Monday, November 11, 2019

Addiction is a Disease Essay

Addiction is all around us. It may be that cup of coffee in the morning for the caffeine stimulation, the cigarette that is smoked for the nicotine, or an alcoholic drink used to relieve a stressful day or situation. For some, the addiction may not be to a substance, but to compulsive behaviors such as gambling, playing video games, or shopping. Consequences to addictions can impact an addict’s physical or mental state. Addiction can also have detrimental impact on the people that surround them. Watching a relationship fall apart because a person has an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or another addictive behavior is a sad thing to happen to anyone. Unfortunately, those with addictions usually won’t admit they even have a problem and that they need treatment until it is too late. Some addictions have less severe consequences, such as addiction to caffeine for the stimulation; others take it to the other end of the spectrum, such as using illegal drugs like cocaine or heroi n which completely deteriorates their physical and mental health. Addiction should be looked at as a disease because it is chronic and does not subside without treatment. Symptoms can be progressive, and just as disease surfaces repeatedly, addiction has a high level of relapse. Furthermore, addiction can be treated. Addiction is a disease whether it is an addiction to substances or certain behaviors. Addiction is a common word known to many, but many don’t realize that addiction is a disease. â€Å"Substance abuse has been conceptualized and generally accepted to be a disease resulting from a biologic vulnerability triggered by a combination of psychological, social, and environmental factors† (Vocaturo 393). Addiction and disease have corresponding definitions. More commonly a disease is thought of as an illness of the body or something we acquire involuntarily such as diabetes, cancer or Alzheimer’s. â€Å"If addiction is truly compulsive and addictive action is not voluntary, then addiction has a much stronger claim to be a disease† (Perring 194). According to dictionary.com, disease is defined as, â€Å"a disordered or incorrectly functioning part of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment or any harmful, depraved, or morbid condition, as of the mind or society.† Addiction is a mental disease. According to  Dictionary.com, addiction is defined as, â€Å"the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.† Behavioral addictions are compulsive actions with examples being gambling, shopping, video gaming, and those with OCD. â€Å"The behavior has an effect of decreasing anxiety and result in a positive mood state or high, similar to substance intoxication† (J.E. Grant et al 234). What happens in the brain during addiction is that the brain learns poor coping mechanism for stressful or unfavorable situations. In the brain, a series of events happen during addiction. Addictions are a coping mechanism which plays a role in the reward system felt in the brain. The brain’s dopamine system transports serotonin, the good feel hormone. Whatever the addiction, it causes a chemical in the brain called dopamine to surpass normal levels which results to feelings of pleasure. â€Å"The most integrative and common feature of addictive agents is their capacity to cause psychomotor activation. This most common feature is seen as forward locomotion which is the unconditional response to positive reinforcement† (Calabrese 599). This then causes the brain to want it over and over again. Although there are different kinds of addiction, all have a common goal: to make a person feel good. This then becomes more important to a person than anything else despite the consequences. The brain then becomes reliant on this false surge in dopamine brought on by the addiction, and the brain’s ability to naturally produce dopamine greatly decreases. This then results in lack of control when the same outcome can no longer be established. This leads to increasing dosage or behavior to try and achieve the same high or to possibly better it. Substance addictions leave the body constantly craving a good feeling despite the consequences they may have. In order to understand the real mentality of someone with addiction/s is to examine a person in a philosophical and psychological way. All types of addictions should be looked at from a philosophical and psychological point of view. Those in the fields of neuroscience, psychology and philosophy often compare their views to show the similarities of addictions whether they be substance induced or behavioral. â€Å"Behavioral science experts believe that all entities capable of stimulating a person can be addictive; and whenever a habit changes into an obligation, it can be considered as addiction† (Alaghemandan  et al 290). Some addictions can affect people physically. Caffeine and nicotine provide prime examples. The body’s physical state becomes dependent on its effects and causes withdrawal