#environmental management course

[dy-patil-university-navi-mumbai]

Explore the Future of Creativity and Sustainability with Specialized Bachelor’s Programs

In today’s dynamic world, the need for innovative design, effective environmental management, and captivating multimedia content is more critical than ever. Pursuing a specialized bachelor’s degree in these fields can open doors to a multitude of career opportunities.

Let's explore three unique undergraduate programs like BSc in Product Design, Environmental Management, and Bachelor’s in Multimedia and Animation, which are shaping the future of these industries.

BSc in Product Design: Crafting Tomorrow’s Innovations

A Bachelor of Science in Product Design equips students with the skills needed to create innovative and functional products that enhance user experience and meet market demands. This program blends creativity with technical knowledge, allowing students to understand design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.

Key Aspects of BSc in Product Design:

Design Principles and Techniques: Students learn about design methodologies, user-centered design, and prototyping, enabling them to create impactful products.

Material Science and Sustainability: Understanding the properties of various materials and their environmental impact is crucial in today’s eco-conscious market.

Industry Collaboration: Many programs offer opportunities to work with industry partners, providing real-world experience and networking opportunities.

Environmental Management Course: Leading the Path to a Sustainable Future

The Environmental Management course prepares students to address global environmental challenges and develop strategies for sustainable resource management. As businesses and governments prioritize sustainability, expertise in this field is increasingly sought after.

Core Components of Environmental Management:

Sustainability Practices: Students learn about sustainable development, environmental policies, and conservation techniques that promote ecological balance.

Impact Assessment: The course covers methodologies to assess environmental impacts of projects, ensuring compliance with regulations and minimizing negative effects.

Resource Management: Focuses on efficient management of natural resources, emphasizing renewable energy and waste reduction strategies.

BSc in Multimedia and Animation: Bringing Creativity to Life

The BSc in Multimedia and Animation offers a dynamic blend of art, technology, and storytelling. This program is designed for creative individuals who want to master digital tools to produce engaging animations and multimedia content.

Highlights of BSc in Multimedia and Animation:

Digital Art and Animation: Students develop skills in digital drawing, 3D modelling, and animation techniques, bringing their creative visions to life.

Interactive Media: The program covers the creation of interactive content for games, websites, and virtual reality applications.

Storytelling and Visual Communication: Emphasizes the importance of narrative and visual aesthetics in crafting compelling stories and messages.

DYPU: A Gateway to Excellence in Education

D Y Patil University (DYPU) Navi Mumbai stands at the forefront of providing quality education in these innovative fields. Offering state-of-the-art facilities and a curriculum designed to meet industry standards, DYPU prepares students to excel in their chosen careers.

Why Choose DYPU for Your Bachelor’s Degree?

Industry-Relevant Curriculum: DYPU ensures that its courses remain relevant to current industry trends and technologies, providing students with a competitive edge.

Experienced Faculty: Learn from industry veterans and academic experts who bring real-world insights into the classroom.

Career Opportunities: With strong ties to industry partners, DYPU offers excellent internship and job placement opportunities, setting the stage for a successful career.

Whether you're drawn to designing products, managing environmental resources, or creating multimedia content, DYPU offers programs that cater to your interests and career aspirations. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, DYPU is the ideal place to start your journey toward a rewarding and impactful career.

[naseerm]

Environmental Training course in Qatar for the Greener Tomorrow

Shape a Green World with TUTIS

Our state-of-the-art Environmental training center offers immersive programs focused on sustainability, conservation, and eco-friendly practices.

[theiibms]

[they-call-me-hippie]

I don't know about you, but if someone insinuated I am sheltered for not wanting to drink alcohol as a child or that it's normal cultural practice to illegally offer alcohol to your underage children I'd kill them. I'd just murder you! Deserved!

[trainingmasters]

Training, consulting services: Part of tertiary sectors its significance

The proven and effective approach of improvising the efficiency of organizational relationship building and the performance of the staff and team members is generally achieved through systematic training either by in-house training or by enrolling in a training center. This process is an effective method to bring about positive changes in an organization. Although training and consultancy services have meanings and definitions that differ theoretically, and practically they are closely related to human resources and business management.

While training can be said to bring about changes through instruction and learning where development is associated with the progress of the organization. Features of training have connections to ancient civilizations, where certain things were taught in order to achieve and accomplish the desired goals. The next phase in the evolution of training was by the method of trial and error, that is a method or strategy would be proposed and implemented to see how it works out and modifications were later brought about to correct the flaws or it would be totally removed if it work. However, this was replaced by the semi-modern era, where new training methods such as television, computers, analysis of case studies, and voluntary role-playing came into extensive usage and became actively integrated into almost all industries. The later part of the 20 century gave way to allied research topics, and then evolved team training, cross-training, and individual bespoke training.

Then in the next phase, the concept of analysing the impact of training was conducted to find out if the process needed any more amendments or would be good enough to achieve the desired goals. The intention of bringing into focus this aspect was to find out how the employees who underwent training perceived and implemented the concepts taught in the training programs. Nevertheless, this new concept encouraged the gathering of information for the evaluation, of the implemented training sessions. The inclusion of cross-cultural training, individual employee bespoke training led to the framing of novel and innovative training programs which grew increasingly popular, thereby influencing the employees with the concept of lifelong learning.

