Balance of Payment Essay Example for Free

Balance of Payment Essay Definition: BOT is the difference between the various export and import of visible goods of a country during a time. If the value of visible export exceed than the value of visible import than the balance of trade is said to be in favor. OR â€Å"The value of goods and services bought and sold in the world market.† Cause of Adverse Balance of Payment Since independence of Pakistan, balance of payment condition was not satisfactory. Accept few years, Pakistan is facing deficit in her balance of payment. The deficit is met by the loans. The deficit is increasing day by day. †¢ Import Of Machinery Developing countries are importing machines and technology to improve the industrial sector. It has made the balance of payment unfavorable because the value of capital goods is increasing day by day and we want to industrialize our economy. †¢ Export Of Raw Material Exports of Pakistan depend upon raw material and semi-manufactured goods. The price of raw material is very low in the world market. So our balance of payment remains unfavorable. For instance the product of cotton reduced in 1995 due to virus, so it also affected adversely our balance of payment, because we imported cotton instead of exporting. †¢ Political Unrest Many less developed countries like Pakistan are facing political unrest, which is the main cause of low production. Ultimately balance of payment remains unfavorable. In this situation investors fears to do the investment. †¢ Import Of Wheat Pakistan is facing the food shortage problem and spending a huge amount of foreign exchange on its import. In the past we imported many times like wheat and it has affected our balance of payment. †¢ Increase In The Sick Industrial Units Due to Nationalization a number of units are suffering a loss. These are not producing goods according to their full capacity. The low production has reduced the exports and increased the deficit of the budget. †¢ Domestic Problem Floods problem and Nationalization of industries reduced the production and exports of the country. Up till now majority of afghan refugees is living in Pakistan and most of them have got National identity cards in Pakistan. Characteristic of Under-Developed Country ââ€" ª High Capital Output Ratio Capital output ratio is the relationship in a given economy or in an industry for a given time period to the output of that economy or industry for similar time period. Capital output ratio in developing countries is very high because of uneconomic use of capital resources. ââ€" ª Dependence On Agriculture Most of the less developed countries like Pakistan depend upon agriculture sector. The majority of population is engaged in agriculture. But unfortunately agriculture is hopelessly in a backward stage in the developing countries, the average land holding and per acre yield is low. ââ€" ª Lack Of Capital Another common characteristic of developing countries is that there is a shortage of capital because of low level of incomes, low rate of saving, low rate of investment and unequal distribution of wealth. ââ€" ª Vicious Circle Of Poverty A poor country is trapped in its own poverty. In the less developed countries production per capital income, saving and investment is low, so low investment leads to low production. ââ€" ª Unequal Economic And Political Power For many less developed countries, a significant factor contributing to the persistence of low levels of living, rising unemployment, and growing income unequal distribution of economic and political power between the rich and the poor.  Hoarding In the developing countries like Pakistan, people have the habit of hoarding precious metals, stones and currency. Gold and silver are used as ornaments instead of productive purpose.

Confronting Competition In The Tourism Industry

Confronting Competition In The Tourism Industry Europes tourism industry is one of the biggest tourism industries in the world and therefore has all top tour operators based in Europe. Two of the biggest names are Thomas cook and TUI. They have the maximum market share in the Europes tourism industry. The tour operators business environment consists of competitors, macro environments and industry also. Various tools used for the analysis of the business environment are PESTLE analysis, porters five force analysis and industry life cycle. SWOT analysis will be done for industrys analysis and also on how the tour operators in Europe are performing. Environmental Analysis PESTEL Analysis PESTEL helps in understanding the important factors affecting the change. Below is the PESTEL analysis: Political: After the tourist attacks, the government comes up with strict laws on immigration and also restrict the destinations after the attacks which affect the perception and also the perception of the tourist. Also, the taxation policy affects the tourism as they charge taxes on the food and lodging industry which contributes the maximum to the tourism industry. (Baum, T, 1999). Economic: The exchange also affects the tourism in the country and plays the important role.( Davidson AP, Burgess S, 2006). The gap between the Euro and the Pound sterling is decreasing, therefore, there is a possibility that the outbound tourism is affected in Europe which in turn will affect the tour operators. The recession also affected the tourism industry not only in Europe but in other countries also. Socio-Cultural: Tour operators have understood what the customers are looking for; they are looking for a brand, lifestyle and safety. Due to this the tour operator in Europe. The tour operators make customised tour packages to suit the need of the customers. The customers travelling to Europe are looking for the brand names that are doing good in the business and have a name, this is due to the demand of security when travelling to the other country. Technological: The online and internet bookings are increasing day by day due to the easy access of the internet. The online booking companys like expedia.com, hotels.com, etc are giving packages and also the customers can make their own packages. This has highly affected the tourist operators in Europe as they get the business from other countries as well. The internet booking companies are doing well in the business due to the cost saved and also less of manpower requirements. (Douglas, and Derrett 2001). Environmental: The European governments are campaigning for green holidays like farm holidays. The carbon dioxide is the major source of the pollution and the aeroplanes contribute the maximum