With growing global concerns about water scarcity and environmental sustainability, understanding the factors influencing individual water conservation behaviors is crucial. This study utilizes the Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF) analytics to investigate the relationship between concerns of local issues and water conservation behaviors in a sample of 1831 residents in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. New Mexico is an arid region of which 90% faced severe drought driven by the most significant wildfire in state history and some of the driest months (...) ever recorded in 2022. The results show a positive association between the drought or water scarcity concern and the number of water conservation behaviors adopted. Likewise, the positive association between the concern about population growth and development and water conservation behaviors is also observed. However, further examination is needed due to the weak reliability of this relationship. In contrast, negative associations between concerns about water quality and water bills with water conservation behaviors are also identified. Based on these findings, the study discusses the potential of building the eco-surplus culture by improving information dissemination of water-saving methods and existing water-related issues in the local areas. (shrink)

With the increasing population growth of human beings, the world is being threatened by the water scarcity problem, causing insecurity in water accessibility. Therefore, a deliberated water management gains fatal importance. In addition, the awareness of the issue through education, specifically in the early ages, plays a crucial role in this path. This research considers the water issue of Istanbul in its content. However, regarding the target audience, which is the kids, it uses a novel approach to tackle the problem. (...) The paper proposes a visually enriched and nonlinear, serious game for the children to teach them about the importance of water and its impact on the planet, specific to Istanbul. The game is inspired by National Geographic Turkey's documentary named 25 Liters: In Pursuit of Water, asking the players to survive in a drought situation in the future. It aims to change the kid's lifestyle to revive the country's in-danger future. (shrink)

There is an undeniable link between overpopulation and climate change. Overpopulation is dangerous in its own right, and the facts about the current state of affairs are truly terrifying, yet heavily overlooked and underreported. Overpopulation has led to—and continues to accelerate—deforestation. The scale of deforestation is also overlooked and heavily underreported, as is the critical role of forests in ecosystems, including their influence on healthy rain patterns. Changes in rain patterns are among the most dangerous consequences of climate change, which (...) will lead to shortages of drinking water in the foreseeable future all over the world. This, too, will be caused by deforestation, as the facts confirm. This article will explain how deforestation has caused shifts in humidity, directly contributing to the severity and frequency of droughts and floods. Additionally, changes in relative humidity are responsible for higher temperatures and the shrinking of glaciers and polar ice caps. These water reservoirs are diminishing not only because they are melting but also because they are drying out—all as a consequence of altered humidity. This shift in humidity has led to a seemingly absurd paradox: on one hand, the air is becoming drier; on the other hand, the total amount of water in the atmosphere is increasing. Scientists have been ignoring the causes and consequences of this paradox for many years. All of this has been directly influenced by deforestation, which, in turn, has been driven by the growing number of humans on this planet. We have far exceeded sustainable population levels. Another problem that exacerbates all issues related to climate change is human intervention in the climate through various weather engineering methods, often referred to as geoengineering. These methods include cloud seeding, CO2 capture, and others. They all worsen the situation, and humans fail to realize this, largely because we have ignored the enormous role of humidity levels in our ecosystems—particularly their impact on rain patterns. All of this is a consequence of deforestation. The solutions to climate problems lie in afforestation and global depopulation. These measures are relatively easier and faster to implement. Unfortunately, for them to succeed, humankind must first acknowledge these issues as the real causes of climate change and act swiftly, especially since deforestation continues unabated. We are in danger of having wasted time meant to save our planet by barking up the wrong tree—CO2 emissions. We are losing essential time. We cannot afford to be a society that "doesn’t look up!" The facts in this article are undeniable. The problem is deforestation, which is caused by overpopulation. Let the facts speak! (shrink)

The text is a drought outlining the development of logic in Bosnia and Herzegovina through several periods of history: period of Ottoman occupation and administration of the Empire, period of Austro-Hungarian occupation and administration of the Monarchy, period of Communist regime and administration of the Socialist Republic and period from the aftermath of the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina to this day (the Dayton Bosnia and Herzegovina) and administration of the International Community. For each of the (...) aforementioned periods, the text treats the organization of education, the educational paradigm of the model, status of logic as a subject in the educational system of a period, as well as the central figures dealing with the issue of logic (as researchers, lecturers, authors) and the key works written in each of the periods, outlining their main ideas. Thework of aNeoplatonic philosopher Porphyry, “Introduction” (Greek: Eisagogee), Latin: Isagoge; Arabic: Īsāġūğī), can be seen, in all periods of education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the main text, the principal textbook, as a motivation for logical thinking. That gave me the right to introduce the syntagm Bosnia Porphyriana. (shrink)

