International Journal of Technology Management and Sustainable Development

The last decade has witnessed the emergence of an array of increasingly vibrant movements to harness experience and engineering (S&T) in the quest for a transmutation toward sustainability. These movements take as their smear of departure a widely sh atomic number 18d view that the challenge of sustainable phylogenesis is the reconciliation of societys development goals with the planets surroundingsal limits over the long term.In seeking to help meet this sustainability challenge, the multiple movements to harness cognition and technology for sustainability focus on the dynamic inter reachs between disposition and society, with equal attention to how social change over shapes the environment and how environmental change shapes society. These movements seek to address the essential complexity of those interactions, recognizing that understanding the individual components of nature society systems provides insufficient understanding about the behaviour of the systems themselves .They are problem driven, with the goal of creating and applying k outrightledge in support of decision making for sustainable development. Finally, they are grounded in the belief that for such knowledge to be truly useful it generally needs to be coproduced through close collaboration between scholars and practitioners. The inquiry and applications computer political platformme that has begun to emerge from these movements has been called sustainability science by the National Research Council.This Special Feature high-lights this emerging program and some of the new results it is start to produce. The need for sustainable development initiatives to mobilize catch science and technology has long been recognized. Early research on sustainable yield concern of renewable resources provided the foundation for the worldwide Union for the Conservation of Natures seminal World Conservation Strategy, published in 1980.The case for making appropriate research and development (R&D) a n integral component of sustainable development strategies was broadened by a number of world(prenominal) scientific organizations during the mid-1980s, promoted by the Brundtland Commissions report Our Common Future in 1987, and enshrined in the Agenda 21 action plan that emerged from the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992.Over the succeeding decade, the raillery of how S&T could contribute more than effectively to sustainability intensified, involving numerous researchers, practitioners, scientific academies, and development rganizations from around the world. By the time of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg in 2002, a broadly found consensus had begun to take shape on the most important ways in which S&T has already contributed to sustainability, on what new R&D is most important, and on what stands in the way of getting it done. many another(prenominal) of the most valuable contributions of S&T to sustainable dev elopment predate the term itself.These range from the sublunar technologies that have improved delivery of basic needs for sanitation and cooking, through the yield enhancing, land delivery accomplishments of the internationalist agricultural research system, to the primordial scholarship of geographers and anthropologists on nature society interactions. In more recent times, a host of R&D efforts explicitly aimed at promoting sustainability have been launched. These extend from a rich tradition of officiate on energy systems and ecosystem resilience to new initiatives in industrial bionomics and earth system complexity.A feel for the breadth and scope of relevant R&D now underway around the world is suggested by the quick growing list of entries on the virtual gathering on cognizance and engine room for Sustainability. However, much remains to be done. Perhaps the strongest message to emerge from dialogues induce by the Johannesburg Summit was that the research community n eeds to complement its historic role in identifying problems of sustainability with a greater willingness to join with the development and other communities to work on practical solutions to those problems.This reputes bringing our S&T to bear on the highest-priority goals of a sustainability transition, with those goals defined not by scientists alone but quite a through a dialogue between scientists and the people engaged in the practice of meeting forgiving needs while conserving the earths life support systems and reducing hunger and poverty.At the international level, the Johannesburg Summit, create on the United Nations Millennium Declaration, has defined these priorities in terms of the so-called WEHAB targets for water, energy, health, agriculture, and biodiversity. A more overbearing study of internationally sanctioned goals and targets for a sustainability transition, together with an evaluation of the state of reporting and assessment on progress in attaining those g oals, is provided by Parris and Kates in their contribution to this Special Feature.As important as this international consensus on goals and targets may be for targeting problem-driven research in support of a sustainability transition, however, it is not sufficient. A common workshop held by the International Council for Sciences, the Third World Academy of Science, and the Initiative on Science and Technology for Sustainability concluded that agenda setting at the international, continental, and even national scale will miss a lot of the most important needs.The transcendent challenge is to help promote the relatively local (place- or enterprise-based) dialogues from which purposeful priorities base emerge, and to put in place the local support systems that will allow those priorities to be use. Where such systems exist, the production of usable, place-based knowledge for promoting sustainability has been impressive indeed. The commitment of sustainability science to problem -driven agenda setting does not mean that it has been confined to applied research.Indeed, pursuit of practical solutions to the pressing challenges of sustainability has driven the field to tackle an array of perfect questions. The Friibergh Workshop on Sustainability Science identified a half-dozen such core conceptual questions that have been upgrade developed through the virtual Forum on Science and Technology for Sustainability and are beginning to pop out in the context of emerging agendas in other more established fields, such as spheric environmental change.Examples of the new sorts of research now beginning to emerge on several of those core questions are reported elsewhere in this Special Feature Kates and Parris on How are long-term trends in environment and development reshaping naturesociety interactions in ways relevant to sustainability Turner et al. on What determines the vulnerability or resilience of the naturesociety systems in particular kinds of places and f or particular types of ecosystems and human livelihoods? and Cash et al. on How can todays relatively independent activities of research planning, observation, assessment, and decision support be give integrated into systems for adaptive management and societal learning? The sustainability science program is also beginning to address a range of fundamental observational and methodological challenges.For example, H.J. Schellnhuber and his colleagues at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research have developed modernistic new answers to the question How can the dynamic interactions between nature and societyincluding lags and inertiabe better incorporated in emerging models and conceptualizations that integrate the Earth system, human development, and sustainability.Wolfgang Lucht, writing in the IHDP Update, summarizes current work on answering How can todays operational systems for monitoring and reporting on environmental and social conditions be integrated or extended t o provide more useful guidance for efforts to navigate a transition toward sustainability and a number of groups are calling for re-examination of national and international social account measures to include sustainability considerations. Activities to provoke the sustainability science program are moving forward on a number of fronts and at scales from the global to the local.One of the more up-to-date lists of programs and projects is maintained on the Forum on Science and Technology for Sustainability. As an indication of the range of activities underway internationally, the International Council for Science, Third World Academy of Sciences, Initiative on Science and Technology for Sustainability, and other organizations have formed a Consortium for promoting a coordinated international program of research, capacity building, and applications.The Earth System Science Partnership of the Global Environmental Change Programmes has launched a series of Joint Projects on Sustainabi lity focused on problems of food security, water, and carbon management. An increasing number of international science assessments for environmental protection (e. g. , the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Millennium Ecosystem Assessments) are incorporating sustainability concerns. And a rapidly expanding set of multi-stakeholder Partnerships for Sustainable Development are developing in the wake of the Johannesburg Summit.An even greater conversion of S&T-based efforts are underway at the local, regional, and national levels around the world. The research products of some of these efforts are beginning to appear in the published literature, although many of the relatively local results remain largely unknown beyond their places of origin and application. Sustainability science is not yet an autonomous field or discipline, but rather a vibrant arena that is bringing together scholarship and practice, global and local perspectives from north and south, and disciplines a cross the inherent and social sciences, engineering, and medicine.Its scope of core questions, criteria for quality control and membership are consequently in square(p) flux and may be expected to remain so for some time. Nonetheless, as the papers include in this Special Feature are meant to suggest, something different is surely in the air, something that is intellectually exciting, practically compelling, and major power as well be called sustainability science.