carbon dioxide to the environment. (Munoz, J. 2005). Apart from this, the health issues like swine flu or influenza cause tourists not to travel to the country. The governments also restrict these countries for travelling. Legal: the European governments are proposing strict norms and laws for the aviation industry in terms of safety and regulations. The opening of new hotels in the country also requires legal permits for the company. Porters Five Force Analysis This identifies the competitors in the tourism industry and all these five forces are linked with each other. The risk of Potential Entrants: The threat of new entrants in terms of tour operators is low because of the high capital investment, brands already existing and have created a niche in the market and people knows about the top players in the industry. It is difficult for the new entrants to establish themselves. (Alford, 2009) The threat of Substitutes: The threat to substitute of tourism or travelling is less as people these days prefer to take a break and travel. They will not substitute travel to any other activities. Also, the European countries are full of greens and have both mountains and beaches which attract the tourists from around the world. (Alford, 2009) Bargaining power of Suppliers: The suppliers bargaining power is high only with the companies who are new to the business or holds small share in the market. However, the bargaining power is not the same with the companies who hold the maximum market share in the tourism industry. Also, the European markets have their own aviation industry which helps in bringing or supplying tourists to the country at the mitigated prices. Bargaining power of Buyers: Since Europe is a big market in tourism industry it caters to both the individual travelling customers and travelling through agencies. In the latter case, the travel agents or tour operators make the packages in such a way that people buy them. The tour operators compose a major and a powerful group for the buyers. Rivalry among the Competitors: The rivalry among the competitors is moderate as they contribute maximum to the market. TUI and Thomas cook are the two top travel operators who have a 21% and 13% market share respectively. The rivalry is only among these two as they both hold the important position in the European market. The other travel operators are not the part of the competition. Appendix 1: Porters Five Force Model for the Tourism Industry in Europe Industry Life Cycle The Industrys life cycle tells about the growth of the product that is tourism in the continent. The life cycle is well telling about the evolution of the tourism industry, its development, decline and the death. Stage one describes the early start of tourism in Europe centuries back when people started travelling from one place to another. The second stage describes the development of the tourism, which again took place centuries back as the need for the shelter and food was recognised by the people in Europe. They built small inns for the travellers and gave them basic meals. (Douglas and Derrett 2001).Thats how the food and lodging industry started in Europe and Europe was the first continent to do so. Slowly and gradually they built hotels and the tourism industry started booming and continuously doing the same with maximum people travel to the continent every year. The decline or downfall was observed during the terrorist attacks in United States of America and Bali. The second time downfall was observed during the recession period in 2008. ( Douglas and Derrett, 2001). However, the industry had seen the growth in last two years as people have started travelling again. The last stage is the death stage which the tourism industry has not yet faced as people are travelling and business is growing. (SÃ ³names, 1998) SWOT Analysis The SWOT analysis of any industry will help it to grow better and maximise the business by identifying the new opportunities and also how to overcome the threats. Strengths: The European people are very warm and have a good sense of hospitality. They are very friendly and helpful also. The countryside of the Europe is very beautiful and magnificent therefore it attracts a maximum number of tourists every year. The hotels and free standing restaurants in Europe offer the best cuisines and wines as compared to anywhere in the world. The tourism industry in Europe has undergone huge investments both in the public and private sectors. ( Porter, M,(1985). In last decade Europe has come up with large accommodation facilities, tourist attractions, and other activities for the tourists and also invested a lot in training. Access to the countries in the continent is easy as there are a number of airlines that offer their services to the tourists to come in the continent. The tourism industry in Europe is well supported by the airline as well as railway industry. Weaknesses: Language plays a barrier in some of the European countries as people are not aware of any other language. The climatic conditions are generally cold and during winters it becomes difficult to access the countrysides and cities. Opportunities: The access to the countries is easy due to the high competition and also the stay is competitively priced therefore there is a possibility that due to high competition people get better deals in European countries, therefore, this factor can force them to travel to the continent. The outbound travel will grow from Asia pacific and Middle Eastern countries as they are planning to have direct flights to the European countries where they do not operate. Also, the Chinese people are now more inclined towards travelling to different countries and continents. More business expansions in the continent as the tourism will grow. (Porter, M,(1985). It is very obvious that the industry will grow from all sides when more money will flow in. Increasing demand for nature tourism. Tourist these days prefer to travel to the countries which are rich in nature and are also eco-friendly. The economy of the countries will increase especially in the less visited countries. Threats: People now prefer short vacations rather than long vacations. People travel only to those countries which are well established and doing good business, however, the countries under developed are left behind. Changing the attitude of the customers in the global recession. Terrorist attacks and health hazards will affect the tourism in the continent as people stop travelling. The economy downfall of other countries will slow the growth of tourism in the European countries.

