Friday, May 29, 2020

Impact of Sustainable Development on Global Civilization - 550 Words

Impact of Sustainable Development on Global Civilization (Research Paper Sample) Content: Impact of Sustainable Development on Global CivilizationNameCourse NameInstructorDatePerhaps one of the hottest topics in most global environmental forums is how the world can attain civilization through sustainable development. Indeed, without proper framework and policies on sustainable development, then it is unfortunate that all the efforts of the world towards civilization will turn futile (Danilov-DanilÊ ¹ià ¯Ã‚ ¸aà ¯Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¡n, Losev, ReiÃÅ'f, 2009). Fundamentally, sustainable development is that kind of development that enables the present generation to meet their needs adequately without putting a compromise on the ability of the generations to come in terms of meeting their very needs (Mega, 2005). In this regard, two key terms emerge that include needs and limitations and they determine the extent to which the world can explore and exploit her resources in a sustainable manner (House-Soremekun Falola, 2011). In a s much as civilization is a necessi ty in this world, caution must be taken in the approach towards the same, as only sustainable development can lead to the attainment of sustainable civilization.House-Soremekun Falolan (2011) state that although some quarters in the world with dissenting voices argue that the whole concept of sustainable development leads to primitively in production as opposed to the use of technology, the exact opposite is true, as sustainable development leads to sustainable civilization (Mega, 2005). This means that if the production of goods and services happens in a way that is detrimental to the environment, it is only logical that the already destroyed environment will destroy the same goods and services so produced (Danilov-DanilÊ ¹ià ¯Ã‚ ¸aà ¯Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¡n, Losev, ReiÃÅ'f, 2009). In essence, the standards of living of people are commensurate with the level of civilization that takes place in their environment. This means that civilization should not just be a short-lived affair but a sustainable affair that the future generations will be able to enjoy (Mega, 2005). In order for this to happen, the current generation must use efficient production techniques such as the use of green energy, cleaner productions, and efficient waste management. In as much as the needs of the current generation have to be met, it should not be lost that future generations will also have needs that will need the same resources that the current world exploits (House-Soremekun Falola, 2011).Essentially, unsustainable development and primitive living are synonymous particularly considering the fact that after the world depletes her precious resources, then people will go back to their old primitive ways (House-Soremekun Falola, 2011). Therefore, it is only reasonable that the world embraces the kind of development that emphasizes on efficiency and in the process, makes provisions for future generations (Mega, 2005). By thinking about the future generations in development, the world is able to promote the reuse, recycling, and reduce concepts that ensure ecological balance... Impact of Sustainable Development on Global Civilization - 550 Words Impact of Sustainable Development on Global Civilization (Research Paper Sample) Content: Impact of Sustainable Development on Global CivilizationNameCourse NameInstructorDatePerhaps one of the hottest topics in most global environmental forums is how the world can attain civilization through sustainable development. Indeed, without proper framework and policies on sustainable development, then it is unfortunate that all the efforts of the world towards civilization will turn futile (Danilov-DanilÊ ¹ià ¯Ã‚ ¸aà ¯Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¡n, Losev, ReiÃÅ'f, 2009). Fundamentally, sustainable development is that kind of development that enables the present generation to meet their needs adequately without putting a compromise on the ability of the generations to come in terms of meeting their very needs (Mega, 2005). In this regard, two key terms emerge that include needs and limitations and they determine the extent to which the world can explore and exploit her resources in a sustainable manner (House-Soremekun Falola, 2011). In a s much as civilization is a necessi ty in this world, caution must be taken in the approach towards the same, as only sustainable development can lead to the attainment of sustainable civilization.House-Soremekun Falolan (2011) state that although some quarters in the world with dissenting voices argue that the whole concept of sustainable development leads to primitively in production as opposed to the use of technology, the exact opposite is true, as sustainable development leads to sustainable civilization (Mega, 2005). This means that if the production of goods and services happens in a way that is detrimental to the environment, it is only logical that the already destroyed environment will destroy the same goods and services so produced (Danilov-DanilÊ ¹ià ¯Ã‚ ¸aà ¯Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¡n, Losev, ReiÃÅ'f, 2009). In essence, the standards of living of people are commensurate with the level of civilization that takes place in their environment. This means that civilization should not just be a short-lived affair but a sustainable affair that the future generations will be able to enjoy (Mega, 2005). In order for this to happen, the current generation must use efficient production techniques such as the use of green energy, cleaner productions, and efficient waste management. In as much as the needs of the current generation have to be met, it should not be lost that future generations will also have needs that will need the same resources that the current world exploits (House-Soremekun Falola, 2011).Essentially, unsustainable development and primitive living are synonymous particularly considering the fact that after the world depletes her precious resources, then people will go back to their old primitive ways (House-Soremekun Falola, 2011). Therefore, it is only reasonable that the world embraces the kind of development that emphasizes on efficiency and in the process, makes provisions for future generations (Mega, 2005). By thinking about the future generations in development, the world is able to promote the reuse, recycling, and reduce concepts that ensure ecological balance...

