WITW 21st April

Article: Report on Sewol - BBC and Yonhap
URL: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27100056, http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/society/2014/04/21/0701000000AKR20140421170200054.HTML?template=208

A recent article on the Sewol Ferry that began its submerge four days ago, reports that 87 people have been confirmed dead (and counting) with 215 still missing. Its unfortunate that only 174 people were saved while more than 300 of the passengers (that were mostly grade 11 students) were still in the ship during its submergence. It has also been reported that the ship's captain had fled the scene during the whole chaos and his last orders were, "Stay in your positions/seats and be calm". The captain did not give sets of orders to the crew nor did he open the emergency vault that contained auto-inflatable life boats that could carry 1500 people. Many of the crew members also fled with the captain in the time of crucial need. Yonhap states that the captain and two other crew members have been charged with negligence of duty and violation of maritime law. Another article states that the judge of the case said that they could easily be charged for more than 2000 years if you took account for every person that have died or reported missing. With the nation in distress and the families of the students experiencing tragic loss, we can only pray that the situation can get better.

Questions:

1. What has happened recently in Mount Everest?
• The deadliest avalanche in Mount Everest. Sherpas threaten to stop work unless money is paid to families of guides killed in Mount Everest's deadliest avalanche. 13 guides were reported killed and three others seriously injured in the avalanche on khumbu Icefall (one of the most dangerous parts). The men were trying to fix ropes and crack snow and ice to carve out a route for foreign climbers.
• http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/04/nepal-guides-demand-avalanche-compensation-201442164210813808.html
2. What is going to happen in Egypt soon?
• An election for a new government of Egypt. Polls show former Egyptian military chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will easily win next month's presidential election. Aljazeera reports that when sisi formally registered last week as a candidate for the May vote, he delivered 200,000 signatures to Egypt's election commission - eight times the number required.
• http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/04/sisi-godot-egypt-201442082728108499.html
3. What has happened in Syria?
• Assad, whose term ends on July 17, is expected to run and win another seven-year term in office despite the conflict. The conflict, which began with peaceful protests against Assad's government, has also displaced nearly half of Syria's population inside and outside the country. 
• http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/04/syria-presidential-date-fixed-june-3-201442195533727216.html

WITH April 16th

Article: Man arrested for Boston Marathon bomb Hoax
A man was arrested for possessing a rice cooker, in his bag, near Boston Marathon finish line during the anniversary tribute to the Boston Bombing victims. After being suspiciously found walking and acting strangely, a police officer stopped him and interrogated him after finding that he had a rice cooker in his bag.

Questions:

1. What has recently happened in South Korea regarding ships.
• A Ferry carrying 459 people sank with a 100 people still reported missing. 
• http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27045512
2. What has the Taliban decided to do recently?
• The Pakistan Taliban has announced that they will not extend the ceasefire they began in March, effectively ending their truce with the government. 
• http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27053267
3.  What has happened to the UK Economy regarding wage?
• After six years, wage rises match with inflation.
• http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27047966

5 Articles

5 Articles regarding Death Penalty

1. "Why Whites Support Capital Punishment" - Article published by Slate
• An American point of view of Capital Punishment relating it to the history of racial discrimination and its origins. This article mentions how the death penalty came about in America and how it was used as a tool of authority and control, particularly over slaves, Native Americans and blacks. 
• http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/03/pew_research_death_penalty_poll_why_whites_support_capital_punishment_more.html
2. "Death Penalty is dead wrong: it's time to outlaw capital punishment in America completely" - Article published in NY Daily News
• Unlike the first article, this piece argues that the death penalty should, 'finally', be completely abolished in America. It states the reformed legislation's focusing on the death penalty and the public opinion on it.
• http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/death-penalty-dead-wrong-time-outlaw-capital-punishment-america-completely-article-1.961087
3. "Death Penalty states mull return of firing squads, electric chairs" - Article published in NY Daily News
• Completely contradicting to the article above, this article explains that the instrument for executions; lethal-injection drugs have come short on supply and that the effectiveness is also questionable. This being said they suggest that executions might have to be practices the old traditional ways such as firing squads, electrocutions and gas chambers. 
• http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/death-penalty-states-mull-return-firing-squads-electric-chairs-article-1.1593687
4.  "Perspective on representing Death row inmates" - Article published in Death Penalty Information Center.
• A primary source of a given perspective of a lawyer who represented Death Row inmates. He specifically describes his clients on the story of how they were lead to capital punishment. He strongly believes that death penalty should be abolished in every form.
•  http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/node/5736
5. "The Death Penalty V. Human Rights: Why Abolish the death penalty" - Article published by Amnesty International.
• The 62nd session resolution of the UN General Assembly regarding the affirmation of the right to life and stating that abolition of the death penalty is essential for the protection of human rights. This report is in respect international standards that guarantee he protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty.
• https://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ACT51/002/2007

