Trade and environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Trade and environment - Essay Example Rules formed by one party can frustrate the other in fact there is an existing fear that trade rules may be frustrating the environmental ones. This essay focuses on the question whether trade rules override the environmental ones. The non-discrimination principle by WTO may not favorable to restrictions that may be imposed by environmental rules. The principle requires countries to offer equal treatment to products that are alike imported from any WTO member country. If in a certain region the trade of such a product poses a threat to the environment, then terms of trade are likely to change once such a region is faced with environmental rules. To some extent the WTO is considered superior based on its scope of coverage, this has left the negotiations on the trade and environmental rules to be narrowed down to only the WTO members that have signed the Multilateral Environmental Agreement under consideration. Further the majority MEA secretariats have been granted ‘observership’ in the trade and environment committee and some attend the committee’s negotiation sessions by invitation. (Frankel, Jeffrey 2008). This may be attributed to the fact that there is no such a thing as an empowered global environmental body spearheading their concerns to their trade partners on issues that affect them. The benefits of trade which majorly includes steering economic growth, together with technology transfer and promoting competition outweigh the danger of adverse effects to the environment. It is also notable that trade may lead to environmental improvements, but it may also make states or firms to seek gaining advantage over their competitors by observing lower environmental standards. To many environmentalists this poses a potential source of conflict between trade and environmental rules and presents a hindrance to the goals that they want to achieve noting the climatic changes we

Chains and Sustainable Development Essay Example for Free

Chains and Sustainable Development Essay Those of us who preach the gospel of agriculture with evangelical zeal find the text compelling and convincing. We are regularly possessed by the spirit only to look around and see out colleagues, in other sectors, in country management, or even our senior management doubting, yawning or subtly edging towards the door. We face the implicit query, â€Å"If agriculture can do such great things, why have they not yet happened? †1 The past decade has been one of agro-pessimism. The promises that agricultural development seem to hold did not materialise. This pessimism seemed to coincide with pessimism about Sub-Saharan Africa. Especially for Sub-Saharan Africa the hope was that economic development would be brought about by agricultural development. After the success of the green revolution in Asia, the hope was that a similar agricultural miracle would transform African economies. But this hope never materialised, agricultural productivity did not increase much in SSA (figure 1), and worse, the negative effects of the green revolution in Asia became more apparent, such as pesticide overuse and subsequent pollution. Also in Asia the yield increases tapered off. The sceptics put forward several arguments why agriculture is no longer an engine of growth2. For instance, the liberalisation of the 1990s and greater openness to trade has lead to a reduction in the economic potential of the rural sector: cheap imported Chinese plastic buckets out compete the locally produced pottery. On the other hand, it does mean cheaper (imported) supplies. With rapid global technical change and increasingly integrated markets, prices fall faster than yields rise. So, rural incomes fall despite increased productivity if they are net producers3. The integration of rural with urban areas means that healthy young people move out of agriculture, head to town, leaving behind the old, the sick and the dependent. It is often also the men who move to urban areas, leaving women in charge of the farm. This has resulted in the increased sophistication of agricultural markets (and value chains) which excludes traditional smallholders, who are poorly equipped to meet the demanding product specifications and timeliness of delivery required by expanding supermarkets. The natural resource base on which agriculture depends is poor and deteriorating. Productivity growth is therefore increasingly more difficult to achieve. Finally, multiplier effects occur when a change in spending causes a disproportionate change in aggregate demand. Thus an increase in spending produces an increase in national income and consumption greater than the initial amount spent. But as GDP rises and the share of agriculture typically decreases, the question is how important these multiplier effects are, especially when significant levels of poverty remain in rural areas, which is the case in middleincome countries. The disappointment with agriculture led many donor organisations to turn away from agriculture, looking instead to areas that would increase the well-being of poor people, such as health and education. Those organisations that still focused on agriculture, such as the CGIAR, were put under pressure to focus more on reducing poverty, besides increasing agricultural productivity. However, since the beginning of the new century, there seems to be a renewed interest in agriculture. A review of major policy documents5, including the well-publicised Sachs report and the Kofi Annan report, show that agriculture is back on the agenda again. The most influential report, however, has been the World Development Report 2008 of the World Bank6. This report argues that growth in the agricultural sector 1 contributes proportionally more to poverty reduction than growth in any other economic sector and that therefore alone, the focus should be on the agricultural sector when achieving to reach MDG 1. A reassessment of the role of agriculture in development seems to be required. This policy paper addresses several timely though complex questions: †¢ First, how can or does agriculture contribute to economic development, and in particular how does it relate to poverty? †¢ Second, the agricultural sector has changed considerably in the past decades: what are the main drivers of this change? †¢ Third, what is the relationship between economic or agricultural growth and pro-poor development? †¢ Fourth, how does agriculture relate to other sectors in the economy? †¢ Fifth, who is included and who is excluded in agricultural development, specifically focusing on small farms? †¢ And finally, if agricultural development is indeed important to economic development, then why, despite all the efforts and investments, has this not led to more successes? 2. Agriculture and economic growth This section presents a number of factual observations describing how the agricultural sector changed in terms of productivity, contribution to economic growth, and indicating the relevance of the agricultural sector for poverty alleviation in different regions. Background: some facts In the discussion of the role of agriculture in economic development, a leading question is how agriculture contributes to economic growth, and especially to pro-poor growth. There seems to be a paradox in the role of agriculture in economic development. The share of agriculture contributing to GDP is declining over the years (see figure 1). At the same time, the productivity of for instance cereal yields has been increasing (see figure 2). It seems that as agriculture becomes more successful, its importance declines in the overall economy. Of course, other sectors in the economy can be even more successful, such as the Asian Tigers.

Rip Curl :: Essays Papers

Rip Curl Rip curl assignment! Two Australian surfers started rip Curl in 1969, at Bells Beach. They first designed surfboards, but then soon moved into wetsuits designs. They were wetsuit ‘designed by surfers for surfers’. At the time, there was a great demand for wetsuits. In 1970 they designed a new and improved wetsuit for diving, it had under arm gussets for better movement. Some of the key design requirements that Rip Curl look to have in their designs are warmth, make sure the rider/wearer isn’t to cold, flexibility, so the rider can move quickly and unrestricted, making the wetsuit more lighter and more flexible. Tougher stitching, so the suit is more durable and worth the money, and extra strong wearing area’s such as the knees. These key design areas are what put rip curls at the top of the market. Neoprene is one fabric that helps Rip Curl achieve their key design requirements, it is a material that is quite light, and very flexible and allows riders to move every which way. Neoprene is a rubbery fabric that has material on top for comfort. It is made up of tiny bubbles formed by nitrogen gas, heat can not pass through its cells, so the heat returns to your body, water cant pass through it also. Neoprene is a bye product of the petroleum industry. The thicker it is the warmer it will be. RD-4 is the latest in neoprene technology. IT is made up of rubber with an inner and out lining, but has a layer of titanium powder in it, so it retains all the heat from your body. The titanium is the reflective barrier in the suit. Materials such as these make it easier for Rip Curl to meet their key design requirements and better. To make the suits more durable Rip Curl add double linings or patches where the wetsuit absorbs most f the wear and tare. For instants, Rip Curl adds pads in the knees for extra durability. They also add double linings in the arms and legs but only use a single lining in the torso because it doesn’t receive much wear. Most of Rip Curls suits are black because black attracts the sun, so it keeps the person wearing it warmer. Which again connects back to one of the key design requirements ‘warmth’. Rip curl also puts a lot of important on having good logo’s that stand out.

Themes in “The Three Questions” by Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy was a renamed writer known for his moralistic views and humane beliefs. He wrote many great short stories and most of them revolve around ethical principles and values by which every person should live. In a sense, everything related to the search for the true meaning of life, are recurrent themes that stand out. The story, â€Å"The Three Questions† is like a parable because it illustrates universal truths as it narrates a tale that reflects three golden rules that are fundamental for a meaningful, exemplary and successful life.The story begins with a king that was puzzled by three questions:When is the best time to do each thing?Who are the most important people to work with?And what is the most important thing to do at all times?He strongly believed that the answers of these interrogations were going to provide him the ultimate wisdom to avoid failure in anything he’d undertake and also he considered that they were essential to know how to lead a successf ul life of good. Men from all over the kingdom tried to answer the king’s questions but they couldn’t satisfy him so he decided to consult a wise old hermit with the hopes that this old man would bring light to his doubts.When the king arrived, the hermit was working laboriously and didn’t answer when he asked the questions. The king offered to help him dig and after some time, he asked his questions again. Before the hermit could answer, a man emerged from the woods bleeding from a terrible stomach wound. Immediately, the king succored him, and they stayed the night in the hermit's hut. The next morning, the wounded man was doing better, but was incredulous at the help he had received. He confessed that he recognized the king, and revealed that he had come to kill him to have revenge, for the king had executed his brother and seized his property.The man praised the king and thanked him. Then for the last time, the king asked the hermit his questions, and the ol d man responded that he just had them answered. The king realized that the solution to his doubts lied in his everyday actions towards his neighbors. The answers were simple: the most important time is the present because it is the only time over which we have power, the most important person is whoever you are with and the most important thing is to do good to that person you are with.The mayor themes in this story are the powerful ethical messages that it holds which can be considered the universal commandments that should guide the actions of every individual. Just like the king, many men have wondered about the purpose of life and the things that need to be done in order to make it as pleasant as possible. Sometimes the answers to these interrogants might seem very complex and hard to find but to our surprise, they actually come in rutinary and random ways in our daily living. The fulfillment of life lies in serving others and in forsaking self-interest to bring joy to those aro und us at that moment.This is the path we must take to cover all our mental, spiritual and emotional needs that will ensure a good life. As you forget yourself and serve others you'll find that, without seeking it, your own cup of success and happiness will be full and the resulting feeling will be very gratifiying. No matter how much we stress over the past or future, nothing can be done about them so we must embrace the present and be aware of the necessities of our neighbors to deliver to them. It’s also important to point out that the king found these true principles for success and happiness amidst a humble environment.He left his luxuries behind and discovered the recipe for a meaningful life. Superfluous things like riches only bring ephemeral pleasure and sometimes blind us and forbid us to see the real important things in life. The answer to the first question of the king tells us that the most important time is now, which means that all our concerns should be center ed on the present. The present is where we all live in, it’s the state we are in, the person we represent altogether with our ideas, beliefs, feelings and suppositions.This is the only time over which we’ve got power because it develops according to our actions at the moment. When we live in the present doing things right, rather than regretting the past or worrying about what is to come, our hearts will have peace knowing everything that should happen will. The second answer is that the most important person is whoever you are with now and the final answer is that the most important thing to do is to be cordial and charitable towards that person.We must take in account that we’re all part of this big world that is changing day by day, and if we cease helping and giving a hand to each other, everything will fall apart. Sometimes we live very alienated to our surroundings because we concentrate entirely on our daily problems and we forget to be considerate toward s others. It's all about opening our eyes to reality and focusing on treating those around like we want to be treated. The satisfaction triggered by acts of kindness can’t compare to the satisfaction brought by other activities. Even though this is sometimes a thankless job, it remains a reward in itself.If we observe and consider the questions of the king and the answers to them, we'll find that these are some universal moral values that all humans should adopt in order to live the best life they can. These themes show that we must live in the present and treat everyone with love, respect and dignity for that is the path we must take to achieve success.â€Å"Not the maker of plans and promises, but rather the one who offers faithful service in small matters. This is the person who is most likely to achieve what is good and lasting. † – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe.

