Human Patterns of Consumption and the Environment Essay

Human Patterns of Consumption and the Environment - Essay Example Human Patterns of Consumption and the Environment As time went by, and environmental problems ensued, people could no longer just give a blind eye. As Emerald (2004) said â€Å"the effects of all of this are that individuals are caught in a cycle of acquisition, leading to the creation and maintenance of a false - self, and a continuance of economic policies that further depletion of our natural resources and the spread of pollution, and ultimately, an erosion of our spiritual connections with nature† (p.22). It has come to the attention of many environmentalist groups that many of the natural disasters occurring this age could have been avoided if it were not for the unrestrained nature of human patterns of consumption. Human consumption has many factors that are to be considered with regards to its effects with nature. Perhaps the most pivotal among these factors is the development of human system of economics. The human spirit is one of continuing enterprise, and this could be viewed in how human economies developed to globalization and consumerism. As the world got more connected, the culture of commercialization and consumerism spread throughout the world. Imhoff, Bounoua, Ricketts, Loucks, Harriss and Lawrence (2004) indicated that â€Å"human populations clearly are not limited to consuming the products of local photosynthesis since regional and global trade transports these products widely, such that the environmental impacts of human consumption are partly realized far from where products are actually consumed†.... There is always the demand to satisfy more wants and needs as the world is more interconnected than before. This is being done with little regard to its negative effects towards nature. Muradian (2004) observed: The very nature of environmental impacts may vary from industrialized (most of them located in temperate areas) to developing countries (many of them located in tropical and biodiversity-rich areas). For instance, while soybean may be cultivated both in Brazil and the U.S., the environmental consequences of soybean expansion are quite different in these countries. Current trade-related soybean expansion into the Brazilian Amazon (in part to cover a booming Chinese demand) may produce permanent and significant biodiversity loss, while the environmental impacts of American soybean production is mainly associated with the use of agrochemicals (p.6). As industrialization and commercialization develops and progresses to satisfy human consumption, so does the increase of human popu lation and habitation are to be expected. The unchecked expansion of urbanized zones also has negative effects towards the environment. Stein (2009) posited that â€Å"increasing home sizes as well as increases in the amount of appliances and IT products being used mean more coal-fired power plant construction and higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions while the increase in landfills and biomass burning from growing disposal of goods has increased CH4 emissions (p.47). These resulted to sudden climate changes around the world and also due the effects of global warming. Nordhaus (2007) wrote that â€Å"the discoveries about abrupt climate change have led to concerns that there may be grave or even catastrophic

What is meant by 'money' in a modern economy Essay

What is meant by 'money' in a modern economy - Essay Example Alla Stephun, while writing on the philosophy of money says "Money is a reality, a permanent feature of our everyday lives. It gives our lives a particular rhythm, a particular charm, a particular perception of the world and our place in it." This buttresses the point that money has really affected and effected humanity. There are situations where we think of what money is in modern society. In attempt to answer some of these pertinent questions, a number of topics will have to be discussed. These essay therefore examines the issue that has to do with money in the modern economy, explaining what credit creation is. Particular attention will be devoted to the role of the Bank of England as a full controller of the quantity of money in circulation in the UK economy. Money can be defined in a number of different ways - from the simple manner to the complex .The way it is defined ,depends to an extent on the situation and circumstances surrounding the situation. But whatever way money is to be defined, it all points to one direction - it is a medium of exchange. Money does not necessary need to be in cash - which is money is form of bills(notes) or coins, it can also be form of assets - items that have economic value. So to this effect, we can also refer to money as being any items that carries out the function of money. CHARATERISTICS OF MONEY: Money, just as any other entity has certain characteristics that are associated with it. Some of the very obvious characteristics of money will be briefly talked about here. These are: 1. Durability: This refers to money being able to maintain its shape or form over a period of time. For money to be able to perform certain of its functions- like being a medium of exchange or a store of value, it has to posses the characteristics of durability. 2. Portability: This has to do with the easy movement between different locations that money has to undergo when there is the need, particular for exchange purposes. 3. Divisibility: Money has to be capable of being easily divided into smaller fractions, when exchange for good s or services of varying values are to be made. For any medium of exchange to be efficient, it has to have that capacity of serving in that capacity at varying values. FUNCTION OF MONEY: The single reason that money serves as a medium of exchange, makes us all to know that it has some usefulness. Money is desirable, though there are some individuals that are of the view that the possession of too much of money by a single entity is bad. Some of the characteristics of money are: 1. Medium of Exchange: Money serves as a medium of exchange, good and services are exchanged for money. An older manner where trading was done was by barter. Money has made transactions in modern times to be easier. 2. Unit of Account: This means that money serves as the benchmark for determining the worth of good s and services in a modern economy. It functions as the measuring unit of value or prices. 3. Store of Value: