The Austin Museum Of Art Essays - Andy Warhol,

The Austin Museum of Art The Austin Museum of Art The Austin Museum of Art was the first of the three galleries attended. At the time, the museum had a touring "Rock and Roll" exhibit, which had its focus on the influence of the Rock ?and-Roll culture on art. The pieces were arranged in a chronological order and started with the Pop Art of the early 1960's. Located in the section were two silk screens, one of Mick Jaggard and the other of Prince, done by Andy Warhol. There were a few other pieces in this time period that helped to point out a major turning point in both art and photography. It was now okay to use other people's photographs in an art piece. Also, it symbolized a beginning of the manipulation of the photograph. No longer were the artists bound to having their work on paper, there were new and limitless areas to explore now in photography. These were the main works that caught my attention in the museum, but there were many other pieces. Other works went through the abstract and full of color 1960's, until the newer more mechanical art of the 1980's and 90's. After attending the Austin Museum of Art, the students headed for a smaller, more informal gallery. The Dumont Gallery contained works from various photographers that were entered into a contest earlier in the year. Now the pictures were traveling around the state of Texas, and had even made a stop at the MSC in College Station. The pieces in the exhibit made visible the numerous ways in which art and photography can be presented. There were huge photographs, Polaroids, pictures developed onto clothing, series photographs, bound pictures, and a large amount whose methods of production could not be identified. There was one group of photographs done by the same artist that truly caught my attention. The artist, while a young woman did not have a very interesting life, and often sought refuge in the Nancy Drew mystery novels. Now, she has often caught herself talking to people about her life and actually telling the events that happened in the books instead of her life. It was because of those events that she did a series of photographs were she dressed up like Nancy Drew and posed in her pictures that played out the different stories from the books. She decided, why not be her if you think you are her. The last and most relaxed gallery was one that displayed the works of artists from the Austin area. The gallery was actually part of an artist colony called Laughing at the Sun. Inside the building, the pieces were mainly traditional art. There were a few sculpture pieces, but mainly, it was photographs and drawings or paintings. The pieces were actually there to show the relationship of art and human models. The subject was a tribute to the models because without them, the artists would have a harder time producing their work. In addition to looking at the pictures, I found myself more drawn to a corner of the gallery that did not have anything to do with the exhibit. The were beautiful non-ferrous sculptures of feathers, headdresses, spears, and other Native American art. These were all done by a man named Daryl Colburn, who has been a recognized Native American artist. After a quick look in the gallery, the students got a quick tour of the colony and the projects that each artist was undertaking. The people in the colony teach classes to make money, and live and work on the property for free. The only stipulation is that they have to help maintain the property, and be willing to teach the other artists in the colony for free. \After viewing the pieces in the three exhibits, I felt more educated on the evolution of photography and the way a gallery can actually influence my views on a particular piece of art. The first gallery, though it had very interesting pieces, felt stuffy and made you want to move quickly through and leave, while the last display at the artist colony was enjoyable. Laughing at the sun made me want to stay and explore the pictures spending the time to concentrate on each one and see if I could pick out the artist's techniques. If ever in the Austin area, I would definitely attend Laughing at the Sun's gallery.

Gatsbys Revelation essays

Gatsbys Revelation essays When F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote the novel The Great Gatsby, he used a unique writing technique. It used a first-person point of view in the form of a narrator, Nick Carraway, who was also involved in the story. This style allowed the author to withhold any information that he did not present to the narrator in the story, causing the reader to learn things the same way the narrator did. The protagonist in The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby, was revealed to the narrator, Nick, gradually throughout the course of the novel. On the surface, Jay Gatsby appeared to be extremely wealthy and generally happy with his place in life, and this is how he appears to Nick at the beginning of the novel. Gatsby threw big parties and people were not invited; they just showed up, as explained by Nick on page 45: "I was one of the few guests who had actually been invited. People were not invited-they went there"(45). As Nick began to know Gatsby better, he began to realize there was something wrong with Gatsby. Gatsby was obviously unhappy, but the reader was not told why. When Nick goes to New York with Gatsby and meets Meyer Wolfshiem, the reader is given some suspicion that Jay is involved in illegal dealings, because of the hints that Meyer Wolfshiem drops and the things Jay tells Nick about Meyer. The reader is finally told why Gatsby is unhappy at the end of chapter four, when Jordan Baker tells Nick about Gatsby's love for Daisy. The next major revelation about Gatsby does not happen to Nick until much later, but the author decided to place it earlier in the novel so the reader could understand what was going on more easily. Jay Gatsby tells Nick about where he came from, how he got there, and why he got there. Nick realizes that Gatsby is so in love with Daisy that he is crazy and will do anything to get her. It has consumed his life so much that he spent five years leading an illegal life just because of her. Th ...

