International education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

International education - Essay Example Relevant t the above, it is important to note that the Australia’s International Education Industry accounts for the fourth largest export industry in the region (Davis and Makintosh, 2011). On this perspective, the nation has been getting more than 15 billion dollars annually due to the international education programmes. The industry has been experiencing massive growth due to the stronger influence of the international higher education. Other than the issue of being considered one of the most crucial export industries, the Australian International Educational Industry is estimated to host approximately eighty per cent of the students from Asia (Loras, 2011). This has contributed massively in ensuring that the country enjoys prestige as well as recognition in the international arena. The educational quality offered in the Australian institutions of higher learning has been one of the best. The standards have been termed world class (Mukerji and Tripahi, 2014). As such, several people have always been in need of joining these Australian international institutions. This follows that most students always like to associate themselves with institutions of higher learning that offer the best qualities in the world. The fact that the educational standards in these institutions have been of good international reputations has made several foreign students to join these institutions of higher learning in the region (Bretag, 2015). It is of crucial significance to note that the Australia’s International Education Industry has massively contributed towards raising of the Australia’s profile, as well as the Australia’s global standing (Ramar et al, 2013). The education in the Australian institutions has really contributed towards increasing opportunities for business as well as promoting the issue of research activities. This has led to strengthening of many sectors within the country. Moreover, the

Exothermic reaction Essay Example for Free

Exothermic reaction Essay The object of this investigation is to determine the enthalpy change for the reaction CaCO3 (s) i CaO (s) + CO2 (g) by an indirect method based on Hess Law. Hesss law states that the enthalpy change for any chemical reaction is independent of the route taken provided that the initial and final conditions are identical. So the temperature change during these reactions below can be measured and the enthalpy changes ? H1 and ? H2 calculated. For Example: Using Hess law with the calculated values for ? H1 and ? H2 it is possible to calculate a value for ? H3. Results Table. Temperature change during reaction   The results for the temperatures are to the nearest whole number as it is unrealistic to measure to a point of a ? C with this type of thermometer and the masses rounded up to 2 decimal places for greater accuracy. Calculations Its possible to use the formula E = mc ? T, where E = energy transferred, m = mass of HCl, c= specific heat capacity of HCl and ? T = temperature change. This formula can be used for calculating the energy transferred in the following reactions ? ?H1, CaCO3 (s) + HCl and ? H2, CaO (s) + HCl. Seeing as the molar mass of CaCO3 = 100. 00 ?H1 = 420 x (1 x 0. 0250) = 16. 80 kJmol-1 I will not include the last result in my average for ? H1, which is 16. 80 kJmol-1. This is because its way off the other results and would significantly affect my average results, its an anomaly. AVERAGE for the ? H1 for the reaction between CaCO3 + HCl: (- 25. 09 kJmol-1) + (- 24. 90 kJmol-1) 2 ?H1 = 25. 00 kJmol-1 This value for ? H1 is negative because heat is lost to the surroundings. Its an exothermic reaction. Calculations for ? H2 for the reactions between CaO (s) + HCl: 1. I will not include the 102. 86 kJmol-1 result in my average for ? H2. This is because its way off the other results and would significantly affect my average results, its an anomaly. AVERAGE for the ? H2 for the reaction between CaO + HCl: (-128. 05 kJmol-1) + (- 111. 43 kJmol-1) 2 ?H2 = 119. 74 kJmol-1 This value for ? H1 is negative because heat is lost to the surroundings. Its an exothermic reaction. Using Hess cycle I will use the values that I have calculated for ? H1 and ? H2 to work out the value for ? H3. ?H3= ? H1 ? ?H2 = (- 25. 00 kJmol-1) (- 111. 43 kJmol-1)= 86. 43 kJmol-1 This value is positive because heat is absorbed from the surroundings. Its an endothermic reaction. I have been told the actual value for ? H3, which is 178. 00. So I will calculate the percentage by which my value is out by the actual value. 178. 00 ? 86. 43 = 91. 57 (91. 57 ? 178. 00) x 100 = 51% Evaluation Errors in procedure: When the CaO and CaCO3 were put into the cup there was a delay before the lid was put on. This could have caused heat to escape out of the cup and the temperature change would not have been as great compared to if there was no delay.

