Impact of Human Activity on Migratory Activity

Impact of Human Activity on Migratory Activity Bird migration and the impact of human activity on migratory activity Migration is the movement made by animals between two separate locations on a regular basis for the purpose of accessing resources provided by these different sites (Alcock, 2013). [2]Migration is a common process throughout the entire animal kingdom. For example, there is the migration of the Monarch butterfly[3] across North America (Brown and Chippendale, 1974), the Atlantic salmons journey from river to ocean (Hansen, 1993), the marine turtles epic movement from feeding ground to breeding ground (Morreale et al., 1996) and finally there is our own species[4] migration across national and international borders. The focus of this discussion[5] however is the migration of Birds; most specifically looking at how, why and when they migrate and focusing on what exactly our impact as humans has on this very important phenomenon in the life cycle of many bird species.          Defining how migration first occurred   involves looking back over the history of migratory species and finding an evolutionary origin to the migratory lifestyle. In actual fact migration has evolved on several different occasions within the class Aves as shown in figure 1 which looks at the separate origins of migration within the family Turdidae[6]. The multiple evolutionary origins of migration suggest that there are numerous reasons as to why adopting a lifestyle that involves moving between different areas is advantageous to a species (Outlaw et al., 2003). With any adaptation, there must be a selection pressure forcing a species to develop a new strategy to be successful (Williams, 2008). In the case of bird migration, the seasonal variability of primary resources is a major driving factor for migrating but the changing climate conditions throughout the year is also one of the main benefits of being able to migrate [7](Alerstam, 2003). Birds can be long distance migrators, such as the Sooty shearwater, a sea bird that migrates approximately 64,000 km in 260 days with an daily travel distance of 900km (Schaffer et al., 2006). This heroic migration between North America and New Zealand is one of the largest migrations by a bird. In contrast the Spotted Owls of the Sierra Nevada have been observed to be altitude migrators, of short distance migrators, as they have a wintering site which is between 0.6-1.0 km closer to sea level than their usual nesting ground (Bias and Gutierrez, 1992). The comparisons between the journeys made by these two birds shows how two different environmental pressures can lead to the same solution. The long distance migrators[8] were driven to travel across continents due to the need to find a sustainable food source in changing seasonal conditions while the altitudinal migrators are driven to move based on climatic conditions[9] (Jenni and Kery, 2003). If migrating offers species a richer su pply of resources and a more favourable environment to survive in then why do only some species of birds migrate? As with many things in the natural world migration has its costs as well as its benefits, the costs and risks associated with migration are so high that not every species is adapted, nor needs to undertake the challenges migration creates. In order to travel such distances individuals need to be able to store resources by carrying extra weight leading up to the migration. This store must then be accessed during the flight meaning the individual must be able to alter their metabolism to store and release fats efficiently [10](Jenni and Jenni-Eiermann, 1998). Finally the risk of death during this journey is high as there many factors at play in the success of making the trip. The final aspect of migration is how species successfully manage to navigate from one location to another regardless of distance. There are three means of orientating observed in birds and they are pilotage, compass orientation and true navigation (Alcock, 2013). Pilotage is common in species such as homing pigeons where landmarks are used as navigational cues (Mehlhorn and Rehkà ¤mper, 2009). These landmarks could be environmental, such as rivers or forests but can also be artificial, in particular tall buildings and major roads. Migrating from one location to another without the use of cues requires a species to have a compass orientation and understanding of which direction it needs to travel to reach the location. An experiment done on the migratory European Robin showed that they can orientate using geomagnetic cues through a sense that is localised to the right eye (Wiltschko et al., 2002). True navigation is when a species has the ability to navigate towards the home location without any navigational cues and regardless of the direction (McFarland, 1999). [11]Having summarised the integral mechanisms behind migration I will now spend the remainder of this discussion focusing on what our impact as humans is on the migration of birds. Human interference on the animals we share the earth with is becoming an increasingly more serious problem. The effect we have on terrestrial migratory species may seem obvious as land use expands into new, wild territories but our effect on birds as they migrate through the power of flight is somewhat more complex. There are many factors that contribute to how we disrupt the migratory routes, territories and even the birds themselves. In parts of southern Europe and Northern Africa the illegal[12] shooting and netting of birds has become an increasingly popular industry. In Egypt 700km of nets are put up along the coastline designed to trap thousands of migrating passerine birds such as willow-warblers, red-backed shrikes and barn swallows all of which are illegal to catch under the national law (Salama, 2016). Recently there has been a strong push for the local authorities within Egypt to enforce the regulations that are in place as these nets are positioned to intersect with one o f the major migratory flyways from Africa to Eurasia as shown in Figure 2 where the area in question is within region 2. This area is not only targeted by nets in North Africa but many southern European countries such as France and Spain also engage in similar practices involving illegal netting.   