Definition of a Phase Diagram

Definition of a Phase Diagram Definition: For a given substance, it is possible to make a phase diagram which outlines the changes in phase (see image to the right). Generally temperature is along the horizontal axis and pressure is along the vertical axis, although three-dimensional phase diagrams can also account for a volume axis. Curves representing the Fusion curve (liquid/solid barrier, also known as freezing/melting), the Vaporization curve (liquid/vapor barrier, also known as evaporation/condensation), and the Sublimation curve (solid/vapor barrier)) can be seen in the diagram. The area near the origin is the Sublimation curve and it branches off to form the Fusion curve (which goes mostly upward) and the Vaporization curve (when goes mostly to the right). Along the curves, the substance would be in a state of phase equilibrium, balanced precariously between the two states on either side. The point at which all three curves meet is called the triple point. At this precise temperature and pressure, the substance will be in a state of equilibrium between the three states, and minor variations would cause it to shift between them. Finally, the point at which the Vaporization curve ends is called the critical point. The pressure at this point is called the critical pressure and the temperature at this point is the critical temperature. For pressures or temperatures (or both) above these values, essentially there is a blurry line between the liquid and gaseous states. Phase transitions between them do not take place, although the properties themselves can transition between those of liquids and those of gases. They just do not do so in a clear-cut transition, but metamorph gradually from one to another. For more on phase diagrams, including three-dimensional phase diagrams, see our article on states of matter. Also Known As: state diagram, change of phase diagram, change of state diagram

Data Collection and Funding for Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Data Collection and Funding for - Research Paper Example sampling will be stratified. The number of patients will be differentiated into different categories because this can enhance the focus on certain percentage of people who can show higher probability of lower medication errors. Medical cards and day-today reports can also be used as an effective tool to identify hypothesis readily. The reason behind using this tool is because it allows gaining valuable data within very short span of time. Considering the case of SSC and CMT in lowered medication error, this manner of data collection is likely to be proven as effective. There can be limitations underlying with the process because there are less instances of people making use of CMT (Green, 2010). It should also be noted that the above mentioned tools are basically provided by a medical institution as per consent granted by patient’s family or patient and organization. These medical records are highly sensitive and cannot be claimed without consent and copyrighted documentation for its utilization in the research work. As a matter of fact, the researcher shall approach the authorities and write application forms for the families as well as the administration of the medical organization. This will surely take some time for clearance but once the consent is received then it will be easier to carry on with the research work i.e. data analysis. There could be a number of health care institutions that can be approached considering the significance of the research. It is surely the need of research regarding SSC and CMT relationship in having increased number of awareness of communicable diseases. Other than medical institutions that are involved in the contribution of innovation and assessment of medical phenomenon, there are various committees that provide research funding. These funding institutions serve the goal of evaluating lack of literature (Dupin & Chupin, 2013). In particular, organizations that are basically involved

Public Relations for Non-Profit Organization Essay

Public Relations for Non-Profit Organization - Essay Example Therefore the media should take at least six weeks before handing over the message to the media to be publicized, this timing normally include preparing, distribution and deciding on the method that is effective enough to reach the public. 1 On the effective methods to be applied, the media person may apply the following methods: Community Calendars and Public Service Announcements, under this, calendars are mainly used to promote respective events in the society these events are always of general interests for all non- profit organisations, for them to be listed in the medias schedule, they should be written earlier before the particular event is practiced. While the Public Service Announcements are normally easy to read since they require little rewriting. Theses announcements should be organized in a manner that will be able to make the audience retain the message. In case of an electronic media, the information should be typed and double spacing should be provided including the phonetic pronunciations for the unknown words, it should also indicate who will be conducting the event, the venue, the nature of the event, and the date of the event. One should consider the opinions of the editorial staff of the media house on the issue that would be used to create interest to the public. Under this case, if anyone comes up with an opposing view, then