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Timeline of Major US Public Land Laws and Acts

Beginning with the Congressional Act of 16 September 1776 and the Land Ordinance of 1785, a wide variety of Congressional acts governed the distribution of federal land in the thirty public land states. Various acts opened up new territories, established the practice of offering land as compensation for military service, and extended preemption rights to squatters. These acts each resulted in the first transfer of land from the federal government to individuals. This list is not exhaustive, and does not include acts that temporarily extended the provisions of earlier acts, or private acts that were passed for the benefit of individuals. Timeline of U.S. Public Land Acts 16 September 1776: This Congressional Act established guidelines for granting lands of 100 to 500 acres, termed bounty land, for those who enlisted in the Continental Army to fight in the American Revolution. That Congress make provision for granting lands, in the following proportions: to the officers and soldiers who shall so engage in the service, and continue therein to the close of the war, or until discharged by Congress, and to the representatives of such officers and soldiers as shall be slain by the enemy: To a colonel, 500 acres; to a lieutenant colonel, 450; to a major, 400; to a captain, 300; to a lieutenant, 200; to an ensign, 150; each non-commissioned officer and soldier, 100... 20 May 1785: Congress enacted the first law to manage the Public Lands that resulted from the thirteen newly independent states agreeing to relinquish their western land claims and allow the land to become the joint property of all citizens of the new nation. The 1785 Ordinance for the public lands northwest of the Ohio provided for their survey and sale in tracts of no less than 640 acres. This began the cash-entry system for federal lands. Be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, that the territory ceded by individual States to the United States, which has been purchased of the Indian inhabitants, shall be disposed of in the following manner... 10 May 1800: The Land Act of 1800, also known as the Harrison Land Act for its author William Henry Harrison, reduced the minimum purchasable unit of land to 320 acres, and also introduced the option of credit sales to encourage land sales. Land purchased under the Harrison Land Act of 1800 could be paid for in four designated payments over a period of four years. The government ultimately ended up expelling thousands of individuals who could not make the repayment of their loans within the set time, and some of this land ended up being resold by the federal government several times before defaults were rescinded by the Land Act of 1820. An act providing for the sale of the land of the United States, in the territory north-west of the Ohio, and above the mouth of the Kentucky river. 3 March 1801: Passage of the 1801 Act was the first of many laws passed by Congress giving preemption or preference rights to settlers in the Northwest Territory who had purchased lands from John Cleves Symmes, a judge of the Territory whose own claims to the lands had been nullified. An Act giving a right of pre-emption to certain persons to certain persons who have contracted with John Cleves Symmes, or his associates, for lands lying between the Miami rivers, in the territory of the United States northwest of the Ohio. 3 March 1807: Congress passed a law granting preemption rights to certain settlers in Michigan Territory, where a number of grants had been made under both prior French and British rule. ...to every person or persons in actual possession, occupancy, and improvement, of any tract or parcel of land in his, her, or their own right, at the time of the passing of this act, within that part of the Territory of Michigan, to which the Indian title has been extinguished, and which said tract or parcel of land was settled, occupied, and improved, by him, her, or them, prior to and on the first day of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninety six...the said tract or parcel of land thus possessed, occupied, and improved, shall be granted, and such occupant or occupants shall be confirmed in the title to the same, as an estate of inheritance, in fee simple... 3 March 1807: The Intrusion Act of 1807 attempted to discourage squatters, or settlements being made on lands ceded to the United States, until authorized by law. The act also authorized the government to forcibly remove squatters from privately-owned land if the owners petitioned the government. Existing squatters on unoccupied land were allowed to claim as tenants of will up to 320 acres if they registered with the local land office by the end of 1807. They also agreed to give quiet possession or abandon the land when the government disposed of it to others. That any person or persons who, before the passing of this act, had taken possession of, occupied, or made a settlement on any lands ceded or secured to the United States...and who at the time of passing this act does or do actually inhabit and reside on such lands, may, at any time prior to the first day of January next, apply to the proper register or recorder...such applicant or applicants to remin on such tract or tracts of land, not exceeding three hundred and twenty acres for each applicant, as tenants at will, on such terms and conditions as shall prevent any waste or damages on such lands... 