We may all think that technology just keeps on improving and we will no longer have room for obsolete gadgets in our lives but it seems that we are quite mistaken. Not only are vintage gadgets making a comeback but you can also repurpose old phones to make them useful again. You wouldn’t want to throw away a perfectly good phone just because it is no longer the latest thing in the market after a year or two of use especially if you are on a postpaid plan where most contracts often expire after 24 months. Its features may not be trendy or sensational but you’d be surprised at the many ways you can repurpose them for an entirely different purpose. Nokia is actually making a comeback this year and many old souls can’t help but feel nostalgic after seeing the much loved 3310 come back to life with a twist. Stop throwing away old devices since the world is already fast becoming a big e-waste dump. There are various uses for old gadgets and they don’t necessarily have to go to waste like most old phones do. After all, your phone has witnessed many milestones in your life and saying goodbye to it for good isn’t an easy thing to do.
(Via: http://updato.com/how-to/recycle-old-phone-without-giving-away-repurpose-old-android-phone) Cellular phones contain precious metals that are increasingly becoming scarce like copper and certain metals. Most of all, it contains glass and a lot of plastic components that are not good for the environment. Recycling old phones can even help conserve energy aside from saving the environment from exposure to toxic substances like mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants that can actually still be reused and recycled.
(Via: https://born2invest.com/articles/repurposing-old-gadgets-newest-trend-technology/) Most people sell their previous phones once they upgrade to the latest models but old phones can still work as a home media controller, kitchen command center, camcorder, digital photo frame, security camera, baby monitor, VR headset, video doorbell, among many others. Or better yet, use it as a spare phone where you can keep some of your digital files and contacts as back up. If you simply just want to get rid of your phone especially if it is no longer usable, just make sure to dispose of it properly or better yet, recycle it. Industries like automotive, electronics and jewelry can make use of some of the parts of these old phones to hopefully reduce the growing pile of e-trash that is littered all over the world that not only pollutes the planet but pose a health hazard too. The article Finding A New Use For Your Old Phone was first published to SEMP.us from https://www.semp.us/finding-a-new-use-for-your-old-phone/
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Who doesn’t know Gordon Ramsay, right? The Scottish-British celebrity chef that brought Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, and the renowned MasterChef among others gave new meaning to life in the kitchen. Over the years, he has been the face of many cooking reality shows that has shown the world what it takes for ordinary people to become master chefs too. What set Ramsay apart from other famous chefs is that his fiery temper is a force to reckon with. Aspiring chefs turn pale every time he shouts, curses, and loses his temper in the kitchen. While his personality isn’t exactly the nicest, people aspire to get complimented by him when it comes to their cooking. His restaurants are sought after in the UK and now he has set his eyes to expand on American soil. Ramsay is set to open six new restaurants in the US although we are not yet privy to the details. For sure, Americans are eager to have a taste of his culinary masterpieces, a welcome change from the usual fast food staples in the country.
(Via: https://www.eater.com/2017/5/31/15719014/gordon-ramsay-nola-baltimore) He got his eyes set in Baltimore and New Orleans, and even in Vegas. These restaurants will surely be a hit given that he is not just popular in Europe but in the whole world too. Expanding his brand in America may also help boost sales that weren’t so good over the past few months.
