Unfortunately, the presence of man has led to destructive changes, but we still have a chance to change everything for the better.

The best thing that is happening today is changes in societies for the better, and the desire to change. Today, we see changes in waste management, environmental management, etc.

When we talk about the environment, it should be understood that it is not only the weather, it is animals, birds, and all living creatures on this earth.

The most interesting facts and figures about the environment:

• 27,000 trees are destroyed every day to produce toilet paper.
• Recycling one aluminum can could provide enough electricity to run a TV for at least 3 hours.
• 80 billion aluminum cans are used every day.
• Paper can be recycled only six times. After that, the fibers are too weak to hold shape.
• 40% of all water in the world is sold in bottles.
• A glass bottle made nowadays takes 4000 years to decompose.
• The oldest tree in the world is more than 4600 years old.
• Our planet is increasing by 77 million inhabitants annually.
• 35% of landfills consist of packaging materials.
• Rainforests are shrinking by 100 acres every minute.
• American companies alone use enough paper to wrap the earth three times. And it’s great that the business world is moving in a paperless direction in their work.
• Only one percent of the water on our planet can be used for drinking, 97% is in the ocean and another 2% is frozen water in the Arctic today.
• 30% percent of cold air disappears from your refrigerator when you open it.

These are just some facts and figures to understand how society still needs to do a lot to move towards sustainable development on the planet.

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For the experiment, plots in the Botanical Garden of the University of Bayreuth were provided with underfloor heating to cause additional frost changes. To the three natural changes in frost, the researchers added five artificial ones and then compared different areas.

Frequent changes between frost and dew, which are more likely to occur in winter due to climate change, can increase biomass production. This is the result of a new study by German researchers.

Researchers at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ), the University of Bayreuth, and the Helmholtz Center in Munich provided a surface for their experiment. In the University of Bayreuth Botanical Garden with underfloor heating, which led to five additional periods of dew in the winter. Ten percent more grass and other biomass grew later in the manipulated areas than in the control areas.

The increase in plant productivity can be explained by various factors, such as an increase in nitrogen reserves in the spring, the researchers write in the New Phytologist Journal.

Changing phases of frost and dew

Soils that are subject to freezing and thawing cycles as the seasons change now cover more than 55 million square kilometers. This is more than half of the total landmass of the northern hemisphere.

Forecasts such as The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report predict that global warming will be more likely to fluctuate around the freezing point in the future.

Changing the phases of frost and dew is considering one of the main factors in the release of nitrogen into the soil and, consequently, increases the activity of microbes.

Global warming and increased lack of insulating snow cover will exacerbate these changes.

However, apart from research from the north of Sweden, there are virtually no studies that study the significance of these plant change processes.

Due to global warming and the increasing lack of insulating snow cover, frost changes will intensify. However, there are hardly any studies that would investigate the significance of these plant metabolism processes.

Influence of extreme weather phenomena

Scientists from George Crailing of the University of Bayreuth have set up a test field on the outskirts of the city to study the effects of extreme weather events such as drought, heavy rainfall, and frost. The area lies in the transition zone between oceanic and continental climate. The average temperature here in January is -1 degrees Celsius.

One hundred plants of widespread grasses were planted on thirty out of four square meters of land. When the soil temperature dropping below zero for 48 hours, the soil was heating until the temperature rose above zero for 48 hours.

Artificial frosts

In addition to the three natural changes in frosts, the researchers added a total of five artificial ones and then compared different areas. The following summer, the plants were harvested twice, dried, and then weighed.

It turned out that the controlled areas produce ten percent more aboveground biomass than the control areas, where during the previous winter there were fewer changes between periods of frost and dew.

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The new Chinese coronavirus epidemic has not only stirred up the community and plunged the global economy into crisis. There is another area for which the spread of the virus does not pass without a trace.

Change in environmental pollution

Nature again reminded humanity of the fragility of the illusion of “economic growth.” We, as a species, remain vulnerable to most environmental factors.

At the same time, intensive technological development only exacerbates the situation and makes us vulnerable to threats that we cannot even see through a microscope in terms of size.

The spread of the coronavirus epidemic has led to a change in the “behavioral consumption model” of humanity. In the face of a direct threat, “economic growth” has receded into the background, and conservation and rational use of resources have become a priority. A change in the habitual way of life in local territories led to the expected consequences — a change in the level of environmental pollution.

