Wildlife: Biodiversity and Net Deforestation Rates

Around the world, forests are being logged for timber and paper pulp and cleared to grow mono-crops like soy and palm oil while they are deteriorating from the impacts of global warming. Deforestation is a major driver of global warming, responsible for up to 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions–more than all the cars, trucks, planes, boats and trains in the world combined. Deforestation doesn’t just threaten our climate, it threatens the livelihoods of 1. 6 Billion people that rely on forests for food and economic activity.Forests also serve as habitats to rare and undiscovered animal and plant species and play a key role in providing water and preventing flooding and erosion. Ending deforestation and protecting forests will not only preserve biodiversity and defend the rights of forest communities, it is also one of the quickest and cost effective ways of curbing global warming. Greenpeace is campaigning for zero deforestation, globally, by 2020. Deforestati on,  clearance  or  clearing  is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use. 1]  Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use. About half of the world's original forests had been destroyed by 2011, the majority during the previous 50 years. [citation needed]  Since 1990 half of the world's  rain forests  have been destroyed. [citation needed]  More than half of the animal and plant species in the world live in tropical forests. [2] The term  deforestation  is often misused to describe any activity where all trees in an area are removed. not in citation given][neutrality  is  disputed]  However in  temperate climates, the  removal of all trees in an area[not in citation given]—in conformance with  sustainable forestry  practices—is correctly described as  regeneration harvest. [3]  In  temperate mesic climates, natural regener ation of forest stands often will not occur in the absence of disturbance, whether natural or anthropogenic. [4]  Furthermore, biodiversity after regeneration harvest often mimics that found after natural disturbance, including biodiversity loss after naturally occurring rainforest destruction. 5][6] Deforestation occurs for many reasons: trees are cut down to be used or sold as fuel (sometimes in the form of  charcoal) or timber, while cleared land is used as  pasture  for livestock, plantations of commodities and settlements. The removal of trees without sufficient  reforestation  has resulted in damage to  habitat,  biodiversity  loss and  aridity. It has adverse impacts on  biosequestration  of atmospheric  carbon dioxide. Deforestation has also been used in  war  to deprive an enemy of cover for its forces and also vital resources.A modern example of this was the use of  Agent Orangeby the United States military in Vietnam during the  Vietnam W ar. Deforested regions typically incur significant adverse  soil erosion  and frequently degrade into  wasteland. Disregard or ignorance of intrinsic value, lack of ascribed value, lax forest management and deficient environmental laws are some of the factors that allow deforestation to occur on a large scale. In many countries, deforestation, both naturally occurring and human induced, is an ongoing issue.Deforestation causes  extinction, changes to climatic conditions,  desertification, and displacement of populations as observed by current conditions and in the past through the fossil record. [5] Among countries with a per capita  GDP  of at least US$4,600, net deforestation rates have ceased to increase. [when? ][7][8] ————————————————- Causes According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat, the overwhelming dir ect cause of deforestation is agriculture.Subsistence farming  is responsible for 48% of deforestation;  commercial agriculture  is responsible for 32% of deforestation;  logging  is responsible for 14% of deforestation and fuel wood removals make up 5% of deforestation. [9] Experts do not agree on whether industrial logging is an important contributor to global deforestation. [10][11]  Some argue that poor people are more likely to clear forest because they have no alternatives, others that the poor lack the ability to pay for the materials and labour needed to clear forest. 10]  One study found that population increases due to high fertility rates were a primary driver of tropical deforestation in only 8% of cases. [12] Other causes of contemporary deforestation may include  corruption  of government institutions,[13][14]  the  inequitable  distribution of wealth and power,[15]  population growth[16]  andoverpopulation,[17][18]  and  urbanization. [ 19]  Globalization  is often viewed as another root cause of deforestation,[20][21]  though there are cases in which the impacts of globalization (new ? ws of labor, capital, commodities, and ideas) have promoted localized forest recovery. [22] The last batch of sawnwood from thepeat forest  in Indragiri Hulu, Sumatra,Indonesia. Deforestation for  oil palmplantation. In 2000 the United Nations  Food and Agriculture Organization  (FAO) found that â€Å"the role of population dynamics in a local setting may vary from decisive to negligible,† and that deforestation can result from â€Å"a combination of population pressure and stagnating economic, social and technological conditions. [16] The degradation of forest ecosystems has also been traced to economic incentives that make forest conversion appear more profitable than forest conservation. [23]  Many important forest functions have no markets, and hence, no economic value that is readily apparent to the fore sts' owners or the communities that rely on forests for their well-being. [23]  From the perspective of the developing world, the benefits of forest as carbon sinks or biodiversity reserves go primarily to richer developed nations and there is insufficient compensation for these services.Developing countries feel that some countries in the developed world, such as the United States of America, cut down their forests centuries ago and benefited greatly from this deforestation, and that it is hypocritical to deny developing countries the same opportunities: that the poor shouldn't have to bear the cost of preservation when the rich created the problem. [24] Some commentators have noted a shift in the drivers of deforestation over the past 30 years. 