Literary Response

In May, the author tells of his/her chance encounter with a copperhead on the road one night as it lay â€Å"golden under the street lamp,† silent and tense and fearless. Having long wanted to see one, he/she kneels down transfixed, fascinated by its lethal grace, its being unlike the common black and green and garter snakes that evince only shyness; here is a real death striker within arm’s reach. The author remembers not its distinct markings or size or other physical characterstic other than the fact that its head is â€Å"wedge-shaped and fell back to the unexpected slimness of a neck,† its body â€Å"thick, tense and electric.† He/she moves a little, catching the creature’s attention; it jerks as if to attack, and he/she jumps back.   The snake flows â€Å"on across the road and down into the dark,† leaving him/her alone to contemplate the woods and the stars.Only a reptile, but what feelings it does evoke! Meeting the copperhead is an exciting experience that leaves one more capable of appreciating life. â€Å"I hope to see everything in this world before I die,† says the author, speaking of a hope that is uniquely human. The poem captures an impression, a feeling, and by so doing prints an image of the poet as well: curious, contemplative, daring, desirous to embark on a quest to discover everything that life has to offer.Almost everyone shares the author’s wish to â€Å"see everything in this world† before he/she dies, like the boy in Van Dyke’s The Blue Flower who, seeing his own burial lot already allotted to him, becomes terribly restless, â€Å"longing to see the world and to taste happiness† before his time comes to sleep beneath the elm tree where his future graveyard lies. Such, to my mind, is the author’s yearning: she is drawn to the copperhead as a moth is drawn to a flame, or a soldier lured to the battlefield, not by dreams of glory and honor, but by some v ague notion that a face-to-face confrontation with death would make him better appreciate the joy of living.But why does one have to look for excitement in things as wild, as unpredictable, as deadly as a copperhead? Perhaps, humans are drawn to the snake by the realization that they have a thing in common: a vulnerability without the fang. Remove man’s weapons, and he is but a feeble animal.   Of course, one can learn everything about snakes through books or the Internet or the science lab.   The author, if he/she wants to, can view the copperhead in its glass cage as it sleeps, coiled and undisturbed.   But a snake in the open, especially in one’s yard, always strikes terror.Like the serpent in the garden of Eden, it suggests cunning, mystery, power. Gliding and winding and recoiling, it has a beauty that seduces and mesmerizes. One must see a real snake up close and personal to have a glimpse of the real world. In this regard, â€Å"to see everything† d oes not simply amount to viewing things through a microscope, or watching a lion in its kingdom in the veldt from the safety of a car. It is akin to courting danger for the love of being scared, to feel one’s blood pulsing upon coming face to face with real-life demons. It is not seeing the world the way a tourist normally does, nor as a nature lover admires butterflies.   Nor is it a foolhardy man’s courtship of danger. The author does not go out of his/her way to meet the snake; it happens by chance. His/her wish â€Å"to see everything in this world† does not necessarily refer to making a solo voyage across the ocean, or free-falling from a cliff, or climbing the Himalayas â€Å"because it’s there.† It is not seeking danger for its sake, but finding comfort in deliverance when real danger comes along.The author’s desire â€Å"to see everything in this world† before dying echoes Thoreau’s self-admonition on his quest, livin g by himself in the woods, â€Å"to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life . . . to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms† (Walden). May’s author may not have gone to the extent of exploring the earth’s frontiers, at least not that we know of, to see everything in this planet: his/hers is only a hope, perhaps a childish one, for nobody can ever hope to see everything in a multiple of lifetimes. It is a powerful voice, nonetheless, emanating from within, that is always heard above the din of humanity.In a sense,   May is Rubaiyat-like in its simplicity: â€Å"make the most of what we may yet spend,/ Before we too into the Dust Descend.†   Of course, May never tells us to indulge before we die, nor does it preach or call our attention to the plight of endangered species. But it gives an impression of urgency: life is too short to be squandered on trivial pursuits.The author sees the copperhead not in some desert but in an in habited town, perhaps a city fringed by woods, illumined not by the sun or moon but by a street lamp. Perhaps it is a reminder of our affinity with the wild.   Maybe it is one way of telling us that material comforts and soft living have deprived us of the age-old need to go out and face our monsters. After the copperhead has flown â€Å"across the road and down into the dark,† the author â€Å"stood a while, listening to the small sounds of the woods and looking at the stars.† He/she notes that â€Å"after excitement we are so restful† and that â€Å"when the thumb of fear lifts, we are so alive.† Restfulness and vivacity are the aftermath of excitement and fear. But is it possible to become restful and alive at the same time? Meditative, or thoughtful, would be more apt. One can be brimming with life and excitement even when confined to a sickbed.The encounter with the copperhead heightens the author’s appreciation of nature’s other gift s, such as the small sounds of the woods and a view of the stars. At night, one can hear faint stirrings in the forest as predator and prey make their nocturnal rounds: a squirrel being caught in a coyote’s jaws, a rat being snatched by an owl on the wing. Yet humans do not really know, cannot really comprehend the life-and-death struggles that occur in their midst unless they too assume the role of predator or prey, killer or victim. The former is excited by the fact that it has power over the weak; the latter by the fact that it can outrun, even outwit, its pursuer. Has this not been the lot of all creatures since time began? In meeting the copperhead, the author unexpectedly catches a glimpse of what life really consisted of before civilization. By listening to the woods, one can hear the coming and going of life. By looking at the stars, one can wish life would go on forever.Every human at some point early in life feels an itch to set out and conquer the world, like the f rog in the parable of the well, or like the pioneers in the old West who could not settle down despite the abundance of game and the rich land of the frontier; they always wanted to move on, to find out what lay over the horizon all the way to the Pacific. That is man’s nature, and nothing has stopped him – not if it took all the copperheads in the world – to go and see what there is to find, even if it would only lead to frustration and despair. Every person yearns to find his/her El Dorado.May suggests endless possibilities, once-in-a-lifetime chances, secrets waiting to be discovered, if only we are willing to face them. Day after day we meet common people that do not impress us by their shyness, ordinary people, boring people. The daily routine becomes a blur and before we know it we are old, confined to a wheelchair, unsure of whether or not we had ever lived at all.   But once in a rare while we come across a deadly copperhead.May is all about someoneâ⠂¬â„¢s feelings after a brush with a poisonous snake. Maybe it is not about crossing the Sahara or climbing Mount Everest after all, but simply a matter of having to confront our own copperheads as we chance upon them in our everyday lives.WORKS CITEDDyke/The_Blue_Flower/>Khayyam, Omar. The Rubaiyat. 31 May 2007.   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‚  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‚  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‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Documentation

Initial Proposal Billing System Gemaima C. Maglasang Eliza M. Oliverio Melody Sinas 1. Introduction With the power of technology nowadays, people get interested with computers. They tried to indulge themselves on it to have a productive result in a more efficient and time saving process. However some of them are still using manual system. In this regard, we acknowledge the value of computerized system. As of todays generation, there are business existing. One of which is Cuadro Square Builders Inc. It is located at brgy. Cataman high-way Manabay,ozamiz City and managed by Granville Young Te.Cuadro Square Builders Inc. started their operation of their business on 2011. As we interviewed their manager he said that they have a running system but it was not maintain by their IT representative, it was currupt and lost their files. After six months they decided to use the manual billing. So we offer them our planning system to facilitate their work. And avoid losing documents. 2. Objective s Records of available products and maintain description of new products. Saves customer details and new entered category of products. Provides economic/financial reports to the owner monthly or weekly and yearly.Provides a convenient solution of billing pattern. Make an easy to use environment for user. Simplifies the task and reduces the paper work. 3. System Features Helps the user to fill up easy Easy to save and locate files 4. Methodology We choose to use Waterfall diagram in our project and in our documentation because it is simple and easy to understand. Phases are processed and completed one at a time. We decided to use the VB. Net as our programming language. 5. Schedule Activity No. of days Remarks Planning 7 xays Analyzing 10 days Designing 30 days System Coding 50 days Implementation 5 days

Jewish History Nazi Policy Against Jews 1933 Essay

This is a brief introduction to my topic, how it started. In January 1933, Hitler became Chancellor of Germany, He was the idol for the people .Hitler as its Fà ¼hrer (â€Å"leader†), centralizing all power in his hands. Hitler now had the power to start manipulating people and started introducing the first nazi policies against Jews. Between 1933 and 1934, Nazi policy were fairly moderate, because Hitler was paying attention to not scare off voters or moderately minded politicians by these harsh policies so he started introducing this policies step by step†¦ which were more stronger and more harsh. The Gestapo (secret state police) and SS underHeinrich Himmler destroyed the liberal, socialist, and communist opposition, and persecuted and murdered It was believed that the Germanic peoples—who were also referred to as the Nordic race—were the purest representation of the Aryan race, and were therefore the master race. In 1933, persecution of the Jews became active Nazi policy. Nazi leaders began to persecute German Jews soon after they had the „ POWER! . During the first six years of Hitler’s dictatorship, from 1933 until the outbreak of war in 1939, There were 400 decrees and regulations that restricted all jews from their public and private lives. These were national laws that had been issued by the German administration and affected all jews. The first legislation from 1933 to 1934 was focused on limiting the participation of jews basicly everywhere. The first major law was Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service† of April 7, 1933 according to that law jewish and politically unreliable civil servants and employees were tob e excluded from state service.- this ws the first formulation oft he so- called Aryan Paragraph, – this regulation used to exclude jews from organizations, professions and basicly banned from the public. By 1935 The Nazis gained power and strength in many parts of Germany. Restaurants, and shops had signs forbidding jews from entering. In some areas in Germany there were even banned from public transports and certain parks. Thousands of Jewish teachers and civil servants had been sacked, the security forces regularly boycotted Jewish businesses preventing people from using them, and people were not allowed to visit jewish doctors and lawyers as kristina allready mentioned. these measures were intended to cause mass migration, many who could afford it did leave Germany, but still many remained. Immernoch Slide nr 3. NAZI POLICY In march 1933 Nazis attacked jews on the streets, beating them up and sometimes killing them Across Germany many hundreds of Jews were rounded up by local SAgroups and sent to concentration camps. I will breifly talk about the concentration camps, and about Josej Mengele.) The attacks on Jews soon increased and become more organised. However, Hitler saw that the attacks and arrests were random and not controlled by the state. He believed that everything should be controlled by the state, especially the campaign against the Jews. During April 1933 the Nazi’s began to develop antisemitic laws that would severely affect the lives of those Jews living with the German boarders. Slide 4. NUREMBERG LAW During the annual Nazi Party Rally in Nuremberg in September 1935, new laws were introduced which again limited the civil rights of Jewish people. The Citizenship Law stripped Jews of their German citizenship and made them state subjects, marriage and sexual relations between Jews and Germans were strickly forbidden. Jews were also not allowed to employ female household staff under the age of 45; another article of this law made it illegal for Jews to display the national flag. Classification of Jews Initially the laws did not clearly define who could be classed as Jewish, as there were a number of people who had one Jewish parent. This needed to be clarified who the laws would apply to. In November 1935 a decree declared that people with three or four Jewish grandparents were regarded as fully Jewish. Those with two Jewish grandparents and two German grandparents were declared as being half-Jewish. However Germans who had married a Jewish person were classed as fully Jewish, as were their children in most cases. . The press and propaganda became much more anti-Semitic after the introduction of the laws and Jews found themselves extremly isolated. even by friends. At the time of the laws approximately 10% of Jews were married to a German, the state could do nothing about this except to persuade the couple to divorce; this was not very effective. JOSEF MENGELE Josef Mengele: in 1943 , Mengele became medical officer of Auschwitz-Birkenau’sZigeunerfamilienlager (â€Å"Gypsy Family Camp† He used Auschwitz as an opportunity to continue his research on jews. He used the people for human experiments.. He was particularly interested in identical twins; they would be selected and placed in special barracks. He recruited Berthold Epstein, a Jewish pediatrician, and Miklà ³s Nyiszli, a Hungarian Jewish pathologist, to assist with his experiments. Final test FINAL JAN 29TH 12:30—14:00 50 % Statement ask for our opinion. Explain why or why not and example. Should come from the lesson. Not only my opinion. Mosis mendelson.. at least one person as an example. And also french revolution . LOGICAL! 1 page. 50% Multiple choice there will be 1 answer right. Maybe there q where more then one answer is right. * Biblical judaism. Jewish life after exile distructions first temple. From temple tot he synagoge. Mishna and talmud. ( book) structure . rabi who write around text of mischna * Jews in christian europe. ( briefly, jews under islam ) compare IMPORTANT. Had easier under islam * Spanish expulsion (richards presentation) * Jews in the ghetto . merchant of venice. (movie†¦ gives a picture. 15th century how jewish lifes where ) * Ghetto in venice. Councel over four lands. Hmelnizki pogrom. The vickit bogdan. 1648/49 * Fals masahja. Hasidik movement. * Merchantalism in western europe. Aproved the standing of jews in society. It made it better. * Hofjuden ( max messerschmid) courtjews. / privilege jews. Aristocrats. * Enlightment and impact of situation oft he jews * French revolution.briefly . the impact ist he important !!! begining of imancipation in europe * Debate over imancipation oft he jews. Orthodox. Liberal. How they saw it. They saw it as a dangour tot he jewish ppl. Jews were assimilated somwhow those who were against imancipation not tob e ill treated but becuase they understood this was the key . the end for jewish ppl.

