Ecology And Forestation Essays - Biology, Forestry, Trees, Botany

Ecology And Forestation Trees have been with us since the beginning of time. We have been using its products for just as long. They have been used to fashion weapons, used as wheels, used for us to write with and to have something to write on. Most importantly they have been and continue to be used to provide shelter for us. I feel trees are an important resource for us and to stop using this important resource would be an injustice to society. Trees are there to be admired and to help our ecosystem survive but they are also there to provide for the things we need in life. An important example of how trees are helping people in extraordinary ways in by the use of tree products as cancer drugs. According to Sally Christensen, "taxol is created by using three one hundred year old pacific yew trees or roughly sixty pounds of bark." Taxol is very helpful in fighting ovarian cancer when conventional methods no longer work. This drug has been responsible for saving many lives (Christensen 552). Christensen herself was saved with this drug. Sallie Tillsdale calls Christensen very selfish for killing trees to help save herself. She says it is people versus trees. I feel it is life versus life. If a few trees have to be cut down so a person can go on living then this is a choice that I as a person am willing to make. No one is going to tell me that I cannot have a chance at life because a group of environmentalists say that is wrong. It is quoted by Walter T. Stace, "If a man's actions were wholly determined by chains of causes stretching back into the remote past, so that they could be predicted beforehand by a mind which knew all the causes, it was assumed that they could not in that case be free." One of the main needs of lumber is for building homes. This need skyrocketed after the 1950s. The need for new housing was tremendous and the need for lumber just kept growing. The need for lumber dramatically increased when people wanted shaker style roofs, wood flooring and wood siding (Robinson 25). Today things have changed slightly. Now we use vinyl siding for our homes. So that has helped a little. But we still need to frame a house so that it will stand up and at this point I do not know of anything else that will get the job done. Some people don't care about the forests at all; my sister is a great example. She has a 3000 square feet house that probably took a great amount of trees to build. She has hard wood floors throughout her house and wood cabinetry everywhere. I am sure when there is a meeting of Tree Savers USA my sister will not be there. Traditional conservation has been focused on setting aside land in remote parts of the country as conservation projects. My question is what happens to the rest of the country? Land is set aside for bird, wildlife and land conservation, but we allow the rest of the country to be a dump. Canada for example, only sets aside 1.3% or 50,060 square miles for conservation efforts (Jacobs 77). Our numbers in this country are probably not far off from that. What we need to do is set aside more land to be used for conservation. Then maybe all of the tree preservation people will get off our backs about using up the trees. If they know that a certain amount of forests will be set aside filled up with trees that will never be used commercially then maybe we can go on building and healing in peace. What we need to do with land conservation projects is keep them away from the big cities. We need to create buffer zones, a buffer zone is a area of land between the city and the conservation area that creates a semi-natural area that will help to protect the conserved area from undue stress (Soule 813). When this method is used it may make for a more healthy, conserved area. Why would anyone who is driving around want to encounter a city and then almost immediately after leaving the city encounter a preserved area? There needs to be an area of transition that would be healthy for the area and also pleasing to the eye for travelers. One holiday that I feel celebrates forestry is Arbor Day.

