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Half of the one million animal and plant species on Earth facing extinction are insects, and their disappearance could be catastrophic for humankind, scientists have said in a "warning to humanity".
Insects pollinate a spectrum of plants, including many of those that humans rely on for food. They also are key players in other important jobs including breaking dead things down into the building blocks for new life, controlling weeds and providing raw materials for medicines. And they provide sustenance for a spectrum of other animals. The decline of butterflies, beetles, ants, bees, wasps, flies, crickets and dragonflies has consequences far beyond their own demise. A sharp drop in bird numbers across Europe and the United States, for example, has been linked to the collapse of insect populations decimated by pesticide use.
Scientists warn the insect world is facing a mass extinction event, only the sixth in the last half-billion years. In October 2017 a group of European researchers found that insect abundance (as measured by biomass) had declined by more than 75 percent within 63 protected areas in Germany—over the course of just 27 years. Worldwide, a 2014 summary of global declines in biodiversity and abundance estimated a 45 percent drop in the abundance of invertebrates, most of which are insects. And many individual species and species groups are declining or even being threatened with extinction, from bumblebees in Europe and the United States to fungus weevils in Africa.
The truth is that the situation is probably worse than studies have suggested. Scientists estimate the number of insect species at about 5.5 million, only a fifth of which have been identified and named. Because of that the number of threatened and extinct insect species is most probably significantly underestimated.
Twenty-five years ago conservation scientists issued a "Warning to Humanity" about the collapse of Nature. In 2017, they issued a second warning, signed by 15,000 scientists. The latest study, titled "Scientists' warning to humanity on insect extinctions", has been published in the journal Conservation Biology.
Are world leaders giving it any thought? I bet The Donald hasn’t, but he’s not the only one. The Entomological Society of America suggests that people maintain plant diversity in their gardens and leave "natural habitat, like leaf litter and dead wood". That’s all the encouragement I need….
Homo sapiens, humanity, humankind, human race, man, people, flesh, Homo sapiens, humankind, adult, being, body, human, human being, individual, one, person, personage, somebody, soul, mortality, people, human nature, humanness, attendant, employee, follower, servant, soldier, subject, subordinate, vassal, worker, benevolence, benignity, brotherly love, charity, compassion, fellow feeling, kind-heartedness, kindness, mercy, philanthropy, sympathy, tenderness, tolerance, understanding.
Craft Tent.
' I was a nimble girl, and have always been a active body... ...I can still walk twenty mile if I am put to it. I'd far better be a-walking than getting a-numbed and dreary. I'm a fair good knitter, and can make many little things to sell. The loan from your lady of twenty shillings to fit out a basket with would be a fortune for me'
Betty Higden would rather go on the tramp than face the horrors of 'indoor relief' - Charles Dickens - 'Our Mutual Friend' p.450
There is only one race: humankind.
The land of Lebanon, land from the same world as yours.
Our loved ones are gone
Some for always
Others praying to return without delay
Asking for the same peace you seek
And the necessary help for those who remain.
"... a few acres of snow..." *
Do you hear the voice of Lebanon calling out to you?
* "...A few acres of snow..." (in the original French, ‘Quelques arpents de neige’) is a quotation from Voltaire popularly understood to be a sneering evaluation of New France’s (Quebec's) and, by extension, Canada’s lack of mercantile value and strategic importance to France."
One of the hexagonal panels on the lower level of the exterior of the campanile which depict the history of humankind.
Come visit the Cradle of Humankind! Starting in a camp reflecting the 1920s you soon cross a wide river with the wildlife veterinary station and a savanna lying behind. Or you visit a small native village near the dark jungle. Safari feeling guaranteed!
Theme song youtu.be/GibiNy4d4gc
Fun Theme Song
The Beemster Polder, dating from the early 17th century, is is an exceptional example of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. It has preserved intact its well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dykes and settlements, laid out in accordance with classical and Renaissance planning principles.
