Jack the Ripper

Francis Thompson was born on the 18th of December 1859, in the town of Preston, Lancashire. He was born respectable middle class family, his father Charles Thompson being a local doctor. The second born son of the family, yet the oldest child as the first was born a stillborn. He had two other siblings, both female. Both of his parents were dedicated Roman Catholics, though Mary only then recently converting from her Protestant background, causing her family to disown her. Preston, his town of birth has also been known for its strong association with Christianity, often being called the most Catholic city in England. As a result Francis received a very pious upbringing from early age.

He was fist entered into school of the Nuns of the Cross and Passion as a child. At the age of 11, he was submitted into Ushaw College, a Roman Catholic seminary, hoping to become a member of the clergy. It was rumored that is was common practice for students to “initiate” their new classmates, Francis being whipped in the time he was there. Records say that his days at the college were for the most unpleasant, resulting in him developing into a self proclaimed 'expert in concealment'. Some other attributes hinting at his secret suffering was his difficulty with conforming to what was thought as appropriate domestic behavior. For example lack of punctuality, refusal to give up toys, wanting to be able to play with dolls as a boy. His initial recoil from these schoolyard bullies might’ve had a factor in his “feminism” he was described on having later in life, also him becoming increasingly reserved due to this drove him to start composing poetry in secret. During the time he became known for his love of literature and disregard for all sport, excluding cricket valued as an onlooker. Seven years afterwards he returned home with a note saying: “I have been most reluctantly compelled to concur ... that it is not the holy will of God that he should go on for the priesthood ... I quite agree with you in thinking that it is quite time that he should begin to prepare for some other career. If he can shake off a natural indolence which has always been an obstacle with him, he has ability to succeed in any career.”

Having failed his priesthood, just as his mother did prior to him, he began his reluctant 6 year study of medicine, attending Owens College and practicing as a surgeon on the Manchester Royal Infirmary registrar. Despite all his effort, he showed little or no interest in the subject, some may say he would even go as far as hating the job that his father laid out for him. He failed 3 medical examinations before dropping the career path completely. Around 1879 Francis Thompson was diagnosed with a lung infection, being medicated with laudanum, a alcoholic herbal preparation made out of ethanol and opium, perhaps initiating his addiction for opium. It is also in this time he received De’Quincey’s ‘Confessions of an opium eater’ as a gift from his mother. A book describing the ecstasy or illusions experienced when under the influence of the drug, if anything further encouraging him to voluntarily take opium, but this time for creative purposes. Thompson became a devoted admirer of De’Quincey’s work, including one of his books published in 1827 ‘Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts’, describing ways in which a poet could commit murder.

In 1880 was the death of his mother Mary Morton Thompson, aged 58. Francis was 21 at the time. 2 years later he was completely addicted to opium, suffering a mental breakdown from his failure in his career in medicine, upset from his rejection from the numerous publishers he secretly sent out poetry to, quarreled with his father on the subject of stolen opium and continuing on in his downward spiral of depression and opium. This was not made any better by his father’s desire to remarry. It was at this point in his life that he decided to leave for London in pursuit of his career as a poet. Of course it did not go quite as well as he planned, him instead spending most of his time as a homeless vagrant selling matches to earn money, although he did spend a brief amount of time as a priest, surgeon and solider. He also worked in a medical factory for a while, where he next to his profession as a surgeon could of acquired a dissecting scalpel. That he possessed one was partially confirmed, as he wrote a letter to the editor of ‘Merry England’ (a magazine during the time) remarking that he should have to swap it for a shaving razor soon. He also admittedly proclaimed that he possessed a leather apron.

In the winter of 1887 the editor of ‘Merry England’, Mr. Wilfrid Meynell received a package containing an essay a few poems and a note reading:

“Dear Sir,
In enclosing the accompanying article for your inspection, I must
ask pardon for the soiled state of the manuscript. It is due, not to
slovenliness, but to the strange places and circumstances under which
it has been written ... I enclose a stamped envelope for a reply ..
regarding your judgement of its worthlessness as quite final ...
Apologizing very sincerely for my intrusion on your valuable time,
I remain,

Yours with little hope,
Francis Thompson
Kindly address your rejection to the Charing Cross Post Office.”

Unable to contact the sender through the return address, the only way to find this unknown poet was to publish his work and hope that whoever it was would show up and claimed the work as his. It succeeded, Francis Thompson showed up at Meynell’s office, him and his spouse from that day appointing themselves as his guardians, taking care of his food, shelter, company and his physical well-being, as well as what they could of his mental well-being sending him to rehabilitation in a clinic and a monastery. It worked to some extent, four years into his rehab he wrote to Meynell saying: "Nor need you fear the opium. I have learned the advantage of being without it for mental exercise; and I have learned to bear my fits of depression without it. Personally I no longer fear it." Despite this he being taking laudanum again and quickly relapsed back into his opium addiction.

In the meanwhile, Thompson is said to have fallen in love with a prostitute, who she was, was never revealed. It was said that they took up lodging together and sharing income. Thompson described her in his poetry as his savior. She left one day and was never seen again.

He died in 1907 from a mixture of tuberculosis and opium.

Most of his personality and physical traits were apparently inherited from his mother disconnection with life and disregard for world prosperity being the random family trait. He has also been described as having issues with indolence or insensitivity to pain. Some sources state that he was an ascetic, someone who abstains from worldly pleasures, such as intercourse and alcohol. In appearance he was of medium height but with a light frame that made him seem taller, dark brown hair, easily mistaken for black, dark blue-grey coloured eyes that seem full of intelligence, shallow complexion and light and a point beard. He was often seen wearing a great ulster coat with frayed clothing, though during the time of the murders he was already under Meynell’s care who could’ve provided him with better clothes. He also often wore a neck tie that he adjusted with his facial expression. It was thought that it was a weapon used to strangle women with.

