Category: Keoni’s Portfolio 2021-2022 HS

Keoni Buenavista
Date: 05/12/2022

Prompt: Many individuals support a cause such as addressing environmental or social issues. What is a cause that you support and why?

The issue that I support is fighting water scarcity across the world. Ecosystems and world populations have struggled with water scarcity at some level and this has had a large effect on the quality of life of individuals in many countries, in addition to wildlife living in areas affected by water scarcity in the world. Generally, water scarcity in recent years has been due to the disparity between the supply and demand of water. According to information from the International Resource Panel of the United Nations, it states that governments in many regions of the world have had large investments in temporary solutions to water scarcity that have shown to be largely inefficient over time. Current examples of these inefficient investment projects in water relate to dams, aqueducts, canals, water reservoirs, and pipelines. These projects have been heavily utilized by many countries and none of them have shown to be an economically viable option or shown environmental sustainability.

To combat the issue of water scarcity, many suggest that rather than investing in temporary water projects that set aside or transport water for civilian use, is an investment in water management. Having better water management plans that span across all or most countries in the world will be able to carefully analyze the economic use, treatment, distribution, and return of water to the environment.

An issue that arises with attempting to establish better water management programs is the cooperation between countries. From a global perspective, water is insufficiently distributed across the planet, and this has caused certain places or regions to have more water than others. Additionally, multiple countries have issues regarding foreign relations with other countries, and cooperation between them is what is necessary for resolving regional water conflicts. Although it may currently not be a viable solution, in the future, easing foreign relations between countries with tension can help to resolve issues with water scarcity.

Further work that is being done to expand water resources to combat the water scarcity issue is through water treatment (desalination) and reclaimed water. Water recycling (or reclamation), is the process of converting wastewater from industrial or municipal areas into usable water through filtering. The process filters out the waste, bacteria, and other hazardous material from the water and separates it from the water itself. In terms of desalination, it is the process of taking water from large unfiltered sources of water such as saltwater from seas and oceans. The issue that arises from both of these methods of water cleaning is that it takes up a lot of energy, it produces waste through by-products, and it is costly. If further research is done to make these processes more efficient and cost-effective, then saltwater and wastewater recycling for human use would be a much more viable option, especially in areas of a high population.

The last option that I believe should be more emphasized and that has others putting effort towards solving the issue of water scarcity is water conservation. Efforts through water conservation have gone at the policy level among lawmakers, encouragement to conserve water through advertising, and products that have been made to use water efficiently (such as faucets, showerheads, etc.).

In Conclusion, I support the efforts made toward the water scarcity issue. Many areas of the world have the issue of not having enough freshwater to serve their general populations or ecosystem, which suffer as a result. I believe that through the investment in research to make water treatment facilities more efficient and cost-effective as well as conserving water and better managing water, the problem of water scarcity will become less prevalent across the world.

Keoni Buenavista
Date: 05/11/2022

Prompt: Is a higher form of taxation in the United States better or worse for the country? What effects will raise federal taxes to have on the economy? What can additional taxpayer money help to fund?

Taxation in the United States at a federal level affects sources of income from all individuals and businesses within the country. This form of tax is imposed on property, sales, income, dividends, estates, imports, and gifts. As of 2020, the U.S government in addition to its state and local governments’ total tax collection only represented about 25.5 percent of the nation’s GDP, showing below the 33.5 percent average of the OECD GDP. Even with the total tax collection amount being a lower percentage of the nation’s GDP compared to the OECD GDP, many still struggle with the amount of taxes. Given the fact that prices across all types of sectors in the economy are rising, such as in the restaurant industry, agriculture, and materials, increasing federal taxation would not be the best course of action.

One of the first outcomes that I see from increasing the federal tax rate is less spending or an overall lower GDP. If individuals (taxpaying) are given a higher taxation rate, they will have less to spend and therefore slowing businesses down and resulting in a slower economy. Also, private spending allows small businesses to better thrive, and with less private spending happening, some small businesses may have to close, resulting in less diverse markets, on a local, state, and national level.

