The Person I Admire the Most Essay Example

The Person I Admire the Most Paper The person that I admire the most Why my sister is my role model? She is not a world famous or a multimillionaire, but she is very important character in my life. I save my admiration for her because she is a special woman. I admire my sister because of her personality and for all she has done for me in my life. I grew up with my sister and she has always been my best friend. My sisters name is Ana. She is 25 years old and lives her in Miami. Ana is studying at FIU University and is working too. Looking at her, it is not difficult to see why she relates so successful. She has beautiful black hair and large round brown eyes. She also has charming smile that makes her face is radiant. She is quite tall and slim. She wears fashionable and elegant clothes that highlight her perfect figure. All the features of her appearance show how beautiful she is. She has many positive character traits. Firstly, my sister has a lot of friends, because she has a reputation as a friendly and sociable person. She is extrovert and communicative. Secondly, she is very helpful and loving. Therefore, you can always rely on her. If I am having a bad day she is always there to help make it better. That is why Ana has never failed me. At the same time, she is very determined and knows what she wants to achieve in her life. She is very ambitious and always reaches her goal. She is also a great leader, a natural born leader. Thanks to this ability she can work in a group and distribute the work among others. She enjoys when she is working with people. The above description of her personality only confirms that Ana is a wonderful person. We will write a custom essay sample on The Person I Admire the Most specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Person I Admire the Most specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Person I Admire the Most specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Kill Two Birds With One Stone in French

Kill Two Birds With One Stone in French The French proverb faire dune pierre deux coups seems a little more humane than its English equivalent, to kill two birds with one stone, but theres no telling what the two jobs are- the proverbial stone could be killing birds, or it might be knocking cans off a wall or striking two windows at once. Of course, this is all very literal; the proverb is really talking about efficiency, getting two things done at the same time instead of just one. Pronunciation: [fehr dun pyehr deu koo] Meaning: to kill two birds with one stone Literal translation: to strike twice with one stone, to do two jobs with one stone Register: normal Examples Si tu viens avec moi, on peut faire dune pierre deux coups. If you come with me, we can kill two birds with one stone. Jai fait dune pierre deux coups  : en rentrant de la poste, je suis passà © par le pressing pour rà ©cupà ©rer ta veste. I killed two birds with one stone: on my way back from the post office, I went to the dry-cleaners and picked up your jacket. Synonymous expression: Faire coup double Related expression: Faire un coup (informal) - to do a job, particularly something illegal

Introduce Kids to Weather with These Coloring Pages

Introduce Kids to Weather with These Coloring Pages One of the earliest ways kids begin learning about the weather is by drawing and coloring weather symbols like suns, clouds, snowflakes, and the seasons. Teaching children about the weather with art and pictures not only makes it easier for them to understand, it also makes learning about severe and more serious kinds of weather less scary. Weve rounded up a collection of  family-friendly  weather coloring books offered by  the National Weather Service that help keep families informed and safe during severe weather events. Kids are encouraged to read about each severe storm type and then color in the pictures.   Meet Billy Maria Created by NOAAs National Severe Storms Laboratory,  Billy and Maria are two young friends who learn about severe weather through their adventures in  thunderstorms, tornadoes, and winter storms. Young students can accompany them by reading each story page and then coloring in the pictures.   Best for ages: 3 to 5 years The smaller coloring spaces, large text, and  simple sentences make these books appropriate for younger children.  Ã‚   Severe Weather with Owlie Skywarn NOAA also aims to capture the attention of kids with Owlie Skywarn, their official weather mascot.  Owlie is known for being wise about the weather and can help your children and students to do the same.  Booklets are 5-10 pages long and include fact boxes with illustrations that can be colored in. A  quiz (true/false, fill in the blank) is included at the end of every book to test what kids have learned.  Ã‚   In addition to the Owlie Skywarn coloring books, kids can also follow Owlies weather adventures  on Twitter (NWSOwlieSkywarn) and Facebook (nwsowlie). Some of Owlies Activity books  talk about: TornadoesHurricanesFloodsLightningWinter Storms Best for ages:  8 and up The coloring books are expertly designed and very informative, but almost too informative. The font type is quite  small and the information is a little above the coloring book stage of student interest.   Teachers: Weave Coloring Into Your Weather Science Lesson Plans Teachers can  implement these weather coloring books into the classroom as part of a daily plan over the course of five days. Using a severe storms theme, we suggest teachers present all of the materials one day at a time. Print out all of the booklets in the list, but don’t pass out the quiz. Present the material to students and then give them the quiz to take home and complete with their families. Tell students their assignment is to â€Å"teach† their families about severe storm preparation. Parents: Make Weather Coloring An Anytime Activity Just because these coloring books are educational, doesnt mean they dont make a good anytime coloring activity! Parents and guardians should use them at home, too, to begin to teach kids about weather safety from  a very young age.  Each of the coloring books actually shows kids how to react in the event of severe weather so that whenever storms do hit home, your kids will feel more  relaxed and ready for them.   Follow this family plan to implement these booklets in your family nights. We suggest parents plan one night per week to review the written information in the booklets. Since there are five booklets, you can complete this small course of study in just five weeks. Since storm preparation is so vital, you have to remember to practice the safety information over and over. Here are the steps: Assign one night for reading and reviewing the information together.Give your kids supplies to color the pages. Make sure you tell your kids to think about the safety information as they color.Check with your kids periodically to see what they remember. Put the details into practice at  home with random questions about the material. Since storms can happen suddenly, knowing what to do quickly and â€Å"on the spot† is vital to learning and preparation.At the end of the week, go over the information together again. Present the Owlie Skywarn quiz and see how many of the answers your kids can guess.Design a weather drill poster or paper so that you and the rest of your family will know what to do during a storm. Post it to a central spot, like the refrigerator.  Periodically, practice the weather drills so that your family stays refreshed.

