Polar Shift / Stopping the Earth

 While I was writing about this, back in 2011. everyone thought I was a conspiracy theorist, now all the world's relevant media are talking about stopping the Earth and moving the magnetic field. You're a little late.

The Earth’s magnetic field guides ships at sea and lost hikers to safety. It’s easy to believe that the familiar compass will always work, however, geologists have shown that the Earth’s magnetic field isn’t constant. Indeed, every few hundred thousand years, the field flips, with magnetic south becoming north, and vice versa.

And, while a flip is probably not imminent, the location of magnetic north changes even on human time scales. In the early 1900s, it was located in northern Canada, however, it has moved out into the Arctic Ocean and is now approaching Siberia.

By understanding more about the inner workings of the Earth, scientists will be able to help humanity prepare for significant changes in the Earth’s magnetic field. If it happened, we’d have to change all instrumentation that relies on compasses to navigate.

We have but one planet and what happens inside of it can affect all of us. It is imperative that we continue to study what’s going on inside.

Today, we can already see the effects of a weakened magnetic field on our satellites in orbit. In the Atlantic Ocean between South America and Africa, there is a vast region of Earth’s magnetic field that is about three times weaker than the field strength at the poles. This is called the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), and it’s the focus of the CoreSat project being led by Professor Chris Finlay from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) near Copenhagen. Using data from multiple satellites, including the European Space Agency’s (ESA) three Swarm satellites launched in 2013, this project is trying to figure out what is causing the SAA.

‘This is a region where we see that satellites consistently (experience) electronic failures,’ said Prof. Finlay. ‘And we don’t understand where this weak field region is coming from, what’s producing it, and how it might change in the future.’ Scientists first noticed the SAA in the 1950s, and since then it has decreased in strength by a further 6%, as well as moving closer to the west. ‘(There) hasn’t really been any convincing explanation of it,’ said Prof. Finlay, adding that scientists haven’t been able to predict how it’s going to alter.

The CoreSat project is hoping to change all that, using the most detailed data available yet to study the properties of the magnetic field here and how it shifts over time. By probing the SAA, the team is hoping to see what’s going on inside Earth’s core that might be causing it.

One possibility is that there could be a vast anticyclone in the southern portion of Earth’s liquid metal outer core, which may be pushing out the magnetic field from the South Atlantic region. Another possibility is that the magnetic field in this region is pointing the wrong way – in effect, there’s a mini-polarity reversal taking place.

The SAA gives us a direct look at how a weakened magnetic field can affect satellites, as numerous spacecraft have reported electronic malfunctions when flying over this region as they are hit by cosmic rays. But it’s unclear at the moment if the SAA has any relation to the Earth’s magnetic field flipping in polarity, which is also something Prof. Finlay and his team will investigate. ‘In some simulations, you see features like the SAA growing during a pole reversal,’ he said. ‘It’s not necessarily the case, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if something like this was involved in a magnetic reversal.’

Nevertheless, the SAA just might give us a glimpse of what is to come in the near future. If trends continue, our planet's magnetic field could reverse again in one or two millennia. Prior to that, the field may continue to weaken, and within a century we could be faced with serious problems. ‘The decrease in the geomagnetic field is much more important and dramatic than the reversal,’ said Dr. Thouveny. ‘It is very important to understand if the present field will decay to zero in the next century because we will have to prepare.’ If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.

Za početak bilo bi dobro pročitati knjigu "Polar Shift" koju su zajednički napisali Clive Cussler i Paul Kemprecos, a objavljena je 2005. U ovoj knjizi zaustavljanje zemlje povezano je s pomakom magnetskih polova, i temeljena je na teorijama Laszla Kovacsa, studenta Nikole Tesle. 