Training centres like the training masters further developed these concepts into more sophisticated and advanced methodologies and meticulously framed training that offers customized training in segments like WSQ food hygiene course, people and performance management, cleaning service, effectiveness management, leadership training, and much more.

[ascensusinstitute]

Insights and significance of business education

Business although is an activity that is generally done with a practical approach considering the day-to-day activities of trade. In such cases, we do have examples of achieving success to an extent, but all the same, there are certain areas of business that needs a theoretical base too. In order to compensate and make up for this lacking, a systematic method of business education involving the skills that are essential to managing a company or a business successfully is very much needed.

Learning and understanding the different departments and workings that are required to make up a successful company can be achieved by taking up a proven and strategic business curriculum, which is efficient and accurate and delivers the necessary requisites. This diploma in business management education package involves more practical elements like on-site visits, internships, learn-by-doing, and so on.  This apart-spirited importance is given to practical business experience, along with studying. This kind of mock helps them to work out and will provide a chance to apply the acquired knowledge in practicality. 

Another important aspect that one can accomplish is gaining an insight into those business areas and attaining the knack of analyzing the department interconnections, how each one of the sectors will set different goals, and how they will be lined up towards a common business accomplishment, and so on. The fact that the departments collaborate with each other to achieve common business goals is something that can only be learned by practical experience and this is augmented by a theoretical base shall prove to be very helpful to carry out a business successfully.

Post graduate diploma also offers valuable benefits and develops significant knowledge about different business operations whilst improving very essential core business skills like proper and effective communication, precise time management, and organization which are undoubtedly very critical in running and managing a business. Since these kinds of business education programs are designed to offer in-depth knowledge of functional areas of a trade or business, they ultimately develop managerial, communiqué, and most importantly decision-making capabilities.

AAARYA Business College is one such Environmental Training Institute where the aspirants begin their learning journey. They are exposed to attaining that kind of learning methodology that greatly enhances business knowledge, skills, and attitude. Offering and imparting 6-month diploma courses in Singapore by qualified, well-experienced educationalists, AAARYA Business College, nurtures every aspirant by empowering them to realize their learning goals.

[yandere-daydreams]

tw - blood, mentions of death, slight kidnapping, and spoilers for dungeon meshi.

You could remember Laios once mentioning that dragons mate for life.

It would've been impossible to remember why he brought it up, whether you'd been foolish enough to ask him or if he'd offered the unwanted information in a more general conversation on monster behavior, but the fact stuck. Dragons, like most birds and reptiles, mated for life, and were unlikely to take another partner if their first died. You remembered thinking that it made sense, at the time. Like most monsters in the dungeon, dragons relied on a cycle of reincarnation and didn't age, meaning there was no environmental pressure to reproduce. And, even if it was only on some base, animalistic level, the reincarnation cycle meant that dragons knew their fallen mates would eventually return, even if they would have to wait a few months, a few years, a few decades. If you'd been a kinder person, you might've went so far as to call it romantic.

Dragons mate for life. You guessed that went for Falin too, now - or, the vicious creature that was wearing her face, at least.

You could only be thankful that you didn't have very long left to live.

You could feel it coming. Falin had managed to get you away from the battlefield, but you'd been injured in the fight - whether by her claws or an ally's sword, you couldn't be sure. Blood was rushing out of the deep gash stretching across your chest without reservation, soaking into the leather of your armor and pooling on the stone floor beneath you. You couldn't remember how you got hurt, and you couldn't remember how you'd gotten here, either - to a bell tower tall enough to overlook most of the abandoned city, decorated only with a few colorless feathers and bones you could only hope belonged to yet another wretched creature. Your vision was fogged and dim, your arms too heavy to raise and your legs too numb to move, but you were almost thankful for the paralysis - it kept the worst of the pain at bay. You were thankful to die, too, even if you knew you shouldn't be. There'd be no one to resurrect you, no one to drag your lifeless body back to the surface, but you didn't mind. If you died here, it would mean that you'd never have to find out just how many lives were ended because of a monster with Falin's face, her hands, her magic. If you died here, you'd never have to see the creature she'd become again.

You tried to close your eyes, to let go of the last of your strength before it could be taken from you forcibly, but the sound of talons scraping against stone brought what was left of your conscious back to the surface. With no small amount of effort, you managed to turn your head to the bell tower's largest window - or, more accurately, to Falin, perched on the stone ledge, taking care to tuck her wings against her side in a way that was not totally unsimilar to how she used to take precious seconds to comb her finds through the knots in your hair. Her wounds were still fresh, many of her ivory feather still soaked with red, and she was already looking at you, already smiling so gently that your heart might've beat a little faster, had it been able to beat at all. Despite yourself, you smiled back as you met her eyes. Your smile had never been quite as pretty as hers, of course, but she'd always liked it when you could pretend to believe it was.

Your kept your eyes locked with hers as she approached, the movements of her great body slow, only somewhat labored. The floor of the bell tower shook as she lowered herself to your height, her hand coming down to cup your cheek. You couldn't stop yourself. You leaned into her palm, into her warmth, letting out a rattling exhale as her thumb traced idle patterns into your skin. Maybe she would be kind enough to put you out of your misery a few seconds early, but even if she didn't, you wouldn't mind. So long as you could die in Falin's arms, you'd be happy.