NASA scientists focused the attention of the professional community on an interesting fact — aerospace monitoring recorded a sharp change in the average monthly concentrations of pollutants in the atmospheric air of China. The most striking and indicative is the change in the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

The effect of air quality on public health

There is a clear connection between the quality of atmospheric air and the health of the population, and in the case of an epidemic, the body’s ability to withstand immunity against infectious diseases.

Polluted air is clearly associated with the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases. Thus, infections are easier to “attack” a weakened and affected body than a healthy one.

The environmental factor in air pollution is not always associated with the prevalence of infectious diseases. Despite this, the state of the environment is one of the four key factors that shape individual (and collective) immunity. Therefore, long-term environmental pollution in the event of epidemics can significantly increase the prevalence and consequences of infectious diseases among the population.

This is exactly the picture we are seeing in China. In this region, a high level of air pollution has been observed for many years.

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Cell

Before you get a parrot cockatoo, you need to prepare for him a comfortable cage. Its size depends on the size of the bird – in her new home she should feel comfortable and spacious. Choosing a cage, it is also worth paying attention to the material from which it is made, as well as the thickness of the rods. It is best to give preference to the metal cage, as any other parrot can destroy with its powerful beak.

How to equip the cage?

Having bought a suitable cage for the cockatoo, it should be properly equipped. First of all, it is recommended to place a calcium bar in it – it is needed so that the bird can grind its powerful beak. It is important not to forget about perches – there must be at least two of them. Forms for food and water – necessarily. You can also place in the cage tools for entertainment birds: a pocket mirror, rocker, wheel, bells and other toys that will not let your pet get bored.

Where to place the cage?

After the cell is properly equipped, it must be suspended to a height of human growth in a place that has sufficient lighting. Bear in mind that drafts are very harmful to the cockatoo. Also, they should not be near heating devices.

Care

The parrot cage needs to be cleaned every day. It is also extremely important to change the bird’s water and feed every day. If the food is not perishable, then you can not touch it for several days. Containing a cockatoo at home, it is very important to ensure that the bird receives a sufficient amount of ultraviolet radiation. If the parrot gets very little sunlight, it is recommended to install an UV lamp and turn it on from time to time.

How to feed a cockatoo?

In order for the cockatoo to remain healthy and to please its owners for many years, it must be properly fed. Basically, the cockatoo ration should consist of special cereal mixtures, it can also be fed with fresh fruits, green and yellow vegetables, eggs and grated cheese. In no case should the cockatoo be fed with products such as cabbage or lettuce, parsley and avocado. It is also important to remember that the cockatoo should never consume caffeine.

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Such devices operate on electricity, so they can be kept both in a private house and in a regular apartment.

Varieties of electric fireplaces

There are several types of electric fireplaces that will easily fit into any design: high-tech, loft or good old classics – they harmoniously complement the interior. These devices also have a wide range of sizes, allowing to install such fireplaces in any room.

In addition, there are wall electrofireplaces that are mounted on the wall, and look like a picture; mobile floor – you can actually put anywhere, and even pick up when moving somewhere with you; and models mounted directly into the wall or into a specially decorated ledge-portal, and they cannot be distinguished from the classical firebox.

Benefits

Security. Such electrical devices are much safer, since they do not emit carbon monoxide, unlike those that heat wood. Also, do not be afraid that some ember could fall out and cause a fire. Electric fireplaces can be installed in rooms where there are children or pets, because when you visualize the flame, electric fireplaces themselves do not heat up, so there is no risk of getting burned.

Operation and care

One of the serious shortcomings of the usual wood fireplaces is that they need to be cleaned regularly from soot and other combustion products. In addition, firewood needs to be stored somewhere else. With electric such problems, of course, no.

Also, conventional fireplaces are not so easy to install – their installation is better to provide even during the construction phase. With electric everything is much easier. It will not be a big problem to install them even in a room with a ready repair. Also, no permits and approvals are required.

Saving

Buying firewood for heating is more expensive than paying for consumed electricity. These devices consume less electricity than conventional heaters, although they can operate in heat mode. Also, with electric it is not necessary to spend money on installation and repair, it is simply brought into the room and plugged in.

