National parks are a big part of America. These natural wonders symbolize the richness and diversity of the American land and tourists flock by the dozens. These ecological landmarks aren’t just popular as tourist attractions but also help generate money that boosts the economy. And the best thing about these national parks is that they scattered all over the country, so you are sure to find your own piece of paradise in the many states of America wherever you may be. National parks are mainly here because of conservation efforts. In a world that is rapidly modernizing, we should make an effort in protecting these pieces of land that serve as the last natural frontiers here on the planet. They are also often open to guests while others require making arrangements beforehand especially during peak season. You can camp for a night or two and enjoy plenty of outdoor activities to recharge your senses before returning to your daily grind.
It is common knowledge that national parks are properties of the state. They are a big part of our rich history and a shining example of natural diversity you can seldom find in modern America. Popular ones are the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park that attracts thousands of visitors yearly. However, some parks are also suffering from climate change and pollution that hastens erosion making preservation extra harder.
Trump may be a man of contradictions. Despite his many flaws, this unexpected support from President Trump can do wonders in advancing wildlife conservation efforts and in protecting the parks from natural threats.
There are still countless setbacks and challenges along the way. Despite Trump’s generosity in donating a portion of his salary as US president to the National Park Service, the various budget cuts he imposes also hurt the environment leaving it devoid of the funding it needs to support their conservation efforts. For starters, Trump does not believe in climate change and thinks of it as a hoax. Even some members of his cabinet are science skeptics. If this goes on, America has a lot to lose without these natural wonders that are only exclusive to this part of the world. The following article National Parks: The Heart Of America was first published to SEMP.us Blog from https://www.semp.us/national-parks-the-heart-of-america/
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Mankind has flourished because we evolved to be the most superior species on the planet. Our cognitive superiority enabled us to utilize various resources of the planet to our advantage. Our mantra had always been “the struggle for existence and survival of the fittest.” Whatever unfavorable natural conditions we face in life, humans should do their best to overcome them and emerge victorious for the continuation of the human race. And even though we are living in a modern world, we still essentially struggle to live and keep our act together. Aside from global competition, there are disasters that threaten our very existence. And as such, you should take the concept of disaster preparedness seriously. When preparing for disasters, you need certain gadgets to help ensure your survival.
(Via: https://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=43957129) Everyone should be aware of what tools can help them with survival when worst comes to worst. Take the time to equip your emergency kit with survival tools to ensure you don’t miss out on any important gadgets that can save your life or make it easier when life is out of the ordinary.
(Via: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2016/06/13/be-prepared-for-anything-with-these-5-survival-tools.html) As much as possible, stay away from buying or stocking on survival gears that are dependent on batteries or electricity in order to work. Remember that you can improvise and do a lot of things in the face of disaster if you have the right tools with you. Having essential survival tools like knives can help you build shelter, chop wood for fire and heat and even for protection. Make sure you have one on your list. Fire is also an important element to help you cook food or stay warm and comfy during cold nights. While the primitive fire-making technique of rubbing two stones together in making fire is effective if you know how to do it right, it will be difficult to do so if everywhere around you is damp or wet. Having some handy matches or lighter and extra lighter fluid are truly lifesavers. And let us not forget hydration tools. We can live without food for days but only hours without water. Having water bags and bottles for water collection and water filters or water filtration tablets can save you from a bad case of diarrhea and ensure you stay well-hydrated all the time. There are many more survival gadgets any survivalist will ever need, so do your research and gradually build your emergency kit because you can never tell when you’ll ever need it. The following blog article Gadgets For Your Survival was initially published on https://www.semp.us/ from https://www.semp.us/gadgets-for-your-survival/ The earth is full of wonders, both good and bad and natural and man-made, we can never fully comprehend. The beauty of nature is unparalleled while its wrath is a force to be reckoned with. In our lifetime, we will face countless disasters that we can barely remember them all. However, a few will stand out in our memories. A fine example is a volcanic eruption. If you live in an area where there is an active volcano nearby, you can relate to the stress and challenges posed by an erupting volcano. The build-up of pressure and density underneath causes the volcano to erupt. It is earth’s way of cooling off by releasing too much internal heat and pressure. These eruptions can trigger earthquakes, mudslides, rock falls and even flash floods. It also poses health risks due to the excessive cloud of ash and dust that fills the air. People living nearby should evacuate and move somewhere farther and safer until the threat dissipates. With the help of modern technology, man can now predict future volcanic eruptions and help them prepare and save countless lives in the process.