Philosophy Life and Death Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Philosophy life story and Death - Essay ExampleHowever, when stack can be given chances to make out immortal, then they forget immediately accept the chances to live forever, but the fact is that nobody can resist death. Secondly, nobody slowly accepts death, and people usually do what they can, to survive difficult situations. This is the reason as to why many people readily pay for expensive medical covers, to safeguard their lives, and even drink chemical concoctions to conquer death. Gilgamesh in the end concludes that death is unavoidable, and he too will someday die (McCaughrean G, Parkins 87). As a young man, Montaigne had an extravagant fear for death, and this al more or less made enjoying life difficult for him. As a philosopher, he spent most of his time teaching people on how to encounter the fear of death. He based his teachings on the ideas presented, by some early philosophers, which stated the best way to treat your own mortality is to think about(predicate) i t constantly (Montaigne 243). Additionally, this theory further stated dwell on your death each day, and you will become so used to it as an idea that cannot scare you when it arrives in reality (Montaigne 243). Montaigne argues that death holds little to deal about therefore, we should not bother our heads about it. According to his theory, the acceptance of death is something more than just a therapeutic tool (Montaigne 251). Therefore, when people expect too much out of themselves and try to control every aspect of their experiences, they will actually undermine that control. This also applies to death too when we expect it, then we will not bother us. Lao-tzus Tao Te Ching, is an extremely difficult piece to interpret and understand repayable to the repletion used, and use of highly difficult-to-interpret symbolism. According to my understanding tao apparently means road or way. In other words, it is a way of doing things.

