Wars and Interest Rates in the United Kingdom, Essay

Wars and Interest Rates in the United Kingdom, - Essay Example The classical approach takes investment to be a function of interest rate directly whiles the Keynesians economists note this relationship to be a product of multiplier effect (Mankiw 73). There is significant evidence that the UK economy in the 1920s was emphatic on the desire to maintain the value of Sterling at its pre-war level of $4.86. This political move survived during the war but at the end US dollar gained prominence leading to significant inflation. It is explained that inflation affects interest rates since it raises general prices of goods and services. The case of United Kingdom during the specified period that was marred with war gives a clear picture of the influence of interest rate in the aggregate economic direction of the country. Macroeconomic policies on fixed exchange rate policy indicated that fiscal instruments are at play. Mankiw generally discusses the significance of interest rate in determining level of investment and subsequent rate of economic

Food and Beverage in Indonesia Essay Example for Free

Food and Beverage in Indonesia Essay This document is one of a series of free information tools for exporters produced by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise provides a wide range of standard services and sophisticated solutions that assist businesses through every stage of the export process. For information or advice, phone New Zealand Trade and Enterprise on 0800 555 888, visit www. nzte. govt. nz, or contact your New Zealand Trade and Enterprise client manager. CONTENTS 1 MARKET STRUCTURE 1. 1 Market Overview 1. 2 1. 3 1. 4 1. 5 1. 6 2 2 Market Drivers Market Potential Import Trends Key Players in the Market Regulatory Sustainability 3 3 6 7 7 8 9 11 12 12 12 12 13 13 14 MARKET ENTRY AND DEVELOPMENT 2. 1 Market Entry Strategies 2. 2 2. 3 2. 4 2. 5 Points of Differentiation Long Term Strategic Issues for Exporters to Consider Distribution Channels Pricing 3 MARKET RESOURCES AND CONTACTS 2/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012 1 MARKET STRUCTURE Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country with a population of 232. 5 million in 2010, and the largest economy in Southeast Asia. In 2011, New Zealand’s food and beverage exports totalled US$468. 3 million, making Indonesia New Zealand’s 11th largest export destination. i In November 2011, Indonesia provided formal notification of the completion of its internal ratification procedures to enable the ASEAN – Australia – New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). From 10 January 2012, AANZFTA will open up considerable opportunities for New Zealand businesses. The agreement will allow duty / tariff free access to over 90 percent of New Zealand goods and services by 2015. ii 1. 1 Market Overview In 2010 and 2011, dairy and meat products comprised over 76 percent of New Zealand’s food and beverage exports to Indonesia (2010: US$363 million; 2011: US$381 million). In 2010, Indonesia’s dairy and meat market was worth an estimated US$2 billion. The majority of the population in Indonesia, approximately 85 percent, are Muslim and all slaughtered food and meat (excluding pork) must have halal certification. iii 3/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012 1. 1. 1 Market by product category Packaged food In 2010, Indonesia’s packaged food market was valued at US$19. 1 billion. The sale of impulse and indulgence products (i. e. chocolates) grew due to increasing affluence. Nutrition and staples (i. e. rice) grew by 31 percent in 2010. Canned / preserved food had a high growth rate of 20 percent in 2010. Indonesia: Sales of Packaged Food by Category: Value 2005-2010 in million USD 2007 Packaged Food Total Nutrition/staples (i. e. rice) Dried Processed Food (i. e. dessert mixes, instant soup) Impulse and Indulgence Products (i. e.chocolate coated biscuits) Bakery Dairy Noodles Baby Food Confectionery Meal Solutions (i. e. tomato pastes). Sweet and Savoury Snacks Oils and Fats Sauces, Dressings and Condiments Frozen Processed Food Ice Cream Canned/Preserved Food Chilled Processed Food Spreads Meal Replacement (i. e. breakfast bars) Pasta Ready Meals (i. e. instant pasta) Snack Bars Soup 13,110 7,876 4,089 4,148 2,111 1,484 1,340 1,257 1,287 1,086 779 759 477 263 245 200 63 62 13 11 4 0. 9 3 2008 14,307 8,798 4,642 4,318 2,201 1,540 1,487 1,398 1,329 1,190 812 909 499 306 269 230 68 65 15 12 4 3 3 2009 14,817. 9,167 4,909 4,404 2,238 1,596 1,526 1,496 1,360 1,244 832 845 510 327 278 251 68 66 16 13 4 3 3 2010 19,100 11,959 6,515 5,506 2,781 2,026 1,999 1,967 1,704 1,634 1,054 1,039 653 439 356 346 86 82 21 17 5 4 4 Source: Euromonitor International (NB: IDR/USD currency; [2007] 9141, [2008] 9699, [2009] 10389. 9, [2010] 9090. 4) 4/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012 Fresh food In 2010, the fresh food market in Indonesia had a total volume of 48. 1 million tonnes, making Indonesia the fifth largest fresh food market in the world. During the period 20052010, demand of fresh food increased by 13 percent. iv Indonesia: Fresh food market in Indonesia in million tonnes Starchy Roots Fruits Vegetables Fish and Seafood Meat Sugar and Sweeteners Eggs Nuts Pulses 2007 14,985 10,386 9,095 5,016 1,969 1,778 743 671 222 2008 15,148 10,786 9,356 5,153 2,024 1,825 761 700 224 2009 15,309 11,147 9,613 5,291 2,078 1,872 777 730 227 2010 15,455 11,489 9,868 5,432 2,138 1,914 794 762 230 2011f 15,582 11,787 10,119 5,592 2,188 1,952 808 798 234 Source: Euromonitor International (NB: 2011 forecasts) Wineiv In 2011, the Indonesian wine market was worth approximately US$32 million (RP 275. 4 billion) and retail sales totalled 3. 1 million litres. Wine accounted for only 3 percent of total alcohol sales. Beer is considerably more popular as an alcoholic beverage. During the period 2008-2010, wine volume sales declined by 6 percent. While prices increased, the demand from Indonesian consumers with high disposable incomes and expatriates remained and the number of wine enthusiasts in Indonesia grew. The growth was influenced by western culture and wine events such as wine tasting, wine dinners and classes. The wine market showed an increase in sales by value of 61 percent during the period 2008-2010. v Indonesia: Wine Sales Off-trade Value in million USD Off-trade Volume in million litres 2006 12. 0 3. 3 2007 14. 0 3. 4 2008 15. 0 3. 4 2009 16. 0 3. 3 2010 28. 0 3. 2 2011 32. 0 3. 1 Source: Euromonitor International (NB: IDR/USD currency; [2006] 9159. 3, [2007] 9141, [2008] 9699, [2009] 10389. 9, [2010] 9090. 4, [2011] 8696. 1) 1. 1. 2 Market by distribution channel Mass grocery retail In 2011, traditional retailers, comprising small independent stores and open air markets, accounted for an estimated 77 percent of the total retail sales. vii 5/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012 In the organised retail sector, Hypermarkets had the largest market share in 2010, with US$13. 6 billion in sales, followed by supermarkets (US$11 billion) and convenience stores / mini-markets (US$5 billion). During the period 2005-2010, supermarket sales increased by 112 percent, followed by hypermarkets (109 percent) and convenience stores / mini-markets (105 percent). Mass Grocery Retail Sector – Estimated Number of Outlets 2005 Total Convenience Stores / Mini-Markets Supermarkets Hypermarkets Source: Business Monitor International 2006 7,154 3,337 3,173 644 2007 8,530 3,953 3,830 747 2008 9,429 4,334 4,297 798. 2009 10,572 4,871 4,801 900 2010 11,524 5,299 5,252 973 5,912 2,758 2,652 502 1. 