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After years of rhetoric from both parties, the Obama administration is finally making plans to combat America’s opioid addiction crisis. The official White House statement mentions new programs that will focus on treatment and prevention, rather than punishment and prosecution.
This comes at a time when deaths from heroin, prescription painkillers, and other forms of opioid addiction are at record highs, particularly in states such as New Hampshire and West Virginia. More than two million Americans suffer from heroin addiction, and nearly half a million struggle with prescription opioids. The number of heroin overdose deaths has hugely increased in the past 20 years, while the number of deaths from prescription opioids has tripled. Meanwhile, the number of opioid prescriptions is soaring. Around 75 million opioids were prescribed in 1991; more than 200 million are now prescribed each year.
The Obama administration’s solution
According to the announcement, the new plan will allocate more than a billion dollars towards expanding opioid treatment programs across the country. It will make it easier for Americans suffering from addiction diseases to receive care under government programs such as Medicaid, and will expand access to lifesaving overdose medications such naxalone. The program will also create educational programs aimed at reducing the over-prescription of painkillers.
The administration will also create a special task force specifically aimed at fighting the opioid addiction crisis. This will include more traditional, tough on crime style solutions, such as a DEA program that focuses on blocking the online purchase of opioids. Whether these programs will integrate with the treatment-first approach remains to be seen.
A new turn in the war against opioid addiction?
The announcement is a small change in a much needed series of policy turns required to undo the so-called tough on crime drug stances created by Republicans in the 80s, and continued by the Clinton administration through the 90s. There has been a turn in public opinion recently, with even Republicans such as Chris Christie arguing that the U.S. must refocus on providing treatment to the millions of Americans struggling with addiction diseases.
Only time will tell how these decisions affect the Obama legacy—whether the program is a toothless show of goodwill, or a genuine move to change the way our government treats those who need it most.


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"Five More Minutes": Scotty McCreery's hit has people putting down...
The lead single from Scotty McCreery 's new album, Seasons Change , came out back in May. Now that "Five More Minutes" has broken into country's top 15, it's become the American Idol winner's biggest hit since 2014's "Feelin' It." "It's kinda like The Little Engine That Could , I swear," Scotty says, referencing the famed children's tale about a train that refuses to give up.


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Thursday, August 11, 2016
Farm Bureau backs Farm Regulatory Certainty Act
Washington-Farm Bureau is urging support for legislation that clarifies congressional intent regarding the inappropriate application of regulations under the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 to agricultural nutrient management.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), was prompted by a January 2015 ruling in which a federal judge in Spokane, Washington, sided with environmental activists who brought a lawsuit against several dairies in the state for what they claimed was inappropriate storage and handling of animal manure.
Specifically, the Farm Regulatory Certainty Act (H.R. 5685) would reaffirm and clarify congressional intent regarding the inappropriateness of subjecting agricultural byproducts to RCRA; codify the Environmental Protection Agency's regulations regarding the treatment of agricultural byproducts under RCRA; and prevent farmers who are already engaged in legal action or are making a diligent attempt to work with state or federal governments to address nutrient management issues from being targeted by citizen lawsuits.
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domain: law


