The Big Lebowski Essays - The Big Lebowski, Dude, White Russian

The Big Lebowski All of the relationships among the elements in the film the Big Lebowski may seem to be enigmatic with each other, but this style of film creates an integrated system of disunity. The Coen brothers demonstrate this style through various motifs through out the film, from the main character's name to what he drinks. The film is a perfect example of a film which has the theme of disunity. In the film the main character Jeffery Lebowski, refers to himself as "the Dude". This element of the story becomes a motif. The Dude is referred to, and refers to himself as the Dude because it represents his personality, which is an easygoing "cool" character. The common Western society slang which is associated with the word dude, is male prostitute. In the scene where the Dude returns home after being arrested in Malibu, he find himself engaging in sexual intercourse at the request of Mod Lebowski. After they finish, Mod explains to the Dude that she was using him to concede a child. Obviously he was not given money in exchange for sexual favours but, the Dude, (much similar to real prostitutes) was used for sex. The Dude is continuously used by his friends and business associates through out the whole film. Although presented as a laidback cool character, the Dude's title is representative of how he is seen by everyone around him. In the film, Bowling is seen as a man's activity, a place where go to compete and get away from the world. In the bowling alley there is never a female present in the shot within any scene. This motif is reinforced during the scene entitled Gutter Balls. In the Dude's trip-out it starts off as a bowling spoof pornographic film, which can also be considered a male thing. It has shots of floating bowling pins and balls rearranged in numerous sexual positions, where the pins represent the male genitalia. Further on in the dream, Mod, who is a strong independent character, is represented by Viking costume she is wearing. Contrary to this, she still required help from the Dude when bowling. In the Big Lebowski bowling is seen as a male dominated activity During the scene where the Dude and Mod Lebowski engage in sexual intercourse, the Dude pores himself a White Russian. The Dude explains that the alcohol and marijuana helps him think. "I'm keeping on a very strict drug regiment to ahh, keep my ahh, mind limber." This is shown when almost immediately after he smokes his marijuana and pours his White Russian he figures out where big Lebowski's money is. In contrast to this, the drugs and alcohol can also be seen as an obstacle in the Dude's effort to solve the case. At one point the Dude crashes his car after spilling his drink and dropping a lit joint onto his lap. In another scene the Dude is arrested because his White Russian was drugged. Drugs and alcohol become a paradox of the Dude's success. With these motifs in mind we are able to see that the Coen brothers used different motifs show any number of different things about the film. They are able to mesh together themes of masculinity to society's views of the weak. With this, the Big Lebowski has a theme which can only be called eclectic.

Qu es I-9 para verificar que se puede trabajar en USA

Qu es I-9 para verificar que se puede trabajar en USA El formulario I-9 es la herramienta  que utiliza el gobierno federal para verificar que las personas que buscan empleo  en Estados Unidos cumplen con los requisitos migratorios para trabajar. Por ley, el I-9 es un documento que deben completar todos los empresarios, compaà ±Ãƒ ­as, reclutadores y personas que refieren a un empleado a cambio de una compensacià ³n econà ³mica. Cmo funciona el I-9 para verificar que se puede trabajar en USA Cuando un trabajador busca trabajo y encuentra a un empleador dispuesto a contratar, debe probar su identidad y que est autorizado para aceptar empleo en los Estados Unidos. Por ley, en estos casos el empresario debe colectar documentos que prueben dos cosas. En primer lugar la identidad de la persona que solicita el trabajo, es decir, que es quien dice ser. Y, en segundo lugar, que est autorizado por ley para trabajar en los Estados Unidos. Para cumplir con ese doble requerimiento el formulario I-9 admite como prueba una serie de documentos, divididos en lo que se conoce como listas A, B y C. Documentos incluidos en la lista A Sirven para probar, al mismo tiempo, la identidad del solicitante de empleo y su derecho a trabajar conforme a las leyes migratorias de los Estados Unidos.    