In Italy, particularly in the Sicily region, shooting of birds is a common sport when migrators are making their journey to warmer climates in Africa. Unlike the mist netting practices, game hunting is legal to permit holders and the Italian authorities allow the 710,000 hunters to shoot 30 birds a day over a 2 month period (CABS, 2015).   A case against illegal hunting of birds has recently reached EU law regarding the trapping and commercial caging of birds in Malta. Many of the birds targeted are rare or protected species such as the endangered Pallid Harrier, the Purple heron and the Turtle dove (Raine et al., 2015). While the fight against illegal hunting and shooting o f these birds is ongoing, the effects of these activities in undoubtedly having a negative impact on their success. Migrating to breeding grounds that are better equipped with resources and protection should be an adaptation for success in these species. Instead they are being illegally hunted, trapped and shot while en route over this area resulting in a much lower number of birds successfully reaching breeding sites. Undoubtedly this seriously damages population size [13]of these European migrators and puts increasing strain on the challenging journey they make twice every year (Hirschfeld and Heyd, 2005). This particular study by Hirschfeld and Heyd (2005) reports that hunters are legally allowed to kill just 24 species of European native birds however a total of 82 different species were recorded to have been hunted that year. Despite the obvious illegal activity being done there is still a relaxed enforcement of these regulations across Europe and North Africa and widespread di sagreement around how to resolve the problems we, as humans, are causing. The current population of humans on earth is 7.5 billion with an annual growth so far, from January March 2017 is nearly 17 million (World population clock, 2017). As the global populations increase so to do food demands and a pressure to convert unused land into cropland or an expansion of existing urban regions. This unfortunately leads to widespread deforestation as the need for space increases on a daily basis (Lambin and Meyfroidt, 2011). Deforestation is threatening the ecosystem in which many migratory birds depend on. The cloud forest in Central America is under threat due to increases in forest conversion[14]. Many of the birds species in this region are altitudinal migrators and rely on the cloud forest for breeding (Cox, 2010)[15]. That is a very localised example of how deforestation is impacting migration but on a much wider scale the destruction of tropical and deciduous forests has a huge impact on birds migrating between the two tropics. The American Redstart, a smal l passerine bird, winters in the Caribbean, South America and Central America before migrating north to North America, and Canada to breed (Sherry Holmes 1997). Breeding success in these birds depends on the quality of both the wintering and breeding habitat and disruption to tropical forests in South and Central America and to deciduous forests in North America has influenced the reproductive success of breeding pairs in these regions (Norris et al., 2004). Deforestation is not the only interference to habitat we are causing, our need to continuously change landscapes so as they are better suited to our increasingly more developed societies is impacting many important habitats for migratory birds.[16] Conversion of open land [17]into man made developments can lead to many environmental disruptions. One case that I have a personal interest in[18] is the proposed development of a new dual carriageway between Belfast and Londonderry in Northern Ireland. While there is widespread agreement that the existing A6 road has seen an increase in use over the past 10 years (Johnston, 2016) the proposed route of the new road has been highly controversial. The area in question is[19]shown in Figure 3 and the proposed route passes straight through sensitive land that is used by Whooper Swans wintering in Northern Ireland. According to the RSPB Whooper Swans are an amber list species due to their small population and limited breeding areas. The swans migrate to the UK from Iceland to winter and this particular area in figure 3 is a highly important habitat for migrating pairs. The fields are flooded regularly by the bordering Lough Neagh and so are a rich feeding habitat for these migrating birds (RSPB). A number of local and national environment agencies and organisations are working with the the Department of Infrastructure to find a compromise that protects this nationally important habitat for the Whooper Swans. While the effect on these swans is yet to be seen as work on the new