Monroe Motivated Sequence Design Essay

Gain Attention: We have all seen and heard the stories nationally and locally on the topic of the measles vaccination. Most recently, Disneyland in December of 2014, 59 cases were documented due to an outbreak at the amusement park. Out of those 59 cases 34 had their vaccinations (www.quora.com). Locally, according to the Reno Gazette Journal on February 12, 2015, there are 27 possible cases and four of them are confirmed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that measles is the most deadly of all childhood illnesses. We need to know our facts and be knowledgeable on the signs, risks, and potentials of getting this vaccine. Establish a Need: According to an article in the Washington Post, a survey performed showing 83% of Americans feel the measles vaccination is safe. The other 9% are Americans between the age of 18 and 29 are most likely to state that vaccinations are unsafe. That 9% is in the age group that hasn’t seen or witnessed the effects of the measles due to vaccinations requirements in the past. Additional education must be taught in regards to the effects of not having this shot. We need to establish a guideline for those that do not wish to be vaccinated. By not educating yourself and others you are speculating on the chances of contracting the virus. Provide Satisfaction: Referencing the website for The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, in the decade prior to the measles vaccine in 1963, an average of 549,000  measles cases and 495 measles deaths were reported. They speculate that 3-4 million measles cases occurred each year. After the implementation of the vaccine, cases declined dramatically in the US. Over the decade of 1989-1991 the epidemic came to the surface again when over 55,000 cases and 123 deaths were reported. It is stated this was caused by unvaccinated preschool age children who were not vaccinated. Thus in turn created the need for a second dose to be recommended. In 2000, the measles were considered â€Å"eliminated from the United States. Now we are seeing the virus popping up again all over the country and locally, once again to non-vaccinated due to religious or health concerns with the vaccine. In addition, there is concerns with the importations of the virus from travelers coming in and out of the country. There is a reason this vaccine is available to the public and there should be a law restricting those who do not wish to have the vaccination. Visualization (either utopia or tragic): As we have seen throughout the decades this vaccination works and has proven result. When it is not administered we see the death rate increase. No one wants to see a child or a loved one suffer physical and mentally from the measles, if prevention is possible. Why risk your life or someone you love based on a uneducated decision. These cases have been reported and documented resent by the Disneyland outbreak. And how quickly this virus spread has multiplied. This could be you or someone that is unvaccinated that could cause the spread of this disease leading to death in some cases! Call to Action – concrete, do-able, practical actions: In conclusion, It is our own responsibility to take care of ourselves and the ones we love in life. We need to educate ourselves and look at the real statistics related to the measles vaccination. If we take the time to learn more about the virus its causes, risks, and effects, we can create a more thought out opinion to getting this vaccination. We all do not like the saying â€Å"could of, would of, should of†, don’t let that be you.

Misbehavior: Automobile and Consequences Essay

Every child misbehaves in their life. Whether it be one time or a thousand times. It teaches us a lesson. Without misbehavior we wouldn’t know what is right and what is wrong. Once we act and do something wrong, we learn and move on from our mistakes, knowing what the right choice is. In my life I have misbehaved and done numerous things that were wrong. However, I am somewhat grateful that I did these wrong things because without doing them and receiving consequences I wouldn’t know the difference between right and wrong. This essay is one example of how I have misbehaved at one point in my life. In June of 2003, I was six, almost 7. I had the knowledge that I probably shouldn’t try and control a car by myself. However, I had been behind the wheel a few times and would control the wheel while either on my father’s or mother’s lap. I knew how to control most things, the gas, the gear shift, the seat controls. I also thought I knew how to control the brakes; however I might have been wrong. All of these things led me to believe that I could control the car without being supervised. I had some idea that it wasn’t right to get in the driver seat but I didn’t think the consequences would be that bad, even if I did succeed. I decided to do it. My mom had just gone inside; she had left something in the house that she needed to get. She left the keys in the ignition. I saw this as an opportunity to back up the car. I made my way from the back seat to the front by jumping over the middle consul; I knew I didn’t have much time, so I tried to be as quick as possible. I put my foot on the brake, preparing myself for when I switched gears. As I shifted from park to reverse nerves suddenly came over me. I felt fear. Due to my nerves and fear I became overwhelmed and put way too much pressure on the gas pedal. The next thing I remember is me hitting a tree that was about 15 feet behind where the car was originally parked. As I panicked, I saw my mother, running out of the house. Vaus1 My mother was going to be mad, I just didn’t know how mad exactly. I had made a mistake that I couldn’t take back. My mother however, was more concerned about me than the damage done to the car. She checked to see if I was okay, I was fine. Next she checked the back of the car where she discovered a HUGE dent. Surprisingly my mother remained calm and didn’t freak out like I assumed she would. I was then sent to my bedroom where I anxiously awaited my mother’s entrance. Finally she came in and talked to me. I had consequences, but not too serious. I was grounded from seeing friends, playing video games, and watching tv or anything like that. I believe my consequences were not that bad and I am thankful for this experience. If I didn’t do what I had done I would not have learned this important lesson that I will always remember.

Presented as a Journal opinion article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Presented as a Journal opinion article - Essay Example These for sure interests and attracts the Wall Street Journal readers. To start with, proper shelter is one of the fundamental needs of people. This in some cases is not the case as many people lack proper shelter due to certain conditions like poverty, drug addiction among others. The price of houses in America has rapidly gone up leaving many Americans to afford the set home prices. However, the house prices may reduce a little bit during their bubble peaks but still high costs affect Americans during this period (Izzo Web). Accordingly, mortgage rates have also increased recently leaving Americans with no choice but to cope with the situation. Arguably, about half of the population is not married, about 40 percent of children are born out of wedlock, and the number of working women and working men are closely related. Joint filing does not really matter nowadays in serving the social objectives as majority of the Americans are driven by individualism. In this case, â€Å"reframin g the tax to various families will assist in solving certain problems and at the same time create more† (Izzo Web). Those dealing with tax operation should therefore be concerned with the social change in the society, and we can as well argue that the power of the yield curve for future growth has risen. Another burning economic issue that is of interest of the Wall Street Journal readers is based on the relationship between the cities and the entrepreneurship. People are very interested in cities and their role in promoting startups to facilitate the nourishment of entrepreneurship. The creating and growth of business activities continues to diminish for some time now. The question that many Americans ask is; what in particular the American cities can do in order to support the home-grown businesses? (Casselman Web). The fact is, the cities cannot devote their full support to the business as most American economists argue that the government has the capability to protect, sup port and promote entrepreneurship and maintain the nourishment of these businesses. However, entrepreneurial cities also share qualities like â€Å"access to smart capital, the availability of role models, and a mix of large and small businesses† (Casselman Web). All these qualities are very significant in the growth of American businesses. The last pressing economic issue currently is unemployment and the job openings. Although the U.S has been working hard on how to recover economically for about four years now, the issue of unemployment still prevails but not as it were before. In April 2009, for every job opening, there were three Americans ready and willing to go for the job and work (Cronin Web). The situation got worse in July where there were six people going for the available opening job. The job market faces difficulty of meeting the needs of many jobless people. With many jobless Americans willing to work, the job openings have reduced making it difficult for the m arkets to absorb all of them. However, reports have indicated that the hiring rate has increased tremendously even after the job opening reduced (Cronin Web). In a nutshell, whenever there is a challenge in the economy of any state, there has to be consequences and in most cases negative ones. High cost of living, unemployment and reduced business activities are some of the negative impacts posed by poor economy. Stiff competition among the job seekers any available job opportunity is

Partnership Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Partnership Analysis - Essay Example These can be used with strategic intent, especially for gaining competitive advantage. We take the case of Ford Motor, the second largest car maker in the US. While Ford has built many IS with strategic aspects, we focus on the IS for supplier – Ford relations. Managers can use value chain analysis to identify opportunities to use IS for competitive advantage (Porter, 1985, 2001; Shank and Govindarajan, 1993). An organization (in our case, Ford) can be thought of as a big input – output process. This can be represented schematically as follows: Ford Motor purchases automobile components and services from automotive companies in the industry. So at the left end in the schematic, supplies are purchased and brought into Ford. Ford then integrates those supplies (components) and makes cars, which it markets to customers. Ford then provides customer service after it sells the cars. In this entire process, there are opportunities for people in Ford to add value in various stages of the process. For example, supplies can be acquired more effectively and value can be added. Some other examples are adding value in making cars and improving sales. This process of adding value throughout the organization is called the Value Chain of the organization. Value Chain Analysis is the process of analyzing the organization’s value chain to find out where value is added to products and services, and the costs of adding value. Since IS can automate many activities in the Value Chain, Value Chain Analysis is used widely in using IS for strategic competitive advantage. In this, one has to first draw the Value Chain and then flesh out each of the activities where value is added. Then costs are determined for such value addition activities. Then one has to compare and benchmark these activities with those of the competitors. Then one can use the appropriate IS for gaining competitive advantage. IS can be used at any

Healthcare Professionals Assuming Active Administrative Roles Annotated Bibliography

Healthcare Professionals Assuming Active Administrative Roles - Annotated Bibliography Example The section introduces healthcare’s complexity and its suggestion for medical practitioners to assume administrative roles. This is because they have adequate information and experience regarding what the field entails contrary to politicians or other policymakers. The latter groups do not have the necessary experience coupled with knowledge on how to promote the fields’ effective professional practices and ethics (Belluz, 2011). Since, besides their varied specializations, they can also receive additional education regarding management through induction. This is especially in the sections that entail their involvement. This section also offers adequate literature regarding present changes characterizing healthcare, which entails doctors’ involvement especially in assuming managerial posts. The section highlights the essence of doctors undertaking extra courses or inductions meant to refine their administrative skills. This is especially in the sections that considerably entail their involvement, for instance, being administrators. Hence, promote service delivery not only in the confinements of the healthcare facility but also outside where practitioners ought to attend while checking out patients as specified by HMO. This is an essential section because its core purpose focuses on augmenting practitioners’ knowledge, hence refine their skills to become remarkable clinical leaders. This subsection compares former federal’s proposition of increasing professionals’ distribution across the state to training the available doctors.