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The North Atlantic between Newfoundland and Ireland is practically the only region of the world that has defied global warming and even cooled. Last winter there even was the coldest on record – while globally it was the hottest on record. Our recent study (Rahmstorf et al. 2015) attributes this to a weakening of the Gulf Stream System, which is apparently unique in the last thousand years.
The whole world is warming. The whole world? No! A region in the subpolar Atlantic has cooled over the past century – unique in the world for an area with reasonable data coverage (Fig. 1). So what’s so special about this region between Newfoundland and Ireland?
Fig. 1 Linear temperature trend from 1900 to 2013. The cooling in the subpolar North Atlantic is remarkable and well documented by numerous measurements – unlike the cold spot in central Africa, which on closer inspection apparently is an artifact of incomplete and inhomogeneous weather station data.
It happens to be just that area for which climate models predict a cooling when the Gulf Stream System weakens (experts speak of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation or AMOC, as part of the global thermohaline circulation). That this might happen as a result of global warming is discussed in the scientific community since the 1980s – since Wally Broecker’s classical Nature article “Unpleasant surprises in the greenhouse?” Meanwhile evidence is mounting that the long-feared circulation decline is already well underway.
The Atlantic circulation (AMOC) as part of the global overturning circulation of the oceans in an animation from NASA.
Difficult to measure
Climate models have long predicted such a slowdown – both the current 5th and the previous 4th IPCC report call a slowdown in this century “very likely”, which means at least 90% probability. When emissions continue unabated (RCP8.5 scenario), the IPCC expects 12% to 54% decline by 2100 (see also the current probabilistic projections of Schleussner et al. 2014). But the actual past evolution of the flow is difficult to reconstruct owing to the scarcity of direct measurements. Therefore, in our study we use data on sea surface temperatures in order to infer the strength of the flow: we use the temperature difference between the region most strongly influenced by the AMOC and the rest of the northern hemisphere.
Fig. 2 Schematic of the Atlantic circulation. Surface currents in red, deep currents in blue, sea-ice cover in winter in white. (Source: Rahmstorf, Nature 1997)
Now we are not the first to have inferred from temperature data that the flow must have weakened. Evidence for this was already presented by Dima and Lohmann 2010 or Drijfhout et al. 2012, among others (for further references see the introduction of our paper).
What is new is that we have used proxy reconstructions of large-scale surface temperature (Mann et al, 2009) previously published by one of us (study co-author and RealClimate co-founder Mike Mann) that extend back to 900 AD (see “What we can learn from studying the last millennium (or so)”) to estimate the circulation (AMOC) intensity over the entire last 1100 years (Fig. 3). This shows that despite the substantial uncertainties in the proxy reconstruction, the weakness of the flow after 1975 is unique in more than a thousand years, with at least 99 per cent probability. This strongly suggests that the weak overturning is not due to natural variability but rather a result of global warming.
Fig. 3 Time series of the temperature difference between the subpolar North Atlantic and the entire northern hemisphere, which can be interpreted as an indicator of the strength of the Atlantic circulation.
Also in 2014 we again find a remarkable cold bubble over the northern Atlantic – as a look at the NASA website shows. 2014 was globally the warmest year on record, 1 °C warmer than the average for 1880-1920. But the subpolar Atlantic was 1-2 °C colder than that baseline. And even more recently, NOAA last week released the stunning temperature analysis for the past winter shown in Fig. 4. That winter was globally the warmest since records began in 1880. But in the subpolar North Atlantic, it was the coldest on record! That suggests the decline of the circulation has progressed even further now than we documented in the paper.
Fig. 4 Temperature anomaly map for the past december-january-february, from NOAA.
The role of Greenland
Another new aspect is the importance of the increasing mass loss of the Greenland ice sheet, which causes extra freshwater to enter the North Atlantic that dilutes the sea water. We have joined forces with the Greenland expert Jason Box who has reconstructed the mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet since 1840 (Fig. 6 of our paper, see also his blog). The ice loss amounts to a freshwater volume which should have made an important contribution to the observed decrease in salinity in the northern Atlantic – probably including the “great salinity anomaly” of the 1970s, famous amongst oceanographers.
Meltwater on the Greenland ice sheet. Photo: Ian Joughin.
What are the impacts of a slowdown?
The consequences of a large reduction in ocean overturning would look nothing like the Hollywood film The Day After Tomorrow. But they would not be harmless either – e.g. for sea level (Levermann et al. 2005) particularly along the US east coast (Yin et al. 2009), marine ecosystems, fisheries and possibly even storminess in Europe (Woollings et al. 2012). We have studied these consequences some years ago in an interdisciplinary project with colleagues from Bremerhaven, Hamburg and Norway – the results are summarized in Kuhlbrodt et al. 2009.
If our analysis is correct, then this indicates that climate models underestimate the weakening of the Atlantic circulation in response to global warming – probably because the flow in these models is too stable (see Hofmann and Rahmstorf 2009). Although these models predict a significant weakening for the future, they do not suggest this as early as the observations show it (see Fig. 2 of our paper). That the real flow may be more unstable than previously thought would be bad news for the future.
If the circulation weakens too much it can even completely break down – the AMOC has a well-known “tipping point” (Lenton et al., 2008). The latest IPCC report (just like the previous one) estimates a probability of up to 10% that this could happen as early as this century. However, this assessment is based on models that may underestimate the risk, as mentioned above. Expert surveys indicate that many researchers assess the risk higher than the (generally conservative) IPCC, as is the case for sea level. In a detailed survey (Kriegler et al 2009), the 16 experts interviewed saw already at moderate global warming (2-4 °C) a probability of a ‘tipping’ (major reorganisation) of the flow between 5 and 40 percent. With strong global warming (4-8 °C) this probability was even estimated as between 20 and 65 percent.
Fig. 5 Sea surface temperature anomaly on 20 March 2015. Note that this is relative to a baseline 1979-2000, which is already a cold period in the subpolar Atlantic. Source: Climate Reanalyzer.
Thermohaline Ocean Circulation (Encyclopedia of Quaternary Sciences)
The Washington Post on our paper
And The Independent
Vox includes comments by some colleagues: Tom Delworth and Gerald Meehl
Peter Sinclair has posted a short video on our paper with interview clips with Mike Mann, Jason Box and myself
Climate Central weighs in with more comments from other scientists on our paper
And here a brand new paper on the impacts of an AMOC shutdown (hat tip to our reader Yvan Dutil)
By coincidence, this came out the same day as our paper: Ten years of ocean monitoring uncovers secrets of changing UK winters
Rahmstorf, S., Box, J., Feulner, G., Mann, M., Robinson, A., Rutherford, S., Schaffernicht, E. (2015): Exceptional twentieth-Century slowdown in Atlantic Ocean overturning circulation. Nature Climate Change (online)
W.S. Broecker, “Unpleasant surprises in the greenhouse?”, Nature, vol. 328, pp. 123-126, 1987. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/328123a0
C. Schleussner, A. Levermann, and M. Meinshausen, “Probabilistic projections of the Atlantic overturning”, Climatic Change, vol. 127, pp. 579-586, 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-014-1265-2
M. Dima, and G. Lohmann, “Evidence for Two Distinct Modes of Large-Scale Ocean Circulation Changes over the Last Century”, Journal of Climate, vol. 23, pp. 5-16, 2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2009jcli2867.1
S. Drijfhout, G.J. van Oldenborgh, and A. Cimatoribus, “Is a Decline of AMOC Causing the Warming Hole above the North Atlantic in Observed and Modeled Warming Patterns?”, Journal of Climate, vol. 25, pp. 8373-8379, 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/jcli-d-12-00490.1
M.E. Mann, Z. Zhang, S. Rutherford, R.S. Bradley, M.K. Hughes, D. Shindell, C. Ammann, G. Faluvegi, F. Ni, Global Signatures and Dynamical Origins of the Little Ice Age and Medieval Climate Anomaly, Science, 326, 1256-1260, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1177303
A. Levermann, A. Griesel, M. Hofmann, M. Montoya, and S. Rahmstorf, “Dynamic sea level changes following changes in the thermohaline circulation”, Clim Dyn, vol. 24, pp. 347-354, 2005. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00382-004-0505-y
J. Yin, M.E. Schlesinger, and R.J. Stouffer, “Model projections of rapid sea-level rise on the northeast coast of the United States”, Nature Geosci, vol. 2, pp. 262-266, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ngeo462
T. Woollings, J.M. Gregory, J.G. Pinto, M. Reyers, and D.J. Brayshaw, “Response of the North Atlantic storm track to climate change shaped by ocean–atmosphere coupling”, Nature Geosci, vol. 5, pp. 313-317, 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/NGEO1438
T. Kuhlbrodt, S. Rahmstorf, K. Zickfeld, F.B. Vikebø, S. Sundby, M. Hofmann, P.M. Link, A. Bondeau, W. Cramer, and C. Jaeger, “An Integrated Assessment of changes in the thermohaline circulation”, Climatic Change, vol. 96, pp. 489-537, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-009-9561-y
M. Hofmann, and S. Rahmstorf, “On the stability of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation”, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 106, pp. 20584-20589, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0909146106
T.M. Lenton, H. Held, E. Kriegler, J.W. Hall, W. Lucht, S. Rahmstorf, and H.J. Schellnhuber, “Tipping elements in the Earth’s climate system”, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 105, pp. 1786-1793, 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0705414105
E. Kriegler, J.W. Hall, H. Held, R. Dawson, and H.J. Schellnhuber, “Imprecise probability assessment of tipping points in the climate system”, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 106, pp. 5041-5046, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0809117106
119 Responses to "What’s going on in the North Atlantic?"
Eric Swanson says
Stefan – Do you have any estimate of the cooling effects of the pronounced flow of northwesterly cold winds around the southern tip of Greenland thence across the North Atlantic as happened this past Winter? If this flow pattern were stronger than usual, I would think the impact would be both a general surface cooling and increased upwelling of colder waters from below. I take it your graphs in Figure 1 & 4 present SST data, not water temperatures below the surface.
Also, has there been any change in the THC within the Arctic Mediterranean as compared to the overall AMOC, as measured by the RAPID program?
Aside from any change in the AMOC the last two winter cooling was also related to strong zonal winds, turbulent heat fluxes have been very negative around 50-60°N:
Hank Roberts says
Can you relate this to the work mentioned here back in 2005?
– See more at: https://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2005/11/decrease-in-atlantic-circulation/#sthash.Y7ceUWvE.dpuf
umm, that would be about the location most climate models calculated and still do calculate to be way cooler than the rest of the globe as the ghg-effect increases from the preindustrial levels. I don’t remember details though, didn’t some projections in 2000 look like that for 2020-2040s?
[Response: Model projections do show a warming minimum but not a cooling exactly in this region, see e.g. Fig. SPM.8 of the latest IPCC WG1 report. -stefan]
Mauri Pelto says
Figure 4 reminds me of the many papers connecting AMOC to PDO, seeing the cold pool in NW Pacific in 2014 too. Any insights from your study on potential PDO interconnection?
michael sweet says
How would this change in currents affect the amount of heat in the surface layer that is transported into the Arctic and contributes to melting the Arctic Sea Ice? Would this reduce the heat transported or have little affect?
Brian Romans says
Thanks for the informative post. What are the predictions for the behavior of the deep current component (i.e., southward-flowing Deep Western Boundary Current) of AMOC in this regime?
Enter your name... says
I’m sorry if this is a silly question, will this area of cooling cause the ice to increase in this area? If the current stops will it start again if enough fresh water is re-frozen?
Thanks for this treatment of this important paper.
The paper is sparking conversations elsewhere on line that some may find interesting to follow:
I have to raise an objection to the phrase “the only region of the world that has defied global warming” – that might be neglecting a certain area in the Pacific where England 2014 has identified a very obvious point where the “Pacific conveyor” was bringing in the last decade up a lot of cold water from the deep ocean and has possibly played a major role in the specific trends for that period. The region is also quite clear in Fig. 4.