Animals and the Myriad Ways They Can Kill or Heal Us Essay - 1

Animals and the Myriad Ways They undersurface Kill or Heal Us - Essay ExampleWith treatments of this manner, it is fascinating therefore to learn how health check scientists have managed to turn the deadly toxicantous malices to medicine for treating various ailments in human beings. What then is embitter or malevolence? Though used interchangeable, warns Dr. Vernon (2012, 1, split 2) the two are different in convey and are distinguished from one another in the method of delivery. Poison, he writes, is absorbed, ingested or inhaled while venom is injected. This resonates with Gibbons et al. (1990, 273) argument who define venom as a toxin produced in certain glands of one animal and automatically transmitted by biting or stinging. This provides the hypothesis that all venoms are poisonous, but a poison is not necessarily venom. The great power cobra is an example of a venomous snake and provides a perfect standard for this study. Allow me to introduce to you the deadliest s nake in the world The King Cobra, also known as genus Ophiophagus hannah or the snake eater. Named so because of its dietary habit of preying on its kins (feeds on lumberman snakes). ... It has a broad and flattened head with the neck having a narrow hood which can be ext finised when threatened (WildScreen, 2013, 1, paragraph 2) .A single bite of this snake can easily kill a human. Worse still, a full- grown Asian elephant can die within a time circumscribe of 3 hours if bitten on the trunk by this dangerous snake. In addition to the above features, most snakes unremarkably produce a hissing sound in response to threat however, this cannot be said of the King Cobra which makes a distinctive growl emanating from the throat and deepens as it grows. Dangerous as it is, this snake species is harvested for its meat, skin and gall which are used in traditional medicine (WildScreen, 2013, 1, paragraph 12). What type of Venom does the King cobra posses and how does it acidulate? There are three different types of venoms namely Hemotoxic, (attacks the cardiovascular system), Cytotoxic (targets specific muscle groups) and neurotoxic (attacks the brain and the nervous system) venoms. Some snakes combine the venom types while others carry specific form of venom (WiseGeek, 2013, 1, paragraph 2). Ophiophagous hannah is one such which exhibits a combination of the three, but is predominantly Neurotoxic venom (Dr.venom, 2010, 1, paragraph 2). In the same line of reasoning, Corporation (2004, 273, paragraph 2) provides corroborating information which marries with that of WiseGreek. He posits that neurotoxins attack the nervous system, preventing the impulses from irresponsible the muscles thus paralyzing the victim. He adds that snake venoms are formed from enzymes, which are protein in nature. More so, different snake species have different cocktail of venoms which either work individually or in groups to achieve the desired end neurotoxins, myotoxins and hemotoxins. M ost

Snake Populations and Human Intervention Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Snake Populations and Human Intervention - Essay Example twain areas are known C. horridus habitats. Snake population sizes shall be determined for both areas from local reports of spottings in summer. Adults, upstart ones and neonates shall all be considered for the hear. The two population sizes shall be compared. The population size from the con dish upd area shall serve as the control as there is supposedly no human intervention and the snakes are leftfield in their pristine state. If the population size from the non- keep area is larger than or the same as that from the conserved area it will be construed that the hypothesis is correct. If the converse is true the hypothesis will be turn out wrong and this research study shall be considered successful. The entire study will be supplemented by a questionnaire that shall be presented to locals residing near the two survey areas. The questionnaire design will be such that information on the respondents awareness of conservation efforts and their attitude towards the snakes can be judged. This, together with the study results can help vastly in future studies conducted to assess how snakes can co-habit with humans without friction.Taxonomy The timber rattlesnake is a member of the close worldwide family Viperidae. These viperids include both Old World and New World snakes that have existed since the Miocene Age (Adams, Jennifer P., 2005). Crotalinae, commonly called pit-vipers, is a sub-family comprised of 16 genera and 144 species (Adams, Jennifer P., 2005). Crotalinae members are characterized by two pitted heat sensors between the look and nares, hollow retractable fangs, a single row of sub-caudal scales and vertical pupils (Adams, Jennifer P., 2005). There are 33 genus genus Crotalus New World species and sub-species, of which 25 inhabit North America. The rattle and the broad head narrowing at the neck and descending into a thick heavy body most characterize this genus (Adams, Jennifer P., 2005) . Distribution and shapeDistribution Timber rattlesnakes range widely from New Hampshire south to Florida, west to Texas and north again to southeastern Nebraska through to southeast Minnesota (Fig. 1, Appendix) (Staff, CRACM, 2003). Despite this wide distribution timber rattlesnakes are usually found in isolated pockets to the western and northern limits of their ranges. In particular context to West Virginia, where this study will be conducted, the species ranges from the eastern panhandle through the Alleghenies south to Mingo and Mercer counties (Fig. 2, Appendix) (West Virginia Snakes, 2003). Status Evolutionary trends have produced Crotalus horridus as a long-lived, slow-reproducing

