Murder Rate By Country 2020

List of countries by UNODC homicide rate per year per 100,000 inhabitants is typically expressed in units of deaths per 100,000 individuals per year; thus, a mortality rate of 30 (out of 100,000) in a population of 100,000 would mean 30 gun homicide rate by countrydeaths per year in that entire population, or 0.03% out of the total. The reliability of underlying murder rate by country data may vary. Only UNODC data is used in the main table below. In some cases it is not as up to date as other sources. See farther down as to why its data is used over other sources.

Research suggests that intentional homicide demographics are affected by changes in trauma care, leading to changed lethality of violent assaults, so the intentional homicide rate may not necessarily indicate the overall level of societal violence. They may also be under-reported for political reasons.

A study undertaken by the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development estimated that there were approximately 490,000 intentional homicides in 2004. The study estimated that the global rate was 7.6 intentional homicides per 100,000 inhabitants for 2004. UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) reported a global average intentional homicide rate of 6.2 per 100,000 population for 2012 (in their report titled “Global Study on Homicide 2013”). UNODC calculated a rate of 6.9 in 2010.

The most common type of violent crime is murder. Whether murder is self-inflicted, homicidal, or accidental, murder rates around the world vary greatly by country.

Several factors contribute to lower murder rates and overall crime rates. These include the wealth of a nation, effective law enforcement, strict weapons regulations, severity of punishments for committing murder and more.

According to the Global Study on Homicide 2019 published by the United Nations, 464,000 people died from violent crimes in 2017, more than armed combat and terrorism combined. The report states that countries with high firearm rates tend to have higher intentional homicide rates.

The murder rate is the number of murders per 100,000 people. According to the UN, the ten countries with the highest homicide rates are:

1. El Salvador (61.80)
2. Jamaica (57)
3. Honduras (41.7)
4. Belize (37.9)
5. South Africa (35.9)
6. Lesotho (Bahamas)
7. Brazil (30.5)
8. Saint Lucia (29.6)
9. Guatemala (26.1)
10. Dominica (25.7)

El Salvador has the highest homicide rate of 61.80 per 100,000 people. Luckily, homicides in El Salvador have fallen for the past three years.

Accessing homicide rates and the factors behind them is always a tricky business. Although poverty is often said to be to blame, even in developed countries, like the US and England, crime can be rampant. Some of the reasons for violent crime, including homicide, according to the World Bank, include economic stagnation and income inequality.

When it comes to lowering crime rates, this is also a difficult task. Some possible suggestions for this include monitoring government corruption to ensure stability and maintaining an effective justice system, complete with efficient investigations and fair trials. It requires dedication on an international and local level. Here is an overview of the world’s countries with the highest murder rates, as well as the lowest.

Countries With The Highest Murder Rates

1. El Salvador (61.8 per 100,000)

El Salvador has the highest homicide rate in the world at 61.8 murders per 100,000 individuals. Estimates indicate that approximately 60% of these incidents are related to gang activity. Additionally, El Salvador still experiences instability, much of which is a remnant of a destructive civil war that lasted from 1979 until 1992.

2. Jamaica (57 per 100,000)

Jamaica has the world’s second-highest murder rate. Unfortunately, this is a position that Jamaica has held consistently for several years. The latest measurement of 57 homicides per 100,000 was a decrease from 2005 when it was slightly higher at 58 homicides per 100,000. Most of Jamaica’s homicides are a result of organized crime activity, and the island remains a popular tourist attraction.

3. Venezuela (56.3 per 100,000)

Venezuela has the third-highest murder rate in the world. The country loses 56.3 people per 100,000 each year to homicide. Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the world. It is considered the third most murderous city in the world. With increasing political turmoil, this number has been increasing.

4. Honduras (41.7 per 100,000) 

Honduras had 41.7 homicides per 100,000 people in 2017. San Pedro Sula, in the northwest of the country, is at the center of much of this small Central American country’s violence.

5. Lesotho (41.2 per 100,000) 

Lesotho is a small country found in southern Africa. Its murder rate is 41.2 homicides per 100,000 people, the fifth-highest in the world. Most crime in Lesotho occurs in the country’s urban areas. The capital city of Maseru is particularly dangerous to locals and tourists alike.

Countries With The Lowest Murder Rates

Believe it or not, some countries boast an annual homicide rate of 0. They are Andorra, the Holy See (Vatican City), Monaco, Nauru, San Marino, as well as, some dependent territories. One thing that all of these countries have in common is a very low population. If a homicide were to happen within these countries, it would result in a notably high murder rate, because all of these countries have a population that is considerably under 100,000.

Countries that do have a significant population of 5 million or more but an extremely low murder rate include:

• Singapore (Population: 5,638,700 – Murder Rate: 0.2 per 100,000)
• Japan (Population: 126,150,000 (11th Largest Country) – Murder Rate: 0.2 per 100,000)
• Switzerland (Population: 8,570,146 – Murder Rate: 0.5 per 100,000)
• United Arab Emirates (Population: 9,599,353 – Murder Rate: 0.5 per 100,000)
• South Korea (Population: 51,709,098 (28th Largest Country) – Murder Rate: 0.6 per 100,000)
• Czech Republic (Population: 10,649,800 – Murder Rate: 0.6 per 100,000)
• China (Population: 1.4 Billion (Largest Country) – Murder Rate: 0.6 per 100,000)
• Austra (Population: 8,857,960 – Murder Rate: 0.66 per 100,000)
• Italy (Population: 60,359,546 (23rd Largest Country) – Murder Rate: 0.67 per 100,000)
• Spain (Population: 46,733,038 (30th Largest Country) – Murder Rate: 0.70 per 100,000)

Factors Affecting High Murder Rates

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has conducted a study to identify the prominent factors that seem to result in high murder rates. Countries with the widest gaps between rich and poor are four times more likely to experience violent crimes than other countries. These inequitable societies are found most often in developing countries, where high poverty lacking infrastructure is commonplace. Poverty and crime go hand in hand; crime drives away businesses and investors, reducing available human capital and creating an insecure environment, which, in turn, leads to more poverty. Organized crime, like gangs and drug trafficking, also contribute to high murder rates. It is particularly true in countries like Jamaica, Honduras, and El Salvador. Organized crime is also more likely to be participated in by young males who, consequently, are also more likely to be a victim of murder. Drug and alcohol use is also related to high murder and poverty rates. Intoxication increases the risk of being involved (either as the guilty party or the victim) in a murder.

