Ethical and Socially Responsive Business Essay Example for Free

Ethical and Socially Responsive Business Essay Describe key areas of the selected company’s code of conduct that are of significant importance to the business, and explain why. The first question we should ask ourselves â€Å"what is ethics?† I think ethics are a collection of principles and practices that a business believes in, statements and more specific policies about conduct to give employees, partners, vendors, and outsiders an idea of what the corporation stands for and how it’s staff should conduct themselves . The Cheesecake Factory was established in the 1940s by Oscar and Evelyn Overton. In 1972 they open their first business store to Los Angeles, CA known as the Cheesecake Factory. Now The Cheesecake Factory has over 170 locations around the world. Having such a large corporation like Cheesecake Factory brings a lot of ethical and business problems when it comes to having such a large stores and staff. We should always remember that everyone has their own set of moral ethics that they live by at tend to take those same ethics to the work place. When writing a code of ethics it is important that these will cover every staff member from the top of the corporation to the lowest lever employee. Key areas that are of significant importance to The Cheesecake Factory start with the general standards of conduct in how all its employees will be treated by fellow employees and by management. The standards deals the basic values that we all have, with the expectation of building trust, loyalty, honesty, respect, and a high level of professionalism within the company. The cheesecake Factory has an established code of ethical conduct that is an essential factor in maintaining a proper balance in the human aspect of ethics and the link to the business success. Corporate leaders and managements need to be careful about their behaviors and how they make important decisions. Although all areas of the Cheesecake Factory’s code of ethical conduct is important for the success of the company, there are a few key areas of the company’s code of ethical conduct that are of significant importance for The Cheesecake Factory. 1-The first occurs in Article IV, in the â€Å"Conflicts of Interest,† section that pertains to transactions and investments. This specifically states that an officer or a director† should avoid participating in any transaction or investment that conflicts with, or gives the appearance of a conflict with, the interest of the company.†(Reference 1) This is key in maintaining ethics because a person who is in a leadership / management positions must be loyal to only their organization; otherwise, all decisions that are made and act are suspect as to the integrity of the choice, especially concerning money matters. 2- A second key area of The Cheesecake Factory’s code of ethical conduct that is of significant importance is in Article V, in the â€Å"Compliance with Company Policies and Procedures,† section that pertains to confidential information. It is very important and essential for the success of any company and business especially, the confidentiality of information, especially for third parties, be maintained. This leads to another key area that is also in Article V of the company’s code of ethical conduct. In the section that pertains to insider trading. In the section that deals with prohibiting insider trading it states that, â€Å"An officer or director shall observe the Company’s policy prohibiting trading on the basis of material, non-public information.†(Reference 1) 2.Explain the key steps that the company should take to ensure that employees follow the code of conduct. There are some key steps that a company can take in order to ensure the employees follow the code of conduct. 1-The Cheesecake Factory should have a â€Å"compliance department† that handles all disputes and investigations regarding violations of the code of conduct. This specific department at Cheesecake Factory should have designated employees that govern the entire company’s employees and handle any issues that arise. 2-The Cheesecake Factory can  take to ensure the employees follow the code of conduct is to have each employee sign and date, the code of conduct when they hired and give it to the employee a copy and keep another copy in the employee files. This makes it possible for the employee and the company to be on the same page from the beginning of the working relationship. This process can repeat every year for the existing employees to follow the code of conduct. 3-The Cheesecake Factory can take to ensure the employees follow the code of conduct is complete mandatory â€Å" Business ethics† training videos for new and existing employees every year. These videos make sure reminder of all employees’ business ethics and code of conduct. 3. Suggest three (3) ways in which the restaurant can engage in socially responsive activities in the community within which it operates The Cheesecake Factory can engage many socially responsive activities in the local community. 1-The Cheesecake Factory can donate foods to local food banks, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Restaurants always have extra food that does not used for any reasons or left over foods. As a respectful company being able to donate fresh food to shelters and feeding someone who is unable to have a meal, would be wonderful social responsive project and activity. 2-The Cheesecake Factory could engage in socially responsive activities in the community would be to help raise money for a local non-profit organizations, charities, children hospitals or cancer associates. This could be done by donating money, ask costumers to participate or fund rising which will show that the company is giving back to the local community in which it is a part. 3- The Cheesecake Factory could engage in socially responsive activities in the community would be to offer free meals to shelters for specified holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. 4- Also Cheesecake Factory could run campaign for â€Å"Local Food Drive† to contribute as a company and ask their costumers donate dry and canned foods to reach local families who needs help .This is one of excellent way of giving back to the local community. References: 1. (March 16, 2004) The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated. Amended and Restated Code of Ethics for Executive Officers, Senior Financial Officers, and Directors. Retrieved from: http://investors.thecheesecakefactory.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=109258p=irol-govconduct. 2. (January 2001) C.B. And R.L. â€Å"The Legal Environment of Business: Text and Cases: Ethical Regulatory, Global, and Corporate Issues.† Cengage Learning, 8th edition. 3. (January 2012) Ferrell, O.C. And John Fraedrich. â€Å"Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making Cases.† Cengage Learning, 9th edition.