5 February 1813: The Illinois Preemption Act of 5 February 1813 granted preemption rights to all actual settlers in Illinois. This was the first law enacted by Congress which conveyed blanket preemption rights to all squatters in a speciï ¬ ed region and not simply to certain categories of claimants, taking the unusual step of going against the recommendation of the House Committee on Public Lands, which strongly opposed granting blanket preemption rights on the grounds that doing so would encourage future squatting.1 That every person, or legal representative of every person, who has actually inhabited and cultivated a tract of land lying in either of the districts established for the sale of public lands, in the Illinois territory, which tract is not rightfully claimed by any other person and who shall not have removed from said territory; every such person and his legal representatives shall be entitled to a preference in becoming the purchaser from the United States of such tract of land at private sale... 24 April 1820: The Land Act of 1820, also referred to as the 1820 Sale Act, reduced the price of federal land (at the time this applied to land in the Northwest Territory and Missouri Territory) to $1.25 acre, with a minimum purchase of 80 acres and a down payment of only $100. Further, the act gave squatters the right to preempt these conditions and purchase the land even more cheaply if they had made improvements to the land such as the building of homes, fences, or mills. This act eliminated the practice of credit sales, or the purchase of public land in the United States on credit. That from and after the first day of July next [1820] , all the public lands of the United States, the sale of which is, or may be authorized by law, shall when offered at public sale, to the highest bidder, be offered in half quarter sections [80 acres] ; and when offered at private sale, may be purchased, at the option of the purchaser, either in entire sections [640 acres] , half sections [320 acres] , quarter sections [160 acres] , or half quarter sections [80 acres] ... 4 September 1841: Following several early preemption acts, a permanent preemption law went into effect with the passage of the Preemption Act of 1841. This legislation (see Sections 9–10) permitted an individual to settle and cultivate up to 160 acres of land and to then purchase that land within a specified time after either survey or settlement at $1.25 per acre. This preemption act was repealed in 1891. And be it further enacted, That from and after the passage of this act, every person being the head of a family, or widow, or single man, over the age of twenty-one years, and being a citizen of the United States, or having filed his declaration of intention to become a citizen as required by the naturalization laws, who since the first day of June A.D. eighteen hundred and forty, has made or shall hereafter make a settlement in person on the public lands...is hereby, authorized to enter with the register of the land office for the district in which such land may lie, by legal subdivisions, any number of acres not exceeding one hundred and sixty, or a quarter section of land, to include the residence of such claimant, upon paying to the United States the minimum price of such land... 27 September 1850: The Donation Land Claim Act of 1850, also called the Donation Land Act, provided free land to all white or mixed-blood Native American settlers who arrived in Oregon Territory (the present-day states of Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and part of Wyoming) before December 1, 1855, based on four years of residence and cultivation of the land. The law, which granted 320 acres to unmarried male citizens eighteen or older, and 640 acres to married couples, split equally between them, was one of the first that allowed married women in the United States to hold land under their own name. That there shall be, and hereby is, granted to every white settler or occupant of the public lands, American half-breed Indians included, above the age of eighteen years, being a citizen of the United States....the quantity of one half section, or three hundred and twenty acres of land, if a single man, and if a married man, or if he shall become married within one year from the first day of December, eighteen hundred and fifty, the quantity of one section, or six hundred and forty acres, one half to himself and the other half to his wife, to be held by her in her own right... 