Air Quality and Climate Change as Integrated Policy – 1

Environmental policies largely influence the way humans interact with the environment. Policies targeting air quality, namely the Clean Air Act, have been effective in lowering the emissions of pollutants; however climate change is still something that concerns some scientists, citizens, and policymakers. As such, the need for further progress is necessary. In order to make such progress policymakers may need to develop air quality and climate change policies through an integrative approach. Doing this, however, does not come without political, social, and scientific obstacles.Although there are obstacles to recognizing integrative approaches for policymaking, air quality and climate change may be addressed simultaneously, less costly, and more effectively by using such an approach. Air quality and climate change are interrelated and, as such, policies should be developed through an integrative approach. The federal government’s approach to climate change policy has included o nly voluntary measures thus far. This conservative approach has failed to address climate change effectively (Dale, 2011).Policy making is both time- and cost-extensive. Therefore addressing air quality and climate change separately prolongs the policymaking process and increases the costs associated with that process. As greenhouse gas emissions affect air quality and climate change, an integrative approach to developing policies may result in timelier, less cost extensive policies that better address both issues. Air quality and climate change are interrelated, thus policies that address both issues simultaneously may provide better health, economic, and environmental benefits.Air quality and climate change are influenced by common air pollutants. As such, focusing on one pollutant to improve air quality may increase or decrease other pollutants that affect climate change (Thambiran & Diab, 2011). The complex interaction between air quality and climate change makes it nearly impos sible to create a win-win situation. If a policy addresses air quality, but the impacts of the policy on climate change is overlooked, the desired benefits may vanish.Air quality management emission standards are designed to decrease anthropogenic sources of air pollutants, and it is expected that the emission decreases will lead to better air quality. Such policies are aimed at improving air quality, assuming that climate will remain constant. But scientists suggest future climate change is likely to impact meteorological factors that affect air quality, thus making it necessary to consider air quality and climate change to avoid unexpected outcomes (Thambiran & Diab, 2011).An integrative approach to air quality and climate change policy making may generate better health, economic, and environmental benefits. The benefits of an integrative approach to air quality and climate change may seem obvious, but realizing such an approach does not come without political, social, and scienti fic obstacles. Politicians hold differing views about how to manage air quality and climate change. Not all politicians believe that climate change is an issue, despite scientific evidence, but most agree that air quality is an issue.Socially, citizens are divided much like politicians, but often rely on the media for information about the reality of climate change. To further complicate the issue, scientists are in disagreement about the validity of climate change. In every layer of society, agendas and motivations heavily influence the support or opposition to a given piece of legislation. The many political, social, and scientific obstacles come as a result of such a controversial issue, which makes it difficult to develop an integrative approach to air quality and climate change.Maintaining a fragmented approach to air quality and to climate change causes problems for everyone. As with any successful system, all parts must function properly and simultaneously in order to achieve maximum performance. Fragmented is defined as existing or functioning as though broken into separate parts; disorganized; disunified (IAC Companies, 2012). Maintaining a fragmented approach to air quality has delivered successes, but a united effort is necessary to ensure everyone is equally protected from air pollutants.Climate change, however, cannot be maintained with a fragmented approach. Global uniformity is imperative to mitigate climate change, and if cannot be addressed globally, it cannot be managed at all. Attempts locally will not provide adequate results, thus anything less than a global effort creates a problem. Because air quality and climate change are interconnected, maintaining a fragmented approach to either issue creates problems for everyone. Policies that target individual behaviors can be effective in addressing climate change and air quality.Incentives provided by local, state, and government actors are good examples of how policies influencing individual be havior can help mitigate climate change. Individuals are beginning to voluntarily change behaviors that contribute to poor air quality and climate change. These changes are making a difference, so it is rational to believe that policies targeting individual behaviors will effectively address air quality and climate change. Air quality and climate change policies should be developed through an integrative approach.The benefits of this approach include saving money and providing timelier, more effective results. Political, social, and scientific obstacles must be dealt with to realize an integrative approach to managing air quality and climate change. Fragmented approaches to air quality and climate change pose problems for everyone. Voluntary measures being taken by individuals are yielding positive results. It is therefore rational to develop policies that target individual behaviors.Although there are obstacles to recognizing integrative approaches for policymaking, air quality and climate change may be addressed simultaneously, less costly, and more effectively by using such an approach. Reference Dale, L. (2011). Environmental Policy. San Diego: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. IAC Companies. (2012). Retrieved from Dictionary. com, LLC: http://dictionary. reference. com/ Thambiran, T. , & Diab, R. D. (2011). The case for integrated air quality and climate change policies. Elsevier Environmental Science & Policy, 1008-1017.