Hospitality And Tourism In Lebanon Tourism Essay

Hospitality And Tourism In Lebanon Tourism Essay Lebanon is a very old nation rich in natural beauty. It provides charming seashores and internal mountainous area with fresh surroundings. Accommodations vary from extravagance establishments to mid-range hotels providing to families. Leisure can be set up in these hotels for both children and parents. Transportations in Lebanon are easy to access; buses and taxis are all over the place. Lebanon is famous for its old and new attractions for example museums, grottos and ski resorts. Cities as well are attractions to tourists; in each city there is something new to learn about and experience. Lebanon is filled with local and international restaurants. Prices differ as you get to choose the location and type of cuisine. Besides that, cruises became popular in Lebanon, different type of games in it has let the tourist to come and experience. Other gaming sectors are also found in Lebanon, for instance skiing, and bungee jumping from the high mountains within the destination. The clubs present plenty of preferences and mixtures of services so guests can experience and have fun. The mixture of entertaining and meetings has aimed to the higher the expansion movement in tourism. Apart from that, most of the facilities marketing departments have adopted a customer segmentation system so as to optimize revenues and reduce on the expenses. This leads to maximized yields. Segmentation gives the clients a sense of belonging and makes them loyal to the clubs. The sales staff is also highly trained so that they can handle ambitious targets and execute them in real time. Lebanon welcomes the guests with its warm hospitality that everyone talks about. Introduction Lebanon, the smallest country in the Middle East, has been an important destination and a spotlight to tourists from around the world for its strategic position next to the Mediterranean Sea. Its tourism industry rate has been increasing each year. Lebanon is popular for its ancient history that had gone from the remains of ancient Roman to well conserved palaces of the medieval times. Looking at its touristic side, Lebanon is the only Arab country that offers skiing activities, and for its breathtaking scenery, it offers a spectacular view of the old and new. As for its night life, Lebanon has the best restaurant club in the Middle East, the Sky Bar, where foreign lives the inspiration of its special events and wild life. Beside the night parties, Lebanon still maintains its high quality food such as Tabouleh, Hommous, Kebbeh, and not forgetting its traditional desserts Knafe and Um Ali. On the other hand, hospitality plays a very important role where traditional Lebanese hotels are highly recommended for their gracious services. Hotels there welcome you with the best hospitality in which they make sure to please their guests. By far, Lebanon is one of the most popular Arab countries that most tourists visit and speak highly about its hospitality. Accessibility The transportation infrastructure in Lebanon is very different as some areas have high quality especially modern primary and secondary roads, bridges, highways and most importantly the Beirut international airports. Whereas some parts of the country still have poor road conditions due to the Lebanese civil war in (1975-1990) and Lebanon War (2006) with Israel that damaged the roads and railed networks massively. The major forms of transport in Lebanon are buses, taxis, and ferries. The most popular mode of transportation is the service taxis, which is easily identifiable from the red number plate. Apart from travelling from the international airport, one can travel through to Lebanon from Cyprus by ferry and Damascus by road. Amenities Tourists would like to improve their experience when traveling; therefore they would like to shop. Lebanon is very well known for its fashion designers, so tourists are able to visit the boutiques that are located in Beirut. Malls are located in Beirut as well. Traditional Lebanese shops can be found on the streets, where tourists can have a look and grab something for a memory. Also, festivals like Baalbek, Byblos and Beiteddine take place each year presenting different themes. Mostly, these events have opportunities toward tourists to find out remarkable sites and cherish some moments. In addition, Lebanon includes best hospitals with experienced doctors that have completed their field in Europe. When it comes to education, universities in Lebanon are widely recognized as the best edification in the Middle East. Attractions Lebanon holds large selection of valleys, old structures, and admired traveler places that must be explored by tourists when visiting. From Beirut to Baalbek, Sidon to Tyre, Tripoli to Byblos, and many more cities in Lebanon are themselves tourists attractions. Beirut National Museum is an example of the historic monuments that was recognized in Lebanon in 1937 and was officially opened in 1942. This museum holds several pieces of antiques and work of art back then from the ancient era. Another museum tourists visits the most is Gibran museum that opened in 1995. Besides that, Jeita Grotto a beautiful limestone cave is positioned in the North of Beirut. Its one of the main attractions and was elected to be one of the 7 wonders of the world. It consists of lower and upper caves. Tourists should take a boat to discover the lower cave, as it controls a belowground river which supplies the Lebanese with fresh water. Accommodations Lebanon is always ready when it comes to accommodations. Other than hotels and chalets, many cities in Lebanon like Batroun and Jounieh offer apartments and villas for rent. One of the trendiest is SAIFI Suites; it is to be found in the center of Beirut. Its next to the