His motive is mainly theorized around his Roman Catholic background. In the time of the Roman Empire, it was believe there are certain spots of sacred grounds called sanctuaries. If someone committed a murder but reach one of these sanctuaries they would be pardoned. It was thought that if a person could walk onto one of these areas and not get struck by the wrath of god whoever the person may be must be innocent. Out of the few sanctuaries that exist in London all the murders committed by the White Chapel murderer occurred in these areas. Another thing that corresponds with the Catholic religion is the dates of when the women were murdered. 31^st of August, the date Mary Ann Nichols the first victim was murdered also happens to be the feast day of St. Raymond, the patron of innocence, who was imprisoned by Muslims and lips pierced and shut with a padlock, he died after being let free on his way to the pope. On the 8^th of September, Annie Chapman’s murder falls on the feast day of Saint Adrian, who was imprisoned then martyred by being thrown into a furnace. On the day of the double murder of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Dowwes, 30^th of September is the feast day of Saint Jerome. Lastly on the 9^th of September, the feast day of Saint Theodore, a roman soilder who was torture after setting fire to a temple, Mary Jane Kelly was murdered. Looking at this, you could say that whoever was doing the killings might’ve deluded themselves into thinking that they were acting out the will of God. Convincing themselves into believing that he, through them required a sacrifice for these saints representing innocence, butchers, soilders, doctors and scholars. It is possible that Jack the Ripper tried to replicate the five wounds of Christ’s crucifixion. Also they might consider it a way to clear the world of sin and allow forgiveness. Creating a “messiah” image about themselves, the one chosen by God. I will not pass the possibility of all this just being a huge coincidence, but if so, why is the killing pattern so irregular? Only killing precisely on those dates? The killer seems effective enough in evading the police, so why wait so long to commit another murder? It is the same with the place. There is hardly any connection between the five victims except for the fact they were prostitutes and in a dire need of funds, they also had no known contact with each other, so in theory it could have been any other women in the same situation. What if the only connection between the five of them that they were simply at the right, or perhaps I should say wrong place at the wrong time? And that they were, expendable?? A small price to pay for “the greater good”. Although, that still leaves a few things unanswered, such as, why just prostitutes? Why not a vagrant thief?? Or dealer??

In Francis Thompson’s case, I think that there may be another contributing factor. His disasters relationship with the unknown prostitute might’ve thrown him into a violent state, consciously or subconsciously wanting revenge for her desertion. Using this idea of sacrificing may only serve as a way to justifies his answers, allowing him to be free from guilt by claiming he is doing it in the name of God. By doing this he is verifying in his mind that he is the “good guy”, a knight on a crusade to cleanse the world instead of a murderer killing prostitutes as revenge. Funnily enough, the murders started happening just around the time she left him. These killings could also be made in spite of his failed career in monastery and medicine. This is far from what any reasonable educated man would do, but Thompson wasn’t anywhere near reasonable. Drugged up on Opium, it was probably much easier for him to convince himself of his “quest”. As opium is a narcotic, it would help him feel even less on top of the lack of empathy he already has, probably proving helpful in the careful dissection and disembowelment of human bodies.

Another reason, might’ve been for inspiration, for his poetry.

'Swiftly he followed her
Ha! Ha!
Eagerly he followed her
Ho! Ho!
From the rank, the greasy soil,
Red bubbles oozed and stood;...
Into the fogginess
Ha! Ha!
Lo, she corrupted
Ho! Ho!
Comes there a Death
With the looks like a witch,...
And its paunch [stomach] was rent
Like a brasted drum;
And the blubbered fat
From its belly doth come
With a sickening ooze-Hell made it so!
Two witch babies, Ho! Ho! Ho!’

An extract from a non published piece of his called ‘The Ballad of the Witch Babies’, a poem about a knight who hunts down women to disembowel. In his only short story ‘Finis Coronat Opus’ or in English; ‘End Crowning Work’ the plot revolves around a young poet the sacrifices a women in a pagan temple, trying to gain inspiration and achieve fame. The thoughts of this ‘hero’ while in a killing are done in quite great detail. It ends with him smashing a crucifix on an alter and committing suicide after he realizes the entity he unleashed devours reality. His poem ‘Sister Songs’ describes the poets realization of a new female birth in a trance.

EVIDENCE

Most of the evidence shows that Jack the Ripper, was indeed a educated man with enough medical knowledge to remove the kidney’s from the front without damaging any surround organs in complete darkness and remove the genital organs in one clean stroke. Many believe that the prostitutes were hunted down for sexual pleasure, but autopsies show that there are neither signs of intercourse nor any evidence of the killer having masturbated over the body. Thompson with his pious background and thorough education would almost perfectly fit this description. Though he expressed no actual interest in the area, his experience as a surgeon would have given him, if nothing, enough knowledge to dissect a human body so precisely. Being an ascetic he would have to abstain from such behavior, explaining the absence of intercourse. Having to go through the grueling works hours as a surgeon, he would’ve also have been able to show the brutality exhibited in some of the murders. Brutal yet Careful. As for the grossly mutated state of the bodies, that might be going back to his failed medicine career, perhaps in spite, or revenge by trying to frame a medical practitioner (though I doubt it as he had no real interest in the practition), likely to be something influenced by his past experience and the delirium of the opium. Or perhaps it has some sort of symbolic meaning, possibly related to Christ, it might’ve been some way of signifying how pain cleanses the soul, a possibility could be that he had drugged the prostitutes so that they were non responsive but could still feel and tortured them slowly in a way of relieving their sins. It might’ve solely been for the publicity, letting the citizens know that redemption is coming(?) or perhaps just for the adrenaline/creative inspiration of doing something so gruesome. Or perhaps he was sick minded, opium deteriorating him psychologically. The lack of blood can be explained by the manner the body is cut. If the body is dead before the neck is cut the blood will be less pressurized and so not as much would leak. The absence of noises of victims hearing the noises, could be explained by either Thompson choking his victims or using some sort of herb or chemical to knock them out. I’m not entirely sure how wealthy he was at the time, but depending on how successful his literature was he might also have paid witnesses to keep quiet or give a false lead. The message on the wall (The Juwes are the ones that will not be blamed for nothing) and a few of the letters could’ve been done to lead the police off track, as he was a writer it shouldn’t have been to difficult to place he self in someone else’s shoes. This was probably just to toy with the authorities, though if he believes he is actually on a quest for God he might try and warn them off in some way or gloat as he finds himself superior to them. The choice of the victim’s was a mixture of the suspects traumatic break-up, Christian laws, chance and expendability. With an exception to the last murder victim, Mary Jane Kelly, who was young ad beautiful in contrast to the last four victims. I expect by this point Thompson’s mental health had deteriorated to beyond the point he could still slightly rationalize. He himself confessed he was in possession of a scalpel and a leather apron. Sources also say that he was left handed.

It may never be certain is Francis Thompson was our Whitechapel murderer or just an unlucky writer turned junkie. As far fetched as this theory might seem to you, there will always be a possibility. I hope with the evidence and motive I’ve provided that I’ve provided this suspect with maybe a bit more credibility.

TIMELINE

31.8.1888

-“No murder was ever more ferociously or more brutally done”-Star Newspaper

- Mary Ann Nicholls (Polly) slain in Bucks Row

- Robert Anderson appointed Assistant Commissioner for Crime; selects Donald Swanson to head the case

4.9.1888

- The first press reports of a man named 'Leather Apron' appear.

8.9.1888

-Ann Chapman (Dark Annie) murdered in Hanbury st.