Two Music Reviews of Sorry For Party Rocking by LMFAO Essay

Two Music Reviews of Sorry For Party Rocking by LMFAO - Essay Example This small assessment essay describes the critical comparison of two music reviews, that were written by two popular music review sites, www.allmusic.com and www.rollingstone.com on the album ‘Sorry For Party Rocking‘ by LMFAO. When you critically evaluate or compare both the reviews on the same album, you can easily come out with a conclusion each reviewer took different kinds of aesthetics to judge the album. The review written by John Bush on www.allmusic.com considers the amount of humor and energy that keep listeners stick to the album. This is what we call Aesthetic Contemplation. Listeners don’t need to understand the track to enjoy the song. This is the reason why John Bush rated the album as Good. The review written by Caryn Ganz on www.rollingstone.com looks into rhythms, synths and beats. Caryn just focused on trying to understand the meaning of the song by analyzing the rhythms, beats and synths. This is what theoretical contemplation is. The researcher then compares two reviews and concluds that both the reviews are assessed by using Seel’s three dimensional aesthetic experience of popular music. As per aesthetic contemplation, you immerse yourself into the music by forgetting everything for a short while. Aesthetic Correspondence lets you to shape our surroundings and Aesthetic Imagination helps you stimulate the imagination to get into the emotional characterization and we can easily come to a conclusion John Bush focused more on aesthetic criteria and Caryn reviewed based on rhythms and beats.

Do any foreign policy models (the bureaucratic politics model, Essay

Do any foreign policy models (the bureaucratic politics model, groupthinking, etc.) help to explain American failure in Vietnam - Essay Example According to the research findings before oil was discovered in Middle East, this region had become a major target for a myriad of religious conflicts and wars, which were fought over the rich resources found there and the amount of land. When the Ottoman Empire faced a downfall, it provided a path for the European colonial and imperial powers to take matters in their own vested interests and gain access to various parts of Asia, which gradually also enabled them to secure these regions in their own favor. The biggest asset of Middle East is the amount of oil that is concentrated in the region, which has simultaneously also emerged as one of the biggest problems. Therefore the Western population is highly accustomed to the propaganda of the Middle Eastern regions, and this has also brought Islam in the middle. It was especially prominent during the European colonial times, which was also exacerbated by Edward Said in his famous book, â€Å"Orientalism†. The way it has been neg atively stereotyped has provided tremendous justification for involvement and also in ensuring a certain level of stability for the interests of powers that are present in the region. Another issue, which is also pivotal to Middle East, is racism and cultural stereotyping that has become very concentrated. There are certain war films that depict an Islamic or Arab group as bad, which clearly show the current conflicts etc. A bad guy is very often an Arab from one of the rogue states and because of the 9/11 attacks perpetrated against the United States and also the War on Terror; it’s very likely that this description will continue. Another huge problem is that to maintain their dominance and supremacy in the Middle Eastern, the West has also put a lot of power, money and influence in the hands of corrupt Arab leaders, and consequently collaborated in the overthrow of those people who were seen as a threat to their interests. Furthermore, it has contributed a great deal in kee ping the populations at bay, for the wealth, power and militarization of the elite class. It is also said to be done for combating the phenomena of communism. The major underlying factor has however been the effort to secure access to imperative resources such as oil (Bard, 1). Middle East is one of the most militarized regions in the world, and there are a lot of arms present. Majority of the people who have been oppressed see the influence of the United States in their region as the biggest cause of all the problems, which has also led to a rise in several acts of terrorism, Islamic militancy and anti-west sentiments. Although, there have been several declarations by the United States department that most of the American interests are vested in supporting the foundation of governments based on a democratic edifice, there have been some instances when the U.S has supported the suppressed regimes in the Middle East. When the U.S were having a Cold War with the Soviet Union, there we re a few policymakers who saw a very stable ally in the Middle East, whether it was tyrannical or not, which would be more preferred rather than an unstable regime that would side with the Soviets. Even when the Soviet Union collapsed, there was a whole lot of financial assistance and U.S dollars that kept flowing in to the regions, which were supposedly known as the centers for the regulation of human rights, or the evident lack of democracy. This also included Saudi Arabia (where a Wahhabi administration puts restrictions on the rights of women), Israel (which doesn’t promote the concept of equal rights for all its citizens), and the Egyptian government where an Egyptian cum American was imprisoned for supporting voter participation. In

Bill of Rights Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Bill of Rights Paper - Essay Example Constitution or more commonly the "Bill of Rights" should always be applied by government agencies that either dispense justice or ensure the security of the nation. The first amendment states that a person's beliefs and religion are to be respected. The Bill of Rights specifically states that there would be no law against the practice of any particular religious belief, custom as well as the establishment of any religious order. The Bill of rights also specifically states that any person is entitled to freedom of speech as well as the right to assemble and ask for petitions from the Government for any grievances made ("The US Constitution Online", 2006). This amendment applies as long as the person is of legal age and he or she does not harm any other person. The U.S. government treats the first amendment as one of the most important amendments made as it is believed by the administration that this will set an example to other countries in the provision of freedom and liberty regarding a person's belief and customs. ("National Security", 2006). This amendment treats religion as a free choice granting a person the freedom to join and revere a re ligious group or not. With this, the government's plans to line in religious practice alongside peace and justice will lead the way to a more harmonious existence between the government and the populace. There are a multitude of religions that are established in the United States and U.S. citizens enjoy much freedom to choose their religion given that they are already of legal age. They may also choose not to join any religious group or order. In universities and other institutions, religion is not compulsory for students and employees thus freeing people from the pressures of religion on what they can and cannot do in their lives. The latest current U.S. government administration emphasized the creation of laws that are centered for the enrichment of personal honor and the protection of human rights which includes freedom of the press, freedom to choose religions, exercise of conscience and religious assembly and association (National Security Strategy", 2006). The fourth amendment The privacy of a person is the main focus of the fourth amendment of the Bill of Rights. In this section of the Bill of Rights, people have the right to secure anything (papers, personal effects and other personal property) in their private residences. Their properties are thus protected under law against any unauthorized searches and seizures. Search warrants are only issued when violations are made especially regarding the possession of illegal goods and substances. Seizure of illegal goods and substances will only commence when a sworn affidavit is made against the owners but until it has been proven, any residence could be monitored in accordance with the law. ("The US Constitution Online", 2006). Privacy has always been regarded as a major issue not only by the Law but by the citizens themselves. Every person is entitled to his or her own privacy and to intrude or breach someone's privacy only entails trouble. Although this is the case most of the time, the government can somet imes break this law under dire circumstances especially when the whole country is

Night by Elie Wiesel Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Night by Elie Wiesel - Annotated Bibliography Example Night by Elie Weisel is a work that shows few characteristics of almost three modes of narration. On one hand it is the tale of the author’s own life so, it would not be wrong to say that is has the trait of an autobiography. On the other hand, it reflects profoundly on an immensely significant part of time and history, and its connection with the author’s life- thus it shows the characteristics of a memoir. It also has some potentials of a diary, as it provides thorough annals of daily occurrences taking place in the concentration camps, reminding us of the dairies of Anne Frank and the veteran African author N’Gugi Wa Thiongo’s Detained, which is a stark prison diary with exceptional fits of torments. It is an anecdote of an eternal hope that never lets the flame of hope to retire, even in the most perilous and bleak point of life. It is an intense tale of a father and his son and a metamorphosis in their relationship in an extremely adverse and difficul t situation.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The author is a ‘Holocaust’ survivor. He witnessed the most grotesque and gory sides of war and its direct effect on human lives vividly. From his novel, the horror of the cruelest genocide became prominent. It is a journey of the protagonist to a new life where humbleness and security exist evenly. Night is the initial book in the trilogy by Wiesel—Night, Dawn, and Day. The trilogy reflects Wiesels condition of psyche throughout the struggle in the concentration camps and history of the Holocaust. The titles spot his switch from obscurity to radiance, with accordance to the Jewish custom of the beginning of a fresh day at nightfall. In Night, the author assumed that he wanted to reach an end of the events of pain, which have inevitably ravaged his life. Weisel is successful in making a chain of portraits of a sheer transformation of human mind under a hostile

Effect of Titles and Subtitles of HIPAA on the IT Organization Essay

Effect of Titles and Subtitles of HIPAA on the IT Organization - Essay Example The process of utilization of health of patient is described by HIPPA in detailed. It is important for the medical institutions to make certain that the privacy of the person much be kept confidential. This form of step mostly complete by modifying how much PHI (protected health information is utilized. Basically Protected Health information is referred as the demographics, diagnoses and different treatments of the patient. On the other hand, the complete form of details and information can only be communicate with the staff directly in the patient care, relevant entities and other insurance organizations (Wiener & Gilliland, 2011).   On 14th April 2003, the HIPPA law came into force. The aim of this law is to save the privacy of the information related to the health of the patient by forming the minimum federal standards of how the health care providers may disclose this form of details (Thompson et al., 2011). Whereas the privacy of patient is sheltered from other form of parties, numerous health related professionals have criticized that barriers to access to information imposed by HIPAA potential risk can put the superiority and appropriateness and suitability of patient care. There are many intrinsic negative effects as HIPAA and other builds due to their susceptibility to misunderstanding (Thompson et al., 2011). The right to obtain record of copies of medical records is given to the patients by HIPAA so patient can recognize faults and appeal different form of corrections. On the other hand, the medical information of patients is also protected by HIPAA, and make certain that the medical information of one patient is not utilized by any other patient, other parties like marketing companies, other insurance companies and for the purpose of financial purposes. Moreover, refined from of technologies are also taken part in the HIPAA implementation and also

Is the Brazilian Social-Democratic Model Replicable Outside of Latin Essay

Is the Brazilian Social-Democratic Model Replicable Outside of Latin America - Essay Example This report explores that majority of the socialists embraced the name of social democrats in order to differentiate themselves from the socialists who are against the idea of democracy. In today’s world scholars think that social democracy is not different from other forms of political ideologies. There are various viewpoints regarding this ideology. Some scholars do not consider this form as a distinctive one; instead they say that it is an unstable mixture of Marxism and liberalism. In other words social democrats do not have their own mottos. On the other hand, the people who support this idea of democracy say that this is a perfect model to implement specific policies and maintain certain principles. These certain principles are to create equality and solidarity among the upper and the lower class. This essay declares that values and social theory are two parts of the ideology that social democracy carries. The values basically signify what should be our social development and social life should be made of. And social theory provides us with the mechanism through which we can control both social development and social life. Freedom, equality and brotherhood were the slogan in the French revolution which gave social democracy its main values. All these can be combined together to form democracy as real democracy creates all of these in a society. In social democracy, work and the right to work are seen as a vital part of people’s life which helps them in the development of not only their professional but also personal and social life. In this theory the main factor of production is the labour as because of labour all other factors of production like raw materials, land, capital and technology are utilized. This in return brings about a boost in economic growth. This also means that it is due to the working conditions that we can determine how the society looks and how well is the economy doing. In today’s world social democrats are favouring the capitalistic market economy which goes hand in hand with a strong government. Human rights and environmental issues have become major goals of many social democratic parties instead of the old-style goal of making a socialist government. Generally, social democrats support a number of agendas that ensure their support for human rights. They strongly support the wide system of social security in order to protect people from poverty and save them from loss of income if they are ill or unemployed. This system is mostly followed in European countries.

Strategic Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 2

Strategic Planning - Essay Example Tesco has been successful in expanding the growth of its business through entering into joint venture with other large retail companies all over the world. (Leahy, 2007: 41) As of 2008, the company was able to establish a total of 12 international businesses which serves the market of Hungary, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, Central Europe, Czech Republic, Poland, and the United States among others. (Leahy, 2007: 42 – 43; Couch, 2006; Wilson, 2005) In early part of 2007, the company entered into a joint venture with Tin Cao who owns a little more than 50 Hymall-branded hypermarkets. (Hawkes, 2008; China Daily, 2008; Baijia, 2007) Tesco’s joint venture in China is known as the ‘Happy Shopper Hymall.’ The company was able to increase its sales by 13% to  £7.6 billion in 2006. (Times Online, 2006) In line with the success behind Tesco China, its top management believes that the said strategic move will enable the company to serve a more lucrative market in Shanghai, China. With regards to Tesco’s current expansion in the Chinese market, the researcher will seek to identify and evaluate the key stakeholders of the joint venture between Tesco and Tin Cao. Eventually, the impact of the joint venture agreement in terms of its competitive position in the chinese market will be discussed thoroughly. Based on the past retailing experiences of Tesco in the UK market, the researcher will make use of the PESTLE as well as the opportunities and threat analysis model as part of determining and examining the potential external factors that could significantly affect the business expansion of Tesco in China. Prior to the conclusion, the identified value adding activities that may contribute to the success of Tesco in China will be highlighted. Aside from the employee of Tesco Group, Tin Cao owned Hymall-branded hypermarkets and

Discussion feedback Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Discussion feedback - Assignment Example They are directly responsible for meeting the development schedules according to the need and demand of the design and technical specifications. A technical leader should possess the three basic KSAs that include technical independence, technology influence and technology initiative. Many people and experts feel that there is a strong link and dependency between science and technology. It is arguable that one can exist without the other. Explain in detail and provide your perspective with practical examples of why you feel there is or is not a connection between science and technology. Ans. Science and technology are evolving rapidly. They are developing new revolutions between different inventions and technological designs. Usually, the solution to one’s technological problem is found in the invention of other. Science and technology are interdependent on one another. Discovery in one field promotes and explores new ways and techniques in another field. There are a number of factors and precautions that need to be considered when developing and introducing new technologies to the marketplace. This is especially the case when this could be a technology without a known history. One specific consideration is around ethics such as the impact on people and the environment. What are some common ethical challenges, issues and dilemmas encountered when creating and commercializing a new technology? Describe in detail and provide an example of each type (challenges, issues and dilemmas) for both the development and introduction process. Ans. Different ethical challenges arise when a new technology is created and commercialized. Some of the issues or ethical dilemmas revolve around financial development and fulfilling the short/long term goals. All around the world issue of privacy has been the greatest ethical dilemma for healthcare sector to maintain the privacy of the patient and his family in a

Administrative Ethics Paper Grading Criteria Essay Example for Free

Administrative Ethics Paper Grading Criteria Essay Resource: Administrative Ethics Paper Grading Criteria on your student website Find a current administrative issue in a newspaper, magazine, or journal article relating to topics such as patient privacy, confidentiality, or HIPAA. Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper that includes the following: †¢ Describe the issue and its impact on the population it affects most. †¢ What arguments or facts are used in the article to support the proposed solution? †¢ What are the ethical and legal issues reported for your administrative issue? †¢ Explain the managerial responsibilities related to administrative ethical issues. If none were stated, what should have been done? †¢ Identify any proposed solutions. See more: Strategic Management Process Essay Include at least three sources in your paper. Resource: Administrative Ethics Paper Grading Criteria on your student website Find a current administrative issue in a newspaper, magazine, or journal article relating to topics such as patient privacy, confidentiality, or HIPAA. Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper that includes the following: †¢ Describe the issue and its impact on the population it affects most. †¢ What arguments or facts are used in the article to support the proposed solution? †¢ What are the ethical and legal issues reported for your administrative issue? †¢ Explain the managerial responsibilities related to administrative ethical issues. If none were stated, what should have been done? †¢ Identify any proposed solutions.

