Peak Oil

During my research on peak oil and energy resources, climate change, and the capacity of the Earth to support human life, I found that there was much information available on the issues (i. e. , the relevant science, data, and facts were already available), but that much of it was not synthesized to make a comprehensive and complete picture (i. e. , complete with accurate data and comprehensive analyses). So, some of the people who may be aware of peak oil (or climate change) may not fully understand the consequences. And, while some people may be concerned about peak oil, they may be unaware of the extent of the climate change crisis†¦And vice versa. For instance, many policymakers and negotiators are arguing with little progress over the wrong climate targets (i. e. , an average global temperature increase of 2 o C above pre-Industrial Revolution levels by limiting the atmospheric CO 2 concentration to 450 ppm), while assuming that anything resembling business as usual energy consumption and economic growth is possible. Yet, the scientific evidence and projections clearly indicate that all of these targets and assumptions are very incorrect and woefully inadequate.As another example, much of the peak oil literature does not offer the reader a comprehensive explanation of peak oil and its potential impacts on society. The information is very good, but much of it focuses on one or only several issues, which may leave many readers unfamiliar with peak energy issues with more questions than answers about the issue, its consequences, or how to adapt to it. Similarly, much climate literature does not consider energy scarcity or population limits in their analyses. It became obvious to me that writing this report was one of the most important acts I could do for the public, right now.All discourse and policy on these issues must be based on the current and correct data and science, if it is to have a chance to succeed. This report is an attempt to synthesize an d holistically analyze the current state of knowledge on these important and inter-related issues. Despite the inherent uncertainties stemming from the data, science, and predictive power of models, the overall analysis provides a clear picture of the orders of magnitude and probability distributions of current and future global changes.Ultimately, this report is for the public for the benefit of humanity. It is a warning and a call to action. Since peak oil and climate change are occurring now without much of the public's awareness, this report may also act as a sort of history so that people in the future may be able to understand what happened to the world regarding peak energy, climate change and economic and societal collapse, after the fact. Future generations should know what happened during this period of history in order to learn from the past mistakes of humanity.Hopefully, this report may contribute to a smoother and less disastrous post-peak oil transition period by warn ing people of the impending crises. When I set out to investigate peak oil and energy resources, it was with the intention to either: disprove peak oil theory and/or the predicted timings of when peak oil and energy resources would occur; or to communicate what is peak oil and the potential crisis, if I could not disprove peak oil and its urgency. The deeper I investigated peak oil and energy resource issues, the more it became clear that peak oil was a very severe and imminent crisi

I Love My Country Essay

I love my country. I am proud to be a Canadian. We live in a beautiful land; we have ample natural resources; we have a long peaceful history; we are a truly multicultural nation; we have made major contributions to the advancement of society; and we are, all in all, a great people. Canada is the second largest land mass on earth — and what a beautiful country it is! Surrounded by three oceans, it has an incredible variety of landscape. From the vast, pure, arctic north, to the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, to the prairies, through the rocky Canadian Shield, the fertile farmlands of southern Ontario and Quà ©bec, to the picturesque Maritime Provinces, Canada is amazing. Each region has its own beauty. Our cities are filled with exciting things to do; our small towns are welcoming and rich with history; our farmlands are abundant and peaceful. In my southern Ontario home, I can enjoy four beautiful seasons and, within little more than an hour, I can be experiencing the country’s largest city, resting along the shores of the Great Lakes, or hiking through wilderness trails. I cannot imagine anywhere else on earth with such beauty and diversity. Our amazing landscape also provides us with many natural resources, which we have learned to harvest. Hydro power from Niagara Falls, abundant forests and fish stocks, fertile farmland, rich oil fields — the list is long. We have more than enough to help ourselves and, along the way, we have ample opportunities to help the rest of the world. Our wealth gives us so many advantages and, I think, special responsibility in the â€Å"global village.† One of the things about Canada which makes me most proud is our peaceful history. Certainly, we have been involved in wars and, when necessary (such as in World War II), Canadian soldiers made a major difference. But the Canadian mentality is oriented towards peace. Our troops are peace-keepers, not aggressors. Our instincts are to resolve our problems through negotiations, not bloodshed. Both in our relationships with other countries and in our internal problems, we tend to avoid violence. Even in our most difficult divisions –around the treatment of native peoples and in the Quà ©bec separatist questions –violence is rare. It does happen; there are always people who will be extreme. But we have never had any all-out wars, and I doubt that we ever will. Our attitude towards peace also contributes to our relative safety. Of course, there are incidents of violence in Canada. The Montrà ©al massacre of 11 years ago and recent episodes of school violence come readily to mind. However, both our laws and our collective sensibility makes us less likely to experience violence. We don’t have to worry about being shot when we walk outside our doors. In an increasingly violent world, we can still feel safe and secure in our homes. I am particularly grateful for Canada’s diversity. Canada truly is a multicultural nation. In Canada, people of different colours, races and religions live together. We don’t have neighbourhoods which are defined as â€Å"white† or â€Å"black†. We learn from one another and, in my opinion, our lives are richer for the opportunity to share in such varied experiences. The world is also greatly enriched by the contributions of Canadians. A Canadian team, led by Drs. Banting and Best, discovered insulin. Another Canadian, Joe Naismith, created the game of basketball. Canadians invented the mechanical arm which is used on space shuttle missions. And, perhaps most importantly to all teenagers, one Canadian, Alexander Graham Bell, revolutionized communication with the invention of the telephone! Canadians have, as well, had a huge presence on the world stage. From diplomats such as Lester Pearson to entertainers such as Celine Dion, the world has come to know and love Canadians. But it’s not just the famous who make Canada special. Everywhere I go in this country, I meet wonderful, welcoming people. When I read the works of Canadian authors, watch Canadian television, read Canadian magazines, I know just how special our country is. Canada is my home, and I want it to stay the way that it is. I love this country and, at this difficult time, I am counting on those in powers in this country — the politicians and the adults who elect them — to believe that Canada IS worth saving, and to work to save it.