road is only reaching preliminary stages this year it will undoubtedly cause disruption to these wintering populations in the years to come. While deforestation and urban development is a direct way in which we are destroying habitats of migratory birds an indirect way is through climate change. It is no secret that human activity is massively contributing to the speed at which climate change is occurring and some impacts of this is loss of habitats, reduced food availability and changing season lengths disrupting migration times (Travis, 2003; Bradshaw, 2006; Crick, 2004). In the UK we are seeing a lengthening of seasons[20] meaning birds are arriving earlier and departing later (Sparks and Mason, 2004). While this can be considered a positive for UK bird numbers the migrating species arriving early could be disadvantageous to their need of resources. While the birds may be arriving early due to the changing home[21] territory climate and the extended migratory territory season, food resources often do not sync with this change in habit. What is being observed is an increasingly unsuccessful first brood of early arrivers due to the food supply, whether it is insects or berries, not being available (Harrington et al., 1999). An example of a bird effected by this is the Waxwing, a Northern European and Scandinavian passerine bird that has increasingly been migrating to the UK during winter to access food supplies. This is because with climate change there have been fewer berries in the Northern and Boreal forests forcing the Waxwing to expand their migration further to the UK (Huntley, 2008). [22] One of the most common migratory flyways is from Africa into Europe. Figure 4 shows the different routes the Montagu Harrier uses to get from the Sahel region of Africa across the mediterranean into Europe. While I have already discussed the dangers of migrating across North Africa and Southern Europe regarding hunting, it is the journey across the Sahara desert that I will now be focusing on. The Sahel region is dominated by the Sahara desert with most of the land area being dry, arid land with the outskirts and coastal regions being populated and used for agriculture (Zeng, 2003). However in the decade the Sahel region has been under drought conditions meaning a lot of the once arable, green land is under going desertification, hence why there is a popular notion that the Sahara is expanding (Foley et al., 2003). Travelling across desert is not an easy journey to make. There is limited water, food, roosting sites and the climate is hot and dry. This means that birds such as the Mon tagu harrier (figure 4) or the Garden Warbler, both of which are summer migrants in the UK and Europe, need appropriate energy stores to attempt the journey (Jenni and Jenni-Eiermann, 1998). With this area of desert land expanding it makes the already challenging journey even more demanding on energy stores and as a result many of the smaller passerine birds such as the Garden Warbler are not as successful in migrating across Africa. Most species can not attempt the crossing in still air and require prevailing winds across the desert to aid in flight [23](Barboutis et al., 2011). With climate change set to continue the drought in the Sahel region migrating across this major ecological barrier successfully will become increasingly more challenging with a lot more pressure being put on stop off sites in North Africa and Southern Europe where there is already so much competition and hunting occurring (Trierweiler et al., 2014). Stop off sites [24]are crucial to the success of long distance migrations especially when birds are flying across challenging terrain or resourceless water. These stop off sites tend to be rich habitats that are used by migrants for intensive feeding to re stock fuel supplies for the next leg of the journey (Pomeroy et al., 2006). Common stop off sites are mud flats as they are rich in resources and often have low predation risks as migrants flock together on the shore. Species like the Sandpiper use coastal mudflats as stop over sites and a study observing site selection based on disturbances, predator presence and food abundance was conducted with results showing no preference of site when there are land disturbances or predator presence. The study by Pomeroy et al, (2006) did however provide significant results on site seleciton based on food supply indicating that this is the main purpose of choosing these sites for stop over points. One of the serious impacts of climate change i s rising sea levels and so, low lying coastal areas such as mud flats will gradually becoming permanently flooded as a result (Church and White, 2006). Sadly this means that not only are destination sites being lost but so to are the stopover areas that are essential for long distance migrators. Fighting climate change is one of the biggest environmental challenges we are undertaking. One method of cutting down the global carbon emissions, in an attempt to slow down the greenhouse effect and thus climate change, is increasing the production of renewable energy (Mitchell, 1989). Renewable energy offers clean production of resources that our expanding population demands and wind energy has made significant in roads in many countries. Unfortunately for migrating birds wind turbines are a serious hazard on their already difficult journey. Off shore wind farms are frequently causing disruption to flocks of nocturnal migrators flying across the baltic sea which has a large number of wind farms. A