Impact Of Minimalism Art Movement Has On Art Community During 1960s Research Paper

Impact Of Minimalism Art Movement Has On Art Community During 1960s -1970s - Research Paper Example There cannot be any design without a designer; the individuals who trail blazed in this field or whose works, in the strict sense of the word, can be termed as minimalistic art are people like Donald Judd, Carl Andre, Robert Morris, Sol Lewitt and Dan Flavin (Marzona p7). What then is minimalism? Strickland, 2000, 7 defines minimalism as a movement, primarily in post war America towards an art-visual, musical, literary or otherwise- that makes its statements with limited if not the fewest possible resources. Though as Marzona argues, the term minimalism is confined to the visual arts with a major focus on painting. The movement did make a profound a impression on art that was to be seen years later. In artistic sense, it implies using limited materials to create a desired effect, which is, pure and simple. This is created by eliminating the non-essentials features, firms or concepts. In general, minimalism art movement does include synopsis, key ideas, artworks, artist about resource s. This study therefore focuses on how the minimalists, even though they did not want to be labeled as such, impacted on art and the art community with their minimalistic art activities. The minimalism movement did start in the 1960s, as earlier stated, in the United States and the process influenced the modern art as exemplified in such works as painting, sculpture and installation. During the time of its inception, minimal artists desired to have their respective artworks to be enjoyed without disruptions of the conventional aesthetic field. They focused on descriptions like color, and geometric structures and shapes. It is worth noting that the work of the minimalists did transform not only the way art was being viewed but it also elevated the social status of the discipline in the society. A look at each of the minimalists’ works confirms and sheds more light into the elements and purpose of the minimalism art movement. Donald Clarence Judd is one among the leading artist s who contributed immensely to this field. Scheldahi et al p 212 confirms that Judd is the renowned figure behind minimalism, even though he renounced the label and preferred to be known as the ‘maker of objects’ The man credited for having revolutionized art during his time especially in the 1960s and left an impression which was to stay long after he had gone. A Masters Degree graduate in Art History from the University of Columbia, Judde’s work of art has been described as one which is unique and as Scheldahi et al puts it, his work is unfailing elegance even lapidary in a grandiose sort of a way. The major contributions of Jude, notes Arts Foundation, were in the forms of ‘stacks’, ‘boxes’ and ‘progressions’. One such work is untitled, which Arts Connected 2012 confirms became Jude’s trademark. It was simple and austere. Through this, he challenges the viewer to consider the concepts of boredom, monotony and repet ition. He used an artistic style that moved away from illusionism but focused on constructions in which materiality is a key central part to the owners work. Thus Jude’s work of art would be described as one which was created using real materials in real space (Arts Connected 2012). His works bring closer home the understanding of the relationship between art and space. Marzoma notes, as does other writers in this field, the transition of Jude from being a painter to a sculptor. Concrete, plywood, galvanized steel and aluminum are some of the key ingredients in Jude’s recipe in articulating an effective minimalist sculptor. The Green Gallery exhibitions of Jude’s pieces of art work in 1963 appear to have catapulted him to the limelight of the international scene as a renowned minimalist. 12th of February 1994

First Day at an Electrical Job Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

First Day at an Electrical Job - Essay Example    On June 15, 2011, joy would be seen all over my face from the fact that I had secured a job at an Oryx gas-to-liquid company that is classified as a Natural gas producing company. The position that was designated to me was electrical maintenance personnel. My arrival at the Oryx Company was marked with great apprehension because I did not know what to expect in the electrical department of a gas producing company. Numerous pipes could be seen running from one place to another in the company’s compound. Additionally, thick electrical cables were visible that were providing the machines with electrical powers. Natural gas dish machines contributed to most of the electrical machines, which I was designated to maintain by the human resource manager of the company. The morning production section alter I arrived at the company was running smoothly and my job was only to go through manuals that contained the maintenance procedure of the natural gas dish machines. ... exactly twelve o’clock, my supervisor and other electrical personnel took my presence very helping and decided to leave the observation of the electrical wiring as well as the natural gas dish machines. I observed the machines for two hours after which I sensed an electrical burn smell in one of the main supply electrical cable. The smell attracted the attention of other personnel in various departments in the company, which lead to numerous phone calls on the department that I was titled to, which was the department of electrical maintenance. With minimal time to waste, I picked the tools in the office and rushed to a spotted faulty cable. I was surprised to find that one of the motors coolant fans had slipped out of the confined metallic cages and cut the main supply electrical cable into two. The supply cable in that was cut fell on the surface of one of the motors. Most motor surfaces carry a current and once the cable had fallen on one of the surfaces, an electrical short followed intriguing a fire. Fortunately, the company had effective self-fire distinguishers; hence, the fire was put off immediately. Nevertheless, the avoided fire incident did not solve the main problem that had been caused by the faulty coolant fun, which was power cut-out to three natural gas dish machines. Additionally, there was no experienced electrical personnel at the moment that necessitated me to act quickly to fix the electrical supply cable. The process of fixing the cable involved creating a joint at the point that the fun had cut. The other main step was to ensure that the faulty fan was replaced to avoid such a risky incidence. However, most of the risk I got exposed to was fixing the damaged electrical supply cable.  Ã‚  

Pestel Analysis On Petroleum Industry Economics Essay

