Medical Marijuana Essays (2437 words) - Herbalism, Medicinal Plants

Medical Marijuana Medical Marijuana Marijuana prohibition applies to everyone, including the sick and dying. Of all the negative consequences of prohibition, none is as tragic as the denial of medical marijuana to the tens of thousands of seriously ill patients who could benefit from its therapeutic use. It is clear from available studies and rapidly accumulating anecdotal evidence that marijuana is therapeutic in the treatment of a number of serious ailments and is less toxic and costly than many conventional medicines for which it may be substituted.1 Most recently, a federally commissioned report by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) determined that, ?Marijuana's active components are potentially effective in treating pain, nausea, the anorexia of AIDS wasting, and other symptoms? including multiple sclerosis.2 In some cases, marijuana appears more effective than the commercially available drugs it replaces.3 The best established medical use of smoked marijuana is as an anti-nauseant for cancer chemotherapy. During the 1980s, researchers in six different state-sponsored clinical studies involving nearly 1,000 patients determined smoked marijuana to be an effective anti-emetic.4 For many of these patients, smoked marijuana proved more effective than both conventional prescription anti-nauseants and oral THC (marketed today as the synthetic pill, Marinol).5 Dr. John Benson, Jr., co-principle investigator for the latest NAS report, concluded in March 1997 that ?short term marijuana use appears to be suitable in treating conditions like chemotherapy-induced nausea? for patients who do not respond well to other medications.6 Currently, many oncologists are recommending marijuana to their patients despite its prohibition.7 Scientific and anecdotal evidence also suggests that marijuana is a valuable aid in reducing pain and suffering for patients with a variety of other serious ailments. For example, marijuana alleviates the nausea, vomiting, and the loss of appetite experienced by many AIDS patients without accelerating the rate at which HIV positive individuals develop clinical AIDS or other illnesses.8 According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), marijuana ?increase[s] food enjoyment and the number of times individuals eat per day.?9 The most recent NAS report found cannabinoid drugs ?promising for treating wasting syndrome in AIDS patients,?10 and recommended those patients unresponsive to conventional AIDS medications smoke marijuana to combat the wasting syndrome.11 An earlier 1982 report by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) suggested that marijuana reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients suffering from glaucoma, the leading cause of blindness in the United States.12 A follow up 1994 report by the Australian federal government determined that, ?There is reasonable evidence for the potential efficacy of THC in the treatment of glaucoma, especially in cases which have proved resistant to existing anti-glaucoma agents,? and recommended the drug's use under medically supervised conditions.13 Clinical and anecdotal evidence also points to the effectiveness of marijuana as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of a variety of spastic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, paraplegia, epilepsy, and quadriplegia. Animal studies and carefully controlled human studies support marijuana's ability to suppress convulsions. In November 1998, England's House of Lords Science and Technology Committee said they were ?convince[d] ... that cannabis ... certainly does have genuine medical applications ... in treating the painful muscle spasms and other symptoms of MS,? and recommended legalizing medical use of the drug.14 The latest NAS report also noted marijuana seems to alleviate muscle spasms associated with MS.15 Many patients and older Americans use marijuana therapeutically to control chronic pain. NAS researchers found that, ?The available evidence from both animal and human studies indicates that cannabinoids can produce a significant analgesic effect.?16 Several recent scientific studies performed by researchers at the University of San Francisco and elsewhere demonstrate that compounds in marijuana modulate pain signals in much the same way as morphine and other opiates.17 This new research led the Society of Neuroscience to pronounce that, ?Substances similar to or derived from marijuana, known as cannabinoids, could benefit the more than 97 million Americans who experience some form of pain each year.?18 New research indicates that marijuana constituents appear to protect brain cells during a stroke. Researchers at the National Institute for Mental Health called compounds in marijuana potent antioxidants.19 Doctors rely on antioxidants to protect stroke victims from toxic levels of a brain chemical called glutamate. Head trauma and strokes cause

Dynamic Facilitation A Critical Discussion

Dynamic Facilitation A Critical Discussion Introduction Increased competition, shifting customer demands, technological advancements, shifts in government regulations and workforce demographics are some of the triggers of change that continue to provide the impetus for organizations to continually adopt change (Sitkin et al, 2011), but these change efforts may be ineffective, unsustainable or even elusive if the fundamental principles and the methodologies of change are not effectively grasped and actively applied (Rough, 1997).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Dynamic Facilitation: A Critical Discussion specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is with this realization that the present paper seeks to discuss one of the change methodologies referred to as Dynamic Facilitation, with a view to bringing into light its theoretical underpinnings and how the methodology could be applied in contemporary organizational contexts. Theoretical Perspectives of Dynamic Facilitat ion Developed in the decade of the 1990s by Jim Rough, Dynamic Facilitation as a change methodology has attracted considerable interest from researchers, practitioners and organizational change agents (Sitkin et al, 2011; Howard et al, 2005). Rough Martin (2007) describes Dynamic Facilitation as â€Å"†¦an emergent approach to facilitating that helps people address difficult issues creatively and collaboratively, where shifts and breakthroughs are the natural result† (p. 224). Available literature demonstrates that Dynamic Facilitation revolves around bringing together people faced with a similar need and giving them the opportunity to chart the way forward by facilitating a process that will enable the participants to engage in deep, heartfelt and creative quality of thinking known in theoretical terms as â€Å"choice creating† (Rough Martin, 2007). In Dynamic Facilitation, the designated facilitator should not direct or control discussion among the participant s; rather, he plays an active role in ensuring that all participants are allowed the chance to express their views in any form in addition to seeking forclarifications, encouraging opposing views, and ensuring that only one participant speaks at a time (Rough Martin, 2007; Howard et al, 2005). In theoretical terms, therefore, such an arrangement is intended to generate elevated trust, shared understandings, and the spirit of community in an attempt to come up with the best solution(s) to the arising need (Rough Martin, 2007). The major task of the designated facilitator is to attempt to record all the contributions made by participants using four charts, which are purposely labeled â€Å"†¦enquiries/problem statements, difficulties/concerns, information/perspectives, and options/ideas† (Howard et al, 2005, p. 3).