Contemporary issues in conflict and security Case Study

Contemporary issues in conflict and security - Case Study Example Terrorism poses threat to societal gains as wells lives of the people in the society. The interest in discussing this issue lies in the fact that it conflict human security interest. Crenshaw (2009:383), believe that the causes of terrorism fall into two categories. First, societal setting creates permissive conditions, which promote terrorism. Modernisation is one of the permissive conditions, which creates interrelated factors that support the terrorism activities. Communication and transportation are crucial to terrorism activities because they allow the terror groups to improve their networks and extend their activities across the world. For instance, train bombing in Spain in 2001, depicts how networking and transportation allow terror activities to expand their roots in the society. Crenshaw (2009:381), argues that terrorist activities observed in the historical Russia in 1890s and the modern terrorist observed in Spain in 2001 depend on modernisation in executing their ills. The fear that the society harbours today is potentiality of the terror groups, using the modern nuclear technology to execute their plots. Crenshaw (2009:382), posit that urbanisation is an aspect of modernisation that create permissive situations for terror activities. The concept of terrorism in relation to urbanization traces its roots in 1960s in Latin America where urban war fair first appeared. She points out that cities became the central point for terror activities. Various scholars have given their explanation in relation to cities as target places for terror activities (Bjorgo, 2005:123). Largely, these arguments describe the urbanisation effects as weaknesses that create permissive conditions for terror activities in the cities. For instance over population create conditions of low lifestyle, economic constraints, among other factors, which lead to criminal activities. The criminal hideouts in the shanties permit the

Mobile Online Gambling in the United States Essay

Mobile Online Gambling in the United States - Essay Example Mobile online gambling in the United States has become so outrageously flared up with traditional gambling being translated into mobile online applications that are carried out with simple touches and delicate presses. Although it was initially denied legalization way back in 2002, online gambling, particularly mobile online gambling has been decriminalized with a lower court dissenting that the Federal Wire Act does not rule out online gambling on a game of chance. As a result, various online platforms have designed various mobile online gambling that includes poker, casinos, sports betting, bingo, lotteries, and horse racing betting among others. The most common tools used to participate in a mobile online gambling are tablet computers, smart phones, and even mobile phones. And in 2011, it has been found that there are more than twelve online casinos doing gambling operations. These mobile casino games are able to rake billions of dollars out from the pocket of mobile gambling enthusiasts. The money is generated by participants making bets on a particular game, which are then paid through credit cards, debit cards or through various electronic commerce business companies such as PayPal or Skrill. Many signs have confirmed the rapidly increasing participation of gamblers in mobile gambling. In the United States, the surge cropped up as a result of the repealing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement of 2006, allowing people to reengage in mobile online gambling. Projections come out to show that more and more people are drawn to involve in the online gambling market activities, especially with many smart phones and tablet computers upgrading their features. Although, many casinos use simulated monies in carrying out online gambling, today there are over 100 mobile online games that allow the use of genuine money. This ongoing development in the mobile gambling is projected to rise indefinitely. The projections can

Financial Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Financial Statement - Essay Example They are found in the Asset part of the balance sheet. These equipment purchases are regarded as long-term and are documented for many years (Kieso, Weygandt & Warfield, 2014). The financing activities on the other hand refer to the cash flow that is affected by the decreases or increases to equity. It simply means the quantity of cash flow affected by securing a loan or by paying down debt from a lending institution or an owner. Such activities are in the Equity and liability section of the balance sheet. Here, decreases and increases can be a bit deceiving if viewed at a bad or good perspective. This is the most important activity of the cash flow as it keeps the business going and informs the executive on what should be done on avoided for the continuity of the business. Disclosures to financial statements are vital as lenders use a variety of them from a private initiative statement when they need to determine whether the entity ought to get a loan; distinctive financial statements basing on the new overall accepted Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises (ASPE) may possibly meet those requirements. However, as financial statements are prepared for private enterprises, they must be in a way that they maintain the confidence and trust of lenders, thus additional disclosures may be advantageous in getting financing (Benjamin & Stanga,

Strategic planning and control Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Strategic planning and control - Assignment Example In order to sell more in the beginning, the production capacity had also been increased, but the result demonstrated that the demand was only half of the production. So, I have learned that it is not necessary to utilize all the resources as inventory got larger and it is not good for the company. We need to observe the internal position of the organization which will enable us to determine how well the company can manage the competitive and external environment. I also came to know that a strategic planning and critical success factors need to be developed for the products and services. SWOT (strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats) analysis must be carried out, which will allow the company to evaluate their strategic situation. The product life-cycle model needs to be taken into consideration in order to discuss how the cost of product can vary over a product’s life cycle. I also discovered that key performance indicators of the company need to be analyzed, through which we can know what factors are leading to its success and competitive advantage. I also learnt that working in a group is more beneficial than working as an individual as it comprises the ideas of four to five people and involve more communication and consequently leads to an enhanced decision making process. Soft skills need to be developed in order to resolve the conflict which arises in the discussion process within the group. At the same time, time management is also important for successful completion of a project. Strategic planning is defined as the method of defining the plans of the companies for achieving their missions. The strategy of an organization is therefore a derived approach towards attaining that mission. Organizational level and divisional level planning should be directly related to the strategic plan of the organization (Gates, 2010). Through the module, I came to know the elements of strategic planning and why it is important