From the decrease in private spending, the job market will also be affected. As more businesses (large and small) have higher taxes levied on them, it cuts the amount that they have to spend on employees, which also has an increased cost of labor, meaning there will be fewer jobs for unskilled and skilled labor. Additionally, this leads employers to increase costs on consumers, leading to even less private spending. The money that goes to the government from taxes would and could be used to help those in economically struggling demographics, but this is done less efficiently compared to allowing the general population to spend money to help benefit themselves and local businesses.

Generally, much of the money collected from taxpayers in the United States goes towards public schools, funding the military along with their operations, public services like the fire departments and police departments, paying the salary of government officials, and other forms of government spending. Generally, these things are quite beneficial for the general public in the U.S., but there needs to be a balance between the amount the government has to spend and the amount that private citizens and businesses have to spend. With not enough taxes to put towards government spending, public services and other governmental agencies will not have sufficient funding to operate. A similar effect happens when there is too much taxation to put towards government spending.

Overall in my belief, increasing federal taxes across the board is not very beneficial for society within the United States, especially with the rise of small businesses and entrepreneurship. Private spending should be more emphasized rather than government spending, as there are more economic benefits from doing so.

Keoni Buenavista
Date: 05/10/2022

Prompt: Which rights or protections guaranteed in the U.S. bill of rights are the most important and most applicable today?

Through reading the Bill of Rights, which are the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, I have seen which of those amendments are the most applicable and important today. Starting with the main function of these amendments and why they were added to the constitution; it helps to guarantee the personal rights and freedoms of citizens in the country. Along with the idea of ensuring rights and freedoms, the government is given limitations as to what it can do which also relates to the statute that the people are given the powers that have not been granted to the United States government.

Out of the ten amendments, one that stuck out to me as being the most important was the first amendment, which contains many clauses regarding protections. The text states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The main ideas that are discussed within the first amendment (going from first to last-mentioned) are the restriction of making a law that favors or respects an establishment of religion; freedom to exercise religion; freedom of speech; freedom of the press; freedom of assembly, and the ability to complain to the government on issues of concern. I believe this to be the most important because our society runs on communication, whether it be by word of mouth, by mail, the internet, or another form of communication. For people to work together, get their ideas across, or solve problems, we need to be able to have the right to express our ideas. The right to freedom of the press, exercising of religion, freedom of assembly, and the ability to petition for a government redress of grievances all reflect having the right to communicate or express one’s self in the United States.

Today, I have seen many applications for the first amendment. People all over the United States have and continue to express their opinions on certain topics of interest online, which is protected under the first amendment. Those that are also into the political space, are allowed to talk about the things that they like or do not like about the United States, with no penalty, as all US citizens are given the freedom of speech. Speech in certain contexts such as conspiring to commit a crime or serious offense is not protected under the first amendment. In terms of the other clauses, the freedom of the press is utilized heavily in the United States, especially with online media and influencers that choose to talk on a variety of different subjects or issues, especially issues that pertain to the United States politics.

The rights and protections that I see to be the most relevant and important today, it is contained within the fifth and sixth amendments. Looking at the fifth amendment, the text states, “The Fifth Amendment protects against double jeopardy and self-incrimination and guarantees the rights to due process, grand jury screening of criminal indictments, and compensation for the seizure of private property under eminent domain. The amendment was the basis for the court’s decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1966), which established that defendants must be informed of their rights to an attorney and against self-incrimination before interrogation by police.” In summary, the amendment has a few clauses that protect individuals from incriminating themselves in a court of law and from being charged for the same offense twice. Additionally, individuals are given the right to due process, compensation for having property seized or taken by the government for public use, and grand jury screening of criminal indictments.

