Global Warming And Its Many Ramifications Essay Example for Free

Global Warming And Its Many Ramifications Essay The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (U. S. EPA) supports all ordinances involving environmental protection and the abatement of natural resources degradation. These laws aim to restrict people from abusing the environment and destroying the natural habitats of numerous species. The CATO Institute in Washington believes that the government is not doing enough in terms of environmental protection. The institute emphasizes that government intervention needs to exert more effort in pursuing environmental preservation. The government is essential in pursuing this goal since this endeavor requires a huge amount of monetary and human resources and may not be achieved by a small number of people only (439-440). With the population continually increasing, natural resources are quickly dwindling, and with the loss of natural habitat, the flora and fauna also perish. Currently, the government pursues strategies that aim to protect the plants and animals affected by heightened human development. Better laws and ordinances need to be passed for the government to effectively preserve the ecosystem. If not, the world risks the possibility of humans satisfying only their own needs and satisfaction, without thinking of the long-term effects of development (U. S. EPA) Crucial Environmental Issues The emergence of numerous environmental issues, including the extinction of several plants and animals as well as changes in weather patterns, caused the government to implement restrictions on the activities of man affecting the environment. However, despite the efforts on the part of the government, environmental problems still occur. According to the U. S. EPA, fragmented tactics are not expected to be effective in protecting the environment as only the obvious problems are being undertaken, while the complex and less obvious environmental issues still remain. The U. S. EPA believes that it is important for the government to change the fundamentals of environmental policies. More restrictions need to be incorporated whenever development is envisioned. This is because with the current rate of development, plants and animals are in danger of not continuing to live in their natural habitats. Population explosion depletes the natural resources, which include plants and animals, which humans consume for their survival. In addition, human settlements also destroy the natural habitats of numerous species. Howard M. Singletary, Director of Plant Industry of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, believes that biological diversity is essential in environmental protection (Evaluate the Social). Conserving biological diversity involves the protection of the entire ecosystem. Humans may see themselves as important or more important than the plants and animals that get destroyed as a result of increased population, but it should be noted that the environmental issues that man is facing at the present time are due to the absence of preventive planning. The short-term economic and monetary gains have frequently been treated as more important than the ecosystem. Yet, the destruction of plants and animals as well as their habitat contribute much in global warming and extreme weather situations. (Evaluate the Social). Humanity needs to see the impact of overdevelopment. People also need to realize that they need to invest and sacrifice certain conveniences and luxuries in order to achieve long-term environmental goals. The scientific community and several advocacy groups are supporting government efforts to preserve the environment. The global movement is for the greater good and is based on the fact the earth and everything in it is not owned by a single individual, group or corporation. The scale of the human economy is now such that the wilderness areas that sustain much of the world’s remaining biological diversity are shrinking fast. The rates of wildlife habitat takeover and of species extinctions are the fastest they have ever been in recorded history, and they are accelerating. Tropical forests, the world’s richest species habitats, have already been 55 percent destroyed, and the current rate exceeds 168,000 square kilometers per year. (Evaluate the Social). Stabilizing populations Stabilizing population is more important in industrial countries than in developing countries, since the former overconsume and hence overpollute and are thereby responsible for the greatest increase in the impact of human activities on the already overtaxed environment. The richest 20 percent of the world consume over 70 percent of the world’s commercial energy. Thirteen countries have already reached a fertility rate required in order to achieve zero population growth, so it is not utopian to expect others to follow. The population growth-rate of developing countries of course must also be reduced dramatically. Their population is now 77 percent of the world’s total, and they are responsible for 90 percent of the world’s annual population growth. (Evaluate the Social). The poor must be helped and will justifiably demand to reach at least minimally acceptable living standards by obtaining access to the remaining natural resource base. When industrial nations switch from input growth to qualitative development, more resources and environmental functions will be available for the poor in the South. Scientists observe that as the planet warms up, a great deal of ice and snow near the poles will probably start to melt. That will expose dark tundra and dark seas. That will warm things up – like painting a white roof black. The darker the terrain gets, the warmer those parts of the world will get. More snow will melt there, making the terrain even hotter. All these explanations fill more than thirty pages of rather small print in the Philosophical Magazines, and every one of the calculations had to be solved by hand. To make a greenhouse forecast, experts now build what amounts to a working scales model of the Earth inside a supercomputer. They start with a blank globe, divided into a grid like the grid of latitude and longitude. Typically each box in the grid covers several hundred miles on a side. These boxes are stacked from the surface of the planet high into the atmosphere – a dozen layers of giant boxes of air. Public concern over environmental policy was minimal until the end of the nineteenth century. As the United States expanded westward, the horizon seemed to present an unlimited supply of land, water, mineral deposits and timber. Farming techniques reflected little concern for minimizing soil depletion. Forests were cleared without concern for reforestation or the devastation of soil erosion. Minerals were mined and metals smelted without concern for