How the technology affects our life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

How the technology affects our life - Essay Example dents, it was later expanded to include anyone in the world (Lauria 1).This network has revolutionized the way people interact online, making access to any of the Facebook users easily available to those who wish to interact with them. Facebook has become a useful tool through which people not only interact, but also conduct business. This network is relatively easy to use, and it is for this reason that it has more users than any other social networking site online. However, it has proven to be a little hard to use especially for the older generation, most of whom prefer maintaining their privacy, unlike the younger people. From its beginnings, Facebook has been considered a tool through which friends can interact with each other. People post pictures of themselves in this place, and their friends can send private or public messages to each other, and most of all, they can get news about what is happening in the world. Just like email, this social network has made communication between people in different parts of the world easier. In fact, it can be considered a much more effective means of communications between friends than email. While in the beginning Facebook was only meant for interactions between friends, this network has grown to become a place where people meet others from different countries and cultures (Daly). Therefore, it can be said that this network has made the world an even smaller place. It has created a forum through which people from different cultures are able to share their views and make friends with those people who they have only met online. Facebook is one of the most easily accessible websites on the internet today; it can be accessed not only from computers, but also from any device that can access the internet. This has ensured that the majority of its users are always available at whatever time they are needed. The easy accessibility of this network has also enabled people to conduct business through it. Facebook allows for

A Passage to India Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A Passage to India - Essay Example As an initial matter, it is quite true that Fielding and Dr. Aziz established a genuine friendship. This owes a great deal to Fielding's fiercely independent nature. Unlike other British officials whom adopted a condescending attitude toward the native people, Fielding treated the Indians with a sense of decency and respect. He wasn't an idealist, but he did tend to approach issues and people from an objective and open-minded point of view. He didn't allow his perceptions of India to be affected negatively by bias or stereotypes. These qualities attracted Dr. Aziz and distinguished Fielding from the other British officials. Indeed, when Dr. Aziz was subsequently accused of assault by Adela, Fielding broke with the British and lent his support to the Indians. In short, the qualities that allowed Fielding's friendship with Dr. Aziz to flourish were his independence of mind, his personal conviction in the notion of an objective justice for all, and his strength of character in declaring and acting on his beliefs. Fielding was a principled man and Dr Aziz respected him in this way. That there were very real limits to this friendship, however, is beyond doubt. There are moments, in the beginning of the novel, when Dr.

Discovering Guinea Pigs Essay Example for Free

Discovering Guinea Pigs Essay I. Project Description and General Information Since the world of Science has evolved, the experiments of scientists and other researchers also improve and get more complicated and may sometimes sound ridiculous. In modern Psychology, specifically in studying certain behaviors, animals have become subjects of some experiments. Now, why do we use Guinea pigs or other animals like rabbits, rats, monkeys and others to conduct trainings or experiments? Well, majority of the scientists all over the world have been used to directing and conducting animal studies which have become very rampant nowadays and which serve as a field to focus on animal behavior in a variety of cross-disciplinary ways. Animals have often been used as subjects primarily because it is less expensive and it is more distant to unethical situations just like conducting physiological manipulations (to human beings) particularly brain lesions, sensory deprivations and more. Animals, especially those reared in laboratories can be easily controlled and observed which give way to the formation of more desirable data that can possibly be likened to those of the human beings. II. Project Statement This project will focus more about dealing with guinea pigs and getting know what it can do as well as training it to form its â€Å"cognitive map† or discovering its way out of the maze. It is expected that the trainers/students will be able to discover and grasp the behavior of the animal in order for them to get along with it easily and to successfully condition it to what it should do. III. Project Objectives Every experiment or proposal has its expected outcome(s). It is important that the expectations of the group will not selfishly depend on â€Å"what they just have to get or achieve.† Whatever the results are, it is significant that the learning and acquisitions from the experiment will be then applied in everyday situations. The following are the intentions, aims and goals of the students/trainers behind this project: †¢ To get to know more about the animal (Guinea pig) as well as its likes, dislikes and whatever that grabs its attention †¢ To train the animal with proper care and patience and help build its cognitive map to help it get out of the maze †¢ To build a healthy relationship between the animal and the trainers †¢ To give the animal proper attention and exercise its intelligence †¢ To provide the animal’s physiological and biological needs †¢ To be able to grasp and comprehend how the Guinea pig behaves and how it can be compare d to other animals and even to human beings †¢ To finally apply and practice the gained knowledge about the theories of learning †¢ To discover more about the importance of animal studies in Cognitive Neuroscience †¢ For the students/trainers: To pass 50% of the exam and 10% of the final grade What are the benefits of this project? †¢ The Guinea pig will have been able to exercise its learning. †¢ The students will be able to value cooperation, patience, perseverance, tenderness and determination toward the animal and toward each other in order to have a harmonious relationship. †¢ The animal care level of the students will increase tremendously especially when they have been able to realize how an animal should be treated and be taken cared of. †¢ Animal research and experiments will be widened and will be enhanced more when applied properly to everyday situations. †¢ Queries about some behavior will easily be observed easily by just the use of animals if one has already mastered how the experiments would run and what desirable attitudes he must invest. †¢ The theories of learning will be more elaborated, practiced and applied in day-to-day activities. †¢ The students will finally and fully appreciate the importance of animal studies in Cognitive Neuroscience. What are the theories of learning that could be possibly applied during the training? We will associate here the â€Å"The Three Theories of Learning† by Edward Lee Thorndike which are the law of readiness, exercise and effect. Before we start the experiment, we should first condition the Guinea pig and make it ready so that it will not be shocked or stressed about the activities that we are going to introduce to it. The assigned trainer should also be ready in handling the experiment to avoid any failure or any disruption. Whatever the successful activities and procedures are must be continued and exercised more so that the animal will easily forget the things that it has learned during the experiment. If the things related to the activity will be associated well, then there will be a good result. We will also apply here the â€Å"Classical conditioning† by Ivan Pavlov because we are going to associate food and a bell in order for the Guinea pig to pass through the maze easily. These stimuli when applied at the same time will grab the attention of the animal making it be more alert in the activity. IV. Do’s and Don’ts in handling Guinea Pig Do’s The guinea pig Project Implementation/Procedure We prepared a series of tasks and goals that should be achieved during the training. We will have it done one at a time until the Guinea Pig has mastered the maze as well as successfully going through the obstacles. The following are the tasks and goals that should be achieved during a specific week: First week of training: During the first week of preparation and training, we will first finalize the structure of the maze consisting of three entrances and three exits with at least six turns in entrance 1 to exit 1, entrance 2 to exit 2 and entrance 3 to exit 3 as well as placing corresponding obstacles. It is also important that we will observe the animal first before the training proper so that we can easily adjust to its weaknesses and its strengths. By then, we will let the animal explore the maze for a couple of minutes during its first encounter with it. We also plan to starve the animal first before we start every session (this will be done all throughout the project length). Afterwards, we will start the one-route training (starting with the easiest one) by using different strategies and techniques without hurting the animal. This is also the time that we will now associate the food and the bell. If ever the animal has mastered the first route or path, we will then start to position and introduce it to the second one. Second week of training: The procedure will be the same but the training will get even more difficult as the animal is being placed into a new path and letting it pass through an obstacle. When the animal has already mastered the second route, we will then introduce it to the third one. However, while we are training the animal to successfully go through the second one, there will be times that we will try to put it back to the first one so that whatever is installed in its mind will be made recent until the end of the training. Third week of training: By this time, the Guinea Pig should have mastered the first and second routes and should be finished with the third one. Once it has accomplished everything including obstacles, we will start to randomly assign it to any entrance. Fourth week of training: We will repeatedly continue the activities we have accomplished during the first three weeks. This will serve as the polishing part and so that the Guinea pig will enhance its cognitive map and for us to accomplish a successful training. We will also record some scenes during some sessions to serve as a back-up if ever the said animal will die or lose its mind before the final performance.

