Environmental Degration

One of the major threat the planet faces today, environmental degradation is bound to make life difficult for all the lifeforms, including us humans, sooner or later. Studies reveal that the deterioration of environment is occurring at an alarming rate. In fact, the High Level Threat Panel of the United Nations has enlisted it as one of the ten threats for humans. This issue shares space with problems like poverty, terrorism and civil war in the list, and this itself highlights the fact that we are heading for a certain disaster. What is Environmental Degradation?It is a process wherein the natural environment of the planet is degenerated to such an extent that the biodiversity and the general health of the planet is subjected to drastic reduction. In other words, this phenomenon can be defined as deterioration of the Earth's natural surroundings as a result of excessive exploitation of the available resources – these include water, air, flora, fauna, soil etc. The life on the planet is interwoven to such an extent that a decrease in a particular attribute triggers a domino effect on all the other attributes dependent on it.How is it Caused? ’; Environmental degradation can be attributed to various human activities and some natural processes, with the later having an insignificant share in the same. Most of the resources on the planet are vulnerable to depletion, and the rate at which we are exploiting them have already brought some of them to the brink of exhaustion. Exploitation of the fossil fuels is the best example of this phenomenon. Large-scale exploitation has depleted the fossil fuel reserves across the world, thus leaving us with no option but to find an alternate source of energy.Other human activities which have been contributing to this environmental issue include urbanization, overpopulation, deforestation, pollution, hunting, etc. What Does it Affect Us? Its effects are becoming more and more obvious in form of all those environment al issues affecting the planet. The hazardous waste let out by the industries tends to contaminate the water bodies in the vicinity, thus leaving the water unfit for drinking.Similarly, greenhouse gases, such as CFCs and carbon dioxide, let out in the atmosphere have a devastating effect on the environment, thus making the planet vulnerable to a range of problems, including global warming and climate change. On one hand, incessant agricultural activities have resulted in degradation of soil, while excessive deforestation to accumulate the growing population has resulted in degradation of air and water on the other hand. Humans have seldom sacrificed their necessities, but lately exploitation of resources to fulfill these necessities itself is taking a toll on the environment.How Can we Deal With it? At one point of time, the damage reaches a stage wherein the environment can't attain the required balance on its own. In such a situation, we humans need to step in, and ensure that the damage is curbed and balance is attained. Simple measures, such as conservation of electricity, use of alternative energy sources, avoiding the use of things that pollute the environment, soil conservation, etc. , can help in saving the environment from the threat of degradation. Environmentalists, the world over, are trying their best to save our environment, and we need to do our bit to make sure that they succeed.The need of the hour is to identify the causes of environmental degradation, and eliminate them one by one. We need to understand the fact that we are a part of the interwoven life system on the planet, and any problems, like environmental degradation and environmental pollution, are bound to affect us directly or indirectly. Though the disaster is not expected to happen tomorrow or a hundred years from now, that doesn't mean it will never happen at all. That being said, the onus is on us – the most intelligent species on the planet, to make sure that such proble ms are kept at bay.The main causes of environmental degradation are as follow; 1 Industrialization 2 Agricultural development 3 population growth 4 poverty 5 urbanization 6 Deforestation 7 transport development 8 market failure Causes of Environmental Degradation There is no doubt that man has caused environmental degradation. The causes of environmental degeneration are complex and should be addressed to, before it causes complete breakdown of the environment.Ads by Google BSc Psychology Online Study In Nigeria – UK Universities. Apply Online Now For Home Study www. rdi. co. k/psychology These are the days we keep hearing about global warming, melting of the glaciers, rising of the sea levels, etc. , all of which have been linked to environmental degradation. When the natural state of the environment is compromised upon it leads to breakdown of the biological diversity and harms the health of the environment. The process of environmental degradation can either be caused by n ature itself or it is man-made (which is a fact). If one has to compare the face of earth as it was hundreds of years ago to what it is today, we will see that environment has severely been compromised upon.When people look at environmental degradation, the intensity of the problem is not actually understood, but it could cause destruction of the human race itself. The causes of this problem vary a lot and it means depletion of the natural resources and disturbances in the natural cycle of things on the face of earth. Root Causes of Environmental Degradation The best case of environmental degradation can be seen in land degradation. There are climatic conditions responsible along with the human activities, which have brought about the degradation.The effects can be seen in the arid, semi arid and dry sub humid lands. One of the cause is over grazing of land. Along with that the green cover has depleted severely in almost all parts of the world. The forest cover has made way for huma n settlement. This has resulted in the temperatures increasing with each passing day. Since the forest covers have depleted, it has resulted in large-scale erosion, which in turn, is responsible for loss of nutrients from the soil. This has led the soil to becoming barren and in some cases also sterile.Since the forest cover has been lost, the winds now blow the top soil from the land, which also leads to degradation of the environment. Pollution is eating away into the environment. Here we are talking about air pollution, where toxic substances have made their way into the air, which has caused the air to become unhealthy. Air pollution is caused by a number of reasons. One of the most prominent cause is vehicle emissions. With each passing day, the number of vehicles are on the rise, which means increase in air pollution. The next cause is release of chemical waste from various factories.The waste often forms a layer in the atmosphere of the earth, which further affects the enviro nment. In environmental degradation we cannot forget the exploitation of fossil fuels. Since the time fossil fuels were discovered, they have been exploited. This has resulted in the fossil fuel reserves depleting all around the world, hence it has become important to find alternate sources of energy. When the fossil fuels are burnt, they release toxins into the air, which further aggravate environmental degradation. The underlying causes of environment going down way is overpopulation.The land reserve that is available on earth is finite. However, the demands are ever-increasing due to increasing population. There is only so much, that one can actually extract from the earth. This has led to widespread use of chemicals and other toxins to produce more food to feed the ever-increasing number of people. This has further caused depletion of the earth. With the use of chemicals the biological balance of earth has also been destroyed as the microorganisms have been killed. If one has to see the environmental degradation causes and effects, one will see that entire ecosystems have been destroyed.The ecosystem is made up of all the living and non living elements. However, when any one of them is destroyed, it leads to the destruction of the entire ecosystem as the balance is lost. No doubt plants and animals form an important feature of the ecosystem, but the microorganisms along with water sources and soil cannot be forgotten either. Industrial waste is known to be hazardous to the environment. The waste can be in the form of liquid waste, which pollute the rivers and cause harm to the ecosystem present in the rivers.It can also be solid waste, which is not biodegradable and pollutes the environment and leads to its degradation. We have already spoken about the industrial waste emitted into the air. After reading about the causes of environmental decadence, we can say that if the human race has to survive on the face of this earth, it is important that stringent me asures be taken up to arrest further deterioration of the environment. One will have to work towards conserving air, water and soil and try to restore balance in the ecosystem, which has been destroyed or is on the verge of destruction.In other words, one will have to work towards restoring natural habitats and make sure no further harm is done to the environment. By Bhakti Satalkar Published: 3/25/2011 * Environmental Degradation * How do Humans Affect the Environment * Current Environmental Issues * List of Environmental Problems * Simple Ways to Save the Environment * How does Mining Affect the Environment * How to Save the Environment * Globalization and Its Impact on the Environment * What are Environmental Ethics?* Environmental Issues List * How to Save Our Environment * Sustainable Living Ideas Causes of Overpopulation * Why are Birds and Fish Dying Read more at Buzzle: http://www. buzzle. com/articles/causes-of-environmental-degradation. html Environmental degradation From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Eighty-plus years after the abandonment of Wallaroo Mines (Kadina, South Australia), mosses remain the only vegetation at some spots of the site's grounds Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife.It is defined as any change or disturbance to the environment perceived to be deleterious or undesirable. [1] Environmental degradation is one of the Ten Threats officially cautioned by the High Level Threat Panel of the United Nations. The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction defines environmental degradation as â€Å"The reduction of the capacity of the environment to meet social and ecological objectives, and needs†. [2] Environmental degradation is of many types.When natural habitats are destroyed or natural resources are depleted, environment is degrad ed. | This article may be confusing or unclear to readers. Please help us clarify the article; suggestions may be found on the talk page. (May 2012) | Environmental Change and Human Health, a special section of World Resources 1998-99 in this report describes how preventable illnesses and premature deaths are still occurring in very large numbers. If vast improvements are made in human health, millions of people will be living longer, healthier lives than ever before.In these poorest regions of the world an estimated 11 million children, or about one in five, will not live to see their fifth birthday, primarily because of environment-related diseases. Child mortality is larger than the combined populations of Norway and Switzerland, and mostly due to malaria, acute respiratory infections or diarrhea — illnesses that are largely preventable. Contents [hide] * 1 Water deterioration * 1. 1 Climate change and temperature * 1. 2 Climate change and precipitation * 1. 3 Population g rowth* 1. 4 Agriculture * 1. Water management * 2 See also * 3 References * 4 External links| [edit] Water deterioration One major component of environmental degradation is the depletion of the resource of fresh water on Earth. Approximately only 2. 5% of all of the water on Earth is fresh water, with the rest being salt water. 69% of the fresh water is frozen in ice caps located on Antarctica and Greenland, so only 30% of the 2. 5% of fresh water is available for consumption. [3] Fresh water is an exceptionally important resource, since life on Earth is ultimately dependent on it.Water transports nutrients and chemicals within the biosphere to all forms of life, sustains both plants and animals, and molds the surface of the Earth with transportation and deposition of materials. [4] The current top three uses of fresh water account for 95% of its consumption; approximately 85% is used for irrigation of farmland, golf courses, and parks, 6% is used for domestic purposes such as indoo r bathing uses and outdoor garden and lawn use, and 4% is used for industrial purposes such as processing, washing, and cooling in manufacturing centers. 5] It is estimated that one in three people over the entire globe are already facing water shortages, almost one-fifth of the world’s population live in areas of physical water scarcity, and almost one quarter of the world’s population live in a developing country that lacks the necessary infrastructure to use water from available rivers and aquifers.Water scarcity is an increasing problem due to many foreseen issues in the future, including population growth, increased urbanization, higher standards of living, and climate change. 3] [edit] Climate change and temperature Climate change affects the Earth’s water supply in a large number of ways. It is predicted that the mean global temperature will rise in the coming years due to a number of forces affecting the climate, the amount of atmospheric CO2 will rise, and both of these will influence water resources; evaporation depends strongly on temperature and moisture availability, which can ultimately affect the amount of water available to replenish groundwater supplies.Transpiration from plants can be affected by a rise in atmospheric CO2, which can decrease their use of water, but can also raise their use of water from possible increases of leaf area. Temperature increase can decrease the length of the snow season in the winter and increase the intensity of snowmelt in warmer seasons, leading to peak runoff of snowmelt earlier in the season, affecting soil moisture, flood and drought risks, and storage capacities depending on the area. [6] Warmer winter temperatures cause a decrease in snowpack, which can result in diminished water resources during the summer.This is especially important at mid-latitudes and in mountain regions that depend on glacial runoff to replenish their river systems and groundwater supplies, making these areas inc reasingly vulnerable to water shortages over time; an increase in temperature will initially result in a rapid rise in water melting from glaciers in the summer, followed by a retreat in glaciers and a decrease in the melt and consequently the water supply every year as the size of these glaciers get smaller and smaller. 