Childhood obesity research paper Essay

â€Å"One out of every five children in the U.S. is overweight or obese† (â€Å"Obesity in Children†), and as the number rises the significance of the problem grows. Obesity is a widespread epidemic that is taking a toll not only on the US, but also other parts of the world. There are many causes for obesity in young children that stem from genetics, poor diet, and lack of physical activity. Obesity in children not only puts them at many risks for disease during their early ages, but also puts them at risk for problems later in life. These risks for disease can be prevented through the combined efforts of parents, doctors, government, school systems, and the children themselves. People are starting to take action against childhood obesity in numerous ways so that they can shape the lives of children and adults by encouraging healthier lifestyles now and in the future. Childhood obesity’s various causes and effects are increasing at epidemic proportions; however, through different ways of prevention childhood obesity can make a turn for the better in the future. Obesity can be defined as an excessively high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass (â€Å"Childhood Obesity: The Effects†). Obesity is the result of a â€Å"caloric imbalance† which is when too few calories are expended for the amount of calories consumed (â€Å"Childhood Obesity Facts†). A child is not obese until his or her weight is at least ten percent higher than what is recommended for his or her height and body type (â€Å"Obesity in Children And Teens†). People that become obese at a young age are at a high risk of becoming overweight in their adulthood. If one parent is obese, there is a 50 percent chance that the child will be, and if both parents are obese than the child has an 80 percent chance (â€Å"Childhood Obesity: The Effects†). Obesity generally starts between the ages of 5 and 6, or during adolescence. Studies show that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming obese when he or she enters adulthood (â€Å"Obesity in Children And Teens†). One of the most important ways to decide whether someone is obese or not is based on BMI or Body Mass Index. BMI uses a mathematical formula, in which a person’s weight in pounds is divided by the square of the person’s height in inches and this result is then  multiplied by 703. Then, the BMI-for-age and gender specific is put on a growth chart and the person’s condition is determined. BMI over the 95th percentile is considered overweight or obese (â€Å"Childhood Obesity: The Effects†). As more and more children join the BMI percentile considered obese, the statistics increase. Thirty percent of adults who are categorized as obese got this way from problems in childhood. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. The percentage of children aged 6 to 11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7 percent in 1980 to nearly 18 percent in 2012. In the same time period, obese adolescents aged 12 to 19 years have increased from 5 percent to 21 percent (â€Å"Childhood Obesity Facts†). In 2005 a study showed that 12.5 million U.S. children and adolescents are considered obese, and with this number the average lifespan of all children could be lowered by up to five years (Manning). Although obesity is one of the easiest medical conditions to detect, it is one of the most difficult conditions to treat as obesity numbers grow to epidemic proportions. There is no single factor or behavior that causes obesity. Two of the most common factors that can be linked with the cause of obesity are genetic factors and lack of physical activity (â€Å"Obesity in Children†). Genetic factors affect obese children when the child’s parents are obese or there is history of obesity in their family. However, genetics are not the only cause of obesity, and other factors must take place (â€Å"Causes†). Lack of physical activity is becoming a more common factor as children are spending more time inside, and less time outside, or being active. Since technology is becoming a huge part of modern children’s lives, activities such as watching television, gaming, texting, and playing on the computer, all of which require very little energy, replace the physical activities which the children should be taking part in. Also, when children watch television, they often see commercials for unhealthy high-calorie snacks, and thus crave these foods. Another source for obesity is medical conditions, and although it is rare, it does sometimes occur. Hormone disorders or low thyroid function, and certain medications, can cause a child’s appetite to increase,  which in time can increase their risk for obesity (â€Å"Causes†). Also, if a child has a medical illness such as neurological problems, they can become obese (â€Å"Obesity in Children And Teens†). Unhealthy eating habits are a prominent cause of obesity in children. When children are at young ages, their parents will tell them to finish everything on their plate, which forces the children to ignore their fullness. When this behavior is repeated over many years, it becomes a habit, and can cause a person to eat whether they are hungry or full, and the habit is often very hard to break. Also, when parents have less time to plan and prepare healthy meals, their child usually ends up eating more processed and fast foods that are less healthy than home-cooked meals. If a child’s parents or siblings are overweight and have poor diet and exercise habits, the child is most likely to adopt these same habits (â€Å"Causes†). When stressful life events or changes, such as divorce, moves or deaths occur in a child’s life, they often seek food for comfort (â€Å"Obesity in Children And Teens†). As well as in the home and family, school and community resources also influence a child’s habits regarding diet. Vending machines and convenience stores rarely sell healthy foods, however they make it easy to grab a quick snack that is usually high in calories or fat. Restaurants reinforce the unhealthy habit by advertising high-calorie foods and large portion sizes. Schools have an important role in teaching students about healthy food choices and exercise, however not all schools offer these healthy choices or time for physical activity (â€Å"Causes†). These causes, which lead to obesity, have many immediate and long-term effects. Some of the immediate effects include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, prediabetes, bone and joint problems, and skin conditions such as fungal infections and acne (â€Å"Obesity in Children†). Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults, which puts them at greater risk for adult health problems. A few of these long-term effects include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer, and osteoathritis (â€Å"Child Obesity Facts†). However, some diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, which are thought of to be long-term effects, have increased dramatically in overweight children and adolescents (â€Å"Childhood Obesity: The Effects†). Childhood and adolescent obesity also has many mental health effects, and is associated with increased risk of emotional problems. The most immediate consequence of being overweight is social discrimination and low-self-esteem. In 2003 a study asked 106 children between the ages of 5 and 18 to rate their quality of life based on things like their ability to walk more than one block, play sports, sleep well, get along with others, and keep up in school. The study showed that obese children would often rate themselves with scores as low as those of a young cancer patient on chemotherapy. The results showed that teasing at school, difficulties playing sports, fatigue, sleep apnea and other problems severely affected the children’s well-being (â€Å"Childhood Obesity: The Effects†). Low-self-esteem leads to many cases of depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder found in obese children (â€Å"Obesity in Children And Teens†). Although obesity greatly affects a person’s well being, there are many ways to prevent obesity from becoming worse and to help obese children get on the right path for adulthood. Children and adolescent’s dietary and physical behaviors are influenced by many parts of society, including families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institutions, government agencies, the media, and the food, beverage, and entertainment industries (â€Å"Childhood Obesity Facts†). One of the most successful ways to help an obese child is through his or her family, by providing support and helping to make lifestyle changes. Family members can plan activities such as walking, biking, or swimming, and can reduce the amount of sedentary activities (â€Å"Obesity in Children†). Parents can lower the amount of fatty and sugary foods the child is eating, and can emphasize healthy eating by having fruits, vegetables and low-fat snacks available (â€Å"Childhood Obesity: The Effects†). Schools also play a crucial role in establishing a supportive environment, by providing the children with opportunities to learn about and practice a healthy eating and physical lifestyle (â€Å"Childhood Obesity Facts†). Children can also attend support groups, which are helpful because the others around them are dealing with the same issue. When a child or adolescent also has emotional problems, a  psychiatrist can work with the family’s physician to develop a treatment plan, that would include weight loss goals, dietary and physical activity management, behavior modification, and family involvement. Obesity often becomes a lifelong issue, so by learning at a younger age to eat and enjoy healthy foods in moderate amounts and to exercise regularly can prev ent the child from ever becoming obese (â€Å"Obesity in Children And Teens†). As the importance of prevention spreads, more and more communities nationwide are taking steps to fight against childhood obesity. Many foundations have been started, such as the Robert Johnson Wood Foundation, which declared a goal of reversing childhood obesity by 2015 and has put millions of dollars into the effort. The Wood foundation partnered with the YMCA of the USA to bring together activists, government officials, school administrators and parents, the medical community, and other leaders to broadcast a possible attack on the problem. The foundation funded efforts in 6 states and 32 communities. They have created policy changes in communities, such as purchase of healthier food and serving it in schools, the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables at corner stores, and increasing physical activity in school and after school programs and in the community through better transportation systems such as bicycle and walking trails (â€Å"Communities†). Foundations are at tempting to make the purpose of physical activity and following a healthy diet a use of the opportunities children have to be active and healthy, rather than being a chore (â€Å"Obesity in Children†). Obesity is an ongoing epidemic that is affecting a bounteous number of children every day. There are lots of causes for obesity in youth that can expose them to disease and other problems during their early childhood and adolescence, as well as later in life. However, these immediate and long-term effects are being noticed and are starting to be prevented. People across the nation are becoming involved in foundations that are trying to hinder childhood obesity and take steps toward healthier lifestyles for children. Although childhood obesity has a profuse count of causes and effects, and the statistics show an intimidating growth in numbers, prevention of childhood obesity can make for a healthier society and a  decrease in the amount of people who are impacted by this malady.