Currently, while the fifth amendment isn’t discussed much in the media, it is still quite relevant in court cases. Whether it be in federal, state, or local courts, all individuals that are brought to trial are guaranteed the rights stated in the fifth amendment. Ever since the establishment of this amendment, individuals have been protected in court, and the same applies to the sixth amendment as well.

The sixth amendment in the United States Bill of Rights contains clauses that are similar to the fifth amendment in the sense that it is about court rights and protections. Here, in the amendment it has 6 clauses; the text of the amendment states: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.” Beginning with the first clause stated it is the right to a speedy and public trial meaning a trial that is protected from unnecessary delay and that is open to the public. Other clauses stated are the right to trial by an impartial jury, the right to confront witnesses, the right to a lawyer, the right to be informed of the criminal charges, and the right to compel witnesses to appear in court.

The last protection that is most relevant and important today is the second amendment. In today’s society, this amendment has been one of the most debated as it has to do with the right to keep and bear arms. It states “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Over the years, there have been a few supreme court decisions that have defined the meaning of the amendment and the restrictions that it has. For example, in the District of Columbia v. Heller case in 2008, the Court ruled that the Second Amendment “codified a pre-existing right” and that it also “protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home” but also stated that “..the right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose”. So with this, citizens are essentially given the right to bear arms but only for specific reasons or purposes, and in the right places.

Keoni Buenavista
Date: 05/10/2022

Prompt: Why is the Navy one of the most important branches of the military in the United States and other countries? What are its purpose and functions? Who has the most powerful navy in the world and how?

To protect a nation with a military presence, a Navy is necessary as it provides support to nations generally in the water (ocean, seas, lakes, etc.) to shield against naval and amphibious foreign attacks and make attacks. Over the years, with the advancement in technology, navy forces in most countries have been able to better protect their waters/territory, and have more power overall. Before technological advancements in weaponry and transportation, a navy was the most important factor that defined a world power.

Historically speaking, England in the mid-17th century became a major world power, mainly because of its navy. The reason why a navy is so important regarding military power at the time was that water was the fastest form of travel (by ship). Today, travel by water is still important in terms of transportation and defending a nation regarding a navy. Before the introduction of the cannon and ships with the capability to carry them, navy warfare mainly involved ramming and boarding actions to win battles.

With the most powerful navy in the world, it is currently the United States Navy. The US Navy has been able to do this by further developing its technologies, expanding its bases, and investing in its sailors who serve aboard its ships. Being able to train a large number of people and provide them with the necessary tools needed for carrying out naval duties has allowed the US navy to rank the highest among other nations. During and following World War II, the United States also demonstrated significant Naval power. In 1943, the US navy’s size was larger than the fleets of all the other fighting nations in World War II combined. By the end of WW II in 1945, the U.S. Navy added multiple new ships, including 18 aircraft carriers and 8 battleships, and had over 70 percent of the world’s total numbers and total tonnage (weight) of naval vessels of 1,000 tons or more.

Similar to what many nations have with the function of their naval fleets, the United States Navy’s mission statement says, “To recruit, train, equip, and organize to deliver combat-ready Naval forces to win conflicts and wars while maintaining security and deterrence through sustained forward presence.” Along with the interpretation of the U.S. navy mission statement, the navy essentially has 3 responsibilities. The first responsibility is preparing naval forces that are needed to engage in war. The second responsibility is to maintain naval property that is aviation-based, land-based aviation, and air transport. The third responsibility of the Navy is to develop naval military tactics, equipment, weapons, techniques, and service elements. All of these responsibilities help to ensure that this branch of the military is prepared even for the worst of disasters or wars.

Keoni Buenavista
Date: 5/10/2022

Prompt: Would you consider the United States government to be the best in the world? Why do you believe that? If not, what other government(s) have a better system? State and give reasoning behind your answer.