Flaws in Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” Essay

Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is by any means a classic. However, there are several flaws. First of all the coincidence that everything happens with in my mind detracts some from the story. The other major problem is that the book seems to drag on and on the closer you get to the end, as if Twain had a page quota to fill and was not worried about the story. The other problem brought up on our hand-out was Huck’s lack of seriousness in what was a very serious situation for Jim. As for the coincidence part, it appears most obviously as you read towards the end. For example Huck ends up at Aunt Polly’s, and I was thinking, yeah†¦ right those chances are about one in a million. And then after Huck tells Aunt Polly that he is Tom, Tom shows up†¦ uh-huh, I bet. It is things such as those I just mentioned that make it very difficult for me to read a book without becoming frustrated. It is probably because I am used to real life and like it or not real life is just not that perfect. My other gripe was that Twain seems to ramble on and on and on an†¦.. To me it seems as if the story that he was writing became faint shortly after the time when Huck says, â€Å"It’s me. George Jackson, sir†(pg. 95). I do have to give him that the feud was interesting filler, but you can only take so much filler. Then when John Wayne (The Duke) and Elvis (The King) come along there seem to be four or five stops along the river that except for one little detail, are the same. Please excuse the jump back, but how coincidental is it that you have a Duke and a King on the same raft in the middle of the Mississippi river (yes I do know they are not really royalty but that does not matter)? Even during all of this complaining I have done I did find humor in such things as when Huck was observing some local â€Å"loafers† and their discussions about borrowing and lending chewing tobacco. â€Å"Here, gimme back the chaw and you take the plug. † (pg. 138). I can just picture four or five guys laying around chewing tobacco with spit/tobacco juice running down their chins, probably in dirty overalls with no shirts on underneath and boots, to complete the look, three or four days of beard waiting to be shaved, and oh yeah, a nice old straw hat. The picture of this I have in my head is just so vivid that it disgusts me now. I think that is one of the reasons this is such a great book, the imagery. The final thing mentioned was Huck’s lack of seriousness or that he was too humorous or too wrapped up in fantasy for the situation both he and Jim were in. Here as opposed to the things I attacked above I will have to be on the side of the defense. My foremost reason is that I do not think Huck realizes the seriousness of the predicament. Huck is a boy that lives in Hannibal, MO during the times of the Civil War, he probably does not know any other ways to deal with anyone who is a slave or is trying to escape. Put yourself in his shoes once and think of the trouble you might have. Then think how you would deal with these problems. Would it be in the way many kids do, with a bit of fun to try to alleviate some of the tension? Take the time when Jim thinks Huck is dead and he shows up scaring Jim to the point of carrying out a conversation with a â€Å"ghost†. Jim says † I alwuz liked dead people, en done all I could for ? em†¦ â€Å"(pg. 40). Read that section over and see if it does not seem to be in good taste, if you can call anything done by Huck â€Å"tasteful†. I think it does. My final task is to come up with a new ending. I think my ending goes like this: Huck and Jim find the mouth of the Ohio river as planned and venture upstream by any means available. As they continue up the river the bond between the two runaways becomes ever stronger. When they reach the free states and Jim is officially free. After waiting around a while the two begin to get money in any way they can. When it is enough Jim buys his wife and children out of slavery, and Huck takes a cut (not too much, just enough to get home). Once home Huck starts all over with his ever interesting plots (not without the help of Tom Sawyer). Time passes and over the years Huck misses Jim and eventually embarks on a quest. The quest to find Jim. This journey would be much like the journey he and Jim took just a few years ago. This time though, there is no John Wayne and Elvis to make the story drawn out and boring towards the end. Then Huck finds Jim, meets the wife and kids, and goes back home to lead a normal (or as normal as can be) life working as little as possible and living off his $6000.