Countries that are experiencing political turmoil and violent conflict are also more likely to experience high murder rates, as is the case with El Salvador, which is still recovering from its civil war.

Preventive Measures To Be Taken

To reduce these climbing murder rates, governments must focus on preventive measures. Given its connection to poverty and social issues, preventive crime policies need to focus on more than just punishments. Without including economic and social development strategies in local policy, violent crimes are likely to continue. Additionally, these policies must target the most at-risk populations. As this article has discussed, murder rates are highest among young males and in urban areas. Successful initiatives would focus on urban-living youth and involve other community members to break the vicious cycle of poverty and violence.

Many scholars also point to the availability of firearms as a significant contributing factor to homicide rates, saying that restricting gun access would help reduce murders. The majority of murders throughout the Americas are committed with guns. However, this point is heavily disputed. Gun restriction proponents point to the case in Brazil, where gun access was restricted, and the murder rate dropped. Proponents for gun ownership point to the situation in Venezuela, where gun access was denied, guns were taken away, and the murder rate increased.

In countries recovering from internal conflict and political instability, it is essential to reduce violence in general. It involves restoring law and order and stabilizing the country. The conflict must be fully addressed by the government and resolved to avoid any lingering effects.

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What Is Social Distancing And How It Helps Against Covid-19?

These last few weeks, you might have heard mentions of the phrase “social distancing” and how it is one of the most crucial factors in controlling the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Social distancing means precisely what it says – to distance yourself socially from other people.

These last few weeks, you might have heard mentions of the phrase “social distancing” and how it is one of the most crucial factors in controlling the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Social distancing means precisely what it says – to distance yourself socially from other people.

It is the practice of reducing physical contact, avoiding crowded spaces, public gatherings, and maintaining distance while waiting in line at the supermarket. Social distancing helps because it reduces the chances of further spreading of the Covid-19.

Keep About 6 Feet Of Space

Just as we were handling the negative effects of social media, and their encouragement of isolation and loneliness in people, Covid-19 forces us to take a step back and further isolate ourselves from other people, this time physically. It looks like humanity cannot catch a break! Social distancing has now become of crucial importance because of the way Covid-19 spreads among people. Every time we cough, sneeze, and talk close to another person, there is a danger of spreading the coronavirus, and this is where our “new” social etiquette comes in play.

Next time you find yourself in a supermarket or a drugstore, keep in mind that you should keep about 6 feet of space between you and the other person, as well as be conscious of your coughing, sneezing and hand hygiene. Handshakes should be avoided, masks should be worn, and distances should be kept.

 

This is specifically important for people with compromised immune systems because they are more prone to various complications caused by a coronavirus. People with chronic medical conditions (ex. diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, high blood pressure) should be extra cautious with regards to how they behave in social settings. They should avoid public gatherings of any kind, and keep the physical contacts at minimum, going outside only when it is truly necessary.

What is self-quarantine?

People who have been exposed to the new coronavirus and who are at risk for coming down with COVID-19 might practice self-quarantine. Health experts recommend that self-quarantine lasts 14 days. Two weeks provides enough time for them to know whether or not they will become ill and be contagious to other people.

You might be asked to practice self-quarantine if you have recently returned from traveling to a part of the country or the world where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly, or if you have knowingly been exposed to an infected person.

Self-quarantine involves:

• Using standard hygiene and washing hands frequently
• Not sharing things like towels and utensils
• Staying at home
• Not having visitors
• Staying at least 6 feet away from other people in your household

Once your quarantine period has ended, if you do not have symptoms, follow your doctor’s instructions on how to return to your normal routine.

What is isolation?

For people who are confirmed to have COVID-19, isolation is appropriate. Isolation is a health care term that means keeping people who are infected with a contagious illness away from those who are not infected. Isolation can take place at home or at a hospital or care facility. Special personal protective equipment will be used to care for these patients in health care settings.

Now Is The Time To Use Videocalls

You may find these new measures unreasonable of unpractical, but they are for your good, as well as the good of your family and your local community. It does not mean you have to be quarantined in your home all the time (unless you were instructed so by the medical authorities of your country). It means you should and need to take that extra effort to adapt your behavior in social surroundings and reduce contact with other people.

If you are fortunate enough, you should work from home and cancel or postpone any business meetings you might have, as well as any personal group gatherings and events such as birthdays and celebrations. It is generally alright to meet up with your friends if they are symptom-free, but try to keep it to a minimum, preferably in less crowded places.

It can be hard to distance yourself from some people, especially your love ones, but there is always an alternative. Fortunately, most people nowadays have the means and the ability to use technology that enables those alternative ways of communication. Maybe it is time to hit that video call button on your smartphone or laptop and show your friends and loved ones you still care, even in the dark times of Covid-19.

What is social distancing?

Social distancing is the practice of reducing physical contact, avoiding crowded spaces, public gatherings, and maintaining distance while waiting in line. Social distancing helps because it reduces the chances of further spreading of the Covid-19.

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The 5 Layers of the Ocean – Deep Sea Creatures on Sea

Scientists have divided the ocean into five main layers. The 5 Layers of the Ocean, known as “zones”, extend from the surface to the most extreme depths where light can no longer penetrate. These deep zones are where some of the most bizarre and fascinating creatures in the sea can be found. As we dive deeper into these largely unexplored places, the temperature drops and the pressure increases at an astounding rate. The following diagram lists each of these zones in order of depth. The ocean may be mysterious, but science has taken us far enough to be able to pinpoint five layers that exist within it.

The ocean has 5 different and distinct layers that each have their own unique characteristics. The layers range from the surface layer where most ocean activities occur, to the deep dark depths of the water that have yet to be fully explored. The deep layers have unique sea creatures, freezing temperatures, and high pressure. With the advancement in technology, scientists are hopeful that the oceanic depths will be explored thoroughly. As the depth increases, the temperature, light, and sea life decreases. Below is a summary of the ocean’s 5 layers.