The Rise of Canadian Business essay

The Rise of Canadian Business essay The Rise of Canadian Business essay The Rise of Canadian Business essayThe book The Rise of Canadian Business by G.D. Taylor focuses on the historical development of business and Canadian economy in the post-confederate era. At the same time, the author offers a broad overview of the economic development paying a particular attention to the development of Canadian economy in the mid-20th century and present. Throughout the book the author develops the idea that Canada relied heavily on export of resources that laid the foundation to the current economic power of Canada, while open market economy allows Canada and Canadian companies to keep progressing, evolve and adapt to changing business environment from the time of business consolidation and increasing role of state to the present era of the economic globalization.In fact, the book has three major themes that the author conveys clearly and divides into three chronological periods. These themes are the evolving patterns of business organization, the distinctive featu res of Canadian business, and its international setting. The author describes the evolution and development of Canadian economy throughout the 20th century mainly. Taylor shows that the consolidation of business made it so influential that the government regulation and interference into the economic development became essential. This interference was essential to stand for interests of the majority of people in Canada rather than for interests of a few large corporations. At the same time, along with economic changes, the author points out that the development of business and business consolidation threatened to the environment and future of Canada because business consolidation was accompanied by the intensive use of natural resources, extraction of minerals, and deterioration of the environmental situation because businesses exploited rich natural resources of Canada without any control from the part of the state. In this regard, Taylor views natural resources of Canada as the maj or asset of Canada that contributed to its economic growth.The same idea of the primary role of natural resources as the primary driver of the economic growth of Canada could be traced in other parts of the book dedicated to the increasing involvement of state into the economic regulation and development and the present era of globalization. In such a way, Taylor backs up his thesis and attempts to show that natural resources comprise the major asset of Canada and lays the foundation for the further economic growth throughout its economic history in the 20th as well as the 21st century. This idea is very important for the entire book and is one of the main messages conveyed by the author. At the same time, the author develops the concept of the state regulation as an essential condition for the balanced exploitation of natural resources by businesses. Even today, when the globalization has brought considerable changes to the economic development of Canada, Taylor still views natural resources as an important asset that can keep Canadian economy growing.However, the author underestimates services sector and its contribution to the economic development of Canada, especially now. For example, the author mentions that two largest insurance companies are ranked among top ten insurance companies of the world, but still Taylor does not develop this   idea further to show the increased role of services, which may become as significant driver of the economic growth of Canada as natural resources do.Thus, the book depicts the economic development and gives the comprehensive analysis of the evolution of Canadian business from business consolidation to globalization, but the author seems to be too concerned with natural resources as the major source of the economic growth of Canada and underestimates the potential of services in the global competitive environment.

Ecosystem Toxic Chemical Threat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Ecosystem Toxic Chemical Threat - Essay Example As such, human activities drive the greenhouse gas-mediated environmental effects, and only human activities can prevent the worsening of earth degradation due to these gases. Another reason why greenhouse gases should be discussed is the still ongoing debate on whether greenhouse gases caused global warming and climate change. Apparently, not all people agree that humans caused the apparent changes happening in the environment. In a website called greatglobalwarming.com, articles that disagree with either the increased global temperature or its man-made nature are collated. It discusses that unlike the findings of global warming advocates, polar bears are increasing in number, Himalayan glaciers are not melting, and global warming and climate change are actually inevitable natural occurrences. Some articles in the website even said that the government and environmental organizations only publicize an apparent human-made global warming to get more funding (â€Å"Great Global Warming : News and Truth about Global Warming†). Section Two: Address the vulnerability of the environment - ecosystem to the specific Chemical Threat 1. Is this an acute or chronic environmental threat? Greenhouse gases are chronic environmental threat. ... 2. Is this a systemic or targeted species threat? Since it affects temperature, it influences all life forms, from microorganisms to plants and animals, which exist on a specific range of temperature. This makes greenhouse gases systemic environmental threats. 3. How likely is it that the chemical will be released in sufficient amounts to do serious harm? The naturally-occurring gases contribute to climate change because the mechanisms that regulate their amounts in the atmosphere become less efficient. Although the temperature in earth started increasing since the 1800, the most rapid increase has been observed in the recent decades, most possibly due to human activity (Environmental Protection Agency). In the case of carbon dioxide, it is regulated by the carbon cycle. Despite the production of carbon dioxide by animals, the atmospheric carbon dioxide remained constant at 280 parts per million (ppm) 10, 000 years before the start of the industrial era. However, its increasing level in the atmosphere is partly attributed to industrialization that started 150 years ago, which emit the gas by biogas burning to power the machineries At that time, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increased by almost 40% to 389 ppm. Since then, it continuously increases by 1.5 ppm during the 1990s, by 2.0 ppm during 2000s, and currently by 2.3 ppm, due to the increased electricity and transportation use, as well as continuing deforestation. It now causes 64% of global warming (World Meteorological Organization). Methane from landfills, coal mines, oil and gas operations, and agriculture is the second most important greenhouse gas, contributing 18% to total global warming. Similar to carbon dioxide, the industrial era marked the

