What’s happening to our attention spans?

Are our attentions spans increasing or decreasing? According to a study done by Microsoft our attention spans have decreased by 8 seconds. This is a 25% decline in the past few years.

Our overconsumption of technology is the culprit. We are connected to an influx of internet information just at our fingertips. Our phones can be detrimental to our sense of well being and productivity. It has been noted as a distraction to work and also causing feelings of inadequacy and impulsive spending.

People are using their phones for escapism. To escape environmental stresses, only to end up with more stress from always being “in the loop”.  A fifth of people claim technology to be the source of their stress. According to a study done by the American Psychological association. Some also report the physical toll it takes, which includes elevated blood pressure (hypertension), neck pain, and wrinkles.

Over the recent years there has been an influx of content. This is called content shock where there’s so much content and information that it becomes unattainable for the consumption of it all.

Some are considering doing a detox from technology for the purpose of self care by cutting off notifications or deleting apps, or only picking up the phone for a couple of hours a day. These practices would potentially help curb the decline in attention spans.

FLASH FLOODING in the Bay, What you Need to know

The Bay Area has been hit with a series of flash flooding events and the area is currently under flood watch.

Moderate to heavy rainfall events have been the cause of these flash floods that have hit across the Bay. The National Weather Service has reported multiple flood advisories for the area.

California is being hit with both flood & drought emergencies

Two extremes on the opposite end of the weather spectrum.

Mega Flooding

Some experts warn/predict that in 40 years California may be hit with a mega flood that has the potential to cost a whopping 1 trillion dollars in damages to fix.

Climate Change

The cause of it? Climate change. Climate change increases the amount of rain water being held and released out into the air. Climate change has doubled the chances of California being hit with a mega flood. Some scientists describe the severity of the potential mega flood as something no one in existence has ever experienced.

Many California cities which house millions of residents are built on top of ancient flood deposits. Which place residents at an increased risk. That is a whopping 39 million residents in the potential path of a mega flood.

What you need to know

Avoiding flooded roads and taking heed to all safety advisories is crucial to staying safe during extreme weather events.

Good news! Earth’s ozone layer is healing

99% Of Ozone depleting substances have been phased out and the Ozone is actively recovering. The elimination of Ozone depleting substances is causing the hole in the Earths Ozone layer to decrease which is a good thing.

An Ozone layer is a portion of the stratosphere that protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. A stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere of the Earth. Without that layer the Earth would be uninhabitable by humans.

Scientists estimate that by 2060 the hole in the Earth’s ozone layer will have mostly recovered. Yet scientists state that they have yet to know if it will be a full recovery.

Climate change is a pressing issue needing to be tackled in regards to the betterment of the Ozone. Its effect on circulation and temperature causes the depletion of the ozone.

This is progress but there is still work needing to be done.