Pestel Analysis On Petroleum Industry Economics Essay ABSTRACT: In the history of the mankind, the need of resources was the most important factor for political, technological, economic, social evolutions. In modern times need of energy resources become more significant than other industries who were more important during the past like the production of wood, stone, horse breeding, productions of ships, weapons, constructions of buildings and even gold production. The primary energy source is represented by petroleum, commonly known as oil. Petroleum is most used in transport, energy, petrochemical, agriculture and other industries that need oil products in the production of goods. Example: Metallurgy. In this paper it will be present the need of a macro-environmental analysis at the petroleum industry and the external factors that have a powerful influence on this industry. KEYWORD: environment, factors, oil, resource, PESTEL analysis, influence JEL CLASSIFICATIO: L71, L72, N01, N10, N30 1. INTRODUCTION In pre-industrial revolution time, oil was used for making and maintaining the fire, in the blacksmith, in constructions and in the period of war as a weapon (fire traps, fire projectiles of bows or siege engines and even a component of the substance used for medieval flamethrower named Greek fire, which was used in naval warfare). With the development of electricity and transport, the need for the oil rise very much and surpasses the need for coal or natural gas, which were used for the same purpose. Petroleum (oil) industry represents one of the most important components of the energy industry who is like the circulatory system of the human body to the modern economy. Oil industry is divided in: upstream (exploration, development, extraction of oil and natural gas), downstream (transport by oil tanks or pipelines, refineries, retailers and consumers). PESTEL analysis represents of the most important method used to analysis external environment within an organization or an industry sector (Moldoveanu, 2007). Necessity of using the PESTEL analysis on the petroleum industry is represented by the important role that this industry has on the economic, political and social systems around the world. 2. IMPORTANT In this paper, I want to show the importance of the external factors of macro-environment on petroleum industry and complementary industries. I would use PESTEL analysis because it responds to the questions: Are only political, economic and social factors that influence the petroleum industry? The oil industry by could be influenced by the modification of a factor that has no direct contact with industry? 3. PESTEL Analysis on Petroleum Industry PESTEL analysis is used by organizations for identifying the factors of external environment of the market that could influence the organization and entire industry. PESTEL analysis is formed by six macro-environment group of factors: political factors, economic, social, technological factors, environmental factors and legal factors. Other authors add new group factors, named international (Moldoveanu, 2007), but I dont want to split to add this factors because all PESTEL groups of factors contain both national and international description. Macro-environmental factors are less influenced by companies than micro-environmental factors (customers, employee, suppliers, shareholders, media and competitors), but companies of oil industry can have bigger influence of macro-environment than companies from other industries. This fact is resulted because of the need for energy resources for political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal activities. 3.1. Political factors Political factors are represented by the influence of a political entity (party, country, organizations or other type of faction) on the national level, regional level or international level. Most of the countries consider that the oil industry (upstream and downstream) is a strategic point in political, economic and social needs of a country, because this industry has a great influence on transport capacity, energy production, industrial production, chemical production, agriculture and social welfare. The energy independence is a priority objective of every country who wants to be free from a political blackmail from other countries or international organization. The most influent organization in oil production is OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) who has more than 42, 8% of world oil production, other considerable producers of oil or of another substituent, products are United States of America, Countries of European Union, Russia, China, Canada and Brazil. T he consumers who have a great influence on the oil markets are United States of America, China and western European Union countries. For mutual gain, some countries make trade agreement for exchanging of energy resources for money, technology other resources or even protection. A powerful influence over the production of oil and the price is made by instable situation from the Middle East, where every conflict could disturb oil production and transport, resulting in the rising of oil price. Another region that has a great influence upon the petroleum market is ex-soviet space, where disputes are likely resolved by energetic and political blackmail. The policy of foreign oil independence of the United States diminished energetic resource imports, because of that in Alaska were build new exploitations of oil or natural gas and development of substitutes. The austerity programs of European Union have reduced the need for fuels, because of declining of the economic activities and the so cial welfare. The economic crisis made the need for cheap fuels became a priority for the major players of the global stage. Because of this situation, many territorial disputes reappear between countries for oil and natural-gas reserves like: the Falkland Islands dispute between United Kingdom and Argentina; the Arctic plateau dispute between United States of America, Canada, Iceland, Norway and Russia; the Senkaku islands dispute between China, Taiwan and Japan; the South China Sea dispute between numerous Asian countries. National politic factors are represented by grade of authority of the state, political parties, non-governmental organizations and in some cases different factions (rebels, paramilitary entities). Grade of authority of the state represent the power that have the government upon the society, economy, technology, laws. The authority of the state is higher in authoritarian states like dictatorships, theocracies, non-constitutional monarchies, tribal society and is lower in democratic republics and constitutional monarchies were the political power is given by people of the country to the elected politicians. Political parties influence the petroleum industries by imposing state strategy for electoral or economic gains. The non-governmental organizations influence the oil market by promoting anti-pollution campaigns or liberalization of the fuel market. Paramilitary factions use influence on oil industry for blackmailing or for imposing some fees in territories that are controlled by the m, cutting the transport of oil for political gains. Oil companies can have influence on political factors in regions or countries were oil in primary source of making income and in regions or countries were the energy resource are scarce and attracting additional one is need for good function of economic activities. In modern economic, because of the globalization, the state canà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢t protect the external market like in mercantile system(Strange S., 1996), resulting that companies can occupy new markets or acquire new resources alone. 