Sustainability
How To Save Money And Improve Your Health By Growing A Variety Of Food
I have always loved nature and wanted to live a simple and sustainable life. That's why I decided to move to Mondulkiri Province, the largest and most sparsely populated province in Cambodia, where I could grow my own food in the heart of the jungle.
By Freddie's Lost Treasures3 years ago in Earth
Flooding in Libya. Content Warning.
Another devastating natural disaster has struck North Africa, following closely on the heels of the deadly earthquake in Morocco. Libya is now grappling with severe flooding that has destroyed entire villages and claimed the lives of thousands of people. Footage from the region reveals collapsed buildings, submerged cars, and torrents of water rushing through the streets. The Libyan National Army and health officials estimate that over 2,000 people have been killed and 5,000 to 6,000 are missing. However, due to the inaccessibility of many areas and the lack of communication, these numbers cannot be verified. The city of Derna has been particularly hard hit, with two bridges collapsed, three destroyed, and phone lines still down. The storm system dumped approximately eight months' worth of rain in just one day. Greece also experienced catastrophic flooding last week, which was captured in staggering pictures. According to the head of Libya's emergency and ambulance services, there was no warning for people to evacuate or prepare for the impending disaster. He acknowledged the lack of preparedness and failure to study weather conditions, sea level rise, and the potential impact of the storm. Many are questioning the role of negligence in this situation, as residents woke up in the middle of the night to find their homes flooded, some with water levels reaching up to three meters. The situation has left people desperate to find a way to escape, while search and rescue teams face challenges due to isolated areas and communication difficulties. Additionally, two burst dams in the city of Donna have further exacerbated the disaster, causing more flooding and destruction. Roads and houses are being washed away, and authorities report that there are still bodies lying around, making it difficult to determine the exact death toll, which currently stands at over 2,000, with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people missing. The United Nations, Turkey, UAE, and Qatar are providing assistance on the ground. Storm Daniel has wreaked havoc not only in Libya but also in Greece and Turkey in recent days, and it is now moving towards northern Egypt, where an additional 50 millimeters of rainfall is expected in the next two days. The severity of the flooding in Derna can be understood by considering that the city normally receives this amount of rainfall in September alone. The military has barely reached ten millimeters. These numbers are unprecedented. Search and rescue is crucial for reaching people in need. Communication lines such as phone, internet, and power are all down, making it extremely challenging to provide assistance. The pictures we are witnessing are truly shocking, and the devastation is widespread. Eleni, what additional measures can be taken to coordinate aid in this country? Libya has been in political turmoil for quite some time now. Is there a centralized system that allows communication between the east and west to determine the next steps? It's important to remember that the Libyan National Army controls the east, while the internationally recognized government controls the west. These factions have been competing for power for a long time, resulting in a clear communication disconnect. However, we do know that the west has declared three days of mourning in response to this tragedy. Clearly, this event is taking place in a country experiencing significant political unrest. However, it is crucial for the people to unite and strategize their next steps. The fact that there is already international cooperation is a positive development. Nevertheless, more efforts are required, Paula, as the search and rescue operations are still ongoing. The catastrophe is expected to persist for at least the next two days. Subsequently, the focus will shift to the cleanup process. However, it is important to consider the aftermath of this catastrophic situation, which resembles an apocalyptic scenario. Villages, including Derna and Benghazi, are being severely affected, with some completely submerged underwater. This situation is comparable to a major storm or hurricane striking the United States.
By Fred Ferguson Antoine 3 years ago in Earth
Why Can't We Drink Seawater?
Introduction One color dominates our image of our planet when we look at it from the expanse of space: blue. It is understandable why Earth is frequently referred to as the "Blue Planet" given that water covers over 75 percent of its surface. Unbelievably, 96.5 percent of this water is confined in the oceans and is unfit for human consumption. Why then is ocean water salty and unsafe to drink? In this essay, we'll examine the intriguing causes of seawater's salinity and how they affect our attempts to quench our thirst with it.
By Darlington Sunday3 years ago in Earth
The Time-Traveling Garden
In the heart of the picturesque countryside, hidden away from the bustling world, lay a quaint cottage with a garden that whispered secrets from centuries past. The cottage had been in the Anderson family for generations, and the garden had always been considered a place of solace and wonder.
By Mahmudul Hasan3 years ago in Earth
Guardians of the Horns
In the heart of the African savannah, where the golden grasses stretched out as far as the eye could see, lived the magnificent and endangered rhinoceros. These gentle giants, the second-largest land mammals on Earth after elephants, were a testament to the grandeur of nature.
By rachel ndlela3 years ago in Earth
The Inconvenient Truth You Need to Face Now: Climate Change Impacts Happening Faster Than Predicted
The Inconvenient Truth We Can No Longer Ignore For decades, scientists have been sounding the alarm about the grave impacts of unchecked climate change. Careful research revealed a disturbing future of rising seas, intensifying storms, worsening wildfires and drought if we failed to curb carbon emissions.
By Efosa Prince 3 years ago in Earth
The Healing Power of Nature: How Ecotherapy Can Improve Your Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Nature is an often-overlooked cure for the pressures and strains of modern existence in a world full of the hustle and bustle of daily life, where devices dominate our attention and concrete jungles surround us. Ecotherapy offers a way to enhanced mental and emotional wellbeing that is both exciting and incredibly effective by utilizing the healing power of nature.
By Samuel Assan3 years ago in Earth
“A Love Letter to Mother Earth
In a world dominated by concrete jungles and bustling cities, there lived a woman named Emily who felt a deep connection to the natural world. She often found herself longing for the serene embrace of the wilderness, a place where she could be free from the constant noise and distractions of urban life. To her, nature was not just a backdrop; it was a living, breathing entity that deserved her love and care.
By Donald Etim3 years ago in Earth
The Climate Summit COP 28 promises to be transformational
Before I left the World Bank in 2015, the Washington based organization organized an event called “Should the World Bank President be a Private Sector CEO?” While this panel generated a lot of animosity and anger, in May 2023, the World Bank chose a Wall Street CEO, Mr. Banga as the new President. It is becoming clearer that poverty reduction, and sustainable development need more private sector and capital markets expertise and tools. And the market is adjusting to this new reality. Similarly, global decarbonization and climate change adaptation, needs to be tackled from the source up with greater private sector leadership. The great work that International Financial Institutions have done together with civil society groups, needs support from oil and gas producers as they have the financial resources and now the market incentives to become part of the solution.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Earth




