#cascade climate network

[cogitoergodeusnonest]

Intricate dance of nature — predicting extinction risks in terrestrial ecosystems

Have you ever watched a nature documentary and marvelled at the intricate dance of life unfolding on screen? From the smallest insect to the largest predator, every creature plays a role in the grand performance of our planet’s biosphere. But what happens when one of these performers disappears?  In this post, we delve into our recent article Estimating co-extinction risks in terrestrial…

[crookedkryptonitebeliever]

Hired

One of many ways Yves could establish first contact with you.

tw: i guess kind of none because if you take what happened here at face value, it kinda even seem wholesome and normal, except maybe the mild infantilization

u gotta look at the Yves lore before understanding the implications of some stuff

Yves is a wonderful employer, he is infinitely better than any of your other bosses. The economic and societal climate is changing; despite having a bachelor's degree, all you could get are entry-level jobs. At this point, the only way a person could reliably advance in their career is through contacts.

There was no wonder why you would jump at the chance when your cousin offered to put you in contact with their affluent associate. Of which, is looking to hire a personal assistant. It's not the most ideal job in the world, but you were hoping through Yves, you could network enough and open more doors.

You were nervous; as your cousin described him as quiet but not meek, polite but aloof, calm yet holding an air of absolute authority around him. You assume that he's someone who couldn't tolerate mistakes, no matter how small or inconsequential. However, the fact that Yves treats those who work under him well was enough to make you push your fears away and agree to a meeting with him.

He is a busy man, so you couldn't meet him until a week later. The wait is killing you; at least you had time to prepare, rehearse your responses, and gather whatever medication necessary to prevent you from vomiting upon seeing him. Your cousin had to assure you that Yves isn't as menacing or uncompromising as you built him up to be. Yet, you wouldn't believe them. So you suffer in your own anxiety.

And when you do finally meet in a fine dining restaurant as per his arrangement, it took you every ounce of your strength not to pass out.

Yves is beautiful. He carried himself with such grace and elegance, even his movements look unreal. As if it's much more fluid and effortless than normal people. His jet black hair that cascades down to the middle of his back, to his piercing emerald gaze, everything about him intimidated you half to death. It's not a human that you're looking at, you're looking at something closer to an ethereal deity, if anything.

He offered a small, polite smile before addressing you by your first name.

The combination of his overwhelming aura and the opulence of the meeting venue, you're beginning to doubt you should even be here.

He presented his perfectly manicured hand to you, obviously for you to shake and do a proper introduction. But you merely stared at it, blanking out in panic. You felt dirty, a filthy commoner should never touch such a delicate, expensive-

"Are you alright?" He asked. Yves has a pleasant sounding baritone voice; it exudes warmth that is unfamiliar, but addicting. You craned your neck upwards to see no malice, only concern.

You cleared your throat and muttered an apology before shaking his hand. You were hyper focused on how clammy your hands must feel to him.

"(name)." You felt your heart drop into your stomach when he unpredictability enveloped your trembling hand with both of his. For the first time, you realized that his hands are unnaturally cold. So cold, that it almost felt like you're touching a block of ice. Your unending loop of self negativity was broken by the unexpected temperature shock.

He leaned down a bit closer. "You are doing well."

Yves stated with such assurance, you released a breath of relief and felt the fear melt away. His thumbs massaged your hand for a few more seconds, just enough to calm you down further, but not long enough to make you uncomfortable.

When his grip loosened, you successfully took it as a cue to let go. He took a seat and gestured for you to do the same.

You braced yourself for the first interview question as the food isn't here yet. There was no menu, Yves already preordered the food. That was why he had contacted you a few days prior to ask about your dietary requirements and/or restrictions.

You expected every generic and obscure that a Human Resources department could ever come up with, repeating the lines in your head so you wouldn't mess up. You intently watch him part his soft lips to speak.

"How are you, (name)?"

You froze. You didn't take into account that he would test you on small talk. You didn't practice that.

So you stuttered and stumbled over your words, eventually giving him a generic "Good." Then, you immediately clammed up, waiting for his next response.

He smiled. It was kind and genuine. "That's wonderful to know. I am also doing well myself."

You cringed internally, realizing that you should have returned the question.

But before you could beat yourself up over it, he continued exchanging pleasantries with you. Talking about mundane topics about the weather, the restaurant, travelling, hobbies- it was boring, but you felt safer and safer as it went on.

You became comfortable because Yves eventually seemed human enough to recognize, as someone who wouldn't bite your head off at the first wrong move. An image of a caring gentleman who just happens to be reserved replaced the ruthless dictator-like persona you had for Yves in your head.

Your cousin was right, you were really stressing over nothing. It became so easy to talk to him that the tension in your shoulders was gone, your words now flow without stumbles and you can feel your anxiety medication course through your veins and finally doing it's job.

The way he puppets the conversation is so masterful, that you didn't even realize he had transitioned the topics to the actual interview. You still spoke to him so casually, as if he's your non-judgemental prude of a friend.

If it wasn't for Yves's conversational skills, you would have been malfunctioning over how you should hold your fork and knife. But you were eating like you always would; fast, slow, neat or slightly messy, it didn't matter. You stopped seeing Yves as a potential employer and more of a buddy.

The "interview" went on until the plates were cleared, including desserts. Waiters and waitresses took them away, you took that as your cue to stiffen up because the real interview is about to start.

You went through the same process of silently repeating your memorized answers to yourself, but this time with no pressure.

Only to be dumbfounded when Yves asked, "How soon can you start working with me?" implying that you somehow passed the interview that never happened.

There were a few moments of silence from you, trying to process it all. You end up asking him about the other questions you were expecting him to ask.

"I did ask about those earlier. I find that your responses reflect a personality best suited for this position." He folded his hands on his lap.

Then you realized, he actually did. All this time, you thought those were inconsequential small talk.

You were suddenly caught up in a decision paralysis, unable to come up with a clear choice immediately. Yves must have noticed this, as he took out a file from his designer handbag and a fountain pen.

"Are you available to start tomorrow?" He opened the file and put the contract in front of you.

And that was how you secured a high paying job with almost unbelievable fringe benefits: free accommodation (as it was much easier to work with him if you stayed in the same house), three free meals a day cooked by your boss, including whatever Yves has in his kitchen, a company car for private use (his personal car), and hell, he even covers your self-education expenses.

It was strange at first that Yves would cook. You expected him to have private chefs and servants to handle maintenance of his humble abode. But you quickly come to realize, the reason why he was so busy is precisely due to that. He would do all the chores himself, no matter how undignified you thought it was.

He makes his own tea and fixes a cup of your favourite beverage too. The free meals he whips up on the daily are healthy and delicious, there are no ultra processed foods in his house. He manages his own finances, so you don't know how much he earns or has in the bank.

Yves surprisingly loved doing such menial tasks- tasks that you were supposed to handle, becoming fussy when you tried doing some of them for him. He would send you away and tell you to stick to what you're instructed to do. Which was to arrange Yves's meetings with his business associates based on his packed schedules. And to reply to his emails and answer calls, the latter is rare but you're glad as it's so daunting to talk to other rich folks.

As days turn into months, you notice how Yves is such a damn recluse. He wouldn't leave the house unless he has to and he doesn't seem to have friends he would regularly hang out with. You don't even think he has friends he enjoys being around. No family either.

Your job eventually was to just be there for him. You were never bored despite having very little to do, because Yves would talk to you and bring you wherever you always wanted to go, all expenses paid out of his own pocket.

The downside to all of these was that he nags. He nags your ear off if you forgot to put on sunscreen for the day, he nags if you're bringing in candies into his pantry, he nags if you still hung out with that friend who spread nasty rumors about you and he nags if you're doing something he perceives as harmful towards yourself.

But you knew he genuinely cared about you and he also verbally confirmed it himself, as he considered you as someone awfully special to him. Unfortunately, his boldness developed some awkward feelings in you. Never in your life did you have some who gave a crap about you as much as Yves.

You had come to see him as a crush. It's hard to avoid him when you're living under the same roof, eating the same meals and hanging out with him as part of your job description.

Predictably, he quickly sniffed out that something was amiss, and he directly questioned you about it one random afternoon. It didn't take long for you to buckle under the stress he was putting on you with his unique, maternal-esque interrogation techniques. You spilled the beans, you told him everything no matter how painfully embarrassing it was.

