Towards A Sustainable Community Essays - Environmentalism

Towards A Sustainable Community Not until the spread of the Industrial Revolution in the late nineteenth century, has man possessed the ability to adversely alter, on a global scale, the geologic and climatic cycles that have existed for millennia. Planet earth, which man calls home, is approximately 5 billion years old. The science of paleontology tells us that man is a relative new comer to the planet. Modern man did not arrive on the scene until approximately 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. Developments in hunting, agriculture, literacy, and the sciences, have allowed man to thrive and inhabit nearly every corner of the planet. However, this success has not been good for the earth. The world's population has recently surpassed 6 billion and the developed countries community models and lifestyles are not sustainable. Due to rapid, unrestrained growth, housing, shopping, and entertainment construction has spread across the surface of the planet like an oil slick. We are depleting resources and altering ecosystems at an alarming rate. Only now are we beginning to comprehend the long-term effects of more than a century of environmental ignorance, neglect, and apathy. Historically, city and community planners lacked the vision and understanding that would lead to environmentally friendly and sustainable conditions, allowing us to live in harmony with nature. This, coupled with irresponsible consumerism and poor individual choices, has led us to a crossroad. It is now clear we cannot continue to build communities that are unsustainable and we must change our lifestyles. We have arrived at the threshold of the 21st century where nothing less than a global call to action is necessary. We can continue on our current path, which will ultimately lead to severe health problems, loss of valuable resources, extinctions, and a wholesale denial of contaminated areas, or we can take positive, radical steps to break with the past. Regarding unsustainable communities and lifestyles, the blame lies mainly with two specific phenomena, American's love affair with the automobile, and the American Dream of owning a home and land outside of the city. A car-dependent lifestyle introduces numerous problems and exacerbates the dilemma of exurb migration. With so many cars on the road, they become congested, leading to the need for new, longer, and wider roads that encroach on existing ecosystems and animal habitats. With roads and highways stretching farther and farther from the city, suburbanites can now live at greater distances from the cities requiring a need for increased fossil fuel production. This increased consumption and burning of fossil fuels increases air and water pollution and contributes to the greenhouse effect. It is estimated that out of the millions of underground storage tanks of gasoline and diesel fuel across the U.S., over 300,000 have failed, contaminating the surrounding ground water tables (Ne bel, Wright 490). In the case of the fuel additive, Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE), contaminated wells have to be shut down entirely. Many cities fail to meet air-quality standards even with improved pollution controls. Vehicles are responsible for an estimated 80% of the air pollution in metropolitan regions (Nebel, Wright 581). Vehicle traffic congestion increases year after year, accounting for billions of dollars worth of lost time and productivity. From 1945 to 1980, U.S. oil consumption nearly quadrupled while the population grew by just 60 percent (Nebel, Wright 581). According to the Washington Post, the world's oil reserves will be exhausted in approximately 40 to 50 years. The American Dream of owning a home and land is something almost all Americans aspire to. However, this lifestyle is also responsible for a unique set of associated problems that contribute to a wasteful and unwise depletion of energy sources. Single family homes or detached dwellings, cost much more to heat than apartments. The paved area around all homes reduces rainfall percolation back to ground water tables. The increased run off due to the paving over of existing soil, causes erosion, and carries away surface pollutants such as lawn and garden chemicals. The unplanned communities that extend out from the cities eat up existing rich farmland, requiring food to be transported in from greater distances. The only way we are going to be able to move away from unsustainable practices and behavior is through education, inclusion, planning, and regulation. By

