Bob Calkin asked:


It’s inconceivable to me that the universe of which the Earth is a tiny part all happened by chance. It makes more sense to accept there is a mystery which we probably won’t uncover, but that the universe‘s evolutionary thrust is driven by a sacred intelligent energy that is inherent in the way the universe functions. The role of human beings in this cosmic drama is to evolve in order that the universe will know itself. We are the universe becoming aware of itself.

As it is there is reliable scientific theory that the universe has evolved to its present state and continues to evolve. The course of evolution is towards more and more complexity. Human consciousness also evolves being able to handle more and more complexity and to also increase its span of care and concern.

However, it is also clear that even though human consciousness has evolved towards greater complexity and care and concern there is something problematic about human consciousness.

In the western developed world we have created a civilization that confers many benefits but at the same time the Earth’s ecology is under serious threat, so much so that our civilization might not survive this century, there is major social division within societies and within the wider global community and there is widespread psychological alienation. Moreover the economic model that emerged out of the 1930’s depression and after the Second World War has collapsed.

All of these issues pose major challenges which the current dominant consciousness will not be able to solve.

What then do we make of the sacred intelligent energy that drives evolution of the universe?

Evolution will continue no matter what and the Earth will continue (at least for the next few billion years) but our current human civilization may not unless we evolve beyond and transcend the current dominant consciousness. This means that human beings mightn’t be able to fulfill their mission of helping the universe know itself to be replaced by some other form of consciousness.

The stakes are extremely high and they have probably never been higher for human civilization. One of the critical issues is the creation of a new economy, but the danger is that we will create an economy that continues to defy the laws of nature and that will not repair the damage caused to the ecology.

It’s around this issue of economic reconstruction that questions of consciousness arises. How do we understand the consciousness that has given rise to the modern world and a consciousness that will take us beyond our current challenges? Along with many others I call the current dominant consciousness modernist consciousness.

Modernist consciousness is a term used by many to describe a whole range of cultural values, norms and practices. People whose consciousness is at this stage experience the self as a separate isolated individual. Modernism values wealth, status and the good life through material wealth and consumption. People are valued in terms of what they own and their income. Progress is achieved through science and technology and seeking the best solution is equated with what advances wealth and status. It values winning and striving for excellence and appreciates individual autonomy and independence, all organized within a meritocracy.

These are the things that people with this level of consciousness identify with. In the current financial meltdown all of these ideas and values are under threat and stand at the heart of the fears and anxieties that have arisen as people have seen their dreams and hope shattered. The danger is that those with shattered dreams will try to recreate the economic conditions that they have lost. The real solution involves building a new consciousness based around what I call a spiritual life of everyday experience.

Modernist consciousness is based on values of wealth, status and the good life based around conspicuous consumption which it is assumed are the core of human nature. Those with this consciousness fashion their lives around these values.

Developmental psychology has taught us, however, that there is no such thing as a universal human nature. Our nature as a human being evolves through different stages and there is no such thing as a permanent human nature common to all people. This has to be a source of hope for the future. There is far more to being human than as an economic optimizer as the economists would have us believe.

This consciousness created the modern world, but it cannot take us to a world that will work in harmony with and value the Earth and allow the Earth to heal, as well as valuing all living forms. It will not be possible to retain this form of consciousness and create a post financial crash economy and a mode of consumption aimed at reversing global warming and repairing the ecosystem services.

Einstein said that you cannot solve the problems created by one type of consciousness with the level of consciousness that created the problem in the first place.

What type of consciousness will be required to replace modernist consciousness? I call this ecological consciousness associated with a spiritual life based around the experience of everyday life.

This new form of consciousness will need to have the potential to solve a series of big questions. It will be needed to create a new economy that obeys the ecological boundaries of the Earth, protects the positive features of our civilization, addresses the social divisions that exist and heals widespread psychological alienation. How would we describe such a consciousness?

Ecological consciousness like all stages of consciousness has six themes:

• Ecological consciousness perceives our reality as human beings participating in universal life which is a conscious intelligent energy field, life has us we don’t have a life, we are the dance, life is the dancer.

• Ecological consciousness recognizes that we have needs in order to serve universal life. In the modern world needs extend to education, health care, safe communities, opportunities to develop our competencies and consciousness and so on. Ecological consciousness sees these things as needs that it requires in order to serve universal life but does not covet them, identify with them or become attached to them.

• Ecological consciousness embraces a relationship between ourselves as human beings and the way we make a living in a way that promotes living in harmony with and valuing the Earth and all living forms, and that is an expression of the purpose we fulfill on behalf of life, where service is the prime concern.

• Ecological consciousness adopts a life style that makes as few demands on the Earth’s resources as possible and weighs up how all activities impact upon the Earth, other people and other living forms. Above all ecological consciousness abandons the pursuit of wealth and status except as a means of supplying our needs in accordance with the Earth’s ecology. This is a revolutionary and radical idea.

• Ecological consciousness adopts an attitude of abiding in all and everyone abiding in it as a basis for its relationships with others.

• Ecological consciousness engages in political, social and economic events. It does so aware that people are at different stages of consciousness so as to manage the spiral of development for the benefit of all, and in a way that facilitates the growth and development of all. It tries where possible to promote amplified ecologically conscious people into positions of leadership. Ecological consciousness looks to the possibility of converting itself into a world wide movement pledged to influence the course of events.

There are clearly huge gaps between modernist consciousness and ecological consciousness. Is the gap so great that it’s unbridgeable?

The answer to this profoundly important question needs to be considered in relation to the severity of the challenges we face, the likely outcome if we don’t face them and the fact that as human beings we are programmed to evolve and develop. It’s important for as many people as possible to face up to the nature of the challenges and to accept that modernist consciousness will hinder our chances of preserving our civilization. Recognizing that we must face this challenge and lead a spiritual life based in everyday experience is one of the critical challenges that we face.

We know enough about consciousness, about how it develops and how people can make real and lasting change. There are also enough people whose consciousness is bordering on ecological consciousness, even though the present numbers who have reached this stage is relatively small.

This suggests that it will be possible for enough people to take on board the evolutionary challenge of developing ecological consciousness to lead the way to a new economy that obeys the laws of the Earth’s ecology, that is able to respond to the grievous social division and to healing psychological alienation to be hopeful that we just might have a chance.

In later articles I’ll deal with how you can ecological consciousness can be developed. In the meantime to learn more visit my website http://www.bobcalkin.co.nz.



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C. Read asked:


The growing rapacity of German gluttony forced Hitler to take over Austria in 1938 and threaten Czechoslovakia. In Britain this produced a national crisis which resulted in Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s meeting Hitler in September 1938 at Berchtesgaden. Chamberlain returned from the meeting announcing ‘peace in our time’ which was abruptly smashed when Hitler invaded Prague in March 1939. Soon after given Western weakness and hesitation to work with the Soviet Union Stalin formed a pact with the Nazi’s guaranteeing Russian security and the partitioning of Eastern Europe between the Bear and the Hun. There was nothing to stop Hitler from destroying Poland and then turning his malevolence towards the West.

Public anger which had exploded after the subjugation of Prague had forced Chamberlain to give the improvident pledge to guarantee Poland’s security. Militarily and rationally this was an impossibility. The British did not possess a large enough standing army to lend help to Poland to stem a German advance and the logistics of transferring military relief to Poland was never calculated. Only the Navy was possessed war making power and there was little the Navy could do to defend Poland. She was invaded on the first of September and the Second World War began. Churchill was immediately recalled into power as First Lord of the Admiralty – the very same post he had assumed control of 25 years previous on the eve of the First World War.

From day one of the war Churchill was the true Leader of Britain. Chamberlain was defeatist and broken hearted remarking bitterly how his life’s work was now tragically sundered. He did not have the capability to rouse a nation and persevere to the bitter end. Winston as Naval War Lord was not only attacking the enemy on the seas but combating defeatist elements at home and trying to prod the blind neutral nations into action. Only Churchill could utter with true conviction and spirit, “Now we have begun; now we are going on; now with the help of God, and with the conviction that we are the defenders of Civilisation and Freedom, we are going on, and we are going on to the end.”

The Royal Navy was the only strong force that Britain possessed and from the opening bell the naval squads were on the offensive. Churchill worked at least an 18 hour day. Plans were drawn for a blockade of the German coast, convoy arrangements were made; mine-sweeping was instituted, enemy raiders harassed and submarines sunk. By the end of 1939 the Royal Navy had sunk half of all German submarines. However the war was only in its infancy. Great battles loomed.

On May 10 1940 the Germans began their vicious assault on the West. The Hun streamed into Holland and Belgium. That night the King of England sent for Churchill and asked him to form a government. Thus began the creation of the Churchill legend and his enshrinement into history. The story of the British war effort under Churchill falls into two distinct categories – the struggle to survive and the establishment of the alliance with the USA and Russia and the ultimate destruction of Germany and Japan.

The battle to survive covers the twelve or so months that Britain fought Germany completely alone in 1940-1. This period covered the dazzlingly quick disappearance of France under the heel of the Gestapo in June of 1940 to the German attack on Russia in June of 1941. This grim year brought horrible highlights; the partition of France, the formation of the pro-Nazi French Vichy government, the battle of Britain, the blitz on London, the beginning of the North African desert war, the defeat of Greece, and the British Commando raids along the Norwegian and French coasts.

It was during this sombre episodic current of ruin that Churchill became the most inspirational Leader of the Western world in the 20th century. He portrayed the towering, implacable fierceness of a proud nation, and of liberty, and expressed every free man’s tenacity to fight in words that no other could have summoned forth. Winston’s knowledge of military matters and his close operational vigilance over all affair animated and excited the British war effort with a boldness that astonished. British prestige in this desperate hour reached its highest ever pitch. The world over prayed for its salvation and success.

The immense energy and illimitable skill that throbbed and turned in his heart and mind was at last released from its bondage and given full scope of use. Churchill no longer knew the frustration of ideas that could not be brought alive, vitality that could not be expended, or ingenious approaches that could not be tested. The supreme challenge was met by a man of supreme stature. The Government was turned upside down. Routine was destroyed. Twenty four activity the rule with Churchill as the master organiser. All knew their place and role. Churchill immediately established a small War Cabinet to make effective and quick decisions. At first the membership was four which grew during the war to seven. This tiny all powerful directing force was supported by sixty or seventy other ministers of all parties who formed the core membership of the Coalition government but responsible only for their own departments. As Churchill pointed out, it was only the members of the War Cabinet, “who had the right to have their heads cut off on Tower Hill if we did not win.”

