Category Archives: High Seas

What will it take for world leaders to agree on how to protect half the planet?

Thats the question scientists, environmentalists and ocean-concerned citizens are left asking after the latest collapse of UN negotiations on a Global Ocean Treaty last month. And its the question theyve been asking for the last 20 years since a treaty was first discussed.

We cant afford to wait any longer for an answer.

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The oceans have borne the brunt of the climate crisis and suffered catastrophic losses across ecosystems and food chains, all while regulating our climate and providing food security and livelihoods for coastal communities. Two-thirds of the oceans comprising half the planet are whats called the high seas: areas beyond the jurisdiction of any one country. Theyre some of the most biologically important, and stressed, regions in the world.

Theyre also among the least protected. Only about one per cent of the high seas have proper protection, leaving them vulnerable to threats such as industrial fishing, ship traffic, pollution, noise and deep-sea mining.

Scientists say we need to protect at least 30 per cent of the worlds oceans by 2030, commonly called the 30x30 initiative. This is the minimum to allow marine life to adapt to changes in the oceans from the climate crisis and build resilience and create space for the recovery of threatened species and habitats while safeguarding ocean-dependent livelihoods. More than 100 countries including Canada committed to this goal. And in June, Canada further pledged to secure a Global Ocean Treaty by the end of this year with other G7 leaders.

Last month, these leaders had the chance to make good on their commitment. Much progress was made during the final 48 hours of the fifth round of Global Ocean Treaty talks, according to reports, but time ran out before a treaty could be secured. And now the clock is ticking not only for leaders to secure a treaty before the end of the year, but to logistically meet the 30x30 goal before the damage becomes irreversible. Sadly, what could have been a once-in-a-generation opportunity to land a monumental conservation victory remains, once again, lost at sea.

As a member of the High Ambition Coalition, Canada needs to lead on delivering an ambitious treaty. That means calling for an emergency UN meeting this year to conclude negotiations and finalize an impactful treaty with teeth. It means a treaty that enshrines equitable access and sharing to marine genetic resources because a few rich countries should not be the sole beneficiaries of the global commons. And, finally, it also means a treaty that empowers the UN decision-making body, the Conference of Parties, or COP, to protect global waters by establishing a network of ocean sanctuaries highly or fully protected areas free from destructive industries charting the route to our 30x30 goal.

An empowered Conference of Parties is particularly important because leaving marine protection to regional bodies runs the risk of creating a patchwork of paper parks: areas that might have protection on paper but lack sufficient management to enforce it. We need a treaty that puts its promises on paper into practice. And quickly.

Canada must take a firmer grip on our collective ships wheel, steer it home and secure the protection that life in and adjacent to the oceans so desperately needs and deserves. Canadas leadership needs to show up and speak up.

A treaty wasnt the only thing lost at sea in the latest round of negotiations; Canadas leadership was missing in action and publicly silent, with neither the Prime Ministers Office nor one responsible minister Fisheries and Oceans Minister Joyce Murray, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault even acknowledging the talks were happening.

These talks directly relate to commitments made by our federal government concerning biodiversity on half the planet. When pressed, the federal government only offered a statement saying Canada is firmly committed to the conclusion of a high seas treaty.

Nows the time for our leaders to prove it. Commitments without conduct wont save the oceans. But an ambitious treaty will give them a fighting chance.

Brandon Wei works with Greenpeace Canadas oceans and plastics campaign.

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Canada must anchor an ambitious Global Ocean Treaty before year's end - Canada's National Observer

Netflixs new mystery series has it all to rock this fall. 1899 arrives, from the creators of Dark.

One of the things that has contributed Netflix to the world of television, is that it has allowed us to enjoy series that go beyond the typical Spanish and North American productions that dominated the grill in our country. Thats how we discovered the German series Darkand now his relief arrives, 1899.

Dark is a mystery, drama and science fiction series that revolves around a missing child. 1899 Its not a sequel or anything like that. The only thing they share are their creators, Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friesewho have formed a new production company called DARK WAYS, specialized in filming with virtual sets with LED technology.

We already talked about 1899 a few months ago, but now Netflix confirms its upcoming premiere, surely in the fall. Here you can see the promising poster of the series:

1899 is a period series that takes place in the year that gives it its title. All the action will take place, at least initially, in a ship of European migrants traveling from London to the United States to seek a better life in the new century that is about to begin.

The migrant ship will meet another ship on the high seas, and that is when the nightmare will begin.

Passengers on board of different nationalities, including Spanish actor Miguel Bernardeaufrom the Elite series, they will speak in their language, so you will have to read subtitles. It is an important part of the plot and its creators have already confirmed that certain dialogues will not be dubbed.