History Of Sports Journalism Media Essay

History Of Sports Journalism Media Essay Sports journalism  is a form of  journalism  that reports on  sports  topics and  events. While the sports department within some  newspapers  has been mockingly called the  toy department, because sports  journalists  do not concern themselves with the serious topics covered by the news desk, sports coverage has grown in importance as sport has grown in wealth, power and influence. Sports journalism is an essential element of any  news media  organization. Sports journalism includes organizations devoted entirely to sports  reporting  Ã‚  newspapers  such as  LEquipe  in  France,  La Gazzetta dello Sport  in  Italy,  Marca  in  Spain, and the defunct  Sporting Life  in Britain, American  magazines  such as  Sports Illustrated  and the Sporting News, all-sports  talk radio  stations, and  television  networks such as  Eurosport,  ESPN  and  The Sports Network (TSN). History Of Sports Journalism Known as the Golden Age of Sports, the decade or so between the end of World War I and the beginning of  the great depression  was described as a decade of change. America and the world wanted to put the memory of the Great War behind them and enjoy life. The economy was booming because of the war and the automobile was becoming a more common means of transportation. This freedom allowed America to fall in love with sports through the exploits of Jack Dempsey, Man O War, The Four Horseman of Notre, and the biggest name of all,  Babe Ruth. Sports journalisms roots developed long before Sports Illustrated and ESPN. Sports writers, although mocked in early days for not being serious writers, now revel in an industry worth billions. From the Internet, newspapers, radio and television to the movies and magazines, content is vast and packed with heart racing photos and videos of games, plays, moments, and victories and losses. Athletes jockey for a place in the news and the cameras always seem to be rolling, and now for the history of sports journalism. 1789IN THE BEGINNING Horses, which some paleontologists believe may have originally evolved from dinosaurs, may have the right to claim the first glimmers of sports journalism. In 1727, The Racing Calendar offers information about races and their results. In 1791, The General Stud book is added. The site History World, www.historyworld.net explains that the English were curious about the lineage of their horses too. Boxing is a popular sport in London. Champion Daniel Mendoza writes a book about the sport. It is called The Art of Boxing. Mendoza goes on to lose the title from John Jackson, known as Gentleman Jack. According to the site, his name is more for the circle of friends than his fighting style. From these times, the publications for men told of great battles between men and if they fought for fun, exercise or settling a wager. Even back then, the details involving blood, bruises and broken bones excited men. The sport gained in popularity after readers caught on to the idea of beating someone without getting in trouble. Women were not allowed in any sports establishment in London, and most had no desire to change this rule. In the 1800s, the idea of basketball is started and other sports follow. The times of America demanded attention to be placed on work and home, not recreational activities. In the early part of the 1900s, America dealt with the full impact of the  Industrial Revolution  and World War l. The times preceding the First World War brought a new life to the game of golf, which has its early origins in Scotland. The Scots claim they invented the game; however, there is some speculation that they may have evolved it instead. 1900sEarly Days Golf is a popular game and has several magazines devoted to it. This includes The American Golfer. Published by Conde Nast, it was founded in the early half of the 1900s. Its covers have featured golf greats, including Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen and Byron Nelson. The Depression and World War ll brought a halt to sports as scores of men and women left home to defend the country. Children and youth continued to play. Yet, it was after the war that sports celebrated a rebirth. 1954 THE BIRTH OF SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Sports Illustrated is arguably one of the most popular magazines for sports journalism. Even though its first issue was not released until August of 1954, the executives at Time, Inc realized its potential when World War ll ended and sports became a major recreational activity. The first cover features slugger Eddie Matthews of the Milwaukee Braves. Back then, executives did not know much about sports journalism. The magazine changed from one week to the next as they tried different ideas. Still, the topics offered readers a full range of information and photographs regarding different sports. These included everything from football and basketball to gymnastics and even bullfighting! The earlier issues featured how-to tips too. Once the readership became established, executives enticed fans with a three-page centre foldout of 1954 Topps baseball cards. Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson and Ted Williams were featured on the cards, which were printed on the same paper stock as the magazine. The term, Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue dates back to the early 1960s when executives began pondering the idea. In January 1964, the first issue showing a woman with a white two-piece suit caused an instant reaction. The picture is tame by todays standards. In the early days of the magazine African Americans did not have equality or respect. Through time, and many long fights, this is changing. Sports Illustrated is one place to feature the black athletes. These include two popular personalities, Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan. It was claims that They have been featured on the front cover more times than any other athletes. The front cover of SI, as it is called by many readers and fans, featured non-athlete faces, including Bob Hope, Ernest Hemingway and President John F. Kennedy. These issues, if they can be found and in top condition, have enormous value. SPORTS JOURNALISM NOW Today, Sports Illustrated is branching out with an issue for youth. Its content is designed to encourage involvement in sports, provide information about reducing injuries, and highlighting major names like Michael Johnson and others. The editors know the youth are influenced by what they include in each issue. In response, they often include ads by stars that encourage youth to avoid drugs and alcohol, stay in school and remain clear of trouble. It is one of the few magazines geared towards youth. Newspapers provided sports journalism from the first days of publishing. The coverage was basic and sparse. Writers often did not know much about the sports themselves. Occasionally, a sportswriter would actually have a working knowledge of the game. Times changed when accuracy and details became more important than yellow journalism. This was when the focus was on the sensational bits of news and facts often went unverified, if they were facts at all. As credible papers debuted, sportswriters needed more knowledge of the sport they covered. Now, many companies and stations want actual experience form their writers. This makes former athletes more valuable and offers them a chance to stay in the game instead of disappearing from sight. The Internet, radio shows and television offer sports journalism. The depth of coverage is intense and high point players garner attention and fame. The stories by sportswriters cover more than scores and highlights; they also cover future plays, fears of coaches, personal snapshots of players, typical road life adventures, issues with recruiting and trades. It is not just the fans who pay attention to the sportswriters. Coaches from around the country, scouts and even advertisers watch and listen. Nike, Spalding and other big names use the information provided by the sportswriters when looking for the next big idea. They want to see who will be the next star. The whole wants to know too, and sportswriters have plenty of answers. A Sports Journalists A sports writer has the responsibility to both entertain and inform people about what is occurring within the world of sports. Some sports writers focus on one particular sport whereas others write on all sports within a given area. Some sports writers are syndicated or are published in more than one newspaper and others may write for a local newspaper or even for a website, blog, magazine or TV show. Sports writers may work freelance and sell individual stories to various news outlets or they may work for a given publication. Those sports writers that do freelance work pick their sporting events to cover, whereas those that work for a publication are usually assigned stories. Both types of sports writers have to be able to capture the excitement and interest of the reader as well as provide an accurate depiction of the sporting event or issue that they are writing on. A sports writer must be willing to work long hours and still make deadlines for printing. Most writers now use computer word processing programs that make editing and revising a bit easier, and also allows for submissions by email to meet tight deadlines. Creativity, a very complete understanding of the sport, good rapport with athletes, coaches and managers as well as an ability to write are all important for a sports writer. An interest in news as well as keeping up-to-date on all issues with regards to the sports community is also important on a daily basis. Common work activities include: Attending games and sporting events to be able to write accurately and effectively on the events of the game. Writing insightful, informative and original stories on various aspects of sports from human interest on up to game day results. Researching, networking and developing contacts in the sporting world that can provide accurate and up-to-date information on various aspects of the sport. Meeting with publishers, editors and writing teams to develop and obtain assignments or ideas for possible stories. Keeping in constant contact with athletes, owners, coaches and managers and using high ethical standards to avoid compromising the writing. As the name suggests,  Sports Journalism  reports on sports topics and events and it is an essential element of any news media organization. Today career in sports is at its boom and which also brings wonderful career opportunities for sports journalists as well. Television, radio, magazines, internet have become an integral part of peoples life. Many of them are ardent fans of different sports; they switch to TV, websites, newspaper for getting latest updates and news in their sports. Thus, the scope of  sports journalism  is increasing gradually.  