their effects on fresh-water supplies; when contamination did result, it seemed a minor problem, because alternative sources of water seemed endless. (Royan, 2001). Despite a history of conservation policies, fundamental concerns over environmental protection were still absent from the policy agenda as late as the 1950s. The publication of Silent Spring in 1962 drew attention to the dangers of pesticides such as DDT, in the food chain. The sense of social responsibility that emerged in the 1960s also moved environmental policy from the background to the forefront of the policy agenda. Energy made it to the headlines once again in the year 2000; a shocking power crisis hit the state of California (Royan, 2001). Companies had realized once more that the horrors brought about by serious energy problems over the past three decades had not gone away. The California electricity crisis could potentially fan out towards other states; not only impact would it impact the profitability of a company, but could certainly put many out of business. As the new century fast approaches, the world has slowly realized the synergy between energy conservation and global economic competitiveness. Energy conservation entails the elimination of wastes through the improvement of industrial facilities and processes. Energy conservation also implies environment preservation through pollution prevention, and mitigating the trends toward global warming. Global competitiveness goes hand in hand with energy conservation, and many industrial firms from all over the world have realized that. Worldwide energy consumption in recent years has continued to escalate not only in developed countries but also in developing countries, primarily as a result of rapid industrialization and improvement in the standard of living. In a recent survey conducted by the Association of Energy Engineers, about 22 percent among those surveyed claimed to have reduced accumulated costs by $5 million or more by implementing energy conservation strategies (Cornforth, 1992). The potential for additional savings is still great. Thirty-six percent among those surveyed indicated that further savings that amount to over 10 percent are possible. Thus, investment in protocols that promote energy conservation has proven to be effective in saving costs by reducing waste materials resulting from industrial processes. As the next century approaches, the economic world has gradually come to realize that energy conservation offers the most profitable competitive advantage. Marked improvements in the efficiency of industrial processes or facilities to save fuel consumption reduce wastage. HiTAC has been a significant energy conservation development in recent years, and is now applied to industrial furnaces in many factories worldwide. A positive consequence of saving energy is minimizing greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. Because of the increased efficiency in combustion using HiTAC, nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide-byproducts of incomplete burning, are reduced. Therefore, HiTAC saves on operational costs by making fuel consumption more efficient; and consequently, efficient fuel consumption minimizes waste products, among which are greenhouse gases that trigger global warming. (Hotel Sarofim, 1967). Major Changes Taking Place in the US Population and Projected Problems Due to the Climate Changes The US is said to have the highest population of the developed nations, and one of the highest population growth rates at one percent, equivalent to 2. 5 million new Americans every year (Haub). Three national population trends that have been identified in a recent US census are changes in geographic distribution, changes in ethnic composition, and the effect of immigration on population (Haub). With regard to the changing geographic distribution of the population, the population is said to be shifting from the Northeast and Midwest to the South and West, both because of internal migration and immigration from other countries (Haub). With regard to ethic composition, while ethnic minorities are said to comprise 25 percent of the population currently, that percentage will increase to 50 percent in 50 years, with Asians rising in numbers from 7. 1 to 40 million by 2050, and Hispanics rising in numbers to 90 million in 2050, constituting 22 percent of the population (Haub). Immigration, on the other hand, presently accounts for a third of the population increase yearly, and is expected to be a major contributor to population growth in the future (Haub). It naturally follows that the South and West will have to deal with the attendant problems of the shifting geographic distribution in its favor, while the change in ethnic composition can be predicted to contribute its own set of problems. Problems Causing the Decline in the Quality of Life in Cities, Possible Solutions It is said that more than a billion urban dwellers, out of a total of three billion, are located in slum areas, with half living in Asia (Whelan). This is indicative of the mammoth problems of governments with regard to the provision for food (Sustainable Development Networking Program), opportunities for employment, environmental degradation, sanitation, and general quality of living in cities. Another problem causing the decline in quality of life is said to be urban sprawl, whose effects range from over-congestion to pollution (Goodwin). In the US, the states that are the destination of internal and external migration and immigration in the ongoing shift in geographic distribution of the population that will have to deal with these issues. Proposed solutions include the revision of federal laws to limit immigration, the creation of boundaries that will redirect urban growth to places where urban services can be provided, and tighter control on allowable density and housing (Goodwin). There are many environmentalists like Senator Hillary who had been bold about her support on the Supreme Court’s Global Warming Decision. She states that the scientific consensus is that global warming poses a serious threat to human activities (Statement of Senator Hillary Clinton on the Supreme Court†¦2007, par 1). She challenges President Bush to address this pressing global environmental threat as soon as possible. Issues on the Ozone In the discussions on the ozone hole, it is but apt to provide a brief explanation on what exactly is the ozone and how it is formed. The ozone, according to the Centre for Atmospheric Science, â€Å"forms a layer in the stratosphere, thinnest in the tropics (around the equator) and denser towards the poles†. More specifically, â€Å"[O]zone is a toxic, strong reactive compound consisting of three oxygen atoms† (Francois). As explained by the Centre for Atmospheric Science, the ozone is formed â€Å"when ultraviolet [radiation coming from the sun], strikes the stratosphere, dissociating (or splitting) oxygen molecules to atomic oxygen†¦[that] quickly combines with further oxygen molecules to form ozone† More commonly, the ozone is known as the layer that protects human beings and other living things from the harmful rays of the sun, more specifically, the ultraviolet rays-shielding us from being stricken by skin cancer. This common conception of the ozone layer, which provides a good notion of what ozone is, is just one side of the coin. Scientists refer to this more commonly know ozone as the stratospheric ozone (Centre for Atmospheric Science). On the other side of the coin is the tropospheric or the ground level ozone, which is considered as a major health hazard, is a â€Å"major constituent of photochemical smog† (Centre for Atmospheric Science). It is referred to as a pollutant because of its being lethal if inhaled (Newman). Ozone Facts According to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the story of the ozone hole has its roots from the chlorofluorocarbons or CFC’s, â€Å"a family of most commonly used industrial compounds†. CFC’s was invented by Thomas Midgley in 1928 which later on was called as a â€Å"miracle compound† due to its proven useful for man’s convenience (NRDC). Since then, it was effectively â€Å"used in refrigeration systems, air conditioners, aerosols, solvents and in the production of some types of packaging† (Francois). However, decades after the â€Å"miracle compound† was invented and used in many industries and households as effective refrigerants, it was found out that it had caused a serious damage to the environment, more particularly to the ozone layer. It took American scientists Mario Molina and Sherwood Rowland to prove that the â€Å"miracle compound† turned out to be damaging to the environment as they hypothesized in 1974 that CFC’s â€Å"possibly played an active role in the depletion of the ozone layer† (NRDC). This announcement had sparked heated debates not just among scientists but also among policymakers, environmentalists and industry players on the â€Å"whys and wherefores of ozone depletion† (NRDC). It was explained by Newman that CFC’s became harmful to the ozone because of its chlorine make-up and â€Å"it turn[ed] out that CFC’s are an excellent way of introducing chlorine into the ozone layer†. This happens as the ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun strikes CFC’s that go up into the altitude of the ozone layer, this UV radiation breaks down CFC’s and frees chlorine (Newman). After chlorine has been freed, this â€Å"has the potential to destroy large amount of ozone† (Newman). Francois also provides connection of the thinning of the ozone layer to the introduction of large amount of chlorine in the atmosphere through the use of CFC’s. The Centre for Atmospheric Science stated that â€Å"Evidence that human activities affect the ozone layer has been building up over the last 20 years, ever since scientists first suggested that the release of CFC’s into the atmosphere could reduce the amount of ozone over our heads†. But prior to the hole being discovered, the negative effects of the CFC’s were never taken seriously by the majority of the people as they were not convinced on the connection between CFC’s and the depletion of the ozone layer (NRDC). In 1985, a major discovery had brought great alarm to the whole world as it was discovered by Joseph Farman and his colleagues that there was a hole in the ozone layer (Newman [b]). In fact, the severity of the discovered ozone depletion made the English scientist in the Halley Bay station in Antarctica, who discovered the hole, to think that the equipment he used to measure the extent of the hole was broken (NRDC). He sent the equipment back to England to have the equipment repaired but when he tried to measure the depletion again, his initial finding that the ozone layer had been depleted was confirmed (Francois). Another theoretical attempt, which later on was proven to be correct, was the â€Å"recipe of the ozone loss† as summarized by the Centre for Atmospheric Science as follows: †¢ â€Å"The polar winter leads to the formation of the polar vortex which isolates the air within it. †¢ â€Å"Cold temperatures form inside the vortex; cold enough for the formation of Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs). As the vortex air is isolated, the cold temperatures and the PSCs persist. †¢ â€Å"Once the PSCs form, heterogeneous reactions take place and convert the inactive chlorine and bromine reservoirs to more active forms of chlorine and bromine. †¢ â€Å"No ozone loss occurs until sunlight returns to the air inside the polar vortex and allows the production of active chlorine and initiates the catalytic ozone destruction cycles. Ozone loss is rapid. The ozone hole currently covers a geographic region a little bigger than Antarctica and extends nearly 10km in altitude in the lower stratosphere. â€Å" Basically, the preceding enumeration of the â€Å"recipe of the ozone loss† is similar to the Heterogeneous Chemistry Theory that proposed chemical reactions occurring within the ozone layer. This also explains why the hole is over Antarctica and not over the other continents. The atmospheric conditions prevailing in Antarctica, which is its having ultra cold temperature, suits the chemical reactions that take place resulting to ozone depletion. Consequences of Depleted Ozone The most common knowledge as to the adverse effects of the depletion of the ozone layer is that it increases the penetration of the ultraviolet radiation resulting to more skin cancer. As Francois puts it, â€Å"[W]hen this protective layer is reduced, it has dramatic consequences on life† such as slower photosynthesis among plants as increased radiation results to less metabolism; destruction of micro-organisms which play a vital role in the food chain; and, the increase in cases of skin cancer. Basically, the depletion of the ozone layer can result to an enormous change in the ecological balance. It is a universal fact, based on the studies and researches that have been made, that a little tip in the ecological balance could result to a mammoth change in our environment that could adversely affect the way people live. The slight increase in temperature can cause destructive floods to countries surrounded by oceans. In the case of the increase in the ozone hole, it can results to unfavorable changes in our environment starting from the destruction of micro-organisms and the instability that it causes to the metabolism of plants responsible to changes in photosynthesis. These changes may not be visible in the present time, which makes many people complacent and insensitive as to their roles in the protection of the ozone layer, but catastrophic results can be felt in the near future.

