits, traveling habits and electricity consuming habits. It also asked about the size of my home and how many people live in it. Although my Earth equivalent is high, it is considered low compared to other people. Other students in my class had a carbon footprint equal to 5.03 and that is really high.
The UAE has one of the highest percentages of CO2 emitted per person. The average person in the UAE produces 32.28 tons per year which is only second to Qatar with 64.14 tons per year (Breathing Earth)
We have to start to do some changes to reduce CO2 emissions in UAE even if it was small changes. That can be done by saving energy by using more efficient lights or power, saving water, recycling or reusing, using public transportation or walking.
Bibliography:
WWF Footprint Calculator. World Wide Fund for Nature. 16 Apr. 2009
Bleja, David. CO2 emissions, birth & death rates by country, simulated real-time. 16 Apr. 2009
Task 4- An Inconvenient Truth
Movie Review
Bibliography:
An Inconvenient truth is a movie presented by Al Gore and it’s about global warming and some of its repercussions. It’s quite controversial and some people agree with the information in the movie and some people disagree. In this report I will discuss two reviews about the movie.
The first review disagrees with Al Gore and it’s written by A.O. Scott who writes for the NY Times. Scott suggests that the movie should never have been made and it’s not our responsibility to solve the problem of global warming. He also mentions that the movie seems to be about Al Gore but it’s really about the dangers of climate change. He emphasizes the idea that people will start to see Al Gore as a humorless speaker and a showoff and they will make fun of him instead of taking him seriously (Scott, 2006).
Roger Ebert’s review agrees with Al Gore. He thinks that global warming is real and it’s caused by us. He states that if we don’t do anything about this problem, in 10 years it will destroy our civilization. He also urges us to forget that he was the vice president of the USA. He says that Al Gore is just talking about approaching a crisis and he offers reasonable and simple solutions (Ebert, 2006).
In my opinion, Ebert’s review is the one that I agree with. Ultimately, I think the movie had some funny moments and it opened my eyes to the fact that it’s much more serious than I ever thought. I also think that it was presented in a way that anyone understands. It had a positive effect of making people feel responsible and they will start to do some changes to reduce CO2 emissions.
The first review disagrees with Al Gore and it’s written by A.O. Scott who writes for the NY Times. Scott suggests that the movie should never have been made and it’s not our responsibility to solve the problem of global warming. He also mentions that the movie seems to be about Al Gore but it’s really about the dangers of climate change. He emphasizes the idea that people will start to see Al Gore as a humorless speaker and a showoff and they will make fun of him instead of taking him seriously (Scott, 2006).
Roger Ebert’s review agrees with Al Gore. He thinks that global warming is real and it’s caused by us. He states that if we don’t do anything about this problem, in 10 years it will destroy our civilization. He also urges us to forget that he was the vice president of the USA. He says that Al Gore is just talking about approaching a crisis and he offers reasonable and simple solutions (Ebert, 2006).
In my opinion, Ebert’s review is the one that I agree with. Ultimately, I think the movie had some funny moments and it opened my eyes to the fact that it’s much more serious than I ever thought. I also think that it was presented in a way that anyone understands. It had a positive effect of making people feel responsible and they will start to do some changes to reduce CO2 emissions.
Bibliography:
Ebert, Roger. "An Inconvenient Truth :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews." Rogerebert.com :: Movie reviews, essays and the Movie Answer Man from film critic Roger Ebert. 2 June 2006. 06 Apr. 2009 .
Scott, A. "Movie Review - An Inconvenient Truth - Warning of Calamities and Hoping for a Change in 'An Inconvenient Truth' - NYTimes.com." Movie Reviews, Showtimes and Trailers - Movies - New York Times. 24 May 2006. 06 Apr. 2009 .
Task 3- An Inconvenient Truth
Global warming is a serious issue for people, governments and some countries and the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” discusses this problem. It has some negative effects on us and even on planet earth. This essay will describe the problems caused by global warming and outline some of the solutions to this problem that were mentioned in the movie.
According to Al Gore who was the vice president of the USA, there are 3 main factors that contribute to the problem of global warming. The first factor is the rapid increase in population which was 2 billion in his generation and now it has reached 9 billion. This increase in population raises the CO2 emission which causes the green house effect. The second factor is the new technology which also leads to the increase of CO2 emissions. The third main factor is the way people think. Al Gore made a video of a frog in a bowl to explain that if the bowl is heated suddenly the frog will jump out, and if you heat the bowl slowly the frog will stay there until he dies.
He states that global warming will have many consequences such as: rise in the earth’s temperature, melting of glaciers, Antarctica and Greenland which causes the sea level to rise. If the sea rises to certain amounts it will cause people to move, more than 100 million people will move.
Finally, Al Gore mentions some of the solutions like: efficient and high mileage cars and transport, renewable technology and solar or wind power. This will decrease CO2 percentage to lower than 1970s.
According to Al Gore who was the vice president of the USA, there are 3 main factors that contribute to the problem of global warming. The first factor is the rapid increase in population which was 2 billion in his generation and now it has reached 9 billion. This increase in population raises the CO2 emission which causes the green house effect. The second factor is the new technology which also leads to the increase of CO2 emissions. The third main factor is the way people think. Al Gore made a video of a frog in a bowl to explain that if the bowl is heated suddenly the frog will jump out, and if you heat the bowl slowly the frog will stay there until he dies.
