United Nations Environmental Program Essay Example for Free

United Nations Environmental Program Essay There are a lot of articles, books and essays that have been written, touching on the relationship that land has with agricultural practices. For instance, Helmut Geist and Lambin Eric in their essay make postulations that irresponsible agricultural practices have been responsible for the disappearance of tropical forest covers, both at the local and regional levels. The two, being postdoctoral researchers in geography, specializing in the field of global climatic change, posit that irresponsible agriculture is far much responsible for the concept of land use and land cover change (LUCC). To back this argument up, Helmut and Lambin elucidate on the matter, postulating that irresponsible agriculture negatively affects the LUCC than any other practice carried out within the auspices of human civilization. To bolster this notion, it is posited by the two that apart from the fact that agricultural activities has the potency to deliver negative environmental degradation, irresponsible agriculture has the ability to deliver soil erosion- a feat that environmental degradation cannot receive from the industrial sector and its pollution. Evidence Presented The strengths in these claims are that farming and irresponsible agriculture has in most times been blamed for soil degradation. Much evidence is adduced and presented by Helmut and Lambin in this work. For instance, Helmut and Lambin quote the United Nations Environmental Program 2004 statistics that indicate that tilling land that is on a hill and failure to build gabions have in most instances been blamed for over 75% of cases touching on soil erosion (Levine 2006). In another wavelength, it is true that irresponsible farming activities harms the soil when very strong inorganic fertilizers are used, making the soil become resistant to fertilizers and pesticides. Weaknesses Critics such as Geist (2006) point that there are pitfalls in this work that was presented by Helmut and Lambin. For example, in the first case, not all the adverse effects of irresponsible farming practices are dealt with herein. For example, there is no point on the role overstocking (of animals) plays towards soil erosion and the depletion of the scarce resources within the environment. Nevertheless, it is true that all the above factors contribute to the disappearance of the land cover. Assumptions made by the writers At the same time, there are some assumptions that Helmut and Lambin make. Assuming that keeping the right size of cattle, building gabions, using the right quantities of organic fertilizers and pesticides are the only panacea in themselves against the spread of the loss of fertile land is a fallacy on its own. On the contrary, the two forget to address important farming practices such as the growing of leguminous crops, crop rotation and fallowing of land, as being instrumental in the cause against soil erosion. Growing leguminous crops such as beans help in nitrogen fixing in the soil, whereas crop rotation and mixed cropping helps the land receive nutrition from different types of crops. Letting land lay fallow on the other hand, enables the revitalization of pedological energy and the recovery of humus. These are the counterarguments that have been put forth by other critics such as Singh and Fox (2001). Conclusion and importance of the problems and the argument being tackled The sacrosance of the argument at hand is that there is a serious interrelationship between LUCC and human life. This means that mismanagement of the former has the potency to ruthlessly damage the cause of human life. It is no wonder that calls are rife from UNEP for the leading economies to tow the line in ensuring that there is the assuaging of soil, water and air pollution so that the prospects of future human survival can be consolidated. Works Cited Singh, Ram and Fox, Jefferson. A Look at Land Use and Cover Change. New York: McGraw Hill. 2001. Geist, Helmut. A Study on Earth’s Changing Landscape. Colorado: John Wiley and Sons. 2006. Levine, Joel. Global Change and the Burning of Biomass. Massachusetts: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2006.