25]  Whereas deforestation was primarily driven by subsistence activities and government-sponsored development projects like  transmigration  in countries like  Indonesia  and  colonization  in  Latin America,India,  Jav a, and so on, during late 19th century and the earlier half of the 20th century. By the 1990s the majority of deforestation was caused by industrial factors, including extractive industries, large-scale cattle ranching, and extensive agriculture. [26] [edit] Wildlife conservation  is the practice of protecting  endangered plant and animal species  and their  habitats.Among the goals of wildlife conservation are to ensure that nature will be around for future generations to enjoy and to recognize the importance of  wildlife  and  wilderness  lands to humans. [1]Many nations are  government agencies  dedicated to wildlife conservation, which help to implement policies designed to protect wildlife. Numerous independent  nonprofit organizations  also promote various wildlife conservation causes. [2] Wildlife conservation has become an increasingly important practice due to the negative effects of  human activity  on  wildlife. The science of extinction.An e ndangered species is defined as a population of a living being that is at the danger of becoming extinct because of several reasons. Either they are few in number or are threatened by the varying environmental or predation parameters. ————————————————- Government involvement The Wildlife Conservation Act was enacted by the Government of India in 1972. Soon after the trend of policy makers enacting regulations on conservation a strategy was developed to allow actors, both government and non-government, to follow a detailed â€Å"framework† to successful conservation.The World Conservation Strategy was developed in 1980 by the â€Å"International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources â€Å"(IUCN) with advice, cooperation and financial assistance of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Wildlife Fund and in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco)†[9]  The strategy aims to â€Å"provide an intellectual framework and practical guidance for conservation actions. [9]  This thorough guidebook covers everything from the intended â€Å"users† of the strategy to its very priorities and even a map section containing areas that have large seafood consumption therefore endangering the area to over fishing. The main sections are as follows: * The objectives of conservation and requirements for their achievement: 1. Maintenance of essential ecological processes and life-support systems. 2. Preservation of genetic diversity. 3. Sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems. * Priorities for national action: 1. A framework for national and subnational conservation strategies. . Policy making and the integration of conservation and development. 3. Environmental planning and rational use allocation. * Priorities for international action: 1. International action: law and assistance. 2. Tropical forests and drylands. 3. A global programme for the protection of genetic resource areas. Map sections: 1. Tropical forests 2. Deserts and areas subject to desertification. Importance Of Wildlife 37  Ã‚  6  StumbleUpon4 If you were of the opinion that cultivated plants and domesticated animals is what wildlife consists of, you are mistaken.Wildlife, in fact, comprises of the innumerous varieties of wild plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms that exist on our planet earth, rather than just cultivated plants and domesticated animals. Knowingly or unknowingly, we largely depend on this wildlife for every elementary requirement in our life. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the medicines we consume, a variety of building materials used for construction, numerous chemicals used for manufacturing our necessities, all are extracted from the wildlife existing around us.A study by the American Association for the Advancement of Science indicates that as many as 40,000 species of plants, animals, fungi and microscopic animals benefit us in some way or the other. To know the various benefits that this wildlife provides us, read on further. Benefits Of Wildlife Benefits To People Wildlife and nature have largely been associated with humans for numerous emotional and social reasons. A simple stroll around the park amidst some birds provides a fresh breath of life and charges our batteries. Apart from bird feeder in the backyard, we can also take up other active pastimes, such as hiking, hunting, canoeing or wildlife photographing to relieve our parched nerves. Since prehistoric times, animals have been highly useful to us in providing food, clothing and source of income. Benefits To Natural Processes Wildlife plays an essential role in the ecological and biological processes that are yet again significant to life. The normal functioning of t he biosphere depends on endless interactions amongst animals, plants, and microorganisms. This, in turn, maintains and enhances human life further.To add on, these ecological processes are vital for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and other endeavors that support human life. Besides, there are several biological processes wherein wildlife plays a key role, such as pollinization, germination, seed dispersal, soil generation, nutrient cycling, predation, habitat maintenance, waste breakdown, and pest control. Benefits to Science, Agriculture, & Medicine Studies indicate that woodpeckers are capable of destroying 90% of codling moth larvae residing under the bark of trees. This shows the significance of wildlife and wildlife habitat for preserving genetic diversity.Hence, places where agriculture, forests, and fisheries depend on crops or stocks can ensure that such living resources are enough to withstand the ever-increasing list of threats. Further, in medicine, development of new d rugs and treatments are largely dependent on wildlife and wildlife habitat. Interestingly, most pharmaceutical products are a result of discovering or developing wildlife species and not discoveries through the traditional chemistry principles. Today, most medicinal remedies contain at least one ingredient derived from a wild plant or animal.

