Which Are More Eco-Friendly, Real or Synthetic Sponges

While it is true that real sea sponges have been in use since the Roman Empire, synthetic alternatives made primarily from wood pulp became commonplace by the middle of the 20th century when DuPont perfected the process of manufacturing them. Today, most of the sponges we use are made from a combination of wood pulp (cellulose), sodium sulfate crystals, hemp fibers, and chemical softeners. Artificial Alternatives to Sea Sponges Although some forest advocates decry the use of wood pulp for producing sponges, claiming that the process encourages logging, the manufacture of cellulose-based sponges is a pretty clean affair. No harmful by-products result and there is little waste, as trimmings are ground up and recycled back into the mix. Another common type of artificial sponge is made of polyurethane foam. These sponges excel at cleaning, but are less ideal from an environmental perspective, as the manufacturing process relies on ozone-depleting hydrocarbons (set to be phased out by 2030) to blow the foam into shape. Also, polyurethane can emit formaldehyde and other irritants and can form cancer-causing dioxins when incinerated. Commercial Value of Real Sea Sponges Some real sea sponges are still sold today, used for everything from cleaning car and boat exteriors to removing make-up and exfoliating the skin. The product of at least 700 million years of evolution, sea sponges are among the world’s simplest living organisms. They survive by filtering microscopic plants and oxygen from the water, growing slowly over many decades. Commercially, they are prized for their natural softness and resistance to tearing, and their ability to absorb and discharge large amounts of water. Scientists know of more than 5,000 different species, though we only harvest a handful of them, such as the exfoliating Honeycomb (Hippospongia communis) and the silky smooth Fina (Spongia officinalis). Sea Sponges in the Ecosystem Environmentalists are concerned about protecting sea sponges, especially because we still know so little about them, particularly with regard to their potential medicinal usefulness and their role in the food chain. For example, researchers are optimistic that chemicals emitted from some living sea sponges could be synthesized to create new arthritis treatments and possibly even cancer fighters. And sea sponges serve as the primary food source for endangered hawksbill sea turtles. Shrinking amounts of natural sponge could push the prehistoric creature over the brink to extinction. Threats to Sea Sponges According to the Australian Marine Conservation Society, sea sponges are under threat not only from over-harvesting but also from sewage discharge and stormwater run-off, as well as from scallop dredging activity. Global warming, which has been increasing water temperatures and altering the ocean food chain and seafloor environment accordingly, is also now a factor. The organization reports that very few sponge gardens are protected, and is advocating for the creation of marine protected areas and more sensitive fishing methods in regions where sea sponges remain abundant.

Comparing Machiavelli And Hobbes Political Writings And...

Both Machiavelli and Hobbes have personal roots in violent historical times which are seen reflected in their respective theories about the use of violence in politics. The legitimate use of violence is a topic addressed by both theorists in their respective works, as read in Selected Political Writings and The Leviathan. Who has the monopoly over the use of violence, what its terms of use are, and what the consequences of its use are, are distinct from the works of both Machiavelli and Hobbes. Hobbes’ believed that the world, as well as humanity, was mechanic and operated according to physical laws and chains of cause and effect. He claimed fear was the determining factor in men’s lives, which would cause them to give their liberty over to a sovereign, which would act as man, operating according to the same laws of cause and effect as the rest of the world. This sovereign alone, as the sole political authority, held the legitimate use of violence. As an exception to this, another legitimate use of violence was in a member of the commonwealth’s own self-defence, â€Å"...because no man is supposed at the making of a Commonwealth, to have abandoned the defense of his life, or limbes, where the law cannot arrive time enough to his assistance.† In this way, the Sovereign defends his own power over the commonwealth by granting man legitimacy of violence for the sake of his own safety, thus further removing fear within the commonwealth, and ensuring t heir continued allegiance to theShow MoreRelatedThe Influences of Selected Political Writings by Machiavelli and Leviathan by Hobbes1717 Words   |  7 Pagesto an ideal will soon discover he has been taught how to destroy himself, not preserve himself. -Niccolo Machiavelli Every person has a chance to leave a mark on this earth, and every person gets to decide how he or she will do that. Two men decided that they wanted to write about life and human actions that they noticed. Machiavelli wrote The Prince in an attempt to gain a political position in the new government that was being established in Italy by the Medici family. Although his book didRead MoreIn Nature Of Politics, We Have Read And Gone Over Many1743 Words   |  7 Pagesdistinct views to help form a familiar, though rapidly shifting, image of politics and therefore can easily recognize similarities between the ideologies that is provided in these texts. For example, in Dostoevsky s writing, the Grand Inquisitor’s thinking is very similar to that of Machiavelli in the manner that crushing the â€Å"free will† and gaining control over the masses is extremely vital. When going into detail about the idea of â€Å"miracle, mystery, and authority,† the Grand Inquisitor’s rationality

First Step Work Essay Example For Students

First Step Work Essay 1. Loss of Control: Failed attempts to control my use a. many many times I attempted to control my drinking over my drinking career of some 20+ years. The ones which stick out in my mind are:b. Many holidays Christmas in particular, my wifes family would serve alcohol and I would be half in the bag by noon to 1 p.m.. c. My family get together always involved drinking too much. My wife would Plead with me not to get drunk. Some times I wouldnt but most of the time IWould have too much!d. In 1997 I took my 14 year old daughter and a friend to a concert at Pine Knob. I had 4 to 5 drinks then drove them home. My daughter was very scared about my driving. e. Many times due to my job and the amount of driving I do I would drink andDrive. Most of the time I would say I will only have one or maybe two. After3 to 4 hours of driving the pint would be gone. And so would I be gone. Boy was I lucky!2. Unpredictable Behavior: a. My event which lead to my entering Maplegrove was two events where I drank when I knew I couldnt anymore. They were after a Customers showIn Port Huron which should of ended at 8 p.m. I tore down my booth and could have left. But nooo! In my packet of vendors information and order Forms were two drink tickets. All 400+ customers were invited into the Grand Ball room for Casino Nite I went in with the intent of having onlyTwo drinks. Of course they had only the best liquors since the event was at the Edison Inn. I chose two Southern Comfort Manhattans. I ended up having about 5 and the last one I drank on my way home. I was suppose toPickup my daughter at my Former wifes home. I called on my cell phone and my former wif e could tell I was drunk. Then my daughter got on the phone and ended up hanging up on me. b. On SuperBowl Sunday I was planning on going to a non-alcoholic party but had invited my brother, his wife and son over to see my new computer. They showed up late about 2 p.m. They wanted to have drinks and I said I Didnt have any. My brother went up to store and got a fifth. We finished itOff before they left. I changed plans and went to my sisters house where theyHad a keg. Got good and drunk at the partyIn general when I drank I had a 50/50 chance of having too much. My Ex was a non- drinker and hated my drinking. 2a. Destructive Behavior: In general I was not destructive when drunk. I did have a short temper with my ex but only once fought with her. I dont think I had been drinking when it happened. Many times I put myself and a few times put my family in jeopardy by drivingAfter drinking. I do a lot of traveling for work. I always used to be either high or drink for long trips. 2b. Unpredictable Behavior while using:a. there were many situations where I really did embarrassing things. Two more recent situations are:Wedding reception at my partners house for his two step daughters weddings. I stayed till the very end ha nging out with neighbors wife (who is an alcoholic) and made many passes on her. We came within inchesof having sex in my partners back yard. After all that I attempted to drive homefrom Brighten area. Realized how drunk I was and slept along side of expressway. b. At a Customers show in January 1998 I should have left after the selling ended but instead went into the bar with all the other salesmen and customers. .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce , .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce .postImageUrl , .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce , .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce:hover , .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce:visited , .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce:active { border:0!important; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce:active , .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uf1a656c6b51f58cdd45c7c117bdfc5ce:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Assessing Maslows Pyramid From EssayI ended up drinking so much in a 1 1/2 hours that I felt I had to get home before I was to drunk. The show was in Flint.I didnt make it!! Got busted for drinking and driving in Clarkston 2c. Blackouts: Happened too many times to remember them all. My whole goal in drinking was to get buzzed or high. In most social events I could be normal by controlling my drinking. But many a time I would leave the party or event and go get fully wasted. 2d. Broken Promises to myself: Over the last 5 to 7 years I knew I had a problem. ITried to drink normally and attempted to control it. I would keep no alcohol in the house and minimize my drinking as m uch as possible. But when I did I usually got drunk. Exceptions were most business events and some social events. Keep in mind if I was getting drunk with someone chances are they had a drinking problem to. Drunks dont hang around with non-drinkers!3. Unmanageability: The inability to control our lives which normally show up inFollowing areas:a. Financial Problems: Not a problem for me. I was able to control my drinking problem so not to effect me financially. I probably over compensated for my childhood when all I heard was fights between my parents over money issues. I am very frivolous with money and would do things like buy fifths or gallons to save money. Also many times when I drank I was on business trips and my company expenses covered it. Work Related Problems: Once again not a major issue as I am very successful in my career. I did not let drinking prevent me from doing my work. There were times I would plan on getting drunk and would schedule my appointments accordingly. Many times I would drag my butt out of bed and Be at work even though I felt like crap. I am sure it hurt me somewhat andCustomers could probably tell something was wrong. But no one ever said anything.