Free Essays on Political Socialization

The English Renaissance The term renaissance is a French word meaning â€Å" rebirth† The English renaissance marked changes in people’s values, beliefs, and behavior. The English Renaissance changed the way people think about life and culture. There were five reasons why it changed the way people think is â€Å"humanism, trade and exploration, scientific developments, the printing press, and the Reformation. I’ll briefly go over one by one how these five reasons changed and created a rebirth of culture and learning in England. Humanism: the humanists studied Latin and Greek classics to discover new answers such as â€Å" what is a human being?† â€Å"What is good life† and â€Å"how do I lead a good life† Humanist aim was to use the classics to strengthen, not discredit, Christianity. Humanist also believe that Christian teach people how to live and how to rule. Printing press: The invention of printing press transformed the way information was exchanged during the renaissance. Before this only imfortmation was exchanged thorough books written by hand. The Hand written books was expensive and very rare. Than to inventor Johannes Gutenburg the books were printed easily and cheaply though the press and wrote his first book the Latin bible, at Mainz, Germany around 1455. The books were more available and more people read than ever before. Trade and Exploration: People started to wonder out to the known world with their ships. John Abot explored the northeast coast of North America, 1497. Vasco Da Gama explored the India and the cape of Good Hope, 1498. Balboa crosses Isthmus of Panama and sights the Pacific Ocean. Magellan leads a first expedition to circum-navigate the globe. Hernando Cortes conquers Mexico, destroying Aztec Empire, 1521. British East India company founded for trade with Asia, 1600. First permanent English settlement in North America established at Jamestown, Virginia, 1607, and the Mayflower lands a... Free Essays on Political Socialization Free Essays on Political Socialization The English Renaissance The term renaissance is a French word meaning â€Å" rebirth† The English renaissance marked changes in people’s values, beliefs, and behavior. The English Renaissance changed the way people think about life and culture. There were five reasons why it changed the way people think is â€Å"humanism, trade and exploration, scientific developments, the printing press, and the Reformation. I’ll briefly go over one by one how these five reasons changed and created a rebirth of culture and learning in England. Humanism: the humanists studied Latin and Greek classics to discover new answers such as â€Å" what is a human being?† â€Å"What is good life† and â€Å"how do I lead a good life† Humanist aim was to use the classics to strengthen, not discredit, Christianity. Humanist also believe that Christian teach people how to live and how to rule. Printing press: The invention of printing press transformed the way information was exchanged during the renaissance. Before this only imfortmation was exchanged thorough books written by hand. The Hand written books was expensive and very rare. Than to inventor Johannes Gutenburg the books were printed easily and cheaply though the press and wrote his first book the Latin bible, at Mainz, Germany around 1455. The books were more available and more people read than ever before. Trade and Exploration: People started to wonder out to the known world with their ships. John Abot explored the northeast coast of North America, 1497. Vasco Da Gama explored the India and the cape of Good Hope, 1498. Balboa crosses Isthmus of Panama and sights the Pacific Ocean. Magellan leads a first expedition to circum-navigate the globe. Hernando Cortes conquers Mexico, destroying Aztec Empire, 1521. British East India company founded for trade with Asia, 1600. First permanent English settlement in North America established at Jamestown, Virginia, 1607, and the Mayflower lands a...

NGOs and Environmental politics

NGOs and Environmental politics Introduction Generally, human beings attach great importance to the environment since their means of living and quality of life rely on it. As the environmental threats increases, so do the attempts to safeguard environmental values[1].Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on NGOs and Environmental politics specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Environmental politics are interested in the manner in which individuals arrange themselves systematically and configure activities to defend their interest in the environment. It takes into account the vibrancy of social movements, organizations and state machineries, and how they work together[2]. The subject of environmental conservation poses an exceptional test to politics. Among them is the transnational nature of the ecological trend. In other words, environmental processes go beyond national boundaries. For example, countries along the coastal line share the same waters an d fish stocks[3]. Conflicts and apathy have often emerged due to disparities in regional or international environmental concerns and the current political structures and boundaries (Walters, 2004, p. 2). The gains of economic development characteristically accrue to one country or region, yet the negative environmental impact of such development is normally transferred to another country or region, in terms of polluted air and water. This provides less motivation to control pollution from its origin. In addition, the administration may be less obliged to impose penalties on the industries concerned when it is clear that the pollution takes place outside their jurisdiction[4]. History has shown that political engagements in ecological affairs are capricious and diminishes with time, and development varies from additional to groundbreaking depending on the background and prospect[5]. One analyst once described the history of global environmental action as a target that appears impossi ble to achieve at the moment. For the above reasons, environmental politics have always relied strongly on chronological and case study analysis[6]. This research paper will explore the role played by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) in environmental matters and explain why they are the best to deal with global environmental challenges. First, the study will start by examining the chronology of NGO’s in matters of environmental politics. The research will be based on different premises and concepts and key arguments between different authors and their academic positions.Advertising Looking for research paper on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Chronology of environmentalist NGO’s In order to acknowledge the significance of NGO in global environmental actions it is important to understand what an NGO is because a wide range of entities exist. According