Residents get in a car after leaving their homes to move to evacuation centers in central Vietnam's Quang Nam province on Oct. 27, 2020, ahead of Typhoon Molave's expected landfall. MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP via Getty Images
Typhoon Molave is expected to make landfall in Vietnam on Wednesday with 90 mph winds and heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding and landslides, according to the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. To prepare for the powerful storm that already tore through the Philippines, Vietnam is making plans to evacuate nearly 1.3 million people along the central coast, as Reuters reported.
<p>On Tuesday, hundreds of flights were grounded, and schools were closed as Molave churned over the South China Sea. When Molave hits Vietnam on Wednesday, it will be the fourth storm to strike the central region in October. Those successive storms have caused floods and landslides that killed 130 people. Many are still missing, according to the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/vietnam-braces-for-typhoon-molave-20201027-p5695g.html" target="_blank">Sydney Morning Herald</a>.</p><p>"This is a very strong typhoon that will impact a large area," said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, as Reuters reported.</p><p>Molave is moving over a part of the South China Sea with warm waters, which creates favorable conditions for the storm to strengthen, according to <a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/more-than-1-million-vietnam-residents-to-evacuate-ahead-of-typhoon-molave/837600" target="_blank">AccuWeather</a>.</p><p>Vietnam has a long coastline, which makes it particularly vulnerable to storms and coastal flooding. Phuc ordered boats to be brought ashore and for security forces to ready themselves for humanitarian efforts.</p><p>"Troops must deploy full force to support people, including mobilizing helicopters, tanks and other means of transportation if needed," he said in a statement, according to Reuters.</p>
<p>The storm is expected to move over Vietnam quickly and weaken as it moves inland, but its heavy rainfall will likely trigger widespread flooding and weaken mountain slopes, which increases the risk for mudslides. AccuWeather predicts up to 16 inches of rain in areas of the country that have already experienced extreme rainfall and flooding since Oct. 11.</p><p>"We must keep our guard up to protect the lives of the people. That is the utmost important task to get people to safe places," Phuc was quoted as saying in a meeting with disaster response officials, as the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-news-typhoons-floods-philippines-vietnam-f9e9129e2bfd53cbae8f16adce1c0d00" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AP</a> reported.</p><p>People in low-lying areas, who are vulnerable to the winds and coastal flooding, will head for shelter inland, according to the AP.</p><p>Typhoon Molave blew away from the Philippines on Monday, leaving flooding and a trail of destruction in its wake. There are 13 people missing in the Philippines, including a dozen fishermen who sailed out to sea over the weekend in violation of a no-sail order, according to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/typhoons-south-china-sea-floods-philippines-manila-a0debd28194861b71af0a6cbd6515aab" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AP</a>.</p><p>The storm, which traveled south of Manila, displaced at least 25,000 villagers. Its heavy rains swamped farming villages and the winds downed trees and power lines, according to Humerlito Dolor, governor of an affected province, as Deutsche Welle reported.</p><p>"Villagers are now asking to be rescued because of the sudden wind which blew away roofs," he said, as Deutsche Welle reported.</p>
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Chipotle's "Real Foodprint" will tell you the ecological footprint of each menu item compared to the industry standard. Joe Raedle / Getty Images
How does your burrito impact the environment? If you ordered it from Chipotle, there is now a way to find out.
<p>The chain on Monday launched a first-of-its kind <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/sustainability" target="_self">sustainability</a> tool called the <a href="https://realfoodprint.chipotle.com/" target="_blank">Real Foodprint</a>, which allows customers to see how each of its 53 intentionally sourced ingredients compares to the industry average when it comes to key environmental metrics like <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/carbon-emissions" target="_self">carbon emissions</a> and <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/water" target="_self">water</a> use.</p><p>"Just by eating real, responsibly raised <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/food/" target="_self">food</a>, you can do a little something to help cultivate a better world," Bill Nye of Science Guy fame said in a video promoting the feature.</p>
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="edb1a1f60298c73efc6d7f5193a64a50"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fqWINfwdP_A?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<p>The Real Foodprint works like this, as <a href="https://retailleader.com/chipotle-sets-higher-bar-sustainability" target="_blank">Retail Leader explained</a>. When you place an order on the Chipotle app or on the website, the tracker will show you the environmental impact of each ingredient you select compared to the conventional equivalent. The ingredients are assessed according to five metrics:</p><ol><li>Less carbon emitted (measured in grams)</li><li>Water saved (in gallons)</li><li>Improved <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/soil-health" target="_self">soil health</a> (in square feet)</li><li>Organic land supported (in square feet)</li><li>Antibiotics avoided (in milligrams)</li></ol><p>So, for example, Nye's chicken bowl emits 0.8 fewer grams of carbon dioxide, saves 0.4 gallons of water, supports 1.7 square feet of improved soil health, supports 0.9 square feet of organic land and avoids 42.3 milligrams of antibiotics compared to a similar order made with conventional ingredients.</p>
<div id="e2a10" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ba6130b414a0ff5ec3fbe005c4232d31"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1320698022594920453" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">*wheels tv into classroom*
@BillNye wants to show you how Chipotle ingredients can help reduce the impact on the… https://t.co/Ddedz1FdeO</div> — Chi-vote-le (@Chi-vote-le)<a href="https://twitter.com/ChipotleTweets/statuses/1320698022594920453">1603713920.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>The data points are provided by HowGood, an independent research company that draws on more than 450 peer-reviewed and scientific studies to compare Chipotle's ingredients to conventional options, the website explained. Chipotle is the first restaurant to partner with HowGood, the company said in a <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chipotle-launches-real-foodprint-introduces-sustainability-impact-trackers-for-digital-orders-301159499.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">press release</a>. The data points will be updated on a regular basis, so customers can see if Chipotle's environmental impact lessens or increases over time, <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90567802/is-your-burrito-bad-for-the-environment-chipotle-has-a-tool-for-that" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fast Company reported</a>.</p><p>"Beyond asking people to make the right choice for the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/" target="_self">climate</a> based on a carbon label, we are demonstrating the impact of our sourcing practices through data computed based on the ingredients in our guests' orders," Chipotle's head of sustainability Caitlin Leibert said in the press release. "While our guests can make good choices for the planet by simply eating at Chipotle, the radical transparency provided by Real Foodprint also holds us accountable to improve our practices and source more sustainably over time. It is the combination of transparency for our guests and Chipotle's commitment to higher standards that make Real Foodprint so impactful."</p>
<p>Other restaurant brands have taken steps to provide environmental information to their customers, Fast Company pointed out. Meat alternative brand Quorn prints the carbon footprint of its products next to the nutrition label. And, two weeks ago, Panera started pointing out the "Cool Food Meals" on its menu, meals that have a lower carbon footprint. But Chipotle's Foodprint is the most specific and detailed Fast Company has encountered, writer Mark Wilson pointed out.</p><p>"You can literally measure the impact of adding pinto beans or a scoop of pico de gallo," Wilson wrote. "(Btw, order those beans! They capture carbon and fertilize soil with nitrogen naturally!)"</p><p>One downside to the Chipotle tool is the fact that it compares its own ingredients specifically to the industry standard, Wilson noted. This means that it tells you that choosing Chipotle-sourced steak saves 150 milligrams of antibiotics, while choosing tofu saves none, because conventional tofu requires none. The impact of the beef is compared to the industry standard for beef, but does not account for the huge environmental difference between choosing meat and choosing <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/vegetarian" target="_self">vegetarian</a> options.</p><p>Chipotle chief marketing officer Chris Brandt said this was done to avoid passing a value judgement on individual foods.</p><p>"There's a lot of other metrics that say meat is bad, vegetarian is good. If you wanna live your life that way that's great ... everything is relevant to an industry average rather than a value judgment as to whether you eat meat or not," Brandt said.</p>
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Are you noticing your shirts becoming too tight fitting to wear? Have you been regularly visiting a gym, yet it seems like your effort is not enough? It's okay to get disappointed, but not to lose hope.