3.2. Economic factors Economic factors are represented by the: influences of the supply and demand on the oil price; influences of the supply or demand of the complementary goods; influence of the supply and demand of substitute resources; the USD exchange rate (petrol-dollar policy); the price of the oil barrel on the important stock exchanges; economic situation on regional and global stages; value of the known reserves, interest rate for financing; value of stock market indexes (DOW Jones, StandardPoor). The demand for fuels is influenced by variation of transport activities (road, rail, aviation, naval) that represent almost 60 %(OPEC,2011), petrochemical industry, other industries, agriculture and energy production. Variation of need for road transport activities is influenced by the number of the auto vehicles used by population or organizations; the earns of every car owner, the frequency of using his own car, the customer culture for fuels effect on the environment, the road infrastructure, seasons, touring activities. Rail transport is represented by trains that use fuels for transport; this kind of transport is used in developing countries that have big oil production. Aviation is one of the transport sectors that grown very rapidly, representing 6% of total oil demand (OPEC,2011), two thirds been represented by OECD (Organization For Economic Co-Operation And Development). Oil demand for naval transport is represented in big proportion by cargo ships that transport goods from developing countries (goods and resources producers) to developed countries (services producers). Petrochemical industry represents approximately 10% of total oil demand and the products that are produced by this industry are: plastics, synthetic fibers, synthetic rubber, detergents, paints, adhesives, aerosols, insecticides, pharmaceuticals and others. Others industry sectors which demand oil or complementary products from oil are iron and steel industry, cement industry, auto vehicles industry, naval industry, mining, construction and many others. In agriculture demand for oil and complementary products are for a wide range of activities like farming, pasturing, animal husbandry, fishing, hunting, beekeeping and many others. Table 1. Vehicle and passenger car ownership in 2008 Name Population Millions Auto vehicles Millions Cars Millions Cars per 1000 1 North America 457.7 299.9 265.5 580.1 2 West Europe 542.2 274.2 236.0 435.3 3 Pacific OECD 200.8 111.2 85.9 427.8 OECD 1,200.6 685.3 587.4 489.2 4 Latin America 421.7 76.2 59.7 141.5 5 Middle East and Africa 824.1 35.0 22.4 27.2 6 South Asia 1,595.4 24.9 16.6 10.4 7 South-East Asia 641.5 53.1 33.7 52.5 8 China 1,337.4 49.5 36.0 26.9 9 OPEC 384.8 39.8 28.7 68.5 Developing countries 5,205.0 278.4 197.0 37.9 10 Russia 142.0 34.8 29.5 207.8 11 Other transition economies 198.8 38.2 34.7 174.6 Transition economies 340.7 73.0 64.2 188.4 World 6,746.3 1,036.7 1848.6 125.8 SOURCE: adapted from World Oil Outlook 2011, p. 80 Table 2. Aviation oil demand prediction Name People that travel with planes Millions in 2008 People that will travel with planes Millions 1 North America 1.7 2.0 2 West Europe 1.1 1.3 3 Pacific OECD 0.4 0.6 OECD 3.3 3.8 4 Latin America 0.2 0.3 5 Middle East and Africa 0.2 0.3 6 South Asia 0.1 0.3 7 South-East Asia 0.5 0.8 8 China 0.3 0.7 9 OPEC 0.3 0.4 Developing countries 1.5 2.7 10 Russia 0.3 0.4 11 Other transition economies 0.1 0.1 Transition economies 0.3 0.5 World 5.1 7.0 SOURCE: adapted from World Oil Outlook 2011, p. 95 The financial system has influenced the petroleum industry in 2008 very much, making oil price to drop from history peak price of 141 USD per barrel, in July, to 33 USD per barrel only at the end of the year. This fact is explained by the beginning of financial crisis that influenced negatively the income of the companies and of the population, making the companies and people to cut the cost, or to become insolvent, resulting to diminish of economic activities across the world who make the demand for transport to fall that making the fall of oil price. 3.3. Social factors Social factors are represented by demography, culture, ethnic structure, religion structure, inter-cultural relation, structure of family, ideological view, literacy, urbanization, income distribution, migration, use of communication technology, cultural view to the different products. All around the world, do not exist a culture that is against oil exploitation and for using the oil products, most of the population saw the oil industry like a necessity for development and welfare, but are segments within the population who see the oil industry as an important factor of pollution of the environment. Population which has culture of the protection of the natural environment is located in developed countries, because not need a high rate of developing. In the countries were populations are more friendly with environment; government imposes pollution fees and pollution reduction laws and norms to petroleum industry, and complementary industries. Many companies which make complementary products, like cars, invest in reduction of fuel consumptions or start to produce hybrid products. In the developing countries, populations from see the need for development and growing rate of welfare more important than environment protection; they accept the pollution like a cost for e conomic growth. Table 3. Population level and growth forecast Name Population Millions 2010 2035 1 North America 466 555 2 West Europe 547 576 3 Developed countries of Pacific 201 194 Developed countries 1,215 1,325 4 Latin America 431 516 5 Middle East and Africa 882 1,422 6 South Asia 1,644 2,144 7 South East Asia 657 809 8 China 1,354 1,462 Developing countries 5,372 6,939 9 Russia 141 126 10 Other economy in transition(Eastern Europe and Ex-soviet space) 199 201 Economies in transition 340 327 World 6,927 8,590 Source: adapted from Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, http://esa.un.org/unpp/ panel_population.htm and World Oil Outlook 2011, p. 38 In table above, Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat forecast that the population of developed countries will have a smaller population growth then the developing countries, which will rise from 5372 millions people to 6939 millions people (higher rise been in south Asia) and countries that are in transition will have a population in decrease, resulting in a growth of the population from 6,927 millions in 2010 to 8,590 in 2035. The populations of developed countries that consume most of the fuels and energy, in these days, are growing slow and are ageing very rapidly, resulting in diminish of the need for oil in future. However, the growth of the population, in developing countries, will impose the rise of the energy resources for growing transport, petrochemical industries and electricity production needs. So de results will be that the need from developing countries for oil will surpass the reducing of need from developed countries, so the demand for oil will grow. Urbanization is another factor that influences the need for energy, because urban population consumes more energy resources for transportation, electric energy or petrochemicals (plastics, fibers) than rural population. Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat forecast that in 2035 the urban population will grow with 50,69% and rural will decrease with 4,17%. In developing countries growing of urban population will be larger than developed countries with almost 1432 millions. Rural population in developed countries will decrease with almost 16 milions and in developing countries will remain almost the same. Table 4. Population forecast by urban/rural classification Name 2010 2035 Millions Millions Urban Rural Urban Rural 1 North America 384 83 488 67 2 West Europe 398 149 461 115 3 Developed countries of Pacific 145 56 154 40 Developed countries 928 287 1102 222 4 Latin America 362 69 462 55 5 Middle East and Africa 353 529 751 671 6 South Asia 500 1,144 944 1,200 7 South East Asia 284 373 455 354 8 China 636 717 949 513 Developing countries 2394 2978 4001 2938 9 Russia 103 38 99 27 10 Other economy in transition(Eastern Europe and Ex-soviet space) 116 83 134 67 Economies in transition 219 121 232 95 World 3541 3385 5336 3244 Source: adapted from Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, http://esa.un.org/unpp/ panel_population.htm and World Oil Outlook 2011, p. 43 Petroleum industry has a great impact on social welfare, because it fuels the transports and electricity production, activities that have a great impact on human development, production of goods and services and communication. 