2 Market Drivers The following are viewed as key drivers for the food and beverage market in Indonesia: ? The food and beverage market in Indonesia grew in 2010, recovering from the worldwide recession. Purchasing power of middle and upper income consumers revived with an increase of disposable income. Political and economic conditions stabilised and the number of modern retail outlets and food service retailers grew. vi Consumers are embracing the health conscious trend seen throughout the world, as a result of exposure to health education through the media. vi To meet the increasing demand of educated and health conscious consumers, the Indonesian government has taken on initiatives such as the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate project. Through this US$5 billion project, the government expects to produce almost 2 million tonnes of rice, 2 million tonnes of corn, 2. 5 million tonnes of sugar, 937,000 tonnes of palm oil,167,000 tonnes of soy beans and grazing land for 64,000 cattle. vii In April 2010, taxation on wine increased significantly resulting in an increase in wine prices. Approximately 45 percent of the cost paid by consumers is tax, including sales tax (VAT), excise and import tax. v While traditional markets still account for the majority of retail sales, they face greater pressure on market share as modern retail becomes more popular. While the government tried to discourage the rapid spread of modern retail, it wasn’t successful in enforcing its legislative regulations and modern retailers increased in numbers by using fake permits in some cases. iii ? ? ? ? 6/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012 1. 3 Market Potential The overall food consumption is forecast to grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9. 1 percent to 2015. vii Modern retail, such as hypermarkets are projected to increase in numbers as urban centres expand and demand increases for convenience and added-value products (i. e. rice and noodle ready-meals). However, most consumers in Indonesia remain price sensitive and private label will be a popular alternative as it is perceived as good value rather than cheap. vii The sale of alcoholic beverages is expected to decline with a CAGR of 2. 3 percent during 2010-2015. However, wine is forecast to grow with a CAGR of 1. 4 percent during 20102015 as wine is perceived to be a healthier option than other alcoholic beverages such as beer. v Indonesia has a massive youth population of around 40. 9 million, aged between 15 and 24. This age group tends to be more westernised compared to the older population and is projected to drive demand for mass market products such as confectionary goods. vii There are opportunities for products targeted to improve the condition of specific health problems. These products include calcium fortified milk to prevent osteoporosis, dairy milk for nursing mothers, baby food and products for weight and cholesterol reduction. vi 1. 4 Import Trendsvii In 2010, Indonesia imported an estimated US$8. 1 billion, a growth of 25 percent from 2009. Indonesia is relatively resilient to global trade volatility but reliant on dairy and poultry imports to meet demand. Indonesia: Food and Beverage Trade in million USD 2009 Exports Imports Balance 18,756 6,476 12,280 2010e 24,765 8,120 16,645 2011f 30,406 9,573 20,833 2012f 36,517 11,233 25,284 2013f 43,492 13,172 30,320 2014f 52,167 15,598 36,563 2015f 62,034 18,448 43,585 Source: Business Monitor International (NB: 2010 estimate; 2011-2015 forecasts) 7/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012 1. 5 Key Players in the Marketvii Food and beverages Nestle Indonesia had the highest market share with sales of US$23. 2 billion in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Nestle has a market leading position in the dairy sector and in its instant noodle category, operates a 50-50 joint venture with Indofood Sukses Makmur. One of Indonesia’s key players in alcoholic beverages is Multi Bintang with 414 employees and US$209. 5 million in sales in 2010. Indonesia: Key Players in the food and beverage market Company Nestle Indonesia Indofood Sukses akmur Terbuka Unilever Indonesia PT Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Mayora Indah Tbk Sari Husada PT Malindo Feedmill Tbk PT Siantar Top Tiga Pilar Sejahtera Food Sub-sector confectionery and dairy miscellaneous food dairy and tea meat and Fish confectionery formula and baby food miscellaneous food Snack food Snack food and instant noodles Sales (US$mn) 23,238** 4,493 2,303 1,764 845 317e 238 89 83 Yearending Dec-10 Dec-10 Dec-10 Dec-10 Dec-10 2010 Dec-10 Dec-10 Dec-09 No. Of employees 1,232 64,200 3,308 7,095 4,407 902 2,144 4,292 1,925 Year Established 1971 1990 1933 1972 1977 1954 na 1970 na Source: Company Investor Relations, BMI (NB: e = estimate, na = not available, **Includes Papua New Guinea) Mass Grocery Retail Hero Supermarket Tbk had the largest sales within the mass grocery retail sector with US$8. 97 billion in 2010. Hero has a broad range of store formats and offers lower value products while Carrefour, the biggest foreign retailer in Indonesia, dominates the upper end of the market. 8/Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012 Key Players in Indonesia’s Mass Grocery Retail Sector, 2011 Parent Company PT Hero Supermark et Tbk PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk PT Matahari Putra Prima Tbk Country of Origin Indonesia / Hong Kong Sales, US$ mn 8,971 Financial year 2010 Brand Hero Giant StarMart Indonesia 1,645 2010 Alfamart Alfa Minimart Foodmart Hypermart Cut Price PT Carrefour Indonesia PT Makro Indonesia ** PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk PT Indomaret Prismatama PT Lion Superindo PT Alfa Retailindo Tbk France / Indonesia Netherlands Indonesia. Indonesia Belgium / Indonesia Indonesia 1,570*** 656e 639 500e 431* 187 2010 2010 2009 2010 2010 2010 Carrefour Makro Ramayana Indomaret Super Indo Alfa Alfa Grosir Gelael Format Supermarket Hypermarket Convenience Store Supermarket Convenience Store Supermarket Hypermarket Discount Store Hypermarket Supermarket Cash Carry Supermarket Convenience Store Supermarket Supermarket Supermarket Supermarket No of outlets 120 38 125 4812 Indonesia 1,615 2009 25 52 9 63 16 20 104 5,174 74 35 8 11. Source: Company Investor Relations, BMI (NB: e = estimate,*Based on Delhaize Group Rest of World Sales,** South Korea’s Lotte acquired Makro in October 2008,***Based on Carrefour’sIndonesia sales. ?Includes franchised, independent stores) 1. 6 Regulatory Information provided in this section is for reference only. When negotiating supply contracts and before beginning actual export, companies are advised to consult closely with their importer or distributor. Duties and tariffs Under AANZFTA there will be tariff free access to more than 90 percent of New Zealand goods by 2015, and the majority of these are food and beverage products. 9/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012 Alcoholic beverages in Indonesia including wine are strictly regulated due to the Muslim Law. Wines are subject to 10 percent value added tax (VAT), import tax of 150 percent and income tax of 25 percent. Category A B C Classification Alcoholic beverage with 1-5 percent ethanol content Alcoholic beverage with 5-20 percent ethanol content Alcoholic beverage with 20-55 percent ethanol content Import duty USD 1. 57 / litre IDR 14,000 / litre USD 6. 18 / litre IDR 55,000 / litre USD 14. 00 / litre IDR 125,000 / litre Excise Tax USD 1. 25 / litre IDR 11,000 / litre USD 4. 5 / litre IDR 40,000 / litre USD 14. 