Barriers of Cross Communication

Barriers of Cross Communication Abstracts As the rapid growth of economic and social development, every organization extending their business outside countries. Therefore, every organization must comprehend the culturally diverse. That means to communicate with other people from different background. However, due to different culture or background, sometimes it becomes hard to implement to manage all issues related to cross communication. Nevertheless, every organisation should make practical way how to enhance the cross communication in their firms. Through this assignment I will address the barriers of the cross communication. How overcome to the barriers. After that I will discuss about two theories of cross communication. After deeply analysis will learn what barriers come to cross communication on works place. In addition. How various culture influence peoples thinking and behaving. How we can improve our capability to communicate with different background. What are the barriers to effective cross cultural communication? How these might be surmounted? Cross cultural communication is very essential for evolution and enhancement in globalization. The success key of various business firms is to be effective cross cultural communication. Therefore, this is imperative for any firms to perceive the culturally diverse in their working place. However there are many barriers to effective communication. Misunderstanding There is no doubt that misunderstanding is the preeminent barrier in business environment. People have vary in culture and language. As a result variations in different culture can conduct the high level of anxiety and uncertainty can end up into the misunderstanding. Therefore misunderstand raise due to anxiety and uncertainty. Value and beliefs Every person have different values and beliefs. Today era, every person believes depends on his region, culture and language. If organization firms do not understand their employees values and beliefs result must have barriers in cross communication at workplace.ÂÂ   In order to make communication channel effectively and efficiently, an organisation should be known the importance of values and beliefs to other cultures person. Languages Sometimes it seems common when misunderstanding create among people who speak same language. Therefore, it is not astounding that people who belong to the other region, culture and linguistic backgrounds can lead misunderstanding. Moreover, mispronunciation of a word to a lack of specificity can face communications barriers.ÂÂ   When people speak language intangibly in any organisation, receivers will take huge time to comprehend. Stereotypes- Stereotypes is extremely considerable barrier to effective communication. It is an assumptions when person make about others person based on their culture, race, gender, nationality, ethnicity. Basically stereotypes are raise due to lack of knowledge and fear about other person. Stereotypes occurs when a person does not communicate well due to feeling self-conscious or shy of his perceived minority and culture. For Example The common issues is Black and white in USA. Ethnocentrism- Generally it categorized the culture as us and them. The person who belong to same culture are classify in a group and other culture out of group. It always give the priority to in group. There is a misunderstanding that other culture out of group as junior or inferior. Therefore it judge the another persons culture based upon the standards and values. For instance a business owner may be exclaim to his foreigner client and might call him moron due to his different race, gender, culture and nationality. Presentation Style- Sometimes, it depends on culture influences, how people from different countries prefer to receive the information. For instance prepare your presentation according to the culture to which you present. Mostly, European opt their presentation like formal, highlighted with details and minor interruption, Moreover discussion at the end of the presentation.ÂÂ   Cultures like English speaking their presentation are interesting and interactive. In general Japaneses prefer more technical background presentation. Therefore, you cant rely upon your personal framework or presentation. Whenever you addressing the audiences for different background, work according to them or their culture. Overcoming Communication Barriers. Notwithstanding, we have pile of barriers. In order to avoid these barriers and make clear cross commination channel in various effective way. Cross Culture awareness. We need to have enhance the awareness of about different culture. To comprehend the foreign culture differences, values, custom and beliefs. After that, we will be able to perceive other cultures and overcoming barriers. Knowledge of international Language. We can enlarge our skills, in addition to learn international language. I personally, believe that culture and language is correlated with each other. For instance my friend form India, he has further plan to do higher studies form Germany. Therefore he is taking the classes for Germanys culture and language. As a result, no problem will be created for him to communicate with Germans people. Moreover the extra learning will allow to him, how to give respect to other cultures and language. Before communication, Clarifying Idea- It must be very clear that if you are sending the information to other background people in business. Your objective and purpose of the communication must be well known what you passing the information to the others and arranging whole the information in effective manner. Until and unless, youre main idea is not clear behind the whole conversation. The whole information will get into trouble Be a Good listener- It has duties for both like sender and receiver that must be a good listener. Sender and receiver, both should have patience, pay attention what they say to each other. Hereby be a good listener can prevent the barriers of cross communication. Avoid traditional thinking Though, you want you improve your thinking abilities you must condone traditional thinking. To allow yourself to get extra knowledge about various way of thinking and comprehend differences. Be a polite and straight forward in communication. This obstacles can avoid the misunderstanding in cross communication. At sum-up, Ill must say, deeper knowledge of any culture should be mandatory for everyone. Not only in business sector but also in personal life. Because if you are planning to move in other foreign country, it will help to earn extra bonus with you career. Try to learn, understand other culture no matter what person is or from where they belong. Express your word, message or information clearly in a polite way. Dont be rude with other cultures people and try to show you willingness that we want to know or understand about your culture. Hereby this willing, deeper knowledge can help us to negative impact on cross communication. Identify at least two theories of cross culture communication that can shed light on your own experiences of communicating across cultures. What do these theory explain?ÂÂ   What do they explain to fail? First theory of cross culture communication. Introduction Primarily I will discuss about Face negotiation theory which is formulated by S. Ting Toomey, professor of human communication at California state university. The theory described about to maintain a face in the society can be part of differences in handling conflicts. How culture differences in people influences to managing the conflicts. Culture differences respond to the conflicts in the society. Generally, it is an idea to maintain a face according to every individual culture. Because face is an identity that every individual keep up in the society as a self-image. Face represents as himself/herself in the society. Two types of people is there, first is Collectivistic and second is individualistic. There are few reason of Face negotiation. 1. Anxiety over self-image and other -image. The value of face for person is necessary to understand and how can be important to maintain a face which reflects to the others. 2. Those who belong to the collectivistic culture, generally they ignore and connect to the conflicts. On the other hand individualistic people, they dominant the conflicts as to maintain the independent image in the society. 3. Every individual has statues in the society. Collectivistic people are born into certain statues whereas individualistic people are less concerned. There are 5 type of conflicts styles. Domination Indivualistic people approach never bow down. Integrating work together and try to reach the solution, standpoint by individual people. Obliging- Collectivistic people approach giving up and do what other says. Avoiding- A collectivistic view, stay away from conflicts. Compromising to come to a solution as individualistic view. Examples for Face Negotiation theory According to S. Toomey, people face a conflict situations has different form indiualstic people and collectivistic people. Western people are individualistic in nature. On the other hand collectivistic in nature. Individualistic people try to solve in trouble situation and never bow down. Whereas collectivistic people try to avoid the trouble situation and keep away themselves. Different culture have different meaning for instance. A good eye contact as a good gesture of attention and respect in western countries. However in eastern or Asian countries, they take it as rudeness. Moreover, some what I am against this theory that according to S. Toomey words. Individualistic culture (Western people), never give and Collectivistic culture (Eastern Asian), compromise with the words. Drawbacks of face negotiating theory. Indivualisitic culture belongs to the the western countries, while eastern countries have collectivistic culture. In spite of culture difference doesnt explain properly the person behaviour. Many people form Eastern or Asian countries living in western countries as permanent residence. Sometimes they follow the same culture like individualistic culture or collective culture vice-versa. Due to globalization, the theory was less applicable For further search of theory. She found that collectivist culture can also be self-protective like Japaneses people. The theory was updated many times. The latest up gradation was in 2005 I admit, some what I am against this theory that according to S. Toomey words. Individualistic culture (Western people), never give and Collectivistic culture (Eastern Asian), compromise with the words. As an international student I am in Canada, I was making plan to come in Canada 2013. Due to financial issues I was not able. After completion my graduation. I joined company. I gathered my self-earning. In 2016 I applied and came here. What I have learnt to my situation that never bow down to any conflicts. As I belong to Asian countries. According to S. Toomey theory collectivistic culture people like to stay away to trouble situation. One More example, I have that I met two one person in Canada , one is from South Africa and other, he is from Surrey, BC, Canada. Both they are following SIKH religion. Therefore, it doesnt matter from where you are and sometimes culture differences dont explain properly about your personal behaviour. 2nd Theory The second theory I will discuss about culture diversity. Generally, we knows globalization is increasing more and more, here upon it requires more interaction with people from values, believes, background, language, culture diverse. Nowadays we are the part of every country economic. Therefore every company require diversity to exchange more ideas, innovation and become more creative.ÂÂ   The basic concept of these theory explain about two phases of effect. It has positive and negative impact on team output. The positive impact bring culture diversity and reflect on probable productivity. It brings different culture together to create a peace and brotherhood. Somewhat members of other groups share their beliefs, festive and culture expression. For Example. On Chinese and Indian Festival Occasion, Canadian university organize their festive like Chineses New Year, Diwali and Holy and so on. As a result they exchange their culture experience with each other. In contrast It has negative impact, so far as it brings complexity between each other culture and not easy to manage. Culture diversity can be double edge sword, if we will not managed on workplace. It is undoubted that Drawbacks of Culture Diversity. The first drawback of the theory is attitudinal problem which are dislike and mistrust. We cant ignore theses two issues even in cross communication. Because every society has own identity and culture. Sometimes we first meet with any other culture they express themselves own their culture way. For example. When person from western culture meet and greet to other person, they will kiss check. In Middle East countries People greet you to say, SALAAM. Every society has own culture style for greeting. Therefore some time we dont used to with these style. It feels like you strange. But some people dislike this way which is totally different from their culture. The second disadvantages of culture diversity theory is pronunciation problem. It includes misunderstanding, inefficiency and inaccuracy. For Example many people dont familiar with other cultures language. Sometime they dont understand, what other people say. For example as an international student I am here in Canada. I am not familiar with few English words or sometime I cant pronounce some words properly. I am working in gas station as part time. Once day customer came and demanding for one product MM peanut and I didnt get his words and thinking he wants Eminem peanut. Personally I realized my pronunciation was not good to comprehend the word MM. this issues can be common. This kind of issues can be create misunderstanding and misconception between two people from different background. What are the implications of your insights for cross-cultural communication in international? Personally I believe, cross communication is very important not only in business organization but also in personal life. It play a significant role to create a smooth bridge and link between the countries. Cross communication brings new ideas, creativity, exchanging, cooperation and innovation. Various strategies or ideas will make every firm more and more creative, productive. Moreover In a company has different employee from different culture. Different employee can be authorised for specific work. Person can be assigned to solve those problem which is related to his or her culture background. As a result business will run smoothly and effectively. Besides every organisation enhancing their business outside the home countries like Vodafone, Tata, Reliance, and Nokia and so on. To order to maintain or make successful business. Every company must to comprehend how to operate business in international level in effective way. For example Ernest and Young an Audit firm it has so many branches across the world. It hire different employee form different background. Nevertheless, cross culture communication in an organisation is not easy to handle. It could be obstacles for any business in international market First barriers is Language and second is various thinking pattern.ÂÂ   Sometime it become harder to manage, when people from different culture society and working together. Every person has own view and thoughts. An organisation should considering some ways to manage cross communication. First to set up the aims that every employee should make efforts to achieve it. That means everyone from different background has same goals and rewards. Therefore no conflicts of cross communication will come up. Second, every organisation start to give different language training that everyone will allow to go to international market for dealing and developing new markets with other cultures people to maintain a cross communication. To Sum up, although many research has been done to overcome the barriers of cross communication, How to resolve the problem of cross communication. Because a cross communication channel is a reflection to change world. Cross culture communication has enormous benefits and associated by creating impartial and secure atmosphere where everyone has equal prejudice to access the same opportunities and challenges. Cross Communication can be assets or liabilities for us what we opt. It is depend on us. In my opinion, try to learn and consider to other background people to make it effective and relationship.