Death Penalty

Topic Outline: Death Penalty

Death Penalty, also known as Capital Punishment, is the punishment of execution, administered to someone legally convicted of a capital crime (Oxford).

This particular field of study is definitely one of the most reserved, dark and enigmatic topics that are considered one of the top ten Humanities issue. Organizations such as the UN (HRC) and Amnesty works towards abolishing the Death Penalty and exposing the reports of such actions so that the public is aware of such government activities. I will provide information to the class about the field (detailed list below).

The Topic: Death Penalty will cover,

• Facts and Figures (General)
• Predictions
• Data analysis
• Government Reports
• Government action
• Politics behind the penalty
• Public opinion
• Public Decision 
• Crime related (What is considered capital Punishment)
• Countries that practice death penalty
• Hiding information (Total Secrecy) 
• Organizations that work toward abolishing the Death Penalty

Interview and Articles (Case Study)

Endangered Languages 

People Interviewed:
Mr. Chophel (Staff)
Mrs. Chophel (Staff)
Tenzin Jigmey (Student)

Articles:

·        1. "Endangered Languages | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization."Endangered Languages | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/endangered-languages/>.

·         2. "Enduring Voices." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://travel.nationalgeographic.co.in/travel/enduring-voices/>.

·        3. The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. <http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703467304575383131592767868>.

·        4.  "Endangered Languages." Ethnologue. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://www.ethnologue.com/endangered-languages>.

·         5. "Endangered Language Fund." Endangered Language Fund. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://www.endangeredlanguagefund.org/resources.php>.

·         6. "Wade Davis:Dreams from Endangered Cultures." Wade Davis: Dreams from Endangered Cultures. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://www.ted.com/talks/wade_davis_on_endangered_cultures>.

·         7. "Lost Language, Lost Culture." Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Canadian Foreign Service Institute, Centre for Intercultural Learning. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://www.international.gc.ca/cfsi-icse/cil-cai/magazine/v04n03/1-1-eng.asp>.

The primary focus of my case study is the direct correlation between endangered cultures with endangered languages. The particular endangered language I chose is the Tibetan Language. Fortunately, Woodstock School welcomes Tibetans as part of their own community allowing me to interview some of them regarding the case of the Tibetan Language hence Tibetan Culture. A good friend of mine, Tenzin Jigmey, has spent approximately half of his life dedicated in being part of the Woodstock Community. I have asked for his opinion on the status of Tibetan Culture and Language, I also asked him if he could fluently speak Tibetan, also if he could follow up on his current knowledge of Tibetan Culture. I had asked the same questions to both Mr and Mrs. Chophel on the matter and all three responded fairly similarly. Arguing that Tibetan culture is slowly disappearing because of three major factors, immigration, globalization and political regression from China. In the Case Study I will further focus on a detailed analysis of the situation.