<p>We are bombarded with the idea that being physically active, eating nutritious foods, and cutting down calorie intake will do the magic. How much time can you dedicate for each, though?</p><p>That's where supplements should be given a good look. Dietary supplements for weight loss have been viewed as an excellent alternative to shed off pounds. Professionals, athletes, and ordinary citizens rely on it to stay fit and healthy while achieving their optimal function. </p><p>Perhaps you've heard a thing about the ProVen supplement. Is it any good? Let this review guide you throughout making a conversant decision!</p><h2>Who Should Use ProVen? </h2>
<a href="https://supplementscoop.com/proven-eco" target="_blank"><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU5MjEzMS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNjAxMjg3Nn0.CQnVxZBD1FEGekVSXXngchWNBgGMKPczwTuDT4tB0qM/img.png?width=980" id="a01c1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7e0c1d621cb518c040e12ba3199901fd" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /></a>
<p>Almost one-third of youths and two-third of adults are obese or overweight. Over 60 percent of obese and 45 percent overweight try to lose unwanted fats.</p><p>Besides implementing a healthy lifestyle, around fifteen percent of them have relied on weight loss supplements – with women racing in number. </p><p>Obesity can significantly affect your quality of life. Not only your self-confidence and socialization abilities are at risk, but the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4386197/" target="_blank">health impacts</a> are diverse. Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and respiratory disorders are just some of the health damage you may experience. </p><p>Have you recently noticed a massive drop in your energy? Feeling down all the time? This might be an accompanying symptom due to obesity. In that case, you may want to try the beneficial use of ProVen as early as now and get your morning routine kicking.</p><p>Anyone who wants to get rid of those pounds naturally can use the supplement as long as you want. Even older adults are not restricted. Providing your health is in tiptop shape, of course.</p><p>The natural ingredients are suitable for most people. You won't find it time-consuming or challenging to stick with the pills every day. It is available in a capsule form. Simply pop into your mouth, and you're ready to go!</p><p><strong><em>Click here to <a href="https://supplementscoop.com/proven-eco" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Check out NutraVesta ProVen on the Official Website.</a> </em></strong></p>
<h2>ProVen Review: Overview of NutraVesta's Supplement</h2><p>ProVen is an organic, effective dietary weight loss supplement that targets stubborn fats. It also aids in increasing energy levels and many other associated benefits. </p><p>Your calorie consumption is highly reduced, plus your hormone levels are elevated. As a result, you can achieve your body goal in no time.</p><p>Alongside speeding up weight loss and improving metabolism, this advanced formula also works toward ensuring your body organs will function smoothly. It rinses out all harmful toxins, therefore removing stored fats and avoiding the occurrence of obesity or overweight. </p><p>Don't worry about the possible side effects. There is no such thing that exists with ProVen supplement. Each capsule has undergone strict quality production standards. It is made in the USA, manufactured in an FDA-approved facility. </p><h3>ProVen Creator</h3><p>ProVen is a supplement offered by NutraVesta. It was initially introduced to the world through a widely shared video online. </p><p>The founder explained how obesity has had a massive impact on his wife's life, resulting in a lack of confidence, disappointment in not getting the desired result in spite of all the hard work, and defeat in thinking there's no left alternative. </p><p>This is where ProVen was born, introduced, and shared with thousands of people who have the same struggle.</p>
<h3>Pros & Cons</h3><p>ProVen is not only notorious for its all-natural ingredients. Expect heaps of benefits once you obtain some bottles of it.</p><p><em>Below is the list we have come so far:</em></p><p><strong>Pros:</strong></p><ul><li>100% all-natural formula </li><li>Made in the US </li><li>Made in an FDA & GMP certified facility</li><li>Free from antibiotics, sugar, gluten, and GMO </li><li>Boost the amount of nutrients in your body </li><li>A natural breakthrough </li><li>No adverse side effects </li><li>Convenient to use </li><li>Competitively priced </li><li>Backed up by thousands of satisfied users </li><li>60 days full money-back guarantee </li></ul><p><strong>Cons:</strong></p><ul><li>Available only <a href="https://supplementscoop.com/proven-eco" target="_blank"><strong>on the Official Website</strong></a></li><li>Results may require ample time to come to effect </li><li>Not recommended to take by all groups of people </li></ul>
<h2>Ingredients in ProVen</h2><p>Just because a product is advertised as 'natural' doesn't mean you should instantly take the bait. What does the label say about the amount of dosage per ingredient? </p><p>Fortunately for the ProVen supplement, each ingredient has a good history in the world of science. It makes the pills effective and trustworthy.</p><p><em>The following are the primary components present in the formula:</em></p><p><strong>Vitamin C & 20mg Vitamin E (30mg)</strong></p><p>Anyone can quickly get these vitamins from a variety of vegetables and fruits. In case you still lack enough amount, ProVen is here to fulfill the gap. Both Vitamins C & E have antioxidant components that cleanse out bad toxins from within. They also fortify bones and enrich overall health. </p><p><strong>Selenium (20mg)</strong> </p><p>It aids in nurturing the immune system and improving the health of your heart. This powerful antioxidant ingredient also improves metabolic function.</p><p><strong>Proprietary Blend (1512mg/serving) </strong></p><p><strong>Green Tea</strong> </p><p><a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/green-tea" target="_blank">Green tea</a> includes an immense array of antioxidants and nutrients that are important both for the health of your brain and heart. </p><p><strong>Turmeric</strong> </p><p>Thanks to turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties, those stubborn fats won't annoy you anymore. Also, it is acclaimed for its anti-aging effects.</p><p><strong>Garlic Bulb</strong></p><p>A superfood that's highly known for its ability to boost immune reaction. Thus, shielding your subtle body from potential illnesses and providing you adequate strength to combat an array of diseases and infections. </p><p><strong>Red Raspberry</strong> </p><p>Supports weight loss, especially when combined with other potent ingredients.</p><p><strong>Grapeseed</strong> </p><p>The unique properties of grapeseed aids in regulating the glucose levels in your body. It is important in reducing weight gain. </p><p><strong>Graviola Leaf</strong></p><p>It is a notable tree mainly found in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. Graviola leaf features antiviral, anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that help ease inflammation and balance blood sugar.</p><p><strong>Bioflavonoids</strong> </p><p>Another active ingredient in the supplement that regulates weight and improves health resistance. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4372466/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Bioflavonoids</a> are a great source of antioxidants. </p><p><strong>Beta-Glucan</strong> </p><p>It is a soluble fiber form that aims to boost cholesterol and heart health, aside from keeping your blood sugar levels in track. </p><p><strong>Essiac Tea Complex</strong> </p><p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16226859/" target="_blank">Essiac tea</a> is rich in antioxidants that have been shown to help repair DNA and prevent cancer risks. </p><p><strong>Asian Mushroom Complex</strong> </p><p>It is a combination of 3 different mushrooms – shitake, reishi, and maitake. They work together to increase white blood cells' activity and production. Your immunity is seamlessly made robust. </p><p><strong>Cat's Claw</strong> </p><p><a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cats-claw%23:~:text=Today%252C%2520cat's%2520claw%2520is%2520promoted,parasites%252C%2520and%2520leaky%2520bowel%2520syndrome." target="_blank">Cat's claw</a> is another essential ingredient that your immune system will surely appreciate. It has seen to aid obese patients and acts as a detoxifier. </p><p><strong>Arabinogalactan</strong> </p><p>It is a type of prebiotic that supports weight loss reduction – mainly targeting blood sugar levels. Your starvation, especially for unhealthy foods, will no longer harm your health.</p><p>Other ingredients you can find in the formula include lycopene, pine bark, <a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/asian-ginseng%23:~:text=Today%252C%2520Asian%2520ginseng%2520is%2520used,%252C%2520anxiety%252C%2520erectile%2520dysfunction%252C%2520and" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ginseng</a>, olive leaf, pomegranate, and quercetin dihydrate. </p><p><strong><em>Click here to </em><a href="https://supplementscoop.com/proven-eco" target="_blank"><em>Learn more about the Ingredients in ProVen on the Official Website</em></a></strong><em><strong><u>.</u></strong></em></p>
