All posts tagged: changing

How stories can teach young people about life in a changing climate

How stories can teach young people about life in a changing climate

Published by skeptic

Education is key to empowering young people to respond to climate change. It’s something that will reach into every aspect of their lives in complex ways. However, the national curriculum largely confines climate change to a few subjects, meaning teachers in other disciplines often feel out of their depth. A survey carried out in England in 2021 found that 70% of the teachers surveyed, across all disciplines, felt they haven’t received any training at all for teaching climate change. The situation is fairly similar in countries such as the USA and Australia. In particular, education on climate adaptation – the way people adjust to the impacts of climate change – may be particularly challenging for teachers. In general, issues such as climate refugees, the case for reparations to developing countries, or the need to prepare for food supply issues or extreme weather events are politically complex. Teachers may fear that teaching about these issues, which do not have easy solutions, may make their students anxious. A focus on climate adaptation may also be seen as …

Fewer swallows grace summer skies in Britain amid changing climate | Birds

Fewer swallows grace summer skies in Britain amid changing climate | Birds

Published by skeptic

The proverb “one swallow doesn’t make a summer”, first attributed to Aristotle, sums up our love of this elegant bird. Swallows visit us for roughly half the year, between April and September, before travelling almost 6,000 miles (10,000 km) to South Africa, where they enjoy a second spring and summer. But unpredictable weather patterns are now affecting swallows throughout their lifecycle: in Africa, on their journeys south in autumn and north in spring, and during the breeding season here in the UK. A mixture of wet springs and summer droughts, leading to major falls in numbers of the flying insects on which they feed, has reduced the swallow’s breeding population by almost a quarter in the past 25 years or so. Anecdotally, many of my farming neighbours here in Somerset tell me they have far fewer nesting swallows than before; some have even lost them altogether. And a recent report confirms that those other familiar denizens of our summer skies, the house martin and swift, have suffered even greater falls in numbers over the past …

Computer says yes: how AI is changing our romantic lives | Artificial intelligence (AI)

Computer says yes: how AI is changing our romantic lives | Artificial intelligence (AI)

Published by skeptic

Could you fall in love with an artificial intelligence? When Spike Jonze’s film, Her, came out 10 years ago, the question still seemed hypothetical. The gradual romance between Joaquin Phoenix’s character Theodore and Scarlett Johansson’s Samantha, an operating system that embraces his vulnerabilities, felt firmly rooted in science fiction. But just one year after the film’s release, in 2014, Amazon’s Alexa was introduced to the world. Talking to a computer in your home became normalised. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Personified AI has since infiltrated more areas of our lives. From AI customer service assistants to therapy chatbots offered by companies such as character.ai and wysa, plus new iterations of ChatGPT, the sci-fi storyline of Her has come a lot closer. In May, an updated version of ChatGPT with voice assistant software launched, its voice’s similarity to Scarlett Johansson’s prompting the actor to release a statement claiming that she was “shocked, angered and in disbelief” that the AI system had a …

From astronaut health to space weather: the discoveries changing our understanding of the universe | Driving Change. Inspiring Potential

From astronaut health to space weather: the discoveries changing our understanding of the universe | Driving Change. Inspiring Potential

Published by skeptic

Many of us grow up fascinated by space and the universe. The question of whether there’s intelligent life out there is a continuing preoccupation among scientists and citizens alike. But research into space goes far beyond the hunt for extraterrestrial life – there are many different areas that students and researchers are investigating, from space weather and space law, to astronaut health and satellite communication. At Northumbria University, Newcastle – which is developing NESST, a new £50m North East Space Skills and Technology Centre – academics are working across a range of projects that could transform our understanding of space. For many people, their only experience of space weather is seeing the stunning phenomenon of the aurora borealis, more commonly known as the northern lights. “The northern lights are part of space weather,” says Clare Watt, professor of space plasma physics. “When there’s a significant storm or disturbance in space, the aurora lights up.” Prof Clare Watt. Photograph: Simon Veit-Wilson Space weather forecasts can help experts to predict when and where the northern lights will …

