Ethics in International Business free essay sample

Ethics in International Business Introduction †¢ Business ethics are the accepted principles of right or wrong governing the conduct of business people †¢ An ethical strategy is a strategy or course of action that does not violate these accepted principles Ethical Issues in International Business †¢ Many of the ethical issues and dilemmas in international business are rooted in the fact that political systems, law, economic development, and culture vary significantly from nation to nation †¢ In the international business setting, the most common ethical issues involve Employment practices Human rights Environmental regulations Corruption Moral obligation of multinational corporations Employment Practices †¢ Ethical issues associated with employment practices abroad include When work conditions in a host nation are clearly inferior to those in a multinational’s home nation, what standards should be applied? While few would suggest that pay and work conditions should be the same across nations, how much divergence is acceptable? Human Rights Questions of human rights can arise in international business because basic human rights still are not respected in many nations Rights that we take for granted in developed nations, such as freedom of association, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of movement, and freedom from political repression are by no means universally accepted †¢ The question that must be asked of firms operating internationally is: ‘What is the responsibility of a foreign multinational when operating in a country where basic human rights are trampled on? ’ Environmental Pollution Ethical issues arise when environmental regulations in host nations are far inferior to those in the home nation Developing nations often lack environmental regulations, and according to critics, the result can be higher levels of pollution from the operations of multinationals than would be allowed at home †¢ Environmental questions take on added importance because some parts of the environment are a public good that no one owns, but anyone can despoil The tragedy of the commons occurs when a resource held in common by all, but owned by no one, is overused by individuals, resulting in its degradation Corruption †¢ Corruption has been a problem in almost every society in history, and it continues to be one today †¢ International businesses can, and have, gained economic advantages by making payments to government officials †¢ The United States passed the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to fight corruption Outlawed the paying of bribes to foreign government officials to gain business †¢ In 1997, the trade and finance ministers from the member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) followed the U. We will write a custom essay sample on Ethics in International Business or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page S. lead and adopted the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. Obliges member states to make the bribery of foreign public officials a criminal offense Moral Obligations Multinational corporations have power that comes from their control over resources and their ability to move production from country to country †¢ Moral philosophers argue that with power comes the social responsibility for corporations to give something back to the societies that enable them to prosper and grow Social responsibility refers to the idea that businesspeople should consider the social consequences of economic actions when making business decisions Advocates of this approach argue that businesses need to recognize their noblesse oblige (benevolent behavior that is the responsibility of successful enterprises) Ethical Dilemmas †¢ Managers must confront very real ethical dilemmas. The ethical obligations of a multinational corporation toward employment conditions, human rights, corruption, environmental pollution, and the use of power are not always clear cut Ethical dilemmas are situations in which none of the available alternatives seems ethically acceptable The Roots of Unethical Behavior Why do managers behave in a manner that is unethical? Business ethics are not divorced from personal ethics Businesspeople sometimes do not realize they are behaving unethical because they fail to ask if the decision is ethical. The climate in some businesses does not encourage people to think through the ethical consequences of business decisions Pressure from the parent company to meet unrealistic performance goals that can be attained only by cutting corners or acting in an unethical manner Leaders help to establish the culture of an organization and they set the example that others follow Philosophical Approaches to Ethics: Straw Man Straw man approaches to business ethics are raised by business ethics scholars primarily to demonstrate that they offer inappropriate guidelines for ethical decision making in a multinational enterprise The Friedman Doctrine states that the only social responsibility of business is to increase profits, so long as the company stays within the rules of law. Cultural Relativism believes that ethics are nothing more than the reflection of a culture (‘When in Rome, do as the Romans’) †¢ The Righteous Moralist claims that a multinational’s home-country standards of ethics are the appropriate ones in all countries †¢ The Naive Immoralist asserts that if a manager sees that firms from other nations are not following ethical norms in a host country then they should not either Philosophical Approaches to Ethics.

Preparing for a layoff 7 steps you need to take

Preparing for a layoff 7 steps you need to take Sometimes you see the warning signs coming- you got a bad performance review, or your coworkers are being laid off left and right. Whether it’s the business itself showing signs of budget cuts or just a gut feeling you have, if you’re worried that a layoff is coming your way, now is a smart time to get financially prepared for when you need a cushion to fall back on. 7 steps to preparing yourself for a job lossSpend time job-browsing each weekKnowing what companies are hiring and what opportunities are available now can help you later on down the road. It takes about three to six months to find a new job after a layoff, but if you start researching your next best job now, you can get closer to the three-month mark or even beat it.The better prepared you are for finding your next job, the better your financial situation will be. Keeping an eye out for openings of a company you’d love to work for will help you get in the right routine before the pressure is on. Eve n searching potential part-time opportunities to help keep you afloat as you find a full-time position could be an excellent option. And if your company has any networking events, take advantage! Get started on making a connection now so you don’t have to worry later.Budget nowFor some, it’s enough to make ends meet with steady employment. If you don’t like spreadsheets or math, or spending time on your budget, get over that quick. Being aware of how you spend your money can be eye-opening, and simple changes can help you stretch your dollars.  Analyzing your spending habits and challenging yourself to spend less- whether it’s eating out less or making your own coffee at home rather than buying on the way to work- can help you prepare for a job loss so you are aware of the amount you need to cover the essentials.Start an emergency fund (if you don’t already have one)Your finances should be more than a matter of simply paying your bills on time- u ltimately, you want to be able to save for the future. But not everyone is in that position yet. Even if you live paycheck to paycheck, try to pay into an emergency fund a little each week, like it’s a bill you owe to your future self. Future you, suddenly caught without a functioning hot water heater, will thank you.Get what benefits you can nowDoes your current job offer dental coverage? Go see the dentist now before you’re hit with a layoff. Same goes with your primary physician. Get a routine physical done before you potentially lose those benefits. Many jobs also offer career advancement opportunities, or other perks like a Health Savings Account or 401K matching. Figure out how you can get the most out of these opportunities now. If your company offers severance pay, calculate that into your budget to see if it will be enough to keep you afloat for several months.Build a new revenue streamAssess your skills, and explore opportunities for side gigs. Some ideas are freelancing, being an Uber driver, or bartending, but there are many ways to make extra cash each week beyond your current job- even if you simply want to sell stuff you no longer need on eBay. Finding small ways to earn extra cash will help you save more, and if you do get laid off, you will have another source of revenue to fall back on- and another opportunity to build upon.Target your debtBeing in debt means you’re paying more for something than you should because you’re paying interest over time. Many people have crushing student loan debt, credit card debt, or mortgage payments to make each month that can be hard to tackle when you’re laid off. There are temporary fixes, like deferments for student loans or transferring credit card debt to zero interest cards, but ultimately you need to make a plan to pay it off. Even consider looking at refinancing or discussing potential payment reduction plans with lenders- because the longer you delay actually paying, the more you end up owing over time.Research unemployment benefitsUnemployment benefits will differ by state and by job and can be difficult to navigate, especially while you feel the emotional and financial effects of job loss. Learning the rules a little before you’re hit with a layoff can help you prepare. Even simply figuring out what amount of money you’ll receive can help you target the budget you’ll need to stick to as you search for your next job opportunity.

