Manage health and safety in the workplace Assignment

Manage health and safety in the workplace - Assignment Example This means that the UAE is suffering from poor health and safety practices. However, the UAE ministry of labor law regulated the health and safety act in 1980 and underwent a regulation in 1986. Risk assessments as required by legislation, regulation and organizational Work place safety and health is a framework that cultivates safe habits in all individuals in order to engender a strong safety culture in the workplace. It requires stakeholders to take measures that ensure that individuals at work place are safe and healthy (Oxford Business Group, 2008: 23). The aim of the UAE regulated Act was to push the stakeholders to eliminate or even minimize the risk that result from work related accidents. More so, the acts penalize stakeholders who do not adhere to accident preventing measures. This means that the Act contain laws that oversee the rights of employees because it offers protective equipment guidelines and advocates for first Aid and medical facilities. Health and safety regula tions and legislation and how it is applied in specific work situations Chapter 5 of the UAE Labor Law outlines workers entitlements in terms of protective safety equipment, first-aid boxes, fire procedures, ventilation, water and medical care as well as sanitation (Loney et al, 2012: NP). First he law does not permit industrial and construction workers to work during the extremely hot hours of the day in order to avoid heat related injuries. The law advocated for this relieve because a large proportion of the UAE workforce is usually at risk during the summer months since they develop heat-related illnesses that range from the mild heat rash to the serious heat exhaustion, heat injury, and heat stroke (Kanna, 2011:75). In another note, the Ministry of Labor approximated that 42% of general UAE workforce in 2010 went into the construction industry. The same statistics claim that most of these construction workers work aboveground or at high heights. In this case, the law advocates f or protective wear and height awareness programs, through which it encompasses the media, instructional posters, pamphlets and animated videos that come in different languages several languages. More so, the campaign offer manuals for supervisors and employers that contain detailed technical information that vividly explain how to improve industries into safer working places. Additionally, workers in all sectors are entitled to work two hours less than the normal working hours during the holy month of Ramadan because these individuals during the Ramadan period undergo fasting. This means that most of them might not have the needed energy to work for the required full hours. Practical application of health and safety policies and procedures in the workplace Every organization should put up all necessary measure to foresee the safety of its workforce. This means that managers and supervisors should ensure that they have installed safety instruction board in a place that is noticeable for everyone and all the staff should read it (Hughes and Ferrett, 2009. 35). The instructions should contain understandable languages that depend on the work force. In another case, most industries use machines and other heavy equipments, which mean that they should ensure that

Five Types Of Qualitative Research Psychology Essay

Five Types Of Qualitative Research Psychology Essay This essay will start by defining qualitative research, it will then continue to discuss Creswells five types of qualitative research. Each type of study will be discussed and an argument will be made supporting these qualitative research technique in an organisational context (over quantitative methods). The essay puts much emphasis on justifying qualitative research in organisations to positivists. It will conclude with a short summary of the provided arguments that justify qualitative research in organisations. Qualitative research can be defined as, any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification (Strauss and Corbin p.17). One might argue that in todays business world there is no room for qualitative research, but only for solid proven statistics. However, organisations are not just numbers and numeric devices it is important to realise that the most important asset of organisations are its people. The aim of qualitative research is to find out more about the human element within organisations, and looks for meaning behind the numbers. The definition of qualitative research by Strauss and Corbin (2007) is very broad. Creswell (2009) defines qualitative research as a means for exploring and understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. This definition narrows down qualitative research. Creswell also states that qualitative researchers can choose from a wide range of researching methods such as; open-ended questions, interview data, observation data, document data, audio-visual data, text and image analysis, emerging methods, and themes patterns and interpretations. He (2009) goes even further and puts forward five types of qualitative research; narrative research, phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory studies and case studies. Narrative Approach The narrative approach or the story telling approach is an account or a history of something. Storytelling is an effective tool in making sense of change; identifying