Her lips didn't move. She didn't move. She said nothing, did nothing, and yet, with little more warning than a dull, green glow in the corner of your vision as warning, you felt warmth flood out of her skin and into yours. There was a single bolt of pure, unforgiving agony around the edges of your injury and then, nothing.

For a second, you let yourself believe that you were dead. Falin killed you, and you were dead. You had to be dead.

Your gaze shot back to Falin. Her smile didn't waver, but her hand fell away from your cheek and found your own. Tenderly, she brought to her chest and with her free hand, slid something onto your finger. It took you a moment to recognize the cold burn of chilled metal, the way the ring glinted gold when it caught the light. It was her ring - the ring you'd given her after Marcille's resurrection, the ring you'd fumbled into her palm as you asked her to marry you, then apologized for not having a matching pair.

And then, something hot and thick caught in your throat and you lurched forward, coughing into your hands. By the time you pulled away, your palms were fleshed with bloody tissue and the gash across your chest was gone, replaced with a blank expanse of exposed, in-tact skin. She'd healed you.

She refused to let you die.

She cupped your hand, when she was done, her eyes darting up to meet yours. When she spoke, her voice was hoarse, low, a poor imitation of something wonderful. If you hadn't been so terrified, you might've called it beautiful.

"My love."

[fagrackham]

ok couldnt even take the fake slc math class i wanted to take so fuck that ig

[pacificsafety]

Pacific Institute of Safety and Health offers a 100% online Certificate Course in Occupational Health and Safety Management on their learning platform. As it offers lifetime validity, this government certification can be used for many years to come. The Certificate Course in Occupational Health and Safety Management course is ideal for managers and professionals who want to prevent workplace diseases and injuries. You can even use this course to review and resolve workplace hazards.

[featherwurm]

I'm going to get a lot more personal on here than I usually do:

Baulder's Gate 3, and especially Karlach, make me feel seen in a way no price of media I've ever engaged with before has. It's a big reason why I love it and why it's sticking with me like it is. I too am a big, loud, enthusiastic woman who says out of pocket shit. I have a heavy internal dialogue with myself. I have a temper, I'm bisexual, I love cute shit. I endured years of being utterly touch starved. I love sex and food and being alive...

I also have cancer; it's Follicular B-Cell Lymphoma. I was diagnosed in 2020 when it had reached stage 3A. It's currently under control after chemo* and I'm living my life normally. But while it's a very treatable kind of cancer, it's not fully curable**. There's nothing in me they can remove (it's my whole lymphatic system that's broken) and no drug currently that can wholly knock it out. It's cause is not known (genetically or environmentally), and its unusual for this type of cancer to affect someone as young as I am (I was diagnosed at 35 - it's much more common 65+***). So every three months I go into oncology and they check my blood and symptoms and see if I'm doing ok. I get imaging and biopsies occasionally too. This will go on until I'm not ok (hopefully a long time yet). I'll have to have still manageable but more invasive treatment the next time around. It's a well researched kind of cancer, and my oncologist hopes that in the next decade there may be some more permanent cure for it.

So you can see where I'm going with this. When you hit Karlach's monologue after killing Gortash, I've never felt better understood. I have no one to blame for my condition, no revenge arc of course, but the very same fear, frustration, grief, and anger are all things my husband has heard from me. I've never seen a more beautiful and moving and real exploration of the topic that resonates with me so meaningfully out of a piece of fiction that I love. Béart's performance is amazing - capturing a whole spectrum of emotion.

Karlach's story is absolutely not incomplete as written, confirmed by both the devs and Sam Béart - a terminal condition is just that. You don't get to fix or save her, you get to go with her through tremendous trial and difficulty. If you want to continue that story in your mind that's great (I know I'm eager to do so, for my own personal encouragement if nothing else) but on it's own it's a whole story about coming to terms with something that doesn't have a quick and easy little fetch-quest resolution.

So - every time I see another whinging post/essay/bitchfest about how her story feels "unfinished" or "incomplete" or "has too much cut content" you can see why I might take it a bit personally - knowing that the life I have, the easy solutions I don't get, and the frustration and grief I live with is seen as incorrect and wrong and bad writing makes me a little pissed off. If you think the story is incomplete as told and think a 'third engine upgrade' is missing you completely missed the point.

Karlach doesn't get a simple easy ending because people like me**** don't get that either. And like my husband and the others who love me you can choose to follow that story anyway. And that's fucking beautiful.

*Yeah dealing with cancer and undergoing chemo during a pandemic was really a peach.

**XKCD hits the nail on the head here and here.

***Current treatments have good decade long prognoses... but saying 'you'll probably be fine for the next 10 years' is a lot different at 35 than it is at 65.

****And believe me I've heard from a lot of chronic/terminally ill folks who love the game for the way it represents these things and feel the same, with her Gale, and Shadowheart too.