Free Narrative Essays - Dodging Bullets -- Example Personal Narratives

Dodging Bullets It was a warm fall day in early October, a day that I recall quite vividly. The smells of the transition from summer to fall were in the air, accompanied by the sounds of birds singing and the wind blowing through the trees. It was on this beautiful day that my existence was almost terminated. After school on this day, a friend and I decided to go hunting before our evening basketball practice. I really don't know why we called it hunting, because we didn't have an idea exactly what we were hunting for. We had forty acres of my backyard to do our merciless killing of defenseless animals. We were two ignorant kids with semi-automatic and lever-action .22 caliber rifles. As we strolled into the woods to see what terror we could create for the creatures of the forest, we noticed a large abundance of squirrels. They seemed to be dancing around as if they were gathering there before us in groups--laughing at us, begging us to shoot them. We had to keep walking, for we were still too close to the neighboring houses to be shooting these rifles. So we trudged along, occasionally commenting on how the leaves crunching beneath our feet would scare off the squirrels, as if we were some fierce snipers in desperate need of stealth. At last we made it to an area far enough from the houses. My friend was the one with the semi-automatic, and he immediately started unloading his clip on everything in sight. The sound of the bullets being propelled from the barrel echoed throughout the woods. After his barrage of shots, I noticed a large oak tree with squirrels in i... ...e to dodge bullets. I felt that I could see those bullets in their spiraling motion coming at me. This idea made me laugh, but I didn't engage it for long, for I was still shaken by the event. What if I'd been hit by the onslaught of bullets and turned into a bloody piece of Swiss cheese? Worse yet, I could have been killed. I lay there for what seemed to be a short eternity until the shadow of my friend appeared over me. "I ran out of bullets," he said in a relaxed tone. After I voiced a few choice words to my companion, he helped me up, and I slowly but surely went home. Naturally, neither of us mentioned this scenario to our parents. Later that evening, I decided that playing video games was a safer way to kill time before practice. It was quite a while before we went hunting again.

Hitting the Wall: Nike and International Labor Practices Essay

Based in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike had been a corporate success story for more than three decades. It was a sneaker company, but one armed with an inimitable attitude, phenomenal growth, and the apparent ability to dictate fashion trends to some of the world’s most influential consumer. Selling a combination of basic footwear and street-smart athleticism, Nike pushed its revenues from a 1972 level of $62,000 to a starting $49 million in just 10 years. In the 1980s and 1990s, Nike had been plagued by a series of labor incidents and public relations nightmares; underage workers in Indonesian plants, allegations of coerced overtime in China, dangerous working conditions in Vietnam. For a while, the stories had been largely confined to labor circles and activist publications, until a young female worker had died in a Nike contracting factory in 1997, the labor conditions at Nike had hit the mainstream. While the marketing of Nike’s products was based on selling a high profile fashion item to affluent Americans, the manufacture of these sneakers was based as an arms-length and often-uneasy relationship with low paid, non-American workers. Key Issues Nike’s strategy of shaving costs caused ethical dilemmas that ultimately damaged its reputation. Nike outsources all of its manufacturing. This approach has provided Nike with huge profits, from a 1972 level of $60,000 to a startling $49 million in just 10 years. Production is now globalised, with different countries concentrating on different parts of the process depending on what they are good at, or what they can do most efficiently or cheaply. Poorer countries get the less lucrative activities such as lowly paid semi-skilled or unskilled production or assembly. This approach also allows Nike to keep an arms-length arrangement with its subcontractors, stating that, it is not they who employ cheap labor, but their contracted suppliers, hence the responsibility lies with the latter. Define the Problem  Nike has a difficult situation to resolve. Its strategy to use celebrity endorsements to develop a strong brand identity had the result that Nike became by the 1990s one of the world’s best known brands, as well as a global symbol of athleticism and urban cool. This situation began to change by 1998, when currency woes in Asia along with the damage to its image resulted in Nike experiencing a loss for the first time in 13 years. This strategy resulted in Nike requiring steep wage concessions from its subcontractors to continue its intense growth patterns. Nike has always paid the lowest possible wages in Indonesia, claiming year after year that it could not afford even to pay the country’s minimum wage. Each year, Nike contractors in Indonesia refused to pay minimum wage raises of a few cents a day. Thanks to a corrupt and inefficient government, they usually got away with it. Adding to this problem was the issue of child labor. Nike went into Pakistan, knowing full well that child labor is an ages-old practice there and taking no precautions whatsoever to prevent the use of child labor in the production of its soccer balls. We have to conclude that Nike expected to profit from its Pakistani contractors’ known usage of bonded child labor. Nike further tarnished its reputation by attempting to dilute information that had come to the attention of the general public regarding its practices, resulting in a lawsuit. Mike