Discussion Forum #5 envm 510 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discussion Forum #5 envm 510 - Essay Example Screening is usually taken to be a special form of secondary prevention, which has the aim of detecting diseases or health complications in pre-symptomatic individuals in order to administer effective treatment of the realized diseases and health complication (Hackshaw 2012). At the same time, it can also be a form of primary prevention, here, it is administered with the objective of identifying risk factors or carrier status in individuals. Despite the perceived benefits of screening, many people still fail to take up the exercise for various reasons. This has led to the continued problem of screeningities among other health problems that would otherwise have been detected and prevented. One of the reasons why many people are still hesitant in taking screening relates to the fact that the effectiveness of screening largely relies on the principle of self-disclosure. In this understanding, even the use of quality and reliable instruments administered under optimal circumstances can only produce information to the degree that the individual involved gives honest information. In this case, people feel that going for medical screening is not sufficient in detecting any medical complications in the body so that effective treatment and intervention mechanisms can be administered. Secondly, denial is often assumed to be an important characteristic of substance use denial, in this case, it is hard for individuals and families to comprehend effectively and acknowledge that their patterns of substance abuse is an actual representation of substance abuse or addiction. At the same time, some people do not prefer the option of screening unless information got from the process is part of a continuum that is designed for identifying, assessing and treating certain diseases and medical complications. Public health officials have

Public administration-politics dichotomy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Public administration-politics dichotomy - Essay Example His intension was to protect administration from political interference. He further indicated that administrations and politics are two distinct disciplines. His main concern was the influence that politics had on administration (Wilson, 1887). He argued that the plans of the government are not administrative and so the two should be kept apart. He later realized that the two cannot be kept apart and embraced dichotomy and agreed that they should be used to improve policies. Public administration dichotomy means that public administrators should be involved in policy processes and politicians should also be involved in administrative processes (Wilson, 1966). Other authors of public administration like (Yang and Hozler, 2005) agreed that administration should be used to protect politics and democracy from its own excesses. Another public administration proponent of the separation of public administration and politics was Goodnow who was of the opinion that politics had a strong effec t on public administration. Separating politics and public administration has not been achievable and the debate to keep the two apart continues. However the reality is that they influence each other. According to (Overeem, 2005), the dichotomy between public administration and politics mean that public administrators be politically neutral. Public administration should be impartial and not get involved in politics and its controversies. The insistence on the separation of public administration and politics lays emphasis on specialization and order in policy making and government administration. Since public administration and politics cannot be kept apart, they can be dichotomized in five ways; there has to be a distinction between policy and management, extend it from the inner workings of the government to the political body, keeping administration from political control, call for

Who is winning the war on drugs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Who is winning the war on drugs - Essay Example United States has spent a lot of money on this war on drugs. It has cost the government billions of dollars yet this problem has not been solved. There are various ways in which problem of war on drugs affects many people in the world. The problem affects the people who use the drugs and also those whom their family members are addicted to the drugs. There are many ways that have been put in place to ensure that problem is solved. These methods will help in reducing the effects of drugs in the societies. War on drugs has been endorsed to ensure that drug abuse is eliminated but this war itself is becoming a problem in the society. The war is against the illegal drug trade that takes place in many countries. United States and other countries are supporting this campaign. This war on drugs has been there for the last 40 years but drug abuse has continued to kill many people. However, it is time to apply other techniques that can help to reduce drug abuse in the society (Roleff, 2004). Effects of drugs are experienced by many people, be it the users or those who do not use them. This is a problem that has been there in our societies for very long time. It has made it hard to win the war on drugs. This war on drugs has been made difficult due to the intensive use of the drugs in larger populations in the world. War on drugs has been experienced in many ways. The first people who experienced this war on drugs are those who are abusing drugs. These people experience the war in very hard ways. Most families have lost their treasured ones to prisons when they are got either selling or using the drugs. Many people have been jailed for many years since this war on drugs started. Most of the people who their family members have been imprisoned are against this war on drugs. Those who are got selling or doing drugs also have experienced the war on drugs in very harsh way (Inciardi, 2008). Some have been sentenced to lifetime imprisonment while