[dy-patil-university-navi-mumbai]

Exploring Diverse Educational Paths with Environmental Studies, Public Health, and Event Management in Mumbai

In today's dynamic world, education is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about exploring diverse fields that align with one's passions and career goals. Whether a person is drawn to the intricacies of the environment, the complexities of public health or the excitement of event management, Mumbai offers a plethora of options to nurture those types of interests. Let's delve into three exciting courses that promise to shape a student’s future in Environmental Studies, Bachelor of Public Health and Event Management respectively.

The Significance of Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies is more than just learning about nature. It’s an interdisciplinary field that addresses the critical issues facing our planet. As climate change, pollution and deforestation become pressing concerns, the need for environmental experts is on the rise. This course equips students with the knowledge and skills to analyze environmental problems and develop sustainable solutions.

Imagine studying the effects of global warming or exploring renewable energy sources. An Environmental Studies course allows an individual to delve into these topics, combining science, policy and social science to understand and mitigate environmental challenges. If a person is passionate about making a positive impact on the planet, this course is the perfect gateway to a fulfilling career in environmental conservation, policy-making along with consultancy.

Embracing the Bachelor of Public Health

The health of the population is a crucial concern, especially in the wake of global health crises. A Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) degree focuses on preventing diseases, prolonging life and promoting health through organized efforts and informed choices. This course is ideal for those who wish to contribute to the well-being of communities on a large scale.

Students of public health learn about epidemiology, biostatistics, health services and social sciences. The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of health issues and effective strategies to address them. Whether it’s developing vaccination programs, conducting health education campaigns or researching disease prevention methods, a BPH degree opens doors to numerous rewarding career paths in public health organizations, NGOs and government agencies.

Diving into Event Management in Mumbai

Mumbai, the city of dreams, is also a hub for events and celebrations. From corporate conferences to glamorous weddings, the event management industry in Mumbai is booming. Pursuing an Event Management course in this vibrant city offers unparalleled opportunities to learn and grow in a dynamic environment.

Event management is all about planning, organizing and executing events of all sizes. This course covers various aspects such as budgeting, logistics, marketing and customer service. Students gain hands-on experience through internships and live projects, ensuring they are well-prepared to handle real-world challenges. If a person has a flair for creativity, excellent organizational skills and a passion for bringing ideas to life, an event management course in Mumbai can set an exciting career path with a guarantee.

Conclusion

Choosing the right educational path is crucial for a fulfilling career. Whether you are inclined towards environmental conservation, public health, or event management, there are specialized courses designed to hone relevant skills and knowledge. D Y Patil Deemed to be University in Navi Mumbai is one such institution offering a range of programs to cater to diverse interests. Explore these exciting fields and embark on a journey of learning and growth that aligns with your passions.

[reasonsforhope]

Note: Reasons to Be Cheerful has had weirdly huge formatting issues for the past six or so months, so if that version is a mess, this link should work better.

"Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), the Sunshine State’s largest power utility, employs all the people you might expect: electricians, lineworkers, mechanical engineers — and a few you might not. For over 40 years, the company has kept a team of wildlife biologists on staff. Their task? Monitoring the giant carnivorous reptiles that reside in one of the state’s nuclear power plants. 

Saving the American Crocodile

What sounds like a low-budget creature feature is actually a wildly successful conservation story. It goes like this: In 1975, the shy and reclusive American crocodile was facing extinction. Over-hunting and habitat decline caused by encroaching development had pushed its numbers to a record low. By 1975, when it was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, there were only 200 to 300 left. 

Three years later, in 1978, workers at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant in Homestead, Florida happened upon something that must have made them gasp: a crocodile nest along one of the plant’s 5,900-acre “cooling canals.” Rather than drive the crocs away — perhaps the easiest solution — FPL hired a team of biologists and implemented a Crocodile Management Plan. Its goal was unconventional: provide a suitable habitat for the crocs within the workings of the nuclear power plant, allowing both to coexist.  

Over the course of the next 30 years, FPL’s wildlife biologists monitored nests, tagged hatchlings and generally created a hospitable environment for the reptiles. As it turned out, the plant’s cooling canals provided an ideal habitat: drained earth that never floods on which to lay eggs directly adjacent to water. Over the years, more and more crocs made the cooling canals home. By 1985, the nests at Turkey Point were responsible for 10 percent of American crocodile hatchlings in South Florida. In 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service downgraded the American crocodile’s status from endangered to threatened, singling out FPL for its efforts. 

The program continues to this day. To date, biologists have tagged some 7,000 babies born at the plant. In 2021, there were a record-setting 565 crocodile hatchlings at the Turkey Point facility. 

"Reconciliation Ecology"

Turkey Point’s efforts are an example of what is known in the conservation world as “reconciliation ecology.” Rather than create separate areas where nature or animals can thrive in isolation from humans, reconciliation ecology suggests that we can blend the rich natural world with the world of human activity. Michael Rosenzweig, an emeritus professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, was a leading force in establishing this concept. The author of Win-Win Ecology: How the Earth’s Species can Survive in the Midst of Human Enterprise, Rosenzweig has pointed out that although human encroachment has typically been considered a threat to biodiversity, the notion that the world must be either “holy” or “profane,” ecologically speaking, is simply not true.  

“In addition to its primary value as a conservation tool, reconciliation ecology offers a valuable social byproduct,” writes Rosenzweig in his first chapter. “It promises to reduce the endless bickering and legal wrangling that characterize environmental issues today.”