Philosophical foundations of education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Philosophical foundations of education - Essay ExampleHowever, there are some general strategies that grow effectively. The essential thing to keep in mind about managing the discipline environment is that it needs an on-going functioning in which the teacher must be a keen observer, facilitator, conversationalist, and manager.Different strategies are being use by teachers, and key school personnel to promote learning and to create a collateral learning environment. Manning observations stated that there is a growing consensus that a positive and safe learning environment is genius that emphasizes cooperation, collaboration, and peaceful existence, and is one that is free from threats of psychological or physical harm-- that is, an environment that reflects caring and concern for all(a) students (2000).Establish the type of environment and the desired behaviour for the students - It requires set of goals, general and specific objectives, and the necessary skills undeniable to b e developed, in order to decide what behavioural goals the facilitator is trying to attempt to achieve with the students. Behaviour reading is necessary for students growth and learning. This strategy give the sack promote a positive learning environment when initially done within the learning process. ... uld be geared so students can achieve the essential skills to exonerate on the desired behaviours, once students understand the set behavioural goals and objectives. The surroundings in which children learn can greatly influence their academic performance and well-being in school. The architecture, layout, decor and facilities of the their school all lam a vital role in shaping the learning environment as cited in humanness Wide Web (Teachernet.gov.uk). Generally, student behaviour is dependent on teachers behaviours. If a teacher is attentive on the effect of his or her behaviour towards the students, he/she can change it to direct them toward the desired behavioural goals. match to McFarland, a teacher influences his or her students by both content and contact and can leave a long-lasting impression (2005). As a role-model of the students, the behaviour of the teacher could help create positive uphold to students in achieving the projected behavioural goals and objectives, leading to a positive learning environment. Promote respect when dealing with students - Ralph Emerson said, The secret of Education lies in respecting the pupil. It is not for the teacher to choose what the pupil will know and do, just now for the pupil to discover his own secret. The teacher therefore must wait and see the new yield of Nature (1888, pp.125-59). The teacher must have confidence that his/her students also desire to do the right thing. Students positive expectations will become self-gratifying and transmission of these expectations to students happens in a number of ways. One of the most understandable and preponderant way is through personal relationships in w hich teachers and other school personnel converse to students, This work is grand I know you can do it I

Careers in Biosciences Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Careers in Biosciences - Essay ExampleI in any case have excellent computing skills that will come in handy when pursuing my career. Of late, I have been analyzing the available careers for me, and the more I came to learn about bioinformatics the more I got interested in it. I now have my passion buried deep inside bioinformatics.The job market in bioinformatics has changed considerably in recent years. This can be attributed to the change magnitude in academic programs in bioinformatics, which has principal to the increase in the number of graduates who are chasing jobs. Nowadays, employers look for employees who are qualified in this field. There is also an increase in the number of academic jobs compared to industrial jobs. Additionally, the number of research programs that require bioinformatics skills has been on the increase (Belikoff et al, 2004 p56).The area of bioinformatics that has interested me the most is the database administration. I am critically thinking of major ing in this field. On a day-to-day basis, database administration involves the designing and maintaining of huge databases, which hold data related to biochemical information and genome sequences. Databases contract to be constantly updated, and this is the work of a database administrator (Camenson, 2006 p67). Database administration also involves developing of search algorithms that must be intelligent, and are used to search through the database, to retrieve the relevant information (Lacroix & Terence, 2007 p90).The major employer of bioinformatics graduates is the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, other companies involved in biotech, personal care products and industrial organisms and agricultural companies require individuals who are accomplished in bioinformatics (Moussalli et al, 2010 p87). Potential employers look for graduates who have been trained in computer skills and biological sciences. Those in the biomedical sciences with Information Technology background ha ve an added advantage.

Wikipedia is not the Enemy Project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Wikipedia is not the Enemy Project - Assignment ExampleIts importance to the hostel makes it is worth being entangled in Wikipedia.Writing Entrepreneurship as a topic in Wikipedia is not enough. The author must ensure a proper breakdown into smaller and detailed subtopics. As an author, I would include detailed subtopics like definition and solid ground, importance, definition and qualities of an entrepreneur and types of entrepreneurship. In the listing, I would overly include the potential sources of finance for startups, forecasters of success in entrepreneurship and examples of successful entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship. At the end of the article, I would include a reference list. In the topic, the most potentially controversial parts are the definition and the sources of finance for startups parameters for criterion success because they are not measurable, and every individual can have their opinion. I would gain development on entrepreneurship from business journals, b ooks and newspapers because they provide a lot of information (Wikipedia 1).The entry of entrepreneurship article in Wikipedia is a shorter version compared to what other sources provide. Wikipedia has divided it into numerous subtopics namely definition, background, history, definition and skills of and entrepreneur, psychological makeup, project entrepreneurship, financing, predictors of success, recent developers and referencing with supercharge reading. The entry was last revised on 27, October 2014 at 1307 hours. The experts cited in the article include Joseph Schumpeter, Jean Baptist, pecker Drucker and Frank Knight (Wikipedia 1).The history subtopic in the article is shorter and less informative. The barriers to entrepreneurship that the article provides are outdated with the grey-headed days of 17th and 19th centuries. The 21st century needs more descriptive and informative barriers. The subtopics of background and history have been de-emphasized, and the interested reade r may feel frustrated. A reader might also feel cheated