The innovative and intellectually imaginative landscape of the Beemster Polder had a profound and lasting impact on reclamation projects in Europe and beyond. The creation of the polder marks a major step forward in the interrelationship between humankind and water at a crucial period of social and economic expansion.
Lagoons and deltas take up the greater part of Dutch land. Over the centuries this land was made habitable by means of land reclamation and protection against the water. Of the 3.4 million hectares that now constitute the Netherlands, a third is below sea level. If no dykes had been constructed and if there were no drainage of excess water, 65% of the country of today would be under water.
The northern coastal area of the Kop van Noord-Holland and along the Wadden Sea was once an interconnected series of mud-flats that extended to south-western Denmark. The earliest habitation was on knolls, which offered protection from the water before sea walls and dykes had been constructed. The need to 'create' new land arose from the damage caused by continual flooding, with the added bonus of obtaining excellent agricultural land. Five factors influenced the process of land reclamation: the availability of capital for investment, stable political and economic relationships, and the availability of technical means, entrepreneurial spirit, and good prices for farmland.
The battle against the water began in the northern part of Noord-Holland, in the area situated above the former open waters of the IJ (Hollands Noorderkwartier), by keeping out the seawater. From the 16th century onwards efforts were geared towards draining lakes and ponds situated further inland. Land reclamation took place by draining the big lakes, particularly in the northern part of Holland. This process was made possible by the drastic improvement in pumping and draining technology using windmills driving waterwheels. From the end of the Middle Ages the entire north of the IJ was enclosed within a ring of dykes; however, considerable areas of water survived within the individual polders and the centre of the region was still occupied by the large Schermer, Purmer, and Beemster lakes.
Wind power was used to drain the polders as early as the 15th century, through the use of wind-driven water-pumping mills. The development of the revolving cap on windmills made it possible to drain the larger lakes. From the beginning of the 17th century onwards it became possible to drain large bodies of water, such as the Beemster, by using networks of three or four windmills. The initiative to drain the water of the Beemster was taken by a number of wealthy regents and merchants from Amsterdam and a number of high-ranking civil servants in The Hague.
In 1608 the dyke section between Purmerend and Neck was subcontracted, as was the drainage canal to the Zuyder Zee. In that same year a start was made on laying out the canals and roads to prepare for the allotment of land. Within the allotments the owners would be allowed to dig as many canals and ditches as they saw fit. The blocks between the roads are divided by canals into four blocks of about 85 ha. It was finally decided to divide the land into five allotments. The allotments were made in 'packages'; the value of each package compared to the others would be the same, as poor soil was compensated by good. Shovels and pickaxes were used in the basic engineering works; the foundations for sluices and windmills were sunk using manual pile-driving installations operated by 30-40 people. Reclamation was effected by means of windmills; reclamation of the Beemster took place with the construction of fifteen windmill networks.
The polder finally became a reality on 19 May 1612, and the plots of land were allotted. The bye-law of 1616 includes conditions on 'plants and trees'. This created an 'ideal' landscape from 1620 onwards with the planting of the lanes with trees. First only the northern and western side of the roads were planted, so that the heat of the sun could dry the roads, which were still waterlogged. After conversion from drainage by wind to steam power in the 1800s, water was discharged into the belt canal by three pumping stations. In the 20th century these were converted to diesel power, and now drainage is carried out by the fully automated electric pumping station.
Source: UNESCO/CLT/WHC
Historical Description
Lagoons and deltas take up the greater part of the Dutch land. Over the centuries this land was made habitable by means of land reclamation and protection against the water. Of the 3.4 million ha which now constitute The Netherlands, a third is below sea level. If no dikes had been constructed and if there were no drainage of excess water, 65% of The Netherlands of today would be under water.
The northern coastal area of the Kop van Noord-Holland and along the Wadden Sea was once a virtually interconnected series of mud-flats that extended to southwestern Denmark. The earliest habitation was on knolls, which offered protection from the water before sea walls and dikes had been constructed. The need to 'create' new land arose from the damage caused by the continual flooding, with the added bonus of obtaining excellent agricultural land.