Comparison of Film Remakes: Poltergeist

Comparison of Film Remakes: Poltergeist INTRODUCTION In this essay Im going to compare two movies; original and its remake and focus on how visual effects were made for each movie. Firstly Im going to write about the original movie and then about its remake and how it has developed opposite the original. Im going to introduce the movie Poltergeist, its story and using my resources write about some of the most significant visual effects for the movie and how filmmakers achieved specific effects in that time using different techniques. Poltergeist is telling us a classic story about a family who came to a new house haunted by evil forces. Everything starts with the youngest daughter who senses ghosts calling her to help them. When she is taken by them to the other side, the family must come together to rescue her before she disappears forever. Poltergeist would prove to be one of the best horror movies of the 80s, thanks to its terrifying effects and creative storyline. The original moviewas awarded the BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Poltergeist (1982) / The Original Director: Tobe Hooper Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) VFX Supervisor: Richard Edlund Visual effects, if they are done well, are not obvious. The older effects may look lame and unsophisticated for first time viewers by todays standards. However, Poltergeist shows us that even using almost only practical effects created by hand can be very effective and breathtaking. The original Poltergeist scared a generation with its practical horror effects designed to disturb. These effects became legendary and inspired many filmmakers. It all began with a description in the script for Steven Spielbergs film Poltergeist: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦and the house implodes. It is referring to a one of the most significant scene in the movie in which the house of the Freeling family becomes so possessed by spirits of the dead that it is destroyed by implosion it collapses upon itself and disappears. ILM was asked by Spielberg to create this effect and VFX supervisor Richard Edlund accepted this challenge. While the actors shot their parts on a blue screen set, ILM went through months of testing and development to achieve Spielbergs effect. They crafted a detailed model of the house out of balsa wood and corn flakes by a hand. The house had to break up into pieces and shrink into its center. It had to actually implode. Using vacuum system they finally achieved desired effect by threading thick steel cables through the model and funnel attached to a high powered vacuum. Whole scene was shot with a high-speed camera and done in one take. One of the most memorable set pieces involved Robbie (Oliver Robins) being pulled from his bed by an evil tree through his window. The tree they used was an entire mechanical tree that actually grab the kid. However, the scene was shot in reverse and despite of this the footage looked better this way. It gives the tree personality. Another significant and interesting shot was paranormal investigator Marty ripping his own melting face off. The VFX crew built a bust of the actor so there was no need to put special makeup on him. Spielberg was asked to rip the face flesh to bits because the production had only one bust to rip apart so the hands belong to Spielberg. Some of the scenes were huge to create. Building up set on a huge revolving gimbal is one of them. Scene where Carol Anne (Heather ORourke) is being dragged into closet is actually whole set turned 360 degrees so all the stuff just fell into closet. The key was attaching a static camera onto a rotating set. The same technique was used when esophagus is trying to devour the family. For this scene Spielberg wanted a full size enormous esophagus to engulf a bedroom. However, it was a model created by a hand, then filmed separately and then combined to the set. The scene is a masterpiece of optical compositing, as the miniature looks as it is actually part of the live-action set. One of the biggest parts of the movie was lightening. In Poltergeist lightening was the key to create a mysterious atmosphere. We can see a lot of special lightening effects such as blasting light. Very useful effect was achieved using tanks of water with fishes where they put a big reflector behind the tank so they could achieve the effect of optical flares coming out of the closet. Poltergeist (2015) / The Remake Director: Gil Kenan Shade VFX Supervisor: Bryan Godwin Soho VFX Supervisor: Keith Sellers In the early 1980s, there were no major computer generated visual effects but thats probably to this films advantage. Early CGI often looks dated. Having said that, the practical effects crafted by hand and shot with camera tricks in the original Poltergeist really do hold up for the most part. The remake has almost only CG effects. It also introduces a couple of innovative concepts like sending a drone with a camera into the other side. There was just too great of an opportunity to put a camera through to the other side and see what it looks like over there, Kenan said. I just couldnt resist. Most of the story remains the original but some of Kenans effects are not based on the original. For instance, the most significant effect the house implosion from the original Poltergeist doesnt take the place in the remake. They probably wanted to keep it more realistic so it ends only with the house falling apart without implosion. It is obvious that Kenan was trying to follow the melting face scene from the original regarding to a shot where we can see Erik (Sam Rockwell) in the kitchen seeing his face flowing black fluid. However, there is no melting face effect at all. I think he was only trying to keep the concept of someones face changing. On the other hand he created something that we couldnt see in the original movie Kenan decided to include the other side where Madison (Kennedi Clements) was being kept by ghosts. There we can see ghosts in another way than in the original. Using todays technique they decided to create more deadly-looking creatures than ordinary transparent ghosts. The movie takes us deep into the other side. The scene where Madison and her brother Griffin (Kyle Catlett) are talking inside the other side is visually very dramatic and dark. VFX artists created 3D models of ghosts as well as the environment of the other side so it was all CGI. For the dramatic closing sequence of the gate of the other side artists form Milk studio created four shots of the evil spirit creatures working with Framestore. Conclusion I admire the work on the house implosion effect. The technique used to create this kind of effect is creative and also very impressive. I admire the work of modelers who created the model to the detail so it looks exactly like the house in the movie and it is hardly noticeable. Another very impressive creation is perfectly done glass matte painting of graveyard in the original Poltergeist where Steve (Craig T. Nelson) and Teague (James Karen) are standing next to while talking at the hill. I would use very precise digital painting technique combined with 3D models to achieve this effect. Of course, using todays advanced equipment it could be also done as a whole 3D environment combined with a real footage. My personal favorite is the melting face scene in the original movie. However, actors face suddenly changes into a bust and we can see it is not his face anymore. I would use different materials such as latex or silicone and make up technique on the actors face to make it more natural and avoid unwanted effect. The scene from the other side from the remade Poltergeist is very well done in my opinion. I like that the whole scene is based on the slow motion with lightening effect creating very mysterious feeling while camera is going through. In my opinion the original Poltergeist keeps its originality and horror feeling. Poltergeist has become one of the movies we will never forget. It take us to the world of classical effects and keeps us thinking how they achieved that. However, CGI opens the door to many opportunities today. The remake on the other hand is showing us how world of visual effects has developed. Some of the CGI effects in the remake are easily noticeable yet it still keeps its mysterious atmosphere during whole movie. Nowadays, filmmakers dont have to use almost any practical effect but sometimes the result may not be as desired. Bibliography FilmArchivesNYC. (2013). Poltergeist Behind the Scenes Footage (stock footage / archival footage). [image] youtube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzQuTcvYqCw/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 2017]. fxguide. (2011). the vfx show #132: Poltergeist. [online] fxguide. Available at: https://www.fxguide.com/thevfxshow/the-vfx-show-132-poltergeist/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 2017]. Woerner, M. (2013). 13 things you didnt know about Poltergeist. [online] io9. Available at: http://io9.gizmodo.com/13-things-you-didnt-know-about-poltergeist-1454934341/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 2017]. Brown, C. (2006). Poltergeist (1982 film) [online] wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergeist_(1982_film)/   [Accessed 4 Jan. 2017]. ILM studio. Poltergeist. [online] ilm. Available at: http://www.ilm.com/vfx/poltergeist-2/ [Accessed 4 Jan. 2017]. BUF. (2016). POLTERGEIST | Visual Effects Making Of [image] vimeo. Available at:   https://vimeo.com/181774567/   [Accessed 4 Jan. 2017]. Milk. (2015). Poltergeist Feature Film, 2015 [online] milk-vfx. Available at: http://www.milk-vfx.com/project/poltergeist/ [Accessed 4 Jan. 2017]. Porter, S. (2015). Look Away! Practical Horror Effects in Classic Films. [online] premiumbeat. Available at: https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/look-away-practical-horror-effects-in-classic-films/   [Accessed 4 Jan. 2017]. Polowy, K. (2015). Poltergeist Director Gil Kenan Couldnt Resist Showing Us The Other Side This Time. [online] yahoo. Available at:   https://www.yahoo.com/movies/poltergeist-remake-behind-tv-screen-director-119617731497.html/ [Accessed 10 Jan. 2017]. Lowe, J. (2015). Poltergeist Film Review: A Solid Remake. [online] yahoo. Available at:   https://www.yahoo.com/movies/poltergeist-film-review-a-solid-remake-119372053762.html/   [Accessed 12 Jan. 2017].

Imagery and Symbolism in David Guterson’s The Country Ahead of Us, The Country Behind :: Guterson Country Ahead of Us Country Behind

Imagery and Symbolism in David Guterson’s The Country Ahead of Us, The Country Behind In David Guterson’s anthology, The Country Ahead of Us, The Country Behind, characters are portrayed effectively and succinctly through the imagery of their surroundings. Many of his stories are symbolic in that they reflect relationships and feelings of characters. Guterson’s titles have a more complex and deeper connection to the story than is first apparent. They too are often symbolic of a main character, or of relationships. In "Angels in the Snow," Guterson describes the world as fragile because of the snow that has fallen. This fragility of the world, at that particular time, is representative of the relationship between John and Cora. The next morning the world is described as ‘a fragile, white place’ and this symbolises their relationship which has also become very fragile because of what John has revealed. The whiteness of the snow symbolises innocence and purity, but at this moment, through Cora’s eyes, John has lost the last of his innocence. Guterson also uses the act of making angels in the snow to portray innocence that is rapidly fading. We made angels in the snow, Cora and myself, swept our arms through the powder, left an impression of wings that would melt before the new year. It is as if John already knows what is to come, and is aware of how soon it will be. He is aware that his relationship with Cora has changed. She now has confirmation that John is not as innocent as he might have liked her to think. Through making the angels he is making one last attempt to seem innocent, for this is a very innocent act. John appears to think that if he can some how act innocently, he can convince Cora that he really is so. In "The Flower Garden," Guterson continues his exploration of the fragility of a relationship between a man and a woman and again portrays this by drawing parallels with what is happening in nature. The relationship between Anna and the narrator is a very fragile one like the garden they ‘planted with nursery sets and fragile garden cuttings.’ The relationship and the garden are at the beginning of their being, and both are very fragile. Both have to be thought out, then nurtured carefully. Any mistake or misjudgment can have long and lasting consequences.

Lou Cannons Reagan :: essays research papers

Book Review – Reagan by Lou Cannon Preliminary Information   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The book is titled Reagan. Lou Cannon is the author. There are 464 pages in the book, and it was published in 1982. Subject Matter/Topic   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reagan is a biography of former president Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States. The book discusses in detail all the events of his life, from his birth to his election to presidency. Point of View   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cannon writes in the third person, largely objective narrator. He is writing not from the point of view of a Reagan supporter or and employee of his administration, but from the perspective of an objective reporter. Cannon was the White House corespondent for The Washington Post. Most of the book Cannon merely tells the facts of Reagan’s life without throwing in any of his own thoughts. While Reagan mostly deals with the positive aspects of Reagan’s life, Cannon doesn’t shy away from talking about the negative parts of his life, such as his firing from his radio announcing job. Cannon also discusses Reagan’s many failures as an actor, while at the same time mentioning his successes too. Cannon writes about his political defeats, such as his failure to win nomination for president in 1976, while also writing about his many political victories, such as being elected governor of California, and President of the United States. Overall, Cann on writes with a detached, objective point of view. He balances all of the positives and negatives of Reagan’s life, giving equal time to each. Summary   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reagan is an in-depth biography of Ronald Reagan. This definitive biography explores every aspect of Reagan’s life, and all of his successes and failures. The overriding theme in the book is that of Reagan’s determination and never give up attitude.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cannon begins the book by discussing Reagan’s humble beginnings. He was born in the front bedroom of a five-bedroom flat above the general store where his father worked, near Tampico, Illinois. He spent his childhood in a succession of small Indiana towns. His family was very poor, but not quite living in poverty. They came close to being crushed by the Depression. His father, Jack Reagan, was an Irish-Catholic, but only their first son, Ronald’s brother Neil, was baptized a Catholic. Jack was a hard-worker, but struggled with alcoholism throughout his life. His mother Nelle was a very moral and dignified woman. She encouraged her children to get a good education so they could have a better life. Lou Cannon's Reagan :: essays research papers Book Review – Reagan by Lou Cannon Preliminary Information   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The book is titled Reagan. Lou Cannon is the author. There are 464 pages in the book, and it was published in 1982. Subject Matter/Topic   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reagan is a biography of former president Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States. The book discusses in detail all the events of his life, from his birth to his election to presidency. Point of View   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cannon writes in the third person, largely objective narrator. He is writing not from the point of view of a Reagan supporter or and employee of his administration, but from the perspective of an objective reporter. Cannon was the White House corespondent for The Washington Post. Most of the book Cannon merely tells the facts of Reagan’s life without throwing in any of his own thoughts. While Reagan mostly deals with the positive aspects of Reagan’s life, Cannon doesn’t shy away from talking about the negative parts of his life, such as his firing from his radio announcing job. Cannon also discusses Reagan’s many failures as an actor, while at the same time mentioning his successes too. Cannon writes about his political defeats, such as his failure to win nomination for president in 1976, while also writing about his many political victories, such as being elected governor of California, and President of the United States. Overall, Cann on writes with a detached, objective point of view. He balances all of the positives and negatives of Reagan’s life, giving equal time to each. Summary   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reagan is an in-depth biography of Ronald Reagan. This definitive biography explores every aspect of Reagan’s life, and all of his successes and failures. The overriding theme in the book is that of Reagan’s determination and never give up attitude.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cannon begins the book by discussing Reagan’s humble beginnings. He was born in the front bedroom of a five-bedroom flat above the general store where his father worked, near Tampico, Illinois. He spent his childhood in a succession of small Indiana towns. His family was very poor, but not quite living in poverty. They came close to being crushed by the Depression. His father, Jack Reagan, was an Irish-Catholic, but only their first son, Ronald’s brother Neil, was baptized a Catholic. Jack was a hard-worker, but struggled with alcoholism throughout his life. His mother Nelle was a very moral and dignified woman. She encouraged her children to get a good education so they could have a better life.