IKEA Global Sourcing Challenge Essay

Summary In this case, it is known that IKEA’s procurement model is the mode of global sourcing. IKEA products are shipped to the 26 distribution centres from the trade area after procurement, and then delivered to the shopping malls in the world. IKEA’s procurement philosophy and assessment of suppliers mainly include four aspects: continuous price improvement; strict supplier performance and service levels; good quality and healthy products; and environmental and social responsibility (IKEA Sustainability Report 2011). In the aspect of social responsibility, IKEA does not accept child labour, but also actively prevents the use of child labour when its supplier Indian Rugs is revealed to use child labour (Bartlett et al., 2006). All IKEA suppliers and subcontractors must comply with the special code of conduct on child labour â€Å"The IKEA Way on Preventing Child Labor†. The standard requires that all acts must be done to maximize the protection of the rights and interests of children (Motamed et al., 2010). The code of conduct and monitoring measures must be supplemented by the corresponding program to eliminate the root causes behind child labour. It is for these reasons, the IKEA Foundation actively supports UNICEF and Save the Children Relief Projects designed to protect the rights of children. Key issues resulted in problems and analysis In this case, the key cultural management issue is the corporate social responsibility. IKEA, the world’s largest furniture company has a fairly commendable corporate culture, and an important element of its containing: IWAY. In terms of IWAY, there are strict rules on the procurement of products, materials and services, particularly intolerance of IKEA’s suppliers using child labour or forced labour (Maon et al., 2007). Another prominent feature of it is committed to preventing corruption, fraud and illegal activities, and developing the â€Å"anti-corruption rules†. The business  management researchers can analyse the business grow and even decline and fall from all angles. IKEA fortune in essence is supported by its corporate values. Otherwise, it cannot carry over in numerous fluctuations of economic cycles. A sustainable development of enterprise is largely determined by the corporate culture. The quality of enterprise could also affect competitiveness. This is not an ideal question for entrepreneur, more than a philosophical question, but a question of competition in the market. In fact, almost all first-class entrepreneurs in the business process carry out first-class corporate culture operations. They use the values, philosophy to show a unique quality in business. And this kind of internal but critical competitiveness is the riche class and managers lack of. In the production process, the trade office staffs will keep in contact with the IKEA suppliers, they can take an advantage by this opportunity to observe social and working conditions of suppliers and make efforts to prevent the use of child labour (IKEA Group, 2003). IKEA in the supplier organization encourages workers and subcontractors to discuss the problems they encounter every day. This approach strengthens IKEA’s understanding of the causes of child labour. If IKEA finds child labour, it will require suppliers to take action based on the child’s best interests. The supplier must implement corrective and preventive action plans, including education and training aspects. IKEA will visit the children’s school, and carry out a surprised visit to suppliers. If the supplier does not take action on the scheduled date, or later there’s occurrence of the violations, IKEA will terminate all business relationships with the suppliers. It can be seen that IKEA’s motivation emphasis on corporate social responsibility is closely related to commercial