Climate change environmental image

Large-scale and global environmental hazards to human health include climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, changes in ecosystems due to loss of biodiversity, changes in hydrological systems and the supplies of freshwater, land degradation, urbanization, and stresses on food-producing systems.

Appreciation of this scale and type of influence on human health requires a new perspective which focuses on ecosystems and on the recognition that the foundations of long-term good health in populations rely in great part on the continued stability and functioning of the biosphere's life-supporting systems. It also brings an appreciation of the complexity of the systems upon which we depend.

Harmful effects of environmental change and ecosystem impairment on human health.

Protecting health from global environmental change requires management at many levels, from the social and economic drivers of environmental change, to the resulting hazards and exposures for human populations. WHO supports this linkage of environmental and health agendas, for example by providing health expertise into the UN Conventions on Climate Change, Biological Diversity and Desertification, and by advising the health sector on the necessary responses to address the health risks posed by large-scale environmental change.

Air quality guidelines for health

Clean air is considered to be a basic requirement of human health and well-being. However, air pollution continues to pose a significant threat to health worldwide. According to a WHO assess¬ment of the burden of disease due to air pollution, more than 2 million premature deaths each year can be attributed to the effects of urban outdoor air pollution and indoor air pollution (caused by the burning of solid fuels). More than half of this disease burden is borne by the populations of developing countries.

Air quality guidelines have been published by WHO in 1987 and they were revised in 1997. Given the wealth of new studies on the health effects of air pollution that have been published in the scientific literature since the completion of the second edi¬tion of the Air quality Guidelines for Europe, includ¬ing important new research from low-and middle-income countries where air pollution levels are at their highest, WHO has undertaken to review the accumulated scientific evidence and to consider its implications for its air quality guidelines. The result of this work is presented in this document in the form of revised guideline values for selected air pollutants, which are applicable across all WHO regions.

Health and environment: images from around the world

This gallery of 40 winning entries from the 2007 international photo and video contest showcases the intricate link between the environment and public health. This year the focus of the annual contest was on health and environment, as part of WHO's efforts to raise awareness about the importance of healthier environments.

The annual contest began in 2002 with the overall theme of "images of health and disability". It aims to promote the understanding of health and disability as described in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

The 2007 entries include positive images that highlight the beneficial effects of safe and healthy environments: children playing in healthy, supportive and enabling environments; safe water; clean air, and a stable climate etc.

In contrast, other images paint the grim reality of our environment today: showing the hazards of shipbreaking; children drinking arsenic-laden water; people breathing in thickly polluted air; health risks for workers at garbage dumps etc.

The video entries include a lively rap song on indoor air pollution and safety in the house, and show the impact of waste, poverty and the stigma of mental and physical disability.

Photographers and video producers from 56 countries submitted more than 2 500 entries. Here are the winning entries from each of the four categories.

The Use and Implementation of Health Information Systems

The contents of this article are dedicated to investigating the utilization and application of health informatics in a variety of contexts. Hence, the article will treat the subjects of health information exchange, health knowledge management, e-health systems, e-public health systems and m-health systems.

* Health information exchangesrefer to the transmission and dissemination of healthcare information electronically among organizations within a region or community. The technological development registered at the level of health informatics resulted in the capability to electronically transmit clinical data among disparate healthcare information systems without it having to suffer any alterations. The degree of exchangeability has expanded to a national level. This way clinicians can integrate their independent records, creating agile, patient-centered electronic health records that generate a new level of patient safety and information exchange.

* Health knowledge managementimplies concerted, coordinated and deliberate efforts to manage the organizational knowledge by means of processes aiming at identifying and leveraging it to accentuate the organization's ability to compete. Such an application in the healthcare domain has led to simplifying the process of updating the general knowledge database, creating a convenient discussion environment that replaces the traditional meeting.

* E-health systemsgather the healthcare practices that are supported by electronic processes and communication. This type of system comprises a broad spectrum of services that slowly deletes the separation line between medicine and information technology. Among these services, one could include telemedicine, electronic medical record, consumer health informatics, virtual healthcare teams, health knowledge management.