1899 will share with series like Stranger Things that mixture of mystery, terror and science fiction that has worked so well for Netflix.

As we mentioned in the introduction 1899 has been shot with a virtual set technology called LED, where is it used a game engine to create complex scenariosallowing greater camera freedom than classic green screens.

Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese want 1899 to be a demonstration of this new way of shooting, and other series to use it through their new Dark Ways studio.

1899 has everything to take over from stranger thingsand become one of the best Netflix series.

Originally posted here:

The creators of Dark have a new mystery ready for Netflix: 1899 - Gearrice

Nearly 650,000 parcels of oceanfront property in the U.S. that currently sit on dry land will be at least partially submerged within 30 years due to rising sea levels from climate change, according to a research study released by Climate Central.

Nearly 650,000 parcels of oceanfront property in the U.S. that currently sit on dry land will be at least partially submerged within 30 years due to rising sea levels from climate change, according to a sobering research study released Thursday by Climate Central.

The effects will strain the pocketbooks of not only the property owners who eventually find themselves under the constant threat of coastal flooding, but also the cities and counties who rely on those property taxes to help fund schools, emergency services and utilities.

Sea levels are forecast to rise through the century as the planet warms. Warmer water occupies more space than cooler water, and melting glaciers only add to the rising tides.

Home collapses into the surf in Rodanthe along North Carolina's Outer Banks

(Cape Hatteras National Seashore / National Park Service)

"As a result, properties and buildings that experienced floods in the past are likely to experience more severe floods in the future," the report stated. "It also means higher flood waters are reaching further inland, flooding properties and buildings that have never flooded before."

Climate Central analyzed more than 51 million properties vulnerable to a rising sea level and found that by 2050, some 649,000 parcels may have lost some property below the tidal boundary line -- where waters are expected to reach during high tide -- relative to water levels in 2000.

The research found Florida to have the most properties vulnerable to at least partial submersion by 2050, with more than 130,000 at risk. Louisiana was second with more than 106,000 and Texas was third at just under 65,000.

Chart showing parcels partially below the tideline boundary by 2050.

Of those, more than 48,000 properties may be completely submerged during high tides by 2050.

Properties by state forecast to be below the boundary tide lines by 2050.

(Climate Central)

"Many of these parcels are owned by families or individuals -- people who will experience the consequences as the sea encroaches on their property," the report said.

Homeowners may not only face more flooding in their homes, but also a reduction in property values as the oceans reclaim more land, exposing homeowners to financial risk.

PLAN, PREPARE, PROTECT: HOW TO BEST COVER YOUR PROPERTY AGAINST FLOODS

The boundary between what is considered state-owned waters and private property along the shores varies by state, but is based on certain tidal boundary levels, as compiled by NOAA data.

Rising sea levels to flood nearly 650,000 oceanfront properties across US by 2050, a new study finds. What advice is there for homeowners and people looking to buy coastal properties? Waterfront Real Estate Agent Bonnie Heatzig explains.

Most states, including all along the West Coast, use the mean high tide mark to set the private-public property boundary. Three states Texas, Louisiana and Hawaii use the mean of the two highest daily high tides each day. Six states, including Massachusetts, Maine and Virginia, use the mean low tide water line.

"Essentially, each state designated a land elevation based on different average tidal levels, such as average high tide or low tide lines, to set the boundaries," according to the study.

HOW DO CLOUDS AFFECT THE CLIMATE ON EARTH?

Using the latest research on climate change from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that assumes the continuation of current carbon emission trends, Climate Central study authors pored over tax assessment data and parcel acreage for 250 waterfront counties, accounting for each state's relevant boundary definitions, to determine potential risk and loss due to rising sea levels.

All told, at least $108 billion of assessed value is at risk by 2100, and due to incomplete value data for some regions, that tally is likely far higher, the study stated. Even by 2050, Florida is expected to have just over $7 billion worth of property affected by rising sea levels.

Major coastal flooding in Charleston, South Carolina

(FOX Weather)

But while the research calculates the potential losses through the year 2100, the authors focused on the anticipated effects by 2050 for the report as the date falls within the range of new 30-year mortgages "to emphasize the imminent risks for homeowners and coastal communities."

Climate Central found that an additional 4.4 million acres may be below the tidal boundary by 2050 -- roughly 3/4 the size of New Jersey -- with Louisiana making up half the lost acreage. Florida, Texas and North Carolina combine with Louisiana to make up 87% of the expected acreage loss.

Chart showing land area in millions of acres affected by sea level rise by 2050.

(Climate Central)

For Louisiana, 8.7% of state land could be affected by rising sea levels by 2050, with Florida at nearly 2%. By 2100, acreage lost more than doubles to 9.1 million, the study found.