You ended your speech with a hot face and a belief that he will fire you right after this.

Yves merely hummed in response. You hung your head low, bracing for impact.

However, the only impact you felt was a feathery, sweet peck on the cheek. Your head shot back up and stared at him with wide eyes, Yves was smiling with glee and serenity.

"Dinner will be ready at five, dear." He traced his fingers along your jawline and walked away to prepare a meal for two.

Of course, after you recovered from your stupor, you ran after him and began asking what exactly happened.

"You confessed your feelings for me, and I accepted it." He explained as he cupped both sides of your cheeks, rubbing them with his thumbs. "You are now my beloved partner. And if all goes well, eventually, my lawfully wedded spouse."

You couldn't coherently get your thoughts out, a million of them are firing through your mind and you're still struggling to process that your boss might feel the same way. And what does this mean for your job? It's definitely going to change now that you're romantically involved with him.

He then pulled you into a hug, holding you close and raking his fingers through your hair.

"One step at a time, my love. Do not overwhelm yourself." He kissed you on the crown of your head. You allowed yourself to melt in his arms, inhaling his comforting scent as he pets you.

And as it turns out, there isn't too much of a difference after Yves becomes your boyfriend. He still cooks and cleans, you still schedule his meetings for him. It's just that he would show his gratitude with forehead kisses now. And there is the addition of pet names.

You unlocked the option to sleep in the same bed as him, either in his room or yours. You almost immediately become secure enough to randomly cuddle up to him throughout the day. Likewise, he was comfortable enough to leave lipstick marks on your face whenever he feels like it.

He could be reading on the sofa, and you could lay your head on his lap with no problem at all. Yves would proceed to mindlessly massage your scalp.

Yves nags a lot less now, because he would simply apply sunscreen on you if you forgot, fix your clothes if it's messy, and basically baby you to an unbearable extent.

Except, it is bearable. Because if it wasn't, you wouldn't have let it slide for so long. And you wouldn't have allowed him to tie your shoelaces for you or wipe your snot away whenever you have the sniffles.

So, you still think Yves is a pretty swell boss and an amazing boyfriend. You felt like you hit the jackpot on this one and you couldn't have been luckier.

[theriverbeyond]

Jod is the ultimate climate doomer. Spent so much time going on about the corruption and downfall of the human race that when EARTH HERSELF showed him how to save her AND all the billionaires LEFT THE PLANET he still looked around and was like. nah. Can’t be saved. Too far gone. Everyone is going to die and humanity will end. And then just did it himself. I want to push into a lake of flaming lava.

i hate to say this anon but while i DO want to push John into a flaming lake of lava, I don't think he did the things you are saying.

like, i just don't think John was a doomer. he wanted to save the earth!!! he wanted to STAY and FIX things!!! his destructive act at the end of it all wasn't due to apathetic nihilism it was due to like. all-encompassing rage grief and mindbreaking experience of splicing himself into the soul-network of the entire earth. also Alecto very much did NOT show him how to save her. Alecto did the equivalent of giving car keys to a toddler and then leaving the toddler in the car.

he gaslight a teenager and mindwiped all his friends ❤️ set off a nuclear cascade and then ate a whole solar system ❤️ started an galactic-scale imperialistic forever war ❤️ built his empire into a catholicism flavored deathcult just for the vibes ❤️ im pushing him into the lava over that. peace and love

[whirligig-girl]

Some of the history of Zwo-nmu System Exploration by Mellanoid Slime Worm Space Programs.

A reminder of the Zwo-nmu Planetary System. The Sun, also called The Zwo-nmu (literally The Day Light) is a G8V main sequence star with many giant planets. Mellanus, called Gymnome by some of its inhabitants, is the homeworld of the Mellanoid Slime Worms--Eaurp Guz's people. Mellanus is a coorbital of Omen in a horseshoe orbit. Every 15 or so earth years, Mellanus approaches Omen, which moves it into a higher or lower orbit around the Sun.

This graphic is in a rotating reference frame following Omen. green circle is Omen's orbit in a non-rotating reference frame. Yellow circle is Mellanus' inner/short/summer/hot orbit. Purple circle is Mellanus' outer/long/winter/cold orbit. Blue and gray circles are the orbits of Cold Ember and Rabbit. Times are given in Earth days and distances in Earth-Sun-distances (astronomical units)

Omen is named, of course, as it represents drastic climate change--orbital seasons affecting both hemispheres for many years at a time.

With that reminder out of the way...

Zwo-nmu (the star)

extensive telescopic study from low mellanus orbit. The first solar telescope to enter orbit discovered the corona but was not set up to observe it properly, so follow-up missions had to be undertaken.

studied by the Cold Ember probes and by at least one dedicated "sun-scraper"

Cold Ember (the hot super-earth/sub-neptunian)

Of the five probes sent to Cold Ember at various times, only two have made it.

The second one to make it is an orbiter. It relies on stationkeeping propellant so its elliptical orbit always keeps its apoapsis on the night side of the planet, such that it can spend time in the shadow to keep cool. Within a few days of it running out of stationkeeping fuel it will begin to overheat. There are proposals to send a Rescue Shuttle up to resupply and repair the probe, but the strict rules about use of alien spacecrafts in the mellanoid space program make that difficult.

Rabbit

Visited by 2 robotic probes--a flyby and a short-lived orbiter. A lander/rover is planned, but doesn't have the same priority as the Omen Development Program and the Ice Giants Exploration Program.

Mellanus Orbit

At its peak, Mellanus had thousands of satellites and dozens of space stations, but a near-miss with ablation cascade (see: the movie Gravity (2013)) that was only averted thanks to the recently installed phaser network has lead to many restrictions being put in place on the number and function of satellites. Early in the history of mellanoid space exploration, there was not much automation available. Satellites had to be crewed, and so there were many space stations, and when automation happened, those space stations grew into constellations of satellites. Telecommunications constellations were the real culprit, with several competing agencies, companies, and nations setting up their own independent constellations ranging from 10s to 1000s of satellites each. But now, subspace technology has rendered low-orbit communications satellites obsolete, and there are just a few dozen geosynchronous communications satellites, a GPS network, and the number of Mellanus observation satellites has been coralled.

One of the United Mellanus Space Program's current duties is the cleanup of low orbit, which is operated both by phaser blasts in an emergency and by crewed spacecrafts. Most of the space stations in mellanus orbit are specifically infrastructure intended to refuel these spacecrafts, since they need to be able to access a wide range of inclinations, and inclination changes are difficult to accomplish.

Other space stations include the constellation of orbital drydocks, which are all orbiting about a hundred kilometers apart from one another, and the Starbase, a very large rotating artificial gravity space station which was built between the 2340s and the 2360s, and serves as the space end of the interstellar spaceport.

Mellanus natural satellites

Mellanus has one permanent satellite, Ubbi, a 340 meter wide rubble pile which is thought to have once been another asteroid's moon, millions of years ago. It is just barely bright enough to be seen by a mellanoid who has expanded their eye to the greatest practical width, but it wasn't noticed to be a moving star until after the invention of the astronomical telescope and the popularization of sun-centrism. It was thought at first to be an asteroid, since it was discovered while Mellanus was passing through Omen's trojan cloud, but careful observations determined that it was a satellite in a stable circular orbit, and a careful observation of photographic plates and star charts indicate it's been orbiting Mellanus for at least hundreds of years. It's named after its discoverer.

Many early mellanoid space activities have used Ubbi as a target. There are dozens of probes. Sadly Ubbi is very resource poor, being poor in both volatiles that could be used for propellant and metals that could make it valuable. It's not even a useful science target, since one of the earliest missions to visit it was an impactor which essentially exploded Ubbi. It reformed again, but completely resurfaced, burying clues to its origin as a satellite. Ubbi is currently orbited by one derelict spacecraft and

There have been three temporary natural satellites of Mellanus to be visited by spacecrafts. All but one have entered Mellanus orbit only for a few months and were only visited by robotic probes. The largest one, Temma was three kilometers across and in an eccentric orbit that remained stable all the way up until two Omen conjunctions later, so it lasted for about 30-35 years. However, as a carbonaceous asteroid, it was rich in volatiles, and it was explored and settled extensively by all major space programs. The first crewed international interplanetary trips to Omen used fuel refined from Temma and brought down to low orbit.