-via Reasons to Be Cheerful, May 5, 2022. Article continues below. All headings added by me for added readability.

Dr. Madhusudan Katti, an associate professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University, was inspired by Rosenzweig when he did his postdoc at Arizona State. Katti has now been in the field of reconciliation ecology for two decades and teaches classes on the subject. “To me it’s finding solutions to reconciling human development with biodiversity conservation,” Katti says.

This common ground between development and conservation can be consciously planned, like FPL managing a crocodile habitat at a nuclear power plant or the state-sponsored vertical gardens and commercial farms on high-rise buildings in Singapore. Other examples include the restoration of the coral reef around an undersea restaurant in Eilat, Israel, or recent legislation in New York City requiring patterned glass on high-rise buildings, making windows more visible to migratory birds. Other planned examples of reconciliation ecology can be more individually scaled: a rooftop garden in an urban setting, modifying your garden to earn a “backyard bird habitat” certification from the Audubon Society, or even just mowing your lawn less often...

Reconciliation Ecology: Nature's Already Doing It Without Us

But there are countless examples of “accidental” incidents of reconciliation ecology, as well. One of Katti’s favorites is the kit fox of California’s San Joaquin Valley. “The kit fox was one of the very first species listed on the Endangered Species Act,” Katti says. Its decline was caused by habitat loss through agricultural and industrial development, as well as the extermination of the gray wolf population, which led to an increase in coyotes. So kit foxes adapted and moved to new habitats. One of these was the city of Bakersfield, California.

“Bakersfield, surrounded by oil pumps, would be the last place you’d expect to find an endangered species,” Katti says. But researchers think kit foxes have migrated to Bakersfield because they actually have more protection there from predators like coyotes and bobcats. “The kit foxes have figured out that if they can tolerate the human disturbance and live with people, then they are safer from all these other predators,” he says. 

Living in the city has led to some interesting behavioral changes. In the wild, for instance, a female kit fox gives birth to her young and raises them by herself in a den. But in the city, researchers have observed multiple females raising their litters together in the same den. “It’s like a form of cooperative breeding,” Katti says. “That wouldn’t happen in the wild.” ...

The Big Picture: How We Think about Conservation

Reconciliation Ecology isn’t just we humans welcoming animals like crocodiles and foxes into our environments, though. It’s also living with nature in a way that most Western societies haven’t done since the Enlightenment. “In recent years, there’s been a recognition that the ‘fortress conservation’ model — keeping nature separated from humans and not thinking of or valuing human-inhabited landscapes — those ideas are outdated,” says Katti.

In fact, in Katti’s classes on reconciliation ecology, he embraces the notion of reconnecting people with their land if they have been unjustly separated from it. “The term reconciliation also applies to all the colonial legacies where both nature and people have been harmed,” Katti says. “For Indigenous communities, the harm done to ecosystems, it’s happened together. So you can talk about addressing both. That’s where a lot of my thinking is at the moment.” 

A hopeful version of this sort of reconciliation is happening in California where colleagues of Katti’s who are tribal members are re-introducing “tribal burns” in some areas. Controlled burns have been a part of many Indigenous cultures for millenia, both as a way to prevent devastating forest fires, but also to encourage the growth of certain plants like hazel that are used for basket-weaving and other crafts. 

“The notion that people don’t belong there and ‘let nature take care of itself’ doesn’t really work,” Katti says. “That’s the legacy of Western European Enlightenment thinking — a divide between human and nature. That is a real faulty view of nature. People have been part of the ecosystem forever.”

-via Reasons to Be Cheerful, May 5, 2022

[h2des]

Lemon Sharks

Spencer Reid x autistic!reader

Summary : Spencer comes home from a case and finds the reader exhausted.

Cw : Emotional exhaustion (?)

Word count : 551

A/n : This is my first time writing here! It’s very short. English is not my first language. Please let me know if you like it!

-------------------------------------------------------

The apartment is illuminated solely by the television's light. A documentary on marine wildlife has been circulating there for more than two hours. You must know it by heart by now.

Lemon sharks are named after their yellow-brown skin that helps them camouflage in the sandy, tropical waters they inhabit.

The day was anything but easy. This morning, the subway was unusually crowded. To run it all, your noise-cancelling headphones ran out of battery. Every noise was amplified in your head. This old man banging his cane against the ground, this lady loudly chewing her breakfast,... You mechanically pulled the skin of your thumb without even noticing it.

The day has only gotten worse. The usual work schedule is exceptionally changed by another. The only colleague you got along with left. And finally, your long-time boyfriend, Spencer, is still not home.

You thought about texting him, but you knew that on the jet, he probably wouldn’t get it. You missed him terribly. You missed your hugs. So you missed the way those hands stroked your hair. It’s been five days since you last saw him.

Sicklefin lemon sharks are highly adaptable and intelligent animals, and their behavior can vary depending on their habitat and environmental conditions.

Learning is one of the things you love the most in the world. Documentaries help a lot with that. You’re on your couch, a heavy blanket on the shoulders, eyes staring at the television absorbing every word of the presenter when the door opens.