Sports Journalism  prepares students to sports reporting career and also introduces them with the writing of a sports writer and media professionals use. But still a lot to done in this field, it is disappointing to say that there are not enough good sports magazines in Indian languages. A couple of English sports magazines are available in the market which cater with the need of limited sports fans but many sports loving people who are not comfortable in English do not enjoy this privilege. Today it is a rewarding vocation which requires talented and skilled sports media professionals. To be a sport journalist you need to know inside out of your subject and have a passion to make a mark in this vocation. It also demands lot of hard work and onus. However, rewards are lucrative, a sport journalist gets box seats at the games, meets internationals sports star, gets lot of exposure while travelling from one country to another, getting to know the people who train Olympics athletes and fame appreciations from the readers and fans. Today, internet has become an important part of  sports journalism. Almost all journalists have to start from ground zero.   So if you are an aspiring Journalist, you can start with your own blogs on your favourite team or particular sport. This helps you to build up your portfolio of self-published clips and if any sports organization finds your blog interesting then you could also get a chance to work with them. Today Sports Journalism has turned into long form writing, it also produces popular books on sports which include biographies, history and investigations. Many western countries have their own national association of sports journalists.   In India there has been recent growth in Sports Journalism. The sports column in various leading newspapers is widely popular among readers. Indians today not just appreciate cricket but they have also understood the importance of other sports also like football, hockey, wrestling, boxing etc. You could go for a degree in sports journalism which could enhance your writing and reporting skills and also trains you efficiently in the areas sports. You would learn to write technical details about a sport in a simple manner. One could also opt for journalism and match reporting course which deals with going to sport games, sporting events, and venues, meeting with players then reporting all this to sports crazy audience. The career opportunities in sports journalism are match reporter, freelance sports journalist and sports writer. You would get to work in newspaper, radio, TV, magazines and online journalism. As the conclusion, sport is one of the well-published issues in the Net. Sport issues gain a lot of publicity and discussions in the media. The examples are numerous: thousands of football news article depict the reactions of trainers to a particular event. Important soccer games are an everyday issue in TV channels. New technologies are used everywhere in coverage of sports: tennis streaming video presents the particular strokes of favoured tennis stars, such as Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova. At the days of serious matches, fans enjoy watching the game of their favoured teams in tennis or football online. We might ask ourselves: what is the role the Media plays in Sport? One probable answer would be that the media successfully exploits the public need for entertainment. People have always felt the need to be entertained, starting from the days of gladiators, when the public general demand was to see people die in front of them in exchange for their money. As the years went by, the forms of the entertainment changed and became less cruel, but the principle of the crowd asking for Panem et circenses (i.e. bread and circuses) remained the same. In this matter, sports news is the best possible entertainment, and watching sport online or on TV is the best possible way to witness the actual thing happening. And here comes the next possible answer: media adheres to the needs of the wide public, fulfilling the desire to watch the actual thing on-line. Although a football match might occur in Milano, and tennis game may take place in Moscow, media brings the tennis game and the football match straight to your living room, without the need to get up from sofa and buy the ticket to Milano or wherever you want to get to. Media makes use of our need to witness the actual thing by serving as a mediator between the sporting event, which happens somewhere out there, and us, the viewers. Being a central part of our everyday experience, media brings sports coverage to our living room and shows it to us whenever we choose. Id say its a good thing, but you choose for yourselves.

