1. Fragile Societies under Pressure
Question: How do economic inequality and climate change put pressure on society?
- "Widening income inequality is associated with lower and more fragile economic growth, which reduces the scope to meet rising social expectations in emerging markets."
- "While inequality and unemployment contribute to social instability, social instability in turn impacts negatively on equality, employment and wealth creation. The multi-directional cause-and-effect relationship makes it harder to address the related risks."
- "Its expected impact on the ability to grow food and access water could prompt sudden and uncontrolled population migrations, putting additional pressure on receiving countries."
2. Growing Worries about Conflict
Question: How do geopolitical risks create other risks?
- "The risk of the failure of national governance and state collapse or crisis can increase in areas where current state boundaries do not necessarily reflect popular self-identification."
3. Economic Risks: Out of the spotlight?
Question: What are the new risks rising in 2105?
- "The risks of a failure of a major financial mechanism or institution and fiscal crises are perceived as equally impactful and likely as in last year’s report, yet other risks, such as water crises, interstate conflict and the failure of climate-change adaptation, have taken centre stage."
4. Environment - High Concern, Little Progress
Question: How do environmental problems get worse in 2015?
- "Both water crises and failure of climate-change adaptation are also perceived as more likely and impactful than average."
- "Overfishing, deforestation and the inadequate management of sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs are increasing the stress on food and water systems."
5. Technological: Back to the Future
Question: How do advantages of technology create new problems?
- "Analytics on large and disparate data sources can drive breakthrough insights but also raise questions about expectations of privacy and the fair and appropriate use of data about individuals. Security risks are also intensified. "
- "The feedback loops between risks and the fact that they are also driven by underlying trends raise their complexity and make it more difficult to control individual risks."
6. Preparedness at Regional Level is Different
Question: How are regions prepared to handle their problems?
- "High structural unemployment or underemployment is seen as the risk for which Europe is least prepared, followed by large-scale involuntary migration and profound social instability."
- "North America identifies failure/shortfall of critical infrastructure, large-scale cyber attacks and failure of climate-change adaptation as the three risks for which it is least prepared."
- "Sub-Saharan Africa is considered least prepared for infectious diseases and unemployment."
- "Many regions, including Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa, also include profound social instability among the risks they are least prepared for."
- "East Asia and the Pacific is perceived as least prepared for interstate conflict and failure of urban planning [and] man-made environmental catastrophes. "
- "Failure of urban planning is among the first three risks in East Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and South Asia."
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Monday, May 25, 2015
Global Risks Report
We are living in a world full of risks. 3 infographics below suggest risks in different areas that we need to worried about. Impact is the size of effect, or "How damaging will it be?". Likehood is the probability, or "By how much chance will it happen?".
According to this infographic, the spread of infectious diseases increased in 2015; an example would be Ebola. Water and food are lacking. Social instability happens less frequently. Impact of failure of urban planning significantly decreases.
According to this infographic, catastrophes and extreme weather events strike less severely but more often. Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse need to be treated more seriously. Failure of adaptation happens more often.
According to this infographic, critical information infrastructure breakdown and cyber attack have become more critical problems in the modern society. Also, data fraud or theft happens more likely.
These 3 areas, even though they seem to be separated, are closely connected. Environmental problem and social problem are twisted together in a cycle: One is both cause and result of the other. The chaos in societal will spread into the Internet: some people use technology as a negative way to solve their social needs.
For the reason stated above, environmental and social problems should be solved first. They are all real problems and need to be addressed. They need to be solved!
These 3 areas, even though they seem to be separated, are closely connected. Environmental problem and social problem are twisted together in a cycle: One is both cause and result of the other. The chaos in societal will spread into the Internet: some people use technology as a negative way to solve their social needs.
For the reason stated above, environmental and social problems should be solved first. They are all real problems and need to be addressed. They need to be solved!
Friday, May 22, 2015
Motivation
Why am I even writing this? Why do I have to sign in and type these words until my finger muscles go fatigued when I just ditch this and go watch TV? What motivated me?