[Response: That is a more recent thing, though, which is why it shows in Fig. 4 above but not in Fig. 1 which shows the long-term trend since the year 1900. -stefan]
Wasn’t there a major report on possible abrupt climate change shifts that came out a few months ago that basically dismissed this as a potential major threat? (IIRC, sudden methane release from ESAS was the other potential threat they dismissed… ;-/ )
Thanx for the nice paper. I note that Peterson(2006) doi:10.1126/science.1122593 estimated 400GT freshwater flux for Arctic glacier melt in the period 1996-2001 and we know that GIS alone exceeded that in 2012. P-E is a large contributor as are Arctic rivers. There are some very nice papers in the Peterman(2006) references to intensifying hydrologic cycle adding freshwater to the N. Atlantic by Curry (the good one, not the evil one)
Can anything be inferred about what changes to the AMOC intensity do to the melt-rate of the Greenland Ice sheet? If the cooling effect were general and regional, I would expect that the melt-rate would decrease with decreasing AMOC. This would be a negative feedback, since the icesheet meltwater is supposedly a major driver of the slowdown. Conversly, if if increased the meltrate, it would be a positive feedback. But if I look at that chart of temperature trends, it looks like the mode which creates the coolspot, may be localized south of Greenland (or nonlocal portions of the modeshape, may be positive or nearzero over the icesheet).
the bottom line seems to be that we are all totally and utterly, well, you know.
(sorry, that was probably tooo scary for hank. please delete immediately :-P)
Racetrack Playa says
How does the estimated increase in wind-driven upwelling in eastern boundary current systems play into this? It would seem that increased upwelling would increase global ocean circulation, in contrast to widespread thermal stratification, which would reduce it. I also have a hard time understanding how the Gulf Stream – the western boundary current of the North Atlantic gyre – would weaken much under global warming, as it is driven by a physical process, gyre circulation, amplified by the presence of the coastline:
Conceptually, it’s hard to see how the Gulf Stream western boundary current could be weakened by conditions around Greenland; this is a fluid dynamics system, not a mechanical ‘belt’; a backup due to less deep water formation should have little effect on the physics of the gyre and the formation of the western boundary current, and it also seems the tropical warming and the resulting equator-to-pole heat transport are the drivers – but perhaps modulation by jet stream meandering is playing some role in the cooling?
Paleoclimate studies of tropical ice cores tend to support the scenario of changes in the tropics propagating northwards, too, not the reverse. Hence the entire North-Atlantic-Driven-Global-Climate-Change theory might be in need of revision; conditions in the North Atlantic may instead be responding actively to changes in the tropics, not the other way around. This is a touchy topic for advocates of Broecker’s theories, but the paleoclimate data collected in the tropics just don’t support that scenario. There don’t seem to be any ‘master switches’ in the North Atlantic region that can toggle global climate into one state or another.
[Response: We are talking about the AMOC here, not the western boundary current which indeed is largely wind-driven, and more specifically about the thermohaline driven part of the AMOC. Its variations are controlled by density changes in high latitudes and not from the tropics. In paleoclimate, I would say it is well established by now that things like the Younger Dryas event or the climatic response to Heinrich events are driven by high-latitude buoyancy (mainly freshwater) forcing. Fans of the tropics as climate driver have tried but in my view failed to come up with alternative explanations for these events. -stefan]
Thomas O'Reilly says
“Our recent study (Rahmstorf et al. 2015) attributes this to a weakening of the Gulf Stream System, which is apparently unique in the last thousand years.”
“this indicates that climate models UNDERESTIMATE the weakening of the Atlantic circulation in response to global warming”
“That this might happen as a result of global warming is discussed in the scientific community since the 1980s”
It is 2015 now – 35 years later.
What are you and the rest of the Climate Science community going to do about it now Stefan?
More “research”? More “reanalysis”? Another “Paper”? Another “article” for Real Climate? An “AR6 IPPC Report” in a few years time?
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein
[Response: What is your suggestion what we should do as scientists, other than study the system to our best ability and communicate what we find? -stefan]
Alec Barken says
Apologies for not posting a data or research-related question. I’m a bass player.
Does this paper scare anyone else like it kinda scares me? Again, I’m not a scientist, and maybe not used to clinical detachment, but everyone seems so calm. Except for Box. That dude looks like he has a lot of bad news to deliver. Is it not a big deal? Is it just that we have no reference for this type of event/trend?
Also, I get the whole “Day After Tomorrow” plot reference/attention grab thing, but it trivializes the severity of the issue IMo. Seems like maybe “The Road” would be more appropriate. That movies’ plot connection was- 1. Humans break the the Oceans (acidification- check, irradiation from subs, reactor flush accidents, Fukishima,-check, toxification- heavy metals from industry, oil spills, toxic waste dumped at sea, plastic gyres-check) 2. Really bad things happen.
Chuck Hughes says
Does anyone know how to put the toothpaste back in the tube once you’ve squeezed too much out??? I’m having trouble understanding how anyone expects to fix this problem. Any ideas? Thanks.
Hank Roberts says
Wili, we know we’re f*ed.
The devil is in the details — to know those, we need good science for choosing to work toward the _right_ changes.
Time and energy and attention and resources are limited.
Wasting them is unwise
Some of the plans being pushed are scams, excuses to make money fast.
Some are well meaning fantasies.
Figuring out what’s what takes attention.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Don’t waste time.
Don’t echo confusion and fear.
Deal with it.
richard pauli says
#17 Alec. You are quite right, it is astounding. And I invite you to respect your fear and maybe try to dismiss or move past it. Many people hold it in awe and deep admiration for the wondrous complexity of the science. The ramifications are beyond all comprehension. Nothing in all history of civilization is this momentous. And yes, the data and news and reports now come faster than ever. It is hard to process. It’s just that many here have been studying related topics, via this site for years, many years. This is the only place on the Internet I know of where great and respected scientists and lay amateurs can continually converge in a civil manner seeking information. The very design of this site enables this conference-like exchange. It was built and evolved for both exchange and as a great reference.
Sometimes in a crisis it is comforting to do science, to explain and dissect and understand. It’s like in medicine when we get a diagnosis of a cancer – one way of dealing with the shock is to dive into the medical science. As did the late Dr Stephen Schneider – look for his videos for a balanced attitude. Everyone I meet is stunned about it, but each person processes it at different levels. Work helps. Learning how to best communicate is vital. It seems like everyone respects anticipatory grief. Many know it is there, and just prefer to keep working on the science. It is huge. It deserves our full attention. It is a huge topic to examine how humans might best process news and science that seems so ruthlessly harsh.
richard pauli says
And Alec, there’s a great need for a bass player – more music.
The movement and the science needs new anthems, operas and marches to inspire and get us moving. I found a couple of YouTube playlists that total about 100 pieces of music… some are very old and classic. Some rock, some humor, plenty of variety, but more music needed.
In the paper, you mention that …and indeed the time history of Greenland meltwater runoff is not included as a forcing in the CMIP5 ensemble (2nd para before end). Is it the precise time history that is the point, that is, that with natural variability and all, models might not be expected to capture the timing of the 1970–1990 cooling? Or is the freshwater flux to the ocean from the melting ice sheet for some reason not represented in the models as a forcing on the circulation? (That’s how I first read it, but it doesn’t rhyme).
[Response: Indeed it is the latter; most global climate models do not (yet) include continental ice sheet models. -stefan]
Mary Paino says
I live on the NH seacoast and have directly observed an ocean that has had a significant decrease in wave height, on average wave height has only been 1-3 ft. On most days it is very difficult to differentiate between the tide coming in or going out. The water rises and lowers but there is very little wave action on the approach of the high tide.
Also, I believe we are seeing the beginning of a new glacial southern migration, the Arctic ice cap has thinned and the surface mass has been on the increase which to me is indicative of a glacial formation
#17 “not posting a data or research-related question. I’m a bass player.”
Hi there! I knew it! Takes a basist to now one.
Haven’t seen ‘The Road’ so can’t comment on that, but one single spot of cool on the ocean surface won’t stop the warming on the continents for most of the year so ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ is out. Maybe this keeps the winters a bit cooler, that’s to say normal or only slightly warmer than previously, in east coast of North America and European shores of Atlantic. Jason Box has really some nasty things to say that I, however I would like, can’t refuse, true. Ocean is not too large that humans could not influence it. Does fish taste different today than twenty years ago? I can’t say either but maybe 20 years from now?
Wasn’t this scenario described by James Hansen in his book, Storms of My Grandchildren?
What are the long-term (and how long-term?) consequences of a failure of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation for i) global oceanic circulation and ii) ocean anoxia in a warming world?
There is evidence, reported by Peter Ward, of purple sulphur bacteria (detected via the existence of long-lived fingerprint molecules) that require oxygen free, H2S abundant conditions, with sunlight, in (therefore) shallow seas at the end Permian mass extinction and other such events.
If the Amoc slowdown is the first step towards ocean anoxia, it would appear also to be the first step towards utter catastrophe.
Stefan @22, thanks. I had somehow got the idea that ice sheets were included now, but I should have checked (the AR5 is explicit they’re not coupled in CMIP5). My bad.
Yvan Dutil says
Correct me if I am wrong.
-This cold spot is likely to come from the Arctic glacial melting. This is not include in climate model. Therefore, we don’t know what will be the global consequence.
-It is my understanding that such cold spot could be the source of the permanent high that bring the Jet Stream south and kept the East of North America cold for the last two years. Accordingly, this might be a semi-permanent climatic feature.
-This semi-permanent state might end up when the AMOC will stear its trajectory or slow down to the point that it no longer bring heat into the Artic ocean which may refreazed, get colder and stop the Greenland melt.
I plan to do a blog post on this. So any additional information would be interesting.
Hank Roberts says
Stay with the base, and let’s hope there’s no call for ukeleles …
Any comment on this paper showing there is no slowdown? And why is this paper not referenced?
In contrast to recent claims of a Gulf Stream slowdown, two decades of directly measured velocity across the current show no evidence of a decrease. Using a well-constrained definition of Gulf Stream width, the linear least square fit yields a mean surface layer transport of 1.35 × 105 m2 s−1 with a 0.13% negative trend per year. Assuming geostrophy, this corresponds to a mean cross-stream sea level difference of 1.17 m, with sea level decreasing 0.03 m over the 20 year period. This is not significant at the 95% confidence level, and it is a factor of 2–4 less than that alleged from accelerated sea level rise along the U.S. Coast north of Cape Hatteras. Part of the disparity can be traced to the spatial complexity of altimetric sea level trends over the same period.
[Response: There is many more papers we could have discussed, but the journal allows only 50 references to be cited (actually we even have 51 due to one citation error that was discovered only at proofs stage). The Rossby paper is not that relevant to our paper because it deals with much shorter time scales (20 years of data, while we use decadally smoothed data over 1100 years) and with the Gulf Stream rather than the AMOC. Actually for those 20 years analysed by Rossby our index shows an increase in the AMOC – but that is so small that it would be within the uncertainties of Rossby’s calculated trend in the Gulf Stream. So no inconsistency there. -stefan]
Susan Anderson says
Mary Paino, you may set your fears at rest. The record shows quite the opposite.
For more detailed information, you might go to Neven’s (or for a matter of that, any of the more official bodies such as the NSIDC that regularly update their information based on the latest observations.
Politics will not change reality; the ever evolving methodology of science, which attempts to look at and understand reality, is our best bet for knowing the big global picture. And the science involved with the effects of accumulating heat-trapping greenhouse gases increasing the energy in our earthly circulatory system goes back to Arrhenius and Tyndall and has only become clearer over time.