Abraham Lincoln Essays -- essays research papers fc

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin located in Hodgenville Kentucky on the twelfth of February in the year of 1809. His parents were Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. Lincoln had one older sister (Sarah) who was born in 1807. Three years after Abraham was born, his mother gave birth to a baby boy they named Thomas. The family was faced with devastating turmoil when Thomas died while he was still an infant. When Abe was nine years old he was kicked in the head by a horse, which caused his family to believe him to be dead. He survived, but his mother died a few months later of milk sickness. Thomas, Abraham’s father, remarried one year later to a young woman named Sarah Bush Johnston. Sarah was a widow who had three children of her own. Abe became extremely fond of his step mother and developed a great deal of affection towards her. In the years 1820-1822 Lincoln briefly attends school. In 1824 Lincoln began to plow and plant for his neighbors. During the f all and winter seasons he would attend school. Lincoln constantly borrowed books and read during any opportunity possible. On January twentieth of the year 1828 Sarah, Abe’s sister, passes away during childbirth. Three months later Lincoln takes his first trip to New Orleans on a flatboat caring farm produce. During this trip Abe experiences a slave auction and is attacked by seven black men attempting to rob him. In March of 1830 Abraham and his family move to Illinois, a two hundred mile journey, and settle along the Sangamon River. Once again Abraham Lincoln’s father moves, but this time Abe ventures to New Salem, Illinois. He remained there working as a clerk in the village store. The owner of the store also allowed Lincoln to sleep in the back. While in New Salem, Lincoln also began to participate in a local debating society. Two years after his family had moved to Illinois Lincoln found himself as the candidate for the Illinois General Assembly. He enlists in the Black Hawk war one month later. He was elected Captain of his rifle company, but was forced to reenlist as a private after that company was disbanded. During his three months of service he never fought in a battle. On August sixth he lost the election for the Illinois General Assembly. Lincoln was hit with another blow when the store that he worked at went out of business. He and his partner, William Berry, deci... ...an Cousin†, John Wilkes Booth shoots Lincoln in the head shortly after 10:00p.m on April 14, 1865. At 7:22 the next morning the sixteenth president of the United States was pronounced dead. His assassin was shot and killed in a tobacco barn eleven days later, never being put on trial. On May fourth, 1865 Abraham Lincoln was laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery, located near Springfield, Illinois. Although Lincoln was not alive to see it, Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution on January 31, 1865 that abolished slavery. Bibliography http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/al16.html http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln.html http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton/Lincoln2.html http://www.historyplace.com/lincoln/ http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/lincoln/ Dilorenzo, Thomas J. The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War. Prima Publishing; March 26, 2002. Miller, William Lee. Lincoln's Virtues: An Ethical Biography. Knopf publishing; January 15, 2002. Senzell, Sally Isaacs. America in the Time of Abraham Lincoln: The Story of Our Nation. Heineman Library; January 2001.

Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge Essay

â€Å"To What End? † is the last chapter of Edward O. Wilson’s book, Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge, one of the most skillful, and gifted scientists of which he wanted a joining together of the different sciences such as the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. This chapter focused mainly on social and environmental problems. The picture of the global environment as well as the discussions on global warming, environmental ethics and overpopulation are being emphasized. The limitations of land suitable for cultivation, the deforestation and the clean water as well as the mass extinctions of plants and animals present an enormous problem in the whole world today. Something must have been done of which the world preservation is the focus for further human development and cultural consciousness. There is a great diversity in the living world. In order to live successfully, an organism must fit into its surroundings. There are still some countries or islands, such as Galapagos Island, that are rich as far as biodiversity is concerned. Biodiversity is an important characteristic of ecosystems that is associated to the number of different species they contain. It is the wealth of all life-forms on Earth today that is the product of billions of years of evolutionary history. Biodiversity is often associated with tropical rain forests. Though tropical rain forests account for only 7 percent of the total land area of the world, it harbors more than half of the 1. 