That's enough. Who laughs last, laughs best. Should we consider that the melting of glaciers on the Antarctic continent is accelerating? Is there a risk of catastrophic sea level rise?
In its latest edition, Courrier International compiles a list of the craziest science projects… to reverse the trend. Although they are not realistic, they do give an idea of the task to be accomplished…
In an article in the journal Science Advances, German scientists propose installing hundreds of snow cannons on glaciers. A massive undertaking that would require pumping billions of tons of seawater, not to mention building 12,000 wind turbines.
In total, an area the size of … Costa Rica would have to be covered with snow. Or 265 times that of Île d'Orléans if you prefer.
Another crazy project published in the journal Nature proposes building a 100-meter-high wall. The latter would prevent the ocean from eroding the glaciers' underwater base. Especially those in the west of the continent, which seem to be more at risk.
Without action, a catastrophe scenario could occur around the year 2150. The Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers would melt ten times faster than they do today. Enough to raise sea levels by four centimeters per year. One meter every 25 years.
At this point, many beach houses would prove as useful as a solar-powered flashlight. Or installing an ashtray in a motorcycle. Well, you know what I mean…
Source: Nautilus, quoted by Courrier International
Quick question
For 20 years, the Catholic Church in Italy has welcomed the sale of a calendar featuring photos of priests considered “beautiful” and “attractive.” What revelation does the 2024 edition of Calendario Romano, also known as the “Pin-up Priests” calendar, bring?
has) Two of the “priests” photographed are actually women;
B) All photos were created by artificial intelligence. There are no priests;
vs) At least three priests pose bare-chested, which is considered inappropriate;
D) Several men photographed are not priests;
e) Ten of the twelve priests also appear in a calendar of handsome fascist activists.
Answer: d) Sources: The Telegraph and Calendarioromano.org
Rising
30 centimeters
Average increase in width of vehicles sold in the United States since 2013. Do the math. That means on average about three centimeters per year!
Source: thezebra.com
Quick question
In Britain, public opinion is abuzz over a dog abandoned in a supermarket car park. What detail of the case surprises many people?
has) The animal had six legs;
B) The animal was attached to a large bag containing 28 gold bars;
vs) The animal appeared to utter the phrase “Help me” as it barked. [Aidez-moi].
D) The animal wore a collar with a small handwritten note attached: “I am vegan”;
e) The animal was wearing an $18,000 leopard fur coat.
Answer: a) Since then, the dog has undergone surgery to “remove” two legs. Source: bbc.com
The duration
72 years old
Time has passed since the sale of alcohol was officially banned in Saudi Arabia. The country is preparing to approve the opening of a first outlet of the devilish liquid in Riyadh, but only for “non-Muslim” diplomats. There are whispers behind the scenes that this is a prerequisite for the country to host the 2034 World Cup.
Source: The Guardian
Quick question
In France, President Emmanuel Macron is full of ideas for improving public schools. Can you identify TWO interventions he would like to test in a hundred schools?
has) The introduction of a uniform uniform for all students;
B) For fools, wear a fool's hat;
vs) Mandatory gymnastics sessions in the middle of the day;
D) Fines against parents of students who are absent without good reason;
e) Learning the national anthem “La Marseillaise” from primary school onwards.
Answers: a) and e). If the experience is conclusive, it will be generalized from 2026. Source: Le Monde
The forecast
2034
If this trend continues, this will be the year that a person's wealth will reach $1 trillion for the first time. More than Switzerland's current gross national product. Of course, it would be unfair to say that the fight against poverty is useless. Except that at the current rate, it will take another 229 years to eradicate poverty around the world. So calmed down?
Source: Inequality Inc., Oxfam International
The tendency
Good manners lessons
Are your office colleagues acting like a bunch of Ostrogoths? Do you leave the shared kitchen in an indescribable condition? Do you walk through the halls in your underwear? Don't know how to say hello anymore? Thanks again? In the USA, several companies believe they have found the solution: the etiquette course! The sector has actually exploded since the pandemic. Some training courses even last six three-hour sessions! Enough to go through the rules of etiquette during video conferences down to the smallest detail. Or the art of making telephone calls. Without forgetting the wise advice not to make too much noise while eating. A real eye-catcher. And we might as well warn those who don't say “thank you”! did not receive a passing grade when leaving…
Source: Los Angeles Times
Old
192 years old
Approximate age of a Seychelles tortoise named “Jonathan” that lives on the island of St. Helena between Brazil and the African continent. It is now considered the oldest animal in the world. Jonathan was born in 1832 and brought to the island in 1882. At that time he had reached the respectable age of 50. At the time of Jonathan's birth, France was still ruled by a king, the United States had only 24 states, and Louis-Joseph Papineau was the most prominent politician in Quebec, which was still called Lower Canada.
Source: The Telegraph
The length
1500 kilometers
Prolonged traffic jams paralyzed Belgium on January 17 after 25 centimeters of snow fell. If we line them up, these traffic jams would stretch almost the entire route between Quebec and Chicago…
Source: La Libre Belgique
The punishment
12 years of forced labor
Sentence passed on two 16-year-old teenagers from North Korea who had the misfortune of watching videos of music or films from South Korea.
Source: The Guardian
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