Generally, junk food is ‘any food that is perceived to be unhealthy and of low nutritional value’ (Family Journal 2005, p. 3). Lin Tran (2005) also agrees with this, stating that consuming junk food such as chocolate bars, potato chips and sweets will raise the kilojoules intake and lead to obesity problem among children. Subsequently, demands that sale of junk food in school should be banned have been increased. Operators of school canteens, however, argue that the ban will erode their profitability as sale of junk food finances most of their income. A statistic released by School News (2005) shows that profit earned by Cook High School has decreased gradually after reducing the sale of junk food. Nonetheless, I strongly believe that sale of junk food in school should be banned because junk food brings health problems, changes children behaviors and leads to litter problem.
Firstly, the unhealthy consequences of consuming junk food are clearly noticed where childhood obesity problem is presenting an epidemic pattern in Australia. The fact that preferences of children toward junk food are increasing has been proven through a survey conducted by Australian Nutritional Journal (2004). The data shows that more than 50% of children consume food containing fat more than recommended intake. Paradoxically, less that 25% consume fruits and vegetables with recommended intake. By selling food that contain a lot sugar and fat, school canteens are obviously causing the increase in weight of youth (Reynolds 2005). Childhood obesity will lead to fatal diseases like heart diseases, osteoarthritis, and cancers in future. Besides, frequent consumption of soft drinks will decline the dental health of children.
Other than that, students’ behaviors tend to worsening due to over consume of junk food. Dr. Cray (2005) in The Food Showa claims that with the ease of availability of junk food in school, children cannot get the daily nutrients needed. This will retard their growth and development as well as their learning potential while triggering behavioral problems. There is no doubt that students’ eating habits on what they like to eat are determined at home. But sale of junk food in school canteens will add insult to injury where students will not be able to improve their habits. Once they can buy junk food easily from school canteens, they will be eating whenever they like without any consideration and it will affect their studies. Cancelling the unhealthy junk food from students’ diets can result in the improvement of their behaviors (Caputo 2005).
Another adverse effect of selling junk food in school is the litter problems. Junk food packaging which include cans, crisp packets, cartons and plastic containers will be thrown everywhere in the school by students. This indirectly contributes to the safety hazard of students (Family Journal 2005). It is absolutely true that increased litter problems will cause cleaning costs being pushed up while the image of school also being affected. If the sale of junk food in school is removed, school groundskeepers will be able to save time on cleaning the grounds while having additional time to do other maintenance projects (Green 2005). In short, banning the sale of junk food in school is beneficial as litter problems are solved.
To conclude, the sale of junk food in school will bring bad effects to both students and school where it prompts health, behavior as well as litter problems. A sports nutritionist, Adrian Cook (2005) says that junk food can be nutritious if children eat them with moderation. Hence, parents have to cooperate with the school authority in educating children to eat and drink moderately. After all, sale of junk food in school ought to be banned.
‘From the time television was invented it has fascinated its audience’ (Leigh 2001, pp. 24-25). The fact that nowadays almost every family in developed countries gave at least one television set (Sharif 1999) has shown the definite influence of television. This is further proven by a survey that both women and man spend the most hours on watching television during leisure time (American Time Use Survey 2003). Eventually, controversial views on effects of television viewing arose among people. Some claim that it encourages critical thinking as well as provides a wealth of information. Despite those benefits, I however, strongly believe that excessive television viewing brings more harm as it triggers behavioral problems, distraction from homework and health problems.
Firstly, people especially children who are at the thought-shaping stage are tend to visualize an idea of life and behavior as shown in television programs (Sharif 1999). Stereotype of violence on television, particularly, induced deplorable effect on children as they may think that solving conflicts using violence is a usual and natural way (Sharif 1999). More than that, modern children’s programs are subjected to develop short attention spans in children with them seizing easy solutions on all problems. This gives no benefit when they are facing complex difficulties in real life. Besides, people addicted in certain program almost suffer “withdrawal problem” (Rutherford 2002, p. 14) and this leads to antisocial behavior.
Secondly, excessive television viewing undoubtedly causes students to be distracted from their homework. Dr. Thomas claims that television programs incur nothing but undivided attention from children causing them unable to focus on homework (Leigh 2001). According to Dr. Geraldine Jones, children cannot develop the imaginative skills needed in formation of organizational and problem-solving ability (Leigh 2001). Consequently, they are likely to be the lowest achievers in school. In spite of variety of educational programs on television, children are always having preferences on entertainment programs which provide no help on their studies. In short, distraction caused by television viewing is detrimental on study process of children.