Epic of Beowulf Essay - The Value System in Beowulf :: Epic Beowulf essays

The Value System Revealed in Beowulf  Ã‚   Beowulf is a deeply serious commentary on human life with the main characters embodying a pronounced and coherent set of values. They are also the representatives of the outlined code for conduct and behaviour of those times. Honour, generosity and trust may seem to be the key words in the code. The protagonists reiterate in actions and words a belief in the importance of generosity of spirit and self awareness that make man a responsible member of the society. Beowulf secures the future of his thanes, in case of his death, not leaving them up to their own fate. He proves that in the warrior society, human relationships must be based on mutual respect and trust rather than subordination of one man to another. A warrior vowing loyalty to his lord becomes a voluntary companion more than his servant, taking pride defending him and fighting in battles. In return, he receives affectionate care and rich rewards - e.g. seen in Hrothgar’s attitude to Beowulf’s achievements. The relationship between the relatives is also a part of the outlined characteristics of conduct - if a person was killed, a relative was obliged to kill the slayer or execute the wergild (â€Å"manprice†), even if the killing was accidental. In fact, the money was less important than the actual carrying out of the kinsman’s duty. â€Å"It is better for a man to avenge his friend than to much mourn† – states Beowulf firmly, reiterating the weight attached to the moral responsibilities rather than attention drawn to the materialistic possessions. They were valued highly - the treasure gained in battles improved the well being but it was more of a common factor spiritually uniting the warriors and allowing them to fully realise their potentials. Still, family was the priority. King Hrethel (‘grandfather’ of Beowulf), however, may exemplify a clash in following the code and set values. One of his sons accidentally killed another; by code of kinship king Hrethel was forbidden to exact compensation from a kinsman, yet by the same code he was required to do one in order to avenge death. He was trapped in a situation without a moral way out and therefore Hrethel refused to face life any longer. Marriage also appears to be a part of the general code. It was a form of alliance between the fighting tribes e.