Of course there are local variations in sea level height, as you personally attest, for a variety of reasons.
However, you bring forward a deeper problem, which is the prevalence of short-term and local observation supported by what is sometimes called “blog science” and the media’s acceptance of false balance that provides you with a massive amount of unreliable information (some of it very professionally presented using the best PR money can buy from the wealthiest industries on earth, with an infrastructure that mimics the real thing) and encourages you to reject what is an overwhelming agreement amongst the world’s best expertise about what is going on.
Does this have any link to colder winters in eastern North America? (I’m hoping the answer is ‘no’).
Hank Roberts says
So, ah, this was in 2005:
I’d welcome a topic on what the climate scientists have been reading. I recall long ago how Ray Bradbury was given a tour of a NASA facility and was taken completely by surprise when everyone there knew who he was. They’d grown up on his stories about space travel ….
What are you young climate scientists and your kids growing up reading?
Leif Knutsen says
Capitalism, unrestrained by the requirements of Planetary life support systems, is guaranteed mutually assured destruction. Socially enabled capitalism is clearly a failed paradigm. Help end tax funded pollution of the commons for starters.
We are all leaders, (family, friends, community, etc.), followers, (the thousands of enlighten luminaries throughout history), and boots on the ground, (do what you can every day to make the world a better place).
“We don’t have a right to ask whether we’re going to succeed or not – the only question we have a right to ask is: What’s the right thing to do? What does this Earth require of us if we want to continue to live on it?” Wendell Berry
Thomas O'Reilly says
Stefan, I do not have a suggestion for the moment, only had the question. I thought it was a good question to ask the experts. Thanks for the answer.
Leif Knutsen says
Chuck Huges, #18: … “does anyone know how to fix this problem.” IMO: The first step is to start with the little things in our lives, drive less and keep the fuel prices below $60/bl. efficiency first in your life. Endorse Green Politicians. Buy green products, vote with your dollars. Help end tax funded pollution of the commons. Din’t feed the Capitalistic Pig with your $$$. Not any job, only green jobs help fill the hole pollution has bequeathed humanity. There is work for all the world over in the Green Awakening Economy. By definition the GAE will look different and IMO financed by distributed green energy providing $$$ from the sun in the pockets of all, Not fossil fuel tax funded pollution profits to the pockets of the 1% tax shelters. To that end I suggest that each kWh of energy have a base value of all social services, from street sweeper to universal health care and war. Weather produced in your back yard, community green or the deserts of Africa or the roofs of shanty town. Green energy must become a public trust, not just another way to make a new 1% class. It is important to remember the fossil industry started with one well ~150+years ago.
“It always looks impossible until it is done.” Nelson Mandela
Susan Anderson says
Yvan Dutil, it’s an interesting idea but on the whole I think it exaggerates the effect and almost looks like wishful thinking.
I looked you up and am intrigued by your work:
However, as a weatherwatcher (over time and worldwide) with climate interests and a primary residence in Boston (US), I don’t think your idea about a refreeze will hold water (pun intended).
First, a map of the Arctic and close observation of the various outlets and geography. Then a look at the collected data and multiple graphs available, for which I normally go here:
I’m just guessing, but I think the cold bit will be overcome by a hot summer in the US northeast even this year. Wild speculation, I know. In any case, our snowfields have already melted significantly and it is still March. Meanwhile, it has been quite warm in England, which should also be affected.
The business of cold interchange between my part of the world (and selected others) and the Arctic is interesting, but summer still tips the scales the other way. The question might be, in what might be thought of as a race between Arctic melt and AMOC disruption, will the local northern cooling offset (and how much) the Arctic Circle (Greenland) melt. My guess is not much. But “I am not a scientist” (apologies: not funny these days).
I see you are an astrophysicist, and I am also reminded of my father’s (PW) warning about assuming expertise outside one’s specialty. Though I am much further afield than you. Perhaps I should have left the answer to someone more skilled and knowledgeable; my excuse is that I am interested in the idea and open to correction.
Concerned Teen says
I thought we only ran the risk of a Thermohaline System when carbon dioxide levels reached over 1000 parts per million. To my understanding we just crossed Into the 400 area even then I thought it be a an events on apocalyptic levels because of the oxygen not reaching the bottom of the ocean and only the very surface would be habitable.
Unless I’m wrong.
Here’s my source. (http://youtu.be/M2Jxs7lR8ZI skip to 7:23)
Leif Knutsen says
For a more nuanced discussion on how to solve the problem:
Paul Gilding Also read the latest Cockatoo Chronicles
Eric Swanson says
Stefan – There’s no reply to my questions (#1), so allow me to amplify a bit. The term “Arctic Mediterranean” has been applied to the deep waters poleward of the Greenland-Iceland-Scotland (GIS) sills, which are connected via the deep sill at the bottom of the Fram Strait. On the surface, this includes the Arctic Ocean and the Nordic Seas. The usual geographical alignment includes the Nordic Seas with the North Atlantic. However, for discussions of the THC, the use of the Arctic Mediterranean is relevant because ANY waters sinking into this deep basin must result in added flows over the GIS sills.
As you showed in your 2006 paper, the GIS sill overflows settle to the deepest layers of the North Atlantic, but the deepest water is derived from the THC around the Antarctic associated with the yearly cycle of sea-ice. When the sea-ice forms, the freezing process rejects brine, which has a higher density than the surface waters and which sinks to the continental shelf. In the Arctic Mediterranean, some portion of the THC waters are the result of this same process and measurements have suggested that as much as 2 SV of sinking occurs at one location.
My question was regarding any changes in the THC over the GIS sills. I haven’t read your paper, since it’s not open literature, but the abstract presents a graph in Figure 2 which indicates the sill depth at 65N to be 3,000m, which is much too deep. The sill depth of the Denmark Strait is 640m and the overflow represents a large fraction of the total sinking at high latitudes. Here’s a link to another study (2002) of the flows thru the Denmark Strait:
So, I was curious about your recent paper and whether there was any discussion of changes in the THC poleward of the GIS shelf vs the data from the RAPID program line located at 26.5N. With the decline in minimum extent and volume of sea-ice, one might expect to see more THC sinking into the Arctic Ocean, with consequences for both climate and weather.
[Response: That Fig. 2 is a model simulation that we use the test to what extent our AMOC index correlates with the true AMOC in a global climate model. Basically there is no correlation of that cold patch with the flow over the sills; what we thus mean by AMOC change is the AMOC further south. The 26 North section would be a good indicator of that. -stefan]
Barton Paul Levenson says
LK, “Capitalism” is not the problem, or else the Soviet Union wouldn’t have wreaked so much environmental destruction, and the Communist Peoples’ Republic of China wouldn’t be the world’s largest emitter of CO2. Human irresponsibility and inability to think long-term is the problem.
Larry Atkinson says
See http://tinyurl.com/oxnprd6 for discussion of Oleander data.
Jim Baird says
Chuck Hughes 18, some ideas here, here and here.
Leif Knutsen 35 “To stop climate change, flat CO2 emissions aren’t enough, say scientists” IMHO the movement of heat into the deep ocean with heat pipes as explained in the above references is also required and can produce as much zero emissions energy as we currently derive from fossil fuels. It also, possibly, would diminish the Greenland effect Stefan refers to because tropical heat moved to the deep water is unavailable to move towards either pole, where it causes melting. The thermal coefficient of expansion of sea water is also less virtually anywhere in the ocean than it is at the tropical surface. At 1000 meters it is about half.
Hank Roberts says
(Disclaimer: I have no connection to “Hank” who makes those videos.)
CT: He didn’t predict our immediate future.
He said that in the distant past, when CO2 levels reached 1000 ppm, the thermohaline system something confused something something OMG WTF. I paraphrase.
I don’t know what source he based that on.
Are there good paleo proxies for other patterns of the thermohaline circulation?
I wouldn’t recommend doing your thinking based on YouTube videos.
Just sayin’, you can do better by reading.
Can we do better? We could ask Google
You might want to read some of the results from that search.
Susan Anderson says
dear Concerned Teen:
SciShow is pretty good as an overview, but that’s speculative and oversimplified and for the sake of the message ignores vast amounts of time.
I’ll leave it to others to fill in the blanks, but we all have trouble fitting our own lives into the context of geological space and time, and all of this, while happing pretty fast relative to geological time is not so fast in terms of your and my life.
Hank at SciShow is simplifying to make his point, which is the dirty endgame of doing nothing is not pretty, but I don’t think it’s time to panic on that one.
Just please get active and stick around. I’m far from an expert, but this is a good place to keep on asking questions.
Ian Lee says
Like Sven @30 I would be interested to hear why the paper Rossby et al is not referred to nor discussed by Rahmstorf et al. In my own publications on SHBG and 5 alpha reductase if I had results that differed from those of others I spent time explaining why the differences might have occurred. Is this not common practice in Climate Science? In this instance, as the Rossby paper is based on direct rather than indirect measurements surely some discussion is warranted.
[Response: See response to #30 – Rossby is looking at the Gulf Stream (a 90 Sv current) while we look at the AMOC which is only about 17 Sv strong; most of the Gulf Stream variations would come not from the AMOC but from the wind-driven part, by far the largest component of the Gulf Stream. -stefan ]
Tal Ezer says
In response to comment#30- Skeptics continue to mention Rossby et al (2014) as evidence that the Gulf Stream is not slowing down, which seems to contradict other observations of the Gulf Stream (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jgrc.20091/full). However, a new paper just published in Global and Planetary Change (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2015.03.002) compares Rossby’s own data to other independent data and shows that 3 independent data sources consistently show similar trend in the AMOC and GS transport. The new paper also reconstructs an AMOC proxy derived from sea level data that could be compared with Rahmstorf’s SST-based proxy.
Hank Roberts says
Is this helpful in explaining how a warmer Arctic can change the pattern?
If that (very simple) explanation suffices — then with a much warmer Arctic, the Gulf Stream would not lose heat as effectively in that far North location? Can anyone draw a chart of where along its course heat is being effectively transferred and the resulting cooler water sinking?
I’m wondering if the area where the Gulf Stream water can effectively lose heat and so sinks is altered — perhaps further South, where the air hasn’t warmed up as much?
(Wondering if the Gulf Stream can keep its speed while the North Atlantic cold deep water slacks off — and so the northern loop of the circulation doesn’t go as far north but changes its track)
Nick Gotts says
Barton Paul Levenson@41,
“Communist” China is part of the global capitalist system – indeed, a key part of it. Certainly other systems such as that of the USSR can be environmentally destructive, and certainly human short-termism is trans-cultural; but it is indeed capitalism that is driving the relentless push towards environmental destruction – and not only with regard to climate change. The key feature of capitalism is that the search for private profit largely determines where and how capital is employed; and it is this that pushes the fossil fuel industry to extract more coal, oil and gas as long as it is profitable to do so, to cut down forests for ranching and animal feed, and to buy up politicians and fund a successful campaign of lies about the consequences.
t marvell says
The cooling could be due to mixing. At least in recent years, ARGO shows that mid-depth temperatures in the North Atlantic are rising, while surface temperatures are declining. Maybe the thermocline is weakening, as it is further North, and caused by Arctic warming.
There is a second area where temperatures are consistently declining – in Antarctica, at the Southern end of the Atlantic. Data for this area are not available back to 1900, but at least since 1951 the cooling there has been greater than in the North Atlantic. It might not be a coincidence that the only cooling areas on the planet are at opposite ends of the Atlantic deep THC.