Never before in modern history did one man have so much power. Churchill was everywhere. He not only controlled the government but the operational side of the conflict as well. He was not only the King’s First Minister but Leader of the House of Commons and, even more important Minister of Defence also. The military Chiefs of Staff instead of reporting to their own ministries reported instead directly to Churchill. The Joint Planning Committee – a body of professional staff officers of all three services – worked under Churchill as part of the Ministry of Defence rather than under the Chiefs of Staff. Thus by permission of the War Cabinet and Parliament Churchill became the penultimate democratic Leader.

No one can study Churchill’s part in the war without being staggered by the colossal output of interests, dictation’s, orders, speeches, broadcasts, plans, promotions and prunings. In military matters he covered an almost incomprehensible range of activity. When Britain stood alone and the nation was bracing itself for the storm of invasion Churchill was racing about the government demanding attack plans, offensive action and targets of British incursions. He demanded the end of the passive war. Thus the commando raids were born. He participated during the war in every operational plan and strategy demanding full technical elaboration’s and missives to be sent to his attention. “During the war,” the American General Eisenhower later testified, “Churchill maintained such close contact with all operations as to make him a virtual member of the British Chiefs of Staff; I cannot remember any major discussion with them in which he did not participate.”

Churchill’s power was dependent upon the War Cabinet. It is a tribute to his skill of persuasion that unlike Roosevelt or Stalin, who were by their constitutions absolute military leaders of their nation, Churchill exercised his authority only by the permission of the War Cabinet who were willing to grant this authority only so long as Winston commanded the confidence of Parliament. Much of Parliament’s confidence was bolstered by Churchill’s impassioned, humanised and soaring orations. No man or women in the British Commonwealth who heard on June 4 1940 that France was being devoured by the German beast, will forget the tingling of emotion and courage when Churchill uttered in a strange, hoarse voice: “We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and the oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever he cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle until in God’s good time, the new world, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”

Another Leader may have uttered, “We will do what is necessary to win this war and persevere in its struggle until it is won. This government believes in the ultimate ability of our nation to come through to victory.” Or something to that effect. Very few would have evinced the crescendo of emotional “We shall’s” in a peroration. Churchill gave the roar to the British lion and heart to the British public. Romance, history, philosophy and leadership all running in the cloud-burst of Churchill’s speeches and leadership of the war effort. But though he carried his role with pride, prompt execution and relish in no way implies a cold heart or an acceptance of war’s carnage. The suffering that he saw, and he saw a lot with his own eyes as he inspected damage through Britain, on more than one occasion pushed him into tears. When Churchill saw a small shop in ruins and wondered out loud to his private secretary the anguish that the owner must feel to have his whole life exploded and ruptured so completely, he became so visibly upset that he resolved at that moment to compensate all damaged property with state payments. Thus the policy of war damage for private assets came into effect. If Churchill enjoyed the waging of war he certainly suffered from the anguish it induced and endeavoured to share its destruction with the common man and woman.

The second phase of the war lasted from the infamous Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7 1941 until the end of the war. Until 1944 the British and Russian armies bore the brunt of the struggle against the demented German race. From early 1944 onwards the Americans assumed a greater share and responsibility of the war effort and began to relegate the British to a supporting role in the drive to victory. Roosevelt and Churchill met nine times during the war establishing a strong if short lived friendship. The Americans including Roosevelt were incorrectly convinced that Churchill and the British wanted to expand their Empire.

This calamitous suspicion allowed the Russians more freedom in Eastern Europe than the British would ever have tolerated. As early as 1943 with victory a matter of time and logistics Churchill implored the American leadership not to let Soviet ambition run unimpeded in Eastern Europe. The American reply was incredibly purblind and vague. It appears in scouring the documents and American communiqués that they trusted the Soviets to behave themselves more than their close allies the British ! Eisenhower and many of his chiefs remarked in letters and in meetings that they could not understand why the British constantly mixed politics and military affairs.

To the British this represented reality and the best hope to avoid another world war with the Soviets after the defeat of Germany. Churchill and his advisors even preached that upon the war’s closing everything necessary should be attempted to revive Germany as a bulwark against the pending Soviet menace. The Americans felt that such targets as Prague, Berlin and Vienna were unnecessary military ventures that would endanger the lives of their men. If the Soviets wanted to shed more life in attacking these seemingly remote locations than the Americans were content to let them. The British just shook their heads in dismay unable to impress the Americans with their superior logic. Victory was attained but it set the stage for the Cold War.

The fact that the British survived the early years of the war when Germany swept all before it and that the British evaded a complete national disaster at Dunkirk and defeated the Nazi’s in the air during the Battle of Britain, issued during the remainder of the war and for a short period after it, an inflated sense of self destiny and strength and even an isolationist mentality. The collective suffering and emotional agony endured by the entire British nation also gave express an imbued spirit of egalitarianism. The depth of this communal desire was the most profound in British history and exercised a new faith in social planning and cohesion. During Churchill’s premiership in the war the most celebrated social reconstruction document of the period was the report by William Beveridge which outlined a radical scheme of comprehensive social security, financed from central taxation. This new state aided social plan included maternity benefits, child allowances, universal health and unemployment insurance, old age pension and death benefits – an entire cradle to grave policy. From 1940-45 Britain moved more rapidly to the left than at any time in history a move marked by the important positions Labour ministers occupied in the war government.

At the end of World War II in 1945, Britain was still one of the Big 3 powers, indeed it was ranked as a great power, an illusion that held until about 1963. The British still had their empire in 1945 and in the ensuing years they could still produce great artists and Nobel prize winners, but much to the chagrin of Churchill and the leadership class British glory was long past. The rapid decolonisation of most of its empire — India, Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka — and parts of Africa shedded from British finance much unneeded expense and worry, and solidified Britain’s secondary role in world affairs subordinate to the USA and Russia.

Success in conflict notwithstanding the British electorate in the 1945 general election shockingly kicked Churchill and the Conservatives from office by an overwhelming share. For the third time the Labour party was called forth to govern. Churchill after leading the democracies to attain the supreme glories and garlands of success instantly found himself shorn of privilege and casted into opposition. It was a role he obviously did not appreciate. For Churchill defeat was only explained by the plain fact that people believed his government to be a war council, unprepared for the extended restructuring of society that peace demanded. Labour presented a sharper and more intelligent platform and catalogue of change. The Conservatives were quite content to rest upon Churchill’s name and ignore the organisation and deliverance of a viable alternative to the Labour programme.

Whilst Churchill harried the Labour government and began the rebuilding of the Conservative party to respond to public and peace-time pressure he began the personal memoirs of the great struggle and in the absence of anything else offered by the other leaders – Stalin, Roosevelt, Truman, or Hitler – Churchill was able to dictate on the best terms and in the most convincing language possible, his and Britannia’s exalted position in the struggle against evil. It was an incomparable success, ensuring that in times forward, historians would favourably compare the works of Thucydides and those of Churchill. Both men represented and recorded their times and events on an unparalleled scale.

What Churchill was able to offer the reader was a glimpse into the details of history’s most horrible man-made disaster. The wicked folly of the conflict was evident at the war’s end. Whole nations lay in ruins. Towns, cities, industrial plants and transportation facilities were erased. Food and life essentials were unavailable to great migratory populations. Cynicism and disillusionment in Europe and elsewhere bred the shift to the political left. Marxism replaced Fascism as an acceptable form of social order. Communism erupting from poverty, spread like an open wound across Asia and Europe. With the complete eradication of Nagasaki and Hiroshima the nuclear age dawned. Moral questionings loudly divided those in the West over the usage of weapons of such finality – especially against a prostrate Japan. Dropping two bombs three days apart on a nation that was in the process of trying to negotiate an exit from the war seemed to many morally reprehensible. It was an inauspicious beginning to the scientific era.

The United States and Russia emerged from the rubble of the war as opponents. Russia was mauled and mutilated by the war with over 20 million dead and whole sections of her country raped. The USA stood at war’s end possessing a massive ego and the greatest economic supremacy in history. The big two were joined by the little third – Great Britain – and the three during the war and after drove the discussions regarding the build up of the United Nations. Most vexing to the Allies in the construction of the United Nations Assembly was whether members were obliged to surrender part or all of their own independence to the new body in order to maintain peace. How would it be possible to invest such a supranational body with enough force to enforce decisions ? How would the large powers relate to the smaller in the decision making of such a forum ? At Moscow in 1943 the Big Three resolved many of these issues and in Washington in 1944, joined by China, hammered out the shape of the new international body. At the Yalta conference in 1945, the Big Three came to terms on the matter of securing for each of the major powers the right to veto decisions of the new international body. This allowed the creation of the UNO charter at San Francisco in April 1945 which clearly identified the principles and responsibilities of the new organisation. Fifty one founding nations signed the document and in September 1945 the UNO opened its headquarters in New York.

Comprising the UNO were principally the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. Most power resided in the Security Council which was given the task of maintaining the peace. Five permanent members sit in the council; the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, China and France and six other nations are elected for two year terms as non-permanent members. The permanent members retained veto power with all resolutions needing the consent of the five permanent nations before passing.

In contrast to the Security Council the UNO General Assembly was shaped by all the member states each wielding one nation one vote rights. International problems are to be solved in an open forum and mandates need to be passed by majority vote. This effectively gives the smaller nations more voice in international affairs. The Secretariat acting as the permanent secretary of the UNO concerned itself with internal operations with its Secretary General the highest profiled member of the UNO, exerting wide diplomatic powers emanating from the prestige of the office.

Thus the founding of the UNO was an expression of hope by the survivors of the Second World War. Quickly this vision was marred and jaded by political ineptitude and quivering resolve by the UNO in major affairs. There was little effective work during the Cold War that could be resoundingly accomplished. This war which was contested by two sides that viewed the other as monolithic or controlling inimical forces, could never have been settled via diplomatic channels. The mental straitjackets of both sides; with the Soviet Union believing that the capitalist West controlled by a few monied financiers who desired the destruction of communism and especially the Soviet Union and which would never grant the Russians fair credit in defeating Hitler; and the West believing that Russia controlled the communistic movement world-wide and that communism and especially Russia wanted to overthrow the better functioning liberal states, could only end with the breakdown of one of the combatants. The demise of Marxism gave spring to the hope of a liberal-democratic world.

