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Showing posts from February, 2014

Nigerian Bush Refineries 101

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“The grave phenomenon of oil theft and its global support system represents another face of terrorism counteracting our efforts at sustaining the trajectory of our high-growth economy, the stability of our society, and the enhancement and wellbeing of our people” Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke The illegal oil industry in Nigeria is a direct result of years of corporate irresponsibility. For decades large multinational oil companies operated in Nigeria with little regard for the environment, life, and property of the communities. After years of government neglect, population growth, and underdevelopment the locals started to steal the oil from the pipelines and production facilities of the companies. In recent, years the illegal oil industry has become much more complex and sophisticated. There are jobs available in extraction (stealing oil from companies), transportation (navigating boats and barges loaded with stolen crude oil), and ref

Thesis Preview

Many countries have problems with how they value their natural resources.   The undervaluation of natural resources often leads to large scale, irreversible environmental damage. For example, forests are frequently clear cut to make room for crops or livestock. The landowner is compensated quickly via the “stumpage” price for the timber harvested from his land. He is then able to enjoy quick returns from crops or livestock. In developing countries, the undervaluation of natural resources has resulted in catastrophic environmental degradation. The same undervaluation of forestlands can also be applied to other natural resources as well. For example, a growing number of inhabitants in the Niger Delta are getting involved in the illegal oil refinery business in Nigeria. Oil is stolen from facilities of corporations working in the region on an industrial scale, processed into fuel in illegal refineries, and sold across West Africa. [1] Oil leaking from pipes after illegal extraction f

Obesity Solution

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Percent of adults age 20 years and over who are overweight, including obesity: 69.2% Center for Disease control and Prevention When people eat food they should be reminded of the amount of exercise required. Therefore I propose that before people eat or drink something they should see a graphic and text that reads: this amount of food requires: ___ amount of situps ___ miles to jog ___ hours of yoga ___ hours of your favorite sport ___ hours of swimming The nutritional fact labels on food are DESCRIPTIVE and pretty much not helpful. These labels are PRESCRIPTIVE and show what must be done if you're going to eat that food. Be inspired.