domain: geography


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George Lucas is building a Museum!
On Tuesday, the City Council of Los Angeles approved the construction of the long-planned "Lucas Museum of Narrative Art". This was an "incredible gift" of the famous director to the city, said the acting mayor Eric Garcetti in an official message.
The decision was not easy. He and his wife, who is also a driving force behind the project, chose the other possible sites. Their discussion was to choose either way Lucas´ hometown San Francisco or her hometown of Chicago. Now, however, the museum is to be built on the Exposition Park site in Los Angeles.
Ma Yansong, signed in at the architectural office MAD Architects, is the architect of the museum. The Chinese is known for his futuristic designs and has already won all international prizes. The cost of the project of about a billion dollars will be financed out of Lucas's own pocket.
The core of the art collection is to come from the private ownership of the director. George Lucas has been interested in painting, drawing and comics since his childhood and in the years of the digital age increasingly in digital art.
A small group of paintings by Edgar Degas, Winslow Homer and Pierre-Auguste Renoir is to be shown alongside illustrations for magazines, posters and children's books developed by artists such as Maxfield Parrish, Arthur Rackham, Beatrix Potter, Frank Adams and Norman Rockwell. In addition, a series of film set designs, costumes and storyboards are exhibited.
© 2017 – x-working

domain: artistic


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Can you tell us what the idea behind setting up Dublin Comic Appreciation Club was?
Michael – To create a platform for people with an interest in comics to meet up and share their appreciation for the medium. To strengthen the comic book community in Dublin.
Jamie – To allow fans of what is a pretty niche interest to share, discuss and expand their views on the comic book medium. And establish a community of like minded individuals who can remain friends both within and outside the confines of the meet up.
Neil – As Michael and Jamie have said but to also give people whose friends don’t share their interest in the medium a group of people to chat with at the first event i was asking people why they came and the most common answer was that they don’t have friends that share their interest in comics.
How long has Dublin Drink and Draw been running?
Michael – Just over a year I think.
Neil – Yeah, our last meet up would have been our first birthday as a meet up group.
Can you tell us some of the ideas you have planned for the future?
Michael – Thanks to the input from the other administrators and the core group who attend, the club continues and new ideas have started to kick off the Dublin Drink and Draw and this further strengthens the community which, for me, is the main aim.
Jamie – To increase attendance at the meet up as much as possible and establish it as a notable and welcoming attraction for comic fans around Dublin.
Neil – To keep it in a central location, and open and welcoming to new people, and remain open to new idea’s from others.
How can our readers best get in contact with you?
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/dublindrinkanddraw
Twitter – https://twitter.com/DublinDrinkDraw
Neil – Or come along some Monday evening.


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Help with hair loss: effective foods that work
Hair loss – also known as alopecia – is not a fatal disease, but it is annoying and annoying.
Waking up and seeing hair on the pillow, tearing your hair and finding a few strands between your fingers – nobody wants that. There are many drugs, some of which require a prescription and are very strong, that work against hair loss. But it doesn’t always have to be drug treatment. Nature is often the best doctor or the best pharmacy. Some foods help exceptionally well against hair loss thanks to their natural active ingredients. This is a selection of the best foods that help fight excessive hair loss.
Why can the right diet help against hair loss?
Hair loss is referred to as a disease when more than 100 hairs fall out per day. Pathological hair loss (alopecia) can be hereditary or caused by stress. Drugs, infectious diseases and radiation therapy for cancer and heavy metal poisoning can also lead to pathological hair loss. But no matter what causes the hair loss, no matter what form it takes – it can work wonders. The main aim is to drive hair growth and strengthen the individual hairs. The hair follicles also need the right substances to function normally. The nutrients that ensure healthy hair growth include primarily proteins, fats and various minerals. Vitamins such as B. Vitamins B12, A, C and E are important, as well as trace elements and mineral nutrients such as copper and iron.
All of these substances cause the hair to grow as desired, strong and strong. It is therefore important to consume foods that contain large amounts of these vitamins, minerals, trace elements and protein. These include, but are not limited to, the following.
The best (and tastiest) foods for hair loss
There are few better sources of protein than eggs. They can be prepared in many different ways, are relatively cheap, and are high in protein. Hair follicles are mostly made up of protein. That is why it is so important to include enough protein in your diet. also contain biotin (vitamin B7). A lack of biotin is also associated with hair loss, which is why it is highly recommended to consume enough vitamin B7. Zinc completes the spectrum. So eggs are one of the best foods to eat for and against hair loss!
Spinach contains a lot of protein, and not only Popeye knows that! For this reason alone, the healthy green vegetable is one of the best allies in the fight against hair loss. However, spinach is also rich in iron, which can lead to increased hair growth. In addition, spinach is one of the best sources of vitamin A. Sixty grams of spinach already cover the daily requirement of spinach for an adult.
Oily fish in particular is an excellent helper against hair loss. Salmon, herring and other types of fish with a high fat content are particularly suitable. Omega-3 fatty acids have been consistently linked to increased hair growth, and oily fish is one of the best sources. In addition, there are proteins as well as vitamin D3 and vitamin B, which are also among the foods that should be consumed in increased quantities in the case of alopecia.
It has been known for a long time that nuts are healthy. But they also help in the treatment of hair loss, as they are rich in proteins, vitamin A and vitamin E. B vitamins, zinc and essential fatty acids are also found in many types of nuts. The consumption of almonds is particularly recommended. Nuts can be eaten on the side or used in cooking and baking. So they should definitely be part of every anti-hair loss diet!
Another reliable plant-based source of protein. Beans can be used in many different ways in the kitchen, so there’s never a dull moment. , iron and biotin – all important substances that are very effective against hair loss – are also included in notable amounts. Above all, beans, in contrast to fish or nuts, are very cheap and therefore represent a cheap alternative.
Other foods that help against hair loss
- Oranges: Very rich in vitamin C
- Lemons: Also a good source of the vitamin that promotes hair growth.
- Rice: Insoluble fiber is one of the most important nutrients to take in case of hair loss.
- Oats: Works the same as rice and also contains vitamin B6.
- Broccoli: Like spinach, broccoli is also rich in natural antioxidants.< /li>
- Cheese: Vitamin A
- Carrots: Vitamin A
- Mushrooms: Amino acids
- Tofu: Iron and zinc
- Cocoa powder: Contains copper. A lack of copper can lead to hair loss.
- Cashew kernels: Also contain copper.
Conclusion: With the right diet against alopecia!
It plays an incredibly important role in the physical and mental well-being of everyone. Even with hair loss – or with healthy hair growth – food is of essential importance. It is therefore important to eat foods that contain the right substances: The foods mentioned here are ideal for absorbing enough vitamins, minerals and proteins. So if you eat enough of these foods, you will see that hair loss can be controlled without expensive and strong medication.

domain: biology


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In a battle that had been about 11 months in the making, on Saturday, October 12th the Portagers from Onekama visited Portland for a grudge match against the Shamrocks. The Portagers knocked out the Shamrocks last November in the Semi-finals and St. Patrick's was hungry for vengeance, beating Onekama 42-24.
In the first quarter that Shamrocks were better than the Portagers, but failed to capitalize on a few plays. The Shamrocks marched down field, and scored on a 5 yard touchdown pass to Zach Spitzley. The Portagers also scored, leaving the score 8-7 Onekama after one quarter.
The Shamrocks powered ahead in the second quarter, with a pair of touchdowns for Ned Smith of 2 and 35 yards respectively. The Shamrock defense was excellent in this quarter, capped by a goal line stand to end the quarter, leaving the score 23-8 at halftime.
St. Patrick's did not slow down in the 3rd quarter, with a pair of touchdown receptions for Zach Spitzley from Connor Cross of 55 and 34 yards. The Portagers were able to score once, leaving the score 35-16 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, the Shamrocks were plagued with cramps and unable to stop the Portagers from marching down the field and making the score 35-24. On the ensuing on-side kick, destiny struck when the kicker missed the kick, leaving the ball at about half field. Shamrock Brian Kwiecinski, not knowing how to react in that instant, attempted to jump on the ball- when it squirted out, Zach Spitzley scooped and took it to the house, making the final score 42-24.
Offensive leaders for the Shamrocks were Connor Cross who went 6-10 for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns, Ned Smith who rushed 15 times for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns. Zach Spitzley had 4 receptions for 122 yards and 3 touchdowns. Derec Fedewa also had 14 carries for 50 yards and 2 receptions for 67 yards. Jeff Davlin went 2 for 3 on extra point attempts.
Defensively, Derece Fedewa had 12 tackles, Alex Kissane had 10 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss (TFL), and Riley Kissane had 9 tackles.
The Shamrocks travel to Bellaire for a game next Saturday, October 19th at 6 pm.

domain: news


text:
Peter Mountain / Universal Pictures
Johnny Depp stars as legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger, who became the No. 1 target of J. Edgar Hoovers fledgling FBI and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public. With Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Giovanni Ribisi, Billy Crudup. Directed by Michael Mann. Written by Mann, Ronan Bennett, Ann Biderman and Mark St. Germain. Universal.