10.9.1888

- George Lusk elected president of The Whitechapel Vigilance Committee.

27.9.1888

- The 'Dear Boss' letter received at the Central News Agency, the first to use the name 'Jack the Ripper.'

30.9.1888

- Elizabeth Stride killed at 1:00 am at Duffield’s Yard, Berner st.

-Catherins Dowwes killed at 1.45 am at Mitre Square, Aldgate

1.10.1888

- The morning issue of the ‘Daily News’ prints Dear Boss letter.

- 'Saucy Jacky' postcard received at the Central News Agency.

16.10.1888

- George Lusk receives a package including the "From Hell" letter and half a kidney

9.11.1888

- Mary Jane Kelly murdered in 13 Miller’s Court

- Last letter: “How can they catch me now? I love my work and want to start again…..soon. Good Luck Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper”

-Sir Charles Warren resigns

LONDON 1888

Victorian times in London would differ greatly depending on who you asked. At the time the city was grossly divided, the gap between the rich and the poor easily seen. In the West end would be those in the upper class, this area would contain all the newly made buildings, best entertainment and a much better education than those in the other end. They were able to enjoy the leisure’s of bay windows and maybe even electricity and running water in general they were overall more prosperous. The East end was as dirty and poor as the West end was prosperous. "…the hell of poverty. Like the enormous black, motionless, giant Kraken, the poverty of London lies there in lurking silence and encircles with its mighty tentacles the life and wealth of the City and of the West End." This was how it was described in JH Mackay’s The Anarchists. Sanitation was non existent, tons of sewage dumped right into the Thames River, the water was thick with soot and waste, the occasional carcass also floating along. The Thames was also their source of drinking water, next to being the thing they just empty their privies into. And so it earned the nickname the ‘Venice of drains’ or if you’d prefer the ‘Capital of Cholera.’ The air was constantly thick and foggy as a result of the coal generated power, sometimes so thick you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. A layer of black silt covered everything. Not even the rich could escape the filth and smell in the air. Every house was cramped and uncomfortable due to the overpopulation, with less than basic facilities. People were so desperate for money they’d take up fishing dead bodies out of the river as a job, or scavenge junk heaps for a piece of rope to sell, though most families were driven to work in factories. Though Jack the Ripper’s serial killing episode is probably what comes to your mind with the subject of crime, they were unusual, petty crimes such as pick pocketing and food stealing much more common, as well as mob violence, highway men, smugglers and other new rebellious ideas sparked up by the Industrial Revolution. Besides, poisoning someone was much more popular is those days. Despite the prescence of 2 police forces, the Metropolitan police or “Bobbies” who covered all of London except for the square mile in the middle which had it’s own police force. In the case against the White Chapel murderer, where these two forces had to work with eachother to capture the killer, it’s been said that though the men themselves got along fine but it was the sergeants had a dislike for one another, possibly hindering their chances of capturing Jack. Although, if they still weren’t able to arrest him it wouldn’t have been very surprising. The technology at their disposal was quite primitive, only ways of catching a felon is to get him to confess or catch him in the act. Without any forensics or the enormous amount of data we have stored about people, it was surprising that they managed to arrest any criminals at all. Keep in mind that these people still belived that if you took a picture of the victim’s eyes closely following their death it would show you the face of the murderer.

http://www.geocities.com/darkly_burning/

http://www.britainexpress.com/London/victorian-london.htm

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14703b.htm

http://www.casebook.org/suspects/

http://www.wikipedia.org

http://mural.uv.es/cehevi/victorianlondon.html

http://www.ad2000.com.au/articles/2000/may2000p12_57.html

Cleopatra

The Last known Pharaoh, Cleopatra was one of the most influential women in history, especially in a time where women were seen as less competent then men, sub-human even, usually just seen as objects. Known to be a very attractive person, using her sexuality, cunning and charm to seduce the two most powerful men in that time whether it be for love or for the protection of her country, a love story that is still known today. Though manipulative and ambitious, she was still able to bring back Egypt from the brink of anarchy almost single handedly. An excellent example of a very modern women before her time able to do what many didn't think possible for a female.

Cleopatra VII Philopator was born in the hellenistic (Greek influenced) town of Alexandria, an Egyptian town near the mouth of the Nile, the link between Greece and the fertile soil of the Nile's valley, in January 69 BC. She was the daughter of Cleopatra V Tryphaena of Egypt and Ptolemy XII Auletes (both illegitimate children of Plolemy IX, though it is not known whether or not they had the same mother) and so she was a direct descendant of Ptolemy I Soter, Alexander the Great's general.

During her childhood, she and all her siblings were very well cared for despite her father's harsh reign. While the general public had nearly no benefits from his time as king, his six children lived in the out most luxury. They dined on the finest foods, wore the most expensive gowns, attended all the fancy events and got the best quality education. In this manner, Cleopatra became knowledgeable in the area's of philosophy, literature, art, music, medicine and language, able to speak Aramaic, Ethiopic, Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. Despite being of Greek- Macedonian origin and predominantly of Greek-Macedonian culture her curiosity and want to learn led her to be influenced by the Egyptian culture surrounding her. For 300 years since Alexander the great had conquered the country, rulers had followed the rule of Greek-speaking aristocracy, Cleopatra was the first in all those years to have learnt the Egyptian language. Later, she also came to identify herself with her patron god Isis. Her curiosity also lead her to pick up politics, which wasn't difficult providing her exposure to it being daughter of the pharaoh. Observing her father's power as king, again her curiosity resulted in her desiring that power for her own, which later grew into ambition.

In the midst of all these politics, she came to realize the potential danger of all this ambition, as her six siblings also wanted to rule. There wasn't a law which declared who would receive the throne, the current pharaoh would choose one of his children as a successor, therefore the less competition the better. It was not uncommon for a relative to be killed by members of their own family for political gain, her father, Auletes paid for the assassination of two of her sisters, Cleopatra Tryphania when she rose to the throne while Auletes was trying to establish a alliance between Greece and Egypt then Berenice after Tryphania was killed.

In 51 BC Auletes passed away and the monarchy was given to Cleopatra and her 10 year old brother Ptolemy XIII as a joint rule as it was Egyptian law that any female ruler must have a male consort. Even so, in her determination to rule she ignored Ptolemy XIII"s claim to the throne for three years, not stating her brother's name on any important documents and posing as sole heir on legal tender. These first three years of ruling were quite a dilemma due to famine, flooding, problems with the economy and political issues. Her home country was in turmoil.

