Your job is to use the internet to research the whole and complete story of DDT in the US and the rest of the world. You will find the most information on the U.S.. But details like DDT is still being used in places like Africa is out there. Why is DDT still being used there? That’s a good thing for you to figure out and will be the topic of our first forum.
What do I want? Everything. To help with that, make sure you speak directly to: What is DDT? What was it used for? How was it applied? Where was it applied? What are the effects on mammals? What are the effects on insects? What are the effects on fish and birds? What happened to DDT once it was in the environment? How did we notice its effect on the environment? What did we do about it?
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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.
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Sample Answer
The Rise and Fall of DDT: A Comprehensive Analysis
Introduction
DDT, or Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane, is a synthetic pesticide that gained widespread use in the mid-20th century. Initially celebrated for its effectiveness in combating insect-borne diseases and increasing agricultural productivity, DDT’s negative impacts on the environment and human health eventually led to its ban in many countries. This essay aims to provide a complete overview of the story of DDT, including its uses, application methods, environmental effects on mammals, insects, fish, and birds, its persistence in the environment, how its environmental impact was noticed, and the subsequent actions taken.
What is DDT and What was it Used for?
DDT is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless organochlorine compound. It was first synthesized in 1874 but gained popularity as an insecticide in the 1940s. DDT’s main use was to control disease-carrying insects, particularly mosquitoes responsible for spreading malaria, typhus, and other diseases. It was also extensively employed in agriculture to combat crop pests and increase crop yields.
How was DDT Applied and Where?
DDT was primarily applied through aerial spraying or ground-based methods. In aerial spraying, planes or helicopters dispersed fine droplets of DDT over vast areas, targeting mosquito breeding sites or agricultural fields. Ground-based applications involved using hand sprayers or equipment mounted on vehicles to apply DDT directly to crops or other areas requiring insect control.
DDT was used globally, with significant applications in countries like the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its use was especially prevalent in regions battling malaria, such as sub-Saharan Africa.
Effects on Mammals
DDT’s effects on mammals have been a subject of concern. While it is relatively low in toxicity to mammals, long-term exposure to high concentrations can still result in health issues. Studies have linked DDT exposure to reproductive problems, developmental disorders, and potential carcinogenic effects in humans and wildlife.
Effects on Insects
DDT’s effectiveness against insects was one of its primary attributes. It disrupted the nervous systems of insects, leading to their paralysis and death. However, prolonged exposure to DDT resulted in the emergence of resistant insect populations, reducing its efficacy over time.
Effects on Fish and Birds
DDT’s impact on fish and birds was particularly devastating. When DDT entered water bodies through runoff or direct application, it accumulated in aquatic organisms like fish. Birds higher up the food chain then consumed contaminated fish, resulting in thinning eggshells and reproductive failures. This phenomenon was especially evident in birds of prey like eagles and falcons, endangering their populations.
Persistence in the Environment
One crucial characteristic of DDT is its persistence in the environment. It breaks down very slowly and can persist for years or even decades after application. This persistence led to bioaccumulation, where DDT concentrations increased as it moved up the food chain.
Noticing Environmental Effects and Actions Taken
The environmental impact of DDT gained attention through Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking book “Silent Spring” in 1962. Carson highlighted the detrimental effects of DDT on wildlife and ecosystems, raising public awareness and triggering a global environmental movement.
In response to growing concerns, the United States banned most uses of DDT in 1972 under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many other countries followed suit or severely restricted its use. However, some nations in Africa continue to use DDT for malaria control due to its proven effectiveness against mosquitoes and limited alternatives.
Conclusion
The story of DDT encompasses its initial acclaim for its effectiveness in disease control and agriculture, followed by mounting evidence of its harmful effects on the environment and human health. DDT’s persistence, bioaccumulation, and impacts on wildlife led to widespread bans and restrictions worldwide. Although some regions still employ DDT for malaria control due to limited alternatives, efforts are ongoing to find safer and more sustainable solutions. The rise and fall of DDT serve as a cautionary tale of the unintended consequences that can arise from the indiscriminate use of chemicals without fully understanding their long-term environmental impacts.