(Via: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/39654167) Volcanoes can stay dormant for a long period of time and only become active when the pressure underground is too much and it desperately needs to release internal heat and pressure. Over the centuries, civilizations have been wiped out because of major volcanic eruptions and it is also making people anxious nowadays when numerous volcanic eruption is coupled with the threat of global warming and climate change.
While many of us don’t like volcanoes because of the risks they pose especially with the lava flow and volcanic fumes, volcanic eruptions actually do some good to the environment. Minerals in volcanic ash help plants grow especially when the ash is still soft. But regardless of the role volcanoes have in the planet, we can’t deny the fact that volcanic ash, lava, and magma don’t mix well with human life. And as such, you should take precautions especially if you leave nearby.
(Via: http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/disasters/136463-before-during-after-volcano-eruption) Volcanic eruptions serve as nature’s natural reset button. In a world that is rapidly dominated by technology, it is no longer surprising that we witness more natural calamities than in the past. We can never stop volcanoes from erupting but we can prepare for it. While technology is a double-edged sword that has its pros and cons just like everything else, we can also use it to our advantage. Modern advancements enabled scientists to research and study volcanic explosions closely and learn more about how it works and why it happens. So, let us continue to live life to the fullest while taking appropriate precautionary measures since we live in a world that is continually changing as we speak. The article Why Volcanoes Erupt? was originally published on Semp.us from https://www.semp.us/why-volcanoes-erupt/ Europe has been riddled with issues of Brexit since news broke out that the United Kingdom intends to leave the European Union for good. Everyone was asking what will happen next and just how much impact the Brexit will have, not only to Europe but to the rest of the world. It's the ubiquity of the English language that may have caused this, and it's about to go forward. Brexit is actually a two-year process before the UK finally leaves the European Union for good in March 2019. The whole world is watching, along with many of Europe's small companies, not just because we were all caught off guard by UK’s decision but more so because we are curious as to its effect on a variety of issues, most especially on problems affecting the environment. Climate change is a hot topic for quite some time now because most of us have realized that it is no longer just a threat but an existing problem with destructive consequences if we don’t act on it timely and wisely. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, President Donald Trump is ignoring the issue of climate change and pushes for budget cuts that can impede any progress made when it comes to protecting the environment and addressing crucial climate change issues.
While the whole world watches in anticipation on what’s next for the UK and the European Union after the Brexit drama, we will likely witness decades worth of negotiations on environmental regulations go down the drain. However, the decision to go ahead with Brexit was the consensus of 51.9% of almost everyone of voting age in the UK who voted “yes” for this referendum.
A new election will take place in the UK on June 8, 2017, as mandated by their new Prime Minister Theresa May, which aims to strengthen the administration’s hand on the Brexit negotiation.
(Via: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-39525951) While politics and trade are the main issues when it comes to Brexit, we can’t avoid tackling issues affecting environmental interests since the leaving of the UK from the EU has a big impact on current climate change policies. Many environmentalists fear that all existing talks and projects concerning the environment and climate change will be abolished if the UK pursues Brexit. If Brexit happens, roughly 40 years of legislation in aid of environmental awareness and conservation will disappear just like that. Some pending projects include the development of smart cities, climate projects, and rural economies will no longer be realized. The UK would also lose a great deal of funding from the EU to help address climate change and in support the environment. Even nuclear and energy issues would be major problems that need to be delved deeper before the UK proceeds with Brexit. There is a lot at stake but we can only wait in anticipation on what will happen next in this monumental break-up of sorts. Brexit And The Environment was initially published to SEMP.us from https://www.semp.us/brexit-and-the-environment/ Disasters are a part of life. Whether natural or manmade, we can’t stop them from happening. There are specific disasters affecting various parts of the globe. And since you can’t prevent disasters, it makes perfect sense to prepare for it ahead of time. These measures will ensure you and your family stay safe and alive while others struggle to survive. Simple measures like preparing a disaster preparedness kit and an emergency bag or ration can make a big difference when supplies are scarce and people and chaos have enveloped the land. The first thing you need to know are the types of disasters affecting your region and how you should prepare for it. Most of the time, your disaster preparedness kit contains the same thing. It should have emergency medical supplies, survival tools, and food and water for a specific period of time. There are even those who take extreme measures and call themselves as doomsday preppers. They take disaster preparedness to extreme levels and ensure they stay self-sufficient in the face of a post-apocalyptic world. But let us not go into that. What you need to know are the basics and often times just having a basic disaster preparedness kit is enough to keep you and your family taken cared of until relief measures are delivered by the government or humanitarian groups.