The Omen Coorbitals (Trojans, Greeks, and Other Horseshoes)

Outside of Ubbi and Temma, the Coorbitals are the next step out into space. Mellanus occasionally has close encounters with coorbitals. Over time Mellanus and Omen together have corralled the coorbitals into very specific lanes. There are far fewer coorbitals around Omen than Glerbuh, or, say, Jupiter, because coorbital or not, Mellanus is still a planet. Most of the coorbitals are trojans, with the apsides neatly tucked in between the outer edge of Mellanus' sphere of influence in the low orbit, and the inner edge of Mellanus' sphere of influence in the high orbit. The Greeks--the trojans on the leading edge of Omen's orbit--are especially depleted. It's thought that Mellanus was once the only large object in the greek camp, but was perturbed onto its current horseshoe orbit billions of years ago. As a result, the greek camp is a hodge-podge of scattered objects from elsewhere in the system, whereas the trojan camp is comprised of more objects original to this part of the circumstellar disk. Each camp can answer different questions about the evolution of the Zwo-nmu system, and Mellanus' relation to it in particular. Ironically, even though the greek camp is Mellanus' original home, it's the trojan camp that is more relevant to studying Mellanus itself.

It is possible on any given year to send a spacecraft to visit Omen, Trojans, Greeks, or any other coorbital. However, the trajectories which take a minimum of fuel are only accessible 1-6 months or so before the closest approach with either object, and for crewed missions, less efficient but faster trajectories lasting only a month right around the close approach are preferred.

Outside of the Omen apparitions, the most active times for interplanetary spaceflight have historically been around the passing through the trojan clouds, which happens about 6 years before and after each Omen apparition. Starting from the low summer orbit, Mellanus passes the Trojan Camp. 6 years later, it reaches Omen and moves to the high winter orbit. 6 years after that, it passes the Trojan camp again. Then 15 years later, it passes the Greek Camp. 6 more years later, Omen appears large and Mellanus shifts to the summer orbit. 6 years later, it passes the Greek camp again. 15 years pass, and then we restart the cycle.

other horseshoe-coorbitals can be encountered at any time of year, but there's only a few of these known to exist.

Crewed missions to the other coorbitals have served as test flights for Omen missions, while also contributing meaningfully to planetary science as a whole. While asteroid exploration may not be exciting or glamorous, the use of trojan missions as testbeds has allowed a lot of groundbreaking work that otherwise might not have had any support to be performed.

Humans currently, in the real world 2020s, posses the propulsion technology and even, in principle, the industrial capacity to send humans to Mars. What we lack is a good idea of how to support humans on interplanetary spaceflight for many months or years at a time. A typical stay on the International Space Station is not even comparable to a Mars mission. That research is still underway. But we can go to the Moon. What's crucial is the relatively short turnaround time. A Moon mission may take only a week or two. The Artemis lunar missions will last longer, but not as long as a Mars mission would have to.

Absent a permanent moon of any substance, the Mellanoids are able to get their relatively short turnaround missions done thanks to the coorbitals. If Mellanus were still a trojan, it'd have emptied out the Greek Camp. Omen would never get particularly close, and it'd take over a year to make a round trip to it. It'd be just as hard to reach as Mars or the Main Asteroid Belt. But since Mellanus is in a horseshoe orbit, for about a year at a time every 6-15 years it is within spitting distance of some celestial body or another. Every 18-19 years that celestial body is the magnificent planet Omen with its own system of moons. When it's not Omen, it's the coorbital asteroids.

Propulsion wise it is not that much easier to reach the Omen coorbitals than it is for humans to go to Mars. You still have to escape Mellanus and keep accelerating on top of that.

But instead of bringing all of the comforts and necessities involved in the long-term habitation of space with you to a distant planet, you can get away with using capsules that are not much more advanced than what we were using in the Apollo era. The long term habitation problem is solved, leaving the only major problem left that of propulsion, of vehicle design. And since Mellanus is relatively small and they aren't shy about using nuclear rockets, the propulsion problem isn't that big of a deal. in a way, Omen and the coorbitals are a crutch. By the 2340s Mellanoid space programs still had not undertaken crewed interplanetary missions beyond the coorbitals. But, at least in Star Trek, human spaceflights to Europa & Jupiter were being undertaken in the 2020s. These missions would have had to take years! that said, there is a reason Omen has been such a focus--and it's not just because it is so culturally important.

The Omen System

Since the dawn of the Mellanoid space age, there have been six Omen apparitions.

Years given are Earth Years

1) 2300: Two nations launched robotic flyby attempts this year. One succeeded, but it was little more than a spinning photopolarimeter which could take a grainy image of Omen and a magnetometer which produced useful magnetic field readings. 2) 2315: Two failed atmosphere probes for Oldsky, one successful robotic lander on Rival, one successful robotic lander on Spark, and successful orbit insertion of a robotic Omen orbiter which continued to send back photos of Omen and its moons right through to the next conjunction. During the lifetime of this orbiter, Oldsky was conclusively shown to have complex life. 3) 2329: First crewed missions. There is a crewed landing on Rival, a crewed orbiter mission for Oldsky. It had originally intended to operate out of a small space station placed into Oldsky orbit a year in advance, but this station was covertly destroyed by Zaldans, and the orbiter mission was repurposed as a mere flyby, which fails, leading to first contact with Zaldans. 4) 2344: The most important year yet--the beginning of space archaeology. It's also the year asteroid Temma departs Mellanus and makes its own flyby of Omen. 5) 2358: International grand tour involving orbiters and landers on every planet including Oldsky. Leads to formation of United Mellanus Space Program. 6) 2373: Fission-impulse rockets have made regular interplanetary travel between Mellanus and Omen possible on any year. 7) 2387: Oldsky is now a colony of Mellanus.

Mellanus is on the border of the Zaldan sphere of influence, and with the increasing expansionism of the Cardassians and the tragedy of what they had begun to do to the Bajorans, the Zaldans desired military bases on the stars near their industrial colonies and their homeworld. These bases had to provide deuterium, so they needed to be located in a system with a gas giant, and also function as repair stations. The stars surrounding Mellanus were poor candidates--there are no M-class habitable planets around the nearby stars, and the only other gas giants were hot Jupiters or brown dwarfs which would make deuterium extraction difficult.

The Zaldans respected the non-interference directive, but not if it meant a gaping hole in their security. They would set up a military base on Omen's M-class moon Oldsky. There was an orbiting space station and a surface base, connected by cargo transporters and shuttlecrafts, staffed by military officers and a few civilian personnel, not unlike Deep Space Nine, but considerably more of a frontier for all involved. There was also a space station built in very low orbit of Omen, designed to scrape the atmosphere for deuterium to fuel freighters. These ships would be undetectable to the mellanoids as long as ships entering the system avoided activity during close encounters and all ships entering and leaving the system hid their photon wakes behind the Sun, resulting in fairly complex routing.

During the 2329 Omen apparition, a spacecraft that had been intended to fly by Omen had a severe failure, akin to Apollo 13. Still over a month from home, with no prospect but a horrible death, they were famously rescued by Commander Halen's ship, EZM-407, marking official first contact with the Zaldans. They were returned to Mellanus and the Zaldans finally landed, showing the world that not only were Mellanoids not alone in the universe, they weren't even alone in their own solar system.

Several ships visited Mellanus over the next few years on primarily diplomatic missions, but the Zaldans still kept hands-off, sharing only a minimum of information with the Mellanoids. Not many Zaldans had Halen's affinity for the slimes, and they saw mellanoids as lowly uncivilized savages--and their flowery polite diplomatic language only confirmed this to them. It wasn't before someone really stood up to them--a space program engineer who had gotten tired of standing in the sidelines while his people were being insulted--that the Zaldans finally found a glimmer of respect for the mellanoids.

There had been plans to fly a Mellanoid astronaut to Oldsky in exchange for allowing Zaldan researchers to visit Mellanus, and even early talks of embassies and sharing of the Omen infrastructure, when the Zaldans just… disappeared. Completely cut contact.

If sharing their solar system with rude bullies (who, yes, could have wiped them out a dozen times over yet decided not to so at least there's that) wasn't scary enough, those rude bullies disappearing without a trace was even scarier. On a scale greater than even the Apollo program, nations rushed to assemble their missions to visit Omen and Oldsky to figure out what happened to the Zaldan Military Base. Their robotic probes launched on off-years didn't return any answers--crewed exploration and actually landing mellanoids on Oldsky would be the only answer.

