Monday, January 27, 2020

Sustainable Development and Water Supply

Sustainable Development and Water Supply Throughout recorded history humans have used their surroundings to improve the way in which they live their everyday lives. In a very short time span, relative to the age of the earth, technology has advanced at unbelievable rate. With the incredible advancement of technology more resources are being used to create an environment that allows society to function and grow. People in a developed and technologically advanced society are living longer and healthier lives. Unfortunately this is increasing the population of the world; as the death rate decreases and the fertility rate around the world continues to increase. In societys quest to become further developed, natural resources are being depleted at an uncontrollable rate that may be impossible to escape from. Humans have disrupted the balance that is essential for life. Humans have been taking advantage of the resources that have been given. With the ever increasing population society will become more dependent of the resources t hat the earth will not be able to provide one day. Water is the basis for life, but the earth only provides a small amount of fresh water. This water is being used in abundance for unnecessary utilities. Much of the fresh water is also being polluted as factories dispose of chemicals and garbage in and around fresh water supplies. In addition, agriculture is a necessity that people across the world take for granted. Almost all of the fertile land around the world has been used, creating problems for future food consumption. Energy is essential in developing a sustainable society. Oil is being used to create most of the worlds energy, but it is essential to switch to new methods as oil continues to be depleted. Developing and changing the ways in which society functions is imperative to develop a sustainable earth that generations will be able to inhabit. The surface of the earth is covered primarily of water; almost seventy percent of the planet is covered in water. Within that seventy percent on two and half percent is fresh water while the other ninety seven and a half percent is undrinkable salt water. Nearly seventy percent of the fresh water is trapped in ice caps inaccessible to humans. Approximately only one percent of the worlds fresh water is readily available, being found in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and underground sources that allow for easy and affordable access. There is only a small amount of fresh water that is available to humans, which is being used at a rate that is not sustainable for the amount of people on this planet. The water supply in countries all over the world is very low. In multiple third world countries, there is virtually no infrastructure to support the population of the country. They are not able to produce a sustainable way to provide water to citizens. The water that is available throughout the wo rld is also being polluted on an unimaginable scale. Factories in less developed countries do not always following all safety regulations. Large amounts of pollution from these factories are being dumped into nearby rivers and lakes as it seems like an easy solution to unwanted chemicals and garbage. This does not necessarily only happen in third world countries, it occurs all over the world and it is becoming a massive problem that might not have a solution in a few years time. There is only a small amount of consumable water on the planet and if the actions of humanity continue, it will become increasingly difficult to reverse these disastrous outcomes. Massive amounts of eco systems are suffering due to the pollution that goes into the water each and every day. Humanity must change to ensure that fresh water is available for multiple generations to come. Water must be a sustainable resource in order for humanity to function properly. In the current situation, the fresh water reso urce will be consumed in a short period of time. It will become increasingly difficult to make changes after this resource is depleted, that is why changes must be made soon in order to ensure a successful future. The population is growing at a rate that will make it difficult to supply food to people across the earth. Across the earth millions are malnourished due to the fact that countries do not have land or fertile land to grow food to feed their people. With the growth of the population more land will be used to build homes to accommodate. Today almost all of the fertile land is already in use to grow food. Some countries have been purchasing land from other countries that have an abundance of land but they themselves are unable to provide for their own people. Agriculture is one of the most important factors that will determine if the earth will be sustainable for future generations to inhabit. It is important that humanity uses their resources properly and efficiently to ensure a future for multiple generations to come. One of the solutions that have arisen is the use of indoor crop production which would allow for maximum space efficiency. Indoor food production would allow for multipl e floors to grow crops while still maintaining the normal size of a farmers field. Fly over Holland and youll find yourself