(Via: http://kiwaradio.com/local-news/severe-weather-awareness-week-family-preparedness-2/) Wherever you live, it is but a must to secure you and your family’s safety in the event of a major disaster. Ignorance is never an excuse. Will you risk putting everyone in your household in danger because you were just too lazy to make the necessary life-saving preparations when you still had the time?
(Via: http://wspa.com/2017/04/04/severe-weather-tips-from-the-red-cross/) If you are still clueless on what to prepare when you start making your own emergency kit, take these tips seriously. Your disaster “go-bag” should include food and water rations. Those two are the most important items since supermarkets will likely be closed and your money won’t have any value in a town ravaged by disaster. Store some bottled water, canned goods, energy and chocolate bars, and other ready-to-eat food that you can all safely consume without the need for cooking. After addressing your eating needs, other aspects that need your attention are safety and security measures. Your kit should likewise include first aid like pills and medicines for wound dressing and some basic toiletries. A whistle is also helpful especially when there is widespread destruction and it can help others locate you while masks can protect you from too much dirt and dust. Maps are also helpful in navigation and a utility knife can work wonders in time of emergencies. A duct tape is also multi-functional and matches or lighters can help make fire. A radio and batteries can let you stay connected to the outside world. Torch lights are also a must at night especially for a widespread blackout. And lastly, secure your documents in ziplock bags and some cash because you’ll never know when you’ll need them again. Whether for short-term or long-term survival, you need to cover all the basics if you want to survive any disasters in one piece. So, make your own emergency kit now and sleep soundly each night knowing you are ready whenever disaster strikes. How To Prepare For A Disaster was first published on https://www.SEMP.us from https://www.semp.us/how-to-prepare-for-a-disaster/ Natural calamities strike just about every part of the globe. Since time immemorial, the world has seen its fair share of disasters from time to time. However, there are certain places in the world that are more prone to these disasters than other places, and experience financial difficulties because of it. While blizzards are only experienced in places with snow and hurricanes are more common in tropical areas, earthquakes are also common in certain parts of the globe. Known as the “ring of fire” or the circum-Pacific belt, this is a region in Asia that is hit by 90% of the earthquakes happening around the world. An earthquake is a destructive earth movement whose magnitude is ranked on a scale of one to ten. When the epicenter is in the ocean, an earthquake can generate massive tsunamis that can kill hundreds to thousands of people over a short period of time. The reason that South East Asia experiences earthquakes more often than the rest of the world is because of tectonic plates making up the ring of fire. The two main plates are the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Plate that often rubs each other resulting to powerful quakes. Meanwhile, the North America Plate and the Pacific Plate makes up the ring of fire. Millions die each year because of plate movements that can topple down big buildings and generate tall and powerful tsunamis that can wipe out everything on land.
(Via: http://www.csr-asia.com/csr-asia-weekly-news-detail.php?id=12675) Rapid urbanization is seen everywhere. It is not just a common sight in progressive first-world countries but even in developing ones. Asia is the most populated continent on the planet. The casualties will be high in the event of a strong disaster hitting many of its populous urban cities.
Since directly lying on top of an active fault line, the Philippine capital of Manila has been implementing stricter and regular earthquake drills as well as inspections of at-risk buildings and structures to prepare everyone for the possible coming of the “Big One” that has long been overdue. Other Asian nations have also been preparing for it as earthquakes have been occurring more often than it did in the past.
