High Pump Prices Oil Demand and Supply Factors Essay

High Pump Prices Oil Demand and Supply Factors - Essay Example The upward shift in the demand curve (D1 to D2) results from the increase in crude demand due to seasonal factors. As cited in the article, February is commonly slated for refinery maintenance. As such, decline in gasoline stockpiles occurs with refinery production slowing down. Ceteris paribus, a higher equilibrium point E2 is seen. The above graph also exhibits no shift in the supply curve S. This assumption is derived from the advisory of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a powerful cartel of major oil producers, that they would keep current output restrictions in place. In this regard, no additional supply may be expected to offset the increase in demand, thus, increasing crude price. Another case of supply and demand schedules interesting to analyze is the declining oil prices in the world market at the onset of 2007 (Ghatous 2007). Last year, oil price hovered at around $60-65 per barrel. With OPEC aiming to maximize its earnings, the cartel decided to reduce supply. However, oil price continued to slide despite the supply cut. This could be explained using Graph 2 below. Assuming an initial equilibrium price and quantity of $60 per barrel and 52 million barrels, respectively, an upward shift of the supply curve (from S1 to S2) due to the OPEC supply cut would cause an upward movement in the oil price. However, the supply shift was accompanied by a greater downward shift in the demand curve (from D1 to D2). The downtrend in demand resulted from the warmer than expected winter season in the US. With this, there is lesser demand for oil used for heating. Given the simultaneous shift in both supply and demand curves, equilibrium point E2 is reached with a lower price of $58 per barrel and quantity of 52 million barrels. References Articles Ghatous, G. (2007). "OPEC concerned about price, to act if needed". Reuters. Accessed: 14 March 2007 from http://www.reuters.com Valdmanis, R. (2007). "Oil rises on US fuel draw, eyes on OPEC". Reuters. Accessed: 14 March 2007 from http://www.reuters.com/article/hotStockNews/idUSSP28601520070314 Books Samuelson, P.A. and W.D. Nordhaus. (2001). Economics 17th Ed. McGraw-Hill. Sayre, J.E. and A.J. Morris. (2004). Principles of Microeconomics 4th Ed.

Water Fluoridation Issue in Kansas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Water Fluoridation Issue in Kansas - Essay Example The Kansas area is a leading producer of cattle and agricultural produce such as soybeans and corn (Mortal et al 1). The area relies on rivers, wetlands, and underground rivers as the natural water sources and the water supply is both private and public. Kansas is ideal for agriculture because a significant percentage of its land can support agricultural activities with over sixty thousands running farms. Like many communities, Kansas undertook the water fluoridation concept that many perceive as the way to providing safe water for the population. The idea that supports the fluoridation aspect is that adding fluoride to water for consumption helps in preventing tooth cavity and other dental health concerns. With this, this essay will delve into the presence of fluoride in the water consumed in Kansas and why it is good for the this community. First, consumption of fluoridated is of benefit to the Kansas because it is the most cost effective way of minimizing the occurrence of cavitie s in both adults and children (K.H.I 2). Most of those that are adamant about using fluoridated water because they support the ferocious thinking that intense level of fluoride in water can cause fluorosis in children below the age of eight hence minimizing the level of contact with this water. This ambuscades sensible thinking as the arguments that they present lack substantive evidence to support their claims. However, this is nadir thinking as this only applies to the children of this age and not on those that are past this age hence making this argument to be baseless. The levels of fluoride in domestically consumed water should be at 1.5mg per liter and a plethora of this may cause fluorosis if the level goes up to 4mg per liter. The other available options for preventing cavities is by using toothpaste that contains fluoride as an extract, which is much more expensive. Therefore, water fluoridation has benefits to the Kansas community because it presents an affordable way of p revent cavities and cavity related diseases. Secondly, consumption of fluoridated is of benefit to the Kansas because it helps in minimizing the occurrence of diseases caused by poor oral health. In essence, the Wichita area has registered a great number of tooth decay cases as compared to any other region within this state. Ideally, Wichita does not fluoridate its water because it lacks the necessary policy mechanisms that would influence the adoption of the water fluoridation concept. The area has also registered a high number of oral health challenges that have the potential of influencing other disease apart form the dental health related diseases. However, a significant part of the medical professionals in Wichita have realized the importance of water fluoridation had have taken the initiative to improve the quality of life for those living ion the area. Subsequently, physicians agree that a community that does not consume fluoridated water cannot be as healthy as it should be because of the inane perception that they have about the disease causing organisms. Therefore, water fluoridation is of benefit to the Kansas population especially in the Wichita area because it minimizes the risk of acquiring tooth decay that can create poor oral health. Thirdly, consumption of fluoridated is of benefit to the Kansas because it helps in keeping students in school as it decreases absenteeism caused by seeking treatment. Ideally, studies have also established a relationship between the low grades in school going children and poor dental health that may arise from consuming water does not contain the required fluoride levels. According to the Kansas Dentist Association, a significant pa