The Spanish-American War essays

The Spanish-American War essays It has been a splendid little war wrote John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt after the fall of Santiago. Little, the Spanish-American War was; it was over in barely four months. Splendid? Maybe for those at home, reading the headline about its lucky victories. But for those men who fought in it, it was a bloody, dirty and heroic war as any in history. Zinn, Johnson, and Tindall In Howard Zinns book, he emphasized strongly on commercial possibilities, economic interest and an establishment of a white and a black republic in Cuba. In 1898, there was a turnabout in the US business attitudes on Cuba. Businessmen had been interested, from the start of the Cuban revolt against Spain in the effect on commercial possibilities there. There was a substantial economic interest in the island because according to President Grover Clevelands summarization in 1896, it is estimated that at least $30 million to $50 million of American capital are invested in the plantations and in railroad, mining and other business enterprises on the island. The volume trade between the US and Cuba, which in 1889 amounted to about $64 million rose in 1893 to about $103 million. The US government had power and profit in mind as it observed the events in Cuba. The issue with the establishment of a white and a black republic was also a concern to the Cleveland administration if Cuba w ins the war since Cuba had a mixture of the two races. Out of the three books, only Zinn wrote about this issue. A black republic might be dominant. Two-fifths of the insurgents in the field are negroes. If these men win, they would demand a predominant share in the gov...

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy ver Article

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy versus Unrestricted Services for Health Anxiety A Critical Review Affiliation A critical review The article reviewed in this paper is d â€Å"A randomized clinical trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus unrestricted services for health anxiety (Hypochondriasis)† involving a study done by McManus, Surawy, Muse, Vazquez-Montes and Williams  (2012). The study was conducted to assess the influence of mindfulness-based cognitive treatment on patients with anxiety by relating the effects of MBCT when combined with additional usual amenities (unrestricted services). The research used 74 participants who were randomly picked to either MBCT adding to the US (n=36) or US alone (n=38). The participants were assessed before the intervention (MBCT) or (US), instantaneously following the intervention and one year post intervention. Independent valuations of diagnostic status, consistent self-report assessors and measures ratings of distress and severity were associated with the analysis of hypochondriasis. The results of the study indicated that MBCT participants had significantly lowered health anxiety that US participants both following the intervention. Mediational analysis indicated that the alteration in mindfulness intervened with the group modification in healthy anxiety symptoms. In that, fewer contestants assigned to MBCT than to US confirm with the principles for the identification of hypochondriasis, which occurred immediately following the intervention. The research concluded that MBCT could be used in addition to services for patients who suffer from health anxiety. The research used only 74 participants, which means that it does not give an accurate information or does not represent the United States population. Therefore, the research study has been said to be effective in patients with health anxiety it cannot be used independently. The research design used in this research study was longitudinal study, which is a correlation study that involves repeated observations over a period. In this case, the study was done for a period of two years. Although the participants were randomized, the study the researcher could conduct their research diligently without manipulating in the environment or the participants actions. The longitudinal design that was used in the research was appropriate because it allowed the researchers to distinguish the short and long-term phenomena’s when it comes to health anxiety in the United States. The study is weak in the sense that it has a small group of participants that are used to test to methods of dealing with health anxiety. Secondly, the intervals at which the results are taken is long meaning that the researchers should have should have chosen an interval of six months to ensure that they get proper information other than a one year follow up. The research design chosen by the researchers was expensive and time consuming in that, first it required the researchers to be trained before they went to observe the participants. Additionally, putting together the data might be a problem because it is collected during intervals of one year, which means that they can be distorted. Therefore, it is significant to ensure that the appropriate timing is used to ensure that the correct information is accurate. The information gained from the research can be used to help patients in the United States to deal with anxiety related issues, which can cause stress that leads to suicide. This is because mediational analysis identified that change in mindfulness helped the group changes in relation to health anxiety symptoms. Therefore, the research can play a significant role in the clinical field of psychology when it comes to dealing with health anxiety related issues. However, although MBCT cannot be sued on its own it is an additional provision for the patients with health anxiety. Reference McManus,  F., Surawy,  C., Muse,  K., Vazquez-Montes,  M., & Williams,  J.  M. (2012). A randomized clinical trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus unrestricted services for health anxiety (hypochondriasis). Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80(5), 817-28. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0028782