* E-public health systemsembody another application of the health informatics, this time in the public domain. Its functionality has to satisfy the public health mandate of improving the health status of the community and the population at large. Through this system, community health is assessed and proper measures are taken. Collection, analysis, interpretation and communication of the results are the primary processes that are carried out within an e-public health system. Technologies employed in this type of system include geographical information systems (GIS), data mining methodology and data warehousing.

* M-health systems refer to mobile communication network technologies for healthcare that are used to ensure efficiency and to supply timely and accurate patient information to medical professionals that are sent on "field". Since hospital environments involve mobility of medical professionals, support personnel and indispensable medical equipment, more and more wireless technologies have been adopted.

By Ed Raine

The Importance of Water Quality to Public Health and Individuals

The question why water quality critical to public health and Individual mentioned by many people. Drinking pure source water is an issue of concern for people's health in developing and developed countries throughout the world.

The importance of water and human beings' health.

The wonder of why is water quality so important to a person's long-term health has to do with different things. The human body is primarily a bag of fluids. Water is essential to the mechanics of the human body. Our bodies cannot work without having it just like a car cannot run without gas and oil. In the fact that, all the cell and organ functions made up in our entire anatomy and physiology depend on water for their functioning. Water serves to alleviate constipation by moving food through the intestinal tract and thereby eliminating waste- the best detox agent as a lubricant; forms the base of saliva and fluids that surround the joins. Water regulates the temperature of our body and metabolism.

In addition to that, water is the daily maintenance of our bodies; moreover water plays a key part in the prevention of disease. Drinking nearly 1 little of water daily can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, bladder cancer by 50% and it can potentially even reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Since water is such a key component to our physiology, it would make sense that the quality of the water must be just as critical as the quantity. Drinking water must always be pure and free of contaminants to ensure individuals health and wellness.

According to Clean Water Action, the recent news and reports show that in the U.S. Most contaminated taps are not safe for drinking due to heavy industrial and environmental pollution. Hence, approximately 40 percent of rivers fail to meet pure water standards, and an estimated 7 million Americans be sick yearly from impure tap water, toxic bacteria, chemicals and heavy metals routinely penetrate and pollute our natural water sources and nearly 6 million individuals die of waterborne or water-related diseases through out the world.

A good water filtration system set up in your home is the only way to actively monitor and ensure the quality and safety of your drinking water. Pure source 2 water filter systems can remove 90-99% of all contaminants from city and well water to deliver healthy drinking water for you and your family.

To get better informed about the available choices you have in relation to the Pure source 2 water filter you can establish at your family and what I personally commend, Go to my website.

By Prodgers Parkeres

Public Health Online Degrees

A Public health worker is person who has a lot of things to cover in their jobs. Most careers in the field of public health are also involved in advocates representing people who are not capable of voicing out themselves like children, the mentally handicapped, the disabled and the poor, this people cannot help themselves. Their job description is almost similar to that of the social worker. With only a difference in the terminologies that were used.

The usual kind of work a health professional is engaged is the alignment of the people in need with the given resources that are available. Like say for instance a temporary shelter for the homeless, care for the abandoned children, and other stuffs related to public service. In other words if you want to be a health worker your desire to help others should be exceptionally strong. Your heart should be dedicated in helping other people sincerely.

Generally a social work bachelor's degree is a requirement for health jobs, sometimes however sociology or psychology degrees are considered as an alternative. A social work bachelor's degree will be a prerequisite and a preparation for the practical applications of jobs in public health. You will be dealing with different kinds of people, and these people are usually less fortunate.

If you would like to advance further from doing fieldwork to management, then you must plan on taking up a master's degree. Taking up a higher education will make you aware and you will be able to learn managing various cases that has something to do with health. You will also be engaged in bigger operations and your awareness will widen and your level of awareness will make determine operational and strategic needs of public health operations.

There are available public health online degrees and this will actually prepare you in becoming a front-liner in public health. You will be trained in caring and guiding your patients. It will qualify you for positions that are considered to be entry level in scope and nature. There are also advance programs under public health online degrees. However your expectations should be mostly manual, handling things all by yourself it's like a field instruction that will at least give you the experience that you need to make more improvements in your career.