<h2>How Does ProVen Work?</h2><p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4049314/" target="_blank">Ghrelin</a> is known as a hormone that alerts your brain whenever it needs proper feeding. But when it functions inappropriately, obesity is likely to arise. </p><p>That could be due to hormone-shifting chemicals in the food and air that triggers its strange working mechanism. Once concealed, you will never be fulfilled with hunger. </p><p>ProVen helps to adjust ghrelin production and detox the human body. The ingredients inside the bottle of ProVen are the core responsible for helping you attain a cola-like body and keep it healthy all-year-round. </p><p>It acts as an appetite suppressant, fat burner, and natural detoxifier. It combines fiber, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and adaptogens. When consumed according to the dosage, there will be an impressive increase in your energy while minimizing the risks of anxiety and depression. </p><p><em>Here's a look at what this product does for your body: </em></p><ol><li>Detoxify your body to eliminate impurities. This is done in the form of sweat and excretion. </li><li>Metabolism is an important area of weight loss. It converts any usable energy for helping you pep up the day. But if it is working slow, fats tend to store. The pill makes sure the metabolism process is done quickly, so those fats will be exchanged into energy. </li><li>You are now reaching a new fat loss milestone. Your body is fully detoxified, plus the metabolic process is back to its normal operation. In this manner, you can regain your lost confidence and fit into those old jeans again. Such a relief!</li></ol><p>Forget those people who mocked you for not reaching the level of 'beauty' they consider normal…or for just being fat. Those missed opportunities? You can get back to them with a more presentable appearance. Even when you're in the sixties, seventies, or eighties, this fantastic formula lets you experience what a real transformation is.</p><p>To Learn more about how ProVen works, <strong><a href="https://supplementscoop.com/proven-eco" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Click Here</a>.</strong></p>
<h2>Benefits of Using ProVen</h2><p>ProVen stands out among the competition due to its unique ability to improve blood circulation, supply your body with all the nutrients it needs for proper functioning, and detoxify your body. </p><p><em>Let's have a look the healthy benefits:</em></p><h3>Lose Weight Gradually Yet Naturally</h3><p>The product's main focus is to shed off those pounds that continuously affect your regular activities. The ingredients contained helps reduce fat buildup and production without obstructing your immune system or energy. </p><h3>Detoxify Body </h3><p>Most of the substances have antioxidant properties. They are highly beneficial in clearing out toxic elements of any sort and, therefore, detoxify your body. You'll feel more refreshed and energized.</p><h3>Improve Energy and Vitality </h3><p>Say goodbye to exhaustive days with ProVen supplement. Also, the ingredients have energizing effects to help you make each day very productive. </p><h3>Better Heart Health </h3><p>The antioxidants present in the capsules help maintain the overall health of your heart. It also works in boosting its well-being to prevent various illnesses from destroying your health.</p><p>Moreover, other achievable benefits upon taking it include reducing inflammation, maintaining triglycerides, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol, make your skin more radiant, younger, and smoother, and improve your mental health. </p><p>Your digestion is fully improved too. It will aid in accelerating digestion to burn down those calories in a more efficient manner. </p><p>Click here to <strong><a href="https://supplementscoop.com/proven-eco" target="_blank">Learn more about the Benefits of ProVen on the Official Site</a>.</strong></p>
<h2>Side Effects of ProVen</h2><p>Even a formula that is deemed natural and organic can still produce side effects by any means. Rare are those that can hit two birds with one stone, which means delivering effective results without any adverse effects. And, ProVen supplement is one of these rare products. </p><p>How did we say so? </p><h3>The Formula Is Comprised of Natural and Science-Backed Ingredients</h3><p>The manufacturer wants nothing but the best aid for people suffering from the tough battles of obesity and overweight. They have conducted in-depth research for each ingredient before compiling in one formula. </p><p>As per the claim of GetProven, the ingredients are added in the proper blends and amounts to ensure safe consumption. There was no animal testing done, plus the product doesn't contain additives or any other harmful substances. </p><h3>It Is the Finest Quality Produced and Shipped in the US</h3><p>The USA is known for its high-quality goods and items. So, you can trust most of the acquisitions carried out here, including ProVen. </p><p>Not to mention, the pills have been manufactured, implementing the best guidelines for quality maintenance and control. As for the hygiene aspect, the facility is cGMP certified. </p><h3>Lab Results </h3><p>Once you visit the website, you will instantly be directed to the video claiming test results that were performed on willing participants. First is his wife, who lost a hundred pounds. </p><p>Then, there's a Craigslist study where ninety-five percent of participants saw an incredible loss in weight during the first 2 weeks of the product's usage. </p><p>They also experienced a boost in energy after the initial use and an average fat loss of forty pounds within the trial's 4 weeks.</p>
<h2>Who Should Refrain from Using ProVen?</h2><p><em>Anyone, adult or older individuals, can benefit from using the product, excluding:</em></p><ul><li>Children or adolescents below eighteen years old </li><li>Nursing and pregnant women </li><li>People with an underlying medical condition </li><li>People with an allergy to any of the ingredients stated above.</li><li>People who are currently taking a medicine </li></ul><p>How would you know if ProVen is crafted for your weight loss needs by simply talking with your doctor or physician? Even a healthy person is sometimes restricted from taking a supplement, so your case might not be different.</p><h2>Dosage & Tips to Start</h2><p>One bottle of ProVen supplement contains 60 capsules. You have to take a daily dose two times a day. Since it's in a capsule form, integrating it into your routine is no hassle. Just take a glass of water to accompany the capsule. </p><p>Be sure not to overdose or go below the recommended dosage. And as what they always say, be consistent. That's very important. You can see significant changes within a few weeks or months. It takes time, yes, and that's normal for a natural formula. That's because your body might require more time to respond to the ingredients. </p><p>For quick, better results, adapt to nutritious eating habits and regular workouts. Although, it is not necessarily recommended when taking the pill. The choice is yours. </p><p>But if you find this claim a bit skeptical, you can practice healthy habits while taking the supplement. After all, it is intended to fill the gaps in your healthcare routine and not a complete substitute. </p><h2>Where to Buy ProVen and Guarantees? </h2>
<a href="https://supplementscoop.com/proven-eco" target="_blank"><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU5MjE5Mi9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NTY5NzgxOH0.u7-JhGuqDpry54-8mdrSdiUPrSQrDEkWr7IIe2sftK0/img.png?width=980" id="c1066" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6ba5988f3fab5981535831298b299445" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /></a>
<p>Consumers who are eager to buy ProVen are advised to get one or more bottles <a href="https://supplementscoop.com/proven-eco" target="_blank">from the Official Website</a>. You cannot find it anywhere else, even in your local store.</p><p>So, in case someone offered you the product, it could be a fake formula. This is where your consumer radar should be working. </p><p>The company offers three packages: a one-month package costs $67, a three-month package costs $57/bottle, and a 6-month package costs $47/bottle. Free shipping is included, except for the one-month package. As you know, the more bottles you buy, the higher deals you can get. </p><p>Reliable and fast shipments are also the concern of consumers. In that case, the company partners with some of the reputable carriage services; hence, expect your package to arrive within one to seven business days. </p><p>Good news! There is also global shipping. However, it takes a bit longer to arrive – around seven to fourteen business days.</p><p>If you think the supplement works oppositely, ProVen is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. You can only take the offer within 60 days. Simply send an email or contact the team directly for further assistance regarding your right to the refund. </p>
<h2>ProVen Reviews: Closing Thoughts</h2><p>ProVen is a natural supplement that can improve weight loss goals. Although, it is also made to aid those who have a weak immune system and constantly fall sick and fatigue. </p><p>It is manufactured in an FDA-certified facility where a strict quality standard is highly implemented. Therefore, you have nothing to worry about since it is completely safe to digest by your stomach. </p><p>Don't let obesity or being overweight stop you from doing what you love. Neither deter you from turning those strangers into new best friends. </p><p>It is a potent and strong natural combat against stubborn fats and associated risks. Take advantage of the 60 days money-back guarantee and know if it will work for you!</p><p><strong><em>Click here to </em><a href="https://supplementscoop.com/proven-eco" target="_blank"><em>Get the Best Deal on NutraVesta ProVen from the Official Website</em></a></strong><em><strong>.</strong></em></p>
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Locals check out the new stretch of artificial beach in Manila Bay, Philippines on Sept, 19, 2020. patrickroque01 / Wikimedia Commons / CC by 4.0
By Sarah Steffen
A stretch of coastline in the Philippine capital, Manila has received backlash from environmentalists. The heavily polluted Manila Bay area, which had been slated for cleanup, has become the site of a controversial 500-meter (1,600-foot) stretch of white sand beach.
