Brisbane- Complex Mind Map

Flooding of Brisbane- 10 facts you should know

Floodwaters washed through Australia’s third largest city rising up just shy of record levels, submerging entire neighbourhoods.

Thousands of homeowners have been informed that their houses will be permanently uninhabitable

In some areas, water reached the rooftops, shut sown roads and power, highways and railroads haves been washed away, and entire communities have been devastated.

This flood is the third in sequence since late November, 2010 and has killed 25 people.

Brisbane’s mayor, Campbell Newman, announced to the media that 11 900 homes and 2 500 businesses have been completely submerged.

This flood has left an area the size of France and Germany combined underwater.

Damage repair is expected to be and early estimate of $5 billion, American

Australian search & rescue are looking for approximately 60 people; death toll is expected to rise.

The series of floods are a result of a weather phenomenon; La Nina à La Nina occurs when the temperature of the eastern Pacific is cooler than usual, but the temperature of the western Pacific is warmer than usual. This makes the winds stronger, allowing them to pull persistent rain clouds across the coastline.

Another cause of the Brisbane flood is the Wivenhoe Dam. The dam was so full that Mayor Newman arranged for a controlled low-ground flooding. However, in accompaniment with the unusual weather conditions this act had far more drastic effect.

Flooding of Brisbane- Controversial Chart

How did this issue start?	How should it be resolved?
The flooding of Brisbane, Australia was inevitable according to the extreme weather conditions and the La Nina storm; but was worsened when Mayor Campbell Newman initiated the opening of the Wivenhoe Dam. The combination of the Wivenhoe Dam and La Nina overflowed Brisbane   The Wivenhoe Dam was not released regularly enough & by November 2011 it was necessary	A new municipal government should be installed Pollution should be controlled to avoid extreme & unpredictable weather conditions The Wivenhoe Dam should be monitored and release more frequently to avoid the necessity for mass flooding

Flooding of Brisbane- Interrelated Chart

Environmental	Political	Social & Cultural	Economic
Flood devastate entire cities Resources are depleted Chemicals that seep into the water transfer into the soil The primary industry goes under Weather conditions prevail, making the damage worseà extreme weather is a result of pollution and global warming Heritage sites & reserves are washed away	Citizens blame the municipal government Political buildings & monuments are ruinedà citizens may lose faith in the governments intentions	Citizens emigrate, loss of culture Media alerts other countries that Australia is in need- welfare à destroys reputation Religious buildings are washed awayàpeople are discouraged Brisbane is a famous tourist destination and a capital city, many crucial businesses and attractions are lost	Population falls- emigration & death Imports are increased but exports are decreased Economy goes into debt Overpopulation of surrounding cities (Brisbane citizens need to find a new home) Unemployment rates increase

My Opinion

In my opinion the flooding of Brisbane, Australia does not weigh solely on the unfortunate weather conditions; but equally on the shoulders of the Australian government. Under the leadership of Mayor Campbell Newman, the Wivenhoe Dam was ordered opened in order to release some of the excess water. This minor flooding was to be controlled and harmless to the city. However, the government acted on moment’s notice and did not take into consideration the element of extreme weather. The dam was opened on the same day that the La Nina storm took course; the combination of the two had dire effects. The flow of water from the dam was uncontrollable under the phenomenal weather conditions and they overflowed the entire city. The Australian government plays a huge role in the devastation of Brisbane, and will continue to do so if the people don’t fight for a change. I feel that the citizens should have a left-wing approach to this event in spite of the commonwealth government. They should realize that they have been exploited and deserve a government that will work for their best interests. Putting Australia on the track of a more effective government will show that the people take interest in their well-being and the development of their country; it will also legitimize their arguments for progressivism and to eliminate high levels of inequality. Australians should empower a leader whom will show compassion and act progressively, not destructively.

