The “Internet of Things” (IoT) is becoming an increasingly growing topic of conversation both in the workplace and outside of it. It’s a concept that not only has the potential to impact how we live but also how we work. But what exactly is the “Internet of Things” and what impact is it going to have on you, if any? There are a lot of complexities around the “Internet of Things” but we want to stick to the basics. Lots of technical and policy-related conversations are being had but many people are still just trying to grasp the foundation of what the heck these conversations are about.

Let’s start with understanding a few things.

Broadband Internet is becoming more widely available, the cost of connecting is decreasing, more devices are being created with Wi-Fi capabilities and sensors built into them, technology costs are going down, and smartphone penetration is sky-rocketing. All of these things are creating a “perfect storm” for the IoT.

So What Is The Internet of Things?

Simply put, this is the concept of basically connecting any device with an on and off switch to the Internet (and/or to each other). This includes everything from cellphones, coffee makers, washing machines, headphones, lamps, wearable devices and almost anything else you can think of. So what now?

The new rule for the future is going to be, “Anything that can be connected, will be connected.”

The Brazilian government has ratified its participation in the Paris agreement on climate change, a significant step by Latin America’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases that could spur other countries to follow suit.

With a landmass larger than the continental US, Brazil emits about 2.5% of the world’s carbon dioxide and other polluting gases, according to United Nations data.

“Our government is concerned about the future,” said President Michel Temer during a signing ceremony in Brasilia. “Everything we do today is not aimed at tomorrow, but rather at a future that preserves the living conditions of Brazilians.”

Temer said Brazil’s ratification would be presented formally to the UN later this month.

The Paris agreement will enter into force once 55 countries representing at least 55% of global emissions have formally joined it. Climate experts say that could happen later this year.

Countries set their own targets for reducing emissions. The targets are not legally binding, but nations must update them every five years. Using 2005 levels as the baseline, Brazil committed to cutting emissions 37% by 2025 and an “intended reduction” of 43% by 2030.

In the last decade, Brazil has achieved significant emissions cuts thanks to efforts to reduce deforestation in the Amazon and increase in the use of energy from hydropower and other renewable sources including wind, solar and biomass.

The Paris accord got a boost earlier this month when the US president, Barack Obama, and China’s President, Xi Jinping, sealed their nations’ participation.

“Brazil is now the next major country to move forward. It will add even greater momentum,” said David Waskow, director of the International Climate Initiative at the Washington, DC-based think tank the World Resources Institute.

They can reach 2 meters in length, eat a little bit of

everything and are essential for the conservation of what

is left of their habitat, the Atlantic Rainforest. We are

referring to the caiman alligator.

[5] With the destruction of the natural environment, like

other species, the crocodilian reptile’s existence is being

threatened, and hunting is one of the culprits behind

their endangerment, according to the analysis of

conservationist Yhuri Nóbrega, from Project Caiman. “It’s

[10] a difficult issue to approach because it is cultural. At any

of our activities or lectures, we see that people have either

already tried crocodile meat or know someone who has,”

he says.

“In the interior of Bahia, especially near the São

[15] Francisco River, the meat is known as ‘the cod of the

river,’ because it is salted for preservation, and because

of the way in which it is commercialized,” explains

Luciano Verdade, a professor at USP and one of the

leading crocodile experts in Brazil. In the case of the

[20] Caiman latirostris (the caiman’s scientific name), the

issue is that the species generates economic interest,

both for its skin and its meat.

In what remained of the Atlantic Forest, there is

little space for the small communities, especially during

[25] the dry season. It is not difficult to find the crocodiles

outside of their natural environment. It is not unusual to

find them in settling ponds, near pig farming or breeding

pastures.

“Something similar occurs in the wetlands

[30] (Pantanal), but through a natural process. During the dry

season, the pond is reduced, creating a reserve of

bacteria that comes in contact with the crocodiles,” says

the professor. That contamination adds weight to the claim

that consuming crocodile meat from an unknown source

[35] may not be a good idea.

A motion to terminate the hunting and breeding of captive lions and other predators in South Africa has been approved by the IUCN World Conservation Congress currently underway in Hawaii.
The motion requests the prohibition of the hunting of captive-bred lions under any conditions and also states that breeding should only be allowed at “registered zoos or facilities that demonstrate a clear conservation benefit”.
The passing of this motion has come at a critical time as despite more than 20 years of campaigning by local and international activists and organizations to bring an end to these practices, the industry has shown steady growth over the last decade.
Currently there are more than 180 facilities holding approximately 7000 predators used for a variety of commercial purposes, including captive or ‘canned’ hunts.
Although basic legislation is in place to regulate the captive keeping and hunting of lions in South Africa, IUCN members have acknowledged that the SA government has had limited legal scope available to terminate “canned” hunting altogether and are hoping the guidelines set out in the motion will assist them to revise legislation.
“The Department (of Environmental Affairs) will consider the implications associated with the motion; engage the relevant IUCN members and then take appropriate actions, guided by its legal mandate,” says Albi Modise.
Adding to further implementation, amendments to TOPS (Threatened or Protected Species) Regulations will be published early next year which are expected to include prohibiting the introduction of wild lion to captive breeding facilities and the captive breeding of lion if no conservation benefit can be demonstrated.
While the passing of this motion is significant, it is only the first step of what could still be a tricky process.
Adaptado de: < http://www.bloodlions.org/sa-told-end-canned-lionhunting/>
Acessado em 10 de setembro de 2016.