3.4. Technological factors Technological factors are represented by technologies, techniques and methods that influence the activities within an organization (Palmer A. Hartley B., 2009). The technological factors could influence an organization from inside the industry, by making the need to acquire the last technologies (by buying equipment), techniques and methods (by hiring a trained human resource in new techniques or train the old human resource with the new techniques and methods). Once acquired, these factors will influence the organization from inside. In oil industry, the technologies are used exploration, in exploitation, transport( roads, oil tanks, pipelines), in refineries, in storage, in promoting marketing strategies, in selling; in researching and development of the brand-new products or in upgrading the old ones, in reducing the time of production the losses from the production process. Secondary technologies and techniques could be used in environment protection, workers protection, in impr oving the efficiency of the management by using of new software and hardware, improving the maintaining and repairing activities. All these factors could be used against an oil company, if a rival company owns them like a competitive advantage. Because of that will result in a perpetual race (Nicolescu Verboncu, 2009) for acquiring the news and the most efficient technologies, techniques and methods that will have the results of takings a greater share from downstream market and a greater share from the upstream market, to acquire more oil reserves or to impose the price. Technologies that influence the oil company from outside the oil industry can influence entire oil industry (upstream and downstream). These technologies are represented by the complementary products and substitutable products. The complementary products influence the demand for oil by developing technologies that will reduce the consumption of oil products or replaced them with other a substitutable product. The complementary products are represented by auto vehicles, airplanes, ships, petrochemicals (plastics, synthetic fibers, synthetic rubber, detergents, paints, adhesives, aerosols, insecticides and pharmaceuticals), energy, agricultural product or other industrial products. The substitutable products are represented by-products of the rest of energy industries. These industries are: the coal industry, natural-gas industry (which includes the new shale gas industry), nuclear industry, biomass industry, hydro industry and other renewable-energy industry (solar, wind, geothermal). Like the many coal and gas industries, the oil industry in life phase of maturity, because development of the new technologies became very hard and oil reserves are half depleted. Table 5. Forecast of world supply of primary energy level mboe/d (equivalent of a million barrels per day) Growth % per year Fuel share % 2008 2035 2008à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬35 2008 2035 Oil 80.6 101 0.8 35.2 28.4 Coal 66.6 101.5 1.6 29.1 28.5 Gas 52 90 2 22.7 25.3 Nuclear 14.3 22.5 1.7 6.2 6.3 Hydro 5.5 10.3 2.3 2.4 2.9 Biomass 8.5 20.3 3.3 3.7 5.7 Other renewables 1.5 10.4 7.5 0.6 2.9 Total 229 355.9 1.6 100 100 Sources: adapted from World Oil Outlook 2011, p. 50 The analysis from table above will result that the need for primary energy will grow from 2008 to 2035 with 51%( from 229 mboe/d to 355,9 mboe/d) The fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal) will decrease from 87%(199,2 mboe/d) to 82%(292,5 mboe/d) from the total of the energy supplies, but the oil will remain the most-used resource. Nuclear will almost double the production, but more use of atomic energy will be limited because of fear of nuclear disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima. Biomass will grow with almost 240%, but the principal problem of this resource is that will compete with the need for food production, because plants, which made biomass, are using the same soil that is used in agriculture for cultivating the wheat and corn or pastures of domestic animals. Hydro will almost double in 25 years, but the great difficulty will be to find new efficient places for building hydro centrals, because most of the rivers will also have hydro central. Rest of renewable-energy production will grow will approximately seven times, from 2008 to 2035; the main issues of renewable energy are: investments are high in comparison with fossil fuels, efficiently is lower, in most of the world region renewable energy can be produced only in some seasons, and it has a dependence to weather conditions. 3.5. Environment factors Environment factors are represented by the geographical position, landform, climate, fauna, flora, rock structure and natural resource that are in case of petroleum companies represented by oil reserves. Geographic position influence the activity of oil companies because it defines the distances between exploitation, refiners and consumers (for example, oil from Middle East can be transported half the world, exploitation to refiners), or could influence the demand for oil because of transports, international trade and migration. Landform influences the difficulty of exploitation, transportation to the refiners and consumers; demand is influenced by the consumption of the fuel in heavy terrains. Climate influences the difficulty of oil exploitation in time of the cold season in north climates, or hot seasons of desert climate, demand for oil grown in winter because of low speed traffic or energy consumption. Flora and fauna influence cost oil exploitation because of existing of the oi l reserves in natural parks, or because of existing difficult access area because of vegetation and dangerous animals. Rocks structure made difficulties of exploration and exploitation oil. World oil reserves are estimated to 1481.526 billion barrels according to OPEC Annual Statistic Bulletin 2012. The biggest oil reserves are in Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iran, Kuwait, Arab Emirates, Venezuela Russia, Libya, Nigeria, United States of America, China, Qatar, Mexico, Algeria and India. These countries have own 95% of oil reserves. One specification of the environmental factors is represented by natural disasters: hurricanes, tornados, cyclones, snow storms, sand storms, extreme temperatures, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruption that could make material loss and casualties, but could disturb economic activities. Economic activities that could be disturbed are road, rail, naval, air traffic, could decline the demand for unnecessary goods and raise the demand for the primary need goods l ike water, food, pharmaceutics, construction materials, fuels, clothes. Petroleum industry influences the natural environment because of pollution and capacity of changing from natural to artificial environment by fueling the developing of modern economy. Pollution is represented by fuel emission from uses of auto vehicles, airplanes, ships and emissions from refineries that produce fuels or other petrochemical products that have a great influence on climate changing. Other pollution events are represented by accidents that can happen in activities of exploration, exploitation, refining and transport, contaminating the water, air and soil with oil, fuels or wastes. 