Kasky is suing Nike, Inc. Under California laws regulating unfair competition and false advertising. Kasky claims that when an internal audit was leaked to the press that revealed illegal employment practices in Nike’s factories in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, Nike responded by issuing to the press numerous statements it knew to be false. The California courts ruled last year that Nike’s PR effort was meant to bolster its image and improve its sales – so indeed, it did amount to advertising, and, as such, it needed to be truthful. Alternative Solutions Nike must to enforce its own Code of Conduct with its subcontractors. This Code has been amended several times, but had been very general in its listing of business practices. Its current version stipulates many requirements that we take for granted, one of which is that a subcontractor certifies that it pays at least the minimum total compensation required by local law, including all mandated wages, allowances and benefits. Another option for Nike would be to contract with a U. S. shoe manufacturer. Although the benefit of having its suppliers overseas has been the low prices for the finished goods, Nike would gain an advantage by providing work for the people at home. Made in USA labels are very important to many Americans. Also, the combination of job creation and openness to providing equitable wages and benefits for its workers as required in this country could reduce the uproar about its labor practices, especially among the youth. In addition, Nike could incorporate at least one factory into a tourist attraction, providing visitors with the opportunity to tour the plant, learn the history of the company, and become more familiar with the products Nike produces, thus developing more customer loyalty. A third option for Nike would be to both enforce its Code of Conduct and invest at a high level in the countries where it has factories, and highly advertise those efforts. Regarding to Nike’s web site, since 1997, Nike, with help from several of its key partners, has supported micro-enterprise ventures in Asia, playing a small but significant and direct role in building and expanding the number of locally-owned businesses in mostly rural areas throughout the region. Nike has funded micro loans and provided technical assistance in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, working with the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), Vietnamese Women’s Union and Opportunity International, respectively. The press has given faces to the people who have been affected by Nike’s contractors’ exploitation. Nike must rectify the damages by giving faces to the people who have been affected in a positive way by the loans and other assistance given to the local populations. This, coupled with Nike’s firm stance on the treatment of those making its goods, would help regain its lost positive image. In addition, this option would forge a stronger relationship with the countries where the factories producing Nike’s products are located. It would also help Nike’s subcontractors to entice and retain the best local employees, thus ensuring higher quality products. Selected Solutions to The Problem This change in how Nike will handle its operations has significant drawbacks. Closely adhering to its Code of Conduct will be very expensive for Nike. Nike’s success has been heavily driven by the aggressive stance it has taken on labor costs. In addition, Nike’s subcontractors have used the freedom given to them to provide Nike the labor expense level they expect while also allowing themselves to profit as well. Nike will now be monitoring their subcontractors’ workplaces and wage practices, which will place a strain on their relationship. This new focus for Nike will require the company to divert some of its attention from its main marketing focus to supervise the overseas operations. Expected Results An immediate benefit of this decision would be the good press it would generate that Nike would be willing to put pressure on its suppliers so that the people who produce its goods are treated fairly. Another benefit would be to align Nike’s suppliers’ actions with Nike’s vision as listed on its web site www. nike. com to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world†. This would include those employed by Nike because the company considers all people to be athletes. A third benefit would be to prevent work stoppage strikes that had previously affected the company in Indonesia. Positive and Negative Results This option would require Nike to make a major shift in its focus from having a limited, long-distance relationship with subcontractors to playing a more active role in the manufacture of its products due to the proximity of its suppliers. This significant change in how Nike does business would be very expensive, both in terms of the financial outlay and use of personnel. It would require a more direct involvement of the company in a portion of the business in which it has no first-hand experience, which would entail a considerable learning curve. This would result in major upheaval for the company, and a loss of confidence by investors. Nike would also lose the competitive edge of its competitors who have lower foreign wages. To reinstate the Nike image back to its earlier prominence, Nike would be wise to pursue the option to enforce its Code of Conduct, and invest in the countries in which its factories are located. The Code of Conduct should require unannounced audits of Nike’s factories at random, frequent time intervals to ensure compliance to rules and regulations. Equipment should be inspected to meet higher safety standards than would be required in the host country. For example, if the factory is located in Indonesia, the equipment should be inspected to be compliant to United States’ Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) safety standards. Doing so