3]Thermal expansion of water and increased melting of oceanic glaciers from an increase in temperature gives way to a rise in sea level, which can affect the fresh water supply of coastal areas as well; as river mouths and deltas with higher salinity get pushed further inland, an intrusion of saltwater results in an increase of salinity in reservoirs and aquifers. 5] Sea-level rise may also consequently be caused by a depletion of groundwater,[7] as climate change can affect the hydrologic cycle in a number of ways. Uneven distributions of increased temperatures and increased precipitation around the globe results in water surpluses and deficits,[6] but a global dec rease in groundwater suggests a rise in sea level, even after meltwater and thermal expansion were accounted for,[7] which can provide a positive feedback to the problems sea-level rise causes to fresh-water supply.A rise in air temperature results in a rise in water temperature, which is also very significant in water degradation, as the water would become more susceptible to bacterial growth. An increase in water temperature can also affect ecosystems greatly because of a species’ sensitivity to temperature, and also by inducing changes in a body of water’s self-purification system from decreased amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water due to rises in temperature. [3] [edit] Climate change and precipitationA rise in global temperatures is also predicted to correlate with an increase in global precipitation, but because of increased runoff, floods, increased rates of soil erosion, and mass movement of land, a decline in water quality is probable, while water will car ry more nutrients, it will also carry more contaminants. [3] While most of the attention about climate change is directed towards global warming and greenhouse effect, some of the most severe effects of climate change are likely to be from changes in precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, and soil moisture.It is generally expected that, on average, global precipitation will increase, with some areas receiving increases and some decreases. Climate models show that while some regions should expect an increase in precipitation,[6] such as in the tropics and higher latitudes, other areas are expected to see a decrease, such as in the subtropics; this will ultimately cause a latitudinal variation in water distribution. 3] The areas receiving more precipitation are also expected to receive this increase during their winter and actually become drier during their summer,[6] creating even more of a variation of precipitation distribution. Naturally, the distribution of precipitation acro ss the planet is very uneven, causing constant variations in water availability in respective locations. Changes in precipitation affect the timing and magnitude of floods and droughts, shift runoff processes, and alter groundwater recharge rates.Vegetation patterns and growth rates will be directly affected by shifts in precipitation amount and distribution, which will in turn affect agriculture as well as natural ecosystems. Decreased precipitation will deprive areas of water, causing water tables to fall and reservoirs and wetlands, rivers, and lakes to empty,[6] and possibly an increase in evaporation and evapotranspiration, depending on the accompanied rise in temperature. [5] Groundwater reserves will be depleted, and the remaining water has a greater chance of being of poor quality from saline or contaminants on the land surface. 3] [edit] Population growth The available fresh water being affected by climate is also being stretched across an ever-increasing global population. It is estimated that almost a quarter of the global population is living in an area that is using more than 20% of their renewable water supply; water use will rise with population while the water is also being aggravated by decreases in streamflow and groundwater caused by climate change.Even though some areas may see an increase in freshwater supply from an uneven distribution of precipitation increase, an increased use of water supply is expected. [8] An increased population means increased withdrawals from the water supply for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses, the largest of these being agriculture,[9] believed to be the major non-climate driver of environmental change and water deterioration.The next 50 years will likely be the last period of rapid agricultural expansion, but the larger and wealthier population over this time will demand more agriculture. [10] Population increase over the last two decades, at least in the United States, has also been accompanied by a shift to an increase in urban areas from rural areas,[11] which concentrates the demand for water into certain areas, and puts stress on the fresh water supply from industrial and human contaminants. 3] Urbanization causes overcrowding and increasingly unsanitary living conditions, especially in developing countries, which in turn exposes an increasingly number of people to disease. About 79% of the world’s population is in developing countries, which lack access to sanitary water and sewer systems, giving rises to disease and deaths from contaminated water and increased numbers of disease-carrying insects. [12] [edit] AgricultureAgriculture is dependent on available soil moisture, which is directly affected by climate dynamics, with precipitation being the input in this system and various processes being the output, such as evapotranspiration, surface runoff, drainage, and percolation into groundwater. Changes in climate, especially the changes in precipitation and evapotr anspiration predicted by climate models, will directly affect soil moisture, surface runoff, and groundwater recharge. In areas with decreasing precipitation as predicted by the climate models, soil moisture may be substantially educed. [6] With this in mind, agriculture in most areas needs irrigation already, which depletes fresh water supplies both by the physical use of the water and the degradation agriculture causes to the water. Irrigation increases salt and nutrient content in areas that wouldn’t normally be affected, and damages streams and rivers from damming and removal of water. Fertilizer enters both human and livestock waste streams that eventually enter groundwater, while nitrogen, phosphorus, and other chemicals from fertilizer can acidify both soils and water.Certain agricultural demands may increase more than others with an increasingly wealthier global population, and meat is one commodity expected to double global food demand by 2050,[10] which directly aff ects the global supply of fresh water. Cows need water to drink, more if the temperature is high and humidity is low, and more if the production system the cow is in is extensive, since finding food takes more effort. Water is needed in processing of the meat, and also in the production of feed for the livestock.Manure can contaminate bodies of freshwater, and slaughterhouses, depending on how well they are managed, contribute waste such as blood, fat, hair, and other bodily contents to supplies of fresh water. [13] The transfer of water from agricultural to urban and suburban use raises concerns about agricultural sustainability, rural socioeconomic decline, food security, an increased carbon footprint from imported food, and decreased foreign trade balance. 9] The depletion of fresh water, as applied to more specific and populated areas, increases fresh water scarcity among the population and also makes populations susceptible to economic, social, and political conflict in a numbe r of ways; rising sea levels forces migration from coastal areas to other areas farther inland, pushing populations closer together breaching borders and other geographical patterns, and agricultural surpluses and deficits from the availability of water induce trade problems and economies of certain areas. 8]CLimate change is an important cause of involuntary migration and forced displacement[14] [edit] Water management The issue of the depletion of fresh water can be met by increased efforts in water management. [4] While water management systems are often flexible, adaptation to new hydrologic conditions may be very costly. [6] Preventative approaches are necessary to avoid high costs of inefficiency and the need for rehabilitation of water supplies,[4] and innovations to decrease overall demand may be important in planning water sustainability. 9] Water supply systems, as they exist now, were based on the assumptions of the current climate, and built to accommodate existing river flows and flood frequencies. Reservoirs are operated based on past hydrologic records, and irrigation systems on historical temperature, water availability, and crop water requirements; these may not be a reliable guide to the future. Re-examining engineering designs, operations, optimizations, and planning, as well as re-evaluating legal, technical, and economic approaches to manage water resources are very important for the future of water management in response to water degradation.Another approach is water privatization; despite its economic and cultural effects, service quality and overall quality of the water can be more easily controlled and distributed. Rationality and sustainability is appropriate, and requires limits to overexploitation and pollution, and efforts in conservation.Natural hazards are excluded as a cause, however human activities can indirectly affect phenomena such as floods and bush fires. 8. This is considered to be an important topic of the 21st century due to the implications land degradation has upon agronomic productivity, the environment, and its effects on food security. 3] It is estimated that up to 40% of the world's agricultural land is seriously degrad Measuring Land degradation is a broad term that can be applied differently across a wide range of scenarios. There are four main ways of looking at land degradation and its impact on the environment around it: * A temporary or permanent decline in the productive capacity of the land.This can be seen through a loss of biomass, a loss of actual productivity or in potential productivity, or a loss or change in vegetative cover and soil nutrients. A decline in the lands â€Å"usefulness†: A loss or reduction in the lands capacity to provide resources for human livelihoods. This can be measured from a base line of past land use. * Loss of biodiversity: A loss of range of species or ecosystem complexity as a decline in the environmental quality. * Shifting ecological risk: increased vulnerability of the environment or people to destruction or crisis. This is measured through a base line in the form of pre-existing risk of crisis or destruction. A problem with measuring land degradation is that what one group of people call degradation, others might view as a benefit or opportunity.For example, heavy rainfall could make a scientific group be worried about high erosion of the soil while farmers could view it as a good opportunity to plant crops. [5] [edit] Causes Overgrazing by livestock can lead to land degradation Land degradation is a global problem, largely related to agricultural use. The major causes include:[citation needed] * Land clearance, such as clearcutting and deforestation * Agricultural depletion of soil nutrients through poor farming practices * Livestock including overgrazing and overdrafting * Inappropriate irrigation[6] and overdrafting * Urban sprawl and commercial development Soil contamination including * Vehicle off-roading * Qua rrying of stone, sand, ore and minerals * Increase in field size due to economies of scale, reducing shelter for wildlife, as hedgerows and copses disappear * Exposure of naked soil after harvesting by heavy equipment * Monoculture, destabilizing the local ecosystem * Dumping of non-biodegradable trash, such as plastics [edit] Effects Soil erosion in a wheat field near Pullman, USA. The main outcome of land degradation is a substantial reduction in the productivity of the land.