activities. Its primary motivation includes the legitimacy of the business, brand reputation, reduction in business risks, total quality management and marketing environmental analysis, especially the legitimacy of the business and reduction in business risks are becoming increasingly important. In addition, the communication of corporate social responsibility is crucial. It can maintain the attractiveness of IKEA for a new generation of partners. IKEA hopes that the partners in dealing with corporate social responsibility can show independence, but the ability to realize this issue will have to depend on the employees’ management level (Maon and Swaen, 2006). Through this initiative, colleagues at all levels can increase the awareness of corporate social responsibility, so as to achieve the purpose of incentives. Key learning Corporate social responsibility is developed since the 1990s, which is a turning point of corporate social responsibility. IKEA is also in accordance with some of the pressure in this community to adjust its operating way on the requirements of the enterprise. IKEA’s business is constructed in the price and quality environment and work environment (Maon et al., 2007). With regard to a supply and demand model of corporate social responsibility (CSR), it’s assumed that a firm’s size, level of diversification, research and development (R&D), advertising, government sales, consumer income, labour market conditions, and stage in the industry life cycle could estimate the firm’s standard of CSR (McWilliams and Siegel, 2001). IKEA as a large multinational Corporation with 26 distribution centres and emphasis on R&D and advertising hopes to establish long-term cooperative relationship with suppliers; looks for more partners who recognize the IKEA culture as the co mmon value; and aim at its development (Maon and Swaen, 2006). Respect for fundamental human rights and fair treatment of labour are the basic requirements for its suppliers. Therefore, child labour is absolutely not allowed. And the cooperation should be based on frankness and respect and it should be put into a gradual and long-term procedure. Under continuous pressure on price and sub-contractors from developing countries, IKEA is positive to face with the accusation of using child labour. It’s shown that how stakeholders can affect the improvement of CSR policies by showing their societal expectations, by publicly criticizing corporate behaviours considered as irresponsible or by building in a collaborative and constructive relationship with the company. This case study focuses on the CSR practices and communication by a complexity of the corporate decisions  and it also reflects the public attitudes have played a key role in enhancing a company’s CSR construction (Maon and Swaen, 2006). References Bartlett, C. A., Dessain, V. & Sjoman, A., 2006, ‘IKEA’s Global Sourcing Challenge Indian Rugs and Child Labor’, Harvard Business School, 9-906-414. IKEA Group, 2003, ‘IKEA: Social and environmental responsibility report’, viewed 1 May2012, . IKEA Group, September 1, 2010 – August 31, 2011, ‘IKEA Sustainability Report 2011’, IKEA, viewed 1 May2012, . Maon, F., Swaen, V. and Lindgreen, A. 2007, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility at IKEA: commitment and communication’, Research Memorandum, F Maon, V Swaen, A Lindgreen. Maon, F. & Swaen, V. 2006, ‘Integration and communication of CSR principles by IKEA: an analysis of the influence of and on external stakeholders’, LGA Working Paper, Louvain School of Management. McWilliams, A. & Siegel, D. 2001, ‘Corporate social responsibility: A theory of the firm perspective’, Academy of Management Review, 26(1), p.117-127, viewed 1 May2012, . Motamed, M., Ozhusrev, N. & Pena, G. 2010, ‘IKEA and the Child Labor Challenge’, BAHR 509 – Group Project Paper.