Evaluation of Housing Strategy in UK

Evaluation of Housing Strategy in UK New Deal for Communities Strategy Evaluation of the Kensington, Liverpool NDC Area Table of Contents (Jump to) New Deal for Communities (NDC) – Principles and Background Thumbnail of Kensington, Liverpool Funding for Kensington Selection of Areas for the NDC Project Success of the NDC in Kensington Conclusion Bibliography New Deal for Communities (NDC) – Principles and Background The Housing Green Paper, entitled ‘Quality and Choice: A Decent Home for All’ was produced by the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions in April 2000o. The paper identifies the 3 major challenges (p7) facing housing in England to be First, to improve the conditions and opportunities of the minority who face severe  problems, such as poor conditions in both public and private housing. Second, to tackle the more general problems faced by most people at some point in their  lives, such as the difficulties that can be encountered in selling and buying a home. Third, to do this without undermining the successful features of the current system,  which delivers decent housing to the majority of people. The aims and principles (p16) t address the above challenges are stated as ‘Our aim is to offer everyone the opportunity of a decent home and so promote social cohesion, well-being and self-dependence. This aim, and the reforms that we are pursuing, are under-pinned by eight key principles.’s key principles for housing policy †¢ Offering everyone opportunity, choice and a stake in their home, whether rented or owned. Ensuring an adequate supply of decent housing to meet needs. Giving responsibility to individuals to provide for their own homes where they can, providing help for those who cannot. Improving the quality and design of the housing stock, new housing and residential  environments, helping to achieve an urban renaissance and protecting the countryside. Delivering modern, efficient, secure, customer-focused public services and empowering individuals to influence them. Reducing barriers to work, particularly in relation to benefit and rent policy. Supporting vulnerable people and tackling all forms of social exclusion, including bad housing, homelessness, poverty, crime and poor health. Promoting sustainable development that supports thriving, balanced communities and a high quality of life in urban and rural areas. This paper tackles the broad issues of housing and provides a framework for government strategy going forward. The NDC, which focuses on the most deprived areas, has a wider brief within their region, as summarized by The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, ref http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/page.asp?id=617, ‘New Deal for Communities (NDC) is a key programme in the Governments strategy to tackle multiple deprivation in the most deprived neighborhoods in the country, giving some of our poorest communities the resources to tackle their problems in an intensive and co-coordinated way. The aim is to bridge the gap between these neighborhoods and the rest of England. All the NDC partnerships are tackling five key themes of: Poor job prospects High levels of crime Educational under-achievement Poor health Problems with housing and the physical environment. We want to see outcomes that will bring real benefit to people living in our most deprived neighborhoods. Approximately  £2bn has been committed to the 39 partnerships. The NDC partnerships are part of a holistic government approach to raising the livability of some of the England’s more deprived areas. The Neighborhood Renewal Unit (NRU) part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has responsibility for overseeing the Governments comprehensive neighborhood renewal strategy. A strategy that responds to local circumstances rather than directing everything from Whitehall. Under the framework of the NRU, the NDC are a key component within the long-term program that comprises: New Deal for Communities partnerships tackling the five key themes of: Poor job prospects High levels of crime Educational under-achievement Poor health Problems with housing and the physical environment. Neighborhood Management, working with local agencies to improve and link their services at a local neighborhood level. Neighborhood Wardens, providing a highly visible, uniformed, semi-official presence in residential and public areas, town centres and high-crime areas. They run a Skills and Knowledge programme, offering practical support to those at the front-line delivering neighborhood renewal. They also run programs focusing on the importance of business involvement in tackling disadvantage. The NRU encourages communities to play a central role in delivering neighborhood renewal through a  £96 million programme to develop a community participation infrastructure. Thumbnail of Kensington, Liverpool The report â€Å"Livability in NDC areas, Findings from Six Case Studies’ quotes from the Delivery Plans for NDC, as describes Kensington as an area where ‘the streets tend to be treeless and green leisure spaces very limited.. The harsh appearance of the urban environment is reinforced by the dereliction of underdeveloped waste land and the four busy roads that physically subdivide the NDC area into separate neighborhoods.’ The Independent Working Class Association website, http://www.iwca.info/cor/cor0011.htm has the following stark statistics on Kensington (April 2, 2004) Houses prices average  £45,000. 45 per cent of residents have no qualifications Unemployment rate is 8.3% Funding for Kensington http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/page.asp?id=618NDC Grant Approved Areas The following table shows that the funding for Kensington was the highest of all grants made in Round 1 Partnerships Selection of Areas for the NDC Project The Government Social Exclusion Unit studied and identified the huge gaps that separate the country’s most deprived neighborhoods and the rest. The Unit concluded in their report Neighbourhood Renewal, ‘there is deprivation everywhere, but there are four regions with particularly high concentrations: the North West, North East, London, and Yorkshire and Humberside. Nationally, 82% of the most deprived wards (as measured by the Indices of Deprivation) are in just 88 local authority districts. Success of the NDC in Kensington Technology In order to provide computers to Kensington residents, Kensington Regeneration, a charitable company was set up. In September 2000, Kensington Regeneration applied to Department of Education and Skills (DfES) for capital funding to provide up to 2,000 residents with an Internet capable recycled pc, printer and software. An ESF bid was developed and approved which supports the development of a variety of training interventions including first steps IT skills, CLAIT and ECDL along with bespoke events and courses identified through community consultation. There have been problems with management with led to the resignation of James Jones, the Anglican Bishop of Liverpool and the Chair of the Kensington NDC. On Dec 5 2003, The New Start magazine, http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/pond.html which had been campaigning for fair compensation for community representatives involved in regeration programs for 7 months, quoted the Right Reverend Jones as follows: ‘The minister fails to realize that community activity is work. It produces vital social capital that makes neighborhoods safer and healthier places. Without it, the state will spend even more money paying agencies to fight crime, poor health and low educational achievement. Unless the government addresses the issue of remunerating local people for community activity its policies of involving local people will prove empty rhetoric and leave out the very people they are meant to embrace.’ The situation was not resolved and the Guardian, The Guardian, reported on April 14th 2004 that the Right Reverent Jones was stepping down in their article ‘Divided and Spoilt’ ‘A critical report into a neighborhood renewal project has raised concerns over the future of the New Deal for Communities. The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Rev James Jones, who is stepping down as chairman of Liverpools Kensington NDC project, last week warned the government not to bypass residents in favor of imposed solutions. He is worried that ministers talk only about community involvement rather than community-led actions.’ The report , ‘Promoting Liveability: The Experience of NDC Partnerships, one of many reference documents to be found at http://www.renewal.net includes the following items of success and upgrading due to the partnership in Kensington Neighborhood warden schemes – In Liverpool, wardens work with the neighborhood police team and other organizations tackling crime and anti-social behavior. Pairs of wardens patrol a particular patch, getting to know residents, gathering intelligence, talking to young people and providing reassurance for vulnerable residents. Neighborhood improvement Liverpools NDC is working with the community to plan major renovations. In the neighborhood where this process is most advanced, a group of residents received training on aspects of urban design and worked with an architect to draw up a blueprint for local improvements. These changes are currently being implemented, and include new street lighting, traffic calming, restoring boundary walls and creating pocket parks. Residents in other neighborhoods are now involved in similar work. Environmental services Vandalism, graffiti, fly tipping and general neglect of open spaces in Liverpools NDC area are a highly visible sign of decline. Two Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) projects, one based elsewhere in the city and now an environmental task force focused on the area, has worked to clean up the neighborhood. In addition, the city councils environmental services department is attempting to tackle the areas problem with rats. Urban parks and open spaces Liverpools NDC is funding renovations to two parks that are just outside its boundaries but are nonetheless important leisure spaces for NDC residents. One of them, Wavertree Park, formerly held the citys botanic gardens, and the NDCs work includes the restoration of its remaining Victorian features. Community safety measures In Liverpool, the city council is gradually installing alley gates on lanes between houses, to prevent break-ins through rear doors and windows. The NDC injected its own funding to speed up the process in its area, and has offered free front door security upgrades to protect houses from the front too. On one estate in the area where cars have been vandalized and drug dealers have used waste ground, the NDC has worked with the police to draw up plans to design out crime. The waste ground is to be cleaned up and incorporated into the gardens of surrounding houses, and the car parking will move to the front of the houses to maximize opportunities for natural surveillance. Neighborhood management In Liverpools NDC area, the local social landlord and the NDC have jointly funded a neighborhood coordinator to integrate the various schemes working to enhance Liveability, minimize the impact of restructuring on residents, and manage the expectations of the community. One important task has been to ensure that mainstream resources are targeted effectively and that service providers do not use the regeneration funding as an excuse to reduce their commitment to the area. The report identifies that there are barriers to the effective promotion of the liveability agenda. They were summarized as Uncertainty over the meaning of liveability, which has not yet become part of the vocabulary of neighborhood regeneration. The frequent absence of a coherent strategic vision for environmental regeneration, with somewhat piecemeal intervention taking its place. And at the level of delivery as well as strategy, there is often insufficient coordination with other agencies such as local authorities. The http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk, has the following two negative reports on the NDC in the Kensington area. The article ‘Flaws hit 118m Mersey Revamp’ was published Sept 14, 2004. A  £118m Merseyside scheme to revive deprived areas has been dogged by mistrust and tensions with councils, Commons watchdogs say. A report out today reveals flaws in the operation of the New Deal for Communities programme which is spending  £2bn nationwide over 10 years. The inquiry by the all-party public accounts committee (PAC) found many schemes are undermined by the confusion of up to 50 competing initiatives. And the committee says too often the neighborhood renewal schemes successfully combat crime and disorder on their own patch, but export the problem neighboring areas. The report ‘New Deal is Failing’ was printed Oct 21, 2003 A FLAGSHIP government scheme to breathe new life into two struggling areas of Merseyside has so far failed to improve peoples lives, according to a new report. The study found that the New Deal for Communities had not yet made significant progress in cutting crime, creating jobs and boosting educational standards. And it warned that residents in Britains most deprived neighborhoods faced a 10-year wait before they would notice genuine signs of success. Now the study, by academics at Sheffield Hallam University, has concluded: Most partnerships have not yet made significant progress in achieving many of these outcomes. Some claim success but these should be treated with considerable caution at this early stage. Closing gaps between these deprived neighborhoods and the districts and regions within which they are located will simply take a long time. Ten years appears a realistic time horizon. In Liverpool, only 24pc of people who had heard of the initiative believed it had improved their area’ Conclusion The NDC is an ambitious undertaking and has suffered some setbacks as well as notable successes. The partnership requires community participation from residents who have lived in deprived areas for generations. As the NDC partnership develops flaws in administration, management and communication should be addressed and monitored. The long term view that it will take 10 years to show a significant success is not unreasonable considering the magnitude of the problems being tackled. There appears to be a need to communicate the small successes effectively within the community. Bibliography The Housing Green Paper ‘Quality and Choice. A decent home for All The way forward for Housing’ Produced by the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions (April 2000) The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk http://www.iwca.info/cor/cor0011.htm Independent Working Class Association website http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/pond.html The New Start magazine