"Hi" is the first word you hear from Spencer when he walks through the door. Your head is resting on the armrest and it seems too heavy at this time of day to lift it. You still manage to say a sleepy hello to your boyfriend. You can see him getting rid of his shoes and jacket before he heads to the living room. "I see that someone is tired" He said leaning against the couch to put a kiss on your forehead.

"Sorry, hard day. I can’t wait to hear yours" Your voice barely audible. Each syllable requires considerable affort to come out of your mouth. "Sure, but did you eat today and drink a minimum of 1 liter of water ?" It has occurred so many times to be immersed in something so intense that you fail to make yourself food or even drink water. "Yes, I didn’t forget anything this time! Did you take something to eat on the road ?" Spencer gently nods.

"What are you watching ?" Excitement takes over. "A documentary about Lemon Sharks! Did you know they could live more than 27 years ?!" He knows, of course, but pretended not to please you. You position yourself on the couch so that your boyfriend can sit behind you and softly rest your head on his thighs. His hands run through your hair. Forming circles that almost make you fall asleep. "Do you want to go to bed ?" He asks, his voice is sweet. You nod, eyes closed.

You are now in your bed, in comfortable clothes, your head rests on Spencer’s chest while he holds your hip firmly. Your eyes are close, his are on you. Everything seems to be better. "I missed you", were the last words heard before you fell asleep.

[theiibms]

"Empowering Change: The Impact of Environmental Studies Certification"

In an era where environmental issues have become a global concern the need for individuals equipped with the knowledge and skills to address these challenges has never been more critical. This is where certification in environmental studies comes. Environmental studies certification programs provide individuals with a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues and empower them to make a positive impact in the world.

Broadening understanding of environmental issues: Certificate in environmental studies consists of topics related to the environment. From climate change and biodiversity conservation to resource management and sustainable development. Learners learn about subjects such as environmental science, policy, ethics and sustainable practices. Through this course learners get an in-depth knowledge of the environment and its issues.

Enhancing skills for environmental problem solving: Not just theoretical knowledge but also practical skills are taught in this certificate course. Learners engage in fieldwork, data collection and analysis allowing them to gain hands-on experience through this certificate course. These programs often incorporate laboratory work, GIS mapping, environmental modelling and other technical tools used in environmental science. By gaining skills, certified individuals are better equipped to identify, analyse and solve environmental problems whether at a local, regional or global scale.

Promoting sustainable practices: Certification in environmental studies promotes sustainable practices by teaching learners about it. Certified learners are trained to evaluate the environmental impact of industries, business, organisation’s and develop strategies to minimise negative effects. They play a crucial role in promoting sustainability in areas such as renewable energy, waste management, water conservation and green infrastructure development. Certified professionals can guide businesses and communities toward more sustainable practices, helping reduce ecological footprints and pave the way for a greener future.

Career advancement and opportunities: As the world becomes increasingly environmentally conscious the demand for professionals with expertise in environmental studies is growing rapidly. Obtaining certification in this field can significantly enhance career prospects. Whether in the public or private sector certified environmental professionals are sought after by organisations committed to sustainability. Individuals with environmental studies certification can pursue specialised roles such as environmental analysts, sustainability coordinators, conservation scientists and environmental educators.

Network and collaboration: Certification programs in environmental studies often provide opportunities for networking and collaboration among like-minded people. Learners get the chance to connect with experts, professors and fellow students who share a common passion for environmental issues. These connections can lead to collaborations, research partnerships and mentorship opportunities. Engaging with a network of professionals working in various environmental fields allows individuals to stay up-to-date with the latest research, trends and best practices, fostering ongoing personal and professional growth.

Fieldwork and Practical Experience: Many certification programs in environmental studies incorporate fieldwork, internships or research projects to provide practical experience. Fieldwork allows participants to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, conduct environmental assessments, collect data and analyse samples. These hands-on experiences help develop critical thinking, problem-solving and research skills while also providing insights into the practical challenges of working in the environmental field.

Continuing Education and Professional Development: Environmental studies is a rapidly evolving field, and staying updated with the latest research, technologies, and best practices is essential. Many certified environmental professionals engage in continuing education and professional development activities to expand their knowledge and skills. This can include attending conferences, workshops and seminars pursuing advanced degrees or participating in online courses and webinars related to emerging environmental topics.

Global Recognition: Environmental studies certifications are recognized globally allowing individuals to apply their knowledge and skills in various geographical locations. The principles and concepts covered in these programs are relevant across borders as environmental issues transcend national boundaries. This global recognition opens up opportunities for international collaborations, research partnerships and career mobility.

Impact and Influence: Graduates of environmental studies certification programs have the potential to make a significant impact in their respective fields. By understanding the complex interactions between human activities and the environment, certified professionals can influence policy decisions, develop sustainable practices, raise awareness and advocate for positive change. Their expertise is invaluable in addressing environmental challenges and working towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

Conclusion

Certification in environmental studies plays a crucial role in building a sustainable future. By providing individuals with a deep understanding of environmental issues, practical problem-solving skills and the ability to promote sustainable practices, these programs empower graduates to contribute meaningfully to environmental conservation.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Apple fucked us on right to repair (again)

Today (September 22), I'm (virtually) presenting at the DIG Festival in Modena, Italy. Tonight, I'll be in person at LA's Book Soup for the launch of Justin C Key's "The World Wasn’t Ready for You." On September 27, I'll be at Chevalier's Books in Los Angeles with Brian Merchant for a joint launch for my new book The Internet Con and his new book, Blood in the Machine.