Auditing and why independence is important Essay

Auditing and why independence is important - Essay Example Carey, P. & Simnett, R. (2001) stated that in auditing theory and practice, independence is a matter of intellectual honesty. Auditors are expected to be unbiased and impartial with respect to financial statements and other information they audit. They are expected to be fair to both the companies and executives who issue financial information and to the outside persons who use it. Independence is important enough to stand alone as a concept. The public will grant social recognition of professional status to auditors only so long as they are perceived to be independent. The notion of individual independence is more specific in the conduct of each audit engagements. In essence, an individual auditor must not subordinate his or her judgment to others and must stay away from influences that might bias judgment.3 Loebbecke, A. (2000) argued that actual threats have to be considered on the situations that might be perceived as threats by a reasonable and informed observer. Where such threats exist, the auditor must put in place safeguards that eliminate them or reduce them to clearly insignificant levels. Safeguards apply at three levels: safeguards in the work environment, safeguards that increase the risk of detection, and specific safeguards to deal with particular cases. If he is unable to implement fully adequate safeguards, the auditor must not carry out the work. Gupta, K., (2006) mentioned that ethical guidance based on this framework includes examples of threats that might arise and appropriate safeguards to deal with them. But these are illustrative and not comprehensive. The auditor must be able to demonstrate that, in the particular circumstances under consideration, the fundamental principles had in fact been observed - a far more rigorous test of compliance. The framework approach is considered the most appropriate to adopt as: The aim of good guidance should be proactive, i.e. to require the auditor to identify and address risks, not merely passively obeying the letter of the code. A set of principles supported by reasoned guidance avoids the argument that any course of conduct that is not specifically prohibited is permissible, encouraging a search for ways around the rules. The approach recognizes the reality that the auditor is not wholly independent of his client, but that the threats to independence must be managed to clearly insignificant levels. Although the basic principles of auditor independence are straightforward they may need to be applied to an almost infinite number of circumstances. The detailed rules-based approach will have to be incomprehensibly complex to cope with all possible circumstances, or will be a blunt instrument, sometimes imposing inappropriate solutions or completely missing the problem. The business environment and structure of audit firms and their clients are continually evolving particularly in an international context. Clients and shareholders are generally allowed to choose the auditors to perform other work if they believe it is most efficient for them to do so, where adequate safeguards can be put in place. Nonetheless, where adequate s

The Great Gatsby -The Corruption of the American Dream-how its Essay

The Great Gatsby -The Corruption of the American Dream-how its original idealism has been replaced by materialism and greed - Essay Example It was a reminder of his poverty. Gatsbys parents were poor farmers, whom he had never accepted as his parents. .. He developed out of an idealization of the American Dream... One day, while attending a small Lutheran college in southern Minnesota and feeling dismayed by having to work as a janitor to put himself through school, Gatsby spots the moored yacht of Dan Cody. In an action that changes the young boys life, Cody welcomes him aboard his yacht and introduces him to fine living. Gatsby becomes the protegà ¨ of the wealthy goldminer and lives with him until Cody dies. With some wealth of his own and dreams of more, he goes into the army(Media Adaptations). enhances his chase of the â€Å"golden fleece.† Gatsby is so infatuated with Daisy that he could not see beneath her beauty; â€Å"He found her excitingly desirable.† Jordan tells Nick that; â€Å"the officer looked at Daisy...in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at some time.† He wants her because other men want her. The difference in their social status lured him to her even more. â€Å"He took her because he had no real right to touch her hand.† â€Å"He becomes impressed with her beautiful home and many boyfriends(Media Adaptations). Gatsby truly believes that money is the obstacle between him and Daisy; the truth is Daisy does not love him. She is not capable of loveing. Daisy is fickle, but Gatsby does not see this, he convinces himself that if he gets wealth, Daisy will choose him above her other boyfriends. For Gatsby, the American Dream means wealth and Daisy. Gatsby goes to war comforted by the fact that Daisy is waiting for him. However, Daisy does no such thing, her loyalty goes to the highest bidder, Tom Buchanan. It is obvious that neither Gatsby nor Daisy knows what love really is. Daisys requirement list for a husband has only one item,