June 2022 A Revolutionary New Metaphysics, Based on Consciousness, and a Call to All Philosophers We are in a unique moment of our history unlike any previous moment ever. Virtually all human economies are based on the destruction of the Earth, and we are now at a place in our history where we can foresee if we continue on as we are, our own extinction. As I write, the planet is in deep trouble, heat, fires, great storms, and record flooding, (...) weather patterns drastic everywhere. Capitalism has been so successful in supplying us with an endless array of consumer items, that we have never noticed there is a cost. But there is a cost, the cost is the very life of the Earth herself, and now the day of reckoning is here. Days of reckoning are most often days of rath. But I am hoping that this is a day of major Awakening over the entire planet. We have caused a crisis so great for the Earth we can hardly get our minds around it. But I am proposing that deeply embedded in the crisis are ideas, about who and what the Earth is, Ourselves, and what we are here for. I am proposing that this is a call to all philosophy and philosophers to rethink ourselves from the ground up. The human race has never gotten the Earth right and now we must, for the Earth is the true foundation for civilization. We are in deep trouble with the Earth, and it owes to the fact that the great male thinkers never got the Earth right, they could never make the connection between the life of mind and the life of the Earth. I am proposing that deeply embedded in the crisis we are in are ideas. And that in fact the planet is in the grip of a false metaphysics, and scientific image of nature that really comes most recently from Descartes. His conviction that matter, and with it the Earth, are simply the weighable, the measurable the extended in space and time, utterly devoid of any inner life of mind thoughts or Consciousness. This view of matter and the Earth goes back to the very dawn of thought, Descartes is just its most recent and comprehensive version of things. This view of matter is really a false metaphysics that dominates most of the modern world and underpins the whole scientific image of nature itself. I am proposing this is a false metaphysics and offering a new version of things based on Consciousness. If there is a single idea fueling and driving the destruction of the planet, it is the conviction that the Earth is something without Consciousness. When you intend to ravage and savage the planet, turn it into consumer items to be converted into money in the bank, first pretend that all of the bright beings in the natural world are devoid of Consciousness, just “things” you do not have to have any conscious about destroying them. I am proposing that this term Consciousness, that has appeared as term and a problem for modern science, is the key to getting ourselves right with the Earth. I propose this new theory for science will ramify into every other disciplines as well, and the ways we think just about everything. This old paradigm based on a false theory of matter, has run its course, it has brought us to the brink of our own extinction. We need new ideas, and we need them now. You will find my recent work in the Scientific God Journal under the title: Consciousness as the Organizing Principle, and a very complete version of my arguments for this term Consciousness, along with radical reinterpretation of modern science itself, on the Galileo Commission site. It is a radical moment for all of the thinkers among us, take this as my small contribution to rethinking ourselves in new terms, based on my understanding that the true basis for the whole of Being, the Universe, the Cosmos, and with them Ourselves, is this term Consciousness. And unpack it. And I predict that with this term Consciousness every intractable human problem in both science and the modern world will go down like a line of dominos before it. And so, here are a few new ideas I would offer you. These are the times of the Reappearance of the Feminine, a great Awakening as of Springtime after a long dark and lonely Winter. We are leaving behind us an old civilization based on male dominance, fear lies and control, now in decay, disease, and death disintegrating all around us. We are moving into a whole new civilization based on Love and Truth. A new civilization requires new basic terms values and first principles. And so, I return to Descartes. 1. Just over 300 years ago a young man travelling with the army found himself stranded in a foreign town in a bare room lit by a candle with nothing to do but think. And in a couple of nights Descartes laid the entire thought foundations for modern science and most of the modern world. It isn’t clear that modern philosophers with their funding sources of grants, their graduate students, their reputation and all the perks and privileges of academia can do any better. Descartes claimed there are just two principles in the Universe, Matter and Mind. God was pure mind; human beings were mind and matter. And we are the only ones on the planet with mind. Everything else all of the bright array of beings who share the planet with us are simply matter. And matter? The weighable the measurable the extended in space and time utterly devoid of any inner life of thoughts, feelings, or Consciousness This classification was a boon for developing science. Scientists did not have to worry about any inner life in nature, ideas or Consciousness, they could just set about weighing and measuring, as they have until the present day. But it was a disaster for the Earth. Earth was once worshiped as a Goddess. With Descartes she became almost overnight “things.” Simply commodities and resources, an endless of supply of consumer items, to be turned into money in the bank. And now Descartes concept of matter is up for us. If there is a single idea that is enabling and driving the destruction of the Earth, it is the conviction that Earth is something without Consciousness. This whole scientific image of nature as something devoid of Consciousness is driving the destruction of the Earth, and driving us all insane, and it needs to change. Ever since Descartes formulated Dualism, scientists and philosophers have been trying to get rid of it. They have done this by attempting to make matter the fundamental term of reality, and to explain mind or Consciousness in terms of matter. And now, Consciousness has emerged as term and a problem for modern science. 2. The prevailing Universe picture has been mainly based on the belief that Consciousness appears only at the end of evolution in ourselves and some of the higher animals when matter attains “a certain state of complexity” and it is produced by neurons in the brain. But Consciousness is nothing real in itself, the neurons are doing the work, Consciousness is simply a byproduct of neural activity. As William James summed up this position, not his: Consciousness is to the brain as a shadow to the runner, it runs beside him but never influences his stride. And so, the great problem of neuroscience: How do neurons produce Consciousness? So far, no one has been able to say how. All we have is parallelism. Two processes are running in parallel a train of neural events and a train of Consciousness events. And so, which one is primary? The face of neuroscience and much of the modern world is that the neural events are what is really real, Consciousness is secondary. The conviction that Consciousness is something produced by neurons is so deeply held and has been so for so long, that it seems like an obvious fact. It is in fact an assumption and a theory, and it could all well be the other way around. The scientific image of nature as something devoid of Consciousness is now up for us. It has enabled the destruction of the Earth, and we are now at a unique place in our own evolution where we can foresee if we continue on as we are, our own extinction. And so, there are the best reasons for rethinking Descartes concepts of matter. Scientists and philosophers have been trying to escape dualism by making matter the fundamental term. And now, this has not worked. In a nutshell: The mind body problem, the “hard problem of Consciousness” ---how do neurons in the brain, atoms and molecules give rise to ideas thoughts and feelings and who what and where is the “I” who sees them? And then, the near-death experience. I remind you of the truth of the near-death experience. The body in the bed is brain dead eeg flat, but the patient, pure Consciousness is hovering at the ceiling watching the doctors work over the body below, able to read dials he could not have seen from the bed, sometimes able to events in the corridor beyond the room, all subsequently confirmed by the doctors. Evidence as good as it gets that the patient really was out of his body. And so, the patient is able to see without eyes, hear without ears and to think and remember without a brain. There is not a single scientific principle that can account for this. And I am proposing that the near-death experience is a threshold and a key for a much deeper understanding of the Universe. These three problems are so hard they cannot be solved by present scientific principles and therefore call all present principles and ways of thought into question. When your axioms cannot account for the data, it is time to drop them and find better fundamental terms. We have not been able to solve the problems of Consciousness with the assumption that matter is the most basic and fundamental term. And so, if Cartesian dualism is to be overcome at all, we need to try it the other way around. 3. We are in the position of Copernicus. Remember Copernicus? He was making his calculations on the assumption that the Earth was the center of the Universe until they became so unwieldy that he decided to try it all the other way around. To make the sun the center, the Earth revolving around it. And lo, all of his data fell neatly into place. I am proposing a whole new Universe picture. Evolution makes us continuous with every other being, Consciousness would not be in us if it were not in them also, and then, in the atoms and molecules and cells that make up living beings. I propose to make Consciousness the most basic term and see what follows. I am in fact, proposing a new Copernican Revolution, that Consciousness is the true basis for the Universe and the right fundamental term, for science itself all other disciplines as well, and the whole of the modern world. And I predict that every intractable problem in science or the modern world, will go down like a line of dominos before it. In a nutshell: Consciousness and not matter is “first and fundamental” in the Universe, it is there from the very “Beginning” everything has it and all of the true causalities, the explanatory principles belong to it. Not to matter. What then is matter? All matter is an Appearance of something much more real, Consciousness. All matter is an expression of Consciousness, even the least little bit of matter contains Consciousness, and is an expression of Consciousness. And so, we revise the scientific image of nature. Science at present is two termed, matter/energy. It needs to become three termed: Matter/energy/Consciousness, with the recognition that all of the basic principles, the true causalities of events, and of the Universe belong to Consciousness. And now physics. To accommodate this new Universe picture physics needs to alter just one term, energy. All energy contains Consciousness, that idea alone will change our world forever. The animals the trees the plants are just as conscious as we are, as is the Earth herself, a continuum of many forms of Consciousness of which our own is one. The Earth consists of interacting and intersecting forms of Consciousness, Consciousness within Consciousness within Consciousness within Consciousness. A remarkable work has just appeared entitled “Beyond Words What Animals Feel and Think.” Describing in detail how like ourselves all of the animals are. And the more we can see how like us everything else really is, the harder it will be for us to do them all in, in the interest of turning them into consumer items. And so, here is a new principle of understanding, that entails completely new forms of explanation, and a whole new Universe picture to be spelled out in terms of Consciousness and its various properties. This is a Universe that is aware awake and Enspirited throughout. And so, there is only one principle, not two. And so, how does Consciousness work? There is “no mind/body problem.” My Consciousness is aligning the Consciousness of neurons in the brain, that aligns the Consciousness of all other cells in the body, that aligns the Consciousness of molecules and atoms themselves. Mainly from the top down, but also interactive, and not reduction to the purely physical forces. 4. And so, here is a radical new Universe picture, and with it a new way to think about the Universe itself, the Earth, Ourselves, and Spirit. It requires a complete revision of both of the terms of modern science itself. The problem of the modern world owes in deep measure to Descartes concept of matter as something devoid of interior life. But he is only the most powerful and simple expression of a whole tradition of thought that predates him, that goes back to the very dawn of thought itself. It owes to the conviction of both Plato and Aristotle that the Earth was something devoid of reason, or mind, and therefore something to be held in complete contempt. We are emerging from a civilization based on contempt for the Earth, and down the road, it will become contempt for the body, sex, women, the Native people, and people of color everywhere. And so, this entire tradition is now up for us, it has brought us to the brink of our own extinction, and we need to get beyond it. I am proposing that this term Consciousness is the way out. The missing piece of the puzzle and the idea whose time has come. And it will enable us to move into a completely new civilization based on respect for the Earth, women, sex, people of color, that honors everyone and has a place for all. Revolutions in science occur when new data show up that cannot be accounted for by existing paradigms (Thomas Kuhns: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions). Consciousness, and all the properties and problems of Consciousness are just such data, and they compel a new scientific revolution. But we are a scientific age. A new Copernican revolution in science is such as revolution everywhere. And Consciousness is the key to getting every other reality at all levels and depths right as well. It will enable us finally to get the Earth right, get ourselves right with the Earth, and with one another. Archimedes: Give me a place to stand, and I will move the world. I am proposing a new synthesis among our fundamental terms in which this term Consciousness is the new lynchpin. And so, I return once more to Descartes. Descartes in the Mediations was a dualist, they were two realities interacting in the pineal gland mind and body. But Descartes age was high on “Cartesianisms,” on Descartes concept of matter. Animals were simply cleverly wired machines (Hobbes called them automata). Rumor had it that Descartes followers went about kicking dogs reasoning that their howls were not due to any feelings of pain, but simply the wiring of the machine. We have been doing this to the Earth ever since, and now the Earth is not going to stand for it any longer. It is time we all woke up. There is no matter in Descartes sense of it, or in Plato and Aristotle’s sense of it. This old concept of matter is embedded in all of the crisis and catastrophes---fires, drought, pandemics, over population, the disintegrating economies, our ways of life, capitalism and consumerism themselves. All matter is Enspirited, contains Consciousness, and is an expression of Consciousness. Now I tell you something about Descartes you may not know. In the Mediations was a dualist, there are minds and bodies. But by the end of his life, he knew the truth. Descartes guided his whole life by these vivid dreams, and toward the end of his life he had this dream: He saw the Universe as a giant machine and in the heart of the machine propelling the whole, was Consciousness. And so, out of the shades and shadows and into the light of day. Here is a renewed and a new science, a new cosmology. And with it, a revolutionary new metaphysics. The whole of the modern world is in the grip of a false metaphysics, based on Descartes theory of matter. Here is a new, and finally true metaphysics based on the single term, Consciousness. 5. And in all my works, I spell out this new metaphysics based on Consciousness, and what it means for how we think about virtually everything: The Universe, the Earth, Ourselves, and Spirit. Of who, what and where Spirit is, that we may connect with Spirit everywhere. There is only one term for the Universe, and not two, this single term Consciousness, that manifests itself in two modes: Consciousness in Form, Consciousness Formless. And so, here is a sketch of what this new term Consciousness really means. For four great aspects of the real, four new cornerstones for a whole new civilization on Earth, based on Love and Truth. A. For the Universe: New causalities, all matter is an expression of Consciousness, awake and aware, Enspirited throughout, which has a place for the causalities of love ideas intent plan and purpose, what Aristotle called final causality, that for the sake of which. And it has a place for subjectivity, the greatest mystery in the whole of the Universe, knowable only in ourselves, but there in everything else as well, bedrock in the chain of causalities. The buck stops here. Here are two very different Universe pictures. The Cartesian Universe consists of things, pushed, and pulled around by the physical forces that function blind. The true Universe consists of selves and not things. Selves at least in ourselves, are organized and focused about an I, an I am, or a sense of self in everything, ever other being dear to itself. Just one aspect of subjectivity. And so, it is Consciousness all the way down, and subjectivity all the way down. Science proceeds on the basis of the negligible of what it can leave out as unimportant. Subjectivity is the ultimate animating principle of the Universe. What Descartes really did was to strip from nature what is most essential about it, its animating principle Consciousness. And so, we come out of a long history of “clunk.” The great male thinkers have killed creation. First in concepts and now in the lived life. And so, after centuries of fruitless search, not all of it in vain, finally, and just in time the true basic principle for the Universe has shown up in virtually all disciplines, this term Consciousness. B. And so, the Earth: What does this term Consciousness really mean for the Earth? It means that all of the bright array of beings around us have Consciousness. And the more we can realize how like us they are, the harder it will be to do them all in. Is this what it really means to be “made in the image of Spirit?” To destroy ever other living being? The god of Genesis is a creator god who has created billions and billions of living forms. Man, taking himself to be made in the image of Spirit has destroyed virtually all of it. The Earth is not things, not commodities and resources, not an endless array of consumer goods. The Earth consists of conscious living spiritual beings like ourselves, who need to be honored and respected, nurtured and cared for, to be Loved. And if the human race can finally pull it off and bring Love here and start helping the Earth rather than destroying her, even our vast numbers now at 8 billion, may not matter. Deeply embedded in the modern world is a false cosmology based on the hitherto useful but ultimately false metaphysics of Descartes. In particular it owes to Descartes concepts of matter, and of the Earth, as something devoid of Consciousness. And now this concept is up for us. If there is a single idea enabling and driving the destruction of the planet, it is the conviction that the Earth is something devoid of Consciousness. And we all have a vested interest in keeping this false concept in place. When you intend to ravage and savage the Earth, to turn it into consumer items, and money in the bank, first pretend she has no Consciousness that way we need not have any conscious about it. We are in deep trouble with the planet. Virtually all human economies are based on the destruction of the Earth, and we are now at a place in our history where we can foresee if we continue on as we are, our own extinction. And so, here are a few new guiding principles for the planet, based on Consciousness. Consciousness has field properties. The Earth is Consciousness throughout, connected and interconnected throughout, intersecting and interacting fields of Consciousness of which our own is one. To harm one is to harm all. Only this understanding of the Earth can set our destructive technologies, and capitalism, their goals, and their limits. The real problem with capitalism, and with civilization itself is it has no true understanding of the Earth, all the exquisite networks and webworks that connect all beings with one another. Nor it is about to admit that the Earth is our “life support system,” reason gone insane in the modern world. We are destroying our life support system, capitalism is the full expression of the human death wish in the modern world, and it needs to change. And now, let the barriers between ourselves and all other beings go down. C. And so, Ourselves. This new Universe picture based on Consciousness opens into and has a place for new concepts of human identity. In particular, it has a place for reincarnation, a process whereby one Consciousness dons’ bodies again and again and lays them down. This is a process wholly impossible on materialistic theories. This new view of things puts a higher perspective on Freudian determinism, which is a partial knowing in a greater account. We are something more than the victims of genes drives and childhood. We are immortally eternal evolving spiritual beings who take on a cycle of earthly lives in order to achieve certain goals and abilities, and then, our earthly cycle complete, we depart the Earth plane for other areas of the Universe physical or purely spiritual, to continue our evolution elsewhere. The scientific evidence for reincarnation is increasing on all sides, see for example the work of Michael Newton, a mainstream scientist forced to confront the fact of reincarnation. A completely new reincarnational picture is now emerging everywhere. We choose our parents for abilities we could acquire through them. We all come here with reasons for being here, and we all have free will, an original property of Consciousness, and we work out our issues accordingly. We all come here with the same reason for being here. It is to experience the Earth plane and human society at all levels and depths, in every social role, every climate, both sexes male and female and in all races. We are all here to acquire a deep understanding of the Earth plane with all its challenges and all of its present problems. We are not here to devour and consume the Earth, but to honor her for the learning experience she makes available for us. And so, reincarnation is the great equalizer, the fundamental basis for any bill of rights. Many of the problems of the modern world owe to the fact that reincarnation has not been taught in the West. Reincarnation was the center piece of Jesus teachings. It was banned by a fourth century council that decided the populous could best be controlled through fear. They edited all mention of reincarnation from the scriptures, and inserted fear terms instead, a judgmental god, and so on. If reincarnation had been taught, there would have been no suppression of women, but the gift of both sexes would have been honored and developed. And there would have been no reason for contempt for people of color because who they are, we have been or will be. There is no reason to look down on anyone when we know that our own identity includes membership in theirs. The truth of reincarnation needs to be the foundation for getting ourselves right with the Earth, and with one another. D. And so, Spirit. This new Universe picture, based on Consciousness, has a place for Spirit as simply Infinite Consciousness. All universes all worlds are formed out of this Consciousness, divine and sacred throughout. And Spirit is everywhere in the Earth and can be connected everywhere. And the Native North American people had things right. Everything has its own Spirit, and without contradiction is also an expression of Spirit. And what I am really doing in terms of concepts of modern science is presenting the Native North American version of the Real. And this new Universe picture has a place for the essential insight of all religions almost smothered by church tradition: Love. Not an emotion but a great Oneness, that can be found everywhere, even in a busy city street. But especially in the Earth, that is levels and depths of Oneness everywhere. And so, for the first time in their long and bitter antagonistic history, science and religion now share a common base with this term Spirit, the lynchpin in a new conceptual framework. And I offer an interpretation of where we are in our history, this present moment of historical grace, and these tumultuous times in which we live, the return of the Goddess and the Divine Feminine, the Reappearance of the Feminine in history, the Advent of Women, this great Awakening, as of Springtime after a long dark Winter, the Awakening, the Second Coming. And so, stay tuned! (shrink)