Christianity vs. Pagan Beliefs in Beowulf Essay

Although there are many examples of Pagan beliefs in the poem Beowulf, the poem points more toward a Christian influence and meaning. Beowulf is seen as a God to the Geat people, and they turn to the Almighty to save them from evil. Grendel is portrayed as a â€Å"monster of Cain† and lives underground. He represents the darkness of the Pagan beliefs, as well as Hell. The battle between good and evil – between Christianity and Pagan beliefs – is continued throughout the poem. Hrothgar and the Danes seem to be protected by the Almighty. Grendel would not go near Hrothgar’s throne because it was protected by God. When Hrothgar is talking to Beowulf before Beowulf goes to fight Grendel, he says, â€Å"Surely the Lord Almighty could stop his madness, smother his lust!† Beowulf also says that God will decide who dies. They believe in God and his power to control the outcome. Grendel was created after the Lord Almighty drove out all of the demons and the demons split into forms of evil, forever opposing the Lord’s Will. This would explain why Grendel was powered by the hatred of God. Whenever he terrorized Herot, some people turned to the Devil for help. They were heathens, and prayed to the old stone gods. Up until his battle with Beowulf, Grendel could kill his victims easily. However, Beowulf had the Lord on his side and was more powerful, easily killing Grendel. This proves that Christianity was more powerful than the Pagan beliefs. Grendel and his mother represent Pagan beliefs in the poem Beowulf. The main example is that they live underground, and the lake above their home was described as a â€Å"fiery flame†. This is just like Hell. Grendel is referred to as a â€Å"shepherd of evil, guardian of crime† in the poem. For twelve years Herot stands deserted because of the fear Grendel put in people. He represents all things evil and malicious. Towards the end of the battle between Beowulf and Grendel, the poem stated that you could hear shrieks of the Almighty’s enemy in the darkness. Grendel is also referred to as â€Å"hell’s captive† before he dies. This makes it seem like Grendel did not choose to be evil, evil chose him. All of the kennings refer to Grendel and are a part of Pagan beliefs. Grendel’s mother was the same way. Whenever she battled Beowulf, she could not be injured in her home. Her evil character was her shield. Then, the Holy God sent him victory and gave judgement for truth and right. When Grendel’s mother was also slain, there was a light as bright as Heaven’s own candle. Once again, Christianity overcomes Pagan beliefs. Beowulf often refers to fame and says that is all he wants. This is a Pagan belief. Wryd is also a Pagan belief and is talked about in the poem as well. Wryd means fate, and Beowulf believes that fate will determine who wins the battle. Although he believes in God and has confidence in His existence, he also has a few Pagan characteristics. One of these is greed. To Christians, greed is punishable by sin. Beowulf is extremely greedy for fame and fortune. He genuinely does want to save his people, but he wants them to remember his name more than that. Grendel and his mother often refer to revenge and the drinking of blood, which is also a Pagan belief. There has been much debate over whether the author of Beowulf meant for the poem to be a Christian poem, or was originally a Paganistic poem that has turned into a Christian story. There are many influences of both Pagan views and Christian views in the character of Beowulf. He is seen as a Paganistic superhero, but also as a god to the Geat people. Grendel and his mother are seen as monsters, but with human qualities, which is a Pagan view. However, the poem claims that God decided their fate and that is why they were slain. Therefore, the conflict between Pagan and Christianity beliefs is not really ever solved in the poem itself.