Why humans are so bad at thinking about climate change
The article discusses the need for a new approach to addressing climate change, as the current doom-and-gloom messaging is not effectively engaging people. The author suggests learning from past successes, such as the ozone layer crisis, and making the invisible problem of greenhouse gases more visible. The article also highlights the power of social competition and behavioral nudges in encouraging energy conservation. Overall, the author emphasizes the importance of embracing what makes us human and moving from apathy to action in tackling climate change.
Why you dont hear about the ozone layer anymore
The article discusses the discovery of a hole in the ozone layer in the 1980s and the subsequent efforts to heal it. It highlights the role of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in causing the depletion of ozone and the global cooperation through the Montreal Protocol to reduce their consumption. While the ozone hole is expected to fully recover by 2065, the article emphasizes the ongoing challenge of climate change and the need for collective action to address it.
The fascinating physics of boat wakes
The article explains the physics behind the unique shape of water wakes. Water waves travel at different speeds due to dispersion, causing slower waves to create narrow, closely spaced V-shaped wakes, and faster waves to create wider V-shaped wakes that are further apart. When all these different patterns are combined, they result in the distinct feathery ripple pattern of water wakes.
Natures fortress How cacti keep water in and predators out
Cacti have evolved various adaptations to survive in harsh desert climates. Their spines serve multiple functions, including reducing water loss, shading the plant, and acting as an insulating layer. Cacti also have thick skin and specialized root systems that allow them to store water and quickly take up available water after rainfall. These adaptations enable cacti to thrive in a range of environments, from the driest desert to the tropical rainforest.
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a tale of enduring love, where Florentino waits fifty years to be with Fermina, despite her marriage to another man.
Silas Marner by George Eliot
Silas Marner is a tale of a lonely weaver who finds solace in his hoarded gold, until a stolen child brings warmth and love back into his life.
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
“Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier is a suspenseful novel about a young woman who marries a wealthy widower, only to be haunted by his deceased first wife, Rebecca.
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
“The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck is a classic novel set in rural China, following the life of a poor farmer named Wang Lung and his struggles, successes, and transformation.
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
The Sun Also Rises follows a group of disillusioned expatriates in post-World War I Paris as they travel to Pamplona, Spain, for the annual bullfighting festival, exploring themes of love, masculinity, and the lost generation.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
In the fifth installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry faces challenges as he forms a secret group, the Order of the Phoenix, to fight against Lord Voldemort’s return.