The 5 Layers of the Ocean

5. Hadalpelagic Zone (The Trenches)

The Hadalpelagic zone is also called the Trenches and is found from the ocean basin and below. The Hadalpelagic zone lies between 19,686 feet to 36,100 feet. The depth depends on the trenches and valleys in the area. Japan’s Marina Trench is the deepest part of the ocean ever to be explored by man, and it sits at 35,797 feet. In Puerto Rico, fish were discovered at 27,460 feet deep. The zone cannot be explored without specialized kits due to its cold temperatures and high pressure. Natural light cannot penetrate to the Trenches. Different creatures can be found in this layer, mostly invertebrates including starfish.

4. Abyssopelagic Zone (Abyss)

The Abyssopelagic zone, also known as the Abyss or Abyssal zone, lies just above the hadalpelagic layer between 13,124 feet and 19,686 feet. The layer’s name has origins in the Greek language and loosely translates to “no bottom.” Just like the layer below it, temperatures are near freezing point, and there is no penetration of natural light. Pressure is also high due to the weight of the water above. Invertebrates like sea stars and squids can survive in this environment. Over 75% of the ocean floor lies can be found within this zone with the continental rise starting here.

3. Bathypelagic Zone (Midnight Zone)

The Bathypelagic layer is found between 3,281 feet and 12,124 feet just above the Abyss. This layer is also called the midnight or the dark zone. Although the Bathypelagic zone is dark, visible light may be observed from sea creatures found here. The pressure in the zone reaches 5,858 lbs for every square inch, and a huge number of different sea species are found in the layer. Many animals in this layer are either black or red thanks to low sunlight penetration. Some whale species, like the sperm whale, spend some time at this level in search of food.

2. Mesopelagic Zone (Twilight Zone)

Above the Bathypelagic zone lies the Mesopelagic layer (Twilight or midwater zone). The Mesopelagic zone lies between 656 feet and 3,281 feet. The zone is home to some of the strangest sea animals like the swordfish and the wolf eel. Faint sun rays penetrate the layer.

1. Epipelagic Zone (Sunlight Zone)

The Epipelagic zone is known as the surface layer or the sunlight zone of the ocean ranging from the surface to 656 feet. There is plenty of light and heat within this layer although both decrease as the depth increases. Pressure is also minimal and increases with depth. Most oceanic life and human activities like leisure, fishing, and sea transport occur in the Epipelagic zone. The coral reefs can be found in the layer and the photosynthesis process occurs here.

What are the Five Layers of the Ocean?

There are five layers of the ocean: the sunlight zone, the twilight zone, the midnight zone, the abyss, and the trenches.

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Unique Staycation Ideas in the World

How do you entertain yourself and your family on Spring break when you’re on a budget or when all flights out of the country have been canceled? Try having a staycation. This vacation trend has been on the rise in recent years thanks to the rising cost of air travel and here we discuss the unique staycation ideas in the world.

More and more people are opting for more affordable vacation options like driving to a town nearby instead of going abroad or, better yet, staying home or within their own neighborhood. And it doesn’t have to be as mundane and boring as it may sound. All you have to do is be a bit more creative and learn to see your home or your town differently. Think, see, explore like a tourist and you never know what you will learn from what lies within your backyard! If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, here are a few unique ones to make your next staycation more interesting.

Summer is the season for rest and relaxation, but let’s get real: if you’re on a budget, balancing student loans, or living paycheck to paycheck, saving money for the Kardashian-level vacation of your dreams might not be exactly in reach. Luckily, you don’t need to spend your entire savings on a jet-setting adventure to enjoy everything summer has to offer: a staycation can be just as (or even more) relaxing, compared to a full-blown vacation. Think about it another way: those PTO days aren’t going to use themselves right? These staycation ideas for adults can help you chill out in style, right in the comfort of your own home.

If you aren’t headed to a tropical paradise or lakeside getaway for summer vacation, taking a staycation doesn’t mean all you have to do is Netflix and chill in bed (unless, of course, that’s exactly what you want to do). You can make your staycation feel extravagant even in your own apartment — especially thanks to all the extra money you’ll be saving by nixing the costs of flights.

Outdoor Unique Staycation Ideas in the World

1. Take a hike.

Getting outside is one of the cheapest forms of entertainment. So get out. Take a hike. Do a quick online search, and you can find trails in your area. Many websites rank trails based on their difficulty, share photos and comments from others, and inform hikers of the trail lengths. This helps you pack enough granola for the journey.

2. Visit a park.

They have playground equipment, trails to bike or walk, and plenty of practice space for your ultimate frisbee league. Parks are the perfect location for kite-flying, quilt-lying, or people-spying (also called “people-watching” when you’re not trying for a rhyme).

3. Have a picnic.

Lay down a blanket and unpack the basket of goodies. There’s nothing more whimsical and wonderful than a picnic on a perfect-weather day. If you don’t feel like crafting a full charcuterie board with an array of cheeses, meats, jams and crackers, you can make some quick PB and J or even pick up some fried chicken. Don’t forget to bring a good book.

4. Play sports.

We’re not all athletic. But a rousing game of Wiffleball or cornhole can bring out the competitive trash talk in even the calmest of your crew. Grill out with friends and serve up some sporty fun. Or, for the truly extraverted of you, drum up enough locals on your Facebook community group to make two teams and play kickball in a nearby park. You don’t need a lot of gear, and you can get in good exercise while making new—or hanging with old—friends.

Indoor Unique Staycation Ideas in the World

1. Conduct a tasting tour of your city.

The perfect hometown staycation is within your reach. Can you taste it? Literally—go taste it. Search online or ask around for recommendations on the best places to eat in your city, and then make a list to knock out one meal at a time. Just make sure you set what you’ll spend on the entire culinary experience and think about your budget when you order. And don’t forget to tip. Good budgeters are good tippers.