Godine 1966. poznati inženjer Chan Thomas napisao je knjigu "The Adam & Eve Story: The History of Cataclysms" s informacijama koje bi mogle utjecati na svakoga na Zemlji. Ali prije nego što ju je itko uspio pročitati, CIA ju je označila kao povjerljivu. Saznali smo za postojanje te knjige tek prije nekoliko godina zbog zahtjeva javnosti za pristup informacijama. CIA je dopustila samo 57 stranica originalnog rukopisa. I te su stranice, prema riječima same CIA-e, "sanirane". Zašto CIA misli da je ova knjiga toliko opasna da su je morali skrivati od javnosti 60 godina; i nastaviti skrivati većinu toga? Zato što svi znamo da u trenutku zamjene polova dolazi kraj za 90-tak posto živućih stvorenja na površini Majke Zemlje. 

Treća knjiga koju preporučam je knjiga "The Path of the Pole: Cataclysmic Pole Shift Geology" autora Charlesa Hapgooda u kojoj raspravlja o različitim pomacima polova u Zemljinoj povijesti - koji se događaju kada Zemljina kora sklizne u unutarnjoj jezgri - i daje dokaze za svaki od njih. 

Vision - Meaning and Purpose

From wasted resources to burnout to high turnover, there are a variety of pitfalls vision-deficient leaders can stumble into. Some of that might seem common to a business's life, so is a vision essential? I would argue yes. Of course, there will always be challenges, but the benefits of having a clear, multi-year vision far outweigh those challenges. By casting an inspiring, practical picture of what you want for your organization, you can reap these three defining benefits. Many leaders struggle with getting clarity on their vision. With the chaos and clamor of everyday life and business, the bar is often set at just trying to stay afloat. Casting a vision for what you actually want can seem like a far-off luxury. But it comes at a cost.

A sense of purpose. 

 Too often teams spend an excessive amount of time spinning their wheels and just doing whatever tasks have come up most recently. Having a well-thought-out vision allows your company to zero in on the goals, projects, and tasks that have the highest impact on the metrics you want to prioritize.

A positive risk. 

The inciting risk might not feel like a benefit, but the best future doesn’t actually lie within your comfort zone. Just because an idea makes you uncomfortable doesn’t make it a bad idea. In fact, it might be the exact idea you need.

A clearer future. 

 A vision is not an action plan and you won’t be figuring out the “how”—at least not yet. But it does free you to dream and imagine what could be possible, as well as what the end result will be.

What is Vision?

 According to Merriam-Webster, vision is defined as, “the act of power of imagination.”  When you apply vision to the future, you can create a mental picture that can be used to direct your actions. Vision serves as a guide and can be used to provide a sense of purpose. 

 Why is Vision Important?

 For both people and businesses, having a vision proves to be extremely important. Given the trials and tribulations that may come your way, when you have a clear vision of what you want to happen, you can make better decisions. 

 Here’s a look at a few reasons why having a vision is so vital to success and joy:

Overcome roadblocks and hurdles

 Challenges are inevitable. When you run into a wall or a hurdle, you need to know which way to go. Vision provides you with something to look forward to and always work towards. It provides you with a reason to keep going, even when the times get tough. 

Substantiate your goals

 Having a vision places a purpose upon your goal-setting activities. Without an end goal or destination in mind, you won’t have a clear path. Vision provides this. To achieve your vision or goal, you can start by setting small, attainable goals as stepping stones. Each relatively little bit of success will help to continue propelling you forward on your bigger journey. 

Sets expectations

 Setting goals comes along with defining measurements of success. If you set a goal, how do you know when you’ve reached it if you don’t have a way to define success? An overall life vision helps to set expectations accordingly. 

Adds focus 

 Having a vision ensures that your life or business goals can remain focused. When you are faced with a decision or distraction, you can ask yourself if it will help or hurt you in attaining your vision. This can offer you the means to move forward with intention and alignment.

Delivers meaning and purpose 

 A vision is a way to answer your own “why” of life. It gives you the reason for your actions, choices, hopes, and desires. This fills your daily activities with meaning and purpose. 

What is a Vision Statement?