to Hrabanski and others, organizations vary in accordance with the size, composition, sources of funds, beliefs, goals, operational scope and activities[7]. DolÃ… ¡ak defines an NGO as private, non profit-making, professional entity with a characteristic official character, concerned with the general well being of the people and societal goals. Societal goal in this case relates to issues of environment, whereas characteristic official character relates refers to official registration[8]. The history of NGOs is somehow ambiguous. The first NGOs were created by elite conservationist in U.S and Europe to prevent extinction of certain animal species and to idealize environment[9]. They assumed an ethical politics of environmental change by emphasizing on how the environment is supposed to look like through art and literature and advocating for the conservation of natural ecosystem. For example, Sutter shows in his description of the wilderness movement how the Americans in the early 20th century fe ared the use of automobiles in wilderness excursion. In other words, they feared that the use of automobiles will lead to exploration of remote areas and degradation of the forest. In addition, the creation of conservation NGOs reflected the societal response towards ecological destruction under the capitalism[10]. In the mid 20th century, the ecological concerns together with the emerging generational activists transformed the movement, thus providing a fresh meaning to NGOs. The new NGOs became green thinkers, which was ostensibly the organizational expression of political progress. Many literatures tended to analyze this new thinking in terms of green philosophy and often in a principled manner. This is because NGO’s formed during this era had to confront numerous environmental challenges. For example, Greenpeace (established in 1971 in Toronto, Canada) and Friends of the Earth (established in the late 1960s in U.S) captured the world attention in their campaigns to stop W haling and proliferation of nuclear weapons respectively. In addition, those who were involved in such campaigns were very youthful, energetic and confrontational. Generally, the new NGO’s were viewed as an embodiment of radical forms of environmentalism. They started as small groups of protesters to become colossal global entities that fought nearly all environmental challenges. A number of authors catalogued how these NGO’s had transformed into international protest organizations[11].Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on NGOs and Environmental politics specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Many academicians shun such literatures; yet they often share the fundamental assumption regarding the dogmatic significance of these organizations as the foundation of contemporary environmentalism. Some of the writers have explained the growth in NGO’s on political movements and demonstration influenced by models egalitarianism, mobilization of resources and traits of a social pressure group[12]. Nowadays, NGO’s have changed in structure and practice. Most of their activities are currently centred on people’s means of living and acknowledging the linkage between people and the environment. The model examples are Philippine Non-Governmental Organizations which have been vocal on matters pertaining to sustainable development. In addition, the current NGOs have usually played the role of civil society. For this reason, NGOs have become ideological actors that promote social justice and democracy[13]. A number of authors have probed the political innovativeness and vibrancy of the NGO-led civil society that advances novel forms of interaction between communities and the environment. Their studies acknowledge the significant role played by the NGO in the conservation and protection of international priceless ecological public goods. In addition, they recognize the role played by NGO’s in the transformation of transnational relations through civil action and global environmental treaties[14]. Suitability of NGO’s in environmental politics Even though the arguments that the nation states are slowly losing their significance are impulsive, the influence of NGO’s in the global arena is growing at an alarming rate. There is no other field of politics that NGOs have gained more influence than in the field of environmental politics. Many NGOs nowadays command huge amounts of resources and have a large pool of knowledgeable and very much trained professional staff. In addition, they have a huge network across the globe[15]. These NGO’s wield massive influence on matters of public policy both locally and internationally. Whether these policies are in the form of the provision of clean water to local communities, investigating the environmental activities of large transnational corporations, or representing the interest of the underpri vileged at major conferences, the role of the NGOs can no longer be ignored. As a matter of fact, NGOs are exhibiting a growing eagerness to circumvent state structures to represent matters of great concern. They normally pick up where state actors have failed or are still hesitant[16]. Political and environmental experts foresee the role of NGOs in environmental politics increasing in the future[17]. In the last four decades, the world has witnessed an unprecedented increase in unconditional trade and in some cases the economic size of transnational corporations has surpassed the GDP of foreign countries in which they operate.Advertising Looking for research paper on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the current competitive global market, some governments have appeared to bend investment laws to attract foreign investment, that is, they often embrace market-based and non-mandatory approaches. At the same time, external pressures to match the domestic standards and regulations with the international policies are increasing. As a result, the reconciliation of these standards and regulations with environmental matters has become a major challenge for national government. Particularly, the management of the effects of trade and investment on the environment has become very challenging for less industrialized nations. This necessitates the role of NGOs in the global environmental protection[18]. Additionally, less developed economies are justifiably keen to attract foreign investors in their country, but feeble institutions and lack of political good will mean that environmental standards and regulations will not be strictly enforced. On a positive note, transnational corporations normally bring with them state of the art technologies which are more environmentally friendly than the local ones. However, the tempo of economic transformation in the less developed economies is shocking and devastating in its effects[19]. Furthermore, environmental and development challenges facing