2. Be a tourist of your own town.

When you live close to attractions, you might forget their draw. It’s time to visit the museums, enjoy the concerts, and take the tours in your hometown that the out-of-towners flock to. If you don’t know where to start, visit your city’s tourism website. Map out an itinerary and figure out each cost. Save on transportation by carpooling or consider rideshare services. Sometimes adding in parking and gas makes driving your crew more expensive that hiring a driver. But don’t forget to tip!

3. Go to a matinee movie.

Lights. Camera. Action. Going to the movies is a classic outing. The silver screen provides you with entertainment and sweeps you up into a fantastic story. Well. You hope it’s fantastic. Because those prices, right? Here’s an idea: Save money by hitting up that matinee rate. Skip the expensive concessions in the theater and plan to visit a moderately priced eatery after. Then you can call, “Cut! Print it!” on a perfect dinner and a movie night out.

4. Do a room refresh.

Get your DIY on and tackle that room you’re embarrassed to admit exists in your home. This isn’t a full-on reno. This is clearing out, freshening up, and maybe repurposing the space. Goodbye, rarely used extra bedroom, and hello, home office with a fresh coat of paint! Rearrange furniture. Buy some décor at antique malls, flea markets or garage sales where haggling is king. Make your own art. Have fun with it! Instead of spending money going out, you can spend it on creating a space you’ll want to stay in.

Family-Friendly Staycation Ideas

1. Plan a game tournament.

Pull out the board games, find a deck of cards, or stretch those thumbs for some video gaming. You can make a bracket and duke it out for ultimate champion. Or you can see how many games your family can get through in one day. Don’t forget to stock up on snacks.

2. Plan a day for zero plans.

See where the wind takes you. The only plan you need to make is how much you’ll spend that day. Don’t go over that amount—but everything else is all about spontaneity. Give everyone a turn to call out what happens next or put ideas in a hat and draw a new activity on the fly. Just remember: Besides your budget, nothing’s set.

3. Indoor movie marathon.

Load up on popcorn and gummy candies for a movie marathon—in your own home. You can watch through the freebies offered on your streaming service or borrow those ancient things called DVDs from friends. Then you’re just out the cost of food and beverages. Even if you rent a couple DVDs, you’re still in a good financial spot and entertained on the cheap. In your pajamas, no less. Yes, please.

4. Throw a letter-themed day.

Wear your penguin-covered pants, eat pizza, play the card game “pig,” and paint. Sleep late, shoot hoops, slurp spaghetti, and have a sing-along. Make macarons and magic wands, have a mad hatter tea party, and watch a movie. You get the idea. Enjoy a letter-themed day. The kids can help plan the activities, or you can make it all a surprise.

How to Budget for Your Staycation

1. Make a plan for what you’ll do.
2. Check prices for all the activities.
3. Add up the total cost.
4. If it’s more than you can afford, tweak activities, look for coupons and deals, or lower-cost, similar options.
5. Budget ahead.

The words budget and fun aren’t enemies! They can live together; we promise. You just have to be a little more creative to get them cooperating and collaborating. But when you do, you can meet your money goals while still going out—or staying in—for one awesome and budget-friendly staycation.

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Since the desolation of Wuhan, Coronavirus has spread all over the world, and WHO declared it as a pandemic. Considering all the harm it has already done, it is hard to imagine any good things coming out it. However, “For every bad thing in life, there are more good things to tip the balance.” -Richelle Mead. Here we discuss how Coronavirus has helped the Planet.

China is sending an expert team to help Italy and Spain contain the recent death toll surge. “The Happiest Place On Earth” – Disneyland is closing its doors. St. Patricks Day Parade is canceled, Broadway theatres are postponing their shows, and it is all due to the deadly coronavirus.

Since the desolation of Wuhan, coronavirus has spread all over the world, and WHO declared it as a pandemic. Considering all the harm it has already done, it is hard to imagine any good things coming out it. However, “For every bad thing in life, there are more good things to tip the balance.” -Richelle Mead.

Hong Kong (CNN) Factories were shuttered and streets were cleared across China’s Hubei province as authorities ordered residents to stay home to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

It seems the lockdown had an unintended benefit — blue skies.

The average number of “good quality air days” increased 21.5% in February, compared to the same period last year, according to China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

And Hubei wasn’t alone.

Satellite images released by NASA and the European Space Agency show a dramatic reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions — those released by vehicles, power plants and industrial facilities — in major Chinese cities between January and February. The visible cloud of toxic gas hanging over industrial powerhouses almost disappeared.

“This is the first time I have seen such a dramatic drop-off over such a wide area for a specific event,” says Fei Liu, an air quality researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “I am not surprised because many cities nationwide have taken measures to minimize the spread of the virus.”

A similar pattern has emerged with carbon dioxide (CO2) — released by burning fossil fuels such as coal.

From February 3 to March 1, CO2 emissions were down by at least 25% because of the measures to contain the coronavirus, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), an air pollution research organization.

As the world’s biggest polluter, China contributes 30% of the world’s CO2 emissions annually, so the impact of this kind of drop is huge, even over a short period. CREA estimates it is equivalent to 200 million tons of carbon dioxide — more than half the entire annual emissions output of the UK.

“As a measure that took place effectively overnight, this is more dramatic than anything else that I’ve seen in terms of the impact on emissions,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at CREA.

But while lockdown measures designed to stem the spread of the virus have caused a momentary uptick in China’s pollution levels, experts warn that when the county starts to reboot its economy the toxic chemicals could up to higher levels than before the epidemic hit.