WITW 25th March

Article: Muslim Brotherhood members sentenced to Death

• Aljazeera (Most reliable when it comes to Middle East News) reports that an 'Egyptian court has sentenced 529 members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood to death on charges including murder, in a sharp escalation of a crackdown on the movement.' This charge is reported to be the biggest mass death sentence handed out in Egypt's History another thing to note is that this was the 'quickest case' in history with no instant rebuttal of any sort. Interestingly it seemed that the nation, including the judge himself was strongly against the Muslim Brotherhood that it went as far as sentencing 500+ people (Majority of the Brotherhood). A quote sums this point saying, "When the trail begun with the procedural hearing, the judge doesn't listen to any lawyers or witnesses and doesn't even call the defendants, you are before a group of thugs and not the judiciary," Walid, a relative of one the defendants, told Reuters.

Question:

1. What has recently happened to Ukraine?
• Ukraine has ordered its troops out of Crimea after Russia has seized and annexed the peninsula in response to the fall of the Ukrainian government 
• http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/03/ukraine-orders-troops-out-crimea-2014324125620276454.html
2. What has James Cameron announced regarding the G8 Summit?
• James Cameron announced that the G8 Summit will no longer be held in Russia because of its conflicts with Ukraine.
• http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-26722668
3. What has the PM of Malaysia announced regarding the Missing Malaysian Plane?
•  Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak has informed the families of those missing in the flight MH370 that the plane has likely crashed in the Indian Ocean west of Perth.
• http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2014/03/families-told-plane-lost-indian-ocean-201432414843733737.html

Endangered Language = Endangered Culture (Not the other way around)

Language is most arguably the core of all cultural practices. We often neglect language as part of our culture when in fact, language is the essential base factor of it. We use language everyday and every moment of our lives as our medium of communication but it is being constantly being lost in a significant rate, hence so does culture with it. According to UNESCO, it is estimated that 'half of 6000 plus languages spoken today will disappear by the end of the century. With the disappearance of unwritten and undocumented languages, humanity would lose not only a cultural wealth but also important ancestral knowledge embedded, in particular, in indigenous languages.' (UNESCO)  The essay will focus on the importance of language embedded on cultures and how the loss of language is directly correlated to the loss of culture.

WITW (March 18th)

Article: Crimea Region declaring independence from Ukraine and applied to Join Russia

• According to Aljazeera (Least Bias source), the United Nation has approved the document saying that all countries of the world to recognise the Republic of Crimea as an independent state. In response to Crimea's declaration of independence, European Union foreign ministers moved towards imposing more sanctions on Russia over its role in the breakaway. But, Mikhail Malyshev reported that a televised news conference that the final tally was 96.8 percent in favour of splitting from Ukraine. Knowing this, US has begun giving official warnings to Russia especially upon Putin but Putin refuses to budge by stating that the vote was legal and consistent with the right of self-determination, according to Kremlin.   

Questions:

1. What has happened to a Hezbollah  Leader in Lebanon?
• A suicide car bomb attack has killed at least up to four people including a Hezbollah leader in Hezbollah-dominated area of the Bekaa Valley. (Hezbollah; small militia, Radical Shi'ite Muslim organization in Lebanon.
•  http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/03/car-bomb-lebanon-kills-hezbollah-man-201431620585592964.html
2. What has the US Navy seals done in the past week?
• US Navy SEALS have boarded and taken control of an oil tanker late that escaped earlier this month from a rebel-held Libyan port with armed men at the helm, the US Department of Defence said. 
• http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/03/us-navy-seals-board-rouge-libya-oil-tanker-201431710529805169.html
3. What has North Korea done yesterday?
• North Korea has fired 25 short-range rockets from its east coast into open water near Japan. 
• http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/16/world/asia/nkorea-missile-launches/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

Endangered Cultures (Languages)

Hawaiian
The Hawai'i was one of the world's most literate societies with over 90 percent of the population able to read and write. The language and culture was almost destroyed as a result of Hawaii's annexation to the United States in the early 20th century.

Kalmyk

The republic of Kalmykia lies in Russia, at the southeastern corner of Europe. It is home to the continent's only Buddhist indigenous people, the Kalmyks, who speak an endangered Mongolic language. The language, hence culture almost died in the hands of Stalin but miraculously survived and persevered.