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Using some sort of a jigsaw puzzle analogy, the participants in the group may jump around while discussing diverse sections of the bigger picture in a bid to come up with both short- and long-term solutions to the identified need. In recording the participants’ contributions into the four charts, the designated facilitator should ensure that everyone’s contributions are written down. The theoretical underpinning of this process of recording all contributions, according to Howard et al (2005) and Rough (1997), lies in the fact that participants are more likely to expand their focus and listen to the contributions of others in the process of forming the bigger picture if they are well aware that they are free to be fully heard, and that their own contributions are taken into consideration in the search for possible solutions to the presenting need. Consequently, Howard et al (2005) and Rough Martin (2007) note that Dynamic Facilitation encourage participants to be ‘them selves’and to express freely or ‘dump’ the information on their mind to the group. Upon starting to comprehend the complexity of the scenario when considering manifold points of view they, on their own volition, begin to suggest possible solutions to the presenting need. Howard et al (2005) observes that such a self-organization environment, where all participants are allowed to participate without the facilitator attempting to push for any consensus, brings forth important breakthroughs, which are then recorded in the fifth chart. The facilitator should always ensure that the points of convergence brought forward by individual uniqueness and passion are identified as it is these convergences that form the backbone of the solutions to the presenting need. Indeed, Rough Martin (2007) note that â€Å"†¦individual uniqueness and passion, normally seen as liabilities, are valued as assets in the group† (p. 224). The theoretical underpinning of encouragin g this uniqueness is based on the fact that the unique perspectives fronted by participants may well turn out to be the missing portion of the puzzle (Rough, 1997). However, it is always important to note that conclusions should always be unanimous (Rough Martin, 2007), and the consensus statements then communicated to all stakeholders for additional discussion and possible implementation (Howard et al. 2005). Application of Dynamic Facilitation Dynamic Facilitation as a change methodology can be applied in managing change process at a community college, where the decisions made not only affect the school management and students, but also the community at large. An example of a change process affecting the college would be to develop mechanisms aimed at fighting the rising incidences of insecurity within the school’s neighborhood.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Dynamic Facilitation: A Critical Discussion specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/p age Learn More In such a scenario, it is feasible to use this change methodology due to the fact that the processes triggering the change are largely unplanned, thus the need to employ the self-organizing concept to manage change which cannot be planned (Rough, 1997). It can also be argued that this methodology is feasible because it is very effective in dealing with complex situations, where there is no easy answer. Insecurity is one such scenario. A number of stakeholders would be involved in such a change initiative. In the context of therising insecurity problem, it is imperative to involve the college administration, teachers, students, parents and local church leaders, as well as government officials such as the police. Rough (1997) argues that it is these stakeholders who, individually and collectively, elicit creative quality of thinking through their contributions in the dialogue. It is this quality of thinking that is later used to come up with important br eakthroughs. Consequently, it is of fundamental importance to include the right kind of stakeholders in the group for the discussions to become fruitful. It should be noted that while the dynamic facilitator acts to guide and direct the discussion among participants, the sponsor is involved in setting or sketching the outcomes as needed by the organization or community to deal with the presenting problem. To identify the sponsor, therefore, concerted efforts need to be made to identify someone who is well versed with the issues at hand, and who is well respected to command a significant degree of influence in the community (Sitkin et al, 2011). However, it is imperative to note that the influence of the sponsor should not be used to sway the contributions of participants in the group. The success of the change initiative should be measured by how the members are able to attain convergences in discussing particular issues of interest. It should be noted that it is the convergent poin ts of view that contribute to the achievement of the consensus statements, which are then used to come up with breakthroughs to the issues at hand (Howard et al, 2005; Rough Martin, 2007). Lack of convergent points of view among participants therefore implies lack of progress. Lastly, the organization, which is the community college in this case, is expected to gain from reduced cases of insecurity and student complaints in the short-term, but will gain more in terms of positive public image and enhanced student enrollment levels in the long-term.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Conclusion This paper has effectively demonstrated how Dynamic Facilitation can be used as a methodology to manage a seemingly impossible and unplanned change process. The discussion has particularly shed light on how change can be viewed as self-organizing, and how important breakthroughs can be achieved by getting people to freely discuss the presenting problem and by getting them to listen to the contribution of others (Howard et al, 2005). Certainly, it can only be concluded that Dynamic Facilitation represents an increasingly growing paradigm of change management methodologies, particularly at the community level. Reference List Howard, P., Galarneau, T., Perez, J., Shaw, D. (2005). Integrating open space technology and Dynamic Facilitation. Participatory Learning Action, 53(1), 1-6. Retrieved from http://foodsecurity.org/ Rough, J. (1997). Dynamic Facilitation and the magic of self-organizing change. Journal for Quality and Participation, 20(3) 34-38. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Rough, J., Martin, D. (2007). Dynamic Facilitation. In: P. Holman, T. Devane, S. Cady (Ed.), The Change handbook: The definitive resource on today’s best methods for engaging whole systems (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. Sitkin, S.B., See, K.E., Miller, C.C., Lawless, M.W., Carton, A.M. (2011). The paradox of stretch goals: Organizations in pursuit of the seemingly impossible. Academy of Management Review, 36(3), 544-566. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database.

