The importance of Ethics to Sustainable Growth in Engineering Essay

The importance of Ethics to Sustainable Growth in Engineering Enterprise - Essay Example In the instances where security measures are inadequate, the consequences are usually catastrophic. Although the threats are becoming more sophisticated, some organizations have managed to mitigate the impact by regularly reviewing their security capabilities and capacities so as to identify areas of vulnerability. In coming up with the cyber security measures to protect the information and the IT resources, organizations and individuals are required to understand the risks they face so that the right interventions can be put in place. This has therefore necessitated research on various malware programs like Trojan horse, spyware and worms from a scientific perspective. Empirical studies have also been carried out to help identify the relevant strategies that can be used to alleviate and eventually eradicate the threats originating from the cyber space. Based on the previous research, it had been anticipated that the future attacks and threats would be characterized by a combination malware with strong cartography. In the last couple of years, there has been the emergence of a new form of malware in the cyber spaces and it has put organizations at increased risk of suffering attacks. Ransomware has emerged to be a source of threat both to individuals and organizations. It has drawn the attenti on of almost all the IT system security specialists, practitioners and researchers. Empirical and evidence based studies continue to be carried to help understand the new emergent threats to allow organizations be prepared to mitigate its impacts. Teer, Kruck & Kruck (2007) notes that ransomware perpetrators are able to victimize the internet users and organizations by hijacking the files stored, encrypting them before demanding payment in exchange for the decryption key. The threat functions by exploring the system vulnerabilities and seizing control over the victim’s file and computer systems until the demanded payment is made. In the last two years alone, several

Aircraft Crash Analysis & Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Aircraft Crash Analysis & Design - Essay Example All of the 297 passengers and 12 crew members evacuated the aircraft before the fire reached the escape doors. All of the passengers and crew members survived with only 12 were seriously injured. People called it a miracle and the role played by the highly trained crew members in an emergency situation was appreciated. The passenger cabin had eight emergency exit doors. Six of the doors are used in Type A emergency and the other two doors are used in Type l emergency. All of the doors were similar in operation. They had a design to be opened either from interior or the exterior. According to the operating manual of Airbus cabin crew the instruction states that opening the doors from interior in normal operations, the door control handle must be completely up. All of the doors were equipped with door assist system which had an emergency operation cylinder and a damper. Damper helps in limiting the travel of the door in normal operations especially when the conditions are windy. But in an emergency situation the damper acts as an actuator in order to open the door automatically. The damper is operated by compressed nitrogen gas which is stored in specially designed cylinders which have pressure gauge. Slide arm lever controls the release of nitrogen by and actuating device. When the arm lever is at armed state as normally it is during landing as a result the door assist opens the door automatically. Each emergency door also has a prismatic lens. The plane had 8 evacuation escape devices to help in fast occupant way out in state of an emergency. It had 2 single lane slides at emergency doors R3 and L3 and six double lane rafts at emergency doors R1, R2, R4, L1 and L2. The deployment and inflation of the rafts were automatically started when the emergency doors are opened. Normally the deployment and inflation time of rafts is 16 seconds but on Airbus A340 it is 8 seconds. There is no sign that the international

Effectiveness of the Environmental Levy Scheme

Effectiveness of the Environmental Levy Scheme Investigate the effectiveness of the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags and Give suggestions on alternative solutions to saturating landfills within 5 years. I have chosen this topic on the basis that this scheme is the first measure in the Product Eco-Responsibility Scheme, thus by reviewing its effectiveness I can give suggestions regarding successful factors and areas for improvement on further schemes of similar nature. (Part 1) Also, as the controversy on construction bill for an incinerator in Hong Kong is hot these days, it has interested me to evaluate other alternatives to reduce waste production, using the analysis in Part 1. (Part 2) Date of submission: 1st July,2015. Table of contents Introduction Background Literature review Objectives and expected outcomes Focus questions Methodology Findings and analysis Effectiveness of the Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags Did the PSB scheme succeed in bringing down plastic bag waste production? To what extent? The pros of the PSB scheme and successful factors The cons of the PSB scheme and areas for improvement Implications of the effectiveness of the PSB scheme Recommendations on future waste reduction schemes from the experience of PSB What elements of the PSB scheme