Koro

Is an endangered Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Arunachal Pradesh, India with an estimated 800 to 1000 speakers. Until recently, Koro was a hidden language, not acknowledged in scientific literature or by local and national political structures as a distinct language. After immigrating out of Tibet, the community broke off and disintegrated.

Quechua

Quechua was the unifying language of the Inca Empire. Though Quechua is the indigenous language for many groups in the Andes, it is being displaced by today's dominant language (Colony): Spanish.

Isthmus Zapotec

The Zapotec Language family of Oaxaca and Vercruz, Mexico comprises a large number of distinct indigenous languages that can be traced very far back. Historically, government teachers discouraged use of the Zapotec language further quickening the extinction process. 

Source: http://storymaps.esri.com/stories/2013/endangered-languages/

Presentation Review

Samiha: Solar Energy

• She has mentioned several solar projects such as SEIA that help in increase labor opportunities. She also mentioned the sun to home capacity and it's efficiency in absorbing solar energy.

Taklha: Wind Energy

• He has mentioned the efficiency of the energy and it's cons such as the animals getting killed, the noise pollution and the looks. Also he explained the availability of wind energy around the globe. 

Angad: Solar Energy

• He has focused on the future predictions of solar energy and it's environmental impacts. He gave a solution to the cons (animal killing, noise pollution and the looks) from Tenzins presentation. 

Istuti: Solar Energy

• She has described the differences between PV solar energy and manual heating systems that can be installed in homes. She also described the solar power consumption of both today and its future (using the increasing rate).

Kethayun: Ethanol Energy

• She has described how Ethanol energy works and it's promising resource capabilities (using grain, maize, alchohol, potato, rice and different varieties of corn). She also mentioned the easy installation and process. 

Jihoo: Solar Energy

• She has included statistical data that can be compared to that of other renewable energy sources. She also offered a worldly point of view that promotes solar energy because of its potential such as its infinite availability of solar energy. 

Aashna: Biodiesel

• She has focused on the environmental friendly aspects of Biodiesel energy (How our wastes can be used for energy). She also mentioned the rise in demand for biodiesel energy from 2010 to 50 with China topping the chart. 

What in the World (March 11)

Article

• The Ukrainian crisis continues to worsen with the two sides; US and Russia have neglected negotiations and are not coming close to a common agreement. The two sides are protesting against each other making matters alot worse than it already is.  Also both sides officials such as Putin and US Secretary John Kerry both have started to ignore or reject each others talks.
• http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/muscovites-rally-for-and-against-kremlin-actions-in-ukraine/495915.html
• http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26524056

Questions:

1. What has recently happened with the Malaysia Missing Aircraft?
• The search widens as the aircraft is still reported missing. Thailand, Malaysia, Hongkong and Vietnam police has decided to support and help in search of the aircraft.
• http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2014/03/search-widens-as-malaysia-plane-still-missing-2014311544093791.html
2. What has Qatar done with it's foreign policy?
• Qatar has defended it's foreign policy in which is based upon the Muslim Brotherhood ideals.
• http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/03/qatar-defends-foreign-policy-over-gulf-rift-20143111143148361.html
3. What has the Arab League Rejected in the past week?
•  The Arab League has rejected Israel as a Jewish Nation.
• http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/03/arab-league-rejects-israel-as-jewish-state-201439161231209704.html

Why are we still dependent on Fossil Fuels?