61 / litre IDR130,000 / litre For more information, visit the Directorate General of Customs Excise at www. beacukai. go. id or the AANZFTA at www. asean. fta. govt. nz. Licensing and registration requirements Prior to importation of food, companies must follow a registration process which involves a fee of Rp 150,000-3,000,000 (approximately NZ$17-345). The documents needed to register include: ? ? ? ? ?a letter that guarantees safety, quality, nutrition and labelling an authorisation letter from the manufacturer health certificate or certificate of free sale issued by authorised deputy from country of origin an audit report of distribution facilities from NADFC (National Agency of Drugs and Food Control) provincial office. copy of registration approval letter from the NZ company’s importer For more information on licensing and registration, visit National Agency of Drug and Food Control at www. pom. go. id Labelling requirements. All imported food and beverages need to be labelled in Indonesian language and must contain: ? ? ? ? brand name name of product (type of food) list of ingredients net weight or net content or drained weight (if applicable) 10/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage |. February 2012 ? ? ? name and address of parties that produce or import the products into Indonesia registration number date, month and year of minimum durability For more information on labelling, visit the National Agency of Drug and Food Control at www. pom. go. id. Quotas New Zealand wine exports are subject to Indonesia’s import quotas. The Indonesian government increased the import quota for wine to 225,000 cases in 2009, from 80,000 cases in 2008. The number of cases of wine imported in 2008 and 2009 were 77,485 and 191,953 cases respectively. Error! Bookmark not defined. Indonesia has also recently imposed beef quotas which are being reviewed regularly. Halal Halal certification in Indonesia is required for all food derived from animal products, and recommended for companies whose products are targeting the mass retail market. Exporters are advised to check this closely with their importers or distributors in Indonesia. The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) is recognised by the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) for certifying products in New Zealand. They can be contacted at [emailprotected] co. nz. For more information on the overseas market access requirements (including halal requirements), visit the New Zealand Food Safety Authority at www. foodsafety. govt. nz For more information on halal, visit the MUI at www. halalmui. org 1. 7 Sustainabilityviii The Indonesian Government encourages companies to use sustainable packaging and recyclable materials through tax incentives and an awards system. The government plans to boost the environmentally friendly packaging through Industrial Regulations in Indonesia (RUU Perindustrian). Alternatives to plastic packaging such as vegetable material or bio-plastic packaging have been welcomed by the market. Bio-plastic is made from biotic materials (i. e. corn, cassava or micro-biota) and the material is easier to decompose. A national water company, PT Aqua Golden Mississippi, is currently developing a water bottle from vegetable material. The Indonesian Nanotechnology Society is researching a thinner plastic bottle which can be decomposed in 4 to 8 weeks. 11/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012 2 MARKET ENTRY AND DEVELOPMENT 2. 1 Market Entry Strategies Indonesia is a price sensitive market, but with the growth of the new generation of middle and high income consumers, the quality of products is of greater importance. Branded and high quality food and beverage products are in demand. The middle high income segment is paying more attention to healthy products as the new generation becomes more health conscious. Indonesian consumers prefer internationally well-known brands and imported products, particularly for their children. In 2010, the government approved a number of import licences for alcoholic beverages. There were previously only 2 companies with import licences but now more than 20 companies have secured a licence. To acquire an import licence, a company needs to have at least 20 brands in its portfolio. It is recommended that New Zealand food and beverage products focus on Jakarta (with a population of 9. 6 million), Surabaya (4 million) and Bali (4 million). Jakarta and Surabaya are big markets in their own right but are also distribution hubs to the east and western parts of Indonesia. Bali is a popular tourism destination and there is a demand for quality products from hotels and restaurants. 2. 2 Points of Differentiation New Zealand is known in Indonesia as a producer of fresh, clean, high quality and healthy products. However, the market holds little knowledge about the range of products New Zealand sells. New Zealand companies need to continuously promote the overall New Zealand image for the benefit of their products. 2. 3 Long Term Strategic Issues for Exporters to Consider Recently a number of new regulations were introduced, which are aimed at protecting local producers of horticultural, agricultural and dairy products. Political issues and corruption are still a major issue in doing business in Indonesia. All imported food and beverage products must be registered by Indonesia’s National Agency for Food and Drugs Control (BPOM). New Zealand food and beverage exporters are advised to check with their Indonesian customers or partners what the exact process is. The specified time limit for BPOM to issue registration is 45 working days, but in the past it has taken 6-12 months. 12/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012 2. 4 Distribution Channels. The best market penetration strategy is to appoint a local importer who has an established network across Indonesia. This will enable New Zealand businesses to access the retail market and also the HORECA (hotel, restaurant and catering) markets. Importers will undertake the product registration on behalf of New Zealand companies. New Zealand companies must provide the necessary documentation including a letter of appointment for the Indonesian importer. 2. 5 Pricing New Zealand products face stiff competition from other imported products, particularly products from Asian countries. With the right pricing and product positioning strategies, Indonesian consumers are willing to pay for premium products. Mark-ups for imported products will include: ? ? ? import agent fees custom duties value added tax (VAT) of 5-10 percent 13/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012 2. MARKET RESOURCES AND CONTACTS ASSOCIATIONS /ORGANISATION ASEAN New Zealand Combined Business Council Halal Indonesia The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) WEBLINK www. asean. org. nz www. halalindonesia. org/ www. fianz. co. nz/index. php Indonesia National Agency of Drug and Food Control www.pom. go. id ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Guide Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia Directorate General of Customs Excise. TRADE EVENTS InterFood Indonesia Fish and Seafood Indonesia Agri Indo Jakarta Fashion Food Festival OTHER NZTE PUBLICATIONS Indonesia Country Brief Wine Market in Southeast Asia Food and beverage in the hotel, restaurant and institutions market in Southeast Asia www. asean. fta. govt. nz www. depkes. go. id/en/ www. beacukai. go. id WEBLINK www. interfood-indonesia. com www. fisheryandseafoodexpo. com www. agri-indo. com www. jfff. info WEBLINK www. nzte.govt. nz www. nzte. govt. nz /www. nzte. govt. nz Disclaimer: This publication is provided to you as a free service and is intended to flag to you market opportunities and possibilities. Use of and reliance on the information/products/technology/concepts discussed in this publication, and the suitability of these for your business is entirely at your own risk. You are advised to carry out your own independent assessment of this opportunity. The information in this publication is general; it was prepared by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) from publicly available and/or subscription database sources. NZTE; its officers, employees and agents accept no liability for any errors or omissions or any opinion/s expressed, and no responsibility is accepted with respect to the standing of any firm/s, company/ies or individual/s mentioned. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is not responsible for any adverse consequences arising out of such use. You release New Zealand Trade and Enterprise from all claims arising from this publication. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise reserves the right to reuse any general market information contained in its reports. i ii iii iv v vi vii viii Euromonitor International, 26 August 2011. Indonesia: Country Profile APNZ, 15 November 2011. Indonesia to join regional FTA. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved from www. nzherald. co. nz Euromonitor International, 9 August 2011. Consumer Food Service in Indonesia. Euromonitor International, 2011. Market sizes, Indonesia Euromonitor International, February 2011. Alcoholic Drinks Indonesia Euromonitor International, November 2010. Packaged food Indonesia Business Monitor International, August 2011. Indonesia Food Drink Report Q4 2011. Euromonitor International, April 2011. Packaging Indonesia 14/ Exporter Guide | Indonesia | Food and Beverage | February 2012.