Furthermore, heavy viewers of television are highly possible to be encountering with health problems due to lack of exercises. The time-wasting activity of flicking between channels imposes a cost where people will spend less time on activities such as sports and recreation (Rutherford 2002). UK Time Use Survey (2000) established a survey result showing that full-time workers spend the second fewest time for sports and exercise on both weekday and weekend. People usually love to grab snacks or even have their meals in front the television. This invasive lifestyle absolutely contributes to various health problems especially obesity, short sightedness and related diseases.
To conclude, the bad effects of excessive television viewing outperform its benefits where it leads to behavioral problems, distraction as well as health problems. Television viewing will be a good soothing and relaxing activity after work or school (Rutherford 2002) if it is done with moderation. In addition, educational programs should be presented in a more creative way such as using animation to make learning fun. As a conclusion, I insist that excessive television watching brings more harm than good.
The NSW government has banned the supply of children's products that contain more than one per cent of a dangerous plastic.
Products containing more than one per cent of Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) pose a risk of reproductive toxicity for children aged up to three years old, an assessment by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) found.
Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge said traders supplying such products will face penalties of up to $22,000 for individuals and up to $110,000 for corporations.
"This precautionary measure will help ensure young children in NSW are protected from even a small chance of exposure to harmful levels of this chemical," Ms Judge said in a statement on Thursday.
The NICNAS study found that infants who chew or suck objects containing more than one per cent of DEHP for more than 40 minutes a day are at risk.
DEHP is used to make plastics more pliable and is found in toys and childcare products such as soothers, teething rings, bottles and bibs.
Ms Judge said while there was no evidence DEHP was present in products in NSW, inspectors will undertake testing as part of routine compliance checks.
All suppliers are equally responsible for ensuring their producers meet the requirement of the ban.
"This includes manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers," Ms Judge said.
comments:
the government's decision on banning the products containing excessive plastic component is absolutely good for ensuring the health of children as they are the country's assets. Besides, reducing the usage of plastic products will also help in saving the environment. Since plastic cannot be bio-degradable, the most common way to get rid of them is to burn them but the toxic gases produced will pollute the air. In other way, with the decrease in usage of plastic, government can use the cost saved for more useful developments for the country.
Generally, junk food is ‘any food that is perceived to be unhealthy and of low nutritional value’ (Family Journal 2005, p. 3). Lin Tran (2005) also agrees with this, stating that consuming junk food such as chocolate bars, potato chips and sweets will raise the kilojoules intake and lead to obesity problem among children. Subsequently, demands that sale of junk food in school should be banned have been increased. Operators of school canteens, however, argue that the ban will erode their profitability as sale of junk food finances most of their income. A statistic released by School News (2005) shows that profit earned by Cook High School has decreased gradually after reducing the sale of junk food. Nonetheless, I strongly believe that sale of junk food in school should be banned because junk food brings health problems, changes children behaviors and leads to litter problem.
Firstly, the unhealthy consequences of consuming junk food are clearly noticed where childhood obesity problem is presenting an epidemic pattern in Australia. The fact that preferences of children toward junk food are increasing has been proven through a survey conducted by Australian Nutritional Journal (2004). The data shows that more than 50% of children consume food containing fat more than recommended intake. Paradoxically, less that 25% consume fruits and vegetables with recommended intake. By selling food that contain a lot sugar and fat, school canteens are obviously causing the increase in weight of youth (Reynolds 2005). Childhood obesity will lead to fatal diseases like heart diseases, osteoarthritis, and cancers in future. Besides, frequent consumption of soft drinks will decline the dental health of children.
Other than that, students’ behaviors tend to worsening due to over consume of junk food. Dr. Cray (2005) in The Food Showa claims that with the ease of availability of junk food in school, children cannot get the daily nutrients needed. This will retard their growth and development as well as their learning potential while triggering behavioral problems. There is no doubt that students’ eating habits on what they like to eat are determined at home. But sale of junk food in school canteens will add insult to injury where students will not be able to improve their habits. Once they can buy junk food easily from school canteens, they will be eating whenever they like without any consideration and it will affect their studies. Cancelling the unhealthy junk food from students’ diets can result in the improvement of their behaviors (Caputo 2005).