 Anyone can create their own vision statement. People can develop a personal vision statement, and so can a business. 

When it comes to businesses and entities, it’s common for them to write and share a vision statement. A vision statement is a written expression of the purpose and meaning behind a business that’s intended for stakeholders, including employees and even customers. Strong vision statements are written in the present tense, express an outcome that’s achievable, and evoke emotion. 

Businesses: How to Write a Vision Statement 

 For entrepreneurs and business owners, knowing how to write a vision statement is a valuable skill to hone. Let’s take a look at what components you need to write a strong vision statement. This can be applied to personal vision statements, as well. 

Project into the future 

 While a vision statement should be written in the present tense, it needs to be forward-looking because that’s what vision is. In terms of a business vision statement, it’s recommended to look five or ten years into the future to understand what you hope to achieve by then. You can ask what you think the world will look like and/or the market you’re operating in. 

Determine position

 To know where you want to go, you should first assess where you are and the resources available. This can be done with an OAS statement, which is the company’s objective, advantage, and scope.  

Outline success

 Clearly define what success looks like and how it will be measured for your organization (or for yourself).

Conduct research 

 For a business’ value statement, it’s a good idea to look at your competition or the companies which you hope to emulate. It can provide inspiration or a better understanding of how you can get to where you want to be. 

Create a measurable goal

 Create measurable goals that are in line with your vision and communicate them to internal and external stakeholders.  

Learn More About Business 

 If the idea of vision statements and business goals excites you, then a career in business might be a part of your personal vision! 

The Bottom Line 

 Whether you are running a business or an individual looking to accomplish their personal goals in life, having a vision is important. The approach and answer to the question of, “What is a vision?” could be different from one person to the next. However, it will always entail a look into the future with a mental image of what’s to come. Clearly defining your vision and referring back to it when you make your decisions in life will help you to achieve your goals. A vision can consist of personal goals, physical health, career goals, educational goals, and any other aspects of life. No matter what aspect you choose to focus on, you can define and attain your vision with effort, determination, and focus! A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.

SI VIS PACEM, PARA BELLUM *

Rat je organizirani sukob naoružanih ljudi, kao produženje politike država, nacija, klasa sredstvima oružanog nasilja u cilju ostvarivanja određene političke, gospodarske i druge dobiti. Rat je društvena pojava uvjetovana i povezana s pojavom i razvitkom klasnog društva čiji su osnovni zakoni ujedno i opći zakoni razvitka rata. Osnovni sadržaj rata čini oružana borba, ali se rat ne svodi samo na nju, on je širi, složeniji jer uključuje i druge oblike borbe (političke, gospodarske itd.) koje imaju veliko značenje za pripremu i vođenje samog rata.

U svakom ratu dolazi do sukoba interesa političkog, vojnog, koji svoj izvor ima većinom u ekonomiji, distribuciji raznih resursa, industrijskim potencijalima ili samom teritoriju. Naši postupci su produkt naših ideja, naših razmišljanja. Pisao sam na početku ove agresije o vidljivoj promjeni vibracije frekvencije Zemlje. Ipak naše ideje nisu samo naše, one su kombinacija političkog i kulturnog okruženja u kojemu živimo. Težnja za teritorijem je biološka predispozicija svojstvena svim ljudskim bićima koja smatraju da čovjek mora posjedovati ili tražiti bolji teritorij i mjesto za život. Isto tako je poznato da teritorij daje osjećaj identiteta i povezanosti s pripadnicima svoje nacije.