Some counties and parishes are predicted to be hit particularly hard by rising sea levels. Of the 250 studied, researchers found that 30 counties/parishes across seven states are at the greatest risk of having at least 10% of their land area affected by rising sea levels in 2050, with Louisiana again hit particularly hard.

Eleven parishes are expected to have 40% or more of their land affected by 2050, with Terrebonne Parish at over 76.6% and Lafourche Parish at 60.9%.

Some of the more populated counties and parishes on the list include Orleans Parish, home to New Orleans; Galveston County, home to Galveston, Texas; Miami-Dade and Monroe counties in Florida that include the Miami shores, and New Jersey's Hudson County in the New York City metro area.

HERES WHAT TO DO AFTER YOUR CAR IS FLOODED

If you expand the impact to 5% of the area affected, 54 counties and parishes make up 83% of all affected areas. Climate Central has produced an individual report of each county and parish included in the study, which you can find at this link.

"The seas are rising and we are getting used to this concept of coastal flooding, but now were seeing permanent flooding," Climate Central Project Lead Don Bain told FOX Weather. "And one of the consequences of that is that the lines we use to divide between private popery and public waters and public tide lands is shifting. So we are going to have to get used to the idea that we are losing something to the sea and that is not only devastating to property owners, but it's rough on our local commutes who depend upon property taxes to fund their operations and to fund our schools."

The report warned of an impending reality where thousands of oceanfront buildings nestled as close to the shore as possible while maintaining what has been a safe distance from the water line eventually find themselves below the water line.

Specifically, the report outlines about 84,500 homes and buildings will be in the flood zone by 2050.

Waves break over the sea wall at Middle Beach in Kennebunk as a car drives along Beach Avenue during high tide on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

(Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald / Getty Images)

"People have historically built as close to the ocean as possible while remaining above the observed tides -- an outdated strategy based on the assumption that the sea level remains stable," the study's authors wrote. "Once rapidly rising seas breach a certain threshold, these densely-developed landscapes reach a tipping point where flooding was once the exception is now the rule."

The impacts of rising sea levels go far beyond the direct costs of damaging floods to buildings. Cities and counties will face ever-increasing costs related to increased flooding, such as:

Meanwhile, just as expenses increase, cities may be losing tax revenue. As waterfront residents lose land to sea, they will object to being taxed on property no longer owned, reducing tax revenue to the city and county. Sea-flooded businesses can also petition for a reduction in property taxes due to flood-related devaluations of property.

"So just at the time (cities) are spending more, theyre losing revenue, which is a terrible combination," Bain said.

A car and truck pass through a flooded Beach Avenue in Kennebunk during high tide on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

(Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald / Getty Images)

Those fights over how, when and whether legal boundaries will be adjusted in response to tidal changes is "very much an open question," the study noted. It is already a complex process to determine land-sea boundaries, and rising sea levels and their implications on tax revenue and infrastructure maintenance will only become more exacerbated.

Any lower tax revenue not only hamstrings municipalities dealing with the added flooding, but also reduces funds available for schools, emergency services, transportation and other crucial taxpayer-funded services.

As cities lose services, property values decrease, leading to a downward spiral in tax revenue.

How cities respond or fail to respond may also impact their ability to repay debt and suffer lower credit ratings, the report warned.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER ON TV

"This pattern sends a critical warning: while change might seem relatively slow and manageable in many places today, we are soon headed for a very different world," the study stated. "Planning, preparation and prevention will be required to avoid a lot of pain."

The study offers four options for government entities to reduce the risk of rising sea levels.

First, they suggest adjusting land policies to encourage development outside new risk zones and limit growth in areas where sea levels are expected to rise. Second, cities and counties should invest in improving stormwater systems, raising roads, building levees or improving coastal wetlands, "that will, at least for a time, help protect the tax base," the authors wrote.

They encourage participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating Systems incentives to provide financial resilience for residents and educate local residents, so they can help adapt their local economy and tax base to rising seas.

There is one primary way to prevent impacts from rising sea levels, according to the study ultimately, reducing and eventually eliminating carbon pollution.

"We have a choice between some better outcomes and some worse outcomes," Bain said. "And were hoping that we get a hold of this problem and get to some lower emissions rates so that we have a chance to adapt. If we dont, we run the risk of creating rising seas that are rising faster than our capacity to adapt to them."

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Rising sea levels to flood nearly 650,000 oceanfront properties across US by 2050, study finds - Fox Weather

This season Synchronicity Theatre will take audiences on a journey of self-reflection and celebration. As Synchronicity Theatre launches Act 1 of our 25th Anniversary year, as we continue to uplift the voices of women and girls through theatre, we will take time to reflect on our journey.