Boarding Schools and Education :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚   For most people boarding schools conjure up thoughts of young men in navy blue blazers with white shirts and a tie going to a beautiful school with ivy covered walls and the game of polo being played in the distance.   Oh, and don't forget thoughts of parents with fat wallets and a family trust fund.   This is what Gordon Vink, the director of admissions at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, calls the "Holden Caufield-Catcher in the Rye syndrome"(Parker 111), a book about the troubles a boy faces at his prep boarding school.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To an extent the image holds true.   Prep schools offer collegiate type atmospheres, have strict rules, and often teach generations of students from the same families.   The simplest definition of a boarding school is a place that parents pay for a student to live and go to school.   The school's teachers, coaches, and administrators live in dormitories with boarders and act as their family enforcing the strict rules, making disciplinary decisions, and overseeing behavior and academic performance.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Boarding schools can be one or all of the following:   academic boot camp, a place for parents to put kids they don't want around or don't have the time for, a haven from deteriorating public schools, a necessary credential for children of the rich and famous, or a training ground for tomorrow's leaders. These schools range from small unknown institutions which will accept anyone, to the elite schools, which are very selective and are a pipeline to Ivy-league schools and success.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Boarding schools are superior to public day schools.   Proponents of boarding prep schools claim the schools offer unparalled discipline, a stronger curriculum, exellent facilities, a way to get in to better colleges, a superior learning environment, staggering extra-curricular options, and allow students to attain a higher level of performance.   Opponents argue that the astronomical cost, anywhere from $8000 to $25,000 per year for the most elite, is too expensive.   They also claim the rules are too extreme and suffocating, and that students experience an abundance of stress.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The biggest argument against boarding schools is cost.   With an average cost of $8000 to $25,000 (Topolnicki 100), many parents ask:   Are private boarding schools worth the expense?