<p>The beach, however, is anything but clean, environmentalists say.</p><p>"It's an illusion," said Lia Mai Torres, executive director of the Center for Environmental Concerns Philippines. "Just because it's white it doesn't mean it's clean."</p><p>The white sand is actually crushed dolomite sourced from a mine in Cebu, in central Philippines.</p><p>Using sand made from dolomite rock in such a project is highly uncommon, experts say. The large majority of sand beaches worldwide are made up of quartz and feldspar, while dolomite sand is commonly used in road construction.</p><p>"I have never come across any beach nourishment with dolomite sand," said Arnaud Vander Velpen, who's the monitoring and innovation lead in UNEP/GRID-Geneva's Department on Sand Monitoring and Governance.</p>
Sand Makeup Crucial for Ecosystems
<p>While UNEP/GRID-Geneva generally supports finding <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/not-enough-sand-for-construction-industry-despite-abundance/a-49342942" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">alternative sources of sand</a> so as not to disrupt ecosystems in rivers and oceans when extracting them, Vander Velpen stressed it was vital to use sand which closely matches the makeup of the native sand to protect beach fauna.</p><p>"If you change the core characteristics of the native sand, the original sand, you need to do an environmental impact assessment (EIA) to find out how it's going to impact the ecosystem and nearby ecosystems," he told DW.</p><p>But according to Torres, such an assessment was not done in Manila.</p>Beautification Stunt Instead of Proper Cleanup?
<p>Manila Bay's waters are heavily polluted by oil and trash from nearby residential areas and ports. A huge "No swimming" sign warns visitors to stay away from the ocean.</p><p>Philippines' <a href="https://denr.gov.ph/index.php/priority-programs/manila-bay-clean-up/25-priority-programs/1825-frequently-ask-questions-faqs-on-the-dolomite-and-the-beach-nourishment-project" target="_blank">Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)</a> has denied dolomite sand poses any risk to human health and the ecosystem.</p><p>However, scientists of the University of the Philippines have come forward disputing the DENR's claims. A <a href="https://biology.science.upd.edu.ph/index.php/ib-statement-regarding-dolomite-in-manila-bay/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">statement by the Institute of Biology</a> said that using crushed dolomite did not address any of the rehabilitation phases and instead was "even more detrimental to the existing biodiversity as well as the communities in the area," pointing to the case of water birds. "The dumping of dolomite in Manila Bay has effectively covered part of the intertidal area used by the birds thereby reducing their habitat."</p><p>At peak migration season, Manila Bay is home to 90 aquatic bird species, including species of international conservation concern that are facing a very high extinction risk in the wild. </p><p>Authorities should focus on protecting and conserving biodiversity, the Institute of Biology added. "Rehabilitating mangroves is an example of a nature-based solution that is cheaper and more cost-effective than the dolomite dumping project," the scientists said.</p><p>Moreover, <a href="http://www.msi.upd.edu.ph/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Marine Science Institute</a> has warned that prolonged inhalation of finer dust particles of dolomite could "cause chronic health effects," leading to discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath and coughing.</p><p>They also warned dolomite sand grains would erode during storms and be carried out to sea, essentially being washed away.</p>Rehabilitation vs. Reclamation
<p>Environmentalists say covering up the beach doesn't address the real issues of the bay. Torres and others believe the best way to clean up Manila Bay is not to add anything, but rather remove trash and pollution.</p><p>"There have been studies saying much of the waste comes from already collected waste — so these are open dump sites along the coast that get washed up because of the rain," Torres said.</p><p>She criticized the authorities for continuing to push reclamation projects she says are at odds with each other. These projects will affect large areas of mangrove forests, she said, and experts warn that this, in turn, exacerbates coastal erosion.</p><p>"If you've removed the areas that helped trap the sand, like mangrove forests, then the likelihood increases that you will have to nourish a beach. Same as building right up to the waterfront," said Vander Velpen of UNEP/GRID-Geneva.</p>Plenty of Sand in the Sea?
<p>The question of Manila's contentious white beach echoes larger questions about sand mining worldwide. <a href="https://unepgrid.ch/storage/app/media/documents/Sand_and_sustainability_UNEP_2019.pdf" target="_blank">Global sand consumption has tripled</a> over the past two decades, UNEP/GRID-Geneva has found. A huge chunk of it is now taken up by construction.</p><p>"Many operate on the assumption that natural sand is endless in its supply," said Vander Velpen.</p><p>Sand scarcity is a concern shared by Stefan Schimmels of <a href="https://www.fzk.uni-hannover.de/fzk_start.html?&L=1" target="_blank">Forschungszentrum Küste</a> who's done extensive research on shore nourishment to stop coastal erosion. And as climate change and rising sea levels are threatening coasts, demand for sand will grow even more.</p><p>A large study, the <a href="http://www.stencil-project.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/STENCIL_SWOT_Analyse_191026.pdf" target="_blank">Strategies and Tools for Environment-Friendly Shore Nourishments as Climate Change Impact Low-Regret Measures (STENCIL project)</a>, focused on the German island of Sylt, a popular vacation spot.</p><p>About 1 million cubic meter of sand per year is used to maintain the coastal area of Sylt, STENCIL project head Schimmels said. That's about 100 million 10-liter buckets of sand.</p><p>When sand was extracted off the coast of Sylt, underwater craters were formed. "You can still detect these craters even decades later," Schimmels told DW.</p><p>"Also when you add a couple of meters sand onto the beach — you essentially bury all things that do creep and fly," he said. "How quickly will they recover?" Schimmels said more research was needed as there was still too little known about long-term effects on the environment. </p>Criticism Piling Up
<p>As for Manila's artificial white sand, it looks like some might have already been blown away by a recent storm. DENR claims it wasn't washed away, but said that grayish sand, stones and other material had simply piled up over the dolomite sand. People in Manila have tweeted photos showing how the storm has ravaged the beach. </p><div id="adc0b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="98f9390db6bb81cb421aaf0bb9d9a6fb"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1318816633280851969" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Exactly one month after giving excited netizen a glimpse of Manila Bay white sands, look what happened now after ju… https://t.co/X0Z9i0bPB0</div> — M*A*S*H (@M*A*S*H)<a href="https://twitter.com/Magtira_Matibay/statuses/1318816633280851969">1603265362.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Authorities have been called tone-deaf for spending around 389 million pesos ($8 million) on a beach nourishment project in the middle of a raging pandemic.</p><p>An image of cake iced with the words "It really hurts - that's [worth] 389 million pesos?" has since gone viral.</p>
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4387aad52ea316e4db7330052318ca2f"><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/theweekendpatisserie/posts/144564207350008"></div></div><p>"It's just a waste of precious resources," Torres said. </p><p>The environmental activist now also worries that she might be labeled a terrorist for speaking out under the <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/philippine-anti-terrorism-law-triggers-fear-of-massive-rights-abuses/a-53732140" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Philippines' controversial new anti-terrorism law</a>. She says she could be arrested for inciting fear when talking about environmental dangers.</p>
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An illustration highlights the moon's Clavius Crater with an illustration depicting water trapped in the lunar soil there. NASA / Daniel Rutter
A pair of studies released Monday confirmed not only the presence of water and ice on the moon, but that it is more abundant than scientists previously thought. Those twin discoveries boost the prospect of a sustainable lunar base that could harvest the moon's resources to help sustain itself, according to the BBC.