The major events since 1945 can be summarised in a short list;

- The Collapse of Communism

- The Triumph of Capitalism

- The beginning of the High Tech Era

- The Decline of the USA and the re-emergence of Europe, Japan and China

- The Fragmentation of parts of the world into tribes

- Ecological dislocation

- Growing disparity between the have and have-not nations

- Emerging militant Islamism

- Questioning over the role of the UNO

The most momentous and important event however has been the spread of globalism. Economically, morally, and spiritually people are viewing themselves regardless of race, kin, geography or circumstance as belonging to the entire human race and not a limited defined tribe. Though tribalism in some areas of the world is taking hold even within these identified units a greater consciousness is emanating out to the rest of the globe that though distinct there resides a desire and need to be integrated into a global framework. Economics, peace and ecological salvation commonsensically dictate this. So do the various images from space capturing a small blue ball in the surroundings of space. Somehow this humbles even the largest of egos. So even as, in some parts of the world, balkanisation is shattering mature states, the pieces will still be forced to bond not only together but somehow they will need to align themselves to the greater puzzle that resides outside their narrow borders. It is only by collective effort that the solutioning of poverty, ecological rapine, and the stoppage of war can be peacefully effected.

Churchill died just after the Cuban missile crisis during a bitter period of Cold War strife, which almost pushed the world into a nuclear confrontation. Though he felt certain of liberal-democracy’s triumph he did not see the maturity of his concept. And though he sustained an undying faith in the ability of man to overcome his worst problems we can be sure that without using the leadership skills presented through his example we will have a very difficult time indeed.



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Larry Rivera asked:


a leader is difficult in itself. Hence, becoming an effective leader is a hurdling task. Aside from meeting up that qualification, there are other factors that must be considered to achieve productive results when leading a team.

Initial Leadership Process

Identifying the qualities that would make an effective leader is your first step towards creating a harmonious working environment among your group.

An effective leader is one that is able to analyze the situation at hand. Good leaders know when their leadership is required and when it is not. If not, then no matter how much you attempt to lead your group, then all efforts would not pay off.

Strategies Towards Better Leadership

Here are helpful tips that would enable you to recognize the situation your group is in:

1.Understand your group as a whole. When you have group members who resist your efforts to lead the entire group, this could drag your level of effectivity down. However, if you do have group members that support you, then you might be able to overcome this resistance hurdle that is keeping you from moving forward.

2.A good leader is one who recognizes the individual needs of your member. Is anything stopping a member from contributing to the group? Learn to openly discuss these matters with your members to assess not only how much they can contribute to the team, but also their understanding of the situation.

3.During discussions with your group members, encourage them to open up on issues that are essential to them. Do they feel neglected? Do they need some changes in the dynamics of the group? Utilize this as a venue to discuss matters that would help increase your productivity as a whole.

4.Create realistic goals. You can arrive at this by clearly discussing every aspect of your goals and objectives with the team. As you work towards your goal, never try to meddle too much with their work and trust them to perform well on it. After all, they will call your attention should they need your guidance on some matters.

5.Appreciate your team’s efforts. If you have managed to realize your goals, reward them through words of appreciation and recognition. This will motivate them to do better with the next task.

How Does One Become An Effective Leader?

Unlike common misconceptions, a leader is not someone who is perfect or someone who knows everything. One thing is common to all effective leaders: passion towards their goal and ability to adapt.

As a leader, you should evaluate your own skills and abilities. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Identifying them will enable you to make the necessary changes that will assist your development as an individual and as a leader.

The process of becoming a leader is equal to efforts of forming a holistic individual. When you give valuable feedback to your group members, do take note of their feedback on your performance as well. That way, it is a symbiotic working relationship.

There must be an integration of strategies to becoming a leader and the proper attitude that will enable you to reach peak performance.



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John Peter asked:


Outdoor education usually refers to organized learning that takes place in the outdoors. There are various outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, canoeing, ropes courses, and group games. Some of the aims of the outdoor education are to bring the children closer to Mother Nature, builds self confidence, how children can manage difficult situations, to enhance personal and social development. The various outdoor activities include abseiling, backpacking, camping, canoeing, Geo caching, kayaking, nature study, questing, rafting, rock climbing, ropes course, sail training, snowboarding, and way finding. Outdoor education is education ‘in’, ‘about’, and ‘for’ the out of doors.

Outdoor education can occur in a school yard, swamps, meadows, forests, shores, lakes, prairies, deserts, estuaries, and biomes. About explains that the topic is the outdoors itself and the cultural aspects related to the natural environment. You can teach about mathematics, biology, geology, communication, history, political science, art, physical skills, or endurance in outdoors. But students mainly learn about soil, water, animals and plants as it is related to natural environment. ‘For’ tell us that the purpose of outdoor education is related to cognitive, psycho-motor, and other domains of learning for ecosystem. Abseiling is an outdoor activity. It is the process of descending a rope under control, used in rock climbing, mountaineering, caving, and canoeing. It is also called as rappelling, rap jumping, rappling etc. Various equipment that are needed for abseiling is helmets, gloves, and boots, knee-pads, ropes, harness, and rappel device. Backpacker packs all of his or her gear into a backpack. This gear must include food, water, shelter or some other little things that are needed. Backpacking may last just for a weekend or even for weeks or months.

Camping is an outdoor activity. Campers get away from the urban areas in general and enjoy nature while spending one or more nights, usually at a campsite. Camping equipments that are needed includes a tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, portable stove, lantern, and hatchet, ropes, and chuck box. Some campers may prepare food by cooking on a campfire, use equipment called as Dutch oven. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a global positioning system receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers anywhere in the world. Rafting is a challenging recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. Outdoor activities that are conducted by Pali institute include deep creek hike, outdoor cooking, forest ecology, orienteering, bird brains, wilderness survival, animal survivor, day hike, archery. 



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Chris Okafor asked:




THE ORIGIN OF OGWASHI- UKU, ANIOMA AND THE REST OF DELTA IBO: By Chris Okafor



“What really is the point of trying to teach anything to anybody?’ This question seemed to provoke a murmur of sympathetic approval from up and down the table.  ‘What I mean is that if you really want to understand something, the best way is to try and explain it to someone else. That forces you to sort it out in your mind. And the more slow and dim-witted your pupil, the more you have to break things down into more and more simple ideas. And that’s really the essence of programming. By the time you’ve sorted out a complicated idea into little steps that even a stupid machine can deal with, you’ve learned something about it yourself.’

- Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Agency Detector

Thus, I have chosen to write this article prior to recent election of Chief Ralph Uwaechue, an astute Ogwashi –Uku son of the soil and by contrast, an Anioma man as the President General elect of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo as well as the Newspapers report by the former that “The Origin of Delta Igbo is Indisputable”. Some of the reactionists include Sunny Ofili, the publisher of thetimesofnigeria.com, a United States-based internet news websites. What follows was an Armageddon, an avalanche of people through newspapers and magazines both in Nigeria and Diasporas engaging in endless arguments as regards the aforementioned issues. Interestingly, some has resorted to adding rhetoric in order to buttress their fact less points.

Of all these argument about the origin of Delta Igbo or Ibo, the only one I found completely unacceptable is the statement credited to Chief Ralph Uwaechue and it run thus “It is ridiculous for people who speak Igbo and who properly know their ancestral home to say they do not know their origin again or for another person to begin to give inaccurate facts,” he told Saturday Independent in an interview.

“We have people in Anioma and they form one-third of the population and that has also reflected on the number of local government areas it commands. The entire Delta may not trace their origin to the East (Igbo) it is not contestable but the people of Anioma traced their origin from the East and there is nothing bad in joining Ohanaeze Ndigbo”.  The constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria is clear on freedom of associations and so anybody has the right to join whatever organisation he/she so wishes the last statement that the people of Anioma (generalization) traced their origin from the East is something like, Sunny Ofili, I bluntly refuse to accept.

The points here is that if you are making a reference such as Ndi Igbo or Ndi Yoruba or Hausas, you are definitely referring to entire Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa nations. The reference or assertion such as Anioma people can trace their origin to the East is therefore wrong. Unless if he is quoted out of context. Statements like, some Delta Ibos can trace their roots or origin to either Eastern Igbos or the great Benin Empire is, to the best of my knowledge, a formidable fact because the entire Ogwashi-uku where Chief Ralph Uwaechue hails from cannot be said to come from the East.

A chronological history of early settlements in Ogwashi-Uku can authoritatively portray the following facts that the Ikelike people from the Bini kingdom were the first to settle in Ogwashi-Uku (see Ben Nwabua, Ogwash-uku Kingdom, 1000 Years of Traditional Democracy and Cultural Life, 950-1914).

Both traditional and empirical sources gives credence that Ikelike people were the first set of immigrants to settle in the present Ogwashi-Uku as against the notion that Adaigbo who purportedly came from Nri in present Anambra State today is the founder of Ogwashi-Uku. So far, no counter claim has been made on this. According to Ogwashi-Uku intelligence report by Mr. J.E Hull, the then Assistant District Officer dated on the 9th of April 1936, the Ikelike people from all indications migrated from Benin to settle where they are found themselves today, because of a reign of wanton persecution of subjects by the then Benin Monarch, Oba Eweka 11. The story further goes that at the head was Odigie Ikelike with his younger brother Ado who later founded Adonta, a relatively small village close to Azungwu in Ogwashi-uku today. The Ikelike migrants were said to be politically averse and could not, therefore evolve an orderly method of governance even though there were small in number. Jull`s report further went on to point out that because of such indisposition towards an effective means of governing themselves, it cost them the political leadership they were first to settle in. Rather, Adaigbo, the prince from Nri later came, controlled the situation and imposed leadership based on Igbo customs and tradition on them and what later became Ogwshi-Uku kingdom. Adaigbo’s imposed of republican system, however, later gave way to the hereditary system of the Binis.