Gemmayzeh; the best place for social and entertainment activities at night. This 4-star hotel tends to provide Wi-Fi without charging the customer, and leisure centers for relaxation. For site seen, this accommodation contains a balcony in each suite where you are able to glaze at the beautiful view of the town. The hotels restaurant and wine lounge, serve selections of food and beverages to satisfy the customers needs. There are room types in this hotel; one of them is the deluxe one-bedroom suite that holds a maximum of two people and is for 844 AED per night. Restaurants Lebanon still maintains its reliability when it comes to food. The traditional Lebanese food is highly spoken about and enjoyed by many people around the world. However, tourists can experience not only Lebanese cuisines but also different types of cuisines that are extended throughout the cities and villages restaurants in Lebanon. All restaurants differ in prices depending on the location and the category they fall in. For instance, Al Dente is an Italian restaurant in the Albergo Hotel at Achrafieh. Ità ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s a quiet restaurant, where tourists can listen to Italian music playing in the background while dining. Moreover, downtown Beirut includes many restaurants with reasonable prices that satisfy everyone. Karam Beirut is one of the restaurants there, which targets many tourists who look for the best Lebanese restaurant. Hotels Known for its hospitality, Lebanon offers the tourists 500 different choices of hotels to experience. These hotels are classified from their quality and service depending on the position and price. Most top hotels that provide greatest services are known to be located at the sea-side. For example, The Riviera Hotel, a 5 star rate in Beirut, located opposite to the Mediterranean Sea, was opened in 1956. This hotel is identified as one of the most visited accommodation by tourists. One hundred twenty guest rooms and suites provided are modernized to add a trendy experience to this deluxe atmosphere. Fifty six years and this hotel still maintain its steadiness comparing it to others. Moreover, the prices differ from a season to another; in summer vacation tourists come to visit Lebanon therefore the prices of hotels are set to be high. However, from October till May the prices are flexible and able to be discussed. Clubs and Mice Facilities Being a country located in the Middle East, Lebanon is not widely known to be a tourist destination. This is due to the circumstances facing the region since over the years; war has been the most major situation that prevails. This made it difficult for the country to emerge as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions (MICE). Business events sector is a sector that is among the top sectors in terms of growth in any economy (Baum 2009, p.8). However in recent years, Lebanon has defied these adverse circumstances. There are many incentive rewards that accompany audience to a conference to any country (Weber 2002, p.102). The country has even described the sector as one of the key drivers of the economy in terms of foreign direct investment. Tourists coming into the country always mean an improvement to the domestic economy. Since the country is still gaining ground in the industry, there are not as many MICE facilities and clubs as compared to the western co untries. Regardless, the rate at which the sector is growing is worth noting given all the odds against the country. To attract more tourists, modern facilities have been built for future use. Most of them have contemporary interior designs, with each unit being self-sufficient. Each unit contains a private bar for clients to enjoy their stay in a sophisticated manner. The clubs have interactive television systems that allow tourists on the forum to interact through video conferencing. International satellite channels are also available in these facilities. Internet connectivity is paramount since it is the easiest way to connect and also interact on a real time basis. It is also important for staying in touch with all the stakeholders involved including their families back at home. Apart from the suites, there are also large conferences halls, to improve meetings and conferencing. One of these clubs, Club Rotana, is in Beirut. Most tourists visiting Lebanon for conferencing purposes end up at this modern club. Movenpick Hotel and Resort also located in Beirut is another key MICE facility in Lebano n. This hotel held a dynamic conference on education and networking in the month of October this year. These star hotels attract clients due to their charming look and comfort. Gaming and Cruising Sector The luxurious suites and advanced technology are not the only centers of attraction in these facilities. There are other activities that make these facilities significant tourist attraction sites. This is because the resorts have cruising and gaming spots. The games range from casinos to skiing in the mountains. Most of the facilities are in the capital city Beirut since the city is in a favorable environment for conducting activities such as cruising. Facilities such as Club Rotana have Casinos. This is because most tourists engage in these activities during their leisure time. One company offering cruising services is the Abou Merhi Cruises. This company has several cruise ships that tourists use during their cruising endeavors. Abou Merhi is in Beirut, the heart of Lebanese tourism and MICE facilities. This firm also boasts of over thirty two gaming machines, and also over seven poker games. The hotels will assign each of these games their own tables. Different clients can gather at different tables according to their taste. Casino gambling is illegal in some countries. In Lebanon, it is legal. This attracts