<p>Both studies were printed in <em>Nature Astronomy</em>. In the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-020-01222-x" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">first study</a>, a NASA telescope affixed to the fuselage of a 747 airplane flying at altitudes up to 45,000 feet detected the presence of water in a large crater visible from Earth. The telescope, called the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), zeroed in on the moon's surface with remarkable clarity to determine the molecular composition of the moon's face, according to a <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-sofia-discovers-water-on-sunlit-surface-of-moon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NASA</a> statement.</p><p>Images from SOFIA allowed scientists to determine that a large portion of the hydrogen and oxygen combination they had previously noticed on a sunlit area of the moon are water, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/26/science/moon-ice-water.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Science" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>.</p>
<p>"This discovery reveals that water might be distributed across the lunar surface and not limited to the cold shadowed places near the lunar poles," Paul Hertz, the director of NASA's astrophysics division, said during a news conference on Monday, as The New York Times reported.</p><p>In the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-020-1198-9" target="_blank">second study</a>, the NASA scientists suggest that water might be more widespread than they initially thought since it is likely trapped in many of the moon's shadowy surfaces, according to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/26/21530198/moon-water-ice-sun-cold-traps-nasa-artemis-astronauts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Verge</a>. Those cold areas of the moon possibly shelter water in an area over 15,000 square miles, according to the study.</p><p>The discovery is a boon to a potential lunar base since taking water to space is pricey, costing thousands of dollars per gallon. The discovery of water on the moon may mean that future astronauts will be able to hydrate and refuel their rockets, as <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/10/26/water-on-the-moon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a> reported. It also means they would be able to water plants, according to The Verge.</p>
<p>"Anytime we don't need to pack water for our trip, we have an opportunity to take other useful items with us," said Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist for NASA's human exploration and operations directorate, to The New York Times.</p><p>Hannah Sargeant, a planetary scientist from the Open University in Milton Keynes, told the BBC that the location of the water will likely determine where a lunar base is established</p><p>Previous discoveries of water were found in craters in the moon's perpetually dark south. Temperatures there reach about -400 degrees Fahrenheit, making it impossible to reach the water with modern technology.</p><p>"They happen to be the coldest known places in the Solar System, believe it or not," Paul Hayne, a planetary scientist at the University of Colorado and a lead author on the second study, told The Verge.</p><p>That makes the discovery of water deposits in less treacherous areas appealing to scientists thinking about future moon exploration, according to The New York Times.</p>
<p>"If we find that it's abundant enough in certain locations, it would be easier to access versus going into these very cold, very dark places," said Casey Honniball, a postdoctoral fellow at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and lead author of the first study, to The Verge.</p><p>For the next steps, NASA will send unmanned rovers to the moon's south pole in 2023 to drill for water a meter below the surface, according to The Washington Post.</p><p>"Both papers deepen the mysteries of lunar water while providing pieces of the puzzle," wrote Bethany Ehlmann, an assistant professor of planetary science at Caltech who was not involved in the research, in an email to The Washington Post. "It's exciting to think that lurking in the shadow within ten degrees of the pole are tiny reservoirs of water ice."</p>
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Researchers have determined that U.S. climate goals will not be met without federal leadership. Another Believer / Wikimedia Commons / CC by 3.0
After President Trump announced that the U.S. will exit the Paris Climate Agreement, many U.S. states, cities, and businesses stepped up with their own commitments to cut carbon pollution.
<iframe style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/16201685/height/45/theme/standard/thumbnail/yes/direction/backward/" height="45" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>Carla Frisch is with the Rocky Mountain Institute, a non-profit think tank. She's part of a team that's been crunching numbers to figure out what's happening on the ground in the United States on climate.</p><p>"And figure out what's the impact of those actions," she says. "So what does it really add up to?"</p><p>The researchers estimate that in 10 years, if the states, cities, and businesses fully implement their plans, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions will be 25% less than they were in 2005.</p>
<p>That's significant. But to stay in line with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, the U.S. needs to cut emissions by almost twice that.</p><p>The researchers found that making those larger cuts in carbon pollution is still feasible, but Frisch says it will require a nationwide commitment to transitioning to renewable energy and electric vehicles, among other strategies.</p><p>"We have to have federal leadership and we have to have leadership from states and cities and businesses, so this is not an either/or situation," Frisch says. "But together we can put the U.S. on track to drastic emissions reductions."</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/10/u-s-cant-meet-paris-climate-goals-without-federal-leadership-researcher-says/" target="_blank">Yale Climate Connections</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
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Scientists at General Motors and Ford Motor Co. knew of the connection between car emissions and climate change as early as the 1960s. J/J Images - J Morrill Photo / Getty Images
By Jessica Corbett
"Another cog in the climate denial machine rattles loose."
So said Harvard University climate denial researcher Geoffrey Supran in response to a groundbreaking investigative report published Monday by E&E News revealing that scientists at auto giants General Motors and Ford Motor Co. "knew as early as the 1960s that car emissions caused climate change."
<p>Those discoveries, notes <em>E&E News </em>reporter Maxine Joselow, "preceded decades of political lobbying by the two car giants that undermined global attempts to reduce emissions while stalling U.S. efforts to make vehicles cleaner."</p><p>Supran is co-director of the Climate Social Science Network and a research associate in Harvard's Department of the History of Science. He investigates the history of climate politics—particularly the communications, denial, and delay tactics of fossil fuel interests—alongside professor Naomi Oreskes, who also highlighted the revelations.</p>
<div id="71d13" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8da145d0ce5495a0af282306945503af"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1320728404078043136" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">"There was never any doubt for a minute", former GM scientist Ruth Reck says of her pioneering climate science rese… https://t.co/DaYzkpPG7q</div> — Geoffrey Supran (@Geoffrey Supran)<a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffreySupran/statuses/1320728404078043136">1603721164.0</a></blockquote></div>
<div id="94cd8" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1812eaef4972b9dc93486f1643265be2"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1320737159154991104" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">More details about what corporate America knew about #climatechange in the 1960s and 70s... and also how they funde… https://t.co/lSCrsvA44P</div> — NaomiOreskes (@NaomiOreskes)<a href="https://twitter.com/NaomiOreskes/statuses/1320737159154991104">1603723251.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>"From fossil fuel companies, to car manufacturers and utilities, we know it's not only Exxon that knew about the climate crisis decades ago," <span style="background-color: initial;">Lindsay Meiman of 350.org told <em>Common Dreams </em>on Monday, referencing previous <a href="https://insideclimatenews.org/content/Exxon-The-Road-Not-Taken" target="_blank">reporting</a> on climate research conducted and concealed for decades by oil giant ExxonMobil.</span></p><p>"Now, with climate disasters at our doorsteps, it's Black, Indigenous, and communities of color who bear the costs of these lies," Meiman added. "The silver lining: we know exactly who is responsible for the climate crisis. It's up to all of us to hold polluters and billionaires accountable for their deception and destruction."</p><p>Joselow's exposé is based on nearly five months of reporting as well as documents on GM from the General Motors Heritage Center and Wayne State University in Detroit, documents on Ford's climate research unearthed by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), and additional materials on both manufacturers provided by the Climate Investigations Centers.</p><p>According to <em>E&E News</em>:</p><blockquote>Researchers at both automakers found strong evidence in the 1960s and '70s that human activity was warming the Earth. A primary culprit was the burning of fossil fuels, which released large quantities of heat-trapping gases such as carbon dioxide that could trigger melting of polar ice sheets and other dire consequences.<br><br>A GM scientist presented her findings to at least three high-level executives at the company, including a former chairman and CEO. It's unclear whether similar warnings reached the top brass at Ford.<br><br>But in the following decades, both manufacturers largely failed to act on the knowledge that their products were heating the planet. Instead of shifting their business models away from fossil fuels, the companies invested heavily in gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs. At the same time, the two carmakers privately donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to groups that cast doubt on the scientific consensus on global warming.</blockquote>
<p>While spokespeople for each company responded to the revelations by recognizing the reality of human-caused climate change and detailing to <em>E&E News</em> their respective efforts to reduce emissions by increasing production of electric vehicles, climate action advocates were outraged.</p><p>"It's jaw-dropping," Jamie Henn, director of Fossil Free Media and co-founder of 350.org, told <em>Common Dreams</em>. "GM and Ford not only knew their cars were fueling the climate crisis, but anytime a political effort came together to address the emergency, they helped steer it into a ditch. Think of the millions of premature deaths from air pollution that could have been prevented if the world's largest automakers had committed to go all-electric back in the 1970s."</p><p>"This reporting drags the automakers back into the center of the climate fight," added Henn. "It puts immense pressure on them to support any new climate legislation or regulations, especially around electric vehicles and auto emissions. I think it also raises the question of whether GM and Ford should be included in future climate liability lawsuits."</p><p>Henn explained that unlike the major fossil fuel companies, who he called "irredeemable polluters," big auto companies like Ford and GM now have a choice to make. "They can get swept away with the likes of Exxon and Chevron or embrace a clean energy future by going all-electric and supporting mass transit," he said. "Activists will be working hard to make sure it's the latter."</p>
<div id="bb72f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="161d579460176537e601275315796462"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1320759585209262082" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Just like #ExxonKnew, General Motors + Ford have known for decades how they contribute to the climate crisis. Inst… https://t.co/noRVIUGiBt</div> — 350 dot org (@350 dot org)<a href="https://twitter.com/350/statuses/1320759585209262082">1603728598.0</a></blockquote></div>
<div id="3c362" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="928139734c26121a3902b39abb34b69d"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1320739545529393152" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">A critical, and damning, look at how #FordandGMKnew that vehicle emissions were driving climate change and they lob… https://t.co/nXJyEZQd4W</div> — Allison Considine (@Allison Considine)<a href="https://twitter.com/AD_Considine/statuses/1320739545529393152">1603723820.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>In a statement, CIEL president Carroll Muffett said the investigation "demonstrates auto companies were aware of emerging climate science and on notice of potential climate risks decades earlier than was previously recognized." The group also detailed key takeaways from the reporting:</p><ul><li>In a 1956 letter, Ford scientist Gilbert Plass rejected the idea that excess warming from burning fossil fuels poses "little danger to the Earth," observing that burning known reserves of fossil fuels would raise global temperatures by 7⁰C.</li><li>In multiple articles written while at Ford, Plass detailed the science linking fossil fuel combustion to the planetary "greenhouse effect.""</li><li>Ford continued an active program of climate-relevant research into the 1970s and beyond.</li><li>General Motors employed its own climate scientists from the early 1970s, with a research focus on establishing competing theories of global warming.</li><li>In testimony to Congress in 1967, a Ford executive argued against federal investments in electric vehicle research, arguing that industry was actively developing EV technology and would be ready to bring electric cars to market within a decade.</li></ul><p>"Like the oil industry, leading car companies had early notice that the carbon dioxide emitted by their automotive products posed potential risks for the climate at a planetary scale," said Muffett. "Ford and GM had both the opportunity and the responsibility to design products that would reduce emissions, and warn the public of risks that couldn't be eliminated. Instead, they spent decades denying climate science and obstructing climate action."</p><p>In other words, Muffett added, "like the major oil and gas companies, leading car companies took a calculated risk that they—and the world—could delay action to address the drivers of climate change. We are all paying for that gamble."</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/10/26/gm-and-ford-knew-too-reporting-reveals-auto-giants-recognized-looming-climate-crisis" target="_blank">Common Dreams</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
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The Silverado Fire rages near a home in Irvine, California on Oct. 26, 2020. Mario Tama / Getty Images
California's devastating wildfire season raged on Monday as new blazes in Orange County injured two firefighters and forced around 90,800 people to flee their homes, The New York Times reported.
