Essay on Graduation Speech Life is a Blank Canvas

My father always told me that my life is a blank canvas waiting for me to paint my future upon it. As I stand here before my fellow classmates, cherished friends and beloved teachers, I see more than just a graduating class, I see a group of artists waiting to exhibit their art to the world. See, the beauty of my fathers analogy lies in the fact that we have all been given the right to choose our own destiny, essentially to paint whatever we want on our canvases of life. Our parents, teachers and friends have taught us all the techniques we need to embrace a bright and beautiful future, and now with this diploma, we stand alone with a paintbrush, palette and a world waiting our arrival. The question now is how do you go from where†¦show more content†¦Tomorrow you can mourn your absence of old friends or you can excitedly embark on a quest to discover new relationships. Each day of your life stretches ahead of you waiting to be painted, and there you are, the painter who gets to do the painting. What you must remember, however, is that everything you do will be painted on the canvas, both the good and the bad. All of us will have to take each step which will help us build a great and satisfying future. If we plan it well and work our plan, we will end up with masterpieces. The facts of life are rather simple as I see them. Sometimes well be on top of the world, sometimes well be on the bottom, and sometimes well simply float along. Through it all you must remember your experiences at Glenn, for these memories will give you strength and comfort. Remember your times at Glenn as the adventures they were set out to be. Remember the sweet medley of chocolate chip cookies and pizza bagels smells emanating from the Student Store; remember trying to survive the jungle-like hallways during passing period, armed solely with your backpack and a heavy school book; remember waking up that extra 1/2 hour in the morning to pick your styling outfit for the day or saving time by doing it the night before; remember that boy or girl you loved and how they broke your heart when they checked no on the note you sent them saying, Do you like me, check yes orShow MoreRelatedArt Has The Power Of Transcend Life1995 Words   |  8 PagesThere is no doubt that art has the power to transcend life. But artist themselves have had the daunting tasks, as historical scribes, to record time, space, and attitudes in their works. The â€Å"Capitalist Realism† movement is no different - if not one of the best examples of this visual history. As a play on the term social realism, the artists of the movement included Gerhard Richter of whom’s work the Lab currently features. Alongside such artists as Manfred Kuttner, Sigmar Polke, and Konrad LuegRead More Extreme Apathy in John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation Essay3556 Words   |  15 Pageslimits of human experience, testing realms beyond the imagination. Anything from physical boundaries to social boundaries are broken and thus redefined; Kafka explores the life of a man turned into a bug, Nabokov examines the life of a man ruled by a sexual desire that is taboo. With so much effort focused on the extremes of life, one work, a play by John Guare entitled Six Degrees of Separation, stands out. Certainly, the events are extraordinary; based on a true story, Six Degrees is the tale ofRead MoreNazi Germany And The Nazi War11227 Words   |  45 Pages The Nazi government provided those hopes and dreams through forced indoctrination. In the 1930’s, membership of teenage boys in the Hitler Youth (Hitler Jugend or HJ) was highly encouraged. The German government promised parents that after graduation, there would be a bright future for their children. Also, while a member of the HJ, the children would have free room and board, would be well cared for and provided an education. During the hard economic times in Germany, this was a strong incentiveRead More65 Successful Harvard Business School Application Essays 2nd Edition 147256 Words   |  190 Pagesyou special is how you make the big (or small) decisions in life and how they have led to your growth. The only common strain in the successful essaysis that applicants have clearly xi Introduction described why each experience is challenging, educational, and transformationaL We hope this book motivates you to write great essays by revealing who you really are. Be captivating. Be truthful. Be yourself. When you sit down at a blank computer screen, you may be tempted to think that your experiencesRead MoreMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 Pages1992 Professor Hartley wrote Business Ethics: Violations of the Public Trust. Business Ethics Mistakes and Successes was published in 2005. He is listed in Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World. vii This page intentionally left blank CONTENTS Preface About the Author Chapter 1 Introduction PART I ENTREPRENEURIAL ADVENTURES Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Google: An Entrepreneurial Juggernaut Starbucks: A Paragon of Growth and Employee Benefits Finds Storms

Essay on Edgar Allan Poe - 2364 Words