(Via: http://www.delish.com/food-news/news/a53447/gordon-ramsay-united-states-restaurants/) The branch in Vegas is said to resemble Hell’s Kitchen and many would likely eat there out of curiosity. After all, we all deserve to eat some fancy food now and then and not just munch on greasy, high-calorie, and unhealthy foods that are bad for our health and contributes to the rise of obesity. And because the Ramsay camp hasn’t said much about it yet, it continues to drive many Americans crazy and wondering what Gordon Ramsay has in store for their hungry tummies soon. America: Brace Yourself For More Of Gordon Ramsay is courtesy of SEMP.us Blog from https://www.semp.us/america-brace-yourself-for-more-of-gordon-ramsay/ Taking still shots of moments capture a moment in time and preserve it in paper for a long time. Photographs allow us to look back on the past with feelings of nostalgia and longing. But photography has changed a lot over the years. For starters, you don’t need negatives anymore ever since the rise of digital photography. Better yet, smartphones allowed us to take photos anytime we want and we can even edit it now using Photoshop or various filters from apps. It’s the reason why the word “selfie” was coined because people became more in touch with their narcissistic nature because of smart technology. The camera features of smartphones have significantly improved over the years. DSLR and GoPro cameras improved professional photography. Now, drone photography has taken the world of photography to the next level. Aerial photography gave everyone a new perspective on taking photos from the sky. Photographers can now capture a different view we never had access to in the past. Landscape shots become more alive and its natural beauty highlighted as we can see more of the place that regular photography can’t offer.
(Via: https://ijnet.org/en/code-for-africa-drone-camp-for-journalists) Drone photography may be an excellent option for photographers who can afford to buy a drone but taking photos can’t be done in a snap like with your average camera or smartphone. You have to prepare in advance and ensure you are skilled enough in operating the drone before you can even try using it for photography.
(Via: http://lifestyle.mb.com.ph/2017/05/23/special-feature-soar-high-with-drone-photography/) Photos mean a lot to all of us. It gives us a glimpse of a certain moment in time. And with the help of drones, it allows photographers to be more creative and enable them to tweak certain angles and gives everyone a bird’s eye view of a certain landscape. Just make sure that the weather cooperates and the elements are in a good mood too during your photo shoot. But more importantly, you can maximize different shots depending on the type of drone used. Hence, familiarize yourself with the type of drone you have or choose a drone that fits your needs to get the shots you are looking for and share your artistic talents with the world. The article Photography High Up In The Skies was originally published to https://www.SEMP.us from https://www.semp.us/photography-high-up-in-the-skies/ Blogging used to be unheard of in the past mainly because there was no medium that allowed bloggers to openly express themselves and reach a wider audience with ease. With the continued advancements in technology, we now have devices that allow bloggers to pursue their passion and share it with anyone who is willing to listen to what they have to say. It’s not actually easy to be a blogger. You pour your heart out on a regular (almost daily) basis and at times you also have to do a lot of research (you can’t just sound stupid on your blogs because anything that’s posted on the web lives on forever). An abbreviation for “weblog”, blogs evolved to become a modern lucrative career for a few lucky ones. Aside from getting sponsored posts, some get to travel the world for free and get paid to do it too. Not all bloggers become successful, though. It is why it helps to find out the dos and don’ts in blogging early on so you have higher chances of making it big in this big wide world we know that is the web.
Many bloggers compete for the public’s attention today. Aside from writing compelling and really interesting blogs regularly, avoiding these blogging mistakes can help your blog stand out from the crowd. Soon enough, constant sharing of your posts can grow your followers and more brands will pursue you to get their products and services featured (for a free, of course). Having a strong social media presence also helps speed up the process because that’s where the millions of people frequent on a daily basis.
While most started blogging as a hobby, many have now shifted their priorities and they want to make as much money as they can from their blog posts. However, only a handful becomes profitable over a short span of time. Many bloggers struggle to get their name out there and be noticed by people. In short, don’t expect immediate results because you are in for a big disappointment. It takes some time to accumulate enough blogs to lure people into your site and just as much time in building your name and gaining followers. But if you avoid the blog mistakes mentioned above, you’d be able to expedite your journey although don’t just expect too much at first. While the journey may take some time and get bumpy, all your efforts are worth once you establish your reputation as a blogger and social media influencer. The following post Blogging Mistakes To Avoid For A Standout Blog is available on The SEMP Blog from https://www.semp.us/blogging-mistakes-to-avoid-for-a-standout-blog/ The world is quickly heating up. Greenhouse gasses are trapped in the atmosphere, thereby making the world hotter than it was before. Climate change and global warming are often used interchangeably nowadays and for good reason. Both are responsible for many of the worst disasters we have faced as of late and probably of much more in the years to come, agrees Dave Davidson from Northern Attitude. However, global warming actually precedes the other. The accumulation of greenhouse gasses results to the changing of climate patterns. It is the reason why the natural calamities we experience nowadays are far stronger and unpredictable than in the past. Rising global temperatures consequently cause the sea level to rise because ice caps are melting faster than it did over the past century. It also resulted in an increase in rainfall and flooding in various parts of the globe. Like any other nations experiencing the wrath of Mother Nature, America has experienced its fair share of catastrophes over the years. The country had more floods last year than any given year on record.