Discussion Question 2 Week 5 Chapter 8 Assignment

Discussion Question 2 Week 5 Chapter 8 - Assignment Example Therefore, employers who have a high turnover rate usually incur severe looses as compared to those who have low turnovers in the same industry. In most cases, high turnover rates are influenced by low compensation rates and pitiable work conditions. This asserts that if a company has a low turnover rate, the employees are fully satisfied with the working conditions in the company. Turnover can either be voluntarily or involuntarily (Mondy, 2011). Therefore, as a human resource manager, I can reduce involuntary turnover rate by examining the compensation provided to employees. This includes wages and some of the benefits offered to employees. In addition, I can also create a system which recognizes the hard working employees in the firm in order to enhance the performance of the organization. Moreover, I can also suggest that the organization should hold regular meetings regarding the general performance of the company. This will enable the company to achieve its objectives (Mondy, 2011). Employee motivation is described as the creativity which is applied by employees in their respective job specialization. In most organizations, employee motivation is viewed as one of the most efficient methods, which ensures that the performance of the employees and the company is maintained. Most organizations incorporate employee reward programs. These programs do not involve the wages and benefits of the employee. For example, the human resource manager can award credential points to employees who exceed their goals in their department. These programs significantly promote productivity in the organization. Furthermore, the company can also provide incentives for employees who complete their tasks without delays and correctly. This will ensure that the rate of absentees and labor turnover in the organization is decreased significantly (Mondy,

Business to Business (B2B) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business to Business (B2B) - Essay Example Glaxo is a pharmaceutical company that sells their products to nursing homes and hospitals. Glaxo sells the potential malaria drugs to most nursing homes and hospitals globally. The company has set an example to other drug companies for their exceptional way to deal with malaria that statistically kills many victims. 3. Find some facts about government buying. For example, how much does the government spend on goods and services? Find some facts about government procurement for local, state or federal. What does the government buy? What specific agency buys what? In most cases, the overall government spending varies from one nation to the other. In the United States, the overall government spending on goods and services approximates to $5, 800, 839, 970 (Young 33). The government buys goods and services such as Education, Health care, Pensions, welfare, Interest, and Defense among others. The Government procurement for the state is on similar principles to marketable contracting, although subjected to laws and regulations. Rules and regulations are set forth in the constitution, and the government exercises its power through regulations and legislation issued. Agencies are charged with supervising and coordinating the government functioning. For instance, under the United States Department Defense, there are many agencies such as the Defense Intelligence, Pentagon Force Protection, National Security, and Missile Defense. These agencies supervise and coordinate the government functioning in issues relating to national

Quantitative and Qualitative Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Quantitative and Qualitative Research - Essay Example The two journals selected include: Task Force Report on Adult Education Survey and A Statewide Survey of Special Education Administrators and School Psychologists Regarding Functional Behavioral Assessment. The surveys were carried out by the European Commission and the University of Nebraska respectively. The main aim of the adult education survey is to enhance adult education all over the world due to the competitive job market (Glaude, 2005). The European Commission found out that need to provide information to adults who want to participate in education is essential. The European Commission thought that, in a knowledgeable society, individuals need to update and complement their skills, competencies and knowledge throughout their lives. This is so as to maximize their individual development, as well as to uphold, and improve their position in the labor field. The main aim of the special education survey, on the other hand, was to study the views of special education administrator s, as well as school psychologists, concerning the extent to which educators are aware of Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA). The survey was also to find out if the educators in this program had adequate training (Nelson, 1999). Both the surveys were well organized. The European Commission, in its adult education survey, employed professional personnel to run through various data regarding the work market to see where adults who are not educated stand (Glaude, 2005). The University of Nebraska team, on the other hand, engaged other universities to come up with its findings. These universities where: Arizona State University and University of Phoenix (Nelson, 1999). They also used other personnel from outside the university who were familiar with the Functional Behavioral Assessment program to come up with their findings. The two surveys used diverse sources to collect data. While the adult education survey used job market experts to collect its data, the special education used t eachers, doctors as well as students themselves to collect data. The adult education survey was meant to foster adults into undertaking education so as to fit into the competitive job market today. The special education survey, on the other hand, was to find ways in which students with disabilities could be incorporated into normal learning. They used methods such as interviews and Computer Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) to collect data. The final sampling unit according to the two surveys concentrated on carefully selected individuals (Glaude, 2005). The surveys were based on a probability sample. Their recommendations were to use a stratified sample of individuals, at least along with age and gender, as well as disability. In conclusion, according to the adult survey, it was identified that learning is one of the top determining factors in a person’s life. Hence, adult education is a central tool of achieving lifelong goals. The survey, therefore, concluded that each a dult who does not have adequate education should undertake the course (Glaude, 2005). The special education survey, on the other hand, concluded that each student with a disability should receive exceptional care at his or her studies. They need to have enhanced treatment, and attention so that they could study just like other students (Nelson, 1999). Question 2 Correlational research is research that studies the covariation of two or more variables (Research Methods,

Biometric Authentication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Biometric Authentication - Essay Example The desirable processes of biometric authentication methods that make it reliable include verification, screening and identification. This process makes use of a watch list or a database, containing data of people to be excluded. It has records containing only the biometric information for specific individual (Ratha, Connell & Bolle 2001, p. 610). Every individual provides biometric samples to be checked to confirm if it matches the watch-list. This process is used in the discovery of an individual without the user’s prior claim of identity. It checks the bio information against the contents of a central database without which it cannot operate. This is the attack where a person pretends to be a genuine person or individual service provider and prompts a user to provide personal bio data. Once the data is available and has passed through verification, the perpetrator of the attack performs unauthorized transactions. The phishing attack is equally harmful and takes place with or without the knowledge of the owner of the bio data. For example, an individual gets into a banking hall, gets into a dust bin and collects half-filled customer vouchers containing handwritten signature or fingerprint. He or she scans the signatures and finger prints which are then used electronically for valid online transactions. Biometric methods are more secure in the performance of online transactions. The owner provides Unique biometric information only when required electronically, unlike in the use of ordinary identification numbers. A biometric method provides a high degree of privacy to users and minimizes the exposure of information to unauthorized parties (Weaver 2006, p. 99). For example, for an iris scan to be done, a person must be physically available. It is possible to fraudulently reproduce biometric data depending on the resources, modality, the

New York Times, the Boulevard to Imperative Facts Research Paper

New York Times, the Boulevard to Imperative Facts - Research Paper Example Immediately after its founding, its editorials as well as articles became acknowledged not only within United States but also in Europe. The New York Time Company owns the newspaper in addition to several other newspapers and media houses. The company runs under the competent leadership of Arthur Ochs Sulzberger from 1986. The newspaper has some of the most diligent and linked journalists who share news and happenings from all over the world. The paper offers comprehensive channel for politics, business, sport, science, art just to mention, but a few. This paper centres on the historical background of New York Times, challenges it has faced as well as the ideologies that have led to its triumph. Historical Background of New York Times The New York Times Was launched between 1951 and 1959. It was initially referred to as New York Daily Times before adopting its current title. The paper was established at a time there was great yearning for journalism in New York. The newspaper was a h it from the start and by 1990, the paper had established spectacular eminence. Originally, the paper was published daily other than on Sunday but as the civil war aggravated, the public instigated Sunday publication to boost better coverage on the war. The newspaper editor Raymond gave people what they desired. Raymond provided news that was free from distortion as well as extreme fantasies (The New York Times, 2011). The New York Times was commonsensical and sensible from the start, which significantly contributed to a great foundation of a newspaper that remains pertinent to date. The newspaper’s fame spread rapidly being read by the entire New York and beyond. To the New Yorkers, a novel but appropriate spring of information was the greatest possession of the just established conurbation (Hoffman, 2012; Talese, 1978). At the initial stages the news were sent through telegraph, which was still a novel expertise in the 1850’s. The content as well as the form of newspa pers then was very different and primitive compared to todays. The hottest news update sent through telegraph was a caption apposite to stand over a column with vast of the details impending to be received later through mail (Wahi-Jorgensen & Hanitzsch, 2008). Primarily, the front pages were dedicated to news on congress activities as well as administration but at times European news would be featured. In 1858, some hope showed up for New York Times when first Atlantic cable was established (Hoffman, 2012). However, the bliss did not last for long and botched until a decade later when a permanent cable was created. In the 1870’s, the paper received much publicity when it uncovered Boss tweed ending his control over New York City Hall. In the 1880’s the paper was critically affected by the attempt to side with republicans, candidates but later regained its reputation. In 1940s, the paper expanded it coverage and included features such as crossword as well as a section o n fashion (Grossmark, 2002). The paper’s slogan is â€Å"All the News That’s Fit to print† and currently has subdivisions on issues dealing with news, Arts, science, Style, sports, Home, and an extra section on Features. However, the three major sections are News, Opinion, and Features. The News section covers aspects such as international and national reports, Weather, Business, Science and Technology,