who we are, and where we come from. According to Rouse and Boff (2005), human culture itself, rests to a large extent on our ability to capture real and imagined events as sequences of cause and effect (i.e. stories) and share these sequences (pg. 300). The need to share these experiences is crucial in the process of collective sense-making, which we can find all around us. Newspapers for example, were referred to by Philip Graham, are the first draft of history. We tell each other stories to make sense of our social environment, and these stories keep developing. In the cultural web of organisations proposed by Johnson, Scholes and Whittington (2006), they argue that stories are a key proponent to the organisations culture. They are devices for telling people what is important in the organisation (pg. 203). A narrative approach to understanding organisational theory is crucial as Zukier (1986) argues that most people think in a narrative fashion as opposed to paradigmatically or argumentatively (in Weick, 1995). Through a subjective, collective storytelling effort, an objective reality is created. Positivists however, seek the rational pursuit of factual truth (Thorpe and Holt, 2008: pg. 155), and criticise the narrative approach as being unreliable due to its subjective nature. However as Czarniawska (1998) explains, the perceived coherence of the sequence of events rather than the truth or falsity of story elements determines the plot and thus the power of the narrative as a story (pg. 5). When examining organisational culture, the validity of the stories told is not what is of essence, seeing as whether true or false, the story plays a hand in creating the culture. In the Laskarina case study by Brown, Humphreys and Gurney (2005) for example, employees were all familiar with the story of how t he founding couple of the company fell in love with Laskarina on their honeymoon. Whether this story is true or not, it is clearly a key aspect of the companys culture and as such is relevant to understanding the organisations identity. A positivist would fail to recognise this, as the subjectivity of respondents is replaced by the objectivity of the researcher whose voice is that of a disinterested scientist [who] is simply an informer of decision makers (Lincoln and Guba, 1994: pg. 112). We find in the Humphreys and Brown (2008) Credit Line case-study, storytelling efforts made by managers and others regarding their corporate social responsibility (CSR). Boonstra and Caluwe (2007) explain that, [As an organisation] you process what you find difficult, but you comment on the things that people are proud of (pg. 49). We find that at Credit Line, CSR is a top-down approach, where managers heavily promote social responsibility through storytelling. Again, regardless of the storys vali dity, the narrative approach provides insight into the corporate culture. Not only are crucial points overlooked with a positivistic framework, but a disinterested scientist is unlikely to engage the reader very well. During my internship, whilst trying to better understand cultural differences, I interviewed some of my colleagues to learn how they felt about the need to be secluded from the rest of the bank. I was surprised to receive a variety of responses; some felt it was unnecessary, while others were quite adamant. This plays to an advantage of narrative analysis; representing the organisation as encompassing a variety of viewpoints that coexist as polyphony. Phenomenology Phenomenology is a philosophical school of thought which aims to recognise the association between human consciousness and the social environment. Developed in the early twentieth century by Edmund Husserl, its existence is a result of the shortcomings of positivist mentality (Orleans, 2001). Husserl felt the predominant school of thought at the time precluded an adequate apprehension of the world (Husserl, 1931 in Orleans, 2001: pg. 1). The main issue is that positivists do not recognise the importance of the process of thought and the direct impact this has on ones environment, which is the essence of phenomenology. In an organisation (as in any other social setting), in order to understand its way of life, we must first understand the mindset of its members. Understanding the individual and collective sphere of human consciousness allows a level of intimate comprehension, far greater than would be possible with positivist methodology. Unlike positivism and other scientific methods , phenomenology does not produce propositions that can be empirically tested. Human consciousness and thought process is too complex for quantitative analysis. Furthermore the transferability of findings from one social environment to another is not possible. Organisational culture is a subject that can benefit from this type of qualitative analysis. The concept of culture is in itself a human construct. It is a shared experience between members of a particular society. According to Connor (2000), when studying organisational culture it is important the researcher enters the field without any predetermined problems or hypotheses that require solving or testing. Such a positivist approach can lead to an inadequate apprehension of the world (or at least of the organisation). An interesting aspect of social behaviour is that of common sense. This constitutes what the norm is in the organisation. Orleans (2001) claims, common sense serves as an ever present resource to assure actors tha t the reality that is projected from human subjectivity is an objective reality (pg. 4). Hence we find that through sense making an objective reality is created. This is because the organisational social environment and its culture are human constructs. A positivist approach in defining common sense would be inappropriate. A positivist researcher would take the process of thought for granted, as subjectivity in not encouraged. This would lead to a tainted view of the life-world. Upon starting my internship in Islamic banking during the summer, and entering the field, the most challenging aspect was the culture change (perhaps even culture shock) involved with being a western, non-Muslim working in Islamic banking. This became evident on my very first day, when I tried to introduce myself to a female colleague with a handshake. What I did not realise, was that her culture prohibited such physical contact with a stranger. Interestingly, their organisational culture was that of their religion, Islam. It governed their subjective thought processes and determined common sense, providing an objective social reality. The purpose of my project was to determine whether due to their cultural difference, if Islamic banking and conventional banking were compatible (i.e. ability to exist under a single corporate umbrella). If I were to have approached this study as a phenomenological researcher, I would be more interested in the thought processes of the employees. As suc h, I may seek to understand what the notion of cultural difference means to those working in Islamic Banking but for a Western organisation. The key theme of phenomenology is understanding how consciousness of the self affects reality. This is important not only for the members of the society (the subjects), but also for the researcher. Introspection is necessary to determine any effects the researchers presence may have on the social environment. Reflexivity is the chief aspect of Watsons (1995) study. Watson provides us his subjective sense-making process involved with how to write his paper, in the form of a dialogue with himself. In my case, as an outsider in Islamic Banking, it is possible my interpretation of the data can be wrong, as I am attempting to analyse the situation through a familiar (western) lens. As Levinas states, western ontologyis [the] reduction of the other to the categories of the same (Levinas in Kearney, 1995: pg. 183). Grounded Theory Grounded theory, in comparison to scientific methodology, is a reverse style research system developed by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss. The basic process involves; coding the key points in a data set, using theoretic sensitivity to group codes into categories by looking for links, and formulating theories from these categories. The purpose being, that if completed correctly, the formulated theory is grounded in the data, and should perfectly fit the dataset. Glaser and Strauss realised at the time, sociological practice relied exclusively on quantitative analysis. Goulding (1999) refers to the research of the time as extreme empiricism or grand theory (Mills, 1959). According to Glaser and Strauss, the result was that theory had restricted empirical relevance, and grounded theory was their solution to shut this embarrassing gap between theory and empirical research (Glaser and Strauss, 1967: pg. vii). Their main objective was to derive theory from the data that could provide pred ictions, explanations, interpretations and applications (Glaser and Strauss, 1967, pg. 1). A positivistic quantitative method of data derived theory is the ANOVA process. However ANOVA is a simplistic additive model that fails to explain the complexities of the manner in which variables interact. Furthermore, unlike grounded theory, the ANOVA process does not necessarily take into account the entire dataset. Outlying data variables are deleted and not accounted for in the theory. Though grounded theory (if performed correctly) can better represent the dataset than quantitative methods, according to Strauss the theoretic development process determines the quality of the theory. Glaser and Strauss (1967), proposed that theory is never a finished product. Instead it is a work in progress that requires continuous updating. Theoretic development as a sustaining concept is relevant to organisational theory (e.g. culture). This is because an organisation is a work in progress as well. Mark et conditions change, competitors come and go, and organisational culture needs to adapt. Unlike positivistic methodology, a grounded theorist enters the field without preconceived hypotheses that need to be tested, resulting in a better understanding of the organisations true naturalistic situation (Douglas, 2003). Positivists such as Haig (1995) argue that constructing hypotheses prior to entering the field is necessary because a researcher must identify a specific question that needs to be researched. A grounded theorist can enter the field having a general reason for undertaking the specific research. This does require the formulation of hypotheses and hypothetical problems. In Jefferys (1979) study Normal Rubbish, he identified the casualty department at the NHS had problems, and that it was an undesirable place to work, before entering the field. Formulating hypotheses as to why this was the case at this stage would not have been fruitful. Through conducting qualitative resear ch (interviews, participant observation, etc) Jefferey was able to identify links through the language used by doctors and staff (good patients, rubbish, etc). By adopting such an emergent theory development process, Jefferey discovered the culture that was associated with the casualty staff at the NHS. Douglas (2003) found that when grounded theory is applied in the organisational context, theory emerged from empathising the ways in which respondents construct their reality, their world (pg. 53). That is, grounded theory enables understanding of how the organisation views itself in the context of its environment. Through appreciation of the interactions and processes of the organisation in its natural setting, its culture can be understood. Grounded theory is a complex process, which if fulfilled, provides many benefits. Due to its advantages, many researchers claim to have fully undertaken the process, but few actually do (i.e. cook the carrot for the full nine hours). While conducting my study on the culture of Islamic banking I did not use a grounded theory approach due to my lack of experience and understanding. Van Maanen (1979) emphasises the importance of recognising the issues in their natural context. This is especially important in the case of understanding organisational culture. By formulating a theory, without forming prior hypotheses and being purely grounded in the data, we can appreciate the organisations true nature. Ethnography Ethnography is a descriptive style of study on human society. In terms of studying organisational culture (or any culture), ethnography is arguably the most relevant methodology that can be utilised. Ethno-graph literally translates to, culture- writing. Ethnography has its roots in colonialism, in the quest to learn about the other and their culture. It is of little surprise that ethnography was developed outside the United States (Kenya, Samoa, Bali, Brazil) (Schwartzman, 1993: pg. 1). Ethnography is a reality-based research system which is placed in the context of the subjects life. This is more effective than quantitative methodology as the research is grounded in the respondents natural setting, and does not require the participant to place themselves in hypothetical situations (such as when answering questionnaires). This is crucial as there can be a difference between what participants do as opposed to what they say. Mariampolski (2005) points out that participant observation is an advantage since a respondents self disclosure can be idealised, obscured and poorly recalled (pg. 10). As such, ethnography provides an insight into the organisations social setting through understanding the respondents interactions with it. Positivistic methodology however, lacks engagement of the natural setting. For example, by defining variables such as gender, expectations, and pay-level of participants, positivists can determine the level of correlation. However this is not helpful in explaining the social world as experienced by its social actors. We need to ask, what is the meaning behind the numbers? Mariampolski (2005) points out that ethnography is the closest a researcher can get to the respondent. Given this, she questions why it has taken over one hundred years for qualitative research to become popular in organisations (such as marketing firms conducting consumer brand research). Similar to the findings of Glaser and Strauss (1967) and Edmund Husserl (1931), pos itivist mentality used to be the norm. In such a world anything can be objectively perceived and counted. This makes life easier for managers, who need to worry about consumer targets and budget reports. However Mariampolski (2005) points out that the positivistic methodology is a fantasy. It fails to understand the complexities of human behaviour and fails as a predictive tool (Mariampolski, 2005: pg. 13). Spradley (1979) defines culture as, the acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behaviour (pg. 5). In essence, it is a group of peoples way of life, and cannot be measured through quantitative techniques. As mentioned earlier ethnography aims to understand the other in our terms (i.e. by us, for us). However auto-ethnography is an autobiographical style of writing, where the researcher investigates a familiar culture for non-members of that society. The benefit of this is that the reader is provided with a genuine account of a social environ ment by a member of that culture. Hence the concern of misinterpreting data by viewing it through a familiar lens is overcome. Positivist methodology does not benefit from such valuable insight, as the researchers role in minimised in the outcome of the study. The study I compiled while doing my internship in Islamic banking was definitely of an ethnographic nature. I was the first non-Muslim to work in that division at the bank, and that made me feel as though I were back in the days of colonialism, setting off to learn about the other and their culture, so that I could bring my findings back to the West and report them (to my university). In order to understand a society, entering the field is necessary. For example, prior to arriving in Dubai, one of the aspects of Islamic banking I did not understand was their need for segregation from all other operations of their own organisation. However upon entering the field, I learned that according to Shariah law (the Islamic law), the Islamic banking division of an organisation cannot have any affiliation