symptoms without use. One of the main differences in behavioral and substance addictions is that behavioral addictions have no apparent physiological or physical withdrawal symptoms. It is not the physical body that is addicted, but the feeling that one gets mentally. The physical body is only affected by the dependency of the substance itself, while the addiction itself is more damaging psychologically. Addiction isn’t about will power. When looking at addiction for a neurological point of view, there are a series of chemical reactions going on. Dopamine is a good-feel hormone produced in the brain when satisfaction is gained chemically by substances or by a self-gratifying act. When substances such as drugs and alcohol are used or certain behaviors are performed, a person experiences an unnatural high, so to speak, which is many times greater than the natural reward system produced in the brain. Some individuals may be more susceptible to getting hooked on this feeling. Certain people can be specifically more vulnerable than others to taking on an addiction. The vulnerability to addiction can be due to their genetic dispositions. â€Å"With prominent advances in whole genome sequencing, the search for genetic variations underlying drug addiction is continuing at an escalating pace; however, genetic factors likely explain about fifty percent of the risk for addiction† (Maze and Nestor 99). Some believe that one can have an addictive personality. An addictive personality will always be susceptible to having at least one kind of addiction. Quite subsequently, an addictive personality type is addicted to addiction itself. If one addiction was given up, another one would be taken on, moreover, it is commonly found for an addicted person to be addicted to several addictions at the same time. This increases the level of the individual suffering, and no matter what the addict ion, it disrupts the brain’s natural reward system, which is the route to a pleasurable feeling. The addiction itself is the mental state created from taking on any addiction. â€Å"Studies have shown that those with behavioral addictions and those with substance use disorders both score high on a self-report measure of impulsivity and sensation-seeking and generally low on measures of harm avoidance† (J.E. Grant Et Al 234). It is extremely hard for a person addicted to a substance or behavior to break the  addictive cycle. Getting over addiction is dependent on the type of addiction. Trying to break certain addictions may be simply in avoiding a social environment that may tempt a person towards a certain addiction. Others may benefit from medications and psychological treatment. Research has shown, regardless of whether behavioral or substance addiction, replacing or substituting with a positive beneficial addiction to start learning to associate a positive coping mechanism to the triggers that onset the addiction. It is difficult to overcome, and an addict is always going want to feel good with an act or substance. While the severity differs between addictions, some are manageable in day to day life, while others have catastrophic effect in their lives which is why addictions should be treated as a disease. There are many attempted treatments that are sought after in breaking addictions. Some people may go to counseling sessions and some go to support meetings which help them realize the adverse effects the addiction has brought into their lives. Behavioral therapy is another way treatment is sought out. In behavioral therapy, the addiction does not need to be specific to one drug or behavior, but is used to address the use of multiple addictions. It is the disease of addiction that the therapy addresses. Other therapies are pharmaceutically administered to relieve the feeling one may get from a substance. Medications are less prescribed with compulsive disorders; however, it is believed that if the addiction was brought on by depression and/or anxiety, prescribing medication can be helpful to alleviate these symptoms. A combination of behavioral therapy and medication has been seen as helpful as well. Therapy should be an ongoing process for someone with addictions. There will always be triggers that could possibly cause a relapse. There is great difficulty in giving up an addiction without taking on another. Can an addict ever not have an addiction or can it ever be learned to live without addiction? Relapse is the reason addiction is a chronic disease. While some addictions can be tolerated, others unfortunately have detrimental effects on their lives. In order to achieve a successful long term recovery, treatment sought out should address the specifics of each individual’s needs. Changes must occur in one’s life that is physical, social, and psychological in order to be successful in recovery. â€Å"Although different factors will determine someone’s vulnerability to addiction, integrating individual vulnerability to  addiction across different research disciplines is likely to provide the