Topic Reading-Vol.2731-10/3/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Bird populations in US and Canada down 3bn in 50 years

Has the US and Canada become quieter? While human population has increased by over a hundred million in North America in the last half-century, the bird population seems to have declined by three billion, or nearly 30%, according to a recent study. The scientists who were involved in the study suspect that the key factor of the population loss was caused by human activities which affected birds’ habitats.

Another study conducted in Asia found that there are now more songbirds living in cages than in the wild especially in Java, the most populous island in Indonesia with a population of nearly 150 million and growing. Besides human activities that have reduced birds’ habitats, one major reason for the population decline is songbirds’ market. Where there is a demand, there is always a supply. Since bird singing contests are very popular and awarding, many humans want to get good songbirds for pride and prizes. So, lots of songbirds are captured in the wild for sale. It is unfortunate that even humans’ affection threatens other species lives.

Enjoy reading the article and think if humans could turn their affection for birds to conservation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49744435

Topic Reading-Vol.2730-10/2/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Pet owners who fail to walk their dogs daily face $2,700 fine in this Australian territory

With a population of just over 400,000, Australian Capital Territory is a federal territory of Australia containing the nation’s capital city of Canberra and some surrounding towns. It is home to numbers of institutions of the federal government, national monuments, and museums. Accordingly, you can imagine that the residents of the territory are likely conscious of welfare issues. Indeed, yes. But it’s not limited only to humans. Recently, the Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Bill became effective to improve animal welfare in the territory. Now, owners of animals are required to provide shelter, food, and water properly. Also, they need to walk their animals at least once a day, otherwise they are fined up to AU$4,000!

What about cats that naturally don’t walk with humans? What about snakes that can’t walk but crawl? What if the owner is too weak or sick to take a walk?

At any rate, it seems that people need to be as responsible for pet animals as they are for their children.

Enjoy reading the article and learn how important animal welfare is these days.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/27/australia/australia-dog-owners-intl-hnk-scli/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2729-10/1/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Progress of human rights in China since 1949

After a long civil war against the Republic of China (ROC) led by Kuomintang (KMT) that continued intermittently from 1927, Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong declared the creation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 1949. This creation of a communist state ended the long process of ruling turmoil since the Chinese Revolution in 1911. However, this communization of mainland China led the US and its allies suspend diplomatic relationship with the People’s Republic of China, PRC, for decades.

Unfortunately, the newly formed nation had to undergo various catastrophic and bloody events initiated by its own leaders, such as the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, and the Tiananmen Square Protests. Despite such tragedies, China’s economy, infrastructures, technologies, education, military, personal income, health, and social welfare have been improving at an unprecedented pace especially since the beginning of the millennium.

Enjoy reading the infographic provided by China Daily that illustrates how “human rights” have improved for the last seven decades.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201909/29/WS5d8fe141a310cf3e3556e104.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2728-9/30/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The five major challenges facing electric vehicles

Why do some people buy more expensive but less convenient electric cars? The upfront cost is still much more expensive than conventional vehicles, resell value or market haven’t been established yet, and charging stations aren’t always conveniently located or easily found.

Unless heavily subsidized by the government like China, the main reason to drive electric cars is to burn less fossil fuel and emit less greenhouse gases. In other words, feel more proud and less guilty.

But such pride and consciousness seem more appreciated than driving luxurious cars like Mercedes or supercars like Ferrari these days. And growing public sentiment may drive the government and businesses to put more resources to promote and accommodate e-cars even though they haven’t turned the wheel towards the right direction yet.

Enjoy reading what people in the UK think are the obstacles to bring more electric vehicles on the road.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49578790

Topic Reading-Vol.2727-9/29/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

This police department's Tesla ran low on power during a pursuit

Debuted in 2012, Tesla’s Model S is the world's second best-selling plug-in electric car after the Nissan Leaf. According to Tesla, the Model S has the quickest acceleration on earth—from zero to 100 km/hour just in 2.4 seconds, about as fast as Ferrari or Lamborghini. Its top speed reaches over 250 km/hour, thanks to the aerodynamic design. Its Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive instantly controls traction and torque, in all weather conditions. More importantly, it offers the longest electric range of nearly 600 km, provided that it is fully charged and not air-conditioned.

So, why was a Tesla electric police patrol car in the San Francisco Bay Area forced to abandon a car chase when it ran out of power? It takes only 15 minutes to recharge to drive 200 km at a supercharger. Wasn’t the officer in the vehicle aware of the power gauge or did he ignored the warning sign?

The Model S won the 2019 "Ultimate Car of the Year", 2013 "Motor Trend Car of the Year", the 2013 "World Green Car", Automobile Magazine's 2013 "Car of the Year", and Time Magazine Best 25 Inventions of the Year 2012 award.

Enjoy reading the article and think why this award-winning electric car couldn’t catch a conventional vehicle.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/25/us/tesla-gas-fremont-trnd/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2726-9/28/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Infographic: Take a panoramic tour of Beijing Daxing International Airport

There are so many “the world’s -est things” in China. The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the world's longest continuous bridge over water. The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge is the longest sea bridge that spans the Pearl River Delta. The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope is the world's largest filled-aperture radio telescope. Shanghai Maglev is the fastest train and Fuxing Hao CR400AF/BF is the fastest rail train in the world.

Now, just a week before its 70^th anniversary of the nation, China opened a new gigantic airport near Beijing. It sits only 46 kilometers from the Tiananmen Square connected by two train lines and highway. The starfish-shaped terminal building is packed with state-of-the-art technologies and gadgets to accommodate the needs and convenience for inbound, outbound and transit passengers. There are 268 parking bays and four runways when opened to serve 45 million passengers and will be seven runways for 100 million by 2030.

What’s amazing is that the airport construction completed in less than five years! Indeed, China’s scale and speed in construction and economic growth are both unprecedented in human history.

Enjoy seeing the infographic to learn about this new world’s largest airport.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201909/25/WS5d8ab62ca310cf3e3556d4bc.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2725-9/27/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

India e-cigarettes: Ban announced to prevent youth 'epidemic'

Ban it before it becomes too popular. That is what India’s government is trying to do with e-cigarettes. Production, distribution, sales, and import of vaping product are going to be banned. Though it is not clear whether the use of e-cigarettes is prohibited or not, it is expected to prevent teenagers from developing an unhealthy habit because vaping is considered stylish among young people in other countries, especially in the US. However, it doesn’t affect to over a hundred million conventional smokers.

Indeed, however unhealthy a habit is, such as smoking, drinking strong alcohol or sugary drinks, or eating junk foods, it is seldom banned. It seems that politicians are reluctant to touch things and customs that are already popular.

Interestingly though, it’s more difficult for business leaders to be proactive than reactive.

Enjoy reading the article and think what it takes to move politicians to stop global warming.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49738381