Climate Change Impacts On Water Resources Environmental Sciences Essay

Climate Change Impacts On Water Resources Environmental Sciences Essay Scientific records and projections prove the elevated risk of vulnerable freshwater resources being harshly impacted by climate change, with considerable resulting effects, especially for Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) like Mauritius. Adaptation measures to respond to those climatic impacts on water would require an integrated water resources management which includes obtaining the perception of the societys understanding of the issue. This paper aims at analysing the perception of a category of the Mauritian society, namely the working personnel, with regard to awareness as well as understanding of climate change and its impacts on water resources. The results of the study show that the educational level of respondents has an impact on both their awareness and understanding of climate change and the negative effects it has on our water resources. Those findings can be of help to policy-makers engaged in the effective selection and implementation of realistic and targeted wat er-related adaptation measures all throughout the island. Keywords: Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, Water Resources, Small Islands Developing States, Public Perception, Educational Level. Introduction Climate Change, its Impacts and the Global Response Climate change is viewed by natural scientists as perhaps the preeminent environmental risk confronting the world in the 21st century (Leiserowitz, 2007) and the most debated environmental issue in the political ecology field in the last two decades (Whitanage, et al., 2009). The key source of global warming is generally viewed as being an accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, with resulting greenhouse effect (Yadollahie, 2010). There is much scientific proof of occurrence of considerable global warming, and recent warming, which has already brought alterations in the earths climate, can be attributed to human activities, according to the Royal Society (2005). The undeniable responsibility of human activities in this matter has since 1992 been expressed by the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) when defining climate change as a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the globa l atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods (UNFCCC, 1992). This analysis is supported by Rosenzweig, et al., (2007) who claim that the consistency of observed significant changes in physical and biological systems and observed significant warming across the globe very likely cannot be explained entirely by natural variability or other confounding non-climate factors. The Royal Society (2005) emphasizes that though projected climate changes will generate both favourable and adverse effects in various sectors ranging from agriculture to human health, larger and faster the changes in climate, the more likely it is that adverse effects will dominate. Along the same line, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides scientific evidence of strong effects of recent climate change on many aspects of both natural and managed systems, with consequent changes in several areas including coastal zones (Rosenzweig, et al., 2007). The IPCC (2007) further explains that projected changes will be in climate variables such as precipitation, temperature, sea level and concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide and emphasizes that impacts of those changes would be felt mainly on coastal systems and low-lying areas, health, freshwater resources and their management, ecosystems, industry, settlement and society, food, fibre and forest products (IPCC. , 2007). Signed in 1992 by virtually all nations of the world as a response to the issue that increase the levels of greenhouse gases are being caused by human activities, the UNFCCC treaty is referred to as being the first agreement to address climate change, with commitments to establish national action plans for voluntary reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to agreed levels, as a start to global warming mitigation (Fletcher and Parker, 2007). Due to the fact that several countries were not being able to reduce their gas emissions, the parties to the UNFCCC treaty moved from voluntary measures to the Kyoto protocol, which establishes legally binding, mandatory emissions reductions (Fletcher Parker, 2007), relevant to 38 developed countries listed in the protocol as Annex 1. The Kyoto protocol, which has been agreed to towards the end of 1997 and has entered into force in February 2005, has been signed and ratified by 187 nations as at November 2009 (UNFCCC, 2009), including more than six ty percent of the developed countries listed at its Annex 1. Those developed countries that have ratified the treaty are bound to implement national measures to lessen their greenhouse gas emissions in addition to making use of three market-based mechanisms introduced in the Kyoto protocol, namely, International Emissions Trading, the Clean Development Mechanism, and Joint Implementation (Bashmakov, et al., 2001). International Emissions Trading implies that signatory Annex 1 countries can trade part of agreed emission quotas among themselves, while in the Clean Development Mechanism, Annex 1 countries can help develop reduced emissions projects within Non Annex 1 countries, explicitly developing countries, to help them attain sustainable development and in return, the helping countries beneficiate from the so generated certified emission reductions. With regard to Joint Implementation, Annex I countries can help to implement reduced emissions project in another Annex I country and thus receive emission reduction units, which can be used by the investor countries to attain the required limitation of emissions (Bashmakov, et al.2001). The Kyoto protocol is seen as a political and a technical failure as well as a symbolically important expression of concern about climate change (Prins and Rayner, 2008), and since the Kyoto Protocol regime expires in 2012, there might be in their point of view only a slender window of opportunity to radically rethink our objectives and operations (Prins Rayner, 2007). Further to the end of the commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the latest Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC held in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009, included on its agenda a discussion on an international climate agreement, with the Copenhagen Accord as outcome. Though consensus has not been reached at that Copenhagen Summit or COP15, with the Accord being finally not adopted, it is believed that only the future will tell whether that Accord would evolve into a subsequent agreement or arrangement that is sufficiently robust to motivate meaningful action on climate change (Stavins Stowe, 2010). The ab ove cited view is nevertheless not shared by Yadollahie (2010) as he deems the result of the Copenhagen Summit to be disappointing, believing that no significant step has been made, and considers that the whole world now looks forward to the new COP to be held in Mexico at the end of 2010. Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources There are a good deal of scientific records and climate projections to prove the elevated risk of vulnerable water resources being harshly impacted by climate change, with considerable resulting effects. The researchers of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) go further stating that the negative impacts, such as salinisation of coastal aquifers, droughts and floods affecting water quality and exacerbating water pollution, are expected to outweigh the benefits (Bates, et al., 2008). The Need for Adaptation To fight climate change, the UNFCCC (1992) recommends mitigation, with measures to lessen human activities that generate green house gases, and adaptation, which tries to reduce vulnerability to impacts of climate change. Mitigation only is insufficient and thus adaptation is essential given that even if action is being taken now to considerably reduce greenhouse gases, the climate system generally reacts slowly to changes in greenhouse gas concentrations, with further changes in climate being consequently unavoidable (Royalsociety.org, 2005). Stavins and Stowe (2010) highlight the introduction in the Copenhagen Accord of the necessity for developed countries to provide financial and other resources to support adaptation actions in least developed countries, including small islands. Concerning adaptation in regard to the water resources, an integrated water resources management, though still in its early years, is recommended by Bates et al.(2008) as a tool in seeking adaptation measures, subject to reshaping planning processes and the inclusion of the societys views as some of the strategies to ensure implementation success. Climate Change and SIDS Small island developing States (SIDS), of which Mauritius is a member, have numerous problems and specific characteristics that increase their vulnerability, resulting in a situation where adverse effects of climate change and sea-level rise represent the most immediate threats regarding sustainable development (UNDP, 2009). Mauritius is about to experience substantial economic loss, humanitarian stresses and environmental degradation due to climate change impacts such as sea-level rise, increasing temperatures, an increase in the intensity of tropical cyclones and increasingly variable rainfall (UNDP, n.d.) with important sectors most likely to be affected by climate change impacts being coastal resources, agriculture, water resources, fisheries, health, biodiversity, land-use change and forestry. Bates, et al (2008) further observe that under most climate change scenarios, water resources in small islands are likely to be seriously compromised. As a reaction to this critical situation which SIDS are facing, a number of adaptation projects are being implemented, the main one being the National adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs) executed by UN agencies (Graham, 2007).There are also other projects supported by financial institutions and other development assistance agencies. Adaptation costs are very high and are financed for instance by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund, which is recognized by the UNFCCC (2005) as being One of the principal channels of support for small island developing States (SIDS) in the area of climate change. Some more sources of funding are the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) whereby Adaptation activities to address the adverse effects of climate change have top priority for funding, the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and The Adaptation Fund under the Kyoto Protocol, for financing adaptation projects in developing countries that are Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (Graham, 2007). Numerous SIDS have already submitted their NAPA documents to the UNFCCC, wherein the water resources sector is of major importance. Those NAPA documents propose adaptation measures as follows: Improve water harnessing, collection and storage infrastructures by building reservoirs and dams, encouraging use of individual water-saving devices and promoting safe rainwater harvesting through ground catchment and roof catchment systems, Elaboration of decentralized management plans on water production and distribution infrastructures, Elaboration and implementation of legislation and regulation, Design and construction of suitable sewage treatment and disposal systems to safeguard water resources, Establishing modeling maps and an information and monitoring system on water resources, Institutionalization of management system, with the purpose of putting in practice the national politics of the water resources, Reducing leakage in supply systems, Carrying out participatory research on the knowledge of traditional practices of adaptation to the variations of the water cycle. The above list of measures extracted from the UNFCCC database (UNFCCC, 2010a, b, c, d) can be used as a model for proposals of adaptation measures in Mauritius. Regardless of the broad range of adaptation options that could be successfully implemented in the SIDS, some fundamental constraints, categorized by the UNFCCC (2005) in three groups, limit the choices of options and their implementation. These constraints are specifically: insufficient data or information and technical capacity for well-timed and successful adaptation planning, as a