The First Act of the 2022-23 season will include Synchronicity's Bold Voices series (bold, contemporary plays for adults), the Family Series (compelling plays for children and families), new play development, and education and outreach events (curated new voices, events, and performances).

Our Bold Voices series starts with Katie Hamill's adaptation Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - #2B. Our Family Series features an all-new musical adaptation of the beloved children's book Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe. The show, written by Karen Abbott with new songs by Taryn Janelle and LeRell Ross, will run on our stage and then go on tour as part of our New Stages touring program to bring high-quality Family Series productions to theatres around the southeast; and the return of Kate DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, adapted by Dwayne Hartford.

The company will continue its long-standing tradition of curating new voices and providing opportunities for emerging artists to perform their works through our arts incubator project Stripped Bare, which provides research and development time to four new projects per season - bolstering new artists, forms, and voices.

Synchronicity will continue its mission of community building with the Playmaking for Kids (after-school programs and camps) and Playmaking for Girls programs (playwriting workshops for teen girls in group homes and refugee communities); and our Designers of Color initiative, which provides support for emerging designers in their first professional jobs, through: structured side-by- side mentorships; financial, life skills, and mental health training, and access to established professional networks.

Later this fall, Synchronicity will announce Act 2 of our 25th anniversary season, including more Bold Voices productions, the popular Women in the Arts & Business Panel Luncheon (WIABL), a discussion of relevant issues facing Atlanta's business and arts communities; and next steps for our new play development projects like Women's Work, a new play in development exploring the relationship of women to work over the past five decades in Georgia and beyond. This project is funded by the MAP Fund, and includes writers Danielle Deadwyler and Mary Lynn Owen.

All performances will be at Synchronicity Theatre, in Midtown's Peachtree Pointe complex. For tickets or more information on Synchronicity Theatre, programming, and events, visit http://www.synchrotheatre.com or call 404-484-8636.

ABOUT THE PLAYS - SEASON 25 ACT 1

Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - #2B

By Kate Hamill

Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

You'll find the world's most ingenious detective in the oddest of places. And one of them is on Dr. Joan Watson's last nerve. The game is most definitely afoot in Kate Hamill's gender-bending, irreverent, and affectionate take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved mystery classic. This time, in a highly-theatrical adventure comedy, Sherlock Holmes and Watson are at it again solving mysteries full of mystery, murder and mayhem, and the challenges of sharing a bathroom sink.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Adapted by Dwayne Hartford, from the book by Kate DiCamillo

Everyone's favorite vain and haughty china rabbit is back on the Synchronicity stage. His vest is buttoned tight and his gold pocket watch is set, but who might he be now? Oh, it's just old Edward Tulane. But just for now. He'll have to battle the high seas, pass through the hands of a fisherman, befriend a happy hobo, comfort a sick child on his not-so-planned adventure to find his way home. Based on Kate DiCamillo's award-winning novel, and adapted by Dwayne Hartford, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane takes us on an unexpected magical journey to discover the transformative powers of love.

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

Based on the story by John Steptoe, Adapted for the stage by Karen Abbott, New music & Lyrics by LeRell Ross & Taryn Janelle

Once upon a time there was a man with two very beautiful daughters. Written in the style of African Folktales, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is an expansive, musical retelling of the classic Cinderella story. Set under the clear Zimbabwean sky comes a tale of true beauty.

Award-winning artist and writer John Steptoe's rich cultural imagery of Africa earned him the Coretta Scott King Award and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters.

Now for the first time with new music created by Synchronicity's artistic team, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is simply magic for the whole family.

COVID SAFETY POLICY:

Currently we require that audience members wear masks at all times. The situation is fluid and may change.

Because Fulton County is currently "medium risk" according to the CDC and following the lead of many live performing arts organizations in Atlanta and around the country, Synchronicity will no longer ask for proof of vaccination status or negative COVID-19 test. Visit our COVID-19 page for our full COVID-safety protocols, including our ventilation upgrades and HEPA filter installations.

* * *

STRIPPED BARE ARTS INCUBATOR PROJECTS

Synchronicity's arts incubator project, Stripped Bare, will present four ground-breaking new projects and will give early-career artists a space to create and present new work. Stripped Bare focuses on projects that emphasize words and ideas, with minimal technical elements, and encourages young artists to think about the essentials of theatre, "stripped of" intricate sets, lights, props, sound design, and costumes. While each project will use these devices minimally, the focus will be on actors, words, passion, and ideas. Tickets are free for all Stripped Bare performances and take place at Synchronicity Theatre, in Midtown's Peachtree Pointe complex

Elvenses by Odelia San Diego

August 30 & 31, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

Grams & Me by Deja Holmes

November 9, 2022

The Mad Hatterpillar by Rachel Frawley

January 11, 2023

Yanni Stone and the Honeypot Trap by Anterior Leverett

April 12, 2023

BEYOND THE THEATRE

Our Designers of Color initiative builds a Success Scaffold for emerging designers in their first professional jobs, through: structured side- by-side mentorships; financial, life skills, and mental health training, and access to established professional networks. Community partners include Multiband Studios, 360 Arts Blvd, and Atlanta Theatre Artists for Justice.