Da li se može napad smatrati činom obrane od agresije? Međunarodni zakon, striktno zabranjuje preventivne napade osim ako nisu autorizirani od UN-vog Vijeća Sigurnosti. Ta pitanju su jako aktualna od veljače 2022. Rusija se vodila onom - napad je najbolja obrana.
Neke pacifističke teorije smatraju da se rat može izbjeći ako se odreknemo privatnog vlasništva, a time bi se, prema njima, gubila i moć kontrole nad nekim teritorijem. To naravno nije dovoljno, jer ne vode se svi ratovi zbog blagostanja i teritorija. Neki se vode zbog moći, slave, pohlepe i časti, za vlastitu slobodu i religiju. U realnosti ratovi se vode zbog svih tih razloga, u manjoj ili većoj mjeri, i kompleksno su isprepleteni. Iz vlastitih iskustava znamo da je rat brutalan, nepravedan i okrutan. Mi ljudi nismo nužno racionalna bića, nego smo zaokupljeni vlastitim kulturološkim kontekstom i nikako ga ne smijemo ignorirati ili staviti na stranu, ocijeniti kao nevažnim, a to je upravo ono što sada fura Rusiju. 

Za zaustavljanje ovog rata nužna je globalna suradnja. Nenasilna obrana nije nikakva obrana protiv okrutnih i nemilosrdnih osvajatelja. Briga za drugoga treba nam biti prioritet, i tu se ne govori samo o onim osnovnim potrebama, smanjivanje gladi, suša i raznih bolest, već se govori o tome da se čovjeku pruža i dostojanstvo koje zaslužuje i koje mu pripada.
Teško se oteti dojmu da i u Hrvatskoj ima ekipe koja je uzbuđena i sramežljivo vesela Ruskom operacijom, čitaj brutalnom agresijom, pokušavajući opravdati namjerne, neselektivne i nerazmjerne napade na civilno stanovništvo i elemente civilne infrastrukture, vjerovatno pod utjecajem možebitnog Stockholmskog sindroma. Postoji ekipa koja je u Hrvatskoj uzbuđena i pri samoj pomisli urušavanja napretka u civilizacijskom razvoju svijeta, možebitno zbog visokih godina provedenih ovdje i sada. Za nas ostale, jasno je da, još od Rimskog carstva, od doba Kineskog zida, zatvaranje u sebe ne pomaže i da nitko ne može opstati sam. Strah od Kineskog svrstavanja na stranu agresivne Rusije neopravdan je samim tim jer je stupanj razvoja kineskog gospodarstva u potpunosti okrenut izlasku kapitala iz Kine jačanjem trenda povećanja kineskih ulaganja po cijelom svijetu. Drugim riječima, Kina ima novac, motiv i želju. 

Nije sve u dosegu i vidljivosti onom tko izabere isključivo Fox news, Sputnik ili RT. Na koncu, sve će biti u redu, neke ekipe će morati suspregnuti svoje osvajačke apetite i vratiti se za pregovaračke stolove. Na globalne procese, tržišne ekonomije pa i na ovu ukrainsku surovu stvarnost gledamo kroz prizmu izreke da jedan ne može pomoći mnoštvu, no mnoštvo može pomoći jednomu.

* Si vis pacem, para bellum is a Latin adage translated as, "If you want peace, prepare for war." The adage was adapted from a statement found in Book 3 of Latin author Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus's tract De Re Militari (4th or 5th century), although the idea it conveys is also present in earlier works, such as Plato's Nomoi (Laws).

ENERGY TRANSITION / local and national systems

The energy transition is a continuing process requiring long-term energy strategies and planning, with a country-tailored focus on applying appropriated energy technologies to reach net-zero emissions. We know that a net-zero emissions pathway will be more successful if trade-offs in energy supply and demand are acknowledged and mitigated. This means an integrated, people-centered approach, in which all available energy technologies play an important role in transforming local and national energy systems. 

2022 has been a tumultuous year for the world’s energy systems, with the worst global energy crisis in decades having a ripple effect on people across the world. In November, COP27’s success⁠—in particular the agreement to set up a 'loss and damage fund⁠—was tempered by missed opportunities, such as stronger language on curbing emissions, a push to reduce the use of all fossil fuels or any clear signals for developing countries that adaptation funding will indeed double by 2025.  

As the energy crisis continues, 2023 will be a critical year to accelerate a just energy transition. We outline three trends that we expect will shape this transformation of energy systems in 2023. 