the emerging economic powers like India and China is worrying the international community. At the moment, the Western nations are not certain of their future without the involvement of these countries in the global environmental protection and conservation[20]. The local and international courts have become a battleground between the NGOs and the government on environmental matters. Irritated over alleged backtracking by the regimes on environmental obligations, NGOs have often used the legal channel to pressurize the government to apply the current laws on environmental protection and more uncompromisingly take legal action against the lawbreakers. In addition, they have been using t he courts as an arbitrator of crucial constitutional matters, for instance, the rights of citizens to clean environment[21]. According to Dobson, the government has taken several actions to tackle the current environmental challenges. In the 60s and 70s, the strategy used was based on stringent regulatory measures, where standards are set and implementation is backed by stern warnings. This approach proved to be successful and mainly relied on the use of eco-friendly technologies. However, with the competitive pressure of liberalization, governments were forced to come up with strategies that are bendable and less costly. This is why the NGOs have recently become more popular since they make sure that the governments do not go to an extreme level in trying to woo the investors at the expense of environmental protection and conservation[22]. Last but not least, NGOs have recently adopted consumer boycotts as a strategy to amend organizational and statutory policies and some, for inst ance, Greenpeace, have set their own standards for certain products[23]. To sum up, the research paper was to a certain extent selective in its coverage-after all, environmental politics is a new but broad and complex subject. At the risk of trying to be as simple as possible, the study explored the NGO as an actor in environmental politics and their growing popularity in the environmental matters. Nonetheless, NGOs also have a couple of flaws. A number of them have often used the public to attain cheap publicity. In addition, NGO’s have been used to siphon money from foreign donors by corrupt individuals and terrorist organizations. All in all, the role played by the NGOs in socioeconomic, environmental, and political matters cannot be underestimated[24]. Conclusion Over the last 50 years, environmental subjects have been in the central state of major discussions. This is attributed to the fact that human beings attach great importance to the environment since their means of living and quality of life rely on it. In addition, conflicts and apathy have often emerged due to disparities in regional or international environmental concerns and the current political structures and boundaries. As a result, attempts to safeguard environmental values have been on the increase. There are numerous actors in the field of environmental politics; however, NGOs have become the most prominent. This is because they command huge amounts of resources, have a large pool of knowledgeable and well trained professional staff, and have a huge network across the globe. In addition, the NGOs normally represent the poor and underprivileged at the global arena. Locally, the NGOs have gained popularity because they have taken the role of the civil society and currently acting as government watchdogs in socioeconomic, political, and environmental matters. In the current competitive global market, some governments tend to bend investment laws to attract foreign investment, that is, they often embrace market-based and non-mandatory approaches. The NGOs make sure that the governments do not go to an extreme level trying to woo the investors at the expense of environmental protection and conservation. They have been driving their agenda in the street, in the forums and in the court of law. Even though they have been criticized from different quotas for a number of vices, the role played by NGOs in both local and global environmental politics cannot be underestimated. Bibliography Adams, W M J, Hutton, ‘People, parks and poverty: political ecology and biodiversity conservation,’ Conservation and Society, vol. 5, 2007, pp. 147–183. Barry, J EG, Frankland, International encyclopedia of environmental politics, London Routledge, 2002. BÃ ¶hmelt, T C, Betzold, ‘The impact of environmental interest groups in international negotiations: Do NGOs induce stronger environmental commitments?’ International Environmental Agreements: Politic s, Law and Economics, vol.13, no.2, 2013, pp. 127-151. DolÃ… ¡ak, N, ‘Climate Change Policies in the Transitional Economies of Europe and Eurasia: The Role of NGOs’, International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, vol. 24, no. 2, 2013, pp. 382-824. Dryzek, J S D, Schlosberg, Debating the earth: The environmental politics Reader, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1998. Hall, NL R, Taplin, ‘Environmental Nonprofit Campaigns and State Competition: Influences on Climate Policy in California’, International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, vol. 21, no.1, 2010, pp. 62-81. Hrabanski, M, C, Bidaud, J, Le Coq P, MÃ ©ral, ‘Environmental NGOs, policy entrepreneurs of market-based instruments for ecosystem services? A comparison of Costa Rica, Madagascar and France’, Forest Policy and Economics, vol. 37, 2013, pp.124-132. Sutter, P S, Driven wild: how the fight against automobiles launched the modern wilderness movement, Seattle, WA, University of Washington Press, 2002. Dobson, A, Green political thought, 4th edn, London, UK, Routledge, 2007. Vig, NJ ME Kraft, Environmental policy: New directions in the 21st century, 5th edn, Washington, D.C, Congressional Quarterly Press, 2002. Vormedal, I, The Influence of Business and Industry NGOs in the Negotiation of the Kyoto Mechanisms: the Case of Carbon Capture and Storage in the CDM, Global Environmental Politics, vol. 8, no. 4, 2010, pp.36-65. Weyler, R, Greenpeace: the inside story, Vancouver, Canada, Raincoast Books, 2004. Walters, BB, Environmental Politics, Mount Allison University, Sackville, 2004. Footnotes BB, Walters, Environmental Politics, Sackville, Mount Allison University, 2004. JS, Dryzek D, Schlosberg, Debating the earth: The environmental politics Reader, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1998. J,Barry EG, Frankland, International encyclopedia of environmental politics, LondonRoutledge, 2002. J,Barry EG, Frankland, International enc yclopedia of environmental politics, London Routledge, 2002. JS, Dryzek D, Schlosberg, Debating the earth: The environmental politics Reader, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1998. Ibid. M, Hrabanski, C, Bidaud, J, Le Coq P, MÃ ©ral, ‘Environmental NGOs, policy entrepreneurs of market-based instruments for ecosystem services? A comparison of Costa Rica, Madagascar and France’, Forest Policy and Economics, vol. 37, 2013, pp.124-132. N, DolÃ… ¡ak, ‘Climate Change Policies in the Transitional Economies of Europe and Eurasia: The Role of NGOs’, International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, vol. 24, no. 2, 2013, pp. 382-824. WM, Adams J, Hutton ‘People, parks and poverty: political ecology and biodiversity conservation,’ Conservation and Society, vol. 5, 2007, pp. 147–183. PS, Sutter, Driven wild: how the fight against automobiles launched the modern wilderness movement, Seattle, WA, University of Washington Press, 2002. R, Weyler, Greenpeace: the inside story, Vancouver, Canada, Raincoast Books, 2004. Ibid. T, BÃ ¶hmelt C, Betzold, ‘The impact of environmental interest groups in international negotiations: Do NGOs induce stronger environmental commitments?’ International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, vol.13, no.2, 2013, pp. 127-151. I, Vormedal, The Influence of Business and Industry NGOs in the Negotiation of the Kyoto Mechanisms: the Case of Carbon Capture and Storage in the CDM, Global Environmental Politics, vol. 8, no. 4, 2010, pp.36-65. I, Vormedal, The Influence of Business and Industry NGOs in the Negotiation of the Kyoto Mechanisms: the Case of Carbon Capture and Storage in the CDM, Global Environmental Politics, vol. 8, no. 4, 2010, pp.36-65. T, BÃ ¶hmelt C, Betzold, ‘The impact of environmental interest groups in international negotiations: Do NGOs induce stronger environmental commitments?’ International Environmental Agreements: P olitics, Law and Economics, vol.13, no.2, 2013, pp. 127-151. NJ, Vig ME Kraft, Environmental policy: New directions in the 21st century, 5th edn, Washington, D.C, Congressional Quarterly Press, 2002. NL, Hall R, Taplin 2010, ‘Environmental Nonprofit Campaigns and State Competition: Influences on Climate Policy in California’, International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, vol. 21, no.1, 2010, pp. 62-81. M, Hrabanski, C, Bidaud, J, Le Coq P, MÃ ©ral, ‘Environmental NGOs, policy entrepreneurs of market-based instruments for ecosystem services? A comparison of Costa Rica, Madagascar and France’, Forest Policy and Economics, vol. 37, 2013, pp.124-132. Ibid. N, DolÃ… ¡ak, ‘Climate Change Policies in the Transitional Economies of Europe and Eurasia: The Role of NGOs’, International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, vol. 24, no. 2, 2013, pp. 382-824. A, Dobson, Green political thought, 4th edn, London, UK, Routledg e, 2007. Ibid. JS, Dryzek D, Schlosberg, Debating the earth: The environmental politics Reader, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1998.

Understaning Reliogn Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Understaning Reliogn - Essay Example They all want to be happy and can not think about anything else, but worshiping his planes and waiting for the destiny to be fulfilled. In addition to that, the movement urges people to surrender their activities to the needs of it. Thus, since the locals are not able to directly influence the coming of the planes, the best activity that they could think of was to build the copies of airplanes and airports. Other than that they do not do anything. Finally, by following the rules of the movement, the locals know that they ultimately will have all their desires fulfilled. Indeed, there is no doubt that what this people want the most is material goods: they are in need of good clothes, food, tools and other things that would make their life better. The planes are known to carry all of that. That is why they wait for their paradise. As for the Secular Humanism, one also may say that it should be seen as a religion, according to the view of Paul Tilich. First of all, it represents the ultimate concern of its follows which is to become a happy as well as fully developed human being. In other words, that is the only thing they want in terms of spirituality. No matter how surprising it may see, but Secular Humanism also requires people to surrender to its goals. Unlike the previously mentioned Prince Phillip Movement, it encourages people to carry on the quest of their inner development and try to become a better human being every day. So, surrendering to it does not mean being passive, but being quite active in terms of personal evolution. Finally, Secular Humanism also promises that all the desires of its followers will be fulfilled. There is no doubt that those who position themselves as such want to achieve happiness, a stead moral code and harmony in the world. Secular Humanism is thought to bring all this to the people who follow the path and put genuine effort. Having examined the two examples, one is able to come to a

References Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

References - Essay Example Keep in mind that many of these tests are designed to test your intelligence, critical thinking skills, behavioral patterns and decision-making ability. These tests are not designed to test your potential IQ or examine your previous work history. Also, many employers will notice when a candidate appears to be nervous or stressed over a pre-employment test and immediately question whether you are an adequate fit for the stresses of the everyday work environment. Relax, take a deep breath, and concentrate on exuding as much confidence as possible when taking the pre-employment test. The personality test is probably the most common pre-employment test given by employers today. These tests are designed to test your answers to questions to examine your personality and test whether the personality type would be a good fit for the potential job. Employers can learn a lot about job candidates through these tests, but these are not tests that should cause you to worry. There literally is no right or wrong answers because the information is all about you. It is always best to answer these tests as honestly as possible because the employer will receive an almost immediate score report of the personality test. At this point, the employer has already begun a pre-test interview, so they have had a little time to get to know you. If your personality scores far different than what they know about you, this can raise serious concerns for the employers. Be honest at all stages in the application process, especially on the personality tests. First of all, you need to take your time and read every question completely. Follow the instructions exactly as they are written because many tests are also designed to test your ability to follow directions. Also, many pre-employment tests work on a rating scale usually around 1-5. Each rating system may be