Environmental Hazards Essay Example for Free

Environmental Hazards Essay If someone was to ask you, â€Å"What is an open dump? † What would you say? Would you know what to tell them? An open dump is abandoned piles of household garbage, bags of yard waste, appliances, old barrels, used tires, and demolition debris can threaten the health of wildlife, the environment, and humans. They can cause such health, environmental, and safety issues as fires or explosions, the inhalation of toxic gases, injuries to children playing in or around the dumpsites (I have personal experience of cutting my foot on broken glass as a child playing in an open dump), diseases carried by flies, rodents and mosquitos, and other hazards. Open Dumps, 1996 – 2011). Early Landfill Believe it or not, landfills go way back in history. Of course, back then they were called â€Å"garbage dumps. † For instance, early American settlers used to deal with their garbage by dumping it over the back fence, burying it in their back yards, or dumping it in rivers. They also would burn their garbage. (Amsel, 2005 – 2013). We can go even further back in history with this subject. Case in point: Did you know the cause of the bubonic plague (14th century) was too much garbage in the streets? Allow me to explain. The bubonic plague, also called, the â€Å"black death,† spread through Africa, Asia, nd Europe, killing 75 million people. What these people did not know at the time was they had too much garbage in their streets. There was so much it was in piles. These piles of garbage in turn attracted rats. The rats had fleas. The fleas carried the disease. With rats carrying the disease from place to place, the lack of sanitation made it the worst epidemic in human history. (Amsel, 2005 – 2013). Many of the early landfills were made in wetlands. These wetlands were thought to be wasteland at that time. These landfills leaked into lakes and rivers and built up gases, such as methane. As garbage rots, it gives off a flammable gas, called methane. Because of this many garbage dumps would catch fire or explode! The first garbage burning plant was built in 1885 in New York on Governor’s Island. It was called an â€Å"incinerator. † There were 300 incinerators burning garbage in the U. S. by 1914. (Amsel, 2005 – 2013). Leachate – The most serious problem with landfills is groundwater contamination. As water percolates through the ground (like water does in a coffeemaker), chemicals can be released in the ground and get carried along in a process called leaching. The resulting water with the various pollutants is called leachate. As the water percolates through Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), a noxious leachate is generated that consists of residues various decomposing organic matter mixed with various metals from rusting items in the landfills. This can funnel directly into the groundwater without correct precautionary measures. (Wright, 2011). Methane – Municipal Solid Waste is about 2/3 organic material. Because of this, it is subject to natural decomposition. Buried wastes are anaerobic, meaning they decompose without oxygen. A major by-product of this process produces a combination of about 2/3 methane and 1/3 hydrogen and carbon dioxide, called biogas. This is a highly flammable mixture. This has caused homes to explode at up to 1000 feet away and has caused some deaths. Also, gases seeping up to the surface have killed vegetation by poisoning their roots. (Wright, 2011). Incomplete Decomposition – Commonly used plastics resist natural decomposition because of their molecular structure. Microbes are unable to digest them because they are polymers of petroleum-based compounds. There have been biodegradable plastic polymers developed from other sources, such as cornstarch, lactic acid, cellulose, and soybean protein, as well as petroleum. Wright, 2011). Settling – Finally, as waste compacts and decomposes, it settles. This problem was recognized from the beginning and there have been no buildings built on landfills. Settling creates shallow depressions that collect and hold water. These can also be deep holes. This can be addressed by continuous monitoring and filling to restore it to a level surface. (Wright, 2011). Modern Landfill Modern landfills are designed to address the previous mentioned issues. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has upgraded requirements for landfill siting. New landfills are to be sited well above the water table on high ground. The floor is contoured so water drains into a tile leachate collection system. The sides and floor are covered with a plastic liner and at least two feet of compacted soil. This allows any percolating leachate to drain into the leachate collection system and be treated as necessary. Layers of refuse are positioned so the fill is built up in the shape of a pyramid. It is then with at least 18 inches of earthen material and then seeded. This cap and the pyramid shape help the landfill in shedding water. The entire landfill site is surrounded by groundwater monitoring wells and periodically checked. This checking must go on indefinitely. (Wright, 2011). Mariannhill Landfill, South Africa I chose the Mariannhill Landfill, South Africa for innovative practices in making it more productive and reducing its environmental impact. In reading the description of this landfill, it seemed more like a recreation area and less like a landfill. I could tell a lot of thought and planning went into this. This landfill contains several â€Å"cells† to hold waste. Soil from the landfill area is removed and put in storage. The resulting hole is the cell. Once the cell is full the soil is replaced. Vegetation is also removed and placed in a large holding nursery on the site. This is called Plant Rescue Unit or PRUNIT. There is a barrier system in each cell to prevent harmful waste by-products from seeping into the environment. Leachate is treated on site. This is done by a biological primary treatment with sludge followed by a â€Å"polishing treatment† by a reed bed. The Mariannhill site treats landfill water to reduce leachate until the water is reusable. Mariannhill has also set up a landfill gas extraction scheme. It has been operational for four years as of 2008. It also has a bird hide and conservation area with nature trails that link up with existing green space in the metro. (Mariannhill Landfill Conservancy, 2008). This has been a truly eye-opening assignment. Little did I realize as a child that some of the areas I was playing in were so dangerous. I’m not sure if my parents knew, but they always told me to stay away from places like that. I am so thankful these places (older landfills and â€Å"dumps†) are practically figments of the imagination now. We need to take better care of our planet! Let’s all chip in!