Highlight POVs Essay

Doc. 1 – Churchill wants to use United States as a model to structure a new Europe in order to recover from the World War and give power to smaller nations. Doc. 2 – France obviously does not want to cooperate with Germany; they fear that the new Europe would become an enlarged Germany. Doc. 3 – Vyshinsky is clearly against the Marshall plan, for he fears that the Soviets will lose their influence in Europe under the economic and political control of the United States. Doc. 4 – A Soviet propaganda that the U.S. government will implement a form of capitalist approach in Europe, seizing everything under control. Doc. 5 – Schuman believes the best approach in creating a strong economic market in Europe requires a complete unity with the elimination of any residue of hatred between the nations. Inviting Germany into constructing a new Europe would create a positive externality. Doc. 6 – Coming from West Germany, he wants a merged, democratic Europe with the presence of diverse culture and equality. Doc. 7 – Mcmillan believes the UK will benefit greater from favoring the trade route with its Commonwealth system than joining the EEC. However, as a finance minister, he is more in favor of the country’s economic well-being rather than building a unified European community. Thesis is underlined

Bru Case Study

BRU World Cafe Note: All information in the case has been garnered from sources in the public domain. This case has been developed for purely academic purposes, and is not in any way the intended or actual plan of Bru World Cafe Comstrat 2011 Visit us at www. draftfcbulkacomstrat. com Page 0 About the Category/ Brand and Market Trend ? BRU is India’s largest coffee brand in terms of volume, with a portfolio of instant and roasted & ground (filter) coffee, Ice and Hot Cappuccino and out of home vending. BRU was the first coffee brand to go national with a variety of offerings suited for the varied and distinct taste palette of the Indian consumer. BRU Green Label Roast & Ground is the largest brand in the conventional coffee segment. BRU’s Hot Cappuccino and Ice Cappuccino are innovative products specially designed for the cafe going youth – to enjoy a great cup of cappuccino even at home. ? The brand enjoys very strong equity in the south and its awareness and associations in the non-south part of the country emanate from its roots as the authentic south Indian coffee brand. BRU strives to stimulate conversations over coffee livening up every shared moment ? A key trend, which has fuelled coffee consumption in India is â€Å"rise in conversations over coffee†, which means a direct correlation with increase in out of home consumption for coffee as there is an increasing trend to socialize in cafes (especially in 10 lakh plus towns). ? With more than 1500 coffee cafes in the country, up from 175 in 2002 (of these around 1000 have opened in the last 5 years), coffee has emerged as the most happening beverage category, estimated to be around 1000Crs (in End Consume Price (ECP) terms) in 2011. Valued at around US$185 million, the organized cafe market in India is estimated to be growing at a compound annual rate of 25%. Players from Barista Coffee Co. to Cafe Coffee Day are opening outlets practically every weekend. In the past couple of years we have also seen the entry of new players like Cafe Mocha and Gloria Jeans in the premium category. ? The gro wth [of cafes] has been triggered by rising youth spending, paucity of alternative hang-outs and an increasing number of new office complexes and colleges. The market has the potential to touch US$800 million to US$900 million with a total of 5,000 cafes by 2015. Comstrat 2011 Visit us at www. draftfcbulkacomstrat. com Page 1 ? This provides a unique opportunity to leverage the strength of well established brands in HUL’s beverage portfolio to create a service model that would allow building preference for these brands while also adding a sizeable turnover to HUL’s Foods business. Given the size and opportunity of the coffee cafe segment, BRU became the natural choice for leveraging this opportunity. ? With entry into cafes, BRU plays across the coffee category definition becoming a complete in-home and out-of-home coffee brand and also proactively drives â€Å"coffee experience† with direct consumer engagement. This is also an approach for the brand to contemporarise and premiumize by driving imagery through a futuristic segment. ? â€Å"Coffee Experience† model is an opportunity which can be utilized to deliver the dual objectives of : 1. Building expertise and coffee credentials for BRU in the coffee category and get an imagery rub-off on the in-home consumption portfolio. . Another important value driver identified for the category is, â€Å"Bringing out of home experiences in-home†. Cafes will provide a unique space and an exclusive retail channel to drive this opportunity. ? This segment holds immense potential given that the coffee consumption in India is still very low as compared to the rest of the world and the Indian market is just starting to heat u p with international players like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts announcing their entry here. BRU World Cafe Theme Great coffee is an experience. We bring it alive. When you step into BRU World Cafe, you step into the world of coffee – an experience that is visual, aural, olfactory and gustatory. Name Tagline : BRU World Cafe : Discover the World a cup at a time Cafes today are not about coffee. This theme lets us bring the coffee back to the cafe. It helps us to establish the coffee credentials and in future we can easily translate the out of Comstrat 2011 Visit us at www. draftfcbulkacomstrat. com Page 2 home experience in home. The consumer takeout after a visit to World Cafe: BRU knows coffee like no other Identity for the Cafe Target Audience Description Demographics: ? ? SEC A/B1 18 years + An audience on the move, who is looking for a unique experience while enjoying their favorite cup of coffee. And cafes also double up as their hangout joints or meeting places. Along with being an ardent coffee lover they are used to the good things in life, are welltraveled or well-read and exposed to the cultures and offerings of the world at large. Experience and Ambience BRU World Cafe is a traveler’s and coffee connoisseur’s haven. The coffee is served in many traditional styles evoking the palettes of coffee lovers. BRU scours the world to bring the finest coffees from a few prized plantations and stays true to their authenticity by brewing and serving them right. Additionally it provides a relaxed atmosphere with great coffee and vast menu offerings. On entering BRU World Cafe, you leave the hustle-bustle of the city behind. The interior is contemporary and bright, almost Mediterranean in its look and feel. The sounds are Comstrat 2011 Visit us at www. draftfcbulkacomstrat. com Page 3 nippets of music one would hear while traveling the globe whether it is the music of the Balkans, country music from the European greens of Italy and Spain or the Tibetan chants. Browse through the eclectic collection of books that give you insights & quaint facts about exotic destinations across the world or just switch off and chill out over your favorite pick from the comic series of Aestrix and Tintin. Coffee facts, stories, legends and myths and the interesting collage of visuals make up the way coffee arrives to you, becoming an integral part of the experience. It is a place for telling, sharing and creating your own personal story. The Business Challenge There are 7 BRU World Cafes which have opened as part of a pilot run in Mumbai across the western suburbs (Andheri (W), Malad, Bandra, Juhu and Versova) and another 3 are expected to go live within this year. The first cafe went live in February 2011 and the consumer response over the last 5-6 months across outlets has been very encouraging and very positive in terms of the overall experience, ambience, service and differentiation on providing an international coffee experience (best suited to Indian taste palette). Cafe revenue per day is calculated as number of bills in a day multiplied by the value per bill. So far the overall average bill value is 50% more than the assumptions made as per business case construct, however, the number of bills per day (very critical to ensure long term sustainable business) is only about 30% of the assumption (average of 30 to 40 bills per day per store – taken at an average across stores) 1. How do we increase footfalls (and therefore bill productivity) across the current set of Bru World Cafes without incurring extensive marketing spends? Suggest a marketing model for BRU World Cafe which involves not more than Rs. 0 lakh of annual spend including above the line and local store marketing and production/ fabrication cost of these activities. 2. Prioritize the channel mix with spends break-down and a calculation of return on marketing spend? How can this be made into a sustainable and repeatable model once BRU WORLD CAFE extends into other cities with i ncreasing returns of spends? 3. Given the proposition of BRU World Cafe, which is the one key marketing initiative, in-line with the BRU World Cafe identity which will be clearly differentiated from others and which will help further strengthen the BRU World Cafe differentiation. Comstrat 2011 Visit us at www. draftfcbulkacomstrat. com Page 4 The success of the pilot in Mumbai will determine future expansion of the BRU World Cafe mix so getting the above objective right is critical. Assume that all other levers of the business case construct are in place. The Communication Challenge Young people today have a far higher disposable income than about a decade ago. Quite naturally then every category these days is vying for their attention. And hence as a target audience youth are the most spoken to today by brands across a plethora of categories from chocolates to denims to mobile phones to fast food chains. Therefore the challenge of communication is to stand out of the clutter of youth brands and be heard by them. The Communication Task From a brand point of view it is important for BRU World Cafe to appropriate a strong positioning & differentiation to counter competition from the category and beyond. The task also includes resonating with him/her to make BRU World Cafe his/her cafe of preference. This is critical to increase footfalls and repeat visits which are ultimately crucial factors while considering future scaling up and expansion. The Communication Strategy Your task is to provide a comprehensive communication strategy that details what BRU World Cafe should do to build its brand & gear up for growth in an increasingly crowded cafe space. The strategy document must provide solutions in the following key areas: 1. Identify key challenges for the brand and its communication. 2. Sharply define who the target consumers should be and their key characteristics. 3. Identify the key consumer insights in the target group and how BRU World Cafe should work its offerings in line with the consumer needs. 4. Identify the right positioning and messaging platform for the brand. 5. What should be the brand voice across its offerings? 6. Identify the right communication message for the brand. Comstrat 2011 Visit us at www. draftfcbulkacomstrat. com Page 5 7. Identify the appropriate media vehicles to reach the target audience. ? Complete with channel mix, spends and detailed description on mechanics wherever necessary. 8. Outline the complete strategy for the use of new age media like social media, CRM, mobile phones, mobile applications etc. to be leveraged to resonate with this audience Methodology ? Cafe visits and study of the current consumer marketing and consumer engagement initiatives by existing players and evaluate them for effectiveness and efficiency. Establish key learning from best practices of competitors on spends and returns, driving awareness and footfalls in India (CCD, Barista, Costa Coffee, Gloria Jeans etc. ) and internationally e. g. – Starbucks. ? ? Study of no n-conventional media channels and relevance and use to drive the above objective. Study of trend and media methods to drive consumer awareness and engagement in the service and retail world which can be applied in this case. Success Criteria ? ? ? ? Depth of understanding of successful marketing techniques in this space Innovativeness of the â€Å"idea† and/ or â€Å"marketing approach† and the ability to create â€Å"buzz/ talkability†. Practical application and relevance (ease of execution) to reality. Impact and achievability within the given constraints Comstrat 2011 Visit us at www. draftfcbulkacomstrat. com Page 6 Rules & Regulations: Participation Rules: 1. Participating teams should comprise of only three members. 2. Only one entry per institute will be considered. Two stages of this event: Stage I: Submission of the written case solution. Stage II: Power point presentation of the shortlisted cases. Stage I: Process and rules for submission of the written case: 1. DraftFCB+Ulka Comstrat is a contest for Communication Strategy; hence students are requested to focus on the same. 2. Creative renditions are not necessary and will not be judged. 3. A detailed Media plan is also not required and will not be judged. 4. A synopsis of the case solution should be submitted as a word document in a minimum font size of 11 points and single line spacing. The document should not exceed 15 pages. 5. A written case solution on the case should be submitted either through email to [email  protected] com or by post to DraftFCB+Ulka Advertising, 4th floor, Nirmal, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021. 6. The last date for receipt of the submission is 6 pm on 23rd November 2011. 7. A shortlist of six teams shall be arrived at by evaluating the case solutions received. 8. The shortlist shall be declared on 28th November 2011 and posted on the website www. draftfcbulkacomstrat. com and communicated to K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research. . The six shortlisted teams will be invited to make a power point presentation to a panel of judges on 10th December 2011 in Mumbai. Please remember: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Synopsis to be submitted as word document only. Font size should be minimum 11 The document should not exceed 15 pages The document should have a single line spacing Synopsis should be submitted on or before 6 pm on 23rd November 2 011 Stage II: Final power point presentation of the case: 1. Shortlisted teams are requested to reach the venue on 10th December 2011 at 12 noon sharp for the set-up and dry run. 2. Please get your power point presentations on a CD/Pen drive, rest of the equipment shall be provided at the venue. 3. The time limit for each presentation is 20 minutes and the students are requested to strictly adhere to the time-limit. A warning bell will ring after 15 minutes. 4. At the end of 20 minutes the team will be asked to stop the presentation. Comstrat 2011 Page 7 Visit us at www. draftfcbulkacomstrat. com 5. Students are requested not to indicate their institute’s name on the slides or anytime during the presentation. 6. Stay and travel arrangements have to be made by the participants themselves. 7. The Comstrat is a contest for Communication Strategy; hence students are requested to focus on the same. 8. In the case presentation, creative renditions are not necessary and will not be judged. 9. Media plan for the same is also not required and will not be judged. 10. The solution must have only one approach and not multiple options. Key Dates to remember: Last date for written submission ? Shortlist of 6 teams for power point presentation ? Final Presentation ? 6 pm on 23rd November 2011 6 pm on 28th November 2011 12 noon on 10th December 2011 Comstrat 2011 Visit us at www. draftfcbulkacomstrat. com Page 8