starting point for the design of adaptation policies, strategies and programmes; the weakness of current institutions which have to be strengthened for effective implementation of adaptation measures; and insufficient financial resources which will necessitate international assistance with regard to research on less costly adaptation measures (UNFCCC, 2005). Maladaptation, caused by governments underestimating, overestimating or mis-estimating the climate impact (Graham, 2007), is also interpreted as a factor delaying the adaptation process. Climate change, adaptation, and water resources management in Mauritius In Mauritius, the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities is responsible for implementation of water resources policies, and other organisations operating in the water sector are the Water Resources Unit, the Central Water Authority, the Irrigation Authority and the Waste Water Management Authority, each of them having specific responsibilities defined by existing Mauritian laws regarding water resources (Proag, 2006). The impacts of climate change are already being felt in the island, as evidenced by the recent National Assessment Report prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development when it reveals that meteorological records clearly indicate the increase of average temperatures, rising sea levels, intermittent heavy rainfall causing flash floods and climate variability that deviate from past patterns. (ROM, 2010). Mauritian water resources are vulnerable to climate change impacts, whereby one example is the risk run by boreholes situated near the Mauritian coasts of being contaminated by saltwater intrusion (UNFCCC, 2005). In line with the pledge of the Mauritian Government in its 2010-2015 programme (2010) regarding climate change, the UNDP is currently implementing a two year project under the Africa Adaptation Program (AAP), aiming at integrating and mainstreaming climate change adaptation into the institutional framework, development policy, strategies and plans of the island. An output of the project is the implementation of climate-resilient policies and measures in priority sectors, inclusive of the water sector (UNDP, n.d.). Accordingly, a working group under the chairmanship of the Water Resources Unit has been set up at the level of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, to look into the issue and come up with appropriate policies and measures that integrate climate change adaptation. The Maurice Ile Durable (MID) concept, a national project for sustainable development, also recognizes the negative impact of climate change on our water resources and recommends that the MID i nitiative should serve to increase the preparedness of Mauritius to adapt to climate change as far as possible (UNDP, 2009). Since 2005, several assessments have been conducted to identify appropriate climate change adaptation and mitigation measures which are currently being implemented or in the pipeline (ROM, 2010). The report lists concrete climate related actions that have been or are being taken in the field of : enhancement of climate change and sea level rise monitoring; reduction of GHG emissions through energy efficiency and conservation as well as renewable energy investments; and adaptation projects in the following sectors: Agricultural sector, Commissioning of Midlands Dam for irrigation of the northern plains. Cultivation of drought resistant cultivars and trash blanketing of sugarcane fields. Investment in hydroponics, protected cultures. Improved livestock housing. Coastal zone; Land use change and forestry; and Water resources sector: a. An integrated plan for water resources development up to year 2040 has been prepared. b. Surface water storage has been increased and new projects in pipeline include construction of dams at Bagatelle and Rivià ¨re des Anguilles. c. Existing storage dams and feeder/irrigation canals have been rehabilitated to minimize seepage losses. d. Capacity of potable water treatment plants has been extended. Ongoing public awareness campaigns on water saving. The report also highlights the emphasis that the Mauritian Government has laid on sensitization and awareness raising of the general public, through holding of regular sensitization and awareness campaigns for various target groups , as well as the publication of resource materials and broadcasting of regular programmes on television and radio. Apart from the State, non-governmental projects are also carried out, such as one project funded by GEF Small Grants Programme for period 2005-2006 and carried out by Environmental Protection Conservation Organisation (EPCO) in coastal villages, with the aim of raising awareness about climate change science and working with local community to understand the impact of climate change, to identify vulnerability, prepare and implement adaptation plan (GEF, 2006). The implementation of the above project included a vulnerability assessment exercise in four coastal villages whereby water scarcity was identified as a key element affecting livelihood (World Water Forum, [WWF], 2009). Another aim of the project was to secure better quality and quantity of water in these villages, through education and training, awareness and preparedness as well as community-participation (WWF, 2009).One of the several findings of the project is that the public should be encouraged to change lifestyle so as t o minimize utilization of water (WWF, 2009). Public perception as a tool for effective implementation of adaptation measures Understanding public perception is a key element in raising awareness and motivating behavioral changes in the population (Breton, et al., 2008). Lorenzoni and Pidgeon (2006, cited in Sola, et al., 2008), further insist on the fact that To ignore the values and attitudes of the public when deciding on the management of climate risk may lead to problematic situations. Globally, the study of public perception on climate change is of major importance nowadays. International studies mention that majorities believe that the worlds climate is changing (Poortinga, et al., 2006) and citizens concern for climate change is growing (Leiserowitz, 2007). A study of public perceptions on climate change and adaptation in Sri Lanka even concludes that keeping local communities