Given the comparison of how the United States government operates to other countries in the world, I would say that the U.S. government is the best in the world. I believe that this U.S. with its form of government is superior to other governments because of its structure and the idea of checks and balances that help to protect the rights of those citizens that live in the country. Simply put, the United States is unique and many consider it to be the best in terms of freedom, happiness, and stability. Other forms of government just do not give their citizens the same amount of types of freedoms and protections that U.S. citizens have like the right to free speech, the right to a fair trial, the right to keep and bear arms, etc.

Beginning with the different sectors that make up the entire government in the United States, it has 3 different branches which are: the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. All of the branches contained in this government are a representation of the idea of checks and balances where each branch checks and balances the power of each other, so no one branch gains too much political power. The executive branch and power (which resides with the US president) are responsible for the armed forces, the power to veto or approve bills into law, conducting foreign relations, and the power of diplomatic recognition. Aside from this, the executive branch does not hold any more significant powers like the making of laws or interpreting laws. These significant responsibilities are reserved only for the Judicial and Legislative Branches, which again helps to ensure the rights and protections of the people, and not allow the government to gain too much power.

The legislative branch, has the role of making laws that revolve around the U.S. Constitution. Congress or also known as the executive branch contains two bodies which are the House of Representatives and the Senate. Adding to the power related to making laws, Congress also has the power to tax citizens, spend federal money on behalf of the United States, print currency, and impeach both judicial and executive officials. Regarding the judicial branch, it has the responsibility of interpreting laws made by congress in cases that those laws affect.

In looking at other forms of government, none of them have the type of check and balance system as the US government. Also, the economic system that the US has in place has shown to be much stronger and more beneficial to the people when compared to other countries. The U.S. has a combined system of economy that takes principles from free market and command economies. Together this allows for citizens to have freedom in business and economic opportunity but they will also be protected under command economic principles (where the government has some control).

In terms of state governments, the federal government cannot overstep, and may only exercise the powers that they are given through the United States Constitution. Things that are not mentioned in the document are to be handled directly by state and local governments, which is why each state has different laws, regulations, and political ideals. The system of government that the United States has in place, supports diversity, and again in many instances allows for freedoms that are not guaranteed in other forms of government; thereby showing that it is the best government in the world.

Keoni Buenavista
Date: 05/08/2022

Prompt: Is the rampant production of Electric vehicles in the United States and across the world more beneficial or harmful to the environment/society?

In a world where the effort to have zero carbon emissions, electric vehicles are becoming much more common and are expected to replace ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles within the next few decades. Having an increased amount of production of electric vehicles across the U.S. and the world is perceived to be a really good thing for the public eye, but it does come with a few drawbacks. Companies that are producing these types of vehicles such as Tesla, Ford, and other car manufacturers have shown in recent years how expensive, time-consuming, and difficult these types of cars are to make. Additionally, mining or obtaining some of the materials used for EVs is unethical and dangerous for the environment.

The main reason behind the drawbacks that these auto manufacturers have when it comes to electric vehicle production, is cost. The costs of materials to make these vehicles and other vehicles in general currently is very expensive for the manufacturer. Many manufacturers have to outsource their materials such as batteries, electronic components, paint, tires, and other interior/exterior components. Major costs for production mainly come from the batteries and electronic components which have increased in price overall in recent times. Costs that are associated with production, when increased for the manufacturer, will usually go onto the consumer buying the car; currently, all-electric vehicles have come at a high price compared to their ICE counterparts which run on gasoline or diesel. In my opinion, having costs increased for people to buy vehicles can be harmful to society and restrict people from being able to enter the EV market.

Another reason that I believe shows that EVs have shown more harm to the environment and society rather than benefits is through the mining of many of the materials that go into EVs. To have an electric vehicle, the battery component is one of the most crucial parts. Currently, the battery technology used widely in these vehicles is Lithium-ion batteries which still have environmental and human rights issues. Regarding lithium’s effects on the environment, to manufacture lithium to where it can be utilized for batteries, a solvent is used which produced mining waste. This waste can be extremely hazardous to wildlife and marine life due to water pollution. The brine from mining lithium has been found to degrade ecosystems, cause water contamination, damage to landscapes, and respiratory issues in animals.