Kate Chopins The Awakening Essay -- Kate Chopin Awakening Essays

Kate Chopin's The Awakening Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening expresses the difficulty of finding a woman’s place in society. Edna learns of new ideas such as freedom and independence while vacationing in Grand Isle. Faced with a choice to conform to society’s expectations or to obey personal desires for independence, Edna Pontellier realizes that either option will result in dissatisfaction. Thus, Edna’s awakening in Grand Isle leads to her suicide. Edna’s awakening occurs during her family’s vacation in Grand Isle. It is here that she learns to freely express herself and be unreserved in her behavior and speech. Through the Creole women, Edna becomes free from the chains that bind her to societal expectations. Adele initiates Edna’s arousing as does the local flirtatious man, Robert Lebrun. It is at Grand Isle that Edna feels most alive: engaging in idle talk, flirting unabashedly, receiving loving attention from a man, paints, learning to swim, an awareness of independence, and becoming conscious of her sexuality. Through the contrast of her experiences (depression when at home and joy when playing at sea), Edna recognizes an awakening, or a change, within her self. She discovers a part of herself separate from her husband, children, and previous life. This discovery fuels her incendiary rejection of her domestic responsibilities when she returns to her home in New Orleans. This ignites the passiona te fire of her heart, causing her to shake previous responsibilities, open a house independent of her husband to quench her sexual desires, and liberate herself from domestic restraints. Conclusively, Edna’s vivification causes her to feel responsible for only her passions and urges, neglecting remaining responsibilit... ...nt for personal independence. It is only through the futile attempts to investigate which option (convention or passion) is best that Edna realizes there is no appropriate choice to be made. Edna recognizes, through her awakening, the existence of two entirely unlike female models of society. Neither of the models fit her, and thus, she stands in societal purgatory waiting, in vain, for some sort of epiphany as to which model is best for her. She cannot fully connect with either female model, nor can she remove connections that bind her to each. She is unwilling to compromise. Through her stubborn frigidity, Edna chooses a non-choice, to surrender to the author of her awakening: the sea. From the sea, Edna learns of her independence. Into the sea, Edna surrenders society’s undesired requirement of action. The sea becomes both the giver of life and provider of death. Kate Chopin's The Awakening Essay -- Kate Chopin Awakening Essays Kate Chopin's The Awakening Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening expresses the difficulty of finding a woman’s place in society. Edna learns of new ideas such as freedom and independence while vacationing in Grand Isle. Faced with a choice to conform to society’s expectations or to obey personal desires for independence, Edna Pontellier realizes that either option will result in dissatisfaction. Thus, Edna’s awakening in Grand Isle leads to her suicide. Edna’s awakening occurs during her family’s vacation in Grand Isle. It is here that she learns to freely express herself and be unreserved in her behavior and speech. Through the Creole women, Edna becomes free from the chains that bind her to societal expectations. Adele initiates Edna’s arousing as does the local flirtatious man, Robert Lebrun. It is at Grand Isle that Edna feels most alive: engaging in idle talk, flirting unabashedly, receiving loving attention from a man, paints, learning to swim, an awareness of independence, and becoming conscious of her sexuality. Through the contrast of her experiences (depression when at home and joy when playing at sea), Edna recognizes an awakening, or a change, within her self. She discovers a part of herself separate from her husband, children, and previous life. This discovery fuels her incendiary rejection of her domestic responsibilities when she returns to her home in New Orleans. This ignites the passiona te fire of her heart, causing her to shake previous responsibilities, open a house independent of her husband to quench her sexual desires, and liberate herself from domestic restraints. Conclusively, Edna’s vivification causes her to feel responsible for only her passions and urges, neglecting remaining responsibilit... ...nt for personal independence. It is only through the futile attempts to investigate which option (convention or passion) is best that Edna realizes there is no appropriate choice to be made. Edna recognizes, through her awakening, the existence of two entirely unlike female models of society. Neither of the models fit her, and thus, she stands in societal purgatory waiting, in vain, for some sort of epiphany as to which model is best for her. She cannot fully connect with either female model, nor can she remove connections that bind her to each. She is unwilling to compromise. Through her stubborn frigidity, Edna chooses a non-choice, to surrender to the author of her awakening: the sea. From the sea, Edna learns of her independence. Into the sea, Edna surrenders society’s undesired requirement of action. The sea becomes both the giver of life and provider of death.

Cross Cultural Perspectives Essay

In this paper I am going to cover the cultural and ethical factors involved with a company by the name of Levi Strauss and Company and the issues the company faces when attempting to expand to another country. Expansion is a goal that all companies want to achieve; because there are a lot of benefits a company can receive when expanding, makes more money, getting into the stock market, lower cost for part and labor, and most of all becoming a well-known name brand. With expanding it is not just glitz and glamor there are moral cultural and ethical issues to face. When bring a product and organization to another country. Cultural Issues when Facing a Global Organization Levi Strauss and Company is a well-known clothing brand. This organization was originated in North America, state California City San Francisco. Levi Strauss and Company manufactures clothes in 110 countries outside of the US; and as a result of that t50% or more of the organizations profits came from overseas. Levi Strauss and Company has had to face some of those ethical and cultural issues for the public and exterior partner companies. This issue stems from factories in Bangladesh because there are reports of the organization having under age workers. In Bangladesh children working at a young age in common. In their soil this is not an issue because without the children and parents working there is not enough money to support the family. The issue in this situation is in Levi Strauss and Company terms and engagement is say that the organization is not allowed to higher or work kids under the age of 16 because in the US it is illegal. Child labor laws is an issue that always get the media, workers right unions, stock holders and investment firms upset. (Levi Strauss and Co., 2010). The Ethical Perspectives Ethical perspectives set by last Levi Strauss and Company comply with the majority of other global organization. To be considered ethical all global businesses must follow the following. †¢Emphasizes accountability for anticipating and responding to ethical crises †¢Encourages participation in decision making †¢Aligns personal, professional, and organizational aspirations and behaviors †¢Promotes courageous efforts to identify and resolve ethical dilemmas †¢Fosters dialogic communication †¢Establishes transparent structures, policies, and procedures As of now the only standards being upheld and practices by Levi’s are A Global Anti-Bribery Policy An Anti-Corruption policy (Shaw, W. H., & Barry, H.,2001) A Worldwide Code of Business Conduct 2010 was not the only year Levi Strauss and company had issues complying with child labor laws; back in 2008 the company has issues with their cotton fields in Uzbekistan. The organization has not tried to cover up any of the information that has been found; in fact the company said they have been looking into changing that correcting that situation. That situation ended in Levi Strauss and Company not accepting any fabric from Uzbekistan and all of their factories. Doing this solves the issue in regards to the company but this does not stop Uzbekistan form doing the same thing with other countries. Levi Strauss and Company has been good about handling their issues when it comes to violating child labor laws. In most cases when the organization finds out this is happening the first thing they do is fire all of the underage workers and make sure they cannot be rehired until they reach the proper age limit. Another step Levi Strauss and Company has taken is education students and teachers of the child labor laws to avoid future issues with child labor laws. Ethical Perspectives in Different Cultures When a business has expanded to over 100 countries facing ethical and cultural issues is something that can’t be avoided; and sorry to say child labor laws are not the only ethical or cultural issue the organization has to deal with in the global market. Some may try to compare this to a discrimination issue, because this topic has become popular today. In most cases decimation consist of religion, race, age, or gender. However that is just in the US because in other countries businesses are straight forward when it comes to discriminating and it is not viewed as illegal. This raises the question should businesses adapt to the ways of the country that they are doing businesses in? But if this is done will it lower the standers of the organization and the relationship between the public and the business. Aside from child lobar laws corruption is another issue Levi Strauss and Company has to face. The organization have factories in Vietnam and just like all other businesses in Vietnam there is a tax to be paid; not a government tax but a tax form corrupt people in the country, it is said that 67% of businesses in Vietnam have to pay bribes. (Unruh & Arreola, 2010). These are just some of the issues that a business has to face when they expand to other countries. it is clear to see the different ethical stander set be different countries in regards to Levi Strauss and Company. This organization is not different than any other working outside of the US; they must commit to fixing the issue that come about when operation a business in another country and maintain the ethic codes set by the organization. Levi Strauss and Company has ablations to their employees, customers, and the public. They took a vow to operate their business in an ethical manor. Just talking the talk is not enough Levi Strauss and Company need to stay on top of everything to avoid child labor and all other issues when running a business outside of the US Conclusion In all there are a large number of businesses they have traveled outside of the US in efforts to make more money. What the businesses need to work in is businesses sticking to ethical standers; and making sure that all standers being set by the company are completely being followed. The best thing a business can do is stay up to date with all methods of operation in countries outside of the US. Also being properly educating the key players in the organization is how to be successful in a global market. References Adler, I. (2006). Double Standards. Retrieved from http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1780-double-standards Levi Strauss and Co.. (2010, April). Case Study: Child Labor in Bangladesh. Retrieved from