out of climate business will create unnecessary damage (Whitanage, et al., 2009). At local level, some studies have been carried out involving public perception in the water resources sector. Focusing on the perception of Mauritians towards domestic water as a product of consumption, Sowdagur (2006) finds that a great majority of Mauritians are not willing to pay more and thus recommends that this fact be considered when deciding on water tariff policies. The study carried out by Madhoo (2006) estimates the budgetary impact of higher willingness to pay for residential water and demonstrates that as long as lower prices are allocated to low income groups, it would be politically feasible to charge higher prices, while in his works on awareness of water distribution costs, Proag (2007) concludes that not knowing the basic factors involved in producing and distributing water leads to people having a wrong perception about its cost and value. The role of education in climate change awareness and understanding With regard to environmental education, Potter (2010) believes that it is a critical tool for engaging the public, especially with the recent and strong focus on global warming and climate change. He thus suggests that new and more systemic environmental education legislation might be considered, together with substantive increases in funding for national-level grants, educator training, and research initiatives and broadening the scope of strategic-level conversations to include sectors beyond the education community. A study carried out at the Rice University in USA recommends that although the subject of climate change is cared for by schools solely in classrooms and in a passive manner without related project work, discussions of solutions should be integrated with the science, to provide a broader picture and to prevent students from becoming disengaged and fatalistic (Johnson, 2009). Another study undertaken regarding the role of higher education as change agent for sustainability wraps up by saying that institutions of higher education can be considered a stakeholder group with significant potential influence on society through many different mechanisms ( Stephens et al., 2008). The same stand is adopted in the UK whereby a study performed in September 2008 to assess the current state of knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by the surveying profession with regard to climate change impact reveals that around 50 per cent of graduates considered that there was no, or little reference to the issue sustainability and the effects of climate change in their own programmes. The study concludes that Whilst no one is suggesting that climate change should replace topics in existing syllabuses, based on the scientific evidence, it should be an integral part of any decision related to the built environment in order to achieve social, economic and environmental sustainability.(Dent and Dalton, 2010). Regarding the role of the Hawaiian university with regard to climate change mitigation, a research done in 2008 highlights that Universities are uniquely positioned within the climate change dialogue to act as resources for multi-disciplinary regional and global climate research, provide outstanding public education and outreach with credible and current information, and to serve as models of institutional and behavioral change.(Coffman, 2008). This paper summarises the perception of the working personnel on climate change, focusing on the target populations awareness as well as understanding of the climate change problem and its impacts on local water resources. The study highlights that education level is a key factor influencing the level of awareness and understanding of respondents. The findings of this study may help policy makers to better design more effective adaptation measures specific to safeguarding the islands water resources against climate change impacts and which would be understood by the Mauritian working personnel as well as receive their full support.

A Study of Narcissism :: Psychology Essays

A Study of Narcissism Missing works cited Spanning back to the era of ancient Greek mythology, narcissism is currently recognized as an â€Å"infatuation and obsession with one’s self to the exclusion of all others†, and as the egocentric pursuit of one’s gratification, dominance and ambition† (Vaknin 1). This egocentric disorder is named after the ancient Greek myth of Narcissus- a man so enchanted by his own reflection that he pined away before it. The origin of narcissism as an acknowledged psychosis is deeply rooted in the mythological source of its very namesake. Narcissus’ obsession with image shows his self-idolization, but also hints toward an insecurity regarding identity and self worth (Alford 3). According to Ovid’s classic account, Narcissus is quoted saying: â€Å"Am I the lover or beloved? Then why make love? Since I am what I long for, then my riches are So great they make me poor.† (Ovid 464) Parallel in character to Narcissus, those diagnosed with his disorder are consumed by an exaggerated drive for supremacy and control. Characteristic also is a predilection toward entitlement. Narcissists tend to the notion that one is worthy of great admiration and esteem, regardless of his or her accomplishments (Vaknin 5). Present psychology diagnoses this sort of self-fascination as a distinctive mental health illness - Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or NPD as documented in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistics Manuel (1994). Common characteristics of an individual afflicted by the disorder include: feelings of grandiosity, desiring a state of unequalled brilliance, the need for constant affirmation, and the â€Å"interpersonal exploitation†(DSM 1994) of others for self- achievement. Narcissism is usually seen as an infatuation with self so acute that the welfare of others is ignored. This is due to the narcissistic opinion that people exterior to the ‘self’ simply serve to mirror one’s own importance. As analyzed by Freud, the story of Narcissus and its resulting condition can be divided into two categories: â€Å"regressive† versus â€Å"progressive† (Alford 35). Freud interprets narcissistic behavior as neither sick nor healthy, but indicative of the normal human condition.