Do we have moral duties to people in distant parts of the world? If so, how demanding are these duties? And how can they be reconciled with our obligations to fellow citizens? -/- Every year, millions of people die from poverty-related causes while countless others are forced to flee their homes to escape from war and oppression. At the same time, many of us live comfortably in safe and prosperous democracies. Yet our lives are bound up with those of the (...) poor and dispossessed in multiple ways: our clothes are manufactured in Asian sweatshops; the oil that fuels our cars is purchased from African and Middle Eastern dictators; and our consumer lifestyles generate environmental changes that threaten Bangladeshi peasants with drought and famine. These facts force us to re-evaluate our conduct and to ask whether we must do more for those who have less. -/- Helping students to grapple with big questions surrounding justice, human rights, and equality, this comprehensive yet accessible textbook features chapters on a variety of pressing issues such as Immigration, International Trade, War, and Climate Change. Suitable for undergraduate and graduate students alike, the book also serves as a philosophical primer for politicians, activists, and anyone else who cares about justice. (shrink)

Nineteen Prescott Fire Department, Granite Mountain Hot Shot (GMHS) wildland firefighters and supervisors (WFF), perished on the June 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire (YHF) in Arizona. The firefighters left their Safety Zone during forecast, outflow winds, triggering explosive fire behavior in drought-stressed chaparral. Why would an experienced WFF Crew, leave ‘good black’ and travel downslope through a brush-filled chimney, contrary to their training and experience? An organized Serious Accident Investigation Team (SAIT) found, “… no indication of negligence, reckless actions, or (...) violations of policy or protocol.” Despite this, many WFF professionals deemed the catastrophe, “… the final, fatal link, in a long chain of bad decisions with good outcomes.” This paper is a theoretical and realistic examination of plausible, faulty, human decisions with prior good outcomes; internal and external impacts, influencing the GMHS; and two explanations for this catastrophe: Individual Blame Logic and Organizational Function Logic, and proposed preventive mitigations. (shrink)

It is now widely expected that climate change will be serious enough that a very large number of people will be displaced from their homes because of events relating to or resulting from climate change. Such events may include rising sea levels (and resulting increased salination of ground water), stronger hurricanes and tropical storms, drought, floods, increased and more intense wildfires, and other extreme or (previously) unusual weather events. Although estimates vary widely, it seems very likely that many millions (...) of people—perhaps hundreds of millions if sufficient precautions are not taken—will be forced from their homes by these events related to climate change. In the public imagination, much of the attention has been on ‘climate refugees’, where this is taken to mean people who have crossed borders. However, there is good reason to believe that a very large percentage—probably a significant majority—of displacement resulting from climate change will be, or could be, internal. In this chapter I argue that there are likely to be a large number of cases where internal displacement related to climate change is of international concern, and where, therefore, states have significant moral reasons to provide assistance, either directly to those displaced, or else to the state in which the displacement has taken place. My claim is that internal displacement arising from climate change is of international concern and so grounds a duty of aid by states able to provide it, when this displacement threatens the basic human rights of those displaced, and when the local or domestic government cannot or will not take the necessary steps to meet the needs and protect the rights of those who are displaced. (The uploaded version of this paper is an uncorrected proof. Please cite and refer to the published version.). (shrink)

Plants from a handful of species provide the primary source of food for all people, yet this source is vulnerable to multiple stressors, such as disease, drought, and nutrient deficiency. With rapid population growth and climate uncertainty, the need to produce crops that can tolerate or resist plant stressors is more crucial than ever. Traditional plant breeding methods may not be sufficient to overcome this challenge, and methods such as highOthroughput sequencing and automated scoring of phenotypes can provide significant (...) new insights. Ontologies are essential tools for accessing and analysing the large quantities of data that come with these newer methods. As part of a larger project to develop ontologies that describe plant phenotypes and stresses, we are developing a plant disease extension of the Infectious Disease Ontology (IDOPlant). The IDOPlant is envisioned as a reference ontology designed to cover any plant infectious disease. In addition to novel terms for infectious diseases, IDOPlant includes terms imported from other ontologies that describe plants, pathogens, and vectors, the geographic location and ecology of diseases and hosts, and molecular functions and interactions of hosts and pathogens. To encompass this range of data, we are suggesting inOhouse ontology development complemented with reuse of terms from orthogonal ontologies developed as part of the Open Biomedical Ontologies (OBO) Foundry. The study of plant diseases provides an example of how an ontological framework can be used to model complex biological phenomena such as plant disease, and how plant infectious diseases differ from, and are similar to, infectious diseases in other organism. (shrink)

