The global shift away from fossil energy: a blind spot in climate foreign policy

Climate experts are apprehensive about the approaching Presidency of the United Arab Emirates at this year's Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). So far, the oil producer has not set a shining example with its climate protection efforts; and Sultan Al Jaber, this year's COP president, is head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, one of the largest oil concerns in the world. To achieve the goal set by the Paris Climate Agreement of seeking to limit the average global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level, the international community is striving for climate neutrality in the second half of this century. For this to happen, global energy systems will have to largely phase out fossil fuels, which, however, remain the dominant energy source. The fact that at present, a complete phase-out of fossil fuels cannot be expected is often lost in climate policy debates; in most countries, it is neither politically desired nor envisaged in long-term climate strategies. However, a speedy and orderly phase-down would have major benefits, such as providing the right investment incentives and supporting the necessary socioeconomic transformations in fossil-fuel producing countries. Today there is an urgent need to further develop the relevant policy and governance instruments as time is running out. (author's abstract

The Indications and Potential Complications of Supplementing with Fat-Soluble Vitamins

There is a seemingly infinite list of available formations of over-the-counter supplements, including vitamins. According to Grand View Research, the nutritional supplement industry has grown in popularity in recent years, increasing its worth to an estimated 140 billion dollars in 2020 globally, with vitamins accounting for 31.4% of the revenue. An estimated half of Americans take a daily vitamin or supplement. With the increasing number of people supplementing, the incidence of disease should be trending down. This literature review focuses on fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin A, D, E, and K. Supplementation of these vitamins proposes the prevention of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The mechanism behind this theory is logical; these vitamins act as antioxidants preventing damage within our body. This literature review aims to analyze the possible benefits of supplementing with fat-soluble vitamins and investigate the risks of supplementing with fat-soluble vitamins. Supplementing these vitamins has a role when there is an overt deficiency; otherwise, there is little evidence to support the other preventative health claims. The overall recommendations are to obtain these vitamins naturally by consuming whole foods such as animal products and vegetables. The latest research suggests vitamins, like many other components, are needed to keep our bodies healthy, and our bodies require a balance for our bodies to function correctly. Additional research is necessary to have definite recommendations, especially when recommending the specific amounts required daily and the upper limit. A discussion with a medical provider is encouraged to ensure the safety of the supplement and an appropriate amount

New climate leadership: "yes, we can ... after all" - the United States is caught between international ambitions and domestic challenges

In a push for climate protection in the US, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new CO2 emission limits for power plants. This is the next step in President Barack Obama's agenda on tackling climate change and the measures taken by the US administration are highly pertinent in the run-up to a new UN climate agreement in 2015. In June at the Bonn climate talks, the American push was welcomed. At the latest G7 summit a new climate deal was supported as well, and the US took the lead in bringing the issue forward. The EU has to balance its role as a key partner for developing countries under the UN framework with increasing its influence on key negotiators to promote climate protection as a global goal. (author's abstract

The Impact Of Creating A Positive Culture For Feedback Within The Secondary Career & Technical Education Classroom

Feedback is one of the most influential factors on student learning. It is paramount for educators to spend considerable focus on feedback as instructional time, and learning activities are abundant with opportunities for providing feedback to students (Havnes, Smith, Dysthe, & Ludvigsen, 2012). The purpose of this research study was to ascertain what effect providing a culture of feedback has on student learning in the secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) classroom, which differ from core classes in their delivery methods, content and overall outcomes. The goal was to utilize feedback with students in a way that promotes a culture where feedback is positively and routinely used and understood to further student learning. The study sample included approximately 54 students in grades ten through twelve in three elective CTE courses: Restaurant Skills, Desktop Publishing (Yearbook), and Health Science II. Data was collected using the following tools: self-assessments, a feedback survey, performance assessments, and observational checklists. The study was conducted for four consecutive weeks in the fall of 2017. The study contained both quantitative and qualitative features. The data sources revealed that students felt positive about feedback as a classroom norm and that feedback helped improve their learning. Feedback culture will continue to be implemented in the classrooms. Future research will investigate additional teaching and guided practice on self-reflection and providing feedback to others