With the issue of human rights, lithium extraction companies in South American countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia (which are large producers of lithium) have been accused of not protecting the rights of indigenous peoples regarding free prior and informed consent. Under this, extraction companies are to consult indigenous tribes and receive consent before developing land or using the resources on the land that is sacred or important to a tribe’s population. Adding to this, there has been evidence that extraction companies have had control over the community’s access to information regarding the mining of lithium.

In conclusion, the production of Electric vehicles across the world is currently not the most beneficial for the environment. If companies and manufacturers can find a more efficient, clean, and ethical way to get materials, EVs would be a much better option. The battery and electronic components are quite expensive, and will only continue to do so if no new methods are created.

Keoni Buenavista
Date: 05/09/2022

Should smoking and the sale of tobacco or nicotine-related products be banned from the United States? Yes or No. State your opinion on this matter and give reasoning and/or examples to support your argument.

As a result of the multiple health-related risks due to tobacco and nicotine products, I think that the sale and recreation use should be prohibited in the United States. Currently within the regulations in the country, and state by state, there are smoking bans or smoke-free zoning laws that have restrictions on smoking in certain public or private places. Places that are most common to have a smoking ban in the country are indoor office buildings, workplaces retail stores, hospitals, restaurants, bards, libraries, government buildings, and other indoor facilities. Additionally, smoking has some restrictions in outdoor areas like beaches, parks, malls, and University campuses.

To successfully stop the use of smoking in the United States, there needs to be a ban on the product being produced. There are already many places that prohibit the use of tobacco products and other nicotine-related products as well. The main reason, in my opinion, that smoking restrictions need to be more heavily enforced is because of the health effects, even on those who don’t smoke, of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is essentially where an individual inhales tobacco smoke from another or others who are smoking and even though they are indirectly inhaling the smoke, they can still get diseases related to smoking. Some of the major smoking or tobacco-related diseases include heart disease, mouth cancer, lung disease, and other respiratory cancers or diseases.

Historically, the number of bans on smoking had a substantial increase during the late 20th century and the early 21st century because of studies that showed the health risks of using tobacco and nicotine-related products. When it comes to the health and quality of life of the public, smoking has been a major negative influence. Most establishments such as bars and restaurants have bans on smoking as it has been shown to improve the air quality and therefore allow customers to have a more enjoyable experience. To add to this, it also allows for a cleaner, more pleasant work environment, which can enable employees to work more efficiently compared to places that do not have smoking bans.

Regarding the specific studies that have found smoking to be harmful or that smoking bans are beneficial, a report by the Institute of Medicine in 2009 concluded that heart attacks ad coronary heart disease were reduced when smoking bans were further implemented. In addition, the report found that bans on smoking in public places were involved with a large reduction in heart attack incidences. Other countries, aside from the United States have also reported a cleaner environment and better public spaces when smoking-free laws have been established.

Now, despite what others may say about how restricting the sale or use o tobacco/nicotine-related products is a breach of freedoms in the United States, it is a health risk for the public. Others who do not want to use the product still may face health issues through second-hand smoking. I believe that these types of products have no benefit at all to the American public, and taking them away, would not have a tremendous impact on the economy.

Keoni Buenavista
Date: 05/08/2022

Prompt: Nuclear energy should be part of the solution to the problem of overconsumption of fossil fuels in America.

Out of the energy sources currently used in the United States, Nuclear energy is one of the most utilized. Nuclear power comes from Nuclear reactions to create electricity and this type of power is obtained by three different methods which include, nuclear decay, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion. Generally, generating electricity through fusion power is the focus of international research. Nuclear energy is a part of the solution to resolving the overconsumption of fossil fuels in the United States because it is safer compared to other energy sources, has no emissions, and is sustainable.