Her First Ball Essay Example for Free

Her First Ball Essay My first impression of Leila simply from the first page of â€Å"Her First Ball,† was that she was an innocent girl that wasn’t completely satisfied with her current situation in life. Leila was portrayed as having a weak/inexperienced heart. For example, â€Å"†¦she couldn’t have helped crying because she was an only child, and no brother had ever said ‘Twig? ’ to her† (265), and for the fact that being different from the others bothered her. Despite her innocence and immaturity, she attempts to compose herself and act mature than she is capable of by â€Å"trying not to smile too much; she tried not to care† (265). Her life up to now wasn’t eventful or memorable in any way and she has a desire to cling onto the present/momentary excitement and not let go. â€Å"She would remember forever. It even gave her a pang to see her cousin Laurie throw away the wisps of tissue†¦as a keepsake, as a remembrance† (265), shows her emotions on how she wants to keep hold of every little detail of this first ball. I made the connection of this ball being her first in relation to not only the actual ball, but numerous ‘first times’ down her path of becoming mature. First time interacting with the opposite gender, feeling the lack of maturity amongst the other girls in the ladies’ room and first time in being hit in the head with reality, a frightening image from the fat man that Leila had never considered before, resulting in a somewhat loss of her previous innocence. I was able to relate to Leila’s situation of having missed out on the experiences of the ‘real world,’ such as the comparison between Leila and the Sheridan girls. Having lived in Abbotsford for my entire middle school life, I believe I missed out on experiences that I would have had if I lived out in the city (Surrey), seeing that Abbotsford is relatively an isolated/country city. Although I wasn’t as isolated as having the â€Å"nearest neighbor for fifteen miles† (265), I felt I could relate to Leila’s uncontrollable excitement that she felt while she was taking in her new surroundings. The impactful last sentence of the story, â€Å"She didn’t even recognize him again† (270), I found it almost eerie regarding the fact that it seemed like her memory was wiped blank. I questioned that even though her innocence was already long gone, whether that meant she would have to go through the same horrible process of being hit on the head by reality, as the first time she met the fat man and how she will be able to cope with the shock and sadness she feels every time. Throughout the reading, her style of writing, her word choices portrayed Leila’s perspective of her first ball in a magical/fantasy way. The presentation of a perfectly set up ball, â€Å"she clutched her fan, and gazing at the gleaming, golden floor, the azaleas, the lanterns, the stage at one end with its red carpet†¦how heavenly; how simply heavenly (267)! Every little detail was attractive and well suited to her fantastical desires. Leila was not yet revealed to the somewhat frightening reality that comes along with her magical world that is inevitable.