(Via: https://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2017/01/04/floods-natural-disasters-2016/96120150/) We can no longer just shrug off our shoulders and ignore global warming. The quality of our lives will forever be connected to the climate. Severe flooding can result in loss of human lives, deterioration of health, damage to property, loss of livestock, and destruction of crops that is worth millions to billions of dollars just all wiped out.
(Via: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/25/us/north-carolina-flooding/) Flooding can be catastrophic especially with sudden and powerful flash floods that happen with such short notice that can destroy homes, structures, bridges and vehicles. Your home is no longer your safe haven as it can not always protect you from the force of these raging waters. Your health is also at higher risk because floods can contaminate bodies of water with chemicals and other toxic substances that are spread by the water’s current. You can easily become homeless as well. The Louisiana flood during the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 is the worst experienced in America followed by Hurricane Sandy otherwise known as “Superstorm Sandy” that hit the East Coast in 2012 and the second costliest storm in the history of America. Those two hurricanes brought with it severe flooding that wiped out cities and communities and left thousands of families homeless and completely dependent on federal assistance. All Americans can see the trend quite clearly now. Calamities are getting worse and destruction is costlier than ever. 19 major floods hit the United States in 2016 alone. Will the number go up this year when the Trump government decided to cut back funding on various government agencies he considers not that relevant in rebuilding the greatness of his America? It includes budget cuts on the arts, education and various environment programs established by the Obama administration to help counter the threat of continued global warming and climate change. The following post Flooding In America Is At An All Time High was originally published to SEMP.us Blog from https://www.semp.us/flooding-in-america-is-at-an-all-time-high/ Asia is the biggest continent on the planet and is home to numerous nations that are geographically, culturally, linguistically and physically diverse. This continent also witnesses plenty of catastrophes, both natural and manmade, year in and year out. Monsoons are especially common in the South of Asia where countries are made of island nations. Storms form all year round in the Pacific and they have been a part of the lives of most Asians while droughts can be seasonal challenges too. Monsoons are actually seasonal wind reversals along with precipitation changes in various parts of the world. However, it commonly refers to seasonal changes in the atmosphere that are closely linked to the warming of the land and of the sea nowadays or even seasonal changing patterns during the rainy season. The Asian monsoon is divided into several subsystems depending on location. If the US has tornadoes, Asia has storms brought about by these monsoons.
A weak El Niño is expected this 2017. It’s better to be privy to these details now before making any plans later in the year especially if it is for a vacation in an Asian nation that is heavily affected by monsoons. While rain is a welcome reprieve for countries suffering from issues like drought, too much rain can mess up crop production and affect the overall supply of food staples in the market. However, what is more important is the present, right? Well, we can brace for a hot summer for sure.