Influence of Laugier's Treatise on Ledoux Essay - 1

Influence of Laugier's Treatise on Ledoux - Essay Example The architecture surrounding this time frame, as well as the other concepts which were associated with this creates an overall understanding of the perspective and philosophies which reflect in Ledoux’s works. Background of Ledoux Ledoux was born in France in 1736 and died in 1806. He was one of the earliest architects that focused on Neoclassical architecture and which associated specific ideologies in society with the way in which his pieces were built. Ledoux was known to have a specific relationship to the French Revolution as well as to the desire to build Utopia within the region. The beliefs of Ledoux all related to the understanding that France needed to go through a revolution, specifically to be reminded of morality and perspectives of justice within the main system. Through this revolution, there would be the ability to build Utopian ideologies with the political and social structure, while changing the way in which most associated with the country of France. The de signs which Ledoux incorporated throughout his life were known to combine this with the combinations of styles from past architects, including classical and rococo styles that were incorporated into the revolutionary and radical thoughts of Ledoux (Kaufmann, 1952: p. 5). The beliefs of Ledoux were followed by other architects that influenced the ideas of revolution and the components of Ledoux’s work. One was Laugier, also who was associated with Neoclassicism and the French Enlightenment. The main philosophy of Laugier was based on bringing classical thought forms back. He found that the problem with most of the buildings which were a part of France at the time that were built without practicality or purpose. This included the column shapes and sizes as well as the extra decor and use of space that he found to be impractical. Laugier focused instead on the Greek form and shape as one which used more space with better practicality and which was associated with the understandi ng that the use of open space and symmetry of all buildings could create better alternatives for the buildings. These main theories were known to relate not only to classical thought and the use of practicality. The underlying philosophies of Laugier were based on using the symbolism of open space and symmetry as a way of inviting in the idea of Utopia. The symbolic meaning of the open space was related to opening a space for all and having a sense of equality that was within the environment (Braham, 1980: p 80). Architectural Changes of the 18th Century The influences which were associated with Laugier and the impact on Ledoux furthered with the changes which were in architecture and the associations which individuals had according to these alterations. During this time, France was exposed to the ideal of writing about philosophies and expectations with buildings. This was different from past architecture, specifically with a growing belief that different forms of buildings were su perior in quality and make than other forms of architecture. This ideology led to redefining innovations to make the architectural buildings artifacts that were associated with the social and political changes while influencing the public reflections that were associated with this. The idea of building an architectural culture that was

Dq8m9 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Dq8m9 - Essay Example That is why it is important that every organization in business must include the social responsibility as part of their strategy. Norman who is a professor of ethics in Business looks critically at a number of prevalent and quasi-academic outlines for identifying and mitigating beyond-compliance responsibility such as CSR, organizational citizenship, sustainability, shareholder theory and triple bottom-line. His working theory is that beyond compliance responsibilities can be vindicated by using the same ideas and methods we use in vindicating particular guidelines. He also focuses on â€Å"ethical Politicization† and more generally on the nature of answerable behavior in the business-government dealings (Norman 2012 p.75). The idea of corporate social responsibility is exceptionally valuable and hard-worn social benefit. It is a vehicle for endorsing transparency, more tone liability, better communique, honesty, mutually advantageous exchange and functional development. In pr oviding a clear way of critiquing business inside and out of its borders, it is now an essential condition for businesses to have morals and to exercise modern entrepreneurship (Jeremy 2009 p34). It is especially important for the growing global economics, while at the same time it is a delicate issue. However, different researchers are coming up with different views on this topic with one group arguing that business must operate under proper values and the other arguing that social responsibility is a complicated issue and cannot work successfully. According to Moses Pava, Former US secretary Robert Reich is one example of those who oppose the social responsibility advocators (Pava 2008 p.38). He believes that it is a project that can never succeed and campaigning for it is a waste of time and money. Reich points this failure in the raising political power but does not clearly state exactly what his argument is all about. He however, wants this idea dropped and as it is not one tha t could work and the only reason for him is the rise in corporate political power an argument thought as not so convincing according to Pava. Critiques like Reich are therefore, needed to listen keenly to those who have continuously been pushing for more and improved corporate social accountability as they may need to respond to his argument. Understanding the state of business and the processes in it, Reich and other should be convinced that corporate social responsibility is a vital foundation for business morals and for current capitalism. Lack of social corporate responsibility will create an avenue for unnecessary exploitation and great benefits for a few traders and that would not make sense. Reich’s concern in this issue is that rules advocating for the social corporate responsibility are not safe for business as they could cause a lot of harm. He believes that if businesses should prosper, then, they should focus mainly on customer satisfaction and maximization of cor porate profits for stakeholders (Pava 2008p. 50). He says that ethical and social responsibility is individual and can be practiced in those terms instead of setting up policies that direct organizations to operate under ethical social responsibilities, which would frustrate the freedom for organizations to achieve their goals. Pierre, on