A Hostel Management System

A Hostel Management System Introduction INTI International University (IIU) is a private university located in Putra Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. It was previously known as INTI University College. INTI has grown monumentally over the years until 31 May 2010 when the Higher Education Ministry announced it has became the university status. (Wikipedia, 2010) In 1986, INTI opened its first college at Bangunan Sim Lim brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. It starts with only 37 students on it first enrollment. In 1989 the College was re-located to Jalan Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur. As the number of students continued rising, the INTI established a permanent campus in Subang jaya (INTI College Subang Jaya) and more campuses began built in Kuching, Sarawak, Kota Kinabalu and then Sabah. The main campus (INTI UNIVESITY COLLEGE) was completed 1998 in Putra Nilai. INTI has a total 9 campuses in Malaysia. INTI became part of Laureate International Universities (LIU) network in 2008 becoming the first Malaysian University to be chosen by the Laureate International Education Group. (New INTI, 2009) Nowadays, with the emergence of global economy and transformation of industrial economies, the information system and information technology become important within the business sector as the world keep changing with fast developed technology. Information technology and internet-based information systems are playing vital and expanding roles in business. IS can help all kinds of businesses improve the efficiency and effectively of their daily work and workplace collaboration. Information system and information technology are quite a necessary ingredient for business success in todays dynamic global environment. Besides, information system and information technology also applied by the education industry to conduct more of their work electronically. There is a need for the education institutions to apply the information system and information technology in their daily work to improve the workflows and reduce workloads. So, we would like to conduct a research of INTI International University Literature Review Hostel Management System As the topic mentions above Hostel Management System is software that is developed to help in managing various activities in the hostel. As is well-known, the education institutions are rapidly increasing for the past few years. Therefore, it leads to mushrooming of hostels for the accommodation of the students study in these institutions. And hence there is the appearance of Hostel Management System which helps with dealing the problem of managing hostel and avoid the problem when do it manually. (Muhammed Shaheer .K.A, Muhammed Shiras.A, Vinod Raj. R, Prasobh.G.V, April, 2009) Hostel management by manual way is tedious process, since it involves work load and time consumption. In this system, we can easily manage the hostel details, room details, student records, mess expenditure, mess bill calculation, easy way of room allocation and hostel attendance. Thus, there are a lot of repetition can be easily evaded which has reduced the data redundancy. (M. Deepika, A. Chitra, 2010) Reports in regard to the Room Availability, Room Allocation, Student Transfer and Evacuation are provided too. Functional Feature: Creation of Building and Block information. Provision of various room types (Single / Twin/Single with Air-con Room/Twin with Air-con Room). Room allotment to the student. Student checks in and check out. Monitoring Visitors and Guest register. Transfer of rooms. Room evacuation. (Hostel Management System, 2006) The Administrator can: 1. Allot different students to the different hostels. 2. Vacate the students for the hostels. 3. Control the status of the fee payment. 4. Edit the details of the students modify the student records. 1) Allotment of the hostels The officer must checks the certified application forms of the students obtained and verify it with the student database. If the students are found eligible then they are allotted to the hostel. 2) Vacating the room As the students course is over they will vacate their rooms. So it is required for the administrator to remove their records from the database tables. This part includes the option for the room vacation and the deletion of the particular record from the database. 3) Control status of fee payment As the students every semester need to make rent payment. So, the officer needs to process it and print out the invoice for students to pay rental in finance office. 4) Edit the details of students and modify the student records As the new student moves into hostel, the officer need edit the details of students and modifies the student records to make sure the data is updated. (Muhammed Shaheer .K.A, Muhammed Shiras.A, Vinod Raj. R, Prasobh.G.V, April, 2009) We can improve the efficiency of the system, thus overcome the drawbacks of Less human error Strength and strain of manual labor can be reduced Reduce data redundancy High security Data consistency Easy to handle Easy data updating Easy record keeping Backup data can be easily generated Figure 1: General functions of the Hostel Management System (HMS) (Hostel Management System, 2009) Library Management System Library Management System is an enterprise resource planning system for a library, used to track items owned, orders made, bills paid, and patrons who have borrowed. A library Management System has a relational database, software to support the database, and two graphical user interfaces. The system separate software functions into discrete programs which call modules. Example like: Acquisitions ordering, receiving, and invoicing material Cataloging classifying and indexing material Circulation lending materials to patrons and receiving them back Serials tracking magazine and newspaper holding OPAC public interface for users (Wikipedia,2010) Library Management System is small footprint software suitable for personal or individual libraries. It provides many functions to the users the control the flow of the library. Such as : Control the movement of books and other material and avoid loosing the same. Search if you have a specific book in your collection based on the title, author etc. Print the spine labels for the book. Find what a specific person has borrowed from you (Azhar Hussain, 2009) By development of the Library Management System help the librarians to manage the library well. It record clearly the transactions of the books daily of the library. These make the insurance of the book become higher. It is not easier to happen lost of books in the library anymore. E-library is also a part of the Library Management System. E-library system is a type of service which allows the users without stepping into the library, to read the books and conduct research at home, in the office, or at school, using the Internet. Service which enables users to effectively employ electronic data by using an in-library network .This is a new library service that applies rapidly advancing data processing technology and networking technology, and it is expected to become a highly convenient, epoch-making mode of service. (National Diet Library, 2010) E-library performs well. It features such as: Member features Search system which allows the users to search the book by typing the key words or author of the book. Book features Category management which allows librarians to add, modify, and remove categories form library resources database. Book borrow Return Check in features Booking management which allows the users to reserve library resources item. Report features Book borrow / return Analysis Report which view information about the real time analysis report. Miscellaneous Site Information which provide a simple site map and let people easy to access. (E-library system,2008) By the development of the E-library system, it provides both convenience between users and librarians. Users can check the book online by not stepping into the library. Users can also booking the book online. These save the time for the users. For librarians, it is easy to manage the category of the book and control the movement of the books. It brings the librarians an easy work. Figures 2 General function of the Library Management System (Library Management System, 2009) Analysis of the Company INTI International University Accommodation Office System: Hostel Management System (HMS) University background, history nature of business INTI International University (IIU) is an education institution that has been rapidly improving for the past few years. As the fast increasing student numbers, therefore, to accommodate part of the students studying in the institution, the INTI International University has had to build up more hostels in the campus. INTI International University, Nilai campus got 16 Halls of Residence named after great men who have contributed to the well-being of mankind. All these hostels at present are manage by the accommodation office. Internet connection, Wi-Fi, Resident Fellow, security, facilities and convenient stores are some of the facilities provided for the convenient of the students. Coin-operated washing machines and dryers are also available is every hall of residents. The INTI hostels have provided many kinds of room such as Single, Twin-sharing, Single with air-con and Twin with air-con. (New INTI, 2009) As is well known, the education institutions are rapidly increasing for the past few years. Therefore, it leads to mushrooming of hostels for the residence of the students who study in these institutions. As the world keep changing with the fast developed information system and information technology, there is a need for the education institutions to apply the information system and information technology in their daily work to improve the workflows and reduce workloads. Hence, there is system appears in managing hostels to avoid the problem when do it manually. System Development The Accommodation Office currently uses the system which is called Hostel Management System (HMS). This system is software that is being developed to help officers who work in accommodation office in managing various kinds of activities in the hostels. Hostel Management System (HMS) is one of the modules of the Total Campus Management System (TCMS). Unlike the Integrated Library Management Utility (ILMU), HMS is only a module. ILMU is a unique system that management the whole library which is same as the TCMS. TCMS is comprehensive workflow management systems that integrate and manage all key function of work progress. It increases the productivity with real time communication between the front office, administrators, and management. It consist reporting, accounting, financing, examination grade, etc. Hostel Module Hostel management module has features of efficiently and effectively managing the entire residential facility in the institute. It has reducing the staff paper works and improved workflows. This hostel module will keep the updated records of students, lodging, transfer room and other facilities. Hostel Management System (HMS) is a system which helps in managing various activities in the hostel. According to Miss Azlinda Binti Alias (Officer Accommodation Office), the previous system used in INTI is called Room Master. The older systems (Room Master) only perform three single functions for the hostel. That is check-out, check-in and booking. It didnt help the staff very much in the hostel. Many works that also need to do manually by the staff. It required more strength and strain of manual labor needed. For example, the staffs need to go to the finance office to get the list of students who enroll for the semester in order to do the check-in for them. It is because of lacking of data-sharing and availability between finance office and accommodation office. In the previous system, staffs in accommodation office need to record all kind of transactions and processes manually which involves more man power. There are many paper works and duplicate task in data entry. It is difficu lt to handle and store the data. Besides, there is also difficult to update the data while there is always got students move in and move out every semester. With the help of computerized information system, it can reduce the human errors. With the new system, it brings many conveniences to the staff. Thus, it has improving their efficiency and productivity in works. As the mention in above, Hostel Management System (HMS) is a sub module of the Total Campus Management System (TCMS). TCMS has improved communication and data-sharing between the departments in a collaborative environment. There is a link between HMS and TCMS which enable the staff in Accommodation office can access the information needed from the finance office. Yet, TCMS also control the access to data and information based on user roles which means that there is a control over information each user can view or edit. Staffs do not need like before do their work manually. Hostel Management System has helped the accommodation office in saving the human resource as compared to the previous system (Room Master). All the edited information or updated information will show in the HMS immediately. HMS has provides the best service to the accommodation office in managing daily workflows. Through the implementation of Hostel Management System, it has replacing manual system where it able the staff to complete the work more efficient and effectively. The system has helped in managing any problem occurring within the hostel accommodation and avoiding any problem when keying in the detail manually. Therefore, through the usage of this system, they can easily manage the room details, student records, room vacancy details, mess bill calculation, mess expenditure, allocation of room and hostel attendances. Besides, repetition can be easily avoided. It also has reduced that data redundancy and any inconsistency of data. The accommodation office uses Hostel Management System to key in all the details of the students who are staying in the hostels. This system is mainly used to do room bookings, check in and check out of the students and also the payment for the accommodation. Reports in regard to the room allocation, room availability, student transfer and evacuation are provided too. System Functions: Hostel Management System (HMS) has several functions which enable the staffs from accommodation office such as allocate students to the different hostels, reserve the room for the students, control status of rental payment and edit the details of the students modify the student records. Allocating students to the hostels The officers must check the details in an application form of the students and verify it from database to match the application of students. Therefore, when the students are eligible then they are allocated to the hostel. The officers will also allocate the room according the requirements of the students as there are different types of rooms are available. Vacating the room As the students have completed their course In INTI, they will be graduated and vacant their rooms. When the students vacant their room, the officer needs to check whether the room facilities have missing or broken down. If all facilities are completed, accommodation office will return the deposits to the students. Thus, the officers in accommodation office will have to remove the particular student details and records from the student database. This is to ensure there will not be the problem exists when the existing residents records coincide with previous residents. Control status of rental payment Every student who stays in the hostel has to make a rental payment every semester. The rental payment varies by the types of room available. As the students who need to book the rooms every semester, they need to pass up a form and get the invoice from the accommodation office. The officers need to key in details of the students as well as type of room that the student want, the system will eventually know how much the students has to pay for that particular semester for their chosen room. Lastly, the officer needs to process it and print out the invoice for the students to make their payments at the Finance Office. There is a link between the system of Finance Office and Hostel Management System. Besides, officers are also able to check any outstanding payments which have not been made by the students through the processing of the system. Editing the details of the student and modifying the students records As there are new students move into the hostels, they need to register themselves as a residents of the hostels. The officers need to key in the details of the new students who want to move in into the database. Therefore, the officers have to edit the details of the students and modify the student records to ensure the data is updated. Besides, this system also enable staffs of accommodation office to check whether the student have done their room booking or rental payments, it can also check whether if the students are staying in the hostels or not, and it can retrieve records of where the students have stayed before. Maintenance Maintenance of the Hostel Management System (HMS) will only do when the system facing the problem. The systems no need to have a check annually or quarterly. According to the officer of the Accommodation Office Azlinda Binti Alias, she says the system is not facing any serious problem until now. Regardless to the update, the system will have update when the Hostel Management System (HMS) doesnt meet the requirement of the Total Campus Management System (TCMS). In this point, Information System Office (INSO) Information Technology Centre (INTC) which is from the INTI International University departments will handle this update. The staff of the Accommodation Office only is the end user of the system. They dun know about the technical problem of the system. The entire problem will pass to INSO INTC to handle. Problem that Hostel Management System(HMS) having Future Plan There is a problem that Hostel Management System (HMS) is having. From the interview, we know that when the Total Campus Management System (TCMS) is giving a huge amount of staff is using, HMS will be affected. Example like, when the TCMS is jamming because of many people is using its, HMS cant send or received the information from the TCMS. The staffs have to wait the TCMS recover only they can do their works. Future plan of the Accommodation Office is to create an E-service for the residents of the hostel. The E-services will provide residents an on-line booking room functions. Residents do not need like before do their room booking manually. But due to some problem they are considering, the panning is still waiting to approve. The problem they are considering have many, one of them is they are considering that now a day residents computer skill is very good. They finding a good security for the E-services to provide the system will be hack by the residents. INTI International University Library System: Integrated Management System Utility (ILMU) University background, history nature of business Tan Sri Abdul Majid Library was established in April 1998 with the opening of the INTI International University, Nilai campus. It has grown and developed over the years and now is located at the universitys new wing known as the Learning Resource Center. The Library serves a growing academic community, at present some of 6,000 members, who are mainly staff and students of INTI International University. The Library currently has a collection of approximately 90,000 items comprising of materials in various formats such as monographs, serials and multimedia. The INTI International University Library, standing as the heart of the campus, will continue to develop into a dynamic resource center by providing the intellectual needs for its academic community. (TSAM Library, 2009) Libraries have traditionally played a role of physical store or housing print materials. The accessibility of the web has seen shift the position of library. Records describing local print materials now sit side by side with records providing links to external web resources. Nowadays, the world keep changing with fast developed technologies, people are more easily to access information online. The scope of what a library system describes has broadened in a way with exceeding the expectations of its digitally-literate end-users. Libraries are constrained in the amount of investment they can make on new systems. The role and function of the library are changing and developing, especially in relation to the provision for collection and circulation, resource discovery, ownership and control, and access to resources. Enhancing usability and accessibility for an increasingly diverse user community is important for library. It demonstrates clearly that how the growth of system developments to deal with the changes of electronic information and its impact on information. System Development The INTI library currently uses the system that is calling Integrated Library Management Utility (ILMU). This system helps library in managing daily operation that has reduced librarians daily workloads. Before applying ILMU, all works and processes were done by manually which is wasting times and resources. According to Puan Hafsah Zainuddin( Chief Library), during that time, INTI is small institution, the capital is no enough, people who work in library had to record purchasing, collection, borrowing, returning matter by manually and key into system which is wasting time and inconveniently. It causes the problem of when managing data which is massive as u can image with thousands collection which need to be done manually. There is also causing the existence of human error which we cannot avoid but we also cannot say that with the use of system this problem can be solved. There is why library investing in Integrated Library Management System Utility (ILMU) which has helped in reducing workflow and improve efficiency and providing convenience to both librarians and users of it. It record clearly the transactions of the books daily of the library. The Integrated Library Management Utility (ILMU) is a kind of Library Management System with the characteristic of having a relational database, software to support the database, and two graphical user interfaces. Its key value to library is its ability to offer a catalogue and to manage workflows. It is also seen as the most cost effective way to handle infrastructure tasks such as acquisitions, cataloguing and circulation. ILMU have developed in association to technical advances and user requirements, mainly in developing electronic interfaces, refining standards and access protocols, purchasing and acquisition processes and cataloguing systems. System Functions The system separate software functions into discrete programs which call modules like Circulation Module, Cataloguing Module, Acquisitions Module, Serials Module and Reporting Module. Circulation The Circulation Module enables the library in controlling inventory, managing patron information, payments, and circulation transactions (borrowing and returning). The module has a feature that user-friendly structure that includes customizable menus and mnemonic keys for quick access to frequently used functions. Cataloguing The Cataloguing Module has a feature that a graphical text editor, classifying and indexing material, bibliographic file management en powerful tools to handle bibliographic descriptions. In the modules data dictionary, the library can also define other formats in order to provide access to multiple databases. Acquisitions The Acquisitions Module enables the library to fully manage the ordering process with completely integrated with the other V-smart modules. The Acquisitions Module has a characteristic of broad fund management and control functionalities, flexible print options, multiple order types, receiving and invoicing materials. Serials The Serials Module is linked directly to the Acquisitions Module for the library to manage all financial aspects of serials orders and subscriptions (journals, newspapers, bulletin and magazine). The Serials Module is use to monitor monthly transactions- the flow of journals, payments and record. Yet, there is a little of serials in library because of the availability of journals online that can help INTI library to save the cost of buying it. Reporting The Reporting Module can generate the standard reports and flexible output options. The library can directly obtain system information such as collection details and financial data. The reports such like number of hold placed, number of hold filled, bibliographic records with holds, items-level holds, missing items, the volume of material in a given library at any point in time, based on new acquisitions, items on the shelf, and items out in circulation, with the ability to break down volume in categories. E-Services Support Systems E-Services Support Systems provides users check and access information about the collection themselves easily and conveniently with electronic information environment .via the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) also available in the library for users to search for any library items on the shelves which has reduced the work of librarians that have to deal with the inquiries of books by students. Renewal and reservation can be made online through OPAC/Web OPAC and at the circulation counter. Diagram shows that the module of the Integrated Library Utility System (ILMU) . INTI University Library follows the Library of Congress system of Classification. The classification is as follows: Class Letter Main Class A General Works B Philosophy, Religion, Psychology C Auxiliary Sciences of History D History (General) and History of Europe EF History: America G Geography, Anthropology, Recreation H Social Sciences J Political Sciences K Law L Education M Music and Books on Music N Fine Arts P Language and Literature Q Science R Medicine S Agriculture T Technology U Military Science V Naval science Z Bibliography, Library Science, Information Resources (General) Maintainence of The System The maintainence of the library system will do every quartery a year. The maintanence of the system can devided to three stages : 1st stages- Under this stages, the librarians will fixed the system theirselves. They will check the system performance and solve the problem when it happen system error. 2nd stages- At this stages, the problems cant solve by the librarians. They will contact to the company, and the staff of the company will give instuctions to the librarians to solve the problems. 3rd stages- In this stages, the may have a serious problems occur by the system. The staff of the company will come to INTI library and solve the problems. Besides that, the library system also need to updated. The company will help the INTI library update the system. All updated data are free in charge. With the system updated, the company also provide a traning program to the librarians in order to learn how to use the updated system. They will anually send a schedule to the INTI library to inform they when to go for the training. Beside update, the company will also introduce some new module to INTI library. Then the chief of the library will make a decission wheter to buy the module or not. During the interview, the chief have mention that she trying to adopt a new module to the library. The new module functions self-service borrow book. Student can borrow the book through the system without go to the counter. The destination is to reduce the staff worker in the library to reduce the cost. E-library E-library system is the most current system that INTI library is using. The system is only allows in the campus. If the student use this system in their home or outside this campus, they will not able to sign in this pages. The aim is to prevent the public hack into the system. There are no securities in this system. Anyone from outside who get the account of the INTI student would able to log in to the system and borrow the book.The system provide many function which it is all link to the Integrated Library Management Utility system ( ILMU). The development of e-library system bring convience to both the student and librarians. The function of the system is to allow student to check the information of the book that they want. The system link through to the ILMU and will tell them the status of the book that student want to borrow. Student no need waste the time go to the library. It saves a lot of time. Student can also reserve the book that they want to borrow. When student reserve the book. The ILMU system will record the student account and the book that student want to borrow. This will help the e-library to renew the status of the book in the library. Librarians can also post the note on the e-library to inform student that some new books are coming out. Student can through the system to know what new book that they are interest in. Besides that, the librarian will also use the e-mail services to send the list of new book to the students who are seldom check the e-mail. These let the student always updated with the book of the library. However in order to use this system, student has to sign up an account. The sign up fees is RM100. If student forget the password, student can send the e-mail to the e-library system. The librarians who control the system will reset the password of the account and send new password to the student through e-mail or sms.