Edgar Allan Poe nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Ralph Waldo Emerson called him the jingle man, Mark Twain said that his prose was unreadable, and Henry James felt that a taste for his work was the mark of a second-rate sensibility. According to T. S. Eliot, quot;the forms which his lively curiosity takes are those in which a preadolescent mentality delights.quot; After notices like those, most reputations would be sunk without a trace, and yet Edgar Allan Poe shows no sign whatsoever of loosening his extraordinary hold on our imaginations. In 1959, Richard Wilbur, an elegant poet and a critic of refined taste, inaugurated the Dell Laurel Poetry Series (mass-market paperback selections from classic British and American poets) with an†¦show more content†¦Allan, as parents, and he took their surname as his own middle name. In 1815, business reasons led Allan to move to England for what would be a five-year stay. Both in London and then in Richmond after the familys return, Poe was well educated in p rivate academies. In 1825, he became secretly engaged to a girl named Elmira Royster. The engagement, opposed by both families, was subsequently broken off. In 1826, Poe entered the University of Virginia, newly founded by former President Thomas Jefferson. He distinguished himself as a student, but he also took to drinking, and he amassed gambling debts of $2,000, a significant amount of money at the time, which John Allan, although he had recently inherited a fortune, refused to honor. After quarreling with Allan, Poe left Richmond in March 1827 and sailed to Boston, where, in relatively short order, he enlisted in the United States Army (under the name Edgar A. Perry, and claiming to be four years older than his actual age of eighteen) and published a pamphlet called Tamerlane and Other Poems, whose author was cited on the title page only as quot;a Bostonian.quot; This little book did not sell at all, but its few surviving copies are among the most highly prized items in the rare-book market; one accidentally discovered copy, bought for a dollar, was recently auctioned for $150,000. Poes military career went more successfully. After t wo years, he had been promoted to sergeant major, the highestShow MoreRelatedEdgar Allan Poe721 Words   |  3 PagesEdgar Allan Poe Edgar Allen Poe, born is 1809, was an American short story writer, poet, and critic. He is commonly know as the father of detective stories. His most well know work of art is his poem The Raven (Werlock). Although Poe had a short lived career, his literature continues to influence many writers in the United States and Europe. He worked with many genres such as: gothic tale, science fiction, occult fantasies, and satire. While many critics consider his works of literature as grotesqueRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe792 Words   |  4 Pagesauthor, Edgar Allan Poe, on Sunday October 7, 1849. In Massachusetts on the 19th day of January in the year 1809, Edgar Poe was born to actress Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe and actor David Poe Junior, making him an older brother to Rosalie Poe, and a younger one to William Henry Leonard Poe. Poe may, perchance, have been named after a character in the play that his parents were performing that year. He was never formally adopted, however, Edgar Poe was r enamed Edgar Allan Poe when the John Allan familyRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe1245 Words   |  5 Pagesbe discussing about my poet Edgar Allan Poe. Poe had written numerous of poems and stories but the one I chose was â€Å"Annabel Lee†. This poem was written in 1849 which was a long time ago. Even though this poem is centuries old, it is still a well known poem. This whole project includes a biography, literary movement, and a explication about the poem. The biography includes where Poe grew up and how his lifestyle were. Through research and sources, I found out that Poe lived a hard life. He was inRead MoreThe Rise Of Poe By Edgar Allan Poe1635 Words   |  7 PagesThe Rise of Poe The words people use and how they use them holds so much power within themselves. It seems that, people are always searching for the right words to express their true emotions towards a certain subject. Artists and authors manage to make a living off of knowing how to use the right words to reach through to their platform. Though within his time, Edgar Allan Poe did not have an established platform and was seen as estranged; he still dabbled as an author and has made many famous shortRead More Edgar Allan Poe Essay515 Words   |  3 Pages Edgar Allan Poe nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Edgar Allan Poe, the first master of the short story, had written many short stories from mysteries to morbidity. Edgar was born on January 19,1809 in Boston, Massachussettes. Edgars Parents, David and Eliza, were both in the acting business. Poe also had a sister, who is rarely spoken of. When Edgar was young his father fleed from the family, leaving Edgar, his mother, and sister alone. At the age of two Edgars mother died of tuberculosis. Edgar wasRead MoreDeath By Edgar Allan Poe975 Words   |  4 Pagesabout the topic, and the fear of not knowing this leads it to be a taboo subject in many discussions. Edgar Allan Poe defied this sense of taboo and wrote many works centering on the topic of death. It is Edgar Allan Poe’s discussion of death in his works that reveals the innate human perversion of the discussion of death. The reason for his discussion of death may find roots in his personal life. Poe was born into a traveling family in 1809 and had two other siblings. His parents tragically lost theirRead MoreThe Biography Of Edgar Allan Poe841 Words   |  4 PagesThe Biography of Edgar Allan Poe â€Å"Lord, help my poor soul†, the last and final words of the amazing writer, Edgar Allan Poe, before his sudden death in 1849. Edgar Allan Poe wrote dark and treacherous stories and poems that often lead to the questioning of his mental state. Poe lived a rather difficult life in which writing was his escape. He