Si se presentar un documento de la Lista A, es suficiente con 1 sà ³lo. Por el contrario, si se elige un documento de la lista B, tambià ©n hay que presentar otro de la lista C   Los siguientes son documentos de la lista A para el formulario I-9: Pasaporte americano Tarjeta de pasaporte de los Estados UnidosPasaporte de los Estados Federados de Micronesia, junto con el documento I-94 de entrada y salidaPasaporte de las Islas Marshall con I-94 de registro de entrada y salida. Tarjeta de residencia permanente, tambià ©n conocida como green card. Para trabajar son vlidas las tarjetas que tienen firma de su titular y tambià ©n las que carecen de ella.Pasaportes extranjeros con residencia temporal estampada en pasaporte. Es lo que se   conoce como I-551Pasaportes extranjeros con una anotacià ³n temporal I-551 en una visa de inmigrante que puede ser leà ­da por una mquina. Lo que se conoce en inglà ©s por sus siglas MRIV (machine-readable immigrant visa.Las tarjetas de autorizacià ³n de empleo que se conocen en inglà ©s por las siglas EAD. Deben tener foto de su titular. Pasaportes extranjeros con una visa de trabajo y con el documento I-94 de registro de entrada y de salida. En el caso particular de visas de estudiante o de las J-1 de intercambio puede que resulte necesario presentar ms documentacià ³n. Esto à ºltimo va a depender del caso particular de cada uno. Documentos admitidos para probar la identidad para trabajar: lista B Cuando no es posible presentar un documento de la Lista A seà ±alada anteriormente, entonces es necesario presentar 2  documentos. Uno para probar identidad de la persona que quiere trabajar, que es lo que se conoce como Lista B. Adems, es imprescindible otro documento para demostrar que puede trabajar legalmente en los Estados Unidos, que es lo que se conoce como lista C. En otras palabras, se puede mostrar 1 documento de la lista A, o dos documentos, en cuyo caso 1 tiene que ser de la lista B y el otro de la lista C.   Todos los documentos siguientes estn incluidos en la lista B para demostrar la identidad y, por lo tanto, se puede presentar cualquiera de ellos: Licencia de manejar emitida por uno de los estados de los Estados Unidos o uno de sus territorios, como por ejemplo, Puerto Rico. Debe contener fotografà ­a de su titular y datos como nombre completo, fecha de nacimiento, gà ©nero, altura, color de los ojos y direccià ³n actual.Una tarjeta identificativa (ID card) emitida por una agencia o entidad del gobierno federal, del estado o local. El caso ms comà ºn es el emitido por las autoridades del departamento de vehà ­culos de los estados y que son como una licencia de manejar pero precisamente no sirven para conducir, sino solo para identificarse. En todo caso deben estas tarjetas identificativas deben contener la foto de su titular e informacià ³n como nombre completo, direccià ³n, fecha de nacimiento y datos fà ­sicos como altura, gà ©nero y color de ojos.Licencia de manejar emitida por una autoridad de Canad La tarjeta de registracià ³n para votarUna tarjeta identificativa de la escuela que incluya fotografà ­a de su ti tularTarjeta militarTarjeta de familiar de militar Record del servicio militar Tarjeta de Marineros mercantes de la Guardia Costera de los Estados Unidos, que se conoce por sus siglas en inglà ©s de MMDDocumento de una de las tribus nativas de los Estados Unidos Adems, los menores de 18 aà ±os que no tienen ninguno de esos documentos mencionados, pueden presentar en su lugar cualquiera de los siguientes:   Rà ©cord de la escuela o de las calificacionesRà ©cord de la guarderà ­aRà ©cord mà ©dico de un doctor, clà ­nica u hospital Tener en cuenta que en los casos en los que se presenta un documento de la lista B que justo se acaban de listar, es necesario tambià ©n presentar un documento de la lista C para demostrar que desde el punto de vista de las leyes migratorias se est autorizado para trabajar Documentos de la Lista C para probar que se puede trabajar en USA Una tarjeta del Nà ºmero del Seguro Social sin restricciones. Es decir, NO se puede presentar como documento de la Lista C una tarjeta que incluye limitaciones como not valid for employment o valid for work only with DHS authorization.La Certificacià ³n de Nacimiento en el Extranjero (FS-545) o la Certificacià ³n de Reporte de Nacimiento (DS-1350). Estos documentos son emitidos por el Departamento de Estado a los nià ±os hijos de estadounidenses que nacen fuera de los Estados Unidos y que adquieren la ciudadanà ­a americana al nacer por derecho de sangre. La certificacià ³n de nacimiento emitida por la autoridad de un estado, condado o municipio de los Estados Unidos