Historically, the first nuclear power plant or facility was constructed during the 1950s and has increased its electricity production capacity since then. During the first 10 to 20 years of nuclear power plants being utilized, they produced less than 100 GW of electricity. As technology improved, during the late 1970s, electricity production from nuclear plants grew to 100 GW and later onto 300 GW by the late 1980s to early 1990s. Disasters with nuclear power plants have raised controversy about their safety of them, and along with the high cost of construction, resulted in the global installed capacity only increasing to 390 GW by 2022. As of 2019, these nuclear power plants have made up about 10 percent (or 2,586 terawatt-hours worth of energy) of global electricity production. Currently, there are only 439 nuclear reactors for civilian electricity production use.

Nuclear power plants are thermal power stations that generate electricity by harnessing the thermal energy released from nuclear fission. A fission nuclear power plant is generally composed of a nuclear reactor, in which the nuclear reactions generating heat takes place; a cooling system, which removes the heat from inside the reactor; a steam turbine, which transforms the heat into mechanical energy; an electric generator, which transforms the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
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Despite some of the arguments against the use of Nuclear energy, nuclear power has one of the lowest levels of fatalities per unit of energy generated compared to other energy sources. Coal, petroleum, natural gas, and hydroelectricity each have caused more fatalities per unit of energy due to air pollution and accidents. Proponents say that nuclear power is a safe, sustainable energy source that reduces carbon emissions.

With being a low-carbon energy source with relatively little land-use requirements, nuclear energy can have a positive environmental impact. It also requires a constant supply of significant amounts of water and affects the environment through mining and milling. The risks that opponents of nuclear energy have often brought up relate to nuclear weapon technology and radioactive waste but these remain mostly only risks as historically there have only been a few disasters at nuclear power plants with known relatively substantial environmental impacts. In addition, nuclear power is one of the leading low carbon power generation methods of producing electricity, and in terms of total life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy generated, has emission values comparable to or lower than renewable energy. As of 2021, nuclear reactors worldwide have helped avoid the emission of 72 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide since 1970, compared to coal-fired electricity generation, according to a new report.

Keoni Buenavista
Date: 05/06/2022

Prompt: Describe the different aspects of the supply chain. What are its importances?

As a vital part of most countries in today’s society, the supply chain is a very important function. In order for individuals to purchase goods, the supply chain is utilized in most cases. The aspects that make the supply chain are producers, vendors, warehouses, transportation companies, retailers, and distribution. All of these parts that make up the supply chain have a specific purpose which helps to fulfill the demand by others for goods.

Producers are the first category in the supply chain and have the most important role. This role is actually making the goods to where they can either be distributed to consumers directly, manufactured into another type of good, or used in a certain type of service of some kind. An example of a producer would be a farm, which grows vegetables, and fruits, and/or raises animals. This producer makes the raw goods that are necessary to make other goods like food products which then go down the supply chain to reach the end consumer. Without this role in the supply chain, all of the other roles would be useless as they are all used in handling the goods that are made by producers.

The next category in the supply chain is vendors (or suppliers). Vendors are responsible for supplying distribution centers and/or manufacturers with the raw goods they need. These vendors need to be able to meet demand based on the materials and tools that they have. IF vendors are not able to meet demand, this can cause slowdowns in the supply chain and end with a much more expensive product for the end-user. Additionally, suppliers are often ranked in different categories because they serve different markets or demographics. Some of the suppliers tend to the needs of client businesses and others may be direct to consumers.

In relation to the next step in the supply chain, warehouses are another vital piece. Warehouses function as a server to customer markets; and use location-allocation, vehicle routing analysis, dynamic programming, and traditional logistics optimization to maximize the efficiency of distribution. Warehouses along with their logistics specialists make sure that the goods that are coming in to be stored or have been stored for some time, will go where they need to go when they are needed there. The process to do this takes complex planning of routes (for trucks) and taking into account other variables such as weather, vehicle efficiency, etc.