There was also the fact that recovering technology from Oldsky could potentially be transformative--the right technology in the wrong hands could destroy the world. This is spaceflight at its most competitive. This was no longer a game--recovering the alien technology was potentially life or death.

After the first contact with the Federation and the series of revolutions and reforms that lead to the current political situation, one of the main unifying rallying cries for mellanoids was the notion that they deserved the right to sovereign exploration of their own solar system. Outsiders--whether Zaldan, or Federation, or Dominion--would not develop any part of the system!

Ok, the Federation can provide some baseline infrastructure to protect Mellanus from invasion, but space exploration is OUR COMMON HERITAGE!

The current age of Mellanoid Space Exploration is characterized by extensive permanent infrastructure development. Since the 2360s, Mellanoids have been building research stations on Oldsky, Lake, and Rival. Setting up an industrial capability on another planet from scratch is hard to do, but Oldsky has a stable climate year-round and a breathable atmosphere. Much of Oldsky is a desert, and even the "humid" regions are quite dry, but it's still more habitable than literally any other planet in the solar system except for Mellanus, which makes it practical to build using traditional methods.

As of 2380, more people are living and working on Oldsky at any given moment than are doing so in Low Mellanus Orbit. Oldsky station visitors includes geologists, biologists, space archaeologists still studying what remains of Zaldan activity on Oldsky, civil engineers, aerospace engineers, construction workers, miners, marine biologists, submarine helmcrew, aircraft pilots, spacecraft pilots, rover drivers, doctors, astronomers, and even a few tourists selected by raffle.

Propellant infrastructure has been established to keep the fast interplanetary rockets zipping along. At this point, it is possible to stay on Oldsky permanently, but so far, all visitors to Oldsky are temporary, and on years when Omen is inaccessible even with nuclear-fission-impulse rockets (i.e, when the Sun is between it and Mellanus), only a skeleton crew remains to maintain the stations.

Oldsky will probably not have its own self sufficient industry and capacity for its own space program any time soon, but it does have a spaceport serviced by reusable launch vehicles.

Phaser-thermal rockets are used for heavy lift launches from Mellanus these days, but conventional chemical rockets are still used on Oldsky, fueled by hydrogen and oxygen split by electrolysis. There is an oil refinery on Oldsky, so kerosene/oxygen rockets are possible too. things remain somewhat low-tech on Oldsky. Imported vehicles can be powered by batteries, but there aren't let any lithium mines on Oldsky--good deposits have yet to be discovered--so internal combustion engines powered by oil are sadly being used. The Oldsky Planetary Protection Office on Mellanus intends to phase out fossil fuel engines as soon as the planet is capable of producing its own high-energy-density batteries… whenever that is… also, between you and me, they really ought to get more aquatics flying on these missions. what an aquatic astronaut could find on Oldsky might be quite shocking.

Anyway outside of the Omen system and Oldsky Glerbuh has had its fair share of robotic exploration and crewed expeditions. Two of the four ice giants have also been visited by robotic flyby probes, and Glarpi (the innermost ice giant) has had a robotic orbiter. The big crewed grand tour expedition to explore all four ice giants and there moons was one of the major science goals of the 2380s outside of exploring and developing Oldsky. However, it had to be modified to turn into a rescue mission for a mellanoid starfleet officer who was stranded on a planet orbiting a nearby star called TE-92. It's a whole thing. If they manage to rescue them maybe they'll write a novel about it.

[cognitivejustice]

A 2,000-year-old Sri Lankan hydraulic system uses natural features to help harvest and store rainwater. In a rapidly warming world, it is providing a lifeline for rural communities.

Each April, in the village of Maeliya in northwest Sri Lanka, Pinchal Weldurelage Siriwardene gathers his community under the shade of a large banyan tree. The tree overlooks a human-made body of water called a wewa – meaning reservoir or "tank" in Sinhala. The wewa stretches out besides the village's rice paddies for 175-acres (708,200 sq m) and is filled with the rainwater of preceding months. 

 Tank cascades are receiving new attention as climate change is projected to increase both Sri Lanka's drought and flood risk (Credit: Zinara Rathnayake) 

Siriwardene, the 76-year-old secretary of the village's agrarian committee, has a tightly-guarded ritual to perform. By boiling coconut milk on an open hearth beside the tank, he will seek blessings for a prosperous harvest from the deities residing in the tree. "It's only after that we open the sluice gate to water the rice fields," he told me when I visited on a scorching mid-April afternoon.

By releasing water into irrigation canals below, the tank supports the rice crop during the dry months before the rains arrive. For nearly two millennia, lake-like water bodies such as this have helped generations of farmers cultivate their fields. An old Sinhala phrase, "wewai dagabai gamai pansalai", even reflects the technology's centrality to village life; meaning "tank, pagoda, village and temple".

But the village's tank does not work alone. It is part of an ancient hydraulic network called an ellangawa, or "tank cascade system". As such, the artificial lake at Maeliya links up with smaller, man-made reservoirs upstream in the watershed. Together with their carefully managed natural surroundings, these interconnecting storage structures allow rainwater to be harvested, shared and re-used across the local area.

Constructed from the 4th Century BC up to the 1200s, these cascade systems have long helped Sri Lankan communities cope with prolonged periods of dry weather. "As most of the country is made up of crystalline hard rock with poor permeability, it induces runoff, " says Christina Shanthi De Silva, senior professor in agricultural and plantation engineering at The Open University of Sri Lanka. "Our forefathers built tank cascades to capture this surface runoff," she explains, preventing it from being washed away into rivers and, ultimately, the sea.

Such knowledge has since been passed down the generations. In a laminated box file, Siriwardene carefully safeguards a map his father, the village head, drew of Maeliya's cascade. There are nine tanks in this particular cascade, his father writes. A copy of another handwritten booklet documents the tanks' history and the folk poems that villagers sang in gratitude for its continuous water resource.

[mountrainiernps]

Glacier monitoring at Mount Rainier gives insight to summer stream flows.

Every year crews from the North Coast & Cascades Inventory & Monitoring Network track glacier health at Mount Rainier. In the spring, crews visit Nisqually and Emmons glaciers to measure how much new snow has accumulated on the glacier surface during the winter. Snow depth and density measurements determine how much water is held in that snowpack (snow water equivalent). Measurement rods are also installed to track snow and ice melt over the coming summer. This allows us to track accumulation (snow that becomes added ice) and melt (lost ice) over the long term.

NPS/S.Hagen Photo: Glacier monitoring lead smiles at the success of the spring glacier trip on the lower Nisqually, 4/22/24.

In the short term, the snow depth measurements, along with data contributed from climate stations, can help us anticipate melt water availability in the summer.

Graph of SWE at two locations on the Nisqually Glacier during drought years compared to average.

Results of the snow water equivalent (SWE), or how much water would result if all the snow melted, at two different elevations on the Nisqually Glacier are displayed in the graph. Notably, the results from a 4/22/24 survey on the Nisqually Glacier are below the average. In 2024, SWE at these elevations is higher than the drought year of 2005 but below the drought year of 2015 at both elevations.

Snow is not the only contribution to water in streams, but in our region it’s an important source.

[mariacallous]

Central banks from eight countries—Mexico, the UK, France, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Singapore, and China—formed the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) in 2017 to investigate and coordinate a response to climate change. By the end of 2022, the NGFS had over 120 members. However, among these central banks, there were considerable differences in the strategies adopted to account for and address climate change. Most strikingly, climate change has emerged as an unusual area of divergence between the European Central Bank (ECB) and the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), despite their historical tendency to adopt similar policy tools, frameworks, and objectives. The Fed limited its approach to climate change to basic climate policy standards or “norms” that recognized some relevance of climate change to achieving its monetary and prudential objectives but avoided any support for decarbonization. In contrast, the ECB better appreciated that climate change raised profound challenges for achieving its central banking objectives. As a result, the ECB adopted proactive climate policy norms that, for example, put in place climate-related criteria for asset purchase programs and far-reaching supervisory interventions to ensure that financial institutions accounted for climate risk.