at one time was in so much debt that he could have never payed it back even if his career took off. No one ever knew what had happened to Poe, only that heRead More Edgar Allan Poe Essay1589 Words   |  7 Pages Edgar Allen Poe Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allen Poe’s contributions to American literature have become increasingly more prominent as the years have passed. As short fiction has become a more accepted genre in literary circles, Poe’s theories are studied with more passion. Although he lived a rather melancholy life, Poe did experience moments of joy, and desired to capture the beauty through poetic form. Indeed, what he left behind for the literary world was his gifted genus, revealed throughRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe Essay1575 Words   |  7 PagesEdgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe was a bizarre and often scary writer. People throughout history have often wondered why his writings were so fantastically different and unusual. They were not the result of a diseased mind, as some think. Rather they came from a tense and miserable life. Edgar Allan Poe was not a happy man. He was a victim of fate from the moment he was born to his death only forty years later. He died alone and unappreciated. It is quite obvious that his life affected hisRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe Essay812 Words   |  4 PagesEdgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe was one of Americas famous poets, fiction short-story writers, and literary critics. He is known as the first master of short story form especially in tales of horror, and mystery. The work he produced was considered to be some of the most influential literary criticism of his time. His poems made him one of the most famous figures in American literary history. His influence on literature is seen in all literature books in schools everywhere. Some of his famous

Activists Beyond Borders free essay sample

Contemporary approaches to international relations have been widely regarded as ineffective public policy initiatives based on ideological political agendas as opposed to practical and innovative social activism.   In their landmark book, Activists Beyond Borders: Advocacy Networks in International Politics, Margaret Keck and Kathryn Sikkink offer both an insightful theoretical background and a multi-disciplinary guide to achieving progressive activism that transcends the traditional methods (failures) of international governmental agencies and governments themselves. With this essay I will lay out the basis for the book with the hopes of highlighting its strengths as well as pointing out possible shortcomings in an attempt to demonstrate the always challenging effort to combine forces for a common social agenda. The major strength of the book is fortified by its willingness to critique the previous short-sided solutions put forth by international governmental institutions such as the World Health Organization and the International Monetary Fund. Their argument, based on the cultural shift of the 1960’s and accelerated through the technological innovations that facilitate both global and local communicative strategies and alliances, points toward transnational advocacy networks that ‘carry and re-frame ideas, insert them in policy debates, pressure for regime formation, and enforce existing norms and rules, at the same time that they try to influence particular domestic political issues’ (p. We will write a custom essay sample on Activists Beyond Borders or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 199).   In this way, they are trying to both work around the existing discourse of international policy while at the same time trying to reform the discussion from within, albeit via non-governmental organizations. This idealism can also be the shortcoming of the book as well because it breaks apart the mythological unified dimension of international advocacy groups .   The nature of the transnational advocacy groups necessitates the fragmentation of a unified group that could possibly carry the necessary force to grab the headlines and attention of groups such as the WHO and IMF.   By leaving their argument based on a symbolic narrative of ‘transnational advocacy groups’ but leaving out possibly critiques against them, the authors unfortunately invite further critique, even from parties that ideally agree with them, like myself. One notable success story, a very tragic one at base, is the example of Cindy Sheehan and her epic battle to gain international support for trying to bring an end to the war in Iraq.   She has been fearless in her fight and in doing so has mobilized thousands of supporters throughout the international community as well as garnering a wealth of complementary media coverage that leverages her cause against an extremely vulnerable an emotionally taxing target.   Her extreme measures and lack of fear have on the one hand created a groundswell of public admiration and support, but at the same time she has run the risk of overexposure and the resulting media backlash by over saturating her symbolic politics. This is a fine line that Margaret Keck and Kathryn Sikkink acknowledge in their research and it is part and parcel to the overall struggle that transnational advocacy groups face in their battle to garner the necessary support of intellectuals, parallel advocacy groups, sympathetic non-governmental agencies, and ultimately the financial and ideological backing of official governmental policy groups that hold the power to enact and enforce the changes that are being fought for.