Governments should act with the same urgency on climate as on the coronavirus, leading campaigners say, as evidence mounts that the health crisis is reducing carbon emissions more than any policy.The deadly virus outbreak, which has killed more than 4,000 people and infected more than 116,000, has caused alarm around the world. However, unlike the response to global heating, it has shown how political and corporate leaders can take radical emergency action on the advice of scientists to protect human wellbeing.In China – the source of the disease and the world’s largest carbon emitter – the actions taken by authorities have inadvertently demonstrated that hefty 25% carbon dioxide cuts can bring less traffic and cleaner air with only a small reduction in economic growth, according to a study by Carbon Brief.If this trend continues, analysts say it is possible this will lead to the first fall in global emissions since the 2008-09 financial crisis. Even a slowdown in CO₂ could buy time for climate action and, more importantly, inspire long-term behavioural changes – particularly in travel.On the advice of health authorities, millions of people are avoiding school journeys, shopping runs and office commutes. Tens of thousands of flights have been cancelled. Italian bishops are not conducting mass. Across much of central China, factories have been closed, with knock-on effects around the world.The virus has disrupted several events linked to the fossil fuel industry. In the past few weeks, the Geneva Motor Show was cancelled, after Switzerland banned all public gatherings of more than 1,000 people. In Houston, the giant annual CeraWeek gathering of oil and gas executives was called off, as was the Formula One grand prix in Shanghai.More carbon savings will come from the cancellations of international conferences. Donald Trump has postponed a 14 March summit with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The London Book Fair, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Adobe’s annual live summit and even South by Southwest, the huge annual film, music and media conference in Austin, Texas, have all been called off, which means thousands of tonnes less CO₂ from flights taken by international delegates.The worlds of entertainment, fashion and sport are similarly affected. Stormzy, Mariah Carey, Slipknot and New Order have all cancelled or postponed gigs, though most of the attendees were likely to have been local so the climate impact will be more modest. A bigger effect is likely to come from the postponement of Art Dubai, the biggest art fair in the Middle East. The closure for several weeks of Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea, or the Universal Studios theme park in Osaka, Shanghai Disneyland and other attractions that usually draw tens of thousands of visitors every day, are also expected to result in fewer flights.Global air traffic decreased by 4.3% in February with cancellations of tens of thousands of flights to affected areas. But Rob Jackson, the chair of Global Carbon Project, said this would only be meaningful if it led to long-term behavioural change, particularly in aviation, which is one of the fastest growing source of emissions.“If this could change the way we travel, it could lead to more virtual meetings,” he said. Otherwise, “I see no silver lining to the coronavirus. If gas emissions drop temporarily then great, but it won’t be a meaningful change in the long term unless it shocks us in a global recession. Nobody wanted that in 2008 and nobody wants it now.”There are encouraging signs. The 189-nation International Monetary Fund and its sister lending organisation, the World Bank, will replace their usual spring gathering in Washington with a virtual teleconference. This is a one-off emergency measure, but the economic and carbon savings could prompt calls for this to become the norm every year.The question is whether changes are temporary. China’s climate gains – so far estimated at about 200 megatonnes of CO₂ – could be short-lived if factories later reopen and crank up production to make up for lost business. President Xi Jinping has indicated the government will provide extra stimulus packages to help the economy recover. Some reports suggest this could prove counterproductive for the climate if this means ramping up coal production or relaxing environmental controls. The last time China suffered a major threat to GDP growth was during the 2008-9 financial crisis. Within a year, extra government spending ensured both the economy and CO₂ were back on an upward trajectory.Analysts say it is too early to know if coronavirus will push global CO₂ emissions onto the downward path that is needed if the world is to have any hope of keeping global heating to a relatively safe level of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. That depends on how far the outbreak spreads, and whether the economic effects are prolonged.Corinne Le Quéré, professor of climate change science at the University of East Anglia, said that so far the crisis is only likely to slow CO₂ growth, not reverse it. “Over the past 10 years, emissions have grown at an annual rate of 1%, or about 317 megatonnes, so you would need a really big reduction to see a fall this year. It’s plausible but I don’t think we can say at this stage.”But, Le Quéré noted, even a slowdown would gain time for action – advances in technology, lower renewables prices and more public pressure on governments to change tack. The response to the coronavirus could also demonstrate that radical steps can work.“You can see that when governments see there is an emergency they act straight away with measures commensurate with the threat. That assessment has not yet been made in the case of climate change although governments have declared it an emergency,” she said.If the outbreak continues, there are concerns that the virus could also force the cancellation of the EU-China summit in Leipzig in September, which would be bad news for diplomatic efforts to build a climate alliance between these two powers.US author and environmentalist Bill McKibben wrote that no environmentalist should welcome a crisis, but they could learn from it: “Completely apart from the human toll, economic disruption is not a politically viable way to deal with global warming in the long term, and it also undercuts the engines of innovation that bring us, say, cheap solar panels.”But McKibben is more optimistic about the demonstration that people can change. “It’s worth noting how nimbly millions of people seem to have learned new patterns. Companies, for instance, are scrambling to stay productive, even with many people working from home.“The idea that we need to travel each day to a central location to do our work may often be the result of inertia, more than anything else. Faced with a real need to commute by mouse, instead of by car, perhaps we’ll see that the benefits of workplace flexibility extend to everything from gasoline consumption to the need for sprawling office parks.”

How Coronavirus Has Helped The Planet

Coal consumption falls

A fall in oil and steel production, and a 70% reduction in domestic flights, contributed to the fall in emissions, according to the CREA. But the biggest driver was the sharp decline in China’s coal usage.

China is the world’s biggest producer and consumer of coal, using this resource for 59% of its energy in 2018. As well as running power plants and other heavy industries, coal is also the sole heat source for millions of homes in the vast rural areas of the country.

The country’s major coal-fired power stations saw a 36% drop in consumption from February 3 to March 1 compared to the same period last year, according to CREA analysis of WIND data service statistics.

“The largest consumers of coal — coal-fired power plants — have been affected a lot because electricity demand is down,” said Myllyvirta. “I think it’s clear that this effect will continue for the next weeks and months, because there has also been a major impact on the demand side of the economy.”

In 2017, President Xi Jinping promised to make combating pollution one of China’s “three battles,” and the following year the Ministry of Ecology and Environment was created.

The policies have resulted in a significant impact, with overall pollution levels 10% lower across Chinese cities between 2017 and 2018, according to a report released last year by Greenpeace and AirVisual.

Climate activists say the crisis could provide a window to ramp up these promised reforms.

“We would very much advocate for China to foster this opportunity to transform its economy, to break apart from the old,” said Li Shuo, a senior climate policy adviser for Greenpeace East Asia.