Wildlife: Biodiversity and Net Deforestation Rates

Around the world, forests are being logged for timber and paper pulp and cleared to grow mono-crops like soy and palm oil while they are deteriorating from the impacts of global warming. Deforestation is a major driver of global warming, responsible for up to 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions–more than all the cars, trucks, planes, boats and trains in the world combined. Deforestation doesn’t just threaten our climate, it threatens the livelihoods of 1. 6 Billion people that rely on forests for food and economic activity.Forests also serve as habitats to rare and undiscovered animal and plant species and play a key role in providing water and preventing flooding and erosion. Ending deforestation and protecting forests will not only preserve biodiversity and defend the rights of forest communities, it is also one of the quickest and cost effective ways of curbing global warming. Greenpeace is campaigning for zero deforestation, globally, by 2020. Deforestati on,  clearance  or  clearing  is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use. 1]  Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use. About half of the world's original forests had been destroyed by 2011, the majority during the previous 50 years. [citation needed]  Since 1990 half of the world's  rain forests  have been destroyed. [citation needed]  More than half of the animal and plant species in the world live in tropical forests. [2] The term  deforestation  is often misused to describe any activity where all trees in an area are removed. not in citation given][neutrality  is  disputed]  However in  temperate climates, the  removal of all trees in an area[not in citation given]—in conformance with  sustainable forestry  practices—is correctly described as  regeneration harvest. [3]  In  temperate mesic climates, natural regener ation of forest stands often will not occur in the absence of disturbance, whether natural or anthropogenic. [4]  Furthermore, biodiversity after regeneration harvest often mimics that found after natural disturbance, including biodiversity loss after naturally occurring rainforest destruction. 5][6] Deforestation occurs for many reasons: trees are cut down to be used or sold as fuel (sometimes in the form of  charcoal) or timber, while cleared land is used as  pasture  for livestock, plantations of commodities and settlements. The removal of trees without sufficient  reforestation  has resulted in damage to  habitat,  biodiversity  loss and  aridity. It has adverse impacts on  biosequestration  of atmospheric  carbon dioxide. Deforestation has also been used in  war  to deprive an enemy of cover for its forces and also vital resources.A modern example of this was the use of  Agent Orangeby the United States military in Vietnam during the  Vietnam W ar. Deforested regions typically incur significant adverse  soil erosion  and frequently degrade into  wasteland. Disregard or ignorance of intrinsic value, lack of ascribed value, lax forest management and deficient environmental laws are some of the factors that allow deforestation to occur on a large scale. In many countries, deforestation, both naturally occurring and human induced, is an ongoing issue.Deforestation causes  extinction, changes to climatic conditions,  desertification, and displacement of populations as observed by current conditions and in the past through the fossil record. [5] Among countries with a per capita  GDP  of at least US$4,600, net deforestation rates have ceased to increase. [when? ][7][8] ————————————————- Causes According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat, the overwhelming dir ect cause of deforestation is agriculture.Subsistence farming  is responsible for 48% of deforestation;  commercial agriculture  is responsible for 32% of deforestation;  logging  is responsible for 14% of deforestation and fuel wood removals make up 5% of deforestation. [9] Experts do not agree on whether industrial logging is an important contributor to global deforestation. [10][11]  Some argue that poor people are more likely to clear forest because they have no alternatives, others that the poor lack the ability to pay for the materials and labour needed to clear forest. 10]  One study found that population increases due to high fertility rates were a primary driver of tropical deforestation in only 8% of cases. [12] Other causes of contemporary deforestation may include  corruption  of government institutions,[13][14]  the  inequitable  distribution of wealth and power,[15]  population growth[16]  andoverpopulation,[17][18]  and  urbanization. [ 19]  Globalization  is often viewed as another root cause of deforestation,[20][21]  though there are cases in which the impacts of globalization (new ? ws of labor, capital, commodities, and ideas) have promoted localized forest recovery. [22] The last batch of sawnwood from thepeat forest  in Indragiri Hulu, Sumatra,Indonesia. Deforestation for  oil palmplantation. In 2000 the United Nations  Food and Agriculture Organization  (FAO) found that â€Å"the role of population dynamics in a local setting may vary from decisive to negligible,† and that deforestation can result from â€Å"a combination of population pressure and stagnating economic, social and technological conditions. [16] The degradation of forest ecosystems has also been traced to economic incentives that make forest conversion appear more profitable than forest conservation. [23]  Many important forest functions have no markets, and hence, no economic value that is readily apparent to the fore sts' owners or the communities that rely on forests for their well-being. [23]  From the perspective of the developing world, the benefits of forest as carbon sinks or biodiversity reserves go primarily to richer developed nations and there is insufficient compensation for these services.Developing countries feel that some countries in the developed world, such as the United States of America, cut down their forests centuries ago and benefited greatly from this deforestation, and that it is hypocritical to deny developing countries the same opportunities: that the poor shouldn't have to bear the cost of preservation when the rich created the problem. [24] Some commentators have noted a shift in the drivers of deforestation over the past 30 years. 25]  Whereas deforestation was primarily driven by subsistence activities and government-sponsored development projects like  transmigration  in countries like  Indonesia  and  colonization  in  Latin America,India,  Jav a, and so on, during late 19th century and the earlier half of the 20th century. By the 1990s the majority of deforestation was caused by industrial factors, including extractive industries, large-scale cattle ranching, and extensive agriculture. [26] [edit] Wildlife conservation  is the practice of protecting  endangered plant and animal species  and their  habitats.Among the goals of wildlife conservation are to ensure that nature will be around for future generations to enjoy and to recognize the importance of  wildlife  and  wilderness  lands to humans. [1]Many nations are  government agencies  dedicated to wildlife conservation, which help to implement policies designed to protect wildlife. Numerous independent  nonprofit organizations  also promote various wildlife conservation causes. [2] Wildlife conservation has become an increasingly important practice due to the negative effects of  human activity  on  wildlife. The science of extinction.An e ndangered species is defined as a population of a living being that is at the danger of becoming extinct because of several reasons. Either they are few in number or are threatened by the varying environmental or predation parameters. ————————————————- Government involvement The Wildlife Conservation Act was enacted by the Government of India in 1972. Soon after the trend of policy makers enacting regulations on conservation a strategy was developed to allow actors, both government and non-government, to follow a detailed â€Å"framework† to successful conservation.The World Conservation Strategy was developed in 1980 by the â€Å"International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources â€Å"(IUCN) with advice, cooperation and financial assistance of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Wildlife Fund and in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco)†[9]  The strategy aims to â€Å"provide an intellectual framework and practical guidance for conservation actions. [9]  This thorough guidebook covers everything from the intended â€Å"users† of the strategy to its very priorities and even a map section containing areas that have large seafood consumption therefore endangering the area to over fishing. The main sections are as follows: * The objectives of conservation and requirements for their achievement: 1. Maintenance of essential ecological processes and life-support systems. 2. Preservation of genetic diversity. 3. Sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems. * Priorities for national action: 1. A framework for national and subnational conservation strategies. . Policy making and the integration of conservation and development. 3. Environmental planning and rational use allocation. * Priorities for international action: 1. International action: law and assistance. 2. Tropical forests and drylands. 3. A global programme for the protection of genetic resource areas. Map sections: 1. Tropical forests 2. Deserts and areas subject to desertification. Importance Of Wildlife 37  Ã‚  6  StumbleUpon4 If you were of the opinion that cultivated plants and domesticated animals is what wildlife consists of, you are mistaken.Wildlife, in fact, comprises of the innumerous varieties of wild plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms that exist on our planet earth, rather than just cultivated plants and domesticated animals. Knowingly or unknowingly, we largely depend on this wildlife for every elementary requirement in our life. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the medicines we consume, a variety of building materials used for construction, numerous chemicals used for manufacturing our necessities, all are extracted from the wildlife existing around us.A study by the American Association for the Advancement of Science indicates that as many as 40,000 species of plants, animals, fungi and microscopic animals benefit us in some way or the other. To know the various benefits that this wildlife provides us, read on further. Benefits Of Wildlife Benefits To People Wildlife and nature have largely been associated with humans for numerous emotional and social reasons. A simple stroll around the park amidst some birds provides a fresh breath of life and charges our batteries. Apart from bird feeder in the backyard, we can also take up other active pastimes, such as hiking, hunting, canoeing or wildlife photographing to relieve our parched nerves. Since prehistoric times, animals have been highly useful to us in providing food, clothing and source of income. Benefits To Natural Processes Wildlife plays an essential role in the ecological and biological processes that are yet again significant to life. The normal functioning of t he biosphere depends on endless interactions amongst animals, plants, and microorganisms. This, in turn, maintains and enhances human life further.To add on, these ecological processes are vital for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and other endeavors that support human life. Besides, there are several biological processes wherein wildlife plays a key role, such as pollinization, germination, seed dispersal, soil generation, nutrient cycling, predation, habitat maintenance, waste breakdown, and pest control. Benefits to Science, Agriculture, & Medicine Studies indicate that woodpeckers are capable of destroying 90% of codling moth larvae residing under the bark of trees. This shows the significance of wildlife and wildlife habitat for preserving genetic diversity.Hence, places where agriculture, forests, and fisheries depend on crops or stocks can ensure that such living resources are enough to withstand the ever-increasing list of threats. Further, in medicine, development of new d rugs and treatments are largely dependent on wildlife and wildlife habitat. Interestingly, most pharmaceutical products are a result of discovering or developing wildlife species and not discoveries through the traditional chemistry principles. Today, most medicinal remedies contain at least one ingredient derived from a wild plant or animal.