he is given an opportunity to rebut the issue. For the announcement to be productive it should therefore be brief, accurate and clear on the message that the practitioner intends to communicate to the public.2 The director of the association should therefore seek promotion of the association, to enable them generate a positive image through media coverage by the use of publications and broadcasts which will afterwards influence the public in financing the agency. As a director you should then ensure that the following strategies are applied in the association; Public relations- this is normally defined as, the process of correcting the reputation of the organisation to the targeted audiences with the current issues of the association. This normally involves the evaluation of public and personal opinions over a particular issue, formulation of procedures related to communication between the association and the audiences, and coordination of communication programs within and without the particular departments of the association. The use of public relations is, to enhance a positive media coverage thus increasing the awareness of the organisation to the public; therefore the Windwill Housing Association should use the following tactics in achieving this goal: Writing News Releases: This should involve framing of the issue which should be written with a journalistic angle, this should be used to inform the public about the financial problem under which its headline should be Attractive, thus grabbing the readers attention, its paragraphs should contain relevant information about the subject matter including the who, what, when, why and where questions this release should also be able to describe the history of the associatio

Climate Change Mitigation To Adaptation And Resilience Environmental Sciences Essay

Climate Change Mitigation To Adaptation And Resilience Environmental Sciences Essay Recent studies on climatic science suggest that our climate does not increase or decrease in a steady and slow pace as we once thought (Parry, et al. 2007). Rather, it changes abruptly over a short period due to a combination of natural or external forcing and anthropological factors (Parry, et al. 2007). However, the most compelling issue regarding climate change is not its main contributing agent but the reality that our climate is indeed or will inevitably change and that we have to do something in response to that change. In its fourth assessment report (AR4) in 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) acknowledges that by the turn of the century our ecosystem will be overwhelmed by unprecedented combination of climate change and natural disasters such as flooding, wildfire and insect infestation, and other anthropogenic global change drivers such as land-use change, over pollution and over extraction of natural resources. The impact and magnitude of these disru ptions would take a costly toll on food security, water supply, health and the economy especially on settlements in low lying areas such as coastal and flood plains where most rapid urbanization in many developing countries is taking place. This is compounded by the fact that these will leave urban poor communities, which are usually in high concentration on those areas, highly vulnerable and unable to deal with these changes due to their limited adaptive capacity. This research explores the need to shift the current emphasis of climate change agenda on developing countries from mitigation to adaptation and resilience. It also relates the current trends in urban adaption on climate change concerning global perspective of international communities and the perspective of local state actors. It further explores the growing interests on utilizing resilience principles on top of conventional adaptation measures on its potency to address uncertainties that adaptation plans are not able to predict and account for. Research Problem I am studying how the practices and characteristics of low-lying and coastal urban poor communities in Metro Manila, which are perennially exposed to climatic stresses, make them sensitive or resilient to climate change, and to what extent these attributes able to contribute to the communities climate resiliency. While many studies point out that urban poor communities are one the highest vulnerable to climate change and ASLR, very few studies have actually been made that assess their needs for resilience. Without sufficient information regarding adaptation strategies to climate change, urban planners and managers are bound to haphazardly develop action plans in response to climate change. By exploring the strengths and limitations of these practices, this research aims to provide a better understanding on how urban planners and managers could improve upon these practices in addressing the residual effects of climate variability. Research Questions Vulnerability What are the effects of unpredictable climate variability to low-lying and coastal urban communities? Resilience What are the intrinsic characteristics of the barangay that makes them resilient to climate change? What indicators can be used to assess climate resilience at the barangay level? What are the national programs, policies and plans that aim to directly enhance climate change resilience and to what extent do these address issues of resilience at the barangay level? Implications What are the implications of the results of this study to urban planning and management at the city