can be kept in further schemes of waste reduction? What are the problems in the PSB scheme that further schemes of waste reduction needs to tackle? The direction for future waste reduction schemes and feasible solutions Education and promotion Public attitude reflected from the PSB scheme Conclusion Reflection Bibliography Appendix Introduction 1.1 Background I am interested in the topic Investigate the effectiveness of the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags and Give suggestions on alternative solutions to saturating landfills within 5 years as recently debates on the urgency and essentiality of building an incinerator in Hong Kong are boiling hot in Hong Kong. As an eco-friendly person, I am deeply concerned that all landfills in Hong Kong are estimated to meet saturation by 2019, calculating by the current waste production rate. [i] Coincidentally, the PSB scheme was entering the second phase on 1st April 2015 and is another hot eco topic this year. From analysis on Hong Kong Connection (TV programme produced by RTHK), it inspired me this PSB scheme may provide some insights into how waste reduction works and what the pros and cons are of utilizing financial disincentive. Based on evaluation of the PSB scheme, I can give suggestions on alternate solutions of waste reduction. Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Bags is the taxing of plastic bag of $0.5 per bag. It is the first scheme under the Producer Responsibility Scheme under the Environmental Protection Department. In the first phase 7 July 2009 – 31 March 2015, about 3000 retail outlets were covered. In the full implementation phase starting 1 April 2015, all retail outlets (more than 100,000 points of retail sales) in Hong Kong are covered.[ii] 1.3 Objectives and expected outcomes There are two main objectives in this study: 1. To evaluate the successful factors and areas for improvement of the PSB plan and 2. To give recommendations on future waste reduction schemes using the experience learnt from the PSB plan. By data collection and analysis, I expect to gain the following outcomes: the actual results of the PSB scheme, the reasons people support or boycott the scheme, governmental communication with the public regarding waste production, the criteria for a successful eco- scheme in the public’s eyes and the relation of education and promotion to effectiveness. 1.4 Focus Questions The focus questions regarding the topic include: -What is the current situation of Plastic Shopping Bag Levy? How effective is it in reducing plastic waste? -How do citizens evaluate the effectiveness of the PSB Levy? -What are the benefits of the PSB Levy to HK’s environment? -What damage or disharmony will PSB Levy bring to HK? -What can we conclude from the current situation on the effectiveness of the PSB Levy? What elements can thus be used to make future environmental policy more effective? 2. Methodology I have used the following data collection method for primary data: 3. Findings and Analysis 3.1 Effectiveness of the Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags 3.1.1 Did the PSB scheme succeed in bringing down plastic bag waste production? To what extent? The PSB scheme was to a large extent successful in bringing plastic bag waste production. The distribution of PSB in retail outlets has reduced by 90% since the launch of the PSB scheme in 2009.[iii] It was estimated that 84 million PSB was distributed in 2009, thus it has decreased to 8.4 million approximately uptil now. [iv] From the questionnaire survey, the majority of 80% respondents said they would not use PSB while only a minority of 20% said they would. It shows the effectiveness of the PSB scheme. From the field observation, the PSB distribution is a low 5% per hour.[v] The number of PSB distributed in supermarkets has decreased to 403, according to a survey conducted by Green Action. [vi]The government has attributed the change to the increasing public awareness of Bring Your Own Bag promoted by the PSB scheme. [vii] Therefore, the PSB scheme has succeeded to bring down PSB distribution and raise eco-awareness. 3.1.2 The pros of the PSB scheme and successful factors The PSB scheme is successful in bringing down PSB usage and raising eco-awareness, as mentioned in 3.1.1. According to the questionnaire survey, 57% and 39% of respondents said they choose not to claim PSB because they don’t want to pay the $0.5 charge and that they are eco-friendly. This shows that one of the successful factors of the scheme is the financial disincentive, as Hong Kong people are money-conscious. [viii] This also shows that the PSB scheme has raised public awareness towards their eco attitude. The elements that made the PSB scheme successful can give reference to future waste reduction schemes. Firstly, financial disincentive is effective in discouraging waste production, thus this element should be kept. Also, another successful factor is promoting positive value such as Bring Your Own Bag, as public awareness has been raised in the PSB scheme.[ix] The cons of the PSB scheme and areas for improvement Despite the obvious effectiveness, there is still room for improvements for the PSB scheme. The cons of the PSB scheme include the small amount of levy not being threatening enough and the difficulty in supervision. According to the questionnaire survey, 70% of respondents said they would use PSB as it is convenient and 65% said the levy is affordable. [x] Thus, we see that maybe the levy should be increased to be more effective. Also, according to the field observation, some customers tend to buy prepackaged goods or take many storage bags with no hand-hold to avoid the levy.[xi] Therefore, this shows that ineffective supervision would negatively affect the effectiveness of the measure. The major problem of the PSB scheme right now, concluded from the above, is the deep-rooted public attitude. Hong Kong people are often money-minded and cynical, which may cause them to disregard the PSB scheme for their personal interest, such as avoiding the levy but still using other plastic bags or misusing recycling bags. [xii] The main issue to tackle in order to better future waste production schemes is how to change the public attitude and promote correct values in the long run. Implications of the effectiveness of the PSB scheme The PSB scheme is the first scheme under the Producer Responsibility Scheme, thus is the water tester that indicates whether financial disincentive is effective to reduce waste production. Its success reflected that Hong Kong people are very conscious when something affects their personal interest directly, such as additional financial burden, therefore future waste reduction scheme should still be focused on this weakness of Hong Kong people (financial disincentive). [xiii] One supporting evidence is found in the questionnaire survey. When asked to rank what are the priorities that urge them to support a waste reduction scheme, most respondents ranked economical factor first, then personal factor. Remarkably, they least value environmental factor and sustainability, showing Hong Kong people are generally more money-minded than eco-conscious.[xiv] The implications of this phenomenon are that financial disincentive is most suitable for waste reduction in Hong Kong as financial concern is the greatest motivational power for Hongkongers to change living habits, also that future schemes should focus on delivering positive values such as the importance of eco-protection and sustainability in promotion and public education.[xv] Recommendations on future waste reduction schemes from the experience of PSB 3.2.1 What elements of the PSB scheme can be kept in further schemes of waste reduction? As discussed in 3.1.2, the main elements to be kept in further schemes of waste reduction are financial disincentive and effort to change public attitude in changing lifestyles, also their approaches to waste. [xvi] Based on the questionnaire findings, most respondents are supportive to the PSB scheme and regard it a political and social success. [xvii] This also showed that transparency of government measures and effective downward communication and public consultation is important, and should be continued in future waste reduction schemes.[xviii] 3.2.2 What are the problems in the PSB scheme that further schemes of waste reduction needs to tackle? As discussed in 3.1.3, the main problems of the PSB scheme are the hard-to-change public attitude and thus their living habits, also non-threatening amount of levy and insufficient supervision. Furthermore, most respondents think the crux of the waste production problem are inadequate environmental education, lack of promotion of government eco-schemes and the buy-and-throw habit of the prosperous metropolis.[xix] These are problems that future waste production scheme most urgently face. The direction for future waste reduction schemes and feasible solutions In response to 3.2.2, hereby I would recommend important points for improvement with regard to the above problems. Firstly, when implementing waste reduction schemes, powerful financial disincentive should be enforced to respond to Hong Kong people’s money-conscious mindset and relatively smaller concern for the environment. [xx] It is the only way to receive biggest response from the public and see changes in their daily living. Secondly, to tackle the supervision difficulty, a report system by hotline can be opened to the public to report violation of the policy by either shops or the general public.[xxi] This can make supervision more all-rounded. Thirdly, education and promotion to indoctrinate correct and positive values is also important. As shown in the questionnaire findings, the public value economical concern over environmental concern, which is unhealthy and detrimental to eco-protection. Thus, education and promotion is essential. In order to find out the most supported waste reduction schemes, I have asked respondents to rank policies that they regard as most effective in reducing waste. The survey results show that policies involving separation, recycling and levy are seen as most effective, with the top being Source Separation of Domestic Waste, scoring 1580 in sums.[xxii] This shows that the public would support waste reduction schemes that only require little alterations in daily living, such as household waste separation, or recycling and financial disincentive. This match with the fact that their top concern is economical factor and second is personal factor when responding to a waste reduction scheme.[xxiii] In contrary, public opinion do not support policies involving new landfills and incinerators, the bottom being opening up new landfill in current country parks, scoring only 882 in total.[xxiv] This shows that the public is least likely to support waste reduction scheme that might be detrimental to their living environment and health, or those that may use a large amount of government reserves as it violates economic efficiency. This match with their priority list as they most value economical factor (efficiency, personal burden) and personal factor (impact to living environment and health). This ranking gives us important and clear insights into which directions to go and also how best to suit public concerns and gain public support in waste reduction schemes. Education and promotion à ¥Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ©Ã‚ «Ã¢â‚¬  à ©Ã¢â‚¬ ¡Ã‚ Ãƒ ©Ã‚  Ã‚ ­Ãƒ ¦Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ²***** With reference to 3.2.3, we have gained some insights into what values are to be changed for future waste reduction schemes to go smoothly (money over environment) , and also what are most motivational to the general public. 3.2.5 Public attitude reflected from the PSB scheme à ¦Ã…  Ã¢â‚¬Å¾ 4. Conclusion 5.Reflections 6. Bibliography 7.Appendix [i] Environment minister Wong Kam-sing, 2003, Hong Kong issues dire warning on landfills amid protests by residents, South China Morning Post, http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1246229/city-could-drown-trash-environment-minister-warns [ii]Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Bags, Environmental Protection Department, http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/pro_responsibility/env_levy.html [iii] Press Release, 28 Mar 2015, Environmental Protection Department, http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201503/28/P201503270921.htm [iv] Will Hong Kongs city-wide levy on plastic bags really change behaviour?, Time Out Hong Kong, http://www.timeout.com.hk/big-smog/features/71898/will-hong-kongs-city-wide-levy-on-plastic-bags-really-change-behaviour.html [v] Field observation, appendix 3 [vi] Environmental Levy on Plastic Shopping Bags What are the problems?, CSR Asia, http://csr-asia.com/csr-asia-weekly-news-detail.php?id=11753 [vii] Press Release, 28 Mar 2015, Environmental Protection Department, http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201503/28/P201503270921.htm [viii] Plastic society rethinks bags, Macau Business, 26th May 2015, http://www.macaubusiness.com/news/plastic-society-rethinks-bags.html [ix] Press Release, 28 Mar 2015, Environmental Protection Department, http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201503/28/P201503270921.htm [x] Questionnaire survey, Q3, appendix2 [xi] Field observation, appendix 3 [xii] Values Education in Hong Kong – Problems and Possibilities, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, http://www.acsa.edu.au/pages/images/99_fok_values_ed.pdf [xiii] Values Education in Hong Kong – Problems and Possibilities, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, http://www.acsa.edu.au/pages/images/99_fok_values_ed.pdf [xiv] Questionnaire survey, Q8, appendix2 [xv] Values Education in Hong Kong – Problems and Possibilities, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, http://www.acsa.edu.au/pages/images/99_fok_values_ed.pdf [xvi] Waste Reduction Framework Plan, Environmental Protection Department, http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/wrfp_summary.html [xvii] Questionnaire survey, Q5 and Q6, appendix2 [xviii] Public Consultation Report on the Proposal on An Environmental Levy on Plastic Shopping Bags , http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/files/Consultation_Report_Levy_Eng.pdf. [xix] Questionnaire survey, Q9 , appendix2 [xx] Values Education in Hong Kong – Problems and Possibilities, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, http://www.acsa.edu.au/pages/images/99_fok_values_ed.pdf [xxi] Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags, Environmental Protection Scheme, http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/pro_responsibility/env_levy.html [xxii] Questionnaire survey, Q7 , appendix2 [xxiii] Questionnaire survey, Q8 , appendix2 [xxiv] Questionnaire survey, Q7 , appendix2

Glass Menagerie :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Laura and Her Ways   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Laura is a woman who has reached the body of a full adult, but she has yet to gain the brain and thought process of an adult. Laura is a woman that lives in her own dream world, and is not motivated by what is going on in the real world. She is a woman that fails to grow mentally as she does physically.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Laura is very shy around people, especially around strangers or someone she likes such as Jim. Jim is a friend of Laura’s brother who is invited to dinner one night. Laura had a crush on him in high school, but she is still shy around him. When Jim talks to Laura during the night he is at dinner she does not fully respond to Jim’s friendly questions and his gentle talk, rather she replies slowly and does not fully respond. Laura says that â€Å"I know, but I did, and I-â€Å" (608), then Jim has to finish where Laura left off by saying, â€Å"you mean you were shy with people (609).† Laura said that wanted Jim’s autograph in High School because he was in a play called The Pirates of Penzance but didn’t get it because â€Å"you were always surrounded by your own friends so much that I never had a chance.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Laura lives in her dream world all day and feels that what she does is important. Laura responds to Jim questioning about what she has done since High School by saying â€Å"My glass collection takes a good deal of time...(610)† Laura feels as if the glass animals that she has are real, â€Å"he stays on the shelf with some horses...and they all seem to get together (611).†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Laura is very concerned about others opinion about her. The reason that she drops out of High School is that she had a brace and felt that it was very loud and everyone heard it. Jim tells her that he didn’t â€Å"hear any clumping† and Laura responds by saying, â€Å"it sounded like thunder.

Economic development Essay

Today, education is the most important tool for the development of society. There is a direct correlation between education and development of society. The countries that realize this fact, giving the required importance for their education system, have become highly developed. Education should be promoted since it is the most important factor for the development of a country. The promotion of the education is depended on the factors like literacy rate in a country, schooling rate in the primary, secondary and higher education, proliferation of training technologies, and the quality of the education. This promotion process should be considered as a necessary condition for economic, technological and social development for a nation. In other words, the process of a successful development depends on the fact of gibing the society a conscious of change which is highly connected to education. Fist of all, education enlightens people. The educated person is the person who improves oneself. A person increases her/his level of knowledge through education, so he/she has a better understanding and analyzing of daily matters and an agenda. That person can make logical deductions based on the knowledge he gains and refuses the traditional corrupted understanding. Individual’s ability of the interpretation of knowledge through one’s intelligence and skills is supported by education; accordingly, increasing the creativity and intellectual thinking. An individual can learn about different cultures, lifestyles and history from past to present; hence education provides universal perspective to an individual. The most important differential of uneducated person is having a narrow point of view. A person should be educated in order to learn taking objective decisions and being liberated from the social pressure. Besides, educated people respect the rights of others and they have a fair understanding of the concept of equality, right to life, and right to property. The reason why developed countries show highly respect to the individual rights is that the education level of the country is being fairly high. On the other hand, the reason why there are deep inequalities between women and men or rich and poor in under-developed countries is that the education level in there is being fairly low. Besides, there is also a lack of respect to the human rights in these under-developed countries due to low education level. Secondly, education affects the development of science and technology of a country. Technological developments increase by knowledge and research which is provided by education. It is the advancement and proliferation of technology that makes countries developing by the production of knowledge, schooling of creative minds leads countries develop economically, technologically and politically. Education, advancement of technology and development are in a circle movement which produces itself. Cakmak also says that as a result of the creation of science and technology, mobility of scientific knowledge, and nurturing of individuals with creative minds, countries have experienced important economic and political changes which lead to infinitive competition among them in the fields of education, development and innovation (Cakmak O. 2008). In addition, developed countries use technology as a part of their education system. Thus, every student can follow technology and learn about the newest advancements which lead them learn better and improve their intelligence. Finally, education leads knowledge turn into money that improves the economy of a country. Educated people knowing to learn how to invest, produce, expand the business adjusts and improves the economy causing the increase of gross domestic product per capita. Education also gives more job opportunities to people in the business sector. According to OECD, the effect of education to the economic development is proved in the researches of economic growth in 1960s. The researches show that contribution of education to the economic growths is really important and this percentage differs as %7 in England, %15 in USA, %14 in Belgium, %16 in Argentina, and %25 in Canada (OECD, 2005). Some may argue that education does not affect the economic development of a country. There are lots of uneducated but successful business men. People can learn how to run a business without an education. To illustrate, â€Å"Sak? p Sabanc? , who is the founder and chairman of the Sabanc? Holding due to the reason suffering from pneumonia three successive years, had to leave the high school and start to work in BOSSA Flour Factory in 1950 with a wage of 50 TL† (NTV Haber). Considering his life, it is obvious that one can learn how to run a business without education. Hence, it is not only education but also experience that makes one successful in business. All in all, economic, social and technologic development of a country is highly related to the education level of that country. Without education, a country can not develop. The only way of individual’s enlighten and learning to use knowledge, and increase of technology is education. Thus, education should be promoted since it is the most important factor for the development of a country. Oznur Sakar.