clients that come from those countries where it is illegal to gamble at casinos. Abou Merhi is complete with hotel residence suites. This firm owns a cruising boat known as Orient Queen. The tourists are able to gamble in a casino and at the same time cruise during any time of any day. Some clients do not like gambling. They will play Bingo which is easier to do than gambling. This game does not require an individual to have any experience so as to enjoy. One can chat and make friends while enjoying a day long cruise. Gambling is not the only game offered in Lebanon. There are other exciting and fun games such as lottery, dog racing and horse racing. These games not only show excitement but they also add to the experiences of tourists and this will convince them to continue visiting the country. The combination of fun and conferencing concerns in these Lebanese clubs has led to the upward trend in growth, in tourism. Hospitality management, HR Practices, and Marketing Management Companies The development of these sectors has emanated from the management of the facilities and policies set by them. Management is a key driver in the growth of any business. It involves taking into account every aspect of the business and making decisions concerning the business. In order to satisfy their clients from abroad, the managers of these facilities have to make decisions on hospitality and design routines that are secure according to the clients. International hospitality management in Lebanon is capital intensive (Yu 1999, p.99). Some of these clubs such as Club Rotana have lounges facing the Mediterranean Sea giving the tourists a spectacular view of the sea. The tourists are also subject to private reception when they are checking in and also when they are checking out. Most of the clients that visit Lebanon in search of MICE facilities belong to the upper class in the society. They prefer better and luxurious spots. Privacy is paramount for these clients. This is why most clu bs and MICE facilities are situated in magnificent locations to attract these clients. The administration also ensures that their clients have access to daily local newspapers on a daily basis. This keeps the clients at par with what is happening globally. This is an appropriate hospitality decision made by managers of these facilities. This makes the facilities self reliant such that the clients do not have to travel elsewhere searching for informative media such as the newspapers. The Human Resource section only hires qualified staff that is capable. This is done to ensure that the staff upholds professionalism and perform their duties with integrity. Their purpose is to provide the best when it comes to Arab hospitality. They dedicate their energy to raising standards in the hotel and accommodation industry. The clubs know that if standards are low, they will not attract as many clients especially from foreign countries. They must provide services that are hard to find in the clientsà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ countries. The management of these facilities also commits to learning of different cultures of different countries so as to be able to provide the best according to the clientsà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ backgrounds. This is the only way that they will be able to understand what their clients prefer most. With this knowledge, the clubs will be able to satisfy their clients and ensure that they make the club their destination of choice if they ever visit Lebanon again. The marketing departments targets attracting corporate clients and maintaining close contacts with them. Personal relationships between the clubs and the clients create friendship. This friendship translates to formation of loyal customers. The customers will attract their close allies and recommend the clubs to them. This creates an increased market base for the clubs from all around the world. Franchising and ethical Franchising has become a popular interest in Lebanon. Since the tourism sector is still developing, most businesses are resorting to franchising their products in order to appeal to new clients globally. The hotels and clubs use names of already established brands in other countries so as to gain access to these markets. Once foreign clients know about these clubs and hotels, they will earn interest. This will create a new market for the Lebanese clubs and hotels. Lebanon has liberal laws that guarantee the existence of a free market. The laws also encourage foreign investment. The Lebanese Commercial Code governs all the companies in Lebanon, and as a requirement, the companies have to maintain a lawyer. The lawyer ensures that the decision makers understand legal procedures in the event of any decision making. All corporations doing business in Lebanon have to pay a tax rate of not more than ten percent of the net profits. The corporations should also pay a five percent rate on div idends. The Lebanese business entities maintain the integrity and treat their clients with respect. They also treat their employees well to ensure their businesses success. Conclusion Lebanon started to build new facilities to magnetize tourists. Today, Lebanon holds many attractions where visitors can explore via much transportation. It also contains great activities such as skiing, caving, and swimming to entertain tourists. It as well provides bungee jumping and parachuting that occur in the mountains. Hotels and restaurants are always opened to welcome tourists and locals with the best they have. City and country clubs are always there with their facilities to allow you both relax and amuse. In general, visiting this small country that is full of artificial and natural thrills will allow the tourist to experience and gain knowledge about the Lebanese culture.