Minimum School Leaving Age Essay

In some countries the minimum school leaving age is 15 years and children and their parents have no right to decide when they will leave school. According to the law in those countries it would be illegal for them to leave school earlier. However, there is a number of reasons for children to have to leave school earlier not taken into the account by the government. Firstly, I am going to consider the family reasons. It is undoubtedly true that not all families have the necessary financial basis to raise a child. On the contrary, families in some countries are so poor they hardly have any money to support their day-to-day living. Sometimes they cannot even provide a child with a lunchbox for school or the suitable clothing, not to mention paying the school fees. In these cases families often want their children to start working at an early age so, by earning their living, they can help the family to survive. Often the attitude towards education in those families is very negative; they do not find it useful for a child and consider it as waste of time. Secondly, it is important to consider how schools may influence students to leave school early. The common problem to cause many children, especially the talented ones to leave early is bullying. Despite their awareness of the problem, some schools still fail to notice the signs and take necessary measures to protect children from constant abuse by other students. Thirdly, I would like to mention personal reasons such as poor learning ability, lack of wiliness and motivation and also personal circumstances in particular early pregnancy for girls. These factors may also cause children to leave school. However, even though there are family, school and personal reasons resulting in children leaving school before reaching the minimum school leaving age, it is still very important for children to reach a minimum level of education before entering the adult world. In particular this is essential in a way that a child should have had expanded their own knowledge to the  point where they are able to make decisions and choices of their own rather than their parent’s. In conclusion, it is vital that governments ensure children reach a minimum level of education by motivating students to stay at school. For example, schools may introduce more subjects for students to choose from, and make those extra subjects job orientated. They can also improve the ambiance at school and establish rewards for children to continue their education.

Collaborative Research Discussion Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Collaborative Discussion - Research Paper Example Focus topic 1: Creating a system Article 1: Hiring for the organization, not the job The article by Bowen, Ledford, and Nathan discusses a new hiring model that focuses on organizational fit and not on job fit. It explains the involved process in the new hiring model and its application in an organization, and projects a wide future application of the model. The article identifies concepts of workforce planning as a best practice to human resource management because the established hiring strategy employs analytical approaches that identifies organizational needs and develops an outline for finding a suitable employee. Consequently, it facilitates understanding of an organization’s context and a plan for effective creation of an effective human resource base (Bowen, Ledford and Nathan 37- 40; Harris 15). Focus topic 2: Maintaining a system Article 2: How to get supervisors to sell safety The article discusses approaches to empowering supervisors to ensure effective application of safety measures. Its scope promotes employees’ safety in their working environment and therefore contributes to maintenance of an effective and efficient human resource base (Johnson 1). ... The article therefore establishes a basis for enforcing organizational safety measures through employees’ adherence to safety standards and helps in maintaining a regular workforce (Johnson 1; Harris 19). Article 3: Reward and compensation systems The article identifies approaches to reward and compensation, constructs of the reward and compensation approaches and effects of the strategies. Based on â€Å"strategic compensation theory,† the article identifies personal efforts, group initiatives, human capital, a person’s level in an organizational structure, and market trends as some of the widely applied approaches to compensation and reward that motivates employees (Howard and Dougherty 43). The article’s features that relates to maintenance of human resource system are the bases of each reward strategy and the effects that the strategies have on employees. Established attachment between a reward and aspects of human resource such as efforts, unity, and employees’ value, for example, identifies a relationship between rewards and reward systems and sustaining achieved employee characteristics. Effects of the strategies that encourages features of a human resource system also ensures that a developed system maintains its output level, corporation, â€Å"skills and flexibility,† (43) and record minimal mobility rate (Howard and Dougherty 41- 49). Focus topic 3: Improving a system Article 4: Designing management and development for competitive advantage: Lessons from the best The article reviews effects of employee training and development on improving and sustaining organization’s ability to compete in their markets. Its application of benchmark organizations identifies success in training and development initiatives and therefore promotes the practices