level and, concurrently, at the barangay level? Research Objectives To explore the characteristics of vulnerable urban settlements with respect to unpredictable climate variability To explore the climate resilient characteristics of communities The describe the extent of these characteristics in degrading and/or enhancing the resilience of urban communities To explain the validity of existing literature on generally accepted indicators for climate change resilience at the community level To evaluate how the results of this study could influence decision-making at the local level Scope and Limitations The study will involve the vulnerability and resilience assessment of two urban barangays in Metro Manila or in the Greater Manila Area, one with CBRM and the other with no CBRM. Further, the selection barangays is limited by the availability of required secondary data for the assessment. The study shall cover social, economic and environmental indicators linked to vulnerability and resilience based on the studies of Ibarrarà ¡n et al. (2009) on VRIM and Cutter (2008) on DROP. Limitations are directly derived from the limitations of the assessments models as acknowledged by their authors. Literature Review Responding to climate change necessitates a two-pronged approach: decreasing amount of GHG emissions will while at the same time addressing the impacts that are already manifested on vulnerable populations. Whether by merit good or by the financial prospects of clean development mechanism projects, a significant number of mitigation programs have already been implemented all over the even among countries that are non-Annex I party to UNFCCC (Chandler, et al. 2002) (UNFCCC 2010). Reduction of carbon emissions and carbon footprint are widely associated nowadays with climate change and became new buzzwords in media literature. These positively reflect on the existing attitude towards global commitment in reducing target GHG emissions. Adaptation, on the other hand, receives less media mileage and more or less the same attention from international assistance community in the form of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the bilateral and multilateral donors (Hayes 2006) due to its fu zzy nature. While this study does not discount the fact of the fundamental import of reducing global GHG emissions to their natural assimilation levels, it tries to highlight the increasing urgency of adapting to climate change. Fà ¼ssel (2007) posits four arguments which presuppose the emerging need for climate change adaptation: (1) the effects of anthropogenic GHG emissions are already felt on recent history of climatic extremes and unprecedented variability, (2) climate records from fossil data show that climate changed periodically in the past and will continue to do so indefinitely, (3) GHG continuous to accumulate so do the rate of global warming, (4) the effectiveness of adaptation programs implemented whether locally and/or regionally are not easily influenced by other strategic actions, and (5) there is a growing momentum of interest among development organizations to fund climate adaptation programs as reflected by the growing number of climate change assessment techniques. Hayes (20 06) adds that unlike mitigation measures, adaptation measures have always been practiced by societies and governments in responding to climate variability. While this makes it difficult to separate it from for those done in response or in anticipation to anthropogenic induced climate change, it is also in the realm of familiarity for many related professions and state actors. Many civilizations have learned to deal with the climate constraints overtime, usually in response to lack of water resources during dry periods (e.g., Egyptians Nile River irrigation system, Roman aqueduct, Mesopotamian dams) or the exceeding abundance of it during rainy season (Venetian Grand Canal, floating villages in Thailand and Cambodia). Fussel and Klein (2006) also points out the difficulty in monitoring the results and impacts of adaptation programs in aiding its intended beneficiary. There is a significant degree of uncertainty to what extent is the program able to reduce the impact of climate change . This raises a concern among international funding institutions as development programs necessitate a certain measure that ensures their effectiveness. Moreover, while mitigation measures done local level is generally considered to have a global impact, the same cannot be said for adaptation strategies that have a more localized benefit (Hayes 2006). Ironically, those who are least able to pay for it local communities from poor and under developed countries, suffer the brunt of costs by climate change. UNFCCC estimated that by 2030 the total investment and financial flows needed for adaptation is about $49-171 billion, of which $28-67 billion are needed by developing countries alone (UNFCCC, 2007). Emergence of resilience Climate change adaptation refers to a broad range of initiatives and measures that reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems against actual or expected climate change effects such as (Metz, et al. 2007). Adaptation to climate change occurs as a response to an extreme event that exceeds the normal coping range of a system. It reacts and anticipates to these shocks continuously, given that the system is given sufficient capability, time and resources to cope up increasing its adaptive capacity. The context of adaptation is influenced by the