To understand the ECB-Fed divergence on climate policy, we develop a theoretical framework that describes how new central banking norms are created and become influential in the context of domestic and international pressures. In the initial stage of climate policy norm emergence, broad support across the EU for climate action along with persuasive think tanks, researchers, and other policy entrepreneurs helped push the ECB to endorse new climate-related norms. The founding of the NGFS and the associated cascade of climate-related norms exerted significant pressure towards climate policy convergence across many central banks. However, the deeply polarized and partisan U.S. debate on climate change, stoked by an influential domestic fossil fuel industry, led the Fed to adopt only a modest version of the foundational climate norms—a stark divergence from the proactive climate stance of the ECB.

Given the deep differences in domestic political pressures, it seems unlikely that the climate policy differences between the ECB and the Fed will soon disappear. However, given the international connectedness of central banking, we expect global policy norms to provide sustained pressure towards convergence. In this context, the ECB might scale back some proactive commitments, although it seems unlikely to entirely disavow its current forward-leaning stance. The Fed may also seek a more favorable compromise, such as assuring domestic audiences of climate policy restraint, while cooperating with international peers on less overt regulatory interventions.

Download the full paper here»

[sciencespies]

Corridors between Western U.S. national parks would greatly increase the persistence time of mammals

https://sciencespies.com/nature/corridors-between-western-u-s-national-parks-would-greatly-increase-the-persistence-time-of-mammals/

Corridors between Western U.S. national parks would greatly increase the persistence time of mammals

National parks are the backbone of conservation. Yet mounting evidence shows that many parks are too small to sustain long-term viable populations and maintain essential, large-scale ecological processes, such as large mammal migrations and natural disturbance regimes.

A new study published on Jan. 11, 2023, in Scientific Reports found that enhancing ecological connectivity, known as “corridors” or “linkages,” among several of the oldest and largest national parks in the Western United States would greatly extend the time that many mammal species populations can persist. The authors analyzed the value of establishing ecological corridors for large mammals between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and between Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Parks. Their findings show that these corridors would not only enlarge populations, but also allow species to shift their geographic ranges more readily in response to climate change.

“Eliminating barriers of movement between parks and more carefully managing land-use along these pathways are crucial for the survival of many mammal species,” said William Newmark, research curator at the Natural History Museum of Utah and lead author of the study. “Establishing an expanded protected area network based on identified mammal pathways and incorporating adjacent wilderness areas would greatly enlarge available habitat for mammal species. And this would have a very positive effect on species persistence time.”

The authors found that linking Yellowstone National Park with Glacier National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park with North Cascades National Park would increase the long-term persistence time of mammal species by a factor of 4.3 relative to the persistence time of species in fragmented, individual parks.

The proposed corridor network would cross two- and four-lane highways, which would require multiple ecological bridges over and under the roadways. Fortunately, highway authorities in the Western U.S. and Canada are beginning to construct such over- and underpasses for wildlife.

“However, a much greater effort will certainly be required if we are to reduce the known adverse impacts of highways on species movement and dispersal,” said Paul Beier, professor emeritus of Northern Arizona University and co-author of the study.

It’s well supported that ecological corridors enhance population persistence of species, but most studies have been small-scale experiments. There are few assessments of the value of ecological linkages at large spatial scales. This study’s analysis drew heavily upon patterns of species loss over time in habitat fragments around the world.

“The analytical approach presented in this paper can provide conservation planners and practitioners with a powerful method of prioritizing and quantifying the value of ecological linkages between protected areas,” said John Halley, professor at the University of Ioannina and co-author of the study.

Over the past two decades, there has been worldwide efforts to establish networks of reserves interconnected by protected corridors. One of the boldest visions was first articulated a quarter century ago by co-author Michael Soulé, professor emeritus at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who passed away before this paper was completed. Soulé advocated to establish a protected area network that would extend from the top of Alaska down to the southern tip of South America at Tierra del Fuego. A more regionally-focused initiative to connect Canada’s Yukon territory to Yellowstone National Park in the northern Rocky Mountains has made considerable progress.

The study’s analysis highlights the positive effects that large-scale conservation initiatives can have on biodiversity conservation. The authors note that enhancing ecological connectivity between protected areas in Western U.S. and Canada could serve as an important template for large-scale biodiversity conservation both nationally and worldwide in the 21st century.

Other authors on the study include Phoebe B. McNeally of the University of Utah and Samuel A. Cushman of the U.S. Forest Service.

#Nature

[carboledger]

Understanding and Sharing Product Carbon Footprint Data for a Sustainable Future

In the quest for sustainability, understanding the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) has become a cornerstone for businesses and consumers alike. As the effects of climate change intensify, there is a growing urgency to measure, analyze, and reduce carbon emissions associated with products throughout their lifecycle. From raw material extraction to manufacturing, transportation, usage, and disposal, calculating a product's carbon footprint helps identify critical areas for improvement and aligns companies with global sustainability goals.

The Product Carbon Footprint data sharing process plays a vital role in fostering transparency and accountability across supply chains. Businesses today operate in interconnected ecosystems where the environmental impact of one entity can cascade across an entire network. By sharing reliable Product Carbon Footprint data, organizations can collaborate more effectively to implement solutions that minimize emissions and optimize resource usage. This cooperative approach not only strengthens partnerships but also helps businesses maintain a competitive edge in a world that increasingly values eco-consciousness.

Why is Product Carbon Footprint Analysis Important?

The Product Carbon Footprint acts as a detailed blueprint of the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) produced during a product’s lifecycle. It provides insights that enable businesses to:

Identify hotspots: By analyzing emission-heavy stages, companies can prioritize areas where reductions will have the greatest impact.

Comply with regulations: Governments worldwide are introducing stricter carbon policies, and a clear understanding of the PCF helps businesses stay compliant.

Enhance consumer trust: Transparency about the environmental impact of products can improve brand reputation and attract eco-conscious customers.

However, analyzing and utilizing PCF data requires more than just understanding—it demands effective communication and collaboration across industries. More Info -  PCF data exchange

The Value of Product Carbon Footprint Data Sharing

To unlock the full potential of PCF analysis, Product Carbon Footprint data sharing between stakeholders is essential. Suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and even consumers must work together to track and reduce emissions. This collective effort allows for:

Standardized reporting: Shared PCF data creates consistency in measuring emissions, enabling accurate comparisons across products and industries.

Better decision-making: Access to shared data empowers organizations to make informed choices about sourcing, production methods, and logistics.

Innovation opportunities: Collaboration through PCF data sharing can spark innovative solutions, such as low-carbon technologies or circular economy practices.

By adopting these practices, businesses can transform their operations and contribute to a greener future.

Overcoming Challenges in Product Carbon Footprint Sharing

Despite the advantages, the road to seamless Product Carbon Footprint data sharing isn’t without hurdles. Concerns over data privacy, competitive risks, and a lack of standardized frameworks can deter companies from fully embracing transparency. To address these challenges:

Trust-building is key: Establishing partnerships based on mutual trust ensures data is shared responsibly without compromising competitive advantages.

Adopt global standards: Utilizing frameworks like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol ensures consistency and reliability in data reporting.

Leverage technology: Advanced digital tools like blockchain can enhance the traceability and security of shared data, making the process smoother.

The Path Ahead

The importance of Product Carbon Footprint data cannot be overstated in the fight against climate change. By embracing transparency and fostering collaboration through Product Carbon Footprint data sharing, businesses can build resilient, low-carbon supply chains and meet the growing demand for sustainable products. As we continue to innovate and adapt, this collective effort will lay the foundation for a truly sustainable future.

[realestatesupdates]

Gym, Cafe, and Fine Art: Turner House Brings Lifestyle to Office Space in Mumbai

In the bustling city of Mumbai, where every square foot is a coveted asset, Turner House by Raiaskaran Developers redefines the concept of commercial real estate. Situated in the iconic Bandra (West), this architectural masterpiece blends luxury, heritage, and functionality to create an unparalleled work environment. Offering more than just office space, Turner House integrates a fine art gallery, a gym, a cafe, and modern amenities, making it a landmark for businesses seeking an elevated work-life balance.

A Heritage-Inspired Marvel in Bandra

Turner House stands as a beacon of heritage architecture in the heart of Mumbai. Drawing inspiration from Gothic-Indian design, the building showcases cascading arches, soaring columns, and intricate quatrefoil screens. Its imposing masonry respects Mumbai's rich cultural and architectural legacy while exuding a sense of contemporary luxury.