The company will continue Playmaking for Kids after school and summer camp drama programming and the acclaimed Playmaking for Girls program for juvenile justice and refugee communities with a performance open to the public in June. Info will be available online at http://www.synchrotheatre.com.

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Atlanta's Synchronicity Theatre Announces ACT 1 of the 25th Anniversary Season! - Broadway World

It has not been long since the United Nations Security General outcried an ocean emergency at Lisbon held UN Ocean Conference in June 2022 describing the threats debilitating and pushing healthy ocean ecosystems towards collapse.

It is embarrassing to note that nearly ninety percent of the current temperature rise in the world has concentrated in oceans as per NASAs data and hence, many limnetic zone species may even be extinct before their discovery.

Recently, advocacy failed to reach consensus at a global forum wherein 168 countries on a United Nations treaty for protecting the High Seas and Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction.

Although oceans have helped sustain the planet by being the greatest carbon sinks, yet ironically, there existed no dedicated treaty for preserving the health of our oceans and hence this agreement has been called the Paris Agreement for the Ocean.

An Ecologist explains: The policy opportunity this represents is much rarer than once in a lifetime. How we should protect two-thirds of the worlds oceans, [and] its the first time in human history that this has ever been asked.

Water beyond 200 nautical miles or 370 kms of any state, are not included within its Exclusive Economic Zone (within 370 kms), territorial sea (22 kms) or its internal waters and hence, are called open waters or high seas.

As these are way beyond the sovereignty of any particular state, they are free to be accessed by any coastal or land-locked nation and consequently enjoy freedom of navigation, overflight, operate submarine cables or pipelines, fishing, scientific research and even construction of artificial island under exceptions.

High Seas are often termed as the common heritage of all mankind.

But this easy access, least accountability and the greed surfacing to extract a not-so-owned resource has resulted in almost every country to operate freely involving large-scale drilling, bottom trawling to catch fishes and other animals, blast fishing, deep sea mining etc.

This has directly and indirectly impacted ocean ecosystems and every being that depends on it.

A widely signed international agreement in 1982 called the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), often termed as the Law of the Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea Treaty provides a legal framework governing all marine and maritime activities.

Although 133 countries have signed and ratified the UNCLOS, there are a few likeIsrael, Canada, USA, Turkey, Venezuelawho have not signed it and others like China who have signed it but are constantly in disputes around its provisions.

The foundation of UNCLOS also created the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and allied conflict-resolution mechanisms for maritime disputes.

For the specific cause, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) works in consonance with the United Nations and other specialized agencies like UNESCO, FAO or ILO.

A treaty was supposed to be negotiated for ocean health and its plethora of resources under the UNCLOS of 1982 itself governing the respective rights of countries beyond the dedicated waters. However, a UN resolution of 2017 with a similar motive set the year 2022 as deadline.

This new negotiation requested to be binding by many States includes establishing marine protected areas (MPAs),environmental impact assessments (EIAs)for marine projects, ecological and scientific expertise sharing etc.

The new deal will also provide for deciding the rights of companies undertaking prospection and exploration of biotic resources in these high seas.

AHigh Ambition Coalition, to be formed with more than 100 countries consisting of India, United Kingdom, United States, have derived a 3030 goal aimed at protecting 30 percent of the oceans by 2030.

This, as per the researchers, couldnt have been possible a few years back.

But the current oceanographic tools basically allow researchers to understand complex scenarios.

For instance, locating and mapping the spawning and feeding grounds those need to be preferably reserved if not all can be conserved? What can happen if the two ecosystems and their beings collide?

An Oceanographer reports: Protecting 30 percent of the area of the high seas doesnt protect 30% of the most valuable conservation features because of the way habitats and species are distributed.

For 30 percent of ecosystem types to be represented, at least 40 percent of open waters need protection.

Several discrete reasons have led to the temporary stalemate over this treaty.

The legalities of this treaty have been a bone of contention for many as many institutions like International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have demanded it to be only binding to be more effective.

Even certain Caribbean countries displayed displeasure on the fact that affluent countries of the Global North anyhow did not actively take up the issue expect last few days to validate the treaty.

Their doubts have remained unaddressed and there is an urgent need for the division of Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs) equally among all countries and not just dedicated viable interests of a few.