Colon Cancer Essay -- Biology Biological Medical Essays

Colon Cancer Disease Name: Colon Cancer Chromosome Number: #2 Locus Designation: 2p16 In the summer of 1993 researchers discovered a gene, known as MSH2, is lacking within colon cells. The MSH2 genes main function is to detect and correct small mutations that occur during cell division. The cause of colon cancer arises when this gene does not provide this protection to colon cells. This lack of protection causes multiple mutations within the colon cells until they become cancerous. Only about 6% of all colorectal cancer is said to be hereditary. Sporadic, or non hereditary colorectal cancer, makes up the other 94%. Hereditary colorectal cancer is made up of two syndromes- HNPCC (Hereditary Non Polyposis Colorectal Cancer) and FAP (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis). HNPCC is estimated to be 5% of the total hereditary colorectal cancer. HNPCC is a autosomal dominant disease, meaning that children have a 50% chance of inheriting the genetic trait from one of the parents being autosomally dominant. The parents who are autosomal dominant have a defect in their mis- match genes which identify and repair somatic mutations in DNA during cell division. Four genes have been identified as carrying this mutation; hMSH2, hMHL1, hPMS1, and hPMS2. ( h standing for hereditary) FAP constitutes only about 0.5 % of all hereditary colorectal cancer. It is also an autosomal dominant disease. Patients with FAP have a 100% risk of getting colorectal cancer, but it can be avoided. FAP is caused by a mutation in the APC gene on chromosome 5. The APC gene is able to be detected by a blood test. A study done in 1994 revealed that since the time the APC gene was identified 100 different mutations leading to st... ...er, making it the third leading cancer caused death rate. The main objective of doctors who deal with patients with colorectal cancer is not to cure, but actually to reduce mortality. With recent advancements research are finding new links to the effects of colorectal cancer genetically and physically. Works Cited: Caspari, Reiner. 3/12/94. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: Mutations at Codon 1309 and Early Onset of Colon Cancer. Lancet. Vol 343, pg. 629. Key, Sandra W. and Marble, Michelle, 11/23/98, Study Finds Gene Marker Could Predict Colon Cancer. Cancer Weekly Plus, pg. 14, 2/3p. Goldinger, Michael. Colorectal Cancer- An Overview. The Colorectal Cancer Home page. Hochhauser, Daniel. 4/19/97, Colon Cancer Genotypes Change in Two Ways. Lancet, Vol. 349, pg. 1151. Newsweek, 12/13/93. Finding the Colon Cancer Gene. Vol. 122, pg. 72. Colon Cancer Essay -- Biology Biological Medical Essays Colon Cancer Disease Name: Colon Cancer Chromosome Number: #2 Locus Designation: 2p16 In the summer of 1993 researchers discovered a gene, known as MSH2, is lacking within colon cells. The MSH2 genes main function is to detect and correct small mutations that occur during cell division. The cause of colon cancer arises when this gene does not provide this protection to colon cells. This lack of protection causes multiple mutations within the colon cells until they become cancerous. Only about 6% of all colorectal cancer is said to be hereditary. Sporadic, or non hereditary colorectal cancer, makes up the other 94%. Hereditary colorectal cancer is made up of two syndromes- HNPCC (Hereditary Non Polyposis Colorectal Cancer) and FAP (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis). HNPCC is estimated to be 5% of the total hereditary colorectal cancer. HNPCC is a autosomal dominant disease, meaning that children have a 50% chance of inheriting the genetic trait from one of the parents being autosomally dominant. The parents who are autosomal dominant have a defect in their mis- match genes which identify and repair somatic mutations in DNA during cell division. Four genes have been identified as carrying this mutation; hMSH2, hMHL1, hPMS1, and hPMS2. ( h standing for hereditary) FAP constitutes only about 0.5 % of all hereditary colorectal cancer. It is also an autosomal dominant disease. Patients with FAP have a 100% risk of getting colorectal cancer, but it can be avoided. FAP is caused by a mutation in the APC gene on chromosome 5. The APC gene is able to be detected by a blood test. A study done in 1994 revealed that since the time the APC gene was identified 100 different mutations leading to st... ...er, making it the third leading cancer caused death rate. The main objective of doctors who deal with patients with colorectal cancer is not to cure, but actually to reduce mortality. With recent advancements research are finding new links to the effects of colorectal cancer genetically and physically. Works Cited: Caspari, Reiner. 3/12/94. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: Mutations at Codon 1309 and Early Onset of Colon Cancer. Lancet. Vol 343, pg. 629. Key, Sandra W. and Marble, Michelle, 11/23/98, Study Finds Gene Marker Could Predict Colon Cancer. Cancer Weekly Plus, pg. 14, 2/3p. Goldinger, Michael. Colorectal Cancer- An Overview. The Colorectal Cancer Home page. Hochhauser, Daniel. 4/19/97, Colon Cancer Genotypes Change in Two Ways. Lancet, Vol. 349, pg. 1151. Newsweek, 12/13/93. Finding the Colon Cancer Gene. Vol. 122, pg. 72.