Environmental Degration

One of the major threat the planet faces today, environmental degradation is bound to make life difficult for all the lifeforms, including us humans, sooner or later. Studies reveal that the deterioration of environment is occurring at an alarming rate. In fact, the High Level Threat Panel of the United Nations has enlisted it as one of the ten threats for humans. This issue shares space with problems like poverty, terrorism and civil war in the list, and this itself highlights the fact that we are heading for a certain disaster. What is Environmental Degradation?It is a process wherein the natural environment of the planet is degenerated to such an extent that the biodiversity and the general health of the planet is subjected to drastic reduction. In other words, this phenomenon can be defined as deterioration of the Earth's natural surroundings as a result of excessive exploitation of the available resources – these include water, air, flora, fauna, soil etc. The life on the planet is interwoven to such an extent that a decrease in a particular attribute triggers a domino effect on all the other attributes dependent on it.How is it Caused? ’; Environmental degradation can be attributed to various human activities and some natural processes, with the later having an insignificant share in the same. Most of the resources on the planet are vulnerable to depletion, and the rate at which we are exploiting them have already brought some of them to the brink of exhaustion. Exploitation of the fossil fuels is the best example of this phenomenon. Large-scale exploitation has depleted the fossil fuel reserves across the world, thus leaving us with no option but to find an alternate source of energy.Other human activities which have been contributing to this environmental issue include urbanization, overpopulation, deforestation, pollution, hunting, etc. What Does it Affect Us? Its effects are becoming more and more obvious in form of all those environment al issues affecting the planet. The hazardous waste let out by the industries tends to contaminate the water bodies in the vicinity, thus leaving the water unfit for drinking.Similarly, greenhouse gases, such as CFCs and carbon dioxide, let out in the atmosphere have a devastating effect on the environment, thus making the planet vulnerable to a range of problems, including global warming and climate change. On one hand, incessant agricultural activities have resulted in degradation of soil, while excessive deforestation to accumulate the growing population has resulted in degradation of air and water on the other hand. Humans have seldom sacrificed their necessities, but lately exploitation of resources to fulfill these necessities itself is taking a toll on the environment.How Can we Deal With it? At one point of time, the damage reaches a stage wherein the environment can't attain the required balance on its own. In such a situation, we humans need to step in, and ensure that the damage is curbed and balance is attained. Simple measures, such as conservation of electricity, use of alternative energy sources, avoiding the use of things that pollute the environment, soil conservation, etc. , can help in saving the environment from the threat of degradation. Environmentalists, the world over, are trying their best to save our environment, and we need to do our bit to make sure that they succeed.The need of the hour is to identify the causes of environmental degradation, and eliminate them one by one. We need to understand the fact that we are a part of the interwoven life system on the planet, and any problems, like environmental degradation and environmental pollution, are bound to affect us directly or indirectly. Though the disaster is not expected to happen tomorrow or a hundred years from now, that doesn't mean it will never happen at all. That being said, the onus is on us – the most intelligent species on the planet, to make sure that such proble ms are kept at bay.The main causes of environmental degradation are as follow; 1 Industrialization 2 Agricultural development 3 population growth 4 poverty 5 urbanization 6 Deforestation 7 transport development 8 market failure Causes of Environmental Degradation There is no doubt that man has caused environmental degradation. The causes of environmental degeneration are complex and should be addressed to, before it causes complete breakdown of the environment.Ads by Google BSc Psychology Online Study In Nigeria – UK Universities. Apply Online Now For Home Study www. rdi. co. k/psychology These are the days we keep hearing about global warming, melting of the glaciers, rising of the sea levels, etc. , all of which have been linked to environmental degradation. When the natural state of the environment is compromised upon it leads to breakdown of the biological diversity and harms the health of the environment. The process of environmental degradation can either be caused by n ature itself or it is man-made (which is a fact). If one has to compare the face of earth as it was hundreds of years ago to what it is today, we will see that environment has severely been compromised upon.When people look at environmental degradation, the intensity of the problem is not actually understood, but it could cause destruction of the human race itself. The causes of this problem vary a lot and it means depletion of the natural resources and disturbances in the natural cycle of things on the face of earth. Root Causes of Environmental Degradation The best case of environmental degradation can be seen in land degradation. There are climatic conditions responsible along with the human activities, which have brought about the degradation.The effects can be seen in the arid, semi arid and dry sub humid lands. One of the cause is over grazing of land. Along with that the green cover has depleted severely in almost all parts of the world. The forest cover has made way for huma n settlement. This has resulted in the temperatures increasing with each passing day. Since the forest covers have depleted, it has resulted in large-scale erosion, which in turn, is responsible for loss of nutrients from the soil. This has led the soil to becoming barren and in some cases also sterile.Since the forest cover has been lost, the winds now blow the top soil from the land, which also leads to degradation of the environment. Pollution is eating away into the environment. Here we are talking about air pollution, where toxic substances have made their way into the air, which has caused the air to become unhealthy. Air pollution is caused by a number of reasons. One of the most prominent cause is vehicle emissions. With each passing day, the number of vehicles are on the rise, which means increase in air pollution. The next cause is release of chemical waste from various factories.The waste often forms a layer in the atmosphere of the earth, which further affects the enviro nment. In environmental degradation we cannot forget the exploitation of fossil fuels. Since the time fossil fuels were discovered, they have been exploited. This has resulted in the fossil fuel reserves depleting all around the world, hence it has become important to find alternate sources of energy. When the fossil fuels are burnt, they release toxins into the air, which further aggravate environmental degradation. The underlying causes of environment going down way is overpopulation.The land reserve that is available on earth is finite. However, the demands are ever-increasing due to increasing population. There is only so much, that one can actually extract from the earth. This has led to widespread use of chemicals and other toxins to produce more food to feed the ever-increasing number of people. This has further caused depletion of the earth. With the use of chemicals the biological balance of earth has also been destroyed as the microorganisms have been killed. If one has to see the environmental degradation causes and effects, one will see that entire ecosystems have been destroyed.The ecosystem is made up of all the living and non living elements. However, when any one of them is destroyed, it leads to the destruction of the entire ecosystem as the balance is lost. No doubt plants and animals form an important feature of the ecosystem, but the microorganisms along with water sources and soil cannot be forgotten either. Industrial waste is known to be hazardous to the environment. The waste can be in the form of liquid waste, which pollute the rivers and cause harm to the ecosystem present in the rivers.It can also be solid waste, which is not biodegradable and pollutes the environment and leads to its degradation. We have already spoken about the industrial waste emitted into the air. After reading about the causes of environmental decadence, we can say that if the human race has to survive on the face of this earth, it is important that stringent me asures be taken up to arrest further deterioration of the environment. One will have to work towards conserving air, water and soil and try to restore balance in the ecosystem, which has been destroyed or is on the verge of destruction.In other words, one will have to work towards restoring natural habitats and make sure no further harm is done to the environment. By Bhakti Satalkar Published: 3/25/2011 * Environmental Degradation * How do Humans Affect the Environment * Current Environmental Issues * List of Environmental Problems * Simple Ways to Save the Environment * How does Mining Affect the Environment * How to Save the Environment * Globalization and Its Impact on the Environment * What are Environmental Ethics?* Environmental Issues List * How to Save Our Environment * Sustainable Living Ideas Causes of Overpopulation * Why are Birds and Fish Dying Read more at Buzzle: http://www. buzzle. com/articles/causes-of-environmental-degradation. html Environmental degradation From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Eighty-plus years after the abandonment of Wallaroo Mines (Kadina, South Australia), mosses remain the only vegetation at some spots of the site's grounds Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife.It is defined as any change or disturbance to the environment perceived to be deleterious or undesirable. [1] Environmental degradation is one of the Ten Threats officially cautioned by the High Level Threat Panel of the United Nations. The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction defines environmental degradation as â€Å"The reduction of the capacity of the environment to meet social and ecological objectives, and needs†. [2] Environmental degradation is of many types.When natural habitats are destroyed or natural resources are depleted, environment is degrad ed. | This article may be confusing or unclear to readers. Please help us clarify the article; suggestions may be found on the talk page. (May 2012) | Environmental Change and Human Health, a special section of World Resources 1998-99 in this report describes how preventable illnesses and premature deaths are still occurring in very large numbers. If vast improvements are made in human health, millions of people will be living longer, healthier lives than ever before.In these poorest regions of the world an estimated 11 million children, or about one in five, will not live to see their fifth birthday, primarily because of environment-related diseases. Child mortality is larger than the combined populations of Norway and Switzerland, and mostly due to malaria, acute respiratory infections or diarrhea — illnesses that are largely preventable. Contents [hide] * 1 Water deterioration * 1. 1 Climate change and temperature * 1. 2 Climate change and precipitation * 1. 3 Population g rowth* 1. 4 Agriculture * 1. Water management * 2 See also * 3 References * 4 External links| [edit] Water deterioration One major component of environmental degradation is the depletion of the resource of fresh water on Earth. Approximately only 2. 5% of all of the water on Earth is fresh water, with the rest being salt water. 69% of the fresh water is frozen in ice caps located on Antarctica and Greenland, so only 30% of the 2. 5% of fresh water is available for consumption. [3] Fresh water is an exceptionally important resource, since life on Earth is ultimately dependent on it.Water transports nutrients and chemicals within the biosphere to all forms of life, sustains both plants and animals, and molds the surface of the Earth with transportation and deposition of materials. [4] The current top three uses of fresh water account for 95% of its consumption; approximately 85% is used for irrigation of farmland, golf courses, and parks, 6% is used for domestic purposes such as indoo r bathing uses and outdoor garden and lawn use, and 4% is used for industrial purposes such as processing, washing, and cooling in manufacturing centers. 5] It is estimated that one in three people over the entire globe are already facing water shortages, almost one-fifth of the world’s population live in areas of physical water scarcity, and almost one quarter of the world’s population live in a developing country that lacks the necessary infrastructure to use water from available rivers and aquifers.Water scarcity is an increasing problem due to many foreseen issues in the future, including population growth, increased urbanization, higher standards of living, and climate change. 3] [edit] Climate change and temperature Climate change affects the Earth’s water supply in a large number of ways. It is predicted that the mean global temperature will rise in the coming years due to a number of forces affecting the climate, the amount of atmospheric CO2 will rise, and both of these will influence water resources; evaporation depends strongly on temperature and moisture availability, which can ultimately affect the amount of water available to replenish groundwater supplies.Transpiration from plants can be affected by a rise in atmospheric CO2, which can decrease their use of water, but can also raise their use of water from possible increases of leaf area. Temperature increase can decrease the length of the snow season in the winter and increase the intensity of snowmelt in warmer seasons, leading to peak runoff of snowmelt earlier in the season, affecting soil moisture, flood and drought risks, and storage capacities depending on the area. [6] Warmer winter temperatures cause a decrease in snowpack, which can result in diminished water resources during the summer.This is especially important at mid-latitudes and in mountain regions that depend on glacial runoff to replenish their river systems and groundwater supplies, making these areas inc reasingly vulnerable to water shortages over time; an increase in temperature will initially result in a rapid rise in water melting from glaciers in the summer, followed by a retreat in glaciers and a decrease in the melt and consequently the water supply every year as the size of these glaciers get smaller and smaller. 3]Thermal expansion of water and increased melting of oceanic glaciers from an increase in temperature gives way to a rise in sea level, which can affect the fresh water supply of coastal areas as well; as river mouths and deltas with higher salinity get pushed further inland, an intrusion of saltwater results in an increase of salinity in reservoirs and aquifers. 5] Sea-level rise may also consequently be caused by a depletion of groundwater,[7] as climate change can affect the hydrologic cycle in a number of ways. Uneven distributions of increased temperatures and increased precipitation around the globe results in water surpluses and deficits,[6] but a global dec rease in groundwater suggests a rise in sea level, even after meltwater and thermal expansion were accounted for,[7] which can provide a positive feedback to the problems sea-level rise causes to fresh-water supply.A rise in air temperature results in a rise in water temperature, which is also very significant in water degradation, as the water would become more susceptible to bacterial growth. An increase in water temperature can also affect ecosystems greatly because of a species’ sensitivity to temperature, and also by inducing changes in a body of water’s self-purification system from decreased amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water due to rises in temperature. [3] [edit] Climate change and precipitationA rise in global temperatures is also predicted to correlate with an increase in global precipitation, but because of increased runoff, floods, increased rates of soil erosion, and mass movement of land, a decline in water quality is probable, while water will car ry more nutrients, it will also carry more contaminants. [3] While most of the attention about climate change is directed towards global warming and greenhouse effect, some of the most severe effects of climate change are likely to be from changes in precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, and soil moisture.It is generally expected that, on average, global precipitation will increase, with some areas receiving increases and some decreases. Climate models show that while some regions should expect an increase in precipitation,[6] such as in the tropics and higher latitudes, other areas are expected to see a decrease, such as in the subtropics; this will ultimately cause a latitudinal variation in water distribution. 3] The areas receiving more precipitation are also expected to receive this increase during their winter and actually become drier during their summer,[6] creating even more of a variation of precipitation distribution. Naturally, the distribution of precipitation acro ss the planet is very uneven, causing constant variations in water availability in respective locations. Changes in precipitation affect the timing and magnitude of floods and droughts, shift runoff processes, and alter groundwater recharge rates.Vegetation patterns and growth rates will be directly affected by shifts in precipitation amount and distribution, which will in turn affect agriculture as well as natural ecosystems. Decreased precipitation will deprive areas of water, causing water tables to fall and reservoirs and wetlands, rivers, and lakes to empty,[6] and possibly an increase in evaporation and evapotranspiration, depending on the accompanied rise in temperature. [5] Groundwater reserves will be depleted, and the remaining water has a greater chance of being of poor quality from saline or contaminants on the land surface. 3] [edit] Population growth The available fresh water being affected by climate is also being stretched across an ever-increasing global population. It is estimated that almost a quarter of the global population is living in an area that is using more than 20% of their renewable water supply; water use will rise with population while the water is also being aggravated by decreases in streamflow and groundwater caused by climate change.Even though some areas may see an increase in freshwater supply from an uneven distribution of precipitation increase, an increased use of water supply is expected. [8] An increased population means increased withdrawals from the water supply for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses, the largest of these being agriculture,[9] believed to be the major non-climate driver of environmental change and water deterioration.The next 50 years will likely be the last period of rapid agricultural expansion, but the larger and wealthier population over this time will demand more agriculture. [10] Population increase over the last two decades, at least in the United States, has also been accompanied by a shift to an increase in urban areas from rural areas,[11] which concentrates the demand for water into certain areas, and puts stress on the fresh water supply from industrial and human contaminants. 