Right to repair has no cannier, more dedicated adversary than Apple, a company whose most innovative work is dreaming up new ways to sneakily sabotage electronics repair while claiming to be a caring environmental steward, a lie that covers up the mountains of e-waste that Apple dooms our descendants to wade through.

Why does Apple hate repair so much? It's not that they want to poison our water and bodies with microplastics; it's not that they want to hasten the day our coastal cities drown; it's not that they relish the human misery that accompanies every gram of conflict mineral. They aren't sadists. They're merely sociopathically greedy.

Tim Cook laid it out for his investors: when people can repair their devices, they don't buy new ones. When people don't buy new devices, Apple doesn't sell them new devices. It's that's simple:

https://www.inverse.com/article/52189-tim-cook-says-apple-faces-2-key-problems-in-surprising-shareholder-letter

So Apple does everything it can to monopolize repair. Not just because this lets the company gouge you on routine service, but because it lets them decide when your phone is beyond repair, so they can offer you a trade-in, ensuring both that you buy a new device and that the device you buy is another Apple.

There are so many tactics Apple gets to use to sabotage repair. For example, Apple engraves microscopic Apple logos on the subassemblies in its devices. This allows the company to enlist US Customs to seize and destroy refurbished parts that are harvested from dead phones by workers in the Pacific Rim:

https://repair.eu/news/apple-uses-trademark-law-to-strengthen-its-monopoly-on-repair/

Of course, the easiest way to prevent harvested components from entering the parts stream is to destroy as many old devices as possible. That's why Apple's so-called "recycling" program shreds any devices you turn over to them. When you trade in your old iPhone at an Apple Store, it is converted into immortal e-waste (no other major recycling program does this). The logic is straightforward: no parts, no repairs:

https://www.vice.com/en/article/yp73jw/apple-recycling-iphones-macbooks

Shredding parts and cooking up bogus trademark claims is just for starters, though. For Apple, the true anti-repair innovation comes from the most pernicious US tech law: Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

DMCA 1201 is an "anti-circumvention" law. It bans the distribution of any tool that bypasses "an effective means of access control." That's all very abstract, but here's what it means: if a manufacturer sticks some Digital Rights Management (DRM) in its device, then anything you want to do that involves removing that DRM is now illegal – even if the thing itself is perfectly legal.

When Congress passed this stupid law in 1998, it had a very limited blast radius. Computers were still pretty expensive and DRM use was limited to a few narrow categories. In 1998, DMCA 1201 was mostly used to prevent you from de-regionalizing your DVD player to watch discs that had been released overseas but not in your own country.

But as we warned back then, computers were only going to get smaller and cheaper, and eventually, it would only cost manufacturers pennies to wrap their products – or even subassemblies in their products – in DRM. Congress was putting a gun on the mantelpiece in Act I, and it was bound to go off in Act III.

Welcome to Act III.

Today, it costs about a quarter to add a system-on-a-chip to even the tiniest parts. These SOCs can run DRM. Here's how that DRM works: when you put a new part in a device, the SOC and the device's main controller communicate with one another. They perform a cryptographic protocol: the part says, "Here's my serial number," and then the main controller prompts the user to enter a manufacturer-supplied secret code, and the master controller sends a signed version of this to the part, and the part and the system then recognize each other.

This process has many names, but because it was first used in the automotive sector, it's widely known as VIN-Locking (VIN stands for "vehicle identification number," the unique number given to every car by its manufacturer). VIN-locking is used by automakers to block independent mechanics from repairing your car; even if they use the manufacturer's own parts, the parts and the engine will refuse to work together until the manufacturer's rep keys in the unlock code:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/24/rent-to-pwn/#kitt-is-a-demon

VIN locking is everywhere. It's how John Deere stops farmers from fixing their own tractors – something farmers have done literally since tractors were invented:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/05/08/about-those-kill-switched-ukrainian-tractors/

It's in ventilators. Like mobile phones, ventilators are a grotesquely monopolized sector, controlled by a single company Medtronic, whose biggest claim to fame is effecting the world's largest tax inversion in order to manufacture the appearance that it is an Irish company and therefore largely untaxable. Medtronic used the resulting windfall to gobble up most of its competitors.

During lockdown, as hospitals scrambled to keep their desperately needed supply of ventilators running, Medtronic's VIN-locking became a lethal impediment. Med-techs who used donor parts from one ventilator to keep another running – say, transplanting a screen – couldn't get the device to recognize the part because all the world's civilian aircraft were grounded, meaning Medtronic's technicians couldn't swan into their hospitals to type in the unlock code and charge them hundreds of dollars.