Leading Global Workforce Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Leading Global Workforce - Assignment Example important for the firm to shape its organizational culture in a way such that the capabilities identified can be employed to address the market challenges and emerging market opportunities. In the words of Becker, Huselid, and Beatty (2013), it is vital for an organization to identify its strategic capabilities effectively to set achievable short-term as well long-term goals in the light of its current resources and potentials (p.na). This process may also assist the business to forecast how long the organization would take to achieve the targets specified. Another importance of identifying strategic capabilities is that it can benefit the organization to determine the right time and method for initiating the next phase of business expansion. Identifying strategic positions is the second step in the process of developing a differentiated workforce. This phase is essential for the organization to deliver its strategic capabilities, employee competencies, and the key behaviors needed (Identify strategic positions). The major significance of strategic positions lies in the fact that they can have a great influence on one or more of the firm’s strategic capabilities. In addition, strategic positions can significantly affect the performance variability, which represents a substantial difference between high and low levels of performance in a given job. By identifying the strategic positions clearly, an organization can determine whether it needs to invest additionally in workforce management and differentiation. This process may also benefit the management to decide whether or not the organization is in a position to capitalize on its strategic capabilities (Becker & Huselid). Management professionals indicate that rec ognizing strategic positions is really inevitable for the organization to promote workplace collaboration and manage a culturally diverse worksite. Assessing strategic players is an integral part of developing a differentiated workforce. This process

United State foreign policy towards Middle East Essay

United State foreign policy towards Middle East - Essay Example US has been accused of having inconsistent and incoherent foreign policy towards Middle East. The relation of United States government and the Middle East can be dated to a thousand years and since this period it has used various foreign policies in this region. Oren admits that the America’s failure to be clear and honest about its own motives, as much as its serial failure to interpret the Middle East as often befuddled relations with the region (Oren,pp.341). This paper explores the reasons for United States inconsistent foreign policy towards Middle East with a close reference to the text book power, faith, and fantasy: America in the Middle East 1776 to present. Combating Threat from Middle East and Adjacent Regions. The threat posed by Saddam Hussein in Iraq was fantastical and not real until the American forces hit the ground there. United states through its foreign policy seek to protect itself from Middle East threats while at the same time helping to safeguard the li ves of native people in the region. For example United States government has adopted different foreign policies in Iran and Iraq and also in Israel and Palestine. The United States foreign policy that is pegged on the pillars of deterrence, containment and preemptive strikes on terrorism and alleged terrorism attacks has been inconsistent and incoherent in Middle East.It has stressed force and sanctions and absence of nuclear weapons in Iraq and Iran while at the same employing diplomacy in Israel and Palestine and this has created a rather disparity and inconsistency in the foreign policy. (Parmar,pp.204). Pursuit of National Interest United States foreign policy is usually based on the national interest but in the Middle East, the pursuit encompasses overlapping, conflicting and inconsistent economic, political and strategic interest. Domestic influences usually determine the United States foreign policy and it is balanced by the interest of America and the greater good of mankind . Different political regimes in the United States also have their foreign policy blue prints and this has seriously led to the inconsistency of these policies towards Middle East. For example Democrats and Republicans have had different foreign policies towards Middle East once they are in power. There is usually more debate within the administration of United States government and the national security on foreign policy and it normally leads to contradictory, incoherent and inconsistent policy towards Middle East. Supply of Oil United States has depended on foreign crude oil for a long time and these imports are majorly from Middle East countries. Because of the massive petroleum reserves in the Middle East United States government has developed policies that are seen to be inconsistent and incoherent about the region. In view of this and the challenge posed by hostile domestic population, United States government has adopted an increasingly inconsistent policy in regard to the Mi ddle East region. The foreign policies are formulated in a careful strategy so as to wield acceptance from the Middle East masses and in the long run receive constant supply of crude oil. The need for secure flow of Middle Eastern oil into the United States economy has led to special relationship. The Middle Eastern countries especially Saudi Arabia has the largest deposit of oil reserves in the world but at the same time they are marred by instability. This instability is mainly caused by political regimes which are authoritarian. United States government through its foreign policy is supporting these political regimes in the Middle East in order to secure constant flow of oil (Rosati and Scott,pp.35). As a result, the United States government has preserved the status quo politics in the Middle East particularly in Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf sheikdoms. One of the major reasons for the inconsistent foreign policy in the Middle Eas

Brief analysis of the global airline industry Essay