From the warehouses, the items that get to consumers or the companies that sell the products are transported by distribution centers and transportation companies. Both of these factors in the supply chain process work together synonymously to properly distribute a good among retailers or other companies, or direct to consumers. An example of this would be with shipping containers or truck drivers. In this example, with the planning done by warehouse logistics specialists, these individuals or groups need to be able to carry out the plans to remain on schedule and remain efficient with fuel, time, and other resources.

The last category in the supply chain is retailers. Retailers are responsible for the selling of the goods that were produced by manufacturers to the consumers. Along with this function, they also coordinate with distribution sellers and suppliers to get products that they need to sell, to meet consumer demand/ needs.

Keoni Buenavista
05/05/2022

Prompt: Should cryptocurrencies be encouraged or banned by governments? What are the pros and cons of it? What are cryptocurrencies?

Starting in 1983, a man named David Chaum introduced the first iteration of cryptocurrency as we know it today and was given the name “ecash”. Cryptocurrency or also called crypto is a type of currency that is digitized and made to function as a way of exchanging goods and services through a computer network. Unlike many other forms of payment today such as debit, credit, or cash, crypto has no reliance on any type of central authority like a bank or government as its foundation. To store records of transactions between users of the cryptocurrency, a digital ledger is used which uses cryptography as means of securing transactions and making them private to only those originally involved in the transaction(s). Additionally, the digital ledger functions as a means of controlling the creation of additional coins or tokens within that particular cryptocurrency and in the verification of the transfer of cryptocurrency to ensure that it goes to the right users.

With an understanding of what cryptocurrencies are and their basic functions, should governments put heavy restrictions on them or not? In my belief, I think cryptocurrencies should be regulated if not banned by governments. My concern with cryptocurrency arises from the possibility of breaches of laws such as tax evasion or money laundering. Currently, networks for cryptocurrencies have lacked much regulation and with the anonymity of crypto, individuals can have transactions of items or services without their identity being discovered, even by the government, which may be a large national security issue. As a result of these transactions occurring through the use and exchange of these this type of currency, which is independent of traditional banking systems, individuals are able to have a much simpler means of evading taxes.

Along with the impact that crypto has on national security, it also has an effect on the Environment. In order to verify transactions with cryptocurrencies, there are miners who essentially make sure that the transactions between individuals or groups are handled and correct. For Proof of Work, cryptocurrencies usually require large amounts of electricity for these computations which have largely affected the environment. The two largest impacts that crypto has on the environment pertaining to its carbon footprint, and electronic waste. Starting with its carbon footprint, mining cryptocurrencies produces carbon emissions which is mainly due to the efficiency of the specific cryptocurrency networks. For transactions, Bitcoin has shown to be the least efficient per transaction using over 700 kilowatt-hours while the most efficient is XRP with only uses 0.0079 kilowatt-hours of electricity for every transaction. With regard to electronic waste, as hardware used to mine crypto improves faster and faster, older generations of hardware become the result.

My last reason why governments should put restrictions and/or protections on crypto networks is because of the current limitations of technology. To access funds from transactions in cryptocurrencies, it requires private keys. These private keys can be lost permanently due to loss of data, malware on local storage, or destruction of the storage containing those digital private keys. In addition, as cryptocurrencies expand, miners will be faced with high upfront costs in terms o hardware and software that will be specialized to handle higher demand and other computing tasks in relation to cryptocurrencies.

In Conclusion, while crypto is a capable and interesting type of currency, it still has some dangers. Those dangers impact national security and the environment, and it has limitations that could harm others if they happen to lose private keys to their currency (as in no backing from the government). If governments put limitations and/or protections on users of crypto, then it might be a much safer and more reliable type of currency.