Relationship Between Construction Industry And Global Warming Environmental Sciences Essay

Relationship Between Construction Industry And Global Warming Environmental Sciences Essay Global warming refers to an average increase in the Earths temperature, which cause change in climate. This phenomenon is mainly caused by human activities which emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). It is believed that the use of non-renewable energy has increased the carbon concentration in the atmosphere and has also increased the Earths temperature. Among all the human activities that emit GHGs, construction industry should held responsibilities too. In a recent publication by Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change, it was indicated that the largest growth in the carbon emissions has come from electricity generation, transport, industry and above all, from building operation (Radhi, 2009). Therefore, is the operation and construction of building emits CO2, not the building itself. Energy required for a building to operate is mainly on heat ing and cooling purposes. In United States (US), a full 30% of CO2 emission is caused by built environment. While in United Kingdom (UK), energy use related to construction industry amounts to around 55% of national energy consumption, which means the industry is also the source of 55% of CO2 emission (Parsa and Farshchi, 1996). In order to reduce carbon emission, constructing a building with energy efficiency or low carbon emission is a trend in nowadays construction industry. To achieve a building with low or even zero carbon emission, the design and equipment used by the building is crucial and must be energy efficient. For example, instead of using artificial lighting, natural lighting is being use for the same purpose while mechanical ventilation is replaced by natural ventilation. Besides, the issue of global warming has had governments concern. Lots of regulations and restrictions have been amends to reduce carbon or GHGs emission. Among all those regulations, Kyoto Protocal is the one most well known. The purpose of Kyoto Protocal is to reduce the emission of GHGs from industrialised countries by 5.2% of the 1990 levels by a commitment period between 2008 2012 (Hill, 2001). On the other hand, the UK Climate Change Bill will commit the UK law to a target of at least a 60% reduction in CO2 emission by 2050. 1.3 Aim To analyse how construction industry could contribute to global warming and what efforts have been made in order to reduce global warming. 1.4 Objectives To study the factors in which construction industry had caused global warming. To determine the role of governments in setting rules and regulations to reduce global warming. To identify efforts that has been done by local construction industry to follow the green footsteps. 1.5 Background Global warming has been a growing global concern in recent years. Global warming could leads to greenhouse effects, climate change, rise in mean sea level, acid rain and depletion in ozone layer (Parsa and Farshchi, 1996). Global warming is caused by emission of anthropogenic greenhouse gases. Among basket of GHGs, CO2 plays the most vital role. Due to the developing of each country, it can be seen that the carbon emission has become more serious. During the 150 years of the industrial age, the atmospheric concentration of CO2 has increased by 31 percent (West, 2009) Carbon emission comes from domestic industry, burning of fossil fuels, transport and many other factors. Among all those sources, burning of fossil fuels or non-renewable energy for electricity generation emits the most carbon dioxide. Besides, CO2 could lead to greenhouse effects as heat from sun and lighting is being trapped in earths atmosphere and causing the rise of temperature in earths surface (Mahwah, 2000). On the other hand, climate change means a change in long term weather pattern. While rise in mean sea level is because of melting of south and north pole ice due to rising temperature. Other than carbon dioxide, release of methane is another factors causes global warming. Over 150 years of industrial age, there has been 151% rise in atmospheric methane level mainly from agricultural activities (West, 2009). Emission of nitrious oxide which is another kind of greenhouse gases also emitted mainly due to various agriculture and industrial process. Besides, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) are also categorised in the basket of greenhouse gases. 1.6 Scope of Study This study will include the definition and cause of global warming, efforts made and role of government in reducing global warming. This study would reveal the awareness of construction industry in global warmings issue and what have been done to reduce it. It is done through observing whether there are increasing numbers of sustainable or green buildings. Besides, since this issue has raised global concern, this study also would show what haven been done by government regard this matter. In order to find out causes of global warming, information would be search online or in library. A case study will be conduct in order to have a further understanding of efforts made to reduce global warming. Zero energy office which is located at Bandar Baru Bangi would be visited and interviewed the relevant personnel. This building is the first completely self-sustainable building in Southeast Asia. The design, equipment and other sustainable items in that building would be studied. Interview wit h the related person should be carrying out if possible to have a deeper understanding on the buildings principal. 1.7 Methodology Stage 1: Literature review This is a stage where a lot of comprehensive review is required to have a broader knowledge about global warming. I will be looking for secondary data source at this stage which is through reading articles or journals from online resources or library. The resources that I am looking forward are mainly on causes of global warming which related to construction industry and rules and regulations set out by government to deal with global warming. Stage 2: Case study In order to have a more in-depth analysis of global warming awareness in construction industry, I will be conducting a case study in Malaysia by searching for energy efficient or low carbon emission building. The building that I found which fit to the requirement is Pusat Tenaga Malaysia located at Bandar Baru Bangi, Kuala Lumpur. I will visit to the building and conduct an interview with the person in charge of the building in order to have a deeper understanding of how it works and its principle. This case study would be used to establish the efforts that have been made to reduce global warming. Stage 3: Evaluation of case study After conducting a case study, I will review and analyse the information and photos collected in the building that I have studied. It is to identify whether the building is really environmentally friendly and is it capable of reducing the impact to environment to minimum. Stage 4: Writing up After doing all the research, understanding and getting enough information, it enables me to writing up the content following the dissertation that I proposed in this stage. Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1 Introduction In this chapter, issues related to causes of global warming and environmental regulations which are related to construction industry are going to be talked about. When someone mention about global warming, many are pointing fingers to construction industry and recent studies have showed that construction industry do held responsibilities. In construction industry, the energy usage to operate building, embodied energy and construction activities are those which held responsibilities in carbon emissions. However, due to global awareness, many countries have come out with solutions to solve this issue and governments play an important role in this matter. In order to reduce carbon emissions, many rules and regulations have been set to ensure that they are complied by designers and contractors. Such rules and regulations are Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change Act 2008, Carbon Reduction Commitment, Display Energy Certificates and others relevant regulations. Regulations set are mandatory for construction parties to follow and hope that it will reduce carbon emissions and save our earth. 2.2 Definition 2.2.1 Global Warming The meaning of global warming as according to Dr. Spencer (2007) shows that global warming: is the expected slow, gradual warming of the lower layers of the Earths lower atmosphere by the slowly increasing concentrations of man-made greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, and to lesser extent methane. These gases trap infrared radiation, which is heat radiation that cools the Earth. 2.2.2 Construction Industry Construction industry can be divided in to three groups which is heavy and civil engineering construction, general construction and specially trades (Economy Watch, 2010). Besides, based on Economy Watch (2010), construction industry brings the meaning of: This industry is mainly an urban based one which is concerned with preparation as well as construction of real estate properties. The repairing of any existing building or making certain alterations in the same also comes under construction industry. 2.3 Causes of Global Warming by Construction Industry 2.3.1 Facts that Construction Industry Caused Global Warming It is undeniable that construction industry should bear responsibilities for causing of global warming. Activities related to building are responsible for 35% to 45% of CO2 releases into the atmosphere. In Australia, 40% of its country energy is used for heating, cooling, building and demolishing of building (Dixon, 2008). Energy that generated to fulfill all the needs emits CO2. Besides, similar conditions occur in UK whereby about 50% of UKs total CO2 emissions have caused by construction, occupation and maintenance of buildings (Gibbs, 2007). On the other hand, buildings in US responsible for about 38% of the carbon emissions which is 39% of USs energy and 68% of its energy (WBDG, 2009). Although it is proven that construction industry is the main contributor to global warming, among the six gases in GHGs, CO2 is the gases that construction industry should held most responsibility. Another GHGs release by construction industry is CFCs and HFCs which were used in refrigeration in w hich every house have a refrigerator. However, one thing that need to be make clear is that not the building itself release GHGs, but the operation of buildings. 2.3.2 Energy Usage by Building During the lifetime of a building, it required a lot of energy in order to operate it and majority of buildings in the whole world are using electricity that is sourced mainly from coal power plants. For example, buildings produce high heat that radiates outside into the air and most buildings did not structured for such high temperature. In order to solve this problem, air-conditioning has been used. The usage of air-conditioning will increase the energy consumption and in the same time the emissions of CO2. During winter, buildings required some heating in order to keep the occupant warm. Besides, in order to make life easier, many appliances have been invented. One of the useful appliances is lighting. Lighting is essential to a modern society. About 5% of energy and 25% of average home electricity is used for lighting. In addition, approximately 60% of electricity is consumed in commercial sector (Energy Conservation, 2010). Therefore, when someone turns on and off a light, they are releasing GHGs (Environment Support, 2008). Other appliances that most of the people use nowadays is water heater, in order to heat water, energy is required to do so. Furthermore, refrigerators that involved heat exchange that consumes a significant amount of electricity each year is another daily used appliances. Another appliance that able to make our lives easier is washer and dryer to do our laundry everyday. Electricity is required for a washing machine to start doing our laundry. It is believed that around 40% of all the carbon emissions come from power plants (Christodoulou, 2010 ). All of our daily activities in a building required usage of energy which generate from power plants especially from coal. Coal releases the most carbon as compared to natural gas and oil power plants. 2.3.3 Embodied Energy By constructing a sustainable building, zero- carbon building and the like, emissions of carbon by building operations have been reduced. However, the embodied energy in the building materials has been neglect. Embodied energy is the energy used to produce building materials such as cement, steel, aluminium and other materials. However, it is not just as simple as that (Lane, 2010). Embodied energy can be meant by the non-renewable energy used in the acquisition of raw materials, processing, manufacturing, transportation to site and construction. Besides, energy used to transport building products to the site also consider as embodied energy (Giampietro, 2009). For example, a concrete block that located nearby the site will contain lower embodied energy that a concrete block from other states. This is because the energy used for transportation of the concrete block is different (Lane, 2010). Moreover, if a building has high energy efficiency or used less energy, its embodied carbon will be increased. The less carbon been released through constructing a building, the bigger percentage that embodied carbon contributes to the total carbon footprint. For example, a distribution warehouse that used less energy for heating and lighting have an embodied carbon of 60% of its total lifetime carbon footprint. Meanwhile, embodied carbon for supermarket which used a lot of energy contains only 20% of embodied carbon and a house has embodied carbon of 30%. Therefore, different type of building will have different embodied carbon. It is believed that by year 2019, embodied carbon will make up 100% of a buildings carbon footprint (Lane, 2010). Table below shows the embodied energy for different types of materials. According to the table 2.1, aluminium has the highest embodied energy in terms of MJ/kg which is 227 and the lowest is aggregate which is 0.10. For embodied energy measure in terms of MJ/m3, the highest amount would be copper which is 631164 and lowest is straw bale with a figure of 31. Table 2.1: Embodied energy in different types of materials Source: (Architecture 2030, 2010) 2.3.4 Construction Activities Other than energy used by building to operate and embodied energy, building or construction industry also emits CO2 in another manner which is by its construction activities. It is believed that the size of construction projects will affects the carbon emissions. Table below shows the relationship between civil values and construction carbons. It shows that the higher the civil value, the higher carbon emissions (United Utilities, 2009). Projects with higher civil value means that it is a big projects and big projects often required a lot of plant machinery such as excavators, tower cranes, forklift and other machineries in order to complete the whole construction projects. Besides, larger size of construction projects means that more waste is generated. In year 2004 in UK, the waste going to landfill from construction industry was about 100 million tonnes which was increased for 30 million tonnes since year 