Asians live with the constant threat of disasters and earthquake is one of the most common calamities they face aside from powerful hurricanes and flooding. Over the past few decades, more and more earthquakes frequently strike various parts of Asia. And as such, many governments have increased their efforts in disaster preparedness to minimize loss of lives and damage to properties. Our achievements pale in comparison to the wrath of Mother of Nature. We only realize how insignificant we are to this world in the face of calamities that can wipe out everything we have accomplished over the past decades and centuries. And we are partly to blame why these catastrophes are happening to us. Natural calamities are a normal part of life but our abuse and misuse of natural resources resulted to the hastening of climate change that in turn worsened global warming and a list of other destructive calamities we have to face in our daily lives. The following blog article Earthquakes Are Not New To Asia is courtesy of SEMP Blog from https://www.semp.us/earthquakes-are-not-new-to-asia/ The world is over four billion years old and has been habitable by life forms for over six million years. Otherwise known as the globe, the planet has been our home for over 200,000 years. It has provided our species with all the resources we need to survive and flourish. Life hasn’t always been easy on the planet especially while our ancient ancestors lived in the wild but as evolution harnessed our cognitive ability, we emerged as the superior species and it enable us to develop the world into what it is today. Unfortunately, all these advancements have taken its toll on the planet. Over the centuries, big and small changes have taken place on the planet. The continents have shifted into the modern world that is now our home. Pre-historic animals vanished and modern life took their place. There have been other changes but they happened gradually. However, as the world endures all the abuse and misuse of its resources, major changes are rapidly taking place, much faster than what the world has witnessed over the years. Polar caps are melting and are causing the sea level to rise. The ozone layer is slowly depleting, trapping in more heat that results to global warming. We are responsible for eating away our own life systems here on earth and we are also the first one to suffer once Mother Nature strikes back. Pollution and rapid urbanization are the major contributors to the planet’s deterioration. Climate change is mostly driven by human abuse. The same changes that took place over the past 60 years actually took 10,000 years to happen in the past. The world’s environment and climate were at its best then but things have turned from bad to worst now. Our planet is slowly dying and it is our entire fault.
(Via: http://www.eco-business.com/opinion/climate-change-the-case-for-hope/) Climate change is no longer just a threat but a sad reality of our times. And as if the destruction we inflict on the environment is not enough, the political and religious conflicts all over the world make life even more difficult for many. These wars continue to claim lives but also destroy the environment with the constant bombing and chemical and nuclear warfare. Aside from the Far East and Africa, Asia is also one of the places badly hit by climate change and political tensions.
Rising temperature in most places on the planet not only led to droughts and famines but has caused unrest among the people. Countries may fight one another because of competition for resources. In our modern world, it is disheartening to witness people dying of thirst and hunger in famine-ridden and war-torn nations when modern groceries and supermarkets in developed countries are fully stocked with all the basic household supplies and food. Humans have mainly relied on technology in their daily tasks and in part raised energy consumption too. Aside from that, we mess with the world’s natural ecosystems by clearing land for agricultural, residential or commercial purposes. We change the land and marine ecosystem that in turn cause more harm than good. We are heading into an unsustainable future and we may find it harder to survive given the earth’s extreme weather conditions and limited resources. If we don’t act now while we still can, that is likely the future that is waiting for the rest of us – living on a planet that can no longer support our needs and possibly result in our species likely extinction. The blog article The Planet Is Slowly Dying See more on: https://www.SEMP.us from https://www.semp.us/the-planet-is-slowly-dying/ As kids, we’ve been told time and again that life in Africa is hard. Our elders will often tell us to finish our food because people are starving in Africa but our immature self will reply, “Why? Will the people in Africa no longer suffer from hunger if we eat all our food?” Such an immature logic our younger self has back then. What our elders wanted to emphasize was for us to be thankful for our blessings because many others have none. Africa fits the picture to a T. This vast continent is comprised of various nations plagued by poverty, hunger, suffering, and political unrest. Aside from that, many of today’s deadliest diseases had their humble beginnings here. To name a few, there are HIV/AIDS and Ebola. They’re both deadly diseases that have yet no known cures. But today, the picture remains the same. Africa is still ravaged by famine and wars. Have you heard about the famine in the horn of Africa region? Currently, famine has been declared in several African nations and the situation continues to worsen despite government and humanitarian efforts. Despite our modern world and conveniences, millions still suffer and die from thirst and hunger because they lack the resources to improve their lives and catch up with the progress other nations in the world are making.
(Via: http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/famine-africa-and-yemen) Even with the sharp increase of donors to African nations hit by famine, it is still not enough to keep everyone safe and taken cared of. Regional political tension makes it difficult for the government and other humanitarian groups to access remote areas that need help. Moreover, donor funding is also stretched out as conflict in other parts of the world likewise needs help and support from these non-profit organizations. Africa’s famine does not also get the attention it needs from the international media that could help raise awareness to the problem and increase support from the public.
The Western world failed to keep track of African events that they weren’t able to intervene on time to prevent such a widespread famine from happening.