There are nine federating units that make up what is today know as Ogwashi-uku kingdom sometimes refers as Ogwashi Ebo Iteneni. These nine federating units are: (1) Ikelike (2) Azungwu (3) Umudei (4) Ogbe Ubu (5) Ogbe Aho/Ogbe Ani (6) Agidiase (7) Agidiahe (8) Ogbe Umu Okwuni and (9) Ogbe Ihago. This arrangement was and still is for the traditional governance in the kingdom and each of these units could, without doubt trace their origin to Benin or Eastern Ibo. For instance, Umu Ochele people in Ogwashi-Uku came from Benin during the reign of Oba Ovonramwen and so is the people of Umu Olu Ishiekpe Ogbe Ihago and others too numerous to mention.

In life, if you know the right questions, you can find the right answers. Did Ogwashi-uku derive its present name from Eastern Ibo or from Bini Empire or is the language entirely that of Ibo. Let’s consider the following theories. By the turn of 9th century, the Ogiso dynasty had come into being with empowerment of their kings as the paramount rulers of the land. (Read P26 Ben Nwabuwa Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom). However, the Bini people became disenchanted with all the Kings that ruled the empire under the Ogiso dynasty and by 1121 A.D, Oba Ogiame had sent emissary to OGWANHE (Nshi Adaigbo) to ascertain the strength of the emerging entity. The emissary was said to have met Adaigbo, the Prince of Nri and they interpreted Ogwanhe as that of Bini.

Filled with joy that he met a good friend indeed, Adigbo commended the disposition of Oba`s emissary who went further adding Uku which in Bini language means “great” The subsequent interpretation of this therefore means a place of greatness. And since the great meet, the place came to be known as Ogwanhe Uku while the Igbo pronunciation has it as Ogwashi-Ukwu which is also called Ogwanri Adaigbo or Ogwashi Adaigbo.

Traditional source gives credence to the Ikelike Aborigines as having christened the entity Ogwanhe after the Bini tradition of building a small house known as OGWA at the front yard of a natural ruler. In Bini tradition, an Ogwa means royal palace or a royal people of destiny and to some extent; this historical claim could be justified since the culture of building an Ogwa in Bini kingdom is still popular even to the present day.

Ogwashi-uku share some acceptable relationship with present day Igbo bi nuzo, igbuzo or Ibusa which is entirely based on the same sickening stories of Adaigbo, the Prince of Nri who defiled one of the fathers wives and was sent out with his brother Ogboli and some slaves. Around 1091 A.D on this journey to nowhere, Ogboli pot was said to have fallen and his brother Adaigbo had instructed him to settle there. However, there is a different twist to this assertion which is practically based on oral history between Ogwashi-uku and Igbuzo. Some oral history suggest a different scenario which further attest why the subject paid some certain homage to Ogwashi-uku during the reign of the erstwhile monarch Obi Izedunor. I will reserve my comment on this topic for now.

Over the years, I have read a lot of trash from some unscrupulous elements that cannot deduce facts from fictions neither can they make a proper research or investigation towards a given phenomenon before writing and publishing rubbish in the internet. This is not only annoying but an extraordinary frame of reference for agile minds. Most stories from these elements attributed to the founding of Ogwashi-uku are often frivolous, baseless and has no single foundation. It is quite difficult for me to believe any story that is not supported by 5 W`s and one H, i.e., What really happened? Where did it happen? When was it? Why and Who were involved and finally How did it happened?  Of course, I know how desperate most of these miscreants are to have their names in the media. That`s Ok but when it comes to writing what you have not truly investigated, I think extra care need to be taken so that whenever that writing is FLORG ( Facts, Logic, Rhetoric’s and Grammar) the message one is trying to convey would be justified.

As a writer, you can only write what you know about and as a historian, you can tell what you are familiar with rather than relying on unverified information you gathered from the internet for people’s consumptions. As such, I dare anyone that has contrary opinion to the above claims to go back to Ogwashi-uku for proper verification. Ikelike people are still in Ogwashi-Uku today and so are Ishekpe and other people that have their origin right from Bini kingdom. They need to be interviewed and after this, I will need a proper conviction that the entire Ogwashi-Uku came from the Igbo East of the Niger or that Adaigbo is the founder of Ogwashi-uku.

On the issues of language, how are you sure that the Ogwashi-Uku language is that of Igbo and not that of ANIOMA and even if it is Igbo, the fact that English language is being used freely in United States and some other countries today does not make America an English country. Of all the names of the nine federating units that make up Ogwashi-Uku almost all as you can see above were Ogbe which means quarter in Bini language.

Still on origin of Ogwashi-Uku, an Anioma town. My quest for personal identity began when I was growing up as a child and that was sometimes in early 80s, I was in secondary school and had gone to Onitsha main market from Ogwashi-Uku in company of friends to buy clothes in preparation for children day disco party. There in the market somebody had listened to our conversation, held our hands and dragged us to his shop and had said something like “don’t buy from Ndigbo, buy from me for we are brothers”, I didn’t get it because I did not understand why someone from Igbo Onitsha, an igbo city would be making such reference. Two days after the trip to Onitsha, I had told my grandma whose formidable memory at 83yrs then was unbelievable. The only explanation I got from her was that Onitsha people are not truly Igbos.

In the university, I had the opportunity to read Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, My Odyssey and there and then, the great Zik of Africa was able to trace his origin to the Ezechima via Bini Kingdom. In fact, Phillip Emeagwali, a Nigerian-American computer whiz kid was more apt on his roots. The following is Emeagwali in his own words, “I am a Yoruba by birth (born in Akure, western region) and Igbo by heritage. As a native Onitsha Igbo, I trace my ancestry to Eze Chima, a prince who rebelled against the Benin royal dynasty and emigrated from the kingdom. Other Igbos that trace their lineage to Eze Chima include Onicha-Ukwu, Onicha-Olona, Onicha-Ugbo, Obior, Issele-Ukwu, Issele-Mkpima, Issele-Azagba, Ezi, Abeh and Obamkpa.Native Onitsha’s speak a dialect of the Igbo language with several

Benin/Yoruba words such as “Obi” (of Onitsha) and “Oba” (of Benin). In fact, the word Onitsha (Onicha) is a corruption of the god “Orisha.” The bini name for River Niger is Ohinmwin. The Onicha Igbo call it “Orinmili.” In a few years, we will have DNA tests that proves (or disapproves) the Onitsha-Benin-Yoruba connection.”

Thus, the above example from these two great men from Onitsha an Igbo extraction is an example of people who have successfully traced their roots and origin. The big question now from the above analysis is, is the origin of Onitsha an Igbo city indisputable just because they speak Igbo?  You be the judge! Is the origin of Ogbaru, Oba, Akwukwu Obosi, Ozubulu and Oraifite in present Anambra state indisputable? Or is the origin of Oguta in Imo state or the Ndoni and Ogba people of Rivers State indisputable? They are all Anioma people who were balkanized after they lost the Ekumeku war of resistance against the British imperialism in 1914. Surprisingly, no attempts were made thereafter by the people of this region to reclaim these lost territories into the Anioma home of Delta state.

Anioma people just like every other tribe, villages, towns or ethnic groups in Nigeria today cannot be said to come from one particular area. This is not what is at stake. What is at stake is that we, the ANIOMAS are over due for the immediate creation of our own State. My main purpose of this writing is to set the record straight that all the Aniomas or Delta Ibos are NOT Igbos just because we speak Igbo. The Aniocha, the Ndokwa, the Ika and the Oshimili which form the acronym for ANIOMA can authoritatively trace their roots or origin to Benin or Igbo across the Nigeria; again, this is not indisputable.

Those who has been able to trace their roots to either Benin or Igbo is just for record purpose because I know deep down my heart that no Anioma sons or daughters would prefer to join the Benin or the Igbo across the Niger just because our origin could be traced there. We have been unforgivably been betrayed by these people and this is about the only time that we should stand up on our own and fight so that Anioma state could be created.

There is this popular saying in Ogwashi-Uku which says that “onye nwa ju adi aju onwe” meaning (whenever you have been forsaken, you probably be the last person to forsake yourself) I couldn`t agree more than Kunirum Osai. Ph.d and erstwhile National President of Anioma Association in United States submission that “Ethnic identity exists because individuals include among their repertoire of social roles one or more culturally defined uniqueness. The conscious sense on the part of an individual that he/she belongs to a given collectivity is the basic building block of identity. Our Anioma ethnic identity derives from our common set of symbols and cognitions shared by our people. Aniocha, Ndokwa, lka and Oshimili, share the same cultural space and delimited physical geography. They dress alike. They dance alike. They use the same musical instruments. They speak the same or similar languages. They show the same deference to their elders and women. They respect character and integrity. They are not exploitative. Money is not everything, character is everything. In short, they have the same worldview. Our Anioma ethnic identity is cultural self-definition and philosophical affirmation of our self-determination as a people who see themselves at the crossroads of the contemporary Nigerian state. Anioma provides for us the physical and cultural space that defines the necessary locus of our highest fulfilment as a people.”

What more do I need to add to Dr. Osai`s dispositions over a journey that hitherto began since 1951 when Chief Dennis Osadebe (Oshimili) F.H Utomi (Aniocha) Hon Obi of Akumazi (Ika); Hon. Frank Oputa Ututu (Ndokwa) and Hon Oki (Ndokwa) jointly moved a motion in the then Western House of Assembly to seek “a separate province” for our people, who had been balkanized and merged with Benin and Warri provinces by the colonialists. There is no doubt that Anioma remains the oldest state yet to be created in Nigeria today. Its agitation has been on since 1951 but unfortunately most people with whom we have relied on are neither there nor here.

Here in Ireland, I have consistently and repeatedly told various Anioma organizations that it doesn’t matter whether it is Anioma Progressive Union, Izu Anioma or Otu Anioma provided we have one common objective. We need to know ourselves, understand ourselves and possibly project a common front for urgent actualization of Anioma State so that the ideas and views of those pioneers that started it would not be in vain. We can do this through constant meetings and interactions devoid of any acrimony. This is the only way we can emancipate ourselves from mental slavery.

Agitation of state creation in Nigeria federation is a very tricky one. Those that ask for a creation of a particular state in most cases have absolutely nothing to sustain the state. Their target is the 15% Federal allocation courtesy of oil in Niger Delta. Unlike the Anioma people, we have what it takes to be self reliant. The records are there.

I understand that most people are not conversant with certain history that brought them to fame and as such, what you do or say as a role model in cause of fighting for a particular reform matters because if you are not judged by humans, you will be certainly judged by posterity in no distant future.

