People, Forests and Forestry Extra Credit Paper Essay

People, Forests and Forestry Extra Credit Paper - Essay Example In 2005, a total of 734 million hectares or 19% of the world’s forest can be found in Asia. But due to the problematic effects of deforestation and invasion of human activities in the forest, the highest rate of decline in forest area can be found in the Southeast Asia, which is 2.8 million hectares every year (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2007). The study conducted is focused on one of the six countries with the highest decline in forest area which is the Philippines. It ranks fourth to Indonesia, Myanmar and Cambodia, the problematic areas in Southeast Asia with regards to deforestation (FAO UN, 2007). The Philippines is recognized as one of the countries in Southeast Asia to have great primary forests but due to the deforestation activities, significant percentage of the country’s forested areas had been denuded. For this matter, a study on the present state of the forests in the Philippines is the main focus of the research conducted. The immediate solution is required in the issues related to deforestation in the Philippines due to the continuous effects that can be observed in the state of the land, the livelihood and the biodiversity of the country. Based on the results of forest area studies, from 1995 to 2005 one third of the forest cover had been denuded (Butler, 2009). The country is even known to be included in the group of Southeast Asian countries with the highest deforestation rate as shown in Figure 1. The forest cover of the Philippines is 24% of the total land area which is equivalent to 7,162,000 hectares. Of the said forest area 829,000 hectares are classified as primary forest which is equivalent to 2.8% of the total forest area (Butler, 2009). In terms of the deforestation rates, in the period from 1995-2005 the rate of decrease of forested area in the Philippines is 2%. From 2000-2005 the update is that the

Proposition paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Proposition paper - Essay Example nequality was not in decline; in fact, class inequality had made everyone become part and parcel of the struggle against the British crown (Young, 1999). To begin with, poverty had led to constant confrontations with the British as exemplified in the Boston massacre where British soldiers killed five men in a near riot situation. This riot inspired people like George Hewes to get involved in insurgent activities over the next three years including the Boston ‘Tea Party’. The enhancement of class inequality was also demonstrated in the life of George Hewes when he made shoes for poor people and had to compete with factories in Lynn that produced over 80,000 shoes a year (Young, 1999). In addition, he had to incur debts when he bought his attire for his wedding and would soon be in debt for ten years. This was compounded by the fact that his family had to stay with relatives because of extreme poverty. In such circumstances, it is plausible to argue that there was no decline of the class inequality in the revolutionary era (Young, 1999). The persistence of class inequality in America is demonstrated in its entirety by two significant factors that Alfred Young notes in his writings of George Hewes’ life. These are the revolutionary/ insurgency spirit, and the daily life of a common man (Young, 1999). To begin with, the development of an atmosphere of tension was not necessarily occasioned by hatred towards the British crown but towards the conditions of living which made people become ever more conscious about the inequalities they experienced. They had to compete with large factories in making common goods and had to endure low wages as demonstrated by the life of George Hewes living with relatives, being in debts because of clothes, and making shoes for a living. Additionally, the frustrations that were exerted on installations of the government and the capitalists such as the harassment of British soldiers in Kings Street in March 1770 and the destruction