looking down on a sea of glass; here, hydroponic greenhouses account for 50 percent of the value of all fruit and vegetables produced in the country a practical response to soil depletion, disease and salinization(Riley, Tess). The process of indoor farming decreases the plants vulnerability to soil degradation and disease. Ideally through this method it becomes simpler in the means of irrigation. Pipes are run throughout the building allowing sprinklers to water the planets any time of the day. This is the most plausible solution to the agriculture crisis. It will be difficult for the world to continue down the path it is heading. Pollution and over population will continue to affect how agriculture will be seen over the next decade. New solutions will become increasingly sought after to help this global crisis. Developing a sustainable way to farm will be of the up most important. Indoor farming is only a small piece of the puzzle to creating a sustainable agricultural base for humanity. In todays world, energy has driven humanity to the point where it is dependent for that of the smallest tasks. It is difficult to reminisce about what the world would be like without the use of machines that convert energy into electricity. Oil, since its discovery has been one of the, if not the most important substance on the planet. It is used in almost everything; from paint to clothes it has touched humanity in a very strong way. However, oil is not a sustainable resource. It is currently running its path toward depletion. In due course there will be no more oil on the planet. Oil contains a massive amount of energy that is harnessed and used for the production of electricity. Over half of the worlds electricity is created through the use of oil. It will be difficult to find a replacement for this resource. As oil is being depleted the world must turn to other sources of energy that will allow for sustainability. Alternative methods of producing electricity include solar and win d but current alternative energy sources currently only supply twenty percent of the worlds electricity. These alternative methods must be considered to be the future of harnessing energy once the oil reserves have dried completely. These methods do take a lot of space to produce electricity efficiently, but it may be a price that is willing to be paid in the near future. Creating a sustainable way to produce energy and electricity is very important for future generation to strive like current society has. Energy goals of the future are based around the process of fusion reactions. If scientists and engineers are able to sustain a fusion reaction and harness the energy exerted by the reaction then the energy problems of the world would be solved. It is essential that humanity continues to develop and explore new ways to create sustainable energy resources. It is imperative that society changes the way it functions as not all resources in the future will be at humans disposal. Change must be brought now in order to provide a sustainable society for future generations of humanity. On the contrary to some beliefs, the world is not in a sustainable state for future generations to inhabit. Todays society is on a course that will not end well. It is important for society to change their path towards sustainable development that would allow future generations to flourish. Current water situations should restrict the usage of certain tasks to help preserve what fresh water is available to us. Water is essential to all life, and as factories continue to pollute in what little fresh water is available it seemingly decreases a sustainable way of life for all. The advancement in the field of agriculture is important for humanity to survive. With almost all of the fertile soil already being used it is important to turn to other methods to create a yearly sustainable way to produce food. Indoor facilities will be depended heavily upon in the future for the production of the worlds food supply. Through the use of conventional oil, the world has become dependent on this sub stance. Alternative energy is the way of the future. One day it will have to replace oil because it is a sustainable way of producing electricity. It is important that humanity soon see how life cannot continue down its current path. New and improved ideas must be designed to create a sustainable environment that will allow for future generation to flourish as well as this generation has. Works Cited Human Appropriation of the Worlds Fresh Water Supply. Human Appropriation of the Worlds Fresh Water Supply. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2015. Riley, Tess. The Rise of Indoor Cropping. Triple Pundit People Planet Profit. N.p., 10 Oct. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2015.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Integrating Technology Into the Classroom Essay -- Educational Technol