o de uno de sus territorios. En estos casos se admite tanto el original como copia certificada pero en ambos casos es necesario que contenga el sello de la autoridad que los emite.El certificado de naturalizacià ³n   El certificado de ciudadanà ­a americana, documentos N-560 o el N-561Documento de una tribu Nat ivo-americana.El I-197, que es una tarjeta que identifica a ciudadano de los Estados Unidos o el I-179, que es una tarjeta de identificacià ³n de ciudadanos residentes El registro de ingreso y salida I-94 emitido a un asilado El Permiso de Reentrada que no est expirado, que tambià ©n se conoce como I-327Y, en el caso de residentes condicionales, se puede presentar la planilla que se conoce como I-797 junto con su green card expirada (I-551). A tener en cuenta Si no se cumple con el requisito del I-9, tanto la empresa como el empleado pueden enfrentarse a castigos. Por otro lado, no confundir el I-9, que es obligatorio en todos los casos, con el sistema e-verify, que es voluntario en la mayorà ­a de los casos y tiene como requerimientos siempre el tener que presentar la tarjeta del nà ºmero del seguro social y un I.D. con foto. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

Is the performance appraisal enough to guarantee better employee Essay

Is the performance appraisal enough to guarantee better employee performance - Essay Example 8) What will be the impact of each alternative on employee performance? 4. Research Design 4.1 Research Method: The research is both descriptive and causal in nature. In the descriptive part, the research will identity the findings of previous researchers regarding the effectiveness of performance appraisal in guaranteeing employee performance. After the descriptive analysis, the research will establish a link between the how strongly related performance appraisal is with employee performance and what other factors might be possible causes of employee performance. Both the primary and secondary sources will be used which are detailed as follows: Secondary Sources: The purpose of the desk research portion of the study is to gain hard data on pre-existing performance appraisal templates and their known outcomes, in real-life business environments, to gain an understanding of how the process is implemented and how employees have historically responded to these methodologies. Additionall y, this secondary research effort will improve understanding of what drives motivational responses in modern worker populations, based on performance criteria laid out by real-life organisations. During the course of the research, alternative methodologies other than the performance appraisal, designed to build better human capital, will be explored. It will act as the foundational knowledge necessary to approach fulfilment of the study’s objectives and build an appropriate primary research design strategy (Nargundkar, 2003). The procedure will entail consultation with appropriate journals and textbooks that describe performance-related phenomenon in the organisational environment (Smith, 2008). Additionally, reputable website content will... The paper tells that the purpose of the desk research portion of the study is to gain hard data on pre-existing performance appraisal templates and their known outcomes, in real-life business environments, to gain an understanding of how the process is implemented and how employees have historically responded to these methodologies. Additionally, this secondary research effort will improve understanding of what drives motivational responses in modern worker populations, based on performance criteria laid out by real-life organisations. During the course of the research, alternative methodologies other than the performance appraisal, designed to build better human capital, will be explored. It will act as the foundational knowledge necessary to approach fulfilment of the study’s objectives and build an appropriate primary research design strategy. The procedure will entail consultation with appropriate journals and textbooks that describe performance-related phenomenon in the o rganisational environment. Additionally, reputable website content will be consulted as provided by university leadership across the globe and case study representations of motivational theory and the use of performance appraisals as a means of fostering improved organisational and worker efficiency. Case studies of various organizations in London shall be used for initial exploratory findings. Results from a study conducted by students of University of Cranfield regarding the IiP shall also be used.