Barack Hussein Obama

Personal Information: Barack Hussein Obama jr. was born on August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He grew up with his father, Barack Hussein Obama Sr., and mother, Stanley Ann Dunham. He went to college first at Occidental college in Los Angeles in 1989, then went to Columbia University, where he graduated in 1983, and finally went to Harvard Law school in 1991, where he met his wife, Michelle Robinson Obama. They had two daughters, Malia Obama and Natasha â€Å"Sasha† Obama. Constitutional Issues: Barack Obama faced many Constitutional Issues during his presidency. One significant issue he faced was in regards to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), also known as Obamacare. Obamacare increases the affordability of healthcare, providing more people with healthcare. It was extremely controversial, with republicans, in general, strongly opposing the reform, and democrats, in general, strongly supporting it. One of the most controversial and central parts of obamacare is that it was required that everyone not receiving healthcare, is required to pay for it, with exceptions for people with enough financial hardships that the insurance would cost more than eight percent of their household income or certain religious groups. This was controversial because there was a tax penalty for all people not exempted, but had remained uninsured, causing the debate over whether or not congress could penalize people for not buying healthcare. In 2012, this debate ended up in the supreme court, with a 5-4 ruling that it was indeed constitutional. Another significant issue Obama faced during his presidency was the Iraq war. In addition to Obamacare, ending the Iraq war is one thing that Obama is widely known for. The war began in March 2003 because the Bush administration believed that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and that Saddam Hussein, Iraq's tyrannical dictator, was housing terrorists. Even from the beginning, Obama opposed the war, though at the time, many people disagreed with him. In August of 2010, Obama announced that the U.S.'s combat mission in Iraq had ended, but the troops were going to stay in order to support the Iraqi soldiers. By June of 2011, 100,000 troops had already left Iraq. Despite Obamacare and the Iraq war being the largest constitutional issues during Barack Obama's presidency, there were a number of other issues. These include when, in February of 2015, Obama spoke to the nation about, and in favor of the prospect of legalizing marijuana, in mid-2015, when same-sex marriage was legalized in the U.S., and First Lady: Michelle Robinson Obama was born on January 17, 1964 in Chicago, Illinois. She always was incredible in school, and even skipped 2nd grade. For college, she went to Princeton University and graduated in 1985. She later entered Harvard Law School and graduated. After graduating from Harvard, Michelle Obama joined the Chicago corporate-law firm of Sidley ; Austin and mentored Barack Obama who was a Harvard law student at the time and had joined the firm as an intern in 1988. She married Barack Obama in 1992 and was quickly plunged into politics. During Barack Obama's presidential campaign, Michelle Obama was a crucial part of their campaigning; touring the country with him, and even sometimes made her own appearances to support him. In addition, Michelle Obama had her own goals and was able to work towards them during her husband's presidency. During Barack Obama's presidency, Michelle Obama fought the epidemic of obesity in America, promoting physical activity and healthy eating. She started the program Let's Move! in February 2010, which encouraged everyone to make healthier changes. Often, she would visit schools and invite children to the white house where they would tend to her vegetable garden in order to promote healthy lifestyles. She traveled to foreign countries with and without the president, with the intent to improve the relationship with those countries. In addition, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden worked together and launched a program that supported the families of military members in April 2011.Summary of Administration: Barack Obama's presidency began in November of 2008 and ended in January of 2017. He had 8 years in office. During those years, he did many notable things. In 2009, Obama was very active. In February