climate-sensitive domain under study, types of climate hazard present, certainty of climate change models, on-climatic conditions in the form of political, economic, cultural and other environmental forcings, purposefulness, timing, planning horizon, form whether technical, institutional, legal or otherwise; and the actors involved. Due to its diverse context, there is no single approach to adaptation. It may take in the form or combina tion of anticipatory and reactive measures, private and public domains, and autonomous and planned measures. As stated before, many forms adaptation measures are not new. It incorporates well-established disciplines already practiced in the realm of regional and urban planning such as coastal resource management, disaster risk management, and integrated flood management. It is also present in public health management and advances in agricultural science research in developing pest/drought/flood resistant crops. However, we should also consider that some aspects of climate change adaptation arose very recently in contemporary history. Further elaborating on this papers introduction, our world have are starting to experience unprecedented climate conditions and extremes at an unprecedented rate of change. This limits the ability of many ecological systems and human communities to cope and adapt with changes. Further, the domain of identified climate sensitive receptors is continually expanding, necessitates the involvement of disciplinary approaches and actors not traditionally involved with regional-local planning and development such as gender, mathematics, communication, sociology, atmospheric sciences. Recent advances in climatic sciences also offer decision-makers and planners critical and timely information on determining the extent, magnitude, origin and, to some extent, the trajectory of climate induced impacts that are not available before. However, these new developments also bring with discoveries also pits traditional approaches to local climate variability with the more complex dynamics global climate change. Access to better prediction models also exposes limitations of adaptation structures in resolving uncertainties which results from sudden and extreme changes. Most urban planners and policy makers take into account the risk of natural disasters such as storms, flood and earthquake and by extension climate change. However, it is often in the light of natural catastrophic disaster such as floods, tsunamis and typhoons. It is less seen in the context of t he multiple hazards of an ever-changing climate to food security, health, disruptions to ecological balance and increasing vulnerabilities of urban centers. At the heart of these issues is the enabling capability to alleviate these uncertainties which is compounded by the nature of climate change: (1) it crosses local, national and global boundaries; (2) its effects are felt for many decades or even centuries; (3) overlaps and interacts with many layers of ecological systems; (4) it is a highly dynamic process whose domain entrenches social, economic and environmental spheres easily a sustainability issue. Adaptation measures are only effective if it is able to account and anticipate the magnitude of shock it is designed to suppress. Effective adaptation policies are developed by decision makers based on available prediction data. Uncertainties in these cases could lead to overestimation, which wastes valuable resources that could be allocated to other tasks, underestimation which exposes them to the risk of overwhelming impact (Barnett 2001), ignorance of a calamity that will hit them or indeterminate and prolonged exposure to climatic stress. There are many approaches to climate change adaptation in current literature; one of the more prevalent approaches is through increasing the resilience of systems, both human and ecological. Strengthening of resilience aims to increase a systems ability to cope with shocks, prolonged disturbances and unknown/wildcard forcings. Resilience is a measure of the ability of systems to absorb changes of state variables, driving variables and parameters (Holling 1973). These systems are able reorganize by undergoing change while retaining essentially the same function, structure, identity and feedbacks (Walker, et al. 2004). Resilience is not simply a return-to-original-state process. In the realm of social-ecological system, by extension the urban environment, Walker et al. (2004) further relates resilience to adaptability and transformability, the capacity to create a fundamentally new system when ecological, economic, or socio-political conditions make the existing system untenable. A citys resilience to climate change is therefore defined by its capacity to continuously respond, withstand the effects of climate variability, and still function organically. Resilience to climate change requires urban governments to display the following characteristics: decentralization and autonomy, accountability and transparency, responsiveness and flexibility, participation and inclusion and experience and support (Tanner, et al. 2009). A study on the role of local government units on climate change adaptation in the province of Albay, Philippines revealed that communities experiencing frequent and severe climate hazards are more aware and responsive to the need climate change adaptation on (Lasco, et al. 2008). This is supported by the presence of political will and the numerous policies, programs and projects (PPPs) that the provincial government has enacted and implemented. Working with adaptation programs at a mesoscale or provincial scale was also found to be more cost-e ffective than having to delegate it to smaller and more numerous municipalities. Place-based resilience vs. person-or-household-based resilience This research body builds upon the arguments presented by Adger (2003) in his paper on social capital, collection action and adaptation. He posits that communities, especially in developing countries, are focal points of social collective action and social capital building necessary for increasing adaptive capacity at the local level. In the Philippines, barangays are the smallest political administration unit entrusted by the government to promote social, economic and environmental welfare. Barangays are also tapped in most local development projects. Moreover, it also forms as the social circle of its inhabitants. However, it should be cautioned that the barangays do not necessarily draw community boundaries. Due to its political nature as an administrative unit, barangay is chosen as the scale for this study due to potential available secondary data from documents and reports from both public and private institutions. Adger (2003) also highlighted three lessons that are further explored in this study: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦adaptive capacityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ has culture and place-specific characteristics that can be identified only through culture and place- specific research. there are the institutional prerequisites for the evolution and persistence of collective action and its relative importance compared to state intervention institutional theories of social capital provide a means to generalize the macro level determinants of adaptive capacity In light of these arguments, while this study shall be looking at the resilience of the community or the barangay as a whole, it will take in to account both place-based and person-based induced resilience as well as the influence of macro level policies that aim to enhance local adaptive capacity. Winnick (1966) and Bolton (1992) discusses the conflict and significance of place prosperity and people prosperity in the development of national policies that aims to assist to individuals and places. Measuring Resilience It is important to note that measuring resilience (and adaptive capacity) is a complicated issue that is largely unresolved. The resilience concepts presented above is just a sample of what is currently available in literature. Differences in data types (physical/social, quantitative/qualitative), temporal and spatial scales, and view on what variable and what receptors are critical produce different approaches to resilience building. Wardekker et al. (2009) summarizes the above characteristics of a resilient system into the following six principles listed in the table below. Table 2à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ: Principles and characteristics of a resilient system Principles Characteristics Homeostasis multiple feedback loops counteract disturbances and stabilize the system Omnivory vulnerability is reduced by diversification of resources and means High flux a fast rate of movement of resources through the system ensures fast mobilization of these resources to cope with perturbations Flatness the hierarchical levels relative to the base should not be top-heavy. Overly hierarchical systems with no local formal competence to act are too inflexible and too slow to cope with surprise and to rapidly implement non-standard highly local responses. Buffering essential capacities are over-dimensioned such that critical thresholds in capacities are less likely to be crossed Redundancy overlapping functions; if one fails, others can take over Source: Adapted from Operationalising a resilience approach to adapting an urban delta to uncertain climate change by Wardekker, et al. (2009) Another method for measuring resilience is proposed by Malone and Brenkert (2008) and Moss et al. (2000) using a vulnerability-resilience indicator model (VRIM). The said model utilizes a comprehensive framework that goes beyond the analysis of hazards exposure at the same time taking into account location based factors of resilience. VRIM is a four-tier model: (1) resilience index from sensitivity and adaptive capacity, (2) vital sectors (human, economy, environment), (3) proxy variables for each sector; and (4) scenario projection. Malone and Brenkert (2008) point out that the said model, as with many indicator based research, is not able to account for the function of demographic and social characteristics. Shaw et al. (2009) also proposed a similar approach but on a city scale. They developed a Climate Disaster Resilience Index that tries to account for the localized effects of climate-induced disasters, such as cyclone, flood, heat wave, drought and heavy rainfall induced landslide. The model assessed overall resilience based on natural, physical, social, economic and institutional resilience. Cutter et al. (2008) provides an attempt in integrating these unaccounted socioeconomic characteristics by proposing a new framework for measuring disaster resilience called disaster resilience of place (DROP) model. The said model improves upon the existing comparative assessment for disaster resilience at the community level. Their seminal paper in 2008 provides an initial candidate set of variables that will