Impact of Deforestation

Impact of Deforestation The destruction of our planets forest is one of the most important modern environmental issue today. People, 1.6 billion, are dependent on forests for their livelihoods with some 300 million living in them (Lawson). The forest industry is the basis of economic growth and employment (Boucher, Elias and Lininger). Global forest products are estimated to be worth $327 billion (Chakravarty, Ghosh and Suresh). U.S., Japanese, and European companies destroy more rain forest than other companies (Boucher, Elias and Lininger). These companies countries are rich. There is a high demand in these countries for more forest products. Their willingness to pay for rain forest products adds to the problem of deforestation. Forests cover almost a third of the earths land surface providing many environmental benefits including a major role in the hydrologic cycle, soil conservation, prevention of climate change and preservation of biodiversity (Kissinger, Herold and De Sy). The problem is that the pla net has lost 30% of its forests over the past 25 years, which is the size of South Africa (Scientific American). If the current rate of deforestation, the conversion of forest to an alternative permanent non-forested land (Chakravarty, Ghosh and Suresh), continues, forests will vanish within 100 years causing unknown effects on global climate and eliminating the majority of plant and animal species on the planet (Urquhart, Chomentowski and Skole). This is demonstrated by the change of forestland to other uses such as agriculture, infrastructure, urban development, industry and others. Deforestation began from the formation of early civilizations. The Laws of Manu is replete with passages referring to the formation of human habitat by clearing the jungle (Mahbub Uddin Ahmed). Michael Williams in his journal article, Dark ages and dark areas: global deforestation in the deep past, discuss how humans have cleared forest since man first discovered fire. Williams discusses that archaeology is showing that the clearing of the forests in Europe during the middle ages was reversed when the bubonic plague reduced the population. William describes the impact that the ancient Mayans, Inca and Aztec had on the forest of Central and South America. During the colonization of the United States and Canada, millions of Native Americans died because of the introduction of diseases letting forest reclaim their land (Williams). Even though history has seen the destruction and regrowth of forests, it has not been on the global scale we are seeing now. In fact, in the continental Unite d States, 90% of indigenous forests have been removed since 1600. In 1839, a young man named Frederick Engels wrote letters home to Germany describing what life was like in the industrializing United States at the time. He writes of the ruthless destruction of the environment and the misery that resulted on the working class (Mahbub Uddin Ahmed). Deforestation occurs in many ways. One of the first step in the process of deforestation is to clear the land for logging or mining. Usually roads are cut through forest to open the area (Steinfeld). Roads into the forest are cleared for the large equipment needed such as bulldozers, road graders and log skidders (Urquhart, Chomentowski and Skole). The area where the roads cut through may not even be in the areas designated for logging or mining, but just the clearing of trees for these roads starts the process of deforestation for the areas the roads run through. Once the roads are completed most of the forests around the logging and mining areas are lost to agriculture, the planting of crops and the pasturing of cattle (Steinfeld). Forests are also lost to poor farmers in poverty areas especially those who live by tropical rain forests (Boucher, Elias and Lininger). In a tropical rain forest, nearly all of the nutrients are found in the plants and trees, not in the ground as in a n orthern, or temperate forest. When the plants and trees are cut down to plant crops. farmers usually burn the tree trunks to release the nutrients necessary for a fertile soil (Urquhart, Chomentowski and Skole). When the rains come, they wash away most of the nutrients, leaving the soil much less fertile. In as little as 3 years, the ground is no longer capable of supporting crops (Boucher, Elias and Lininger). When the fertility of the ground decreases, farmers seek other areas to clear and plant, abandoning the nutrient-deficient soil. The area previously farmed is left to grow back to a rain forest. However, just as the crops did not grow well because of low nutrients, the forest will grow back just as slow because of poor nutrients. After the land is abandoned, the forest may take up to 50 years to grow back (Boucher, Elias and Lininger). Agriculture is estimated to be the main driver for around 80% of deforestation worldwide. Commercial agriculture has deforested around 2/3 of the forest in Latin America (Kissinger, Herold and De Sy). The findings on global patterns of destruction show that timber extraction and logging activities account for more than 70% of total deforestation in Latin America where cattle and soy are important (Scientific American). In Africa and Asia, agriculture accounts for around 1/3 of deforestation. The timber industry has played a significant role in the deforestation of Southeast Asia where logging is followed by the creation of large palm oil and pulpwood plantations. Mining, infrastructure and urban expansion are important but less prominent (Kissinger, Herold and De Sy). In Africa, the main deforestation drivers are chopping trees for firewood or making charcoal, which opens the land up to farming and livestock grazing. To get a better understanding of deforestation, we first need to examine the driving force behind it. Specifically, human beings role in deforestation. The competition is between humans and other species. This is because of a growing global population and increased demand for food and other natural resources. Many studies confirm that commercial agriculture is the largest direct driver of deforestation in most tropical countries worldwide (Scientific American). Indeed, the growth of commercial agriculture is cited as an important driver of deforestation by nearly all tropical countries (Lawson). The human impact on deforestation varies a great deal between continents. These demands are causing the loss of not only huge areas of forest but also having a major impact on the climate. Deforestation has caused other environmental problems such as increasing soil erosion, landslides, and floods. Erosion occurs a very slow rate, but because of deforestation, the rate has sped up by an estimated 10 to 40 times globally (Moutinho, Paulo and Schwartzman, Stephan). Normally, trees and plant roots slow down erosion because they hold and anchor the soil in place, which prevents