7 million species of living things documented worldwide. What happened to them? Many of them make their home in the forests. However, virgin tropical rain forests are almost vanished, transformed into agricultural lands, and sooner or later abandoned as wasteland or used as residential areas. However, current levels of biodiversity are threatened by what scientists describe as a modern, anthropogenic mass extinction-a†human meteor†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ (Picard 22). As a result, some of our wildlife species are endangered and as susceptible to extermination and sometimes classified as severely endangered. Deforestation is, therefore, the single greatest cause of species loss. The direct causes of extinction of species aside from habitat destruction, but as well as overexploitation, introduction of exotic species, pollution and global climate change. Man’s activities have ruined his own environment. His intervention with the ecological balance has opened the eyes of the world. Man must face environmental issues and bring his activities back in balance with the natural world. The role of humans in their environment is clear, they are not merely a biological species but also a social species which by their resourcefulness and skillfulness, make and remake their environment. The kind of environment they have therefore replace the values, attitude, skills and knowledge or ignorance behind the decision they make. The future generations should be genetically conservative (Wilson 3). We go a step further when we practice the fields of biotechnology. Biotechnology is the general term used to describe the modification of biological processes through human intervention. This may be done through genetic engineering aimed at modifying or improving the hereditary traits of certain organisms. The main purpose of genetic engineering is to improve agricultural productivity. Hence, Genetically Modified Organisms are perceived to be beneficial to humans since it creates new varieties of organisms. However humans should be careful in their use of what we called the genetic modification, the direct manipulation of an organism’s genes. Some people now a day became worried of potential problems or harmful side effects of Genetically Modified Organisms. For instance, an engineered lawn grass that remains short and therefore does not need trimming and a grass runners that spread out fast may outgrow the native grass species that support local insect pollinators. Humans use genetic methods to improve life here on Earth. But the main issue about Genetically Modified Organisms, whether or not to adopt them is still unresolved. The actuality remains that genetic engineering accelerate speciation. In nature, it is anticipated that it takes between 2 000 and 100 000 generations for new species to evolve. Scientists continue to search for better ways to improve human lives and the world we live in. It takes alterations of our physical world and the development of â€Å"superior† living organisms to realize such objectives. Humans have been working on plant and animal breeding for centuries. Once a sought-after trait, or organism, has been produced, it must be maintained and passed on to future generations. The desire to make domestic plants and animals more suitable for human needs has been the motive for the intensive study of genetics, and this has resulted in wonderful improvements. With the rise of genetics and the growing knowledge about the environmental needs of both plants and animals, the possibilities of further improvements have become greater. Many people would like to see genetic principles applied to the biological improvements of humankind. Plans for the improvement of humans have been formulated and to some extend put into effect. However, most of these plans are not founded on reliable scientific data. Hence, the means to be used in bringing about these improvements are so questionable that reputable geneticists refuse to support them. On the other hand, the author also emphasize that such conservatism should not be confused with the pietistic and selfish libertarianism into which much of the American conservative movement has lately descended (Wilson 3), of which what he meant is the ethical side of the argument. As you go around some places, you see loads of uncollected trash. You see swarms of flies and cockroaches crowded over the garbage. How do you feel about it knowing that microorganisms are causes of diseases and those unhygienic conditions that can speed up the growth of bacteria? Values of good health and sanitation must be developed. Cleanliness in the environment must be observed. Personal hygiene such as washing one’s hands before eating must be practiced. You developed the values of neighborliness and collaboration by keeping the surroundings, the school building, the grounds, and other facilities sanitary. You must report cases of communicable diseases to proper authorities so that corrective measures can be undertaken. In this case, the value of concern for the well being of others is manifested. As you examine your environment, you must realize that the diversified forms of existence are possible only because of the works of God. Somehow, the value of spirituality that involves faith and love of God will inspire you as you marvel at the complexity of life. It warns the present and future generations to be cautious in the rapidly dependent on machine-aided ratiocination, such as the use of computers and other devices. We invent a variety of machines to help us do our work more easily and faster. Moving from one place to another is now possible. We can even circle the world in just a matter of days. With all the machines invented, we are forced to build power plants to provide us with the energy we need to run these machines. It resulted to treating everything delicate in such a way that we