Category: Environmental Studies

Economics

Can The Economy Grow Forever

The article discusses the concept of exponential growth and its application to the global economy. It explores the necessity of economic growth for improving people’s lives and raises the question of whether infinite growth is possible on a finite planet. The role of technology in increasing efficiency and the debate between infinite growth and a post-growth economy are also examined. The article concludes by emphasizing the need to find a balance between economic growth and sustainability.

Biology

Conehead Egg Stacks And Anteater Attacks – The Reign Of A Termite Queen

The article discusses the life cycle of conehead termites, focusing on their journey to reproduce and ensure the survival of their species. The termites brave numerous threats during their only flight, find a mate, and establish a colony in a rotting tree stump. The workers collect and decompose plant debris, the royals focus on reproduction, and the colony grows and defends itself. The termites continue their legacy by establishing new colonies and satellite nests, ensuring the persistence of their species for decades.

Engineering

What Does The World’s Largest Machine Do

The article discusses the evolution of the US power grid over the past five decades. It highlights the delicate balance required to maintain the functioning of power grids and the role of power grid operators in managing this balance. The article also explores the challenges of integrating intermittent energy sources and suggests load flexibility and automated emissions reduction technologies as potential solutions for the future of power grids.

Economics

How Do We Create A Better Economy

Economist Kate Raworth challenges the conventional wisdom of economic growth as a sign of progress. She argues that our addiction to endless economic growth is leading to severe problems and proposes a new model called the Doughnut Model, which emphasizes the balance between meeting the essentials of life and ecological degradation.

Biology

Why Are Beavers Obsessed With Dams

The article discusses the world’s longest beaver dam, which is located in northern Canada. The dam, measuring 850 meters long, has transformed the region by creating a large pond and has had significant impacts on the environment. Beaver dams, even ones much smaller than this, have the ability to redesign forests and provide benefits to both wildlife and humans.

Biology

What’s Worse Than A Wasp’s Sting? Murder

The article discusses the gruesome and fascinating strategies employed by parasitoid wasps to ensure the survival and development of their offspring. These wasps inject venom into their hosts, manipulate their behavior, and eventually consume them alive. The article highlights various examples of this parasitic behavior, including the manipulation of cockroaches, ladybugs, gall wasps, and caterpillars.

Biology

Ethical Dilemma Should We Get Rid Of Mosquitoes

Scientists have been experimenting with gene drives, a technology that could potentially eliminate the most lethal mosquito species responsible for transmitting deadly diseases to humans. While gene drives have shown promise in the lab, there are still unanswered questions and ethical considerations regarding their implementation in the wild, including concerns about potential impacts on non-target species and ecosystems. It is crucial for communities, scientists, regulators, and governments in affected countries to be involved in the research and decision-making processes surrounding gene drives.

Biology

Ice Age Mummies Frozen In Time

The article discusses the remarkable discoveries that have been made in the Arctic due to the preservation capabilities of permafrost. These discoveries include the well-preserved remains of a woolly mammoth calf, a grey wolf pup, and a cave bear. However, the thawing of permafrost due to climate change poses a threat to these discoveries and has far-reaching effects, including the release of greenhouse gases and the endangerment of communities and infrastructure.

Earth & Space Science

The Continents Are Moving When Will They Collide

The article discusses the theory of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century, which contradicted the popular belief that Earth’s continents had remained steady. This theory laid the foundation for the modern theory of plate tectonics and the understanding of supercontinents. Scientists have been able to trace the position of continents over time and predict the emergence of future supercontinents. However, the environmental impact of continental shifts, such as the release of greenhouse gases, poses challenges that need to be addressed in the future.

Biology

What Happens If An Engineered Virus Escapes The Lab

The article discusses the Sverdlovsk tragedy, a major disaster that occurred in 1979 at a biological weapons facility in the USSR. It highlights the risks associated with lab leaks, particularly those involving genetically engineered microbes, and the debate surrounding gain of function research. The article emphasizes the importance of implementing safety measures and suggests steps to minimize the risk of lab leaks in biosecurity.

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