Proposal finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Proposal finance - Essay Example e main objectives are, first, determine the cause the global financial crisis and secondly, the effect of the financial crisis on the developing country. The research will attempt to answer the following questions; what caused the financial crisis and what was its impact on the least developed nations. The results of the research will be of great importance to both governments and private sector in both developing and developed nations alike. It will enable the governments to come up with strategies for predicting and preventing future occurrences. The private sector will be able to cushion their businesses from a financial crisis and learn how business practices can cause a financial crisis. Many economists consider the 2008 to 2012 financial crisis as the worst since the great depression of the 1930’s. It led to the collapse of financial institutions, decline in consumer wealth (Muma, 2012, p. 6); the stock market dropped worldwide and mortgages default in the housing sector. What started as US mortgage crunch (Sun et al., 2011, p. 2), extended to the other nation especially the European Union. On September 14, 2008, the fate of Lehman Brothers was to be decided (Dolezalek, 2011, p. 7). The eventual fall of Lehman Brothers undermined the confidence and trust of the investors in the financial market. One year earlier, the Bank of England has bailed out Northern Rock, a large mortgage lender (Dolezalek, 2011, p. 7). The financial and banking crisis that started in the developed nation reached the least developed nation through at least three channels. First, the crisis led to sharp decline in world trade volume (Alabi et al., 2011, p. 3) and commodity prices (Alabi et al., 2011, p. 116). Secondly, the foreign direct investment started declining since 2007 and hurt most, the mineral and oil exporting nations (Nafziger, 2012, p. 546). Thirdly, it led to a reduction in the foreign remittances to the least develop countries. The research will extend the body of

How Transgenics has helped to shed light on a disease model Diabetes Essay

How Transgenics has helped to shed light on a disease model Diabetes - Essay Example The technique helps in the betterment of human and animal genes, while helping r educe diseased conditions and accentuating positive features. It improves nutritional value in plants and advances the yield of crops. It also helps in the treatment of genetic disorders and in the study of DNA fingerprinting, which can help the forensic department in punishing or acquitting an individual. The Recombinant DNA technique was engineered by Stanley Norman Cohen and Herbert Boyer in 1973. They published their findings in a 1974 paper entitled "Construction of Biologically Functional Bacterial Plasmids in vitro", which described a technique to isolate and amplify genes or DNA segments and insert them into another cell with precision, creating a transgenic bacterium. [www.wikipedia.com] This technology has helped in the creation of genetically healthy animals, who are devoid of any flaw characteristics. The genetic errors and flaws have been replaced and altered using this technology of artificial DNA and has paved way for flawless genes in animals. These transgenic animals have indeed become a landmark in biological studies. They are useful in carrying forward the species, without any threat of becoming extinct.