Democratic legislatures Essay

â€Å"The Republican party is unreservedly for sound money. It is unalterably opposed to every effort to debase our currency or disturb our credit. It resumed specie payments in 1879, and since then it has made and kept every dollar as good as gold. This it will continue to do, maintaining all the money of the United States, whether gold, silver or paper, at par with the best money of the world and up to the standard of the most enlightened governments. Towards the middle of the week the group of gentlemen participating in these conferences was increased by several accessions from the number of Mr. McKinley’s friends in other states, among whom may be mentioned Mr. Henry C. Payne, William R. Merriam and Melville E. Stone. After his arrival Mr. Henry C. Payne became particularly active in getting the conference together and in having the platform typewritten anew, after every change, and in having copies supplied to each participant. On Friday morning Mr. H. H. Kohlsaat of Chicago joined the conference, having come over from Chicago in response to a telegram particularly for that purpose. Mr. Kohlsaat’s relation to the whole matter was peculiar. The next step for Mr. Hanna and his assistants was to secure some strong endorsements by the State Conventions. Ohio was already in line, having endorsed McKinley for the nomination in the State Convention of 1895. The Convention of 1896 met at Columbus on March 10. Mr. Foraker, who had recently been elected United States Senator, made a lengthy speech, as temporary chairman, enumerating the many reasons why McKinley should receive â€Å"the united, hearty, cordial, enthusiastic, and unqualified support of Ohio. † The platform contained a ringing endorsement, which was greeted with a volley of cheers, and a resolution was adopted instructing the delegates-at-large to vote and work for his nomination. A telegram was received from the Kansas Convention assuring their support of McKinley, to which Ohio replied with enthusiasm. Wisconsin followed nine days later, and then came Oregon, Nebraska, North Dakota, and even Vermont. Indiana fell into line at an early date. Charles W. Fairbanks, who was to preside as temporary chairman of the convention, called upon General Harrison early in the year, and said to him frankly, â€Å"If you, General, wish to be a candidate, I shall help you. If not, I am for Major McKinley. † Harrison replied that he had wanted the nomination in 1892 and desired to succeed himself, but after four years of Democratic administration the thought of reorganizing the Government was intolerable. He added with twinkling eye, â€Å"Your friend Cleveland is making my administration luminous. † Indiana soon after declared for McKinley. McKinley wanted to retain the system’s mobility and diversity, to let men fulfill their talents. He championed tariff protection specifically and the Republican party generally because he rightly understood that both promoted national interests. Naturally and honestly echoing the rhetoric of responsible individualism, he did not seek to advance at society’s expense. The belief that material security fostered social responsibility might be as idealistic as facile self-sacrifice based on man’s alleged innate goodness and rationality, but it at least accepted limitations in democratic politics, and the understandable reluctance of men to abandon old ideals. Some Republicans, and many Democrats, represented only business interests, but McKinley’s background, personality, and constituency opened his mind to change and moderation. As a congressman, he favored civil service reform, federal protection of voting rights, and workable business regulation, reflecting the needs and aspirations of an expanding middle and working class. Like Mark Hanna, he had many friends in organized labor, and protection heightened his appeal in shops and factories. He visited the mines, warehouses, forges, and plants in his district, and got a warm welcome from most workers. His uncertain district, which Democratic legislatures regularly gerrymandered, was a blessing in disguise. He never had the luxury of safety. In American politics, a safe constituency was the kiss of death, since it isolated leaders from change and new demands. McKinley’s whole congressional career sharpened his talents for compromise. In his own time, he was a liberal Republican, as many followers who later became reformers readily attested. â€Å"I always felt that McKinley represented the newer view,† Robert La Follette recalled. â€Å"Of course, McKinley was a high protectionist, but on the great new questions as they arose he was generally on the side of the public and against private interests. † By 1896, the Ohioan well represented the elements that could give the GOP a long lease on life.

Homelessness and Vagabond Essay

Vagabonds are normally despised by the society. What happens when they are treated like an ordinary respectable human being is the main theme of this story. Introduction: The vagabond who is often chased by people is welcomed by an old man. In spite of the good nature of the old man the vagabond robs him. He later returns the money due to the good deeds and kind nature of a young lady. Summary: The vagabond sold self made rattraps. He made the rattraps with wire which he got by begging in the stores or big farms. At times he used to beg and steal, he had a philosophy of his own the entire world was a sort of rattrap. People were lured by the various pleasures of life just as a rat is attracted by cheese or pork. One day he met an old man as he was seeking shelter for the night. He was given hot porridge, tobacco to smoke and they even played cards. The old man showed the vagabond his money pouch and the three ten kroner notes. He slept that at the old man’s house and the next day he left the house with the three notes. He wandered into the forest for fear being caught for his thievery. He lost his way and finally stumbled into Ramsjo Ironworks in search of warmth and shelter. The owner of the Ironworks mistakes him to be an old friend and took him home. The vagabond played along but later requested to go back to the warmth of the forge. The Ironmaster sent his daughter to bring him back. The gentle and kind nature of the young lady made him follow her. Once he cleaned and shaved, the Ironmaster realized that he was a stranger. He asked the vagabond to leave his house but his daughter wanted him to stay. He ate and slept the entire day. On Christmas Eve the Ironmaster and his daughter went to church. At the church they heard that a vagabond had stolen money from an old man who had worked as crofter at Ramsjo Ironworks. The young lady became very sad and the Ironmaster was sure that all his silver spoons would have disappeared. On their return the valet said that the vagabond had left and he did not take anything along with him. On the contrary he left a small gift for the young lady. The vagabond had returned the stolen money along with a rattrap as a gift to the young lady. He wrote a note thanking her for her kindness and asked her to return the money back to the old man. The money was like bait that drew him to it and he would have been like a rat who got caught in the trap called ‘love of money’. Conclusion: The author has very well brought the condition of the vagabond. It is important to treat them as human beings and maybe a little love and affection can work wonders in transforming them into honest and sociable people.