3.6. Legal factors Legal factors are represented by constitutions, laws, norms and regulations of the local authorities, governments, international institutions, international communities (European Union, the North American Free Trade Agreement, the African Union and the Association of South East Asian Nations). This factors influence the modalities of exploration, of exploitation, of the refiner, of transportation and of commercialization of oil and oil products. The legal factors also impose laws and regulations for pollution, social protection, work protection, work regulation, competition regulation, anti-trust regulation, consumer protection, international trade (trade agreements between nations or embargoes to some countries), subsidies, the taxes( like the excise rates for fuels and oil price or taxes and fees over profit to the energy companies). Table 6. Tax rate in comparison with price Country Oil price USD per liter Tax rate Tax United Kingdom 1.76 65.1% 1.15 Germany 1.53 66.3% 1.02 Italy 1.418 66.3% 0.94 France 1.49 63.7% 0.95 Japan 1.14 49.6% 0.57 Canada 0.90 33.3% 0.30 USA 0.75 16.0% 0.12 Source: Who get What from imported oil (2011) http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/publications/341.htm 4. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the importance of knowing the macro-environment on an industry such as important like petroleum industry is crucial in the modern economy, because these factors represent the opportunities and threats of this economic sector. Many specialists think that the change from fossil fuels to the renewable resources would resolve many of the problems and threats that the oil industry has. So the transition from oil to renewable resources should be faster, omitting many variables upstream and downstream of this industry. If a change of the principal energy resources will be made, it will be required to take caution steps, because this could make a shortage of the energy resources that could destabilize the entire world social-economic-system. For changing main energy resource will be necessary to reconvert many equipments and machinery, training the human resource, make social campaign to encourage the people to use new fuel, invest in new research about efficiency of the new f uel, the environment impact, search for new reserves and make new regulation for the use of this resource.

Hindutva :: essays research papers

The ideology of Hindutva is becoming popular because there is a growing realization that everything else that has been tried to inculcate a national spirit, has failed to yield the desired results. Many people previously opposed to Hindutva have embraced the ideology, as they believe that the solutions to the country's problems can be found within it. At the mass level, with the work done by many individuals and organizations, the acceptance has been a relatively easy task. However, at the intellectual level the success leaves much to be desired. The reason for this is that those who are opposed to Hindutva occupy positions of power in the academic field. They have ensured that the research done on Hindutva remains at the fringe of the scholarly arena. Not only are the public resources denied to the work that needs to be done, but the funds are being invested in anti-Hindutva propaganda, with an intention to prove Hinduism as a regressive religion and a backward culture. Most people who live abroad and write on India rely for their information on the English media and writings, which paint an essentially negative picture of Hindutva. It is therefore necessary to give the theoretical basis of the Hindutva movement due publicity. In one of his recent books, a Eurpean scholar, Dr. Koenraad Elst says, "In Europe every sizeable party or ideological pressure-group has set up a think-tank to develop ideology and formulate policy proposals. The Communists in India have a host of intellectuals (mostly on state and university pay-rolls) working full-time to develop the Marxist view on each and every topic. All the valuable and useful political thought produced by the Hindu movement would not exceed a few volumes, to put mildly. As long as there is no intellectual mobilization, Hindu society is badly on the defensive. Hindu society has a host of bright young people available, trained in traditional or modern learning, whose talent is wasted because there seems to be no Hindu nerve center interested in putting them to work.

Bad News

Bad News Letter Guidelines Tips: Before you start writing the letter, you have to ask yourself the following questions: 1. Is the letter for internal or external communication? * How close are the sender and the receiver? The Salutation (Dear / Hello / Mr. / Wolfgan? ) and the Closing (Sincerely / Best / Love / Regards? ) should pay attention! 2. How many parties are involved in the event? (a Mainland company IS NOT the name of the supplier!! ) 3. Do you understand the basic manufacturing process of a product / the product? NO Google it then!! Make sure you understand the meaning of ‘supplier’, ‘electrical component’, ‘assemble’, and ‘end product’ because components are very different from end products). 4. What is the role and duty of each part involved? 5. What is the event happened? What is the damage to the factory? Why is it related to the large consignment? What is the bad news exactly What is the real problem led by the incid ent in the factory? What is the immediate impact on the large consignment? 6. Is there any damage involved in the case? What kind of damage (e. g. financial, relationship†¦etc.? ) will bring to the company?And recommendations on solution? What kind of short- / long- term effect will bring between the company and the supplier? 7. What’s the immediate solution to the immediate problem? Why and How is it going to solve the problem 8. What other concerns is arose from the incident that constitute impact / damage to the company in longer term? What’s your suggestion / solution? What are the reasons to support your suggestion / solution? 9. Some of you mention about ‘customers / clients’. Where are they in the chain? What’s their role? If they are involved, what kind of damage will cause to them due to the incident?Why is it important to keep relationship with the clients? What is / are the solution(s)? What are the benefits of the solutions (in the short-term or long-term? ) Salutation| Internal or External? Dear / Hello†¦ Billy / Mr. Chan†¦ | Buffer| Think of it as an introduction of an article. It should briefly preview the main messages of the letter. The last sentence leads in to the next paragraph. | Reason & Bad News| Begin with the incident Bad New Implication to the consignment? | Immediate Impact & Solution| Begin with a sentence linking last paragraph’s last sentence. Briefly and clearly states the mmediate impact to the company or other party involved the solution why will it solve the impact| Longer-term Impact & Solution| Begin with a topic sentence hinting this paragraph is about longer term planning Briefly state the concern clearly states why the concern can be an issue to the company explain the solution clearly and logically (using â€Å"logic transitional words†) states the possible positive outcome. | Closing | Short and simple. Simply asking for approval / comments / meeting for fur ther discussion†¦ etc. And be positive| Complementary Close| Internal or External? Sincerely / Regards / Best / Best Regards? | Bad News Bad News Letter Guidelines Tips: Before you start writing the letter, you have to ask yourself the following questions: 1. Is the letter for internal or external communication? * How close are the sender and the receiver? The Salutation (Dear / Hello / Mr. / Wolfgan? ) and the Closing (Sincerely / Best / Love / Regards? ) should pay attention! 