tend to forget the importance of live, the very nature of our existence, our ancient heritage and the feeling of being nothing at all because of over dependence on machines. What can we do to prevent the selfish and total destruction of the environment and conserve natural resources? What is our role in preserving ecological balance? Do we have the responsibility to preserve (Picard 22)? Morally yes! Man is responsible of God’s creatures and the need to preserve them. Are we morally obligated to do so (Picard 23)? The aim of any human being is to protect and improve the environment and to put together the environment together with the policies of the government and in the world as well. Nature provide us and other living organisms with the essential elements needed for continued existence. The environment is the source of life-sustaining substance. Balance in nature exists when the various ecosystems are stable, and humans play an active role in maintaining the balance in nature. No organism is completely independent. Each organism is dependent upon other organism as well as the environment for continued existence. For example the attractiveness of a fragile coral is very much enhanced by the green alga living on it. Humans are instrument in upsetting and restoring the balance in nature. We can either preserve it or cause its destruction. We are dependent for our needs on the environment; as a result, the balance in nature is upset. As we satisfy our needs and ensure our comfort, we accidentally change our natural environment. We depend on our environment for all our necessities. We apply technology to all aspects of food production. When a forest is cleared or a field is cultivated, the natural, balanced environment is altered. Not all plants and animals can become accustomed to their new environment. Those that cannot either perish or move around to other places. Often, the balance in nature is seriously disturbed, and plants and animals that are more adaptable become pests. And with the up to date advancements in the fields of genetics, we are now pursuing plant and animal cloning. The changes we have made in the environment have considerably affected the equilibrium in nature. It has been a common observation that some of these changes have not achieved the objective of improving the quality of life. Some of them actually have caused an imbalance in nature. Even though humans have eliminated potential predators, controlled diseases, and make the most of the energy flow of ecosystem into the production of food, they have also exploited the natural ecosystem and contaminated air and water with human and technological wastes. In the long run, nature continues to be ill with as it is consumed, exhausted, and corrupted. We humans play an on the go role in maintaining the balance in nature and safeguarding biodiversity. The Earth’s resources are limited that is why they should be appropriately managed and used wisely. We should also consider the impact on the environment as we get hold of and use these resources.

Politics of the 1980s Essay

The 1980s were marked by the election of Ronald Reagan to the presidential office.   The Republican Party had succeeded in gaining control of the Senate for the first time since 1954 (Spartacus Educational, 2007).   Conservatism, the ideals and goals of the new Republican president, began to change politics, religion, and the economy of the United States.   Reagan had many visions that appealed highly to social conservatives.   This paper will discuss the political issues during the Reagan administration. During the presidential campaign of 1980, a highly critical event was occurring under President James Carter.   In the conflict between Iran and Iraq, several Americans had been taken hostage by Iran.   President Carter was attempting to negotiate the release of the hostages.   Is successful, this move could prove dangerous to Reagan’s campaign.   After Iraq invaded Iran in September 1980, Carter proposed a deal with Iran that would provide much needed parts and equipment in exchange for the American hostages.   Because of the large amount of media coverage, President Carter was unsuccessful in this attempt. Ronald Reagan, however, was able to promise Iran that they would receive the parts and equipment, provided that the hostages were released.   Reagan won the election against Carter.   The hostages were released after Reagan was sworn into office.   Reagan gained the public’s confidence by being successful where Carter could not be: getting the hostages released and returned home.   William Casey, appointed by Reagan as CIA director, arranged delivery of the equipment and parts to Iran.   All the promises that were made to Iran, by Reagan, had been fulfilled.   Unfortunately, Iran now had the means to make attacks against the United States (Spartacus, 2007). Reagan’s political goals appealed to the social conservatives of the nation.   Unfortunately, Reagan’s social goals did not gain as much widespread attention as his economic and military goals.   Regan sought to cut taxes and increase military spending (Davidson et al, 2002). Reagan’s main goal was to weaken big government by using a supply-side economic theory.   By implementing a huge tax cut, the economy would be stimulated enough to raise tax revenues.   Critics argued that economic expansion would be slowed greatly.   Reagan chose higher employment and weakened unions as methods to combat inflation (Davidson et al, 2002). Reagonomics, the term used to describe Reagan’s economic policies, eventually led to a recession (Davidson et al, 2002).   