2000. This amount is equivalent to one house being buried when three houses was built. Moreover, wastage account for an extra 25% energy for waste (Natural Building Technologies, 2010). Thus, due to the increase of usage of machineries and wastage, carbon emissions for larger construction projects are higher than smaller size project Table 2.2: Relationship between civil value construction carbon Source: (United Utilities, 2009) In addition, below is a bar chart showing that carbon emissions during each breakdown of projects. Table below was made based on comparisons of ten projects. According to the graph, plant emissions have highest carbon emissions as compare to other activities. This is due to usage of diesel by plant machineries and it release high volume of CO2 (Natural Building Technologies, 2010). On the other hand, concrete industry plays an important role in construction activity since most of the part of a building is built using concrete. However, concrete industry also plays an important role in carbon emissions since the concrete industry is responsible for 5% to 7% of all global carbon emissions. Carbon emissions of concrete occur during the production process of concrete (Dixon, 2008). Table 2.3: Breakdown of project CO2 emissions by source Source: (United Utilities, 2009) 2.4 Environmental Regulations 2.4.1 Kyoto Protocol 2.4.1.1 What is Kyoto Protocol? In regard to reduce carbon emissions, Kyoto Protocol was carried out. Kyoto Protocol was a legally binding agreement agreed by many countries in December 1997 and it came into force with Russias ratification on February 16, 2005. Terms in Kyoto required at least fifty five parties to ratify the agreement and total emissions by the parties need to be at least 55% of global production of greenhouse gases (Bloch, 2010). A group of countries known as United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the founder of Kyoto Protocol and they have set a major goal of decreasing global emissions of six critical greenhouse gases levels that are 5.2 percent below what they were in 1990. The Protocol contains of twenty five articles and two Annexes which is Annex A and Annex B. Annex A contain of identification and sources of greenhouse gases while Annex B refer to lists of industrialized countries which agree to the Protocol (Lerner, 2006). Greenhouse gases which contain under Annex A are CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs and SF6. Meanwhile, countries that fall under Annex B such as European Union (EU), Canada, Japan, Norway, Australia and other countries. Target to be achieved by each country either reduction, increase or maintain is shown in Table 2.4. Countries such as EU, US, Canada, Hungary, Japan, Poland and Croatia need to achieve carbon reductions due to they are developed countries and economically stable to reduce CO2 in their industrial sector. Besides, EU was taking advantage on a scheme known as bubble. Under this scheme, EU countries can redistribute their emissions targets among themselves whereby some may increase their emissions while others reduce their em issions (UNFCCC, 2010). Meanwhile, for countries that are allow to increase their emissions is due to economic reasons. Those are developing countries and reduce in carbon emissions may affect their economic. Country Target (1990** 2008/2012) EU-15 -8% US -7% Canada, Hungary, Japan, Poland -6% Croatia -5% New Zealand, Russian Federation, Ukraine 0 Norway +1% Australia +8% Iceland +10% Table 2.4: Countries included in Annex B to the Kyoto Protocol and their emissions targets Source: (UNFCCC, 2010) 2.4.1.2 Emissions Trading In order for the countries to meet their target emissions, three market-based mechanisms were introduced. The first mechanism was emissions trading which also known as the carbon market. In this mechanism, Assigned Amount Units (AAUs) represents the allowable emissions by countries. Emissions trading that have been set out in Article 17 mention that for countries which have excess emissions units, they can sell the excess units to countries that are over their targets. The reason for this to be called as carbon market is because carbon is like any other commodity which can be tracked and traded (UNFCCC, 2010). The prices and quantities to be sold will be agreed upon the parties. However, penalties for exceeding the assigned amounts, expected costs required for cleaner technologies investments and amount of carbon emissions available for trading will be the factors that affect the price (Hill, 2001). 2.4.1.3 Joint Implementation (JI) JI that have mentioned in Article 6 explains that a party of Annex B may invest in an emission-reduction project of another Annex B party. This offers a party to earn emission reduction units (ERUs) (UNFCCC, 2010). Therefore, Grubb (Hill, 2001) states that JI enables a party to fulfill their Kyoto commitments by locating investments which can obtain most effective savings while another party able to contribute resources such as technological expertise or manpower. Moreover, the project at which a party is going to have a JI with must obtain approval from both the parties involved. Besides, the JI project must be able to reduce emissions or enhancement of removals by sinks. Projects that start from year 2000 may be eligible as JI projects as long as all the requirements have been fulfilled (UNFCCC, 2010). 2.4.1.4 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Article 12 of Kyoto Protocol is stated about CDM. It is a mechanism which allows a country to establish an emission-reduction project in non-Annex countries which are developing countries (UNFCCC, 2010). The savings in emissions which been obtained can be allocate to the Annex B countries and saleable certified emission reduction (CER) credits which equal to one tone of CO2 can be earned. According to UNFCCC, CDM is seen by many as a trailblazer. It is the first global, environmental investment and credit scheme of its kind, providing a standardized emission offset instrument, CERs. Furthermore, an example of a project that has been registered as a CDM project is the Biomass Energy Plant Lumut in Malaysia (Selamat and Abidin,2010) 2.4.2 Part L of Building Regulations 2.4.2.1 Building Regulations Building Regulations are statutory instruments that applied to building works in England and Wales (Planning Portal, 2010). According to Planning Portal, the purpose of Building Regulations is to set standards for design and construction of buildings to ensure safety and health for people in or about those buildings. Besides, there are fourteen parts which include in the Building Regulations. All the parts are in relation to the building design and construction. All the parts in Building Regulations are shown as below: Part A Structure Part B Fire safety Part C Site preparation and resistance to moisture Part D Toxic substances Part E Resistance to the passage of sound Part F Ventilation Part G Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency Part H Drainage and waste disposal Part J Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems Part K Protection from falling, collision and impact Part L Conservation of fuel and power Part M Access to and use of buildings Part N Glazing safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning Part P Electrical safety 2.4.2.2 Part L Conservation of Fuel and Power Part L of Building Regulations is mainly focus on conservation of fuel and power in relation to the issue of carbon emissions. In year 2010, Part L has been revised and the revised version has been published on 30 April 2010. Starting from October 2010, four new approved documents and two compliance guides will be replacing the current versions. After the amendment in this year, the amendments to new dwellings in 2013 will lead to zero carbon in dwellings by 2016 (Cullen, 2010). Under Part L, it has been split into four sections which are sections for new dwellings, existing dwellings, new buildings other than dwellings and existing buildings other than dwellings (Planning Portal, 2010). In this revised Part L, carbon reduction for 25% is applied to dwellings while reductions depend on type of buildings will varies from 16% 40%. Examples for carbon emissions for types of buildings other than dwellings are 16% for hotel, 21% for retail, 22% for shallow-plan building (heated), 26% for supermarkets and deep-plan office (air-conditioned), 27% for school, 36% for warehouse and 40% for shallow-plan office (air-conditioned). Moreover, a design stage carbon dioxide emission rate and building specification is required to be carried out by the regulations to designers. The purpose of doing these is to help building control to understand the compliance strategy (Lane, 2010). On the other hand, Accredited Construction Details (ACD) is encouraged to be used for reduction of thermal bridging in dwellings (Cullen, 2010). If the ACD is not been used, 25% shall be added to the calculated values. Besides, the maximum allowable value for air permeability is 10.0 at completion of the dwelling. In order to meet with the requirement, the design for air permeability must be at most 8.0. However, for small developments, a value of 15.0 is still applicable. Since lightings are a significant component of carbon emissions, therefore for lighting requirements, minimum 75% of light fittings must be of low energy. If the remaining 25% are also low energy light fittings, it will contribute towards meeting the Target Emission Rate (TER) target (Hughes, 2010). U-Value shows how well heat transfer through a building element. The lower U-Value is, the rate of heat flowing through building elements slower (Broxwood, 2008). Therefore in Part L 2010, the limitations for U-value in building elements have decreased as shown in the table 2.5. The U-Value of elements for Part L 2010 have changed because this revised Part L is emphasis on reducing heat loss through party walls, improve thermal bridging and to have a better system efficiency improvements (Hughes, 2010). Table 2.5: New limiting U-Values including for party walls Source: (Hughes, 2010) 2.4.3 Climate Change Act 2008 Climate Change Act 2008 was an Act enforced by UK in regard of climate change. UK was the first country in the world to have a legally binding long-term framework to tackle with issue of global warming or climate change by reducing carbon emissions. Climate Change Act 2008 was that legally binding framework (Defra, 2010). The objectives of setting out such Act are to improve carbon management and create a low-carbon economy in UK and to show UKs leadership internationally (Department of Energy Climate Change, 2010). In order to implement and act as part of this Act, Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has been set up as an independent body. The CCC has recommended that the reduction targets for year 2050 targets should be raised from 60%. Therefore, according to the Act, at least 80% of reduction is required by year 2050 as compared to year 1990 levels (Committee on Climate Change, 2010). However, a reduction in emissions of at least 34% by year 2020 also needs to be achieved. On the other hand, several approach of managing and responding of climate change in UK have been created. Such approaches are: setting ambitious, legally binding targets, taking powers to help meet those targets, strengthening the institutional framework, enhancing the UKs ability to adapt impact of climate change and establishing clear and regular accountability to the UK Parliament and to the developed legislatures. (Department of Energy Climate Change, 2010) 2.4.3.1 Requirements under the Act Besides, carbon budget needs to be prepared in every five years starting from year 2008 -2012. Part 1 for Climate Change Act 2008 states that the carbon budget for budgetary period until year 2020 must at least 26% lower than level in year 1990 and for budgetary period until year 2050, carbon budget must at least 80% lower than year 1990s level. The purpose of having the carbon budget is to make sure that they are on the right track towards 2050 targets. Furthermore, risk assessment and plans to tackle with those risks needs to be carry out by public bodies and statutory as required by governments which obtain powers from the Act. On 30 September 2009, guidance been published by Defra for UK businesses and organizations in regard of ways to measure and report of their GHG emissions. After that on 1 October 2009, guidance has been issued by the government in regard of how companies should report on their GHG emissions. Then by 1 December 2010, contribution reporting that could lead to emissions reductions shall be review. Moreover, Companies Act 2008 could be applied by the governments for the purpose of making mandatory report or explanation on reasons of unfulfilling by 6 April 2012 (Department of Energy Climate Change, 2010). Although emissions of CO2 is using year 1990 as a baseline, not all other GHG use the same baseline. Table 2.6 shows the base year for other GHG emissions. Gas Base year methane 1990 nitrous oxide 1990 hydrofluorocarbons 1995 perfluorocarbons 1995 sulphur hexafluoride 1995 Table 2.6: Base years for targeted greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide Source: (Climate Change Act, 2008) 2.4.4 Agenda 21 2.4.4.1 What is Agenda 21? Due to global awareness, Agenda 21 was established at year 1992 by United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil which contain of four sections. It is a plan for having sustainable development in 21st century. Governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), industry and general public are encouraged to get involved. Besides, Agenda 21 also plays as a commitment that was agreed by many governments in the world. International Commission on sustainable Development will be monitored on countries that have pledged to take part in Agenda 21. Furthermore, those countries are also being encouraged to promote Agenda 21 at local and regional levels within their own countries. Agenda 21 is focusing on the conservation and preservation of environments and natural resources (Encyclopedia of the Atmospheric Environment, 2000). It has become an outline to tackle with nowadays environmental issues such as poverty and excessive consumptions, pollutions , deforestation and others. 2.4.4.2 Local Agenda 21 in Hammersmith and Fulham Local Agenda 21 (LA21) is a plan established by local authority following the objective of Agenda 21 which is sustainable development (Srinivas, 2010). For LA21 in Hammersmith and Fulham, the main concerns are on recycling or waste management, air quality of transport, sustainable economy, health or disability, biodiversity and the river thames or waterways. The main objective for Hammersmith and Fulham to adopt LA21 is to create a more sustainable lifestyle and to ensure the benefits of future generations would not be endanger by our decisions today. Besides, LA21 offers alternatives to solve against wrong ways of doing things nowadays such as throwing away piles of rubbish, wastage of resources, polluting air and others (Hammersmith and Fulham, 2005). On the other hand, LA21 in Hammersmith and Fulham have six key elements which are: To supervise and enhance the local authoritys own environmental performance. It can be done through assurance by corporate, training of staff and raised awareness, a system to manage environment and the like. To integrate sustainable development aims into local authoritys policies and activities such as planning of land use, development

