Sustainable Development in Iran Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sustainable Development in Iran - Essay Example Renewable energy (RE) and related technologies are popularly viewed as solutions to the growing issues of pollution, global warming and climate change. The development of new technologies in this domain is thus viewed across the world as a way to diversify the range of energy sources available and secure the growing needs in the coming decades. RE is also a key driver for sustainable development and to reduce our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels (Magoha, 2009). Despite the importance of developing RE technologies and encouraging their use through sustainable strategies, various technological and economic constraints have impeded its development in the Islamic republic of Iran. Given that the country is home to over a tenth of the world’s crude oil reserves and a fifth of the global natural gas reserves, the Iranian government has been quite negligent towards promoting alternate sources of energy (Kelly, 2009). Apart from government assistance in RE, the nation has been affected by decades of international economic sanctions, which has restricted access to some of the most efficient technologies in the RE domain. Thus, the technological infrastructure used for exploiting the fossil fuels within the nation remains inefficient and there is a need to devise ways to address these issues through favorable energy policies, technological research and efficient management. Other issues such as stagnation of social development and poverty are also preventing the government from giving any long-term thought to RE (Kelly, 2009). Iran is one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide which has nearly doubled since 1990 to over 400 MMT in 2009. Kelly (2009) identifies numerous factors including low efficiency and utilization rates of energy among various industrial sectors, rising wealth and an increase in the consumption of fossil fuels as primary contributors to this alarming trend, which is also aided by the relatively cheap energy prices. Magoba (2009) further adds to these concerns by stating that the major polluters in this context are the country’s biggest cities. Migration of the rural population to bigger cities in search of employment and livelihood has led to rapid urbanization resulting in a surge in the number of vehicles, consumption of fuels, inefficient public transportation networks and the use of old vehicles that are incapable of burning the fuel efficiently. Studies by Chaturvedi (2008) have established that Iran is currently underdeveloped in harnessing energy from wind turbines. In fact, the country has a huge potential of up to 15000 Megawatts of electricity generation by tapping vast amounts of energy from wind. Given the fact large parts of Iran are categorized as windy regions, harnessing energy from this medium is not only an elaborate possibility, but can also prove financially profitable in the long run. The region also enjoys a long period of sunshine on an annual basis. The average annual exposure to sunshine in Iran has been estimated at about 3000 hours per year (Chaturvedi, 2008). However, most solar energy projects are currently in a research phase and are yet to be commercialized. Thus, there is a need for the government to hasten the process of development and research in these areas. Iran primarily lacks any sound policy frameworks that can aid in the sustainable development of renewable energy technologies. Policies are required not just to support any research initiatives in this area, but are also necessary to facilitate a successful and wid espread adoption of RE sources across the country. Any few directives that have been framed in this context have not been helpful in guiding stakeholders towards implementing RE in specific areas. Thus, Iran currently lacks a consistent approach in implementing any longstanding RE framework. Currently, a mere 9% of Iran’s energy needs are met by RE sources primarily due to lack of policies and supporting infrastructure (Magoha, 2009). Companies that operate in the RE sector in Iran are facing

What can we learn about the enduring nature of war from Scipio Essay

What can we learn about the enduring nature of war from Scipio Africanus - Essay Example This essay examines the principles of one of the most famous Roman artists of war Scipio Africanus, whose tactics and strategy were so brilliant that they are studied by modern students and used in modern offensive actions. Scipio Africanus gives us a few lessons on the endure nature of war. Scipio uses himself as an example to demonstrate that soldiers must trust their leader and must believe that he has a definite plan and a definite aim. â€Å"Scipio similarly made the men under his command more sanguine and more ready to face perilous enterprises by instilling into them the belief that his projects were divinely inspired.†1 Scipio’s authority was so high that his men thought he was led by some higher power to which he was accountable and responsible. Today in modern military the same ideas should be implemented through the seven Army Values, which are aimed at strengthening the morality. Several times throughout his book Liddell Hart mentions the role of Scipio†™s high morality and strong willpower in his successes. Let’s turn to contemporary military manual to see what it says about the necessity to develop morality both in leaders and in soldiers: â€Å"The army values firmly bind all Army members into a fellowship dedicated to serve the Nation and the Army.†2 It is very important to have proper moral spirit. All the sources evidence that Scipio was a person of a very high moral qualities deeply respecting both his soldiers and other people. George C. Marshall, General of Army, once said: â€Å"you have to lead men in war by bringing them along to endure and display qualities of fortitude that are beyond the average man’s thought of what he should be expected to do. You have to inspire them when they are hungry and exhausted and desperately uncomfortable and in great danger. Only a man of positive characteristics of leadership with the physical stamina that goes with it can function under those conditions.†3 Another Scipio’s postulate is that the leader must be confident. â€Å"The secret of his sway, extraordinary in one so young, over the crowd mind, especially in times of crisis, was his profound self confidence which radiated an influence to which the stories of his divine inspiration were but auxiliary. Self-confidence is a term often used in a derogatory sense, but Scipio’s was not only justified by results but essentially different, a spiritual exaltation which is epitomized by Aulus Gellius as â€Å"conscientious sui subnixus† –â€Å"lifted high on his consciousness of himself.†4 It is quite natural and necessary for a leader to feel confidence as none of the soldiers want to be led by an uncertain leader. Experienced officers know that it is not so much important WHAT you say but it matters HOW you say it. Audacity is the basic attribute in offensive actions in all times. â€Å"Audacity is a simple plan of action, boldly executed.† Vi olence of actions also matters. According to George S. Patton, â€Å"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week†. If a leader is not confident he will not be able to encourage his men to be audacious, he will never help them cope with the fear they face in the battles. Napoleon used to say: â€Å"The whole art of war consists in a well ordered and prudent defensive, followed by a bold and rapid offensive†5. Another basic principle of the art of war is objective, which demands to â€Å"direct all efforts toward a decisive, obtainable goal.† A good leader must be able to give an objective to his soldiers. â€Å"To the soldiers suffering under defeat he made no reproaches, but aptly mingled an appeal to their reason and to their spirit, reminding them how often in Roman history early defeat had been the presage to ultimate victory, how the sure tilting of the balance had already begun the initial disaster found their counte rpoise