Change is inevitable.
Firstly, I would like to define the keywords in this topic: change, and inevitable. What is change? In this essay, I would like to define it as manmade changes, or changes made by us humans. As for inevitable, according to Longman Dictionary, is something which cannot be avoided or prevented from happening, which is also certain to happen. In other words, 'change is inevitable' simply means that (in this essay) manmade changes will always happen and they can't be avoided.
Why is change inevitable? Why do we change in the first place? Do we have a choice before all these changes occur? These are the key questions I ponder in this essay.
As included in my research, change is for the better or for the worst, depending on how you view it. It is certainly something that presses us out of our comfort zones. It may be uncomfortable, for changing one state to the next upsets our control over outcomes. To me, even though change may be uncomfortable, and it takes time to get used to the changes, however I think that change is won by victors not victims, and that choice is ours.
However that also does not apply to all circumstances. For example, nature is changing everyday. We cannot avoid how mother Earth is changing. We cannot change nature. We, humans can only adapt to nature’s changes. How do we adapt to nature’s changes? By changing. Isn’t adaption a form of change? We change, to adapt, to survive, to preserve our fundamental human right to continue our lives on mother Earth. All adaptations are changes that are needed to survive. So if you want to survive, you have to adapt to mother Nature’s changes by changing and under these circumstances, you don’t really have a choice. Let's just use the recent flooding of Orchard Road/ Scotts Road intersection as an example. When the flood occurred, there was a change in temperature and weather. It’s mother nature changing. What can we do then? We change too. We have to abandon our usual plans (e.g. shopping at Orchard Road), we have to change our usual way of working [for systems etc.] (e.g. The gates at the Marina Barrage were operated progressively from 8.30am onwards to allow excess storm-water to flow to the sea), (what I meant was) if this flood did not happen, the gates at Marina Barrage will still operate at its normal condition/timetable (which is not that active). Even the PUB has to do more research/investigation on this flood because it wasn’t a common flooding area and it’s last major flooding was in 1984, which was 26 years ago. Isn’t all these small changes, proving that us humans have simply no choice but to make changes (e.g. no shopping at Orchard Road, work more, have heavier workload) because of nature’s changes, be it gradual or sudden.
We may be able to predict the occuring of the floods (and other natural hazards), however we humans are still vulnerable. We cannot protect ourselves from these natural hazards. What we can do, is to flee. And change. We have to adapt to all sorts of climate and situations (which are changes) caused by mother Earth to survive.
Therefore, to me, change is inevitable because we have to do something (which is to adapt, to change) to survive, due to the constant changes of Mother Nature. Each manmade change is actually linked to each nature change. So for example when there's rain on a day which is supposed to be sunny (as in they predicted that it was a sunny day with no rain), you'll have to change your normal bagpack list and add on an umbrella. Or if there's a rainstorm, you'll have to postpone your plans to the beach. So I think change is inevitable, because we have to change to adapt to the changes that are caused by Mother Nature. And we humans change to survive, as we have simply no means to confront or resist nature's changes.
Steph .
9.14.2010
"Man can only manage change, not control it."
"Man can only manage change, not control it."
If one may carry only a maximum of three items while escaping from any future floods, what should these three items be? Explain your reasons.
In my opinion, these three items should be drinking water (at least 300ml or above), warm clothing (or at least a towel), and a flashlight/handphone.
Why water? You may say that hey it's a flood, there's plenty of water! Well, those water are contaminated water, you can try drinking them to quench your thirst and you'll end up in hospital before you can even escape from the flood itself. The water that the floods bring may actually be drain water, rainwater, or even muddy river water. Just imagine drinking a gulp of it may contain lots of bacteria and germs as the water is totally not purified at all. Besides, water is also one of the basic needs of us humans. Humans can survive without food for at least a week, however we will die without water in just a mere three days! Therefore I think we should bring a bottle of clean, drinking water of at least 300 ml when floods occur.
Secondly, I think we should bring some warm clothes (or at least a towel) when floods occur. The clothes must at least be dry, and it would be better if it's warm. It is because when floods happen, it normally comes with rain/storms which makes the temperature decrease. Therefore you'll definitely need some warm and dry clothes to keep your body temperature constant at 37.5 degree Celsius, and make yourself warm.
Last but not least, I think we can always bring along a flashlight. It is because we need to wait for rescue teams to help us when floods happen, so when we are waiting for the rescue team, we need to flash the flashlights (e.g. the SOS signal) to inform them of our location in case they cannot find us due to the dark atmospheres etc.
In another case, bringing a mobile phone instead of a flashlight also serves the same purpose: communication with the outside world. Let's suggest that you are trapped on your house's roof. Yet the rescue team just cannot seem to find you. At this point of time, it is urgent enough for you to call PUB to inform them of your exact location so that the rescue team can manage to save you on time.
From the statements above, my conclusion is that we should bring water (at least 300ml or above), warm clothing (or at least a towel), and a flashlight/handphone when we are escaping from any future floods.