[7] The major stresses on vulnerable land include: * Accelerated soil erosion by wind and water Soil acidification and the formation of acid sulfate soil resulting in barren soil * Soil alkalinisation owing to irrigation with water containing sodium bicarbonate leading to poor soil structure and reduced crop yields * Soil salination in irrigated land requiring soil salinity control to reclaim the land [8] * Soil waterlogging in irrigated land which calls for some form of subsurface land drainage to remediate t he negative effects [8] * Destruction of soil structure including loss of organic matter Overcutting of vegetation occurs when people cut forests, woodlands and shrublands—to obtain timber, fuelwood and other products—at a pace exceeding the rate of natural regrowth. This is frequent in semi-arid environments, where fuelwood shortages are often severe. Overgrazing is the grazing of natural pastures at stocking intensities above the livestock carrying capacity; the resulting decrease in the vegetation cover is a leading cause of wind and water erosion. It is a significant factor in Afghanistan.Agricultural activities that can cause land degradation include shifting cultivation without adequate fallow periods, absence of soil conservation measures, fertilizer use, and a host of possible problems arising from faulty planning or management of irrigation. They are a major factor in Sri Lanka and the dominant one in Bangladesh. The role of population factors in land degradat ion processes obviously occurs in the context of the underlying causes. In the region, in fact, it is indeed one of the two along with land shortage, and land shortage itself ultimately is a consequence of continued population growth in the face of the finiteness of land resources. In the context of land shortage the growing population pressure, during 1980-1990, has led to decreases in the already small areas of agricultural land per person in six out of eight countries (14% for India and 22% for Pakistan).Population pressure also operates through other mechanisms. Improper agricultural practices, for instance, occur only under constraints such as the saturation of good lands under population pressure which leads settlers to cultivate too shallow or too steep soils, plough fallow land before it has recovered its fertility, or attempt to obtain multiple crops by irrigating unsuitable soils. High population density is not always related to land degradation. Rather, it is the practice s of the human population that can cause a landscape to become degraded. Populations can be a benefit to the land and make it more productive than it is in its natural state.Land degradation is important factor of internal displacement in many African and Asian countries[9] Severe land degradation affects a significant portion of the Earth's arable lands, decreasing the wealth and economic development of nations. As the land resource base becomes less productive, food security is compromised and competition for dwindling resources increases, the seeds of famine and potential conflict are sewn. [edit] Sensitivity and resilience Sensitivity and resilience are measures of the vulnerability of a landscape to degradation. These two factors combine to explain the degree of vulnerability. [5] Sensitivity is the degree to which a land system undergoes change due to natural forces, human intervention or a combination of both.Resilience is the ability of a landscape to absorb change, without significantly altering the relationship between the relative importance and numbers of individuals and species that compose the community. [10] It also refers to the ability of the region to return to its original state after being changed in some way. The resilience of a landscape can be increased or decreased through human interaction based upon different methods of land-use management. Land that is degraded becomes less resilient than undegraded land, which can lead to even further degration through shocks to the landscape. [edit] Climate change Significant land degradation from seawater inundation, particularly in river deltas and on low-lying islands, is a potential hazard that was identified in a 2007 IPCC report. citation needed] As a result of sea-level rise from climate change, salinity levels can reach levels where agriculture becomes impossible in very low lying areas.Journal ofLand Degradation & DevelopmentVol 24 (6 Issues in 2013)Edited by: Professor Artemi Cerdà  Prin t ISSN: 1085-3278 Online ISSN: 1099-145X| * Description Land Degradation & Development is an international journal which seeks to promote rational study of the recognition, monitoring, control and rehabilitation of degradation in terrestrial environments. The journal focuses on: * what land degradation is; * what causes land degradation; * the impacts of land degradation * the scale of land degradation; * the history, current status or future trends of land degradation; * avoidance, mitigation and control of land degradation; * remedial actions to rehabilitate or restore degraded land; * sustainable land management.Land degradation may be defined as the loss of utility or potential utility through the reduction of or damage to physical, social, cultural or economic features, and/or reduction of ecosystem diversity. There may be a single cause or a complex mix of causes, some may be biogeophysical ('natural'), some socioeconomic ('human') and it is quite possible that cause(s) will be indirect, perhaps cumulative and difficult to identify. A major challenge is to learn how interactions between development and environment can be better managed to increase prospects for ecologically and socially sustainable improvements to human well-being.Development means attempts to improve human well-being or environmental quality in rich and poor nations on a sustained basis (sustainable development). Papers are invited on scientific, social, economic, political and historical aspects of terrestrial environmental degradation. Also welcome are analyses presenting forecasts of trends, case studies and discussion on management, planning and policy-making relating to the promotion of ecological sustainability and the counteraction of land degradation. In addition to original research papers, regional and thematic reviews, both invited and submitted, will be included, as will short communications, book reviews and applications of remote sensing and computer te chniques.The members of the Editorial Board are drawn from a comprehensive range of disciplines and nationalities. Together with a strict refereeing procedure this will ensure Land Degradation & Development maintains a high standard and presents material from a wide range of disciplines, from interdisciplinary study and with an international coverage. The subject matter will include the following topics: ENVIRONMENTS Degradation of: deserts, savannas, rangelands; forests, woodlands, tundra; mountain environments; wetlands, floodlands; farmland, irrigated land; sand-dunes; coastal zones, islands, urban, peri-urban environments. In polar, temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.PROCESSES #39;Desertification', rangeland degradation; soil degradation (compaction, loss of fertility, reduced organic matter, pollution, waterlogging, acidification, salinization, alkalinization, 'laterite' and hard-pan formation); erosion; degradation of vegetation cover, 'deforestati on'; impoverishment of wildlife habitats, loss of species. CAUSES Climatic change; sea-level variation; drought; storms; earth processes (geomorphological, volcanicity, natural leaching of soils); bushfires; degradation as a consequence of: industry, urban growth, agrochemicals, agricultural modernization, energy production/consumption, mining, warfare, refugees or migrants, breakdown of traditional landuse strategies, altered communications, legislative changes, demographic changes, administrative causes, institutional causes, social or economic causes. PERCEPTIONSPerception/recognition of degradation, attitudes toward degradation; ethics and land degradation; indicators; monitoring, surveillance; assessment of significance; establishing past, present and future trends. IMPACTS Physical, biological, social, cultural and economic impacts (direct, indirect, cumulative); long-term and short-term impacts; assessment of significance; aesthetic impact of degradation. Water pollution From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Raw sewage and industrial waste in the New River as it passes from Mexicali to Calexico, California. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e. g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater).Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water. In almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but also to the natural biological communities. * 1 Introduction * 2 Categories * 2. 1 Point sources * 2. 2 Nonpoint sources * 3 Groundwater pollution * 4 Causes * 4. 1 Pathogens * 4. 2 Chemical and other contaminants * 4. 3 Thermal pollution * 5 Transport and chemical reactions of water pollutants * 6 Measurement * 6. 1 Sampling * 6. 2 Physical testing * 6. Chemical testing * 6. 4 Biological test ing * 7 Control of pollution * 7. 1 Domestic sewage * 7. 2 Industrial wastewater * 7. 3 Agricultural wastewater * 7. 4 Construction site stormwater * 7. 5 Urban runoff (stormwater) * 8 See also * 9 References * 10 External links| Introduction Millions depend on the polluted Ganges river Water pollution is a major global problem which requires ongoing evaluation and revision of water resource policy at all levels (international down to individual aquifers and wells).It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases,[1][2] and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily. 2] An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children die of diarrheal sickness every day. [3] Some 90% of China's cities suffer from some degree of water pollution,[4] and nearly 500 million people lack access to safe drinking water. [5] In addition to the acute problems of water pollution in developing countries, develo ped countries continue to struggle with pollution problems as well. In the most recent national report on water quality in the United States, 45 percent of assessed stream miles, 47 percent of assessed lake acres, and 32 percent of assessed bays and estuarine square miles were classified as polluted. 6]Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants and either does not support a human use, such as drinking water, and/or undergoes a marked shift in its ability to support its constituent biotic communities, such as fish. Natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae blooms, storms, and earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water. Categories Surface water and groundwater have often been studied and managed as separate resources, although they are interrelated. [7] Surface water seeps through the soil and becomes groundwater. Conversely, groundwater can also feed surface water sources. Sources of surf ace water pollution are generally grouped into two categories based on their origin. Point sourcesPoint source pollution – Shipyard – Rio de Janeiro. Point source water pollution refers to contaminants that enter a waterway from a single, identifiable source, such as a pipe or ditch. Examples of sources in this category include discharges from a sewage treatment plant, a factory, or a city storm drain. The U. S. Clean Water Act (CWA) defines point source for regulatory enforcement purposes. [8] The CWA definition of point source was amended in 1987 to include municipal storm sewer systems, as well as industrial stormwater, such as from construction sites. [9] Nonpoint sources Nonpoint source pollution refers to diffuse contamination that does not originate from a single discrete source.NPS pollution is often the cumulative effect of small amounts of contaminants gathered from a large area. A common example is the leaching out of nitrogen compounds from fertilized agric ultural lands. Nutrient runoff in stormwater from â€Å"sheet flow† over an agricultural field or a forest are also cited as examples of NPS pollution. Contaminated storm water washed off of parking lots, roads and highways, called urban runoff, is sometimes included under the category of NPS pollution. However, this runoff is typically channeled into storm drain systems and discharged through pipes to local surface waters, and is a point source. Groundwater pollution See also: Hydrogeology Interactions between groundwater and surface water are complex.Consequently, groundwater pollution, sometimes referred to as groundwater contamination, is not as easily classified as surface water pollution. [7] By its very nature, groundwater aquifers are susceptible to contamination from sources that may not directly affect surface water bodies, and the distinction of point vs. non-point source may be irrelevant. A spill or ongoing releases of chemical or radionuclide contaminants into s oil (located away from a surface water body) may not create point source or non-point source pollution, but can contaminate the aquifer below, defined as a toxin plume. The movement of the plume, called a plume front, may be analyzed through a hydrological transport model or groundwater model.Analysis of groundwater contamination may focus on the soil characteristics and site geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, and the nature of the contaminants. Causes The specific contaminants leading to pollution in water include a wide spectrum of chemicals, pathogens, and physical or sensory changes such as elevated temperature and discoloration. While many of the chemicals and substances that are regulated may be naturally occurring (calcium, sodium, iron, manganese, etc. ) the concentration is often the key in determining what is a natural component of water, and what is a contaminant. High concentrations of naturally occurring substances can have negative impacts on aquatic flora and fauna.Oxy gen-depleting substances may be natural materials, such as plant matter (e. g. leaves and grass) as well as man-made chemicals. Other natural and anthropogenic substances may cause turbidity (cloudiness) which blocks light and disrupts plant growth, and clogs the gills of some fish species. [10] Many of the chemical substances are toxic. Pathogens can produce waterborne diseases in either human or animal hosts. [11] Alteration of water's physical chemistry includes acidity (change in pH), electrical conductivity, temperature, and eutrophication. Eutrophication is an increase in the concentration of chemical nutrients in an ecosystem to an extent that increases in the primary productivity of the ecosystem.Depending on the degree of eutrophication, subsequent negative environmental effects such as anoxia (oxygen depletion) and severe reductions in water quality may occur, affecting fish and other animal populations. Pathogens A manhole cover unable to contain a sanitary sewer overflow . Coliform bacteria are a commonly used bacterial indicator of water pollution, although not an actual cause of disease. Other microorganisms sometimes found in surface waters which have caused human health problems include: * Burkholderia pseudomallei * Cryptosporidium parvum * Giardia lamblia * Salmonella * Novovirus and other viruses * Parasitic worms (helminths). [12][13] High levels of pathogens may result from inadequately treated sewage discharges. 