This is not just the only motive for disregard of the treaty but certain countries engaged in deep sea mining of polymetallic nodules or over-fishing have also decided to jeopardize the treaty.

Meanwhile there is another faction composed of climate-centered NGOs, climate scientists, environmental activists as well as delegates of certain countries who want strict preservation and designation of MPAs in high seas while allowing the overfished regions to recover.

Devolution and distribution of potential profits from future exploitation of MGRs ended in quite an inconsolable disagreement.

With respect to the treaty, the talks will supposedly be continued next year after the current stalemate unless there is some special provision made to meet on similar lines.

The world needs to find consensus for the fact that we need to urgently address warming and other perils infecting our waters and hence a fundamental shift is required to understand and manage it.

This perception is crucial for an adaptable climate change, consistent food security and above all, our well-being.

Especially the high seas making up nearly 60 percent of the ocean need to be fostered carefully and their protection through international agreements need to be increased from a mere one per cent currently.

It is therefore, not only needed for 3 billion people to survive but thedependence of planets survival is inherent in an absolute marine health.

A Researcher adds to the cause by asserting: Given how fast species have declined in the last 20 years, it will be a catastrophe if we cant capitalize on this momentum.

Continued here:

Without the Paris Agreement for the Ocean and with the High Seas at risk, Climate Action cannot be achieve ... - The Indian Wire

Ubisoft shared a ton of information on the projects, known and never-before-seen, during its Ubisoft Forward event. Here are the highlights.

Ubisoft showed off new gameplay footage of the latest installment in the Mario + Rabbids franchise. We got a deeper look at the world of Tera Flora where Mario, Peach, Luigi, and their weird-ass Rabbid counterparts work together to bring down a corrupted wiggler train. The gameplay trailer emphasizes synergy and teamwork, in which combining each characters unique powers unleash devastating attacks. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope launches on the Nintendo Switch on October 20th.

The release of Skull and Bones, Ubisofts open-world pirate adventure game, is nigh at hand. Ubisoft shared a few more details on the game, highlighting how youll become the pirate lord of the Indian Ocean. Gearing up your ship is key to maintaining your dominance of the sea. Choose from a wealth of options to customize your ships ammo, armor, and look tailored to whatever play style you fancy. Ubisoft also announced that Skull and Bones would feature cross play at launch, making it easier for you and your friends to form a cabal of pirates to pillage the high seas. Skull and Bones launches on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Stadia, and Luna on November 8th.

Riders Republic enters its forthcoming fourth season with an update bringing new cosmetics and a new way to shred. (Do kids still say shred? No? Too bad.) BMX bikes are coming with this latest season along with Vans the accessory necessary to any serious BMX trick rider.

Tom Clancys The Division 2 is still going strong with Ubisoft announcing its committing to a fifth year of development for the post-apocalyptic action RPG. Season 10 and 11 will close out 2022 offering quality of life updates and new gameplay modes. Additionally, Ubisoft announced The Division Heartland, a free-to-play standalone adventure set within The Division universe. In the mobile realm of The Division, The Division Resurgence got a brand new trailer introducing The Divisions popular Dark Zone areas into the mobile experience.

The Division wasnt the only Tom Clancy universe on display. Ubisoft briefly explored its Rainbow Six mobile title, announcing a closed beta will start on September 12th.

Ubisoft took a moment to talk about its Netflix partnership thatll bring three Ubisoft titles to mobile exclusively via the streaming platform. Expect the second installment in the Mighty Quest series, and the sequel to Valiant Hearts, in 2023, and an Assassins Creed mobile game along with a live-action series. No word on if the AssCreed mobile game in question will be either Codename Jade or Hexe that were announced later in the presentation.

As AssCreed enters its 15th year of impractically swan diving into bales of hay, Ubisoft ended its presentation celebrating the history of the companys flagship title. We got several new game announcements as well as news that the final chapter of Assassins Creed Valhalla is coming soon.

Excerpt from:

All the best from the Ubisoft Forward event - The Verge

Typhoon Inday (international name: Muifa)continued to intensify as it started to decelerate over the sea east of Taiwan, weather bureau PAGASA said Sunday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau said the center of the eye of Inday was last spotted 335 km Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (22.5N, 124.5E).

It has maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 205 km/h, and central pressure of 950 hPa.

PAGASA said Indays present movement is west northwestward at 10 km/h.

It also has strong to typhoon-force winds extending outwards up to 310 km from the center.

PAGASA said Inday is forecast to move generally north northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Taiwan on Sunday through Monday morning, gradually decelerating during the process.

Rainfall, winds

Based on the bulletin, Inday remains less likely to directly bring heavy rains in the country throughout the forecast period.