its washing away. Forest also control the speed at which the rain moves through the canopy. This allows the water to trickle to the ground and absorb slowly, rather than flow over the surface and wash away the soil. Recent research suggests that about half of the precipitation that falls in a tropical rain forest is a result of its moist green canopy (Moutinho, Paulo and Schwartzman, Stephan) Deforestation of lands for agriculture and development has left large regions of the world infertile. In areas used for urban development, where the ground is covered with a layer of asphalt or concrete it is d ifficult for water to penetrate the ground and this increases the amount of runoff. . In addition, the surface runoff from urban areas is polluted with fuel, oil and other chemicals. Evaporation and evapotranspiration processes from the trees and plants return large quantities of water to the local atmosphere, promoting the formation of clouds and precipitation (Moutinho, Paulo and Schwartzman, Stephan). Scientists predict that increased rainfall intensity and quantity will lead to greater rates of erosion (Akais Okia, Clement). Rising sea levels have also increased the rate of coastal erosion, which has been increasingly problematic for low lying developed areas along the coast, such as in Florida and Hawaii (Akais Okia, Clement). Less evaporation means that more of the Suns energy is able to warm the surface, which is one of the causes heating up the atmosphere. This heating up of the atmosphere and surface of the planet is causing a global climate change that is affecting weather patterns. The warming affects wind patterns and ocean currents, and these changes alter regional weather conditions. In some regions, the weather is becoming drier, leading to droughts and wildfires. In other regions, rainfall is increasing, leading to flooding. The ice sheets surrounding the North Pole and South Pole are slowly disappearing which can also lead to flooding because of the rising ocean levels (Scientific American). Polar ice melt raises ocean levels, which threatens flooding in coastal areas. Some of the worlds smaller islands might disappear completely. According to the United Nations, up to two thousand islands in Indonesia might vanish beneath the rising ocean (United Nations). Global warming is also melting mountain glaciers. Water from the melted ice causes rivers to overflow and flood places where people and animals live. Vanishing glaciers and snow packs pose another problem too. Glaciers and snow packs provide millions of people around the world with freshwater to drink (United Nations). Without those stores of water, people will need to find other sources of fresh water. Studies also suggest that global warming is probably making hurricanes stronger (United Nations) Deforestation not only contributes to global warming because of the forests interaction with water, forests absorb and store huge amounts of CO2, carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. The loss of forests generates nearly 50 percent more greenhouse gases than the 25 percent of emissions contributed to the combustion of fossil fuels (Urquhart, Chomentowski and Skole). A plant stores huge amounts of CO2 which it uses during the process of photosynthesis. The amount of carbon dioxide in the air used to be stable (Boucher, Elias and Lininger). For more than half a million years, it held steady at about 280 parts per million (280 parts of carbon dioxide per one million parts of atmosphere) (United Nations). Since, the 1800s, it has increased by about one-third (Williams). Our modern atmosphere contains about 382 parts per million of carbon dioxide-and this level is continuing to rise (Kissinger, Herold and De Sy). Scientists have evidence to suggest that just tropical deforestation is responsi ble for about 20% of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions (Scientific American). When a tree is cut down or burned, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere.This growing amount of carbon dioxide is trapping more and more heat in our atmosphere. A stable amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere keeps Earths temperature stable (Scientific American). Deforestation releases that carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and destroys a resource that can store carbon dioxide humans produce in the future. At least half of Earths ten million species live in tropical rain forests even though tropical rain forests cover only 7% of the total dry surface of the Earth (Moutinho, Paulo and Schwartzman, Stephan). Scientists estimates indicate that up to 137 species disappear worldwide each day (United Nations). If rain forest loss continues at its current rate, up to one-third of rain forest species could go extinct by 2040 (Scientific American). That means deforestation could wipe out about one-sixth of Earths species.

Teaching Philosophy Statement :: Philosophy of Education Teachers Essays

Teaching Philosophy Statement I believe that the best way to gain knowledge is through experiences that we encounter in everyday life. It is for this reason that I know what I know today. This is why I feel that progressivism is an excellent teaching philosophy, and why I will be instructing my classroom with its’ principles. I will not however, rule out book work and studying from the text book. I just believe that students learn best through interaction with each other, books, and other non-traditional sources. I chose to become an educator because I want to inspire the students to get the most life has to offer and to be the one that my students can turn to with their problems. Whether it be with the curriculum, family, bullies, or any other troubles that they may find themselves in. Since I am studying to teach general sciences, I feel there is no better way for the students to learn than through the application of pragmatism. Let the students ask questions and solve them in their own way, because I feel that not everyone learns the same way. This is a simple idea, if I want to know if something will work in a particular way, or find out why it works the way it does I should justly simply test it. Through this method I feel the students will spark an interest with what is being instructed to them in the classroom and look forward to coming into a positive and lively environment, where they know that what they are doing is fun and the only one that is benefitting from this experience are themselves. I want to scaffold my students from what they’ve already learned and apply it to new ideas to further their knowledge. The world is not moving backwards, and the children need to have a good grasp on what is happening in the world around them and how they can get into the shuffle. As a teacher I plan for my students to learn through fun and interesting methods that will push them to question, why or how is this the way it is?