New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico Assignment

New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico - Assignment Example Under the Foraker Law which was established on April 2, 1900, Puerto Rico became the first unincorporated territory of the United States to enjoy a free commerce and civil government relationship with the United States ( Barcelo, Carlos Romero â€Å"Puerto Rico USA: The Case for Statehood† ). As a responsible member of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico, I feel that it is my duty to help my countrymen make an informed decision about this particular cause based upon facts. Facts that have a direct relation and impact upon the citizens of Puerto Rico. To begin with, I would like to present you all with the fact of Puerto Rican life should we opt to continue without U.S. citizenship. I would like everyone to remember that at this current point in time, Puerto Rico is enjoying the liberties of being a part of the United States without actually losing our status as a commonwealth. Although the United States governs a majority or our nations activities and political decisions, they do so without infringing on our rights as residents and nationals of Puerto Rico. Although statehood has somehow always been on the table, it has not become a reality yet. Statehood is a permanent change from which our nation can never turn back. When we incorporate ourselves into America as a state, we become Americans who follow American law, pay American taxes, and follow American culture. Gone is the chance for secession and our commonwealth status shall be nothing but a part of the past of Puerto Rico (â€Å"Major Disadvantages of Statehood†). Currently, we enjoy the unique relationship that the United states has with Puerto Rico. We manage to have an independent set of governing rules and regulations even as we continue to have a noticeable American presence in our nation. As the legal minds explain it; International and constitutional law arbitrarily collide in the legal arrangement between the United States and Puerto Rico. As a matter of international law, it i s unclear whether this arrangement conforms to customary international treaties and obligations. As a matter of national law, it is unclear that the constitution permits an arrangement between Puerto Rico and the United States ---- short of separation (independence as a state) or integration (admission to the union as a state) -- that could conform to these international obligations (Lawson & Sloane â€Å"The Constitutionality of Decolonization by Associated Statehood: Puerto Rico's Legal Status Reconsidered†). Puerto Rican citizens somehow manage to carry a dual citizenship with the United States under this murky legal loophole which does not allow us to elect American officials if I elect to continue living in Puerto Rico. However, the minute I step onto U.S. soil, I become an American citizen with the right to help elect officials to the local, state, and national levels of political office. We are uniquely American in citizenship, and yet still un-American in governance, culture, and tradition. Without U.S. citizenship and recognition as a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico the economy of Puerto Rico will not manage to survive. My research has shown that as a territory, we do not pay U.S. taxes and yet offer investment opportunities to Americans in the mainland under a tax-free status. Our status as a commonwealth has not protected the country against foreign debt. Rather, we

Monetary Policy in the United States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Monetary Policy in the United States - Essay Example 2. As a central agency the FED can seriously affect the manner in which it can affect the banking system. Firstly, it monitors the sale of different government instruments. In this manner it affects the rate of interest in the market and ensures the growth in credit and money supply. Secondly, it also fixes the manner in which these instruments are purchased from the public and corporations, thereby affecting the interest rate again. Thirdly, the FED can monitor the effectively monitor the amount of lending, thereby influencing the price of the securities and bank stock. 3. Very simply put the reserve requirements are the amount of vault cash and deposits that the banks are stipulated to hold with themselves. Less money in the reserves would imply more money available - the bank will have more loan able funds at its disposal, thereby having favorable implications on the cost of transactions and the bargaining capacity of these institutions with other bodies. The changes in the reserve requirements are made rather infrequently by the government, it may even be the fact that this measure has been employed only once or twice in a decade (Jhonson 2005). The discount rate is the price the central bank, other financial banks pays while engaging themselves in money relat

Kaizen Process Improvement Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Kaizen Process Improvement Assignment - Essay Example ? Q3: In what ways did the team engage or not engage in Kaizen as the game progressed? We successfully identified some wastes and dealt with them. We were also constantly reflecting on our work for problems and incorporating changes throughout the process. We failed to evaluate the entire value stream though: the team should have identified the value that the product was supposed to generate for the ‘customer’. In this scenario, the goal was to have the most number of planes in the bucket, rather than quality of the planes. Thus, the first thing that the team should have argued on, before round three, was that the customer wanted quantity. It did not matter if the creases of the plane were fine enough, or the nose of the plane was sharp enough – ‘the customer’ wanted more planes in the bucket. There ended up being too much undelivered goods by way of wasted planes on the floor, rather than bucket. ? Q4: If we continued, what would your suggestions be for new process improvements for the team? Look at the entire value stream.

IT Evolution in Global Banking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