Brief analysis of the global airline industry - Essay Example Airline travel continues to be one of the most popular ways to travel. Airlines continue to function as freight carriers and passenger carriers with some functioning as both. The aviation industry will need to watch for economic recovery in other sectors of the economy and will need to take advantage of that recovery to rebound itself. In the European Union, airlines that fly internationally have been affected by American aviation's lowering of ticket prices to draw more customers back to flying. In 2001 the European Union began discussions with the United States to establish a trans-Atlantic pricing agreement. The American government provided bailouts to U.S. based carriers and the European Union agreed to allow European governments to grant funds to their airlines as well thus evening the playing field a bit (World Airline News, 1). A gradual return to previous levels of travel and tourism will help the industry rebound. A major influence in the airlines and other business in Europe is the growth of the European Union. Open borders offer the opportunity to add more routes to an existing airline. Ryanair is positioned in the industry to add those routes at low costs that consumers expect. The European Union is in the business of enlargement and flexible integration (Camppanella, 7).The new venture of Ryanair and Aer Lingus will need to focus on industry trends and exploit opportunities within the industry as they become available. . It needs to answer questions like "what are my competitors doing", "is there rivalry amongst firms", and "how will my suppliers react to the acquisition". Michael Porter's Five Forces Model (Porter, 1980) provides a good framework for answering such questions. Porter developed this framework for the structural analysis of industry attractiveness (Porter, 1980). Porter's framework offers a "model to help identify relevant variables and questions that must be answered to ta ilor conclusions to a particular industry or businesses"(Porter, 1980). The five forces are: the threat of entry, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, development of substitute products or services, and rivalry among competitors (Porter, 1980). Another direction the airline might take is to conduct a PESTEL Analysis. PESTEL stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technical, Environment, and Legislative. This type of analysis provides a look at the external pressures an organisation might encounter. Ryanair could benefit by this type of analysis. For example, the company would need to take a look at the political implications that would affect the business such as: can the airlines be nationalized PESTAL analysis helps decision makers make a guided examination of factor's they may overlook using one of the other analysis models. The company may not have thought to examine the economic impact of headquartering its business in Dublin but I'm sure that environmentalist would have requested and environmental impact statement. Ryanair would benefit from knowing how local legislators view the airline and if the acquisition would be violating any local laws. Ryanair would need to examine their tax liabilities incurred by basing it self in Dublin. Tax labilities may have increased because Ryanair will be operating as a larger

How Has Climate Change Effected Cambodia Environmental Sciences Essay

How Has Climate Change Effected Cambodia Environmental Sciences Essay Nowadays the world has encountered abundance of challenges such as terrorism, transnational crimes, environment issues and weapon mass destruction (WMD) proliferation. As a matter of fact, these issues cannot be solved by one state; in order to overcome these problems, international cooperation and increasing non-state capability are required. For me, the most anxiety and interesting challenge is environment issue especially climate change and global warming due to two main reasons. First, this issue is a contemporary issue that has affected the world especially agriculture based countries. As we know, about 80 percents of Cambodia population are farmers, and most of them still practice old traditional farming rather than using new technology to assist them. Furthermore, farmers usually rely on water during rainy season to provide water to their fields and harvest on dry season; however, because of climate change and global warming the issue occur when there is not enough water in rainy season plus the irrigation system in Cambodia does not adequate to provide water to everywhere in the country as well, so some farmers cannot plant anything and end up with debt. Thus, this research can show the effects on Cambodia as the agriculture based country. Second, I want to do a research plan on this issue in order to apply for scholarship to study abroad when I graduate. By doing the research on this topic, I can know more about the grass root causes-effects, current solutions and obstacles of these issues. In conclusion, since this issue is beyond my understanding in some aspect, I will use this opportunity when I study the global governance course to analyze this topic, and I hope this individual reflection paper can share knowledge to other students as well. IRP outline: MC#1: Introduction MC#2: The causes of climate change and global warming MC#3: The effects of climate change and global warming MC#4: Responses and challenges MC#5: Conclusion (Note: this outline might be altered according to the research) Topic: Climate change, global warming and its effect on Cambodia as a nation Mini Composition #1: Introduction Global warming and Climate change have been the environmental issues facing humankind for such a long times, and these issues has attracted the international attention during the 1970s. Because these issues are quite a complex subject, cooperation between states and increasing capability of the relevant non-state actors (NSAs) are solutions to deal with these issue. Over the past decades, leaders from states have negotiated to seek a comparative solution for all parties; the institutional framework provided by the UNFCC, the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change, in 1992 and plus the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, yet these fragile frameworks do not contribute much to alleviate the problems due to realism ideas, lacking in private morality and uncertainty of states. Furthermore, its impacts are far beyond human ability to control and monitor. we shall discuss in detail about the responses in Chapter4 Global warming is a term used to describe a persistent increase in the earths mean surface temperature relative to long-term average conditions (those that prevail over centuries). In fact, the world climate changes over period; however, in the late 19th century, the climate has changed considerably. Furthermore, it is difficult to distinguish the global warming and climate change since