Flooding of Brisbane, Australia

Revolts in Egypt- My Opinion

In regards to the uprisings and revolt in Egypt I have a very left-wing opinion. There are times when the government needs to step down to make room for society’s influence, and there are times when the government must intervene; the revolts in Egypt are not in that second timeframe. I feel strongly that president Hosni Mubarak should renounce his power and empower the citizens with the right to vote in a democracy. I believe that a shift in government systems from a republic to a democracy is owed to these people as a repayment for all that they have lost during the protests. The Egyptians have lost large sums of money, and some have lost loved ones as a result of military infliction in the protests. I feel that it is time for Mubarak to realize the power of the people and reduce the influence of his government, on that note the government should be reorganized all together. Although Hosni Mubarak did delegate much of his power to the vice president Omar Suleiman, he stated that he will still be ruling nominally. He also stated that he would retire this September and die in Egypt, rather than face exile; much to the distain of his people. These acts, however small, add up and have a great effect on the Egyptians. If Hosni Mubarak continues to counter the protests they will inevitably multiply in size and in frequency until he turns the situation in a beneficial direction. Mubarak is nothing short of obligated to make a change, and quench his peoples desires; they deserve much more than they are being given, and their attempts to gain back what they lost are justified. Mubarak is not above the law, and should be punished for his crimes against the Egyptian society. Or at the very least he should start to act like a decent human being, and do the noble thing for his country; whether it be to repay the people, or to step down from the presidential status.

Revolt in Egypt- Summary

30 years running President Hosni Mubarak has been discovered to have stolen over $40 billion of the Egyptian citizen’s tax dollars, as of February 2011.

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Tahrir Square in the heart of the capital late on February 10^th, expecting to hear Hosni Mubarak step down. Instead he delegated presidential power to vice president Omar Suleiman, the vice president.

The military has grown in size, and has deployed large numbers of troops and tanks around Tahrir Square. The armed forces control the massive crowds of protesters with tear gas, beatings, and public slaughter.

In the middle of Tahrir Square, thousands of citizens gathered to cheer on two individuals as they tore down a massive portrait of Hosni Mubarak

This same large portrait was used in other parts of Egypt in the same protest, like Alexandria

As part of this protest, as well as several of the others, the Egyptians chant “down, down, down.” à estimated to be regarding Mubarak

This group of people also threw a huge festival celebration this week, when Mubarak stepped down; complete with fireworks, costume, and dancing

These demonstrations have been aired and broadcasted live to many neighbouring countries, and has caused uprisings all over the Arab world.

In a prior demonstration, the people stood up to the opposing army and said “The choice is now, the regime or the people.”  à in this protest, the army is not present

"Me, myself, I'm ready to die. We must end this horrible situation we are living in. This injustice must be ended, even if he kills all of us."  Ahmed Ramdan (protester) à this comment, broadcasted on live news feed, proves that the Egyptians will not rest until they have accomplished beneficial change for themselves.  

Controversial Mind Map- Cairo, Egypt

How did this issue start?

How should it be resolved?

Uprisings began when it was revealed to the public that Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, had spent 30 years stealing from the citizens tax dollars Mubarak has accumulated over $40 billion , which he stored in multiple foreign banks Mubarak renounced some of his power to the vice president The government mobilized the army, and targeted the crowds

Hosni Mubarak should return the money to the citizens of Egypt, or use it to invest in something useful to the community Or Mubarak should resign as president The citizens should overthrow the government, or show their true feelings Peaceful uprising is not enough Mubarak should withdraw the forces Mubarak should demonstrate his leadership skills and listen to his people, the rightful owners of his fortune

Interrelated Mind Map- Cairo, Egypt

Environmental	Political	Social & Cultural	Economic
Mass gatherings create waste in the streets Destruction of environment in riot areas Depletion of natural resources to rebuild destroyed buildings, etc. Depletion of resources used for munitions used by the army	Power shift Change in strength of government Government shifts from a republic to a dictatorship as a desperate measure Mobilize the Egyptian military forces Refuse democracy	Halt cultural development due to daily activity Uprising brings society together, recognizes all social classes Religion is unaffected Egyptian people stand as one Lose faith for the government	Taxes are not paid Reparations are due for damage Population decreases- public slaughter Black market thrives- hate for the government peaks illegal products (no taxes)

Revolt in Egypt

Cairo, Egypt Complex Mind Map

Map of Cairo, Egypt