The Positive Effects A Nuclear Reactor Politics Essay

The Positive Effects A Nuclear Reactor Politics Essay Providing incentives for energy efficiency and clean energy are the right thing to do for our future because the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy. And America must be that nation. (Obama) This was the endorsement made by the President of the United States in January of 2010 during his annual State of the Union Address of adding more nuclear power facilities around the United States. Nuclear power is the energy source of the future, and Louisa County is on the cusp of becoming one of the frontrunners in the nation in this aspect with its partnership with Dominion Power Electric Company to add a third reactor to its nuclear power plant situated on the shores of Lake Anna. Lake Anna was originally built to fuel the nuclear reactors that began commercial use in 1978 (Unit One) and 1980 (Unit Two). The lake is used to provide the water necessary to fuel this power station and its use and output will soar to new heights in the com ing years. Already armed with two nuclear reactors on its power plant, the addition of a third reactor will only bolster Louisa Countys already advantageous position in the alternative energy game. In adding a third reactor at the Dominion Electric Power Plant on Lake Anna, Louisa County will put itself in a position to be the benefactor of numerous Federal aides, it will also create more jobs to be added to the local economic structure, and spark an influx of new businesses opening in the Lake Anna region as a result of this jump in population. More people will be attracted to the area, and more money will be brought into the county as a result, all of which will benefit the area while the recreational value of the lake and surrounding area will not be harmed, as some residents are fearful will happen. All of these factors bode well for the local economy and the citizens of Lake Anna and Louisa County. In times where oil and coal are insufficient in appeasing worldwide energy needs, nuclear power is an efficient alternative. They are often constructed in times when oil is in short supply. The below chart depicts the growth and addition of nuclear power plants [NPPs] worldwide from 1950 to 1997. The near bell-curve shape of the chart and the nuclear boom from 1970 to 1990 can be attributed to a worldwide oil crisis, forcing countries to find alternative energy sources to compensate for their deficit of oil. Nuclear energy was also the hot new form of alternative energy and there was an arms-race of sorts to have the biggest and best fleet of nuclear performance. Nuclear growth proved to be cyclical as it dropped and leveled off at the turn of the Century. Number of Reactors In the coming years however, another spike in nuclear production will be seen as military tensions in the Middle-East reach new heights. The addition to the North Anna power station, when completed, will be one of the first plants to lead in this upward trend. It can be predicted that the growth will peak again around the year 2014 as the world settles into using nuclear power as a safe and reliable alternative to coal and oil. As Americans, we will soon see more and more nuclear bases around the nation, as it has been proven and endorsed by the government that nuclear is the way of the future for America. With the recent fuel crisis that has hit the United States, a concentrated effort has been put into discovering and fostering alternative energy sources. Hybrid cars was the first alternative venture in which American citizens began to alter their buying habits, but it has since spread into all facets of American society, including power supplies as a whole. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the United States has allotted 2.4 billion dollars of Clean Renewable Energy Bonds [CREBs] to be given to local governments to fund mass projects that will promote or provide alternative energy for mass numbers of people. (Department of Energy, April 10, 2010) The funding Louisa County will receive through the Recovery Act will foot most of the construction bill for the reactor, leaving Louis a ready to profit off of the venture. Energy shortage is also hitting very close to home for Louisa County residents. The Commonwealth of Virginia itself is currently looking at an energy deficit that could reach 4,000 megawatts by year 2017. (Dominion Power, March 13, 2010) The demand for energy is heading in the opposite direction, growing by over 40% over the past ten years and can grow to almost 50% by the end of 2011. (Dominion Power, March 13, 2010) This can be accredited to growing populations and a large number of citizens that are not energy-conscious. The third reactor at North Anna Power Station is aiming to help appease these new demands while cutting into the deficit itself. With any great change will come those who are resistant, those who do not want to alter their ways from the status quo. There have been specific groups of people from the lake community who have been opposed to the expansion of the nuclear power plant. The Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA) is a group of lake residents who have served as the voice of the cautious opposition. Termed N.I.M.B.Y.s (meaning Not In My Back Yard) by colleagues in the area, this association stood in the way of county approval of the Dominion project by lobbying the local government and presenting reasons that the construction of the third reactor would be detrimental to the Lake. Though there are not many residents who feel that the extension of the nuclear power plant would be a negative addition to the lake judging by support for the project displayed at local governmental meetings, their arguments have been noted and studied by the authorities in charge of approval. They argued that with increased water m ovement and usage by the power plant will raise the water level an excessive amount. Though it is predicted by Dominion Power that the water line will rise two inches, it is expected that this will not affect property that shares a border with the lake by encroaching on the land. It has also been argued that some of the bridges that traverse the lake will be made unsafe for boat traffic due to the water level. This would be because the clearance would be lowered by two inches and boats with canopies or a second level may strike the bottom of the bridge when passing. Following a study conducted by the Lake Anna Advisory Committee that was presented on February 9, 2010 showed that the three bridges in question were already below safe boating conditions (the boat, operator, and passengers are not in immediate danger) even when the water was low. It was also argued that an increased water temperature will deter tourists from enjoying the lake and joining in water activities. Discussed e arlier, this slight temperature increase (two to three degrees) will not be physically troubling to lake-goers but will rather make it enjoyable for a longer period of time and will also not have any acute impact on the wildlife within the lake. Given Louisa Countys developmental support track record, a project with the magnitude that this one possesses would not be approved unless it was certain that it would not cause major harm to the environment or citizens around it. Those who oppose the power plant on the lake must remember that it was constructed in the first place to serve as a power resource for the power plant and it would not exist without it. In an interview with William Blount (telephone interview, January 4, 2010), a longtime resident and entrepreneur on the lake, when discussing the opposition, he remarked that complaining about the power plant would be like purchasing land near an airport and complaining about noise. Nuclear