Another adverse effect of selling junk food in school is the litter problems generated. Junk food packaging which include cans, crisp packets, cartons and plastic containers will be thrown everywhere in the school by students. This indirectly contributes to the safety hazard of students (Family Journal 2005). It is absolutely true that increased litter problems will cause cleaning costs being pushed up while the image of school also being affected. If the sale of junk food in school is removed, school groundskeepers will be able to save time on cleaning the grounds while having additional time to do other maintenance projects (Green 2005). In short, banning the sale of junk food in school is beneficial as litter problems are solved.
To conclude, sale of junk food in school will bring bad effects to both students and school where it prompts health, behavior as well as litter problems. A sports nutritionist, Adrian Cook (2005) says that junk food can be nutritious if children eat them with moderation. Hence, parents have to cooperate with school authority in educating children to eat and drink moderately. After all, sale of junk food in school ought to be banned.
Should the sale of junk food in school canteens be banned?
Generally, junk food is ‘any food that is perceived to be unhealthy and of low nutritional value’ (Family Journal 2005, p. 3). Lin Tran (2005) also agree with this, stating that consuming junk food such as chocolate bars, potato chips and sweets will raise the kilojoules intake and lead to obesity problem among children. Subsequently, demands that sale of junk food in school should be banned have been increased. Operators of school canteens, however, argue that the ban will erode their profitability as sale of junk food finance most of their income. A statistic released by School News (2005) shown that profit earned by Cook High School had decreased gradually after reducing the sale of junk food. Nonetheless, I strongly believe that sale of junk food in school should be banned because junk food brings health problems, changes children behaviors and leads to litter problem.
Firstly, the unhealthy consequences of consuming junk food are clearly noticed where childhood obesity problem is presenting an epidemic pattern in Australia. The fact that preferences of children toward junk food are increasing has been proven through a survey conducted by Australian Nutritional Journal (2004). The data shows that more than 50% of children consume food containing fat more than recommended intake. Paradoxically, less that 25% consume fruits and vegetables with recommended intake. By selling food that contain a lot sugar and fat, school canteens are obviously causing the increase in weight of youth (Reynolds 2005). Childhood obesity in future will lead to fatal diseases like heart diseases, osteoarthritis, and cancers. Besides, frequent consumption of soft drinks will decline the dental health of children.
Other than that, students’ behaviors are tending to be worsening due to over consume of junk food. Dr. Cray (2005) in the Food Shows claims that with the ease of availability of junk food in school, children cannot get the daily nutrients needed. This will retard their growth and development as well as their learning potential while triggering behavioral problems. There is no doubt that students’ eating habits on what they like to eat are determined at home. But sale of junk food in school canteens will add insult to injury where students will not be able to improve their habits. Once they can buy junk food easily from school canteens. They will be eating whenever they like without any consideration and it will affect their studies. Cancelling the unhealthy junk food from students’ diets can result in the improvement of their behaviors (Caputo 2005).
Another adverse effect of selling junk food in school is the litter problems generated. Junk food packaging which include cans, crisp packets, cartons and plastic containers will be thrown everywhere in the school by students. This indirectly contributes to the safety hazard to students (Family Journal 2005). It is absolutely true that increase litter problems will cause cleaning costs being pushed up while the image of school will also be affected. If the sale of junk food in school is being removed, school groundskeepers will be able to save time on cleaning the grounds while having additional time to do other maintenance projects (Green 2005). In short, banning the sale of junk food in school is beneficial as litter problems are being solved.
To conclude, sale of junk food in school will bring bad effects to both students and school where it prompts health, behavior as well as litter problems. A sports nutritionist, Adrian Cook (2005) says that junk food can be nutritious if children eat them with moderation. Hence, parents have to cooperate with school authority in educating children to eat and drink moderately. After all, sale of junk food in school ought to be banned.
What are the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change and how can they be arrested?
29th August 2005, a devastating day for residents of New Orland, U.S as their homeland had been damaged by the evil Hurricane Katrina. This incident, on the other hand, has signalled human that they are receiving the consequences of what they had done to the earth which causes global warming. Generally, global warming is caused by a phenomenon called greenhouse effect. According to scientists, it is good to have greenhouse effect as it helps to keep our earth warm but the industrial development nowadays are gradually increasing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the air, causing erratic climate change (Woodford 2006). Certainly, the effects of global warming are unavoidable but immediate actions should be taken to minimize it.