Benefit for health

In 3D-fireplaces there is a steam generator, which not only creates the illusion of real fire and smoke, but also serves as a humidifier. Such a device would be very useful if any family member suffers from chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, since it does not dry the air, but rather moisturizes it. However, this moisture does not harm the furniture or walls. The user only needs to add water to the tank from time to time. Although, there are models that will relieve from these troubles, as they are connected directly to the home water supply.

There are even more revolutionary models – these are 5D-fireplaces, where the imitation of the hearth is complemented by the sound effects of crackling firewood.

Well, be sure, electric fireplaces do an excellent job with their main function – heating the room. Therefore, such a device will bring to the house not only comfort, but also warmth.

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The tongue of the dance, which is passed on to pollen, slowly dies.

Of the approximately 500 still existing bee species, about a dozen use the “language of dance”. Through a series of ritual movements lasting from several seconds to several minutes, hive neighbors receive coded information about the location of the food source, its quantity, distance to it, and the like. It is believed that this mechanism has an extremely long history and the “dance of the bees” has evolved over 20 million years. However, in our time, he seems to be dying.

In an article published in the journal Science Advances, German and Swiss biologists reported on the results of field observations of Apis mellifera honey bees. The authors expected that the colonies, more active dance practitioners, should collect resources more efficiently and produce more honey. However, during the observation process, it was found that the duration of the dance is shortened in some colonies. And with this reduction, they produce more and more honey.

Apparently, in such colonies the “traditional dance” is gradually being replaced by a less poetic, but more practical strategy under modern conditions. Insects cease to coordinate their searches, and each working individual collects independently of the others. Scientists suggest that the reason for this – a person, more precisely, how unpredictable, quickly and constantly he changes the landscape. The forest may disappear in a day, and one monotonous type of plants on the fields for the next season may completely change to others – perhaps a less calculating approach to collecting nectar in these conditions justifies itself.

To test this hypothesis, scientists conducted experiments with eight colonies of bees, each of which consisted of 15-25 thousand workers. Some, the control, colonies lived a normal life and, as is their characteristic, danced. To other authors, they artificially violated the possibility of using dances to exchange information. Their nests were kept in the dark and turned from time to time, which did not allow to orient according to the figures of the dance.

Under these conditions, the researchers observed the process of the “death of the dance” in the bee colony. Time after time making sure that the dances stopped bringing significant information, the insects showed less interest to them and spent less and less time watching the dancing individuals. They proceeded to an independent collection of resources: the colony adapted its behavior and began to act with high efficiency.

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What is the difference between energy efficiency and energy saving?

Unlike energy saving (energy conservation), which is mainly aimed at reducing energy consumption, energy efficiency (the utility of energy consumption) is a useful, efficient energy consumption.

Speaking about energy efficiency, we mean not only “energy saving”, i.e. saving energy in everyday life. We are talking about the rational and conscious use of energy resources available to everyone, with a view to saving them carefully for the environment and our descendants.
Energy saving includes changes in people’s behavior, for example, switching off electrical appliances instead of leaving them in standby mode. Effective use of energy leads to savings, reduced payments for utility bills and environmental protection. As a result, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.

Why is it important for everyone to apply energy efficiency principles at their own level?

One of the main tasks of all people on Earth is to preserve as much as possible the natural resources for descendants.

According to statistics, of all energy consumed in everyday life, 70% is spent on heating the premises, 15% of the energy is used for cooking, 10% of energy is consumed by household appliances and another 5% is spent on lighting. Of course, the figures are averaged and largely depend on the area of ​​the house or apartment, the heating system, the stove, etc.

However, they give an understanding that the use of each, energy efficient equipment and instrumentation systems allows to achieve significant results with increased efficiency (efficiency) of the energy used. It means – to live, keeping the environment.
In practice, human compliance with the principles of energy efficiency means a reduction in payments for utilities.

How does energy efficiency affect the slowdown in climate change?

Energy efficiency and the use of alternative energy sources are the two main strategies of many countries to reduce gas emissions to the atmosphere. According to the UN, energy efficiency can affect this process faster and does not require such costs as the adaptation of “green” technologies, therefore it plays a big role in adjusting the current environmental situation.

Energy efficiency is closely related to the reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide per se. Representatives of the International Energy Agency (IEA) believe that the active use of energy-efficient technologies alone can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 65% ​​in the next 20 years.

What is the effect of the ubiquitous use of energy efficiency principles?