Since her brother was only 10 he was easily manipulated by his advisers, Theodotus, Pothinus and Achillas, three men who sought control of Egypt. But, of course, with Cleopatra being the much more dominant ruler there wasn't much chance of them rising to power (with Ptolemy XIII as their puppet), so they had to find a way to get rid of her. Amidst the turmoil was the perfect opportunity. Pothinus found a way to convince the people of Egypt that all their misfortune was somehow cause by Cleopatra. The citizen came to hate her, and with all the odds against her, fearing her life she fled from Egypt and took refuge in Syria, along with her sister Arsinone IV. She stayed there until she had raised an army large enough to face her brother.

In the meantime Pompey went to Egypt, looking for help after being defeated by Caesar in Greece. Plotmey and his advisers murdered him hoping to present it as a token of goodwill to Caesar. Caesar himself soon followed, bringing thirty-two hundred legionaries and eight hundred cavalry. He wanted to collect the debt owed by the former king Auletes and to enforce Roman rule. Seeing Pompey's assassination enraged him. Despite him being a political enemy, he was still a Consul of Rome and husband of his only legitimate daughter Julia. Furthermore, it angered with that Pompey was tricked instead of allowed a proper fair fight. And so he seized rule of Egypt.

Cleopatra not wanting to miss this opportunity to forge an alliance with Caesar devised a plan to be smuggled into Alexandria, in which she would be rolled up in a carpet and presented to him. When she rolled out of the carpet she soon seduced Caesar, though more with her intelligence and ambition that actual physical beauty. It was said that though not physically beautiful, "she was irresistible to talk to and a bewitching character". They became lovers, he being her link to Rome and she being his puppet in control of Egypt.

Ptolemy soon realized this and shouted that he had been betrayed, though on the way out he was captured by Caesar's soldiers. So began the Alexandria War, with Achillas ordering 20 000 on Ptolemy's soldiers to surround the palace. Even grossly outnumbered, Caesar stalled the army by holding all the royal family hostage inside, Cleopatra, Ptolemy, Arsinone and their half sister. Later on Arsinone escaped to join Achillas, stating herself to be the queen and co ruler. For this, Cleopatra never forgave her sister. Pothinus was eventually arrested executed by Caesar, Achillas killed in battle. Arisinoe was captured and brought to Rome where she was paraded among the other captives. The co-regent, Ptolemy XIII drowned in the Nile while trying to run away. With his death Cleopatra was left as sole heir and ruler of Egypt, throne returned to her by Caesar.

Being a female without the guidance of a male consort displeased the priest of Alexandria and Egypt. So once again she was forced to marry one of her brothers, this time Ptolemy XIV, though still remaining Caesar's mistress. Both being such ambitious people, the planned to build the world's largest and most powerful empire. Nine months after they first met Cleopatra gave birth to his child, which they named Ptolemy Caesar or Caesarion (little Caesar). He was expected to be the heir of both Egypt and Rome, also believed, by Cleopatra to be the future ruler of her planned empire. To her disappointment, instead Caesar appointed his grandnephew Octavian his successor to the throne.

Unable to ignore the messages from Rome any longer, Caesar return to his homeland in July of the year 46 BC. On his return he was celebrated for his victory over in the wars. He had invited Cleopatra to join him in Rome for the celebration, who came with her younger brother as to thwart any rebellions he might have planned. Cleopatra's appearance caused much controversy among the Romans. Not only had she an overwhelming ambition, conniving intellect and much charisma which was unlike the majority of women, she was also much more outspoken than was probably considered proper, calling herself the reincarnation of Isis. It also didn't help that Caesar had a gold statue of her erected next to a temple of Venus, and that he openly announced Caesarion was his son. This led people to think that he was planning to marry Cleopatra, despite a law against marrying foreigners, many where angered by his. They thought that Cleopatra was just using Caesar as a way to power. Even today it is still unclear as to whether their relationship was truly that of love, or whether it was just a convenient way to gain more power.

Afterwards Caesar was invoked sole counsel of Rome and began removing many me from the senate and replacing them with others more loyal to him. The original Senators feared that he was a threat to their republic, trying to become the one leader of the empire. So on the Ides of March of 44 BC he was assassinated outside the senate building. Because of her ill favor with the people of Rome, Cleopatra fled back to Alexandria. Not long after Ptolemy XIV passed away, though the cause of hie death is debatable and Cleopatra choose Caesarion as her co-ruler, killing her sister Arisone as a precaution. In her absence she found that there was once again plague and famine, the Nile canal left unattended failed to produce a good crop continuing to do so till 41 BC. In Rome a new Triumvirate was formed, Mark Antony, Octavius, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. Antony was the most powerful of the three. As a result of his win over Brutus and Cassius he was given territories in Greece, Asia Minor, the Middle East, and independent territories such as Egypt, the better sections of the empire. Though powerful, he wasn't a very decent strategist and he had a tedency to drink, take many women. He was considered vulgar, though like most men of power very ambitious. Cleopatra knew this, and that he was the strongest member of the Triumvirate and sought to "ally" herself with him. Although Egypt was in economic crisis, Cleopatra lined her ship with proof of her wealth and dressed up as a vision of Aphrodite, with young boys fanning her as she set sail for Anthony's current residence in Tarsurs. Not long after she arrived did they become lovers. He was so infatuated that left his wife and he spent the winters of 40 and 41 BC in Alexandria with her,

resulting in her giving birth to twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene II.It was said that Cleopatra had quite a strong hold on him, able to get anything she wanted, much of Anthony's conquered land to Cleopatra and their children. Cleopatra eventually started calling herself the Queen of kings and "was planning a war of revenge that was to array all the East against Rome, establish herself as empress of the world at Rome and inaugurate a new universal kingdom."

Despite his love for Cleopatra , he still wanted to maintain the Triumvirate between him, Octavian and Lepidus, who didn't approve much of his relationship with Cleopatra. As an act to prove his loyalty and increase his power he made an agreement with Octavian, the only problem was that the agreement was to marry his sister, Octavia. Which needless to say Cleopatra wasn't very pleased. Another dilemma was that Egypt was currently at war with Roman allies, causing the relationship between Anthony and Cleopatra to waver. He had had four children with Octavia before he returned to Cleopatra, saying that he was going to battle with Parthia. Which he did eventually with Egypt's support. Afterwards Cleopatra had born their third child, Ptolemy Philidelphus.

Anthony's behavior was scandalous, the roman council decided to declare war on Egypt. They sent a large fleet of ships which quickly defeated Anthony's inferior navy. It was said that on seeing their forces largely outnumbered Cleopatra fled, Anthony seeing that she had left deserted the battle to chase after her. The lack of a leader left their army disorganized, Egypt falling easily into Rome's hands. In the shame of his defeat, Anthony took his own life by falling on his sword on 30 BC. Cleopatra was captured by Octavian, he planned to have her humiliated by being paraded as a slave through the streets of the very city she ruled. She refusing to be degraded as such, planned to end her life just as Anthony did.