energy has been proven to be an effective and safe avenue for harvesting energy for a large number of people. Louisa County, through its construction and use of Lake Anna as a power source to fuel its nuclear combines, provides power to the city of Richmond and the Southwest region of Virginia, as well as other states both north and south of Virginia. President Obama has endorsed this method as being safe and logical avenue for providing power to a nation who has seen its population grow by 208 million people over the past 100 years [1900 to 2000] (U.S. Census Bureau, March 4, 2010). This is a significant step toward nuclear energy becoming more common and available. Being of the Democratic Party, this is a sign that the endorsement is no false advertisement because the Democrats have traditionally been the major stopping point for the implementation of nuclear power as a major source of national energy. Democrats, as well as millions of previously undecided citizens on the topic of nuclear energy are beginning to see nuclear power as a safe alternative to oil and coal, which there has been a recent shortage of, with no end in site as long as the war and associated long term conflicts in the Middle-East continue. With each crisis comes a solution and a benefactor; Louisa County will be a benefactor from our national oil shortage. In order to ensure and promote the further use of nuclear energy, a town such as Louisa County could be granted sums of money and credits reaching into the millions (U.S. Department of Energy, April 10, 2010) for using this energy source . The wealth accrued through these cuts can be spent on public utilities such as roads and offices, meaning the county as a whole will benefit and be more pleasurable for all citizens. Reputable people closely involved with the project feel as if it will be a positive for Louisa. Lifetime Louisa County resident and former County Administrator and Clerk of the Court Dean Agee feels as if the addition of the third reactor will only help Louisa County fiscally. The income from the projected boost in commerce and population will help to offset the cost of the influx of public school attendance this county has seen in the past decade. This was most recently illustrated with the construction of Moss-Knuckles Elementary school on Route 208 toward Charlottesville. Schools are being built to accommodate all of the new students being enrolled in Louisa County Public Schools each year, and funding is necessary to make this possible. A large portion of this money will come from County taxes on the construction projects and new businesses blossoming in the area. When discussing the economic benefits Louisa will experience, Agee revealed that the Board of Supervisors will increa se the value of the county to offset the State lowering its fiscal aid, which is taxing on its actual value, this will level off the overall fiscal value of the Countyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ combining that with the Federal incentives that we will receive, a substantial increase in overall value will emerge. The growth that will take place can be shocking. During the original construction of Lake Anna Mr. Boodgie Duke, a local businessman and prominent land owner in the area, was speaking to a construction official about the digging of the hole where Lake Anna was to go. He inquired about how such a massive amount of dirt was going to be displaced, and was told that over one hundred bulldozers would be utilized in the process, What? he exclaimed, There are only three bulldozers in the entire county! This is merely a small example of the growth that nuclear power stations can bring to an area. While the area has seen much greater growth since then, adding a third reactor will have similar effects. There will be an influx of new jobs created by this third reactor; construction, building parts for the reactor, shipping, workers, and security for the new component will be needed for completion and use. Different stages of the construction project will involve multiple businesses and contract ors, so exact numbers for each specific construction discipline will only be able to be seen with time. These jobs will not only attract workers, but also their families will move with them if they are to stay permanently, these numbers will add up quickly. To accommodate all of the new citizens and workers in the County, the local real estate market will also see a boost as it must provide both permanent and temporary housing for those working. Lake Anna Island has already taken measures of preparation for this by having a building project in the works to create over fifty new housing condominiums to complement the twenty it already has. This undertaking is projected to be completed by late summer of 2010, in time to advertise and sell to migrant workers who are helping in building the third unit. According to local businessman B.J. Blount, by completion of the project over 700 permanent new jobs will be brought in to Louisa County in addition to roughly 5,000 temporary jobs over t he next five to seven years, adding wealth and notoriety to the area. According to former Louisa County administrator and lifelong resident Dean Agee, Lake Anna is already by far the most powerful and wealthy market in Louisa County; it is projects and progressiveness such as the addition of a third nuclear unit that makes it such. With this influx of new jobs in the area, the arrival of a new reactor will establish the northwest area of Lake Anna as a jumping-off point for more businesses and development projects in the area. As is true with virtually all areas that feature a great density of corporate prosperity, there was a major project that served as a catalyst for the attraction of other businesses to establish themselves in the area. A prime example of that would be the Short Pump Town Center erected in 2003 in northwestern Henrico County, Virginia. As soon as that came to fruition, and even perhaps before, more businesses and companies were purchasing land and leasing buildings to establish themselves in and around. There are now over a dozen housing developments and apartment communities established in the general vicinity of the Town Center with more to come. The Short Pump area has also established itself as one of the main shopping and leisure areas in the state of Virginia and many high school-aged kids migrate there on weekends to spend time and money. There is a direct correlation of growth in population to growth in wealth in corporate areas, and this will occur in this region of Louisa County. When the tide comes in, all the boats rise; the growth of the nuclear power plant will serve as that tide in Louisa. More businesses will flock to the Lake Anna region to reap some of the benefits. An agreement has already been reached to have a Food Lion constructed on Route 208 in Louisa, located roughly five miles from the Dominion Power Plant. A grocery store such as this would not have signed on for development in the area without a projected growth in patrons that would shop there, so this would be a good indication of the projected growth in the immediate vicinity. Gary Griffith, owner of Dockside Realty, is developing Stonewall Town Center on Route 522 that will feature a restaurant and shopping opportunities. Lake Anna Island Realty was an early player in the race for position to attract business from the new growth. To go along with the covered boat slips that house the Lake Anna Island Yacht Club. Owner B. J. Blount and his partners have agreements and are in the process of building numerous other amenities on their property, located next to the 208 Bridge on New Bridge Road. There are b oat slips available for lease or rent for commuters or new residents to tie up their boats and