with any conventional banking operations. Other than having to be physically separated, Islamic banking earnings and funds cannot be reported along with conventional banking earnings. In fact within the organisation, the Islamic banking division operated like an independent sub-organisation, which included its own name. As Mariampolski (2005) explains, ethnography is holistic in that one needs to piece together the respondents world, through utilising inner and outer-world elements that can only be identified upon entering the field. Conclusion The colonial days of travelling to unchartered territories to research an unknown tribe of people in their local setting may be over. Today, organisations provide the perfect social environment. Corporate culture varies not only across national boundaries but from organisation to organisation. Quantitative methods, though useful in understanding certain aspects of organisational theory, is unable to explicate the human dimension of organisations. Through the use of the mentioned qualitative research techniques, valuable insight can be gained into many aspects of an organisation, not just culture. Which qualitative technique to choose, depends on the nature of the study at hand. It has been shown that there is a definite benefit (if not requirement) of using qualitative analysis in an organisational context. Eigentlich Intro This is because positivists are usually sceptical of qualitative methods and undergo technical and quantitative training. The disadvantages of positivistic methodology in organisational research will be emphasised. The purpose of this is not to prove one is better than the other. But to justify the need for qualitative research, the shortcomings of positivistic, quantitative methodology must be emphasised. As a student of Corporate Strategy and Governance, I understand the significance of corporate culture. It is an organisations identity and has been described by some as its soul. For the purpose of this study understanding an organisations culture will be the focus of the justification of qualitative research in organisational studies. This is because quantitative research is unable to explain organisational culture. My interest in corporate culture also arises because I have undertaken field research in the area before. In the summer of 2007, I applied for an internship in Islamic banking with a large English multinational bank in Dubai. Other than gaining practical exposure to the field, my primary motivation was to conduct research for a strategy based assignment I had been given for university. As a westerner I was looking forward to understanding the cultural differences between Islamic banking and conventional banking. Wherever appropriate, I try to relate my experiences. Word Count: 3,200

AIDS and HIV :: Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues

AIDS and HIV    The HIV virus poses one of the biggest viral threats to human society today.   It is contracted through bodily fluids such as blood and semen, and sometimes even saliva and tears.   AIDS kills 100% of its victims and puts them through agony before they die.   It has been a threat for about 15 years, and it is not going to stop now.   In fact, AIDS is just getting started:   It consumes more people each year.   There is no known treatment for it either, only antibiotics to slow the reproduction of the virus. HIV is passed from one person to another by bodily fluids only.   It is usually gotten through sexual intercourse or other intimate contact, through the exchanging of unsterilized intravenous needles, or by the contact of HIV-infected bodily fluids and an open wound.   It cannot permeate though intact skin, hence it cannot be spread through informal contact. AIDS has not been found to travel in insects or tame animals.   In pregnant women, the virus only infects the infant near or at the time of birth.   The virus dies quickly without a host.    AIDS (Acquired ImmunoDifficiency Syndrome) weakens the body ¹s immune system so it is sensitive to infection.   The AIDS virus primarily attacks the T lymphocytes, which are a main part of the immune system.   The virus is also incubated in cells called macrophages, where it is accidentally sent to other, healthy cells in the body like neurons and lymphatic cells. After HIV is contracted, the person looks and feels healthy for up to 20 years before symptoms start occurring.   During this time, the person can give the virus to another even though it cannot be detected by sight or smell.   Usually, symptoms start developing within 1 to 2 years.   Typical indications of the virus are fever, weariness, weight loss, skin rashes, a fungal mouth infection called thrush, lack of immunity to infection, and enlarged lymph nodes. When AIDS overtakes the body, the body becomes especially susceptible to tuberculosis, pneumonia, and a rare form of cancer called Kaposi ¹s Sarcoma.   Once AIDS has fully taken hold, the body may suffer damage to the nerves and brain.   The life expectancy of an AIDS victim after the birth of symptoms is 1 to 5 years. AIDS was believed to have begun in Central Africa around 1979.   Nearly all of the first AIDS patients were male homosexuals.   However, after 1989 90% of all new cases of AIDS were from heterosexual intercourse.   Public awareness rose as famous people began to die, like Rock Hudson, Perry Ellis, Michael Bennett, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Tony Richardson.