How exactly she committed suicide is unclear. One source says that she did it with the use of an ointment which was poisonous. But most say it was with an asp. Plutarch, a writer 130 years later mentions that she had one of her loyal servants bring her a basket of figs wherein the snake was conceal. After taking a bite of the fig she held out her arm for the snake to bite. Her maid was found dead beside her. There are other variations where the asp is in a vase instead and she pokes it with a spindle until it bites her, another where the death included two snake. Shakespeare wrote that she died while clutching it to her chest, though all the others agree that the bite was on the arm. However she killed herself, with Caesarion next in line to the throne murdered, her death marked the end of the Ptolemic rule. Even in death Cleopatra, maintaining her honour triumphed. The last pharoah died on August 12, 30 BC at the age of 39.

Although coming off as manipulative and possibly selfish, Cleopatra truly cared for her people. Out of the long Ptolemic age of anarchy and high taxes, she had made a stable or even prosperous dynasty. She had lowered taxes in hope that it would motivate people to work harder and provide a steady amount of wheat, also she created laws which where in favor of them. Knowing and taking the time to learn the native language showed that she respected the community as the monarchs prior to her did not, which increased her popularity. That she linked her self with the much loved god Isis also increased her popularity, going to temples to worship dressed as the goddess and calling herself the new Isis. Using her charm and sexuality for her own political benefit, whether or not she loved Caesar or Anthony, is proof of how far she would go to ensure her country's safety. Opinions may differ over how good a person she was, but the fact remains that she admirable leader who loved Egypt.

Cleopatra's enormous legacy resides the the many artistic depictions of her , along with the drama of her life's story, filled with excitement and horror only one in a thousand of people would experience. A fair bit of confusion surrounds the art works left behind, though. Not many of the seem to show her as looking like the same person, which creates questions surrounding her appearance, race and social status. People of the modern era tend to imagine her as a beautiful ivory skinned women, or as depicted in various movies or stories based on her life (e.g. Elizabeth Taylor). Though what is more important is how she changed the perception of females. Even if women didn't receive equal rights as men until much later, she has proved that they are just as capable as men, if not more capable. The determination to achieve her aspirations show that with enough of it you can accomplish anything. Her intelligence, charm and charisma has made her a symbol of female beauty and power.

Cleopatra VII, although not a freedom fighter, was still an inspiration.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleopatra

http://departments.kings.edu/womens_history/cleop7.html

http://sangha.net/messengers/Cleopatra/bio.htm
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http://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/10688.html

http://www.kingtutone.com/queens/cleopatra/child/

The Netherlands: Economy

What are its natural resources??

The country's resources include natural gas, petroleum, limestone, peat, salt, gravel and arable land. Despite it having one of the world's largest natural gas fields situated in Slochteren, because of it's small size these resources arent great in quantity. As a conclusion to this, the netherlands depends heavily on imports from foreign countries, using these raw goods to produce other finished goods for export.

What sectors of the economy are the biggest employers??

The largest employing sector would be the services related to community, social and personal things. They employ around 34 % of the total population, so 2,615, 000 people. It is followed by trade, restaurant, hotel and repair services who employ 1,567,00, which is 20% and the services of finance, insurance, real estateand business, 1,252,00 people and so 16%.

In contrast to this the highest employers among individual businesses are more diverse. They are as followed:

1. Ahold - Food Markets

2. Randstand Holdings - Business services

3. Mittal Steel - Materials

4. Unilever - Food, drink and tobacco

5. Phillips Group - Conglomerates

6. TNT - Transport

7. ING Group

8. EADS - Aerospace and Defence

9. Royal Dutch/Shell - Gas and oil

10. ABN Amro Holding - Banking

How are economic decisions made?? Who makes them??

The Netherlands is a social market economy, or mixed economy like Australia. A mix of socialism and capitalism aimed at maintaining the balance between economic factors such as economic growth, inflation, unemployment, working conditions , social welfare and public services, allowing the control of the distribution of wealth to be in the hands of the community but while still keeping government intervention. The Dutch economy is mainly dependent on the private sector. This sector is controlled by corporatism, a system whereby the all business leaders of the firms in a particular area assemble to discuss common policy, such a cartel is called a corporation.
Though the government's role has been reduced since the 1980's, it still has an important place in the economy. It has spent 47.9% of the GDP on resources for the public, such as schools, hospitals, roads, social security transfer payments, defense, etc. Also it has kept the total tax revenue at 37.5%, lower than the EU average. Also it monitors almost all economic activity in the forms of permit requirements and regulations.
It is also one of the three parties in the Social Economic Council, a important economic advisory council. The other two being employer organizations, such as the VWO-NCW and labour unions such as the FNV. These three parties cooperate in order to solve many economic issues, taking into action the "polder model", which is a plan aiming to help the economy. It consist of shorter working hours but less pay, and more employment. It has been seen as the reason, along with a few other things, for the Netherlands economic comeback in the 1990s.

The three main goals of the SER (Sociaal-Economische Raad) are:

• Sustain economic growth
• Increase the participation of citizens in the labour market
  
• Fairly distribute income
  

What is the most important economic sector and is is more labour or capital intensive??

Service industries are likely to be the most important sector. It alone counts for 71% of the total GDP and more than 1/2 of the total national income. Not only that by it also employs around 70% of the population. The businesses involved in the service industry invole finance, insurance, real estate, government trade, restaurants, hotels, repair shops, transportation, communication. Like most other industries it is likely to be capital intensive.



Does this nation use advanced technology in its economy? If so, provide an example.

Almost every aspect of the economy is technically advanced and highly industrialized, possibly because of the country's lack of resources. The agricultural sector employs only 4% of the labour force, yet it is ranked third in the world for it's agricultural exports, earing $55 billion annually. The Netherlands is a fairly small landscape and with a large amount of the land originally submerged under water, because of this arable land is scare. With modern techniques/equipment and heavily fertilizing soil, the land available is made as productive as possible and so Dutch farmers have been come to be known as specialized producers. producing crops such as barley, potatoes, sugar, beets and wheat. They are especially famous for their horticulture, cultivating tulips, hyacinth, daffodil, narcissus, and crocus, all flown over to other countries.



What is one of the major economic problems faced by this nation (e.g.: unemployment, poverty, inflation, debt)? Explain how this problem effects this economy and what the government and/or businesses are doing to solve it.