This LEED Platinum Certified building isn't just about aesthetics; it embodies sustainability at its core. By employing resource-efficient technologies, Raiaskaran Developers have crafted a commercial space that minimizes environmental impact while maximizing energy and water efficiency—a rarity in the competitive landscape of office space in Mumbai.

Office Space Designed for Excellence

Turner House is tailored for the city’s business elite, offering bespoke office suites with limited availability per floor. Each suite is connected by opulent arrival lounges and serviced by high-speed executive elevators, ensuring exclusivity and seamless accessibility. The tall glass facade provides naturally lit, column-free spaces with 11.6-ft high ceilings, creating a bright and airy environment conducive to productivity.

These spaces go beyond traditional office layouts, offering a dynamic and inspiring workplace that matches the ambition of Mumbai's thriving business community. With stunning cityscape views and climate-controlled interiors, Turner House redefines premium office space in Mumbai.

Lifestyle Amenities for Modern Professionals

What sets Turner House apart is its commitment to enhancing the work experience with lifestyle amenities. Businesses housed here enjoy access to:

A State-of-the-Art Gym: Promoting health and wellness for professionals.

A Boutique Cafe: Offering a space to network, brainstorm, or simply unwind.

A Screening Room: Perfect for corporate presentations or private viewings.

An Exclusive Art Gallery: A partnership with DAG ensures Turner House features exquisite Indian art, adding cultural depth to its ambiance.

These amenities create an environment where work seamlessly blends with leisure, inspiring creativity and collaboration.

Strategic Location and Connectivity

Located in Bandra (West), Turner House offers unbeatable connectivity. Its proximity to the Sea Link, the proposed Bandra Metro, and the Coastal Road ensures swift access to key business districts like BKC and the airport. Additionally, the neighborhood boasts premium restaurants, coffee shops, high-street boutiques, and serene sea-facing promenades, making it a vibrant locale for professionals.

Sustainability Meets Luxury

At Raiaskaran Developers, sustainability and luxury go hand in hand. Turner House’s LEED Platinum certification reflects this philosophy, ensuring minimal environmental impact without compromising on modern conveniences. The integration of green building technologies enhances workforce productivity and reduces resource consumption, setting a benchmark for sustainable office space in Mumbai.

The Artistic Edge

In collaboration with DAG, Turner House is home to some of the finest Indian art, making it not just a workplace but a cultural hub. This unique feature underscores Raiaskaran’s vision of blending art, culture, and business, creating an inspiring environment that fosters innovation.

Conclusion

For businesses looking to make a statement in Mumbai, Turner House by Raiaskaran Developers offers more than just an address—it offers a lifestyle. Combining luxury, sustainability, and cultural richness, it redefines office space in Mumbai, setting a new standard for the city’s commercial real estate.

Experience the future of workspaces at Turner House, where every detail is designed to elevate your business and inspire your journey to success. Source - https://supriyashetty8.medium.com/gym-cafe-and-fine-art-turner-house-brings-lifestyle-to-office-space-in-mumbai-fe3551569070

[luxury-flats]

How New Projects in Mumbai Are Transforming Business Locations Like Andheri and Bandra

Mumbai, often dubbed the Maximum City, has always been a hub for business and innovation. The city’s landscape is constantly evolving, with new projects in Mumbai reshaping its business districts. Locations like Andheri and Bandra are at the forefront of this transformation, thanks to world-class developments like Raiaskaran Tech Park (RTP) in Andheri (E) and Turner House in Bandra (W). These projects are not just redefining workspaces but are also setting benchmarks for sustainability, luxury, and cultural integration. 

The Rise of Iconic Workspaces in Andheri: Raiaskaran Tech Park

More Than a Workplace

Nestled in the bustling heart of Andheri East, Raiaskaran Tech Park offers a serene oasis amid Mumbai’s urban chaos. Unlike traditional office spaces, RTP provides an environment that balances productivity with tranquility. Surrounded by over 100 trees and lush green lawns, it’s a space designed to inspire creativity and focus.

Sustainability at Its Core

RTP is a pioneer in eco-efficient design, reflecting its commitment to minimizing environmental impact. This Platinum-rated LEED-certified green building integrates cutting-edge engineering and sustainable architecture. From reducing carbon footprints to resource-efficient practices, RTP goes beyond just creating workspaces—it creates eco-conscious communities.

A Cultural Nexus

RTP’s Raiaskaran Galleria adds an artistic dimension to the workspace. This fine art gallery promotes young and established Indian artists, showcasing works from icons like Raja Ravi Verma and Anish Kapoor. The blend of art and business makes RTP a unique cultural landmark in Andheri.

Strategic Location

Conveniently situated on the arterial Andheri-Kurla Road, RTP is well-connected by Metro and suburban train networks. Proximity to the international airport and premium hotels ensures seamless connectivity and convenience for businesses and their global clientele.

Bandra’s Turner House: Luxury Meets Heritage

Rooted in Indian Heritage

In Bandra West, Turner House stands as a modern architectural marvel steeped in heritage. Designed with cascading arches, intricate masonry, and Gothic-Indian influences, this building reflects Mumbai’s unique character. The bespoke office spaces offer exclusivity and sophistication, catering to the city’s business elite.

Sustainable Elegance

Turner House also holds a LEED Platinum Certification, highlighting its eco-friendly approach. Features like climate-controlled, column-free spaces, and energy-efficient systems underline its commitment to sustainability without compromising luxury.

Seamless Integration of Art

The partnership between Raiaskaran and DAG brings the finest Indian art to Turner House. The curated collection is displayed in a fine art viewing gallery, enriching the workspace with cultural significance and aesthetic appeal.

Location Advantage

Bandra, known as the Queen of Suburbs, is a thriving cultural and business hub. Turner House enjoys proximity to landmarks like the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, high-end boutiques, and gourmet restaurants. The proposed Metro and Coastal Road projects will further enhance its connectivity, making it an unbeatable location for modern businesses. 

Transforming Mumbai’s Business Landscape

The new wave of developments like Raiaskaran Tech Park and Turner House is redefining what it means to work in Mumbai. These new projects in Mumbai blend sustainability, luxury, and culture, creating workspaces that are not just functional but inspirational.

As the city continues to evolve, Andheri and Bandra are leading the charge, offering businesses state-of-the-art facilities in prime locations. Whether it’s RTP’s green campus or Turner House’s heritage-inspired luxury, these projects exemplify how innovation can harmonize with tradition and sustainability to create environments that truly stand out.

Conclusion

For companies seeking to establish or expand their presence in Mumbai, Raiaskaran Tech Park and Turner House represent the pinnacle of modern workspace design. These developments are more than just addresses; they are statements of ambition, culture, and environmental consciousness, setting new standards for the future of business in Mumbai. Source - https://supriyashetty8.medium.com/how-new-projects-in-mumbai-are-transforming-business-locations-like-andheri-and-bandra-60e640fe498b

[elisethio]

Hammer Museum: 11. 22. 24

Points of interest:

Playful perspective; it feels like you're looking through a building window

Texture; blotchy, messy strokes

The emptiness of the street

The neutral/cloudy weather

The shapes; everything is straight (the buildings, the street) until the road curves at the bottom of the painting

Points of interest:

Also very messy strokes; the crowd is blurry, but is clear enough to tell that it's a procession of people

The strokes of the trees; they draw interest to the crowd in between them. It almost looks like the wind is blowing them, but in opposite directions

Though there are many people and it's a depiction of Mardi Gras, it feels solemn because of the lighting

The contrast of the clear sky and the busy street

The difference between the people walking down the center of the road and the people watching from the sides. The people watching are wearing mostly black while the procession is bright and colorful

Points of interest:

The lighting; it's focused very brightly on Salomé, the woman on the bottom left. The softer lighting in the back also balances very well

The story behind the piece is very intense and dramatic

The detail; particularly in the throne, the walls, and her dress

The flowers crushed and thrown on the floor

The red of the curtains, the floor, and clothing sort of cascade down the left side like she enters the room with a blood trail behind her

Points of interest:

The artist chose to make it about fungus which is a part of climate change and the natural world that isn't talked about a lot (or valued)

The formation of the fungal networks interacting with each other

The brown of the carpet acting like dirt

The variety of colors (purples, yellows, reds, whites)

The aged, dilapidated look of the carpet

[honestlyteenagelight]

The Secrets of Nature: Exploring the Wonders of the World

By John Doe | Published on November 22, 2024

Nature has always been a source of inspiration and wonder for humanity. From the towering mountains to the vast oceans, every aspect of the natural world has its own story to tell. In this article, we will explore some of the most fascinating secrets of nature, diving deep into its beauty, mystery, and importance to our lives.