Environmental Resources Worksheet Essay

Using the assigned readings from Week Four, write a 50- to 75-word response to each of the following questions. Your responses will be assessed according to the accuracy of the content. Minerals 1. How do minerals affect society? Minerals have aided in the continuous growth of developing nations and also, â€Å"had abundant mineral deposits that enabled them to industrialize† (Berg, 2013). However, as a consequence of industrialization, â€Å"these countries largely depleted their domestic reserves of minerals so that they must increasingly turn to developing countries† (Berg, 2013). Also, minerals affect the global economy. For example, China â€Å"controls more than 90 percent of the global supply of rare earth metals, has also reduced its exports to other countries, in a move that could affect market prices† (Berg, 2013). 2. What is the difference between metallic and nonmetallic minerals? Provide two examples from each category and discuss their uses. Minerals are divided into two categories: metals and nonmetallic minerals. Metals are â€Å"malleable, lustrous, and good conductors of heat and electricity†, while nonmetallic metals â€Å"lack these characteristics† (Berg, 2013) . Gold is a metal used for currency and iron is a metal used for steel buildings. Gypsum is a nonmetal that is used for drywall. Silicon is another nonmetal that is used for electronic devices. Mining 1. How are minerals extracted from the Earth and processed? There are two ways to extract minerals from the Earth, either surface mining or subsurface mining. Surface mining is done when minerals are closer to the surface. Subsurface mining is used when the minerals are too deep to be removed by surface mining. Smelting is the â€Å"process in which ore is melted at high temperatures to separate impurities from the molten metal† (Berg, 2013). 2. What are the different ways minerals can be mined? Provide a brief  description of at least three types of mining. What effect does extracting minerals have on the environment? Other than land damage, extracting minerals causes air pollution of the air, soil, and water. Also, it destroys vegetation and causes soil erosion. Possibly most importantly it affects the water supply. Mineral extraction â€Å"exposes large areas of dissolved toxic substances to precipitation, greatly accelerating polluted runoff† (Berg, 2013). Soil 3. What is your definition of soil? What is soil composed of? Why is soil important to the environment? Soil is the uppermost layer of the Earth and supports life on earth. Soil is composed of four parts: mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air. Soil is very important to the environment because various organisms depend on soil for life and â€Å"supports virtually all terrestrial food webs† (Berg, 2013). 4. What types of organisms are found in soil? Determine the relationship between soil and organisms. Ants, moles, snakes, and earthworms are just a small number of the many organisms that are found in soil. Essentially, organisms and soil depend on each other to remain balanced. Organisms that live in soil provide â€Å"ecosystem services, such as maintaining soil fertility, preventing soil erosion, breaking down toxic materials, and cleansing water† (Berg, 2013). 5. What is soil erosion? How can soil become polluted? What effect does soil erosion and pollution have on the environment? Soil erosion is the â€Å"wearing away or removal of soil from the land† (Berg, 2013). Being that soil erosion reduces the amount of soil in an area, vegetation growth can become very limited. As a result, it disrupts the balance of the ecosystem by eliminating food sources. 6. What is the purpose of soil reclamation? Soil reclamation can be executed by â€Å"(1) stabilizing the land to prevent further erosion and (2) restoring the soil to its former fertility. To stabilize the land, the bare ground is seeded with plants that eventually grow to cover the soil, holding it in place† (Berg, 2013). Once the soil is returned back to its original state, the land can be used again. Forestry and Rangeland Resources and Management Strategies 7. Differentiate between government-owned and public lands. Which government agencies are involved with government-owned lands? What is the purpose of government-owned lands? Government owned lands â€Å"provide vital ecosystem services that benefit humans living far from public forests, grasslands, deserts, and wetlands† (Berg, 2013). These places include national parks and provide protection for endangered species and flood and erosion control. Public land is available for recreational purposes such as hiking, swimming and boating. 