Free Essays - Amazing Grace :: Amazing Grace Essays

Within the next few pages here I intend to address two issues. First I will try to give a personal review of what I saw this book to hold, and second I will try explain the revelence which this book has to the field of Public Administration.   First try to picture children in a slum where the squalor in their homes is just as bad as that which is in the streets. Where prostitution is rampant, thievery a common place and murder and death a daily occurrence. Crack-cocaine and heroin are sold in corner markets, and the dead eyes of men and women wandering about aimlessly in the streets of Mott Haven are all to common., Their bodies riddled with disease, disease which seems to control the neighborhood. This is Mott Haven, in New York City's South Bronx, the outback of this American nation's poorest congressional district, also the setting of Jonathan Kozol's disturbing representation of poverty in this country.   The stories, which are captured Amazing Grace, are told in the simplest terms. They are told by children who have seen their parents die of AIDS and other disease, by mothers who complain about teenagers bagging dope and loading guns on fire escapes, by clergy who teach the poor to fight injustice and by police who are afraid to answer 911 calls.   Kozol seems to be disparage about the situation of the poor in American today, especially when more and more the poor are blamed for being poor. Kozol’s portrait of life   in Mott Haven is gentle and passionate.   Even though rats may chew through apartment walls in the homes of Mott Haven, the children still say their prayers at night. What seems to bother Kozol is that many people do not even want to look at this picture of America, but in Amazing Grace he dares us to recognize it does exist. Kozol spent a year wandering through Mott Haven and its neighboring communities; visiting churches, schools, hospitals, parks, and homes. Talking with parents and kids, social   workers, religious leaders, and principals and teachers; struggling to try to understand how these children and parents cope with poverty and violence. Kozol trys to determine how their fellow citizens can tolerate, even demand policies that guarantee misery and death for those living a few subway stops north of glitzy midtown Manhattan. Perhaps nothing can halt the tides of social policy where citizens of this nation are allowed to live in such conditions. If on the other hand anything can, it may be Kozol's forecasting visions and the openness and humanity of the remarkable people whose