of 2009, he signed a $787 billion spending plan to prompt the economy, announced a salary limit of $500,000 for top executives that had requested federal bailouts, and started a $75 billion plan to help 9 million Americans faced with mortgage problems. In May, he made first supreme court nomination, judge Sonia Sotomayor who was the first Latina supreme court justice and third women on the top court. In the summer, after Obamacare was put into effect, it took over media headlines, causing immense controversy. Obama's first act in 2010 was in April, after the explosion of an oil rig in the Gulf of mexico, when he met with victims of the explosion and established a $20 billion fund for the victims. In May Obama ordered 1,200 National Guard troops to enhance security along the U.S.-Mexican Border, and Fired Stanley A. McChrystal, who was the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, and replaced him with David Petraeus. In the late Spring, he gave speeches about the how education is important to the success of America. In August, he spoke to the nation, marking the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq.2011 and 2012 were not as eventful as 2009 and 2010. In June of 2011, Obama spoke to the nation, announcing the withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan in July, with 33 thousand people returning home. In May of 2012, he challenged lawmakers to help Americans with mortgage and to create jobs and disclosed his belief that same-sex marriage should be legalized. On December 14, 2012, Obama faced what he called, â€Å"the hardest day of his presidency†. Students and teachers in Newton were attacked by an armed gunman, taking the lives of six adults and twenty children. Obama traveled to newton to publically speak about the tragic event, and privately meet with the families of the victims. On December 31, 2012 the government hit the limit on money allowed to borrow, which left the middle class vulnerable to higher taxes. 2013 began with Obama announcing 23 executive orders about gun control, strengthening all background checks for the purchasing of guns on January 16. His second inauguration, took place on January 21, 2013. On the first of February, Hillary Rodham Clinton, the secretary of state, stepped down and was replaced by Senator John Kerry. In September, Congress failed to raise the national borrowing limit as a result of the debt ceiling that was hit on Dec. 31, 2012. This caused 800,000 government to be forced to take a leave of absence, essentially shutting down the government. As a result of this, republican leaders demanded the defund of obamacare, a demand that obama refused to negotiate with. After 16 days, republicans gave in to president obama, allowing temporary spending bills to pass. Dr. Janet Yellen was nominated by Obama as chair of the Board of the Federal Reserve in October. She was the first woman to ever be nominated for the position.Works Citedâ€Å"Affordable Care Act (2010).† Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History, edited by Thomas Riggs, 2nd ed., vol. 1, Gale, 2015, pp. 10-12.Biography In Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3611000019/BIC?u=mlin_c_gibbons;sid=BIC;xid=0294951f. Accessed 3 May 2018.†Barack Obama.† Contemporary Black Biography, vol. 74, Gale, 2009.Biography In Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1606004418/BIC?u=mlin_c_gibbons;sid=BIC;xid=88f4b098. Accessed 3 May 2018.Devaney, Sherri, and Mark Devaney. Barack Obama(JB). MI, Lucent, 2007.Freeman, Richard, et al. â€Å"Barack Obama.† Paywizard.org, 2018, paywizard.org/main/salary/vip-check/barack-obama. Accessed 3 May 2018.†Kathleen Sebelius.† Newsmakers, vol. 4, Gale, 2008.Biography In Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K 1618004793/BIC?u=mlin_c_gibbons;sid=BIC;xid=3b18062b. Accessed 3 May 2018.†Michelle Obama.† Contemporary Black Biography, vol. 61, Gale, 2007.Biography In Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1606003703/BIC?u=mlin_c_gibbons;sid=BIC;xid=bdb31a03. Accessed 3 May 2018.Nardo, Don. Barack Obama. Minneapolis, Compass Point Books, 2010.â€Å"President Map.† The New York Times, New York Times, 29 Nov. 2012, www.nytimes.com/elections/2012/results/president.html. Accessed 3 May 2018.Williams, Joel, et al., editors.â€Å"Barack Obama: Vetoed Legislation.† Ballotpedia, www.nytimes.com/elections/2012/results/president.html. Accessed 3 May 2018.