study taking observations of the collision frequency at a german offshore wind farm recorded a total of 442 birds of 21 different species were killed due to direct collision or subsequent death from injury over a one month period (Hà ¼ppop et al., 2006). While renewable energy is an impo rtant step towards fighting climate change, wind farm locations should be planned around major migratory flyways to reduce the impact they have on bird species. It is easy to focus on how we negatively effect migrating birds but it is equally important to highlight the positives. While climate change has resulted in a change in migration times due to longer seasons it also has meant that, particularly in temperate latitudes, there has been an increase in the length of the breeding season (Sparks and Mason, 2004). Small passerine bird that migrate breed in the UK typically have two broods during the breeding season if the food availability and weather conditions are right. However the increase in length of this breeding season has seen a boost in successful 2nd broods wit   some species such as the Reed warbler having as many as 5 broods over one season (Halupka, 2008). This increased success is due to the prolonged food supply allowing the fledglings to heighten their fitness and thus increase their chance of survival to adulthood[25]. However as mentioned previously the success of the longer breeding period is dependent on the migrat ory species arriving at a peak time where resources and weather conditions are adequate to sustain a breeding population (Harrington et al., 1999). Another negative human effect, that can also be deemed a positive, is urbanisation. Many species of migratory birds require navigational cues as means of finding flyways and locations. While in a natural environment these cues can be forests, rivers or mountains, man made structures can also prove to be very useful navigation aids (Kamil and Cheng, 2001). Studies into navigation and route choice of homing pigeons has shown that they choose to follow motorways and railway lines, using entrances and exits to navigate to their home territo[26]ry (Lipp et al., 2004). Finally, the recent initiatives of environmental agencies in the UK, such as the RSPB, to get involved and interact with garden birds has seen the number of households putting out regular bird food rise dramatically (Robb et al., 2008). While supplementary feeding provides our native garden birds, such as coal tits and blue tits, a year long food supply it also provides an invaluable resource for migrating birds. One species in particular that has started to expand its migration distance to include the UK is the Blackcap. While blackcaps were a rare site in UK gardens several decades ago they are now becoming a familiar winter addition to the suburban gardens. In the 1950s ornithologists began to notice this change in migration route, instead of choosing a south westerly migration into Spain, blackcaps have evolved a successful new route into the UK (Plummer et al., 2015). As human activity continues to threaten not just the migration of birds but global biodiversity as a whole, the Blackcaps success story is a welcomed positive of our impact on the world around us. Migration is an important adaptation in the life cycle of birds and allows many species to access resources that are necessary to survival. The evolution of a migratory life style was driven by environmental selection pressures and is now being inhibited by artificial pressures. As human activity becomes increasingly more intrusive on the environment the stress on migrating birds to navigate successfully, journey across challenging conditions and to find suitable territories is becoming ever more difficult. With stricter enforcement on hunting and capturing restrictions in Europe and North Africa the major African to Eurasia flyway could become a much safer route for migrating flocks. While that is something that can be controlled, the rate of population increase of the human race is getting higher and higher and so is the demand to provide resources, both land and food, for the population. If we changed our agricultural industry so that we are producing crops at a much more efficien t rate, the need to cut down forests would lessen and in fact we would preserve rare habitats that are used not just by native species but also visiting migrators. While we are starting to make significant strides into tackling climate change by developing renewable energy sources there is still a lot of room for consideration of environmental preservation. Finally however, it is important to highlight the improvements we are making for migrating birds, while there are only a handful of positive impacts there is room to expand and create a more global effect.[27] References      Ã‚   Alcock, J. (2013). Animal behaviour. 10th ed. Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer Associates, pp.Pg. 153-168. Alerstam, T., Hedenstrom, A. and Akesson, S. (2003). Long-distance migration: evolution and determinants. Oikos, 103(2), pp.247-260. Outlaw, D. et al., (2003). Evolution of Long-Distance Migration in and Historical Biogeography of Catharus Thrushes: A Molecular Phylogenetic Approach. The Auk, 120(2), pp.299-310. Shaffer, S. et al., (2006). Migratory shearwaters integrate oceanic resources across the Pacific Ocean in an endless summer. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 103(34), pp.12799-12802 Bias, M. and Gutierrez, R. (1992). Habitat Associations of California Spotted Owls in the Central Sierra Nevada. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 56(3), p.584. Butler, C. (2003). The disproportionate effect of global warming on the arrival dates of short-distance migratory birds in North America. Ibis, 145(3), pp.484-495. Jenni, L. and Kery, M. (2003). Timing of autumn bird migration under climate change: advances in long-distance migrants, delays in short-distance migrants. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 270(1523), pp.1467-1471. Jenni, L. and Kery, M. (2003). Timing of autumn bird migration under climate change: advances in long-distance migrants, delays in short-distance migrants. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 270(1523), pp.1467-1471. Wiltschko, W., Traudt, J., Gà ¼ntà ¼rkà ¼n, O., Prior, H. and Wiltschko, R. (2002). Lateralization of magnetic compass orientation in a migratory bird. Nature, 419(6906), pp.467-470. McFarland, D. (1999). Animal behaviour. 3rd ed. Longman Scientific Technical. Mehlhorn, J. and Rehkà ¤mper, G. (2009). Neurobiology of the homing pigeon-a review. Naturwissenschaften, 96(9), pp.1011-1025. Boere, G., Galbraith, C. and Stroud, D. (2007). Waterbirds around the world. 1st ed. Edinburgh Stationery Office. CABS, (2015). [online] Available at: https://www.komitee.de/en/projects/italy [Accessed 16 Mar. 2017]. Travis, J. (2003). Climate change and habitat destruction: a deadly anthropogenic cocktail. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 270(1514), pp.467-473. Raine, A., Gauci, M. and Barbara, N. (2015). Illegal bird hunting in the Maltese Islands: an international perspective. Oryx, 50(04), pp.597-605. HIRSCHFELD, A. A. HEYD (2005): Mortality of migratory birds caused by hunting in Europe: bag statistics and proposals for the conservation of birds and animal welfare. Ber. Vogelschutz 42: 47-74 Worldometers.info. (2017). World Population Clock: 7.5 Billion People (2017) Worldometers. [online] Available at: http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/ [Accessed 16 Mar. 2017]. Lambin, E. and Meyfroidt, P. (2011). Global land use change, economic globalization, and the looming land scarcity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(9), pp.3465-3472. Cox, G. (2010). Bird Migration and Global Change. 1st ed. Washington: Island Press. Chpt 10. SHERRY, T. and HOLMES, R. (1997). American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). The Birds of North America Online. Norris, D., Marra, P., Kyser, T., Sherry, T. and Ratcliffe, L. (2004). Tropical winter habitat limits reproductive success on the temperate breeding grounds in a migratory bird. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 271(1534), pp.59-64. BBC News. (2016). A6 upgrade: Legal challenge to road through Heaney country BBC News. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38094217 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2017]. Hodges, Lindsay. [Photograph, 2017] Whooper Swans in Northern Ireland. JPEG file. Johnston, W. (2016). A6 Legal Challenge what now?. Word press: Northern Ireland Roads. RSPB. Campaign for Nature: A6 duelling proposals. [online] Available at: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/our-positions-and-campaigns/campaigning-for-nature/casework/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-229175 [Accessed 16. Mar. 2017] Bradshaw, W. (2006). CLIMATE CHANGE: Evolutionary Response to Rapid Climate Change. Science, 312(5779), pp.1477-1478. Crick, H. (2004). The impact of climate change on birds. Ibis, 146, pp.48-56. Harrington, R. et al., (1999). Climate change and trophic interactions. Trends in Ecology Evolution, 14(4), pp.146-150. Sparks, T. and Mason, C. (2004). Can we detect change in the phenology of winter migrant birds in the UK?. Ibis, 146, pp.57-60. Huntley, B. (2008). Plant species response to climate change: implications for the conservation of European birds. Ibis, 137, pp.S127-S138.   Trierweiler, C. et al., (2014). Migratory connectivity and population-specific migration routes in a long-distance migratory bird. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 281(1778), pp.20132897-20132897. Zeng, N. (2003). ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE: Drought in the Sahel. Science, 302(5647), pp.999-1000. Foley, J. et al., (2003). Regime Shifts in the Sahara and Sahel: Interactions between Ecological

The Paradox Of Community Essay -- essays research papers

The Paradox of Community   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"One can see that insiders are caught in the paradox of community: The same cultural vocabulary that undermines community is simultaneously that community's idiom of self-affirmation† (Greenhouse, et al. 175). In Law and Community, David M. Engel explores how ordinary people in a small, rural, Illinois town perceive the law, courts, litigants, and community. By analyzing the legal practices and relations in Sander County, it is evident that law and the courts play a central role in the processes of making and unmaking communities. Furthermore, this study illustrates how such manifestations, reflections of the â€Å"insider's† ideology, fail to live up to the promises for â€Å" law† in our society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the 1970s, Sander County was undergoing great social and economic changes. Agriculture, a central part of life for most residents, became more mechanized and a few large manufacturing plants opened, bringing in â€Å"quite a number of a certain element† Sander County had â€Å"never had before† (29). Long- time residents, worried about change, express what they believe to be â€Å"the new role of laws and the courts in the local and national societyâ€Å" (1).