2. How many parties are involved in the event? (a Mainland company IS NOT the name of the supplier!! ) 3. Do you understand the basic manufacturing process of a product / the product? NO Google it then!! Make sure you understand the meaning of ‘supplier’, ‘electrical component’, ‘assemble’, and ‘end product’ because components are very different from end products). 4. What is the role and duty of each part involved? 5. What is the event happened? What is the damage to the factory? Why is it related to the large consignment? What is the bad news exactly What is the real problem led by the incid ent in the factory? What is the immediate impact on the large consignment? 6. Is there any damage involved in the case? What kind of damage (e. g. financial, relationship†¦etc.? ) will bring to the company?And recommendations on solution? What kind of short- / long- term effect will bring between the company and the supplier? 7. What’s the immediate solution to the immediate problem? Why and How is it going to solve the problem 8. What other concerns is arose from the incident that constitute impact / damage to the company in longer term? What’s your suggestion / solution? What are the reasons to support your suggestion / solution? 9. Some of you mention about ‘customers / clients’. Where are they in the chain? What’s their role? If they are involved, what kind of damage will cause to them due to the incident?Why is it important to keep relationship with the clients? What is / are the solution(s)? What are the benefits of the solutions (in the short-term or long-term? ) Salutation| Internal or External? Dear / Hello†¦ Billy / Mr. Chan†¦ | Buffer| Think of it as an introduction of an article. It should briefly preview the main messages of the letter. The last sentence leads in to the next paragraph. | Reason & Bad News| Begin with the incident Bad New Implication to the consignment? | Immediate Impact & Solution| Begin with a sentence linking last paragraph’s last sentence. Briefly and clearly states the mmediate impact to the company or other party involved the solution why will it solve the impact| Longer-term Impact & Solution| Begin with a topic sentence hinting this paragraph is about longer term planning Briefly state the concern clearly states why the concern can be an issue to the company explain the solution clearly and logically (using â€Å"logic transitional words†) states the possible positive outcome. | Closing | Short and simple. Simply asking for approval / comments / meeting for fur ther discussion†¦ etc. And be positive| Complementary Close| Internal or External? Sincerely / Regards / Best / Best Regards? |

Negative Effects of Genetically Modified Food/Crops

Author: Instructor: Course Title: Date: Negative Effects of Genetically Modified Food/Crops Genetically modified organisms refer to organisms whose genetic components have been changed to produce an unnatural occurrence. Genetic engineering refers to the technology employed in the alteration of the genetic elements, which also facilitates the transfer of genes between related and non-related species. This technology is applied in the production of Genetically Modified (GM) crops/foods in order to meet the desired objectives of the industry operators.The 1980 US Supreme Court pronouncement on the legal patentability of biological life in the Diamond vs. Chakrabartyn case opened the gateway to genetic engineering (Lex Orbis). There are some perceived benefits of the GM foods industry, both to the producer and consumer, especially in regard to increased food productivity and nutrition. Conversely, there have been reported cases on potential risks to human health and the environment due to GM foods/crops. The harmful effects of GM foods production and consumption cannot be overlooked, due to their impact on human health, the environment and socio-economic operation of a society.The introduction and widespread use of Genetically Modified (GM) foods has been met with uncertainties in regard to public acceptability due to the confirmed and potential harmful effects of this technology. GM foods are disputable for various reasons, one of them being the adverse effects of these foods to human health. There are concerns over deaths, near-deaths and diseases such as cancer and bacterial infections arising out of GM foods. Human beings need food for survival but it is incongruous to consume potentially harmful food for one’s existence just for survival.Studies indicate that there have been recorded deaths attributable to Genetic Engineering in foods. In 1989, a genetic modification of the food supplement known as L-tryptophan produced a devastating disease known as t he Eosinophilia Myalgia syndrome (EMS). There were about 37 people who died from the ailment, as well as around 1500 who were physically impaired. The GM food supplement was manufactured by a Japan’s chemical company known as Showa Denko, which offered a $2 billion settlement to the victims, but investigations into the product were not carried out.In addition, initial GM tested products such as Flavr Savr have been reported as harmful to animals, evidenced by the premature deaths of the animals used in these lab tests. Further, in 1996, a company known as Pioneer Hi-Bred, the largest seed company in the US, produced soybeans with the added protein methionine, through splicing Brazil nut DNA into the conventional soybeans (Cummins, Lilliston and Lappe 36). Researchers from the University of Nebraska reported that the use of the GM soybeans may result in fatal allergies to individuals allergic to Brazilian nuts.Fortunately, the company withdrew the product from the market befor e any fatalities occurred. Allergenic reactions to GM foods are another area of concern to the consumer public. There has been an increasing rate of food-allergenic individuals in the nation, especially among children, which was confirmed by the Center for Disease Control. The increased alteration of diets contributes to the rising rate of food sensitivity, since GM foods are not comparable to regular foods (Nestle).Other indications of the allergenic quality of GM foods include the following: A study on GM potatoes with cod genes indicated they were allergenic; two independent studies indicated that GM Bt corn produced allergenic effects, even on the farmers who used genetically engineered Bt sprays to produce such corn; in 1999, York Laboratory researchers discovered a connection between the rise in allergic reactions to soy and the consumption of GM soy. The potential risks of GM foods extend to disease causality and bacterial infections.Scientists have established a connection b etween a protein hormone known as GH and a chemical hormone called IGH-1 associated with breast cancer, and in some instances, prostate cancer. The protein hormone GH is injected in dairy cows to facilitate the production of more milk, thus it has been used to boost the productivity of dairy corporations. Genetically modified versions of the hormone have been approved to enhance milk productivity despite warnings by scientists that this GM hormone increases the IGF-1 hormone in consumers, from about 70 to 1000%. Dr.Samuel Epstein, a University of Chicago doctor and the Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition explained the connection between GH