However, its outermost rainbands and the Southwest Monsoon may bring rain showers and thunderstorms over Batanes and the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon.

Further, while the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals remains less likely at this time, PAGASA said that further westward shift in the track forecast and/or expansion in the extent of tropical cyclone winds may result in the hoisting of wind signals over portions of Extreme Northern Luzon.

Gusty conditions reaching strong to gale-force strength may also be experienced over Extreme Northern Luzon on Monday due to the channeling of the typhoon circulation in the Luzon Strait.

Coastal waters

A gale warning likewise remains in effect for the northern seaboards of Northern Luzon due to Inday.

With this, moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon are expected reaching 1.2 to 3.0 meters high.

PAGASA warned that such sea conditions may be risky for those using small seacraft, while mariners were advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and avoid navigating if possible.

Track, intensity

PAGASA said further intensification of Inday will continue on Sunday through Monday morning as the storm tracks northwestward over the sea east of Taiwan.

However, the slightly cooler waters east of Taiwan and the forecast slow-down period over this sea area may result in a weakening trend beginning late Monday or on Tuesday, it added.

For the rest of Monday through Tuesday, the typhoon will move northward slowly towards the vicinity of Yaeyama Islands and the East China Sea.

Inday may then exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday morning or afternoon.Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA News

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Inday further intensifies, starts to decelerate over sea east of Taiwan - GMA News Online

Royal Caribbeans Wonder of the Seas, the worlds largest cruise ship at 1,188 feet, has a maximum capacity of 6,988 guests and 2,300 crew members. The mega-ship has 18 decks and offers eight distinct neighborhoods, including a central park with 20,000 plants and trees. Aboard the ship are 40 restaurants and bars offering diverse fare from homespun southern classics to rustic Italian favorites.

In addition to the tallest water slide at sea, guests can enjoy a childrens playground, 1,400-seat theater, a full-sized basketball court, ice skating rink, surf simulator and zip line 10 decks high.

The ships advanced wastewater purification system treats 570,000 gallons per day, complemented by a reverse osmosis desalination plant, glass crushers, a cardboard baller, aluminum can compactor and food waste pulper.

This reads like a travel brochure, but it also sounds a lot like the SS Aspen.

Docked at the eastern end of the Pitkin County pier, our mega-ship is home to 7,700 permanent passengers who have chosen a unique albeit expensive lifestyle of adventure, eschewing life on terra firma to live where others only aspire to visit.

This number is deceptive, however, because it does not reflect the ships capacity, which is far greater yet mysteriously unspecified; 7,700 represents the full-time passengers (who reside on the various decks) and includes an unknown number of crew members, who earn wages and receive room and board in exchange for working hospitality and service jobs aboard the ship.

Further conflating the 7,700 number is a distinct class of aspirational passengers who have figured out how to work while onboard when not cavorting with the other passengers who are heavily taxed to provide them cabins on a subsidized basis.

Their work is legitimate; theyre not on vacation on this pricey ship. But although they appear busy and generate income to cover their onboard expenses, many are in no way essential to the ships operations. Theyre neither sweating in the engine room nor working the line in the kitchen. Unlike the crew, theyre regularly found poolside and in the casino in their off hours. Theyre along for the ride at a deep discount, the unintended consequence of decisions made in a bygone era.

In this post-pandemic period of rough seas, however, the SS Aspens fragile onboard dynamic has shifted and a malaise is growing, threatening the delicate balance between the ships physical capacity, its ability to charge its paying passengers unprecedented prices for attractive onboard offerings and amenities, and the ships crews ability to deliver them.

The ships officers say its because theyre understaffed and cant hire sufficient crew, attributing this to a shortage of crew cabins and speculating that these are being converted and sold to paying passengers and perhaps even allocated to the aspirational folks who covet the good life onboard.

Paying passengers, permanent and visiting alike, are boarding in record numbers, paying a tidy sum to do so, and are more demanding than ever. Every deck is full, even on the most expensive upper deck, which is now the first to fill. No surprise, word is out and the wait is long for aspirational passengers who look on from shore and clamor to come aboard for a life of smooth sailing.

The aspiring passengers already aboard are the lucky ones, blending in seamlessly with the others and demanding the same high-end benefits and services: fluffy towels, frozen daquiris, Broadway shows and bottomless champagne, and further contributing to the overwhelming pressure on the already understaffed and overworked crew, among which morale is at an all-time low.

Before the SS Aspen hits the figurative iceberg, its time to turn this thing on a dime.

Sadly, it falls to the ships officers, former crew members and aspirational passengers themselves to save the ship. Their judgment is often clouded by the fact theyve never worked anywhere else and are most troubled by making decisions that might hurt the feelings of non-essential passengers.