The petrol prices are rising quite high, up to $9.43 U.S. dollars. though this has been largely unnoticed by the community as there are various other options of transport availible (e.g. bikes, trams, trains, metros, buses, trains, boats, etc.). Funnily enough, the government has decided not to take much action against the the rising prices, on the contrary, it welcomes it. Congestion and lack of parking space has long been an issue and the government has been trying to decrease the amount of people driving cars by opening other options, like free public transport. Since the high oil prices discourages driving, it helps them achieve this goal. Even if it does increase tax and might have other unwanted consequences, but at the moment there seems to by no major upheaval about it.

In what ways is this nation's economy similar to and/or different to Australia's economy?
It is similar to Australia's in that it is a mixed, open market economy, where both the community and government control a certain area of the economy, although Australia's government might have less stringent regulations on economic activity. Also they both are developed countries. Though there might be more tax in the Netherlands, but the inflation and unemployment rates a considerably lower.




Sources:

• World Book N-O 14
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Netherlands
• http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/bottleneck/2008/06/yesterday-in-ga.html
• www.myglobalcareer.com/my-global-career-500/

WA economy project

Despite its population of only 10% of the total population of Australia, Western Australia's economy has been highly successful. Even with its lack of population in comparison to other states, it already comprises 30% of our export revenues. Its position on the far west side of the continent is quite beneficial to its economy. Perth, home to the state heads of many banking and finance companies like ANZ and commonwealth, most mining or petroleum companies state wide and the main centre of Australia's mining, gas and oil administration is the only capital city in the country that can contact Europe and other countries on the northern hemisphere during normal business hours, also it is in the same time zone with Singapore, Manila, Honking and Beijing undoubtedly making trade and business better with of Asia as well. Because of its convenient position, WA can more easily negotiate trades with North America and the Euro Stock Exchange and transport goods more moderately to South-East Asia in comparison to the rest of Australia. This has resulted in more demand from countries like China.

WA is mostly dependant on the production of mined goods. Our main exported resources being those extracted from mines or petroleum commodities, such as nickel, natural gas, zinc, mineral sand, etc. Western Australia alone makes up the supply of 20% of the world's alumina and 17% of its iron ore. Also it supplies about 75% of Australia’s gold. Natural gas is also heavily exported; in 2007 Hu Jianto the president of China purchased $45 billion Australian dollars worth, the largest export of gas recorded from WA so far. Gas is also manufactured in companies into Petroleum chemicals and fertilizer for export to (mainly) Asia.

Other exported goods and services contributing to the economy include those of the fishing industry, agricultural industry and tourism. The fishing industry has been quite successful due to the biodiversity of seafood near the coastline, catches such as Western Rock Lobsters, crabs, prawns, shark, tuna and even the Patagonian toothfish. The annual harvest is about $65 million, 33% of the national total. 50% of live cattle in Australia have occurred in WA, along with the production of wheat, barley and sheep products. Agriculture is about 3% of WA’s GSP. Tourism has been becoming increasingly important as more tourist come from mainly the UK, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. It contribute around $6 billion to the economy and employs about 43000 people. There are also some wine breweries around the Margaret river and Perth, Along with some Aquaculture producing Barramundi. The abundance in natural resources, along with the state’s strong corporate activity and increasing demand from foreign countries will ensure that Western Australia will have a wealthy economy.

The dispersion of goods and services among regions is as followed:

Kimberley
-Pearls, harvested around the coast in Broome.
-Diamonds, from the Argyle and Ellendale mines. (1/3’s of the world’s diamond produce)
-Oil, from Blina oilfield.
-Zinc and Lead, from Pillara, Sallay Mallay and Cadjebut mines.
-Agricultural goods, near Ord River and West Kimberley.
-Fruit, in Broome.
-Live cattle, in Wyndham.
-Barramundi, Lake Argyle and Broome.
-Indigineous Art
Tourism (Bungle Bungle, Lake Argyle, etc.)

Pilbara
-Petroleum.
-Iron ore, from mines in Newman and Tom Price. (Produces the most iron ore in Australia.
-Manganeese, from the company Woodi Woodie.
-Tourism ( Karinji, the Dampier Archipelago, etc.)

Goldfields
-Gold and Nickel
-Agricultural produce, wheat and barley.
-Fish

South west
-Alumina and mineral salts
-Agricultural products
-Timber
-Grapes (viticulture)
-Tourism

Its strong ties with the global economy, mainly the developing economies in Asia makes the Western Australian economy somewhat independent to the rest of the nation. That is to say, that if the economy of Australia were to come to a halt WA, more dependant on its foreign correspondents, would continue to run to some extent. Economic booms in countries like China having a catalytical effect on our economy seeing that their demand for goods grows. Now the state exports at a faster rate than it imports and it has increased the price of its exports. This has lead to relatively high incomes, in 2007 average fulltime income reached $61,662 larger than the national average of $57,387. It has also been the cause of strong GSP growth, in 2004-2005 rising by 2.7% and the RGSI (Real Gross State Income) which is now 6.4% only after Queensland (6.9%) and Northern Territory (6.5%).

Although its dependence on the global economy might separate it from the possibly slowdown of the Australian economy, if the global economy were to fail it would drastically hinder the growth of ours. The demand for WA’s goods would decrease and it’s economy to would come to a halt.

On another note, the rapid growth of WA’s economy has also caused problems. One of which has to due with small population of the state, mainly labour shortage. Even with unemployment at a very low rate, there still aren’t enough workers, particularly skilled workers, to fill all the job that this growth in have created. Many feel that if the workers can’t be found many opportunities will be lost. That has in turn lead to another problem, lured by high wages more and more people have decided to move to WA. The growth in population has caused for a shortage in housing, increasing property values and pushing up rental prices. In 2004 the values went up by 40%. Now Perth is the second most valuable city next to Sydney. Not only that but there has been a 12% decreasion in the building of new housing so the gap between the demand for housing and supply will continue to widen and so will rental prices.

In Australia’s current economy slowing mining states, like Western Australia are expected to still perform strongly. Western Australia’s immunity to the slowdown is also helped by it’s relationship to South-east Asia. The rapid growth of the economy may cause wage breakout and inflation. As more people are flown in from elsewhere to deal with the labour shortage the rental prices will rise as well, unless something is done to ensure the production. Though if the population increase is not enough the shortage of workers could prove fatal in the economy. Even if job figures seem to be going strong they don’t necessary indicate the direction in which the economy is going.




The information in this post has been collected from various other sources.

Climate Change Studies

Climate change is an event that will affect or is affecting and changing the world as we know it. In the past the doubt in the urgency of the issue has caused much controversy between governments and individuals as to whether something should be done to reverse or stop the affects. Now with all proven evidence, we are unable to deny the truth. Climate change is here. It's impacts can be seen on any place on Earth, from the melting ice caps in the Arctic to the increasing drought in Africa.