Essay on The Holy Bible - Genesis 1-3 and the Downfall of Mankind :: Holy Bible Genesis Essays

Genesis 1-3 and the Downfall of Mankind People hold many differing opinions about Genesis 1-3. Some people believe that God didn't want Adam and Eve to have the knowledge of good and evil because it would make them as gods. The purpose of this essay is to show that Adam and Eve caused the downfall of mankind. Now, to the untrained eye, it may be possible to interpret the aforementioned text as having certain "scheisty" tendencies coming from both the serpent and, believe it or not, God himself. As possible as it may seem, the main theme of the passages of Genesis are not trying to show God as being greedy with the knowledge of good and evil. It isn't like God was worried that Adam and Eve would gain knowledge that would empower them and make them as gods. That is almost preposterous to think that God, the almighty creator of heaven and earth, would be worried about two mortals obtaining a little bit of information. In all actuality, that idea is incredibly far from the truth. God gave Adam and Eve the world, literally. This perfect world, a "heaven on earth", was just given to them out of the goodness of his heart. All they had to do was look over God's creations and enjoy true eternal bliss. As a matter of fact, the only rule that God gave to Adam and Eve was to not eat of the tree of t he knowledge of good and evil. All they had to do to live in the eternal paradise, with all the cookies and milk they could stomach, was to follow that one freakin' rule. Acknowledging the fact that the serpent (a.k.a. Satan Incarnate) did do its part in persuading Eve to eat the fruit and to give the fruit to her husband. Even still, Eve should have realized that she was risking eternal happiness for the words of a snake. God said, "... of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shallot not eat of it: for in the day that thou neatest thereof thou shallot surely die." He wasn't speaking of an instantaneous death, or even mortal death. He was more so saying that they would lose their immortal lives, therefor being compromised by mortal death. The serpent knew of this and used his knowledge to bring about the inevitable demise of mankind.

Phineas Gage Paper Essay

There are many cognitive functions that the brain performs on a daily basis. People can survive with traumatic brain injuries or strokes and still function to a point. The brain is an amazing organ that can be resilient and bounce back from brain injuries due to an accident or stroke, depending on which areas of the brain are affected. If certain areas of the brain are affected then the person could lose the ability to see, speak, remember, function, or even die. A person’s brain continues to change and develop throughout their lifetime, even if parts of the brain become necrotic due to dementia and other disorders. The best known case of how a person can survive and have a relatively normal life after a brain injury was Phineas Gage. His story is an amazing one that is hard to believe. There are several parts of the brain that are responsible for the cognitive functions. One part of the brain that is responsible for cognitive functions is the amygdala. The amygdala is an almond shaped set of nuclei that control emotions such as fear, disgust, anger, and even pleasure. The amygdala is also responsible for what memories that the brain stores. For this reason, if the amygdala is damaged, then a person might lose their ability to control their temper, or the ability to remember their childhood. Another part of the brain that is responsible for cognitive function is the Wernicke’s area and the Broca’s region. Both of these regions are named for the person who discovered them. They both are responsible for speech and how we talk. It is also involved in how a person understands written and spoken language. For this reason, if a person sustains damage to either of these areas, then they could lose the ability to speak or understand words that are spoken to them or written words. The story of Phineas Gage is the most famous story of how neuroscience plays a part in a person’s survival. Back in 1848, in Cavendish, Vermont, Phineas Gage was a construction foreman working on a railroad bed when he was loading a hole in the ground with explosives. He was stuffing the explosives into the hole with a tampering iron when they went off and the forty-three inch long, thirteen pound tampering iron went through his left cheek and throughout his brain and out of the back of his skull. The accident affected his frontal lobe of his brain and stories have indicated that he was never the same again. He became blind in his left eye. He spent ten weeks in the hospital under the care of Doctor John Harlow and then was sent home (Unknown, 2010). Harlow observed Gage the entire ten weeks. He was unable to hold a foreman’s job again. Unfortunately, his recovery was not a complete success. The once likable and friendly man became fitful, irreverent, and grossly profane. He worked odd jobs from that time until his death in 1860 from seizures due to his injury. Harlow wrote that he was never the same after his injury and that â€Å"the balance between his intellectual faculties and animal propensities seemed gone. † He could not stick to plans, uttered the grossest profanity, and showed little deference for his fellows (Twomey, 2010). The reason that the case of Phineas Gage became so popular and famous was because it was the first case of its kind where brain injury and personality changes correlated and became prominent in the field of neuroscience. This was the first case where it was proven that brain injuries can affect how a person acts in their behaviors. Gage sustained damage to the frontal lobe of the brain and Dr. Harlow even claims that Gage never lost consciousness due to his injury. After his death, Dr. Harlow had Gage’s body exhumed and studied both the skull and the tampering iron before donating both to the Warren Anatomical Museum for display. This was after he authored reports of the case of Phineas Gage. There have been increasingly more cases of Traumatic Brain Injuries causing damage to the brain, especially in the past decade of the war in the Middle East. These injuries are paving the way for the world of cognitive psychology and neuroscience for how to treat the damage to the brain. The most famous case so far in history has been the case of Phineas Gage. He proved that the damage to the frontal lobe can affect how a person acts and their behaviors. With the technology that is becoming available, we should be able to make more and more strides in the subject of brain injuries. Hopefully someday, we can find how to treat these brain injuries from accidents and strokes and possibly cure them.