Big corporations had to unwillingly yield regarding wages and work conditions.   Ultimately, the interactions between the aspects of Reagan’s policies caused conflict.   Weidenbaum (1997) stated: â€Å"Monetary restraint was the key to unwinding inflation, as well as precipitating sharp recession.   Recession, in turn, delayed the beneficial effects of the tax cuts on investment and pushed the budget deficit to unprecedented heights†¦Ironically, it was the enactment of tax cuts unmatched by spending cuts that scared the Fed into a tighter monetary policy.   The subsequent recession caused serious budgetary imbalance.† In addressing his military goals, Reagan chose to raise the spending budget.   Reagan’s desire was to create a force that could act against threats of Communism world-wide, on its own.   This was a task not easily carried out previously (Davidson et al, 2002). The largest increases of the military spending budget were allotted for expensive nuclear weapons system.   The defense planners of the Reagan administration brought back the antinuclear peace movements with Europe and America.   The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) had the purpose of establishing a missile defense system that was to be based in space. Even though the economic aspects of Reagan’s political goals were conflicting with each other, the public’s confidence was still strong.   Reagan’s publicity was so sound that it seemed impenetrable.   Reagan easily won the 1984 presidential election (Davidson et al, 2002). Reagan adopted the same attitudes toward foreign policy as the rest of his political agenda.   Reagan was a strong believer that the United States should stand tall and proud.   Unfortunately, growing problems overseas proved that maintaining order was quite problematic. Reagan, in trying to help a war torn region gain peace, sent American members of the Marines to Lebanon.   The American peacekeepers were soon forced into the middle of a civil war.   Terrorists blew up a U.S. military barrack, killing 241 people.   The President ordered the troops to leave immediately (Davidson et al, 2002). Growing problems in other nations were occurring as well.   By the middle of 1985, there were two major problems that demanded immediate attention.   â€Å"First, Congress had forbidden support of the Contras in Nicaragua.   And second, Iranian-backed terrorists continued to hold American hostages in Lebanon† (Davidson et al, 2002). Controversy soon took control.   Reagan had found a way to negotiate the release of the hostages in Lebanon.   If the U.S. sold Iran a few weapons, they might, in turn, persuade Lebanon to release the hostages.   In a year’s time, there had been four secret shipments of weapons to Iran.   Only one hostage was released.   This exchange of weapons for hostages was not only a failure, but completely contradictory to the President’s solemn promise to never pay a ransom to terrorists (Davidson et al, 2002). Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North and NSA Advisor Robert McFarlane had discovered a way to secretly aid the Nicaraguan Contras.   McFarlane was able to convince Saudi Arabia to deposit a large amount of money into a savings account where it could then be laundered.   Oliver North then spent the money on weapons that were sent through Central America (Davidson et al, 2002). Because information of the two secret operations had been leaked, there were hearings held.   The scandal had been named â€Å"Irongate,† comparing it to Richard Nixon’s scandal.   The hearings soon ended.   Reagan’s improving relations with the Soviets helped to restore confidence once again (Davidson et al, 2002). In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev entered the Kremlin.   In December 1987, Reagan met with Gorbachev to sign the Intermediate Nuclear Force treaty, in which both sides would destroy any intermediate-range nuclear missiles with ranges of 600 to 3400 miles.   Both sides agreed to on-site inspections of any missile bases (Davidson et al, 2002). With the presidential election of 1988 growing near, Reagan could now take credit for the positive results of relations with the Soviets.   George H.W. Bush, the Vice President, seemed to be the rightful Republican heir.   â€Å"Bush vowed a continuation of Reagan’s policies and in foreign affairs he was as aggressive as his predecessor† (Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th edition; 2007). As a conclusion, Lawrence Kudlow (1997) stated: â€Å"It was Ronald Reagan who led this Revolution, who established this new higher ground, who provided us with the spirit, the vision, and the road map which is today still being followed by the most successful politicians on the world scene.† References Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th edition. (2007). â€Å"United States.† New York: Columbia University Press; 52958 pgs. Davidson et al. (2002) Nations of Nations: A Concise Narrative of the American Republic, 3rd edition, Vol. 2. Kudlow, L. (1997). â€Å"Reagonomics: What Worked? What Didn’t?† Keynote Address delivered to the Center of the American Experiment. [electronic] Accessed at http://www.kudlow.com/pdfs/Reagonomics.pdf Spartacus Educational. (2008). â€Å"Ronald Reagan.† Accessed at http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAreagan.htm Weidenbaum, M. (1997) â€Å"Reagonomics – Its Remarkable Results.† Christian Science Monitor, December 18, 1997. Accessed at http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/1997/12/18/opin/opin.2.html