access them at any time. As that project progresses, there is a potential for over 400 slips to be implemented, along with storage space for each purchased slip. There are the aforementioned housing units under construction that will be available for permanent or temporary use for specialized or contracted workers and their families. Buildings will be constructed to house a hotel and a restaurant, along with separate housing for a doctors office and two other separate restaurants. There is also now a houseboat available for rental on a weekly or weekend basis, with the opportunity for more boats to form a fleet that can turn into a steady source of income for the Realty. This is the sort of business plan and construction project that may well be seen blossoming in Louisa County with more regularity in the years to come. An effect the Power Plant will have on the environment will be the slight increase of water temperature on the lake due to the increased consumption of water by the actual units. It is predicted that the water temperature will rise by two to three degrees. While this is not a glaring difference from the norm, the newfound warmth can potentially extend the tourist season by an extra week. This is because the higher temperature will take longer to cool in the fall and the water will be warm enough for recreational activities for a slightly longer period of time. The increased amount of reactor output (predicted two to three inch water level increase) means that the larger amount will also take longer to cool. Though it is only one week, the collective wealth accrued by businesses of the area, be it restaurants, rentals or general boat activity will pay great dividends in the long run for the local economy. Multiple studies have been done to back up all of the claims made in favor of the third reactors positive impact upon Louisa Countys economy. From 1960 to 1976, sixty-four towns and cities that were located around any of four Northeastern U.S. power plants were observed and measured by their property market values. Positive growth trends in property value, listing and sale prices were seen across the board in these areas. (Downing, Gamble, Sauerlander, n.d.) Throughout the completion of the study the communities experienced positive growth. Furthermore, it was found that property market values increased at an inverse ratio to distance that they are situated from the nuclear power plants, possibly indicating that buyers specifically paid more to live closer to the plant. The municipalities that were in the general area of the plants also grew disproportionally to areas in the same state that were not near a nuclear plant. (Bezdek Wendling, 2006) In 1986, a study was conducted by a gr oup of college professors from Oakland University in Michigan that studied whether the federal policy to deter citizens from living near nuclear power plants had positive effects or not. In a study made of 204 local government that were situated within ten miles of any of the 49 functional nuclear power plants in the United States at the time, the governments were polled on their citizens feelings toward the plants and the physical plants public safety. (Folland Hough, 1999) The results showed that feedback was greatly in favor of living near the plants and it was suggested that governments should encourage migration toward the plants rather than discouraging citizens from living near them. Constructing a third reactor to add to the North Anna Power Plant in Louisa County will provide numerous benefits for everyone involved. Federal incentives will be sent the countys way, citizens will come pouring in searching for one of the multiple new jobs that will be created and numerous pre-existing and prospective businesses will be able to reap the benefits from all of this. All of these factors will culminate in making Louisa County a richer, more prosperous county. Resources Bezdek, R., Wendling, R. (2006). The Impacts of Nuclear Facilities on Property Values and Other Factors in the Surrounding Communities (Rep.). Retrieved January 10, 2010, from misi-net.com Dominion Power. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2010, from http://www.dom.com Downing, R., Gamble, H., Sauerlander, O. (n.d.). Real Estate Economics: Community Growth Around Nuclear Power Plants (3rd ed., Vol. 8). John Wiley Sons. Folland, S., Hough, R. (1999). On the External Effects on Nuclear Power Plant: Further Evidence (Rep.). Rochester, Michigan. Retrieved January 14, 2010, from Gale Group. Nuclear Waste Disposal. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2010, from http://www.nei.org Number of Reactors Being Brought Online Number of Countries Bringing Reactors Online [Chart]. (n.d.). In TVA. Retrieved February 24, 2010. Obama, B. H. (2010, January 27). State of the Union Address. Speech presented at State of the Union Address 2010 in U.S. Capitol, Washington D.C. United States, Department of Energy. (n.d.). Government Tax Incentives. Retrieved April 10, 2010, from http://www.energy.gov/government_tax_incentives.htm United States, Census Bureau. (n.d.). Retrieved March 4, 2010, from http://census.gov

Decrypting Cryptography Essay -- E-Commerce Internet Papers

Decrypting Cryptography Cryptography is the study of techniques and implementation dedicated to the solving of complex problems. Today, its primary use is to protect sensitive information by maintaining the privacy of communications. In general, the secret information is transformed into an altered text by a process referred to as encryption, thus preventing the message from being read by anyone besides the intended receiver. It is this cipher text that is transmitted to the intended recipient, who must use the proper key to reverse the process, that is convert the encoded message back into its plain text form. Cryptography has seen a recent rise in popularity due to the expanding nature of communications technology, the Internet, and the inherent security needs of such systems. Cryptography has many practical uses besides providing a code for secret communications. A major contributor to the many current applications of cryptology is the status of computers. Cryptology provides the tools to create a large-scale network of individuals who can communicate with each other confidentially without the threat of an unintended party being able to receive the transmission. The electronically intangible nature of e-mail messages makes them particularly susceptible to attack. Cryptography provides encryption for e-mails, so that only the intended recipient can access the plain text. Cryptographic applications have been augmented with the recent increase of business conducted over the Internet, otherwise known as e-commerce. Online banking, brokerage accounts, and shopping have increased the need for protection against fraud, theft and corruption of the vital information that is sent via the Internet with each electronic transa... ...lobe. Whether you are trading stocks at the office, talking on a cellular phone in the car, or just purchasing a CD at home, cryptography provides the necessary security to insure that your sensitive information will not fall into the wrong hands. Works Cited [1] Daepp, Ulrich. â€Å"Public Key Encryption Scheme.† 14 October 1999. [2] â€Å"Frequently Asked Questions About Today’s Cryptology.† RSA Security. [FTP] ftp://ftp.rsasecurity.com/pub/labsfaq/labsfaq4.pdf. 1 December 1999. [3] â€Å"Leonard Adleman.† The University of Southern California. [WWW] http://www-hto.usc.edu/people/Adleman.html. 3 December 1999. [4] McHugh, Josh. â€Å"People-Innovators, Smart People, Smart Ideas: Leonard Adleman.† Forbes 7 July 1997. [5] â€Å"RSA† [WWW] http://www.whatis.com/rsa.htm. 3 December 1999 [6] Shamir, Adi. â€Å"RSA for Paranoids.† CryptoBytes vol.1, no.3 Autumn 1995: 1-4.