global warming results in climate change and the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, though climate change has a broader meaning and refers to changes in average climatic conditions (temperature, wind, rainfall, and other climatic variables) relative to their long-term average. Both natural and anthropogenic (human-caused) factors can causes global warming, but the overwhelming scientific consensus is that the increase in global temperatures over the past century is primarily due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In conclusion, the global warming and climate change is a wide range of issues that need efforts from each actor in international relation. In the next chapter, we will take a deep look to the causes of global warming and climate change. Mini Composition #2: What are the causes of global warming and climate change? Many scientists endeavor to determine preciously what key factors are behind the global warming and climate change, and they come up with different causes that are interrelated. We can divide causes into two categories increasing amount of Green house gases (GHGs) and urbanization. According to Time For Change organization report, almost 100% of the observed temperature is being increased over the last 50 years has been due to the increase in the atmosphere of greenhouse gas concentrations like water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, ozone and other gases. However, the largest contributing source of greenhouse gases is the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2). GHGs in the atmosphere act like a mirror and Fig. 1: the relative of the major human-produced greenhouse gases to current warming [Source: www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitgcc/cause01.jsp] reflect back to the Earth a part of the heat radiation, which would, otherwise, be lost to space. The higher the concentration of green house gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the more heat energy is being reflected back to the Earth. Thus, what are the causes of increasing those gases? So far, the causes of variation of atmospheric greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide are human-made activities and natural disasters. There are various kinds of human activities that increase the amount of CO2 such as burning fossil fuels, emission of smoke by factories, overpopulation, clearing forests for development (agriculture, industrialization or urbanization) and logging in the jungle. For instance, the emission of CO2 into the environment mainly from burning of fossil fuels (oil, gas, petrol, etc.) has been increased significantly over the past 50 years (see the graph below). Fig. 1: Carbon dioxide emissions in million tons per year over the last 200 years [Source: http://www.globalwarmingart.com/wiki/Image:Global_Carbon_Emission_by_Type_png] Another cause is urbanization. In order to transform lands from forest or natural to urbanization, industrialization or agriculture, policy makers often face trade-off between development and environment. For example, in industrialized nations, they need fuel in fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gases in order to run their factories. Even though, the leaders do know that it will damage the environment, they have no choice rather than extract natural resources within their countries or other states. Moreover, small particles in the air (aerosols) may have warming or cooling effects, depending on their characteristics. Sulfate (SO4) aerosol, for example, is light-colored and reflects sunlight back into space. The cooling effect of volcanic aerosols from the Mt. Tambora eruption of 1815 caused North Americas year without a summer in 1816. The other interesting cause is overpopulation. According to the US Census Bureaus Web site (15:41 UTC (EST+5) Nov 04, 2010), the number of people in the world is 6,879,418,535. When there are more people, there will be more de mands, and it will lead to more supplies. Thus, in order that factories can increase their productivities, they need more energy and natural resources. Moreover, some products affect the environment because they contain greenhouse gases. For instance, refrigerators and aerosols which contain chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) that causes damage to the ozone layer. Case study In this case study, we are going to explore the causes that Cambodia contributes to the climate change and global warming. There are three main causes which are deforestation, urbanization and industrialization. First, Deforestation is a hidden causes and controversial in the international stage as well. Between 25 and 30 percent of the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere each year comes from deforestation. For instance, Cambodia, located in South East Asia, was recognized as a green country that consisted of rainforest (70% all over country) in 1970s. Unfortunately, Cambodia becomes one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world, third to only Nigeria and Vietnam, according to a 2005 report conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The percentage of rainforest fell dramatically from over 70% in 1970 to just 3.1% in 2007. There are some reasons behind this disaster such as war, fragile governance, development, lands incentive f or investments, agricultures, and so on. Second, the Cambodia government has initialed to urbanize the city due to overpopulation and reform. Even though, this development does alleviate and give benefit to this country, it also affects the environment. For instance, when land is converted from forests or nature to urban environments, the regional climate system is altered because urban environments are also islands of heat produced by industry, homes, automobiles, and asphalts absorption of solar energy. Last but not least, in Cambodia, the number of factories, located in the cities and countryside, also affect to the environment. The disposal of waste on land, in water and air damage the ecosystems and leak abundance of green house gases especially CO2. Thus, even though Cambodia is a tiny country in the world, it also mainly contributes to the climate change and global warming as well. In conclusion for this chapter, green house gases, that created by human-made activities and natural disasters, are the main causes of global warming and climate changes. In the next chapter, we will discuss detail about the effects of the global warming and climate changes. Mini Composition #3: What are the effects of global warming and climate change? Even