Firstly, the potential effect of global warming in terms of climate change is the rise of sea level. Increase in world temperature warms up the earth and subsequently ocean warms up too causing water to expand. In the end, the ocean water takes up more volume and sea level rises undoubtedly (Woodford 2006). Besides, North and South Poles are also warming dramatically, surging the melting of ice shelves. According to An Inconvenient Truth (2007), the main character, Al Gore says if ices on Greenland melt completely, water will cover the low-lying places. Cities like New York, Calcutta, Beijing and Shanghai will be awash in sea water while Netherland will be demolished entirely. To summarize, global warming is causing rise in sea level and the topographical change of earth.
Another potential effect of global warming will be the damage of natural ecosystem including the loss of human lives and species extinction. Extreme weather which is unpredictable has led to series of mishaps such as tornados, hurricanes and typhoons. These disasters have taken away millions of lives and caused a huge damage of civilian properties. Furthermore, climate change will put plants and animals in jeopardy. For instance, parts of coral reefs have been killed, affecting aquatic animals that depend on them (An Inconvenient Truth 2007). Shorter winters caused by global warming fail to kill insects, prompting the risk of infestation (Riebeek 2007). New-breed vectors of diseases are predicted to spread much further. The fatal diseases such as SARS and Avian Flu have caused chaos on earth (Woodford, 2006). In brief, global warming in terms of climate change has shown disastrous effects on the biological balance of earth.
Al Gore in the film An Inconvenient Truth (2007) said, “Each one of us is the cause of global warming but we can make choices to change that.” Hence, solutions should be implemented in addressing global warming. Prior to that, carbon emission must be reduced by all means. Carbon tax established in some developed countries is a good way to start it. The ways in reducing global warming include using energy efficient appliances, hybrid cars; planting trees; weatherizing houses; practicing recycle and car pulling;. Walk or ride bicycle will be a better way. Woodford (2006) discusses another requirement is to possess political will where government should support the Kyoto Protocol, an international climate-change treaty. Overall, determination is the keyword in heading to the desire outcomes.
In conclusion, rise of sea level, change of global topography, damage of ecosystem and species loss will be deteriorated as long as the problem of global warming exists. Once global warming is not addressed, we will be experiencing the consequences. Therefore, concrete ongoing initiatives are needed in tackling global warming before it goes uncontrollable. “If you believe in prayer, pray that people will find the strength to change,” (An Inconvenient Truth 2007), we should not forget to protect our mother earth just to accumulate wealth as there will not be affluence without earth.
The Barrie family, from Perth, were on a two-year sailing trip around the Pacific when their boat struck a reef off the Micronesian islet of Mogmog in heavy winds and was practically destroyed.
Andrew Barrie, his wife Jennie, and two daughters, have since taken refuge on the island in the Ulithi Atoll, where they described the 200 inhabitants as living "very, very traditionally".
Mr Barrie told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that his family were resigned to remaining on the island, which has no electricity or running water, until they could fix the boat, a project that he estimated would take several months.
Mr Barrie and several helpful islanders were planning to make another attempt to get the catamaran off the reef today, he said.
Speaking via satellite phone, Mr Barrie told the Australia All Over programme that the last reading on his boat's instruments had been more than 90 knots.
"We had massive waves just coming over the boat and lost both anchors," he said.
The boat, Windrider, also lost its rotor and keel in the storm.
Mr Barrie said the local people had been helpful in trying to retrieve the "ruined" boat, which was still on the surf line.
"One of the things that caused most of the damage to it was, there's an old metal structure on the beach here that the Americans left behind after World War II. It's all jagged metal and that's what completely ripped one hull," he said.
Describing his family's new home, Mr Barrie said that young children on the island walked around playing ukuleles and that church service were held, but without a priest.
His daughters, who are being home-schooled by his wife, a trained teacher, were adjusting to life on Mogmog, he said.,
"[The children have] been very good so far but this is very different to what they're used to," he said, adding they were sleeping on a concrete slab, and that there were rats running around.
"It's very different from our boat."
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that last year, when the family hit a reef at an island off Western Australia and bent their rudder, Mr Barrie was able to repair the boat himself.
Mogmog is located in Micronesia's Yap state. The island has no infrastructure and locals eat what they catch, usually coconut crabs, turtles and wild chickens. Food is cooked on an open fire and the island is run by a chief who decides who can and cannot visit. The only way on and off the island is by motorboat to the neighbouring island of Flalap, which has a small airport serviced by a missionary plane.