roman government :: essays research papers

ETRUSCAN MONARCHS   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Etruscans were a very sophisticated people who controlled land roughly from Cumae (on the northern end of the Bay of Naples) to the Po River. They had great artistic skills and were skilled traders. Eventually, the Etruscans expanded their influence southward and conquered the Romans.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first Etruscan king of Rome was L. Tarquinius Priscus (616-579 BCE). Priscus chose and cleared the site for the great temple JUPITER OPTIMUS MAXIMUS (meaning â€Å"Jupiter best and greatest†), which would be located on CAPITOLINE, on one of the Seven Hills of Rome. In its later years, the civilization of Rome focused itself on CAPITOLINE. This was the temple dedicated to Jupiter who was the father of the gods and therefore most powerful. Priscus also allegedly built the CLOACA MAXIMA, or great sewer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The 2nd Etruscan king, Servius Tullius (579-534 BCE), was said to have carried on the program of urban renewal begun by his predecessor.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The final Etruscan monarch, Tarquin the Proud, was ejected by means of popular rebellion in 509 BCE. It began because his son Sextus rapped a chaste aristocrat named Lucretia who later committed suicide because of it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With the final king gone, the way was paved for the formation of the democratic republic. The Etruscan military power fell and those who lived near Rome were absorbed into the new republic. CONSULS OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After the removal of the final Etruscan monarch, two men from the senate were elected by the members of the COMITIA CENTURIA to take the position as consuls; the chief Magistrates of the Roman state who were elected annually. One colleague could veto (meaning forbid) the decision of the other thereby acting as a safe guard against abuse of power. GACCHUS BROTHERS   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tiberius Gracchus was elected to tribune of the people in 133 BCE. He believed he could solve the problems of the poor by redistributing the land. He set up a land commission to distribute ten-hectare plots. He misused his authority when he announced that he would seek re-election as tribune. Such an act was unheard of in this time. This action in sighted a riot within the already angry land owning senators in Rome. 3000 people were killed, amongst them was Tiberius himself. Regardless, the land commission continued and some 80 000 people were resettled.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Gaius Gracchus was elected tribune in 123 BCE. He was an enthusiastic reformer who believed he had the answer to the conflicting interests of the population.

Irish Autobiographies Adapted for Film Essay -- Film Movie Cinematogra

Irish Autobiographies Adapted for Film This image of mid-twentieth century Ireland embodied in the themes of emigration, cultural isolation, economic depression, literary censorship and religious conservatism have become a fixed concept in the collective imaginative and cultural production. At the start of the twenty-first century, far from seeking to exorcise such associations, Joe Cleary has noted that "the period is repeatedly evoked because it serves as the definitive image of the anti-modern which a modernizing Ireland needed both to define itself against and to transcend" (114). In other words, maintaining an image of "Irishness" which conforms to these themes is increasingly significant, thus the further divorced they become from the present reality. Roy Foster has observed that Sometimes it is hard to avoid the feeling that the new, modernized, liberated Irish consciousness feels a sneaking nostalgia for the verities of the old victim-culture: which was also, in its way, a culture of superiority. (xv) This "nostalgia" has proved extremely marketable and continues to be expressed in self-consciously modern artistic forms, most notably in film. In spite of the obvious fascination in Ireland's recent past shown by filmmakers, it is almost impossible to find a satisfactory definition for the term "Irish Film." In his important work Irish Filmography, Kevin Rockett notes that of over 2,000 feature films produced with an Irish theme world-wide since the beginnings of the cinema, less than 200 have been made in Ireland itself and most of these only in the last fifteen years or so (510). Yet, whether the on-screen influence of high-profile Irish actors or off-screen production input are taken as definitive, many film h... ...gton, Susan Tetlow. "Angela's Ashes." Literature/Film Quarterly. 29:1(2001): 58-62. Hill, Joan. et al eds., Border Crossing: Film in Ireland, Britain and Europe. Belfast: Institute of Irish Studies, 1994. McLoone, Martin. "Ireland in Cinema." Joan Hill and Pamela Church Gibson eds. The Oxford Guide to Film Studies. Oxford: OUP, 1998. McLoone, Martin. Irish Film: The Emergence of Contemporary Cinema. London: British Film Institute, 2000. "My Left Foot." Channel4.com. My Left Foot. Dir. Jim Sheridan. Perf. Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelen and Kristen Sheridan. Miramax Films, 1989. O'Hehir, Andrew, "Borstal Boy." Salon.Com 2002. Vankin, Jonathan and John Whalen. Based on a True Story: Fact and Fantasy in 100 Favorite Movies. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2005. Wagner, Geoffrey. The Novel and the Cinema. Vancouver: FDU Press, 1975. Irish Autobiographies Adapted for Film Essay -- Film Movie Cinematogra Irish Autobiographies Adapted for Film This image of mid-twentieth century Ireland embodied in the themes of emigration, cultural isolation, economic depression, literary censorship and religious conservatism have become a fixed concept in the collective imaginative and cultural production. At the start of the twenty-first century, far from seeking to exorcise such associations, Joe Cleary has noted that "the period is repeatedly evoked because it serves as the definitive image of the anti-modern which a modernizing Ireland needed both to define itself against and to transcend" (114). In other words, maintaining an image of "Irishness" which conforms to these themes is increasingly significant, thus the further divorced they become from the present reality. Roy Foster has observed that Sometimes it is hard to avoid the feeling that the new, modernized, liberated Irish consciousness feels a sneaking nostalgia for the verities of the old victim-culture: which was also, in its way, a culture of superiority. (xv) This "nostalgia" has proved extremely marketable and continues to be expressed in self-consciously modern artistic forms, most notably in film. In spite of the obvious fascination in Ireland's recent past shown by filmmakers, it is almost impossible to find a satisfactory definition for the term "Irish Film." In his important work Irish Filmography, Kevin Rockett notes that of over 2,000 feature films produced with an Irish theme world-wide since the beginnings of the cinema, less than 200 have been made in Ireland itself and most of these only in the last fifteen years or so (510). Yet, whether the on-screen influence of high-profile Irish actors or off-screen production input are taken as definitive, many film h... ...gton, Susan Tetlow. "Angela's Ashes." Literature/Film Quarterly. 29:1(2001): 58-62. Hill, Joan. et al eds., Border Crossing: Film in Ireland, Britain and Europe. Belfast: Institute of Irish Studies, 1994. McLoone, Martin. "Ireland in Cinema." Joan Hill and Pamela Church Gibson eds. The Oxford Guide to Film Studies. Oxford: OUP, 1998. McLoone, Martin. Irish Film: The Emergence of Contemporary Cinema. London: British Film Institute, 2000. "My Left Foot." Channel4.com. My Left Foot. Dir. Jim Sheridan. Perf. Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelen and Kristen Sheridan. Miramax Films, 1989. O'Hehir, Andrew, "Borstal Boy." Salon.Com 2002. Vankin, Jonathan and John Whalen. Based on a True Story: Fact and Fantasy in 100 Favorite Movies. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2005. Wagner, Geoffrey. The Novel and the Cinema. Vancouver: FDU Press, 1975.