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Whether you’re an interior designer or simply looking to transform your space, custom furniture is an excellent option. It not only allows for unique style, but it also lasts longer than typical e-commerce products. Purchasing ready-stock furniture may seem quicker, but it can be impractical when clients require certain functions or measurements in the long run.
Shopping for furniture can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Finding something that fits your style and budget can be challenging, with many choices. Thankfully, there are several advantages to shopping online. With custom furniture and the assistance of a professional like those with the Joybird customer service team, you can get precisely what you want without compromising. You’ll have the option to choose the frame, filling, cushions, and more. You’ll be able to create one-of-a-kind pieces that will take your home design to the next level.
Additionally, custom furniture often uses better materials and craftsmanship than mass-produced pieces. This means it will last longer and look great for years. Providing consumers the opportunity to attain expert-quality custom furniture will help your brand stand out from the competition.
Finding furniture that fits your space at the big box stores can take a lot of time. If you order custom furniture, however, you can have it ready to go in a fraction of the time. Another advantage of custom furniture is that it’s usually made from high-quality materials. This can help you save money in the long run by not having to replace your furniture as often as you would with mass-produced pieces. Many associate custom furniture with designer prices, but this is sometimes true. Many brands can combine affordability and quality to create beautiful designs within your budget. The result is furniture that’s both stylish and functional. It can also help you create a unique look that’s all your own.
Many people need help finding the perfect furniture pieces in their budget. They tend to settle for something less than they want and eventually end up with furniture that doesn’t suit their style or design scheme. Before purchasing, navigate through resources like the Joybird reviews to get better ideas about the furniture you are trying to buy. Custom furniture can help people create unique designs tailored to their preferences. Custom furniture is also often made from quality materials that can last longer than mass-produced furniture. This can save money in the long run by reducing the need for repairs and replacements. It can also provide an added level of value that can increase a home’s resale or rental value. It can also give people more options regarding color and texture, ensuring they have the right look for their space.
For a consumer, having the ability to easily purchase custom furniture online with specific specifications and get it delivered to their doorstep is quite convenient. This is particularly so if they have a specific piece in mind and have been searching high-end designer showrooms for it. Custom furniture allows consumers to express their unique style and create a space that they love coming home to. While designing and ordering custom pieces may take longer than purchasing off-the-shelf ones, the result is always worth the extra effort. Additionally, custom furniture typically lasts longer than off-the-shelf options, making it an investment that truly pays off in the long run. This is especially true for pieces that are used daily, such as beds and sofas.
Better Customer Service
When you work with a custom furniture designer, you can expect customer service that most standard showrooms don’t offer. This means you can be confident that your furniture will look fantastic and be built to last. Another advantage of working with a custom furniture maker is that you won’t have to compromise on size or style. This is important if you have a specific space in mind that needs to be filled. In addition, many people equate custom furniture with designer prices. However, there are a lot of brands that can amalgamate affordability and quality and provide the look that consumers want without breaking their budgets. This will appeal to all sorts of customers and help them get the best value for their money.

domain: design


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Ice hockey is considered one of the most violent contact sports, but the National Hockey League (NHL) begged to differ when it was faced with a proposed class action lawsuit alleging that the league hid the dangers of head injuries from professional players and encouraged aggressive behavior in the games. The NHL argued against the collective knowledge of medical experts and scientists by arguing there is not a link between repeated head blows and the much-talked about degenerative brain disease CTE.
Researchers have found that when a brain is concussed, proteins called tau are released in the brain. Repeated head blows result in the release of more tau, leading to the buildup of the protein in certain areas of the brain, resulting in a condition researchers named chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a degeneration of the brain and dementia-like symptoms including cognitive impairment, memory loss, aggregation, and mood swings.
Last month, the NHL filed a motion to compel the Boston University CTE Center to hand over materials regarding its research and diagnoses of CTE. The center is the foremost research facility for CTE and has diagnosed the condition in several deceased football players. (Currently, CTE can only be diagnosed posthumously.) The NHL also provided an affidavit from an expert witness who disputed the research at BU’s CTE Center.
The NHL knows that the CTE issue could result in significant liability for the league. Recently, the National Football League (NFL) reached an uncapped settlement with former football players over head injuries which covered a number of neurocognitive issues. The fund could pay out as much as $1 billion.


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One of the first books I read when I had just moved to the UK was Arthur & George by Julian Barnes. I liked it a lot, but found parts of it a bit dull. Unfortunately the same applies to this his latest book, a collection of short stories where the last one has lent the book its title.
Pulse is uneven. It is divided into two parts, where Part I and the nine short stories are wittier, anchored in faster dialogue, more fun and therefore more enjoyable. Part II with its five stories, each dedicated to one of our five senses, is more reflective, the short stories are longer and some of them placed in a different time. The ones set during the 18th and 19th century seemingly try imitating “contemporary” writing of their time but fails, and the result is slow moving without the actual authors, Barnes, signature. It is as if he has tried writing as someone else, and the result is questionable. It is as if his prose diverges the focus from the real subjects. The stories per se might be worth pondering upon, their themes not seldom unhappy destinies and unfavorable situations with people struggling with the perception of their surrounding environments due to their lack of, or problems with, one of their senses, but I still finish them thinking “why did he write like that?” In this case I’m afraid that it is not a positive verdict.
Part I though is quicker, as I wrote above, and some of the short stories are extraordinary samples of a writer at his best. At Phil & Joanna’s: part 1-4 must be my favorites, if I should single some out, and the book is worth buying if just to get the grace of reading them. These four short stories, whereof the two first where originally published in The Guardian UK and The Sunday Times, are extremely to the point and perfect examples of what friendship can be like if you have spent decades together, the stories almost like snap-shot photographs thanks to the clear cut dialogue, regardless of the hosts and guests intoxication getting worse and worse for every page the reader turn. With humor and love do they share stories about quirky friends and marital sex escapades, fun travels and intelligent subjects are talked about and laughed at like they never did anything else. These four stories are simply divine and of highest feel-good quality in their haven of well-fed, jocular midle-classness.
It is a shame I put the book down feeling a bit robbed of the reading experience. A little, I felt “what now?” Maybe my expectations were simply too high, but an author of Julian Barnes’ caliber should not let you feel stranded and unfulfilled.


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Falling crazy about someone by a different country is certainly an exciting experience that can be both exhilarating and challenging. You need to keep an open mind and speak often , especially along with your partner, mainly because cultural dissimilarities can cause some misunderstandings. For example , jokes could be misinterpreted or perhaps gestures would have completely different meanings. These issues are something that every few faces at some time in their relationship, but they can be overcome which has a bit of fortitude and understanding.
Online dating in other countries is a fantastic way for more information about another culture and become familiar with your partner over a deeper level. In addition, it allows you to begin to see the world by a different point of view and knowledge new traditions, foods, and languages. Although many people observe this sort of relationship for the reason that complicated and hard, it is actually more widespread than you might believe. People via all over the world time each other and create loving connections that often cause marriage.
One of the biggest challenges that are included in dating someone from a varied country can be language boundaries. Even if your partner is fluent in English, right now there can still end up being misunderstandings as a result of different term usage and colloquialisms. This can be as to why it’s important to try to learn their particular native tongue as well. It will probably show that you care and are also interested in learning more about them.
You should likewise be aware that your lover might be more familiar with their particular culture and have a lot of biases. For example , some might say that anything you do is definitely “so American” or that you are “so [insert the country’s name]. ” When this can be bothersome, it’s important to do not forget that these are simply stereotypes and why these types of comments shouldn’t be taken personally.
The moment dating a person from a different country, you need to concentrate on the things that you have in common. For instance , if you both equally like the same types of music or movies, this can be a good way to connect. Also you can try to find out about their customs and find methods to celebrate getaways together.
It’s also important to not forget that international romances won’t be the same as regular ones, and require even more work. For instance , you may want to travel often or have recurrent phone or video telephone calls with your partner. It’s also smart to learn about her country and your history, to help you talk about this when you’re at the same time.
Finally, it’s important to always be sufferer with your spouse. It can be difficult to adjust to a new way of lifestyle, and it may take some time to determine how to https://paybrides.org/asian-brides/korean/ balance operate, home, along with your partner. But as long when you are both equally committed to making the relationship work, it will be worthwhile.
Overall, dating someone from a different sort of country can be a fun and enjoyable experience that can lead to a long-term relationship http://www.carpetcleaning-evanston.com/some-basic-things-to-learn-about-eastern-european-mail-wedding-brides or marriage. Try to be prepared for a few difficulties along the way, please remember to communicate frequently and respect every other’s cultures.