There are other things that you should undertake so you will be granted a license. Public health online degrees are actually easy to handle, the difficult part is the internship. This is something that most people would consider as a difficult task. It is not actually that difficult the problem with this however is that all theories may be supplied by online subjects and practical ones will be applied during the internship.

Public health online degrees should be pursued by people who have a heart, those who are considered to be volunteers and with little thoughts of being compensated, whose primary goal is to help, assist and make other smile out of the difficulties that they are facing, they should be thinking more of others and they should be warm towards others. There are many sites supporting public health online degrees and people who intend to volunteer for this should be up for the difficult tasks. Theoretically public health online degrees may be a great help to people who would like to extend help.

By David Patullo

about the health of all

Nutrition Essentials of a Weight Loss Program

As the adverse effects of obesity are not widely publicized, many people have begun a weight loss regime with a combination of a balance diet and a rigorous exercise schedule. Some people, however, mistakenly think that by severely limiting their calorie intake, they will be able to reach their goal. They are not aware that they need certain essential nutrients in order to...

Electric Shock and your Body

When source of voltage comes in direct contact with a human body, an electrical shock will occur. Many people are killed each year by this effect because they are not educated in the working of electricity. Before you work on anything that uses an electric current, be sure you read the manual carefully and stay away from loos ends if you are not sure. Safety precautions are...
Public Health

Our environment is full of viruses and bacterias these days so it is no wonder public health and safety is an important factor in many countries. All around the world researchers are finding way to fight new viruses. The media has been shown to be the best way to inform people of health hazards. It is in this way that awareness is spread to people. Viruses can be avoided if...

Hand Sanitizer Benefits

Over these last years, hand sanitizers have been showing up everywhere. With the big push on maintaining hygiene because of the H1N1 virus, the awareness of this little gel have grown and grown. Although they are meant to kill germs, no many people know the right way to use them. It is the alcohol in the sanitized that kills the germs but this is not enough. Read the label on...

Food for Growing Taller


Although true to some extent, your height is not just a hereditary factor. It is to bad that many short people get picked on because of their height and then they find it difficult to live a normal life. One fact we all know is that nutrition plays a huge role in how tall we grow. We see on the news all the time how the under nourished kids have had their growth stunted and...

Human Health and the Environment

health and environmental

laws on health

Diagnosing an Environmental Allergy For Better Health and Vitality

Environmental medicine is the treatment of three groups of allergies. These are:

* Inhalant Allergies-is any substance which you breathe in or smell every day. This type of allergy can be hay fever, dust, mold spores or even the family pet. The allergy is the body's reaction to compounds in the air from the offending source.
* Food Allergies- If inhalant allergies turns up negative, food allergies are tested next. These are much more difficult to diagnose. Often the final diagnosis is determined by the patient keeping a daily log of all foods consumed.
* Chemical Allergies- most doctors do not consider chemical sensitivity to be an allergy. But pesticides, herbicides, car exhaust, fresh paint... all can be attributed to chemical allergies.

After all typical tests have been performed, the practitioner now has a good foundation to make a final diagnosis.

Signs In Your Body Of An Allergy

Allergies and its sensitivities can produce symptoms in any part of your body. Different people will even show different symptoms for the same allergen. Below are some common reports from different case studies:

Allergic Arthritis is simply just joint pain.

* Asthma- is not having the ability to get air into your body. In environmental medicine, therapies are based on finding the cause and treating it. By using nutrient therapy, stress management and environmental controls- most food allergies can be reduced or eliminated.
* Brain Allergy- the central nervous system can show a range of symptoms from depression, hyperactivity, fatigue, brain fog, headaches and even mental illness.
* Autism- some children diagnosed as autistic actually just have an undiagnosed food allergy.
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome- an herbal therapy regimen often gives the patient the needed boost for the immune system to "rejuvenate".
* Dementia- many people have shown considerable improvement after their allergy triggers have been identified.
* Epilepsy- to date, no direct link has been found relating epilepsy to food allergies.