Texas Concealed Weapons Proposal

Table of Contents Introduction Bill Summary The Pros and Cons of the Legislation Conclusion Works Cited Introduction As of 12 March, 2010, about 48 states in the United States permitted non-law enforcement individuals to carry concealed weapons such as handguns in public. However, no such legal provisions are allowed in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Washington, DC except for active and retired police officers.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Texas Concealed Weapons specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Accordingly, those supporting the state concealed carry legislations (CCW) argue that the likelihood of a criminal attacking an armed person is very minimal. On the other hand, the opponents of these laws argue that allowing non-law enforcement persons to carry concealed guns would lead to increased gun crimes and inadvertent gun injuries in public places (Austin par. 3). However, beside the high-profile shootings in Vir ginia Tech, University of Texas, and Northern Illinois University, different reports show that in the year 2008, there were not less than 5000 assaults, 3000 sexual assaults, and 4500 robberies in different college campus across the United States (Austin par. 7). As a result, the Texas House of Representatives introduced a legislation, which allows carrying of concealed weapons in college premises. The bill, which was introduced by Rep. Joe Driver, seeks to give residents of Texas who are licensed to carry guns as stipulated under certain state legislations similar rights to self-defense within college campuses (Austin par. 2). Therefore, this essay provides a review of the contents of the bill, and an explanation of the pros and cons of the bill as provided by various expert groups and individuals. Bill Summary According to the CCW legislation, a license holder is allowed to carry a concealed firearm in any institution of higher education in Texas. Moreover, the institution is not allowed to adopt any regulations, provisions or rules seeking to prohibit the license holder from carrying the weapon to college. However, in relation to subsection (e), an institution of higher education in Texas is allowed to adopt regulations regarding the storage of firearms in college premises. In addition, the institution may adopt regulations after consultations with students and faculty members to prohibit license holders from carrying their guns in restricted premises within the institution. Besides, the legislation does not provide for license holders to carry their guns into hospitals run by the institution for higher education (Wentworth et al. 1-6). The Pros and Cons of the Legislation Proponents of the CCW legislation give various reasons as to why they support the enactment of the law. For instance, David Burnett, the president and spokesperson of the group, Students for Concealed Carry, argues that CCW comprises of fully established laws in Texas, which provide for t he right to self-defense for license holders. Besides, the process of establishing eligible persons for the CCW involves considerable deliberations on one’s age, psychological and mental status, training, and other background checks (Burnett par. 6).Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Moreover, the legislation states clearly that only license holders and legally-armed individuals are allowed to carry weapons in colleges. Furthermore, historical events show that ‘Gun-free Zones’ do not deter criminals from committing crime, and thus, concealed weapons would allow individuals in such zones to protect themselves and others from hostile criminals. Additionally, studies show that over 26 colleges are currently allowing firearms in college premises without any unprecedented problems (Burnett par. 11). Therefore, the legislation does not increase the risk of gun crimes but it can help in providing the much-deserved protection in campuses. On the other hand, opponents of the legislation argue that providing untrained or undertrained individuals with guns will pose increased risk to these individuals and their colleagues due to unintentional accidents (Burnett par. 3). Furthermore, public opinion shows that the larger population is against the presence of guns in places like sports grounds, banks, hospitals, and campuses. Here, the opponents of the state concealed carry legislations (CCW) argue that there is the paramount need to stop the violence epidemic associated with over 30,000 deaths and 70,000 injuries annually. In addition, the CCW procedures have several rope holes, which have led to availability of too many weapons in too many public areas (Burnett par. 7). As a result, there is the need to limit access to guns in order to minimize crime and accidents in public places. Conclusion From the foregoing discussions, we note that the state conceale d carry legislation (CCW) has many benefits as well as shortcomings, which are worth the attention