“Revenge pollution”

The concern, Li said, is that once the coronavirus threat has passed, China will be solely focused on restarting its economy, which was already hurting in the wake of the US-China trade war. That could come at the expense of the environment.

“There might be a round of economic stimulus which would inject cheap credits to heavy industries in China, and as a result of that we might see increasing pollutants and also carbon emissions in the second half of this year,” Li added.

This bounce-back effect — which can sometimes reverse any overall drop in emissions — is something Li calls “revenge pollution.” And in China it has precedent.

In 2009, the Chinese government launched a giant $586 billion stimulus package in response to the global financial crisis — the majority of which went to large-scale infrastructure projects.

But the resulting explosion in pollution in the following years — particularly in the “airpocalypse” winter of 2012-2013 — led to a public outcry which ushered in the Chinese government’s first national air pollution action plan in September 2013.

President Xi has made clear that workers and factories need to ramp up activity as soon as possible if the country is to avoid a steeper economic downturn.

Myllyvirta hopes China has learned lessons from the past.

“It was really those previous episodes where it boiled over,” says Myllyvirta, who also warns of a public backlash if the skies turn gray again.

“The reduction in air pollution has been very clear so if the pollution does come back, because of stimulus measures, because of heavy industry going into overdrive to make up for lost time, there could be a counter reaction.”

Hong Kong pollution falls

In neighboring Hong Kong, air quality has also improved since the city entered partial shutdown mode to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Key air pollutants dropped by nearly a third from January to February, according to data from Hong Kong University School of Public Health, which was analyzed by environmental organization Clean Air Network.

Monitoring of stations in the busiest areas of Hong Kong, including Central, Causeway Bay and Mongkok, revealed that the fine particle pollutant PM2.5 decreased by 32%, while the larger particle pollutant PM10 fell by up to 29%, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was reduced by up to 22%.

Pollution in the city is mostly caused by motor vehicles, marine vessels, and power plants in Hong Kong and around the Pearl River Delta, the government says.

The declines in harmful pollutants came in direct correlation with the Hong Kong government’s introduction of measures including working from home procedures, the closure of some public facilities, and a partial closure of the border with China. A drop in pollution in mainland China during this period also resulted in less regional smog from the industrial powerhouse cities in the southern province of Guangdong.

“There are lots of people who work from home, and that has reduced the traffic and the traffic congestion,” said Patrick Fung, chairman of the Clean Air Network. Hong Kong’s measures were nowhere near as drastic as those in mainland China, but there was still a significant impact.

Fung has been campaigning about the long-term health impact of the air pollution in Hong Kong, which he says causes on average 1,500 premature deaths per year in the city.

“For the last decade, Hong Kong’s air pollution has been double the World Health Organization’s recommended safe level,” Fung says. “Especially at the roadside, where a lot of pedestrians and commuters are exposed to that kind of toxic and carcinogenic air pollutants.”

Hong Kong’s government did introduce a raft of green policies in its recent budget, including a roadmap on cleaner public transport vehicles. Fung says the announcement was a good “first step,” but much more needs to be done.

Now, Fung believes this brief period of cleaner air should send a message for people to push for longer-term changes. “If we want the children, the elderly, who could live healthily in Hong Kong, then we should think how to make business as usual change,” Fung says.

Reducing The Dangers Of Climate Change

China, the world’s largest carbon emitter (over 12 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide due to coal electricity generation and coal mining) is producing 25% less carbon dioxide. Giant cruise ships, i.e., “The Climate Killers” or “Floating Quarantines,” are also significantly reduced in their presence and mobility across the world seas.

The reduction of carbon emissions due to current events related to the coronavirus disease proves we are capable of doing much more for climate issues than we are already doing. Unfortunately, it took a world-wide virus outbreak to show us that. Corporate heads and political leaders can take similar emergency actions to save our planet from a much slower, but no less disastrous sickness.

To top it all, the reduction in economic growth is very little compared to the benefits it made. Coronavirus is also helping with the regulation of expenditure of fossil fuels. Events like Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland and CeraWeek gatherings in Houston have all been postponed or canceled, resulting in much-needed carbon savings for our planet. Entertainment is also experiencing a similar cutback, with many artists canceling and postponing their concerts.

Raising Awareness In Dealing With Global Problems

Let’s face it; climate change is real. We are losing our planet’s biodiversity. We are killing Earth. Just because our world gets sick slower than we do, it does not change the fact that there will come a time where we will lose the illusion of control we have over our environment, just like with the coronavirus. We can see how much effort everyone is taking to stay productive, whether it is online education or remote working.

If we take a step back and reexamine everything that has happened so far in the case of coronavirus, we will realize that we can learn a thing or two from such a crisis. And maybe we can stop a different disaster in its making. If people continue to avoid airplanes, cruise ships, and make adjustments to try and work from home, the fear of the virus may result in lasting shifts in the carbon footprint.

The quick responses that many of the world’s countries had in the face of this pandemic are an indicator of how we can also make all sorts of social and economic changes needed for the climate change crisis. When the governments were confronted with the case of the virus, they made measures to try and stop the threat. Such actions are still much more significant than those made in the case of climate change, even though they are both declared as an emergency.

The destruction of our economics is, of course, a wrong way to deal with such a problem in the long run, and all the death and suffering are not a great example of how we want to reduce emissions from climate change. Still, maybe it will help us see a better alternative for the other threats that are waiting for us and our planet. Perhaps the harmful emissions will return after the economy bounces back, but maybe, and just maybe, the horrors of this pandemic will open our eyes for a brighter future with a healthier planet.

The post How Coronavirus Has Helped The Planet appeared first on Top Fourteen.

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What are the Elements Found in the Earth Crust

What are the elements found in the Earth Crust, The elements that make up the Earth’s Crust is shown in tabulated form with the estimated crustal abundance for each chemical element shown as mg/kg, or parts per million (ppm) by mass (10,000 ppm = 1%). Note that the noble gases are not included, as they form no part of the solid crust. Also not included are certain elements with extremely low crustal concentrations: technetium (atomic number 43), promethium (61), and all elements with atomic numbers greater than 83 except thorium (90) and uranium (92).