Reflection Paper on Problem Solving

Reflection Paper on Problem Solving This report has been prepared as a reflective work of my groups business plan for MBA course. The purpose of this reflection sheet is to redirect how I and my team mates worked while undertaking the project. The point of writing this report is to include my thoughts and reactions to the experience. The reflective journal is a personal record of my learning experiences (White, 2005). I have been asked by university management to write an individual reflective journal on business plan that should consist of my critical way of thinking in an analytical way. It has been written to reflect on my work which will allow the readers to understand my achievement being a member of a team and my role as a researcher, analyser, critical thinker, reporter and presenter (White, 2005). I tried to be as specific as possible as this journal is a persuasive essay arguing on behalf of myself. It includes where my inspiration comes from, how I made use of my ideas to develop my work and my awareness of t he context in which I work. This reflective journal is an individual report that has described my work based on the business plan that I have participated in. I was chosen to work in a team of five members to build a business plan regarding launching a business in Cardiff. My team members for this assignment were Archana Ashu, Gagan Deep Singh, Nadeem Khan and Rachit Ajmera. The business plan that we have worked together, is regarding launching a multiplex cinema in Cardiff. This business plan provides a 3 year operating plan for a Multiplex cinema with a start-up capital of  £5 million. In this report we highlighted and analysed all the factors essential for a start-up. We considered market analysis, market strategy and costing, staffing and resourcing, and financial projections for the first 3 years of the business. In this reflective journal I have described objectively what happened, I tried to Interpret the events explaining what I saw and heard, my insights, my connections w ith other learning, my hypotheses and my conclusions. I also evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of what was observed. In this journal, I have described how I tackled team issues, interpreted my role as a team member, what did I learn being a team member and How I approached challenges. Other than problem solving I have recorded and mentioned knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, synthesis of what would I do differently next time reflecting on how the workshops/meetings helped develop my study? I have been asked to reflect an analysis, taking into account aspects of my strategy formulation and explaining how I built upon and applied knowledge from taught modules. I have made sure that structure of work follows all the section headings and recognises marking scheme, language is concise and this journal is presented according to school guidelines. Problem solving I was chosen to work in a team of five members to build a business plan regarding launching a business in Cardiff. My team members for this assignment were Archana Ashu, Gagan Deep Singh, Nadeem Khan and Rachit Ajmera. Although I wanted to be in a team of my close friends, the administration allocated teams randomly and put me in a group of five students. Luckily I already had close friendship with one member and I knew one other as he was in a same study group as mine. Initially I had objections with the supervisors decision of allocation but gradually as I started to know my team members, this opposition faded away. I felt friendly and enthusiastic being in this team. Being students from different backgrounds and societies naturally raised some problems for us but we managed to solve all the issues quite amicably (Gillie, 2010). All the disagreements were resolved and we worked together harmoniously. As a contemporary management student, I understood the capability of a team is gre ater than the collective abilities of the individuals within it. As soon as I was consigned in a team, I called everyone for a meeting to know each other and discuss task in hand. For me, doing the work in a friendly environment and more casually could make the task easier. Rest of the team members did not agree and had some reservations but I motivated them and persuaded them to follow my arrangement. In the meetings, plan was discussed and ideas were revolved (Gillie, 2010). I also put forward my thoughts and plans. After careful planning, thorough discussion and constructive arguments I made them agree on the topic. We defined our roles according to our strengths in subject areas and tasks were assigned to each member. My team set its standards of ethics and behaviours to achieve positive synergy and to create effective environment (Levin, 2008). All team members were highly committed and motivated. My strong area was marketing, hence id been assigned with collecting, analysing a nd evaluating marketing aspects of the business plan. I also convinced them to work closely and stay in constant contact. Although we had to work individually on our tasks but I collaborated to help others in their work and vice versa (Levin, 2008). Apart from problems mentioned above, I and other team members faced some other problems such as lack of knowledge of how to conduct the study, inexperience of research process, lack of critical analysis during research process, less research was done on every individuals part and there were critical judgements on each others work, no involvement of critical thinking which made our presentation look descriptive, and inconsistent decision making. All these problems were solved jointly (Gillie, 2010). I have learnt that team is more successful when members within it are able to create synergy. Since our goals, objectives, tasks, and priorities were larger than any individual, teamwork was required. When team members know how to be more effective together, synergy happens and greater organizational success is achieved. I have also understood the importance of teamwork (Sugars, 2005). I considered every member of my team as important as each person brought unique skills, knowledge, and experience. Team members also brought energy, drive, passion, and determination. Since not everyone brings different amounts of all of these things, team members needed each other. Increasing the strength of each team member produced greater team success and results. I along with my team members approached all the issues quite confidently as I knew our collective strengths could tackle any problem we face (Glover, 2009). Knowledge and Understanding By conducting a research as a team, I felt that there is no doubt team