3 March 1855: – The Bounty Land Act of 1855 entitled U.S. military veterans or their survivors to receive a warrant or certificate which could then be redeemed in person at any federal land office for 160 acres of federally owned land. This act extended the benefits. The warrant could also be sold or transferred to another individual who could then obtain the land under the same conditions. This act extended the conditions of several smaller bounty land acts passed between 1847 and 1854 to cover more soldiers and sailors, and provide additional acreage. That each of the surviving commissioned and non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, whether of regulars, volunteers, rangers, or militia, who were regularly mustered into the service of the United States, and every officer, commissioned and non-commissioned seaman, ordinary seaman, flotilla-man, marine, clerk, and landsman in the navy, in any of the wars in which this country has been engaged since seventeen hundred and ninety, and each of the survivors of the militia, or volunteers, or State troops of any State or Territory, called into military service, and regularly mustered therein, and whose services have been paid by the United States, shall be entitled to receive a certificate or warrant from the Department of the Interior for one hundred and sixty acres of land... 20 May 1862: Probably the best recognized of all land acts in the United States, the Homestead Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on 20 May 1862. Taking effect on 1 January 1863, the Homestead Act made it possible for any adult male U.S. citizen, or intended citizen, who had never taken up arms against the United States, to gain title to 160 acres of undeveloped land by living on it five years and paying eighteen dollars in fees. Female heads of household were also eligible. African-Americans later become eligible when the 14th Amendment granted them citizenship in 1868. Specific requirements for ownership included building a home, making improvements, and farming the land before they could own it outright. Alternatively, the homesteader could purchase the land for $1.25 per acre after having lived on the land for at least six months. Several previous homestead acts introduced in 1852, 1853, and 1860, failed to be passed into law. That any person who is the head of a family, or who has arrived at the age of twenty-one years, and is a citizen of the United States, or who shall have filed his declaration of intention to become such, as required by the naturalization laws of the United States, and who has never borne arms against the United States Government or given aid or comfort to its enemies, shall, from and after the first January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, be entitled to enter one quarter section [160 acres] or a less quantity of unappropriated public lands...

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Dell Financial Strategy Analysis - 812 Words

Dell Financial Analysis Introduction In their latest full fiscal year, Dell Corporation (NASDAQ: DELL) generated global revenues of $62B, earning a Net Income of $3.4B. Of this figure, $19B is directly attributable to their mobility business initiatives, which have been the most profitable and fastest growing of any in the history of the company (Dell Investor Relations, 2012). Dell is known for their expertise in mass customization and lean manufacturing strategies predicated on one of the most efficient and well-managed supply chains in the high technology industry (Gunasekaran, Ngai, 2009). Despite a global recession Dell has also been able to sustain their profitability across several key metrics, shown in Appendix A, Dell Financial Ratio Analysis. Net Profit Margin % has grown from 3.998% to 5.626% from 2002 to 2012 in addition Return on Equity (ROE) has grown from 26.54% to 39.161% in the same period. These have been the positive aspects of the companys performance. 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Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Domestic Robot free essay sample