is above-and-beyond what may be considered reasonable† and should shed positive light on Nike’s effort. In addition, hiring documentation should be verified in the audits to assure that workers are of the appropriate age, and that children are not placed into the workforce. Subcontractors would be trained in cultural awareness and required to maintain consistent and reasonable management practices. This approach would be expensive for Nike. The company will also have to expend more energy to both monitor the manufacturing facilities and determine which small businesses to support, diverting its attention from the company’s primary focus of marketing its products and making a profit. In addition, making investments in other countries will help Nike relate in more personal ways to their local environments. This will make it more difficult for Nike to direct its subcontractors to move to another country when local labor wages have become too expensive. However, there would probably be no lack of interest if movement to new countries became necessary with Nike’s products so well known. It would ultimately hinder the company’s ability to be competitive with the other shoe manufacturers who use Indonesian labor.

Othello, By William Shakespeare - 1825 Words

William Shakespeare’s plays transcends time and is renowned for their captivating plots and complex characters. Othello by William Shakespeare is a tragedy play that portrays major themes such as racism, manipulation, and jealousy just to name a few. Throughout the whole play, these themes are represented through the conniving character from the play, Iago. Out of all the plays Shakespeare has written, Iago is believed to be the most complex villain of all times. During the play, Othello, a black military commander of the Venetian military of Italy and also a close trustworthy friend to Iago, gives Michael Cassio the general second commander spot instead of Iago. This angers Iago because he was expecting the position instead of Cassio, he†¦show more content†¦We know that he is The Moor, and has â€Å"thick lips† and is married to Desdemona, a white female, so by these descriptions we can sort of image a picture of how Othello would look like. He is also not on ce mentioned by his name, instead he is often referred to as â€Å"The Moor† (1.1.41), â€Å"thick lips† (1.1.68), and â€Å"a Barbary horse† (1.1.7). This is evil of Iago because Othello is a good and sincere friend to Iago and it is even worse because he is saying these rude comments behind his loyal friends back. Also, Iago is represented as pure evil because of his racist slurs towards Othello in this play because in Act 1, he shows that he is cruel and evil. During his conversation with Roderigo and Brabantio, Iago says, â€Å"Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white eye. Arise, arise; awake the snorting citizens with the bell, or else the devil will make a grandsire of you. Arise I say!† (1.1.9). As you can see, in that quotation Iago shows how racist he is by describing his fellow â€Å"friend† as an old black ram while waking up Brabantio with news that his daughter got married to a black man. Iago is manipulating Bra bantio’s fears into thinking that they are sleeping together as a result of having a baby that is a combination of both races. Furthermore, another example of Iago being evil is also in Act 1, when he expresses how much he hates Othello just because he did not give him the position of the job and then decides to destroy him. During his

The Between Christ And Disciples - 808 Words

Jesus was on travel, to the place called Caesarea Philippi. Before we talk about other important things that we can find from the conversation between Christ and disciples, I like to talk about this city. Caesarea Philippi was the location the Cave of Pan, the place of the pagan Gate of Hades. It was in this area that the first king of Israel (Jeroboam) led the northern kingdom of Israel into idolatry. This was also the same place where the Greeks and Romans received revelations from the god Pan who was mentioned in classical writings as a seer or fortune teller and a giver of revelations. This city was originally under the control of Romans, however, by the Romans, control got transferred to Herod the Great (Israelite king) in 20 B.C., who subsequently built a temple there to Caesar Augustus. (Yes, this is the same Herod who professed to be Jewish and paid to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem). Following Herod s death in 4 B.C., his son Philip assumed control of this region. It was he that later renamed the town to Caesarea Philippi, in honor of (Caesar) Tiberius and himself. In other words, this whole place was a symbol of idolization. In this place, Jesus asked two questions to disciples. Which were, â€Å"Who do people say that I am?† and â€Å"Who do you say that I am?† To that question, disciples gives an different answers that they have heard, which was â€Å"John the Baptistl Elijah, or prophets.† For those of us who are sitting in this chair today, Jesus sometimes come andShow MoreRelatedJesus Christ As The Center Of Discipleship1496 Words   |  6 PagesJesus Christ being the center of discipleship there are two things that comes to mind; change and commitment within the disciple. One day Jesus Christ was walking by the sea of Galilee when He saw Simon and Andrew fishing; he said to them, â€Å"Follow me and I will make you fishers of men† Matthew 4:19 . The next verse show them immediately dropping their nets and followed Jesus Christ. The actions of Simon and Andrew is described best by Putman, Harrington, and Coleman in the text book Disciple ShiftRead MoreDiscipleship By Wri iten By Dietrich Bonhoeffer921 Words   |  4 Pagesbased on the belief that being a Christian and follower of Jesus comes at a he literally odifferentiates between costly grace and cheap grace. Costly grace is what is required. Cheap grace will destroy the church. We are called to be disciple and it is necessary to include Jesus Christ and give your life to following Christ. Simple obedience to God is necessary. There is a need to suffer as Christ suffered if we pick up the cross to follow Jesus. The book also focuses on Jesus’ Sermon on the MountRead MoreChrist in Discipleship1731 Words   |  7 Pages Christ In Discipleship DSMN 500: Discipleship Ministries March 27, 2014 The definition of a disciple is â€Å"One who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another, as one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ s followers according to the Gospel accounts.