14]This can be caused by a sewage plant designed with less than secondary treatment (more typical in less-developed countries). In developed countries, older cities with aging infrastructure may have leaky sewage collection systems (pipes, pumps, valves), which can cause sanitary sewer overflows. Some cities also have combined sewers, which may discharge untreated sewage during rain storms. [15] Pathogen discharges may also be caused by poorly managed livestock operations. Chemical and other contaminants Muddy river polluted by sed iment. Photo courtesy of United States Geological Survey. Contaminants may include organic and inorganic substances. Organic water pollutants include:* Detergents Disinfection by-products found in chemically disinfected drinking water, such as chloroform * Food processing waste, which can include oxygen-demanding substances, fats and grease * Insecticides and herbicides, a huge range of organohalides and other chemical compounds * Petroleum hydrocarbons, including fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuels, and fuel oil) and lubricants (motor oil), and fuel combustion byproducts, from stormwater runoff[16] * Tree and bush debris from logging operations * Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as industrial solvents, from improper storage. * Chlorinated solvents, which are dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), may fall to the bottom of reservoirs, since they don't mix well with water and are denser. * Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) * Trichloroethylene * Perchlorate * Various chemi cal compounds found in personal hygiene and cosmetic products.A garbage collection boom in an urban-area stream in Auckland, New Zealand. Inorganic water pollutants include: * Acidity caused by industrial discharges (especially sulfur dioxide from power plants) * Ammonia from food processing waste * Chemical waste as industrial by-products * Fertilizers containing nutrients–nitrates and phosphates—which are found in stormwater runoff from agriculture, as well as commercial and residential use[16] * Heavy metals from motor vehicles (via urban stormwater runoff)[16][17] and acid mine drainage * Silt (sediment) in runoff from construction sites, logging, slash and burn practices or land clearing sites. Macroscopic Pollution in Parks Milwaukee, WIMacroscopic pollution—large visible items polluting the water—may be termed â€Å"floatables† in an urban stormwater context, or marine debris when found on the open seas, and can include such items as: * Tras h or garbage (e. g. paper, plastic, or food waste) discarded by people on the ground, along with accidental or intentional dumping of rubbish, that are washed by rainfall into storm drains and eventually discharged into surface waters * Nurdles, small ubiquitous waterborne plastic pellets * Shipwrecks, large derelict ships. Thermal pollution Main article: Thermal pollution Thermal pollution is the rise or fall in the temperature of a natural body of water caused by human influence.Thermal pollution, unlike chemical pollution, results in a change in the physical properties of water. A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers. Elevated water temperatures decreases oxygen levels (which can kill fish) and affects ecosystem composition, such as invasion by new thermophilic species. Urban runoff may also elevate temperature in surface waters. Thermal pollution can also be caused by the release of very cold water from t he base of reservoirs into warmer rivers. Transport and chemical reactions of water pollutants See also: Marine pollution Most water pollutants are eventually carried by rivers into the oceans.In some areas of the world the influence can be traced hundred miles from the mouth by studies using hydrology transport models. Advanced computer models such as SWMM or the DSSAM Model have been used in many locations worldwide to examine the fate of pollutants in aquatic systems. Indicator filter feeding species such as copepods have also been used to study pollutant fates in the New York Bight, for example. The highest toxin loads are not directly at the mouth of the Hudson River, but 100 kilometers south, since several days are required for incorporation into planktonic tissue. The Hudson discharge flows south along the coast due to coriolis force.Further south then are areas of oxygen depletion, caused by chemicals using up oxygen and by algae blooms, caused by excess nutrients from algal cell death and decomposition. Fish and shellfish kills have been reported, because toxins climb the food chain after small fish consume copepods, then large fish eat smaller fish, etc. Each successive step up the food chain causes a stepwise concentration of pollutants such as heavy metals (e. g. mercury) and persistent organic pollutants such as DDT. This is known as biomagnification, which is occasionally used interchangeably with bioaccumulation. A polluted river draining an abandoned copper mine on Anglesey Large gyres (vortexes) in the oceans trap floating plastic debris.The North Pacific Gyre for example has collected the so-called â€Å"Great Pacific Garbage Patch† that is now estimated at 100 times the size of Texas. Many of these long-lasting pieces wind up in the stomachs of marine birds and animals. This results in obstruction of digestive pathways which leads to reduced appetite or even starvation. Many chemicals undergo reactive decay or chemically change especi ally over long periods of time in groundwater reservoirs. A noteworthy class of such chemicals is the chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene (used in industrial metal degreasing and electronics manufacturing) and tetrachloroethylene used in the dry cleaning industry (note latest advances in liquid carbon dioxide in dry cleaning that avoids all use of chemicals).Both of these chemicals, which are carcinogens themselves, undergo partial decomposition reactions, leading to new hazardous chemicals (including dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride). Groundwater pollution is much more difficult to abate than surface pollution because groundwater can move great distances through unseen aquifers. Non-porous aquifers such as clays partially purify water of bacteria by simple filtration (adsorption and absorption), dilution, and, in some cases, chemical reactions and biological activity: however, in some cases, the pollutants merely transform to soil contaminants. Groundwater that mo ves through cracks and caverns is not filtered and can be transported as easily as surface water.In fact, this can be aggravated by the human tendency to use natural sinkholes as dumps in areas of Karst topography. There are a variety of secondary effects stemming not from the original pollutant, but a derivative condition. An example is silt-bearing surface runoff, which can inhibit the penetration of sunlight through the water column, hampering photosynthesis in aquatic plants. Water pollution may be analyzed through several broad categories of methods: physical, chemical and biological. Most involve collection of samples, followed by specialized analytical tests. Some methods may be conducted in situ, without sampling, such as temperature.Government agencies and research organizations have published standardized, validated analytical test methods to facilitate the comparability of results from disparate testing events. [18] Sampling Sampling of water for physical or chemical test ing can be done by several methods, depending on the accuracy needed and the characteristics of the contaminant. Many contamination events are sharply restricted in time, most commonly in association with rain events. For this reason â€Å"grab† samples are often inadequate for fully quantifying contaminant levels. Scientists gathering this type of data often employ auto-sampler devices that pump increments of water at either time or discharge intervals.Sampling for biological testing involves collection of plants and/or animals from the surface water body. Depending on the type of assessment, the organisms may be identified for biosurveys (population counts) and returned to the water body, or they may be dissected for bioassays to determine toxicity. Further information: Water quality#Sampling and Measurement Physical testing Common physical tests of water include temperature, solids concentrations (e. g. , total suspended solids (TSS)) and turbidity. Chemical testing See al so: water chemistry analysis and environmental chemistry Water samples may be examined using the principles of analytical chemistry. Many published test methods are available for both organic and inorganic compounds.Frequently used methods include pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD),[19]:102 chemical oxygen demand (COD),[19]:104 nutrients (nitrate and phosphorus compounds), metals (including copper, zinc, cadmium, lead and mercury), oil and grease, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and pesticides. Biological testing Main article: Bioindicator Biological testing involves the use of plant, animal, and/or microbial indicators to monitor the health of an aquatic ecosystem. Control of pollution Domestic sewage Main article: Sewage treatment Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant serving Boston, Massachusetts and vicinity. Domestic sewage is 99. 9 percent pure water, while the other 0. 1 percent are pollutants.Although found in low concentrations, these pollutants pose risk on a large scale. [20] In urban areas, domestic sewage is typically treated by centralized sewage treatment plants. In the U. S. , most of these plants are operated by local government agencies, frequently referred to as publicly owned treatment works (POTW). Municipal treatment plants are designed to control conventional pollutants: BOD and suspended solids. Well-designed and operated systems (i. e. , secondary treatment or better) can remove 90 percent or more of these pollutants. Some plants have additional sub-systems to treat nutrients and pathogens. Most municipal plants are not designed to treat toxic pollutants found in industrial wastewater. 21]Cities with sanitary sewer overflows or combined sewer overflows employ one or more engineering approaches to reduce discharges of untreated sewage, including: * utilizing a green infrastructure approach to improve stormwater management capacity throughout the system, and reduce the hydraulic overloading of the treatment plant[22] * repair and replacement of leaking and malfunctioning equipment[15] * increasing overall hydraulic capacity of the sewage collection system (often a very expensive option). A household or business not served by a municipal treatment plant may have an individual septic tank, which treats the wastewater on site and discharges into the soil.Alternatively, domestic wastewater may be sent to a nearby privately owned treatment system (e. g. in a rural community). Some industrial facilities generate ordinary domestic sewage that can be treated by municipal facilities. Industries that generate wastewater with high concentrations of conventional pollutants (e. g. oil and grease), toxic pollutants (e. g. heavy metals, volatile organic compounds) or other nonconventional pollutants such as ammonia, need specialized treatment systems. Some of these facilities can install a pre-treatment system to remove the toxic components, and then send the partially treated wastewater to the municipal system.Industries generating large volumes of wastewater typically operate their own complete on-site treatment systems. Some industries have been successful at redesigning their manufacturing processes to reduce or eliminate pollutants, through a process called pollution prevention. Heated water generated by power plants or manufacturing plants may be controlled with: * cooling ponds, man-made bodies of water designed for cooling by evaporation, convection, and radiation * cooling towers, which transfer waste heat to the atmosphere through evaporation and/or heat transfer * cogeneration, a process where waste heat is recycled for domestic and/or industrial heating purposes. [23] Agricultural wastewaterMain article: Agricultural wastewater treatment Riparian buffer lining a creek in Iowa Nonpoint source controls Sediment (loose soil) washed off fields is the largest source of agricultural pollution in the United States. [10] Farmers may utilize erosion controls to reduce runoff flows and retain soil on their fields. Common techniques include contour plowing, crop mulching, crop rotation, planting perennial crops and installing riparian buffers. [24][25]:pp. 4-95–4-96 Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) are typically applied to farmland as commercial fertilizer; animal manure; or spraying of municipal or industrial wastewater (effluent) or sludge.Nutrients may also enter runoff from crop residues, irrigation water, wildlife, and atmospheric deposition. [25]:p. 2-9 Farmers can develop and implement nutrient management plans to reduce excess application of nutrients. [24][25]:pp. 4-37–4-38 To minimize pesticide impacts, farmers may use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques (which can include biological pest control) to maintain control over pests, reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, and protect water quality. [26] Feedlot in the United States Point source wastewater treatment Farms with large livestock and poultry operations, such as factory farms, are call ed concentrated animal feeding operations or feedlots in the US and are being subject to increasing government regulation. 27][28] Animal slurries are usually treated by containment in anaerobic lagoons before disposal by spray or trickle application to grassland.Constructed wetlands are sometimes used to facilitate treatment of animal wastes. Some animal slurries are treated by mixing with straw and composted at high temperature to produce a bacteriologically sterile and friable manure for soil improvement. Construction site stormwater Silt fence installed on a construction site. Sediment from construction sites is managed by installation of: * erosion controls, such as mulching and hydroseeding, and * sediment controls, such as sediment basins and silt fences. [29] Discharge of toxic chemicals such as motor fuels and concrete washout is prevented by use of: * spill prevention and control plans, and specially designed containers (e. g. for concrete washout) and structures such as o verflow controls and diversion berms. [30] Urban runoff (stormwater) Main article: Urban runoff See also: Green infrastructure Retention basin for controlling urban runoff Effective control of urban runoff involves reducing the velocity and flow of stormwater, as well as reducing pollutant discharges. Local governments use a variety of stormwater management techniques to reduce the effects of urban runoff.These techniques, called best management practices (BMPs) in the U. S. , may focus on water quantity control, while others focus on improving water quality, and some perform both functions. 31] Pollution prevention practices include low-impact development techniques, installation of green roofs and improved chemical handling (e. g. management of motor fuels & oil, fertilizers and pesticides). [32] Runoff mitigation systems include infiltration basins, bioretention systems, constructed wetlands, retention basins and similar devices. [33][34] Thermal pollution from runoff can be cont rolled by stormwater management facilities that absorb the runoff or direct it into groundwater, such as bioretention systems and infiltration basins. Retention basins tend to be less effective at reducing temperature, as the water may be heated by the sun before being discharged to a receiving stream. [31]:p. 5-58 *