IT Evolution in Global Banking - Essay Example The customers can also access their bank accounts, withdraw cash, pay bills, get bank statements, deposit cash and even buy products without having to visit their bank branches. Indeed, what technology has facilitated is the reduction of physical conduct between the customer and the banker bringing in a new phenomenon known as virtual banking. Information technology can offer a bank a competitive edge over other banks (Singer, Ross & Avery 2005) The internet invention was the greatest breakthrough for banks in carrying out their transactions with customers (Wanderi 2012). As internet access is enhanced, more and more banks are turning to online banking services. Such services are more convenient to customers and the banker, they also save time and costs and increase efficiency. Banks that do not adopt technology are likely to be unpopular among the customer base. Automated teller machines, television banking, virtual banking, internet banking, mobile banking, online pay bill, mobile commerce, social media payments, credit cards and debit cards are some of the examples of how technology is changing the banking industry (Kendrick 2011). This paper will discuss the evolution of information technology in the banking industry with emphasis on internet banking, growth of e-commerce and virtual banking and new delivery channels such as PC banking, mobile banking and TV banking. Discussion The most important concept is the internet. In early years of internet, banks normally used the internet for internal purposes such as publishing of corporate data and offerings. At this time, internet was mainly used in banking as a tool of information dissemination to customers and the general public. This was then followed by banking internet services such as checking account balances online, paying utility bills online and online transfer of funds. Many banks feared transacting over the internet because of the security threats. However, with the growth in software and information technology infrastructure many banks have embraced this technology (Vaidya 2009). Internet has enabled banks to open up websites where customers can now access their products and services. The banks do not need to put up advertisements in the media or do customers have to go to the banks in order to learn about the products and services of banks. All they need to do is just access the website and learn about the banks products and services. These calls on banks to embrace information technology because not doing so might make their products and services unpopular. Internet has facilitated a new concept called virtual banking in the banking industry. In this case, the banks offer their products and services only through electronic means without any physical contact with their customers. This is gaining popularity as the global economy grows and access to the information technology is enhanced throughout the world. This model normally operates without many branches because they do no t need to physically interact with customers. Given that they do not require many personnel and the maintenance costs are low, they normally offer competitive prices for their products and services. The people around the world are getting busier and have no time to spend on bank transactions and hence there is a shift from traditional banking to virtual banking.

Networking Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Networking Plan - Essay Example A super connector is that person who makes vital connections or introductions that grow a network (Uzzi & Dunlap, 2005). Bill fits this definition well. He has made vital introductions as seen in the above table. Bill is a graduate from Sydney University and is currently a fashion and design professional that appreciates and shares the company’s vision as well as objective. I met Lucy Hassan in my search for quality art pieces that Dye & Dyer could use. In the process of our interaction, I introduced her to Bill whom I had met earlier on. Bill required someone of her expertise in printing some designs for his Art collections and Lucy Hassan was the perfect match. Bill had introduced me to Denis who was a fashion guru who run his own fashion blogs, and aided in the selection of fashion pieces for display. In turn I introduced Denis to another fashion guru: Patrick, who dealt in African art and fashion. Bill also introduced me to another fashion guru Martha, who just as Denis, r an her own fashion blogs, and aided in the selection of fashion pieces for display. Martha needed someone with fashion printing expertise. So, I introduced her to Lucy Hassan. ... Therefore, I introduced Dave to Bill. I needed expert opinion on my fashion pieces. Dave introduced me to Cynthia Carew to help me in this area. Cynthia is now a friend and she provides critique and objectivity to the fashion pieces that I select for Dye & Dyer. Indeed, her advice is invaluable in making fashion statements and presentations. It is her passion for fashion that made me introduce her to Martha, who in turn introduced her (Cynthia) into the world of blogs on high-end fashion and art. I needed help in filming as well as shoots. Bill introduced me to Robert. Robert is a film expert. This introduction enables me to access his innumerable knowledge on film and photography. I in turn introduced him to Phillip, who helped him branch his (Robert’s) company to neighboring counties. Morris is a financial consultant from my university who impressed me with his portfolio in management. Morris was a friend I had known from my university days. Bill, who enjoys risky investment s, needed expert advice on the issue of management. It is for this reason that I introduced him (Bill) to Morris. That is how my network grew within a short span of time with Bill acting as my super – connector. This network has exhibited tremendous growth in a short span of time and is expected to continue growing. Q 2 The networks we build determine the access and extent that our ideas will reach. Creating strong networks is therefore an essential part of the structure of any individual’s life, or the structure of any organization’s life (Sigmar et al. 2012). After reading Uzzi & Dunlop’s article (2005), I had to take a critical look at my network and its structure. Bill Nicholls introduced me to the fashion business and has since acted as my contact in matters concerning