Compliance with the principles of energy efficiency allows us to use energy efficiently and save it. Thus, natural resources in general are used carefully and it becomes possible to store them.

How much can you save on energy efficiency?

On an international scale, energy efficiency can save hundreds of billions of dollars to business and private individuals. The British government company Carbon Trust estimated that businesses will be able to save up to 10% of electricity only through such simple measures as switching off the power of computers at night.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) argues that every dollar invested in energy efficiency will result in a $ 4 saving, and the project will fully pay off in about 4 years.
In the future, energy efficiency savings will only increase, as the price of energy carriers is constantly rising. Rising coal prices make energy efficiency particularly beneficial for coal-fired power plants and enterprises engaged in heavy industry.

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Ecosystems that do not undergo a full recovery cycle will in the future begin to deteriorate due to prolonged and frequent droughts. To such conclusions came a group of American scientists, whose research results, with reference to Nature, were reported by the publication Phys.org.

Scientists have studied satellite data on the periods of photosynthesis of plants – this is how one can judge the time of restoration of ecosystems after a drought. The measurements were carried out using the “precipitation-evaporation” index. The indicator takes into account the temperature, soil moisture, recent rainfall and the need for plants in the water.

“It was widely believed that after a drought, all ecosystems recovered immediately as the weather changes and the rains begin,” said study participant, senior lecturer at the University of Utah William Andereg.
It turned out that the end of the drought and rainy weather did not immediately help nature return to its normal state. In some regions of the world, plants do not have time to recover.
“Plants can be irreversibly damaged due to stress during drought, some of their water balance system may be damaged, and its recovery takes years,” says Andereg.

Climate forecasts are disappointing: in the future, the duration of dry periods will grow. Then, most likely, ecosystems will not have time to recover to a new drought and will experience what scientists called a “double blow” – when a repeated drought strikes a blow to the ecosystem that has not yet recovered.
This happened in the forests of the Amazon in 2005 and 2010. Satellites have shown that in five years the ecosystem has not had time to recover to a new drought.

According to Anderega, the weather in a particular region of the world is responsible for the restoration of the ecosystem. Most of the regions require half a year to a year to recover. On the example of California scientists show that the rains that came to the region after the drought helped the ecosystem to recover. However, according to the researcher, in the state there were places where the drought caused irreversible damage.

Fears are caused by the situation in the high Arctic latitudes, the tropics of South America and South-East Asia. There the period of ecosystem restoration takes two years.

“This is worrying because the regions have the largest carbon stocks,” says Andereg.

The destruction of forest ecosystems will not allow nature to cope with the carbon dioxide released. This, in turn, will affect the climate, provoke new droughts and exacerbate the state of ecosystems.

World Climate

Fears of environmentalists are justified, especially in the context of weather anomalies that humanity has encountered in recent years. The temperature contrast between the poles and the equator decreases due to warming in the Arctic. The weather changes dramatically, regional atmospheric processes increase, so the regions experience local natural disasters.
Forecasters have long predicted that the inhabitants of the Earth will face extreme weather conditions. In 2016 the global temperature broke the record. According to the director of the World Climate Research Program David Carlson, these changes of a planetary scale can not be explained by meteorologists.

However, one of the important factors remains human activity. Due to anthropogenic impact, forests suffer from climate change. In this case, the trees, by processing carbon dioxide, can level the human impact on the climate. The integrity of forests protects the planet’s climate from destruction, and stands for the preservation of large untouched forests.

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The theme of this year’s Safety Summit was the importance and roles of operational management in the success of management systems. EQ welcomed two guest speakers to address the attendees. The first speaker was from a large customer who spoke on the value of safety in contractor management. The second speaker was from a healthcare company who discussed fitness for duty physical programs.

EQ sees the value in gathering our leadership in person for knowledge sharing and strategic planning to continuously improve our safety and transportation compliance performance. This event supports and enhances EQ’s industry leading environmental, health and safety practices enabling us to provide best in class service to our customers.

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• Hank Becker won first prize, a Flat screen TV. Becker also holds the honor of being EQ’s first bracket challenge winner.
• Garry Sparks finished in second place, winning an iPad.
• Steve MacDonnell placed third, winning an iPod.

We enjoyed offering the opportunity to have fun competing against your professional colleagues — a little bit of harmless bantering never hurts! We hope you enjoyed the competition. We look forward to continuing to serve your environmental service needs.

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