Hrm: Procter & Gamble

Human resource management is a vital part to any business striving to be successful in the world. Every business has a way that they like their business to be ran. Human Resource management is the â€Å"policies, practices, and systems that influence employee’s behavior, attitudes, and performance. † Without human resource management many companies would simply not be able to function correctly. Human resource management deals with every practical part that has to do with people in general. It depends on the employees of a company to want their company to be a success.It is always a team effort to make sure everything is right and acceptable. This paper explores the different aspects of human resource in a company. It details the relationship between human resource strategies and business strategies. It shows specific strategies that will benefit a company’s overall objective. The strategic partner is discussed greatly in the paper. The paper discusses the situat ion where the strategic manager reports to the CEO or in some cases where it does not. Procter and Gamble is the company that will be discussed in regards to its business and human resource strategies.There are key competencies that the strategic manager must follow to assess what is needed to develop programs for a company. The career path for a senior executive is also discussed. | The human resource department of a company usually formulates more than one strategy. They all come together for one purpose and that is the success of the company. In order to advance to an actual strategy a company’s human resource department must go through many steps devising. A company’s human resource strategy usually consists of many things such as, what the company, employees, and sometimes their customers need.The relationship between human resource strategies and business strategies aids in the outcome of the company’s goals. One of the main goals of human resource managem ent is to make sure that the company’s human resource provides a competitive advantage over other companies. There are many problems that exists that cause human resource management to choose other routes for the company. The strategies the company chooses can be â€Å"the specific adjustments and actions taken to deal with a particular situation. † That is the reason there is always more than one strategy in business. For every problem, a new solution is needed to solve it.The human resource strategy and business strategy go hand and hand. Human resource typically is what helps the company’s business strategy to come together. The human resource department decides on recruitment, compensation, recruiting, training and development and also evaluating performance. Human resource has to make sure the company is competitive in relation to other companies in their spectrum. â€Å"Competitiveness is related to company effectiveness, â€Å"which means that a company must make sure that all people involved with their company are satisfied and receiving what they expect.Important people include stockholders, customers and employees. Stockholders generally expect to receive a return on their investment that they have purchased from the company. If the company cannot pay out stockholders then this must mean that the company is not making money. The customers expect a product of high quality or service just as good. People set high standards on products and services that they like. If they are not satisfied then the company has not succeeded in this. Without competition companies would probably never make the maximum profit that they are able to make.Competitiveness aids in helping a company go over and above the standard of what is expected. Human resource helps with this. All aspects of the company rely on the human resource strategy. Every company has a business strategy that they go by. What the company wants to focus on to be successful typica lly maps out their business strategy. The business strategies are usually the base of a successful business. The business strategies usually answer many questions about the company and what their expectations are for the long run.The long-term view of the company, the markets they want to pursue, what resources they need, and the main point they think about is whether they will be able to keep up and compete. The strategy a business chooses is what makes the company know how they will function. Choosing a strategy is not the end to the process, the company still has to figure out how they will apply it to the company’s way of functioning. Strategy has to be thought about on a level of what the company can do regarding the internal and external environment.The business strategy has to be able to work with both internal and external activity to be successful. Without a successful internal, there is no way the company can excel at the level that they wish to. The company uses it ’s mission, goals, external and internal analysis to reach their business strategy. The relationships between human resource strategy and business strategy have reason together. They both go hand and hand with one another. People have to believe in a strategy and this requires that leaders create the right environment for the change to occur and for believing that it can.All human resource strategies are implemented with the business strategy in mind. Human resource strategies usually provide support for the business strategy. The human resource strategies and business strategies must be aligned. The aligning of the two strategies is important because it helps the company to execute its business strategy. A company’s business strategy needs certain things from human resource. The human resource strategy must be able to complete its goals to the company by providing employees that are needed to carry out the business strategy.The human resource strategy has many feature s that aid in the future success of the business strategy. Human resource has a major influence on business strategy. A successful business depends on how well the human resource strategy is implemented to aid in the business strategy. The Procter and Gamble Company, is one of the largest packaged consumer goods company in the world. Procter and Gamble is responding creatively and competitively with branded products and services that enhance firm’s performance and their consumer’s satisfaction.Two men, William Gamble and John Procter, founded Procter and Gamble. Procter and Gamble strives to provide products and services of the best quality. Their products must be of the best standards. They strive to offer products that will take them over the competition by the customers. Procter and Gamble has come a long way from where it started in 1837. The company employs over 98,000 people and they operate in over 140 countries. Procter and Gamble first started its production b y working out of a storeroom. The business began during nationwide panic and depression.But the struggling young firm survived. Cincinnati proved a sound business base because as a meat packing center, it offered plenty of fat and oil for soap and candle making. Procter and Gamble’s profit is more than some countries GDP. They produce many products from soap to baby diapers. They are a company that many people depend on. Procter and Gamble is a company that focuses on sense and value. Procter and Gamble has a strategy of touching and improving more consumers’ lives in more parts of the world. One of Procter and Gamble’s biggest functions is the idea of innovation.Procter and Gamble are known around the world for its innovation of its products. The success of Procter and Gamble comes from the company not being afraid to take risks. They have ventured and tried many products un-related to what products they began with. Procter and Gamble owns over 300 brands. Proc ter and Gamble has prospered by organizing around customer driven innovation. Procter and Gamble works by trying to increase how much earning per share of their company is a year. It usually starts at 4% to 6% but by the end of the year it has grown a couple of percents.This helps to show the company that they are making a profit because of the increases. Procter and Gamble work to connect with the consumer and customer. The innovation of product depends on the customer’s first experience. If they enjoy it, then Procter and Gamble have found a new loyal user. The innovation strategy is a great way for the company to achieve its overall goals. If the innovation is a success than the company has a new product that consumers and customers can get. It provides satisfaction to customers, helps with the company’s profit, and would essentially be a positive thing for the company.Procter and Gamble is a company that focuses on the good of the environment and people. There are different human resource strategies that can influence Proctor and Gamble’s ability to achieve its objective. A type of human resource strategy that provides certain compensation for workers who achieve goals for that the company has set would be effective for the company. Employees would work harder to get money when there is an essential benefit to what they are doing extra for the company. It sort of challenges the employees to work over and above what they are expected by the company.Another, type of human resource strategy would be the type of recruiting the human resource department chooses. The human resource department must recruit in places where the best people are. A company wants the best and most knowledgeable workers they can get to achieve objective. A third human resource strategy could be related to benefits to customers. Any person would love to work in that offer the best benefits for both short and long term.. With this strategy, human resource would conce ntrate on helping their employees. There could be many different type of programs implemented to help employees with any need they have.There are different strategies that human resource could use to obtain a company’s objective. They all must come together for the positive influence of the company. The human resource management side of an organization is important for a business. The human resource department reports to the chief executive officer or CEO as a strategic partner. The chief executive officer expects a lot from human resource. Communication is a key for the business to rely important information to higher levels of the business. The strategic partner is the person that aligns human resource management strategies to business strategies.They would typically be the person that reports all information about human resource to the chief executive officer. By reporting to the CEO, the strategic partner is building a relationship between the two. The report the strategi c partner shares with the CEO is translating the human resource case into a definite plan. The role of strategic partner gives direct contact with the CEO. Human resource has the opportunity to more opinion of the expectations and challenges a company faces with direct contact with the CEO. Being a strategic partner provides the human resource department with more input in company decision.The consequences that a company might face because of the human resource not reporting to CEO could be minor or major. Depending on the company, the human resource aspect of the company not reporting to the CEO directly might cause a problem because of the lack of communication. The CEO is the person who is a top power of the company. When the human resource reports as strategic manager is shows the human resource department more about the company. They have more inside view of the company’s needs for future planning of human resource.The CEO’S opinion matters greatly when it comes t o human resource and their decision. All businesses must work as a team in order to achieve their overall objectives. As stated earlier, the human resource strategy and business strategy work together. Therefore without the reporting to the CEO there might be miscommunication between what is expected from both departments. The strategic partner provides good opinions to the CEO on behalf of the human resource department. Without this connection between the strategic partner and CEO, the company might lose out on vital information needed to make it better.All employees should work together for the greater good of the company. A human resource executive must know the key competencies of business in order to develop appropriate programs for the company. There are four main competencies a human resource executive must be aware of. The first is the business competence. This is knowing all about the company. The human resource executive must be aware of the company’s financial capa bilities. The business competence helps in making decisions that helps support the company’s strategic plan. This competence also deals with both monetary and nonmonetary business.The human resource executive must make decisions based on the amount of money available but also make decisions about other issues that do not require money. The next competence would be the professional and technical knowledge aspect of business. The human resource executive should know everything that regards to human resource management practices. They need to know everything and keep up with new programs and plans being applied to human resource departments. The human resource executive must be able to know what new programs can be used to benefit the company.The human resource executive also must be equipped in the ability to change. The HR executive must keep up with any change in the company. One minor change within the company’s strategy causes every department to change in a way. Cha nges might cause problems for departments. The human resource executive must be able to oversee these problems and choose the most efficient way to solve. The final thing the human resource executive must know is the integration competence. The human resource executive must be able to bring together all the competence to ensure the company’s value is up.All parts of the company’s human resource should work together to ensure the goal they are seeking to meet. With the knowing the different competencies for human resource, the executive should be able to develop different risk management programs for the company. The human resource executive should be very knowledgeable about the company and the external environment in order to assess what is needed. There are many jobs available in the field of human resource management with many different salary ranges. Of course, the top paying human resource job ould be senior human resource executive. A college degree and postgradu ate work are what most workers of the human resource profession have. Many companies train beginning human resource workers by letting them work in different departments of the business. When they eventually move up in the HR department they have a sense of how the business is ran. The path to being a senior human resource executive comes with time and experience. A person must always start at the bottom and make their way to the top. There are many HR jobs available with different specialization.A person must climb the corporate ladder in order to become a senior HR executive.References Anonymous. â€Å"Strategic HR Review. † Chicago: Jan/Feb 2005. Vol. 4, Iss. 2; pg. 6, 1 pgs. Bates, Steve. â€Å"FACING the future. † HRMagazine 47. 7 (2002): 26. Business Source Elite. EBSCO. Web. 28 Apr. 2010 Berger, Lance A. â€Å"Anatomy of a successful HR executive. † HR Focus 75. 3 (1998): 11. Business Source Elite. EBSCO. Web. 28. Apr. 2010. Harrington, Siam. â€Å"Human Resources. † London: Apr 2007. Pg. 25, 2 pgs. Leonard, Bill. â€Å"What Do HR Executives Want from CEOs? †. HRMagazine 43. 13 (1998): 92. Business Source Elite. EBSCO. Web. 28 Apr. 2010. Noe, Raymond. , Hollenbeck, John. , Gerhart, Barry. , Wright, Patrick. Human Resource Mangement: Gaining a competitive advantage. 5th edition Saporito, Bill. â€Å"Making P & G New and Improved. † Time International (South Pacific Edition) 16 (2008): 53. Business Source Elite. EBSCO. Web. 27. Apr. 2010. Strategy, Goals & Progress. Procter & Gamble. www. PG. COM (26. Apr. 2001) â€Å"What CEOs Want From HR. † HR Focus 79. 9 (2002): 1. Business Source Elite. EBSCO. Web. 28 Apr. 2010.