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Though personal injury litigation rates are lower in Sander County than other major types of litigation, a norm of aversion towards this legal discourse is evident throughout the majority of the community. Those who enforce personal injury claims are viewed by fellow residents as greedy, selfish, and â€Å"quick to sue.† Litigation is portrayed as weakening the collective values personified in the law as a means of turning the law against the community to make an â€Å"easy buck† (144). Even highly respected members of the community are criticized for making personal injury claims. For example, a minister filed a suit after slipping and falling at a school. A local observer commented by saying there are â€Å"a lot of people who are resentful for it, because...he chose to sue† (28). The long-time residents of Sander County were experiencing a prevalent sense of a collapse in the conventional dependencies and exchanges that had typified life in Sander County. Understandings of personal injury claims are largely shaped by these societal transformations as the local populace encounters them and also by the notion that traditional relati... ...ty (Carter 11). The irony lies in the fact that the power of the insiders as a whole disempowers the individual, whether the individual is an insider or an outsider. Every member of Sander County is rather powerless before the law; the efforts to keep the town safe from change paradoxically caused a lack of trust in the legal process. This lack of trust contributes to the chaos of community that already existed in Sander County.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Law is a language by which we constantly reconstruct our communities† (Carter viii). Instead of constructing community through just legal discourse, Sander County destructed what it had left of a community in a desperate act of warding of that which it did not understand (or did not want to understand). Law in practice, in Sander County, does not produce justice; it produces inequality. This prevalent inequality, or difference, is a â€Å"justification of litigation by ‘insiders' in defense of their community† (Greenhouse, et al. 175). They fail to see that their myth of community is challenging â€Å"community.† Disempowerment and inequality will not generate trust. Furthermore, of what use, or longevity, is a community without trust?

When Some People Win, Must Others Lose, or Are There Situations in Which Everyone Wins

Often times, people think of their relationships with one another as one of rivalry—some win, some lose. However, some seemingly limited victories may foster situations in which everyone wins. Challenging the traditions to pursue personal goals, people are in fact able to better one another as the society develops as a whole. Within a healthy environment in which personal interest and individual aspirations are encouraged and valued, everyone wins as a result of the improvement of the network as a whole.Instead of provoking hostile competition and combining the efforts of individuals, a network or a family that respects individual developments can maximize the capability of an individual and therefore the capacity of the community as a whole through the stimulation of independent thinking. Google, for instance, remains one of the most innovative enterprises by promoting the originality of its members rather than imposing systematic collaboration within the company.At Google, e ach member is given twenty minutes of freethinking to develop his own ideas, which he could later advance as a personal project. As a result, pioneering ideas such as Google news and Google Earth are able to come to light, allowing Google to keep growing as an entity and its working environment young and innovative. Seemingly personal victories are therefore transformed into ones that contribute to the bigger community through a shared value of pursuit in personal interest and creativity.In this situation, everyone wins and grows as an integral part of the family. Similarly, when people challenge conventional ideas to bring about a revolutionary change, everyone within the society wins. Rosa Park and her courageous refusal to give up her seat embody the spirit of a widespread social victory. Not willing to simply accept the supposed superiority of the whites, Rosa Park stood up for herself and her race instinctively without knowing the consequential outcome of her actions.She refuse d to acknowledge the natural barrier of race, a discriminating boundary that had been drawn since the creation of the country. Although she was put into jail temporarily, her peers were inspired to defy injustice and abolish segregation, triggering a national civil rights movement that eventually determined American values of freedom and equality that have become an integral part of American identity.Despite oppositions between different racial groups, the revolution elicited was not a victory of one group but a victory of the nation. America won. Freedom and equality won. Justice won. Motivated by personal interest and guided by a critical view of the world, people can often inspire a victory for all as the society breaks away from the old and embraces the new. There aren’t times when some people must lose, just as society progresses to eliminate the absolutes.