Steph .
If one may carry only a maximum of three items while escaping from any future floods, what should these three items be? Explain your reasons.
In my opinion, these three items should be drinking water (at least 300ml or above), warm clothing (or at least a towel), and a flashlight/handphone.
Why water? You may say that hey it's a flood, there's plenty of water! Well, those water are contaminated water, you can try drinking them to quench your thirst and you'll end up in hospital before you can even escape from the flood itself. The water that the floods bring may actually be drain water, rainwater, or even muddy river water. Just imagine drinking a gulp of it may contain lots of bacteria and germs as the water is totally not purified at all. Besides, water is also one of the basic needs of us humans. Humans can survive without food for at least a week, however we will die without water in just a mere three days! Therefore I think we should bring a bottle of clean, drinking water of at least 300 ml when floods occur.
Secondly, I think we should bring some warm clothes (or at least a towel) when floods occur. The clothes must at least be dry, and it would be better if it's warm. It is because when floods happen, it normally comes with rain/storms which makes the temperature decrease. Therefore you'll definitely need some warm and dry clothes to keep your body temperature constant at 37.5 degree Celsius, and make yourself warm.
Last but not least, I think we can always bring along a flashlight. It is because we need to wait for rescue teams to help us when floods happen, so when we are waiting for the rescue team, we need to flash the flashlights (e.g. the SOS signal) to inform them of our location in case they cannot find us due to the dark atmospheres etc.
In another case, bringing a mobile phone instead of a flashlight also serves the same purpose: communication with the outside world. Let's suggest that you are trapped on your house's roof. Yet the rescue team just cannot seem to find you. At this point of time, it is urgent enough for you to call PUB to inform them of your exact location so that the rescue team can manage to save you on time.
From the statements above, my conclusion is that we should bring water (at least 300ml or above), warm clothing (or at least a towel), and a flashlight/handphone when we are escaping from any future floods.
Steph .
9.12.2010
Research - Flood safety.
Before a flash flood:
- Keep a portable radio on at all times so that you can listen to emergency updates.
- If you are trapped inside your house, climb to the highest place and wait for rescuers to find you. Do NOT swim outside.
- Store water in jugs, sinks, etc.
- Place valuables in the highest level of your house.
- Bring outdoor furniture and toys indoors and secure them.
- Turn off all utilities and close the main gas valve.
During a flood:
- Do not travel in flooded areas.
- Do NOT go near power lines and electrical wires.
- Beware of wild animals.
After a flood:
- Make sure your house is safe before entering.
- Do not use fire when reentering the house.
- Use a flashlight.
- Do not turn on your power until an electrician deems it safe.
- Boil all water before use until officials proclaim its safety.
- Beware of sharp debris and slippery floors.
- Throw out all foods contaminated with flood water.
- Make sure all property is safe again.
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/en/disaster/flood/effects.html
Steph .
- Keep a portable radio on at all times so that you can listen to emergency updates.
- If you are trapped inside your house, climb to the highest place and wait for rescuers to find you. Do NOT swim outside.
- Store water in jugs, sinks, etc.
- Place valuables in the highest level of your house.
- Bring outdoor furniture and toys indoors and secure them.
- Turn off all utilities and close the main gas valve.
During a flood:
- Do not travel in flooded areas.
- Do NOT go near power lines and electrical wires.
- Beware of wild animals.
After a flood:
- Make sure your house is safe before entering.
- Do not use fire when reentering the house.
- Use a flashlight.
- Do not turn on your power until an electrician deems it safe.
- Boil all water before use until officials proclaim its safety.
- Beware of sharp debris and slippery floors.
- Throw out all foods contaminated with flood water.
- Make sure all property is safe again.
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/en/disaster/flood/effects.html
Steph .
How do we prevent floods?
There are a myriad of ways to prevent floods. The creation of flood plains and winding streams are two of the best ways to hinder the accumulation of water by providing a route for the drainage of water. Also, the protection of wetlands helps to maintain a natural drainage system to provide a place for the excess water to gather. Such devices allow the water to evaporate before it can accumulate, creating flooding conditions.
Levees also impede the collecting of water. Levees are embankments composed of soil and earthen material that are used to prevent annual flooding in many areas. With a levee, a huge amount of rain water is required before flooding occurs. However, one drawback to their use is that if water is able to get past the levees, then the flooding is significantly worse and causes several times more damage.
Other ways of preventing floods include placing sandbags along the riverbank to serve as levees and placing large rocks on banks to prevent erosion, which prevents riverbanks from deteriorating, remaining high enough so that flooding will not occur as frequently.
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/en/disaster/flood/effects.html
Steph .
Levees also impede the collecting of water. Levees are embankments composed of soil and earthen material that are used to prevent annual flooding in many areas. With a levee, a huge amount of rain water is required before flooding occurs. However, one drawback to their use is that if water is able to get past the levees, then the flooding is significantly worse and causes several times more damage.