Inflation, the energy crisis, and rising interest rates are pushing over 50 countries to be at risk of bankruptcy unless developed countries offer urgent assistance. Around 75 million people who recently gained access to electricity are likely to lose the ability to pay for it. 100 million people may revert to the use of traditional biomass for cooking. At the current rate of progress, 670 million people will remain without electricity by 2030 - 10 million more than projected last year. Food insecurity is likely to be exacerbated by the energy crisis and additional factors. An estimated 49 million people in 46 countries currently live in near-famine-like conditions, including 750,000 people at immediate risk of starvation, of whom about 75 percent are concentrated in Ethiopia and Yemen.  

The good news: the global energy crisis has triggered unprecedented momentum behind renewables. The International Energy Agency predicts the world is set to add as much renewable power in the next 5 years as it did in the past 20. This means that total capacity growth worldwide of renewable power is set to almost double in the next five years, overtaking coal as the largest source of electricity generation by early 2025 globally. This expected increase is 30% higher than the amount of growth that was forecast just a year ago, highlighting how quickly governments have thrown additional policy weight behind renewables. The Economist finds that overall, renewable energy consumption will increase by about 11%, with Asia leading the way.  

However, this may not be enough to offset the simultaneous fallback on fossil fuels that we are witnessing across the globe. The Economist’s Energy Outlook 2023 outlines three trends that will eventually hinder global energy transition efforts: marginal growth in coal consumption to compensate for gaps in gas supplies; more extreme weather events will force many countries to fall back on fossil fuels; and renewable energy investment will weaken. 

Throughout 2022, there has been a growing recognition of the need for a ‘just transition’ to a low-carbon economy, which culminated at COP27 with several announcements. South Africa signed loan agreements worth EUR 600 million with France and Germany as part of its continued efforts to implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership announced at COP26. The Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership launched at the G20 Summit in parallel with COP27 and will mobilize US$20 billion over the next three to five years to accelerate a just transition. Vietnam, India, and Senegal have also expressed interest in entering Just Energy Transition Partnerships. 

The potential is there: the International Institute for Sustainable Development notes that “as they involve a relatively small group of actors, JETPs can potentially make much faster progress on the energy transition than what would be possible in the UN climate talks themselves, where large oil and gas-producing countries could veto the agreement.”

Is it all talk? The outcomes of COP27 show that more – much more – remains to be done to bring governments to take decisive action to reduce emissions at the scale and pace needed to avoid a climate breakdown. It is up to all of us to redouble efforts so that COP28 brings the long-awaited agreement on the need to ‘phase out all fossil fuels’. 

We work with countries to promote energy for development and build the resilient, equitable, sustainable energy systems of tomorrow through just energy transitions. The intensifying climate emergency, ongoing energy crisis, and increasing political uncertainties around the world must be the turning point to accelerate the energy transition.

 The UNDP Sustainable Energy Hub is a network of partners that work alongside countries to build net-zero, people-centered societies driven by a just, sustainable energy transition. To do so, we work with governments and partners to transform energy systems and support the integrated policy, technology, and financial shifts that shape a country’s sustainable economic development. 

Trends in Renewable Energy for 2023

The future of energy is looking greener. Moving into 2023, drivers for renewable growth are some of the strongest the industry has seen, including competitive costs, supportive policies, and burgeoning demand.

By 2024, almost 33 percent of the world’s electricity is forecast to come from renewables, with solar photovoltaic (PV) accounting for nearly 60 percent (or at least 697 gigawatts) of expected growth, according to Renewables 2019, a report from the International Energy Agency published in November 2019. Onshore wind (309 GW), hydropower (121 GW), offshore wind (43 GW), and bioenergy follow (41 GW).

Drastically lower production costs, growing concern around climate change, evolving global energy policies, and increased pressure from investors on companies to adopt environmental social governance (ESG) policies are pushing renewables into the mainstream.

