The energy industry's role in influencing the United States foreign Literature review

The energy industry's role in influencing the United States foreign policy towards the Gulf region - Literature review Example However ,the organization points out that although the government may not eliminate the importation of oil, there are ways in which it can reduce cartel market control and reduce the demand for the product (www.fueleconomy.gov,2010).One of the solutions that the government has sought in reduce this problem is the passing of a legislation that will see the decrease on oil through increasing corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards on new cars. This will see a reduction in the consumption of oil by 25 billion gallons by 2030. The United States oil politics entails the need and importation of crude well plays a centre stage in the politics of the United States (Gendier, 2003). Even though the US only constitutes of 5% of the world population, it global oil consumption ids 25% greater than that of the European Union. To cushion the energy supply from experiencing rude shocks, the US has for along time developed diplomatic ties with its allies in the Middle East precisely Saudi Ara bia and Iraqi. According to Saudi Arabia, has 25 % of the world’s oil reserve and the US imports 13% of its oil imports from the country. Some of the initiatives taken by the US is to ensure that the Saudi Arabia government continues to price its oil in US dollars. The same ties have continued to exist in Iraqi in the context that it is protecting it from its enemies as well as protecting its energy. According to Gendzier (2003), the role of US in facilitating the acquisition of weapons is ignored or justified when it is in terms of Iraq-Iran war. However, there is little to talk about when it comes to the continuation of the US to remain in Iraq even after the war and the broader political agenda that has a hand in paying the US policy in the region. David and Schmitt (2002), indicates that the White House was reported to have â€Å"settled on a war plan for Iraq† this implied that the US had to take 200,000 to 250,00 troops by air ,water and land to the Iraq, the aut hors wonder why such an enormous move was justified. The US administration seldom acknowledge that the presence of its troops in the middle East is to protect the US oil companies and get access to the regions oil reserves (David and Schmitt, 2002). A report presented by the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) clearly stated that the US military intervention in the gulf region was to protect its oil supply and protect US interests â€Å"â€Å"the US presence in the Gulf is primarily intended to maintain the flow of oil by preventing a hostile power from establishing hegemony over the region...† (INSS, 2002). The long distance between the US and the Middle East has not stopped it from being felt in almost every corner of the region. According to WGBH, Educational Foundation (2002), all through the 20th century, the US has had a long trail of intervention on diplomatic and war raged overture. Some of the interventions have been triggered by the long standing compet ition between the Soviet Union and The United States of America and the two have used the Middle East as a fighting ground. More so, the American economic interest on the Middle Eastern oil has also played an important role in the American Policy

Sustainability in visual imagery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

Sustainability in visual imagery - Essay Example Communicating and highlighting the benefits and advantages of purchasing products with the lowest environmental impact is particularly noticeable in visual imagery which we face on a daily basis. The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyze such images and investigate how they can shape consumers’ perception of sustainability in the context of furniture design. Over the course of the past decade, furniture as one of the most important elements of every interior, has witnessed a remarkable development and improvement in its design, often leading towards more environmentally friendly models. Research in a form of photographs, advertisements and illustrations has been collected through a visit to a sustainable furniture showroom, from current publications, including newspapers, magazines and books followed by internet websites in order to explore recent eco-friendly furniture designs and to investigate how sustainable they are in reality. In order to further explore this s ubject, a comprehensive literature review has been conducted and included in the study, to assess, analyze and understand various key concepts in the field of furniture design as it pertains to visual imagery and sustainability. Certain case studies – in the form of examples of existing concepts, from various parts of the globe are also included to broaden the understanding on the subject on hand, and reaffirm the claims made in the paper. A small selection of images has been chosen for further investigation and its analysis will be based on three methods of reading images –compositional interpretation, and semiology. Perception of sustainability and the methods used in visual portrayal of sustainable furnishings to alter opinions as the main focus of this paper have been explored in separate chapters to give a detailed insight into the subject matter. Related findings of other researchers, as explored in the literature review as well as through case studies, will be i ncluded as valuable support for this paper. The intended practical output of this study is an advice booklet available to public to help make best environmentally sound choices when buying furniture. A challenge of recommending seemingly unsustainable materials will be undertaken as an attempt to change public perception. Chapter 1 – Contemporary Concerns over Sustainability: Key Concepts It is commonly known that the quality of the environment has enormous influence on our behavior and physical and physiological wellbeing. We need the natural life-giving resources that only the biosphere can provide: clean air and water, soil in which to grow our crops, resources to maintain our industrial lifestyle that in turn generates wealth to support the development of technology. Unfortunately rapid technological progress and the excessive use of the planet’s resources over the course of the past centuries have resulted in extremely high levels of consumption and environmental damage which now threatens the long-term continuation of our existence. Although it is believed that the reasons for our depleted and polluted planet are fairly complex, it is undeniable that designers and design industry in general are co-responsible with others for this alarming situation. It is therefore inevitable that design responds to the environment and