The Anioma people in Ohaneze Ndi igbo could join whatever association they deem necessary if it is the only way they could convince the Iwuanyanwus that we need our own state. Anything contrary to this is unacceptable.

Chris Okafor





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hasan yahya asked:


Management Theories – Part I,  Contingency Management Theory

Hasan Yahya, Ph.D

In a three articles series on Management theories, this partdescribes  various Management Theories such as;  Contingency Theory, System Theory, Random Theory (or chaotic),   and  X,Y, and Z theories, and finally C Theory for the writer under Crescentology term.

Achieving a clear understanding of human nature is an important aspect of management in the work place. In order for managers and workers to work together as an effective and productive unit, the workers must know how they fit into the overall scheme of things, and the managers must have a clear understanding of how they can maximize productivity by supporting their employees through the appropriate leadership style.

Contingency Theory is a management theory describes many contemporary management theories that have come into widespread use since the 1970s. Especially X and Y, theories. Of the 1960s. The basis for it is Fiedler’s contingency theory, it combines ideas about uncertainty in the environment and external factors influencing work with context-specific features of leadership and decision-making process. One important feature to keep in mind when using contingency management theory is the holistic approach as context. the idea that all activities and actions are based within a certain context. Contingency management theory helps businesses take into account the contexts of their work in order to increase productivity and effectiveness by understanding the physical environments. Some application may be followed to assess leadership behavior in contingency planning models. It is important, however, to mention Victor Vroom’s leadership theory and decision-making for helping managers and team leaders.  In his theory  of leadership it is used in the workplace according to a functional decision making model. The model later developed as a software program mapping out leadership styles and reaction to certain situation stimulate appropriate decision making. (317 words)

Hasan Yahya is an American Arab personality, a professor of sociology, and a columnist at wfol.tv, Malaysia, and TINA International News Agency, Michigan, USA. www.hasanyahya.com



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david verge asked:


The hype and truth about Neways

Because of restrictions of self-promoting in many blog sites, ezine and news articles et blah blah woof woof, I am only going to relay the facts and only facts as I see obvious.  These facts are not meant to prejudice or sway opinions; they are merely the facts to explain the obvious which is clouded most of the time in hype and promotion.

Neways International is a company based in Utah although its many branches reach around the globe.   It is established in more than 29 countries and has more than 500,000 distributors who are the force behind Neways.  It is for certain a home based business geared towards the individual who wishes to make his income through referral marketing, network marketing, attraction marketing or by personal contact with people who are interested in Neway’s products. It is based on a MLM setup, but differs from your classical MLMs in its regulations and opportunity.  It is basically a company that provides a product for the health conscious individual and at the same time gives the individual an opportunity to profit from their participation in Neways.

As we grow globally, we must eventually turn green (or ecologically minded) in all products from cars, to medicine, to health, to recycling, to everything and all things that we use every day.  This is a basic fact or we will surely burn out this globe before it has the chance to help us as humans to develop to the next level.  Look at what has happened in just the last 200 years; we’ve gone from carts to flying machines. Our growth is exploding at an amazing rate and we are paying the consequences Global warming is a fact and have you ever wondered what we do with all of that trash, plastic or just plain ‘stuff’ Visit story of stuff.  Yes we progress, but we are killing our fish, oceans, air, lakes, land and everything else we need to survive. We are creating disease by the way we eat, we are trying to take a SHORT CUT, but to where? I just hope we will have the courage as a people to change our ways in order to protect our people as a whole. “The distance doesn’t matter, only the first step is difficult” –Mme. Du Deffand. Pardon me of me sounding like an Oral Roberts evangelist, but we as Americans are viewed as leaders and should take a leadership role in this field.  Without sounding biased in any way, Neways is moving in that direction. That first difficult step.

I would like to add some comments from Brian Gavin and Jeff West  about Neways. Neways products are totally green with emphasis to succeed in producing and distributing products that are made using only natural ingredients.  These products are made to maximize your health your health.  The management of Neways has gone to great length to make sure that they are providing their customers with only the best that is made from the highest quality, from nature’s ingredients.

Harmful chemicals, a mainstay in our everyday normal purchases are eliminated in Neways products. It decided to create a line of alternative personal care products without the questionable ingredients. Neways becomes synonymous with health and its mission is simple; to enhance health, wealth, and well-being of people around the world.

The next misconception is that because of its hierarchal structure is that Neways has to be a scam, a get-rich quick opportunity laden with hidden fees and dire consequences if you do not buy their products.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  It is a well established business, promoting its products through people who care about their health.  It is an open business with an open window for all to see how it works.  Just visit www.ineways.com/bonheur for a clear overview of its mission, its history, its products and the opportunities it presents.

I hope I have dispelled some of the rumors of Neways. You will not become a millionaire overnight as many think, but will be presented with the opportunity to make your own home based business at your pace.  And depending on the effort that you put into this adventure will definitely reflect upon the profits that you receive. The world has to change and it is changing albeit at a slow pace, but slow is better than none.  More cars are becoming hybrid, recycling is becoming a main stay with Americans, interest in alternative power is booming, especially with the presidential elections-such as air and solar.  There are many visionaries out there in this world, trying to clean up the mess we’ve gotten ourselves into. Neways happens to be one of them.

I hope I have kept this article as close to the honest truth as possible without subjective prejudice, but to tell you the honest truth, I’d rather use Neways toothpaste than Crest and rather use a naturally made soap from Marseilles than Irish spring (ever wonder why it smells so strong???)

Eat and live well

Quiero mas, mucho, mucho mas

Alferrak, beti lanez, beterik.- A Basque proverb, where you must work to find

 the definition here.



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G Kumar asked:


Vedic Numerology – Lesson 8

In higher states of Consciousness, many scientific and philosophic truths

were cognised by the sages of India. They wrote it down and these came

to be known as the Vedas. Sciences like Astronomy, Mathematics,

Astrology, Numerology, Gemology — have their origin in this Encyclopaedia

of the Philosophic Sciences, the Vedas. By Vedas no books are meant.

They are the celestial truths cognised by Seers and which can be cognised

by anyone who cultivate the same spiritual discipline.

Effects of Fadic Number Eight

If the Eigthian is YOU!

( Fadic Number is the number got after adding all the digits comprising your

date of birth ).

Your Numerological Number is 8 and your Life Controller

is Saturn. People misunderstand them and because of that

they suffer mentally and become loners. They are people with

great individuality and depth in learning. If religious they

will take to Religion in a great manner. In order to win arg-

uments they destroy the opposition verbally and create a lot

of secret enemies.

They have great sympathy for the oppressed and show a lot

of laziness and lack of enthusiasm. They are extremists; that

is they are either very successful or great failures. There

is no middle course for them. These people always aspire for

greatness, strive for leadership and sacrifice their personal

comforts to maintain the high posts earned by them as a resu-

lt of their laborious endeavours. Anyway 8 is not a lucky nu-

mber; they will have to bear great ills, losses and humiliati-

ons.The ancient Greeks called this number the Number of Just-

ice.

Their best days are 8 17 & 26. If 4 13 22 31 coincide with

Saturday Sunday & Monday these days become very auspicious

Their best jewel is Blue Sapphire.It is very good for them if

they wear this stone.

The number 8 is made up of two circles and is the sum of 2

4’s. This was considered to be the great decision of Universal

Law which rules races and individuals. Saturn is also known

as the Planet of Destiny. It has relevence to both material

and spiritual aspects of Life. Revolution, Anarchy earthqua-

kes and all sorts of evil and uncommon events are represented

by this number. On the other hand Philosophy, Religious Fer-

vour, One-pointedness of Mind, determination – all these are

also represented by this number.They feel that they are diff-

erent from the rest and therefore unique. They lack happiness

People always misunderstand them. They also fail to reap the

good actions they have done in this life. But even then they

are admired after a long time.

George Bernard Shaw, King Alphonsa of Spain & Queen Mary were

born like you under this number and it will not be suprising

if anyone identifies similar characteristics in you.

More quality information about Astro-Numerology and a free Astro-

Numerological Report can be had from http://www.astrologiavedica.com/html/numerology.htm

Personality Overview

———————

Controller of Life – SATURN

You are ruled by the ringed planet Saturn. He is the planet

of Justice, Destiny and Retribution. He represents destruct-

ion and regeneration. Great patience and perseverance are im-

parted by him. This melancholy planet is responsible for the

verdict imposed by Destiny.

As you are saturnine (melancholic) by temparament you will

be attracted to Literature and Philosophy. Great poets and

literatuers always had a saturnine background (Dante and Shaw)

Concentration and contemplation are represented by Saturn.

Contemplative Life will absorb you in its entirety.

You are cool and analytical when it comes to rational think-

ing. You are also a master where shrewdness and business ins-

ight is called for.

Your philosophical outlook on life will save you from many

worries and anxieties.

Your main drawback is that you become too fatalistic ignoring

the power of free-will.

You are always misunderstood by others. You endorse the prin-

ciple ” to be great is to be misunderstood “.

You always carry your cross consecrating yourself to the Div-

ine even when the verdict of men and Fate go against you. Your

life is always marked by strife and struggle.

Even if you become successful you have to pay a heavy price

for it. You have to live laborious days to attain fame and name.

In Vedic Astrology Saturn is the significator of Sorrow of the Cosmic

Man, the sorrow inherent in the act of Manifestation. He is also the

Mokshkaraka or significator of Liberation. Along with Jupiter and Ketu ,

Saturn play a promiment part in the native attaining to

Self-Actualisation.

A powerfully posited Saturn is preferable from the perspective of

Nirvana. Saturn rules over three constellations of the Sidereal

Zodiac, Delta Cancri ( Pushya), Delta Scorpii ( Anuradha ), Gamma

Pegasi & Alpha Andromeda ( Utharabhadra ).

More quality information about Vedic Astrology & an Astrological

Analysis can be had from http://www.astrologiavedica.com/html/vedichoroscope.htm

An Analytical Review

——————–

The zodiac sign representing this number is Capricorn.

( Do not confuse this with the birthsign in Astrology )

Capricornians are generally philosophers. They love the secr-

ets of Nature and are ready to sacrifice their life for their

chosen ideology.

Capricornians are fatalists. They believe that everthing is

divinely ordained and all events have a purpose behind it.

Amor fati ( Love of Fate ) is the core of their nature.