Ever since the industrial revolution, fossil fuels continue to become the core fuel source that run everything technological and mechanic, literally almost everything in today's society uses fossil fuels. We depend on fossil fuels like water for our body. We become thirsty for energy constantly because everything we do is dependent on fossil fuel. Today 85% of the world's energy is from fossil fuels and the rest by renewable energy. Renewable energy is far to compete against fossil fuels in everything it encompasses including efficiency, cost and price. In the movie, the crude awakening, it mentions that "oil is our god", in some degree that is true especially in a society that is hungry for energy.  Unfortunately our world is growing hungrier for energy as developing nations quickly catch up with the rest of the world. For example China and India together are the highest fossil fuel consuming and demanding nations in the world. Of course, this is justified because of their mass population but as we are constantly told, oil doesn't grow on trees. As demand exponentially rises our supply only drops even faster. It's inevitable, we are running out of fossil fuels but we still use it like it's endless. The reason for this is because we have been using fossil fuels for decades and we never imagined an end to it. Throughout the years, we have developed technological advancements in producing efficient energy from fossil fuels and found all the ways to locate and refine the resources. We have invested too much on something we relied on and, at the same time, we were blind to see its depletion. We were warned even before the world-scale industrial boom but we chose to ignore it because we couldn't fathom a time where fossil fuel has run out. But in the end, it is inevitable. Sooner or later it will end (maybe even in our lifetime) so we must find alternatives of energy and invest on its future it holds.

Three Sources:
http://www.lenntech.com/greenhouse-effect/fossil-fuels.htm
http://theenergycollective.com/scottbittle/257356/25-years-now-and-still-relying-fossil-fuels
http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/fossil-fuels/

Pros and Cons in installing Alternative Energy according to its environment.

Alternative energy sources are not perfect even if you combined them to fit perfectly according to a countries environment. There are always pros and cons for this kind of installation. These are some of them.

Pros:

• Transferring alternative energy is not a choice so if done earlier the better
• Conventional sources will no longer be needed
• Pollution will decrease
• Diseases will decrease
• Death Tolls will decrease
• Climate change will reduce
• Earth will return back to its original optimum state
• It will be cost effective 
• You can create your personal alternative energy source
• In the Long run, it pays off and it will produce profit 
• Prices of energy will begin to drop as alternative energy is mass produced
• Society will grow to become eco-friendly

Cons

• Extremely Expensive 
• Required skilled labourers for both building and maintaining the source
• At the moment, the alternative energy sources are not as efficient
• Technological advancements will take time and is expensive
• Transferring all conventional sources to renewable sources will be extremely costly and time consuming
• It'll be a definite loss for some time (for the economy especially)
• Not all Alternative energy sources run constantly 

5 Articles

Title: EU 100% Renewable Energy is here
Description: This website is a thorough analysis of the countries that have 100% renewable energy, particularly in Europe. It particularly focuses on small countries in Europe such as Iceland and Norway, the only two countries in the world that actually run on 100% renewable energy. This is an incredible feat for these countries and it proves that 100% renewable sources is workable. Of course, the two countries does not only rely on one renewable source. Iceland and Norway run on both geothermal and heavily on hydro power because they are both geographically blessed with the resources that work these renewable sources.
URL: http://theenergycollective.com/david-k-thorpe/237161/it-s-not-utopian-100-renewable-electricity-here

Title: The Riskiness of Renewable Energy Investments
Description: As titled, the riskiness of renewable energy investments and its possible future outcomes. This has become the number one growing question concerning the investment of renewable energy. Of course, investments has its own riskiness into it and Forbes points out the hurdles of renewable energy investment.  Michael Lynch, contributor of the Forbes report that the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is inevitable but what matters is when and how. He focuses on the fact that current renewable energy plans and organizations are funded heavily by the local government and as of now it won't be able to stand on its own two legs in more than a decade.
URL: http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaellynch/2014/01/08/the-riskiness-of-renewable-energy-investments/

Title: The Big question: Can countries reach 100% renewable energy?
Description: A discussion about whether 100% renewable energy is achievable world wide within the decade. Taking into consideration of technological advances and greener mindsets. This article from Renewable Energy World answers the question, 'What are the major barriers that countries face in order to reach 100 percent renewable energy - is this goal always achievable or desirable?' Kevin Smith answers this question using his knowledge of the hopeful attitude toward a cleaner and eco friendly environment in the coming future. He takes into considerations of the difficulty to reach this goal but he states that its definitely achievable, it'll just take time.
URL: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/10/the-big-question-can-countries-reach-100-percent-renewable-energy