Critique:
I am impressed of the determination of the family in surviving through such bad condition. They are able to live together with local people without basic utilities and even proper food. This new, however, reflect an important issue which is the welfare of the minorities. the new above has stated that those local people are living without infrastructures and eating what they catch. Thus, the authority should take action with provide at least basic utilities which are electricity and water supply for the local people. They will be prompt to get sick easily if the drinking water is not clean. In short, intentions should be taken by government in concerning about the welfare of the minority in the country.
What are the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change and how they can be arrested?
29th August 2005, a devastating day for residents of New Orland, U.S as their homeland had been damaged by the evil Hurricane Katrina. This incident, on the other hand, has signalled human that they are receiving the consequences of what they had done to the earth which causes global warming. Generally, global warming is caused by a phenomenon called greenhouse effect. According to scientists, it is good to have greenhouse effect as it helps to keep our earth warm but the industrial development nowadays are gradually increasing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the air, causing erratic climate change (Woodford, 2006). Certainly, the effects of global warming are unavoidable but immediate actions should be taken to minimize it.
Firstly, the potential effect of global warming in terms of climate change is the rise of sea level. Increase in world temperature warms up the earth and subsequently ocean warms up too causing water to expand. In the end, the ocean water takes up more volume and sea level rises undoubtedly (Woodford, 2006). Besides, North and South Poles are also warming dramatically, surging the melting of ice shelves. According to Al Gore in a 2007 film named The Inconvenient Truth, if ices on Greenland melt completely, water will cover the low-lying places. Cities like New York, Calcutta, Beijing and Shanghai will be awash in sea water while Netherland will be demolished entirely. To summarize, global warming is causing rise in sea level and the topographical change of earth.
Another potential effect of global warming will be the damage of natural ecosystem including the loss of human lives and species extinction. Extreme weather which is unpredictable has led to series of mishaps such as tornados, hurricanes and typhoons. These disasters have taken away millions of lives and caused a huge damage of civilian properties. Furthermore, climate change will put plants and animals in jeopardy. For instance, parts of coral reefs have been killed, affecting aquatic animals that depend on them (Gore, 2007). Shorter winters caused by global warming fail to kill insects, prompting the risk of infestation (Riebeek, 2007). New-breed vectors of diseases are predicted to spread much further. The fatal diseases such as SARS and Avian Flu have caused chaos on earth (Woodford, 2006). In brief, global warming in terms of climate change has shown disastrous effects on the biological balance of earth.
Al Gore in the film An Inconvenient Truth said, “Each one of us is the cause of global warming but we can make choices to change that.” Hence, solutions should be implemented in addressing global warming. Prior to that, carbon emission must be reduced by all means. Carbon tax established in some developed countries is a good way to start it. The ways in reducing global warming include using energy efficient appliances, hybrid cars; planting trees; weatherizing houses; practicing recycle and car pulling;. Walk or ride bicycle will be a better way. Another requirement is to possess political will where government should support the Kyoto Protocol, an international climate-change treaty (Woodford, 2006). Overall, determination is the keyword in heading to the desire outcomes.
In conclusion, rise of sea level, change of global topography, damage of ecosystem and species loss will be deteriorated as long as the problem of global warming exists. Once global warming is not addressed, we will be experiencing the consequences. Therefore, concrete ongoing initiatives are needed in tackling global warming before it goes uncontrollable. “If you believe in prayer, pray that people will find the strength to change,” (An Inconvenient Truth 2007), we should not forget to protect our mother earth just to accumulate wealth as there will not be affluence without earth.
What are the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change and how they can be arrested?
29th August 2005, a devastating day for residents of New Orland, U.S as their homeland had been damaged by the evil Hurricane Katrina. This incident, on the other hand, had signaled mankind of the earth that they are receiving the consequences of what they had done to the earth which caused global warming. Generally, global warming is caused by a phenomenon which is greenhouse effect. According to scientists, it is good to have greenhouse effect as it help to keep our earth warm but the industrial development nowadays has gradually increase the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the air, causing erratic climate change (Chris Woodford 2006). Certainly, the effects of global warming are unavoidable and thus immediate actions should be taken to resolve the problem.