Currently, environmental medicine is a relatively new field of allergy research but extensive testing is making the medical community realize sensitivity reactions to anything we contact can be a trigger for many allergic reactions.
By Kathi Jo Robinson

California Health Insurance - For Those Who Need Health Insurance in California

California private health insurance plans are on a lot of people's mind right now. If you have become confused as to what is going on with health care insurance due to all the political maneuvering, promises of new health care reform, and the President's messages and news conferences during major media events, you are not alone.

Since, health insurance has become a common law, it has also become a common topic of conversation at the water cooler at work, the coffee shop in town, and your own dinner table you probably want some answers. And you probably just want the facts, without the promises, hype, or speculation. Good, you've come to the right article to help you with information to secure your California health insurance needs.

California family healthcare insurance can be had at affordable prices. Finding affordable health insurance in California is not impossible, but it does take a little bit of work. Paying attention to the details is essential, and getting the best California healthcare insurance quote is paramount. But, it hardly starts and stops with merely an online insurance quote.

Most insurance carriers in California generally have their online health insurance quotes set to best case scenarios. And last time any of us looked in the mirror, chances are we weren't wearing Olympic gold-medals. As we age, each of us has our own specific health care needs.

If you are in need for California individual healthcare insurance we must take into consideration your present and current individual health situation when looking for the proper coverage, as well as the lowest health care insurance premium costs. Health insurance in California does not have to be complicated, and there are lots of great companies to chose from when deciding on the best California healthcare insurance plans to fit your family's budget, and all your individual medical insurance needs.

The State of California regulates health insurance companies, carriers, brokers, and agents quite strenuously, and they do this to protect our citizens, the consumers, patients, beneficiaries, and our elderly from abuse and fraud. Thus, you can bet that any of the healthcare insurance plans in California, those which are offered through legitimate companies in the health care insurance industry, at least in our state meet those guidelines.

This means if you need California Medicare supplemental "Medigap" insurance, each policy will have to cover the specific issues in each category Medicare Part A, B, C, D, etc., as per the State Insurance Commissioner. Prior to turning 65 you will need to enroll in Medicare, and you should also see about Medicare supplemental insurance to protect your nest egg and life's savings in case something happens.

If you need California health insurance for children, the state rules and regulations require that all health insurance policies in CA adhere to certain rules and regulations, which may or may not be different from those in neighboring states.

Since children have different types of medical care needs from us adults and parents, we need to make sure that your family insurance policy covers those unfortunate potential eventualities which often occur in that period of the life-cycle. One issue that is common is broken bones as our young and fearless children find out there are actually limits to their abilities and agility - Superman and Wonder Woman are only fictional characters. Please consider all this.

By Lance Winslow

Public Health Online Degrees

A Public health worker is person who has a lot of things to cover in their jobs. Most careers in the field of public health are also involved in advocates representing people who are not capable of voicing out themselves like children, the mentally handicapped, the disabled and the poor, this people cannot help themselves. Their job description is almost similar to that of the social worker. With only a difference in the terminologies that were used.

The usual kind of work a health professional is engaged is the alignment of the people in need with the given resources that are available. Like say for instance a temporary shelter for the homeless, care for the abandoned children, and other stuffs related to public service. In other words if you want to be a health worker your desire to help others should be exceptionally strong. Your heart should be dedicated in helping other people sincerely.

Generally a social work bachelor's degree is a requirement for health jobs, sometimes however sociology or psychology degrees are considered as an alternative. A social work bachelor's degree will be a prerequisite and a preparation for the practical applications of jobs in public health. You will be dealing with different kinds of people, and these people are usually less fortunate.

If you would like to advance further from doing fieldwork to management, then you must plan on taking up a master's degree. Taking up a higher education will make you aware and you will be able to learn managing various cases that has something to do with health. You will also be engaged in bigger operations and your awareness will widen and your level of awareness will make determine operational and strategic needs of public health operations.

There are available public health online degrees and this will actually prepare you in becoming a front-liner in public health. You will be trained in caring and guiding your patients. It will qualify you for positions that are considered to be entry level in scope and nature. There are also advance programs under public health online degrees. However your expectations should be mostly manual, handling things all by yourself it's like a field instruction that will at least give you the experience that you need to make more improvements in your career.