This academic paper seeks to compare and contrast Essays

This academic paper seeks to compare and contrast Essays This academic paper seeks to compare and contrast the presidential and parliamentary forms of government and discuss how each form of promotes liberal democracy in their three arms of government The main difference between a parliamentary and presidential system of government is that in a presidential system, the president is separate from the legislative body, but in a parliamentary system, the chief executive, such as a prime minister, is part of the legislative body, or parliament. A presidential system separates the executive and legislative functions of the government and provides what are commonly called checks and balances to limit the power of both the chief executive and the legislature. In a parliamentary system, the legislature holds the power, and the chief executive must answer to the legislature. Another main difference is that in a presidential system, the chief executive and members of the legislature are elected separately by the people, but in a parliamentary system, the legislature is elected by the people and then must appoint or recommend for appointment one of its members to be the chief executive. Many forms of government are used by countries around the world, and very few governments are completely alike, even if they use the same type of system. Presidential and parliamentary systems of government can vary in specific details from one country to another, but certain general aspects typically are the same in countries that have the same type of system. For example, in some parliamentary systems, the national legislative body is called a parliament, and in others, it might be called by a term such as "national assembly," but they generally serve the same purposes, regardless of their names. Likewise, the specific powers or duties of presidents might vary from country to country, but they generally are all elected by the people and are separate from the legislative body. In a presidential system, the president is the head of government and the head of state. As the head of government, he or she oversees the operations of the government and fulfils certain duties, such as appointing officials and advisers to help run the government, signing or vetoing laws passed by the legislature and establishing an annual budget . A president's duties as head of state include tasks such as making speeches, representing the country at public events, hosting or visiting diplomats from other countries, and presenting prestigious national awards. On the other hand, t he roles of head of state and head of government often are held by different people in a parliamentary system. For example, a country might have a prime minister who acts as its head of government and a monarch who acts as its head of state. Some countries that have a parliamentary system also have a president instead of a monarch, who acts as the head of state. A country that has both a prime minister and a president is sometimes said to have a semi-presidential system of government, although it is more closely related to a parliamentary system because of the power held by the legislature and prime minister in such a system. Another difference between these systems of government is the effects that each system has on things such as efficiency and political acrimony. In a presidential system, because the chief executive and members of the legislature are elected separately, it is possible for the president to be from one political party and the legislature to be controlled by a different political party. This can cause discord at the highest levels of the government and make it difficult for the executive and the legislators to achieve their respective goals. In a parliamentary system, the prime minister is almost always from the political party that controls the legislature, so there is less discord, and it is easier for that party to accomplish its goals. In addition, p arliamentary and presidential systems also differ in their abilities to remove the chief executive from power. In a parliamentary system, it is much easier for the legislature to remove the prime minister. Even a disagreement in policy or a lack of effective leadership could be enough reason for this to happen. A president is more difficult to remove from his

Free Essays on Reefer Maddness

, heavy u... Free Essays on Reefer Maddness Free Essays on Reefer Maddness The Webster’s Online Dictionary defines marijuana as the dried leaves and flowering tops of the pistillate hemp plant that yield THC and are smoked in cigarettes for their intoxicating effect. The heated debate over whether or not reaching this intoxicated state is illegal has been heating up recently. If you read any government funded articles, marijuana is painted in such a bad light that it seems to be a work of the devil. Turn on the TV and this ‘evil drug’ makes you hit little girls in drive-thru’s and shoot your best friend with your Dad’s gun, all because you couldn’t help getting high. If you read the propaganda published by those unapologetic stoners, the information isn’t biased, but takes a more rounded approach to looking at the debated drug. Interestingly enough, both sides use some of the same study findings to support their opposing views. A look at all sides still doesn’t provide the answers to the legalization issues. Marijuana’s effect starts immediately after being inhaled. The user’s heart rate increases, the delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is absorbed through the lungs and taken to the brain where it meets cannabinoid receptors located in various regions of the brain. One of the areas with the greatest number of receptors is the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain associated with memory. This explains the short and long-term memory loss experienced by users. The cannabinoid receptors also release the chemical dopamine, which is a pleasure causing neurotransmitter. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 1999) Regular use of marijuana also exerts a negative effect on short-term memory, learning, and attention span (AAP, 1999). The negative effect marijuana has on memory is also supported by evidence in a study cited by the New Scientist magazine although when it came to remembering a list of words, heavy u...