Assignment memo

For your convenience, each question is given followed by the appropriate answer and an explanation of the correct response. Work your way systematically through these, comparing It with your own answer. Even If you chose the correct alternative, you may find that the explanations we give are useful. Try to understand the explanations. Many of the Items measure Insight, not Just factual knowledge. You will not pass this course if you try and memories the questions and answers! Question 1 The goal of quantitative research in psychology is best described as aiming to – 1 . Polo appropriate statistical tests which can be used to determine the relationships among psychological variables that occur at a level greater than chance 2. Develop theories that helps us to explain human experience and behavior 3. Formulate clear hypotheses based on insights about human experience and behavior 4. Convert theoretical constructs into measurable variables through personalization Answer: Option 2 gives the correct answer. The goal of research Is to develop theories which can explain aspects of human behavior and experience.Options 3 and 4 refer to stages In the process of doing initiative research but these are not the goals of the research. The goal of the research Is also not to develop statistical tests, as Implied In option 1 . These tests are developed by statisticians and are used by researchers in social and other scientific research, but developing the tests is not part of the goal of the research. PECCARY/201 5 Question 2 A psychologist believes that personality factors such as ability to get along with other people in a team are likely to have on influence their success in a team sport.To investigate this, she draws a sample of participants in competitive sport, comprising f soccer players, hockey players and cricketers from various sports clubs. After evaluating their performance on an appropriate psychometric test, she delves players from the three categories o f sports Into two groups: those who have good social skills and those who tend avoid social contact. She then uses evaluation forms, based on interviews with different sports experts, to assess the actual sports performance of the members of the sample.The dependent variable in the study is – – – – – and the independent variable is – – – – 1. Measured sports performance; social skills 2. Type of sports; social skills . Social skills; measured sports performance 4. Social skills; type of sports Answer: Option 1 is correct. The researcher wants to determine whether sports performance (a measurement of how well a specific sports participant performs) depends on social skills. This Implies that the construct ‘social skills' Is the Independent variable which Is varied to see how it affects the dependent variable, the measurement of sports performance. The population from which the sample was drawn (the types of sports p articipants that were involved), but in the context of this scenario this variable is not being investigated here. It would be possible to compare the three groups but this would not answer the research question. Question 3 Consider the following statement: â€Å"That phase of sleep during which brain rhythms resemble those of an alert person is called paradoxical sleep or rapid eye movement (ERM) sleep. † This statement is a – – – 1. Conclusion based on empirical research 2. Operational definition 3. Search hypothesis 4. Inference based on observation Answer: Option 2 is correct. The statement gives a definition of ERM sleep in terms of the measurement of brain waves (which can be done with an EGG machine). Since it is simply a statement about what the expression ‘paradoxical sleep or rapid eye movement (ERM) sleep' means, it is not a conclusion, hypothesis or inference, as suggested by the other options. 6 Questions 4 to 6 are based on the followi ng research scenario. A psychologist wants to study how aspects of motivation can influence people's productivity in their work.She reads an article which claims that an important aspect of motivation is locus of control, which distinguishes people who are driven by their own personal ambition from those who act by conforming to a social group. To test this idea, draws a sample of 100 workers from a number of companies in the information technology sector. She divides the workers into two groups, those with an internal locus of control and those with an external locus of control, based on an appropriate psychometric test. She then uses Job evaluation forms to assess the actual work performance of the workers in the two groups.Question 4 Which of the following gives the best expression of the hypothesis that the researcher wishes to test? 1 . Motivation affects the productivity of workers. 2. Internal locus of control is related to high productivity. . The Job performance of workers is influenced by locus of control. 4. Motivation of workers is influenced by locus of control. Answer: Option 3 is correct. Option 3 is the clearest expression of an appropriate research hypothesis. Option 1 is too vague: ‘motivation' is probably too complex to be captured in a single construct.Option 2 is too specific: it is not clear from the information given in the scenario whether internal or external locus of control can be expected to lead to higher productivity. ‘Locus of control' is regarded as an aspect of motivation (according to the scenario), not as a separate construct (or variable) that can be compared to it, so option 4 is also wrong. Question 5 Given that research is an investigation of a relationship between (two or more) constructs, which of the following constructs have to be compared to do this (b) motivation (c) locus of control (d) Job evaluation forms (e) people who work in the information technology sector 1. A) and (c) 2. (a), (b) and (e) 3. (a) , (c) and (e) 4. (c) and (d) Answer: The correct alternative is option 1 . ‘Locus of control' is the specific aspect of ‘motivation' that is being studied, which excludes option 2. In this particular context, ‘people who work in the information technology sector' is part of the definition of the population that the researcher chooses to study, not a construct that is being compared to another, so option 3 is incorrect. Option 4 is incorrect because ‘Job evaluation forms' are the instruments used to measure the construct ‘Job performance', and not a construct as such. Question 6 The dependent variable in the study is – – – – – and the independent variable is – 1 . Job performance; locus of control 2. Locus of control; motivation 3. Job performance; productivity . Locus of control; Job performance The dependent variable is the one that is predicted or explained, and the independent variable is manipulated to see h ow it affects the dependent variable. In this study the researcher tries to predict Job performance with the aid of locus of control. In other words, the researcher is trying to see if Job performance depends, to a significant degree, on locus of control.Option 2 is wrong because locus of control is the aspect of motivation that is being studied. In a similar way, Job performance is equivalent to productivity, which excludes option 3. Question 7 In scientific research, the word theory refers to a(n) – – – – – 1. Reasonable guess or creative insight which seems to explain a phenomenon 2. Method to make the constructs which are involved in a phenomenon visible through a process of personalization 3. Investigation or procedure which is performed to determine the relationships among variables 4. Explanation of why the observations that were made are as they are, or are related in the way that they are related Answer: Option 4 is correct. As explained o n page 4 in the Guide for PECCARY, a theory is a framework for facts: it s the explanation of why the facts (I. E. Observations, measurements) are as they are, or are related in the way in which they are related, based on empirical investigations. Option 1 is a description off hypothesis, but this is often how the word theory is option 3 is a description of a process such as an experiment by which a theory can be evaluated but not to a theory as such.Question 8 Consider the following statement: â€Å"The experience of strong emotion is accompanied by physiological reactions such as an increase in heart rate†. This statement can be viewed as a research hypothesis because it – a) makes a prediction that can be tested by observation (b) describes a possible relationship between variables 1. (a) but not (b) 2. Both (a) and (b) 3. (b) but not (a) 4. Neither (a) nor (b) 8 A psychological hypothesis formulates a testable empirical claim, that is, a prediction which can in pri nciple be observed, and this usually involves postulating a relationship between two or more variables.Question 9 A psychologist uses a psychometric test to study the intelligence of school children. Intelligence is the – – – – – variable and the psychometric test represents the – variable in this study. 1. Independent; dependent manifest; operational 3. Dependent; independent 4. Latent; manifest A hidden or underlying (latent) aspect of a construct has to be made visible (manifest) to be observed. ‘Intelligence' is a latent variable because it cannot be observed directly. The results of the psychometric test can however be observed directly and can therefore be regarded as the manifest variable.Note that the test result is the measurement by which intelligence is made visible, so these are manifestations of the same construct (or variable), only in one form it is observable (manifest) and the other form it is hidden (latent). Dependen t' and ‘independent' refer to relationships between two different variables, so options 1 and 3 are both incorrect. The psychometric test is the operation by which the variable ‘intelligence' is measured (or ‘personalities'), but you would not refer to the test or test result as an ‘operational variable', so option 2 is also not correct.Question 10 An industrial psychologist wants to investigate the levels of assertiveness among different categories of workers in a large company. He draws a sample of 200 workers and then divides them into managers, clerical workers, technical workers and manual errors with the intention of getting each participant to do a test to determine their level of assertiveness. The division of workers into these four groups represents a measurement on a – level. 1. Nominal 3. Interval 4. Asia When numbers are used to allocate people or objects to categories or groups with no implication of ‘intensity or ‘ordering re lated to the size of the number, it is referred to as a nominal level or nominal scale of measurement. Note that while one may presume that ‘managers' have a higher rank than the rest and perhaps ‘manual workers' can be said to have a low rank, there is no obvious way to decide whether lyrical workers have a lesser ‘rank than technical workers or the other way round, as it would depend on the specific types of work that they do.A senior clerk can outrank a Junior technician, and vice versa. (Nominal and other scales are explained in Appendix B of the Guide). PECCARY/201 9 Question 11 If a pupil will be chosen to go on a field trip from a class of 13 girls and 17 boys, what is the probability that Joanne (one of the 13 girls) will be chosen, given that a girl will be selected? 1. 1/13 2. 14/30 3. 1/30 4. 1/17 You have to use the basic formula for probability: We know that there are 13 possible outcomes (any one of the 13 girls can be selected) and we also know that there is only one favorable' event Anyone being selected).