There are other things that you should undertake so you will be granted a license. Public health online degrees are actually easy to handle, the difficult part is the internship. This is something that most people would consider as a difficult task. It is not actually that difficult the problem with this however is that all theories may be supplied by online subjects and practical ones will be applied during the internship.

Public health online degrees should be pursued by people who have a heart, those who are considered to be volunteers and with little thoughts of being compensated, whose primary goal is to help, assist and make other smile out of the difficulties that they are facing, they should be thinking more of others and they should be warm towards others. There are many sites supporting public health online degrees and people who intend to volunteer for this should be up for the difficult tasks. Theoretically public health online degrees may be a great help to people who would like to extend help.

By David Patullo

The Importance of Creating the Right Environment for Your Business Success

What kind of environment is the right environment for your business success? Are you someone who likes to work in a relaxed, calm, quiet environment, or someone who likes a more interactive, invigorating, exciting environment?

There is probably a range of environments you can put up with and get by in. But, have you ever thought about what kind of environment is optimal if you want to create success? Most of us haven't thought about how our environment affects our business success. Instead, we've learned to adapt to less-than-favorable conditions, blaming our sagging energy, increased body aches, and decreased productivity on other factors.

The Effects of a Negative Environment

Psychologists and industrial engineers have long reported that a negative work environment adversely affects our health, sleep habits, interactions with people, sex life, tolerance levels, ability to cope, and ability to process new information.

The longer we are exposed to a negative environment, the more our productivity and success decrease. It also takes its toll on our psychological, emotional, and physiological well-being.

The problem is that researchers have not been able to come up with a single work environment that is best for everyone. Human beings are such a complex, multifaceted group. It is impossible to take into account everyone's changing needs to create a work environment that is ideal for every individual.

Whether you work from the comfort of your home as a solo preneur or go to work in an office building, it's up to you to create the perfect environment for your business success. If not, you will find yourself gulping for air.

Are You Gulping For Air?

I have a small pond in my back yard. It's a modest pond, home to five gold fish, two shubunkins, and two koi, Jack and Casper. It's a peaceful little pond where birds and deer come to drink and neighborhood cats come with high hopes. There are benches nearby for quiet reflection, and the beauty of nature surrounds.

Not too long ago, the pond wasn't so peaceful. We were in the middle of a heat wave when I went out to feed my fish. Much to my surprise and alarm, all the fish were at the surface of the pond bunched together and gulping for air. I could see they were in distress, though I didn't know why. Until . . . I dipped my hand into the pond and felt the temperature of the water. It was very warm.

I immediately flew into action and began pumping warm water out of the top of the pond while simultaneously adding cold water to it. Within a couple of hours the water temperature had stabilized and my fish were back to swimming tranquilly around the pond.

When you are working in an environment that is detrimental to you, you soon end up like my fish on that hot day. You end up gulping for air. Gulping for air leaves us exhausted, depleted, and in desperate need of relief. We've all had times when we have felt as if we were just barely making it, scarcely holding it all together, and stressed beyond our limit.

By Susan L Reid

College Students Need Health Care Too!

A major fallback that all financial institutions, and government agencies have had, in regards to student aid, student financing, student loan and even student jobs is the total lack of attention that has occurred with student health care. Do you realize that the largest population of uninsured Americans are people aged 18 to 24.

Today there are more than 48 million Americans that have little or no health insurance, and those numbers are expected to go up by 20% in the next 10 years. Of those people that are uninsured over 10% are college students.

Now, that I have you thinking! Lets think about why this happens? If we know that this is true, and we also know that health insurance insurance is our biggest problem, then why don't we do something to solve the problem of the largest population of uninsured?

What causes this Age Group to be Uninsured?
The main reason that young college students are not covered by insurance, is because they are too old for their parents coverage, or in some cases their parents don't have insurance.
Another reason is because people in this age group are going to school, and can only afford to work part time, and a part time job does not cover health insurance needs.

What are the Current Health Insurance Options for This Population?

