Air pollutions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Air pollutions - Essay Example Firstly, one cannot begin to consider the question of whether establishing a train system would benefit the greater good without coming to a broad understanding of the fact that trains are inherently more efficient means of transportation than cars. For instance, a train is capable of moving multiple tons of cargo or passengers for the equivalent of 1 gallon of fuel; conversely a car, even at the most efficient level, requires at least one gallon to move 1 person more than 25-40 miles. Given this efficiency based argument, it comes to the central question of why trains are not utilized as a means of both saving money and the environment. The first reason for this is of course the issue of cost. It has been estimated that building a train system across the United States that would mirror train systems in Japan, Europe, or other developed regions around the world would cost trillions of dollars (High Speed Rail Overview 99). Such a program could of course be started under the logic tha t like Eisenhower’s Interstate program, the economic benefits would ultimately be repaid to the government over time due to economic gains of more rapid and cheaper transportation; however, the fact remains that the initial price tag associated with such an endeavor is so staggering that few if any politicians are willing to take up such a cause during one of the most trying and difficult economic times within the nation’s history (Boyd 38). Moreover, another factor that ties directly into the issue of cost is the level of debt that such a project would necessarily entail. As such, due to the hesitancy of the political leaders and many of the citizens to add on to an already monumental national deficit, no such project has been suggested. A secondary issue that is keeping the train from being further developed within the United States has to do with the unique culture that has seen the car become a type of iconic American symbol of freedom. Seeking to categorize this l evel of iconoclasm would be futile in such a brief work; however, suffice it to say that the car itself has become intrinsically tied to the American understanding and expression of individualism and freedom. In such a way, being a passenger on a train diminishes this feeling of individualism as everyone on the train arrives at the given destination at the same time and via the same means (Frohardt 339). Although this can of course be seen as a bit of an over simplification, it is doubtful that such a cultural understanding of freedom and transportation is likely to change within our lifetime. Although the implementation a rail system within the United States and throughout much of the rest of the world would doubtless save tens of billions of gallons/liters of fossil fuels from being burned and sent into the atmosphere in the form of carbon, the fact of the matter is that many nations are unlikely to develop these resources due to a fundamental lack of available cash with which to do so. More importantly, as one looks at the examples of modern train systems that function efficiently and hold these up as an example, one fundamental fact is noticed concerning them; the fact that each and every one of these nations or regions has shared a

Reasons for a Softening Insurance Market Assignment - 1

Reasons for a Softening Insurance Market - Assignment Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that soft market conditions are likely to develop during periods of relatively low claim severity and frequency following hard market periods with opposite claim circumstances and re-insurers can command higher premium rates. During a soft market, a primary insurer such as Margin has more negotiating power in dealing with re-insurers than in a hard market. They can take advantage of this power by !) negotiating a premium reduction. 2) reduce their retention without an increase in cost or 3) obtain an increase in reinsurance covers at the same cost. Of the 3 alternatives, unless Margin feels they are already very well protected from catastrophic loss, option 1 should be the least favored one. Option 2 which I assume means keeping the same type of reinsurance but reducing their retention, I submit would be preferable because it would protect them better in case claims are more frequent and/or severe than anticipated. Option 3 I assume means con sidering also different types of reinsurance providing greater protection for the same cost. If so I think Margin should investigate this option. If they don’t already have stop-loss coverage for example perhaps this should be considered. As it protects their premium income if this can be obtained without additional cost. The bottom line for Margin is first of all for them to asses in a relatively worst-case scenario the number of claim costs it can safely bear without possibly going bankrupt, and then to consider the best type of reinsurance available for their portfolio, and cede beyond their retention to re-insurers at the lowest possible cost consistent with re-insurers’ good claim payment reputation and viability.