Title: Alternative Energy investing for 2013
Description: A research on the investments made on Alternative energy in 2013 throughout the world. This article focuses on a detailed statistical report including graphical information of the net profit  and loss in different countries. It categorizes the several renewable energy sources including its current efficiency levels, expenses, companies and it's report in the past 5 years. It even includes the rising prices of oil and its dropping demand in society. Not every renewable energy source have identical information as these sources are still in its developing stage which require massive amounts of funds and investments which is a major barrier in making renewable energy a preferable source of energy to that of oil.
URL: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/02/alternative-energy-investing-for-2013

Title: The International Energy Agency
Description: The IEA is the official website for the company, The International Energy Agency, that is responsible for explaining renewable energy to the public and it gathered all the reports from the research centers that work with renewable energy sources. The website includes everything about renewable energy sources from basic definition to governmental reports. The member countries that contribute to the IEA is made up of 28 member countries that include OECD countries. The company works to spread and expand the idea of an eco-friendly world using will-be efficient renewable energy generated sources.
URL: http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/

What is the most promising renewable energy resource? Maybe all of them?

The boiling question on alternative energy is, which renewable energy will take over the energy market after conventional energy is long gone?  Well I say that all of them will take over. Not one renewable source should be left out.
Why must we pick one particular renewable energy resource and invest on it when we can harvest from many different types all at once? If you take into consideration on the level of expense and efficiency of these energy resources, yes they make a difference. But in the long run lets say that technological advances and research frees the problem of expense and efficiency, then what? Must we depend on Hydro? What about those land-lock countries that have no access to free-flowing water. Wind? What about the countries that don't have constant winds blowing. Solar? What about the countries that have frequent clouds and long winter nights. Acknowledge that every alternative energy has its cons. So what we must do is use the renewable energy resource that is most optimal for the countries environment. Iceland is a great example of this. Iceland utilizes 100% renewable energy because of its natural geological structure with nearby volcanoes producing geothermal energy and its island state that allows hydro energy to be compatible. Imagine every country doing this, even if it take years of development in the long run, it pays out (development could be quicker by the years as technology advances). If we long for efficiency then we should think efficiency by using the most of what is given, this is what I believe. 

Alternative Energy Expenses

Of course, everything comes at an expense and energy is definitely no exception. Renewable Energy is gradually being picked up as the number one priority in the energy market and as this happens production of Renewable Energy plants across the world have increased exponentially. Unfortunately, establishing these plants are, at the moment, still expensive and it requires special skills to maintain the production of energy. According to the EPA US (Environmental Protection Agency of the United States) and the International Forum on Globalization the database on energy cost is looking optimistic and promising. These are the details.

EPA Energy Cost Database (Time may vary) (US only)
Renewable Energy                         Year           Size         Cost for every kw (2007)

Biomass                                         2012          80           $64.45

Geothermal                                    2010          30           $164.64

Hydro                                            2012         500          $13.63

Wind                                             2009          50            $30.30

Wind Offshore                               2012          100          $89.48

Solar Thermal                                2012          100          $56.78

PV                                                2011           5              $11.68

International Forum on Globalization Cost database (Average in the world)The cost to install one kilowatt of new capacity ranges from:

• Conventional Energy Sources
• US$500 - US$1500 for Natural Gas
• US$1900 - US$5800 for Coal
• US$4500 - US$7500 for Nuclear
• Renewable Energy Sources
• US$1300 - US$2500 for Wind
• US$2600 - US$3500 for Geothermal
• US$3000 - US$5000 for Solar Thermal
• US$3900 - US$9000 for Solar PV

The cost to generate existing power is:

• Existing Power (mostly conventional)
• US$0.01/kWh for Hydropower
• US$0.02-0.04/kWh for coal
• US$0.029/kWh for Nuclear
• US$0.04-0.07/kWh for Natural Gas
• Renewable 
• US$0.04-0.09/kWh for Biomass
• US$0.045-0.1/kWh for Wind 
• US$0.06-0.15/kWh for Solar Thermal
• US$0.10/kWh for Geothermal
• US$0.10/kWh for Tidal
• US$0.12/kWh for Wave
• US$0.21-0.83/kWh for Solar PV

Sources: 

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/renewabledatabase.html

http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/5304/six-renewable-energy-sources-judged-to-be-best-prospect-for-future-says-report/

"News." Six Renewable Energy Sources Judged to Be Best Prospect for Future, Says Report. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.

