Hawaiian´s Sunset

Essay Sample

"A BEGINNING AND END"

Each change and occurence that takes place during each season is so important to the outcome of the next, because the seasons are all entwined. The activities which are common to each season have a profound effect on the cycle of plant and animal life. There is a reason for all seasons, two of which are spring with its new beginning and autumn with its incipient decline.
Mother nature wakes after a long restful sleep, stands, claps her hands, and calls spring to attention because this is the time of reawakening, a sudden surprising emergence after a period of concealed existence. I rise early because the days are becoming longer now. As I walk and explore this new morning, I cannot help but notice the activity that surrounds me. Gardens are being tilled and planted for the ground is warm and will soon break with sprouts of future bounty. Butterfly and insects eagerly emerge from their winter homes intent on the tasks which lie ahead. The landscape is a palette of every shade of green imaginable. Before my very eyes, a kaleidoscope of colors splash the horizon as buds, leaves, and blossoms spring forth and pollen fills the air. The nests of foul, squirrel, and other animals are busy with activity for they are full with their young. Droves of geese and other migratory birds flying in formation are seen and heard returning to spring's warmer weather. Furry, feathery, and slimy creatures have begun shedding their heavier coats as they, too, prepare for the warmer temperatures. The intermittent spring showers encourage the abundant new growth of iris, narcissus, tulips, and daffodils.

Months later, as I gaze out my window I notice the transformation that is now taking place. What was once warm, bustling, and fresh has become cool, calm, and wilted. There is a stillness in the air as autumn appears. It is as if mother nature sat, stretched her arms, and yawned, announcing the time has come for a much needed rest. The nights are longer which makes it harder to wake. As I stand at the window I cannot help but notice the calmness that surrounds me. The change is apparent as activity slows because this is the time of full maturity. Ravished fields and gardens are left to wither away as the final harvesting comes to an end. The abundance of blooms have diminished so pollen becomes less evident. The hives of wasps and bees are made ready for the winter rest. Evidence of cocoons (future caterpillars and butterflies) are seen on tree trunks and eaves. Leaves cover cars, roof tops, and the ground like a blanket of snow, as trees and plants shed their leaves. The predominate mixtures of brown, gray, and evergreen are everywhere. Acorns and other seeds are shed, providing food for a multitude of animals. Mother nature distributes the remaining seeds among her fields and her forests for the future growth of plants and trees. Nests are now empty of their young. The migratory foul take flight in their V-shaped formation in search of a warmer climate. Furry and feathery creatures have now replaced their spring attire with fuller, heavier coats and feathers. Less rain falls since less is needed. The excitement diminishes as the preparation of rest takes place.

Many events have taken place throughout the year, some obvious and some never acknowledged, but all are remarkable. The changing of the seasons are many: a new beginning for every living thing to be fruitful and multiply, a time for nourishment of both soil and its reapers, and a time for rest because tomorrow is yet another beginning and end.

Thesis statement: Bold
Main Ideas: Purple

Supporting Facts: Blue

The environment and health for children and their mothers

More than three million children under five die each year from environment-related causes and conditions. This makes the environment one of the most critical contributors to the global toll of more than ten million child deaths annually -- as well as a very important factor in the health and well-being of their mothers.

Polluted indoor and outdoor air, contaminated water, lack of adequate sanitation, toxic hazards, disease vectors, ultraviolet radiation, and degraded ecosystems are all important environmental risk factors for children, and in most cases for their mothers as well. Particularly in developing countries, environmental hazards and pollution are a major contributor to childhood deaths, illnesses and disability from acute respiratory disease, diarrhoeal diseases, physical injuries, poisonings, insect-borne diseases and perinatal infections. Childhood death and illness from causes such as poverty and malnutrition are also associated with unsustainable patterns of development and degraded urban or rural environments.

Health-damaging exposure to environmental risks can begin before birth. Lead in air, mercury in food and other chemicals can result in long-term, often irreversible effects, such as infertility, miscarriage, and birth defects. Women's exposure to pesticides, solvents and persistent organic pollutants may potentially affect the health of the fetus. Additionally, while the overall benefits of breastfeeding are recognized, the health of the newborn may be affected by high levels of contaminants in breast milk. Small children, whose bodies are rapidly developing, are particularly susceptible - and in some instances the health impacts may only emerge later in life.

Furthermore, children as young as five years old sometimes work in hazardous settings. Pregnant women living and working in hazardous environments and poor mothers and their children are at a higher risk, as they are exposed to the most degraded environments, are often unaware of the health implications, and lack access to information on potential solutions.

I. More than three million children Ander die each year fron environment.

A. The environment one of the most critical contributors to the global toll.

1.- Ten million child deaths annually.

2.- Important factor in the health and well-being.

II. Important environment risk factor for children in developing contries.

A. Environment risk factor.

1.- Lack of adequate sanitation.

2.- Deagraded ecosystems.

B. Chilhood death

1.- Degraded urban or rural environment.

2.- Poverty and malnutrition.

III. Health-damaging exposure to environment risk.

A. Small children are particularly susceptible.

1.- Often irreversible effects.

2.- The healht of the newborn may be affected by high levels of contaminants in breats milk.

IV. People work in harzardous settings.

A. Living and working in hazardous environment.

1.- Often unaware of the health.

2.- Lack access to information on potential solutions.

Advantages and Disadvantages