Fresh Water

Water resources are sources of water that are useful or potentially useful to humans. Uses of water include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. Virtually all of these human uses require fresh water. 97% of water on the Earth is salt water, and only 3% is fresh water of which slightly over two thirds is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. [1] The remaining unfrozen freshwater is mainly found as groundwater, with only a small fraction present above ground or in the air. 2] Fresh water is a renewable resource, yet the world's supply of clean, fresh water is steadily decreasing. Water demand already exceeds supply in many parts of the world and as the world population continues to rise, so too does the water demand. Awareness of the global importance of preserving water for ecosystem services has only recently emerged as, during the 20th century, more than half the world’s wetlands have been lost along with their valuable environmenta l services.Biodiversity-rich freshwater ecosystems are currently declining faster than marine or land ecosystems. [3] The framework for allocating water resources to water users (where such a framework exists) is known as water rights. [pic] [pic] A graphical distribution of the locations of water on Earth. |Contents | |[hide] | |1 Sources of fresh water | |1. Surface water | |1. 2 Under river flow | |1. 3 Ground water | |1. 4 Desalination | |1. 5 Frozen water | |2 Uses of fresh water | |2. 1 Agricultural | |2. Industrial | |2. 3 Household | |2. 4 Recreation | |2. 5 Environmental | |3 Water stress | |3. 1 Population growth | |3. 2 Expansion of business activity | |3. Rapid urbanization | |3. 4 Climate change | |3. 5 Depletion of aquifers | |3. 6 Pollution and water protection | |3. 7 Water and conflict | |4 World water supply and distribution | |5 Economic considerations | |5. Business response | |6 See also | |7 Further reading | |8 Notes | |9 References | |10 External links | [pic ][edit] Sources of fresh water [edit] Surface water Main article: Surface water [pic] [pic]Lake Chungara and Parinacota volcano in northern Chile Surface water is water in a river, lake or fresh water wetland. Surface water is naturally replenished by precipitation and naturally lost through discharge to the oceans, evaporation, and sub-surface seepage. Although the only natural input to any surface water system is precipitation within its watershed, the total quantity of water in that system at any given time is also dependent on many other factors. These factors include storage capacity in lakes, wetlands and artificial reservoirs, the permeability of the soil eneath these storage bodies, the runoff characteristics of the land in the watershed, the timing of the precipitation and local evaporation rates. All of these factors also affect the proportions of water lost. Human activities can have a large and sometimes devastating impact on these factors. Humans often increase storage capacity by constructing reservoirs and decrease it by draining wetlands. Humans often increase runoff quantities and velocities by paving areas and channelizing stream flow. The total quantity of water available at any given time is an important consideration.Some human water users have an intermittent need for water. For example, many farms require large quantities of water in the spring, and no water at all in the winter. To supply such a farm with water, a surface water system may require a large storage capacity to collect water throughout the year and release it in a short period of time. Other users have a continuous need for water, such as a power plant that requires water for cooling. To supply such a power plant with water, a surface water system only needs enough storage capacity to fill in when average stream flow is below the power plant's need.Nevertheless, over the long term the average rate of precipitation within a watershed is the upper bound for average consumptio n of natural surface water from that watershed. Natural surface water can be augmented by importing surface water from another watershed through a canal or pipeline. It can also be artificially augmented from any of the other sources listed here, however in practice the quantities are negligible. Humans can also cause surface water to be â€Å"lost† (i. e. become unusable) through pollution. Brazil is the country estimated to have the largest supply of fresh water in the world, followed by Russia and Canada. 4] [edit] Under river flow Throughout the course of the river, the total volume of water transported downstream will often be a combination of the visible free water flow together with a substantial contribution flowing through sub-surface rocks and gravels that underlie the river and its floodplain called the hyporheic zone. For many rivers in large valleys, this unseen component of flow may greatly exceed the visible flow. The hyporheic zone often forms a dynamic interf ace between surface water and true ground-water receiving water from he ground water when aquifers are fully charged and contributing water to ground-water when ground waters are depleted. This is especially significant in karst areas where pot-holes and underground rivers are common. [edit] Ground water Main article: Groundwater [pic] [pic] Sub-Surface water travel time [pic] [pic] Shipot, a common water source in Ukrainian villages Sub-surface water, or groundwater, is fresh water located in the pore space of soil and rocks. It is also water that is flowing within aquifers below the water table.Sometimes it is useful to make a distinction between sub-surface water that is closely associated with surface water and deep sub-surface water in an aquifer (sometimes called â€Å"fossil water†). Sub-surface water can be thought of in the same terms as surface water: inputs, outputs and storage. The critical difference is that due to its slow rate of turnover, sub-surface water sto rage is generally much larger compared to inputs than it is for surface water. This difference makes it easy for humans to use sub-surface water unsustainably for a long time without severe consequences.Nevertheless, over the long term the average rate of seepage above a sub-surface water source is the upper bound for average consumption of water from that source. The natural input to sub-surface water is seepage from surface water. The natural outputs from sub-surface water are springs and seepage to the oceans. If the surface water source is also subject to substantial evaporation, a sub-surface water source may become saline. This situation can occur naturally under endorheic bodies of water, or artificially under irrigated farmland.In coastal areas, human use of a sub-surface water source may cause the direction of seepage to ocean to reverse which can also cause soil salinization. Humans can also cause sub-surface water to be â€Å"lost† (i. e. become unusable) through p ollution. Humans can increase the input to a sub-surface water source by building reservoirs or detention ponds. [edit] Desalination Main article: Desalination Desalination is an artificial process by which saline water (generally sea water) is converted to fresh water. The most common desalination processes are distillation and reverse osmosis.Desalination is currently expensive compared to most alternative sources of water, and only a very small fraction of total human use is satisfied by desalination. It is only economically practical for high-valued uses (such as household and industrial uses) in arid areas. The most extensive use is in the Persian Gulf. [edit] Frozen water [pic] [pic] An iceberg as seen from Newfoundland Several schemes have been proposed to make use of icebergs as a water source, however to date this has only been done for novelty purposes. Glacier runoff is considered to be surface water.The Himalayas, which are often called â€Å"The Roof of the World†, contain some of the most extensive and rough high altitude areas on Earth as well as the greatest area of glaciers and permafrost outside of the poles. Ten of Asia’s largest rivers flow from there, and more than a billion people’s livelihoods depend on them. To complicate matters, temperatures are rising more rapidly here than the global average. In Nepal the temperature has risen with 0. 6 degree over the last decade, whereas the global warming has been around 0. 