Estimates of elemental abundance are difficult because (a) the composition of the upper and lower crust are quite different, and (b) the composition of the continental crust can vary drastically by locality.

Earth is unique among the known planets: it has an abundance of water. Other worlds — including a few moons — have atmospheres, ice, and even oceans, but only Earth has the right combination to sustain life.

Earth’s oceans cover about 70 percent of the planet’s surface with an average depth of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). Fresh water exists in liquid form in lakes and rivers and as water vapor in the atmosphere, which causes much of Earth’s weather.

Earth has multiple layers. The ocean basins and the continents compose the crust, the outermost layer. Earth’s crust is between three and 46 miles (five and 75 km) deep. The thickest parts are under the continents and the thinnest parts are under the oceans.

This is a table that shows the elemental chemical composition of the Earth’s crust. Keep in mind, these numbers are estimates. They will vary depending on the way they were calculated and the source. 98.4% of the Earth’s crust consists of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. All other elements account for approximately 1.6% of the volume of the Earth’s crust.

What are the Elements Found in the Earth Crust

 

Element	Percent by Volume
oxygen	46.60%
silicon	27.72%
aluminum	8.13%
iron	5.00%
calcium	3.63%
sodium	2.83%
potassium	2.59%
magnesium	2.09%
titanium	0.44%
hydrogen	0.14%
phosphorus	0.12%
manganese	0.10%
fluorine	0.08%
barium	340 ppm
carbon	0.03%
strontium	370 ppm
sulfur	0.05%
zirconium	190 ppm
tungsten	160 ppm
vanadium	0.01%
chlorine	0.05%
rubidium	0.03%
chromium	0.01%
copper	0.01%
nitrogen	0.005%
nickel	trace
zinc	trace

Mineral Composition

The crust is chemically similar to andesite. The most abundant minerals in the continental crust are feldspar (41%), quartz (12%), and pyroxene (11%)

Keep in mind, the elemental composition of the Earth’s crust is not the same as the composition of the Earth. The mantle and core account for significantly more mass than the crust. The mantle is about 44.8% oxygen, 21.5% silicon, and 22.8% magnesium, with iron, aluminum, calcium, sodium, and potassium. The Earth’s core is believed to consist primarily of a nickel-iron alloy.

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Elements That Make Up the Earth’s Crust

The elements that make up the Earth’s Crust is shown in tabulated form with the estimated crustal abundance for each chemical element shown as mg/kg, or parts per million (ppm) by mass (10,000 ppm = 1%). Note that the noble gases are not included, as they form no part of the solid crust. Also not included are certain elements with extremely low crustal concentrations: technetium (atomic number 43), promethium (61), and all elements with atomic numbers greater than 83 except thorium (90) and uranium (92).

Estimates of elemental abundance are difficult because (a) the composition of the upper and lower crust are quite different, and (b) the composition of the continental crust can vary drastically by locality.

Earth is unique among the known planets: it has an abundance of water. Other worlds — including a few moons — have atmospheres, ice, and even oceans, but only Earth has the right combination to sustain life.

Earth’s oceans cover about 70 percent of the planet’s surface with an average depth of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). Fresh water exists in liquid form in lakes and rivers and as water vapor in the atmosphere, which causes much of Earth’s weather.

Earth has multiple layers. The ocean basins and the continents compose the crust, the outermost layer. Earth’s crust is between three and 46 miles (five and 75 km) deep. The thickest parts are under the continents and the thinnest parts are under the oceans.

Crust

According to “Essentials of Geology” (7th Ed., Prentice Hall, 2000) by Frederick K. Lutgens and Edward J. Tarbuck, Earth’s crust is made up of several elements: oxygen, 46.6 percent by weight; silicon, 27.7 percent; aluminum, 8.1 percent; iron, 5 percent; calcium, 3.6 percent; sodium, 2.8 percent, potassium, 2.6 percent, and magnesium, 2.1 percent.

The crust is divided into huge plates that float on the mantle, the next layer. The plates are constantly in motion; they move at about the same rate as fingernails grow, according to NASA. Earthquakes occur when these plates grind against each other. Mountains form when the plates collide and deep trenches form when one plate slides under another plate. Plate tectonics is the theory explaining the motion of these plates.

Mantle

The mantle under the crust is about 1,800 miles deep (2,890 km). It is composed mostly of silicate rocks rich in magnesium and iron. Intense heat causes the rocks to rise. They then cool and sink back down to the core. This convection — with the consistency of caramel — is thought to be what causes the tectonic plates to move. When the mantle pushes through the crust, volcanoes erupt.

Core

At the center of the Earth is the core, which has two parts. The solid, inner core of iron has a radius of about 760 miles (about 1,220 km), according to NASA. It is surrounded by a liquid, outer core composed of a nickel-iron alloy. The outer core is about 1,355 miles (2,180 km) thick. The inner core spins at a different speed than the rest of the planet. This is thought to cause Earth’s magnetic field. When charged particles from the solar wind collide with air molecules above Earth’s magnetic poles, it causes the air molecules to glow, causing the auroras — the northern and southern lights.

Earth, Venus and Mars

To better understand Earth’s composition and history, geologists sometimes compare our planet to other rocky planets in our solar system. Venus is a similar size to Earth and a little bit closer to the sun, while Mars is only about half the size of Earth. Although several spacecraft have been sent to Venus and Mars, we know very little about their interiors — yet. The InSight mission is expected to launch in 2018 to do a deep drill into the surface of Mars and yield more information about the interior. Some planned rovers also carry lengthy drills, such as the ExoMars rover that launches in 2020.

Venus has an extremely thick atmosphere that blocks visible light from reaching the surface, which means it requires radar to look at the surface. The surface appears fresh and young — no more than 500 million years old — due to the amount of volcanic activity on Venus’ hellishly hot surface. While Venus likely has a crust, mantle and core similar to Earth, its magnetic field is very weak compared to Earth’s. That may be because the core spins sluggishly to generate the magnetic field, or because there is no core at all.