We are already past the point where climate change mitigation alone does not suffice and major efforts need to be undertaken to adapt agriculture to climate change. As this situation was both foreseeable and avoidable, it is urgent to see that particularly people who have historically contributed the least to climate change do not end up assuming most of the costs. Climate change will have the worst effects on agriculture in the tropical region in the form of droughts, extreme heat (...) waves and massive storms. The historical unequal contributions to climate change and its unjustly distributed consequences morally oblige us to distribute global adaptation costs fairly. Yet to have a full understanding of the social implications of adapting to climate change we need to look beyond making adaptation technologies accessible and available. Using a social justice framework, I defend fair prices of adaptation technologies as a demand of justice in exchange, an allocation of research attention proportional to urgent global needs as distributive justice, inclusive technology development and governance as contributive justice and addressing the interests of future generations as intergenerational justice. (shrink)

Given the conceptual gap in the global justice debate today (where most of the talk is about the duties of the rich, but little is said about what the poor may do for themselves), in this article I reintroduce the idea of a right of necessity. I first delineate a normative framework for such a right, inspired by these historical accounts. I then offer a contemporary case where the exercise of the right of necessity would be morally legitimate according to (...) that framework – even though illegal and probably condemned by the standard moral norms. The case is that of a small group of Paraguayan campesinos (small farmers) suffering from the effects of a severe drought. In the third part, I introduce the concept of noncivil disobedience: I call an act of noncivil disobedience a conscientious, public, illegal and forcible act whose performance, while not necessarily intended directly as a means to bring about social and/or political change, may help to trigger these changes indirectly. In the fourth part, I suggest that certain instances where the right of necessity is overtly exercised – as in the case of the famine-struck Paraguayan campesinos – may also be interpreted in terms of noncivil disobedience, insofar as they serve a double function: as a means of satisfying immediate need, and as a marker of discontent in a society where the equal rights of individuals are a nominal ideal which remains unfulfilled in practice. I then address two objections that may be raised against resurrecting the idea of a right of necessity and identifying it in certain instances with noncivil disobedience. I conclude by suggesting that, at the point of convergence between the two, a basic right like the right of necessity recovers its value as an active, (rather than passive) entitlement of its holders, while the use of force enters the picture as a legitimate means that – at least under certain circumstances – may be resorted to within the limits of civil society. (shrink)

This study addresses the issue of the climate change crisis, which has caused many dangerous phenomena for humanity, due to greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, drought, and others. The most important reason for this phenomenon that worries the world is human behavior, especially the use of fossil fuels. The largest contributor to this behavior is international oil companies, which export oil to all countries of the world. The most important major source of oil is the Middle East. (...) Oil companies operating there play an essential role in the growth of the oil industry around the world, which has caused a significant increase in the level of global greenhouse gas emissions. The study reviews the practices undertaken by national companies in the Middle East and their attempts to mitigate the effects of climate change by adopting environmental sustainability policies. This study aims to evaluate national oil companies operating in the Middle East region to determine the level of companies’ ability to contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. The study reached many results and identified companies with high environmental performance and positive methods that can be disseminated to achieve the required environmental sustainability and implement sustainable development practices, and how to benefit from social marketing and direct it towards enhancing awareness of climate risks. (shrink)

Robinson Jeffers’ dark view of humankind is thought to owe much to Friedrich Nietzsche while his admiration for the beauty of nature has been compared to sentiments expressed by Lucretius in de rerum natura. In many respects, however, the philosopher who stands closest to Jeffers in both thought and personality is the ancient Greek thinker Heraclitus of Ephesus. Jeffers’ extended poem ‘The Double Axe’ makes no fewer than five clear references to Heraclitean ideas: (1) ‘Heraclitus’ Sibyl whose voice reached over (...) ten thousand years’; (2) the opposites ‘winter and summer…rain the drought, and peace and war; (3) ‘the eternal fire-wheel; (4) ‘One existence, one music, one organism, one life, one God: star-fire and rock-strength, the sea’s cold flow/And man’s dark soul; and (5) ‘This divine outer universe is after all not at peace with itself, but full of violent strains and conflicts. The physical world is ruled by opposing tensions.’ -/- . (shrink)

Climate is a fundamental element of the environment. Human beings' sound living depends on a healthy and sustainable climate. However, our climate is losing its natural balance day by day. As a result, it is posing harmful effects on us through different types of natural calamities. Apart from several natural processes, anthropocentric (human-caused) activities are the main cause of it. Different types of natural disasters that are occurring in the environment—for instance, hurricanes, cyclones, earthquakes, mudslides, floods, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and (...) weather events like extreme droughts and monsoons—are likely increasing in frequency due to climate change. On the other hand, sea level is gradually rising because of global warming, which is affecting all of us in various ways. Sea-level rise has potentially harmful consequences for the inhabitants of this surface. It will not only force the coastal population to migrate from the coastal zone to inland zones, but it will also affect the global population. Along with the sea-level rise, downpours and winter storms are also occurring in many places. These are some of the risks modeled by climate change. Therefore, climate change is a complex problem that should be addressed by the physical and life sciences, psychology, economics, and politics. Moreover, climate change also raises ethical questions, such as our obligations, rights, and duty to preserve a sound climate for future generations. The main aim of this paper is to provide arguments on behalf of our moral obligations to protect a balanced and secure climate for future generations from an ethical perspective. In this paper, I intend to discuss climate change and future generations, our moral obligations to preserve a sound climate for future generations, the rights of future generations to live in a healthy climate, as well as some ways to establish justice toward future generations regarding climate change, and finally, I will confer upon the role of present generations for sustaining a sound and healthy atmosphere of the climate. (shrink)

The Consequences of Human Overpopulation: Nature’s Automatic Balancing Mechanism -/- Introduction -/- Throughout history, civilizations have risen and fallen due to their ability—or failure—to manage resources and population growth. In today’s world, human overpopulation has reached an unprecedented scale, straining ecosystems, depleting resources, and accelerating climate change. If population growth remains unchecked, nature will impose its own form of balance through disease, war, famine, and environmental collapse. This essay explores how overpopulation mirrors invasive species behavior and how nature’s corrective mechanisms (...) will inevitably restore equilibrium if humans fail to act. -/- Human Overpopulation as an Invasive Species Phenomenon -/- In ecology, an invasive species is one that spreads uncontrollably, outcompeting native species and destabilizing ecosystems. Humans fit this description in many ways. Over the past centuries, human populations have expanded across the planet, altering environments, driving species to extinction, and consuming resources at an unsustainable rate. -/- Characteristics of an Invasive Species in Human Behavior: -/- 1. Uncontrolled Growth – The human population has increased exponentially, surpassing eight billion and continuing to rise. -/- 2. Resource Overconsumption – Forests are cleared, water sources are depleted, and fossil fuels are burned at unsustainable rates. -/- 3. Disruption of Ecosystems – Pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change have permanently altered natural cycles. -/- 4. Lack of Natural Population Control – Unlike other species, humans have eliminated most natural predators and diseases through medicine and technology. -/- When any species exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment, nature enforces balance through survival pressures. Humanity is not exempt from this rule. -/- Nature’s Methods of Population Control -/- If humans fail to regulate their own numbers, natural forces will intervene. The following mechanisms have historically served as population checks and will continue to do so: -/- 1. Disease and Pandemics -/- Throughout history, pandemics have significantly reduced human populations. The Black Death in the 14th century wiped out nearly 50% of Europe’s population, and more recently, COVID-19 caused millions of deaths worldwide. Overpopulation leads to dense urban areas where diseases spread rapidly. Additionally, antibiotic resistance and new viruses could emerge as unintended consequences of human activity, leading to more devastating outbreaks. -/- 2. War and Conflict -/- As resources become scarce, competition intensifies. Wars often arise from disputes over land, water, food, and energy. In modern times, conflicts in regions suffering from overpopulation and resource depletion—such as the Middle East and parts of Africa—demonstrate this pattern. Future conflicts over freshwater, fertile land, and energy resources are highly likely. -/- 3. Famine and Food Shortages -/- The global food supply is under strain as agricultural land becomes exhausted and climate change disrupts weather patterns. As the population grows, the demand for food increases, but overfarming leads to soil degradation, making it harder to produce enough food. Countries already facing food insecurity will suffer the most, leading to malnutrition, starvation, and potential mass migrations. -/- 4. Environmental Collapse -/- Unchecked human activity is leading to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Climate change, fueled by overpopulation and industrialization, is causing more frequent and severe natural disasters, including hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires. These environmental catastrophes will destroy infrastructure, displace millions, and further strain already limited resources. -/- 5. Social Breakdown and Crime -/- Overpopulation leads to overcrowded cities, economic inequality, and competition for jobs and resources. In societies where basic needs cannot be met, crime rates rise, and social unrest becomes more frequent. Countries with high population densities and weak governance structures are already experiencing increased violence, civil conflicts, and failing economies. -/- Can Humanity Avoid Nature’s Harsh Correction? -/- Unlike other species, humans have the ability to recognize and mitigate the consequences of their actions. There are two possible paths: -/- 1. Self-Regulation Through Sustainable Policies -/- Governments and organizations can promote family planning, education, and birth control to stabilize population growth. -/- Shifting toward sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and resource conservation can help prevent environmental collapse. -/- Strengthening international cooperation to manage resource distribution and prevent conflicts can reduce the risks of war and famine. -/- 2. Ignoring the Problem and Facing Natural Consequences -/- If humanity refuses to control its population, disease, war, famine, and environmental collapse will enforce balance. -/- The poorest regions will suffer first, but wealthier nations will also experience economic decline, migration crises, and societal breakdown. -/- Conclusion -/- Human overpopulation follows the pattern of an invasive species, consuming resources at an unsustainable rate and destabilizing ecosystems. While humans have the intelligence and technology to regulate their own numbers, history suggests that if we fail to act, nature will impose balance through suffering and destruction. Whether through pandemics, war, famine, or climate disasters, population control will occur—either by human intervention or by nature’s unforgiving hand. -/- The choice is clear: Will humanity take responsibility for its future, or will we wait for nature to correct our mistakes in the most brutal way possible? -/- . (shrink)