7 over the last hundred years. [5] edit] Uses of fresh water Uses of fresh water can be categorized as consumptive and non-consumptive (sometimes called â€Å"renewable†). A use of water is consumptive if that water is not immediately available for another use. Losses to sub-surface seepage and evaporation are considered consumptive, as is water incorporated into a product (such as farm produce). Water that can be treated and returned as surface water, such as sewage, is generally considered non-con sumptive if that water can be put to additional use. [edit] Agricultural [pic] [pic] A farm in OntarioIt is estimated that 69% of worldwide water use is for irrigation, with 15-35% of irrigation withdrawals being unsustainable. [6] In some areas of the world irrigation is necessary to grow any crop at all, in other areas it permits more profitable crops to be grown or enhances crop yield. Various irrigation methods involve different trade-offs between crop yield, water consumption and capital cost of equipment and structures. Irrigation methods such as furrow and overhead sprinkler irrigation are usually less expensive but are also typically less efficient, because much of the water evaporates, runs off or drains below the root zone.Other irrigation methods considered to be more efficient include drip or trickle irrigation, surge irrigation, and some types of sprinkler systems where the sprinklers are operated near ground level. These types of systems, while more expensive, usually offer greater potential to minimize runoff, drainage and evaporation. Any system that is improperly managed can be wasteful, all methods have the potential for high efficiencies under suitable conditions, appropriate irrigation timing and management. One issue that is often insufficiently considered is salinization of sub-surface water.Aquaculture is a small but growing agricultural use of water. Freshwater commercial fisheries may also be considered as agricultural uses of water, but have generally been assigned a lower priority than irrigation (see Aral Sea and Pyramid Lake). As global populations grow, and as demand for food increases in a world with a fixed water supply, there are efforts underway to learn how to produce more food with less water, through improvements in irrigation[7] methods[8] and technologies, agricultural water management, crop types, and water monitoring. [edit] Industrial pic] [pic] A power plant in Poland It is estimated that 22% of worldwide water use is industrial. [6] Major industrial users include power plants, which use water for cooling or as a power source (i. e. hydroelectric plants), ore and oil refineries, which use water in chemical processes, and manufacturing plants, which use water as a solvent. The portion of industrial water usage that is consumptive varies widely, but as a whole is lower than agricultural use. Water is used in power generation. Hydroelectricity is electricity obtained from hydropower.Hydroelectric power comes from water driving a water turbine connected to a generator. Hydroelectricity is a low-cost, non-polluting, renewable energy source. The energy is supplied by the sun. Heat from the sun evaporates water, which condenses as rain in higher altitudes, from where it flows down. Pressurized water is used in water blasting and water jet cutters. Also, very high pressure water guns are used for precise cutting. It works very well, is relatively safe, and is not harmful to the environment. It is also u sed in the cooling of machinery to prevent over-heating, or prevent saw blades from over-heating.Water is also used in many industrial processes and machines, such as the steam turbine and heat exchanger, in addition to its use as a chemical solvent. Discharge of untreated water from industrial uses is pollution. Pollution includes discharged solutes (chemical pollution) and discharged coolant water (thermal pollution). Industry requires pure water for many applications and utilizes a variety of purification techniques both in water supply and discharge. [edit] Household [pic] [pic] Drinking water It is estimated that 8% of worldwide water use is for household purposes. 6] These include drinking water, bathing, cooking, sanitation, and gardening. Basic household water requirements have been estimated by Peter Gleick at around 50 liters per person per day, excluding water for gardens. Drinking water is water that is of sufficiently high quality so that it can be consumed or used with out risk of immediate or long term harm. Such water is commonly called potable water. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard even though only a very small proportion is actually consumed or used in food preparation. edit] Recreation [pic] [pic] Whitewater rapids Recreational water use is usually a very small but growing percentage of total water use. Recreational water use is mostly tied to reservoirs. If a reservoir is kept fuller than it would otherwise be for recreation, then the water retained could be categorized as recreational usage. Release of water from a few reservoirs is also timed to enhance whitewater boating, which also could be considered a recreational usage. Other examples are anglers, water skiers, nature enthusiasts and swimmers. Recreational usage is usually non-consumptive.Golf courses are often targeted as using excessive amounts of water, especially in drier regions. It is, however , unclear whether recreational irrigation (which would include private gardens) has a noticeable effect on water resources. This is largely due to the unavailability of reliable data. Additionally, many golf courses utilize either primarily or exclusively treated effluent water, which has little impact on potable water availability. Some governments, including the Californian Government, have labelled golf course usage as agricultural in order to deflect environmentalists' charges of wasting water.However, using the above figures as a basis, the actual statistical effect of this reassignment is close to zero. In Arizona, an organized lobby has been established in the form of the Golf Industry Association, a group focused on educating the public on how golf impacts the environment. Recreational usage may reduce the availability of water for other users at specific times and places. For example, water retained in a reservoir to allow boating in the late summer is not available to farm ers during the spring planting season.Water released for whitewater rafting may not be available for hydroelectric generation during the time of peak electrical demand. [edit] Environmental Explicit environmental water use is also a very small but growing percentage of total water use. Environmental water usage includes artificial wetlands, artificial lakes intended to create wildlife habitat, fish ladders , and water releases from reservoirs timed to help fish spawn. Like recreational usage, environmental usage is non-consumptive but may reduce the availability of water for other users at specific times and places.For example, water release from a reservoir to help fish spawn may not be available to farms upstream. [edit] Water stress [pic] [pic] Best estimate of the share of people in developing countries with access to drinking water 1970–2000. Main articles: Water crisis and Water stress The concept of water stress is relatively simple: According to the World Business Cou ncil for Sustainable Development, it applies to situations where there is not enough water for all uses, whether agricultural, industrial or domestic.Defining thresholds for stress in terms of available water per capita is more complex, however, entailing assumptions about water use and its efficiency. Nevertheless, it has been proposed that when annual per capita renewable freshwater availability is less than 1,700 cubic meters, countries begin to experience periodic or regular water stress. Below 1,000 cubic meters, water scarcity begins to hamper economic development and human health and well-being. [edit] Population growth In 2000, the world population was 6. 2 billion. The UN estimates that by 2050 there will be an additional 3. billion people with most of the growth in developing countries that already suffer water stress. [9] Thus, water demand will increase unless there are corresponding increases in water conservation and recycling of this vital resource. [10] [edit] Expans ion of business activity Business activity ranging from industrialization to services such as tourism and entertainment continues to expand rapidly. This expansion requires increased water services including both supply and sanitation, which can lead to more pressure on water resources and natural ecosystems. edit] Rapid urbanization The trend towards urbanization is accelerating. Small private wells and septic tanks that work well in low-density communities are not feasible within high-density urban areas. Urbanization requires significant investment in water infrastructure in order to deliver water to individuals and to process the concentrations of wastewater – both from individuals and from business. These polluted and contaminated waters must be treated or they pose unacceptable public health risks.In 60% of European cities with more than 100,000 people, groundwater is being used at a faster rate than it can be replenished. [11] Even if some water remains available, it c osts more and more to capture it. [edit] Climate change Climate change could have significant impacts