Earth and space sciences topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Earth and space sciences topic - Essay Example Social media sites also were buzzing with news of the earthquake. Another reason people in central Chile were so upset is the fact that this same area suffered a massive 8.8 earthquake that killed hundreds of people and created a tsunami. Over 200,000 homes were destroyed in the quake two years ago. Many of the survivors blame the government for the high death toll because a faulty tsunami warning system led people to believe that the tsunami would not be destructive. The opposite turned out to be true. Over 30 billion dollars in damage resulted from the combined destructive forces of the earthquake and tsunami. Government officials assured people once again that there would not be a destructive tsunami after this earthquake, but many individuals did not trust the warning system. They evacuated coastal areas anyway. In the end, seismologists were correct in their prediction that this earthquake would not create a tsunami. They could tell that the movement of the plates was not the right king of movement necessary for a tsunami to form. In this case, there was no sudden uplift of the ocean floor, which is a necessary element in the creation of a tsunami. "Quake Just Offshore Chile Disaster Area Causes Panic, but Government Says No Tsunami." Washington Post. Washington Post, Inc., 23 Jan. 2012. Web. 23 Jan. 2012.

What are the defining characteristics of far right wing politics What Essay

What are the defining characteristics of far right wing politics What does the sociological study of far right wing politics have to tell us about the nature o - Essay Example (Weinberg, 2003) Fascism is also characterized by social stratification along these crucial variables, especially in the UK where it is identified by the establishment it gained over the last 50 years following by the growing influence of less education, those holding negative views of the EU and, indirectly, among rural dwellers which are increasingly becoming determined of Right Wing by perceived vision of race, culture, ethnicity and religion. The most common examples of Radical right-wing parties success can be seen where they have managed to combine a strong appeal to anti-establishment ressentiments with an equally strong claim to democratic reform or renewal. The most prominent case is the FPO, which has consistently promoted itself as ‘the driving force behind the political renewal of Austria’, seeking to bring about an ‘Austrian cultural revolution with democratic means’ which would lead to the overthrow of the ruling class and the intellectual caste. (Turner, 1975) Italian Fascism and German National Socialism are characterized by sharing the common aspects of totalitarianism; followed by supremacy of a leader, an exclusive ideology, a single mass party, a monopoly of communications media and education, and a secret police and terror apparatus. The fascist movements and parties that arose in Italy and Germany developed into regular totalitarian dictatorial regimes in the early nineteenth c entury. But fascism also appeared in various western and eastern European countries without achieving major political power. Fascism resulted as a devastating impact of World War I, emerging from economic and demographic devastation and moral exhaustion that took close to ten million human lives, broke up empires, and undermined the political credibility of monarchs and democrats alike. The ideals of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution rationalism,

Family socilogy (The influence of the family structure) Essay

Family socilogy (The influence of the family structure) - Essay Example Family has always played a vital role in ordering society and in determining life chances of various individuals. The word family holds different meaning for different people and used to symbolize many different views. Giddens defines the family as a â€Å"group of persons directly linked by kin connections, the adult members of which assume responsibility for caring for children†. By children he meant who are dependent on their parents for their livelihood; are aged under 16 or 17 and are in full time education. Till today families are responsible for the upbringing and nurture of children. They are the ones who provide not only love and care but also financial support to children. The main functions performed by the family is to teach a child discipline, judge between what is right and wrong and an acceptable behavior pattern. In this essay, we shall discuss to what extent is family central to the lives of children in Britain. Gordon Brown had expressed that family is the foundation on which our communities, our society and our country are built. However, it has been found in recent years that the traditional beliefs and values of families have undergone lots of social and economic changes. Earlier the foundation stone of families used to be love and care but today it has been replaced by looser and material needs of money and selfishness. These factors have led to the emergence of new types of families like lone parent families, step families, symmetrical families and cohabit families. (cited in Duncan & Phillips, 2008:1). The demographic transition in Europe started from the 1950’s and is still continuing today. Ansley Coale’s has described demographic transition â€Å"as a change from the traditional society in which high mortality and natality rates existed to an industrialized society in which natality and mobility are stabilized at low levels.† This transition has been the result of various social and economic changes such as urbanization, education levels, productive structure and secularization etc. The changes in the trends of life of people have brought about a major change in the way children perceive family in Britain (Pairo, 1997). According to Squire, a family structure changes with experience and life events as a child grows from childhood to adulthood. Every family functions in a unique way due to variations in household types, family structures and the division of domestic labor. Also the composition of the family is influenced by the social, cultural and economic characteristics of different ethnic groups. These factors affect the extent to which a family may or may not be central to the lives of children. Although all family structures are unique but they have one thing in common – they all provide emotional and mutual structural support to all children. A family helps to locate a child socially and thus act as one of the key socializing agents (Squire, 2003:60). A child’s happiness and healthy development depends on a large scale on the kind of relationship that exists between parents, grandparents and other caring adults in the family and most crucially among children and adults. According to research in 2008, 64 % of children live in married families with couples, 23% of children live in lone parent family and 13% live with cohabiting couples (Mapalthorpe et al., 2008:4).The research also reveals that marriage is not necessary for the successful running of the family but good relations matter. Also, 78% of individuals have agreed that it is not divorce that harms children but parental conflicts. According to the individualistic theory, families should become more liberal, with children having a say in important family decisions. Also, biological parents should provide parenting to their children lifelong which will help in their growth towards adulthood. However, research says otherwise –step fathe rs can equally take care and bestow love on them as compared to biological fathers. Traditionally family had been seen as