(Via: http://www.eco-business.com/news/south-asia-braces-for-intense-heat-this-summer/) Seasonal changes like monsoons are always a challenge for everyone. Sometimes the change may be for the best, other times it isn’t. The best we can do is to keep ourselves updated on the news to find out if there are any urgent changes we should be aware of. While we can rely on technology for us to stay informed, connection and power are still big issues in most struggling Asian countries especially in the midst of a calamity. Monsoons, for starters, have changed over the years mainly because of climate change. And once Mother Nature strikes, that’s when we realize how vulnerable we are to the elements. Asian Monsoons Are Becoming More Intense is republished from https://www.SEMP.us from https://www.semp.us/asian-monsoons-are-becoming-more-intense/ The US is a big nation. It is not only made up of 50 states and a handful of territories but it is likewise a big chunk of land mass that experiences all four seasons each year. On the average, roughly 1,200 tornadoes hit the US annually especially in the East Rocky Mountains as well as in the Midwest, the Great Plains, the South of the US and the Mississippi Valley. The term “Tornado Alley” is a tornado-prone part of the US that stretches from the north of Texas to Canada, the center of which is in Oklahoma and Kansas. It’s probably the reason for the plot of the infamous Wizard of Oz. In the south of US, they have the Dixie Alley that is also made of states often hit by tornadoes. Tornadoes often form during spring since the climate transitions from cool to warm and not so during winter. The months of March to June are known as the US tornado season. People living in high-risk states should be more vigilant than ever since tornadoes can form without warning. Modern technology also does its part in helping people survive tornadoes in one piece.
(Via: https://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2017/02/07/tornadoes-louisiana/97595738/) Twisters are a sight to behold. Many are captivated by tornadoes that some even make it a hobby to pursue them. However, let us not forget how destructive its nature is and lives are lost and properties are decimated in just one strike. Those living in states that are in the path of these deadly tornadoes have learned from a young age how to prepare for when it strikes and periodic tornado drills are also practiced to increase awareness and limit casualties.
(Via: http://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/content/usa-more-300-tornados-already-most-active-start-a-year-08) The United States have witnessed the most number of tornadoes throughout the world. So, knowing that you are in the path of these natural mammoth vacuums in the sky, it is only practical to master what to do when it comes. It is best if you can set up a basement or underground dwelling as your safe haven when tornadoes hit your area. Always try to go to the lowest part of a structure if you are in a building, it can be the center of the hallway and not necessarily the lowest floor. Participating in routine tornado drills is the best preparation of all as you learn in details what to do and what to avoid during tornado season. Tornado Alley In The US Find more on: The SEMP Blog from https://www.semp.us/tornado-alley-in-the-us/ Air is crucial to life. We will die without air. That’s quite obvious. However, we may also gradually die from overexposure to air pollution. Our body needs clean air now more than ever especially that rapid urbanization has left most cities polluted and smog-filled. Air pollution is actually our fault. We were too consumed by our fascination with technology that we forgot to take into consideration its impact to the environment, especially to the very air we breathe. If there is any other place on the planet that is known for extreme air pollution issues, it would have to be China. The most populous country in the planet, many Chinese are facing each day in a world full-of smog and polluted air. While we may not entirely get rid of air pollutants, they should be at an acceptable level so as not to pose health risks to everyone. It is why it’s not uncommon to see individuals walking the streets wearing face masks because it is virtually impossible to breathe clean air in most major Chinese cities.
If California is the most polluted state in the United States, China earned the title in the whole world. And millions of Chinese live in this unhealthy environment despite the government’s effort to address air pollution issues. The Chinese government is intensifying their efforts but the threat remains the same and is probably worsened by other equally controversial topics like climate change and global warming.
China’s skyline is often characterized by a smoky haze or a smog-filled skyline because that’s just how the air pollution issue has blown up in the country. Dealing with air pollution has been a part of every Chinese’s struggle in their day-to-day life. Of course, we all know how much of the products sold in the world today are made in China. The number of Chinese factories and manufacturing plants operating in the country are likewise factors on how the air pollution issue in China has exploded beyond comprehension. As of writing, the Chinese government has stepped up its efforts in cleaning the air by closing down factories and power plants to reduce circulating particulate matters. They are hoping the measures they are currently taking will offer relief, especially that even the aviation industry suffers as poor visibility is always a challenge for all airlines flying in and out of China. The health of all the Chinese will deteriorate if this air pollution problem persists, so we are hoping everyone is doing their part in addressing this issue because the government alone can’t solve this mammoth of a problem by itself. The following article China: Air Pollution At Its Worst See more on: Semp.us from https://www.semp.us/china-air-pollution-at-its-worst/ The world is like a box of chocolates. You’ll never know what you get with each passing day. Sounds familiar, right? It is an edited version of a famous line from an equally famous all-time favorite movie. Depending on what part of the world you are in, there are attractions and phenomenon exclusive to that place only. It is the same with weather disturbances. Other nations deal with frequent hurricanes or tornadoes while others have to live with constant movement in the ground a.k.a. earthquake. It is time to know more about a weather phenomenon that isn’t as talked about as the others but just as savage – El niño. It has its counterpart, La Niña. They both make up the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, the scientific term for temperature fluctuations between the atmosphere and the ocean in the east-central Equatorial Pacific that happens every few years or so. La Niña is known as the cold phase while El Niño is the warm phase. The latter is characterized by warm Pacific waters usually in the month of December and may likewise affect wind shear, which is the blowing of air currents from a lower altitude in a different direction than that of higher winds in the atmosphere.