on water resources around the world because of the close connections between the climate and hydrological cycle. Rising temperatures will increase evaporation and lead to increases in precipitation, though there will be regional variations in rainfall. Overall, the global supply of freshwater will increase.Both droughts and floods may become more frequent in different regions at different times, and dramatic changes in snowfall and snow melt are expected in mountainous areas. Higher temperatures will also affect water quality in ways that are not well understood. Possible impacts include increased eutrophication. Climate change could also mean an increase in demand for farm irrigation, garden sprinklers, and perhaps even swimming pools [edit] Depletion of aquifers Due to the expanding human population, competition for water is growing such that many of the worlds major aquifers are becoming depleted.This is due both for direct human consumption as well as agricultural irrigation by groundwater. Millions of pumps of all sizes are currently extracting groundwater throughout the world. Irrigation in dry areas such as northern China and India is supplied by groundwater, and is being extracted at an unsustainable rate. Cities that have experienced aquifer drops between 10 to 50 meters include Mexico City, Bangkok, Manila, Beijing, Madras and Shanghai. [12] [edit] Pollution and water protection Main article: Water pollution [pic] [pic] Polluted waterWater pollution is one of the main concerns of the world today. The governments of numerous countries have strived to find solutions to reduce this problem. Many pollutants threaten water supplies, but the most widespread, especially in developing countries, is the discharge of raw sewage into natural waters; this method of sewage disposal is the most common method in underdeveloped countries, but also is prevalent in qu asi-developed countries such as China, India and Iran. Sewage, sludge, garbage, and even toxic pollutants are all dumped into the water. Even if ewage is treated, problems still arise. Treated sewage forms sludge, which may be placed in landfills, spread out on land, incinerated or dumped at sea. [13] In addition to sewage, nonpoint source pollution such as agricultural runoff is a significant source of pollution in some parts of the world, along with urban stormwater runoff and chemical wastes dumped by industries and governments. [edit] Water and conflict The only known example of an actual inter-state conflict over water took place between 2500 and 2350 BC between the Sumerian states of Lagash and Umma. 14] Yet, despite the lack of evidence of international wars being fought over water alone, water has been the source of various conflicts throughout history. When water scarcity causes political tensions to arise, this is referred to as water stress. Water stress has led most ofte n to conflicts at local and regional levels. [15] Using a purely quantitative methodology, Thomas Homer-Dixon successfully correlated water scarcity and scarcity of available arable lands to an increased chance of violent conflict. 16] Water stress can also exacerbate conflicts and political tensions which are not directly caused by water. Gradual reductions over time in the quality and/or quantity of fresh water can add to the instability of a region by depleting the health of a population, obstructing economic development, and exacerbating larger conflicts. [17] Conflicts and tensions over water are most likely to arise within national borders, in the downstream areas of distressed river basins.Areas such as the lower regions of China's Yellow River or the Chao Phraya River in Thailand, for example, have already been experiencing water stress for several years. Additionally, certain arid countries which rely heavily on water for irrigation, such as China, India, Iran, and Pakistan , are particularly at risk of water-related conflicts. [17] Political tensions, civil protest, and violence may also occur in reaction to water privatization. The Bolivian Water Wars of 2000 are a case in point. [edit] World water supply and distributionFood and water are two basic human needs. However, global coverage figures from 2002 indicate that, of every 10 people: †¢ roughly 5 have a connection to a piped water supply at home (in their dwelling, plot or yard); †¢ 3 make use of some other sort of improved water supply, such as a protected well or public standpipe; †¢ 2 are unserved; †¢ In addition, 4 out of every 10 people live without improved sanitation. [6] At Earth Summit 2002 governments approved a Plan of Action to: †¢ Halve by 2015 the proportion of people unable to reach or afford safe drinking water.The Global Water Supply and Sanitation Assessment 2000 Report (GWSSAR) defines â€Å"Reasonable access† to water as at least 20 liters per person per day from a source within one kilometer of the user’s home. †¢ Halve the proportion of people without access to basic sanitation. The GWSSR defines â€Å"Basic sanitation† as private or shared but not public disposal systems that separate waste from human contact. As the picture shows, in 2025, water shortages will be more prevalent among poorer countries where resources are limited and population growth is rapid, such as the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia.By 2025, large urban and peri-urban areas will require new infrastructure to provide safe water and adequate sanitation. This suggests growing conflicts with agricultural water users, who currently consume the majority of the water used by humans. Generally speaking the more developed countries of North America, Europe and Russia will not see a serious threat to water supply by the year 2025, not only because of their relative wealth, but more importantly their populations will be better aligne d with available water resources.North Africa, the Middle East, South Africa and northern China will face very severe water shortages due to physical scarcity and a condition of overpopulation relative to their carrying capacity with respect to water supply. Most of South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern China and India will face water supply shortages by 2025; for these latter regions the causes of scarcity will be economic constraints to developing safe drinking water, as well as excessive population growth. 1. billion people have gained access to a safe water source since 1990. [18] The proportion of people in developing countries with access to safe water is calculated to have improved from 30 percent in 1970[19] to 71 percent in 1990, 79 percent in 2000 and 84 percent in 2004. This trend is projected to continue. [18] [edit] Economic considerations Water supply and sanitation require a huge amount of capital investment in infrastructure such as pipe networks, pumping stati ons and water treatment works.It is estimated that Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations need to invest at least USD 200 billion per year to replace aging water infrastructure to guarantee supply, reduce leakage rates and protect water quality. [20] International attention has focused upon the needs of the developing countries. To meet the Millennium Development Goals targets of halving the proportion of the population lacking access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015, current annual investment on the order of USD 10 to USD 15 billion would need to be roughly doubled.This does not include investments required for the maintenance of existing infrastructure. [21] Once infrastructure is in place, operating water supply and sanitation systems entails significant ongoing costs to cover personnel, energy, chemicals, maintenance and other expenses. The sources of money to meet these capital and operational costs are essentially either user f ees, public funds or some combination of the two. But this is where the economics of water management start to become extremely complex as they intersect with social and broader economic policy.Such policy questions are beyond the scope of this article, which has concentrated on basic information about water availability and water use. They are, nevertheless, highly relevant to understanding how critical water issues will affect business and industry in terms of both risks and opportunities. [edit] Business response The World Business Council for Sustainable Development in its H2OScenarios engaged in a scenario building process to: †¢ Clarify and enhance understanding by business of the key issues and drivers of change related to water. Promote mutual understanding between the business community and non-business stakeholders on water management issues. †¢ Support effective business action as part of the solution to sustainable water management. It concludes that: †¢ B usiness cannot survive in a society that thirsts. †¢ One does not have to be in the water business to have a water crisis.