Firstly, the potential effect of global warming in terms of climate change is the rise of sea level. Increase in world temperature warms up the earth, subsequently; ocean warms up too causing water to expand. Finally, the ocean water takes up more volume and sea level rises undoubtedly (Chris Woodford 2006). Besides, North and South Poles are also warming dramatically, surging the melting of ice shelves. According to Al Gore in a 2007 film named The Inconvenient Truth, if ices on Greenland melt completely, water will cover the low-lying places. Cities like New York, Calcutta, Beijing and Shanghai will be awash in sea water while Netherland will be demolished entirely. To summarize, global warming is causing sea level to rise and the topographical change of earth.
Other potential effect of global warming will be the damage of natural ecosystem including the loss of lives and species. Extreme weather which is unpredictable has led to series of mishaps such as tornados, hurricanes and typhoons. These disasters have took away millions of lives and caused a huge damage of civilian properties. Furthermore, climate change will put plants and animals in jeopardy. For instance, parts of coral reefs have been killed affecting ecosystems that depend on them. New-breed vectors of diseases are predicted to spread much further. The fatal diseases such as SARS and Avian Flu have caused catastrophes on earth (Chris Woodford 2006). In brief, global warming in terms of climate change has shows disastrous effects on the ecosystem of earth.
Al Gore in the film An Inconvenient Truth said, “Each one of us is the cause of global warming but we can make choices to change that.” Hence, solutions should be implemented in addressing global warming. Prior to that, carbon emission must be reduced by all means. Carbon tax established in some developed countries is a good way to start it. The ways in reducing global warming are using energy efficient appliances, hybrid cars; practicing recycle, car-pulling; planting trees and weatherizing houses. Walk or ride bicycle will be a better way. Another requirement is to possess political will where government should support the Kyoto Protocol, an international climate-change treaty. Overall, determination is the keyword in making these efforts to be successful.
In conclusion, rise of sea level, change of global topographic, damage of ecosystem and species lost will be deteriorated as long as the problem of global warming exists. Once global warming is not addressed, we will be receiving the consequences. Therefore, concrete ongoing initiatives are needed in tackling global warming before it goes uncontrollable. “If you believe in prayer, pray that people will find the strength to change,” (An Inconvenient Truth 2007), we should not forget to protect our mother earth just to accumulate wealth as there won’t be affluence without earth.
The Premier praised our low water consumption in the past year.
Melbourne households averaged 154 litres a person last year, Water Minister Tim Holding revealed.
Mr Brumby said the Government was "looking very closely" at the city's water restrictions.
"Both Tim and I would like to see restrictions eased," he said. "We are still waiting, obviously, on more advice."
The weekend's massive hail storm did little to top up storages. Melbourne Water said the soil in catchment areas acted like a sponge after the heat of summer.
Melbourne's dams are 34.7 per cent full.
Mr Brumby declined to say what changes could be made to restrictions, but said Melburnians were doing a "fantastic" job saving the resource.
"Before the end of March we will be making further announcements about water restrictions," he said.
"It is now a fact that in virtually every part of the state, every city outside of Melbourne, we have been able to bring down restrictions.
"It's also a story about Victorians working together in partnership to save water and the benefit of that I think will lead us to ease restrictions."
Mr Holding said the desalination plant at Wonthaggi was an important project for Victorians, and construction was on track.
Melbourne had the third lowest level of water use in the state behind Sunbury (145 litres) and Ballarat (147). Households in Swan Hill and the Shepparton area were the biggest splurgers, using more than 410 litres a day.
Swan Hill and Shepparton have minimal restrictions.
Opposition urban water spokeswoman Louise Asher said Melbourne should have moved from stage 3a restrictions long ago.
"If the Government had not botched water supply in Melbourne, we wouldn't have had such restrictions," Ms Asher said.
Critique:
The restrictions that made by authorities are good ways to prevent people from wasting water. Nowadays, people are consuming too much water without considering the consequence that the amount of water available is decreasing. What adding salt to injury is that global worming are accelerating the evaporation of water on earth thus making it worse. In short, people have to use water wisely to avoid over-consuming. Water is important not only to human, but it is also important to every living things on the earth.
A SEVERE thunderstorm warning has been issued for damaging wind, flash flooding and large hailstones in parts of Victoria.
The weather bureau warning applies for people in the Northern Country, Northeast and parts of the North Central and Alpine Forecast Districts.
It warns severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, very heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours.