Biomass is one of the main sources of energy in Kenya accounting for over 68% of the total primary energy consumption. The continued dependency on biomass energy has resulted to land degradation, deforestation, drought and famine. The adoption and continued use of biogas energy technologies within the developed and developing countries is of great social, economic and environmental benefit. Although the positive benefits of using biogas is clear, in Africa and Kenya the households’ biogas adoption level is low. The (...) main purpose of this study was to analyze social, economic factors that influence adoption of biogas energy among farm households in Nandi, Uasin-Gishu and Trans-Nzoia counties in North Rift region of Kenya. The target population was all the farm households in the three counties. The study employed farm household multistage research design mainly cluster, and simple random sampling techniques to get a sample size of 295 respondents for the study. Farm households were used as units for analysis. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Logit model was used to estimate the parameters of the regression model. The results indicated that: social-economic factors were significant determinants of adoption of biogas technology (p – value 0.0000 < 0. 05) for all variables in North Rift region of Kenya. From the study findings, the following recommendations are drawn: Firstly government and other stakeholders should design policies that encourage the use of sustainable energy sources such as biogas. Secondly, incentives and provision of subsidies in terms of financial support should be given to households to acquire biogas devices. Thirdly households should be educated on benefits of using biogas. Government should also ensure efficient extension services in the study area by organizing workshops, trainings and make provisions to facilitate extension. (shrink)

The Unified Theory of Free Will: The Three Universal Laws, Systemic Imbalance, and Nature’s Self-Correction -/- By Angelito Malicse -/- Introduction -/- For centuries, the concept of free will has been debated, with perspectives ranging from determinism to compatibilism and libertarianism. However, these traditional views fail to acknowledge the natural laws that govern human decision-making. By synthesizing the Universal Law of Balance in Nature, the Universal Feedback Loop Mechanism, and the Error-Free System, we establish a unified theory of free will—a (...) structured approach to human choices within the constraints of natural order. -/- Additionally, it is crucial to recognize the tolerance limits of hierarchical systems—both natural and man-made. When human decisions exceed these limits and imbalances persist, nature will automatically step in to restore equilibrium. This natural correction often manifests in disruptive ways, such as natural disasters, economic collapses, or social upheavals. Understanding these dynamics is essential to ensuring stability across all systems. -/- Furthermore, human emotions, which have evolved as essential survival mechanisms, play a dual role in maintaining or disrupting balance. Emotions influence decision-making, motivation, and social interactions. When properly regulated, they help individuals and societies adapt to challenges and maintain systemic harmony. However, when emotions exceed their tolerance limits—such as excessive fear leading to panic or unchecked anger causing conflict—they contribute to systemic imbalance and dysfunction. -/- The Three Universal Laws and Their Role in Decision-Making -/- 1. Universal Law of Balance in Nature -/- Every system—biological, social, and technological—operates within specific tolerance limits. Decisions that align with natural balance maintain stability, while those that exceed these limits lead to disruption. If humans fail to correct imbalances, nature will forcefully restore equilibrium, often through unpredictable and catastrophic means. -/- Examples of Balance, Systemic Imbalance, and Natural Correction: -/- Personal Health: A balanced diet sustains physical well-being, while excessive consumption leads to obesity and related diseases. If ignored, the body self-corrects through metabolic disorders and immune system responses. -/- Economic Stability: A balanced economy fosters growth, while financial mismanagement leads to economic crashes. Recessions and inflation serve as corrective mechanisms for financial excesses. -/- Environmental Sustainability: Responsible resource management ensures long-term survival, whereas overexploitation leads to climate change and natural disasters such as droughts and hurricanes, which force societies to adapt. -/- Ecosystem Regulation: Overfishing disrupts marine populations, but nature counters with species migration and ecological shifts that eventually restore stability. -/- Energy Consumption: Overuse of fossil fuels accelerates climate change, prompting extreme weather events and necessitating the shift to renewable energy sources. -/- 2. Universal Feedback Loop Mechanism -/- Decision-making must incorporate continuous feedback to ensure adaptation and refinement. Ignoring or distorting feedback results in inefficiencies and systemic collapse. -/- Examples of Feedback, Systemic Imbalance, and Nature’s Response: -/- Business Adaptation: Companies that respond to consumer feedback thrive, while those that ignore it collapse due to declining market relevance. -/- Political Governance: Leaders who suppress public concerns foster unrest, often leading to revolutions or government overhauls. -/- Technological Development: AI systems trained on biased or incomplete data develop flawed decision-making patterns, necessitating retraining and regulation. -/- 3. Error-Free System -/- Every decision has consequences, and ensuring 100 percent correct information is essential to maintaining systemic balance. Errors in data, assumptions, or implementation can trigger unintended disruptions. -/- Examples of Cause and Effect, Misinformation, and Systemic Collapse: -/- Academic Success: Proper study methods enhance learning, while reliance on ineffective strategies results in poor educational outcomes. -/- Industrialization and Environmental Impact: Sustainable practices protect ecosystems, while reliance on false environmental data accelerates degradation. -/- Global Resource Consumption: Inaccurate assessments of resource availability lead to economic and geopolitical instability. -/- The Evolution and Purpose of the Duality of Human Emotions -/- Human emotions have evolved as critical mechanisms for survival, adaptation, and social cohesion. They function as regulatory signals that guide decision-making, helping individuals and societies maintain equilibrium. However, emotions also possess a dual nature, where their misalignment or overexpression can lead to instability and dysfunction. -/- Positive Role of Emotions in Systemic Balance: -/- Empathy and Cooperation: Emotions such as compassion and trust foster social cohesion, strengthening communities and enhancing cooperation. -/- Fear and Caution: A moderate level of fear helps individuals assess risks and avoid dangerous situations, ensuring personal and collective safety. -/- Motivation and Ambition: Positive emotions such as enthusiasm and joy drive personal growth, innovation, and societal progress. -/- Negative Role of Emotions in Systemic Imbalance: -/- Excessive Fear and Panic: When fear surpasses a system’s tolerance limit, it leads to irrational decision-making, paranoia, and social instability. -/- Unchecked Anger and Conflict: Intense anger without regulation contributes to violence, political unrest, and societal fragmentation. -/- Despair and Apathy: Chronic negative emotions, such as depression and hopelessness, reduce individual productivity and can weaken societal resilience. -/- Examples of Emotional Duality in Decision-Making: -/- Public Health Responses: Balanced fear leads to precautionary health measures, while excessive panic results in chaos (e.g., misinformation-fueled reactions during pandemics). -/- Leadership and Governance: A compassionate leader fosters unity, while an authoritarian leader driven by anger and paranoia destabilizes societies. -/- Market Behavior: Optimistic investors drive economic growth, while fear-driven panic selling causes financial crashes. -/- Effects of Systemic Imbalances and Nature’s Automatic Correction -/- When human decisions disrupt equilibrium and corrective actions are not taken, nature enforces balance through forceful interventions. -/- Examples of Human-Induced Imbalances and Nature’s Response: -/- Healthcare Systems: Overuse of antibiotics results in drug-resistant bacteria, increasing disease severity and forcing new medical advancements. -/- Economic Systems: Financial bubbles burst, leading to recessions that correct speculative excesses. -/- Political Systems: Corrupt governance leads to revolutions, shifts in power, and societal restructuring. -/- Environmental Systems: Deforestation causes soil erosion and desertification, forcing human migrations and altering agriculture. -/- Overpopulation: Excessive growth strains resources, leading to food shortages, pandemics, and natural events that regulate population levels. -/- Urban Expansion: Overcrowding leads to declining infrastructure, pollution, and social conflicts, often prompting mass relocations and policy reforms. -/- Conclusion -/- Free will is not an arbitrary concept but a structured system governed by natural laws. By understanding the Universal Law of Balance in Nature, the Universal Feedback Loop Mechanism, and the Error-Free System, we can align human decisions with nature’s equilibrium. -/- Additionally, recognizing the evolution and duality of human emotions is essential for maintaining stability in personal and societal decision-making. If humanity fails to correct imbalances, nature will automatically restore equilibrium, often in ways that are catastrophic and beyond human control. -/- By integrating these principles into education, governance, and AI development, we pave the way for a rational, ethical, and self-correcting society. -/- . (shrink)