† Discipleship means nothing without Christ being the central focus. It is crucial that Christ be the central focal point for all Christian discipleshipRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Small Groups1427 Words   |  6 PagesSmall Groups A small church group could be defined as a small community consisting of three, six no more than twelve members at a time if applicable. The group members must be made up of followers of Jesus Christ. Small groups are more personal, leading to a more relational development between the members. This relationship leads to more active discipline of the unsaved. 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Changes In Us Foreign Policy Between 1880 And 1910 Essay

Throughout the years, the United States government had made drastic changes in its foreign policies. The few decades from 1880 to 1910, which saw five different presidents all with very distinct foreign policies, were no exception. As a country, the United States progressed from being a country only concerned with expanding its territory out west, to being a country on the verge of becoming involved in the First World War. During the 1880s and 1890s, the United States focused on broadening their territory and expanding their country westward. During the early part of the decade, a vast amount of land was disappearing due to the fact that millions of people were moving west looking for gold mines and new farmland. The government was†¦show more content†¦The United States was starting to export goods that they produced on a larger scale, due in large part to the rise in factories, as well as the growth in the steel, oil, and railroad industries. During this time, there was a huge amount of new inventions and industrialization within the country. Because of these new techniques and developments, the United States was proving itself to be a major industrial power. Around this same time, there was a massive rush of immigrants into the country. They came from all over the world; from places like Ireland, England, Italy, Russia, Greece, Mexico, and Asia. Any of these immigrants completely broke their ties with the old country once they moved to America. The increase in immigration, led to a rise in Nativism. Organizations were formed whose main purpose was to prevent more people from entering the country, including the American Protective Association (APA) and the Immigration Restriction League (IRL). In the late 1890s, the United States experiences imperialistic feelings rise again. The country as a whole feared our resources running out, so there was an increase in foreign trade. 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A Review of Chapters Seven and Nine of “from Columbus to Castro” by Eric Williams free essay sample

The main idea of chapter seven is how the Caribbean came to be the cock pit of European rivalry and wars in the latter parts of the fifteenth century up to the eighteenth century, an interesting tale of adventure, greed and cruelty. What William offers here is a broad overview of the history of the Caribbean, with special emphasis on England, France and Holland whom he describes as â€Å"new comers†, who through various means fair and foul, gradually suppressed Spanish territorial powers in the Caribbean region. Chapter nine discusses how sugar revolutionalised the Caribbean economy from the seventeenth century through to the eighteenth century. Assessment and Evaluation The author gives a historical antecedent of the power struggle revolving around the control of resources in the Caribbean region. He justifies this from paragraph one of chapter seven by stating that gold, sugar and slaves, the ‘Caribbean trinity’ represented an enormous accession of power and wealth. This gives the reader an idea about what he or she should In pages 69 and 70 the author gives an account of how countries like Portugal, Venice and even Columbus’ own country, Genoa, rejected his idea of finding a new route to India by going west. He vividly states that it was Spain that reached an agreement with Columbus to sponsor his voyage. This provides the reader with firsthand information of how a younger nation, Spain, became the first European country to acquire territories in the New World. The exploration of Columbus offers an understanding of how the Spaniards came to dominate the lands â€Å"discovered† by Columbus. Similarly, in pages 70 and 71, the author, in a narrative, provides his reader with an account of how the opposition to Spanish monopoly over lands in the New World started. Thus, how the protest against â€Å"Adams Will† began with the issuance of a patent to John Cabot by Henry VII, King of England, on March 5, 1496 to undertake a voyage of discovery. This date according to Eric Williams has been called the birthday of the British Empire. In fact, this date is very significant because it makes it clear for the reader to understand how the imperialist rivalry between Spain and the new comers started. With this knowledge, the reader will know that it was England that spearheaded the rivalry against Spanish imperialism. In pages 73 through 76, the author describes the three policies or methods that were adopted by England, France and the Netherlands to undermine Spanish imperialism. These were buccaneering, contraband trade and