of the authorities responsible. However, the fact that most colleges are unable to provide sufficient protection to all students cannot be overstated. Moreover, claims that colleges are much safer than most cities and urban establishments do not hold considering that currently, cases of crime, sexual assaults, and killings are on the rise in most institutions for higher education in the US. As a result, if these institutions have failed in providing security to students and faculty members, then there is no need to deprive them of their right to self-defense. Therefore, there will be a net positive impact in most colleges in Texas upon enactment of the legislation. Works Cited Austin, Mark. Texas leads nation with campus carry bill. ConcealedCampus.com, 2011. 08 April 2011 http://concealedcampus.org/Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Texas Concealed Weapons specifi cally for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Burnett, David. Concealed guns: should adults have the right to carry a concealed  handgun? Santa Monica, CA: ProCon.org., 2010. 08 April 2011 https://concealedguns.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=001609 Wentworth, et al. S.B. No. 1164: an act relating to the carrying of concealed handguns  on the campuses of the institutions of higher education. The legislature of the State of Texas, n.d. 08 April 2011 https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01164E.pdf#navpanes=0 This essay on Texas Concealed Weapons was written and submitted by user Sloan Durham to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Ecological Imperialism The Biological Expansion of Europe Essay Example

Ecological Imperialism: The Biological Expansion of Europe Paper The world as we know it would not be what it is had it not been for the evolution of trade and globalization in years gone by. Alfred Crosbys informative novel Ecological Imperialism: The Biological Expansion of Europe, 900-1900 focuses on the ecological side of European expansion. Through his work, the author attempts to demonstrate how the European people were successful in gaining possession of the temperate lands mainly due to expansion of plants, animals and even pathogens which they housed.An intriguing and informative record, Ecological Imperialism enriches the reader with numerous arguments which are explored and explained. To develop his arguments, Crosby builds on his earlier [book] Columbian Exchange: Biological and Cultural Consequences of 1492 and William H. McNeills Plagues and PeoplesIn doing so, the main argument developed is that of the Europeans domination of the temperate zones being successful due mainly in part to biological factors. This argument is appropriate ly summarized on page 63 of the text, wherein Crosby writes, Westerners throughout history who have gone to the eastern Mediterranean to fight wars have believed their chief problems to be military, logistical, and diplomatic, and possibly theological, but the truth is that their primary and immediate difficulties Further development dwells on a vast majority of convincingly accurate information from many years passed. An in depth discussion on sea faring and trade including a fascinating chapter used to describe the use of winds and other environmental factors creates such an illusion in ones mind that at times it seems as if you could find yourself inhabiting the world of the Norse raids, crusades, and eventually the Neo-Europes. Contrary to popular belief of European military superiority being a determining factor in the success, Crosby recounts the effect of pathogens, weeds and anim

Some Stuff About the Ocean Professor Ramos Blog

Some Stuff About the Ocean Marine pollution is happening everywhere and at times can seem like such a broad and obscure term that it becomes hard to apply in ways that we know.   One does not need to journey very far to see the pollution of marine debris in action; marine debris can affect the smaller bodies of water such as ponds or lakes and range all the way up to the greater oceans. For example, Lake Perris was once a very nice place to visit, but at one point in time, it was not hard to see floating diapers and other assortments of trash floating along the shore side. This local lake that is secluded from the rest of the world still manages to collect such a large amount of debris. So when looking at the oceans of the world that are used for much more than just a day at the lake, it can really put into perspective just how much more and easily marine debris can accumulate when our oceans are immensely larger and connected in some way or another. Marine debris or litter causes a number of problems for th e world and everyone who lives on it. The pollution is affecting marine life worldwide in ways that we are still learning of today. While it may seem like an immense and almost impossible problem to solve the world is becoming aware of the problem and various solutions are being proposed to combat