70 new species were discovered in 2021, both flora and fauna. Scientists say it reveals how much of the world is still unexplored. That’s true of course, but perhaps it means something even more relevant. it also shows a planet teeming with life. It reminds us how varied and beautiful and complex life is. The California Academy of Sciences announced these 70 newly discovered species. They include, 14 beetles, 12 sea slugs, nine ants, seven fish, six scorpions, five sea stars, five flowering plants, four sharks, three spiders, two sea pens, one moss, one pygmy pipe horse and one caecilian. I had to look that one up, it’s a kind of amphibian. A large number of people were involved in these discoveries which took place on five continents and three oceans. They included more than a dozen scientists from the Academy along with several dozens international collaborators who searched ocean floors, forests and deserts. The article I read was all the more striking for the pictures of some of these animals. One new beetle from the mountain top of the Philippines is decorated like an Easter egg. One feature that made it stand out is its bright colors, since most weevils are a single color. The pygmy pipe horse, a cousin of sea horses, was discovered in New Zealand, and the scientist use its discovery to remind us how little we know about the reefs of New Zealand. The Blue Guitar fish comes from Madagascar. It is called guitar because it is in the shape of one, sort of, and is a beautiful bright blue. Because they’re so easily fished and because of their proximity to sharks, these fishes could be endangered. Then there is the bright orange fire sea star from the Indo pacific sea area. It is called Uokeaster ahi, ahi meaning fire in the Rapa Nui language. Sea stars resides in the reefs and scientists explain that they contribute to healthy coral reefs. If they were removed they say, the ecosystem would be out of balance.
Category: Better Relations
Saving Birds and Porpoises
If you love animals, and most of us do, you have to feel sad for the way human activity affects them. That’s why when I read about new ways to help counteract what we do, it makes me smile. The first instance I’ve recently came across is about birds. We are glad for wind power and the way it can help us with climate change. There is a downside to wind power, however: birds, including eagles, and bats run into the blades and die. But now there’s a camera with special sensors that can sense the birds coming and turn itself off. It’s called Identiflight and it can detect bird flights more than 5 times better than human observers and with a 94% accuracy. The system is able to calculate the birds flight speed and trajectory and if there is a conflict, it shuts the blades down.
The other innovation is with fishing nets. They kill thousands of porpoises, cetaceans and other aquatic mammals including whales. The simple insertion of plastic beads in the nets makes a crucial difference. These animals use echolocation to orient themselves and find their prey. They cannot sense the nets, but the insertion of beads alters the whole equation, because the beads can be sensed by the acoustic signals of the animals. They are made of acrylic glass with the same density as water and do not add weight to the nets. What’s even more important is that they can also be adapted to the different frequencies of different species. Daniel Stepputtis a marine biologist in Rostock Germany, is the innovator behind the beads, and for that we thank him.
Neither system is foolproof, particularly the beaded nets, but they are saving animal lives, and their existence makes us, me at least, look forward to other such innovations to help other animals affected by humans—Bees perhaps?
On The Right To Die
I’m joining an increasing number of people in the world who want the right to die. I want the right to decide when my life can end. In my case I don’t mean suicide, and I don’t mean avoiding the pains of living, I mean dying on my own terms with dignity to preserve the purpose of my life and to avoid being a burden to those around me. In 1997 Switzerland was the only country were assisted dying was legal. Now 11 countries and 10 US states allow it. It has several names and no matter what name it is given, it is still very controversial. In the UK for example, where only 35% of Parliament favors such a law, and of course in socially conservatives US states, such laws will not be enacted in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless much progress in this area has been made, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands, Columbia, Germany, Austria, Portugal, five Australian States have legalized it. What is very interesting to me is that countries which are largely Catholic like Ireland, Chile, Italy and Uruguay are in the middle of legislation that will legalize it. The impetus behind this movement is credited to the many people who have witnessed loved ones suffer because of chronic or incurable illnesses, and too the fear that this could happen to them. The state of Oregon became an example in 2015 when it passed the Death with Dignity Act, which has been copied by several countries and several states. Classical liberalism invokes the right to self-ownership and the sovereignty of the individual, that is not what motivates me, nor do I think what motivates most. Personally I do not want to live without a sense of purpose, if I can no longer do my work, then my life as I understand it is finished. Others want to be able to have a certain quality of life, be conscious, be able to greet others, still others want to be able to make their own decisions. Motives may vary, but the issue is the same, we want the right to have a say when and how we die. And that movement, I’m happy to say is gaining.
Helping Refugees In Poland
The situation between Belarus and Poland is a complicated one, and the conditions of migrants from Belarus trying to enter the EU via Poland is even more so. Yet this complex political chess game forms the background for what I want to share, an example of human courage and solidarity. In this case one where poles are risking their lives to help the migrants. The article in The Guardian used fake names to protect them. Jakub, 38 has helped and hidden about 200 migrants. Others have too. They do not compare it to the Holocaust, but are aware of the parallels and inspired by the fact that many poles hid Jewish children. Jakub’s uncle was among those, so to him doing what he does is personal. The Polish authorities could arrest them because helping migrants is illegal. Regardless, people like Jakub roam the woods looking for signs of life such as discarded nappies or huts made from tree branches, bringing water, food, the offer of shelter. It’s dangerous for the migrants too. If caught they are sent back to the sub- zero temperature forest. They are all courageous, and show us that courage is not only for heroes.
We have come to have this negative picture of human nature, and of course we are all flawed. Still, because this picture is reinforced by so many films, computer games, cartoons and the like, we forget the other side, our better angels or whatever terms anyone wants to use. But it is that other side that helps us go forward, so when I encounter it I want to highlight it. That’s why what Jakub and those like him are doing in Poland is worth knowing about. They remind us that humans are more than their down side.