Five factors influenced on the process of land reclamation: the availability of capital for investment, stable political and economic relationships, and the availability of technical means, entrepreneurial spirit, and good prices for farmland.
The battle against the water began in the northern part of Noord-Holland, in the area situated above the former open waters of the IJ, by keeping out the sea-water. From the 16th century onward efforts were geared toward draining lakes and ponds situated further inland. Land reclamation took place by draining the big lakes, particularly in the northern part of Holland. This process was made possible by the drastic improvement in pumping and draining technology using windmills driving waterwheels. From the end of the Middle Ages the entire north of the IJ (Hollands Noorderkwartier) was enclosed within a ring of dikes; however, considerable areas of water survived within the individual polders and the centre of the region was still occupied by the large Schermer, Purmer, and Beemster lakes. More and more land could be reclaimed when the technique of building dikes with discharging structures (sluices) was developed. These developments are sometimes called the delta-works of the 17th and 18th century.
Wind power was used to drain the polders as early as the 15th century, through the use of wind-driven waterpumping mills. The 16th century development of the revolving cap on windmills made it possible to drain the larger lakes. From the beginning of the 17th century onward it became possible to drain large bodies of water, such as the Beemster, by using networks of three or four windmills. The invention of this process is attributed to Simon Stevin (1548-1620).
The initiative to drain the water of the Beemster was taken by a number of wealthy regents and merchants from Amsterdam and a number of high-ranking civil servants in The Hague. In 1607 a patent was granted by the States of Holland to sixteen people who founded the Beemstercompagnie to provide the requisite capital. The patent speaks of "work such, that it is possible to make Water into Land." In total there were 123 investors, who received a return of 17% on their investment upon completion of the polder in 1612.
As a preliminary to the work, a map of the Beemster and its environs was made by the surveyor Pieter Cornelisz. Cort of Alkmaar, to determine the possible consequences of diking and to establish how to drain the Beemster itself. After Cort's death in 1608, he was succeeded by Lucas Jansz. Sinck, land surveyor in Amsterdam, who laid out the first dike section for the Beemster polder. In 1608 the dike section between Purmerend and Neck was subcontracted, as was the drainage canal to the Zuiderzee.
It was decided in 1611 that Sinck would draw in the roads and canals. In that same year a start was made on laying out the canals and roads to prepare for the allotment of land. Within the allotments the owners would be allowed to dig as many canals and ditches as they saw fit. The blocks between the roads were to have a surface area of 400 morgen, divided by canals into four blocks of 100 morgen (1 morgen = c 0.85ha). It was finally decided to divide the land into five allotments. The allotments were made in "packages"; the value of each package compared to the others would be the same, as poor soil was compensated by good.
Shovels and pickaxes were used in the basic engineering works; the foundations for sluices and windmills were sunk using manual pile-driving installations operated by 30-40 people. Reclamation was effected by means of windmills. The reclamation of the Beemster ultimately took place with the construction of fifteen windmill networks.
The polder finally became a reality on 19 May 1612, and in August 1612 the plots of land were allotted. The byelaw of 1616 includes conditions on "plants and trees." This created an "ideal" landscape from 1620 onward with the planting of the lanes with trees. First only the northern and western side of the roads were planted, so that the sun could dry the roads, which were still waterlogged. After the conversion from drainage by wind to steam power in the late 1800s, the water was discharged into the belt canal by three pumping stations. In the 20th century these were converted to diesel power. De Beemster is now drained by the fully automated electric pumping station Wouter Sluis along the Westdijk (Middensloot) and by the diesel pumping station Jacobus Bouman along the Oostdijk (Oosthuizersloot).
Source: Advisory Body Evaluation
Zie ook deze site voor NL info.