Mars is a cold planet whose atmosphere is not thick enough to let liquid water flow at the surface (although briny water is a possibility). It has a crust covered by dust; it’s believed the crust is solid, with no plate tectonics. This allowed Mars to build up huge volcanoes on its surface, such as Olympus Mons. However, the Martian volcanoes appear dormant — why is still poorly understood. Underneath the surface, Mars likely has a mantle and a core; since Mars has no global magnetic field, the core probably does not spin.

Elements in the Earth’s crust

Almost 99% of the minerals making up the Earth’s crust are made up of just eight elements. Most of these elements are found combined with other elements as compounds. Minerals are elements or compounds that occur naturally in the Earth’s crust. Rocks are mixtures formed of minerals. Just as elements are the building blocks of minerals, so minerals form the building blocks of rocks. Table gives some information about the most common elements in the Earth’s crust in order of abundance.

Element name	Symbol	Percentage by weight of the Earth’s crust
Oxygen	O	47
Silicon	Si	28
Aluminium	Al	8
Iron	Fe	5
Calcium	Ca	3.5
Sodium	Na	3
Potassium	K	2.5
Magnesium	Mg	2
All other elements		1

The post Elements That Make Up the Earth’s Crust appeared first on Gradaxis.

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Most Scary Roads in the World

Fancy signing up for the ultimate road trip? Tackle one of the following, although a word of warning: If you’re the kind of driver who struggles to find reverse or doesn’t know how to change a tire, you might want to allocate a designated driver to do the hard work instead. From winding roads through the Himalayas to sleepy roadways through the countryside, here are 10 of the most scary roads in the world.

Want to explore some of the world’s most scary roads? Then welcome. We’ve got a lot of distance to travel so we’ll just get stuck in. The following are in no particular order and the list is far from exhaustive.

Dalton Highway, Alaska

One of the world’s most isolated roads (and a regular fixture on all-American bucket lists), this icy finger of tarmac was built in 1974 as a supply route for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. Tackle this route and you’ll need to pack plenty of supplies; there are just three towns on the 413 miles (or eerily, 666 kilometers) route, one of which is named Deadhorse. To complicate matters, large sections have fallen into disrepair, and its most famous claim to fame is a reminder that this isn’t a highway you want to break down on: It’s the longest stretch of road in North America without roadside services of any kind.

Atlantic Road, Norway

This twisting ribbon of coastal concrete might look beautiful, but don’t be fooled; it’s one of Norway’s most dangerous roads. Drive along it and you’ll feel as though you’re on a rollercoaster ride, thanks to the sharp turns, curves, and twists. When the weather’s bad—as it often is in this part of the world—visibility can disappear in a matter of seconds. And then you’ve got huge, thundering walls of water which regularly crash over the road’s barriers.

North Yungas Highway, Bolivia

Scarily, this narrow road clinging to the side of a Bolivian mountain was once the main route into the country’s capital, La Paz, which holds the honor of the world’s highest capital city. Authorities eventually built a shiny new highway, but locals still speed down this road that also serves as a popular mountain biking spot. There are several reasons not to look down. One of the most unnerving sights is the dozens of makeshift memorials dedicated to those who’ve lost their lives here. The road has a total drop of 12,000 feet and even today, between 200 and 300 people die on the road every year.

Guoliang Tunnel, China

Leave the monster truck at home for this one. The inside of this 3/4-mile-long road tunnel is just 16 feet tall and 13 feet meters wide. You’ll find it in the Taihang Mountains of Henan Province, China. It was constructed in 1977 by 13 locals, although the reason that it took five years to build is that several villagers died on the job. There are 30 “windows” carved out of the rock, but we don’t recommend stopping for a selfie. And if the thought of driving through this particular tunnel gives you chills, consider this: Before it was built, locals from the village it connects to used a ladder to get back and forth.

Zojila Pass, India

At 5.6-miles and 11,500 feet above sea level, this Himalayan highway connects Ladakh and Kashmir. The uneven road surface means it’s only really suitable for off-road vehicles, and during the colder months, wind, snow, and rain make this road more challenging. This is another place where it’s probably best not to look down; at some points, there’s only several thousand yards of nothingness between you and the valleys below.

Karakoram Highway, between China and Pakistan

The Karakoram Highway connects China and Pakistan and at 15,400 feet above sea level, it’s the highest paved road in the world. A total of 82 workers died during construction, mostly due to rockslides, which remain an ever-present hazard to this day. There are no barriers, and many of the drivers who’ve had accidents on the road have been victims of altitude sickness or possibly distracted by the spectacular views of K2. The good news? There are plans to widen the road from 32 feet to nearly 100. The bad news? Authorities believe that this could see the number of vehicles triple.

Canning Stock Route, Australia

This road certainly doesn’t offer much in the way of views. There’s dust, dust, and more dust, and hardly any road signs to point you in the right direction. This 1,150-mile-long track in Western Australia is regarded as the world’s most remote road, and you’ll need three weeks to drive it from start to finish. Doing this road trip during the warmer months is almost impossible due to the searing heat, and drivers are advised to travel in multi-vehicle convoys. The road is in a bad state of repair, which is why drivers are urged to leave room not just food and drink but for spare parts, too.

Skippers Canyon Road, New Zealand

This unpaved road was carved out of the side of a New Zealand mountain 140 years ago, and today, it’s so dangerous that standard drivers’ insurance won’t cover you should you run into trouble. Encounter another vehicle and it’s highly likely you’ll have to reverse for up to 2 miles before you find a passing point. The miners who built it had only hand drills and gunpowder at their disposal, so it’s understandable that it took 20 years to complete.

Tizi-n-Test, Morocco

A narrow, winding road stuck to the side of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, the Tizi-n-Test was blasted out of the rock in the 1920s and became the first modern road link between Marrakech and the Souss plains. The steep drops mean it’s best avoided if you suffer from vertigo, and local drivers are known to whiz along it at frightening speeds, ignoring rules of the road followed in other parts of the world. The lack of barriers means it should only be attempted in daylight, and during the winter landslides and avalanches occur on an almost daily basis. On the plus side, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the Atlas mountains, the gorges of Moulay Brahim, and the Souss Valley.

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