Gut microbiota in mammals Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Gut microbiota in mammals - Term Paper Example The anatomy of the gut is designed to perform efficiently both of these functions. To enable nutrient uptake, many associated digestive glands and multiple folding of the inner lining ensure thorough digestion and rapid assimilation of the nutrients. The gut associated lymphoid tissue on the other hand ensures that the internal environment of gut remains devoid of harmful foreign antigens. Besides these an important component of the gut is the gut microbiota, which together with the host form a composite body. So intimately is the existence of the two entwined, that the microbial community is collectively considered an organ of the host body; and the mammalian genome is referred to as metagenome, i.e. host genome along with the genome of its microbial community (Ley et al., 1647). The number and diversity of microbes residing indigenously in the gut environment is massive comprising of bacteria, protozoans, anaerobic phycomycetes and bacteriophages. Not only are they an integral part of the gut ecosystem, but they also contribute indispensably to the nutritional, physiological and immunological functions of the gut (Mackie, 13). Though the exact composition of the gut microbiota of different animals cannot be listed with certainty, yet the variations observed are primarily due to the differences in the diet of different animals. ... this, a study of gut microbiology would proceed in three parallel lines, for three classes of microbial consortia; one for each of these gut environments. This paper aims to discuss the functional significance of the microbial population in the gut of herbivores, omnivores and carnivores. Figure 1 Mammalian Gut Figure 2: Mammalian Gut Lining II. Role of Gut Microbiota in Herbivores: Herbivores derive their nutrition from plant components; hence it is imperative to possess the ability to digest plant cell wall. However, the cellulose component of plant cell wall makes it difficult to disintegrate. Herbivores therefore, during the course of evolution have acquired adaptations that enable them to disintegrate and assimilate this otherwise indigestible material (Karasov and Carey, 364). The herbivore mammalian foregut or hindgut is divided into chambers where fermentation of the food intake is carried out with help of microbial inhabitants of the gut. These chambers are known as rumen an d the animals as ruminants. Due to exclusively plant based diet of herbivore, the role of gut microbe in herbivore gut assumes immense significance, the gut microbiota being imperative for digestion process in herbivores. This justifies an exclusive discussion of ruminant gut microbiota. Evolution of gut microbiota: Evolution of the digestive system of mammals to enable utilization of complex plant material proceeds parallel with the evolution of their gut microbiota. The ubiquitous microbes on one hand were easily able to colonize the mammals in general, but further evolutionary pattern was dependent on the diet of the host they inhabited. Thus the microbial population of the mammalian host coevolved with the evolving host digestive system. In herbivores as the gut became longer and

Urban Planners Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Urban Planners - Essay Example Planners who are in the public role often serve the public and act as valued technical advisors in the community's political environment (Garvin, 2002). Urban planners develop often develop long and short term plans for the use and revitalization of land. These plans facilitate the growth of urban and rural communities, as well as the region in which they are allocated. They assist the regional officials to reduce economical, social and environmental problems. This is done by proposing the location of schools, roads among other infrastructure. In addition to that, they recommend the zoning regulations for private possessions (Smith, 2006). According to Grogan (2002), Planners promote the best utilization of public land resources which are meant for commercial, residential, institutional and recreation purposes. They often formulate plans relating to development of new infrastructure, for instance new schools, new roads and public housing. Moreover, they help in making decisions about resource development and protecting the environment in its totality. Planners and developers are often involved in environment issues like wetland preservation, pollution control, location of new landfills and forest conservation. Planners may assist in the drafting of legislation of social, environmental and economical matters, for instance sheltering the homeless, new park, or making the region very attractive to businesses (Smith, 2006). Urban planners study and report on the current utilization of land for residential and community purposes before making plans for the community development. Their reports include information on the capacity and location of schools, airports, highways, libraries, recreational and cultural sites. They also provide records on the characteristics of the community, industries in the community, and employment and economic trends. They try to use the data obtained to optimize land use for public structures and facilities (Robert, 2003). The planners often prepare reports that show the cost of their programs and how they are carried out. Furthermore, they examine the suggested facilities, to know whether they will meet the needs of the growing population. They keep the records legal and economic issues, which are responsible for the building codes, zoning codes and environmental regulations. In addition to that, they ensure that the developers and builders are in apposition to follow the codes and the regulations (Garvin, 2002). Planners also deal with the land issues that arise due to the population movements. For instance, in Huntsville, the population growth and economic development has led to creation of more jobs out side the urban areas (Robert, 2003). As a result, the need for public transportation will increase, and it is the responsibility of the planners to model and develop suitable transportation systems and report them to the planning boards as well as the public (Garvin, 2002). Computers are very necessary urban planning process; planners use them to analyze and record information collected, and to prepare reports and proposals for government executives. Spreadsheets, computer databases, and analytical techniques are used to forecast future trends of employment, transportation, housing, or population. Urban