How to Stop Drug Trafficking in Our Country

The paper is to open people eyes about drug trafficking in our country. Where do you think the drugs are coming in from? Some say from Cuba. Others say from Mexico. I believe that the majority of drugs come from Mexico. It is okay to say that we cannot track down where all of the drugs are coming from but we can try to prevent our children, the next generation, from having access to these drugs. I would like to talk about legal drugs that are in our children’s schools. Even if we can stop illegal drugs from entering into our schools, legal drugs can also be use to get high (American Psychological Association (http://www. apa. org/) In the past, there were organizations, mostly in Mexico, that were involved in cultivating marijuana and opium. Over the past decade, however, Mexican drug organizations secured a particular position in drugs like cocaine market that was formerly dominated by Colombian drug lords, and opened the doors for Mexican groups to dominate the drug trafficking market. Not only Mexican, but African Americans, Cubans and other cultures who want to make some extra cash in the drug selling business. In the late 1980s, Mexican traffickers were middlemen for the Colombian cartels. Traffickers would receive shipments of cocaine in northern Mexico, smuggle the drugs across the border, and leave stashes in specified locations where Colombian distributers would retrieve the cocaine and transport it to destinations across the U. S. In 1989, traffickers who were annoyed at delinquent service payments from Colombian suppliers retained shipments of cocaine in extortion until payments were made. During the same year, in a stroke of good fortune for U. S. law enforcement, a massive stockpile of these shipments amounting to over forty thousand pounds of cocaine was discovered in an industrial warehouse in the vicinity of Los Angeles, California. This pivotal event forced the hand of the Colombian drug barons and led to a business arrangement that presently gives the Mexican traffickers as much as half of all the cocaine that they ransport (United Nations activities). In Texas the Mexican traffickers kidnapped people who live on the border line that mean between Mexican and U. S. The drug traffickers look for people who were or are on spring break or vacations in Mexican. They use young foreigners to get the drugs here. According to Sonia Perez, the flood of drugs and money have intensified, first with security crackd owns in the U. S. after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and later with Mexico's assault on organized crime beginning in 2006. (2009). Also according to Ms Perez, authorities mark the worst crime waves with the arrival of the Zetas cartel in Central America in 2008, about the same time Mexican cartels started to pay their collaborators on the ground in drugs instead of cash – creating a boom in local drug sales and violent street crime. (2009) As you can see, this paper is beginning to sound like it is pointing at foreign people smuggling drugs. Although foreigners are trying to survive financially illegally, they do not know where these drugs go to. Some will probably go to the schools to sell to children and teenagers all around the US. In conclusion, it is important to prevent drugs, illegally and legal, from our children to use illegally. Our children are our future and we need to find ways to help our children succeed in life without the use and selling of legal and illegal drugs. In the U. S. children are exposed to illegal drugs by family and a good friend or hanging out with a lot of friends. Some kids start to smoking by age 14 years old they think it cool but not. Kids and teens continue to smoke and some are trying chewing tobacco. Many young people pick up these bad habits in one year. Right now you see a man or woman smoking they started when they were kids. So it's important to make sure kids understand the dangers of tobacco use. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States, and can cause cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. Chewing tobacco (smokeless or spit tobacco) can lead to nicotine addiction, oral cancer, gum disease, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks. (Kids Health 2011) Teenagers trying drugs in order to fit in. hey are trying real bad to be accepted by their peers. The teen sees drugs being used at a party or among a common group of friend. Teens between the ages of 13 and 17 have tried alcohol. Some teens and young people tried use of cocaine for the first time. Some kids may lead to criminal penalty in addition to possible physical social and psychological harm both strongly depending on local jurisdiction. In conclusion, Unite d States is working with Canada, Mexico and Colombia in the border protection to stop drug from coming in the United States. References Retrieved on April 2, 2011 at www.apa.org Sonia Perez, Associated Press (2009) Retrieved on April 2, 2011 at www.ksat.com/news/27378488/detail.html Parquets search J. Blum retrieved on April 2, 2011 at www.mctinfoservices.com Kids Health Retrieved (1995-2011) at www.kids health.org /parent/positive/positive/talk/smoking.html