the situation. Overall, to actually make some sort of difference it would take the efforts of everyone to make this change and while it will not happen overnight it is still an achievable goal. Marine life has no choice as to what we do to the oceans, so it is up to us to makes changes that will help preserve them. Marine life is being affected from two major sources one source is that of which is land-based such as rivers and beaches and the other being sea-based such as waste disposal plants and oil rigs (Williams and Rangel-Buitrago 648), with a majority of contaminants coming from land. Adding to that statement according to Sheavly and Register’s report â€Å"Land-based sources account for up to 80% of the world’s marine pollution† meaning when litter is not disposed of correctly it ends up in sewer ways or rivers ultimately becoming pollution in the ocean (302). When someone loses their water bottle that they brought with them to the beach or their flip flops in the sand, they do not just magically disappear and end up with someone throwing them away into trash bins. The reality of it is that it is going to end up in the oceans and will probably last, â€Å"for an unknown number of years in the oceans† (Williams and Rangel-Buitrago 648). From there it might end up back on the coast where it has a greater chance of being removed from the water and being properly disposed of, or the more likely case is that depending on the type of litter it will become entangled in the oceans gyres, natural ocean currents, and circulate around various oceans. There is a varying degree of pollutants and chemicals circulating in the ocean, but plastics are the dominant pollutant and in some places can account for up to 100% of marine litter (Williams and Rangel-Buitrago 648). It may almost seem like an exaggeration at times since it is hard to really see how we are affecting the ocean but there are places where ocean pollutants build up and become almost like an island. Gyers can have an immense effect of the collection of marine debris, â€Å"Gyre circulation has led to the Pacific Ocean containing 33% to 35% of the global ocean plastic† (Welden et al 484). Due to a majority of the ocean reaming vastly unexplored those numbers can be inaccurate due to our ability to only survey the surface. It may seem as if it is not that bad when seeing only thirty-five percent of trash is in our local ocean but when put into perspective with the finding from Erikson’s report, â€Å"That at least 5.25 trillion plastic particles weighing 268,940 tons are currently floating at sea† means that there are somewhere around 150 million plastic particles swimming with us as well when we visit the beach (7). These plastics are contaminating our oceans and some are none the wiser as to how bad we really are destroying our ecosystems. These plastic particles happen when plastics do not entirely degrade and break into bits and pieces. These particles are small and shiny and just like any small child; fish will immediately move to devour these objects. Therefore causing, â€Å"Many animals confuse debris for food and cannot regurgitate an item once it has been swallowed† sometimes becoming lodged in their digestive tracts and causing, â€Å"false sense of cessation, causing some animals to stop eating and slowly starve to death† (Sheavly and Register 303). Marine animals are not intelligent enough to differentiate the difference between such things so it is up to us to ensure that they do not have to face such a cruel situation. Marine animals are not limited to just fish but includes seabirds and mammals as well with only a couple hundred of known documented cases of this happening there is a possibility that there are even more out there happening that are unknown to us. While most plastics are going to deteriorate into smaller particles there are some that do not, â€Å"Plastics of all sizes were found in all ocean regions† (Eriksen 9). These are the pieces of litter that will make up the islands of trash that really began the movement to clean up the oceans in recent years. Some of the biggest pieces of litter are those that fishermen bring into the oceans themselves. Fishermen use items such as ropes, nets and tarps and these items have the potential to destroy delicate marine habitats such as living coral reef, sea grass, and various types of corals (Sheavly and Register 303). These items have the ability to completely ruin the delicate environments that are home to the many creatures of the sea. This in turn causes fish to have to relocate to other places which can have the potential to cause even greater harm to ecosystem by introducing new organisms and other things of the like to places that should not have them. The greatest offender of them all is the fisherman’s net because when lost, the currents of the ocean move them around still and become what is called â€Å"ghost fishing† (Sheavly and Register 303). A name that sounds like a bad horror movie is a very real thing