3] Urbanization causes overcrowding and increasingly unsanitary living conditions, especially in developing countries, which in turn exposes an increasingly number of people to disease. About 79% of the world’s population is in developing countries, which lack access to sanitary water and sewer systems, giving rises to disease and deaths from contaminated water and increased numbers of disease-carrying insects. [12] [edit] AgricultureAgriculture is dependent on available soil moisture, which is directly affected by climate dynamics, with precipitation being the input in this system and various processes being the output, such as evapotranspiration, surface runoff, drainage, and percolation into groundwater. Changes in climate, especially the changes in precipitation and evapotr anspiration predicted by climate models, will directly affect soil moisture, surface runoff, and groundwater recharge. In areas with decreasing precipitation as predicted by the climate models, soil moisture may be substantially educed. [6] With this in mind, agriculture in most areas needs irrigation already, which depletes fresh water supplies both by the physical use of the water and the degradation agriculture causes to the water. Irrigation increases salt and nutrient content in areas that wouldn’t normally be affected, and damages streams and rivers from damming and removal of water. Fertilizer enters both human and livestock waste streams that eventually enter groundwater, while nitrogen, phosphorus, and other chemicals from fertilizer can acidify both soils and water.Certain agricultural demands may increase more than others with an increasingly wealthier global population, and meat is one commodity expected to double global food demand by 2050,[10] which directly aff ects the global supply of fresh water. Cows need water to drink, more if the temperature is high and humidity is low, and more if the production system the cow is in is extensive, since finding food takes more effort. Water is needed in processing of the meat, and also in the production of feed for the livestock.Manure can contaminate bodies of freshwater, and slaughterhouses, depending on how well they are managed, contribute waste such as blood, fat, hair, and other bodily contents to supplies of fresh water. [13] The transfer of water from agricultural to urban and suburban use raises concerns about agricultural sustainability, rural socioeconomic decline, food security, an increased carbon footprint from imported food, and decreased foreign trade balance. 9] The depletion of fresh water, as applied to more specific and populated areas, increases fresh water scarcity among the population and also makes populations susceptible to economic, social, and political conflict in a numbe r of ways; rising sea levels forces migration from coastal areas to other areas farther inland, pushing populations closer together breaching borders and other geographical patterns, and agricultural surpluses and deficits from the availability of water induce trade problems and economies of certain areas. 8]CLimate change is an important cause of involuntary migration and forced displacement[14] [edit] Water management The issue of the depletion of fresh water can be met by increased efforts in water management. [4] While water management systems are often flexible, adaptation to new hydrologic conditions may be very costly. [6] Preventative approaches are necessary to avoid high costs of inefficiency and the need for rehabilitation of water supplies,[4] and innovations to decrease overall demand may be important in planning water sustainability. 9] Water supply systems, as they exist now, were based on the assumptions of the current climate, and built to accommodate existing river flows and flood frequencies. Reservoirs are operated based on past hydrologic records, and irrigation systems on historical temperature, water availability, and crop water requirements; these may not be a reliable guide to the future. Re-examining engineering designs, operations, optimizations, and planning, as well as re-evaluating legal, technical, and economic approaches to manage water resources are very important for the future of water management in response to water degradation.Another approach is water privatization; despite its economic and cultural effects, service quality and overall quality of the water can be more easily controlled and distributed. Rationality and sustainability is appropriate, and requires limits to overexploitation and pollution, and efforts in conservation.Natural hazards are excluded as a cause, however human activities can indirectly affect phenomena such as floods and bush fires. 8. This is considered to be an important topic of the 21st century due to the implications land degradation has upon agronomic productivity, the environment, and its effects on food security. 3] It is estimated that up to 40% of the world's agricultural land is seriously degrad Measuring Land degradation is a broad term that can be applied differently across a wide range of scenarios. There are four main ways of looking at land degradation and its impact on the environment around it: * A temporary or permanent decline in the productive capacity of the land.This can be seen through a loss of biomass, a loss of actual productivity or in potential productivity, or a loss or change in vegetative cover and soil nutrients. A decline in the lands â€Å"usefulness†: A loss or reduction in the lands capacity to provide resources for human livelihoods. This can be measured from a base line of past land use. * Loss of biodiversity: A loss of range of species or ecosystem complexity as a decline in the environmental quality. * Shifting ecological risk: increased vulnerability of the environment or people to destruction or crisis. This is measured through a base line in the form of pre-existing risk of crisis or destruction. A problem with measuring land degradation is that what one group of people call degradation, others might view as a benefit or opportunity.For example, heavy rainfall could make a scientific group be worried about high erosion of the soil while farmers could view it as a good opportunity to plant crops. [5] [edit] Causes Overgrazing by livestock can lead to land degradation Land degradation is a global problem, largely related to agricultural use. The major causes include:[citation needed] * Land clearance, such as clearcutting and deforestation * Agricultural depletion of soil nutrients through poor farming practices * Livestock including overgrazing and overdrafting * Inappropriate irrigation[6] and overdrafting * Urban sprawl and commercial development Soil contamination including * Vehicle off-roading * Qua rrying of stone, sand, ore and minerals * Increase in field size due to economies of scale, reducing shelter for wildlife, as hedgerows and copses disappear * Exposure of naked soil after harvesting by heavy equipment * Monoculture, destabilizing the local ecosystem * Dumping of non-biodegradable trash, such as plastics [edit] Effects Soil erosion in a wheat field near Pullman, USA. The main outcome of land degradation is a substantial reduction in the productivity of the land.[7] The major stresses on vulnerable land include: * Accelerated soil erosion by wind and water Soil acidification and the formation of acid sulfate soil resulting in barren soil * Soil alkalinisation owing to irrigation with water containing sodium bicarbonate leading to poor soil structure and reduced crop yields * Soil salination in irrigated land requiring soil salinity control to reclaim the land [8] * Soil waterlogging in irrigated land which calls for some form of subsurface land drainage to remediate t he negative effects [8] * Destruction of soil structure including loss of organic matter Overcutting of vegetation occurs when people cut forests, woodlands and shrublands—to obtain timber, fuelwood and other products—at a pace exceeding the rate of natural regrowth. This is frequent in semi-arid environments, where fuelwood shortages are often severe. Overgrazing is the grazing of natural pastures at stocking intensities above the livestock carrying capacity; the resulting decrease in the vegetation cover is a leading cause of wind and water erosion. It is a significant factor in Afghanistan.Agricultural activities that can cause land degradation include shifting cultivation without adequate fallow periods, absence of soil conservation measures, fertilizer use, and a host of possible problems arising from faulty planning or management of irrigation. They are a major factor in Sri Lanka and the dominant one in Bangladesh. The role of population factors in land degradat ion processes obviously occurs in the context of the underlying causes. In the region, in fact, it is indeed one of the two along with land shortage, and land shortage itself ultimately is a consequence of continued population growth in the face of the finiteness of land resources. In the context of land shortage the growing population pressure, during 1980-1990, has led to decreases in the already small areas of agricultural land per person in six out of eight countries (14% for India and 22% for Pakistan).Population pressure also operates through other mechanisms. Improper agricultural practices, for instance, occur only under constraints such as the saturation of good lands under population pressure which leads settlers to cultivate too shallow or too steep soils, plough fallow land before it has recovered its fertility, or attempt to obtain multiple crops by irrigating unsuitable soils. High population density is not always related to land degradation. Rather, it is the practice s of the human population that can cause a landscape to become degraded. Populations can be a benefit to the land and make it more productive than it is in its natural state.Land degradation is important factor of internal displacement in many African and Asian countries[9] Severe land degradation affects a significant portion of the Earth's arable lands, decreasing the wealth and economic development of nations. As the land resource base becomes less productive, food security is compromised and competition for dwindling resources increases, the seeds of famine and potential conflict are sewn. [edit] Sensitivity and resilience Sensitivity and resilience are measures of the vulnerability of a landscape to degradation. These two factors combine to explain the degree of vulnerability. [5] Sensitivity is the degree to which a land system undergoes change due to natural forces, human intervention or a combination of both.Resilience is the ability of a landscape to absorb change, without significantly altering the relationship between the relative importance and numbers of individuals and species that compose the community. [10] It also refers to the ability of the region to return to its original state after being changed in some way. The resilience of a landscape can be increased or decreased through human interaction based upon different methods of land-use management. Land that is degraded becomes less resilient than undegraded land, which can lead to even further degration through shocks to the landscape. [edit] Climate change Significant land degradation from seawater inundation, particularly in river deltas and on low-lying islands, is a potential hazard that was identified in a 2007 IPCC report. citation needed] As a result of sea-level rise from climate change, salinity levels can reach levels where agriculture becomes impossible in very low lying areas.Journal ofLand Degradation & DevelopmentVol 24 (6 Issues in 2013)Edited by: Professor Artemi Cerdà  Prin t ISSN: 1085-3278 Online ISSN: 1099-145X| * Description Land Degradation & Development is an international journal which seeks to promote rational study of the recognition, monitoring, control and rehabilitation of degradation in terrestrial environments. The journal focuses on: * what land degradation is; * what causes land degradation; * the impacts of land degradation * the scale of land degradation; * the history, current status or future trends of land degradation; * avoidance, mitigation and control of land degradation; * remedial actions to rehabilitate or restore degraded land; * sustainable land management.Land degradation may be defined as the loss of utility or potential utility through the reduction of or damage to physical, social, cultural or economic features, and/or reduction of ecosystem diversity. There may be a single cause or a complex mix of causes, some may be biogeophysical ('natural'), some socioeconomic ('human') and it is quite possible that cause(s) will be indirect, perhaps cumulative and difficult to identify. A major challenge is to learn how interactions between development and environment can be better managed to increase prospects for ecologically and socially sustainable improvements to human well-being.Development means attempts to improve human well-being or environmental quality in rich and poor nations on a sustained basis (sustainable development). Papers are invited on scientific, social, economic, political and historical aspects of terrestrial environmental degradation. Also welcome are analyses presenting forecasts of trends, case studies and discussion on management, planning and policy-making relating to the promotion of ecological sustainability and the counteraction of land degradation. In addition to original research papers, regional and thematic reviews, both invited and submitted, will be included, as will short communications, book reviews and applications of remote sensing and computer te chniques.The members of the Editorial Board are drawn from a comprehensive range of disciplines and nationalities. Together with a strict refereeing procedure this will ensure Land Degradation & Development maintains a high standard and presents material from a wide range of disciplines, from interdisciplinary study and with an international coverage. The subject matter will include the following topics: ENVIRONMENTS Degradation of: deserts, savannas, rangelands; forests, woodlands, tundra; mountain environments; wetlands, floodlands; farmland, irrigated land; sand-dunes; coastal zones, islands, urban, peri-urban environments. In polar, temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.PROCESSES #39;Desertification', rangeland degradation; soil degradation (compaction, loss of fertility, reduced organic matter, pollution, waterlogging, acidification, salinization, alkalinization, 'laterite' and hard-pan formation); erosion; degradation of vegetation cover, 'deforestati on'; impoverishment of wildlife habitats, loss of species. CAUSES Climatic change; sea-level variation; drought; storms; earth processes (geomorphological, volcanicity, natural leaching of soils); bushfires; degradation as a consequence of: industry, urban growth, agrochemicals, agricultural modernization, energy production/consumption, mining, warfare, refugees or migrants, breakdown of traditional landuse strategies, altered communications, legislative changes, demographic changes, administrative causes, institutional causes, social or economic causes. PERCEPTIONSPerception/recognition of degradation, attitudes toward degradation; ethics and land degradation; indicators; monitoring, surveillance; assessment of significance; establishing past, present and future trends. IMPACTS Physical, biological, social, cultural and economic impacts (direct, indirect, cumulative); long-term and short-term impacts; assessment of significance; aesthetic impact of degradation. Water pollution From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Raw sewage and industrial waste in the New River as it passes from Mexicali to Calexico, California. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e. g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater).Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water. In almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but also to the natural biological communities. * 1 Introduction * 2 Categories * 2. 1 Point sources * 2. 2 Nonpoint sources * 3 Groundwater pollution * 4 Causes * 4. 1 Pathogens * 4. 2 Chemical and other contaminants * 4. 3 Thermal pollution * 5 Transport and chemical reactions of water pollutants * 6 Measurement * 6. 1 Sampling * 6. 2 Physical testing * 6. Chemical testing * 6. 4 Biological test ing * 7 Control of pollution * 7. 1 Domestic sewage * 7. 2 Industrial wastewater * 7. 3 Agricultural wastewater * 7. 4 Construction site stormwater * 7. 5 Urban runoff (stormwater) * 8 See also * 9 References * 10 External links| Introduction Millions depend on the polluted Ganges river Water pollution is a major global problem which requires ongoing evaluation and revision of water resource policy at all levels (international down to individual aquifers and wells).It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases,[1][2] and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily. 2] An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children die of diarrheal sickness every day. [3] Some 90% of China's cities suffer from some degree of water pollution,[4] and nearly 500 million people lack access to safe drinking water. [5] In addition to the acute problems of water pollution in developing countries, develo ped countries continue to struggle with pollution problems as well. In the most recent national report on water quality in the United States, 45 percent of assessed stream miles, 47 percent of assessed lake acres, and 32 percent of assessed bays and estuarine square miles were classified as polluted. 