Die globale Abkehr von fossiler Energie: ein blinder Fleck der Klimaaußenpolitik

Mit Sorge blickt die Weltgemeinschaft auf die nahende Präsidentschaft der Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate bei der diesjährigen Vertragsstaatenkonferenz (COP) der UN Klimarahmenkonvention (UNFCCC). Bisher glänzte der Ölproduzent nicht mit Anstrengungen für den Klimaschutz, und Sultan Al Jaber, der diesjährige COP-Vorsitzende, ist Chef der Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, einer der größten Ölfirmen der Welt. Um den Anstieg der durchschnittlichen Erdtemperatur gemäß Pariser Klimaabkommen möglichst auf 1,5 Grad Celsius über dem vorindustriellen Niveau zu begrenzen, strebt die Staatengemeinschaft Klimaneutralität in der zweiten Hälfte des Jahrhunderts an. Dafür muss in globalen Energiesystemen der weitgehende Ausstieg aus den fossilen Energieträgern gelingen - wo diese jedoch nach wie vor dominieren. Eine Trendwende lässt sich nicht absehen. Dass ein vollständiger fossiler Ausstieg momentan nicht zu erwarten ist, geht in klimapolitischen Debatten oft unter. Er ist in den meisten Ländern weder politisch gewollt noch in Langfristplänen vorgesehen. Ein geordnetes, zügiges Herunterfahren ist allerdings nicht nur wünschenswert, sondern absolut nötig, um die richtigen Investitionsanreize zu setzen und auch Sicherheiten für fossile Produzenten zu schaffen. Entsprechende Politik- und Governance-Instrumente müssen dringend weiterentwickelt werden, denn die Zeit drängt. (Autorenreferat

Präsident Obamas neuer Klimavorstoß: die US-Klimapolitik zwischen Blockade und Fortschritt

Barack Obama hat am 20. September 2013 einen ersten Schritt in seinem Klimaaktionsplan getan, indem er Pläne zur Begrenzung von Emissionen für Neubauten von Kohle- und Gaskraftwerken bekanntgab. Neben Regulierung durch die Exekutive setzt der US-Präsident auf eigenständige klimapolitische Maßnahmen der Bundesstaaten. So möchte er ohne den Kongress, der sich gegen Klimagesetzgebung sperrt, eine aktivere Beteiligung der USA am Kampf gegen den Klimawandel erreichen. Doch ein Blick auf die US-Klimapolitik zeigt, dass Obama es trotzdem schwer haben wird, auf diesem Weg klimapolitische Erfolge zu verbuchen. (Autorenreferat

Compilation of Disposable Solid Waste Cask Evaluations

The Disposable Solid Waste Cask (DSWC) is a shielded cask capable of transporting, storing, and disposing of six non-fuel core components or approximately 27 cubic feet of radioactive solid waste. Five existing DSWCs are candidates for use in storing and disposing of non-fuel core components and radioactive solid waste from the Interim Examination and Maintenance Cell, ultimately shipping them to the 200 West Area disposal site for burial. A series of inspections, studies, analyses, and modifications were performed to ensure that these casks can be used to safely ship solid waste. These inspections, studies, analyses, and modifications are summarized and attached in this report. Visual inspection of the casks interiors provided information with respect to condition of the casks inner liners. Because water was allowed to enter the casks for varying lengths of time, condition of the cask liner pipe to bottom plate weld was of concern. Based on the visual inspection and a corrosion study, it was concluded that four of the five casks can be used from a corrosion standpoint. Only DSWC S/N-004 would need additional inspection and analysis to determine its usefulness. The five remaining DSWCs underwent some modification to prepare them for use. The existing cask lifting inserts were found to be corroded and deemed unusable. New lifting anchor bolts were installed to replace the existing anchors. Alternate lift lugs were fabricated for use with the new lifting anchor bolts. The cask tiedown frame was modified to facilitate adjustment of the cask tiedowns. As a result of the above mentioned inspections, studies, analysis, and modifications, four of the five existing casks can be used to store and transport waste from the Interim Examination and Maintenance Cell to the disposal site for burial. The fifth cask, DSWC S/N-004, would require further inspections before it could be used

Neue Führung in der Klimapolitik: "yes, we can - after all": die USA zwischen internationalem Anspruch und nationalen Herausforderungen

Die US-Umweltschutzbehörde hat neue CO2-Obergrenzen für Gas- und Kohlekraftwerke angekündigt, um den Klimaschutz in den USA zu forcieren. Damit läutet Präsident Barack Obama einen weiteren Schritt zur Bekämpfung des Klimawandels ein. Da die internationalen Vorbereitungen für ein neues VN-Klimaabkommen im Jahr 2015 Fahrt aufnehmen, sind die Schritte der US-Administration von großer Relevanz. Bei den Bonner Klimaverhandlungen im Juni wurde der US-Vorstoß begrüßt. Die G7 hat bei ihrem jüngsten Treffen ein neues Abkommen unterstützt – auch hier hatten die USA die Führung übernommen. Der EU muss es gelingen, im VN-Gefüge als wichtiger Partner der Entwicklungsländer zu agieren und gleichzeitig auf die großen Verhandler einzuwirken, damit der Klimaschutz als globales Anliegen weiter vorangetrieben wird. (Autorenreferat

Pre-Visit Planning in Primary Care

Pre-visit planning is the process of collecting and organizing data prior to a patient appointment. The pre-visit planning process requires a team member to call the patient a week before the appointment through the use of a questionnaire form. This helps identify incomplete tests, screenings, immunizations and referrals that are currently outstanding. The pre-visit process results in scheduling needed appointments and lab work as well as gathering necessary information from the patient to streamline their upcoming visit. The use of pre-visit planning may result in improved patient satisfaction and decreased physician time with each patient visit.https://scholar.rochesterregional.org/nursingresearchday_2023/1016/thumbnail.jp