8. Why is the forest an important ecosystem? What is your definition of forest management? What is its purpose? Describe the concept of sustainable forestry. The forest is an important ecosystem because it â€Å"provides many goods and services to support human society† (Berg, 2013). They also provide employment for millions of people worldwide. Forest management is the managing of timber production. The purpose of forest management is to produce as much timber as possible. 9. What effect does the harvesting of trees and deforestation have on forests and the environment? Is there a preferred method for harvesting trees? Explain. Both the harvesting of trees and deforestation result in â€Å"decreased soil fertility† (Berg, 2013). The vital minerals that are needed by soil are washed away because there are no trees to absorb them. Also, this takes away food sources and shelter for various organisms. This disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems. Selective cutting, is when a small group of mature tress are individually cut or in small clusters. This means that the rest of the forest is left undisturbed. However, this method is expensive and does not generate timber needed quickly enough. 10. What is a rangeland? Describe rangeland degradation and desertification. What effect does degradation and desertification have on the environment? Is there a preferred method for harvesting trees? Explain. Rangelands are â€Å"grasslands, in both temperate and tropical climates, that serve as important areas of food production for humans by providing fodder for livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats† (Berg, 2013). Degradation is â€Å"both a natural and a human-induced process that decreases the future ability of the land to support crops or livestock† (Berg, 2013). Desertification is progressive degradation that produces desert-like conditions on land that was used previously and was plentiful. 11. What is  overgrazing? What effect does this have on rangelands? What strategies can be employed for managing and conserving forests and rangelands? Overgrazing is a â€Å"situation that occurs when too many grazing animals consume the plants in a particular area, leaving the vegetation destroyed and unable to recover† (Berg, 2013). When rangelands are overgrazed, â€Å"plants die, the ground is left barren, and the exposed soil is susceptible to erosion† (Berg, 2013). The rangelands have to be taken care of by practicing techniques that are environmentally friendly. Agriculture 12. What is the difference between industrialized and subsistence agriculture? What effect do these methods have on the environment? Industrialized agriculture are modern â€Å"agricultural methods that require large capital inputs and less land and labor than traditional methods† (Berg, 2013). Subsistence agriculture supports on the farmer and their family with little reserves. Industrialized agriculture causes pollution and lowers an ecosystem’s biodiversity. Subsistence agriculture relies on more human and animal labor and has a much smaller impact on the environment. 13. What is one agricultural challenge, other than soil erosion, that society faces? Explain your answer. One agricultural challenge that society faces is the lost of agricultural land. Countries are starting to expand and grow rapidly. With so much space being needed for expansion, this takes land that could have been used for agricultural purposes. The loss of rural land means that food will have to travel longer and use more resources to do so. 14. How would you describe sustainable agriculture? How does it affect the environment? In regards to agriculture, what are the advantages and disadvantages involved with genetic engineering? I would describe sustainable agriculture as agriculture that is better for the environment and leaves less of a footprint on the Earth. It also promotes high diversity. It has minimal long term impacts on the environment by using less pesticides and using biological diversity instead (predator-prey relationship). The advantage of genetic engineering is that any organism can be used and it takes less time to engineer another breed. The disadvantage is that there is yet to be seen what long term effects  genetic engineering has on the environment or on humans. Works Cited Berg, L. (2013). Visualizing Environmental Science (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Female Mill Workers in England and Japan