6]Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants and either does not support a human use, such as drinking water, and/or undergoes a marked shift in its ability to support its constituent biotic communities, such as fish. Natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae blooms, storms, and earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water. Categories Surface water and groundwater have often been studied and managed as separate resources, although they are interrelated. [7] Surface water seeps through the soil and becomes groundwater. Conversely, groundwater can also feed surface water sources. Sources of surf ace water pollution are generally grouped into two categories based on their origin. Point sourcesPoint source pollution – Shipyard – Rio de Janeiro. Point source water pollution refers to contaminants that enter a waterway from a single, identifiable source, such as a pipe or ditch. Examples of sources in this category include discharges from a sewage treatment plant, a factory, or a city storm drain. The U. S. Clean Water Act (CWA) defines point source for regulatory enforcement purposes. [8] The CWA definition of point source was amended in 1987 to include municipal storm sewer systems, as well as industrial stormwater, such as from construction sites. [9] Nonpoint sources Nonpoint source pollution refers to diffuse contamination that does not originate from a single discrete source.NPS pollution is often the cumulative effect of small amounts of contaminants gathered from a large area. A common example is the leaching out of nitrogen compounds from fertilized agric ultural lands. Nutrient runoff in stormwater from â€Å"sheet flow† over an agricultural field or a forest are also cited as examples of NPS pollution. Contaminated storm water washed off of parking lots, roads and highways, called urban runoff, is sometimes included under the category of NPS pollution. However, this runoff is typically channeled into storm drain systems and discharged through pipes to local surface waters, and is a point source. Groundwater pollution See also: Hydrogeology Interactions between groundwater and surface water are complex.Consequently, groundwater pollution, sometimes referred to as groundwater contamination, is not as easily classified as surface water pollution. [7] By its very nature, groundwater aquifers are susceptible to contamination from sources that may not directly affect surface water bodies, and the distinction of point vs. non-point source may be irrelevant. A spill or ongoing releases of chemical or radionuclide contaminants into s oil (located away from a surface water body) may not create point source or non-point source pollution, but can contaminate the aquifer below, defined as a toxin plume. The movement of the plume, called a plume front, may be analyzed through a hydrological transport model or groundwater model.Analysis of groundwater contamination may focus on the soil characteristics and site geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, and the nature of the contaminants. Causes The specific contaminants leading to pollution in water include a wide spectrum of chemicals, pathogens, and physical or sensory changes such as elevated temperature and discoloration. While many of the chemicals and substances that are regulated may be naturally occurring (calcium, sodium, iron, manganese, etc. ) the concentration is often the key in determining what is a natural component of water, and what is a contaminant. High concentrations of naturally occurring substances can have negative impacts on aquatic flora and fauna.Oxy gen-depleting substances may be natural materials, such as plant matter (e. g. leaves and grass) as well as man-made chemicals. Other natural and anthropogenic substances may cause turbidity (cloudiness) which blocks light and disrupts plant growth, and clogs the gills of some fish species. [10] Many of the chemical substances are toxic. Pathogens can produce waterborne diseases in either human or animal hosts. [11] Alteration of water's physical chemistry includes acidity (change in pH), electrical conductivity, temperature, and eutrophication. Eutrophication is an increase in the concentration of chemical nutrients in an ecosystem to an extent that increases in the primary productivity of the ecosystem.Depending on the degree of eutrophication, subsequent negative environmental effects such as anoxia (oxygen depletion) and severe reductions in water quality may occur, affecting fish and other animal populations. Pathogens A manhole cover unable to contain a sanitary sewer overflow . Coliform bacteria are a commonly used bacterial indicator of water pollution, although not an actual cause of disease. Other microorganisms sometimes found in surface waters which have caused human health problems include: * Burkholderia pseudomallei * Cryptosporidium parvum * Giardia lamblia * Salmonella * Novovirus and other viruses * Parasitic worms (helminths). [12][13] High levels of pathogens may result from inadequately treated sewage discharges. 14]This can be caused by a sewage plant designed with less than secondary treatment (more typical in less-developed countries). In developed countries, older cities with aging infrastructure may have leaky sewage collection systems (pipes, pumps, valves), which can cause sanitary sewer overflows. Some cities also have combined sewers, which may discharge untreated sewage during rain storms. [15] Pathogen discharges may also be caused by poorly managed livestock operations. Chemical and other contaminants Muddy river polluted by sed iment. Photo courtesy of United States Geological Survey. Contaminants may include organic and inorganic substances. Organic water pollutants include:* Detergents Disinfection by-products found in chemically disinfected drinking water, such as chloroform * Food processing waste, which can include oxygen-demanding substances, fats and grease * Insecticides and herbicides, a huge range of organohalides and other chemical compounds * Petroleum hydrocarbons, including fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuels, and fuel oil) and lubricants (motor oil), and fuel combustion byproducts, from stormwater runoff[16] * Tree and bush debris from logging operations * Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as industrial solvents, from improper storage. * Chlorinated solvents, which are dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), may fall to the bottom of reservoirs, since they don't mix well with water and are denser. * Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) * Trichloroethylene * Perchlorate * Various chemi cal compounds found in personal hygiene and cosmetic products.A garbage collection boom in an urban-area stream in Auckland, New Zealand. Inorganic water pollutants include: * Acidity caused by industrial discharges (especially sulfur dioxide from power plants) * Ammonia from food processing waste * Chemical waste as industrial by-products * Fertilizers containing nutrients–nitrates and phosphates—which are found in stormwater runoff from agriculture, as well as commercial and residential use[16] * Heavy metals from motor vehicles (via urban stormwater runoff)[16][17] and acid mine drainage * Silt (sediment) in runoff from construction sites, logging, slash and burn practices or land clearing sites. Macroscopic Pollution in Parks Milwaukee, WIMacroscopic pollution—large visible items polluting the water—may be termed â€Å"floatables† in an urban stormwater context, or marine debris when found on the open seas, and can include such items as: * Tras h or garbage (e. g. paper, plastic, or food waste) discarded by people on the ground, along with accidental or intentional dumping of rubbish, that are washed by rainfall into storm drains and eventually discharged into surface waters * Nurdles, small ubiquitous waterborne plastic pellets * Shipwrecks, large derelict ships. Thermal pollution Main article: Thermal pollution Thermal pollution is the rise or fall in the temperature of a natural body of water caused by human influence.Thermal pollution, unlike chemical pollution, results in a change in the physical properties of water. A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers. Elevated water temperatures decreases oxygen levels (which can kill fish) and affects ecosystem composition, such as invasion by new thermophilic species. Urban runoff may also elevate temperature in surface waters. Thermal pollution can also be caused by the release of very cold water from t he base of reservoirs into warmer rivers. Transport and chemical reactions of water pollutants See also: Marine pollution Most water pollutants are eventually carried by rivers into the oceans.In some areas of the world the influence can be traced hundred miles from the mouth by studies using hydrology transport models. Advanced computer models such as SWMM or the DSSAM Model have been used in many locations worldwide to examine the fate of pollutants in aquatic systems. Indicator filter feeding species such as copepods have also been used to study pollutant fates in the New York Bight, for example. The highest toxin loads are not directly at the mouth of the Hudson River, but 100 kilometers south, since several days are required for incorporation into planktonic tissue. The Hudson discharge flows south along the coast due to coriolis force.Further south then are areas of oxygen depletion, caused by chemicals using up oxygen and by algae blooms, caused by excess nutrients from algal cell death and decomposition. Fish and shellfish kills have been reported, because toxins climb the food chain after small fish consume copepods, then large fish eat smaller fish, etc. Each successive step up the food chain causes a stepwise concentration of pollutants such as heavy metals (e. g. mercury) and persistent organic pollutants such as DDT. This is known as biomagnification, which is occasionally used interchangeably with bioaccumulation. A polluted river draining an abandoned copper mine on Anglesey Large gyres (vortexes) in the oceans trap floating plastic debris.The North Pacific Gyre for example has collected the so-called â€Å"Great Pacific Garbage Patch† that is now estimated at 100 times the size of Texas. Many of these long-lasting pieces wind up in the stomachs of marine birds and animals. This results in obstruction of digestive pathways which leads to reduced appetite or even starvation. Many chemicals undergo reactive decay or chemically change especi ally over long periods of time in groundwater reservoirs. A noteworthy class of such chemicals is the chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene (used in industrial metal degreasing and electronics manufacturing) and tetrachloroethylene used in the dry cleaning industry (note latest advances in liquid carbon dioxide in dry cleaning that avoids all use of chemicals).Both of these chemicals, which are carcinogens themselves, undergo partial decomposition reactions, leading to new hazardous chemicals (including dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride). Groundwater pollution is much more difficult to abate than surface pollution because groundwater can move great distances through unseen aquifers. Non-porous aquifers such as clays partially purify water of bacteria by simple filtration (adsorption and absorption), dilution, and, in some cases, chemical reactions and biological activity: however, in some cases, the pollutants merely transform to soil contaminants. Groundwater that mo ves through cracks and caverns is not filtered and can be transported as easily as surface water.In fact, this can be aggravated by the human tendency to use natural sinkholes as dumps in areas of Karst topography. There are a variety of secondary effects stemming not from the original pollutant, but a derivative condition. An example is silt-bearing surface runoff, which can inhibit the penetration of sunlight through the water column, hampering photosynthesis in aquatic plants. Water pollution may be analyzed through several broad categories of methods: physical, chemical and biological. Most involve collection of samples, followed by specialized analytical tests. Some methods may be conducted in situ, without sampling, such as temperature.Government agencies and research organizations have published standardized, validated analytical test methods to facilitate the comparability of results from disparate testing events. [18] Sampling Sampling of water for physical or chemical test ing can be done by several methods, depending on the accuracy needed and the characteristics of the contaminant. Many contamination events are sharply restricted in time, most commonly in association with rain events. For this reason â€Å"grab† samples are often inadequate for fully quantifying contaminant levels. Scientists gathering this type of data often employ auto-sampler devices that pump increments of water at either time or discharge intervals.Sampling for biological testing involves collection of plants and/or animals from the surface water body. Depending on the type of assessment, the organisms may be identified for biosurveys (population counts) and returned to the water body, or they may be dissected for bioassays to determine toxicity. Further information: Water quality#Sampling and Measurement Physical testing Common physical tests of water include temperature, solids concentrations (e. g. , total suspended solids (TSS)) and turbidity. Chemical testing See al so: water chemistry analysis and environmental chemistry Water samples may be examined using the principles of analytical chemistry. Many published test methods are available for both organic and inorganic compounds.Frequently used methods include pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD),[19]:102 chemical oxygen demand (COD),[19]:104 nutrients (nitrate and phosphorus compounds), metals (including copper, zinc, cadmium, lead and mercury), oil and grease, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and pesticides. Biological testing Main article: Bioindicator Biological testing involves the use of plant, animal, and/or microbial indicators to monitor the health of an aquatic ecosystem. Control of pollution Domestic sewage Main article: Sewage treatment Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant serving Boston, Massachusetts and vicinity. Domestic sewage is 99. 9 percent pure water, while the other 0. 1 percent are pollutants.Although found in low concentrations, these pollutants pose risk on a large scale. [20] In urban areas, domestic sewage is typically treated by centralized sewage treatment plants. In the U. S. , most of these plants are operated by local government agencies, frequently referred to as publicly owned treatment works (POTW). Municipal treatment plants are designed to control conventional pollutants: BOD and suspended solids. Well-designed and operated systems (i. e. , secondary treatment or better) can remove 90 percent or more of these pollutants. Some plants have additional sub-systems to treat nutrients and pathogens. Most municipal plants are not designed to treat toxic pollutants found in industrial wastewater. 21]Cities with sanitary sewer overflows or combined sewer overflows employ one or more engineering approaches to reduce discharges of untreated sewage, including: * utilizing a green infrastructure approach to improve stormwater management capacity throughout the system, and reduce the hydraulic overloading of the treatment plant[22] * repair and replacement of leaking and malfunctioning equipment[15] * increasing overall hydraulic capacity of the sewage collection system (often a very expensive option). A household or business not served by a municipal treatment plant may have an individual septic tank, which treats the wastewater on site and discharges into the soil.Alternatively, domestic wastewater may be sent to a nearby privately owned treatment system (e. g. in a rural community). Some industrial facilities generate ordinary domestic sewage that can be treated by municipal facilities. Industries that generate wastewater with high concentrations of conventional pollutants (e. g. oil and grease), toxic pollutants (e. g. heavy metals, volatile organic compounds) or other nonconventional pollutants such as ammonia, need specialized treatment systems. Some of these facilities can install a pre-treatment system to remove the toxic components, and then send the partially treated wastewater to the municipal system.Industries generating large volumes of wastewater typically operate their own complete on-site treatment systems. Some industries have been successful at redesigning their manufacturing processes to reduce or eliminate pollutants, through a process called pollution prevention. Heated water generated by power plants or manufacturing plants may be controlled with: * cooling ponds, man-made bodies of water designed for cooling by evaporation, convection, and radiation * cooling towers, which transfer waste heat to the atmosphere through evaporation and/or heat transfer * cogeneration, a process where waste heat is recycled for domestic and/or industrial heating purposes. [23] Agricultural wastewaterMain article: Agricultural wastewater treatment Riparian buffer lining a creek in Iowa Nonpoint source controls Sediment (loose soil) washed off fields is the largest source of agricultural pollution in the United States. [10] Farmers may utilize erosion controls to reduce runoff flows and retain soil on their fields. Common techniques include contour plowing, crop mulching, crop rotation, planting perennial crops and installing riparian buffers. [24][25]:pp. 4-95–4-96 Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) are typically applied to farmland as commercial fertilizer; animal manure; or spraying of municipal or industrial wastewater (effluent) or sludge.Nutrients may also enter runoff from crop residues, irrigation water, wildlife, and atmospheric deposition. [25]:p. 2-9 Farmers can develop and implement nutrient management plans to reduce excess application of nutrients. [24][25]:pp. 4-37–4-38 To minimize pesticide impacts, farmers may use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques (which can include biological pest control) to maintain control over pests, reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, and protect water quality. [26] Feedlot in the United States Point source wastewater treatment Farms with large livestock and poultry operations, such as factory farms, are call ed concentrated animal feeding operations or feedlots in the US and are being subject to increasing government regulation. 27][28] Animal slurries are usually treated by containment in anaerobic lagoons before disposal by spray or trickle application to grassland.Constructed wetlands are sometimes used to facilitate treatment of animal wastes. Some animal slurries are treated by mixing with straw and composted at high temperature to produce a bacteriologically sterile and friable manure for soil improvement. Construction site stormwater Silt fence installed on a construction site. Sediment from construction sites is managed by installation of: * erosion controls, such as mulching and hydroseeding, and * sediment controls, such as sediment basins and silt fences. [29] Discharge of toxic chemicals such as motor fuels and concrete washout is prevented by use of: * spill prevention and control plans, and specially designed containers (e. g. for concrete washout) and structures such as o verflow controls and diversion berms. [30] Urban runoff (stormwater) Main article: Urban runoff See also: Green infrastructure Retention basin for controlling urban runoff Effective control of urban runoff involves reducing the velocity and flow of stormwater, as well as reducing pollutant discharges. Local governments use a variety of stormwater management techniques to reduce the effects of urban runoff.These techniques, called best management practices (BMPs) in the U. S. , may focus on water quantity control, while others focus on improving water quality, and some perform both functions. 31] Pollution prevention practices include low-impact development techniques, installation of green roofs and improved chemical handling (e. g. management of motor fuels & oil, fertilizers and pesticides). [32] Runoff mitigation systems include infiltration basins, bioretention systems, constructed wetlands, retention basins and similar devices. [33][34] Thermal pollution from runoff can be cont rolled by stormwater management facilities that absorb the runoff or direct it into groundwater, such as bioretention systems and infiltration basins. Retention basins tend to be less effective at reducing temperature, as the water may be heated by the sun before being discharged to a receiving stream. [31]:p. 5-58 *