There sure are not a lot of options out there. The student could purchase an independent insurance policy, but with independent insurance policies costing well into the thousands of dollars a year, this is not really a viable option.
The other option is for parents to continue covering the young adult, and many insurance companies refuse to do that. The parents could also purchase an independent health insurance policy for their child that is if they can afford it.

Many Argue that People in that Age Group Don't Really Need Insurance

Does that truly make sense? So, if a student has an accident, it is alright if he becomes financially indebted for many years to come, because he was young. Most students would probably choose to have health insurance, if the option were available to them.

Many of these uninsured students have chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, and HIV that go untreated because of a lack of health insurance.
Students need treatment with depression issues, eating disorders and even drug and alcohol abuse, and in most cases they cant get it because of a lack of health insurance.

How Can We Solve the Problem of a Lack of Health Care in Young Adults?
It is a subject that is on the politicians table and should be paid attention to carefully. We could support candidates that look for a solution to the problem. It would be great if in some way we as a nation could come up with some form of universal coverage.
Another option that you as a student can check into is the availability of a health insurance plan that is carried by the University or College you attend.

Many of today's colleges offer student health insurance plans for students that are enrolled in their University. In fact, this should be something you look at when you are choosing the college you will attend.

Have Your Parents Ask Their Insurance carrier if they can keep you on their plan. Some insurance carriers will let students remain on a plan until they are 22.

In conclusion, this is still somewhat of a difficult problem to deal with, and there still aren't any easy answers. But there are some solutions, if you look for them.

By Jim Power

Simple Way to Take Care of Your Health

With many illness such as cancer or other disease for the body which spreading almost every where, more people try now to be aware of their body and what they eat every day.
It is necessary to pay attention to our health and fitness and try to have a healthier lifestyle. Here are some of the ways that are important for your health and you should use to start to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
Do not smoke: smoking can lead to serious health problems and diseases, if you do not have the habit of smoking, good for you.Do not try to start as you will only get addicted with the cigarettes and it will be harder to quit when that happens.
It is not true that you can smoke and quit when you want to. Once you become addicted to it, there is hard and more difficult to quit.

If you are already part of those people who damage their lungs everyday, the best way is to make a commitment to quit. By doing this, you are already half a way to recovery.
Make sure that you are serious with your plans and you are not just doing it for any other reason than your health. Healthy eating: The best way you can help keep your body healthy is to eat foods that are more natural and with less chemical content.
Avoid eating junk foods like those huge packs of potato chips or binge on candies. Eat fruits instead of cookies or candy or fat cakes. You should also make it a point to eat more fruits, salad and vegetables with your intake of meats. Try to eat more starchy foods such as rice, bread, pasta, potatoes. This does not mean that you should forget to eat meat.
You should still eat meat, just remember fish and chicken meat is better than red meat. The protein inside meat is important for some of the basic processes of the body. You can also take your protein needs with eating beans with dark bread, or grain rice.
These kind of foods will help you with your health and fitness. Physical Activity: Try to make an exercise routine every day. You can schedule it every day when you wake up in the morning or do it in afternoon when you are free from your job. Whichever schedule you choose, make sure that you keep it to 30 minutes or longer about an hour.
That way, you exercise your muscles and avoid muscle pains. Exercise will also strengthen your bones and your body, promote better breathing and cellular activities, clear the brain and of course keep those extra calories out of the body and you will help your health and fitness more. Thus, even if you eat a lot, you are not storing those fats and carbohydrates. You are expending them through your workout routine. You can also do these activities 2-3 times a week: Cycling, Football, Gym, Running/Jogging, Racket Sports, Swimming, Walking/Rambling and Yoga. Remember to drink lots of water, Skip the soda and even the iced tea as much as you can, drink water which is the safest and healthiest drink you can find. Sodas even the diet ones, are carbonated and contain high amounts of sugar and carbohydrates which can later be translated into fats.
With use of the recommendation above, will you soon get better condition, your body become healthier, and you will be happier.