How soon should the US pull out of Afghanistan Essay

How soon should the US pull out of Afghanistan - Essay Example America's pledge in Afghanistan is primarily a question of responsibility the United States must take for the chaos that was bear out of years of negligence and under-resourcing for the period of the Bush period.In light of all we know regarding Afghanistan after nearly eight years, it shows solid ground for President Obama to direct the United States to pull out of Afghanistan is because the public is exhausted of war.The United States policymakers have to; assess all actions in opposition to America's global concerns and the probable prospective costs. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, economical strategies don't have a positive record of achievements."America should do no more than what can be done from offshore, using intelligence, drones, cruise missiles, air strikes and small, effective Special Forces units, focusing on the porous 1,500-mile boundary with Pakistan."As conveyed by the President of the Centre of a New American security, John Nagl. He stated that, America hasfundamenta l national security interests in Afghanistanthat makes fighting there crucial. The key objectives of the campaign are preventing Afghanistan from again serving as a shelter for terrorists with global reach and ensuring that it does not become the medium for a larger regional security meltdown. Afghanistan also a known foundation that United States uses to attack al-Qaeda forces inside Pakistan and thus assists in the broader operation against Afghanistan's terrorist organization one that we evidently must win (Stephanopolous, 2009). The United States policymakers have to; assess all actions in opposition to America's global concerns and the probable prospective costs. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, economical strategies don't have a positive record of achievements. The drone attacks are affecting the sentiments of the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan and are also greatly undermining the popularity of America. Hence, the relation of Pakistan and America is at stake. Background: As Kristol stated in his article; referring to the Op-ed's columnist George F. Will's article in which he discussed about the Afghanistan and Afghanistan's casualties he was not happy about the length of America's long shot there the dismissive of the involvement of America's NATO allies, disdainful of the Afghan central government, and struck by the country's diffident. Kristol share many of these opinions. However they are just views. It would be better to find a major change in America's nationalized security strategy on disputes--especially if they are advocating an amendment from a policy that's been sustained for eight years by a bipartisan accord, and that engages the area that was the platform for Sept. 11 (Kristol, 2009). According to a latest Rasmussen Report, a public telephone surveyed that twenty percent (20%) of United States voters say all American troops should be brought back from Afghanistan instantly. An additional 17% oppose an instant withdrawal of United States services but believe a solid timetable should be established to bring all troops home within a year. Fifty two percent (52%) see no need for a removal or a timetable right now. Eleven percent (11%) is indifferent or uncertain. Democrats are much more strongly in support of pulling out the troops, which poses perhaps a greater concern to President Obama with some in his party already discussing a possible challenge to him for the party's presidential recommendation in 2012 (Kristol, 2009). America should operate its war on terror from abroad and in order to do that it has improved its relation with Pakistan as Kristol admits in passing what seems to be an additional important national interest Pakistan, "a nation that actually matters." (Kristol, 2009). Alternative Option: The prime mistakes United States made in Iraq were the postponement in decision making and the reliability of required resources. United States managed to turn that mission around and accomplish victory because Washington

DQ 4 Secondary Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

DQ 4 Secondary Research - Essay Example Misleading - Secondary data is often misleading for the researcher as it is that this data had been collected for another purpose. It is merely the interpretation of primary data. The researcher should look from this point of view to understand the difference. Non-updated - Secondary data is collected from old sources. Therefore there sources may not be applicable for current needs. The researcher should check the date and time of publishing to find if the research still applicable or not. Difference in units of measurement - A researcher may mistakenly use the secondary research in his/her own units of measurement without realizing that they were in different units. The researcher should convert the units into the ones that he/she requires. Accuracy - The quality of secondary data depends on who had collected the data and how it was collected. The researcher has to be sure of the accuracy of the data before using it. Therefore the researcher should use renowned sources only to maintain the accuracy of the research. Costly - If secondary data is taken from corporate libraries or archives, the researcher would have to spend hefty sums to gain access to such libraries and archives. Non-paid websites and other sources can be used however authenticity and reliability must also be checked for. UWB is trying to launch a new product and for that purpose it hired a