Recycling or reuse of resources is an important part of sustainability because it reduces the negative human impact on the environment and helps reduce the pressure on natural resources. Recognizing there is no clear solution, the country of DCM is, nevertheless, planning on making a significant investment in setting up recycling facilities throughout the country. DCM has embraced the new economic model of a “circular economy” as discussed in “Towards a Circular Economy: Business Rationale for an Accelerated Transition” Link is also available on course website.
Based on your “expertise” in environmental economics, you have been hired as a consultant to the country of DCM to assist them in their investment planning regarding Plastics. In a minimum of 1000 words, provide the country of DCM with your recommendations on how to best achieve their goal. In your analysis, be sure to discuss the benefits and costs of plastic recycling (some have claimed it is not the panacea often discussed). Since you will need to consult additional sources, be sure to cite these sources (make the link available, for example).
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Benefits and Costs of Plastic Recycling: Recommendations for the Country of DCM
Introduction
Recycling or reuse of resources, particularly plastic, is essential for achieving sustainability goals and reducing the negative impact of human activities on the environment. The country of DCM has recognized the importance of recycling and is planning to invest in setting up recycling facilities throughout the nation. In this essay, we will discuss the benefits and costs of plastic recycling and provide recommendations to the country of DCM on how to best achieve their goal.
Benefits of Plastic Recycling
Conservation of Natural Resources: One of the key benefits of plastic recycling is the conservation of natural resources. By recycling plastic, the demand for new raw materials like petroleum is reduced, leading to a lesser burden on natural resources. This helps in preserving non-renewable resources for future generations.
Energy Savings: Recycling plastic requires less energy compared to producing new plastic from raw materials. The energy savings achieved through recycling can be significant, as plastic production is an energy-intensive process. By recycling plastic, the country of DCM can reduce its energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduction in Landfill Waste: Plastic waste is a major contributor to landfill waste, taking up valuable space and posing a threat to the environment. Recycling plastic helps divert waste from landfills, reducing the need for additional landfill space and associated environmental issues such as groundwater contamination and methane emissions.
Job Creation and Economic Benefits: The establishment of recycling facilities in DCM will create new job opportunities and contribute to the local economy. Recycling requires a workforce to collect, sort, process, and manufacture recycled materials. The country can benefit from increased employment rates and economic growth through investment in recycling infrastructure.
Promotion of Circular Economy: Embracing a circular economy model, where resources are reused and recycled rather than discarded, is crucial for sustainable development. By investing in plastic recycling, DCM can move closer to achieving a circular economy, where materials are continuously cycled back into the production process, reducing waste generation and promoting resource efficiency.
Costs and Challenges of Plastic Recycling
Collection and Sorting Costs: One of the main challenges in plastic recycling is the collection and sorting of different types of plastic waste. Different plastics have varying properties, making sorting a complex and costly process. The country of DCM needs to invest in efficient collection systems and technologies that can effectively sort plastic waste based on its composition.
Contamination and Quality Issues: Contamination of plastic waste with non-recyclable materials can reduce the quality and value of recycled plastic. Contaminated plastics may not meet the required standards for recycling or manufacturing new products. Addressing contamination issues requires public awareness and education programs to encourage proper disposal practices.
Transportation and Infrastructure Costs: Establishing recycling facilities across the country will require significant investment in transportation infrastructure. The costs associated with transporting plastic waste from collection points to recycling facilities need to be considered in the investment planning process.
Technological Advancements: Plastic recycling technologies are constantly evolving, with new advancements aimed at improving efficiency and quality. The country of DCM needs to stay updated with the latest technological developments in plastic recycling to ensure that their investments are aligned with the most effective and sustainable practices.
Market Demand for Recycled Plastic: The demand for recycled plastic products plays a crucial role in the viability of plastic recycling initiatives. Without a market for recycled plastic, the efforts put into recycling may not yield significant economic benefits. Collaborating with industries that use recycled plastic or promoting local consumption of recycled products can help create a sustainable market for recycled plastics.
Recommendations for the Country of DCM
Invest in Collection Infrastructure: To ensure the success of plastic recycling initiatives, DCM should invest in efficient collection systems that encourage proper segregation and disposal of plastic waste. This could include setting up collection centers or partnering with existing waste management companies to improve collection rates.
Promote Awareness and Education: Public awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate citizens about the importance of plastic recycling and proper disposal practices. This will help reduce contamination issues and improve the quality of recycled plastic.
Collaborate with Industries: DCM should collaborate with industries that use plastic as raw materials or packaging materials to promote the use of recycled plastics. This can be achieved through incentives or regulations that encourage the adoption of recycled materials in manufacturing processes.
Invest in Research and Development: To stay at the forefront of plastic recycling technologies, DCM should invest in research and development initiatives focused on improving recycling efficiency and finding innovative solutions for challenging aspects like sorting and contamination.
Explore International Partnerships: DCM can learn from countries with successful plastic recycling programs by exploring international partnerships. Sharing best practices, knowledge, and experiences can help accelerate the implementation of effective plastic recycling strategies.
Support Local Markets for Recycled Plastic: To ensure a sustainable market for recycled plastics, DCM should incentivize local consumption of recycled products through awareness campaigns, tax incentives, or preferential procurement policies.
In conclusion, investing in plastic recycling infrastructure can bring numerous benefits to the country of DCM, including conservation of natural resources, energy savings, waste reduction, job creation, and promotion of a circular economy. However, it is crucial to consider the associated costs and challenges such as collection and sorting costs, contamination issues, transportation infrastructure, technological advancements, and market demand for recycled plastics. By following the recommendations provided above, DCM can enhance its plastic recycling efforts and achieve its sustainability goals effectively.