This essay aims at discussing domestic robots that may change the lives of Hong Kong people within the next 50 years by looking at possible future applications of science. In the bygone day, robots were used in industrial field and mostly not related to people. People rarely think that they would interact with robots. Nowadays, robots are covered in different fields, such as domestic. Domestic robot is a robot used for household chores. In this essay, the first part is a brief introduction of background science and applications of robot. Another part is then focusing the applications possible future impacts on the lives of people living in Hong Kong. The essay will conclude by analyzing whether domestic robot would be an integral part of Hong Kong. Science The domestic robot can do works alike human by understanding the trajectory formation in human reaching movement [1]. In order to reach this goal, the robot consists of components including a movable physical structure, a motor, a sensor system, a power source and a computer [2]. The robot can provide services by different starting. The first one is direct command on the domestic robot by human. Speech and gesture are normal communication channels to instruct the robot [1][3]. Another method to trigger the robot services is the sensation of robot around the environment. The tactile sensor of robot gives information about pressure and contact points. Therefore, collision is prevented and the motion of robot is then reverse [1]. After receiving the signals from the environment or human, the computer interprets the signals to move the robot’s body [2]. The robot can, therefore, work either by their own or by human’s instructions. Application of robots Robot can work as a household assistant. They can perform multifarious tasks at home. Firstly, they can do all the household tasks such as sweeping floor, controlling the technical home infrastructure. Secondly, they can take care of the elderly or the children whenever there is no adult at home. They can provide mobility aid which supports the elderly for walking at home or getting up from chair [1]. They can serve meal to the kids timely to satisfy their stomachs. Moreover, they have the function of communication and social integration. They can, for example, communicate with public and medical facilities or supervise urgent signs and emergency call [1]. With the existence of robots, lots of troublesome household works can be eliminated and less human resources are needed to be consumed. It can also ensure the elderly or children safety when they are at home alone. Potential future impacts Using domestic robots can de facto improve the quality of lives of Hong Kong people. As Hong Kong is an economic-based society, nearly every citizen needs to work for whole day. Time is precious for everybody in Hong Kong. Using robot at home can really make Hong Kong people more convenient and efficient. Assistant robots may save myriads of time of Hong Kong citizen. When Hong Kong people go back home after a hard-working day, having a robot at home can help them to finish their household works without making any efforts. The Robot can do every cleaning work and cook for human. They can enjoy their dinner or watch television without going to do laundry or sweep floor. They can spare less time to do such trivial matters and take rest early to be ready for working hard on next day. It can make the citizen more efficient in this busy city. The ageing problem is becoming more serious in Hong Kong. The main reason is that the birth rate of Hong Kong is the lowest among the world and the life span of the citizen is increasing. It is estimated that the proportion of the elderly in Hong Kong would greatly increase in the following 30 years. In 2003, there are 11. 9% of seniors of the population in Hong Kong which is about 810 thousand people. In 2013, the number would rise to 13. 2%. In 2033, it is expected the percentage of senior would become 27% [4][5], meaning that average 3 young people will be required to take care of an elderly. It would be a physical burden for the young people to take care of their old parents. Therefore, having a robot with the elderly can help them to live independently without guardians’ supervision. The burden on Hong Kong young people can be lightened. Besides, they can give 24-hour monitoring and medical management to the seniors [1]. As a consequence, it can reduce the workload of Hong Kong people as well as ensure the elderly the better quality of life. Conditions about the future impacts The limited space we have and the unwillingness of accepting the robot at home by the seniors may affect the use of robot vitally. Hong Kong is regarded as one of the densest place in population [6]. Most of the Hong Kong citizens live in small flats that are crowded with personal stuffs. If the occupied space of robot is smaller, the greater the demand of robot would be. On the other hand, older adults may concern about the difficulty of learning a new device [7]. They are likely to get used to outmoded things, old habits and straggly technology. Therefore, they may try not to accept such new device assistant robot. Conclusion Using the robot at home is probably beneficial to our busy lives in Hong Kong. They can deal with lots of trivial matters as well as some emergencies. It can minimize our workload and offer all-round monitoring to kids and the elderly at home. In the future, domestic would most probably be important to life in Hong Kong. This conclusion is not only true for Hong Kong, but also true for many busy societies in other parts of the world.