Sex Offenders Will Be Blocked From Changing Their Name With New Law

Sex Offenders Will Be Blocked From Changing Their Name With New Law

Published by skeptic

Sex offenders will be prevented from legally changing their names on documents such as passports and driving licences due to an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill. (Alamy) 4 min read5 hr A new restriction on sex offenders legally changing their names is set to become law after years of campaigning by survivors groups, with the Labour MP who proposed it crediting the benefits of cross-party cooperation. An amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill put forward by Labour MP Sarah Champion to prevent sexual offenders changing their name has been officially accepted by the government.  The new clause will give the police powers to stop registered sex offenders from changing their names on documents such as passports and driving licences. Sex offenders will therefore have to seek police approval to change their names, which will only be granted under “several exemptions” such as marriage or religious conversion. Police will be able to “exercise their discretion to override them where they consider that the imperative to protect the public from sexual harm requires it” and …

The Boy Scouts Of America Is Changing Its Name To Something More Gender-Neutral

The Boy Scouts Of America Is Changing Its Name To Something More Gender-Neutral

Published by skeptic

To celebrate its 115th anniversary, the infamous Boy Scouts Of America organization rebranded its name for the first time. As announced in a press release on May 7, their new name, “Scouting America,” is a gender-neutral take on their age-old phrasing that’s intended to serve as a statement of inclusivity. “Though our name will be new, our mission remains unchanged: we are committed to teaching young people to be Prepared. For Life,” Roger A. Krone, who recently took over as president and chief executive officer of Scouting America, announced in the release. “This will be a simple but very important evolution as we seek to ensure that everyone feels welcome in Scouting.” Whether from progressive pressures or something else entirely, the Scouts’ new name has sparked inevitable controversy — from parents and advocates on both sides of the aisle. RELATED: Gender Fluidity Makes Perfect Sense To My Six-Year-Old The Boy Scouts of America have announced they’re changing their name to ‘Scouting America’ to promote inclusivity. While it’s not outwardly mentioned in the release itself, many speculate the name …

Best baby changing backpacks of 2023 tried and tested

Best baby changing backpacks of 2023 tried and tested

Published by skeptic

This baby changing bag is one of the newest to the UK market, but its brilliant Norwegian design means it’s sure to fly off the shelves. The brand was created by two mums and it shows, thanks to the number of innovative features crammed into one bag. In keeping with the brand’s sustainable initiative, the backpack is made from recycled plastic bottles that have been spun into premium, durable fabric, while even the detailing has been made from vegan leather. The stylish, unisex bag was designed to be useful long after your nappy changing days are over, but that doesn’t mean it scrimps on the baby-friendly details – it comes with a total of eight pockets for organising nappies, wipes and everything in between, including four bottle pockets (two inside and two outside, for easy access) and a clever mini pocket for housing dummies. There’s even a large back pocket big enough to hold your laptop. With a shoulder strap for wearing cross-body and matching stroller hooks available to purchase separately to attach it to …

How student protests are changing college graduations

How student protests are changing college graduations

Published by skeptic

Graduates chant in support of Palestinians during the University of Michigan’s commencement ceremony at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday. Katy Kildee/Detroit News via AP hide caption toggle caption Katy Kildee/Detroit News via AP Graduates chant in support of Palestinians during the University of Michigan’s commencement ceremony at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday. Katy Kildee/Detroit News via AP Many of this year’s graduating college students were looking forward to their first formal commencement ceremony. “I was a 2020 graduate in high school,” says Isa Johnson, a senior at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Because of the pandemic, her high school graduation couldn’t happen in person. She was excited to finally get a traditional graduation this year, but the unrest on her campus has forced her to adjust her expectations. After Jewish student organizations at USC raised concerns about valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s past social media activity, the school cut Tabassum’s speech from commencement. Other sStudents rushed to her defense, and marched on campus in support. Eventually, the administration canceled the …

Switching Phone Carriers in 2024: What to Know Before Changing Providers

Switching Phone Carriers in 2024: What to Know Before Changing Providers

Published by skeptic

Switching wireless providers isn’t easy. Although there are three major networks in the US, the actual number of wireless carriers and plans is significantly higher. Sifting through this big, confusing mess can be overwhelming, but we want to help make this process a little easier. Here’s how to choose a cell phone plan in 2024. Which network works best for you?  Sarah Tew/CNET In the US there are three major networks: AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. All three offer services directly and have robust nationwide networks that offer 4G LTE (fast) and 5G (really fast) data.  The most important aspect of choosing a network is finding one that works in your area. This makes it hard for us to give a blanket recommendation of any one carrier. For example, T-Mobile’s service in New York may be excellent, but if you’re in rural Iowa, Verizon is more reliable.  While your mileage may vary, the good news is that these networks are growing and improving all the time, particularly as the three major players continue to try and …