He states that global warming will have many consequences such as: rise in the earth’s temperature, melting of glaciers, Antarctica and Greenland which causes the sea level to rise. If the sea rises to certain amounts it will cause people to move, more than 100 million people will move.
Finally, Al Gore mentions some of the solutions like: efficient and high mileage cars and transport, renewable technology and solar or wind power. This will decrease CO2 percentage to lower than 1970s.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Task 2- Global Warming
Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth. Global surface temperature increased by only 1 degree during the last 100 years. But this 1 degree has lead to many consequences, such as: melting ice bricks, rise of the sea level, heat waves and many strong hurricanes.
Almost 100% of the temperature increase in the last 50 years has been due to the increase of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere like CO2, methane and ozone. Greenhouse gases are the gases that lead to the greenhouse effect. The largest source of greenhouse gas is the burning of fossil fuel leading to the emission of carbon dioxide.
Normal
Greenhouse effect
The effects of rising temperatures are not very far in the future. Some impacts from increasing temperatures are already happening. Signs are appearing in some areas. The heat is not only melting ice bricks; it’s also shifting rain fall patterns and making animals move from home. Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the worlds poles. This includes mountain snow, ice covering Antarctica and Greenland, and Arctic sea ice. Sea level rise became faster in the last century. Some birds, animals and plants have moved to cooler areas. Rain and snowfall has increased across the planet.
All these changes could be worse if we keep using the greenhouse gases. There are many things we can do to slow down the temperature rise in the future
Almost 100% of the temperature increase in the last 50 years has been due to the increase of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere like CO2, methane and ozone. Greenhouse gases are the gases that lead to the greenhouse effect. The largest source of greenhouse gas is the burning of fossil fuel leading to the emission of carbon dioxide.
Normal
Greenhouse effect 
The effects of rising temperatures are not very far in the future. Some impacts from increasing temperatures are already happening. Signs are appearing in some areas. The heat is not only melting ice bricks; it’s also shifting rain fall patterns and making animals move from home. Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the worlds poles. This includes mountain snow, ice covering Antarctica and Greenland, and Arctic sea ice. Sea level rise became faster in the last century. Some birds, animals and plants have moved to cooler areas. Rain and snowfall has increased across the planet.
All these changes could be worse if we keep using the greenhouse gases. There are many things we can do to slow down the temperature rise in the future
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Lebanon - Beirut
Introduction
Lebanon is an important part of the Middle East and even an important part of the world. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east, and Palestine to the south. It’s mainly known for its historic sites and. People there with many different religions live together in one country. Unfortunately, it has suffered a lot of wars and it has a very tragic history.
Modern History
In 1943 the French invasion was finally over and it was the year of Lebanon’s independence.
Lebanon lived in peace for a while, but trouble has started again in 1948. Israel evicted 100,000 were evicted into Lebanon causing trouble between Muslims and Christians. In 1975 tension has reached a critical level. A group of Christians called the Phalange, killed a group of Palestinians by attacking a bus full of them in downtown Beirut. This event led to some trust issues between Muslims and Christians and the city was divided in two parts. The Israeli army invaded Beirut in 1982 to remove The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). The year 1989 was the year of peace for Lebanon, as a peace deal was reached. Trouble has faded away as the groups causing trouble disbanded and peace came back to the streets. There were a lot of casualties in this war. Between 150,000 and 200,000 people died and 300,000 were injured.
Lebanon Now
Since then Beirut has recovered socially and economically. Muslims and Christians are doing business together and living together in peace. The city is under construction now with building cranes everywhere. There are newly built highways and there is a lot of shopping malls around the city. Foreign armies have left and tourism is coming back. On the other hand, the country is still facing some issues. People are dealing with unemployment and the high cost of living. This has caused young people to leave the country and work or study abroad.
Bibliography:
"Eye on... Lebanon." Global Eye. Royal Geographical Society. 9 Feb. 2009 .
Lebanon is an important part of the Middle East and even an important part of the world. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east, and Palestine to the south. It’s mainly known for its historic sites and. People there with many different religions live together in one country. Unfortunately, it has suffered a lot of wars and it has a very tragic history.
Modern History
In 1943 the French invasion was finally over and it was the year of Lebanon’s independence.
Lebanon lived in peace for a while, but trouble has started again in 1948. Israel evicted 100,000 were evicted into Lebanon causing trouble between Muslims and Christians. In 1975 tension has reached a critical level. A group of Christians called the Phalange, killed a group of Palestinians by attacking a bus full of them in downtown Beirut. This event led to some trust issues between Muslims and Christians and the city was divided in two parts. The Israeli army invaded Beirut in 1982 to remove The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). The year 1989 was the year of peace for Lebanon, as a peace deal was reached. Trouble has faded away as the groups causing trouble disbanded and peace came back to the streets. There were a lot of casualties in this war. Between 150,000 and 200,000 people died and 300,000 were injured.
Lebanon Now
Since then Beirut has recovered socially and economically. Muslims and Christians are doing business together and living together in peace. The city is under construction now with building cranes everywhere. There are newly built highways and there is a lot of shopping malls around the city. Foreign armies have left and tourism is coming back. On the other hand, the country is still facing some issues. People are dealing with unemployment and the high cost of living. This has caused young people to leave the country and work or study abroad.
Bibliography:
"Eye on... Lebanon." Global Eye. Royal Geographical Society. 9 Feb. 2009 .
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