and IGF-1; that the GH induces the malignant conversion of human breast epithelial cell types that eventually leads to cancerous growths. However, the US Food and Drugs Administration rejected the importance of such findings. The proponents of GM foods point to some science reviews which claim that GM crops in the market pose limited risks to human health. GM foods undergo protocol tests to determine their effects on human health as well as their allergenic quality.These tests have been evaluated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the result is that the GM foods currently in circulation pose no allergic effects to people. The World Health Organization further maintains that all GM foods in the global market have been approved after passing the necessary risk assessment tests; hence they are not harmful to human health. Additionally, the organization claims that adverse effects of these foods have not been proved among the general public where the GM foods have been permitted thus there should be no reason for alarm (World Health Organization).However, this position falls short of completely meeting the concerns of consumers, since various scientific studies have reflected negative health effects of GM foods, contradicting WHO’s position. Despite the obse rvation of harmful effects on a minority, GM foods cannot be ruled as completely safe for human consumption. In consideration of all the evidence presented, it is certain that genetic engineering technology presents certain dangers and health hazards that need to be thoroughly assessed before GM foods are absorbed into the global market.The assessment criteria for these products should also be revised with reference to case studies and reports highlighting potential harms of genetic modification (The Economist 19). Consumers should also be fully aware of the type of products displayed in the market in order to make informed choices. Genetic modified foods and crops have also been frowned upon for their potential negative effects to the environment. There are concerns over the toxicity levels in the soil due to genetic engineered farming, leading to soil pollution and destruction of plant and animal life.Despite the positive effects of genetic engineering technology in boosting food supply to the public, the application of this technology raises the use of chemicals and bio-engineered products in farms, hence the environmental degradation. It is essential to support a food crop production system that maintains environmental standards rather than ruin them, thus maintaining the spirit of environmental conservation. The GM crop industry advocates for this technology on the grounds that genetic engineered seeds and plants are helpful to the environment by decreasing the amount of chemicals used in farms.However, most of the GM agricultural products have a high chemical resistance, which in turn increases rather than decreases the use of herbicides or pesticides with toxic effects to the farms. The GM crop industry seeks to profit from the sale of more products, and these include seeds as well as pesticides and herbicides. In light of this issue, it is conceivable that the industry intends to sell more genetic engineered agricultural products as well as chemicals; hence environmental safety is a challenge if farmers rely on these products, since they go hand in hand with great use of herbicides/pesticides.According to environmental scientist, R. J. Goldburg, scientists expect that the use of herbicides will triple due to GM agricultural products (Goldburg 647). An example of a company in this industry is Monsanto, which is a world leading corporation in the production of genetic engineered seeds as well as the herbicide known as Roundup. The herbicide glyphosate, also called Roundup, has damaging effects to plant and animal life. The US Fish and Wildlife Service indicated that Roundup poses a threat to 74 endangered species; it affects natural processes in plant life such as photosynthesis.Further, the herbicide decays in the soil but it leaves deposits on the crops harvested for the consumer. Glyphosate, which is the main component in Roundup, is harmful to humans, and has led to numerous cases of illness among farmers. Various scientific re search projects also indicate the harmful effects of GM products to the soil; these include the research carried out by Oregon scientists which indicates the GM microorganism, klebsiella planticola killed vila soil nutrients and rendered it sterile.Similarly, in 1997, it was established that Rhizobium melitoli, a GM bacterium, released toxins in the soil that caused pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency also expressed its concerns over the matter, but these microorganisms are still in operation. The Oregon research also indicated that some of these microbes killed wheat plants when introduced into the soil. Other indicators of the environmental effects of GM products include the creation of super weeds and super pests; plant and animal invasions; destruction of forests; the death of beneficial insects and genetic pollution.GM elements such as Bt endotoxin have been reported to stay in the soil for about 18 months and could be transported to other wild plants, thus forming s uper weeds, resistant to beetles and butterflies, and this process affects the balance of nature. Super pests are created when common pests like budworms and cottonboll worms develop immunity from toxins due to repeated exposure. Research indicates that cottonboll worms have developed immunity from Bt sprays used in organic farming (Tabashnik, Gassmann and Crowder 199-202).Plant and animal invasions threaten the existing species and result to the imbalance of nature. Emerging GM strains can induce bio-invasions into plant or animal life, such as the invasion of the kudzu vine, which is an exotic plant from Japan with rapid growth. The damage to forest life is yet another justification for the claims against the production of GM foods/crops. GM trees have developed a resistance towards chemical sprays thus when spraying is carried out in a forest with GM trees, they survive but the plant life around them are killed.Unlike rainforests or tropical trees that support animal life such as fungi, insects and birds, GM trees are flowerless and sterile; hence they cannot support forest life in its entirety. Research further demonstrates that GM components destroy beneficial insects in plant life such as the monarch butterfly larvae which feeds on milkweed. In 1997, New Scientist reported that the proteins found in genetically modified canola flowers could potentially harm honeybees (Pain) Additionally, genetic pollution is another negative effect of GM production on the environment.Genetic pollution is facilitated by the transfer of GM pollen through rain, wind, birds or insects, and it becomes difficult to contain since unlike chemical pollution, it does not decay. The government of Thailand terminated field assessments for Bt cotton from Monsanto after the Institute of Traditional Thai Medicine established genetic pollution of nearby plants (GRAIN 1-7). In the face of the controversy around GM technology and its effects on the environment, the supporters of the techn ology advocate that it offers a solution to environmental strain caused by overpopulation.The proponents of genetic engineering argue that the technology is beneficial to the environment since it presents a solution that prevents further depletion of the environment as the world population rises. It is evident that overpopulation has caused negative effects on the