Abstract:- Human civilization has been a witness to several instances of trauma, resulting from war, natural calamities, poverty, and many other heart wrenching episodes of human suffering. Political instability, inter-faith skirmishes, and state sponsored attacks by dictators are a few to mention, that made the society to drive its progress backwards and made the mankind suffer a lot, since ever. Apart from the human lead disasters, nature has also had its say on this, resulting in even extinction of some of (...) the most powerful species of flora and fauna from the universe. Floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, droughts, meteorite strikes, and flash-floods are a few to be blamed for causing a lot of trauma and suffering. It is, however possible for mankind to reconcile the trauma caused by the natural disasters, but a man-made disaster now, in the form of a nuclear war, would prove non-negotiable for human survival, and would be a potential catastrophe. Economic, political, religious, and corporate fronts at the global level could pave way to potential physical, as well as mental trauma, that could spread to every nook and corner of the globe, if not contained beforehand. (shrink)

Why Does Poverty Still Exist in Many Countries? -/- Despite advances in technology, economic growth, and globalization, poverty remains a significant issue in many countries. While some nations have successfully reduced poverty levels, millions of people still struggle with hunger, lack of education, and inadequate living conditions. The persistence of poverty is not simply due to a lack of resources; rather, it is the result of complex systemic, economic, political, and social factors that continue to hinder progress. Understanding these factors (...) is crucial to developing effective solutions for a more equitable world. -/- Economic Inequality and Wealth Concentration -/- One of the primary reasons poverty remains widespread is economic inequality. In many countries, wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving a large portion of the population with little access to resources and opportunities. Many economies prioritize profit and market growth over ensuring basic needs for all, resulting in low wages, high living costs, and limited social mobility. As the rich get richer, the poor struggle to survive, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. Without policies that promote fair wealth distribution, poverty will continue to persist. -/- Corruption and Poor Governance -/- Corruption is a major barrier to poverty reduction. In many nations, public funds that should be used for education, healthcare, and social services are instead diverted by corrupt officials. Weak governance leads to mismanagement of resources, ineffective policies, and a lack of accountability. When governments fail to prioritize poverty reduction, citizens are left without essential services and economic opportunities. Fighting corruption and ensuring transparent governance is essential in addressing poverty. -/- Flawed Economic Systems -/- Many economic systems rely on exploitative labor practices, where wages are too low to lift workers out of poverty. Global trade structures also favor wealthier nations, keeping poorer countries dependent on foreign aid and limited economic opportunities. In some regions, industries are controlled by multinational corporations that extract resources without fairly compensating local workers or investing in community development. To reduce poverty, economies must shift towards fair wages, job creation, and sustainable development. -/- Lack of Access to Quality Education -/- Education is one of the most powerful tools for escaping poverty. However, in many countries, access to quality education is limited due to underfunded schools, lack of qualified teachers, and high costs of schooling. Without proper education, people struggle to secure stable employment and improve their living conditions. Investing in education, particularly for marginalized communities, is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a more skilled and self-sufficient workforce. -/- Overpopulation and Resource Strain -/- Rapid population growth can strain a country’s resources, making it difficult for governments to provide adequate jobs, housing, and social services. In many developing nations, population growth outpaces economic opportunities, leading to high unemployment rates and increased poverty. Effective family planning, education on sustainable living, and policies that promote economic development alongside population growth can help address this issue. -/- Political and Social Instability -/- Wars, conflicts, and political unrest disrupt economies and displace millions of people, making poverty worse. When a country is in crisis, resources are diverted toward military spending rather than social welfare, and businesses collapse, leaving many unemployed. Additionally, social discrimination based on class, race, or gender often limits access to education, jobs, and healthcare, keeping certain groups in poverty. Peace, stability, and equal opportunities for all citizens are necessary to create an environment where people can thrive. -/- Environmental and Climate Factors -/- Climate change and natural disasters disproportionately affect poorer communities. Droughts, floods, and hurricanes destroy homes, disrupt food supplies, and push already vulnerable populations deeper into poverty. Many developing nations lack the resources to recover from these environmental crises. Implementing sustainable agricultural practices, investing in disaster preparedness, and providing financial assistance to affected communities can help reduce the impact of climate-related poverty. -/- Debt and Economic Dependence -/- Many developing countries are trapped in a cycle of debt, owing large sums to wealthier nations and international financial institutions. High-interest payments on these debts limit the ability of governments to invest in poverty reduction programs, infrastructure, and social services. Additionally, foreign aid often comes with conditions that do not always align with the needs of the poorest populations. Reducing debt burdens and restructuring international financial systems can help countries allocate more resources toward development and poverty alleviation. -/- Inadequate Social Safety Nets -/- In many countries, there are few protections for people who lose their jobs, face medical emergencies, or experience financial hardships. Without social safety nets such as universal healthcare, housing support, and unemployment benefits, people remain vulnerable to economic shocks. Stronger social welfare systems can help lift people out of poverty and prevent them from falling back into it. -/- Cultural and Structural Barriers -/- Traditional power structures and cultural beliefs can also contribute to poverty. In some societies, reforms such as land redistribution or labor rights improvements are resisted by those in power. Additionally, discrimination and systemic inequalities prevent marginalized groups from accessing economic and social opportunities. Changing these deeply rooted structures requires education, advocacy, and policy changes that promote fairness and inclusion. -/- Can Poverty Be Solved? -/- Poverty is not an unsolvable problem, but addressing it requires systemic change. Strong governance, fair economic policies, and investment in education, healthcare, and social services are essential. Global cooperation is also necessary to reduce unfair trade practices, restructure debt, and ensure that developing countries have the resources they need to grow sustainably. If governments, businesses, and individuals work together to prioritize social and economic equity, poverty can be significantly reduced, creating a better future for all. -/- Conclusion -/- The persistence of poverty is not due to a lack of resources but rather the result of economic inequality, corruption, poor governance, flawed economic systems, and structural barriers. While many organizations and governments work toward poverty reduction, true progress requires systemic reforms and global cooperation. By addressing these root causes and ensuring fair opportunities for all, the world can move closer to eradicating poverty and building a more just society. -/- . (shrink)