theory is relevant in practice. I was confident to relate the research and the theory I have studied during my MBA course (Sugars, 2005). Previous experience in management field also came handy. The most important thing I have gained knowledge of is the effectively working in a team. In the later stages of the project, coordination among team members increased considerably. This helped in improving and polishing our communication skills. We learned that everyone can do their own part to work towards a common goal and that there doesnt need to be just one distinct leader (Glover, 2009). Although different tasks were assigned to team members, I remained in constant contact with every member and consulted on every possible occasion. This also helped me learn and understand their approach as well (Glover, 2009). As an individual, working on a business plan has helped me to understand how to make an official report. It assisted me in research methodology, how to check different sources and how to carry out research. The proposed business plan was solely concentrated on market penetration and market acquisition with its customer service, facilities, ambience, and projection technology and above all, operational benefits (Sugars, 2005). Beside this, I managed to learn different marketing techniques and got a practical experience of how to apply marketing models and theories. I considered myself an important member of a team in formulating strategy and objectives to achieve this strategy. The main purpose of conducting a market research was to identify and establish potent ial market and also to get the reliable data for product. I have learned to analyse the market and potential customers before entering the market. I understood the market analysis for business is to check the feasibility and the absorbance of product in the market and to understand the trends and behaviour of the consumers in market and to apply strategies accordingly (Dyer, 2007). All this provided crucial and reliable information. I studied to carry out market analysis; learned about market size and forecast; its share, trends and behaviour. I also assessed competitors and their strategies, targeted market segments, analysed our business core competencies and critical success factors; marketing and costing strategies. This business plan also assisted me in projecting financial position and reports along with knowledge of staffing and resourcing for business (Sugars, 2007). Synthesis Although all team members planned the business plan and divided the tasks according to their strengths but we still faced some problems. I would like to change my approach a little next time I involve myself in this type of activity. I would definitely focus on time management and motivation issues (Dyers, 2007). Others areas need to be improved are analytical skills and market assessments. The area of critics of team needs some perfection as well. Every members presentation skills were weak that resulted in lower marks. The report looked descriptive and team members just read that in the presentation meeting. Experience gained from this project will definitely help to improve the above mentioned areas in the future (Saunders et al. 2009). There are a lot of aspects and factors that helped me develop my understanding and improve my knowledge. Workshops and lectures taught me how to carry out a research in desired fields, what method to select and what approach to take. Meetings provided facilitation in problem solving and strategic planning. These also helped me in decision making and working in a team (White, 2005). Analysis and Evaluation As a student studying MBA course from a renowned university, I was expected to apply critical thinking and analyse the business plan. The modules that I have studied during my lectures helped me apply marketing tools and techniques to my research. I learned how to apply theory into practice. This was a new idea to me but I was successful in interpreting this. This helped me gained both theoretical and practical knowledge. I applied knowledge from the books and journals to formulate the strategic plan, mission and vision of the company that I was working on. I applied different models successfully such as McKenzie 7s model, Porters generic strategies, Ansoffs growth model, IR model, Porters five forces model and some others (Kotler. 2010). The knowledge from the lectures helped me how to search different sources which was useful in strategy formulation. Overall the use of theoretical knowledge in practical situation helped me understand the business plan. I used the theories to advanc e my understanding of the business plan. The practical experience was built upon the theoretical knowledge (Saunders et al. 2009). Theory asked me how to conduct a research; based on this I practically collected data and information for analysis. Theory taught me how to calculate; I practically used this knowledge to formulate a financial projection; Theory explained how to apply different models; I managed to use these theories according to my situation and constructed a whole report. I practically worked in human resource filed to staff and resource my business. Having completed this project, I have learned how to better argue a point in discussion. Using facts and example, my arguments have become much better (Sugars, 2005). The project taught me and my team members to be good team members, cooperative and helpful. I felt a change as my researching skills increased considerably. I can better understand the topic and use a variety of sources for search purposes which will help me a lot in future research process. I can create a conclusive argument that can set a tone of the entire project. Using latest techniques of researching and arguing, my paper will seem clearer and my arguments more apparent (Bryman and Bell, 2007). I have also updated my accounting knowledge by working on new accounting principles. I was responsible for quite of lot of report writing. It was good for me to get practice at writing, at proof reading, editing, etc. I did have a sense of achievement when a report was finished. And finally my computer skills have also impr oved from writing reports and through having 24-hour access to the computer. These skills are not great, but in comparison to my own skills before working on this project they have progressed well. I personally feel that business plan is viable as it helps us understand not just to apply critical thinking and analyse the information but to use the theory into practice. This is what I think MBA requires. It helps the students getting management experience and applying what they have learnt in their lectures and workshops.