Part 1: Identifying a Technology for Classroom Use This week's task is to identify a technology for classroom use that will improve students learning, make curriculum more meaningful and provide opportunities for my students to actively engage with technology in a meaningful way. My classroom has a Smart Board that was installed in the spring of 2011. It is wonderful for displaying information, taking notes, showing videos and photos that relate to the curriculum. However, students have a more limited interaction with it as a direct learning tool. I would have to admit that it is more a teacher centered tool than it is a student centered use of technology. After researching the Smart Board's available resources and tools, I found the technology that I would like to incorporate in my classroom. SMART Responseâ„ ¢ interactive response system PE. The SMART Responseâ„ ¢ interactive response system PE allows students to actively participate in activities as individuals and as a part of a group. Students have the ability to answer questions, challenges or play games that allow them to see the info displayed on the Smart Board. Students then answer using their individual controller. Answers can vary from multiple choice style (press the correct letter) to a short response in which students "text" their answer. Their choice is recorded by the Smart Board and can be used by both teacher and instructor for a variety of purposes. The information on the system can be found on the company website through the following link: http://www.smartboard.ie/product-smart-response-PE.php?PHPSESSID=e24b6ef32bf1a39fe6b5b102762128dc The use of the SMART Responseâ„ ¢ interactive response system PE will serve to increase student interaction with ... ...uote of $1765 for each set of the 32 Pack SMART Response with text and wireless receiver. This amounts to just over $55 per student wireless remote. For perspective These clickers cost almost half of the TI graphing calculators that we use for many of our math courses. COTG also provides free unlimited training and professional development for teachers in the district to learn how to use this technology and create activities to align the technology with the curriculum. Works Cited Caine, T. (1998), Getting the most out of technology in the classroom. The Exceptional Parent, 28(11), 44-46. De Lay, A.,M. (2010). Technology as a differentiated instruction tool. The Agricultural Education Magazine, 83(3), 15-17. Knobloch, N. A. (2005). Reap the benefits of games and simulations in the classroom. The Agricultural Education Magazine, 78(2), 21-23.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Responsibility Cost Control System

Assignment: Cost Modules Essay Cost management in China has been evolving over the past ten years due to influence by the foreign concepts of management accounting. This can be traced back to year 2001 where increased market openness, reduced government interference, and increased management autonomy were mandatory for China’s accession to the World Trade Organization. This change in market condition has incentivized Chinese firms to improve their management accounting practices.Subsequently, the traditional costing method is also facing a sudden threat by the influx of ABC/M, Target Costing, Responsibility Accounting, etc. Presented with new ideas, this essay will discuss the popular cost management accounting trend in China, specifically the responsibility cost control system. I will also compare the changes in the Chinese management accounting practices and give opinions on the possible future outlook of the cost and management accounting landscape.According to the research on contemporary management accounting in China by Jason Zezhong Xiao and Rong-Ruey Duh, the most widely used techniques are, cost behavior analysis, cost allocation, responsibility accounting, and cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis. On the other hand, the lowest levels of adoption are techniques like the activity-based costing/management, kaizen costing, standard costing, and environmental accounting. This result is gathered by providing the firms with 25 management accounting practices and asking them to feedback the extent to which they applied each of the 25 practices in the running of their businesses.Results showed that the responsibility cost control system, together with CVP analysis, are among the most popular ‘new’ practices adopted by Chinese firms since market reformed. Specifically, I will discuss responsibility cost control system using the example of Han Dan Iron and Steel Company. Han Dan Iron and Steel Company was established in 1958 and was originally a state-owned iron and steel mill under the administration of government authority at provincial level. It introduced ‘responsibility cost control ystem’ in the beginnings of 1990s, and went public in the next half of that decade. There are four underlying principles for the responsibility cost control system. 