greatest advances for intervention and prevention efforts† ( Le Moal and Swendsen 73). But the question still remains, why would someone continue to choose an addiction over their own health? Addiction is an extremely powerful disease. The mind should always overcome the body which is why some people speculate that addiction is a choice and not a disease. However, is addiction really just a choice? â€Å"Most of the best-known criticisms of the disease concept have argued that addiction is not a disease because addictive behavior is voluntary† (Perring 194). An exercise addict may dispute the term disease in their addiction. Although their behavior is compulsive, exercise is indeed a very healthy habit to have and does wonders for the body. An exercise addiction may be healthy; however, those who must exercise each and every day regardless of need, are still exhibiting compulsive behaviors. In their mind this activity must be performed each and every day no matter what. â€Å"If you are an exercise addict, it is quite obvious that some of the effects of this particular addiction are positive† (Round Table 7). Exercise is the most contradictory of all the addictions. Mentally they are addicted to the act, but addiction is still a disease, not a choice. There are two areas of the brain that involve choice. The first area is the ventral striatum, or nucleus acumens, which is a structure that motivates a person to go after a goal that they may have or want. This is where addiction and cravings come from. The second area is called the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. This area is what considers consequences of the actions. There are impulses that go from one area to the other through synapses. Triggers can cause alterations of these impulses. They are altered the most by the cycle of addictive thoughts and behaviors. Choice can be thought of as an adaptive process. Brains adapt to our experiences, so the choices that are made change with time. Addiction is an experience to which the brain also adapts, but too rapidly, too thoroughly, and too permanently. Understanding these neural changes is essential for understanding how â€Å"choice† gets hijacked by addiction. That doesn’t make addiction a brain disease. It’s more of corrupted learning process or a nasty adaptation. And like any other adaptation, it is the foundation of the fleshy hardware we carry around in our heads. While it is true that the addict may have a choice in whether or not to use drugs or to give in to  behaving a certain way, craving is not a choice. If a craving gets bad enough, even the strongest willed person gives in to their addiction. The brain strives to survive and this cannot be ignored. A big reason why skeptics view addiction as a choice is the inability to truly understand the realness of cravings in addiction. While some may speculate that addiction is a choice, addiction is a disease and should be treated as such. Addiction has many defining terms that correlate to disease. Addiction to substances or behaviors produce uncontrollable cravings to which one cannot ignore. Addiction is extremely hard to overcome for anyone but can be treated with th e correct type of therapy much like other diseases. Whether a person is addicted to caffeine, nicotine, drugs, alcohol, gambling, exercise, or any other compulsive behavior, their addiction is a disease. Works Cited â€Å"Addiction.† Dictionary.com, LLC. (2012) Web. 27 Sept. 2012 http://www.dictionary.com. Alagheandan, Hamed, Seyyed Salman Alavi, Mehdi Eslami, Masoud Ferdosi, Fereshte Jannatifard, and Mehrdad Setare. â€Å"Behavioral Addiction versus Substance Addiction: Correspondence of Psychiatric and Psychological Views.† International Journal of Preventive Medicine 3.4 (April 2012). Web. 27 Sept 2012. Calabrese, E.J. â€Å"Addiction and Dose Response: The Phsychomoor Stimulant Theory of Addiction Reveals that Hormetic Dose Responses are Dominant.† Informa Healthcare (2008) Web. 27 Sept. 2012 â€Å"Disease.† Dictionary.com, LLC (2012) Web. 27 Sept. 2012 http://www.dictionary.com. Gorelick, David A., Jon E. Grant, Marc. N. Ptenza, and Aviv Weinstein. â€Å"Introduction to Behavioral Addictions.† American Journal of Drug & Alcohol Abuse (2010).Web. 27 Sept. 2012. Maze, Ian, and Eric J. Nestler. â€Å"The Epigenetic Landscape of Addiction.† Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1216.1 (Jan. 2011). Web. 27 Sept. 2012. Moal, Michel Le, and Joel Swendsen.â€Å"Individual Vulnerability to Addiction.† Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (2011). Web. 27 Sept. 2012. Perring, Christian. â€Å"Bridging the Gap between Philosophers of Mind and Brain Researchers: The Example of Addiction.† Brain, Mind and Consciousness 2011). Web. 27 Sept. 2012. â€Å"Round Table: When is an addict not an addict?† New Statesman (18 May 2007). Web. 27 Sept. 2012. Vocaturo, Loran C.. â€Å"Substance Abuse.† Medical Management of Adults with Neurologic Disabilities (2009). Web. 27 Sept. 2012.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

