The Borneo Rainforest

The Borneo Rainforest is located in Borneo which is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia. The Rainforest is 130 million years old, which makes it the oldest rainforest in the world. The Borneo rainforest is one of the only remaining natural habitats for the endangered Bornean Orangutan. It is an important refuge for many endemic forest species, including the Asian Elephant, the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the Bornean Clouded Leopard, the Hose's Civet and the Dayak Fruit Bat.The Borneo lowland rain forests cover most of the island, with an area of 427,500 square kilometers. The Borneo mountain rainforests lie in the central highlands of the island, above the 1,000 meters elevation. There are species of birds found in the forest and 13 mammals. Tourism is also a popular thing in the Rainforest, with resorts and tours available. In the 1980s and 1990s Borneo underwent a remarkable transition. Its fore sts were levelled at a rate unparalleled in human history.Borneo's rainforests went to industrialized countries like Japan and the United States in the form of garden furniture, paper pulp and chopsticks. Initially most of the timber was taken from the Malaysian part of the island in the northern states of Sabah and Sarawak. Later forests in the southern part of Borneo, an area belonging to Indonesia and known as Kalimantan, became the primary source for tropical timber. Today the forests of Borneo are but a shadow of those of legend and those that remain are highly threatened by the emerging biofuels market, specifically, oil palm.Oil palm is the most productive oil seed in the world. A single hectare of oil palm may yield 5,000 kilograms of crude oil, or nearly 6,000 liters of crude, making the crop remarkably profitable when grown in large plantations, one study that looked at 10,000 hectare-plantations suggests an internal rate of return of 26 percent annually. As such, vast swa thes of land are being converted for oil palm plantations. Oil palm cultivation has expanded in Indonesia from 600,000 hectares in 1985 to more than 6 million hectares by early 2007, and was expected to reach 10 million hectares by 2010.Despite this outlook, there has recently been some positive conservation news out of Borneo. In February 2007, the governments of Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia agreed to protect roughly 220,000 square kilometers of tropical forest in the so-called â€Å"Heart of Borneo†. Environmental group WWF was particularly active in the establishment of the protected area. WWF says there are four big threats to Borneo's forests: land conversion, illegal logging, poor forest management, and forest fires.It adds that large-scale industrial projects (roads, and hydroelectric projects like the Bakun dam) and hunting are also threats, but to a lesser degree. A further issue is the climate of corruption, which permeates virtually all levels of government in K alimantan. Forestry decisions are now made at the district level, where officials are said to be sometimes easily swayed by money. A strategically gifted motorbike can often win influence at the village level. A fundamental problem is that development in Borneo is driven by extractive industries at present there are few economic alternatives.These industries are rarely sustainable, especially when little is invested in long-term management of resources. The causes of deforestation in Borneo are not complex; the solutions are. After large-scale deforestation in the lowlands and the importation of millions of people through poorly-executed transmigration programs, there are few economic options in most of Borneo. Having lost jobs in the forestry sector, many villages are faced with having to decide whether to give up the remaining forest for oil palm or continue with subsistence living.Oil palm plantations certainly offer economic potential, especially when they are planted on already deforested and degraded lands, but it makes little sense to establish them on increasingly scare areas of natural forest. Social safeguards are also required to ensure labour abuse and sharecropping schemes are avoided. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is one initiative working on equitable and sustainable palm oil production. Conservation is also an urgent priority in Borneo, especially in biologically diverse regions that have so far escaped the ravages of intensive logging and fires.The recent â€Å"Heart of Borneo† initiative is a shining example of what's possible. However, it is absolutely critical that once protected areas are established, they are maintained. The history of â€Å"protected areas† in Kalimantan where large percentages of supposedly protected area was logged and distributed for development is disheartening, but now is the time to move beyond this and plan for a future where conserved areas are actually protected and sustainable use of buffer zones is maximized. ——————————————- [ 1 ]. Borneo, 2012, accessed on 12/10/2012 at http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Borneo [ 2 ]. Wildlife of Borneo, 2011, accessed on 12/10/2012 at http://www. mongabay. com/borneo/borneo_wildlife. html [ 3 ]. Borneo forest, 2011, accessed on the 16/10/12 at http://www. google. com. au/url? sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CC8QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww. wired. com%2Fnews%2Fculture%2F0%2C1284%2C62252%2C00. tml&ei=6sl_UMumLvCTiQemroFA&usg=AFQjCNE5UyM5Tg7VfoCUxhW1_RLCwwZwHg&sig2=tOBloXyugLND1LNqqDiz_A [ 4 ]. WWF, 2012, accessed on the 17/10/12 at http://wwf. panda. org/what_we_do/where_we_work/borneo_forests/ [ 5 ]. WWF BORNEO, 2012, accessed on the 17/10/ 2012 http://wwf. panda. org/what_we_do/where_we_work/borneo_forests/ [ 6 ]. WWF, 2012, accessed on the 17/10/12 at http://wwf. panda. org/what_we_do [ 7 ]. Deforestation in Borneo, 2012 , accessed on the 17/10/2012 at http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Deforestation_in_Borneo