encroachment on Spanish territories. Here, the author elaborates on these three policies and shows the extent of how these policies especially buccaneering eventually became prejudicial to Spain and the governments that fostered it. He also provides the names and legacies of the men who spearheaded each of these policies. This helps the reader to know the level of influence that these men had on their various countries in their bid to get a share of ‘Adams Will’. From this, readers get an understanding of how the results of these policies affected the Spanish imperialist agenda. Eric William generally assumes his readers familiarity with sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth century European history. Thus, he pre-supposes his readers knowledge of European history in some detail. In his attempt to give explanations to events and happenings in Europe that influenced or affected the history of the Caribbean, he many at times did not throw more light on some important terms and important events that he mentioned in this chapter. In page 69, paragraph 2, the first sentence the author writes is: â€Å"this imperialist rivalry was anticipated even before the voyage of Columbus†. This was after he had given a very short description of how the Caribbean islands began their association with modern society. After reading the whole chapter, the most common knowledge one gains is the fact that imperialist rivalry between Spain and other European countries started after Columbus voyage. So what one asks is; what were the reasons that supported his claim that the imperialist rivalry was anticipated even before Columbus voyage? There may have been some developments that made him come to that conclusion but he does not share that with his readers. Also in the last paragraph of page 74, Eric Williams talks about the destruction of the Spanish Armada by England in 1588. Without giving his reader any information as to what the ‘Spanish Armada’ was, he goes on further to explain how its destruction signified the supremacy of British over Spanish sea power. Since its destruction signified the beginning of English sea power, the author would have done his readers more good by giving little information about the Spanish Armada. The Armada according to Gerard S. Graham was a collection of armed transport rather than a fleet of battle ships. It was not merely a vehicle for carrying men but an instrument of seamanship designed to fight other ships at a distance. The author’s use of some complex words in the chapter makes it difficult for a reader to apprehend the complete meaning and essence of some of the sentences. Use of words such as ersatz, bulwark, cynosure and others makes it difficult for a first time reader to deduce the meaning of the author’s message. He could have used words such as ‘fake’, ‘wall’ and ‘focus’ in place of ‘ersatz’, ‘bulwark’ and ‘cynosure’ respectively which were used in Chapter seven. The history of the Caribbean is dominated by the history of sugar. Of the Caribbean trinity, sugar was the hallmark of the Caribbean economy. The overwhelming importance of sugar made it the principal economic enterprise in the Caribbean region. This is perhaps the main reason why Eric Williams dedicates a whole chapter to sugar and even personifies it as ‘king’. In page 111, the author makes mention of tobacco and cotton as the main cash crops that were cultivated by the planters in the new European territories. The author does a good job by telling his readers about how the production of sugar came to replace these two. With this, readers will know that sugar cultivation was not the first agricultural activity in the European territories. In page 112, he goes on further to inform his readers about how sugar was introduced into Barbados by the Dutch. However in his attempt to give his readers this important information, he fails to explain the ‘secrets of sugar cultivation’ which the Dutch taught the inhabitants of Barbados. These so called ‘secrets’, so important to the development of the sugar industry in Barbados ought to have been revealed by the author since it would have given a complete understanding of the transition from the cultivation of tobacco and cotton to sugar cane. In chapter nine, the author provides ample numerical data to illustrate the period. Thus the author gives an impressive collection of data. The chapter has a lot of data which one will enjoy if one wants to know how many hogsheads, tons and tierces of sugar that were exported from a particular place in a particular year. It further provides data on the acres of cultivable lands that were used in the cultivation of sugar cane. The data given in this chapter is very useful in analysing or studying the economic history of the Caribbean in this period. The provision of this data by the author is indeed significant but the chapter is occupied with endless statistics that the reader immediately forgets. Also, any casual reader might find the statistics uninteresting and may skip it. Conclusion. From the above, one realises that the author has made greater contribution to knowledge in the field of Caribbean history. This is not to say that there are no set backs in the work produced by the author. The author’s choice of words in this book can be a discouraging factor for any reader of this book. There is little or no sense of humour in his sentences which can be attributed to the times in which he wrote the book. We therefore suggest that a revision of the book be made and if possible, an abridged version be published. This, we think will increase the number of interested readers of the book and reduce its limitation to academic users. Overall, this is an important book. It has many significant insights but it is not an easy read. Admittedly, it took a while to get through. Nevertheless, we recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain or broaden his knowledge about Caribbean history.