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This picture: © Peter Bijkerk || www.peterbijkerk.eu
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Cradle of Humankind, Maropeng, South Africa. Dec/2012. O Berço da Humanidade. África do Sul. Dez/2012
"The Fault of Humankind" by Jan Matejko - one of eleven paintings in the Assembly Hall of the main building of Lviv Polytechnic University
Here we see the impact of malicious passions on humanity, which obscure the sense of the higher truth and the noble purpose of science. If scientific achievements are directed only at the multiplication of material goods (an intense and selfish craving for wealth or power), then it also brings grief, crimes and moral decay. In this case, mammon (money) dominates the world (symbolically portrayed as an arrogant woman with horns holding a golden calf in her hand). We also see a greedy man trying to shove coins in a bag, miserable poor people, envious looks, threats of revenge and a woman who drowns her child.
Cradle of Humankind, Maropeng, South Africa. Dec/2012. O Berço da Humanidade. África do Sul. Dez/2012
INOCULATION ETERNITY is a story about a place called Eternity. It is my imagination about what life might have been like before humankind ever existed. We all have this hope that when we die we go to a perfect place called Heaven. In this book I paint a picture of a similar place where there is no time, sickness or war. Its essence beholds perfection and pure happiness. The entire story evolves around the life of Archangel Lucifer, who is the Master of Ceremony for the Gathering.
The Gathering could be likened to a church service, but far greater. Its purpose is to recharge everyone's spirit in what I reference in the book as life's resurgence. Everything was perfect until something happens at the latest Gathering service. This something has to do with Lucifer. It begins a wind of change that rocks the core of Eternity and everyone's existence. You will witness how Lucifer's unleashed emotions assimilate negative potential. As the story progresses, readers will witness how many of Eternity's inhabitants who are witnessing the changes, become determined to understand what is happening. Amongst them evolves a certain sect of creatures who begin to enjoy their newfound knowledge. Different sensations are experienced as new emotions surface, which were hidden from them since the beginning of their existence.
Gabriel, who is another principal character is one determined to understand what is happening. Prior to these dysphonic eruptions everything was all good. Now another realm appears on the horizon. His concern for Lucifer and scientific interests beckon him to go in search of a remedy.
Ancient of Days' is my version of God. He is the center of all moral consciousness and the animator for life. He doesn't even attempt to explain what is happening or what has caused the eruption in the first place. Some begin to wonder why. His expression of love for His creation is to stand back and allow them the freedom to choose their own destiny. It is His desire that they trust Him. He encourages them to govern themselves. He lends them support and intervenes only when it is absolutely necessary. With an infinite space ahead of them, He is in no hurry to stop what appears to be a disaster.
INOCULATION ETERNITY is a story about a place called Eternity. It is my imagination about what life might have been like before humankind ever existed. We all have this hope that when we die we go to a perfect place called Heaven. In this book I paint a picture of a similar place where there is no time, sickness or war. Its essence beholds perfection and pure happiness. The entire story evolves around the life of Archangel Lucifer, who is the Master of Ceremony for the Gathering.
The Gathering could be likened to a church service, but far greater. Its purpose is to recharge everyone's spirit in what I reference in the book as life's resurgence. Everything was perfect until something happens at the latest Gathering service. This something has to do with Lucifer. It begins a wind of change that rocks the core of Eternity and everyone's existence. You will witness how Lucifer's unleashed emotions assimilate negative potential. As the story progresses, readers will witness how many of Eternity's inhabitants who are witnessing the changes, become determined to understand what is happening. Amongst them evolves a certain sect of creatures who begin to enjoy their newfound knowledge. Different sensations are experienced as new emotions surface, which were hidden from them since the beginning of their existence.
Gabriel, who is another principal character is one determined to understand what is happening. Prior to these dysphonic eruptions everything was all good. Now another realm appears on the horizon. His concern for Lucifer and scientific interests beckon him to go in search of a remedy.
Ancient of Days' is my version of God. He is the center of all moral consciousness and the animator for life. He doesn't even attempt to explain what is happening or what has caused the eruption in the first place. Some begin to wonder why. His expression of love for His creation is to stand back and allow them the freedom to choose their own destiny. It is His desire that they trust Him. He encourages them to govern themselves. He lends them support and intervenes only when it is absolutely necessary. With an infinite space ahead of them, He is in no hurry to stop what appears to be a disaster.