Earlier, a sudden increase in temperature boosted the chances of more storms in Melbourne.
Weather bureau senior forecaster Richard Carlyon said the city's temperature had shot up to 26C, which could see thunderstorms develop.
"Given we have shot up to 26C we might see thunderstorms develop close to Melbourne which could mean we might see something not far away. But it is still a bit of a waiting game."
Mr Brumby said there were weak trees in many bushfire ravaged parts of Victoria and around the state that were vulnerable to strong winds.Premier John Brumby urged Victorians to batten down the hatches
Mr Brumby warned people to stay inside during the possibly severe storms, and he said people at public events must be prepared to act if weather struck this afternoon.
"It really is batten down the hatches (with forecast) thunderstorms possibly as intense as yesterday,” Mr Brumby said."We got through yesterday without any loss of life or serious injury, we would want to see if we could keep to this today and tomorrow."
"We should take great care as we move through this afternoon, tonight and into tomorrow and make sure we put this focus on protecting life and protecting public safety."
He said the roof of the arts centre had been badly damaged by yesterday’s storms and could cost up to millions of dollars to repair.
He was unable to put an estimated dollar figure on the expected repair bill, and said more damage is expected to be reported in the coming days when people return home from Labour Day holidays.
Crews from the NSW State Emergency Service have been drafted in to help their Victorian counterparts clean up the damage caused by the mini-cyclone storm that lashed Melbourne yesterday.
The storm cell unleashed itself on the city at 2.40pm, dumping 26mm of rain in less than an hour.
Critique:
I believe that Victorians will be facing a devastating period during the fierce storms season. There will be a serious damage of properties and probably human lives. Therefore, people in that area have to be careful whenever they are going out and staying at home should be the best option for them to avoid the bad whether. On the other hands, government should take early action in preventing the fierce storm to become disaster. Necessaries like food should be prepaid in advanced. Thinking from another perspective, why fierce storms are likely to occur so often? According to article above, it said that thunderstorm is developed due to the shot-up of temperature. Think more deeply, does the increase in global temperature related to what human had done? A 100% yes! The fast development of world had cause a severe change to the earth environment and made it polluted. So, human have to be more concern about the earth and start to save it from now!
POOR Australian children are less likely to do well at school than disadvantaged children overseas, the architect of the My School website declared yesterday.
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority chairman Barry McGaw called on governments to do more to "reduce the impact of demography" on school results.
He said any additional taxpayer funding for schools should be reserved for the most disadvantaged schools -- not spent on high-performing private schools.
"We ought to be doing better in reducing the impact of demography," he said.
Professor McGaw -- a former director of education at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development -- said demographics had a stronger influence on educational outcomes in Australia than in the comparable high-performing countries of Canada, Finland, South Korea and Japan.
He said the impact of demographics on education in Australia was greater than the OECD average. "Poorer schools languish and schools in poor communities struggle to a greater extent here (in Australia)," he said.
"It could be the public-private (school) difference but we don't know.
"We've got a socially differential community: poor people live in one area and advantaged in another. Advantaged people by and large can look after themselves and it takes government intervention to help the disadvantaged."
Professor McGaw said educators would learn from the results of the My School website, which received nine million hits in its first 24 hours, to ensure that poorly performing disadvantaged schools could learn from other poor schools that were doing well.
"We ought to use the evidence from the My School website to identify schools working with disadvantaged kids who are performing badly, and help them to adopt the practice of schools with disadvantaged kids who are performing well," he said.
Education Minister Julia Gillard yesterday insisted poor children could get a "fantastic education", as some schools in disadvantaged communities were delivering good results "against the odds".
"A poor child can get a fantastic education and fantastic results," Ms Gillard said. "They need an extra helping hand to do so and we are going to be there with that."
Ms Gillard said the Rudd government would pour more than $2 billion of resources into disadvantaged schools to improve literacy, numeracy and teacher quality. "We are ready to go now and (the resources) will be rolled out in schools," she said.
"We are making up for 12 years of Liberal neglect. We are determined to make a difference."
I see eye to eye with their points of view which stated in the article above. Government should concentrated on those disadvantaged school as everyone has the right to deserve the same level of education. Basic literacy and numeracy are important for students nowadays for they will be left behind without any knowledge. Poor performing students should be guided with full patient especially by teachers to help them do well in later time. Every teens is the asset of a country, so government ought to provide them the best education for the country will get the fruition in the future.
