When confronted with a charging bear, the instinct to flee can be dangerously misleading. Running from a bear can provoke its instinct to chase, escalating the situation into a potentially fatal encounter. Instead, experts recommend standing your ground, making yourself appear larger, and creating loud noises to ward off the animal. A recent video shared by Scenic Bear Viewing in Alaska demonstrated this technique, showing a group of photographers facing down a grizzly bear. One of the guides, Martin, even mimicked charging the bear, successfully causing it to retreat. This approach works because most charges are bluffs, meant to intimidate rather than attack.
However, it’s equally crucial to maintain a safe distance from bears in the first place. Scenic Bear Viewing advises against getting closer than 50 yards to these powerful predators, emphasizing the importance of having an experienced guide when exploring bear habitats. The bears in this Alaskan region have become accustomed to human presence over the past three decades, with no harmful interactions, as they are neither fed nor hunted by people. The tour company strives to maintain this delicate balance, ensuring that human encounters leave no trace while allowing visitors to experience these magnificent creatures safely.
The National Parks Foundation (NPF) has received an unprecedented philanthropic gift of $100 million from the Lilly Endowment, marking the largest donation in its history. This substantial contribution aims to protect and restore the most fragile ecosystems within America’s national parks, some of which are at immediate risk of degradation. While well-known parks like Glacier and Canyonlands safeguard vast tracts of pristine wilderness, other parks such as Biscayne Bay and Channel Islands are dedicated to preserving smaller, highly vulnerable ecosystems. The $100 million donation will be crucial in supporting efforts to protect these delicate environments, including restoring coral reefs, conserving wild trout species, and addressing other critical ecological needs across the national park system.
This historic donation comes when the National Park Service (NPS) grapples with a significant backlog of deferred maintenance, estimated at $24 billion. Although the Great American Outdoors Act was enacted to generate funding for national park maintenance, it only addresses a portion of the required resources. The Lilly Endowment’s gift, the first major contribution toward filling this funding gap, underscores the importance of private philanthropy in sustaining and enhancing America’s national parks. According to NPF President and CEO Will Shafroth, such gifts allow the NPS to respond swiftly to urgent conservation needs, ensuring that these treasured landscapes and ecosystems are preserved for future generations.
Eddie Wang, a Taiwanese entrepreneur, is revolutionizing sustainable fashion by turning discarded oyster shells into a unique and eco-friendly textile known as “sea wool.” Inspired by his upbringing in western Taiwan, where oysters are a significant part of the local economy, Wang saw the potential to repurpose the 160,000 metric tons of mollusk shells discarded annually. By grinding these shells, which are rich in calcium carbonate, and processing them into a flexible yarn, Wang has created a material that mimics the texture and warmth of traditional wool. This innovative approach not only helps reduce fashion waste but also offers a sustainable alternative to artificial textiles, making a positive environmental impact.
Wang’s vision has grown into a thriving business, with his factory now producing 900 tons of sea wool thread annually, generating $6 million in gross revenue. The material has gained popularity, with major retailers like Huckberry offering sea wool sweaters that compete in quality and price with those made from real wool. Beyond the fashion industry, the powdered oyster shells used to create sea wool also present an opportunity to replace limestone quarrying, a process that contributes to significant emissions and pollution. By transforming waste into a valuable resource, Wang’s sea wool not only supports sustainable fashion but also offers broader environmental benefits.
Tower-style cabin overlooking the lagoon. It has a bedroom with a hot tub, a bathroom, a full gourmet kitchen, barbecue, 300mb fiber optic wifi, Smart TV, fireplace, private pool.