America’s Culture of Sex :: Sex Media Television TV

America’s Culture of Sex Sex in today’s world can be seen anywhere. It is on billboards, radio stations, personal books, school books, magazines, peers, movies, songs, and the most famous is televisions. Commercials use seductive images, sounds, and music grabbing the attention of the audience. Movies and television are proof of the sickness of sexual addiction in society. This disease spreads across the country, infecting the way people think and live their lives. Ultimately it is destroying society and what America holds to be morally correct. Two such sources of writing, â€Å"Sic Transit Gloria†¦Glory Fades† and Countering the Culture of Sex, give examples of what effect culture play in the way of living. Today’s culture pumps out messages of sexual immorality and the idea of sexual relations outside of marriage are fine. Sexual immorality can destroy families and create dysfunction in the sacred vows of marriage. â€Å"Sic Transit Gloria†¦.Glory Fades† is a song by Brand New. It tells a story of a man who is very inexperienced sexually, and a girl who knows her sexual skills like the back of her hand. The young man wants only to hold this girl and love her. Instead he is pressured into sex with her, even though he really never wanted. Sex is what she wants and he knows it would make her happy by giving into her. He feels horrible while this happens, but he will not stop because he wants to impress her. Countering the Culture of Sex is an article by Ellen Goodman dealing with the entertainment industry’s plague upon society. With sex rooted deep in children’s minds it creates this idea of what life revolves around. Digging deeper, Goodman brings up the point of why one never sees the consequences of sex. If the media were to show the consequences of people’s actions, the industry could create a sense of fear into the public. The big picture between these two texts says sex is a problem in society.