thought global warming and climate change have many effects, these phenomena are interrelated, so to make ease for analyze the effects, I will categorized in six main impacts (1) increasing the temperature on the earth; (2) rising of sea levels; (3) changing landscapes; (4) increasing risk of drought, fire, foods and species extinction; (5) increasing heat-related illness and disease; and (6) economic looses. Increasing the temperature on the earth simply means the earth becomes warmer and warmer, and this is not a new phenomenon, but due to global warming the temperature in the world has increased rapidly and upward. Because the amount of GHGs mainly CO2 increase dramatically in recent decades, Time For Change Organization makes a projection that the temperature of the earth will be increased by 3o to 50 by the year 2050. As the world is heated, sea levels rise because warmer water takes up more room than colder water, a process known as thermal expansion1. Furthermore, the glaciers in the polar melt leads to raising sea levels. Rising seas threaten to inundate low-lying areas and islands, threaten dense coastal populations, erode shorelines, damage property and destroy ecosystems such as mangroves and wetlands that protect coasts against storms. A logical consideration is a 36-inch increase in sea levels would swamp every city on the East Coast of the United States, from Miami to Boston. Moreover, sea level rise associated with climate changes could displace tens of millions of people in low-lying areas especially in developing countries. Inhabitants of some small island countries that rest barely above the existing sea level are already abandoning their islands, some of the worlds first climate change refugees. Another effect is changing landscapes. We can divide it into two different issues land degradation and desertification. Land degradation simply means soil quality is worsening. This phenomenon is a result of over-farming and poor land-use practice. On the other hand, desertification means the growths of deserts and sand areas. Each year according to the United Nations Environmental Program, an area of land about the size of Australia, approximately 31000 square miles, turns into dessert. Another major effect is increasing risk of drought, fire, foods and species extinction. Climate change makes the circulation of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth causing drought and floods to be more frequent, serious and widespread. In 2010, according to Pakistani government data the floods directly affected about 20 million people, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure, with a death toll of close to 2,000.2 Due to the overpopulation, people need to increase the food productivities to meet the demand. Unfortunately, because of land degradation and desertification, most of the soils in the world become poorer and it leads to food insecurity in the world. Moreover, According to The Nature Conservancy group, experts predict that one-fourth of Earths species will be headed for extinction by 2050 if the warming trend continues at its current rate. Not so long, the world already experiences some lessons. For example, in 1999, the death of the last Golden Toad in Central America marked the first documented species extinction driven by climate change3. Another effect is increasing heat-related illness and disease. When the ozone layer becomes thinner, more amount of sun light will come to the earth. Consequently, people will get skin disease because of Ultraviolet. Moreover, Climate change may increase the spread of infectious diseases, because warmer temperatures let diseases carrying insects, animals and microbes to survive in areas where they were once thwarted by cold weather. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that climate change may have caused more than 150,000 deaths in the year 2000 alone, with an increase in deaths likely in the future. Last but not least, global warming prevail the economy loose. Globally, serious change in weather (more serious hurricane, storm etc.) could cause billions of dollars in damage to property and infrastructure. Plus, declining crop productions due to prolonged drought and high temperatures, especially in Africa, could put hundreds of thousands of people at risk. Thus, the effects of global warming and climate change are varies and interrelated. After we have look through to the major effects of these phenomenon, then we shall analyze on the certain country, Cambodia. Case study In the previous chapter, we have examined the causes that Cambodia has contributed to the global warming and climate change. In this case study on the other hand, we shall prevail and analyze the impacts of global warming and climate change in this country. Cambodias temperature would increase up to 1.35 2.50C in 2100. Annual rainfall would increase between 3 and 35% from current condition; lowland areas seem to be more affected than highland areas4. Map of flood-prone communes Map of drought-prone communes Source: WFP (2005) Floods and drought are recognized as one of the main contributors to poverty. In these pictures above, Cambodia is vulnerable to floods and droughts. High dependency on rain-fed farming makes agriculture sector particularly vulnerable. In Cambodia, the impact of climate change has become apparent, yet the public does not feel alert due to limited knowledge and other. There are six implication suggestions on Cambodia. First, recall memory of economy loose. Floods caused 70% of production losses of rice, while drought 20% between 1998 and 2002, and the floods caused USD 205 million damage between 2000 and 20025. Second, According to Allison, he claims that Cambodias economy is rated as one of the most vulnerable to impacts of climate change on fisheries. Third, if the sea level rises, it will affect areas near the sea. The research of ministry of whether shows that 1m rise can submerge 56% of Koh Kong City. Consequently, it will damage to infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, and livelihood. Fourth, as an agriculture country, when the food productivities decline, it leads to food insecurity in the country since Cambodian highly depends on single crop and low processing capacity within the country. Firth, another effect is water quality degradation and sanitation. Finally, increase in water- related / tropical diseases such as malaria and dengue. The Ministry of the Environment estimates that under changing climatic conditions Cambodia may experience increasing incidences of malaria, up 16 percent from its