News During Winter Break

Article: Law against gay propaganda in Russia  

Synopsis: Months before the Sochi 2014 Olympics, Russia had passed a law against Gay Propaganda which has led to uproars around the globe including today’s ongoing 2014 Olympic Games held in Sochi Russia. Traditionally the law was focused upon banning further influence and propaganda of pedophilia and homosexuality but the fact that homosexuality was categorized with pedophilia disturbed the homosexual community. It seems that the Russian Parliament voted overwhelmingly (96%) over a controversial piece of legislation. It imposed heavy fines on anyone who provides information to under the age of 18 particularly described as “untraditional sexual relations”. After a few weeks the word spread across, not only within the nation but the whole world that Russia was against gay/lesbian citizens. Countries like America and England have taken steps to support the gay peoples in Russia by boycotting vodka’s and the Sochi Olympics. In fact, Obama had been reported to have sent gay athletes to compete in the games as a way to support the homosexual community in Russia. Putin continues to emphasize that the law does not impose a threat to the gay community but ironically, at the same time, the series of protests against the ban outside the Sochi Olympics were put out through violence and harassment by the police.

"Obama Picks Gay Athletes for Sochi Opening Ceremony." The Sydney Morning Herald. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://www.smh.com.au/sport/winter-olympics/obama-picks-gay-athletes-for-sochi-opening-ceremony-20140207-32686.html>.

"Sochi 2014: Putin Declares Gay Athletes Welcome." BBC News. BBC, 28 Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24708739>.

 "Sochi 2014: Gay Rights Protests Target Russia's Games." BBC News. BBC, 02 May 2014. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26043872>.

Article: Ukraine’s Prime Minister resigns (The Economist)

Synopsis: During the last week of January 2014, Ukraine’s Prime minister and government resigned after a month of protests but the protesters are continuing the unrest because what they want is a new presidential election. The big issue in Ukraine continues to be ‘should the country move to Russia’s orbit or should it move towards Europe’. The president Yanukovych wants it to go towards to Russia and he’s been pulled toward that direction through Putin who is offering money and threats but the people of Ukraine in the East as well in the West are telling him they want to go toward Europe. It’s not at all clear how this is going to end but the fact that the government is gone and that the protests are continuing suggests that Yanukovych’s grip on the country is weakening and he may not be able to stop his country from moving towards Europe.

Analysis: As the Ukraine protest continues to fight against the sides, between a European Ukraine and Russian Ukraine, the nation’s economy continues to plummet. As in all protests, the economy has begun to deteriorate as protest lengthened throughout the weeks. As the economy worsened, prices rose, productions dropped, demands are not met, supply quotas reduce, equilibriums are fluctuated, thus it would be only natural that protests grew wilder. Moreover the protest took place throughout the week and during the working hours which suggests that all the protest participants (approximately more than 8000 people across the country) were not at work thus production was put on halt. The only action that could ease the anger of the public was for the current holding PM to step down (one of the core reasons for the protests) but evidently the protests continued because it increased in magnitude. Acting Prime minister, Serhiy Arbuzov states, “Political instability is putting pressure on the currency market. There is tension despite a lack of economic reasons for this”

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/28/world/europe/ukraine-protests/

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/28/us-ukraine-azarov-idUSBREA0R0BR20140128

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBvNmWzjZaA&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL0KWoY2XZKw6qx9Rt6_IPfmytOR_UUu5M

Alternative Energy Sources

Energy Source Definition (according to Merriam Webster): usable power that comes from a particular source for example heat, oil, radiation, water etc.