By Delmondo Sorell

Health Habitravels

Enriching travel programs for moderate to very fit adults who would like the option of yoga/pilates while on holiday. These are informative, active holidays that run tha gamut from ecotours to cultural tours. Lodgings are at boutique hotels, private villas, private yachts, and green ecolodges. Some programs include short retreats at renovated monastaries, temples, or upscale tent camps. Groups are sized from 10-24 max. Emphasis is on concious travel, but creature comforts are available. This is a great way to be healthy and see the world. Founder Tannis Kobrinsky, a 30 year veteran movement educator conducts the classes, and is at times joined by other experts. Expert guides lead tours and excursions. Local tour operators handle

logistics. These programs are fun, invigorating, and life changing.

Schedules

Fitness Pilates, tone and sculpt, stretching, hiking, swimming, water aerobics.Massage Extra fee for massage treatments offered at spas and resort, and/or in room massages.Pilates 1-2 Pilates mat classes daily, unless excursions require too much time on a particular day . Pilates focuses on strengthening the core muscles, increasing flexibility and balance. Practice adjustable to students individual needs.Spa Treatments Depends on the facility, but everything from facials, to wat-su, spas, steam etc...availableYoga Hatha - gentle Hatha yoga. Gyrokinesis (r) combination of Kundalini yoga and Qi Gong, flowing, restorative movements.

Our impact on the Environment

Our impact on the environment

As one of the largest food companies in Asia Pacific, Arnott's has an environmental policy in place that reflects its commitment to conduct business in a manner that respects and protects the quality of the environment, striving towards limiting emissions to the water, air and land, and the efficient use of resources.

That's why we work closely with water authorities, like Sydney Water, to identify opportunities for reducing water consumption. Back in 2001, our Smithfield facility, which produces around 360 different types of savoury snack products, was using 850,000 litres of water per day. By 2004, we'd cut total water usage by nearly half to less than 500,000 litres per day.

And Arnott's Marleston bakery has made significant progress in the past 18 months in reducing waste and water consumption by installing, among other things, a $390,000 waste-water treatment plant.

As well as helping to protect water, Arnott’s is also focused on reducing its energy consumption and has a number of programs in place at all sites.

The Company is a signatory to the National Packaging Covenant. Our action plans contain specific objectives to minimise the use of packaging material, where possible; use recyclable materials, where possible; and ensure the environmental impacts of consumer packaging waste are managed and minimised.

So far, Arnott's has:

* Converted more than 1,000 tonnes per annum of biscuit trays from unrecyclable polystyrene to recyclable PET
* Switched to making more than 5,000 tonnes of carton board (eg. for use on boxed products like Shapes and Cheezels) per annum from 100% recycled board. Naturally, these cartons are also recyclable
* Reduced tinplate usage per annum by more than 40 tonnes as a result of a reduction in steel can gauge

How to Create an Environment For Learning

There are two types of learning environment: natural and prepared.

Natural Environment: Your family and the immediate surroundings are the natural environment. Family members communicate and interact with one another on a daily basis. When a family member leaves the house for work or school, she brings home with her the knowledge from the outside environment. A family grow with this knowledge which interplay with their own learning environment.

Prepared Environment: As the components in the natural environment embrace all information and knowledge from outside, a kind of system develops that need to maintain or sustain the knowledge in the family. This results in the formation of the prepared environment.

Usually the natural environment is richer in culture and practice, and it has greater influence on personal growth and development.

The prepared environment is something like this. You will use it it works for you, but store it somewhere on the shelf at home until it is appropriate for use. use it if it works. For example, the family buy and sell furniture, keep and donate used items, throw or store materials on a regular basis.

Knowledge is the same. For instance, after you have learnt and tried a new recipe, you let the family try it. If they enjoy the meal, you keep it as part of the family favourite recipe. You experiment on the knowledge.

With regard to language, you have to set aside space in the family living environment to combine the foreign with the native. This space need not be physical space. In my case, it is space in time. I choose to read Mandarin books to my daughter, 1 hour day. By physical space, I mean an area in the house where everything is foreign, from books, apparel or even to accessories.

The idea is to maintain a balance between the natural and prepared environment. One cannot influence change outside my natural environment. He also cannot force knowledge he has from a prepared environment upon what is already natural. He has to experiment the choices of components or materials create the learning environment we want.

By Hanifa K. Cook