The Value Of Reducing Carbon Footprints Environmental Sciences Essay

The Value Of Reducing Carbon Footprints Environmental Sciences Essay This report examines the concept and value of measuring and reducing a business or product carbon footprint as well some renewable energy systems available, that could contribute to Carbon reduction and energy efficiency. Guides and legislation already exist. In anticipation of future developments, regarding sustainable practices and strict mandatory requirements for organizations and businesses, it is important to take action. Finally, several renewable energy systems are presented and evaluated with recommendations for the companys building. Introduction  ­ The last three decades the detrimental human impact on the environment became the subject of extensive study. Today it is internationally acknowledged that the extensive use of fossil fuel and overexploitation of earths resources has led us into an environmental crisis. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuel are the most threatening factor to Climate Change (IPCC, 2007). The international commitments concerning carbon reduction emissions, at the recent Climate Change Summit in December 2009, show the need for quick and effective measures. To meet this challenge the industry and commerce sectors must also take action. Today the quantification and makeup of GHG emissions is expressed by the term Carbon Footprint. This report analyses the composition of a businesss Carbon Footprint in relation to its activities, products and properties. Moreover, its explained why this course of action is necessary and how it could benefit the whole business and its production process. Finally, some of the most typical renewable energy technologies are examined and suggested for the companys office premises located in Athens Greece. The definition of carbon footprint. Throughout time there were many attempts to define what a carbon footprint is. Nowadays, the definition of Wiedmann and Minx (2007, p.4) is what is widely accepted: The carbon footprint is a measure of the exclusive total amount of carbon dioxide emissions that is directly and indirectly caused by an activity or is accumulated over the life stages of a product. This includes of individuals, populations, governments, companies, organizations, processes, industry sectors etc. Products include goods and services. In any case all direct (on-site, internal) and indirect emissions (off-site, external, embodied, upstream, downstream) need to be taken into account. The above reference to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions includes all six Kyoto Protocol (1997, Annex A) Green House Gases (GHGs). These gases, besides Carbon Dioxide, (CO2) are Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). They are all aggregated and quantified in tonnages of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). The conversion is based in each gass Global Warming Potential (GWP) over a period of 100 years. The GWP is defined as the relative impact of a GHG compared to Carbon Dioxide (CO2) over a given period of time. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change (IPCC) in its 3rd Assessment Report (2001) provides the values as well as the calculation method. Carbon Footprint for business, companies and organizations. There are two types of Carbon Footprint for a business or an organization. Organizational carbon footprint Product carbon footprint Organizational carbon footprint The Organizational carbon footprint is made up from all direct and indirect GHG emissions caused by the organizations activities (Carbon Trust, 2010).According to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol the direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions are divided into three scopes (categories) (WBCSD WRI, 2004). Scope 1: Direct greenhouse gas emissions These are emissions created by the organizations assets and production processes e.g. on site fuel use for production process, vehicle use for transportation of employees, materials, products and waste, refrigerant loses, oil and fuel leakages, physical or chemical processing etc. Generally, emissions resulting from the organizations activities. Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions Emissions created by the use of electricity, heat and steam purchased for in premises use of the company or organization. (The energy suppliers emissions). Scope 3: Indirect GHG emissions other than the Scope 2 category Emissions created from activities needed for the company to function but not made buy the company or organization itself. Extraction and transportation of raw material from suppliers, commuting of employees, transportation of fuel for use, recycling, waste transfer and disposal are examples of what is included in this category. Generally any product or service purchased by the company necessary for its production process except from electricity and heat (scope 2). Product carbon footprint The product (goods or services) carbon footprint is made up from the emissions of its life cycle. This includes all the emissions generated from the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing or service provision, use, reuse and finally its recycling and disposal as waste. Those emissions are generated similarly like the organizational carbon footprint by the use of energy, fuel combustion for manufacturing and transportation, and losses and leakages that emit directly to the environment like refrigerants, gases (methane) etc (Carbon Trust, 2011). Caution is necessary when