This year alone, more than 12 large U.S. coal companies had filed for bankruptcy as of October 2019, in a signal of the shifting landscape. In Australia, the National Electricity Market showed that on Nov. 6, renewables reached a milestone—powering 50 percent of the country’s main electricity grid. Rooftop solar provided nearly 24 percent, followed by wind (about 16 percent), large-scale solar (about 9 percent), and hydro (about 2 percent). While renewable energy costs may continue to rise temporarily in 2023 due to ongoing supply chain challenges, wind and solar will likely remain the cheapest energy sources in most areas, as fuel costs for a conventional generation have been rising faster than renewable costs.

Federal clean energy policies. Among other supportive provisions, the IRA extends wind and solar tax credits for projects that begin construction before 2025 and technology-neutral credits through at least 2032. Projections suggest the law will spur 525 to 550 GW of new US utility-scale clean power by 2030.

State clean energy policies. Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia are targeting 100% renewable energy or 100% carbon-free electricity, often through clean and renewable energy mandates and incentives, with target dates between 2040 and 2050.

Utility decarbonization. As of October 2022, 43 of the 45 largest US investor-owned utilities have committed to reducing their carbon emissions, and boosting renewables are one of their key strategies for meeting those commitments.

Corporate renewable procurement. With a record 11 GW of US clean energy installations in 2021, the US is set to exceed that in 2022. More than 380 global businesses have committed to 100% clean electricity by joining the RE100 renewable electricity initiative, up from about 200 in 2019.

In Germany, a Norwegian company is running one of Europe’s largest power generation facilities—and doing it virtually, in an innovative example of how the sector could overcome challenges that arise when there's little wind or sun to generate power. The plant, which according to CNN Business could power 5 million homes, uses a cloud-based artificial intelligence program to link more than

1,500 wind, solar, and hydropower plants across the continent with electricity generation and storage facilities like batteries.

Renewables were the more sustainable—if more expensive—option. By 2023, they will actually make good business sense.

In 2023: The Near Future of Renewables, we present our predictions for how the sector will reimagine itself by capitalizing on this scalable green wave.

 

1. The future of solar is bright - Although slowed slightly by geopolitical tension and trade uncertainty, solar capacity will continue to grow over the next several years—surpassing a terawatt of global solar power generation by 2023. 

2. Storage takes center stage - Storage will take its rightful place as a key grid asset by 2023, helping to increase the reliability and resilience of increasingly decentralized power systems. The adoption of diverse energy storage solutions, including long-duration batteries for utility-scale renewable integration, will grow by at least 30 percent year-over-year leading up to 2023.

3. No headwinds for wind power - Wind power will continue to grow, with increased storage capabilities explicitly developed for on and offshore wind, helping to improve the economics and productivity of such projects. Half of the 2023 global investments in the wind will go towards offshore technology and projects. 

4. The energy convergence continues - Natural resources companies, from mining to oil and gas, will continue to invest in clean or renewable energy technology, including carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration—both to diversify their portfolios and reduce their corporate carbon footprints. By 2023, 20 oil and gas majors will have joined the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, up from 13.

5. Cleantech investments soar - Following a cycle of disappointing returns, private equity and venture capital will return to the cleantech space in full force. Whether called cleantech or climate tech, the regulatory, economic, and scientific impetus for these technologies will see $600 billion dollars in global private investment by 2023.

Overall, as the industry heads into 2023, increasing demand and enticing, long-term incentives are creating strong stimuli. Of course, the uneven economy right now poses some rough sailing, but the destination is in sight and achievable. Citizens want more solar. Residential solar demand is growing faster than ever, up 35% in H1 2022 year over year, as households react to rising retail electricity prices and weather-driven power outages.

The private sector takes notice. Private investment in renewables hit a record high of $10 billion in the past year. That could continue, as investors are attracted by transparent returns on mature technologies backed by 10-year tax credits with direct payment options.