Ariana Delgado History, B Mr. Carmer March 24, 2013 Comparing Workers in England and Japan The Industrial Revolution was the greatest transforming event in human history. Big factors in the revolution were the human figures. Such as exhausted laborers pouring molten steel or the eight year old child working with a bottling machine. But the main focus will be the women and young girls in the textile industry of England and Japan. Most spinning and weaving for the textile industry were done in homes and small shops but a big change in human history was when process of spinning and weaving were moved to factories and done by machine.Because women and young girls have such nimble fingers they were perfect for operating the machines since they required special skills. In England the textile revolution began around 1760 and a series of inventions changed the way cloth was made in England. Many of the inventions were replacing hand weaving and spinning and moved to the factories. As textile manufactures went from the home to the factory, so did thousands of English women. In Japan the revolution began in 1868 when a teen-age emperor, Mutsuhito took over a new power in Japanese government.The goal was to make Japan an equal to western nations. To accomplish this, they began to invest in coal mines, textile mills, shipyards and many others. Technology for the investments already existed it was more of a question of seeking out advice. This is when European experts were invited to Japan to advise the Japanese on how to establish industry. In conclusion, European and Japanese female mill workers were very similar and critical to the rise in power. Some examples of differences between female mill workers are wage, age and working conditions. Female Mill Workers in England and Japan Female mill workers in England and Japan: How similar were their experiences? Nikita Thompson B period 10/6/11 If a person who thinks they have it tough with their job takes a look at the fact that a young Japanese or British girl worked longer hours, got paid less, and put up with horrendous working conditions, that person might reconsider their statement. Despite the fact that Japan and England had many similarities with female mill workers, they still had a few differences. Young children and women worked in big dangerous factories known as mills, spent more hours then the average working person today, making thread or fixing machines.So how were their experiences different? Female Japanese workers had to work more, got paid less, and accepted the role that their society gave them. Compared to English women mill workers, Japanese women worked more. English female workers only worked about 74 hours a week and Japanese female workers worked 91 hours a week (Document 5). This was bec ause the Japanese workers worked longer each day, had fewer holidays, and worked on weekends (Document 5). English female workers had more breaks, worked shorter hours each day, and did not work on weekends. This is a big difference between female English and Japanese mill workers.Even though in both England and Japan women got paid less than men, Japanese women got paid even less than English women. This is why they had so many workers (document 4). Since Japan paid the female mill workers less, they would be able to hire more workers and increase their production rate. Why would they want to pay women less? They paid women less because the women needed money and they would accept any amount given to them (Document 8). Japan and England had different ways they treated women and because of that the Japanese women accepted almost everything they went through in the mills.In Japan the women were treated a little less fairly. Japanese women were more willing to accept their role in the work force because they couldn’t do much about it (Document 11). This is the reason that female Japanese mill workers got low pay and worked more hours. In their society the men were respected more and got paid twice the amount the female Japanese woman got paid (Document 8). Having few if any rights, Japanese women would be forced to accept the role that society put on them and couldn’t put up a fight against the unfair and unlivable conditions put on them.But like the female mill workers in Japan, female mill workers in England were treated terribly as well. For example, one of the few men in the mill would beat the little children if they didn’t do their work right (Document 10). Though a beating is terrible, it has been recorded that some female Japanese mill workers committed suicide (Document 11). It’s because female Japanese mill workers worked longer hours, got paid less than British female workers, and had less freedom in society that we can con clude to the simple fact even though British and Japanese female mill workers had similarities, the Japanese female mill worker had it worse.