4.19.2009

Bag of Tricks



Plastic bags are a danger for the environment. Do the following exercise and publish it in your blog. Use images to enhance the information found.

Investigate the dangers of plastic bags:
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/08/10/plastic_bags/
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/09/0902_030902_plasticbags.html

Answer the following questions
I. Why are plastic bags so common?
II. In what other ways is plastic used?
III. What are the benefits of plastic bags?
IV. What are the dangers of plastic bags?
V. What has been done so far?
VI. Has it been successful? Why or why not?

Read the following article:
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20090225wednesday.html

Answer the following questions

a. What are some of the potential benefits of charging fees for and/or banning plastic bags? b. What are some of the potential drawbacks of such programs?
c. Which benefits and drawbacks seem the most compelling? Why? d. Would you support a local law charging fees for (or banning) plastic bags? Why or why not?

Investigate what has been done in Mexico in relation to banning plastic bags. Here you have some articles:
http://www.plasticsnews.com/headlines2.html?channel=195&id=1238093003
http://www.vallartascene.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12491
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/mexico-biodegradable-plastic.php

1. Do you agree with this new law? Why or why not?
2. What has been done so far?
3. What needs to be done to enforce such a law?
4. What campaigns would you suggest?

Finally, following the guidelines on how to write a resolution write on were you suggest a solution to the usage of plastic bags in Mexico. This must be as a word document sent to my mail in the correct format latest on Friday, April 24. miwm_esn@yahoo.com It will be grades as a partial.

Writing Resolutions

A resolution suggests actions to be taken on a certain issue. The preambulatory clauses introduce the topic and explain what has been done so far. The operative clauses define actions to be taken to solve the problem.

Format:
  • Single spaced throughout resolution, with double spacing between clauses,
  • Clauses must begin with proper introductory words/phrases, in capital letters,
  • Preambulatory clauses end with commas and operative clauses end with semi-colons,
  • Each operative clause must be numbered and indented,
  • The final operative clause ends with a period,

Preambulatory phrases:

Affirming
Alarmed by
Approving
Aware of
Bearing in mind
Believing
Confident
Convinced
Declaring
Deeply concerned
Deeply convinced
Deeply disturbed
Deeply regretting
Desiring
Emphasizing
Expecting
Fulfilling
Fully aware
Fully alarmed
Fully believing
Further deploring
Guided by
Having adopted
Having considered
Having examined
Having studied
Having heard
Having received
Keeping in mind
Noting with regret
Noting with satisfaction
Noting with deep concern
Noting with approval
Observing
Realizing
Reaffirming
Recalling
Recognizing
Regretting
Seeking
Taking into consideration
Viewing with appreciation
Viewing with regret
Welcoming

Operative phrases:

Accepts
Affirms
Approves
Authorizes
Calls
Calls upon
Condemns
Congratulates
Confirms
Considers
Declares accordingly
Deplores
Draws the attention
Designates
Emphasizes
Encourages
Endorses
Expresses its appreciation
Expresses its hope
Further invites
Further proclaims
Further reminds
Further recommends
Further resolves
Further requests
Have resolved
Notes
Proclaims
Reaffirms
Recommends
Reminds
Regrets
Requests
Solemnly affirms
Strongly condemns
Supports
Takes note of
Transmits
Urges