Creating Shared Value Essay

The following is an essay of the article â€Å"Creating Shared Value† by Michael E. Porter and Mark R. Kramer. The purpose of this article is about recreating capitalism. Companies only cared about profit maximization. This article discusses how businesses have separated themselves from social progress. The company’s focus in participation in creating shared value should be on health, nutrition and fair trade. According to Porter & Kramer (2011) â€Å"Capitalism as an unparalleled vehicle for meeting human needs, improving efficiency, creating jobs and building wealth†. Companies have been acting for themselves and not the society as a whole. Companies must reverse this and not just act on profit, but create a shared value. According to Porter & Kramer (2011) â€Å"The concept of shared value can be defined as policies and operating practices that enhance the competitiveness of a company while simultaneously advancing the economic and social conditions in the communities in which it operates.† Shared value is increasing the connection between the societal and economic progress. There are several issues this article addresses such companies growing at the expense of the community. Companies are living in the past on how to apply the shared value of creation approach. Companies are depleting natural resources, relocating overseas for cheaper labor and putting stress on the communities in which they are located. Businesses have separated business and society and must find a way to combine the two back together. Shared value is intertwining with the company’s success and the community’s success. The company has prospered at the expense of the community. Companies can create shared value by meeting the needs of the society by improving existing markets and creating markets that meet the needs of the society. Companies can also create supportive clusters where the company is located. By using shared values it will reconnect the company’s success with the improving the society (Porter & Kramer, 2011). The largest society needs that are not met in the global economy are health, housing, nutrition, help for elders, financial security and environmental damages. Companies are beginning to use shared value to reconnect them with the society. Wal-Mart reduced their packaging and rerouted their trucks which in turn lowered carbon emissions and saved Wal-Mart $200 million in costs. Coca-Cola and Dow Chemical have reduced their water consumption, which has resulted in less water and decrease our natural resources. Companies have cut wages, reduced benefits and moved their companies overseas for lower wage costs. These cuts result in lower productivity. Johnson & Johnson helped employees stop smoking and started other health wellness programs, which in turn has saved the company $250 million in health care costs. Reference: Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2011). Creating shared value. Harvard Business Review, 89(1/2), 62–77. McConnell, C.R., Brue, S.L., & Flynn, S. M. (2012). Economics (19th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Challenges and Issues for Nurses While Caring for Patients Assignment

Challenges and Issues for Nurses While Caring for Patients - Assignment Example Keywords: Nurses, End-of-life care, hospital mismanagement, obstacles Death is a grim reality, an undeniable fact, one which no one can escape. For decades nurses have been taking care of dying patients and their families, most of the time this happens in critical care setting. The role of nurses during the end of life period is a sacred one. It is the period in which it is expected that death is imminent and it cannot be avoided by using any intensive or life extending therapy (Kinoshita & Miyashita, 2011). The care provided during this period is known as end of life care, abbreviated as EOLC. The significance of EOLC is increasing and it is now becoming a subspecialty considering that 27% of deaths have occurred in ICU and of the deaths which occurred in hospital setting 42% of patients were in a specialty unit for the last three days (Bach, Ploeg & Black, 2009). For nurses a good death will be free of pain, will include comfort and respect for the patient and will allow the family to conduct their EOL rituals. In accordance with this the goal of EOLC is to offer support, consideration and attention to patients and their respective families during this period where one is in the last phase of his terminal illness (Doolen & York, 2007). Caring for dying patients is never easy which makes this job one of the most stressful ones. In addition to this nurses are facing a number of challenges and obstacles in providing the best possible care. There are a number of different barriers which are mentioned in various research articles. Crump, Schaffer & Schulte (2010) have identified lack of proper communication, insufficient staff and unfavorable treatment decision as obstacles (2010). However Doolen & York (2007) believe that cultural differences are the main issues which are causing problems in EOLC. This essay is written in order to identify and discuss these issues and challenges affecting the EOLC and see if they can be solved in order to help the nurses in their profession. It is very important to understand the role which culture plays in a health facility. Before this one must understand the concept of culture. Culture comprises of knowledge, ideals, beliefs, conscience, morals, habits, characteristics, perceptions and behavior of a particular society (Lewis, Heitkemper & Dirksen, 2004). Today many of the developed countries have cultural diversity. In accordance with this the nursing staff should also have had a similar diversity which unfortunately is not the case. According to Doolen & York (2007) cultural challenges have three significant elements which need to be considered. These elements include communication regarding the disease, family consultations and approaches regarding the different life extending therapies and advance directives. This can be seen in Korea where it is believed that one shouldn’t discuss death because talking openly about the death will not only bring sadness to the patient but will accelerate the dy ing process (Valente & Haley, 2007). In addition to this people belonging to the Filipino culture believe that if terms related to death are spoken loudly they will interfere with the natural process of healing and will result in death. On the other hand some cultures have beliefs which state that the decisions regarding EOLC are to be only shared with the family members and not with the patient itself in order to protect him from this burden while others have a belief

Bibliography on The Last Samurai Annotated Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