Free Essays on William Moraley

William Moraley disembarked from the ship Bonetta in Philadelphia a week before Christmas, 1729. Like Benjamin Franklin who had arrived six years earlier, Moraley landed in the City of Brotherly Love as a poor man. While Franklin was a runaway apprentice, Moraley was a bound servant awaiting purchase. Wearing a dilapidated red coat, coarse checkered shirt, bad shoes, and a dirty wig, Moraley, like the similarly ill attired Franklin, bought bread with his last pennies, and then explored the town on foot. After that, the two men’s initial hours and days in the city diverged sharply. Franklin gave his leftover bread to a friendless woman and child, attended a Quaker meeting, and sought out a reputable inn for lodging; the following day he applied for work. On the other hand Moraley sold his clothes to buy rum and contemplated the wonders of Philadelphia. While the Bonetta docked on Market Wharf, at least forty more ships were docked along the Delaware River. In Philadelphia, the Bonetta unloaded its cargo of servants and coal, took on a shipment of flour, and in early January set sail for Lisbon. Other vessels were just clearing the port for Barbados, Madeira, Antigua, and the Isle of Man. This sea traffic formed the foundation for Philadelphia’s economy. The urban center was an epicenter through which European manufactured goods flowed to be sold throughout the Delaware Valley, while the region’s abundant grain and livestock products were carried into the city for shipment abroad. Most residents, directly or indirectly, depended on commerce with people scattered throughout the Atlantic World, from Native Americans in the backcountry, to small farmers and storekeepers in the neighboring countryside, to planters, manufacturers, and merchants operating from the West Indies to Portugal to Britain Housing construction like wise formed a vital component of the economy as carpenters and laborers built structures in response to the cityï ¿ ½... Free Essays on William Moraley Free Essays on William Moraley William Moraley disembarked from the ship Bonetta in Philadelphia a week before Christmas, 1729. Like Benjamin Franklin who had arrived six years earlier, Moraley landed in the City of Brotherly Love as a poor man. While Franklin was a runaway apprentice, Moraley was a bound servant awaiting purchase. Wearing a dilapidated red coat, coarse checkered shirt, bad shoes, and a dirty wig, Moraley, like the similarly ill attired Franklin, bought bread with his last pennies, and then explored the town on foot. After that, the two men’s initial hours and days in the city diverged sharply. Franklin gave his leftover bread to a friendless woman and child, attended a Quaker meeting, and sought out a reputable inn for lodging; the following day he applied for work. On the other hand Moraley sold his clothes to buy rum and contemplated the wonders of Philadelphia. While the Bonetta docked on Market Wharf, at least forty more ships were docked along the Delaware River. In Philadelphia, the Bonetta unloaded its cargo of servants and coal, took on a shipment of flour, and in early January set sail for Lisbon. Other vessels were just clearing the port for Barbados, Madeira, Antigua, and the Isle of Man. This sea traffic formed the foundation for Philadelphia’s economy. The urban center was an epicenter through which European manufactured goods flowed to be sold throughout the Delaware Valley, while the region’s abundant grain and livestock products were carried into the city for shipment abroad. Most residents, directly or indirectly, depended on commerce with people scattered throughout the Atlantic World, from Native Americans in the backcountry, to small farmers and storekeepers in the neighboring countryside, to planters, manufacturers, and merchants operating from the West Indies to Portugal to Britain Housing construction like wise formed a vital component of the economy as carpenters and laborers built structures in response to the cityï ¿ ½...

Free Essays on A Brief History Of Feminism

A Brief History of Feminism Feminism is difficult to define because every woman views feminism differently. â€Å"Generally speaking, feminism is a political, social, and cultural stance that is pro-woman† (Warhol, 1995). Feminists believe, among other things, in equal rights, opportunities and paychecks for men and women. Women are just as worthy and valuable as men and feminists want the world to know it. Before the 1920’s, women had virtually no rights. They could not vote, they could not own property and they were treated with little or no respect. Women were expected to stay at home and take care of their husbands and children. If a woman did choose to work outside of her home, there were few jobs to choose from. Most women worked as clerks, nurses, schoolteachers and other traditionally female occupations. Women began to grow very frustrated and they realized that something had to change. â€Å"Historically speaking, feminism has been associated in the United States with the struggle for women’s political enfranchisement† (Warhol, 1995). The first wave of feminism in the United States occurred in the 1920’s hen women fought for the right to vote. A proposed constitutional amendment was introduced in every session of Congress form 1878 to 1919, but was defeated each time. Finally, in 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment was added to the Constitution giving women equal pay for equal work, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited job discrimination on the basis of gender. The second wave of feminism arose in the 1960’s with the sexual revolution. This wave of feminism is sometimes referred to as Women’s Liberation. This time the movement involved issues of reproductive rights (such as birth control and abortion) as well as equality in the workplace and female representation in the government. Many believe that this wave of feminism is still in place today. To... Free Essays on A Brief History Of Feminism Free Essays on A Brief History Of Feminism A Brief History of Feminism Feminism is difficult to define because every woman views feminism differently. â€Å"Generally speaking, feminism is a political, social, and cultural stance that is pro-woman† (Warhol, 1995). Feminists believe, among other things, in equal rights, opportunities and paychecks for men and women. Women are just as worthy and valuable as men and feminists want the world to know it. Before the 1920’s, women had virtually no rights. They could not vote, they could not own property and they were treated with little or no respect. Women were expected to stay at home and take care of their husbands and children. If a woman did choose to work outside of her home, there were few jobs to choose from. Most women worked as clerks, nurses, schoolteachers and other traditionally female occupations. Women began to grow very frustrated and they realized that something had to change. â€Å"Historically speaking, feminism has been associated in the United States with the struggle for women’s political enfranchisement† (Warhol, 1995). The first wave of feminism in the United States occurred in the 1920’s hen women fought for the right to vote. A proposed constitutional amendment was introduced in every session of Congress form 1878 to 1919, but was defeated each time. Finally, in 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment was added to the Constitution giving women equal pay for equal work, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited job discrimination on the basis of gender. The second wave of feminism arose in the 1960’s with the sexual revolution. This wave of feminism is sometimes referred to as Women’s Liberation. This time the movement involved issues of reproductive rights (such as birth control and abortion) as well as equality in the workplace and female representation in the government. Many believe that this wave of feminism is still in place today. To...