Marketing Sop Example Essay Example for Free

Marketing Sop Example Essay India is said to be the growing economical superpower, which will open a huge opportunity in the Management of Science and Business at the same time making a rational decision of where to land after getting higher education. What kind of a higher education will enhance my knowledge, skill and capabilities to the best? To place myself according to the growing economy of India and to gain the maximum out of it I came to a decision of doing MBA in UK. As UK has always been a good source of in providing world class education, I am eager do my MBA from London School of Business and Finance in UK. I was always been supported by my family for doing something big. They provoked me in dreaming big. My career was taking shape when I was about to complete my Bachelors degree in Commerce. I was always interested in this field. I took a decision of doing MBA in Finance and Marketing. My short-term goal is to place myself as an efficient manager of a renowned organization where I can give a better shape to my skills and capabilities and to be in a process of continuous learning. However, my long-term goal is to set up a firm of my own, where I can put all the innovative ideas that I have. Before that I will have to prepare my self for being efficient in implementing those ideas, which is, indeed, not easy. When it comes of doing MBA in UK it always makes me feel proud. Doing MBA from there will not only provide me with lots of experience but I will also give an international exposure which will be a big plus point for attaining my career goals. It will help me learning things in a diverse environment. It will have positive impact on my life and values. MBA in UK is the best and it gives exposures to new avenues. I am looking forward to join London School of Business and finance (LSBF) and it will be great getting the degree from University of Wales from UK.

Thyroid Cancer Essay example -- essays research papers

The thyroid gland is the gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and metabolism. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions in the body. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop. The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple, wrapped around the trachea. It has the shape of a butterfly with two lobes attached to one another by a middle part called the isthmus. The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to make its hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid gland also makes the hormone calcitonin, which is involved in calcium metabolism and stimulating bone cells to add calcium to bone. Thyroid caner is a disease in which the cells of the thyroid gland become abnormal, grow uncontrollably and form a mass of cells called a tumor. Some tumors grow and enlarge only at the site where they began. These types of tumors are referred to as benign tumors. Other tumors not only enlarge locally, but they also have the potential to invade and destroy the normal tissues around them and to spread to other regions of the body. These types of tumors are called malignant tumors or cancer.() Malignant tumors of the thyroid gland tend to develop gradually and remain localized. The tumors usually appear as nodules or lumps of tissue growing on or inside the gland itself. Almost 95% of these lumps or nodules are non-cancerous (benign), and are usually caused by thyroid conditions such as goiters (Shin 422). The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 23,600 new cases of thyroid cancer in the U.S. in 2004 (Thackery 1057). Women are three times more likely to develop th yroid cancer than men. Although the disease also affects younger people, most people who develop thyroid cancer are over 50 years of age. Caucasians are affected more often than African-Americans (Rubin 88).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are four main types of thyroid cancers: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. These tumors are identified by the type of cells seen under the microscope. Papillary thyroid tumors occur most often. This type of thyroid cancer develops on one or b... ... people with thyroid cancer have no known risk factors. Therefore it may not be possible to prevent it. However, inherited cases of medullary thyroid cancer can be prevented if radiation to the neck is avoided (Longe 3308). If a family member has had the disease, the rest of the family can be testes and treated early. The National Cancer Institute recommends an examination for anyone who has received radiation to the head and neck area during childhood at intervals of one or two years. It is also recommended that the neck and the thyroid should be carefully examined for any lumps or enlargement of the nearby lymph nodes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Work Cited Longe, Jacqueline L. â€Å"Thyroid Cancer.† The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. 2nd ed. 2001. Rubin, Alan L. Thyroid for Dummies. New York, NY: Hungry Minds, 2001. Shin, Linda M. Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders Sourcebook. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 1998 Surks, Martin I. The Thyroid Book. Yonkers, NY: Consumer Reports Books, 1993 Thackery, Ellen. â€Å"Thyroid Cancer.†