The saving grace was an anonymous, former Medtronic repair tech, who built pirate boxes to generate unlock codes, using any housing they could lay hands on to use as a case: guitar pedals, clock radios, etc. This tech shipped these gadgets around the world, observing strict anonymity, because Article 6 of the EUCD also bans circumvention:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/07/10/flintstone-delano-roosevelt/#medtronic-again

Of course, Apple is a huge fan of VIN-locking. In phones, VIN-locking is usually called "serializing" or "parts-pairing," but it's the same thing: a tiny subassembly gets its own microcontroller whose sole purpose is to prevent independent repair technicians from fixing your gadget. Parts-pairing lets Apple block repairs even when the technician uses new, Apple parts – but it also lets Apple block refurb parts and third party parts.

For many years, Apple was the senior partner and leading voice in blocking state Right to Repair bills, which it killed by the dozen, leading a coalition of monopolists, from Wahl (who boobytrap their hair-clippers with springs that cause their heads irreversibly decompose if you try to sharpen them at home) to John Deere (who reinvented tenant farming by making farmers tenants of their tractors, rather than their land).

But Apple's opposition to repair eventually became a problem for the company. It's bad optics, and both Apple customers and Apple employees are volubly displeased with the company's ecocidal conduct. But of course, Apple's management and shareholders hate repair and want to block it as much as possible.

But Apple knows how to Think Differently. It came up with a way to eat its cake and have it, too. The company embarked on a program of visibly support right to repair, while working behind the scenes to sabotage it.

Last year, Apple announced a repair program. It was hilarious. If you wanted to swap your phone's battery, all you had to do was let Apple put a $1200 hold on your credit card, and then wait while the company shipped you 80 pounds' worth of specialized tools, packed in two special Pelican cases:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/05/22/apples-cement-overshoes/

Then, you swapped your battery, but you weren't done! After your battery was installed, you had to conference in an authorized Apple tech who would tell you what code to type into a laptop you tethered to the phone in order to pair it with your phone. Then all you had to do was lug those two 40-pound Pelican cases to a shipping depot and wait for Apple to take the hold off your card (less the $120 in parts and fees).

By contrast, independent repair outfits like iFixit will sell you all the tools you need to do your own battery swap – including the battery! for $32. The whole kit fits in a padded envelope:

https://www.ifixit.com/products/iphone-x-replacement-battery

But while Apple was able to make a showy announcement of its repair program and then hide the malicious compliance inside those giant Pelican cases, sabotaging right to repair legislation is a lot harder.

Not that they didn't try. When New York State passed the first general electronics right-to-repair bill in the country, someone convinced New York Governor Kathy Hochul to neuter it with last-minute modifications:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/12/weakened-right-to-repair-bill-is-signed-into-law-by-new-yorks-governor/

But that kind of trick only works once. When California's right to repair bill was introduced, it was clear that it was gonna pass. Rather than get run over by that train, Apple got on board, supporting the legislation, which passed unanimously:

https://www.ifixit.com/News/79902/apples-u-turn-tech-giant-finally-backs-repair-in-california

But Apple got the last laugh. Because while California's bill contains many useful clauses for the independent repair shops that keep your gadgets out of a landfill, it's a state law, and DMCA 1201 is federal. A state law can't simply legalize the conduct federal law prohibits. California's right to repair bill is a banger, but it has a weak spot: parts-pairing, the scourge of repair techs:

https://www.ifixit.com/News/69320/how-parts-pairing-kills-independent-repair

Every generation of Apple devices does more parts-pairing than the previous one, and the current models are so infested with paired parts as to be effectively unrepairable, except by Apple. It's so bad that iFixit has dropped its repairability score for the iPhone 14 from a 7 ("recommend") to a 4 (do not recommend):

https://www.ifixit.com/News/82493/we-are-retroactively-dropping-the-iphones-repairability-score-en

Parts-pairing is bullshit, and Apple are scum for using it, but they're hardly unique. Parts-pairing is at the core of the fuckery of inkjet printer companies, who use it to fence out third-party ink, so they can charge $9,600/gallon for ink that pennies to make:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/11/ink-stained-wretches-battle-soul-digital-freedom-taking-place-inside-your-printer

Parts-pairing is also rampant in powered wheelchairs, a heavily monopolized sector whose predatory conduct is jaw-droppingly depraved:

https://uspirgedfund.org/reports/usp/stranded

But if turning phones into e-waste to eke out another billion-dollar stock buyback is indefensible, stranding people with disabilities for months at a time while they await repairs is so obviously wicked that the conscience recoils. That's why it was so great when Colorado passed the nation's first wheelchair right to repair bill last year:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/06/when-drm-comes-your-wheelchair

California actually just passed two right to repair bills; the other one was SB-271, which mirrors Colorado's HB22-1031:

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB271

This is big! It's momentum! It's a start!

But it can't be the end. When Bill Clinton signed DMCA 1201 into law 25 years ago, he loaded a gun and put it on the nation's mantlepiece and now it's Act III and we're all getting sprayed with bullets. Everything from ovens to insulin pumps, thermostats to lightbulbs, has used DMCA 1201 to limit repair, modification and improvement.

Congress needs to rid us of this scourge, to let us bring back all the benefits of interoperability. I explain how this all came to be – and what we should do about it – in my new Verso Books title, The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation.

https://www.versobooks.com/products/3035-the-internet-con

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/22/vin-locking/#thought-differently

Image: Mitch Barrie (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Daytona_Skeleton_AR-15_completed_rifle_%2817551907724%29.jpg

CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

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