One out of the many unpreventable consequences of our existence is facing countless changes and challenges of varying magnitudes, both in personal and professional capacities. To our advantage, if it wasn’t about accepting certain changes and tackling the challenges our pursuit of surviving against the odds would be permanently impeded and life itself would become dull and repetitive. Yet there’s no denying the fact that everything is shrouded in ambiguity without any access to answers from the future unless we gauge the situation first-hand.
In short, I could be intellectually prepared to face an unknown confrontation with time but I would have absolutely no control over when that event would occur or even have any visibility of the consequences thereof. Needless to say, there’s always a sense of apprehension lingering about how might I perform to the best of my abilities, and what path I might undertake that would align with my goals when I eventually face the challenge? Or how would that process change me for the better or worse?
A proud and a delightful moment is being unfolded, one that would unimaginably transform my viewpoint on matters relating to ‘challenges’ for the rest of my life. I’m embarking upon a new voyage in rediscovering myself all over again, and regardless of whether I’d end up smarter or lame, this wonderful token of blessing has ‘JOY’ written all over it!
In a news report that I read today, scientists at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have cautioned that we might be heading for a ‘climate catastrophe’. Titled ‘Global Warming at 1.5ºC’, the analysis which is authored by around 90 scientists at the IPCC, has suggested keeping global temperatures well under 1.5ºC, although we might be going completely off track & heading towards an increase of 3ºC instead! For a perspective, the Paris Agreement had a long-term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperatures to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels; and to limit the increase to 1.5°C, since this would substantially reduce the risks and effects of climate change. Back home in Canada, several provinces are now preparing to rally against the Trudeau government’s initiative to introduce a carbon tax plan, just as, to my surprise, the Ontario government under Premier Ford scrapped the provincial ‘cap-and-trade’ carbon tax plan, towards, what they described as, “fulfilling the government’s commitment to reducing gas prices by 10 cents per litre.”
The target of 2ºC which was previously thought as reasonably manageable the IPCC now suggests that even going past 1.5ºC is not an option anymore and it would significantly alter the planet’s livability. Hans-Otto Portner, a German scientist who co-chaired one of the panel’s working groups, says:
[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Every extra bit of warming matters, especially since warming of 1.5 C or higher increases the risk associated with long-lasting or irreversible changes, such as the loss of some ecosystems”.[/perfectpullquote]
Simply put, policymakers across the board need to strategize in integrating more sustainable ways to reduce carbon emissions by transforming the biggest calamity facing mankind today into their biggest opportunity to save the species tomorrow. It’s a wake-up call, to say the least.
How We Can Prevent The Climate Catastrophe
As consumers of this vast but fragile ecosystem, we have a grave responsibility to preserve the environment by preventing the temperature of our Earth from going beyond 1.5ºC. The IPCC report states that the ‘climate catastrophe’ could be avoided provided we make some rapid but significant changes to four big global systems – energy, land-use, cities and industry. And without the participation of individuals & entrepreneurs, that target may not be achievable. Here’s a checklist of what we all can collectively do to reduce the carbon footprint:
Buy less meat, milk, cheese and butter and more locally sourced seasonal food – and throw less of it away
Drive electric cars but walk or cycle short distances
Take trains and buses instead of planes
Use video conferencing instead of business travel
Use a washing line instead of a tumble dryer
Insulate homes
Demand low carbon in every consumer product
It’s not easy at all, but a sustained interest, widespread promotion & a shared commitment over a period of time could make our planet become greener and cleaner again.
I was late in discovering Shazam, just like some other apps, but I don’t regret it. I love listening to any form of music and being an ‘old schooler’, the “independent” sorts, I’ve not pledged my allegiance to either Apple Music or Spotify, although it’s becoming inevitable to avoid. Meanwhile, I’m satisfying my urge of listening to soul-stirring melodies through the droves of FM stations of this city who cycle their playlists like kids on a carousel ride, so you can’t miss out on any song now, can you? I also follow an alternative method to understand & discover different kinds of sounds, by visiting the various outlets & malls in & around Toronto. As I’m sifting through the garments or enjoying a meal I’m patiently listening to a soothing melody or a foot tapping anthem that would eventually stick in my head and wouldn’t let me breathe easy until I’m able to locate its creator’s credentials. Ugh! And a Google search would only be fruitful if I got the lyrics right which is challenging in all that chitter chatter in the vicinity, so Nah! Enter, Shazam.
Though I was always intrigued by this nifty app since even before Apple acquired it there wasn’t a practical use for me to experiment with Shazam, but its time had finally arrived. It was simple. I launched it and found the circular ‘S’ logo throbbing and inviting me to tap as a tune played at a busy H&M outlet. Even though it was faintly audible the microphone on the iPhone deftly captured the notes, and in a jiffy, it displayed not only the name of the artist but also the colourful album art, the lyrics, while giving me the choice to buy it on Apple Music. It also added it to a ‘My Shazam’ playlist so I won’t lose the information! The ‘Shazam-ing’ is so seamless & quick and searching for new music has become simpler and more exciting, and enjoyable now. No more anxiety over unknown melodies, eh. I never thought I’d say this but then Google feels weak for a change! So, if you’re late to the party just like me, give it a shot.
“Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny.”
The PS Vita (Metallic Red) version which was exclusively launched in Japan in 2016.
I was kind of expecting this update for some time now so there were no surprises for me in discovering that Sony has decided to put an end to the manufacturing and supply of the PlayStation (PS) Vita through 2019. This handheld gaming platform which received a well-deserved upgrade 4 years ago in the form of PS Vita Slim is sadly going to be buried forever. Personally, I was never able to push the potential of the gadget, which I bought when it launched in North America in 2014; beyond playing the Uncharted – Golden Abyss, with other exclusive titles such as Killzone Mercenary and WipeOut 2048; and Mortal Kombat. In fact, it was the storyline of the Uncharted series that kept me hooked to the Vita for the duration of its gameplay and I bagged the Platinum trophy as well, but it also left me lurking in the dark about why some of the other more popular franchises such as the Second Son or Crash Bandicoot (available on the Switch) for that matter, weren’t introduced on this handheld platform. Presumably, Sony’s gaming studios were more focused on developing games for the PlayStation 4.
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