Author: James Dorman
Widespread product recalls are not out of the ordinary, but at the same time, such a recall does have the potential to impact consumers’ perception of a brand. In the automotive world, large recalls are often down to some vehicle flaw that compromises the safety of drivers and passengers. One major vehicle manufacturer now faces the potential consequences of a recall of 291,000 defective cars. Major US Vehicle Recalls of the Past Source: Tesla Fans Schweiz/Unsplash There have been times when auto manufacturers identify an issue with a vehicle that has such great potential to cause harm, they have no…
Many people look to move abroad for work or in retirement because they feel the pull of a more easygoing way of life. They want something less hectic than life in the U.S. Alongside this, moving to another country also offers the opportunity to enjoy a lower cost of living and see your dollars stretch further. This has often been the attraction of a move to Central America, but it may be more myth than anything else. Gary Keenan’s Story Source: Ethan Wright-Magoon/Unsplash Gary Keenan is a New Mexico native, Albuquerque born and raised, who practiced law for a decade…
As the planet warms and glaciers melt, seismic changes in the Earth’s climate plunge the planet into a new ice age. If this sounds like the plot of a science fiction disaster movie, that’s because it is. But scientists are concerned about the very real possibility of melting ice shutting down the Gulf Stream, the system of currents that help warm the northern hemisphere. What Is the Gulf Stream? Source: R. Curry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution/Wikimedia Commons The Gulf Stream is part of a wider system of currents known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). These currents are basically…
A literal perfect storm of ecological disaster has taken place in Filipino waters in the wake of Typhoon Gaemi. The increased incidents and severity of weather events like typhoons in the wake of climate change are an environmental concern in themselves, but factor oil tankers into the equation and you have a recipe for catastrophe. Extreme Weather in the Philippines Source: Neenu Vimalkumar/Unsplash Typhoon Gaemi reached the northern Philippines in late July, bringing heavy rains and churning up rough waters offshore. The region has recorded the warmest ocean temperatures ever experienced as the planet continues to feel the growing impact…
It’s a familiar story at this point — the Biden administration looks to introduce a policy designed to tackle environmental issues, and Republicans push back. The same narrative is playing out once again. This time, the battleground is slightly unexpected as Democrats and Republicans clash over how best to stock the cafeterias of Capitol Hill. Phasing Out Plastic Source: Elijah Mears/Unsplash The instigator of this particular clash over environmental policy was an announcement from the White House of a plan to phase out single-use plastics from government facilities. Alongside this, the scheme would also see tougher regulations for U.S. plastic…
As the climate changes and the planet warms, oceanic ice is melting and sea levels are rising. There is concern that this will mean we lose land mass around existing coasts and, crucially, that islands may be completely swallowed by the water. But in a pleasant surprise, it appears that 1,000 islands in the Maldives that were highlighted at risk of being lost to the waves appear to be growing. And the reason may actually be linked to climate change. A Climate Comeback Story Source: Timo Newton-Syms/Wikimedia Commons Almost 1,000 low-lying tropical islands in the Indian Ocean that were once…
James Lang, now a resident of Snowflake, Arizona, purchased a plot of land in the Grand Canyon state hoping to enjoy a quiet retirement after living and working in Chicago. He purchased the plot sight unseen, so maybe was expecting one or two little surprises. Well, he got a big surprise when he unearthed hundreds of ancient fossilized footsteps. Tracks That Pre-Date the Dinosaurs Source: Wikimedia Commons Lang has spent over five years uncovering slabs of rock on his Arizona property that contain preserved footprints of an ancient species. The fossilized footprints are believed to date back over 240 million…
It’s human nature to try and explain what we see around us. Many religious teachings came to be as a way to explain the unexplainable. As the centuries passed and our scientific understanding of the world and the wider universe developed, new scientific theories rendered some of these religious ideas obsolete. There are, though, still some areas where science simply cannot produce an explanation. Scientific Explanation Is Limited Source: Hal Gatewood/Unsplash Generally speaking, science has an explanation for many things. However, many explanations are limited. Scientific theory can explain concepts such as how gravity works or how vaccines help prevent…
The polar ice caps are desolate, impressive, icy wastelands. They’re also the target of a lot of scientific research. In particular, researchers are interested in the changing landscape of the ice caps. While these changes tend to be subtle and drawn out, every now and then there is a dramatic change. Such a change recently happened, resulting in the creation of a new iceberg. The Brunt Ice Shelf Source: Wikimedia Commons A huge chunk has broken off of Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf, as confirmed by satellite imagery and reported by the European Space Agency. The Brunt Ice Shelf borders the…
Much of our study of the past involves separating fact from fiction. Myths and folklore from times gone by often have some basis in reality. Tales from many different cultures and many different sources have spoken of giants who once roamed the Earth. And it seems there may be evidence to support these tales. What is This Evidence? Source: Daniel Halseth/Unsplash Archaeological findings may support the idea that giant humans once roamed the face of the Earth, thanks to evidence uncovered in Nevada. Human remains have been unearthed. But these are no ordinary remains. The size of the individuals is…