On The Last Samurai - Annotated Bibliography Example The book on The Last Samurai written by Ravina, an expert in Japanese History and an Associate Professor of History at Emory University, centers on the life and the battles fought by Saigo Takamori. The book describes the entire phase from the moderate origins of Saigo and his development to the stage of a deprived samurai. Then his eventual rise to powerful position as a national leader. Finally it shows how events unfold to bring on his death as a leader who died in rebellion. This book has been the base for the movie centering on Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. Saigo’s significance has been revealed here especially in the context of the Meiji rule. He was the first to overthrow the feudal dominion and build the Meiji base in Japan. His battle was a fight to preserve the honor of a samurai and his consequent loyalty and service to the society. Hence he was against the idea of centralized country. The book gives an elaborate account of his deeds and his contribution, which turne d him into a folk hero, and gradually compelled the government to raise him to the position of national martyrdom. The spirit of the samurai captured here has given the inspiration to the movie and hence becomes useful to the paper.The book written by Turnbull, a historian specializing in the history of the samurai gives a clear account of the Satsuma rebellion with respect to the honor of the sword of the samurai. The author’s knowledge in military history has helped him frame the revolt with a cause to support it. He did not agree to the reforms led by the government and revolted with his army to preserve the pride of the samurai. The book contains quotes and opinions of experts and historians apart from reporters. The leader carried out several organizations and built schools in euphemistic style named as â€Å"Private Schools† the academics were rendered in military style training such that a private army could be formed. The students had to take an oath in blood t o be loyal to the purpose and this alarmed the Meiji government. These movements and tactics of the plan are interesting to note and compare to the movie with respect to its adherence to the facts. 3. Logan, John, Herskovitz, Marshall, Zwick, Edward and David James. The Last Samurai. Time Inc Home Entertainment, 2003 The book contains some parts of the script on which the Last Samurai is based and the making of the movie in general including some stills and comments form the acting team and director. The contributors to the book are all a part of the moviemakers’

Case plan scenario Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Case plan scenario - Essay Example This is the basis of this case plan. The purpose of the plan is to move the client to the point where they recognize the need to change their unhealthy eating and drinking habits for their benefit. One of the best ways of treating lifestyle diseases is for the patient to abandon their unhealthy way of life that led to or worsens the effects of the diseases. In the case of the patient that is the subject of this plan, it was established that their lifestyle disease is attributable to their eating fatty, junk foods and heavy drinking. When advised to quit that lifestyle in favour of a healthy one, they protested bitterly to the point of claiming that they rather die and stop eating junk food and drinking. Two possibilities arise. Either the patient does not understand and appreciate the contribution of their lifestyle to their disease or they do, but there are certain forces that drive them to refuse to cooperate with the dietician. Either way, the task ahead is to get the patient to cooperate with the dietician for the sake of their health. However, the patient has made it clear that they will not cooperate with the dietician. Thus, it may be necessary to enlist the help of a third party. Arguably, this is the best and first third party to approach the patient’s immediate family, if they had one. The fact that the client leaves alone further complicates the situation. Functional families are known to offer the highest moral, emotional, psychological and other forms of support in difficult moments such as when a member of the family suffers from a life-threatening disease or condition. The effective treatment of a lifestyle disease or any other disease takes the joint effort of both the patient and the health practitioner (Malcher, 2009). Otherwise, left to one party, the process of administering treatment is an exercise in futility. Suppose a patient visits a

South Africas Native Population Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

South Africas Native Population - Essay Example Eventually, South Africa's native population took over and the dominant group is no longer the white minority in that country. A dominant group is defined by who holds economic, political, social, or coercive power over the minority. b. A minority group is defined as the group that is dominated by the dominant group. Again, in South Africa, the minority groups were 90% of the population while the dominant group was only 10% of the overall population. The dominant group has the power over the minority group despite the numbers of either group. In South Africa, 10% of the population held the power over 90% of the population. C. Racial categories are considered social because they are a division of people based upon appearance only. Before genetics race was considered proof that there was a significant difference between peoples. Genetics proved that despite outward differences in appearance all people were part of one genetic race. Differences in appearance are the outward adaptation to climate or region. Racial categories are still used to divide peoples and those who hold prejudices against others base their prejudices upon the assumption that one racial make up is inferior to another. Again, genetics does not support this belief. Another reason race is a social issue is because it is easy to point to someone and point out their differences. Most often race is an issue for the dominant group and is defined by the dominant group. d. The main difference between race and ethnicity is that race is defined by the dominant group whereas ethnicity is self defined. Ethnicity can be defined by language, cultural activities, and religion. Sometimes ethnicity is defined by physical characteristics such as clothing or modesty. Ethnic groups located in the United States include Hispanics, American Indians, Jews, African Americans, and white Americans. Ethnicity can be identified by how people celebrate (Christmas for example.) and how people mourn their dead. Many African Americans share a common desire for foods that have been passed down from one generation to another. These include fried chicken and collard greens. Many Mexican Americans still prefer Mexican fare such as tortillas and refried beans. And, as more and more cultures assimilate in the United States the identification as American can include foods considered 'American' such as hot dogs and apple pie. Question 2 Three social paradigms exist. Each paradigm describes human behavior and society. Social scientists use social paradigms to explain their viewpoints about what is happening in society and why. Paradigms describe only and cannot be enacted or made to happen. Figure 1 (Fox Valley Technical College 2000) a. The Conflict Paradigm The social conflict paradigm is characterized by conflict and inequality. It is a paradigm that seeks to answer such questions as what are the social inequalities, where does the conflict exist, and are their winners or losers The conflict paradigm asserts that society is made up of everyday interactions. The best way to think of it is as a society of 'haves' and 'have-nots'. For example, when driving along the highway you can almost bet on what the income level or socioeconomic class a person is in by looking at the car they drive.  

Improving University of Bridgeport Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Improving University of Bridgeport - Essay Example This causes me to be late for classes and I have had to miss a few tests in the process as I was locked out. This has been a problem for a while and I have asked for help in this regard but to no avail. As I drive a long distance, I am forced to set aside time to find parking space. I have had to face ticketing problems with police especially as there are sometimes no parking rules during emergencies. This makes it necessary for me to leave much earlier than I would have to if there was an adequate parking area. Many of my classes begin as early as 7.30 a.m. and hence I need to leave very early in order to make it in time. I think if the University can allot adequate designated parking areas for students it would make life much easier for students like me. Another problem I frequently face is that I do not get enough computer time for my research activities. There are always students waiting to find a free computer in the library, and a long wait for a computer terminal to get free is inevitable on most days. As mentioned before I do not live on campus and hence need to leave at reasonable hours. If the number of computers in the library could be increased, it could ease this problem faced by many of my colleagues too. I do hope you will look into the matter and find a solution

Challenges and benefits for community health nurses Essay

Challenges and benefits for community health nurses - Essay Example In addition, community nurses educate the general community regarding various diseases, how to prevent them and how to live healthy while suffering from certain diseases. According to Savage et al. (2006) this is because, most people in the community lack the information on how to address the various diseases that affect them. However, community nurses often have various challenges with regards to how they carry basic operations in the job description. One of the main challenges that community nurses face is the exposure to infectious diseases in the course of their work. Community nurses provide healthcare in all social settings including the community, churches, schools and even the homeless. In addition, community nurses address complex health problems including delivering healthcare to people living with HIV/AIDS. Under such circumstances, there is no guarantee as to whether the nurses will be infected with infectious diseases. In addition, various protective measures to prevent such an occurrence are not adequate to address the health safety of community nurses. Community nurses also face the challenge of an unresponsive society. Some communities have strong cultural and religious beliefs that affect their attitude and perceptions regarding the healthcare services. Convincing such people in the commu nity on the importance of accessing healthcare services is a huge challenge for community nurses. Savage, C. L., Xu, Y., Lee, R., Rose, B. L., Kappesser, M., & Anthony, J. S. (2006). A Case Study in the Use of Community†Based Participatory Research in Public Health Nursing. Public Health Nursing, 23(5),

Binding Contracts Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Binding Contracts - Assignment Example In our case, Dave and Sam are friends from the same University, with Dave wanting to indulge Sam in a business deal, where they could purchase iPads from a supplier who is seeking to expand his business in Australia. In this case, Sam is worried because he does not have sufficient money and thus opts to say nothing. Dave concludes that both will contribute $500 each to purchase the iPads, which they will sell at a profit and share the profits equally. Considering the requirements of the laws of contract, for an offer to become legally binding, there must be a mutual consent between the two parties (Wilmot, 2009 p35). One party must make an offer and the other party must accept that offer. In this case, Dave is the party making an offer, which Sam is reluctant to accept. A binding agreement is established if the parties involved accept the offer as it is. In case one party gives a different term regarding the offer, then that becomes a counter offer, indicating the rejection of the or iginal offer (Black, 1979 p23). In our case, the original offer required both parties to contribute a Sum of $500 each. However, contrary to the requirement, Sam leaves Dave a message to the effect that he can only contribute $200 and get 20% of the profit share as opposed to the 50% he would have obtained by contributing $500. Therefore, Sam has offered a different term to the agreement, making a counter offer. At this point, the original contract becomes void and unenforceable (Peter, 1979 p45). Therefore, there is no binding agreement in existence between Dave and Sam. Further, under the laws of contract, two parties can be involved in negotiation or pre-emptive talks, where they discuss the terms of the contract just before committing to it. This is referred as an invitation to treat (Horwitz, 1974 p100). In our case, Dave and Sam are discussing about the business deal in a coffee shop, where Dave concludes by himself that they have to enter into the business and make equal cont ributions, without having Sam confirm. Therefore, the discussion they had in the coffee shop amounts to an invitation to treat, where Dave is inviting Sam to consider the iPad business deal (Ewan, 2005 p400). Thus, this is not a contract but a mere invitation to treat, meaning there is no binding agreement between Dave and Sam. More important to the creation of a binding contract is the fact that there has to be an intention to have the two parties legally bound by the agreement they establish (Barnett, 2008 p482). In this case, the two parties involved did not indicate any intention of being legally bound by the agreement. While Dave was developing the business deal that they shall indulge in, Sam was nonresponsive. As a matter of fact, Sam only agreed to contribute $200 to the deal, to avoid offending Dave since he is a friend. Thus, the agreement in this case was established based on friendship without any legal intention created by the parties involved. In this case, the contrac t is not legally binding and thus it is voidable (Gardner, 1992 p170). Therefore, there is no binding agreement that obliges Sam to pay Dave any money. Question 2 In this case, Dave approaches Jane to partner with her in securing the deal and have her contribute $500 to purchase the iPads for sale. In fact, Jane is excited about the whole idea and wants them to make it a full time business of importing 100