1. The Mysteries of the Deep Ocean

The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth's surface, yet we have explored less than 5% of it. Beneath the waves lies a world that is as mysterious as it is beautiful. From the vibrant coral reefs to the pitch-black depths of the Mariana Trench, the ocean is home to millions of species, many of which are yet to be discovered.

Some of the most fascinating creatures of the deep include bioluminescent fish, giant squids, and the elusive coelacanth, a "living fossil" thought to have been extinct for millions of years until its rediscovery in 1938. These creatures remind us of how little we truly know about the aquatic world.

2. The Language of Trees

Did you know that trees communicate with each other? Through a network of underground fungi, often called the "wood wide web," trees share nutrients, warn each other of dangers like pests, and even help sick or dying trees by providing them with essential resources. This remarkable phenomenon highlights the interconnectedness of all living things.

For example, in African savannas, acacia trees release chemicals into the air to warn nearby trees about grazing animals. In response, the neighboring trees produce bitter-tasting toxins in their leaves to deter the animals from feeding on them.

3. The Role of Pollinators

Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. They help plants reproduce by transferring pollen from one flower to another. This process is essential for the production of fruits, vegetables, and nuts that we rely on for food.

However, pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. Protecting these creatures is vital for ensuring the health of our ecosystems and the future of agriculture.

4. The Northern Lights: Nature's Light Show

The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is one of nature's most spectacular displays. Caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with the Earth's atmosphere, the northern lights paint the sky with vibrant colors like green, pink, and purple. These lights are most commonly seen near the polar regions, where the Earth's magnetic field is strongest.

The phenomenon has inspired countless myths and legends throughout history. For instance, the Inuit people believed that the lights were the spirits of their ancestors dancing in the sky.

5. The Importance of Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, from the smallest microorganisms to the largest mammals. It is essential for maintaining the balance of ecosystems, as every species plays a unique role in its environment.

For example, predators like wolves help control the population of herbivores, which in turn prevents overgrazing and allows vegetation to thrive. Losing even one species can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem.

Conclusion

Nature is full of wonders that continue to amaze and inspire us. By understanding and appreciating the secrets of the natural world, we can take steps to protect it for future generations. Whether it’s exploring the mysteries of the ocean, marveling at the northern lights, or safeguarding biodiversity, every effort counts in preserving the beauty and balance of our planet.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Today’s Glacial Retreat is a Recent Phenomenon

Around 12,000 years ago, the most recent ice age had ended, Earth’s climate warmed, and glaciers shrank back. Since then, glaciers have advanced and retreated many times, driven in part by changes in the climate. Today, many alpine glaciers are in rapid retreat, but it’s not because of ice age cycles. This round of melting is likely being caused by human activities.

On a warm morning in August 2024, glaciologist Mauri Pelto stood below the Easton Glacier on the flanks of Mount Baker in northern Washington. This spot was covered by ice in 1990, down to about the orange tent in the photo above, but now the glacier sits well uphill, glimmering brightly in the distance. “These glaciers have advanced and retreated quite a few times in the past 5,000 years,” he said. “It’s not just one progression backwards.”

The most recent peak extent of the Easton Glacier was around 1850 during a period of regional cooling that caused glaciers in North America and Europe to grow. This event is often called the “Little Ice Age,” though it was not a true ice age because it wasn’t a global occurrence; it involved episodes of both warming and cooling, and it was comparatively short. Since then, the Easton Glacier has acted somewhat like a yo-yo, advancing down the valley during cooler periods, then melting back to higher elevations during warmer times. Even a relatively short-term climate swing on the order of tens of years can cause the glacier to change its size.

Shifting glaciers leave behind abundant evidence of their movement. As glaciers advance, they push rocks and sediments in front of them, much like a snowplow on a dirt road. The resulting rockpile is called a terminal moraine. As glaciers shrink, then grow again, a smaller pile of rocks, called a recessional moraine, marks each phase of advancing ice. Amid the rocks, vegetation slowly gains a foothold.

Scientists use this evidence to weave together a timeline of a glacier’s advance and retreat. “There are features you can see, trees you can date, and volcanic tephra layers that tell you how old those moraines are,” said Pelto.

The raw landscape downslope of Easton Glacier is hummocky and treacherously uneven, with loose piles of rock that have only recently been exposed by melting ice. The valley is rimmed on both sides with steep slopes that rise to a crisp edge. These are a third type of moraine, lateral moraines, marking where the sides of the glacier would have been 175 years ago during the Little Ice Age. One such moraine is visible as the sharp ridgeline on the right side of the photo above.

Pelto ticked through the comings and goings of the Easton Glacier since then. “By 1924, this glacier was much larger than today and retreating fairly rapidly,” he explained. By 1950, it had retreated significantly, but then it reversed course. “Around the world, many glaciers—and in some regions, most glaciers—were advancing from 1950 to 1980.”

Things began to change by 1990, in the North Cascades and elsewhere in the world. Glaciers melted slowly at first, but then more quickly. And now, the melt is accelerating well beyond anything Pelto has seen. “It’s in the last three years that it’s really roared backwards,” he said, as he motioned to a jumble of bare rock where glacial ice stood not long ago.

Today’s Accelerating Melt

Scientists are tracking the behavior of the world’s alpine glaciers, 45 of which are part of a network of reference glaciers across the planet. Each of these glaciers has over 30 years of continuous measurements. The Easton Glacier is one of seven reference glaciers in the United States.

Pelto and his team have been studying many of the major glaciers in the North Cascades since 1983, using both field measurements and Landsat satellite imagery. His 41 years of firsthand observations for the North Cascade Glacier Climate Project have instilled a deep sense of familiarity with this rapidly changing landscape. As global temperatures rise, the glaciers are melting at an increasingly fast pace.

Hiking up toward the glacier, Pelto pointed out where the ice had been in recent years. He paused at a large boulder, and he motioned toward it with his ice axe (below-left). “I sat on that rock and put my crampons on, with one foot on the ice, in 1990.” Today, in 2024, the ice was 2,000 feet (600 meters) uphill from that spot (below-right).

The retreat of the glacier started off relatively slowly, around 30 to 40 feet (10 to 12 meters) per year from 1990 to 2015. “In the last decade, it’s really accelerated,” Pelto said. It’s averaging about 100 feet (30 meters) per year now. But even that rate has been eclipsed in the past few summers.

Hiking closer to the ice, Pelto got his first up-close look at the glacier this year. He then reached the point where ice had been just two years earlier. “In 2022, we stepped onto the glacier here,” Pelto said. “Now this whole flat area, more than 100 meters across, is all free of ice.”

Just in the past two years, Easton Glacier has retreated 450 feet (140 meters). “That’s the fastest retreat rate, by far, that we’ve seen,” said Pelto. At the same time, the glacier has lost around 6 feet (2 meters) of ice thickness each summer since 2021.

This accelerated retreat isn’t a localized occurrence. The glaciologist continued, “2023 was the first year that every reference glacier in the world lost mass. We couldn’t find a single glacier in the network that was gaining mass.” Furthermore, the loss of ice among the reference glaciers is accelerating, just as it is at Easton Glacier.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re in New Zealand or Tibet, or in the North Cascades; glaciers are melting at close to the same rate, all over the place. I’ve worked on 250 glaciers around the world, and 25 of them are gone now.” Pelto continued, sounding resolute, “The glaciers are telling us—they’re struggling with the temperatures they’re experiencing, and they’re disappearing.”

NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story and photographs by Karin Kirk, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

[ofw-job-orders]

Chill to Freeze: Filipino HVAC Workers in Thailand & the COVID-19 Crowdfunding Surge

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 cast a long shadow over the global economy, and few groups felt its chilling effects as acutely as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Among these modern-day heroes, HVAC technicians in Thailand faced a unique set of challenges. The confluence of a global health crisis, economic downturn, and the nuances of cultural adaptation created a perfect storm, testing their resilience and resourcefulness. This period also highlighted the potential of crowdfunding platforms to empower OFWs and offer a pathway to greater financial stability through entrepreneurial ventures.