People under the influence of this constellation are great

democrats and believe in the dignity of labour.

In a life marked by struggle and suffering the fortitude of

the Capricornian is indeed surprising. Temperance is another

virtue imparted by this constellation.

Negative Aspect

—————

Saturn is the planet of suffering and he can make you carry

the cross for a longish time. He will test your patience. He can

create obstacles and hindrances and barriers to success make you

worried.

Mantra

——

Neelanjana Samanabham

Raviputram Yamagrajam

Chaya Marthanda Sambhootham

Tham Namami Sanaishwaram

This mantra if recited 108 times daily can ward off the afflictions

arising from Saturn. This is the moola sloka of Saturn.

In Vedic Gemology, Saturn represents Blue Sapphire.( Saner Neelam).

Wearing this stone on a Shukla Paksha Saturday ( fifteen days after

the New Moon ) will enhance the luck of the Eightians.

Lucky Colour Dark Blue

Lucky Stone Blue Sapphire

Lucky Days of the Week Saturday

Lucky Day 17 8 26

Lucky Month June

If you wear these stones and colours as per the dictums

of Vedic Numerology you stand to benefit a great deal as

the malefic rays of planets are neutrallised by gems.

More information about Planetary Gemology & a FREE Gem Prescription

Report can be had from http://www.astrologiavedica.com/html/planetarygemology.htm

In Transcendental Philosophy the Number Eight is considered very sacred.

In Indian Mythology, there are Ashta Aishwaryas( eighfold prosperity).

Wisdom is prosperity, wealth is prosperity,courage is prosperity, children

represent prosperity etc Ashta Vasus represent the eightfold prosperity.

This is also the symbolism behind Ashta Lakshmi.( the eight aspects of the

Goddess of Prosperity).

Yoga is eightfold – Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana,

Dhyana & Samadhi. Yama and Niyama deal with rules and regulations , Asana

deals with physical fitness, Pranayama is breath control, Pratyahara is

withdrawal into the Self from the sensory world, Dharana is Concentration,

Dhyana is Meditation and Samadhi is Cosmic Consciousness.

More information about Transcendental Philosophy & Yoga can be

had from http://www.astrologiavedica.com/html/yoga.htm

Astronumerology as related to Religion & Philosophy

Saturnine Influence on Jesus

Jesus was born with Virgo rising, Jupiter, Moon and Saturn in Pisces,

indicating the Messiah willing to bear the Cross of Golgotha. His number

was 888 which when added gives us 24 and 2+4 = 6, the number of Venus,

the planet of Love. The prophet of Love was indeed the embodiment of

the goddess of Love, Venus. Saturn, the significator of sorrow and

liberation,along with Jupiter aroused in Him the desire to redeem the

world through Universal Love. His suffering life & martyrdom all smacks

of Saturnine influence. Other divine personalities – Tagore, Aurobindo &

Vivekananda also had a profound Saturnine influence in their natal

charts.

In the next article we will deal with the Nineians – those who are ruled by

the planet of materiality or Man, Mars.

Article by G Kumar, Astrologer, writer & programmer of www.eastrovedica.com. Recently he was awarded a Certificate by the Planetary Gemologists Association Global ( www.p-g-a.org ) as a Planetary Gem Advisor. He has 25 years psychic research experience in the esoteric arts. To subscribe to his free informative Ezine, the Z Files mailto:info@eastrovedica.com?subject=SubscribeZF. His Astro blog is up at http://www.zodiacastrology.blogspot.com & his Philosophy blog is http://transcendentalphilosophy.blogspot.com Mobile 091 9388556053



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Lisa Finn asked:


If you thought teens and ecology didn’t go together, you need to read this. In high school auditoriums across the country, teens are crowding in to see one film. No, it’s not a blockbuster thriller, or the latest chick flick. Instead, it’s Al Gore’s award-breaking documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” a film warning of the dangers of global warming. From California to Boston, New York to Oregon, teens are jumping on the think green bandwagon.

Working with organizations such as Do Something, teens are galvanizing to work toward sustainability, creating model environmental structures, recycling, and helping to spread the word about renewable energy options. Nationwide, teens are joining celebrities such as Sheryl Crow, Madonna, and Raven in embracing activism and leadership. According to Gordian Raacke, executive director of Renewable Energy Long Island, getting teens involved in thinking green is critical toward tomorrow. Raacke participated in a program conducted by Al Gore organized by The Climate Project; he was one of 1,000 individuals selected worldwide to be trained as Climate Messengers by Gore. ”It is now clear that the biggest issue we face in the 21st Century is climate change caused by our non-sustainable energy use,” said Raacke. “As we burn more and more coal, oil, and natural gas in our power plants and gasoline in our cars, trucks, and airplanes, we are emitting unprecedented amounts of heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the planet’s atmosphere which is leading to record global temperatures, sea level rise, melting of glaciers and polar ice caps, and dangerous climate change.” Raacke believes we all need to work toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “But as a teenager, doing something about climate change is even more important than for older folks because the worst impacts of cooking our planet will most likely happen when today’s adults are gone.” Good ways for teens is to get informed. Next, they should arm themselves with facts about the many things they can do to “go on a low-carbon diet,” and volunteer with other like-minded individuals and organizations working toward changes in how energy is used. ”The most important thing is to face the issue and get started on taking direct and personal action,” he said. “That can mean replacing conventional light bulbs with energy efficient Compact Fluorescent light bulbs, driving less or taking mass transit, and even buying less stuff, eating less meat or buying locally grown food. Once you get going, it can be a lot of fun to figure out how we can do things in an environmentally smart way.”

More proof that teens and ecology really do go together; there are now hundreds of environmental organizations where young people can volunteer, with positions potentially leading to internships and careers. ”Young people have the most to lose if we mess up our planet,” said Raacke. “There is, after all no Planet B for them. Young people instinctively know that there must be a better way for us than polluting our environment, and, indeed, there is. We have a responsibility to show them how we can do that today. Given the urgent need to act on the threat of climate change, we can’t afford to wait another decade.”

For more information, go to Do Something at www.dosomething.org Greenpeace at http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/ , Union of Concerned Scientists at http://ucsusa.org/ , Renewable Energy Long Island at www.renewableenergylongisland.org and Step it Up at http://stepitup2007.org/



Kansieo.com

Oladokun Sulaiman asked:


iew

In human civilization to industrial from Stone Age, then computer to information and multimedia innovative technological age, it has just been about building and forgetting things around us including environment. Today human sensitivity is aggressively defining age as an age of sensitivity and for safety and environment. Every thing we have been building for years   during transition in those ages have been built with ignorance, oblivion or lack of consciousness to the environment or simply as a result of oblivion that they are part of us. The term “environmental issues” usually implies one of two interpretations: 1) Wind, waves, tides, sediment characteristics and/or other environmental factors involved in Channel design and usage, 2) Environmental protection in the sense of reducing the negative impact on water quality or aquatic and coastal habitat quality. In the first sense of the term, all concern need to agree that methods for predicting and reporting environmental conditions have greatly improved and this should be able to give us direction as long as we are ready to connect the dots. This paper will address and give insight into the following questions in regard to burning flame of environment and impact to ship design: What is the current situation? ?What is the desired situation? Why is there a difference between the current and the desired situation? What are the impediments to change? How can these impediments be most effectively addressed?

2.0 Introduction

 

In shipping and associated industries, ship protection and marine pollution are respectively interlink in term of safety and environment, conventionally ship safety is being deal with as its occurrence result to environmental problem.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Ship Pollution seem to be very small, especially considering emission, but today culmination of oversight regarding emission   seem to be back – firing against us from ozone layer depletion to the incessant flooding and more seem to be on the way if we don’t question or caution ourselves, again, shipping is not left behind in this, in fact, it seem to be the most to get hit by next big environmental revolt. Pollutions is about accident and accident it, about because, the later is the cause of the former. Sequel with this, this paper will address environmental impacts to ship design with respect to human, safety, ship reliability, channel, and maneuverability factors and everything that surround us and ship. And of course ship design consideration that needs to be incorporated in the ship design and the design process regarding these enumerated factors.

 

In respect to the above, current situation, will be examined, policy, demand, mitigation and way to move forward will be addressed. Emphasize on importance of simulation, risk assessment of restricted channel and new generation or class of larger ships that coming to market including the need to introduce maritime environment awareness in maritime curriculum by laying emphasize to simulation of real and fictitious ships. Need to incorporate as much of cybernetic technology in navigational and maritime operations and finally actionable navigation, marine environment mitigation measure, recommendation for improving the safety of navigation and protection of the marine environment by enhancing cost effective state of art sustainable of ship that has great controllability in extreme whether and restricted water areas.

 

Likewise, for many years, less attention has been given to ship life cycle, material properties, and frequency matching with the environment has resulted to corrosion. Also ship scraping, and what happen to the environment after ship scraping, yes a lot of recycling, but little or no attention is given to the residual material that find their ways to pollute the clean beautiful sea. Other areas of concern are channel design criteria ships, controllability in dredged channels, and ?ship maneuverability as a consideration in the Design Process. All in all, preventive and control incorporating sensible measures in ship design can only optimize method and give us confidence on our environment. Focal areas that are will need revolutionary changes in ship design that will be identified in this paper are:

 



Material selection to withstand structural, weight, economical lifecycle anticorrosion and fouling

Incorporating ship simulation at early stage of ship design

Structural scantly to withstand structural function, reliability, integrity, weight, economical lifecycle

Incorporation maneuvering ship simulation at early stage of design iteration

Incorporate new close loop environmental disposal technology system to make new ships environmental safe.



 

 

3.0 Environmental issue – a blessing in disguise

 

The million dollar answer is that whether we start in order to make clean ships, the optimal choice we have is to design shipboard pollution control system that will allow us to treat or process all ship waste on board or allow us to incorporate or integrating such system in existing ship. Most especially, incorporating such system in earlier ship design process through forming basic concept to set aside enough space on board and make the most of the overall design of scalable and efficient .Yes, we need to design system that will allow us to destroyed waste on board the ship and those that not be destroyed will be treated so that discharge. Due to advert environmental causality and impact of recent days, sensitivity has caused serious policy and more will follow, already we have deadline for some. If we don’t do this now, what we will see are similitude of : Inconvenience of discharge regulation;More MARPOL special discharge areas ;Augmentation of Confusion caused by waste signature – advert of floating of debris

 

Now, considering the beneficent part of this contemporary issue, environmentally sound ship- self-contained and independent of shore facilities for shipboard waste management will end up reducing logistic requirement and costs.Time has already seen how ineconomy and inconvenience it is for ships pumping liquid waste to pier side reception facilities, offload solid waste and excess hazardous material for disposal – vessel are astronomically being charge substantial costs by private contractors to disposed these generated wastes, beside this, who don’t like good names, good names is attached to being responsible, and be among the clean ship in port state control report to IMO. With this, green ship will nonetheless give the following beneficial business advantages to clean ships:

 



They will be significant ship of tomorrow; they will be the ship with good pride and public image that will provide leadership definition to shipping companies of tomorrow.