be used in the model. The model has three limitations: (1) it is specifically designed to address natural hazards; (2) it focuses on community-level resilience; (3) it focuses on social resilience of places; and (4) it does not into account national policies and legislations that may have significant influence of on community resilience. The model measures inherent vulnerability and resilience of the community using the following indicators: ecological, social, economic, institutional, infrastructure, and community competence. As of the papers publication, the model proposed w as not yet operationalized. The authors also suggest on improving and standardizing the initial set of indicators. Adaptation planning in Southeast Asia Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore National adaptation planning in the Philippines Existing Policies (CAA, CWA, ESWM, Rainwater (RA 6716) Recently passed CC law and recently signed National Framework on Climate Change Initiatives (CCCI Sorsogon, Albay, Malabon) Assessments (EEPSEA, Manila Observatory, IACCC, Sales) Gaps A recent project of UN Habitat in the Sorsogon City, Sorsogon, Philippines on promoting community resilience reflects the still-prevailing needs of many cities in developing countries (1) enabling capacity to implement measures in combating contemporary issues such as climate change; and (2) strong public involvement at all levels of planning, decision-making process and implementation. The latter case being largely solved (or at least in the process of being solved) already at least in countries where there is a strong presence of internationally denominated donor agencies. The former however is still largely unresolved. This is clearly echoed by the development priorities on capacity building and technical assistance from international assistance mentioned. Prioritizing the acquisition of knowledge and skills is clearly the first step in the effort of achieving climate change resilience. This, together with the strengthening of organic links within the city further inspires local cooperative action. Further, while it is one of the most essential parts for climate adaptation action, it is also one of the easiest to implement technically and financially. These effort necessitates only the participation of the vulnerably populations (which is a sufficient incentive given the perceived threat) and political willingness and resolve of local authorities (vulnerable populations are also potential voters). Local governments, such as Sorsogon City, as pointed out by Lasco et al. (2008), which are often exposed to the climate-induced hazards are those who are more readily aware to the needs of climate change, yet are unable to respond due to their limited set of knowledge and skills. Urban Planning Management and resilience Urban planning and management has big role, nay, it has the central role in building urban climate resiliency. Already illustrated in the examples given in the previous section are domains such as effective land use, public transport systems and housing on which urban planning are already championed in the circles of environmental sustainability, equity, economic development and climate change. On the other hand, there are also domains which are new (or whose responsibility is not often relegated or less visible) with urban planning such as energy, water and food security. Sourcing (or outsourcing) of these three sectors are often outside urban governance. These are often nationally or regionally shared resource and are also largely dealt with by such authorities. But then again, with the increasing need for resilience from external shocks brought by oil crisis, prolonged drought, food-biofuel competition, flood and other man-made and natural calamities, cities should start focusing on developing alternative options for these three sectors. This concept evades urban planning and management cultures even in many developed cities that are still highly reliant on resources taken outside (city as a parasite). Urban climate resilience is the marriage of urban management and governance, both old and new, which is of an advantage as it is already in the sphere of familiarity. It is wrong, however, to assume that climate resilience is just about semantics and simply a repackaging of existing concepts. Climate change resilience puts these concepts into perspective. It gives us a framework that guides us coherently toward securing sustained and uninterrupted city development that is responsive to the growing threats of climate change. In an age of unprecedented extremes in climate variability, selective and compartmental adaptation measures for climate change, marred with the inability to respond to uncertainties and ignorance of unforeseen calamities, only give misguided notion of resolution and maybe suspect to failure. Methodology The proceeding section discusses the specific aims and the methodologies of this research. Type of Research This research uses mixed method approach. It is a primarily qualitative study but augmented and validated by quantitative approaches as well. The qualitative approach aims to: Explore the characteristics of vulnerable urban settlements with respect to unpredictable climate variability. Determine the perceived effects of climate change. It aims to map out economic and livelihood fabrics and determine how these dependencies strengthen or weaken the communities resilience. Explore the climate resilient characteristics of communities