Introduction: Bangladesh
One of the places that will be more severely affected than most is Bangladesh and the areas that surround it. Bangladesh is the small country on the border of India and Burma on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, located in the Delta of the Ganges river. Most of the land is only a mere 12 meters above sea level. Sitting near the tropic of Cancer it is in a tropical climate with a mild winter through October-November, summer during December-February and a rainy season from March-May. These rains are brought in by winds called Monsoon. The amount of rain varies each year, sometimes it brings too little causing drought in the dry seasons. But usually it coincides with the water coming from the Himalayas causing serious floods. Despite it being prone to all these natural disasters which also include tornadoes, cyclones and tidal bores, it still has a population of about 150,448,340 (1045/km²), making it one of the most densely populated countries on Earth and still has quite a high growth rate. The majority of this population is rural and live by farming. The risk of disease is also high. Being a developing country Bangladesh has not contributed to global warm as much as most, but still they feel the effects of it harder than others.

Impacts

Already climate change has taken it's toll on the country. Because of it's large population in such a condensed area even the slightest change in climate has shown effects. In Bangladesh, where people are already struggling under the pressures of already present food and water shortages, severe natural disasters and shortage of land due to the ever growing population , under the stress of climatic change is likely to be a place for a great humanitarian catastrophe. This will either be caused directly by the physical effects of global warming or by the impacts it has on other areas of life. These impacts include:



~Weather Patterns

As I have mentioned before, Bangladesh has always been a subject to a somewhat extreme climate, with normally occurring floods, droughts and storms. Even with the variability in the monsoon rains, the patterns in weather remained to a overall constant level with a period of drought and a period of rainfall that could be predicted to some level. The stability of this rainfall is crucial in that around two thirds of the populations income relies on agriculture. As a consequence of climate change the natural weather, that by itself causes the citizens of the country grief has intensified. The monsoon periods have been condensed into a shorter period of time causing both extreme flooding and severe droughts. Also coastal storms and cyclones have become more frequent. The cyclone in Sidr in November 2007 is what scientist are expecting to see more often around that region, it was said to have an around 10,000 death toll. Already 10 million people are threatened by these erratic weather patterns. This will no doubt have further effect on the development of social and economical developments.




~Sea Level Rise

Bangladesh is one of the many low lying countries in the world, only reaching about 12 meters above sea level. Because of it's coastal position and flat terrain it is prone to storm surges, in the past causing damage to up to 100 km inland. Now with the melting of Artic and other ice caps increasing the rate of sea level rise the tidal water in the area is already at an abnormally high level. Over the next 50 years, experts expect it to rise by a meter. This may not seem like very much but just this elevation in height would submerge about one third of the coastline, leaving about 20 million Bangladeshi without a home.

~Himalayan Glaciers Melting

The retreat of the Himalayan glaciers is another huge threat to livelihood in Bangladesh. Because of global warming, like in the Artic and other places, the melting of ice on the Himalayas has been accelerated producing larger volumes of water to run through the various rivers which originate from it. Two main rivers that stem from the mountains are the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. Bangladesh sits in the delta of these to great rivers, so not only will the extra water contribute to the rise in sea level the enhance water level in the deltas also result in extreme floods. This is not helped by the soft, malleable soil or silt that borders rivers and coastal areas, because of this it is easier for bank erosion. It is another main cause to the loss of valuable land. Many of the poor living on silt islands, called shoars, which on an average last up to 20 years, have been displaced more frequently. This loss of land isn't made up for with the normal creation of new land as locals say that siltation has seemed to be decreasing.
The volume of water also disrupts the balanced distribution of sediments in rivers and coastal areas. This results in higher bed levels and in turn higher water levels adding to the initial dilemma of the water level in rivers. Sediment distribution may also be disrupted by the continual protection of lands against flooding.


Although these Himalayan glaciers cause extreme floods which endangers humans and land they are still the lifeblood of Bangladesh, providing the country will most of it's fresh water.When the rivers aren't flooding the country faces a severe drought which is not good for a country where agriculture takes up 21% of the economy. The droughts continue to worsen as more and more of the ice disappear. One of the countries leading climatologists, Professor Ainun Nishat says that in 2 to 5 years the Himalayan glaciers might disappear completely .





~Water Salinity

In coastal areas the rising sea level has caused salt water intrusion in estuaries and fresh groundwater. The reduced fresh water flow in the months from December onward have allowed salt water penetration to move even further inland. In the Sundarban nature reserve, home to the largest population of tigers left in the wild, the Sundri trees have started dying from the top down as a result, also the composition of many forests will gradually change likely effecting Bangladesh's plant and animal biodiversity. The salinity has not only effected the flora and fauna, it will also effect the lives of people through agriculture and lack of water resources . Many coastal lands are now incapable of producing crops and with other crops the production has lessened. Rice farmers have switched from their normal produce to farming prawns as theirs lands have become to salty to grow anything. Bangladeshi farmers are now only able to produce 8 tons of rices per hectare in comparison to China's 17 tons. Salty water is also thought to have an effect on pregnant woman and their unborn children, causing high blood pressure and possibly causing complications after birth. Along with the receding glaciers and the accelerated evapotranspiration in plants the salt water intrusion is a big threat to the availability of fresh water. Should it continue, Bangladeshi will either be forced to drink salt water or find another source.

~Food Shortage
The food shortage in Bangladesh would probably be the cause of 2 main factors. The first would be the hindrance to the countries agricultural production along with other industries suffering the impacts of global warming such as perhaps the fishing industry, industries that require the use of fresh water or maybe resources that have become scare or industries that rely on the foreign investment of an area that might be affected in the area is in risk of extreme weather due to climate change. Since the produce of the country would continue lessen so would the profit gained, also since the production of the crops and other food has been decreased a self grown supply of food might be harder to maintain. The second is that prices for food world wide has increased, because they too are becoming more scare and some of the remaining stocks of food is being used to create bio fuel. The price of rice in Asia has risen by 74% just in the past year. Hundreds of Bangladeshi already paying nearly 80% of their income on food, with it's current economy if the prices continue to climb, will not be able to withstand it for much longer. About 30 million out of the total 150 million population are estimated to possibly starve if the current situation goes on.

~Health

Extreme weather patterns and temperature rise are also a threat to human health. This is the case either directly, with stress due to temperature or injury from flooding, or indirectly through disease vectors, water borne diseases, air quality and/or food and water quality and availability. In Bangladesh where it is densely populated and reoccurring natural disasters take place there is a risk of both. Hot and cold temperatures can potentially cause illnesses like heat stress and hypothermia also increasing the fatalities for heart and lung disease. Extreme weather events take many lives and injure thousands of others in storms and floods as I have mentioned before. They too are partially responsible for the lack of food and clean water causing malnutrition and many water borne diseases due to failure in nature drainage. In 2007 diarrhoea was contracted by 53,000 people from drinking contaminated water and consuming stale food. The change in climate has also caused blooms of blue-green algae to form, scientifically proven to be associated with the epidemic of cholera in Bangladesh. Malaria doesn't seem to pose much of a threat, if the temperature were to rise as predicted the mosquitoes range might even decrease but that is the only positive occurrence. The most vulnerable to these health impacts is the poorer population as they have less access to food and clean water and are so more susceptible to things like chronic malnutrition, cholera and diarrhoea. These impacts might even be able to outweigh the various efforts to provide nutrition to people in need which have been created in the past decade.

~Loss of Biodiversity

The saline water intrusion and change in weather patterns doesn't only effect the people, the wide variety of plant diversity and animal species are also effected. The rich fertile soil deposited by the rivers and Bangladesh's warm and humid climate has lead it to hold many endemic and other species of plants. About 17.62% of the total land is covered in forest, both tropical and semi-evergreen. But because of climate change they might become threatened. Natural disasters like storms and floods along with soil erosion could damage or submerge plant species and animal populations. If the sea level were to rise as predicted the mangrove forest along the coasts, the Bengal tiger and around 100 species of bird could disappear. The saline water intrusion and droughts could also cause more plants, like the Sundri tree to wither or dry out. The changes in temperature and the amount of precipitation can change the composition of the forest and how it functions. This could weaken the forests unique plants, making it easier for intrusive species to overrun them. With the plants disappearing animals depending on them for food or shelter would also become extinct, rupturing many ecosystems. Lastly, with the amount of inhabitable space decreasing and the country's population growing the might see fit to clear the forest for living space or profit. Seeing the current situation the people of Bangladesh will have to take action or face a huge loss in their countries biodiversity.





~Impact on political issues

Problems with the environment can also enhance political instability. In 1970, when Bangladesh was hit with a typhoon it added to the frustration the people felt against the Pakistan government that they joined up with in 1947 when Pakistan and India became separate. Initial frustration caused by the distance between the allied countries and the fact that India was between them. They revolted and along with India waged war on Pakistan later gaining their independence. Now something similar could happen, Bangladesh being a politically unstable country. Climate Change might not alone cause civil war, but it could result in conflicts in particularly vulnerable places.








How can people adapt??

As individuals I suppose there is very little that you can do. Solutions such as water storage and irrigation are expensive as a the solutions to water salinity. With most farmers struggling to get a hold of money for food things like these are out of reach. The only affordable solution is to find an alternative income. Many rice farmers are turning to the farming of prawns but their has now also been a new strain of rice developed more resistant to water salinity. Raising ducks is also profitable even as some get washed away in floods, they still produce a sufficient income. Farming fish in waterlogged farmer might prove as a solution as well, if the farmer can remain so. Another option is making floating gardens or dap chas, gardens made on floating beds of hyacinth (a bulbous plant related to the lily).


The government has already taken action, supporting a 4 billion dollar plan to build embankments, cyclone shelters and roads hoping it will mitigate the threat of the rising sea level and flooding, along with reinforcing some houses. There are now dyke's built to shield from the sea, though they seem to obstruct water from getting out and don't do anything against saline water intrusion. Though some think they will withstand the rising sea level as it does in Zeeland in the Netherlands, others say that the 230 rivers in Bangladesh are too dynamic too be retain like the ones in the Netherlands. The government has also launched a food drive to possibly bring them closer to food security.

NGOs (Non Government Organizations) have also helped in the aiding of the Bangladeshi.One organization educating farmers on how to rear ducks, making income possibly even during floods. A organization called Friendship helps by providing house, latrines, capitals for agriculture, pumps for irrigation and floating hospitals.



Further measures that could be taken would be a long term plan to store up food to insure food security, the education of measures that individuals can take against the impacts of climate change (like duck rearing), a method whereby people can be alerted of storms and cyclones, perhaps the development of more crops able to grow with little water and salty grounds and reforestation. If the worst case scenario were to occur, arrangements for migration will also be needed.



Countries producing large amounts of carbon dioxide, such as USA and Australia, should also be responsible for the country, as it as a developing country only contributes to a very small amount of green house gases and are only suffering the consequences of our actions. We should compensate for some of the costs that Bangladesh has come to bear or aid in migration or in some other way. The UK was one of the first to respond, helping to guarantee international help with climate change.Other countries should follow in suit.



What could be the future??

I may have already mentioned possible futures throughout my report. In the next 50 years the sea level could rise by 1 meter displacing 20 million people adding to the 45 million other displaced by flooding. Because of the shortage of land and the over population the majority of these people would most likely become 'climate migrants' moving to India and other surrounding countries. If the sea continues to rise it could possibly result in the inundation of the entire country. The sea level rises would also result in more salt water intrusion. Combined with the disappearing of Himalayan glacier and the possible disintegration of the monsoon rains might lead to the complete lack of fresh water in the country. Crops wouldn't be able to cultivate adding to food shortage and economic problems. Bangladesh's biodiversity would be hugely affected as well. The growing amount of illnesses could be the undoing of years of work done by organizations to insure the health of the people. Whatever one of these futures it may turn out to be they will all certainly lead to many deaths. Reducing emissions and reforestation could help prevent such a future from happening. Some say it's already too late.



How does it have affect globally??

The main affect these things will have outside Bangladesh is the huge amount of climate migrants pouring into India. Dhaka is now one of the fastest growing cities because of this, migrants filling up it's shanty towns. India may not be able to support the huge amount of migrants in addition to it's own big population, that coupled with food shortage and perhaps existing conflict might result in civil war.

What is happening in Bangladesh could become a morale issue among countries emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases as they are not responsible for what's happening to them. It could also maybe lead to political tension between Bangladesh in these countries as they are being punished for what the others have caused.









All in all, it is us who makes the choice whether developing countries, like Bangladesh suffer. If we don't do anything as people of the developed world the reduce the effects of climate change the countless men and women dying in storms, from illness and/or starvation will be on our conscience. As we are just now noticing climate change with hotter summers, people in other places are struggling under effects of much greater magnitude. If nothing is done, for these people the results will be disastrous.

Sources:

http://www.energynews.co.za/web_main/article.php?story=20080417012251614

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7313239.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5344002.stm

http://www.newagebd.com/2007/dec/01/climatechange07/09.html

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/KKAA-7AA5FL?OpenDocument

http://www.mungo.nl/CC_Bangla.htm

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=29770

http://www.askasia.org/students/climate_bangladesh_cs.htm

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/04/21/news0814.htm

http://www.wikipedia.org/