They will be safer, environmental friendly, everything around them including marine recourses will be safe

They will maintain good relationship with legislation and environmental agencies hence minimizes the risk of fines and litigation.

Helps control operational pollution, minimizing the risk of an environmental incident.

Enables companies to demonstrate a proactive approach to environmental protection.

Helps companies to gain recognition of investment in pollution control technology.

Improves operational efficiency will Provides confidence that environmental risk is being managed effectively. High levels of environmental performance can create competitive advantage



Today, environmentally conscious world there is already so mush pressure on ship-owners to minimize the impact of their operations on the environment.  And again more are coming, luckily we are in an age of Innovation and development in this information and   technological age has involved activities in relation to speed, safety, reliability, miniaturization, cost, mobility and networking in most industries this is the poweress of human civilization, we have the technology it is matte of exercising more creativity witting our limited time to manipulate our system to in order o come up with sustainable system.

 

4.0 Why environmental issue become a hot issue

 

Over the last decade, each passing years has been augmented concerned about issue of environment importance in design, construction, operation and beneficial disposal of marine articraft .the overriding force is increasing the resources of the planet that we live and that only a few are renewable. This accumulated to production that has elements of long-term sustainability of the earth. Precipitated effect over the year has call for public awareness and translated into impact through these two main manners:

 

Commercial forces: where company that or product that operate in unenvironmental friendly way, people are prone to spurn the companies products and service, there fore having impact on company return on investment.

 

Regulations: public pressure on governmental and non-governmental organization regulation due to untold stories of disaster and impact, the public is very concerned and in need of fact that if the quality of life of people enjoy is to be sustained, for them and the future generation then the environment must be protected. conspicuous issue, expertise and finding of regulations make them to go extra length on unseen issue, contrasting between the two, while commercial force act on hat will be forth problems.

 

Ship Concept design is very important in shipping and it account for 80 percent of failure, therefore compliance and making of optimal design has a great impact in ship whole life cycle. The impact of environment in ship design is very difficult because of large numbers of uncertainties. Environmental impact hat need to be taken into considerations in concept design can be classified into the following:

 

Construction -Energy and pollution – these come into picture when multidirectional thinking give wisdom on what happen during transportation, mining, rolling of material that will be used.

 

Operations: considering limiting life cycle of ships at estimate of 20 years, issues relating to the following are equally not easy to quantify in design work, even thus a lot of research effort has been set on move on this, but the call of the day require allowable clearance and solution to be given to the following: Known emission, Accidental, Ballast waste, Coating.

 

Disposal: issue of disposal that cover waste and emission and as well as what to do with the ship at the end of her life cycle.

5.0 Major impact areas

Environmental protection shall be considered a design constraint when evaluating cost, schedule, and performance of systems under development and for product improvement of those that have been deployed. The cognizant engineer shall consider the environmental impact of proposed actions, and a mitigation plan developed where required to supports unrestricted operations by developing, producing, installing, and managing all shipboard equipment, systems, and procedures to reduce and manage shipboard wastes in compliance with existing and anticipated environmental restrictions worldwide without jeopardizing ship mission, survivability, or habitability.

5.1 Sequel to the above we can deduce that these major effects from ships environmental impacts are:

·         Intentional and unintentional discharge (oil, garbage, antifouling paint, air emission, on indigenous species from ballast water

·         Environmental damage and pollution due to port activities

·         Disturbance of marine environmental (collision and noise)



Emission from scraping of ships at the end of their life cycle



 

Risk associated with environmental issue n ship and in ship designing is:

 

1.       Accidental risk – marine accident that could result to oil spills which then, end up degrading our environment GESAMP reported that 400-300 thousands of oil entered the world ocean (GEASMP, 1993), collision with marine mammal, which then cause propeller injuries

2.        Operational risks-socio economic impacts to marine ecology, habitat, and coastal infrastructures are affected though operational activities that result to oil spill, emission, ballast water, garbage, contamination, antifouling and dredging activities.

 

In addition to this according to RINA Publication, the table shows typical 100 years ITH standards measurements of global warming potential for a substance are shown in table1

 



Fig. 1 – Global worming potential (GWP) of various compound- source

 

5.2    Impact -vessel, channel and maneuverability- in the context of ship design the impacts areas are: Shipping Trends, Channel Design Criteria, Ship Maneuverability, Ship Controllability, and Use of Simulators in Channel Studies. Since world II many nations built port but forget about maintaining them while shipyard continues to build larger ships. Physical dimension and ratio of ships to channel has got impact in today’s ship controllability design are:



Ships’ increase ship beam expansion where as channel width is not, Length/beam (L/B) ratio



2.        Radius of turns and turning areas-Radius of turns is directly related to navigation safety and protection of the marine environment, large rudder angles are needed to navigate small radius turns Rudder size;

3.        Power/tonnage ratio;

4.       Minimum bare steerage speed; and Windage

6. International maritime organization

 

6.1 Policies and procedures build-up –Pollution/ Emission prevention and control

International convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MARPOL) 1973, It covers accidental and operational oil pollution as well as pollution by chemicals, goods in packaged form, sewage, garbage and air pollution I was modified by the protocol on of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78), MARPOL cover:

o        Annex I- oil

o        Annex II-noxious liquid chemicals

o        Annex III- Harmful Goods (package)

o        Annex III-sewage

o        Annex IV- emission and air pollution (Sox, Nox and green house gas, emission of ozone depletion gas (ODG))

New coming annex to MARPOL –Talk is going on passing new annex that will cover:

·         Control and management of ballast water to minimize transfer of harmful foreign species

·         Global prohibition of TBT in antifouling coating 0- phase out scheduled for 2008

Marine environmental protection committee (MEPC) – IMO technical committee forming subcommittee on specific issue to implement regulation towards necessary mitigation

International convention on oil pollution, Response and cooperation (OPRC)- 1990 – policy to combating major incidents or threats of marine pollution through port state control to prevent mitigates or eliminates danger to its coastline from a maritime casualty. Annex protocol under this convention (HNS Protocol) covers marine pollution by hazardous and noxious substances.

Classification societies- Classification society are aggressively building service on Environment Protection notation, and various performance indicator to get all concern committed to running an environmentally sound ships.

Lloyds- Lloyds through risk assessment holistic method has defined the following effects as clean ship the benchmark standard. As Lloyd put it “These will help you gain recognition for your additional investment in specific aspects of pollution control. Using the Rules as a framework our surveyors and environmental specialists can work with you to tailor environmental protection solutions to your specific needs”

 

Dnv -DnV has equally lunched EMBLA database integrated project hat will manage discharge of ballast water.

 

European Union – Recently the union has embarked on multinational project call MARTOB ballast water

 

Montreal Protocol -Some 110 governments attended the (9th Meeting of the Parties) of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, September 1997 where several important decisions were reached, including the tightening of restrictions on several destructive chemicals.

 

6.2 Policies and procedures build-up – collision preventions and control -Although ships may spend 90 – 98 percent of their operational lives underway at sea speed in deep water, it is during the mandatory beginning and end of every voyage when the risk of collisions, and groundings are highest. Ensuring the ability to maintain complete and positive control of a ship’s movement during these segments of a voyage is absolutely vital if that risk of navigation safety and protection of the marine environment is to be reduced. According to INTERTANKO’s 1996 Port and putting bigger and bigger ships (and more of them) into the same old channel:

·         The design limit for trim by the stern for a tanker is 0.015L in accordance with Regulation 13 of MARPOL 73/78, Annex I. This information, which is based on tests conducted in deepwater, includes a turning circle diagram as well as tables showing time and distance to stop the vessel from full and half-speed.

·         IMO Resolution A601 (15), which was adopted in 1987, contains recommendations for ensuring maneuvering information is available on board ship.

·         The 1995 Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watch keeping Code, Section A-VIII/2 part 3-1, and article 49 require the master and pilot to “exchange information regarding navigation procedures, local conditions and the ship’s characteristics.”

·         A Marine Board study assessed the use of numerical simulation technology to train mariners and concluded that while modeling accuracy is sufficient for deep-water operations; modeling requires refinement to provide the accuracy needed for shallow and restricted water operations.

6.3 Ship design policy build-up -In 1971, IMO adopted Resolution A.209 (VII) establishing recommendations regarding posting maneuvering 9 Regulation II-1/29.3.2 of SOLAS requires rudder movement from 35 degree on either side to 30o on the other to occur in 28 seconds or less.

IMO approved circular MSC/Circ.389 in 1985 establish interim guidelines for estimating the maneuverability -Rudder size and effectiveness, Ability to transit at slow forward speed, Propulsion and propeller characteristics, Number of available engine reversals, Adequate horsepower for control, Extra reserve rudder angle needed to allow for ship crabbing from wind forces or moored ship suction, Visibility from bridge and bridge arrangement, Hull form squat (trim and sink age) characteristics and effect of bank forces on moorings and passing ships, Air draft, Emergency anchoring ability, Amount of tow line leads and line access.

7.0 Current Ship design practice

Existing design tools cannot, at least with any degree of reliability, be used to design a vessel and ensure it will ensure environmental reliability  and  adequate maneuverability in shallow or restricted waters neither can it be use to satisfy demand need by clean ships . In part this is because of the extreme on-linearity of hull and propulsion characteristics under these conditions. In general, naval architects and marine engineers are educated and equipped with knowledge, skills, and design processes that permit continuous checking and balancing of constraints and design tradeoffs of vessel capabilities as the design progresses.