domain: sociology


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Afghanistan caused the first major upset of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup with a 69-run win over defending champions England at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil scored half-centuries, guiding Afghanistan to 284 in 49.5 overs. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman then claimed three wickets each, as England were bundled for 215 in 40.5 overs.
This win marked the end of Afghanistan’s 14-match losing streak in World Cups. Afghanistan now occupy the sixth position on the points table, just behind England. Meanwhile, Australia find themselves at the bottom of the ten-team tally.
England’s chase of 285 began with a setback as Jonny Bairstow was trapped lbw on the very first ball by Fazalhaq Farooqui. He reviewed the decision immediately. The replay confirmed that the ball was clipping the leg-stump on the umpire’s call, leading to Bairstow’s dismissal.
Read More: India thrash Afghanistan by eight wickets
While Dawid Malan and Joe Root managed to find some boundaries, Farooqui’s precise line and length continued to trouble them. Mujeeb Ur Rahman compounded England’s woes by dismissing Root with a deceptive googly that stayed low. Despite a brief partnership between Malan and Harry Brook aimed at stabilising the chase, Mohammad Nabi outfoxed Malan with an outside off-stump delivery, resulting in a catch at short extra cover.
Naveen-ul-Haq delivered a remarkable delivery that swung in from wide outside off-stump to dismiss Jos Buttler, hitting the timber. Rashid Khan joined the wicket-takers’ list by trapping Liam Livingstone lbw with a straighter delivery. Livingstone’s review attempt proved futile.Brook, who reached his fifty in just 35 balls, offered England a glimmer of hope.
Read More: India beat Australia by six wickets
Soon, Nabi’s cunning use of dip, turn, and bounce resulted in Sam Curran’s downfall as he edged to slip.
Mujeeb ultimately had Chris Woakes outsmarted with a well-executed googly that hit the off-stump. He dismissed Brook caught behind with a quicker carrom ball, while Rashid dismissed Adil Rashid at slip. Despite Reece Topley’s resistance, Rashid’s magic accounted for Mark Wood, as the Afghans registered their first win in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup.

domain: sports


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PRESIDENT SLICES MOZZA X10 200G
President Special Pizza Mozzarella Slice Cheese 200g
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President Mozzarella Slices 200g...read more
More about this itemPresident Mozzarella Slices 200g
Ingredients & Nutrition facts
Cheddar and mozzarella cheese (pasteurized cows milk, salt, lactic culture, microbial rennet), butter (milk) milk proteins, whey powder, skim milk powder, emulsifying salts (e450, E331), thickener (e407), preservative (E200), acidity regulator (e330). salt. water
Per100PortionType Average Nutritional Values per 100g Energyinkcal 1220Kcal Protein 14g Carbohydrates 10.4g Fat 21.5g
Milk, traces of lacithin from soya bean,
NutritionEnergy 1220kcal, Fat 21.5g, Carbohydrates 10.4g, Protein 14g, Salt 1.4g, Calcium 481mg
How to use
keep refrigerated between +3c and +6c
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Disclaimer:The products details, information, ingredients, nutritional guides and dietary/allergy may change continually thus we recommend reading the products label. Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarkets LLC does not warrant the accuracy of the information in this website and is not responsible for any damages arising therefrom.

domain: food


Mass Effect 3 - CG Trailer (FemShep Version)
Bioware have released a version of the CG trailer for Mass Effect 3 starring female Shepard.
Mass Effect 3 - Extended CG Trailer
Digic Pictures have released the full, stunning 3 minute CG trailer they created for Mass Effect 3.
Mass Effect 3 - Making the FemShep Trailer
Read about how Bioware approached the creation of the first official female Shepard trailer for the Mass Effect series.


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Single life can be challenging in many ways, but there are some positive aspects too. It’s always better to be single than in an abusive relationship. I have managed to avoid abusive relationships by noticing the red flags EARLY on (in addition to my commitment phobia). It might be the reason I’ve been single almost my entire life, but I’ve also managed to avoid traumatic experiences caused by men thus giving me still a glimpse of hope in dating life. 😀
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3 thoughts on “How to Avoid Dating Douchebags”
You are funny and talented with your writings. Keep it up!
Thank you! 🙂 Will write also in Finnish soon. ✌

domain: psychology


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Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder characterized by abnormal halts or pauses in breath intake and outflow during sleep. This erratic intake and exhalation deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen, and creates a wide range of progressive symptoms.
You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night’s sleep.
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
• Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax
• Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing
We offer an effective treatment for sleep apnea, a serious, progressive condition which impacts a surprising number of people. Sleep apnea treatment helps many of those who are suffering from such issues as snoring, teeth grinding, excessive daytime sleepiness, poor memory, clouded intellect, irritability, personality changes, decreased sex drive, impotence, or morning headaches.
An apnea is the pause during breathing that can last a variable amount of time from just a few seconds to a matter of minutes. An apnea can actually occur more than 30 times per hour. A form of sleep apnea termed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) will cause blood oxygen levels to fall and can cause blood pressure to rise as the heart is forced to work harder.
Common conditions that a person may experience for years without realizing they suffer from sleep apnea are:
Sleep apnea truly is a serious sleep disorder which if remaining untreated, can result in a large number of health problems, including:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
The source of OSA, the most common form of apnea, is a blockage of the airway. It is caused when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses during sleep. Symptoms of OSA include restless sleep, loud snoring, and daytime fatigue.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
A less common form of apnea, CSA, is not caused by an obstructed airway but is the result of a lack of respiratory effort. This form of apnea occurs if the brain is not sending proper signals to the appropriate muscles that control breathing due to an imbalance in the respiratory control center.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea:
Common indicators include:
Dr. Kohani uses a mandibular advancement device which is a mouthpiece that holds the jaw and tongue forward. This custom-fitted oral appliance is worn over the teeth at night to prevent the jaw from falling back during sleep, keeping the airway open.
Dental appliances are reported to be very effective for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and are fast becoming a preferred alternative treatment to CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure. CPAP is a traditional treatment that uses positive air pressure to keep the airways open during sleep, and although it is the treatment of choice for individuals with severe sleep apnea, the compliance rate is very low. Whether it is comfort of the system, the noise, or being connected to tubing, it is very difficult for many patients to get accustomed to wearing this older device.
If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms associated with sleep apnea, or are seeking an alternative solution to CPAP, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kohani. Dr. Kohani would be happy to discuss how we can alleviate your symptoms with a simple nighttime appliance that keeps your airway open and is a powerful alternative for traditional CPAP treatment.
Schedule a sleep apnea consultation with Dr. Kohani to find out how a simple dental appliance can help you with sleep apnea.


Protests greet final passage of Denver homeless-camping ban
The Denver City Council approved a homeless-camping ban Monday night in the face of an angry crowd that taped dollar bills to their mouths, chanted "shame" after the 9-4 vote and staged a sit-in outside the chambers.
Mayor Michael Hancock is expected to sign the bill into law today.
The ordinance, which forbids unauthorized camping on public and privatein Denver, will go into effect May 30, giving police time to learn the procedures on how to deal with homeless people caught illegally sleeping outside.
Police Chief Robert White said he expects officers to have a "light touch" and arrests would occur only as a last resort.
"Tonight was not about winners or losers. It was about beginning a long process
of providing smart services to individuals that need it the most," said the bill's sponsor, Councilman Albus Brooks. "Time and patient application, not rhetoric, will reveal the true nature of this ordinance."
Hancock later issued a statement, saying the passage of the bill was "a bold and necessary step forward to help ensure the highest level of health and safety for our entire city."
The legislation has sparked emotions and controversy since its beginnings, but the passions reached their peak Monday night, with protesters holding a rally outside the City and County Building and raising signs and voices during the meeting. Their post-vote sit-in disbanded when police officers asked them to leave.
During the meeting — which was not a hearing in which the public was allowed to comment — protesters shouted down council President Chris Nevitt, who pounded the gavel and screamed, "I need order, goddamn it," after threatening to clear audience members from the chamber.
Councilwoman Robin Kniech stood up and told audience members to behave or they wouldn't be able to witness the vote on the bill.
Advocates for the homeless have fought against the measure, saying it effectively criminalizes the act of being homeless. The four council members who voted against the bill — Paul Lopez, Susan Shepherd, Kniech and Debbie Ortega — didn't want it to be approved without proper services and shelter space available.
Before the vote, Shepherd made a tearful speech telling the crowd to "watch these suckers like a hawk" after the ordinance goes into effect. She called the vote a "great injustice and tragedy that we are about to commit in the name of compassion."
She also told the protesters to vote out anyone who supported the camping ban.
Lopez called the ordinance "wrong, because it punishes the poor for being poor."
And Ortega said the coroner's office has reported that more than 425 homeless people have died on the streets or from homeless-related causes over the past seven years and fewer shelter beds are available now than when the city's plan to end homelessness started in 2005.
But supporters said the ordinance will help people who are homeless find services. And it will give police the tools to move out homeless people, who over the past few years have irritated downtown merchants and tourists.
Councilman Chris Herndon, who voted for the bill, said that Colorado Springs has had a ban in place for several years and has seen its homeless population decline.
Councilman Charlie Brown, who voted for approval, said the vote was a "fight for the sanity of our city."
Brooks read the standard operating procedures that police officers will have to follow, saying that no one will be arrested or cited if they say they want services and none are available.
Moreover, he said, the homeless-camping ban is a first step. He said the discussion about the issue already has provided 240 more beds for the homeless than were available last summer.
"It's been really frustrating for this to turn into class war and a fight when we should be coming together," he said to the jeers of the crowd. "We disagree. That's OK. But we should be coming together around the people who are about to sleep outside and have no other choice."
Read more:Protests greet final passage of Denver homeless-camping ban - The Denver Posthttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_20624086/protests-greet-final-passage-denver-homeless-camping-ban#ixzz1wQyKPNQd