calculations of both the organizational and product carbon footprint are made so as to not undercount or over count its quantity due to the complexity of these calculations. The necessity of carbon footprint calculation and reduction. There are many reasons why a business or organization should develop a management system for the reduction of its carbon footprint. As mentioned above there are two types of carbon footprint organizational and product (goods and/or services) Its noteworthy that the calculation of either or both footprints sets a reference point for the comparison and evaluation of progress made (Carbon Trust, 2010). Organizational carbon footprint reductions The organizational carbon management and reduction will lighten the environmental burden of a businesss activities. Uncontrolled anthropogenic GHG emissions from usage of fossil fuel, deforestation, manufacturing, industrial procedures (steel, iron, cement production) and other activities thicken the greenhouse gas layer. This layer traps more re-radiated solar energy from the earths surface into the lowest atmospheric layer the Troposphere. This results to global warming (Denman K.L et al, 2007). Furthermore the quantification of the carbon footprint helps managers and employees to recognize the areas which have the greatest potential for further reductions and cost savings over time (Carbon Trust, 2010) . Another major reason is to report the reductions to third parties concerned with GHG emissions. According to the Carbon Trust Carbon Footprinting guide (2010), this should be done in order to: Display social conscientiousness or for marketing purposes Answer requests of businesses, customers, investors for carbon emission data Show compliance with mandatory climate change legislation such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) (2010) or European Union (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) (2008) Provide information by the companys participation to initiatives that have a purpose to help organizations, investors, governments, consultants, academics and generally anyone concerned, develop energy and emission policies, reduce their carbon footprint and make research. An example is the Carbon Disclosure Project CDP (2001). To enforce a carbon reduction strategy or purchase or sell carbon offsets. Carbon Offset transactions are made based on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol (1997). Product carbon footprint reductions Many of the benefits from the reduction of the product carbon footprint result from the way these reductions take place. In order to reduce its products carbon footprint, the company should monitor and try to make changes to its whole manufacturing process. Emissions come from the whole life cycle of the product. Thus, reductions should be made in every stage of this cycle, to every input and output. Correct selection of materials and suppliers, product design and manufacturing and decreased energy consumption, are all key contributors to effective carbon management. As a result, aside from environmental benefits and reduced costs, the organization will ultimately drive change to the whole supply chain. Furthermore, develop better relationship with its suppliers and help them identify and reduce their own inefficiencies (Carbon Trust, 2010) There are also advantages for the market and public image of an organization. Public conscience and awareness about environmental friendly practices and sustainability has grown notably the past two decades. The reduction of a products carbon footprint can enhance a brand name and attract more customers and shareholders (Carbon Trust, 2010). This is a result of the differentiation from other products, which have not yet developed carbon management programs or have bigger footprints. Current common practice and approach to calculation, reduction and publication of carbon data is by the use of the GHG Protocol and Publicly available specification (PAS) 2050 for organizations and products respectively. Independent validations and certificates for greenhouse gas emissions denote transparency of the organization, could attract interest and provide reassurance to stakeholders. Continuous progress is necessary for both the organizational and product carbon footprint in anticipation of future (and stricter) legislation and tougher competition. The companys carbon footprint. An indication of the companys carbon footprint in Athens Greece, can be given by the annual energy consumption of its building. In 2010 the energy consumption of natural gas and electricity was 225230kWh and 379125kWh respectively. The Greek Regulation of Building Energy Performance in table B.1 (2010, p.5336) gives values of 0,989kgCO2/kWh for electricity and 0.196kgCO2/kWh for natural gas. This means, that approximately 419 tones of CO2 per year are produced by the companys office premises alone. Renewable energy technologies Renewable energy comes from natural sources abundant in our environment. Solar, wind, rain, waves, heat from earth and newly produced organic material are all used to provide zero carbon energy. The most common applications are passive solar designs, solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, biomass heating, ground source heating and wind power generation. Other Low Carbon technologies such as absorption cooling and combined heat and power (CHP) can also be incorporated with the use of this technology. Considerations should be made relative to different building types and locations as well as costs. Passive solar designs use the buildings design