 The intended result of the process is the best design given the basic requirements of speed, payload, and endurance nor where the waste is going. Focus is not placed on how the channels and waterways are designed. Perhaps even more importantly, there is a general lack of understanding of the operational scenario regarding piloting of vessels in constrained waterways. Only recently has there been a real attempt to fully integrate human operational practices with vessel design. The involvement of human beings onboard vessels both extends and restricts the inherent vessel maneuvering capabilities vastly complicating the necessary methodology for assuring safe and efficient operations. Taking waste issue and restricted waterway maneuverability as an important part of ship design spiral would seem a necessary step to enabling proper tradeoffs in vessel design. The reality is that maneuverability and pollution protection is still not an important consideration in ship design of many merchant ships. The result is that design decisions that can compromise environment and collision are decided in favor of other factors. Only with consideration of the full range of ship and channel design and human factors relationships affecting maneuverability will we be able to produce an efficient and safe environmental friendly marine transportation system. Now that the new issue of environment is around, then we have to squeeze in more stuff in the spiral.

 

Table 1 – parameters s demand and impact

Environmental parameters

Environmental Demand

Impact areas

Ship design,

Need for longer safe life cycle

New limit definition, Correct material selection, Material technology, Quality control of safety and environment

Construction

High worker safety standards, Low energy input

Improved hull hydrodynamic,

Emission

Minimum pollution and emission, Minimum Sox, Nox and green house gas-Zero discharge

Advance Close loop process on board,Waste recycling equipment, Improve training

 Scrapping

Zero harmful emission

 Beneficial disposal

Operations waste,

Efficient maneuverability

Improve maneuverability

Energy

Maximum fuel efficiency

Engine design, use of alternative energy

Antifouling

Harmless

Biocide free technology

Ballast water

Zero biological invasion or transfer of alien species

Segregated ballast tanks, Improved ballast water tank design, Ballast water treatment, Ballast water data base

Sea mammal

 Interaction

Maneuverability capability

Safer ship structure design, Improve maneuvering capability, Navigation AID, misinformation, Exchange, Reeducation

Accident

Able officer, Ship structure, Integrity

New monitoring through port sate control

Fire

Harmless 

Halon phase out

Wave wash of High speed

 Marine craft

 

Zero inundation and spray ashore

Moderation of hydrodynamic force

8.0 Mitigation

8.1 Shipboard and waste emission outline –treatment and elimination – Pollution Prevention (P2) or Pollution Control-this is backbone of the thrust in achieving clean ship. Pollution Prevention Use fewer environmentally harmful substances and generate less waste on board. Pollution Control: Increase treatment, processing, or destruction of wastes on board.

The basic P2 principles follow:

Eliminating the use of environmentally harmful chemicals, such as ozone-depleting substance (ODSs), toxic antifoulant hull coatings, and other hazardous materials, may be the best approach for some potential problems.

 Fig.2-Treatment and emission

Reducing the amount of waste we generate on board is often better that treating it on board: for example, reducing the amount of plastics and other packaging materials taken aboard may simplify solid and plastics-waste management? Similarly, reducing the volume of liquid wastes generated (such as graywater) may simplify onboard liquid-waste treatment.

1.        For the wastes and hazardous materials that cannot be prevented, we must develop pollution-control strategies and technologies.

Other technical mitigation measures are:

 

Antifouling



Toxic approach uses other metals such copper and zinc, or agrochemicals e.g. triazines

Fouling release approach use physical properties of low surface energy coating cause the very weak attachment of fouling organisms. E.g. silicone based coating

Fouling deterrence –marine organism not know for fouling like corals are use

Mobile hull cleaning is also being use operationally



 

Ballast water discharge



On board treatment – chemical (chlorination), physical treatment (Ultra violet light, heat treatment), filtration and cyclonic separation, shore base treatment is sometime being used but not common.

Operational mitigation based on information of biological difference between coastal ocean water where ballast and ballasting is done accordingly.



 

Air emission



Sulfur reduction in bunker fuel

Nitrogen reduction to choice of propulsion system

On board Cataleptics system like charlatanic converter, water injection, emulsion

Operationally sped reduction and use of shore power connection has been implemented



 

 

8.2 Ship collision control and prevention outlines- Most accident are attributed to a flagrant controllability problem and the remain the classic impetus necessary to make improvements to safety and environmental protection, and we e need to do more to ensure adequate vessel maneuverability perhaps better matching of vessel, channel, and operational practices.

Ship maneuverability as major iterative element of design spiral-ship maneuverability is not considered particularly important during the design process, because Owners generally do not include maneuverability requirements as part of the design specification; Firm deep- and shallow/restricted-water maneuvering standards that can be applied during the design process should be established.

Modeling and simulation -Collection of data using dual frequency DGPS receivers and proper analysis needs to be supported to enable unlocking our understanding of restricted water operations.  

 

9.0 Environmental technology

 

9.1 Recent development coalition control work -Environmental technology also become hot as issue of environment start burning, this might be a start of another evolution, as environmental technology product will start selling good.

 

9.1 Recent environmental performance

 



1 Ozone safe substances- 200-Ton Air-Conditioning Plant Conversion Kit -The CG-47and DDG-51 plants have been successfully converted to the ozone-friendly refrigerant HFC-236fa conversion kit has been established by NSWCCD.



 



Solid waste – Solid-Waste Pulpers -The pulper (especially the large pulper) is the machine into which you dump tremendous quantities of paper, cardboard, or food waste. The waste mixes with seawater to form slurry, which is then discharged overboard. Studies show an immediate 100,000-to-1 dilution when discharged into the wake of a ship. Ships equipped with a pulper can dispose of their paper, cardboard, and food waste just about anywhere and at anytime—at sea including MARPOL areas.



 



Liquid waste – OWS and Bilge water Polishers: Many bilge cleaners the Navy uses today contain long-lasting emulsifying agents, which produce stable oil-in-water emulsions that shipboard OWSs cannot effectively process.



 



Shipboard Wastes and Emissions



To improve the reliability of sanitary waste system sewage transfer-pump suction and discharge gauges, naval research laboratory the ring-gauge isolator is adopting, Thermal Destruction and integrated liquid discharge system, the later is a concept where ultra filtration membrane systems would concentrate bilgewater, graywater, and sewage (as previously described); the clean effluents would be discharged; and the concentrates would be evaporated/incinerated in a thermal-destruction system.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 2 – integrated liquid discharge system concept- source – NRL

 

 

 

9.2 Recent development coalition control work – A number of promising developments that exist today are:

1.        Kutsuro Kijima showed a modeling approach that permitted analysis of passing situations that would help set procedural standards for safe passing.

2.        IanDand reported on the development of models for ships squat that have shown very good accuracy over the years.

3.        Larry Daggett described the advent of dual frequency DGPS receivers and their role in gathering full-scale ship trial data. In addition to the excellent horizontal accuracy of the normal DGPS receiver, these receivers provide vertical location with an accuracy measured in centimeters.

10.0 The future

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain of success than to take a lead in the introduction of a new order of things because the innovation has for enemies all those have done well under the old conditions and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under new.

Machiavelli, the prince

Recent Safety and Environmental Strategic focus on developing metrics to measure and evaluate progress. The key issues and actions are incorporated in the clean ship concept. Ships owner and operators must understand the need to include wastes stream management in mission requirement in the design stages, with the goal of ships being in compliance. Ship designer must pursue technologies to reduce or eliminate waste streams. The metrics use to monitor progress towards achieving environmentally sound ships will focus on shipboard pollution control equipment installations, specifically the planned versus actual installations. Each waste stream or environmental pollutant, equipment installations, the percentage of total installations completed versus the planned percentage, will be used as a measure of progress for that waste stream. For waste streams and contaminants for which no equipment has been approved or anticipated, the metric will born many R&D for necessary findings . We must take a lead in effectively integrating pollution prevention and safety into the design and life cycle of our ships, systems, ordnance into the execution of our processes, and into the operation. Managing the whole process is another thing; environmental management can be optimizing by incorporating the following concept in our system:

 



Goal based , risk based and holistic design approach

Total cost minimization concept,

Innovative safety and environmental strategy management and integration,



Planning for uncertainty and risk, R(P1c) = R(E1) x W(E1,P1) + R(E2) x W(E2,P1) + R(E4) x W(E4,P1)

Where: R= rating, E= environmental factor, P= Policy factor



Probabilistic and stochastic validation

Education and training



 

 11.0 Conclusion - Working better by working together

Amazingly, it seem that everything is need to be integrated in order for the world to function, this sounds ironical, even thus the environment has naturally integrated everything, the same apply to maritime on issue of safety and marine environmental impact control and protection, it is important to for the main players in design  (pilots, regulators, channel designers, simulator experts and ship operators),and all concerned to share experience Regarding differences in rules and among regulators, about rules  that are taken too light , sensitivity of area, degrees of hazard for various ship types ,Naval architects and ship handlers alike should take the importance of  importance green house and green ship issue and (and difficulty) of the passing maneuver unrestricted waters .

 

Environmental issue has become so sensitive because it is more or less of evidence that nature has exercise enough patience,  impact has reach flash point and those who are knowledgeable about the behavior of matter and environment could sense potential of contagious chain of reaction that can lead to heavy calamity destruction and lost. Treating the issue equally required hybridizations of all the methodology we have been using- objectives and subjective, reactive and proactive, and of course newly holistic institutionalized method that compare and consider trend analysis of every elements of what we are dealing with.

 

 

References

1)       Bian Hayman, Mario Dogkgliani,,Ivar, Kevale,Anik Margerholm Fet ,2000.Technologies for reduced environemenatal impact of ships- shipbuilding , maintenace and dismantling,Proc. ENSUS`2000,UK,pp2-24

2)       Watson, David G. M. Practical Ship Design. NewYork: Elsevier, 1998.

3)       Landsburg, A.C., J.C. Card, C.L. Crane, P.R. A lman,W.R. Bertsche, J.W. Boyleston, H. Eda, V.F.McCallum, I.R. Miller, and A. Taplin, “Design and Verification for Adequate Ship Maneuverability,” NAME Transactions, Vol. 91, 1983.

4)       GESAMP (1993) Impact of oil and related chemicals and wastes on marine environment, GEAMP reports and studies No50 joint group of expert of marine pollution. Available at: http://www.gesamp.imo.org/no65/

5)       IMO (2000) marine environmental protection committee 44th session available at: http: www.imo.org/meeting/44.html

6)       IMO (1998a) MARPOL Focus on IMO



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