The Norm vs. the Classics essays

The Norm vs. the Classics essays What music do you listen to? Is it the greatest composers of the eighteenth century, or the sounds of the London Symphony Orchestra? Its mostly rap, hip-hop, pop, and all that normal stuff out there isnt it? Im trying to keep the faith in classical and instrumental music so that it wont be forgotten over the years to come. Sure there are people who continue to listen to it, but they are becoming more and more scarce. People who are growing up are not turning towards the pure music but towards what everyone at school listens to or what is played over the radio. This poses a huge threat to classical and instrumental, but we can save them. Music is the first thing that comes to mind when you sit down to type up an essay or to do your homework. The music you play is probably the latest CD from your favorite metal band, Metallica, or a great group, St. Lunatics. What happens when you play the CD? Dont lie to yourself, you spend more time singing along with it than you do on actual work dont you? It happens to everybody who listens to normal music. But with instrumental and classical, there are no words to start singing along with. This would allow you to work a lot more efficiently than all that Mettalica and St. Lunatic stuff. Right now, Im listening to The Planets composed by Holst, classical music. This is one of my favorite CDs and I am actually getting some work done. Im not singing to myself, Im not focusing on the great voice of the singer; Im just working here nice and quietly listening to Jupiter. There is another upside to classical and instrumental music. You come home from work, or school, one day really angry and upset because you have to work, com in to school, over the weekend, on top of having to stay late on Wednesday. Needless to say, your pretty stressed out right now. What to do? Calm yourself down, of course, rather than spend your only free time stress...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

ObamaCare essays

ObamaCare essays The arguments for/against ObamaCare health care are extensive. This giant law has so many parts that the average American does not even know what is really in this bill. The main supporters argue the bill is constitutional. They believe it is constitutional on three different "powers" of congress under commerce/interstate activity, the necessary and proper clause and the taxing and general welfare clause. The health care industry is a two trillion dollar per year industry. People who support the bill for being constitutional believe that this bill is part of commerce. How could two trillion dollars not be commerce? It is an interstate activity that makes a lot of money. There is also another part of government that could also make this bill constitutional and that is under necessary and proper clause. Necessary and proper clause states that Congress can make laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the forgoing powers. So supporters believe this bill for national health care is necessary and proper. It's nothing outlandish they believe. The third argument for the ObamaCare being constitution is under congresses Taxing and General Welfare Clause. Supports find this a no brainer. Congress has the right to protect the general welfare of the people. So ObamaCare is helping the general welfare of the people. After all is that not what government is put in plac e to do? The bigger question is will that make government to strong and powerful? Most people who believe ObamaCare is unconstitutional would say yes. From the disagreeing side most would say if ObamaCare is not struck down it will give the government more power and the main question raised is, "What will congress also force us to do?" If they can force us to make decisions on our own health under commerce what else can they make us do and justify it under "commerce." People believe that congress has no constitutional right to force people to enter a ...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Mechanism Of Trade Dispute Settlement In The Light Of International Dissertation

Mechanism Of Trade Dispute Settlement In The Light Of International Trading System - Dissertation Example Dispute settlement is one of the fundamental components of these. This research will identify these dispute settlement mechanisms and examine whether these are effective, problematic or insufficient. In order to achieve the primary objective, the secondary objectives, which follows, would also be pursued: 1. identify and define the types of dispute settlement mechanisms; 2. cite actual cases that has been acted on and formed part of the global system’s trade jurisprudence; and, 3. examine the efficacy and the success of each identified mechanisms in dispute resolution. Methodology This study is primarily a descriptive research. Hence, it will exclusively use the qualitative method of inquiry with the idea that such approach would be able to reveal a comprehensive and credible picture that would contribute to the achievement of the study’s objectives. The qualitative approach is important because of the study’s focus on examining issues related to the efficacy of dispute settlement mechanisms in relation to the needs and interest of each trading nation. There is a need to deal with the dispute mechanisms by investigating through specific individual cases of disputes and settlement. This researcher is of the opinion that, in this context, the method is the best tool to uncover weaknesses and unique strengths among the dispute settlement mechanisms. An important component of the research methodology is the case study. According to Katsirikou and Skiadas (2010), it is the preferred strategy in order to answer how and why research questions and that it is a well-suited method to empirically investigate contemporary phenomena.1 Following the... This study is primarily a descriptive research. Hence, it will exclusively use the qualitative method of inquiry with the idea that such approach would be able to reveal a comprehensive and credible picture that would contribute to the achievement of the study’s objectives. The qualitative approach is important because of the study’s focus on examining issues related to the efficacy of dispute settlement mechanisms in relation to the needs and interest of each trading nation. There is a need to deal with the dispute mechanisms by investigating through specific individual cases of disputes and settlement. This researcher is of the opinion that, in this context, the method is the best tool to uncover weaknesses and unique strengths among the dispute settlement mechanisms. An important component of the research methodology is the case study. According to Katsirikou and Skiadas, it is the preferred strategy in order to answer how and why research questions and that it is a well-suited method to empirically investigate contemporary phenomena. Following the descriptive and exploratory parameter cited earlier, case studies will be employed in order to explain in detail a particular case and that it could provide the basis for comparison and theory building. The Literature Review section will play an important role as well. For example, policy- and decision-making are likely to employ more than one synthesis method. This, would lead to different types of evidence identified as relevant to the range of research objectives outlined.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

M Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

M - Personal Statement Example That is why a major in communications would be such a valuable asset to me. I know that this is a field that is burgeoning, and that it will be in great demand in years to come. This degree will help me achieve my career goals as a master communicator, both in person and via social media. I really enjoy interacting with people and the degree in communications is going to help me perfect those communication skills even more. My participation in various activities has led me to believe that I’m very interested in other peoples’ stories and their thoughts. What they say matters. Perhaps I could become involved in TV production, become a social media expert, or other types of careers where a communication degree is needed. From what I understand, my interest in communications had begun to develop when I was a very young person. I always had an interest in seeing what other people would say, do, and how they would react to certain information. I think it is this involvement in other peoples’ lives that brought me to the place where I was intrigued by how people interact themselves. This is the essence and the heart of what the communications degree at University of California means to me, and why it is so crucial that I get accepted to this program. I intend to utilize my degree in communications to better peoples’ lives through: my interest in the field; a continued participation in activities that would further my knowledge in the field of communications; and a continued involvement in communications that will shape me into the person I will be in the future. This degree in communications will make me a successful individual in life. Personal Statement #2 Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are? The most important contribution I ever made was helping my father; it m ade me proud of who I am, and I believe it demonstrates my strength of character as it relates to the person those actions have made me into who I am today. Every winter when I went back to my country, I have helped my father decide what to do in the future—in terms of making executive decisions about the family business. For example, one time my father was making the decision to open a store. After he opened a supermarket, for example, the next winter I would go back home and help him oversee the business. Whenever there was a new business to open in subsequent winters, I would return to my native country. I would help my Dad choose which location we should use for the new store. We would negotiate rental fees, and resolve issues that were pertinent to the business. Even those are relatively small elements of opening a new store, every decision contributes to the overall success of the business. This makes me extremely proud of my heritage, knowing that I am helping my fathe r to help our own people by giving them choices and opportunities within their communities to make purchases that will help their own families in some way. Being proud of oneself, after all, is not just about what others can do for you. Family pride and community heritage is about what you can do for other people. So, I realize, that in helping my father, I am not only helping himself, but also my family, our community, and last but

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Business Information System written assignment Essay

Business Information System written assignment - Essay Example According to the case, it is clear that the firm needs to use an enterprise resource planning system to manage its operations. In acquiring a business system, the business can acquire a system for each of the functions that it has, or it can acquire an information system that cuts across all the functions of the business. An enterprise resource planning system is a system that is designed to centrally manage all the process of the business. In other word, information is shared across all the departments in the organization. This is achieved by installing a system that incorporates all the functions of the business. If a business acquires this kind of a system, it means that all data from all its departments is centrally collected and managed which makes it easier for each department to collaborate more easily and also eliminates redundancies in functions. A customer relationship system is crucial to make sure that customers are managed properly. According to Gravely (2003, p.12), customer relationship management is a process of finding, identifying, acquiring and maintaining the most dependable customers for the business. In a modern business environment, customer management is important, and the CRM will help BMW in a number of ways. First, it will make it easier to maintain a close relationship with customers. Given the kind of products that the firm is selling, it is clear that its customers are long time customers who are going to remain using the products of the firm for a long time. Being able to have a close business as well as a personal relationship with the customers will be of importance to BMW in the long run and the CRM will help in this. The sales department will benefit from the CRM and the sales staff will be able to interact better with customers, both current and potential customers. A CRM will also help in getting and processing