Long Island Nuclear :: essays papers

Long Island Nuclear The question of whether Long Island should have nuclear power plants is controversial. There are two sides that can be taken; however, both sides have their own share of problems. If we were to chose not to have nuclear plants, then eventually all natural resources will run out. Oil supplies as of right now will run out in two hundred years. But that is if we keep on using the same amount of oil that is consumed today. Our use of oil is certainly not being diminished; in fact each year the amount of oil used goes up. So oil supplies probably won’t even last that long. The natural resources that we use now are still harmful to the earth. The gasoline that we use to run our cars pollutes the air, and considering the amount of cars that are driven each day on the expressway. That is a lot of barrels of oil. However, if Long Island decided to use nuclear energy, then there is a great danger of toxic waste invading our drinking water, and also the chance of a spill similar to Chernobyl or Three Mile Island. As we saw with Chernobyl there is great danger when using nuclear energy. If this were to happen on Long Island the risk of mortality would be even worse. There is no place on Long Island that is a good spot with no inhabitance. On Long Island there would be no escape, the roads simply would not support that amount of traffic. These are the fears of Long Islanders. Which brings us to another question. What did Long Islanders know about the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant? LILCO (long island lighting company) first announced its plan to build a nuclear power plant in 1965. They bought 455-acres in Shoreham, Wading River, and started construction in 1968. (pg 16 Aron) The plant was engineered and built by Stone & Webster Engineering Corp. They have helped ten prior electric companies, to build nuclear plants before 1985. Long Islanders at first were for having cheap energy, and did not disagree with the construction. But as time past and politics changed. The views towards nuclear power in the mid 1980s changed on Long Island. Shoreham power plant, which help to lower taxes and employed many local people. Now LILCO was getting negative press every other day. It was not what was going on at Shoreham but rather the rest of the world.

Life on Mars as a human :: essays research papers

"PLANET MARS, POPULATION 13,000", says the sign at the entrance of Mars, a "blink-and-you'll-miss-it" dot on the map of the solar system. It's a perfect story book planet: only six sets of traffic lights for our hover cars, a main street where you can say hello to any of the friendly, talkative beings nearby, lots of blazing rocks and a beautiful big canyon with an over-looking red sky. One thing a person from the planet would notice instantly, aside from the abundance of red rock and my planet's obsession with leaning buildings, is the fact that people of different races, other than green, stand out like flashing lights in a dark sky. See, the thing with Mars is the percentage of green beings is roughly 95 per cent. Don't get me wrong; in principle, there's nothing wrong with that. I'm just stating the facts. Given that my mother is Human and my father is from Uranus, however, I really stood out in Mars. For someone so physically and culturally distinctive, you may think that a small planet would be terrible to live in. But, for me, the experience was the total opposite. I never acknowledged my racial difference because no one else did. The only times I felt slightly out of place or uncomfortable was during discussions about different cultures at school. I'd always have this feeling that everyone was thinking about me and looking at me, wondering if I lived like the people we were discussing or not. To make myself feel better, I just thought of it as flattery. As their only real life subject, they could feel free to ask me questions. In my experience, being a minority is only a negative thing if you allow it to be. I didn't try to be someone I wasn't, so my race never did matter. Many people have blamed a lot of their problems on racism, stereotypes, and discrimination. Unfortunately, there are times when that is the reason. In some cases, however, people make it into a reason. They become so obsessed with the thought that anyone who is 'this' or 'that' is the problem. I have three words for them, just drop it. Stop making more problems, we already have enough. Sometimes the solar system would be better off colour blind. At times, I have been called an ‘apple,' green on the outside and white on the inside.

Disaster Management Cycle

Disaster Preparedness and Management Assignment No. 1 [pic] Submitted to: Sir Muhammad Akmal Khan Submitted by: Tayyab Hasnain Janjua Reg # 14DD-410004 D. DRM Second Quarter Fall 2010 Disaster Management Cycle Disaster Risk Management includes sum total of all activities, programmes and measures which can be taken up before, during and after a disaster with the purpose to avoid a disaster, reduce its impact or recover from its losses. The three key stages of activities that are taken up within disaster risk management are as follows [pic] INITIATIVES TAKEN [pic] Figure 1. Three phases of disaster management cycle 1. Pre Disaster Phase Before a disaster (pre-disaster). Pre-disaster activities those which are taken to reduce human and property losses caused by a potential hazard. For example, carrying out awareness campaigns, strengthening the existing weak structures, preparation of the disaster management plans at household and community level, etc. Such risk reduction measures taken under this stage are termed as mitigation and preparedness activities. 2. During disaster Phase During a disaster (disaster occurrence). These include initiatives taken to ensure that the needs and provisions of victims are met and suffering is minimized. Activities taken under this stage are called emergency response activities. 3. Post disaster Phase After a disaster (post-disaster). There are initiatives taken in response to a disaster with a purpose to achieve early recovery and rehabilitation of affected communities, immediately after a disaster strikes. These are called as response and recovery activities. Explanation The Disaster risk management cycle diagram (DRMC) highlights the range of initiatives which normally occur during both the Emergency response and Recovery stages of a disaster. Some of these cut across both stages (such things as coordination and the provision of ongoing assistance); whilst other activities are unique to each stage (e. g. Early Warning and Evacuation during Emergency Response; and Reconstruction and Economic and 48 Social Recovery as part of Recovery). The DRMC also highlights the role of the media, where there is a strong relationship between this and funding opportunities. This diagram works best for relatively sudden-onset disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, bushfires, tsunamis, cyclones etc, but is less reflective of slow-onset disasters, such as drought, where there is no obviously recognizable single event which triggers the movement into the Emergency Response stage. According to Warfield (2008) disaster management aims to reduce, or avoid the potential losses from hazards, assure prompt and appropriate assistance to victims of disaster, and achieve rapid and effective recovery. The disaster management cycle illustrates the ongoing process by which governments, businesses, and civil society plan for and reduce the impact of disasters, react during and immediately following a disaster, and take steps to recover after a disaster has occurred. Appropriate actions at all points in the cycle lead to greater preparedness, better warnings, reduced vulnerability or the prevention of disasters during the next iteration of the cycle. The complete disaster management cycle includes the shaping of public policies and plans that either modify the causes of disasters or mitigate their effects on people, property, and infrastructure. The mitigation and preparedness phases occur as disaster management improvements are made in anticipation of a disaster event. Developmental considerations play a key role in contributing to the mitigation and preparation of a community to effectively confront a disaster. As a disaster occurs, disaster management actors, in particular humanitarian organizations become involved in the immediate response and long-term recovery phases. The four disaster management phases illustrated here do not always, or even generally, occur in isolation or in this precise order. Often phases of the cycle overlap and the length of each phase greatly depends on the severity of the disaster. ? Mitigation – Minimizing the effects of disaster. Examples: building codes and zoning; vulnerability analyses; public education. ? Preparedness – Planning how to respond. Examples: preparedness plans; emergency exercises/training; warning systems. ? Response – Efforts to minimize the hazards created by a disaster. Examples: search and rescue; emergency relief. ? Recovery – Returning the community to normal. Examples: temporary housing; grants; medical care. To analyze the scope of disaster management in the revised context, it should be studied the cycle of the phenomenon (Figure 2). Disasters are as old as human history but the dramatic increase and the damage caused by them in the recent past have become a cause of national and international concern. Over the past decade, the number of natural and manmade disasters has climbed inexorably. From 1994 to 1998, reported disasters average was 428 per year but from 1999 to 2003, this figure went up to an average of 707 disaster events per year. Figure 3 presents the deadliest disasters of the decade (1992-2001). Figure 3. Reported Deaths from all Disasters: World Scenario (1992-2001) Drought and famine have proved to be the deadliest disasters globally (45%), followed by floods (16%), technological disaster (14%), earthquake (12%), windstorm (10%), extreme temperature and others (3%). Global economic loss related to disaster events average around US $880 billion per year (CBSE, 2006). Conclusions There has been a dramatic increase in disasters and the damages caused by them in the recent past. Over the past decade, the number of natural and manmade disasters has climbed inexorably. Accordingly to the statistics, the number of disasters per year increased with 60% in the period 1999-2001 in comparison with the previous period, 1994 -1998. The highest increase was in the countries of low human development, which registered an increase of 142%. In these countries, the responsible institutions should play an important role but, in general, the disaster management policy responses are influenced by methods and tools for cost-effective and sustainable interventions. There are no long-term, inclusive and coherent institutional arrangements to address disaster issues with a long term vision. Disasters are viewed in isolation from the processes of mainstream development and poverty alleviation planning. For example, disaster management, development planning and environmental management institutions operate in isolation and integrated planning between these sectors is almost lacking. Absence of a central authority for integrated disaster management and lack of coordination within and between disaster related organizations is responsible for effective and efficient disaster management. State-level disaster preparedness and mitigation measures are heavily tilted towards structural aspects and undermine nonstructural elements such as the knowledge and capacities of local people, and the related livelihood protection issues. In conclusion, with a greater capacity of the individual/community and environment to face the disasters, the impact of a hazard would be reduced. ———————– DURING 2