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Send us your sport stories and photos: firstname.lastname@example.org
Masters support juniors and bring home the points The Byron Bay Surf Club’s masters set a strong example for the nippers to follow during the recent surf life saving country championships held at Cudgen. The club had members ranging in age from six years to 76 competing. ‘While Byron Bay Surf Club is proud of its third place overall, the relationships between the club members, no matter what age, or what skill level, is what they are most proud of,’ publicity officer Kirsty Pockley said. Club president Paul Pattison lead the way by showing podium finishes are nothing without friendship and lifelong bonds. Paul brought home gold medals and the McCabe brothers were unstoppable, teaming together to bring home a selection of silverware. The Byron Bay ski paddling results were replicated from the 1990s with names
Byron Bay SLSC president Paul (L) led from the front at the recent SLS Country Championships. Photo supplied like Mike McCabe, Greg McCabe, Dan McCabe, Dean Rutgerson, Kurt Tutt, Karen Irwin and Jo Kay appearing repeatedly. The younger lads, Bradley Kay and Shaun Sewell teaming with veteran ski paddler Kurt Tutt finished third in the Open ski relay. Jasper Alford, Max
Anderson and Beau Carter showed the depth of talent across all ages in the club.
Nippers The female nippers also had the opportunity to follow the strong lead of the senior female competitors. Jo Kay, Heli Murray, Karen Irwin and Mandy
Montalbetti all walked away with individual and team medals. ‘The nipper team is lead by the very humble and disciplined sportswoman Suki Alford. Suki won gold in the U/14s swim, board, ironwoman and 2km run,’ Kirsty said. ‘Suki, along with her U/14 peers completed her Surf Rescue Certificate this year and is committed to her role as a volunteer lifesaver on the beach. ‘The widespread success of the girls is a great reflection of the committed family-friendly culture that exists within the Byron Bay Surf Club, enabling girls to maintain an active, healthy, community-minded lifestyle from the age of six years,’ she said. The Byron Bay Surf Club will host the Far North Coast Branch titles across February 22–23. Over 50 female competitors are expected to attend the event.
dşĈëōćşëſĎſĶĎĕſĈōƖćƆſĕëĎƷĪşſŕëƐĶşŕëōǕŕëō Crystal Cylinders Two of our local clubs will be competing at the biggest, and richest, club competition in the world this weekend in Newcastle. Byron Bay Boardriders managed to secure one of the five wildcards into the event after bombing out at the qualifying event back in August last year. They have a stacked team lead by Soli Bailey, Dan Wills and the ex WSL commissioner and Pipeline Master himself Kieran Perrow. Lennox-Ballina Boardriders won the qualifier and also boast a strong team led by Stuart Kennedy with
Byron Bay’s Dan Wills is just one of the area’s top surfers heading to Newcastle. Photo: Ethan Smith/SNSW Nyxie Ryan, Marcus Aboody, Jye Glinderman and Mikey McDonagh. The ‘Australian Boardriders Battle’ is a WSL sanctioned Speciality event
run by Surfing Australia and has 24 of the country’s finest board-riding clubs battling it out for an overall prizemoney purse of $110,500 including the qualifying
S O M E RV I L L E L AU N D RY L O M A X S O L I C I TO R S www.echo.net.au/byron-echo Byron Shire Echo archives
series and $20,000 for the club that wins the finals this weekend. The finals format features individual four-person heats on Saturday in opens, women’s, juniors and masters divisions that gain points for each club. These points determine the seeding order for the tag style ‘nudie teams’ finals held on the Sunday. With the surf forecast map for the weekend dominated by a purple blob off the East Coast it looks like some solid size and challenging conditions for all the clubs looking to win it this year. Watch via www.australianboardridersbattle.com
Giants push for league tag competition for teenage girls
Mullumbimby junior Giants. Photo supplied Mullumbimby Giants Junior Rugby League are looking for girls aged between 13 and 16.5 to play League Tag. ‘The shortened competition will see Group 18 clubs play against each other, and introduce girls to the game of league tag, and potentially tackle rugby league into the future,’ the Giants Kylie Grainey said. ‘Our area already has a large contingent of girls playing touch football and Oz Tag, so the transition into a League Tag competition would be an easy transition,’ she said. Current Junior League rules allow girls to play rugby league with the boys up until U/12s. ‘Until now there have been no local competitions to enable girls to continue to play league in this area once
they reach 13. ‘Our Club has recently lost a few girls who, due to age and potential pathways, are now travelling to the Gold Coast to keep playing after they turn 12. ‘It’s intended the introduction of League Tag will lead to a girls tackle competition in our area for the older age groups. Women’s Rugby League has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. ‘Our endgame is to be able to keep girls in our club playing a sport they love,’ she said. The introductory competition will be held on Friday nights, over eight weeks. Girls can register their interest by completing the form at www.mullumbimbygiantsjrl.com.au. Contact Kylie on 0403 647 291.
All Girl Surfriders sign on day The All Girl Surfriders are holding their sign on this Saturday, February 15, from 8.30–10.30am at Main Beach Lennox Head (just south of the pub). ‘All Girls is a good place to improve your skills and meet other girls who love surfing,’ club vice president Renee
Adamson said. Divisions include: opens, longboards, junior beginners and senior beginners. ‘Everyone is welcome, we meet monthly for competitions,’ Renee said. All Girls Surfriders is an Active Kids provider. See: www.allgirlssurf.com
89 Jonson Street, Byron Bay • 6680 8525 • sll.com.au •
DĕćſƖëſƷǨǩǽǩǧǩǧ The Byron Shire Echo 47
Free, independent weekly newspaper from the Byron Shire in north eastern NSW, Australia.


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Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Yummy Recipes and Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
On Sunday, I decided to get busy in the kitchen and make some favorites for Brett's last night before he resumed to his law school classes. It was a lot of work, and dinner was on the table rather late, but oh was it good!
For dinner, we enjoyed Chile Enchiladas with my favorite Mexican Rice and black beans. I got this enchilada recipe from my sister, and it falls into the "Makes Me Happy" category. Honestly, this is one of my all-time favorite dinners. I don't usually make it very often since it takes a bit of time to assemble, but I enjoy each and every bite.
For dessert, we devoured homemade vanilla ice cream and Nectarine Pie with Almond Crumb Topping. I love this pie -- I think it is the almond topping really makes it so fabulous. I didn't have any whole or slivered almonds on hand so I substituted 1/2 cup of almond meal, and it worked perfectly. Brett said, "I should have a first day more often so that we get to have this pie!" and then he warned me not to eat all of the leftovers before he got home from class.
Of course, this pie also just screams for some homemade vanilla ice cream. I've played around with different recipes but this has become my go-to vanilla recipe. It makes a great base for any other add-ins, but it's perfect plain to accompany a fruit pie. Yum!
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
In a large 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup, combine cold half-and-half with sugar and stir until combined. Add in the cold heavy cream and vanilla. Stir to combine well. Freeze according to your ice cream maker's instructions, transfer to a storage container and allow to harden for a couple of hours in the freezer.


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After a cool summer, the price of berries has skyrocketed, while Australian farmers are so desperate to attract workers they are offering cash prizes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Queensland produces about 42 per cent of the nation’s strawberries. Queensland government modelling forecasts a labor shortage from May to October this year across the horticulture industry. A peak of 9000 missing full-time workers is expected in July, over the main harvest period.
Queensland Strawberry Growers’ Association president Adrian Schultz told brisbanetimes.com.au there were usually fewer berries available at this time of year due to the changing seasons and the issue was “exacerbated” by the worker shortage. But the international worker shortage would become more of a problem in Queensland’s winter during harvest season, he said.
Strawberry farms in southern states have begun slowing down due to the changing seasons while Queensland farms on the Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg have not yet filled the gap, causing a shortage on supermarket shelves.
People are being urged to consider a job picking or packing strawberries in Queensland. Last month, the Queensland government launched a campaign to attract winter harvest workers to the state’s food bowls.
“We are supporting our food providers by encouraging people from all walks of life and age groups, who are looking for something different and are in the position to relocate for short-term work, to give a farm job a go,” Agricultural Industry Development Minister Mark Furner said.
Queensland Strawberries is offering people a chance to win up to $100,000 in cash prizes if they work on a strawberry farm over winter.


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FamilyMart Malaysia's 108 Ready-To-Eat Food Items Are Now Halal Certified
The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) has awarded Japan-based convenience store FamilyMart's dedicated central kitchen operator QL Kitchen Sdn Bhd a halal certificate
NST Online reported that the certification was given to FamilyMart on Thursday, 16 May, making some 108 FamilyMart branded ready-to-eat food products as registered halal.
Following which, on Saturday, 18 May, the company released a statement saying that the certification will provide as added levels of confidence to Muslim customers to purchase the convenience store's ready-to-eat meals, which includes items such as onigiri, bento, sandwich and bakery items, as well as soft-serve ice cream.
FamilyMart further plans to develop new food and beverage products to be included in the halal list for its Muslim customers
Meanwhile, the halal certification coincides with FamilyMart Malaysia's 100th store opening on Jonker Street, Melaka
This marks the first store to open in the state and the ninth outside the Klang Valley. The eight other outlets outside the Klang Valley are located in Johor, Bernama reported.