Advises for incoming Freshman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Advises for incoming Freshman - Essay Example However, it offers opportunities for growth and perfection through its dynamic nature. For starters, at a university level, the course borrows many ideas from high school thereby requiring students to maintain an attentive personality with the capability to conceptualize ideas and therefore develop them with time (Evans 31). Additionally, writing is secondary to other discipline. Depending on the different writing categories that one may choose to develop interest in, primary information on the subject is paramount. The discipline therefore relies on other primary knowledge and skills such as interviewing skill and research skills which are two important skills in the information gathering process. Writing in collage is more advanced than the high school. While in high school students learn the basics to writing and developing their grammatical prowess, the collage writing goes beyond the ability to construct effective sentences and extends to the development of constructive sentence s that communicate effectively. Additionally, in college students major in smaller sub categories within writing such as fictional writing and plays among many others (Duras 12). Each of these requires different category of writing skill and specific knowledge to perfect. It is at collages that students develop such patient aspects of writing thereby developing careers out of their passions nurtured in high schools. Besides the obvious difference, high school plays an integral role in the development of effective writers since it is at this stage that students identify their skills and writing abilities. Writing, just as stated earlier, is an art and therefore relies on interests and the abilities of the students. High school helps students identify their abilities and interests thereby giving them opportunities to express and develop. Majoring in writing presents the students with different opportunities through which they can develop their careers. The course has a number of major ing options key among which include fictional, scientific, play writing and poetry among others. The course gives its majors an interesting introduction with a basic elaboration of each of the major options. At the elementary stages of the course, students study generally often trying their interests in the different majoring options. The course introduces the students to the different requirements for majoring in the different career options. It further compels students to choose from the different major options thereby encouraging specialization. Specialization is a process through which students develop careers in the specific elements of the course that they portray their best abilities and interest in. However, writing is relative and some students portray interest in more than one major option. The course gives the students the freedom to major in different options thereby creating dynamic writers with multiple skills. Different classes use writing differently. The course is c losely related to journalism, which is also a writing major. However, journalists report facts to their audiences who portray different abilities. They therefore write in a particular conventional manner that improves readability among their diverse readers. This type of writing differs with writing stories such as fictional narratives, poetry and scientific writing since unlike in journalism, the other writers have specific audiences. Writers therefore often consider their audience in developing their pieces. This implies that writing is diverse; everybody with knowledge can possibly write. However, professional writers possess knowledge and portray this by first understanding their audiences and therefore developing pieces that are

Considerations for Child Development - Middle Childhood Essay Example for Free

Considerations for Child Development Middle Childhood Essay Physical development is concerned with the biological changes of the body and the brain. It includes genetics, a foetus’s growth in the mother’s womb, the birth process, brain development and the acquisition of fine motor skills; it also encompasses behaviours that promote and impede health and environmental factors that influence physical growth. (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 5). I have chosen to evaluate the physical developmental stage of middle childhood, children the ages of six to ten years of age. This essay discusses the considerations for physical development and how it can be supported in the learning environment. It will look at motor development and its influences, the benefits of physical activity, and the consequences of inactivity. How a student’s physical development can facilitate or restrict development in other areas, and how we can support the physical needs and development of students. Read more:  Factors that influence child development essay Generally, children will develop their motor skills at them same time in life, however there are other factors that influence this development e. . a child’s environmental influences, (nurture) and also inherited characteristics and tendencies (nature). There are many things a teacher can do to facilitate a student’s basic cognitive process, they can help children pay attention to things that are important for them to remember; e. g. completing homework tasks, throwing litter in the bin, raising their hand and waiting before they speak in class. Introducing new information to the students existing knowledge will help them to continue to improve and learn. In middle childhood, children start to improve further on their fine motor skills, their handwriting becomes smaller, smoother and more consistent, and they will also start to participate in such fine motor activities as sewing, model building and arts and crafts projects. They will also intensify their speed, and coordination in running kicking, catching and dribbling. (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 161) In the case of infants and young children, teachers should try to provide a variety of sensory experiences, to facilitate a student’s motor development. It is very important to gain a balance of physical activity as well as class room work for a healthy all round child of this age group. Regular physical activity can benefit students by actually increasing their attention to more cognitively demanding tasks (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 172), in most cases if a child has a chance to be active and move around, they may be better able to prepare and settle into their theory work. Sport is another way that physical activity can benefit children. During Middle Childhood children begin to be more interested and start to excel in sport and athletics. Both organised and individual sports can be a good way to help maintain and enhance a child’s physical strength, endurance and agility. It can also promote social development by fostering communication, cooperation, and