and structure (orientation, design, shading, window glazing and thermal insulation) to store or deduct heat and provide ventilation. The basic concept is to optimize the direct use of the energy available from the buildings environment. Although best suited for new buildings, existing could use some of its concepts. The benefits from such an application include better working environments, less temperature fluctuation, natural air ventilation and less dependence and use of mechanical means for heating and lighting. This results to, increased productivity, low maintenance, higher asset value, lower energy bills and emissions (SEEDA). Photovoltaic systems, convert solar radiation to electricity. The systems consist of a set of PV cell panels, inverters and wiring. PV cells are made from semiconductor material abundant in earth like silicon. The panels can be installed in either the roof and/or sides of a building, or directly on the land. The effectiveness and efficiency of such an application depends a lot from the available area, its orientation as well as from the shading of neighboring buildings and other obstacles. They have low maintenance requirements, long warranties and even longer life expectancy. Still they have high initial capital costs. These systems are mostly recommended when correct conditions like lighting, orientation and available area exist and/or grants from governments. It is anticipated that soon these systems will be highly competitive due to fuel price increments and continuous evolution and optimization of the technology (SEEDA). For a 750Kwh /year system prices average at  £6000 minus any grants and tax returns that may exist. Solar thermal water heating, is a system, installed on roofs, that collects the suns radiation to heat a non corrosive (antifreeze and water mixture) liquid. This liquid runs through a coil in a water cylinder and transfers its heat to the water (Menzies, G.F, 2009) The Carbon Trust (2005) reports that approximately 60 % of hot water demand could be covered by solar water heating. Its considered one of the most effective and cheap solutions for carbon reduction and cost savings. Menzies (2009) reports 1-3% carbon reductions for commercial applications sized to cover 50% of hot water demand. Biomass heating, uses boilers that burn organic material from plant and animal matter to produce heat, fuel or electricity. The system typically consists of a furnace with piping that transfers heat for space or water. It is considered as carbon neutral because the CO2 and CH4 are part of the active carbon cycle (accumulated from plants and animals recently and now put back in nature, unlike the carbon emitted from the burning of fossil fuel which was out of the system for millions of years)( Menzies, G.F 2009). Biomass Boiler fuel comes cheaper than electricity, oil, LPG heating (Menzies, G.F, 2009). More so, flexibility to convert to heat, fuel or electricity is also a plus. Still, high initial costs, space requirements for fuel storage and availability of suppliers should be carefully considered. Its typically best for businesses with organic byproduct material as result of their industrial process and/or for longer hours of operation than usual. Payback periods usually range from 3 to 9 years depending on the replaced system ( Carbon Trust, 2011) Ground Source heat pumps, use the relatively constant underground temperature, for space and water heating purposes. These systems are not considered carbon neutral (but low carbon) because, pumps use electricity or gas to convert the gathered low level heat to useable high-grade. Still carbon reductions could be substantial for non domestic applications especially if used for the whole heating demands. Carbon reductions of 14%-27% and 16%-23% have been reported for new build and retrofit applications respectively though, 100% demand coverage may be impossible for large buildings (Menzies, G.F, 2009). One the downside these systems have high initial capital costs for installation or retrofitting. Generally, they difficult to apply because of the required ground surveying, long piping, large collectors and empty space (Carbon Trust, 2005). Wind power generation, comes from the conversion of wind energy to electricity or kinetic energy (wind mills, water pumps) through wind turbines (Menzies, G.F, 2009). They come in varying sizes to suit energy demands. The viability of this option depends largely on wind speed, direction, as well as sufficient wind data and lack of obstacles. Noise and vibration should also be taken in consideration (SEEDA). For roof applications there could be prohibiting building regulations or planning permissions needed (Carbon Trust, 2005). Their initial cost as well as the high probability of obstacles (e.g. neighboring buildings) and unpredictable wind patterns, of most urban locations makes the investment unsuitable for most buildings. On the contrary, well chosen sites with sufficient meteorological data could be highly energy efficient and lucrative plus enhance the company profile. Application to the companys buildings in Greece. The Greek Ministry of Environment Energy and Climate Change (MEECC) (2009), reports that Buildings in Greece are responsible for 36% of the domestic energy use. This waste of energy happens, due the lack of use of modern technologies, the old age of most buildings and the lack of legislation concerning insulation standards (up until recently). Moreover, electricity in Greece is the most carbon intensive energy, produced mainly by coal and lignite. This means, that by saving