Other ways of preventing floods include placing sandbags along the riverbank to serve as levees and placing large rocks on banks to prevent erosion, which prevents riverbanks from deteriorating, remaining high enough so that flooding will not occur as frequently.
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/en/disaster/flood/effects.html
Steph .
Flash floods
Flash floods are dangerously fast moving floods caused by a large amount of heavy rain in a localized area. This torrential downpour may transform a normally calm area into a powerful river of death in only a few short minutes. Many people are caught unprepared for the power and speed of a flash flood, which results in dangerous situations.
Flash floods are slightly different from normal floods. Normal floods involve water rising and overflowing from its normal path. However, flash floods appear quickly and move swiftly across land with little warning. Flash floods occur for a variety of reasons including concentrated rainfall during a slow moving thunderstorm, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
The most devastating flash floods are from dam and levee failures. When either structure breaks, an enormous amount of water is suddenly unleashed, destroying everything in its path.
The water in a flash flood moves at such a high velocity that it can move boulders, uproot trees, demolish buildings, and destroy bridges. The walls of water in such a flood and be anywhere from ten to twenty feet tall and usually carry a substantial amount of debris.
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/en/disaster/flood/effects.html
Steph .
Flash floods are slightly different from normal floods. Normal floods involve water rising and overflowing from its normal path. However, flash floods appear quickly and move swiftly across land with little warning. Flash floods occur for a variety of reasons including concentrated rainfall during a slow moving thunderstorm, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
The most devastating flash floods are from dam and levee failures. When either structure breaks, an enormous amount of water is suddenly unleashed, destroying everything in its path.
The water in a flash flood moves at such a high velocity that it can move boulders, uproot trees, demolish buildings, and destroy bridges. The walls of water in such a flood and be anywhere from ten to twenty feet tall and usually carry a substantial amount of debris.
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/en/disaster/flood/effects.html
Steph .
Natural disasters - Effects of floods
Effects of Floods
Floods make an enormous impact on the environment and society. Floods destroy drainage systems in cities, causing raw sewage to spill out into bodies of water. Also, in cases of severe floods, buildings can be significantly damaged and even destroyed. This can lead to catastrophic effects on the environment as many toxic materials such as paint, pesticide and gasoline can be released into the rivers, lakes, bays, and ocean, killing maritime life. Floods may also cause millions of dollars worth of damage to a city, both evicting people from their homes and ruining businesses. Floods cause significant amounts of erosion to coasts, leading to more frequent flooding if not repaired.
However, floods do make a slight positive impact on the environment. Floods spread sediment containing beneficial nutrients to topsoil that might never arrive there otherwise.
Saint Francis Dam - March 12, 1928
In 1928, the Saint Francis Dam in Los Angeles was filled with 12.5 billion gallons of water - enough water for one year for a population of 1.2 million people. However, on March 12, 1928, the dam broke, unleashing a 78 foot wall of water. It obliterated houses, ranches, automobiles, animals, and people. In roughly one hour, more than 500 people were killed and Santa Paula was overrun by water.
Grand Forks Flood - April 18, 1997
On Friday, April 18, 1997, the Red River flooded over the dikes into Grand Forks, North Dakota. At the end of Saturday, the19th, the flood waters had spread over a large area of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. Roughly 60,000 people were forced from their homes and downtown Grand Forks was left in flames. The damage was so extensive that it was weeks before people could return and rebuild their homes - and their lives.
A flooded building.
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/en/disaster/flood/effects.html
Steph .
Floods make an enormous impact on the environment and society. Floods destroy drainage systems in cities, causing raw sewage to spill out into bodies of water. Also, in cases of severe floods, buildings can be significantly damaged and even destroyed. This can lead to catastrophic effects on the environment as many toxic materials such as paint, pesticide and gasoline can be released into the rivers, lakes, bays, and ocean, killing maritime life. Floods may also cause millions of dollars worth of damage to a city, both evicting people from their homes and ruining businesses. Floods cause significant amounts of erosion to coasts, leading to more frequent flooding if not repaired.
However, floods do make a slight positive impact on the environment. Floods spread sediment containing beneficial nutrients to topsoil that might never arrive there otherwise.
Saint Francis Dam - March 12, 1928
In 1928, the Saint Francis Dam in Los Angeles was filled with 12.5 billion gallons of water - enough water for one year for a population of 1.2 million people. However, on March 12, 1928, the dam broke, unleashing a 78 foot wall of water. It obliterated houses, ranches, automobiles, animals, and people. In roughly one hour, more than 500 people were killed and Santa Paula was overrun by water.
Grand Forks Flood - April 18, 1997
On Friday, April 18, 1997, the Red River flooded over the dikes into Grand Forks, North Dakota. At the end of Saturday, the19th, the flood waters had spread over a large area of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. Roughly 60,000 people were forced from their homes and downtown Grand Forks was left in flames. The damage was so extensive that it was weeks before people could return and rebuild their homes - and their lives.
A flooded building.
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/en/disaster/flood/effects.html
Steph .
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