in some cases these nets can circulate for years killing fish and other ocean life that come across its path. There are countless things that are happening to the ocean some that of which we have the ability to control and those that we do not, for those small amount of things that we can have an effect on it becomes our obligation to do so. Today there are multitudes of solutions that are being proposed to combat the ever growing marine litter in the oceans. Solutions vary from the complete ban of plastic straws that some organizations are already adopting. Charging for plastic bags at grocery stores similar to what is being done in California. Completely changing the composition of plastic and other materials into a more biodegradable formula, solving a range of problems. Educating the public about the consequences of improperly disposing of trash and plastics and what it is doing to the environment. Organizing volunteers of the community to clean up beaches and lakes, cleaning up what is directly visible. One particular solution, arguably the best solution, takes advantage of natural ocean currents by placing what are essentially giant screens in them to capture circulating litter. In fact if this plan is to work they may â€Å"be able to remove 90% of ocean plastic by 2040† which sounds unbelievable in both good and bad ways (The Ocean Clean Up). Meaning that there is so much trash that it would takes almost thirty years to remove the amount of trash that is currently in the oceans. Also, that this solution by itself has the ability to remove such great amounts of trash that it really is the best solution. The screen itself is an almost 2,000 feet long and 9 feet deep, and is designed so that there is a naturally occurring down flow current that forms helping fish to safely go under the net. In consideration of marine life the screen is moving extremely slow so that fish have more than enough time to move out of the way. The screen is also designed so that it will not be destroyed in storms and harsh weather wasting resources and other costs of development. One of the more important points is that, â€Å"screen is not a net, sea life cannot become entangled† which is very good as it will not have a possibility of becoming a ghost net (The Ocean Clean up). The net is still currently being revised because of its subpar performance, but is still expected to meet their goals of ninety percent of clean up being done by the year 2040. The reason for the failure is because the screens lack of ability to hold the litter in place longs enough for it to be collected but is expected to be resolved and improved allowing it to be redeployed sometime in the month of June 2019. Even if the ocean was to be cleaned up of all types of litter and debris, if we were not to change our ways there would be nothing to prevent it from happening again. The ocean is one of our greatest natural resources takes up a majority of our earth and a good portion of it still remains unexplored. It is too precious of a resource for us to destroy in ways that are completely possible to avoid and prevent. With the proposed solution a way out is seemingly there but if we do not try and make the changes and educate those who remain unaware the problem will never truly go away. Annotated Bibliography Sheavly, S., and K. Register. â€Å"Marine Debris Plastics: Environmental Concerns, Sources, Impacts and Solutions.† Journal of Polymers the Environment, vol. 15, no. 4, Oct. 2007, pp. 301–305. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1007/s10924-007-0074-3. This article talks about marine debris that is plaguing the oceans today and things that can be done about them. Going on to state that although it currently is a problem, it is a solvable problem naming various steps and programs to be done to accomplish this. I plan to use this article to reference different types of programs and steps that can be done to help clean up the oceans. This article is in the form of an academic journal so I would assume that it is very reliable to cite and reference. Welden, Natalie AC, and Amy L. Lusher. â€Å"Impacts of Changing Ocean Circulation on the Distribution of Marine Microplastic Litter.† Integrated Environmental Assessment Management, vol. 13, no. 3, May 2017, pp. 483–487. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1002/ieam.1911. This scholarly journal that details the poor disposing practices that are done out of not caring or just ignorance of what happens after disposable items leave our hands. Also going on to detail how the spread of certain materials will sink or be spread around by various factors such as currents or the ever changing weather. I plan to use the various statistics that are given in the report to give a better understanding of a hard to imagine topic. The reliability of the report is solid as they list various references, on top of it being a scholarly journal that was peer reviewed. â€Å"Clean Oceans International.