with respect to their inherent capacities and local practices Describe the extent of these characteristics in degrading and/or enhancing the resilience of urban communities Evaluate how the results of this study could influence decision-making at the local and meso level The quantitative approach of this study aims to: Describe the effects of climate variability on the urban community using indicator-based measurement tools Explain the validity and limitations of existing literature on generally accepted indicators for climate change resilience at the community level Methodological Framework Research Instruments Unstructured interviews Key informant interviews (semi-structured) Review of published reports and public documents Livelihood mapping/zoning Onsite observations FGD Analysis Instruments Research Question Critical Information Set Data Sources Data Collection Techniques What are the effects of unpredictable climate variability to low-lying and coastal urban communities? Flood data Health records Mortality rate Other effects identified/perceived by respondents (exploratory) News articles Journal articles Published reports Key informant and respondents account Communities accounts Public documents and reports Documentation Analyses of published accounts/reports and public documents Unstructured interviews FGDs What makes these communities vulnerable to climate change? Settlement/infrastructure sensitivity Food security Ecosystem sensitivity Human health sensitivity Water resource sensitivity Economic and livelihood fabric Key informant accounts News articles Published reports Public documents and reports Journal articles Documentation Analyses of published accounts/reports and public documents Key informant interviews On site observations Livelihood mapping/zoning What are the intrinsic characteristics of the community that makes them resilient to climate change? Community competence Social networks and social embeddedness Community values-cohesion Institutional capacity Economic capacity Human civic resources Access to vital infrastructure and services Institutional capacity Social capital Indigenous practices Key informant and respondents account Communities accounts Observation News articles Published reports Public documents and reports Documentation Analyses of published accounts/reports and public documents Unstructured interviews FGDs Attitude surveys Key informant interviews On site observations What are the national programs, policies and plans that aim to directly enhance climate change resilience? Number and nature of strategic actions (PPPs) Public documents and reports Authorative reports and analyses regarding these PPPs Key informant interviews with experts Analyses of published accounts/reports and public documents Key informant interviews What are the implications of the results of this study to urban planning and management? Results of the study Expert judgment Study area The study shall be conducted on two communities located in Metro Manila or in Greater Manila Area: (1) urban barangay located on the coastal zone with CBRM and (1) urban barangay located along the coast with NO CBRM. The barangays can be selected from already-identified vulnerable cities or communities from existing studies of Perez et al. (1996), Sales (2009), EEPSEA and others.

USCGA Personal Statement

The service requirements after attending the academy loud enable me to support my country in a positive matter. I would wear the USC uniform with great pride. These long-term goals I have shared with you are only some of the few I have set for myself. Through my youth I have also set short-term goals such as entering the National Honor Society (NASH) in my DOODAD School. In order to achieve this goal I organized myself, and focused on all the important details such as 3. 4 GAP or higher, community service hours, and other leadership positions that were required in order to apply for a position.Once this goal was met, more effort from my part was put forth in order to obey the code of conduct and fulfill new expectations. Thirty years from now, want to be able to look back on my life and be proud of what I accomplished. All of my life have been a military child, a proud one at that. Have always looked up at those who serve with great respect and can honestly say they have taught me pl enty, not only through lectures but also through their actions. Thus from a young age I have come to see that there is no better way to pay back our country than to seer. In its military. Standing up for what we believe in assist keeps our country free. In which I have come to believe that the Coast Guard Academy can teach me lessons beyond that of any other college in the country. There, I will receive an excellent education, a solid foundation for a successful career and future, and become a far more effective leader. Throughout my youth I have had various conversations with those family members such as my father(s) who serve in the U. S. Coast Guard/Army, about the importance of leadership and their ride for their many accomplishments.Thus I cannot think of any greater goal and challenge than earning the privilege of attending the USAGE and later command position. To conclude, the united States Coast Guard Academy not only matches my college aspirations, but also my life goals. A ttending the academy would be the roots to my success. When individuals ask why I would attend any military academy, my reply in three simple words is: Pride, Honor, and Service.