1. Setting cost and profit targets that take into account market pressures 2. Assigning target costs to various levels of responsibility center 3. Evaluating performance based on fulfillment of the responsibility cost targets, and 4. Implementing a reward scheme with built-in inventive mechanisms.To explain the first principle of responsibility cost control system using Han Dan Company, all 60 units and subsidiaries were regrouped and decentralized in accordance to the Company’s operational goals into two main categories – producing divisions and servicing units. Han Dan Company has 13 primary producing divisions and within each is a design of multi-t ier responsibility centers. This is crucial in the cost setting and profit targeting of responsibility cost control system and they are designed to be dependent on sales and demand, incorporating market pressure.The assignment of target costs to the various levels of subdivisions is by a top-down approach. It is different from the traditional standard costing method and is in line with the above principle of taking into account market pressure. The market prices are first determined and subsequently, target costs and profits will be just moving averages of the fluctuating market price. The third principle cannot hold without a good design and implementation governed by the DFA, the department that is also responsible to the evaluation of individual responsibility centers.This principle focused mainly on the target costs and is the most important indicator of responsibility performance in the responsibility cost control system. All bonuses will be forfeited when a responsibility cent er fail to meet its cost targets, even if other targets are fulfilled. The reward system however, does acknowledge and encourage the achievement of other related responsibility standards such as production output, product quality, etc. beyond the cost targets even though it is a secondary subject to the ‘cost-veto’ mechanism illustrated above.Although the responsibility cost control system is often compared to target costing, I feel that it is actually better than target costing due to the fact that it focuses more on actual results than forecast. Target costing on the other hand focuses more on forecast and new product planning, and extends cost management beyond the firm to include supply chain partners. Moreover, responsibility cost control system has proven great success in the case of Han Dan Company. It is an exemplary model for the government and business community in China to consider in other state-owned enterprises.Looking forward, with China’s market c ontinuing to evolve and opening up to foreign ideas and companies, we can foresee it moving towards a market-oriented economic system where companies are more motivated to adopt management techniques to improve performance. However, the adoption does not guarantee efficiency and profitability if government forces it onto them without considering the unique business situation. Like Han Dan Company, Chinese firms should diffuse and develop innovative management techniques to suit their own needs and we will definitely see even better developments by Chinese firms in the future.References Duh, R. , & Xiao, J. Z. (2008). An overview and assessment of contemporary management accounting research in china. (Special Issue ed. , Vol. 20, pp. 129-164). Journal of Management Accounting Research. WU, J. , & BOATENG, A. (2010). Factors influencing changes in chinese management accounting practices. Journal of Change Management, 10(3), 315–329. Lin, Z. J. , & Yu, Z. (2002). Res ponsibility cost control system in china: A case of management accounting application. Management Accounting Research, 13(4), 447-467.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Symbolism Of The Lottery By Shirley Jackson - 1577 Words

Shirley Jackson s The Lottery , is a story that is filled with symbolism. The author uses symbolism to help her represent human nature as tainted, no matter how pure one thinks of himself or herself, or how pure their environment may seem to be. The story is very effective in raising many questions about the pointless nature of humanity regarding tradition and violence. The Lottery clearly expresses Jackson s feelings concerning mankind?s evil nature hiding behind traditions and rituals. She shows how coldness and lack of compassion in people can exhibit in situations regarding tradition and values. Jackson presents the theme of this short story with a major use of symbolism. Symbolism shows throughout the setting of The Lottery, the objects, the peoples actions, and even in the time and the names of the lucky contestants. The setting of the story helps to magnify its impact on the reader because it is set in a small town similar to the one many of us may know of, and that is symbolic of everything that we consider to be right in America. The story begins on a wonderful summer day in a small town. The author describes the day as very joyful but strikes a contrast between the surroundings of the town and the atmosphere of the people gathered in the square. The atmosphere is sober, where the adults ?stood together, away from the stones in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather then laughed.(268) This, in just the third paragraph, is aShow MoreRelatedSymbolism In The Lottery, By Shirley Jackson869 Words   |  4 PagesSymbolism is used throughout The Lottery in the character names. Author, Shirley Jackson, uses the name of, Mr. Graves, to foreshadow the story and explain what â€Å"The Lottery† really is. Mr. Graves is the one who carries the three-legged stool which could i ndicate two things: the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, or it could mean the past, present and future, saying that â€Å"The Lottery† will always be among the people of the village. In addition, he is also the owner of the post office andRead MoreSymbolism Of The Lottery By Shirley Jackson926 Words   |  4 PagesWhen incorporated well, symbolism enhances a story’s overall impact. Shirley Jackson’s short story â€Å"The Lottery† contains symbolism to affect the readers’ feelings as well as add interest. The story begins with the villagers gathering at the square to participate in the lottery. The villagers chat while waiting for the event to begin. After Mr. Summers comes with a black box, he stirs the pieces of paper in the box. The narrators describe the lottery as an old ritual that the community continuesRead MoreSymbolism In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson879 Words   |  4 PagesShirley Jackson, the author of the short story †Å"The Lottery† is an unusual story of a town caught in a trap of following tradition. Shirley Jackson uses many symbols in the story to relate to the theme. By doing this it helps the reader understand the story and the message she is trying to get across. Jackson uses tone, setting, and symbolism to conduct a theme for her readers. By doing this she creates connections to the theme by using the black box and old man Warner as a symbol. Old man WarnerRead MoreUse of Symbolism in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson1146 Words   |  5 Pageswhat is known as Symbolism. Symbolism is the use of object, name, or person to represent an idea. If a name is being use, a name such as autumn can represent the adulthood of a human. Creatures such as an Eagle, represents ‘Freedom’ and ‘America’. Even inanimate objects can represent ideas; the light bulb represents ideas that just sparked into a character’s head. In the short story, â€Å"The Lottery† by Shirley Jackson, a village has just entered the month of June, meaning that the lottery is to begin.Read MoreSymbolism in The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson Essay748 Words   |  3 PagesThe Lottery: Symbolism In her story â€Å"The Lottery†, Shirley Jackson manages to catch the readers’ attention and ultimately shock them with an unexpected ending; all of which help her emphasize her critique toward the dark side of human nature and the evil that resides, sometimes, in those who we less expect it from. Jackson uses symbolism throughout the story that helps her set the mood and also makes the readers wonder and analyze the senseless violence and cruelty in their own lives. It all startsRead MoreUse of Symbolism in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson954 Words   |  4 PagesSymbolism means like any place, person or thing that is something but can be interpreted in a different way. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a short story that shows symbolism, to give hints about the story in all the characters and objects in the story. This Short story takes place in the summer where a small town has a lottery every year round. The person that wins the lottery has a huge impact on the town and the crops that grow in it. Old man Warner is the oldest in the town andRead More, Symbolism, And Themes In The Lottery, By Shirley Jackson1252 Words   |  6 PagesShirley Jackson’s The Lottery, is a realism story that was written for the main purpose of entertainment. Jackson writes about a small village that gathers every year for an event they call â€Å"The Lottery†. Every head of households comes up and draws a slip of paper from the box. Bill Hutchinson draws the first slip of paper with the black dot but Tessie Hutchinson quickly exclaims the lottery is not fair. Mr. Summers then puts five slips of paper back into the box, one for each of the family membersRead MoreTheme Of Symbolism In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson960 Words   |  4 Pagesagainst it shall be purged with death. The beauty of this world is just a mere mask to hide its monstrosity.Tear off its mask and you shall be bestowed upon the gift of the cruelty of this world. Shirley Jackson’s short story the â€Å"Lottery† illustrates the characte r Tessie Hutchinson as a figure of symbolism as it leads to the theme that the norms of society isolates those who are a victim of labels and expectations because they decorate the origins of sins therefore premonition of the ruin to someRead MoreSymbolism in The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson Essay example1173 Words   |  5 PagesWhen most people play the lottery today, they think about having wealth. Generally, people who win are happy about it whether they win one dollar or a million. The lottery in our society has grown to support education and it is often worth several million dollars. Usually, the winner of the lottery gains a lot of recognition for the money they win. But what would happen if there was a small town where people held a yearly lottery in which the â€Å"winner† was the member of the town who was not sacrificedRead More The Use of Symbolism in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Essay938 Words   |  4 PagesThe Use of Symbolism in The Lottery by Shirley Jacks on Within the first few lines of Shirley Jacksons The Lottery we are faced with such adjectives as clear, sunny, fresh and warmth. She goes on to paint a picture of small children just out of school for the summer, as the townspeople gather for the annual Lottery. This leads us to believe that the rest of the story is as cheery as the summer day initially described. We as the readers are virtually unaware of the horrible senseless events