Parole in America essays

Parole in America essays Parole defined by the Columbia Encyclopedia is the release from prison of a convict before the expiration of his term on condition that his activities be restricted and that he report regularly to an officer. Which basically means that a convict must meet certain criterias before being let out on parole. Even on parole a convict is still property of the state. A convict must regularly meet with the Parole Board or with an officer to monitor the convicts progress in society and prevent any relapse into crime. Certain restrictions are placed on the convicts such as residence (where the convict lives is very important in preventing a repeat offense), occupation (where the convict is working, is he/she is w9orking regularly, he/she on time.), and the type of associates who he or she hang out with, even who they live with, and who they work with are all very important issues in the parole process. The Government of Canada National Parole Board. Under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act have the power to grant, deny, cancel, terminate or revoke day parole and full parole. They (National Parole Board) have the power to enforce convicts to carry out their full sentences. A Chairperson, who must answer to Parliament, heads the National Parole Board. The Board is comprised of 95 Board members, 45 are full-time and 50 are part time. Also along with the Board members there are 225 employees In 1997 a new parole law toke action here in New Jersey. With this new law an inmate must be released on parole at the time of parole eligibility unless information provided at the Parole hearing would indicate that the convict would return to a life of crime. If the Parole Board denies parole to the convict they must state the reasons for coming to their decision. The Connecticut parole law is much more complex than the p ...

Environmental Determinism and Possibilism Essays

Environmental Determinism and Possibilism Essays Environmental Determinism and Possibilism Paper Environmental Determinism and Possibilism Paper These two ideas can be almost as conflict-ridden as Creationism and Evolution, with both sides of the fight drawing lines in the sand and rallying behind them. Hopefully the reader of this essay will find that Environmental determinism and Possibility may have different theories, but are not so different when considered towards a problems beginning and ultimately its end. Examples of Environmental Determinism could be tropical viruses that cannot flourish outside tropical zones, bananas and their inability to thrive naturally in Vermont, humans not being able to breathe under eater, and amusingly: pigs not being able to fly. All of these examples are limited to where and what they can do because they cannot escape their environment, as it has shaped them as much as they it. Humans are a terrestrial species, meaning we live and exist on solid land above sea level. Our bodies have shaped themselves to this environment and we will shape the environment back to continue this trait, thus the chances of humans developing gills for water breath inning are ridiculously unlikely without a decidedly massive environmental change and a possibly forced evolution to adapt to said new environment. Being concerned with environmental changes and the need to change or adapt, the theory of Possibility comes into view. Possibility revolves around using what is available, and with ingenuity and/or technology making it accomplish what was previously impossible. Possibility could be a skillet that Maguire

About the U.S. Department of State

About the U.S. Department of State The United States Department of State also referred to as â€Å"the State Department† or simply â€Å"State,† is the executive branch department of the United States federal government primarily responsible for administering U.S. foreign policy and consulting with the President of the United States and Congress on international diplomatic issues and policies. The mission statement of the State Department reads: â€Å"To advance freedom for the benefit of the American people and the international community by helping to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world composed of well-governed states that respond to the needs of their people, reduce widespread poverty, and act responsibly within the international system.† The primary functions of the State Department include: Provide protection and assistance for U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad;Assist U.S. businesses and industries operating in the global marketplace;Coordinate and provide support for international activities of other U.S. agencies, official visits overseas and at home, and other diplomatic efforts;Inform the public about U.S. foreign policy and relations with other countries and provide feedback from the public to administration officials. Similar the foreign ministries in other nations, the State Department conduct international diplomatic relations on the part of the United States by negotiating treaties and other agreements with foreign governments. The State Department also represents the United States in the United Nations. Created in 1789, the State Department was the first executive branch department established after final  ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Headquartered in the Harry S Truman Building in Washington, D.C., the State Department currently operates 294 U.S. embassies around the world and oversees compliance of more than 200 international treaties. As an agency of the president’s Cabinet, the State Department is led by the Secretary of State, as nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The Secretary of State is second in the line of presidential succession after the Vice President of the United States. In addition to assisting with the international activities of other U.S. government agencies, the State Department provides many important services to U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad and to foreign citizens trying to visit or immigrate to the United States. In perhaps its most publicly noticeable role the State Department issues U.S. Passports to U.S. citizens allowing them to travel to and return from foreign countries and travel visas to U.S. citizens and non-citizen residents. In addition, the State Department’s Consular Information Program informs the American public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security while traveling abroad. Country-specific travel information and global Travel Alerts and Warnings are vital parts of the program. The State Department also oversees all U.S. foreign aid and development programs such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. All activities of the State Department, including foreign assistance programs, representing the U.S. abroad, countering international crime and human trafficking, and all other services and programs are paid for through the foreign affairs component of the annual federal budget as requested by the president and approved by Congress. On average, the total State Department expenditure represents just over 1% of the total federal budget, projected to exceed  $4 trillion in 2017.  Ã‚   Brief History of the State Department On July 27, 1789, President George Washington singled a bill passed by the House of Representatives and Senate on July 21, 1789, creating the Department of Foreign Affairs as the first federal agency created under the new Constitution. A law enacted on September 15, 1789, changed the name of the agency to the Department of State and assigned it oversight of a variety of domestic, rather than foreign issues. For example, the law made the Department of State responsible for running the United States Mint and conducting the decennial U.S. census. During the 19th century, these and most of the Department of State’s other domestic duties were turned over to other federal agencies and departments. Appointed by President Washington on September 29, 1789, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, then serving as Minister to France became the first Secretary of State. Appointed before Washington had taken office, John Jay had been serving in as Secretary of Foreign Affairs and continued to function as de-facto Secretary of State until Jefferson returned from France several months later.