environment, due to the constant struggle for land, water, fuels and other resources necessary for human existence. For this reason, supporters of this technology view it as the means to support the food requirements of the world as a whole while aintaining the status of the environment. GM food production has the potential to support the growing need of food supplies in the present world, but its damaging effects to the environment cannot be ignored since they pose long-term risks, that impact on future generations. These destructive effects on the environment, plant and animal life have been scientifically proven, thus t hey are not negligible GM crop production definitely introduces harmful effects to the environment and its inhabitants, making it an unsafe means to support food demands.The collaboration of core organizations in the environmental sector should be established in order to forge a way that incorporates stringent environmental standards in the GM food industry. Such organizations include the US Food and Drug Administration and the United Nations Environment Programme. There are a lot of concerns in the GM food industry, with some risks already identified while some remain to be discovered, hence there should be more emphasis on safe food production strategies rather than a technology filled with uncertainties (Krech 580).The other argument against genetically modified foods arises out of the negative political, social and economic implications of the industry to modern society. The extensive application of biotechnology in food production will change established farming drastically, th e strongest effect being on the indigenous farmers, and eventually the consumers. GM food production requires patenting, and the large corporations in this sector will eventually push the indigenous farmers out of their farms, while they control food products and prices.Advocates against GM crop production argue that his industry will displace farmers out of their livelihoods, since they face the risk of being bought out by large multinational companies that can pursue genetic engineering from a large-scale level. The control of the GM food production industry by large corporations amounts to bio-colonization, which by extension refers to the power that bio-technology controllers possess in the current and future market. The ability to control genetic components as well as agricultural resources is the source of so much power, for its food production.Indigenous farmers in the U. S. are currently self-sufficient in food production, but with the advancements in the GM food industry, m ore and more people will be dependent upon these industry controllers for food. These industry controllers may be referred to as the bio-colonizing companies, which will possess a lot of decisive power in the world economy due to their control of genetic and agricultural resources. Agricultural workers will also be greatly afflicted with the transfer of control in the industry from individuals to corporations or governments.The result will be displacement of farmers from their economic activity by more powerful forces, leading to a high rate of food dependency from companies and the government (Committee on the Impact of Biotechnology on Farm-Level Economics and Sustainability 206). Unfortunately, the WTO, World Bank and GATT provide regulations that facilitate large-scale and foreign interests at the expense of local economies, which further impede self-sufficiency in those countries. Another socio-political issue of concern is the debate on the labeling of GM foods.Proponents of G M foods argue that these foods are similar to regular foods thus the need for labeling is unnecessary, but a counterargument is that with the potential risks of GM foods, consumers should be fully aware of the contents of their foods in order to make informed choices. The consumer has the right to be informed of the ingredients in his/her food, irrespective of the safety or harmful levels of the food. Some parties argue for genetic engineering in food production as the solution to world hunger and other economic problems that arise out of food shortages.The proposition is that GM foods can be produced even under harsh soil and climatic conditions since they can be engineered to withstand such conditions. For this reason, most lands that have previously not been utilized for farming can now be made useful, and eventually solve the problem of overcrowding on the fertile lands. According to the proponents, this move is expected to increase food productivity, thus solving two problems a t the same time; the scramble for resources and food security. However, such an argument fails to consider the bigger picture in regard to autonomy in food production among local farmers and regions.It is clear that the GM food industry is controlled by large corporations and governments, hence they would in turn control productivity and supply on the international front. In this regard, indigenous farmers as well as small economies do not achieve food security; rather they become more dependent on multinational companies. In summary, genetically engineered foods raise a lot of questions and concerns among the public due to the insufficient information regarding the sector and the potential harm it presents to the people and the environment.There are proponents with valid perspectives who argue for and against the concept, but it is important that the benefits of this technology are weighed against the risks, in order to determine the true value of the industry to consumers (Ackerma n). Positive effects include increased food supply and control of overpopulation in fertile lands, but these benefits are overshadowed by the numerous reported and unreported harmful effects of genetic science in food production.From health complications to environmental degradation and negative socio-economic impacts, the GM food production industry is potentially catastrophic in the present time and in the future ahead. Works Cited Ackerman, Jennifer. â€Å"FOOD: How Altered? † National Geographic Magazine. (2002). Web. 18 March 2011. Committee on the Impact of Biotechnology on Farm-Level Economics and Sustainability. Impact of Genetically Engineered Crops on Farm Sustainability in the United States. Washington, D. C. : National Academies Press, 2010: 206-207. Print. Cummins, Ronnie, Ben Lilliston and Frances Moore Lappe.Genetically Engineered Food: A Self-Defense Guide for Consumers. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press, 2004: 36-38. Print. Goldburg, R. J. â€Å"Environmental Con cerns with the Development of Herbicide-tolerant Crops. † Weed Technology 6. 3 (1992): 647-652. Print. GRAIN. â€Å"Bt Cotton through the Back Door. † Seedling (2001): 1-7. Print. Krech, Shepard. Encyclopedia of World Environmental History: F-N. London: Routledge, 2004: 580-581. Print. Lex Orbis. â€Å"Patenting Microorganisms. † Lex Orbis: Intellectual Property Practice. (30 April 2005). Web. 18 March 2011. Nestle, Marion. Agricultural Biotechnology, Policy, and Nutrition. † The New England Journal of Medicine (2002). Print. Pain, Stephanie. â€Å"War in the Woods – Dutch Elm Disease is back with a Vengeance. But this time Biotechnology. † New Scientist. (1997). Web. 18 March 2011. Tabashnik, BE, et al. â€Å"Insect Resistance to Bt Crops: Evidence versus Theory. † Nature Biotechnology (2008): 199-202. Print. The Economist. â€Å"Who's Afraid of Genetically Modified Foods? † The Economist. (19 June 1999): 19-21. Print. World Hea lth Organization. WHO: 20 Questions on Genetically Modified Foods. 2011. Web. 18 March 2011.