<p>The two firefighters suffered second and third degree burns over most of their bodies while battling the larger Silverado Fire and had to be intubated. They are 26 and 31 years old.</p><p>"They are gravely injured. Their families are with them," Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Fire Chief Brian Fennessy said, as <a href="https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/10/26/california-wildfires-60-000-evacuated-irvine-silverado-fire/6042915002/" target="_blank">USA TODAY reported</a>. "We are giving them all the support we can."</p>
<p>The Silverado Fire was first reported at 6:47 a.m. near Irvine, <a href="https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/10/26/irvine-fire-silverado-wildfire-evacuations/" target="_blank">California, CBS Los Angeles (LA) reported</a>. At first, it was only 10 acres, and firefighters hoped it could be limited to the brush in a less populated area of the city, USA TODAY reported. But the flames were fanned by strong winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 70 miles per hour. In three hours, it grew to 2,000 acres, CBSLA reported.</p><p>"The wind is crazy, my family has been through it in Malibu," evacuee Ruby Johnson told CBSLA. "It's a crazy thing, never had to experience it ourselves. You can replace clothes and things, but you can't replace your lives. I've got all the pictures and valuables, so we're ready to go."</p>
<p>As of Monday evening, 500 firefighters were battling the blaze, which had spread to 7,200 acres and was zero percent contained, <a href="https://twitter.com/OCFA_PIO/status/1320945060968419328" target="_blank">OCFA tweeted</a>.</p><p>The second fire of the day was the Blue Ridge Fire, which ignited just before 1 p.m., as <a href="https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/10/26/blue-ridge-fire-threatens-yorba-linda-homes/" target="_blank">CBSLA reported further</a>. It broke out in the Chino Hills above Yorba Linda, according to USA TODAY. On its own, it prompted almost 5,000 evacuations, according to CBSLA. It seriously damaged at least one residence.</p><p>By the end of the day, there were around 200 firefighters working on it and it was zero percent contained, OCFA tweeted. By late Monday night, it <a href="https://twitter.com/OCFA_PIO/status/1320972199742697472" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">had spread</a> to 6,600 acres.</p>
<p>As with every <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/extreme-weather" target="_self">extreme weather</a> event during the 2020 hurricane and fire seasons, evacuations were complicated by the ongoing spread of the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_self">coronavirus</a> pandemic. Fire evacuee Kelsey Brewer told USA TODAY how she and her three roommates had to make a plan for where they could safely shelter. They decided to head to the home of her girlfriend's mother because it was spacious and she lived there alone.</p><p>"We literally talked about it this morning," Brewer said. "There's nowhere you can go to feel safe."</p><p>The new blazes also come amidst a <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/wildfires-california-washington-oregon-photos-2647585008.html" target="_self">devastating fire year</a> for the U.S. In California, fires since August have killed more than 30 people and forced thousands to flee, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-54694971" target="_blank">BBC News reported</a>. Fires in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington State have scorched more than five million acres, The New York Times reported.</p>
<p>And the nightmare is far from over for Southern California, as the arrival of the Santa Ana winds brings low moisture, National Weather Service Sacramento meteorologist Jim Mathews told USA TODAY. He said the weather conditions now were similar to those that had fueled destructive fires in the past, like the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/california-wildfires-kincade-2641099755.html" target="_self">Kincade Fire</a> in 2019 or the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/camp-fire-cost-paradise-california-2625457443.html" target="_self">Camp Fire</a> in 2018.</p><p>"This is our severe weather season right now: fire weather," he told USA TODAY.</p><p>Scientists say the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/" target="_self">climate crisis</a> is making fire seasons more extreme as warmer, drier weather makes plants more likely to burn, The New York Times reported.</p>
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An Asian giant hornet taken from the first U.S. nest to be discovered. ELAINE THOMPSON / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
The first U.S. "murder hornet" nest has been discovered and eliminated.
<p>"Murder hornets," or Asian giant hornets as they are officially called, <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/murder-hornets-honeybees-us-2645912097.html" target="_self">first emerged</a> as a concern after four sightings of the bee-slaughtering <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/insects" target="_self">insects</a> were verified in Washington State in December 2019. Since then, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has been working to prevent the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/invasive-species" target="_self">invasive species</a> from establishing a presence in the state, and they made headway towards that goal Saturday when they removed a nest newly discovered near Blaine, Washington.</p><p>"Got 'em," the WSDA wrote in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WAStateDeptAg/posts/10158596587562906" target="_blank">Facebook post</a>.</p>
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7728c1de4b7ce306f2afe8918f938293"><div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/WAStateDeptAg/videos/3411169195635580" data-allowfullscreen="true"></div></div>
<p>WSDA workers vacuumed the hornets out of the tree cavity where their nest was found and into canisters, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/insects-washington-asia-agriculture-united-states-c235c7f6725460b463af968bb1355445" target="_blank">The Associated Press reported</a>. They donned protective gear thick enough to defend them against the hornets' six-millimeter long stingers. The suits also included face shields because the hornets can spit venom.</p><p>The tree will now be cut down and the nest searched for newborn hornets and to see if any queens have already left. <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/scientists" target="_self">Scientists</a> think there may be other murder hornet nests in Washington State.</p>
<div id="a3b24" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="38572c61a5ebaf7cbdae52cd9f3cf21d"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1320151317495439361" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Quite a morning shooting Asian giant hornets and our WA Ag workers taking them out in Blaine. Love those sting-resi… https://t.co/uooInt70T9</div> — Elaine Thompson /// journalism matters (@Elaine Thompson /// journalism matters)<a href="https://twitter.com/ElaineMThompson/statuses/1320151317495439361">1603583575.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>Murder hornets earned their nickname because they attack in groups and can inject a victim with as much venom as a snake bite. They are native to China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam and other Asian countries, where they kill as many as three dozen people every year.</p><p>While that may sound like a lot, species of wasps, hornets and bees already common in the U.S. kill an average of 62 people a year, The Associated Press pointed out.</p><p>The main danger that Asian giant hornets pose is to <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/honeybees" target="_self">honeybees</a>: A small group of them can kill an entire hive within hours, the <a href="https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=31875" target="_blank">WSDA said</a>.</p>
<p>Honeybees in Japan have evolved to surround invading hornets and vibrate until they cook the intruder alive, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/23/murder-hornet-us-first-nest-found-washington-state" target="_blank">The Guardian reported</a>. But North American honeybees have not evolved with Asian giant hornets, so they would not have any such defense strategies. Farmers are concerned that the hornets could devastate U.S. honeybee populations if they were to spread. This would also have serious consequences for all the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/food" target="_self">foods</a> that bees pollinate.</p><p>The WSDA discovered the first U.S. Asian giant hornet nest around 4 p.m. on Oct. 22. The nest was located after the WSDA tied radio trackers to some captured hornets with dental floss, The Associated Press reported.</p>
<div id="ef0b1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4b5bd1f1de8027364b6a15f8bfb6a358"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1319651074744094720" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">The rumors are true - our entomologists located the first-ever #AsianGiantHornet nest in the U.S. late yesterday. P… https://t.co/0LmpZToVHj</div> — WA St Dept of Agr (@WA St Dept of Agr)<a href="https://twitter.com/WSDAgov/statuses/1319651074744094720">1603464308.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>The first Asian giant hornet was trapped in the U.S. in July, the WSDA said. Since then, its entomologists have been working to locate and eliminate any nests.</p>
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An aerial view shows drought conditions in the Amazon rainforest on Feb. 20, 2015 in Brazil. Lena Trindade / Brazil Photos / LightRocket / Getty Images
By Jennifer Ann Thomas
For the first time, researchers have developed a model capable of anticipating drought periods in the Amazon up to 18 months in advance. The study was conducted by scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), in Germany, as part of the Tipping Points in the Earth System (TiPES) project, led by physicist Catrin Ciemer and published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.