It's a long story (but not really). I am student of an international school. This blog is a portion of my social class and counted as a major grade that significantly determine whether I pass or fail. Now that is motivation!
I make myself look like a carefree student who come to class everyday just to sit in a corner and watch Youtube all day, right?
"That student" is "motivated" and probably struggling to get this blog out to save his grade. What is the nature of motivation anyway? "Motivation" is an external force or eternal force that causes people to behave in a certain way, such as getting a lazy student's butt on a chair and making him write a blog about motivation.
There are many theories about motivation, such as Maslow's Hierarchy Theory, Herzberg Theory, Alderfer's ERG Theory, etc. These theories are different, and each has its own flaws. However, in general, these theories state that motivation is generated from the desire of satisfaction and avoidance of punishment.
There are some exception to these theories. One of them is the ascetic's lifestyle of the monks. They keep the lower-order needs at minimum level and strive for higher-order needs.
There are issues around the world that can be analyzed based on the principles of motivation.
The first issue is ignorance. Understanding problems about the world is very important. However, having enough food is even more important. Take people in Africa for example: Because they are poor, they give their 100% effort to find food for survival, so there is no time left for "self-actualization". Who care about pollution if you have no food to eat? Who care about energy conservation if you have no water to drink? Solving for physical need, we solve the ignorance.
The second issue is war. People fight each other for reasons. No matter how beautiful people describe those reasons to be, those reasons are simple, food and power. Rich nations start war for power and resources. Poor people stand up fight against the emperor for prosperity. If people have what they NEED, will war still happen? Yes, they fight for what they WANT. There is always motivation to start a war. Greed is unlimited.
The third issue is about motivation itself. When people have everything, they stay satisfied and don't work for better things. For example, money spoils children. Kids born in rich families have the tendency toward entertainment rather than education. They are easier to get spoiled than are poor kids. They are seduced and distracted by so many things. They lack motivation to become a better person. As a result, they end up in failure.The solution for this is self-motivation. Things around us always change, and we have no control. The only thing we can control is our mind. Mentally pushing ourselves forward is a great way to keep moving forward.
Motivation is both good and bad, depending on different situations. It is each person's jobs to suppress the bad motivation and enhance the good one. About the "Youtube" student, he probably needs to stay motivated. *Here comes the evil smile*
It's a long story (but not really). I am student of an international school. This blog is a portion of my social class and counted as a major grade that significantly determine whether I pass or fail. Now that is motivation!
I make myself look like a carefree student who come to class everyday just to sit in a corner and watch Youtube all day, right?
"That student" is "motivated" and probably struggling to get this blog out to save his grade. What is the nature of motivation anyway? "Motivation" is an external force or eternal force that causes people to behave in a certain way, such as getting a lazy student's butt on a chair and making him write a blog about motivation.
There are many theories about motivation, such as Maslow's Hierarchy Theory, Herzberg Theory, Alderfer's ERG Theory, etc. These theories are different, and each has its own flaws. However, in general, these theories state that motivation is generated from the desire of satisfaction and avoidance of punishment.
There are issues around the world that can be analyzed based on the principles of motivation.
The first issue is ignorance. Understanding problems about the world is very important. However, having enough food is even more important. Take people in Africa for example: Because they are poor, they give their 100% effort to find food for survival, so there is no time left for "self-actualization". Who care about pollution if you have no food to eat? Who care about energy conservation if you have no water to drink? Solving for physical need, we solve the ignorance.
The second issue is war. People fight each other for reasons. No matter how beautiful people describe those reasons to be, those reasons are simple, food and power. Rich nations start war for power and resources. Poor people stand up fight against the emperor for prosperity. If people have what they NEED, will war still happen? Yes, they fight for what they WANT. There is always motivation to start a war. Greed is unlimited.
The third issue is about motivation itself. When people have everything, they stay satisfied and don't work for better things. For example, money spoils children. Kids born in rich families have the tendency toward entertainment rather than education. They are easier to get spoiled than are poor kids. They are seduced and distracted by so many things. They lack motivation to become a better person. As a result, they end up in failure.The solution for this is self-motivation. Things around us always change, and we have no control. The only thing we can control is our mind. Mentally pushing ourselves forward is a great way to keep moving forward.