electricity or using an alternative energy source (renewable or other fossil fuel such as natural gas), has the greatest potential for CO2 emissions reduction. Furthermore, extensive sunshine periods make the use of solar energy a very efficient sustainable practice. The companys offices in Athens Greece (3600m2, 95 employees) are considered a mix of a naturally ventilated open plan and air-conditioned standard type (Action Energy, 2003). An investment for a 40kWp solar PV system as well as a solar hot water system of 8m2 (500lt) would result to emission reductions of approximately 15% (Appendix). These, combined by passive solar upgrades (insulation, window glazing, sunshades) could achieve an even greater reduction of CO2 emissions. Overall the use of renewable energy sources, will upgrade the energy performance certificate of the companys building, enhance its public image, asset value and reduce costs (after the investment payback period). Conclusions As outlined above, sustainable practices are not only an obligation towards our environment and future generations. The incorporation of carbon management systems and renewable energy sources is actually an investment which will yield profits for all areas of the production and commercial process. Furthermore, this course of action is anticipated to be adopted generally and enforced legally. Thus, it is clear that its in a businesss interest to develop sustainable low carbon development strategies and policies as soon as possible. List of references Action Energy, (2003) Energy Consumption Guide 19 Energy use in offices. Revised Edition. London: Carbon Trust [ available at http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/Publications/pages/publicationdetail.aspx?id=ECG01 9 ][viewed on 20/02/2011]. Carbon Trust, (2005) New and Renewable Energy Fact Sheet (GIL137). London: Carbon Trust [available at: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/Publications/pages/publicationdetail.aspx?id=GIL137 ] [accessed on 17/02/2011]. Carbon Trust (2010) Carbon footprinting The next step to reducing your emissions (CTV043). London: Carbon Trust [available at: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/publications/pages/publicationdetail.aspx%3fid%3dCTV043 ] [viewed on 12/02/2011]. Carbon Trust (2011) Carbon footprinting http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/cut-carbon-reduce-costs/calculate/carbon-footprinting/pages/carbon-footprinting.aspx [accessed on 12th February 2011]. Carbon Trust (2011) Renewables http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/cut-carbon-reduce-costs/products-services/technology-advice/renewables/Pages/renewables.aspx [accessed on 28/02/2011]. Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) (1986) Estimation of Plant Capacity, Section A9 of the CIBSE guide. CIBSE, London. Denman, K.L., G. Brasseur, A. Chidthaisong, P. Ciais, P.M. Cox, R.E. Dickinson, D. Hauglustaine, C. Heinze, E. Holland, D. Jacob, U. Lohmann, S Ramachandran, P.L. da Silva Dias, S.C. Wofsy and X. Zhang, 2007: Couplings Between Changes in the Climate System and Biogeochemistry. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. 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Graduation Speech: We are Prepared for the Challenges that Await Us :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Today completes the chapter of our lives that we have been comfortable with for the past 13 years. High school may be over, but we still have a long exciting way to go in life. From our four-year experience we will take with us the memories, good and bad, and relationships we have made with each other and the County High School staff. From these experiences we have learned and grown and will continue to do so. Growing up and moving on will be a huge part of our lives in the next few months. The decisions we will make come in-part from the choices we have already made. The past four years have been fun and easy for some and a struggle for others. When I reflect on my high school experience, I think of watching football games, playing softball, homecoming weeks, school trips, parties and time with my friends. Others have spent their time in drama, band, community service, part-time jobs and all sorts of other activities. We have all watched Mr. LHS grow along with us until it became a big part of the high school year. I enjoyed laughing with and at the guys as they showed off their talents. This year’s homecoming football game was one of the most exciting ones we have had, with four quarters and three overtimes when we beat Jackson 48 to 42 for a homecoming victory. No matter what types of experiences we have had, I think they are important to remember and grow from. Through these fun and challenging times each one of us has built strong relationships. Whether it was with friends or a teacher, we have developed connections and memories that will be with us forever, even if we lose contact with those individuals. Some students have discovered they have a passion for writing through a creative writing class or want to have a career in business from taking Mr. Ide’s inspirational marketing classes. Others have participated in CLIP or summer school to catch up and make it possible for them to be here today. I went to Heights Elementary and have spent the last 12 years with the same group of people. Attending school with the people I’ve known since elementary and middle school, and making homecoming posters with them for four years in a row, has given me a chance to get to know the people around me better than I ever thought I would.