† Journal of Ocean Technology, vol. 11, no. 2, Apr. 2016, pp. 90–91. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=truedb=eihAN=118566125site=ehost-live. This article details a non-profit organization’s effort to solving the marine debris problem that we are facing. The organization promotes conversion of plastic waste into fuels into diesel fuel and by educating communities on the financial benefits of doing so. I plan to use this article as a springboard for looking into practical solutions for disposing of debris that end up in the oceans. As for the credibility of the article I would rate it as very reliable as it comes with data about the conversions as well as it also being in an academic article. Williams, A. T., and Nelson Rangel-Buitrago. â€Å"Marine Litter: Solutions for a Major Environmental Problem.† Journal of Coastal Research, vol. 35, no. 3, May 2019, pp. 648–663. EBSCOhost, doi:10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-18-00096.1. This article goes in great depth explaining what marine litter is and what can be done about it giving statistics and imagery to convey the point. Offering various solutions to curb the rise in litter as well as offering knowledge that is necessary to prevent it as well. I plan to use this article as a main source for my report as it goes in great depth in discussing potential solutions as well as was to prevent as well. The credibility can be assumed to be one that is of high stature, offering various references and citing multiple sources as well. Gallo, Frederic, et al. â€Å"Marine Litter Plastics and Microplastics and Their Toxic Chemicals Components: The Need for Urgent Preventive Measures.† Environmental Sciences Europe, vol. 30, no. 1, Apr. 2018, p. 1. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1186/s12302-018-0139-z. Some persistent plastics have estimated lifetimes of hundreds of years that can deteriorate into smaller materials that are consumed by marine life. This article goes into further details about that process and how the problem can only grow if things are not changed. I chose this article because its in-depth look at the process of decomposition and the consequences that is there. The reliability of the source can be considered high because the date the article was accepted is listed as well as the abundance of references that are included in the article. Work Cited Eriksen, Marcus, et al. â€Å"Plastic Pollution in the World’s Oceans: More than 5 Trillion Plastic Pieces Weighing over 250,000 Tons Afloat at Sea.† PLoS ONE, vol. 9, no. 12, Dec. 2014, pp. 1–15. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0111913. Gramling, Carolyn. â€Å"A Massive Net Is Being Deployed to Pick up Plastic in the Pacific.† Science News, Society for Science the Public, 7 Sept. 2018, www.sciencenews.org/article/massive-net-being-deployed-pick-plastic-pacific. â€Å"The Ocean Cleanup Technology.† The Ocean Cleanup, theoceancleanup.com/

Belgium's economic and monetary affairs Research Paper

Belgium's economic and monetary affairs - Research Paper Example Belgium consists of two major nationalists, the Flemish speaking north, and the French speaking Walloons in the south. The other subset arises from Brussels, the Bilingual capital, where the two major nationalists share official ranks. It is also a constitutional monarchy that experiences lots of tension and political instabilities, as the two major cultural groups in the separate regions, fail to reconcile their differences for the coalition governments to run effectively. Belgium, as a founder member of European Union has been an active contributor to pursue European integration, fully signed up to main measures of closer co-operation, comprising of Euro and Schengen convention (â€Å"Belgium and Luxembourg,† civitas.org.uk). Belgium hosts lots of General European institutions and meetings. The headquarters of EU, venue of EU council presidencies, EESC, and CoR institutions strongly linked to EU are all based in Brussels (â€Å"Belgium and the European,† belgium.be). With continued active participation in the EU, the Belgian’s lives, country policies and identity has been structured, due to common EU policies and objectives. In turn, Belgium has influenced European policymaking in economics and the finance sectors. With the country having the chance to hold seatings of major European Union institutions and meetings, the politicians within its region fully participate in decision making processes. Other nations could feel neglected as Belgium, United Kingdom, and Germany influence most of the decisions, but at the same time the power to object lies with the majority, which most of the countries do not show full commitment to. Even if Belgium is part of the small member states of the EU, it is well conversant with EU’s objectives, and takes advantage of been host to major EU functions, where personnel and policy experts actively participate, enhancing their argumentative power, which influences policy making that could favors