CCHBC Supply and Demand Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

CCHBC Supply and Demand Management - Assignment Example The paper tells that the ability to meet the demands of both the external and internal environment within a multinational corporation requires planning and implementation through various means. The structure which is followed through Coca Cola’s HBC is one which provides alternative methods to ensure that various needs are met for the product. This is based on the operations strategic management and the ability to control the supply and demand with planning and control. The way in which CCHBC is able to work with suppliers and monitor principles within the corporation furthers the advantages of the corporation and the strategies which are developed. Examining the relevant approaches which are associated with CCHBC and how these are assisting with the development of the corporation then is able to provide an alternative approach to the development of corporations at a global level and with a strategic infrastructure. The first concept which is approached within CCHBC is the ope rations strategic management and the ability to achieve strategic aims. The approach which CCHBC is using is based on the four main principles of meeting the supplies and demands, including availability, affordability, acceptability and activation. These are operation management practices which are practically applied at various levels to ensure that the quality is maintained within each procedure. The availability is one which centers on the supply chain management and accuracy of each of the orders. This is followed by the affordability, specifically which associates with the quality control and planning while assisting with competitive prices dependent on the location of suppliers and region of the country. The acceptability furthers with quality control and planning and is based on matching with specific standards for the CCHBC to continue with high – quality products. The activation which is associated with this includes having the right price, location and brand while d eveloping the management processes and cohesion. This occurs through multi – departmental agreements. The approach which is used for quality control and planning as well as supply chain management is one which builds strength and reliability

Perception and Reality in Existenz Essay Example for Free

Perception and Reality in Existenz Essay For me, eXistenZ is a film that is fairly confusing at best. If I’m not mistaken the film was released before The Matrix and had the same concept for the world the characters resided. A computer generated world inside the real world. In eXistenZ the protagonists start off in a room, they are about to beta test a revolutionary computer game called â€Å"eXistenZ†, the scene is set in such a way that we are led to believe that video games have finally reached the ultimate goal of becoming fully immersive and utterly real, not so much virtual reality but complete reality. Each actor is given a role that, in the game, they may or may not complete without knowing. This is where things already start to cross over. We as the audience are transported into a fictional world, viewed through a mechanical/computerized object (the camera) that is itself populated by fictional characters whom are just about to do the exact same thing. â€Å"The way we see things is affected by what we know or what we believe. † 1 berger We are told to believe that computerised realities identical to our own are now possible, and that these people will be â€Å"porting† into one. Nobody today, at least that I know, believes that our reality is computerised, simply because in our reality†¦a computer generated reality that is indistinguishable from our own has not been created. But if we all believed that, would we see this world differently as in eXistenZ? â€Å"An image is a sight which has been recreated or reproduced. It is an appearance, or set of appearances, which has been detached from the place and time in which it first made its appearance and preserved – for a few moments or a few centuries. † 2 berger. Once we are â€Å"ported† into the computerized reality of their reality, we realise that what we are viewing is not what we are seeing for ourselves, possibly not even in the same time or space. The camera is providing us with a series of still images that were captured by a â€Å"mechanical† eye (this alone provides us with a view of the world which is unlike our own i. e. widescreen, resolution, perspective etc). These images are producing a world that is similar to ours but unreal and from the viewpoint like that of a ghost or an angel (called â€Å"free cam† or â€Å"death cam† in the video game world†. The ability to view events from anywhere in the world whenever you want. ). This world then takes us into another world inside that one which is viewed the same way, except this world is supposed to be the false reality. I sometimes think this can be part of the explanation for the oddities we see†¦. like placing the lens of a camera next to the viewfinder of another camera and taking a picture. As your eye, a natural camera in itself sees through the first lens, the image is distorted via that lens and then the other lens. What is it you will really be seeing at the end? In the film we are always viewing the events through three mediums, our eyes, through the camera, which views those events through a virtual camera in the game. We can never be totally sure that the images we see represent the corresponding knowledge that we assign to it in our reality. Everything in eXistenZ looks exactly the same as our reality but doesn’t have the same meaning†¦. several tiers over. But whose eyes are we actually viewing these whole series of events from? A spectator. But who is this spectator? Are there testers ported into the game as mere observers? Are they developers or publishers? Or simply joe public who has no direct connection with the corporate mechanics of eXistenZ? In our reality, when you play a multiplayer game such as this and you die, you become a spectator†¦a ghost, until the end of the game, where you â€Å"respawn† (get another chance). Quite simply, whose interpretation of the events are we watching? Two quotes relating to music and technology but I believe are relevant; â€Å"†Liveness,† in short, whether defined in social or physiological terms, is not essential to musical meaning. On the other hand, it is equally clear that to record a work is just as much to interpret it as to perform it in any other way. † 3 Simon Firth â€Å"I don’t believe the engineer should intrude between the composer, or performer†¦Ã¢â‚¬  4 Goddard The â€Å"music† is the game, the â€Å"performer† being the people in the game, the â€Å"composer† is the game itself, the story and the â€Å"engineer† is the person or entity who is controlling our view of the final score (In game mechanics this could be referred to as the â€Å"Game Engine†, this decides what happens, how, why, when and where. ) The above quote can only exude one outcome, that the game should be viewed from each and every person by their own means in order to absorb the complete truth. Right now we are watching the events through someone else’s interpretation, each cut and angle change being a splice of the composition†¦a rewrite of the events. By the end of the film we find out unequivocally that because of this we have only half of the story. But we do realise that no matter what, the composition remains the same†¦. it’s just the way we hear it that is different. eXistenZ has what’s called a â€Å"linear† plotline but a â€Å"non linear† game play mechanic, there is only one outcome but the way in which you reach that outcome can have infinite possibilities, much like our lives. Existence is linear, but life is not. We will all die eventually, but how we die will have an infinite number of possibilities. A composer can write a piece of music that is the story, which never changes, but it is the performer and engineer that tell this story, depending on them both, the end will always be the same but the way in which the story is told will always be different. One thing that was mentioned by Walter Benjamin is that, â€Å"For the film, what matters primarily is that the actor represents himself to the public before the camera, rather than representing someone else. † 5 benjamin This maybe true, but the very nature of this film throws this ideal into chaos. The actors are playings actors in a film that has them playing actors in a game†¦that by the end of the film, has them playing actors of actors in some other situation. This quote I simply don’t agree with, it also seems to me that this is the complete opposite of what a method actor tries to accomplish on stage, which is to embody and represent someone else completely without thought. This goes against what Berger said about us relating what we see to what we know. If the actors on stage all represented themselves completely to the audience other than the camera before the part they were playing, then what we as an audience know about the character in relation to the actor playing the character conflict and ruin the immersion, it is easier to become someone else in front of the camera, that doesn’t know anything, than the audience that knows everything. The whole point of eXistenZ is to make you believe that these average people believe they are someone else who in turn believe they are someone else. At the end of the day this is what the object of the game was, to embody the character of someone else that has been thrust into a plot in a world that you have no knowledge of. This is the reason that people play video games. To escape the mundane trials and tribulations of everyday life and become a part of something that is out of the ordinary. Computer Generated Imagery, or CGI (CGI is a term that I find horrible, to me it is either Digital Animation or Digital Modeling, together Digital Media. CGI has connotations of the low tech ‘80’s to many people. ) is the main ingredient in this, where as the original way to escape was to either read a book, act in a play or hear a tale†¦now we are heading towards the era where you can become part of a tale that is ultra realistic. Where you can enter a virtual world that can fabricate the ends of your imagination and beyond. eXistenz is where the digital industry wants to end up, the applications of fabricating a reality that is false for individuals that cannot cope with the â€Å"real† thing are endless. If youre bored at work, why not become Bruce Willis during you’re lunch break? Want to experience terror? Port in and visit Silent Hill after a hard day at work. It all sounds simple enough, but right now we are at a point where we know for definite within our reality, where the line is between virtual and real. The day that our technology reaches the levels depicted in eXistenZ is the day that the troubles will start. This I think is one of the main lessons to me in this film. When do we say â€Å"enough† to technology? When do we stop? Or do we stop in one avenue and continue developing in others? A revolutionary game such as eXistenZ could wreak havoc on people who do not have the capacity to discern their reality from that of the software or hardware. It even has the possibility to blur the lines and boundaries you already have defined, or destroy your mental health completely. At the very end of the film we are enlightened to the fact that eXistenZ is not real, that it is a product of the game â€Å"tranScendanZ†. It is a game within a game within a film. The final line of the film â€Å"Are we still in the game† relates to how we see the world, relative. Who knows if that was the real reality or just the game, to me it looked very much like the two protagonists didn’t know either, or even questioned it. Perhaps they weren’t even â€Å"real† participants of the game, but mere NPC’s (non player characters). But this is where Digital Media is taking us, it’s job is to create the world as accurately as it can within the realms of it’s software, ironically designed by entities that are bound by laws of a universe not completely understood by the aformentioned but with none of the rules that limit our existence (The Matrix for example, identical reality, but the rules could be bent or broken by those who knew how to). For instance, if I wanted to walk through a wall right now I couldn’t, however, in a game it is as simple as typing a code into the console (usually â€Å"noclip 1†, 0 being false, 1 being true). But who is to say that I couldn’t walk through that wall now? Maybe it is as simple as being enlightened to the truth like Neo from The Matrix? In our lives we are exposed to images from the past, present and future that hold no bearing on our existence at that present time we experience them. But these images, performances or experiences can affect us in ways that we cannot perceive. The photographer, camera operator or composer does not know this either. But at the time of them creating these art works they are fabricating a reality and set of circumstances for others that have a multitude of meanings. There can be one definitive interpretation, but this will change depending on who is viewing it and how. Right now this essay almost makes sense to me, it may not make sense to you, but how do you make sense of things that have several meanings unless you were the person who conceived the premise in the first place? The answer is that you cannot. A picture taken one century for one purpose and meaning can translate as something else in another century. An actors affect in film during one era can mean something different on stage in the same era and an music studio can completely rewrite the meaning and feel of music without changing the notes or instruments. It is all down to perception. eXistenZ, Vanilla Sky, The Matrix, The Machinist, Gozu and many others all rely on images that are perceived as in any other art forms. Our own experiences colour the original â€Å"thought† of the creator, regardless of that creators perception.