A World Without Poverty: Applying the Universal Law of Balance in Nature -/- Introduction -/- Poverty is not a natural condition but a direct result of wrong decision-making that has ignored the universal law of balance in nature. Despite technological advancements and abundant resources, billions of people suffer from hunger, lack of healthcare, unemployment, and poor living conditions. The root cause of this suffering lies in imbalances in wealth, resources, population, environment, education, governance, and labor, all of which stem from (...) decisions based on false information, greed, and short-term thinking. -/- Moreover, the consequences of wrong decision-making extend beyond poverty. Imbalances create conflicts, social unrest, and major wars as societies compete over limited resources, power, and wealth. If humanity had applied the universal law of balance from the beginning, the world could have prevented not only poverty but also many historical conflicts and wars. This essay explores how wrong decision-making violates natural balance, leading to poverty, conflict, and war—and how applying the universal law of balance could have created a more peaceful and prosperous world. -/- The Role of Correct Information in Decision-Making -/- One of the biggest reasons poverty, conflict, and war exist is because societies have made decisions based on false, incomplete, or manipulated information. When leaders and institutions ignore truth, science, and rational thinking, they create imbalances that harm societies. Some key consequences of wrong information in decision-making include: -/- 1. Economic policies that favor the elite, creating wealth gaps that lead to revolution and unrest. -/- 2. Overexploitation of natural resources, leading to food shortages, climate change, and displacement of communities. -/- 3. Corrupt political decisions, resulting in dictatorship, oppression, and rebellion. -/- 4. Religious and ideological extremism, causing violent conflicts based on misinformation. -/- 5. Militarization and unnecessary wars, driven by propaganda rather than rational diplomacy. -/- If humanity had prioritized correct knowledge, scientific reasoning, and ethical decision-making, many of history’s greatest conflicts—along with the poverty they created—could have been avoided. -/- How Wrong Decisions Create Imbalances That Lead to Poverty, Conflict, and War -/- Poverty, conflict, and war did not occur naturally—they are direct results of wrong decisions that ignored balance. These decisions created major global imbalances, leading to inequality, suffering, and destruction. -/- 1. Economic Imbalance: Extreme Wealth Concentration Leads to Revolutions -/- Wrong Decision: Allowing unregulated capitalism and corrupt governments to concentrate wealth in the hands of a few. -/- Effect: Economic inequality fuels resentment, leading to violent revolutions and class wars. -/- Example: The French Revolution (1789) was caused by extreme wealth inequality. The monarchy and aristocracy controlled all resources, while the poor struggled to survive. This led to mass uprisings, executions, and civil war. -/- 2. Resource Imbalance: Overexploitation Leads to Resource Wars -/- Wrong Decision: Overexploiting natural resources instead of managing them sustainably. -/- Effect: Countries fight over limited resources, leading to wars, invasions, and territorial disputes. -/- Example: The Iraq War (2003) was largely influenced by oil interests. Instead of investing in renewable energy, global powers fought for control of Iraq’s oil reserves, leading to destruction and economic collapse. -/- 3. Population Imbalance: Overpopulation Causes Social Unrest -/- Wrong Decision: Ignoring the relationship between population growth and available resources, leading to overcrowded cities and slums. -/- Effect: High unemployment, poverty, and crime increase, leading to violent uprisings. -/- Example: The Arab Spring (2010-2012) began as protests over unemployment and poverty in overpopulated countries like Tunisia, Egypt, and Syria. It led to government collapses, civil wars, and massive refugee crises. -/- 4. Environmental Imbalance: Climate Change Causes Wars Over Survival -/- Wrong Decision: Destroying forests, polluting water sources, and overfishing for short-term economic gain. -/- Effect: Droughts, food shortages, and mass migrations force nations into conflicts over survival. -/- Example: The Syrian Civil War (2011-present) was worsened by a climate-induced drought that forced rural populations into cities, increasing tensions and contributing to violent conflict. -/- 5. Educational Imbalance: Ignorance and Misinformation Fuel War and Extremism -/- Wrong Decision: Underfunding education and spreading propaganda instead of critical thinking. -/- Effect: People are easily manipulated into war and violence based on false ideologies. -/- Example: Nazi Germany used false racial theories and propaganda to justify war and genocide, leading to World War II (1939-1945). Had people been educated in critical thinking and ethics, they might have resisted such dangerous ideologies. -/- 6. Political Imbalance: Corrupt Leadership Leads to War and Oppression -/- Wrong Decision: Leaders prioritizing power and greed over human welfare. -/- Effect: Dictatorships, oppression, and civil wars. -/- Example: World War I (1914-1918) was caused by political greed and imperialist ambitions, leading to millions of deaths and widespread poverty. -/- 7. Labor Imbalance: Worker Exploitation Leads to Revolutions and Strikes -/- Wrong Decision: Allowing corporations to exploit workers while keeping profits concentrated at the top. -/- Effect: Poor working conditions lead to strikes, protests, and violent uprisings. -/- Example: The Russian Revolution (1917) was triggered by poor working conditions, low wages, and food shortages, leading to the collapse of the Russian monarchy and the rise of the Soviet Union. -/- How the Universal Law of Balance Could Have Prevented Poverty, Conflict, and War -/- If the universal law of balance in nature had been applied, humanity would have: -/- 1. Used Correct Information to Make Rational Decisions -/- Governments would have made policies based on science, fairness, and sustainability, not propaganda. -/- Example: Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway) use fact-based governance, leading to economic stability and low poverty rates. -/- 2. Balanced Economic Systems -/- Wealth would have been distributed fairly instead of accumulating in the hands of a few. -/- Example: Switzerland has balanced capitalism with social protections, avoiding economic collapses and revolutions. -/- 3. Managed Resources Sustainably -/- Instead of overexploitation, societies would have invested in renewable energy and conservation. -/- Example: Costa Rica has preserved forests and developed eco-tourism, avoiding conflicts over resource scarcity. -/- 4. Controlled Population Growth to Match Resources -/- Governments would have balanced population growth through education and healthcare policies. -/- Example: Thailand used education and healthcare investment to stabilize its population and economy. -/- 5. Provided Universal Access to Education -/- People would have been educated on critical thinking, ethics, and sustainability. -/- Example: Finland offers free education, ensuring that people are informed and less vulnerable to war propaganda. -/- 6. Established Just and Accountable Governments -/- Leaders would have been scientifically trained in governance, ethics, and sustainability, preventing corruption. -/- Example: Switzerland’s decentralized system ensures fair leadership and stability. -/- 7. Ensured Fair Labor Practices -/- Workers would have received fair wages and benefits, preventing revolutions and mass strikes. -/- Example: Germany’s labor laws ensure that workers are well-paid, reducing poverty and social unrest. -/- Conclusion -/- Poverty, conflict, and war are not natural—they are consequences of wrong decisions based on false information, greed, and short-term thinking. Had humanity followed the universal law of balance in nature, we would have created a world with economic fairness, sustainable societies, and peace. By ensuring correct knowledge in decision-making, fair wealth distribution, environmental conservation, and ethical leadership, poverty and war could have been prevented. The future still depends on whether we choose to restore balance—or repeat the mistakes of the past. -/- . (shrink)

The Teachings of Jesus Christ and the Universal Law of Balance in Nature -/- Throughout history, Jesus Christ’s teachings have been a source of moral, spiritual, and social guidance. His principles of love, justice, humility, and forgiveness have shaped civilizations, influencing ethics, laws, and personal development. Interestingly, these teachings align closely with what can be called the universal law of balance in nature—the principle that everything in existence seeks equilibrium, whether in the natural world, human interactions, or spiritual life. This (...) essay explores how Jesus’ message reflects this universal balance, emphasizing harmony in human relationships, morality, and spiritual well-being. -/- 1. Love and Forgiveness as Restorative Balance -/- In nature, balance is restored when forces counteract each other—when the ecosystem self-regulates, or when opposing energies stabilize. Jesus taught that love and forgiveness are the counteracting forces that restore balance in human relationships. In Matthew 5:44, he commands, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” By practicing love, resentment is neutralized, and the cycle of hate is broken, creating harmony in society. Similarly, in Luke 6:37, Jesus advises, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Just as nature corrects itself through adaptation, forgiveness corrects emotional and social imbalances, ensuring peace rather than prolonged conflict. -/- 2. The Golden Rule and the Law of Reciprocity -/- A key universal law governing balance in human interactions is the law of reciprocity, which Jesus expressed in the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31). This principle mirrors Newton’s third law in physics: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Socially and morally, when individuals treat others with kindness and fairness, they receive the same in return, leading to stability in relationships and communities. Just as balance in nature maintains ecosystems, reciprocity maintains moral and social order. -/- 3. Justice and Mercy: The Balance of Judgment -/- Jesus’ teachings demonstrate a delicate equilibrium between justice and mercy. In Matthew 23:23, he rebukes the religious leaders for focusing solely on law enforcement while neglecting mercy and faithfulness. He emphasizes that justice must be accompanied by compassion—too much strictness leads to oppression, while too much leniency leads to chaos. This mirrors the balance found in nature: too much rain causes floods, too little leads to drought. Similarly, a society that enforces only harsh punishment without mercy becomes oppressive, while a society without laws collapses into disorder. -/- 4. Material Wealth and Spiritual Well-being: The Balance of Life’s Priorities -/- Jesus also teaches about maintaining balance between material and spiritual life. In Matthew 6:19-21, he warns, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up treasures in heaven.” This does not mean that material wealth is inherently bad, but that an excessive focus on it creates an imbalance, leading to greed, corruption, and suffering. Nature itself shows this principle: excessive consumption leads to depletion, while sustainable living maintains balance. Similarly, Jesus advises against hoarding wealth at the expense of moral and spiritual growth. -/- 5. Faith and Works: The Balance of Belief and Action -/- One of the most profound balances in Jesus’ teachings is between faith and works. Many believe that faith alone is enough for salvation, but James 2:17 states, “Faith without works is dead.” This reflects a natural balance: belief must translate into action, just as a seed must be nurtured to grow into a tree. In nature, potential energy must be converted into kinetic energy for movement to occur. Jesus’ teachings suggest that faith must be accompanied by righteous actions to maintain spiritual equilibrium. -/- 6. Humility and Pride: The Balance of Ego -/- Jesus also taught about balancing ego and humility. He humbled himself as a servant (Philippians 2:5-8) and advised his followers in Matthew 23:12, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Just as a tree that grows too tall and unbalanced will fall, a person consumed by pride will ultimately face consequences. In contrast, balanced humility leads to growth, wisdom, and a strong foundation. -/- 7. Work and Rest: The Balance of Productivity and Reflection -/- Even in daily life, Jesus emphasized balance. In Mark 6:31, he tells his disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” While hard work is necessary, continuous labor without rest leads to burnout. Nature follows this rhythm—day and night, seasons of growth and dormancy, activity and rest. Jesus’ teachings encourage this balance, ensuring long-term well-being. -/- Conclusion: Jesus Christ as a Model of Universal Balance -/- The teachings of Jesus Christ are not only spiritual guidelines but also reflections of the universal law of balance in nature. His messages promote equilibrium in relationships, morality, and personal development. By practicing love and forgiveness, embracing reciprocity, balancing justice with mercy, managing material and spiritual needs, combining faith with works, controlling pride, and maintaining a healthy work-rest cycle, individuals align themselves with the natural order of existence. -/- If humanity fully embraced Jesus’ teachings through this lens, society would achieve greater harmony, much like how the natural world thrives when balance is maintained. His wisdom, deeply rooted in the structure of reality, continues to provide a foundation for peace, sustainability, and fulfillment. -/- . (shrink)