current rate. Natural disasters have upset fragile ecosystems, which in turn have triggered other changes that have affected issues such as ri sing poverty and malnutrition in children. In conclusion, Cambodias weak social infrastructure will affect the poor, and it will be a heavy burden for Cambodias next generations, who will have difficulty in bridging its ecological deficit. Thus, the government and all others relevant must come up with strong policies and fast action to combat climate change. In the next chapter, we shall examine the actions undertaken by international actors and Cambodia itself. Mini composition #4 Responses and challenges of global warming and climate change After severe suffer from these environmental issues, states have recognized that they are in troubles. Consequently, two key environmental conferences were held during the 1990s, namely Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and Kyoto Environmental Summit in 1997. Held under UN auspices, the Rio Earth Summit brought together thousands of delegates and representatives from state actors and non state actors. According to Time reporter, Philip Elmer-Dewitt, published in Rich Vs Poor in 1992, the Earth Summit was the largest and most complex conference ever held- bigger than the momentous meetings at Versailles, Yalta, and Potsdam1. In this summit, 178 states signed two treaties, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Changes (UNFCC), addressed global warming issues and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), addressed to protect endangered species and biodiversity. The UNFCC sets the basic objective to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Regarding this summit, the great success is that it gathered many people from different part of the international community that had never assembled to discuss a particular issue. Moreover, Earth summit also raised global consciousness about environmental issue; however, throughout the Rio meeting, a conflict between environmental protection and economic development was reveal because the insistence of many Developing World states that feared that stronger wording might adversely affect their economies. Following the Rio Earth Summit, the Kyoto Environmental Summit in 1997, Japan, intended to address the global warming issue. Despite reduction in the emission of green house gases (GHGs) mandated by the Montreal Protocol and Rio summit agreements, states in the world still released too many of GHGs into the atmosphere, so the atmosphere remained at risk. This Kyoto protocol provided economic incentive for developing states to meet their targets through trade and clean development mechanism, and urged for cooperation between developed and developing states over environmentally clean projects. Nevertheless, only seven out of 84 countries who signed the protocol ratified it in 1999 all of which were small islands or low lying states particularly concerned by global warming and submerging them; however, the conflict between developing and developed states has remained and it needs to be sort out through trust cooperation and mutual interests. Responses From these two summits, there are three suggested solutions carbon management, creating market incentive and alternative energies. Among GHGs, carbon dioxide is the dangerous chemical substance that is the major cause of global warming and climate change. Since the industrialization era, the demand of fossil fuel has increased dramatically, so oil production become inelastic. In order to cope with the carbon budgets, we do need to face head-on six importance activities, (1) slow or stop deforestation, (2) reduce emissions from electricity production, (3) reduce emissions from automobiles, (4) clean up industrial processes in a few major sectors, (5) economize on electricity use through more efficient motors, appliances, lighting, insulation and other electrical demands; (6) convert point-source based systems powered by low-emission electricity. Considering the challenges of reducing emissions from the electricity generation are complicated, there are three major avenues to reduced emissions from the power sectors: greater efficiency in the use of electricity, a greater proportion of electricity generation with n on-fossil fuel sources of energy and special engineering processes to capture the carbon dioxide from fossil fuel electricity plants and to store it by using a technology called carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) 1. The Kyoto protocol has accomplished one major advance: the start of a market price on carbon emissions, in the form of tradable carbon permits, albeit only in Europe. This strategy more or less provides incentive to the emitters to limit carbon emission from their factories. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to increase funding for climate science in the poorest countries to help those countries understand how adapt to the climate change, and science also needed to enable those countries to participate effectively in global mitigation efforts by reducing the rate of deforestation and by adoption low-carbon energy strategies in the course of economic development. Last but not least, we can expect non-fossil energy sources to provide a good and growing fraction of the worlds energy supply. While fossil fuels will predominate for some decades more, in the longer term non-fossil alternatives are likely to come to preeminence. Wind, hydroelectricity, ocean waves, bio-fuel, geothermal and nuclear energy will be more favored although each of these is limited by local condition and not applicable as global solutions. Due to popularity and profits, states attempt to gain the nuclear energy, but it can pose threat to the localized and internationalized because of nuclear radiation and nuclear weapon. Prepared by SAY VORTANA 2 email: [emailprotected] Challenges From my perspective, there are two main challenges implementation and the inequity between developed and developing states. The problem is not the framework or purpose but implementations. The Kyoto protocol commitments were very modest (only 5 percent reduction) and short term until 2012, and it shows the cooperation of the world on a carbon management trajectory. Even so this treaty is considered as failure when the U.S did not ratify this protocol in fear of economic development impacts. The US, far and away the biggest contributor to GHGs, indignantly telling poor countries bearing the consequences in famines, droughts, increased malaria transmission and more that the United States will