Investment Risk Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Investment Risk - Research Paper Example These might include people who either have very small investments or can not afford to diversify; or people who have very strong belief that the stock in which they have concentrated their investments into, will perform as good as they desire. There are many risks to an investment in stocks that an ordinary shareholder has to experience and has to deal with, in order to ensure that his or her investment does not result into a loss. One easiest way to minimize risks is to invest into only those stocks that belong to the companies that are generally called 'blue chips'. These are the most stable in the market and have little risk of the investment going bad. But, these are also accompanied by a lower rate of return. As a general rule, the higher the risk, the higher the gain, and vice versa. Hence, it is critical for the investor to understand the nature of company he or she is investing into. The risks are required to be kept low but at the same time, the purpose of the investment is to earn profits. This takes us to the discussion around the efficient frontier, which is explained as the optimum portfolio that gives the highest returns while ensuring the security and risk appetite of the investor. This is called as the optimal portfolio or operating at the efficient frontier. Whenever an investor invests into any stock, he or she takes on two broad kinds of risks, known as systematic risk and non-systematic risk. The systematic risk is due to market conditions like interest rate movements, recession in the economy and other factors that are not in the control of the investors. The non-systematic risk, however, is the one that can be reduced to lower levels using various strategies for risk management including diversification. Diversification is defined as keeping one's investments into different securities instead of keeping all money in one stock. This is important since different market conditions affect the stock market differently and this affect does not appear on all stocks in the same fashion. Hence, it is possible that an investor faces huge losses by keeping all the investments in specific stocks. Diversification allows the standard deviation around the desired average investment returns to be minimum which is what is desired from the stock inv estments. Any portfolio that lies on the efficient frontier has least risk and the most optimal return on the investment. Investors should aim to achieve this efficient frontier in order to reap the maximum benefits with least loss expectancy. Hence, the concepts of portfolio risk, portfolio investment theory and efficient frontier are closely tied together. This framework is called Modern Portfolio

Personal an Managerial Effectiveness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Personal an Managerial Effectiveness - Essay Example It then outlines potential strategies that managers can utilize to effectively manage assorted workplace populace. The possible benefits of efficient diversity management are further stipulated in the report. In the subsequent section, the paper focuses on challenges linked to diversity in the multinational organization under scrutiny. The principal conclusion drawn from the analysis section is that, senior management at the MNC in question must strive to adopt suitable diversity management strategies in order to capitalize on employee productivity. Some of the recommendations include improvement of intercultural communication and implementation of training programs that foster multicultural interaction within the organization. Overall, the report recognizes that fact that with increased globalization, contact among individuals from widely varying backgrounds is inevitable. For this reason, senior managers could have better ability, to place the organization in a strategic position, where it can maximize profitability by taking advantage of a diverse yet integrated workforce. Contents Executive Summary 2 Contents 3 Introduction 4 Discussion 4 Definition and Justification of Diversity 4 Workforce Diversity Evolution in 21st Century Companies 6 Approaches to Manage Diversity 7 Benefits of Effectively Managing Workforce 8 Analysis 8 Conclusion 10 Recommendations 11 Bibliography 14 Introduction Growth of the business environment to a global scale has prompted companies to extend their services beyond their parent countries to other nations thus gaining worldwide influence. It has become apparent that individuals in the contemporary world do not work or exist in isolated places like was the case in the past. People and businesses in the modern world compete with others at a global level, meaning that they are bound to encounter a wide range of cultural beliefs that differ from their own (Aswathappa, 2006, p. 10). This implies that, organizations seeking to benefit f rom widespread globalization must adopt strategies that enable them to embrace and manage diversity effectively. Workplace diversity concerns are progressively becoming significant to organizations not just because of the spread of globalization, but also due to the change in population structure within different countries. Companies must examine their diversity management capacity and formulate innovative ways of ensuring that they are completely inclusive; since diversity would enable them to foster employee productivity thus gaining and retaining competitive advantage over other organizations. Discussion Definition and Justification of Diversity There are numerous definitions of diversity. However, the most common definition acknowledged by many scholars is that diversity refers to the recognition, comprehension, appreciation and acceptance of disparities among people. These differences could be related to social or economic class, gender, ethnicity, religion, race and mental or physical ability, among other factors that distinguish individuals (Aswathappa, 2006, p. 16). Diversity concerns have become a crucial element of management, due to globalization of companies and continued restructuring of the global population. Many management scholars also uphold the notion that diversity is a highly valuable asset for companies, since they can use it to distinguish themselves from competitors. Further, diversity managem