The HVAC industry in Thailand, prior to 2020, was experiencing steady growth, fueled by the country's developing economy and increasing demand for climate control solutions in commercial and residential spaces. This presented a lucrative opportunity for skilled Filipino HVAC technicians, known for their technical expertise and strong work ethic. Many left behind families and familiar comforts to pursue better opportunities in Thailand, contributing significantly to both the Filipino and Thai economies.

Then came the pandemic.

The initial outbreak in early 2020 sent shockwaves through the global economy. Thailand, heavily reliant on tourism, saw a dramatic decline in visitors, leading to widespread business closures and job losses. The HVAC industry, linked to the construction and hospitality sectors, was not immune. Projects were halted, maintenance contracts were suspended, and many OFW HVAC technicians found themselves facing reduced working hours, salary cuts, or even unemployment.

The situation was further complicated by the restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus. Lockdowns, travel bans, and quarantine requirements disrupted supply chains, making it difficult to obtain necessary parts and equipment for HVAC installations and repairs. These logistical challenges added another layer of complexity to an already precarious situation for OFW technicians.

Beyond the economic hardships, the pandemic also exacerbated the challenges of cultural adaptation. While many Filipino HVAC technicians had successfully integrated into Thai society prior to 2020, the pandemic amplified feelings of isolation and vulnerability. Lockdowns restricted social interaction, limiting opportunities to connect with fellow Filipinos and build support networks. Language barriers, always a challenge for some, became even more significant as navigating the complexities of the pandemic required access to crucial information often disseminated in Thai.

The pandemic also underscored the pre-existing vulnerabilities of OFWs. Many rely on remittances to support families back home, and the sudden loss or reduction of income had a cascading effect on their loved ones. The emotional toll of being separated from family during a time of global crisis was immense, adding to the stress and anxiety already brought on by the uncertain economic landscape.

In the face of these daunting challenges, OFWs demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. Many turned to online platforms to connect with family and friends, seeking emotional support and sharing information. Resourcefulness became paramount, and some OFW HVAC technicians explored alternative income streams, leveraging their skills to offer repair and maintenance services within their communities.

This period also saw a growing interest in entrepreneurship among OFWs. Recognizing the vulnerability of relying solely on employment, many began exploring the possibility of starting their own businesses. The pandemic, while disruptive, also created new opportunities. The increased focus on hygiene and air quality, for example, spurred demand for specialized HVAC cleaning and sanitation services.

This is where crowdfunding platforms entered the picture. These platforms offer a potential solution for OFWs seeking seed capital to launch their own ventures. By connecting entrepreneurs with a global network of potential investors, crowdfunding can provide access to funding that might otherwise be unavailable through traditional channels. For OFW HVAC technicians, this could mean starting their own maintenance and repair businesses, importing specialized equipment, or even establishing training centers to empower other Filipinos with valuable technical skills.

Crowdfunding platforms offer several advantages for OFWs. They provide a relatively accessible entry point to entrepreneurship, requiring less stringent requirements than traditional loan applications. They also offer a platform to showcase their business ideas to a wider audience, building a community of supporters and potential customers. Furthermore, the process of developing a crowdfunding campaign can be a valuable learning experience, forcing entrepreneurs to refine their business plans and articulate their vision.

However, it is crucial to approach crowdfunding with a realistic understanding of the challenges involved. Building a successful campaign requires careful planning, a compelling story, and a strong marketing strategy. It is also essential to choose a reputable platform and understand the fees and regulations involved.

The experience of OFW HVAC technicians in Thailand during the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak highlights the precarious nature of overseas employment and the importance of diversification and financial resilience. While the pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, it also underscored the ingenuity and adaptability of OFWs. Crowdfunding platforms, while not a panacea, offer a promising avenue for OFWs seeking to empower themselves through entrepreneurship and build a more secure future. They can create new opportunities for OFWs seeking jobs and employment opportunities, moving from employee to employer. Resources like OFWJobs.org provide valuable information and support for OFWs navigating the complexities of overseas employment and exploring entrepreneurial ventures.

The pandemic served as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of the global economy and the vulnerability of those who rely on international migration for their livelihoods. It also highlighted the importance of supporting OFWs, recognizing their invaluable contributions, and empowering them to achieve their full potential. By fostering an environment that supports entrepreneurship and provides access to resources like crowdfunding, we can help OFWs build more secure and sustainable futures for themselves and their families.

[drparamsandhu]

The Fragile Balance: How Wildlife Extinction Impacts Ecosystem Health

In the natural world, every species plays a role in maintaining the intricate balance of ecosystems. The extinction of wildlife disrupts this delicate equilibrium, leading to far-reaching consequences for the health of our planet’s ecosystems. Dr. Param Sandhu’s Tiger Tryst: A Fine Romance provides a compelling portrayal of the Bengal tiger’s significance in India’s tiger reserves, illustrating how the loss of such a pivotal species affects the broader ecological landscape. This article explores the interconnectedness of species and examines the profound impacts of wildlife extinction on ecosystem health.

The Interconnected Web of Life

Ecosystems are complex networks of interactions between living organisms and their environment. Each species, from the largest apex predator to the smallest decomposer, contributes to the stability and functionality of these systems. Dr. Sandhu’s depiction of the tiger in Tiger Tryst: A Fine Romance highlights its crucial role within its habitat. The tiger’s presence influences prey populations, vegetation, and the overall health of the ecosystem, showcasing the interconnectedness of species in maintaining ecological balance.

Disruption of Ecosystem Functions

Regulation of Prey Populations

Apex predators like the Bengal tiger play a vital role in regulating prey populations. By controlling the numbers of herbivores and smaller predators, tigers help prevent overgrazing and the depletion of vegetation. The extinction of tigers would lead to an unchecked increase in prey species, resulting in overgrazing that depletes plant life and disrupts the habitat. Dr. Sandhu’s work illustrates how the balance maintained by tigers is essential for the health of their ecosystems, emphasizing the cascading effects of their loss.

Alteration of Vegetation

The removal of apex predators can lead to significant changes in vegetation patterns. Overgrazing by prey species causes a decline in plant diversity and abundance, which in turn affects other species that rely on these plants for food and shelter. In Tiger Tryst: A Fine Romance, Sandhu describes how the Bengal tiger’s hunting habits contribute to the maintenance of plant communities, underscoring the impact of their absence on vegetation and the broader ecosystem.

Disruption of Food Webs

Food webs are intricate systems of energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems. Apex predators are integral to these webs, influencing the abundance and behavior of other species. The extinction of a key predator can disrupt these webs, leading to imbalances and changes in species interactions. Dr. Sandhu’s narrative reveals the Bengal tiger’s role in the food web, demonstrating how its loss would affect the entire network of species dependent on it.

Impact on Biodiversity

The extinction of wildlife species leads to a decline in biodiversity, weakening ecosystems and reducing their resilience to environmental changes. Each species contributes to the complexity and stability of ecosystems, and their loss can lead to the disappearance of other species and the collapse of ecological functions. Tiger Tryst: A Fine Romance highlights the Bengal tiger’s role in supporting a diverse array of life, showing how its extinction would result in the erosion of biodiversity and the degradation of ecological health.

Effects on Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem services, such as water regulation, soil fertility, and climate regulation, are influenced by the health of ecosystems. The extinction of species can alter these services, affecting human communities that rely on them. For example, changes in vegetation due to prey overpopulation can impact water cycles and soil quality. Dr. Sandhu’s work underscores the Bengal tiger’s role in sustaining ecosystem services, illustrating how its loss would have broader implications for both wildlife and human populations. The extinction of wildlife species disrupts the fragile balance of ecosystems, leading to significant consequences for ecological health and biodiversity. Dr. Param Sandhu’s Tiger Tryst: A Fine Romance provides valuable insights into the role of the tiger in maintaining ecosystem stability and highlights the broader impacts of species loss. Understanding the interconnectedness of species and the importance of conservation efforts is crucial for preserving the health and functionality of our planet’s ecosystems. By safeguarding wildlife and their habitats, we protect the intricate web of life that sustains both natural environments and human well-being.