Situated on a 6000m² fenced land with more than 500 native trees, it has the following facilities: firewood stock, orchard, vegetable garden, floor fire pit space, barbecue kiosk, hammock, outdoor gym, picnic space, deck with sun loungers, game room with pool and ping-pong table. Continue reading “Tiny Home Community Village” »
This crocheted outfit includes purple beret hat and scarf. It’s made of soft and durable acrylic yarn. This is available in the link below… Continue reading “French Beret Hat and Scarf Cat Costume” »
Highland cow blanket is super soft and comfy, Made with 83% Polyester and 17% Spandex, a medium heavy-weight fabric (8.85 oz/yd² (300 g/m²)) that feels extra soft to the touch. Continue reading “Patchwork Highland Cow Velveteen Plush Blanket” »
Recent research suggests that the ancient site of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey may be home to the world’s oldest known solar calendar. This 12,000-year-old archaeological site, already renowned for its early evidence of organized human settlement, now offers new insights into the origins of timekeeping. Scholars have long debated who first began tracking time, often citing the Roman calendar introduced by Julius Caesar or the sophisticated systems of the ancient Maya. However, intricate carvings at Göbekli Tepe, specifically V-shaped symbols on a pillar, have been interpreted as part of a 365-day lunisolar calendar system, with 11 additional days, making this the earliest example of such a system. Researchers also found connections between Göbekli Tepe’s 11-pillar enclosures and similar structures at nearby Karahan Tepe, suggesting a broader, region-wide use of this early calendar system.
The study further proposes that the people of Göbekli Tepe placed significant importance on the summer solstice, symbolized by a V-shaped motif worn around the neck of an eagle-like bird. This symbol appears on various artifacts, including the Urfa Man statue and other carvings at nearby sites, hinting that these figures may have been seen as time-controlling or creator deities. The researchers believe that the development of this calendar was likely linked to the tracking of a comet shower that impacted Earth around 10,850 BCE, an event that may have had profound effects on the people of Göbekli Tepe. According to Martin Sweatman, a co-author of the study, the lasting importance of these carvings suggests that this catastrophic event could have led to the rise of a new religious or cultural tradition, potentially influencing the early development of civilization.
The Rhythm 4RQ002-003 Disaster-preparedness Clock is a cutting-edge gadget that merges everyday functionality with essential emergency features, making it an indispensable tool for any household. At its core, it operates as a reliable alarm clock, with Citizen quartz movement for precision timekeeping and multiple alarm settings to suit your daily needs. Its sleek design and compact size make it an ideal addition to any bedside table, ensuring it blends seamlessly into your everyday environment. But what sets this clock apart is its dual-purpose nature—it transitions effortlessly from being a simple timekeeper to a vital survival tool in times of disaster.
In emergencies, the 4RQ002-003 proves its worth with features designed to keep you connected and prepared. The built-in radio with Wide FM ensures you stay informed, even when traditional AM signals are compromised. Its power options, including AA batteries, a rechargeable NiMH battery, and a hand-crank generator, provide multiple ways to keep your devices charged and the clock operational, ensuring you’re never left in the dark. The powerful LED flashlight, USB charging ports, and durable design further enhance its utility, making it a crucial companion in any crisis. Available in Japan for approximately 112 USD, this clock is not just a timepiece but a comprehensive disaster-preparedness tool, offering peace of mind and security when you need it the most.
Two weeks ago, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an alert about a massive geomagnetic solar storm that commenced on August 11, leading to a breathtaking display of auroras. This natural phenomenon, fueled by a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), lit up the skies for over 48 hours and could be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California. Among those who captured this incredible light show were NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick and commercial airline pilot Scott Bateman, each from vastly different vantage points. Dominick, aboard the International Space Station, took stunning photos of the aurora with the moon visible behind a supply craft and the Soyuz spacecraft set against a backdrop of bright green auroras. His images quickly gained popularity online, showcasing the awe-inspiring beauty of Earth from space.
On the other hand, pilot Scott Bateman had a unique perspective from within Earth’s atmosphere as he flew a long-haul route in an Airbus A350-1000. As he soared at 39,000 feet above the planet, Bateman witnessed the auroras unfold in vivid detail, capturing the scene on his iPhone 15 without any editing or filters. Describing the experience as “spectacular,” Bateman noted that the light show began as his flight passed over Chicago and continued until dawn over Ireland, where the auroras shifted to stunning purples. His close-up view from the cockpit provided an extraordinary, real-time connection to the same natural event that Dominick observed from orbit, highlighting the incredible beauty and power of our planet’s interactions with solar activity.