Its clearly time for new, more professional leadership. With political will and some tough choices, the ship can still right itself.

Welcome aboard.

We have a housing crisis but its not a shortage. Its time to fundamentally transform our publicly subsidized housing program in order to save it. Contact TheRedAntEM@comcast.net

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Milias: The ship of fools, SS Aspen - The Aspen Times

For the first time in Holland Americas history, it will sponsor college sports via its partnership with the University of Washington Athletics, being named the Official Cruise Line of Husky Athletics.

This multi-year sponsorship agreementwill establish an ideal relationship for two of Seattles iconic brands, and Holland America Lines spirit will be visible throughout Husky Stadium at football games and across UW Athletics media channels.

Coinciding with this years football season, the University of Washington (UW) Athletics will have an Official Cruise Line of Husky Athletics, Seattle-based Holland America Line, through a multi-year sponsorship.

This sponsorship will be the first time the 150-year-old line partners with college sports, reinforcing the foundation of the two Seatle-based brands.

Seattles hometown college team, Husky Athletics, will now feature additional in-game activations, promotions, and on-site branding in collaboration with the cruise line.

The president of Holland America Line, Gus Antorcha stated, Were proud to launch this new partnership with University of Washington Athletics and give fans more ways to create memorable moments.

We have many team members in our organization who are UW alum, and were looking forward to wearing our purple and gold in support of the Huskies, Antorcha added.

Throughout Husky Stadium, the lines partnership will be evident at UW football games and across UW Athletics media channels. Additionally, the cruise line will be integrated into traditional Husky football game-day experiences like the Wave.

Historically, the first wave was created at a University of Washington football game against Stanford at Husky Stadium on October 31, 1981, Halloween day over two decades ago.

A long-standing tradition at Husky Harbor, sailgating, will highlight Holland America Lines nautical foundation during the current and upcoming UW Football seasons, elevating the waterside experience with new dock branding and new activities for sailgaters on game days.

The Chief Revenue Officer,Heath Bennett, stated, We are proud to partner with Holland America Line, the leading premium cruise line in the travel industry.

We both take great pride in representing Seattle with excellence and working toward greatness, so we are thankful for the partnership and look forward to future collaboration, Bennett said.

With its headquarters in Seattle, Washington, Holland America Line currently operates 43 cruises aboard three of its fleet from the Port of Seattle to Alaska, Asia, Australia, and the Panama Canal.

Since the 1970s, the line has been sailing from the Port of Seattle and in May 2002, it began using the port as a home port for its Alaska cruises.

Holland America Line and its Foundation have been giving charitably for decades, particularly in their home port communities, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in cash and in-kind shipboard events to several charitable organizations.

Beginning in February 2013, the cruise line and the Holland America Line Foundation have taken the fight against cancer to the high seas with On Deck for a Cause, a non-competitive 5k fundraising walk on each sailing.

On a day at sea, all guests are welcome to participate in a 5k walk around the ships wide teak decks and invited to donate $20 to the Holland America Line Foundation, with 75 percent ($15) being distributed to partnering organizations.

Read Also: Holland America Details 73-Day Grand Africa Voyage

Additionally, the cruise line hosts shipboard charity luncheons for thousands of guests, providing cash sponsorships, in-kind donations, and reduced-fare cruise donations for nonprofit fundraising events.

The lines charitable efforts have included long-standing partnerships such as sponsoring the Seattle Mariners Salute to Those Who Serve initiative and donating more than $100,000 to Seattle Childrens Hospital Uncompensated Care Fund.

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Holland America Partners With University of Washington Athletics - Cruise Hive

You may be visiting dozens of port cities featuring some of the worlds finest galleries while cruising, but you dont even need to step foot off your ship to experience fabulous pieces of art.

Regent Seven Seas has a particular dedication to bringing fine art to the high seas. The Seven Seas Splendour alone features museum-quality pieces from more than 200 artists.

We created a contemporary fine art collection that transforms each space with thoughtfulness, colour and inspired creativity to the perfect ambience of luxury, Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd,says on the Regent Seven Seas website.

Del Rio personally commissioned the pieces for the ship.

But its not just pieces of art the line is invested in. Regent recently became a sponsor of the Art Gallery of New South Wales member society, the Australian Ballet and the Queensland Ballet.

In our latest episode of the On Board with Cruise Passenger podcast, we talk ship with Steve Odell, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Asia Pacific region for Regent Seven Seas about the lines investment in artful cruising.

He tells us about the meticulously curated onboard collections, lectures from art historians offered during days at sea and about the galleries on shore at about 450. different ports.

Listen to the podcast below, or on your preferred streaming service including Spotify.

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Discover the art of cruising with Regent Seven Seas - Cruise Passenger