Education Patient with Written Information to Reduce Anxiety and Dissertation

Education Patient with Written Information to Reduce Anxiety and Better Compliance in Undergoing Cadiac Catheterization - Dissertation Example __________________ for their unwavering guidance and direction throughout the course of this dissertation planning, preparing and drafting. The points needed to mention in the acknowledgements as below. I would also like to thank and acknowledge the support of the staff of ____________ Education (U.K.) administrative office. A special thanks and appreciation goes out to my family members, classmates and colleagues for their sincere support and encouragement without which I could not have completed this dissertation. I also want to thank everyone who helped me in anyway whatsoever. Abstract Aims This research study is a critical appraisal of the effectiveness of educational information intervention on patient anxiety in preparing for cardiac catheterization. Methods This is a critical literature review. The critical literature review is conducted using a framework for conducting a critical appraisal of quantitative research as recommended by Coughlan, et. al.,(2007). The critical appr aisal is also conducted using a framework for conducting a critical appraisal of qualitative research as recommended by Ryan, et. al.,(2007). Six journal articles were selected based on the study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria. ... Specifically, this study finds that patient education prior to undergoing cardiac catheterization significantly decreases fear, uncertainty and distress among patients anticipating the experience of undergoing cardiac catheterization. In turn, patients are more willing to comply with pre-cardiac catheterization and post-catheterization instructions. The combined effect of compliance and reduced anxiety helps patients make a more fruitful and time efficient recovery. Discussion Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed. The weaknesses and strengths of the research and the underlying research studies critically appraised are revealed. The study makes recommendations informed by the results and the analysis of the results. This study is important because it can contribute to existing knowledge by identifying the current status of the knowledge relative to the reduction of patient anxiety over undergoing cardiac catheterization via education and what areas may require further research for improving on the current knowledge base. Moreover, by identifying the current status of knowledge relative to reducing patient anxiety via education for improving the effectiveness of cardiac catheterization, nursing practices can be informed by the benefits of using education as a method of managing patient anxiety. Conclusion Essentially, this research report identifies and explains how this research can inform research and practice relative to the reduction of patient anxiety in anticipation of cardiac catheterization. This study concludes that the reduction of anxiety and psychological distress prior to undergoing cardiac

The Lady with the Pet Dog by Anton Chekhov Essay

The Lady with the Pet Dog by Anton Chekhov - Essay Example The story attempts to bring about the argument that love and morality can be separated as one is not necessarily a virtue of the other. The story is based on two individuals who have different and separate lives but have not had the experience of true love until they meet one another while on vacation in Yalta. This puts them in a state where they are obligated to choose between continuing their lives as it was before they met once they separate or find a means of exploring their love further which leads to the development of an affair as both characters are married. The story thus brings out the aspect that true love cannot be ignored by those who are involved. The story brings to light the characteristic that true love is unexpected and cannot be planned ahead of time. This is seen in various parts of the story whereby neither Gurov nor Anna expect to fall so deeply for one another seen in statements such as â€Å"In another month, he fancied, the image of Anna Sergeyevna would be shrouded in a mist in his memory, and only from time to time would visit him in his dreams with a touching smile as others did.† (Chekhov) Gurov assumed that he would be able to easily forget the woman he met while on vacation once he got back to his normal routine but soon found out that this was not possible and to his surprise as time passed on he found he was still not able to stop thinking about Anna. This is seen in the statement, â€Å"But more than a month passed, real winter had come, and everything was still clear in his memory as though he had parted with Anna Sergeyevna only the day before.† (Chekhov) Both characters had gone to Yalta on vacation with no expectations of finding love but as a result of circumstantial meeting ended up finding an individual that they could see themselves spending their entire lives with. The correlation between love and morality also played a part in the story as well. Both Anna and Gustov married young and have been in a rela tionship for a number of years before they met but this fact does not stop them from falling in love. It is also seen that they are in fact not in love with their spouses when Chekhov states that Gustov â€Å"considered her unintelligent, narrow, inelegant, was afraid of her, and did not like to be at home† while Anna refers to her husband as a â€Å"flukery† (Chekhov). The story brings about the question whether one is able to find love in immorality as the two characters are involved in an affair, which is considered a moral taboo but at the same time, are in love with one another. The issue of the use of ambiguity is another topic brought to light through the author’s stylistic methods. This is seen in the fact that Gustov’s wife is not mentioned by name as Chekhov simply refers to her as â€Å"his wife†. The town which Anna lives in is also not mentioned and the letter S is used in its place giving the hint that this is the letter that the name starts with. The end of the story is ambiguous as well as no solution is reached by the two lovers on how they can stop living in secret and bring their love out to the light. The use of ambiguity can be said to be used by the author to keep the reader interested by instilling a sense of curiosity which leaves them guessing at the unanswered questions. It can also said to be used to allow the author to concentrate on the main aspects of the story such as the story of the two characters instead of focusing on peripheral matters. The realist style used by the