Term and Pros Cons Essay

Term and Pros Cons Essay Term and Pros Cons Essay Jack’s Beach Service - Case Study Kamma Andersen, Gary Shen Mr. Dodge BOH 4M1 26 February 2015 Background Information Jack’s Beach Service is entering it’s 86th year of operation on Fort Lauderdale beach. However, even with its history on the beach, the owner, Joe Broward is not satisfied with the company’s profitability. Next month is the beginning of the peak season for the company where rentals often reach 80-90% of capacity and Joe would like to explore methods of generating more success and ultimately profits. The service that Jack’s Beach Service provides is the rental of a raised wooden platform for tanning purposes. This platform can be used for one or two people and can be adjusted for individual preferences. Currently, Joe has 13 locations on the beach, with 7 major locations staffed by multiple attendants and 6 smaller locations staffed by only one attendant. The attendants are paid $95.00 for every day of work and are responsible for raising the awnings and placing the cushions at 8:00 AM, collecting rental fees throughout the day and locking the platformâ₠¬â„¢s cushions away, folding the platforms and collapsing the awnings at 5:00 PM. The attendants often are faced with surprised sunbathers when they explain that the platforms are provided by a private company and have a rental fee. While their are opportunities for increasing the awareness to avoid this problem, Joe uses very little advertising. Overall the company runs smoothly, yet the previous year, the company’s revenue was $340,940 but the net income was only $10,615. Joe would like this number to increase and is looking for ideas to help his business become more successful. Primary Problem Immediate Problem: Jack’s Beach Service is not profitable enough. Root Problem: The management responsible for various aspects of Jack’s Beach Service is inadequate. Secondary Problems 1. The full day fee for using the service is not flexible and is causing the loss of potential consumers. 2. Insufficient advertising has resulted in low awareness for the service provided by Jack’s Beach Service. 3. Attendant wages do not vary to reflect changes in consumer traffic during peak and off-seasons. 4. Vandalism costs are causing Jack’s Beach Service expenses that do not maximize profits. Criteria for an Effective Solution 1. Increase sales/revenue from wooden platform rental service. 2. Decrease proportion of revenue lost to labour expense, particularly in the off-season. 3. Improve brand image and awareness. 4. Increase customer relations. 5. Enhances management within company. 6. Minimize expenses associated with vandalism. Alternative Solutions 1. Change the pricing to an hourly fee instead of the full day fee. $2.00 for 1 hour of use Pros Cons Won’t scare away customers and will increase the number of sales. Platform must be rented for 6 hours in total during the day to make the same revenue as the full day fee. Potential revenue if the platform is used for the whole day increases from $12.00 to $18.00. More work for attendants since they have to keep checking for new customers more frequently. 2. Introduce a half day fee along with the full day fee. $6.00 for half day (4.5 hours) Still $12.00 for full day Pros Cons Offers varied pricing so customers wont be scared away. Moderately more work for attendants since they have to keep checking for new customers more frequently. 3. Change the pricing to a per person fee. For a group, prices per person could decrease depending on the number of rentals/customers. Pros Cons Increase revenue if customer has family or friends who want to share the platform. Increased price for a group could decrease the number of rentals. 4. Advertise service in beachfront hotels. Pros Cons Increases awareness for business, particularly for tourists. Increased expenses for brochures, signs, possibly a fee from hotel. 5. Put signs and other advertisements on the beach so that customers are aware that the service is not free. Pros Cons Increases

Causes and effects of the Credit Crunch

Causes and effects of the Credit Crunch The words credit crunch have been all over the financial headlines in the UK, including the effects that has hit the financial markets both in the UK and in other parts of the world have been reflected in a number of ways, affecting both financial institutions(banks) and consumers. Several authors and regulators have showed their different views about the causes and effect of credit crunch. Many economists studying the credit crunch explain it as a cyclical fall in credit demand. What is credit crunch? Bernanke and Lown (1991) define a credit crunch as a decline in the supply of credit that is abnormally large for a given stage of the business cycle. Credit normally contracts during a recession, but an unusually large contraction could be seen as a credit crunch. From Investopedia; credit crunches are usually considered to be an extension of recessions, also making it impossible for companies to borrow because lenders are scared of bankruptcies or defaults, which results in higher r ates. The consequence is a prolonged recession (or slower recovery), which occurs as a result of the shrinking credit supply. The credit crunch is also known as the credit crisis and is represented by a reduction in the general availability of loans which leads to sudden tightening of the conditions required to obtain a loan/credit from banks. Also, a broader definition of a credit crunch has been summarized by the Council of Economic Advisers (1992):A credit crunch occurs when the supply of credit is restricted below the range usually identified with prevailing market interest rates and the profitability of investment projects. Amongst the things affected in the UK as a result of the credit crunch are: Liquidity: The atypical flow of money looking for a home went into the West’s economies. Trade surpluses were recycled in the early part of the decade. This stimulated the â€Å"search for production of labor† and, in turn, the uncertainty in price of risk as investors imagined the high returns they were offered were safer than they proved. E.g. In September 2007, during the financial crisis of 2007-2010, the Bank had borrowed from the Bank of England a sum of about  £13 billion, a liquidity support facility, this showed that the total amount was a loss of deposits. which followed problems in the credit markets caused by the US sub- prime mortgage financial crisis. And it was of great shock that could be avoided to the bringing down of Northern Rock was a risk. However, the result of two unsuccessful offers to take over the bank, not being able to achieve the repayment of taxpayers’ money. This made the Government immediately take possession, away from its shareholders. Also reported cases showed some shareholders had their life savings in the shares, which were taken from them. Sub-prime lending: This covers different types of credit, including mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. Sub-prime loans allows the opportunity for borro wers with a less-than-ideal credit record (considered as people with bad credit history)to be home owner. Some of theses lenders may use the credit in purchasing homes,sometimes in financing other types of spendings e.g. paying for living expenses, remodelling a home, or even paying down on a high-interest credit card or purchasing a car. Sub-prime lending (mortgages to be precise)provides a method of â€Å"credit repair†. Also with the interest rates low and liquidity in plentiful supply, financial institutions and businesses did not bother with adequate checks before, lending billions, who they realise could not afford repayments when some of this types of credits came with high interest rates, increased fees and costs which was a major cause for credit crunch.

Discuss.. The image of managers as rational and analytical planners, Essay - 1

Discuss.. The image of managers as rational and analytical planners, decision makers and issuers of commands does not stand up to scrutiny when researchers examine what managers actually do - Essay Example The other members of the organizational community may be attached to the organization as their economic activity or as a source of some satisfaction. Besides, the nature of human being that deviates from the ideal situation does not allow them to operate collectively towards the achievement of common objective. There is a lot of diversity among the human resource. There is also need to plan the activities of an organization and make appropriate decisions at certain points in the organization. These require some kind of management, a way of passing information and coordinating the activities in the organization (Watson 2003, p4). The roles of the various employees need to be defined, there is need to supervise how the employees perform the tasks as a way of appraisal or dismissal, and there is a need to review the organizations objectives and evaluate the overall performance of the organization. There is a need to establish proper relation with the individuals that are outside the org anization as well. The diverse need of the community that surrounds the organization including the employees of the organization is what makes management one of the challenging roles in an organization. A manager who partly owns a company will provide a different managerial approach than the other one who has no share in the organization (James, 1999, p.2). The role of managers in an organization has received various scrutinies due to the ambiguity that exists in defining term itself. The operations in a given organization may not go on smoothly not because the top management consists of incompetent personnel but because the managers are not doing the right things. Watson (2001) thus describes management in three different aspects: management as a function, management as activities and management as a team of people (p.35). The kind of manager that Watson mentions includes both the middle manager and the senior manager. The