All across the horn of Africa, approximately 40 million people are currently suffering from this famine that is even larger, more serious, and more widespread than the famine of the 1980s. Too little humanitarian assistance was sent too late that death was inevitable for many who weren’t able to survive the early onslaught of the famine. We can expect this severe food crisis to go on as humanitarian support is making little progress in getting to the bottom of this complex issue. For many of us living in the comfort of our modern homes full of modern amenities in a sprawling modern metropolis, it is hard for us to comprehend the extent of hunger and suffering that is ravaging this part of the globe. The numbers are terrifying and they are not just statistics, they are actual people trying their best to cope despite their limited resources. If only more people, especially the leaders of more progressive nations, make their pledges and extend a helping hand to our suffering brothers and sisters, we can put an end to this famine and help uplift their lives and teach them to be self-supporting so they no longer need to rely on others for help all the time. Africa: A Nation Of War, Famine And Disease is courtesy of Semp.us from https://www.semp.us/africa-a-nation-of-war-famine-and-disease/ The environment is self-sustaining on its own. After all, everything in the natural environment has survived for millions of years without man’s help. If you think of it, man’s greatest contribution to this planet involves its ultimate destruction. We are so good at destroying things. We even manage to wipe out one species to the next because of poaching and illegal hunting. But now, the environment needs our help because of the irreparable damage we have caused Mother Nature. However, for any conservation effort to truly work, it needs sufficient funding that no private organization can actually provide, only the government. And besides, it is also the state’s responsibility to enforce conservation measures to salvage what is left of the environment. However, things are going from bad to worse for the US when it comes to promoting environment-friendly programs considering the many budget cuts the Trump admin imposes soon after assuming the presidency. President Trump focuses on defense and national security aside from his personal vendetta of wiping the nation of illegal immigrants. What’s not a part of his agenda are the arts along with the youth’s education and the environment among others.
The threat of climate change is just a hoax for President Trump. He does not believe that the survival of the human race is facing enormous environmental threats mostly because of our own doing.
(Via: https://thinkprogress.org/one-hundred-days-on-planet-trump-ca135c4a5918) Soon after assuming office, the country discovered what President Donald Trump had in store for all Americans. Aside from pushing for extreme immigration policies and travel bans that will wipe out illegal immigrants in the US, he also signed various policies that would impose budget cuts on government agencies he does not consider important in realizing his promise of making America great again, one of which is the US Environmental Protection Agency. It is quite obvious that President Trump is determined to abolish the EPA, albeit in a rush. Experts say that Trump will have a hard time abolishing an entire government agency and a mere executive order won’t do the job. It entails time and planning especially that Congress is yet to determine the next steps on the various functions assigned to this agency in particular. EPA has been around since the 70s to protect and promote the health of the Americans and the US environment but it might be gone soon because President Trump was clear in his intentions of entirely getting rid of it or just leave a little behind once he wins the election – and he did. The Future Looks Bleak For The US EPA Read more on: Semp.us from https://www.semp.us/the-future-looks-bleak-for-the-us-epa/ Most days we live in the comfort of our own homes without a care in the world. Then, disaster strikes. All semblance of normalcy is lost and you struggle to keep your bearing as your perfect world is shattered into pieces. Floods can do that to you. We often take water for granted and forget just how powerful it is on a large scale as torrential flooding continues to ravage cities and countries year after year. The damage also depends as to how severe the flooding is. There are floods that can submerge homes under water for days and weeks and there are those that subside quickly. The important thing about disasters is our ability to bounce back from it and pick up the broken pieces of our lives. No matter how prepared you are, not everything always goes as planned and how well you or the others recover also rely heavily on the support you get from the government.
(Via: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/drones-flooding-garneau-military-1.4107944) As the water subsides, the extent of the mess left behind will be revealed to you. It is backbreaking work trying to clear things up and make your home livable again. You may also run out food and potable drinking water as well as electricity for a few days or weeks, so you can expect the recovery to be a bit rough and bumpy at first.
Despite all the devastation, it is heart warming to see people trying to rebuild their lives amidst all the loss and damage. It is just a testament to how strong human nature is especially when our very survival and existence is on the line.
Recovery is always the goal whenever disaster strikes. After all, who wants to live in a constant state of disarray and confusion? Nobody. We all want to get back to the life we once lived and try to fix whatever has been broken down or destroyed in our homes. The government may extend a helping hand but it’s not always the case. Even if you don’t get the help you need, try your best to recover and continue living. Natural calamities are a normal part of life. We can’t avoid them no matter how hard we try. The best thing you can do is to always be prepared for the worst and not hesitate to bounce back after. Simple measures like having an emergency kit or an emergency plan can save lives and protect your property from severe water damage caused by flooding or other disasters that are just as disastrous. The following article Recovery In The Aftermath Of Flood is courtesy of The SEMP Blog from https://www.semp.us/recovery-in-the-aftermath-of-flood/ |
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