Motivation is both good and bad, depending on different situations. It is each person's jobs to suppress the bad motivation and enhance the good one. About the "Youtube" student, he probably needs to stay motivated. *Here comes the evil smile*
Pollution
Pollution is the presence of poisonous substance. There are many types of pollution. This blog will primarily focus on air, water, and light pollution.
Air pollution is the presence of solid and gas particles that are harmful to organisms inhabiting. Pollutants come from car, factories, and agriculture. Air pollution increases chance of health problems (such as lung and hearth diseases), foster global warming, depletes ozone layer, and destroying habitat. Solutions to air pollution may include use public transportation, emphasize clean energy sources, and conserve energy.
Water pollution is the presence of substances and objects that contaminate water bodies. Caused by sewage, industrial waste, and radioactive leakage, water pollution affects human health and the whole ecosystem. Water pollution can be eased by not dumping trash into water and using environment-friendly cleaning technology.
Light pollution is the presence of excessive or misdirected artificial light. Light pollution disrupts ecosystem, harms many species including human, and wastes energy. Light pollution can be reduced by using right amount of light at the right place and time, using energy efficient bulbs, and shielding lights properly.
Pollution is very serious and need to be solved!
Air pollution is the presence of solid and gas particles that are harmful to organisms inhabiting. Pollutants come from car, factories, and agriculture. Air pollution increases chance of health problems (such as lung and hearth diseases), foster global warming, depletes ozone layer, and destroying habitat. Solutions to air pollution may include use public transportation, emphasize clean energy sources, and conserve energy.
Water pollution is the presence of substances and objects that contaminate water bodies. Caused by sewage, industrial waste, and radioactive leakage, water pollution affects human health and the whole ecosystem. Water pollution can be eased by not dumping trash into water and using environment-friendly cleaning technology.
Light pollution is the presence of excessive or misdirected artificial light. Light pollution disrupts ecosystem, harms many species including human, and wastes energy. Light pollution can be reduced by using right amount of light at the right place and time, using energy efficient bulbs, and shielding lights properly.
Pollution is very serious and need to be solved!
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Challenges in 21st Century
We're living in a world that is a lot better than the world of 50, 100, or 1000 years ago. Development of technologies, policies, perspective, etc. has changed our lives dramatically. It's "development", so our lives are supposed to be better, aren't they?
Well, we have less diseases, due to the development of medicine. Our lives are more convenient, due to the development of transportation, communication, etc. But, are our lives really better? The more we have, the more we are tired to. Everyday, we are worried about a lot of things. Money, family, relationship, respect, etc. You name it! Our internal selves is the same as those in 17th century, or even further in the past. We are scared of what we don't know, desirous of what we don't have, and worried of what we have. Every second, our mind is fully of thoughts, either positive or negative.
So how can we free ourselves from those things? Can we just through everything and live in a forest like ancient people? Then we still have to worried about food, safety, etc.
Since there is always danger from the external environment, the answer is actually inside. MEDITATION. It's a way that we can refresh our mind from our problems.
Live a happy life!
Well, we have less diseases, due to the development of medicine. Our lives are more convenient, due to the development of transportation, communication, etc. But, are our lives really better? The more we have, the more we are tired to. Everyday, we are worried about a lot of things. Money, family, relationship, respect, etc. You name it! Our internal selves is the same as those in 17th century, or even further in the past. We are scared of what we don't know, desirous of what we don't have, and worried of what we have. Every second, our mind is fully of thoughts, either positive or negative.
Since there is always danger from the external environment, the answer is actually inside. MEDITATION. It's a way that we can refresh our mind from our problems.
Live a happy life!
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Biodiversity
What is biodiversity? Let's analyze the word itself. "Bio" means life, creature, or organisms. "Diversity" means variety, or the state of being different. Together, "biodiversity" is the variety of life, or organisms.