leadership skills (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 171). ‘The reality is that appearance is influential in social relationships, and it does affect how children feel about themselves’ (Chu, 2000; Dohnt Tiggermann, 2006b; Harter, 1999. ). Regular physical activity can help improve a child’s fitness, and help to maintain their weight and physical appearance, therefore making them feel better about themselves. Prolonged inactivity can result in weight gain, therefore effecting a student’s social emotional development. Being overweight or obese is a serious health risk in childhood. It predicts health problems in adulthood (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 189). Prolonged inactivity can cause lack of motivation and a decline in a child’s self-confidence. This is particularly important as during Middle Childhood, children start to develop friendships and internalise many of society’s rules and prohibitions (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 29). If a child fails to be physically active on a regular basis, e. g. staying indoors and watching television or playing computer games all day, it can restrict them from being social and forming important relationships and friendships. Prolonged physical inactivity can also affect a child’s concentration and participation during learning tasks. Over a period of time this could result in poor academic results. During middle childhood, children place great emphasis on the development of their own physical ability (parenting and child health, â€Å"http:/www. cyh. com/HealthTopics†). It is important as a teacher to try to focus on a student’s individual needs, encourage them to compete against themselves rather than their peers; this will help promote good self-confidence and will have an all-round good effect on other areas of their development. The rate of development differs considerably with differences partly the result of genetic diversity (nature), and partly a result of personal choices and environment (nurture) (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 176). If a child is brought up in an environment that promotes healthy eating and exercise they will generally be in better physical state of health. Physical development can also promote social-emotional development by fostering communication; cooperation and leadership skills (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 171); this can affect the child by making them feel more confident, motivated and be better prepared to form social relationships. However, for a child who does not have regular access to a healthy diet and a safe place for physical activity, this can lead to weight gain and obesity therefore restricting their social-emotional development, lowering their self-esteem, motivation and restricting their ability to form social relationship and friendships. A child’s motor skills can also be restricted by a lack of environmental support, if they are not provided with ample opportunity to practice their motor skills, whether it be through organised sport activities, or regular practice with mum or dad, they can fall behind on mastering these skills and allowing more complex skills to emerge (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 176). It is important for a child to have a good balance both in school and at home and in their community, with both learning and physical activities. Physical activity is essential for children, you can help to facilitate this by being pro-active, trying to provide frequent opportunities for students to be physically active through the day, e. g. break up theory work with a few minutes of physical movement, this will help them to better concentrate on the next learning task. Aim to make exercise challenging, but enjoyable, change team members around frequently to ensure all students are equally participating and try to provide all children with a role. Providing a safe environment and ensuring children use appropriate equipment for their age will help to minimise the risk of injury (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 185). In the case of a teacher having a student with special needs, providing they have permission, they should educate the other students on their condition and explain the nature of the disability; this will help the other children to be more accepting. There are many things a teacher can do to accommodate and support the physical needs and development of students. It is important to encourage every child to participate in all activities to the fullest extent possible, in a practice called inclusion; children with special needs joined their non-disabled peers in everyday school activities (Logan, Alberto, Kana Waylor-Bowen, 1994; Sailsbury, Evans, Palombaro, 1997). Engaging with parents and guardians can help give a teacher insight and suggestions into any adjustments that would help the child participate more fully in activities (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 185). In middle childhood, children are increasingly comparing and often critical of themselves and their peers, a teacher should try to focus on and meet a student’s individual needs and aim for them to be competitive with themselves, rather than their peers e. g. aiming to beat their personal best score or time. This will help boost their confidence and give them a drive to do better next time. Thoughtful attention to children’s physical needs can enhance children’s health, well-being, and ability to focus on their schoolwork. Such short-term effects pay dividends for future health, because good habits in childhood pave the way to health living later in life (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010, p. 186). It is always important for a teacher to pay such close attention to the children’s needs due to the fact that the impact of either class room learning or physical activity can both heavily shape their futures, or take from their quality of life in the future. In summary, for the Middle Childhood developmental stage that has been selected for the purpose of this assignment, there are many considerations for physical development and how the physical needs of students in the learning environment can be accommodated. A teacher can promote self –esteem and self-confidence making and engage with parents and guardians in order to successfully aid the child. Children can display a decline in self-confidence; this can be identified particularly in a child who does not have regular access to a healthy diet and a safe place for physical activity. It is therefore paramount to a child’s development that a teacher does actively encourage every child to participate in all activities to the fullest extent possible. It is in the best interest of the children for the teacher to incorporate a healthy balance of physical activity in with academic activity.