just war Essay - 2036 Words

One of the oldest traditions in religious ethics is that of the just war. The quot;Just War Theoryquot; specifies under which conditions war is just. Opposition based on the Just War Theory differs from that of pacifists. Oppositionists oppose particular wars but not all war. Their opposition is based on principals of justice rather than principles of pacifism (Becker 926). In the monotheistic religious traditions of Christianity and Islam, one role of God (or Allah) is to limit or control aggressions among humankind. In these religious traditions, God establishes an ideal or standard for the righteous use of force by followers of the faith. These standards, or just war traditions, address details of when to use force to solve†¦show more content†¦(Hunt, Crotty) nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Islamic concept of jihad, often mistranslated as â€Å"holy war,† plays a strong role in Muslim just war tradition. Jihad more correctly refers to a â€Å"holy struggle† or â€Å"striving†. Unfortunately, jihad has been used as a means for justifying everything from defense of the right to worship Allah to blatant aggression against neighboring countries. Both Sunni and Shiite Muslim scholars recognize that jihad is a term to be used cautiously, as it seems to be in some sense applicable to fighting anyone whose faith in Allah can be questioned. Political leaders on the other hand have had a tendency to use the term whenever it increases their popularity or their people’s patience for enduring conflict. Iraq is one of numerous Middle Eastern nations that could be classified as dar-al-Islam; a nation in which Muslim law dictates much of everyday life. (Hunt, Crotty) nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;On the other hand, the United States can be classified as a predominantly Christian nation if not by ethical values, then by population. While the significance of the Christian ethics of just war in the response to the invasion of Afghanistan and the Middle East could certainly be questioned, public opinion in the United States was much more clearly affected by Christian ethics. Numerous ChristianShow MoreRelatedNonviolence And Just War Theory2838 Words   |  12 PagesNonviolence and Just War Theory â€Å"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.† (Matthew 5:9) Historically, there has been consistent disagreement between political philosophers regarding the possibility of a justification of war. Theorists from Grotius to Gandhi have from time immemorial argued about whether violence can ever be sanctioned as a viable recourse for preventing evil. History itself, at various times, seems to offer lessons regarding the complexity of the issue—demonstratingRead MoreJust War Theory and Pacifism1734 Words   |  7 Pageswill evaluate literature on the topic, identify the different justifications for killing in time of war and decide if they legitimize our actions. After describing some compelling arguments, I will defend my own position that pacifism is the only ideal which mankind should embrace. According to traditional just war theory, a just cause must serve peace and not simply protect an unjust status quo. War must be used as a last resort and all pacifistic approaches must be undertaken. So, if your countryRead MoreEssay on The Just War Doctrine964 Words   |  4 PagesWar, in all its forms, is tragic. International law was created to establish some basis of rules to abide by—including war—and states have signed on to such a contract. The actions of states in this ever globalizing world are difficult to be controlled. 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