not even start on emissions control, so how can other states obey and ratify this treaty? Another important but controversial challenges is the inequity between developed and developing states. Development and environmental protection are dilemma for decision makers of individual states; developing countries who try to develop their countries are inevitable to exploit their natural resources, so when developed states who enjoyed their economic growth in the past decades tell developing states to stop exploit their natural resources, it is injustice. For example, when the US and Europe tell Brazil to stop deforestation business investment, and similarly China was criticized for air pollution. In conclusion, as long as there is no strong support from super power P5 (security council); the south and north cannot reach mutual interests (efficiency and equity) plus trust each other, the global warming and climate change still remain unsure when will it can be sort out. Case study What are the possible solution for Cambodia to overcome global warming and climate change? There are three potential solutions low carbon economy/ enhance economy efficiency, carbon finance and promote environment awareness. Cambodias government can improve and examine seven factors: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Energy supply improved supply and distribution efficiency, Renewable sources, security and access à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Transport Hybrid vehicles, emission standards, bio fuels, Public transport, non- motorized transport à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Buildings passive and active solar integrated buildings, improved insulation à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Industry Upgrading of factories, processing lines / schemes etc. Prepared by SAY VORTANA 3 email: [emailprotected] à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Agriculture improved agricultural practices à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Waste management landfill methane recovery; waste to energy; composting; recycling and waste minimization à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Forestry Reforestation; forest management; reduced deforestation For carbon finance Cambodia can enjoy with the extra paid by using clean development mechanism (CDM). According to UNDP based in Cambodia, a local power generator, Samrong Thom Methane-fired Power Generation reduce total GHG emission for 7 years 47,544 tCO2e; this generator can get total income at $15/tCO2e: US$ 713,160 from carbon finance2, so government should encourage this kind of investment in Cambodia. Invest in Biogas Digester (source: UNDP) Another solution is to promote environment awareness for Cambodian. The bottom- up strategy also provides a better option to overcome this issue. The government can work effectively with other Non-government organizations (NGOs) by providing environment education in the public school and local communities. In short, besides protecting environment, Cambodia can enjoy low carbon economy through carbon finance; furthermore, the bottom-up strategy can promote environment issue awareness in Cambodia. In the last chapter of this paper, we will wrap up and provide brief conclusion. Mini composition #5 Conclusion Global warming and climate change are transnational issues that pose great challenges to the global governance. Nations has suffered severe disaster such as flood, hurricane, serious earthquake, drought and so on recently, and it would be great danger in the future if global warming and climate change are not sorted out effectively. Despite of cooperation between states through earth summit and Kyoto protocol, the issues remain widespread from day to day. Who will be responsible? Developed states or developing states? The controversial stances between developed countries and developing countries remain exists and pose a big challenge for Kyoto protocol. Furthermore, the decision maker, leader, head of states are inevitable face dilemma between development and environmental protection. For Cambodia, Cambodia contributes little to climate change but almost all the provinces in Cambodia are vulnerable to climate change due to their low adaptive capacity and dependence on climate-sensitive livelihoods. Moreover, climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and windstorms as well as coastal inundation due to sea-level rise. Responding to climate change should start by linking efforts to reduce vulnerability to present climate-related disasters with those aimed at building longer-term resilience to climate change. Low carbon economy/enhance economy efficiency, carbon finance and promote environment awareness are the factors that will be alleviate and assist Cambodian through bright future in the next generation. For both international and national level, implementation and commitment from the government or head of state is compulsory to ensure the sustainable growth with the green economy policy.

Analyse The Streingths and Weaknesses Of The Boston Matrix As An Aid T

In this essay I will look at the strengths and weaknesses of using the Boston Matrix to help make decisions in business. I will first briefly explain the Boston Matrix and then analyse its effectiveness as an aid to making a marketing strategy. Like Ansoff's matrix, the Boston Matrix is a well known tool for marketing managers. It was developed by the large US consulting group and is a way that a business can compare all of its products. The two aspects it looks at are market share (relative to that of competitors) and market growth. To use it you would look at all of your products and sort them into 4 categories, stars (products with a high market growth and a high market share), cash cows (high market share in a market with little growth), problem children/question marks (low market share in a growing market) and dogs (low market share in a market with no growth). There needs to be an equilibrium of the different types in your product portfolio. Never have any dogs, but try and keep the same amount of the other 3 types. This means that funds can be evenly distributed between the 3, money generated from cash cows needs to be spent turning problem children into stars, which will eventually become cash cows, and the cycle continues. Some problem children will become dogs, and money from cash cows m ay also have to be spent compensating for these failures. The Boston Matrix is commonly used to try and help plan the future of a company as well as simply categorising products. Bu...