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Environmental Analysis Essay Example for Free

Environmental Analysis Essay Introduction This essay will discussed one of the most controversial environmental issue climate change along with some of the facts including how people first discover that climate change does existed; as well as legitimation in climate change globally; public debate; and the way in which government response to this issue. Furthermore this paper will discuss the role of science to identify the existence of climate change. Identification and legitimation of the issue Climate change is one of the biggest environmental challenges that the world encounters. It has obvious impact on our planet causing higher temperature, shifting seasons, sea levels rising. These phenomenon are closely tide up with world’s economic as it affect businesses around the world. The British government report warned if no action is taken to control carbon emissions climate change would cost 5 to 20 percent of the annual global gross domestic product. (Climate change impacts, 2011). The United Nation’s intergovernmental Panel on Climate change published a report in 2007 regarding the discovery of Global Warming since the 20th Century. (IPCC, 2011). The possible reason for this phenomenon may be caused by human activity. The appropriate definition is explained by the IPCC, which states that climate change is â€Å"a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.† (IPCC, 2012) Many countries have taken the initiative to legislate appropriate regulation regarding climate change. In 2010 a published article noted that â€Å"Qinghai† is one of the first province to establish a regulation that holds local government and state owned enterprises response in coping with climate change (Xinhuanet, 2010). The statistic have shown that â€Å"Qinghai† ‘s temperature in general has been rising by 0.35 centigrade every ten years compare to the world’s average of 0.13 centigrade. (Mu Xuequan, 2010). This regulation will stress the importance and specified the local government’s responsibility on climate change. Public Debate The argument around the topic of climate change is one of the most controversial topic because it involved in whether climate change is man made or its simply nature forces. Some scientist believes that the temperature of earth is actually getting colder not warmer due to the cycle of the sun. This is known as the â€Å"Sunspot cycle†, sun gets a little bit hotter and colder every 11 years and when it gets colder it causes the temperature of earth to get colder too. Other scientist argued that the change of temperature is so small that it can barely be detected. Most scientists agree that an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the main cause of global warming. They argued about the details of the effects of global warming on the earth. However it is generally agreed that it will lead to worldwide changes in weather patterns, gradual melting of the ice caps and rising sea levels. These changes will impact on your lifestyle, agriculture and the survival of other organism. (Haire, M et al, 2000). Energy savings, emissions reductions and water resource conservation and many other works related to climate change need to be considered Government policy response Recent years many countries have impose law relevant to combat climate change. Energy savings, emissions reductions and water resource conservation and marketing â€Å"green† have been the primary goal amongst most organization. Country like Australia is promoting energy efficiency measures through a wide range of programs and rebates. The election of Kevin Rudd in 2007 especially shows a major change of the Australian government policy through Australia’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. In terms of some specific initiatives the Australian government also continue the measure of mandatory renewable energy target scheme. And since 2010 the Government also established a climate change committee with the main purpose of investigate â€Å"options for implementing a carbon price and help build consensus on how Australia will tackle climate change† (Parliament of Australia, 2012) Role of science Science has played an important part in proving the existence of climate change by observation and experiment. This graph above depicts the global change in sea level since the end of the last ice age. During this 15,000 year period sea level has increased approximately 125 meters. Conclusion By evaluating the historical development of climate change we can conclude that climate change is the most important and challenging environmental issue. Regardless of the disagreements, climate change has been proven exist by scientific research. It has drawn the public attention and requires international cooperation among different governments. Reference Haire, M et al (2000). Core Science3. Singapore: Kyodo. P110-111. IPCC (2011) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. [online] Available at; http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_cn.pdf [Accessed: 27 Jul 2012]. Parliament of Australia (2012) Australian government response to climate change. [online] Available at: http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic/ClimateChange/Governance/Domestic/national [Accessed: 27 Jul 2012]. Sunspots and climate (2000) Sunspots and climate. [online] Available at: http://www-das.uwyo.edu/~geerts/cwx/notes/chap02/sunspots.html [Accessed: 27 Jul 2012]. The Nature Conservancy (2012) Climate Change Impacts. [online] Available at;