H.I.V in the Homeless in San Francisco, CA Essay

H.I.V in the Homeless in San Francisco, CA - Essay Example San Francisco is located within California, USA and is one of the leading regions in HIV prevention amongst other services such as, care, and treatment from the initial stages of the epidemic within the United States. The region is recognized for provision of high quality HIV care that also involves administration of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Such healthcare services within San Francisco benefits all residents regardless of their financial abilities. San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) has considered health of the community as priority since such initiatives are crucial in reducing morbidity and mortality in those living with HIV-infections. However, methods of initiating and administering ART have changed over time. Originally, ART was recommendable only for those who were immune compromised (either a CD4 cell count under 200 cells) (Kushel et al., 2006). However, there has been increase towards CD4 count on which ART was recommendable. This was due to availability of information on the adverse effects of HIV even in the presence of moderate immunodeficiency. This was also because of record decline in ART-related toxicity and pill burden. In the year 2011, there was pronounced evidence of the effect of ART on reduced risk of sexual transmission of HIV. The publication of such information triggered debate over the risks involved in delaying therapy. However, in 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reviewed its policy and advised citizens on recommendations that ART.

Pilgrimage's Role in Development of Buddhism in Japan Essay

Pilgrimage's Role in Development of Buddhism in Japan - Essay Example The Kumano within the Southern Wakayama Prefecture ended up becoming a large center for pilgrims and adherents of Shugendo Sect during Heina Period. Some other significantly important pilgrimages at the time were to Mt. Koya, Hasedera (Kyoto) and Shitenno-ji  (Osaka) (Swanson & Chilson 2006). Between 160 and 1868 AD, during the Edo Period, the number of persons making pilgrimages to Shinto Shrines and Buddhist temples increased rapidly, particularly to the Kotohira Shrine, the Ise Shrine, the 88 Shikoku temples, Zenkoji (Nagano), Mt. Fuji (Shizuoka), and the Kiso Ontake (Nagoya) (Reynolds  2001; Covell 2005). One phenomenon during Edo Era was the special pilgrimage to Ise-Jingu Shrine, known as Okage Mairi. The tradition of Okage Mairi has continued to be unabated even the contemporary Japanese society, with approximately 6 million people paying a visit to Ise Jingu Shrines per annum. Perhaps behind the phenomenon lies some nostalgic past: Resurgent interest in the region and som e desire for a temporary escape from the over-crowded urban settings (Alisal, Ackermann, Dolores 2007). Pilgrimage and Development of Buddhism The history of pilgrimage in Japan could be traced back to the early years, at least by the era of Nara, between 7610-794 AD. The pilgrimages flourished during the initial day, through Heian era (947-1185). At the time, the aristocrats and the imperial family were the most active pilgrims (Kaempfer 1995). During the latter days of the ninth century, the imperial family members took some interest in the religious visits to various shrines in the country and the temples that existed outside Japanese capital of Kyoto. From the late tenth century, the custom became adopted by the aristocrats, to a certain... The development of pilgrimages within Japanese society could greatly be conditioned to geographical, cultural, religious or topographical factors. There were there primary types of pilgrimages among the Japanese: Pilgrimage to the sacred mountains, pilgrimage to the shrines and temples based on the enshrined divinities and pilgrims to the sacred places, which are based on special powers of charismatic persons such as Buddha. The pilgrimages to the sacred mountains were founded on Buddhist notion of jiriki, self power, an idea that made those who are self strong via ascetic practices. Buddhists believed that there was a need of training for one to obtain some special powers, which were acquired through regular visits to the holy mountains. The non-Buddhists specialists like the healers, the ascetics and the shamans as well as the greater public also acquired the special powers. During the Middle Ages (twelfth and eleventh) aristocrats believed in pilgrimages to the sacred mountains to help them experience Pure Land while they were still living. Moreover, it was believed that kami of the mountains were manifestations of the Buddhists divinities; they were merely special ascetics, and would be guided by the aristocrats within the region. By the nineteenth century, there were more that 17,000 senior guides that were familiar with the sacred mountains. Even as the aristocracy and courtship declined during the initial days of Tokugawa era, there was a novel phenomenon emerging in already existing mountain pilgrimage beliefs. There were four major pilgrimage sites that had been recommended by Buddha.