<p>The model was developed based on surface temperature analysis of the Atlantic Ocean. The relation between the humidity of the oceans and the rainfall regime in the Amazon is part of the intrinsic functioning of the biomes. Any variation in temperature, as a result of global warming, is enough to trigger a series of consequences.</p><p>According to physicist and study co-author Niklas Boers, the early-warning system developed by the group is based on a very simple mechanism: "We discovered that every two years the surface temperatures in the north and south tropical Atlantic develop a dipole, a phenomenon that occurs when temperatures increase in one region and decrease in another."</p><p>The drought forecast alert is issued when this pattern begins to develop. "The dipole modifies the direction of the trade winds, which take moisture from the Atlantic Ocean to South America. This change of direction is responsible for causing droughts mainly in the center-south of the Amazon," Boers said. From the model they developed, the researchers were able to trace back six of the seven main drought events that have occurred in the Amazon since the 1980s.</p>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU5MDk1Ny9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MTEyOTM5MX0.6RM-Ryoiz3vfY9Dx2ocN14yrDAN91nn3Yk0okz-s0YI/img.jpg?width=980" id="ca886" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e04a515f2eb64460d1cc274c685bbc02" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Average monthly sea surface temperature (in degrees Celsius, red scale) and average continental rainfall in South America (in millimeters/month, blue scale) from 1981 to 2016. Sea surface temperatures and precipitation are generally higher around the equator. On the left, the area where El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) occurs; dotted lines indicate the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in January and July, responsible for transporting heat and humidity from the oceans around the tropics.
<p>Carlos Nobre, a renowned Brazilian climate scientist who was not involved in the study, said global warming is making the northern cycle of warmer waters stronger and more present. In the future, he said, we should expect the southern Amazon to become less humid. "The mega droughts of 2005, 2010 and the ongoing one are directly associated with the increase in temperatures in the north tropical Atlantic Ocean," Nobre said.</p><p>"However, unlike in previous years, the current mega drought began in May and June, not interfering in the rains during the summer season. It is too early to say that the warmer waters will continue throughout the months and if they will cause a continued drought until the next rainy season."</p><p>In a context of global warming, there is a close connection between rising ocean temperatures and environmental balance, and the repercussions are felt deep into the forest: what happens on the high seas can impact life in the Amazon.</p><p>Janaína Bumbeer, an oceanographer and science and conservation analyst with the Boticário Group Foundation for Nature Protection, said it's not enough to only understand a single aspect of ecology — it's necessary to understand phenomena in a systemic way. "The relation between the ocean temperature, the climate and the winds is very delicate," said Bumbeer, who was not involved in the new study. "Any increase of 1° Celsius [1.8° Fahrenheit] affects the rainfall regime on the continent." The greater the frequency of anomalies in the seas, she said, the more recurrent the extreme climatic events.</p>
<p>Faced with the effects of climate change, there is a risk that the Northern Hemisphere will heat up faster than the South, which would stimulate the occurrence of the Atlantic dipole and lead to a more intense frequency of droughts in the Amazon.</p><p>Even with the possibility of predicting a drought period in the region, there is little to be done to actually mitigate the direct impacts on the forest. People who live in the Amazon, especially rural farmers, traditional communities, Indigenous people, and those who depend on river transportation to get around (water levels can become so low that navigability becomes impossible) will be the ones who will benefit from the information, the researchers say. "Indirectly, [with the drought forecast alert] it is possible to have a positive influence on the Amazon ecosystem. The more in advance farmers and traditional communities can plan, the less traumatic the interference of the climate will be," Boers said.</p><p>With drought comes another concern: an increase in fires, directly associated with illegal deforestation. According to data from Brazil's National Space Research Institute (INPE), in September of this year, 31,017 hot spots were recorded, the second-worst September in a decade and a 60% increase from the same month last year. Because the Amazon is a humid tropical forest, fire is not part of the biome's natural dynamics, as it is in the temperate forests of the U.S. West Coast. In the Amazon, fires are usually associated with human actions. And in periods of drought, hotspots have the right conditions to grow in extent and to cause greater impacts on the ecosystem.</p><p>"There are innumerous evidence on the possibility of the forest becoming a savanna through the effects of human action," Boers said. "The biome is already very close to the <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2019/12/the-tipping-point-is-here-it-is-now-top-amazon-scientists-warn/" target="_blank">tipping point</a>."</p><p>Such a large-scale effect would lead to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, which would further accelerate global warming. The study's underlying message is that all natural phenomena are interconnected. And it demonstrates that as humanity persists on the current economic model of consumption, the effects on the planet will only get worse, to the point of endangering the world's largest tropical forest and its rich biodiversity.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2020/10/atlantic-trends-can-predict-amazon-drought-18-months-away-study-finds/" target="_blank">Mongabay</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
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People take a group selfie on top of Parliament Hill in north London, Britain, on Oct. 25, 2020. There have been "dramatic improvements in London's air quality" since 2016, Mayor Sadiq Khan announced. Xinhua / Han Yan via Getty Images
By Sean Fleming
Londoners worrying about air quality can now breathe a little easier, thanks to news from the city's mayor.