Amongst invertebrates, molluscs show great variability in their nervous system ranging from primitive arrangement in Chitons to the complex mass of fused ganglia forming the ‘brain’ of cephalopods. Most of the effector organs used for pharmacological or physiological experiments. The neurosecretory cells (NSCs) with their combination of neuronal and glandular capabilities are perfectly suited to translate a neuronal input into the hormonal output best suited to long-term process. In this capacity, the NSCs may produce hormones, which act directly upon the (...) peripheral target or it may exert its effect indirectly by influencing the activity of other non-neural, endocrine organs. Neurosecretory cells have been detected in the cerebral, pedal and visceral ganglia of Lamellidens corrianus. The distribution and biology of freshwater bivalve like Lamellidens corrianus is influenced by local ecological factors (like temperature, pH, inorganic salts, type of soil etc.), water flow system and presence of micro-organisms, teleost fishes and seasonal variations in these parameters. Nitrogenous excretory changes which include ammonia in these molluscs is also influenced by these local ecological factors in which temperature is plays very crucial role. It is well known fact that the high stress conditions during drought or severe winter conditions have been conquered by several lineage of gastropods and sand bivalves and their ability to enter the resistant or dormant stages (low food) protein catabolism increased. Present investigation deals with the oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion ratio of these freshwater pelecypode Lamellidens corrianus. Study on Lemellidens corrianus directed in understanding the different behavioral and physiological aspects after cerebral ganglia removal and injection of their extracts revealed significant changes during summer (April-May). (shrink)

“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, are a universal call for action, covering targets to be fulfilled by the end of 2030. Many global problems such as global climate change and drought, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources and biodiversity, inclusive education have evolved into the greatest collective problem of all humanity. It is recognized that teachers, are also responsible for ensuring a sustainable life for future generations and contributing to its sustainability. At this point, there is a need for (...) educational approaches based on group dynamics that will contribute to the socialization of the individual, support them to gain new experiences, provide them with the opportunity to produce solutions to the encountered obstacles, be sensitive to human values, have a questioning perspective, support them in processes that will enable critical, collaborative, attentive and creative thinking skills, and guide them in processes that will enable them to activate their critical, collaborative, attentive and creative thinking skills. Philosophy and creative drama practices for children based on these educational approaches are among two of the methods that are thought to be effective in addressing and questioning development goals and developing solutions for individuals who are learning about the actions that can be carried out. The research, which is designed to convey this universal call for action to children through the teachers of the future and to support them to be an active part of this process, is based on three components: sustainable development goals, creative drama and philosophy for children, and a sample workshop plan is presented. (shrink)

Nature’s Way of Optimization and the Law of Balance -/- Nature is the ultimate example of efficiency, balance, and sustainability. Everything in the natural world—from how animals survive to how ecosystems function to how the human body works—is designed to maximize effectiveness while minimizing waste. If we observe how nature operates, we can learn valuable lessons about how to make decisions, govern societies, and live our daily lives. -/- This understanding aligns with the universal law of balance in nature, which (...) shows that everything must function in harmony to prevent failure or destruction. Throughout history, civilizations and economies that followed these natural principles thrived, while those that ignored them collapsed. -/- Survival and the Law of Cause and Effect -/- In nature, only the strongest and most adaptable species survive. This process, called natural selection, ensures that living things improve over time by keeping the traits that help them survive and eliminating the ones that don’t. This idea is similar to the law of cause and effect (karma)—if something is defective, it won’t function properly. -/- For example, consider the cheetah and the gazelle. Over generations, cheetahs have evolved to run faster to catch their prey, while gazelles have evolved to be more agile to escape. This balance keeps both species in check. If cheetahs became too fast and killed all gazelles, they would starve. If gazelles became too fast, cheetahs would die out, disrupting the ecosystem. -/- A similar pattern exists In human societies. Singapore is an example of a country that followed the law of balance in its development. It had limited resources but invested heavily in education, technology, and sustainable urban planning. Today, it is one of the most successful economies in the world, proving that proper planning and balance lead to success. -/- In contrast, Venezuela ignored economic balance. Despite having the world’s largest oil reserves, poor policies, corruption, and over-reliance on oil caused economic collapse. This is similar to an animal species that overuses its resources and faces extinction. -/- The Power of Feedback: How Nature Corrects Itself -/- Nature has built-in feedback systems to keep everything in balance. For example, if too many deer exist in a forest, they eat too many plants, reducing food availability. As a result, some deer starve, and their population naturally decreases, restoring balance. -/- A similar feedback system applies to human society. If governments make poor policies, people protest or suffer economic consequences, forcing leaders to change their approach. A clear example is South Korea’s response to the COVI”-19 pandemic. Unlike some countries that ignored early warnings, South Korea quickly implemented mass testing, strict quarantine measures, and public health campaigns. As a result, it controlled the virus better than many other nations, proving that listening to feedback leads to better outcomes. -/- On the other hand, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (1986) happened partly because Soviet leaders ignored early warnings from engineers, leading to one of the worst nuclear accidents in history. Just like ignoring warning signs in nature leads to extinction, ignoring feedback in society leads to disaster. -/- Energy Efficiency: Why Wasting Resources Leads to Collapse -/- Nature never wastes anything. Plants absorb sunlight efficiently through photosynthesis, animals store energy for survival, and ecosystems recycle nutrients to sustain life. -/- One of the best examples of energy efficiency is the penguin. In the freezing Antarctic, emperor penguins huddle together to conserve heat, taking turns standing on the outside to prevent exhaustion. This natural cooperation ensures survival. -/- Humans, however, often fail to follow this principle. Look at Dubai, a city built in a desert. While it has grown into a major global hub, it also uses massive amounts of water and electricity, relying on desalination plants that consume enormous energy. Without sustainable solutions, this could become a long-term problem, just like a species that consumes resources faster than they can be replenished. -/- A positive example Is Denmark, which has invested heavily in wind energy. Today, nearly 50% of its electricity comes from wind power, making it one of the most energy-efficient nations in the world. -/- Self-Organization: Free Will Exists Within Natural Laws -/- Many people think free will means we can do anything we want, but nature shows that even freedom has limits. Birds can fly, but they must follow air currents. Fish can swim, but they must adapt to ocean conditions. Every action is guided by natural laws that ensure survival and efficiency. -/- A perfect example Is Japan’s railway system. Despite being one of the busiest in the world, it runs with near-perfect punctuality because every part of the system—from maintenance workers to train operators—functions with self-discipline and coordination. This proves that even large-scale human systems can work efficiently when they follow organized, natural principles. -/- However, when humans ignore balance, problems arise. Deforestation in Indonesia has destroyed rainforests at an alarming rate. Because of excessive logging and palm oil plantations, natural ecosystems are collapsing, leading to floods, wildfires, and loss of biodiversity. This is similar to how removing a key species in an ecosystem can lead to its collapse. -/- Resilience and Education: How Societies Can Heal -/- Nature is resilient—it recovers after disasters. Forests regrow after wildfires, coral reefs recover from bleaching, and animals adapt to changing climates. But this recovery only happens because nature learns and adjusts. -/- One of the best human examples of resilience is Germany after World War II. After its destruction, Germany rebuilt itself through education, innovation, and sustainable industry. Today, it is one of the world’s leading economies, proving that even nations can recover if they focus on knowledge, sustainability, and balance. -/- However, societies that fail to learn from their mistakes collapse. Easter Island, once a thriving civilization, was destroyed because its people cut down all their trees, leaving them without resources. Their lack of foresight and adaptation led to their downfall—just like an animal species that fails to adapt to environmental changes. -/- Nature’s Recycling: Why Good Leadership Must Be Sustainable -/- Nature wastes nothing—dead plants and animals decompose into nutrients that feed new life. The carbon and nitrogen cycles keep ecosystems functioning. Just as nature ensures that everything is reused efficiently, leadership and governance should be sustainable. -/- An excellent example of a balanced government is Bhutan. Instead of measuring success by GDP alone, it follows Gross National Happiness (GNH), which considers economic growth, environmental conservation, and cultural values. This balanced approach has made Bhutan one of the happiest and most sustainable countries in the world. -/- On the other hand, countries that ignore sustainability face collapse. Syria’s civil war was worsened by climate change—years of drought caused food shortages, leading to conflict. Ignoring nature’s balance led to political and humanitarian disaster. -/- Conclusion: The Path to a Balanced and Optimized Society -/- Nature teaches us that survival and success depend on balance, efficiency, and adaptation. Societies that respect these principles thrive, while those that ignore them suffer. -/- The universal law of balance in nature is not just a theory—it is a reality that governs everything from biology to economics to human behavior. If we integrate these lessons into education, governance, and leadership, we can create a world that is sustainable, just, and optimized for future generations. -/- If we fail to follow these natural laws, the consequences will be suffering, collapse, and chaos. But if we align with them, we can build a society that thrives in harmony with nature, ensuring peace, prosperity, and sustainability for all. -/- . (shrink)

Plants have evolved with complex signaling circuits that operate under multiple conditions and govern numerous cellular functions. Stress signaling in plant cells is a sophisticated network composed of interacting proteins organized into tiered cascades where the function of a molecule is dependent on the interaction and the activation of another. In a linear scheme, the receptors of cell surface sense the stimuli and convey stress signals through specific pathways and downstream phosphorylation events controlled by mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and second (...) messengers, leading to appropriate adaptive responses. The specificity of the pathway is guided by scaffolding proteins and docking domains inside the interacting partners with distinctive structures and functions. The flexibility and the fine-tuned organization of the signaling molecules drive the activated MAP kinases into the appropriate location and connection to control and integrate the information flow. Here, we overview recent findings of the involvement of MAP kinases in major abiotic stresses (drought, cold and temperature fluctuations) and we shed light on the complexity and the specificity of MAP kinase signaling modules. (shrink)