Wk 10 (67) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Wk 10 (67) - Essay Example Beverly is upset because her surgery is next week and although she will not stop it, she is not sure how to talk to Sally about this final situation. From the conversation it seems that Beverly is asking the counselor to help her help Sally. The first strategy may be to explore the idea that Sally is grieving the loss of someone she dearly loves. This final step is the last identification that Sally has with Beverly as a man. This is now going to go away and Sally is probably going through the various phases of grief; this would be something to explore. According to Carroll and Gilroy (2002) counselors must first understand this issue and move part their own transphobia (p. 235). Certainly a man who is turning into a woman who legally married a woman can be cause for concern for the counselor, so they would need to deal with their own problems with the situation before counseling Beverly. Carroll and Gilroy also suggest getting more information through novels, films, biographies and periodicals (p. 235). In terms of counseling a client centered approach seems to be best because many transgendered people have challenges with trust in someone who is not transgendered because of ill treatment in the past (p. 238). Carroll, Gilroy and Ryan (2002) suggest that counselors should also have a growing knowledge of terminology that is evolving in the transgendered community along with "local, regional and national support networks (p. 134). This information can assist the client and give more information. Mark is a 35 year old male of mixed heritage. His father was black and American Indian and his mother identifies as "white" because her parents were Jamaican and Scotch Irish. Mark grew up in a home where he had no real understanding of any heritage because his family did not identify with any one group. As Mark grew older and left the family he has tried to interact

Information management Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Information management - Coursework Example Management of information in the organization has involved both electronic and physical information. The management has also been able to manage the information throughout the cycle of the organization regardless of source or format of the information (Chaffey and White, 2011). Information management is a managerial decision tool used in the processes and decisions that are made by companies. Information management in organizations is done through recording and documenting all the facts that involve the methods and procedures that it uses. The main function of this is to enable controlling employees and materials of the company. Using information management in an organization is able to establish the hierarchical structure and work-flow of a company. Every employee in the organization through the information has the authority to who is responsible for work. The work then is able to continue without disturbance. The operation and procedures of the company are listed through information management making preparation of audits in a company easy. Information management has the role of satisfying variety of system that the management is exposed. Information management aids clerical personnel in a company to process transactions and answer questions that occur on the data of the organization regarding transactions, the status of particular records, and with reference on a variety of documents. Information management in organizations has the role of controlling the creation and growth of records. The information system is that that ensures there is addressing the limits of generation of records or copies that are not required to operate the business and retention of records. Information management in all organizations is responsible for generation of information, communication problems and helps in the process of decision making. Information management is important in all organization in implementing the goals

LETTER OF LEGAL ADVICE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

LETTER OF LEGAL ADVICE - Essay Example Moreover, it also puts forward some of the legal advices that are needed to be considered in order have a lawful advantage in this corrupted era. Acceptance is an expression or implication of undertaking something, which is being offered. In legal terms, acceptance of a contract is an expression or the willingness by an individual or a party undertaking the contract that is being offered by ran offerer. In this regard, one party accepts the terms and conditions of a contract or deal as stated by the other (Krol, 1993). To begin with, ‘Conditional Acceptance’, is a form of contractual acceptance where the acceptance is made on the account of fulfilment of certain conditions. Elaborately, the party who accepts the offer of contract considers the same only if certain conditions lay down by the acceptor are fulfilled by the party who offered the contract (Meena, 2008). This is evident from the fact of Malago Pty Ltd v AW Ellis Engineering Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 227, where a prominent depiction of the conditional acceptance was observed. The Head of the Agreement in this case proposed a condition of compelling the total water surface to the respondent. The decisions by the court were that both the parties should consider the surrounding circumstances. The court also rejected the agreement due to the lack of formalities. The court further, implemented that a conditional acceptance needs to have the formal guidelines and also requires considering the surrounding circumstances. From the case, i t can be learnt that for any firm to have legal advantages in the contracts, adequate formalities and official procedures should be considered. Therefore, from the case analysis it can be stated that to have an effective conditional acceptance, a company should meet all the legal requirements amid the parties (Allens, 2012). Furthermore, there are witnesses in case of people accepting the offer of caution money of rent, only if