Ever since the Industrial Revolution we have become accustomed to oil as our primary source of energy. But because we were dependant solely on oil for decades, the time has come where Oil is close to its depletion. Knowing this, mostly during the 21st century, governments and scientists together have searched for efficient alternative energy sources to keep the energy circulation within nations up and running. Fortunately many sources have been discovered and is being tested in several countries such as Iceland running on geothermal (Thanks to the nearby volcanoes) and hydropower (Island) in which supplies 100% renewable energy. However there are several hurdles to this process of transferring energy sources. Firstly not all nations are as geographically opportune as Iceland. Secondly it costs the government and private industries millions of dollars. Thirdly the discovered energy sources are not as efficient as the constantly running oil flow. Fourth and hopefully final issue is that as of now these alternative energy sources are not entirely environmentally friendly as it requires vast spaces of geographical bodies also on the same note nobody can predict the futures weather fluctuations due to the rise of global warming. On a happier note, everyone is still in the process of finding solutions to these problems and trying to create a natural and smooth transition between energy sources for the best prospect of the future.

International Forum on Globalization with content provided by the Post Carbon Institute states that "conventional energy sources such as oil, gas, coal and nuclear, are either at or nearing the limits of their ability to grow annual supply, and will dwindle as the decades proceed but, in any case, they are unacceptably hazardous to the environment." Hence the report suggests that there are 6 promising alternative energy sources that we can rely in the coming future. Listed in no particular order. (Source Description by Listverse)

• Wind Power
• Wind power is the conversion of wind energy by wind turbines into a useful form, such as electricity or mechanical energy. Large-scale wind farms are typically connect to the local power transmission network with small turbines used to provide electricity to isolated areas. Residential units are entering production and are capable of powering large appliances to entire housees depending on the size. Wind farms installed on agricultural land or grazing areas, have on the the lowest environmental impacts of all energy sources.
• Solar PV
• Photovoltaic Solar power is harnessing the suns energy to produce electricity. One of the fastest growing energy sources, new technologies are developing at a rapid pace. Solar cells are becoming more efficient, transportable and even flexible, allowing for easy installation. 
• Hydro (63%)
• The source of the production of power through the use of gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy. Small scale hydro power has been an increasingly popular alternative energy source, especially in remote areas where other power sources are not viable.  
• Geothermal
• Geothermal energy is a very powerful and efficient way to extract a renewable energy from the earth through natural processes. This can be performed on a large scale for energy production through a geothermal power plant. It has been used for space heating and bathing since ancient roman times, but is now better known for generating electricity. Geothermal power is cost-effective, reliable and environmentally friendly, but has previously been geographically limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries.
• Wave
• Wave power is the transport of energy by ocean surface waves, and the capture of that energy to do useful work. Wave energy can be difficult to harness due to the unpredicability of the ocean and wave direction. Wave farms have been created and are in use in Europe, using floating Pelamis Wave Energy converters. Most wave power systems include the use of a floating buoyed device and generate energy through a snake motion, or by mechanical movement from the waves peaks and troughs. 
• Tidal
• Tidal energy can be generated in two ways, tidal steam generators or by barrage generation. The power created though tidal generators is generally more environmentally friendly and causes less impact on established ecosystems. Similar to a wind turbine, many tidal stream generators rotate underwater and is driven by the swiftly moving dense water. Tides are more predictable than wind energy and solar power. Tidal power is the only form of energy which derives directly from the relative motions of the Earth-Moon (rotational) system, and to a lesser extent from the Eath-sun system. Basically a wind farm under the sea.

It is difficult to say which is the 'better' renewable energy source since reasons may vary (every source has its pros and cons) because of geographic, financial, and efficiency circumstances but currently the most utilized source is Hydro-Powered Sources.


http://listverse.com/2009/05/01/top-10-renewable-energy-sources/
http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/5304/six-renewable-energy-sources-judged-to-be-best-prospect-for-future-says-report/
http://makewealthhistory.org/2012/07/09/countries-with-100-renewable-energy/