The Pacific Northwest should brace for the incoming wet weather later this year because of a weaker El Niño phenomenon. Storms are more likely to form as there is more energy in the warm water during El Niño.
(Via: https://weather.com/news/climate/news/el-nino-possible-late-2017-enso-neutral-spring) Weather changes have a bigger impact in our lives than just having to make up your mind whether to bring an umbrella or not to work or school or whether you should dress up or not when you go outside. The weather is also a big factor when it comes to crop production. It can easily spell a good or bad yield and monetary profits or losses. Others are hoping that the expected El Niño phenomenon this year will be the answered prayer to drought issues in the West Coast but sorry to burst your bubble because it likely won’t have that much positive impact since most of the runoff is headed to sea where people can no longer benefit from it. The following article The Phenomenon That Is El Niño See more on: SEMP.us from https://www.semp.us/the-phenomenon-that-is-el-nino/ The sun is up and summer is fast approaching. Many of you can’t probably wait to hit the beach after being cooped up inside your homes during the long, cold and bleak winter months. Not seeing the bright and blinding light of the sun can make people feel down and depressed. So, let us all rejoice with the coming of spring because we know summer is just around the corner and you finally have an excuse to use your vacation credits for a much-needed travel time. If you are not a fan of crowds, eco-traveling is a welcome reprieve from your busy scheds and modern life. Going the less traveled road can open up your eyes to the beauty of nature. It is likewise less expensive than going to more popular tourist attractions. However, just be prepared to enjoy the entire experience, both the good and the bad. You can’t always expect a comfy and convenient life when traveling this way but you get to immerse with the people and the local culture that can leave you with many wonderful memories you’ll cherish for your lifetime.
(Via: http://www.alternet.org/environment/10-top-eco-destinations-north-america) While we all want some well-deserved R&R for all our hard work, it doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want during our dream vacation. We leave our footprints in every place that we visit. Let us always remember to leave no trace especially when communing with nature. Leave the place as it is just like when you got there. Every piece of trash you throw messes up the natural ecosystem and significantly affects the wildlife in a bad way.
(Via: http://www.travelweekly.com/Strategic-Content/Family-Ecotourism) While most people think of eco-travel as a thing for solo travelers or people who don’t have added responsibilities in life like a spouse and kids, you’d be surprised to learn that eco-travel also works for families who love to travel. Family travels should not revolve around trips to theme parks, resorts or cruise ships because developments in ecotourism ensure families, especially the ones with kids in tow, can still have the time of their lives under the bright skies at night without much modern distraction. Kids actually love nature and active play does a lot of good for their normal growth and development. No kid will ever shy away from playing in the mud or learning more about unknown animals and fauna in some of the nation's popular national parks. It is why eco-travel should be something your family should be doing this summer because the threat of climate change, pollution, and global warming are wreaking havoc on the planet and we may never be able to see some of these species in the years to come. So, the best time to do it is now. The blog article Eco-Travel For Your Next Summer Getaway Read more on: SEMP.us from https://www.semp.us/eco-travel-for-your-next-summer-getaway/ |
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