As an essential resource, water has been the object of warfare, political wrangling, and individual and corporate abuse. It has also become an object of commodification, with multinational corporations vying for water supply contracts in many countries. In Precious Commodity, Martin V. Melosi examines water resources in the United States and addresses whether access to water is an inalienable right of citizens, and if government is responsible for its distribution as a public good. Melosi provides historical background on the construction, administration, and adaptability of water supply and wastewater systems in urban America. He cites budgetary constraints and the deterioration of existing water infrastructures as factors leading many municipalities to seriously consider the privatization of their water supply. Melosi also views the role of government in the management of, development of, and legal jurisdiction over America's rivers and waterways for hydroelectric power, flood control, irrigation, and transportation access. Looking to the future, he compares the costs and benefits of public versus private water supply, examining the global movement toward privatization.
Praise for Commodity Fundamentals "Commodity Fundamentals is THE book for investors looking to enter the commodity markets. This informative guide is a welcome addition on the subject and is a must-read for commodity investors." -Jim Atkinson, President, Guinness Atkinson Funds "Ronald Spurga's Commodity Fundamentals is an illuminating and very useful guide for the subject. A welcome addition to any business library." -Robert F. Himmelberg, PhD, Dean, Fordham's Graduate School of Business Administration "A straightforward introduction crafted for the individual on the mechanics of commodity trading. The author efficiently negotiates the often confusing yet very topical commodity trading world for the individual." -Terence A. Mullervy, Finance Director, Glencore UK Ltd. Commodity Fundamentals provides you with the in-depth insights needed to make commodities trading a profitable, integral component of your overall trading activities. Written by Ronald Spurga, a Vice President of ABN AMRO Bank and longtime veteran of the investment banking wars, this straightforward guide arms you with the information you need to succeed in the highly profitable commodity marketplace-whether you are a trading veteran, a relative newcomer, or anywhere in between.
Keeping pigs is a task that requires knowledge, but not necessarily time. Aimed at people with busy schedules this instructive book gives practical information about how to manage a small herd and keep pigs happy and healthy under the time constraints of modern life. The Commuter Pig Keeper is all-inclusive covering various breeds both as breeding herds and food sources. Topics addressed include all aspects of pig rearing, including an in depth look at breeding, housing, and handling techniques. This essential guide also discusses the administrative and business issues of pig keeping, as well as giving advice on contingency planning for when problems occur. Written by a member of the Animal and Plant Health Agency's Pig Expert Group, this book offers useful information for both novice and expert pig keepers.
DIVClaims that the history of commodities in Latin America (or anywhere) cannot be understood without considering their global context, often from a long-term perspective./div
Ask yourself; is there a better way to live? TRIORITIES challenges you to make the effort to mentally step out of the game for a moment, and to consider your life; where it has brought you, your priorities, and where it will probably take you if you stay the course. TRIORITIES will help you to consider if there might be a better way to live. TRIORITIES is about a life of focus, a life of balance, and a life that you endeavor to live well and enjoy along the way. Are you running from one task to the next but not enjoying any of it? Are you climbing ladders only to find the view from the top less than appealing? Then I challenge you to take a break from the treadmill of life to look at your life, your choices, your track record, and ultimately your future. Ask yourself; am I who I want to be? Am I all that God intended for me to be? Have I tried to be too many things, and failed to master any of them? If that simple evaluation brings you to a point of realization that maybe there might be a better way to do things then just maybe this is a plan for you to consider. TRIORITIES involves simple logic that challenges you to take a three step process to evaluate life, develop a plan to become what you want to become, and then, implement that plan in your life. Consider the value of simplicity in setting priorities in a complex world. Consider simplicity from a standpoint of being focused on three areas of life that we truly need to properly invest ourselves in, and mange accordingly. The three priorities of the TRIORITIES lifestyle are God, Family and Work.
Commodities have become an important component of many investors' portfolios and the focus of much political controversy over the past decade. This book utilizes structural models to provide a better understanding of how commodities' prices behave and what drives them. It exploits differences across commodities and examines a variety of predictions of the models to identify where they work and where they fail. The findings of the analysis are useful to scholars, traders and policy makers who want to better understand often puzzling - and extreme - movements in the prices of commodities from aluminium to oil to soybeans to zinc.
Generate steady returns in one of the world's hottest markets How to Make Money with Commodities offers proven strategies and tactics to help individual investors capitalize from the commodities market as global demographic shifts drive prices up. "How to Make Money with Commodities sets out in crystal-clear language how the commodity markets affect you every day, and in every way, and why your understanding of the market is essential to your portfolio. An incredibly valuable resource for investors of all levels!" -- Ed Weis, Dean, School of Business at Mercy College; former Managing Director, Merrill Lynch "This book gives fascinating insight into the high-octane world of commodities trading. It unravels the mysteries of the market, layer by layer." -- Ian McConnell, Business Editor, The Herald (UK) and award-winning journalist "Andrew Hecht has taken the world of commodities and presented a compelling picture of the various markets from past to present to future. The comprehensive nature of the book makes it a must-read for anyone who is or hopes to be a trader or analyst. . . . Andy's writing is engaging, and he has written a book for everyone, as we are all commodities consumers and intimately affected by these markets." -- Josef Schroeter, President, CQG Inc. Given demographic trends around the globe and the increasing demand for staple goods, the commodities market has transformed into one of the hottest new mainstream investment sectors. If your portfolio neglects commodities, now is the time to change it. How to Make Money with Commodities gives you a fully rounded understanding of the market so you can make the very best investment decisions based on your individual strategies and goals. One of the most sought-after commodities and commodity options traders and analysts in the world, Andrew T. Hecht explains how commodities relate to stocks, bonds, and foreign exchange, and how they affect the average person’s world every day. Bolstered by case studies, historical trends and examples, and Hecht's personal experience, How to Make Money with Commodities explores the fundamentals and technicalities that determine commodity prices and shows how you can use that knowledge to your advantage. Learn everything there is to know about all the major commodities markets, including: ENERGY--oil and oil products, natural gas, electricity, coal, alternative energy PRECIOUS METALS--gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and others BASE METALS--copper, aluminum, nickel, lead, zinc, tin AGRICULTURE--corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, cattle, hogs SOFT COMMODITIES--coffee, sugar, cocoa, orange juice, cotton OTHER COMMODITIES--steel, fertilizers, rare earth metals, lumber, emission allowances, and more Hecht explains the ins and outs of every market and provides an expert's insight into government regulations, speculators, traders, and the role China will play in shaping the market's future--and he explains how to invest directly in commodity-related instruments such as physical commodities, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts. How to Make Money with Commodities is the perfect one-stop resource for building a solid financial future on a market that promises to remain active and vibrant for the foreseeable future. Get started with commodities today and watch your profitability soar.
An introduction to commodity markets covering specific commodities such as gold, oil, rare earths, aqua and agriculture. This is a comprehensive introduction to commodities markets, written so that you can quickly scan the book before a meeting and run through the specific chapter that interests you. Designed for the non-specialist, this book covers the topics from a practical perspective, and includes statistical data, screen shots, diagrams and worked examples.