<p>There have been "dramatic improvements in London's air quality across the capital since 2016," the office of London Mayor Sadiq Khan says. Those improvements include a 94% reduction in the number of people living in areas that exceed the legal limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels. There has also been a marked improvement in the air quality surrounding schools, the <a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/air_quality_in_london_2016-2020_october2020final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Air Quality in London 2016-2020 report</a> says.</p>
<h3>The ULEZ Example</h3><p>While some of the more recent improvements in air quality might be <a href="https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/assets/documents/reports/cat09/2007010844_Estimation_of_Changes_in_Air_Pollution_During_COVID-19_outbreak_in_the_UK.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">due to reduced emissions levels during the pandemic</a>, the report states there had already been a 35% fall in central London's NO2 levels between 2017 and the pre-lockdown part of early 2020. Much of the achievement has been attributed to the city's ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ), which came into force in April 2019.</p><p>The London ULEZ was the first of its kind and has some of the world's toughest standards. Older vehicles and those with <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/cars" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">high emissions are subject to a daily charge of around $16</a>. That's in addition to a charge of around $20 to <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">drive in central London's Congestion Charge zone</a>.</p><p>The ULEZ is being gradually widened to cover a greater area of London in late 2021. Similar schemes are now <a href="https://urbanaccessregulations.eu/countries-mainmenu-147" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">commonplace across much of Europe</a>.</p><p>It isn't all good news for London, though. Many thousands of its residents are affected by <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/air-pollution">air pollution</a> levels that exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The problem particularly impacts inner-city parts of London, and the mayor's office warns that "deprived Londoners and [those] from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities" are likely to be "exposed to the worst air pollution."</p>
<h3>Not the Worst – or the Best</h3><p>When compared with the rest of Europe, London's air quality is among neither the worst nor the best. According to a study conducted by Greenmatch, the <a href="https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2018/11/mapped-europes-most-and-least-polluted-countries#Most" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">three most polluting countries</a> are Turkey, Poland and Latvia. The three with the cleanest air are Sweden, Finland and France.</p><p>Across Europe, <a href="https://www.eea.europa.eu/media/newsreleases/many-europeans-still-exposed-to-air-pollution-2015/premature-deaths-attributable-to-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">more than 500,000 early deaths per year have been blamed on poor air quality</a>. The European Environment Agency looked at data from 40 countries across the continent and calculated the effects on mortality of ozone, PM2.5 fine particulate matter and NO2.</p><p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2018/11/mapped-europes-most-and-least-polluted-countries#Most" target="_blank">the UK's fuel-derived CO2 emissions are slightly better than the European average</a>, according to an analysis of data from WHO, International Energy Agency and Data Worldbank, carried out by the energy service Greenmatch.</p>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU5MDgyMS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNzQ3ODE2OH0.hw-1XpgE0rdJYghtwn9K28BJXsCYeqwX0rmyxYwpqRw/img.png?width=980" id="60b40" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ca3fe53108d9219031edde7172b447cc" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
<p>In France last year, a court ruled that the state had taken "<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48762911" target="_blank">insufficient measures concerning the quality of air" in Paris between 2012 and 2016</a>, the BBC reports. The case in question was brought by a woman and her daughter who claimed polluted Parisian air had harmed their health.</p><p>Worldwide, as many as <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/29-10-2018-more-than-90-of-the-world%e2%80%99s-children-breathe-toxic-air-every-day" target="_blank">600,000 children are thought to have died in a single year because of poor air quality</a>. "Polluted air is poisoning millions of children and ruining their lives. This is inexcusable. Every child should be able to breathe clean air so they can grow and fulfill their full potential," Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, wrote in a report in 2018. Analyzing data from 2016, the report also concluded that around 93% of children younger than 15 routinely breathe "air that is so polluted it puts their health and development at serious risk."</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/10/london-europe-emissions-limits-air-pollution/" target="_blank">World Economic Forum</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
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Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide poses for a portrait on September 14, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan, after being elected Liberal Democratic Party President. Nicolas Datiche / Pool / Getty Images
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced that Japan will become country carbon neutral by 2050, Bloomberg reported.
<p>As the world's third-largest economy, this will require a "fundamental shift" away from coal, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/japan-climate-emissions/2020/10/26/b6ea2b5a-1752-11eb-8bda-814ca56e138b_story.html" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a> reported.</p><p>Suga replaced former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month, after he resigned due to health issues. This was Suga's first parliament policy speech since taking office. </p><p>He announced, "The Suga administration will seek to make a virtuous cycle between the economy and the environment," Bloomberg reported. "We will put all possible efforts into creating a green society."</p>
<p>Additionally, "Responding to climate change is no longer a constraint on economic growth," <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/japan-climate-emissions/2020/10/26/b6ea2b5a-1752-11eb-8bda-814ca56e138b_story.html" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a> reported from Suga's speech. "We need to change our thinking to the view that taking assertive measures against climate change will lead to changes in industrial structure and the economy that will bring about great growth."</p><p>However, Suga did not offer any details about how carbon neutrality will be achieved, although he referenced carbon recycling and next generation solar cells. The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshi Kajiyama told reporters that more details will be presented in a report later this year, according to Bloomberg, including wind energy, hydrogen and improved battery storage.<br></p><p>The move follows commitments from other major economies responsible for an outsized share of greenhouse gas emissions, including the world's largest emitter, China.<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/china-climate-action-2060-2648140974.html?rebelltitem=5" target="_self"> China has set a 2060 target </a>for carbon neutrality. Japan is the world's fifth-largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/26/business/japans-carbon-neutrality.html" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>.</p>
<p>Japanese policy experts believe a number of factors drove the announcement, including mounting pressure from inside Japan to tackle the climate crisis, plus international competition. It would be "somewhat embarrassing for Japan to have a net zero emissions timeline later than China," Takeshi Kuramochi, a climate policy researcher at the NewClimate Institute told The New York Times.</p><p>Sam Annesley, executive director of Greenpeace Japan, added that sustainability should also include a move away from nuclear power. "Nearly 10 years on from Fukushima we are still facing the disastrous consequences of nuclear power, and this radioactive legacy has made clear that nuclear energy has no place in a green, sustainable future," <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/26/japan-will-become-carbon-neutral-by-2050-pm-pledges" target="_blank">The Guardian</a> reported.</p>
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Trump Administration Plans Seismic Testing for Oil in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge This Winter
26 October
Politics
A caribou in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Danielle Brigida / CC BY 2.0
The Trump administration released on Friday its plan to start oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) this winter, as The Hill reported.
<p>The <a href="https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2003258/510" target="_blank">plan</a> was put forth by the Kaktovik Iñupiat Corporation and released by the Bureau of Land Management. The plan calls for the start of <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/seismic-airgun-blasting">seismic testing</a> on millions of acres, spanning an 847.8 square mile area, on the east side of the refuge in an area where polar bears and other <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/wildlife">wildlife</a> reside. The seismic testing will allow the Kaktovik Iñupiat Corporation to detect the presence of oil in the area.</p><p>Seismic testing works in a way that is similar to ultrasound technology. It generates acoustic waves deep underground that produce a picture that can pinpoint oil deposits, according to The Hill.</p>
<p>The Bureau of Land Management said it would allow for 14 days of public comment before deciding if it should issue a permit, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/24/climate/anwr-seismic-tests-arctic-refuge.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>.</p><p>Environmental activists have argued that the short timeframe means it is impossible to conduct an adequate environmental review of the proposal. The plan involves using heavy trucks fanned out across the area to create a grid pattern. It also requires a crew of 180 workers who would need ample supplies and mobile living quarters, according to The New York Times.</p><p>The National Wildlife Federation argues that the rushed comment period in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic ensures that public opposition will not be heard adequately.</p>
<p>"This is a desperate attempt to jam through a plan that could kill denning polar bears, imperil other wildlife, threaten the Gwich'in people, and cause long-lasting damage to the Arctic," said Tracy Stone-Manning, associate vice president for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation, in a <a href="https://www.nwf.org/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2020/10-23-20-Arctic-Seismic-Testing" target="_blank">statement</a>. "By rushing this plan through while ordinary Americans are focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and their own health and safety, it's clear this administration wants to cut the public out of public lands in order to advance its dangerously myopic and misguided energy agenda."</p><p>The company intending to conduct the seismic test said it will exercise caution should it encounter any wildlife during its exploration. Environmentalists countered that it's not the interactions that worry them as much as the permanent alterations to the Arctic tundra that could upset the delicate balance of the ecosystem that polar bears and other animals depend on.</p>
<p>"Allowing huge thumper trucks and camps onto sacred lands where they leave deep and lasting wounds is a threat to my people, the animals, our food, and our way of life," said Bernadette Demientieff, the executive director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee, in a statement, as The Hill reported. "We have raised concerns repeatedly about this administration rushing the process and shortcutting our review."</p><p>The Wilderness Society also sees the plan as a politically motivated move that will silence the public.</p><p>"The submission of this application and BLM's choice to act on it so close to the election shows how desperate the administration is to turn over one of the nation's most sensitive landscapes to the oil industry," said Lois Epstein, director of the Arctic program for the Wilderness Society, in a statement, as The New York Times reported. "The federal government is recklessly rushing and irresponsibly denying the public adequate time to assess the application and submit comments."</p><p>The New York Times also noted that the proposal calls for the work to be carried out by Houston-based SAExploration, which declared bankruptcy, and was accused of accounting fraud earlier this month by the Securities and Exchange Commission.</p>
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