The definition of "life" is quite vague and depends on different perspective. Through the lense of biology, "life" has these following characteristics:
- Organisms are composed of cells, the smallest units of life.
- Living organims have to use energy.
- Living organims can grow and reproduce.
- Living organims respond to stimuli and adapt to enviroment.
With these characteristics, organisms are divided into deeper levels (Genetic Biodiversity)
The first group is Prokaryotes (cells that do not have nucleus or membrane-bounded organelles). This group consists of 2 domains, Bacteria and Archea.
The second group is Eukaryotes (cells that have one or more nucleus and membrane-bounded organelles). This group has a domain called Eukarya.
Eukarya is further divided into smaller phyla based on biodiversity.
The first phylum is Fungi, consists of organisms such as molds, mushrooms, etc.
The second phylum is Plantae, consists of plants. Plantae is further divided into Bryophyte, Seedless Plants, Gymnosperm, and Angiosperm.
The third phylum is Animalia, including animals. Animalia is divided into Poferia, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Mollusca, Anthropoda, Nematoda, Echinodermata, and Chordata.
The fourth phylum is Protista, which is the trash bin of Taxonomy, home of organisms that do not belong to Fungi, Plantae, or Animalia.
Biodiversity does not just appear on Taxonomy but also appear based on geography. In different locations with different characteristics, there are different organisms living (Ecological Biodiversity). For example, in desert, animals (such as caracal, ostrich) and plants (such as cactus) have to develop physical charactistic to prevent water loss and survive in harsh dry conditions. Meanwhile, arctic animals (such as arctic wolf and polar bear) develop thick coat of skin and fur to fight against the coldness. This is called adaptation.
Biodiversity plays an important role in survival of organims, including humans. Like a chain of life, if one or many species extinct, other species, directly or indirectly dependent on those species, will be affected, throwing nature out of balance. For example, snakes eat rats. If humans kill all the snakes, rats will be allowed to reproduce without being eaten. Rats will eat other smaller organisms, forcing that those organisms to extinction.
Biodiversity is bio (life) itself!
The definition of "life" is quite vague and depends on different perspective. Through the lense of biology, "life" has these following characteristics:
- Organisms are composed of cells, the smallest units of life.
- Living organims have to use energy.
- Living organims can grow and reproduce.
- Living organims respond to stimuli and adapt to enviroment.
With these characteristics, organisms are divided into deeper levels (Genetic Biodiversity)
The first group is Prokaryotes (cells that do not have nucleus or membrane-bounded organelles). This group consists of 2 domains, Bacteria and Archea.
The second group is Eukaryotes (cells that have one or more nucleus and membrane-bounded organelles). This group has a domain called Eukarya.
Eukarya is further divided into smaller phyla based on biodiversity.
The first phylum is Fungi, consists of organisms such as molds, mushrooms, etc.
The second phylum is Plantae, consists of plants. Plantae is further divided into Bryophyte, Seedless Plants, Gymnosperm, and Angiosperm.
The third phylum is Animalia, including animals. Animalia is divided into Poferia, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Mollusca, Anthropoda, Nematoda, Echinodermata, and Chordata.
The fourth phylum is Protista, which is the trash bin of Taxonomy, home of organisms that do not belong to Fungi, Plantae, or Animalia.
Biodiversity does not just appear on Taxonomy but also appear based on geography. In different locations with different characteristics, there are different organisms living (Ecological Biodiversity). For example, in desert, animals (such as caracal, ostrich) and plants (such as cactus) have to develop physical charactistic to prevent water loss and survive in harsh dry conditions. Meanwhile, arctic animals (such as arctic wolf and polar bear) develop thick coat of skin and fur to fight against the coldness. This is called adaptation.
Biodiversity plays an important role in survival of organims, including humans. Like a chain of life, if one or many species extinct, other species, directly or indirectly dependent on those species, will be affected, throwing nature out of balance. For example, snakes eat rats. If humans kill all the snakes, rats will be allowed to reproduce without being eaten. Rats will eat other smaller organisms, forcing that those organisms to extinction.
Biodiversity is bio (life) itself!
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