Climate Change in Slow Motion

It happens, and hardly anyone notices while it does. Summers from many years ago have been predictably warm – now, one year after the other, they are intense and scorching. Disastrous hurricanes and wildfires that displace thousands were once an occurrence every few years. Now, every hurricane season has those in vulnerable places thinking it might be their last. The profound effects of climate change can be seen in a timeline as short as one human life. And it’s only looking back that makes one notice it happening.

In the news, climate change is often sensationalized as a giant hoax. Those that deny it claim that climate change is a grand phenomenon, almost certainly not real because it can not be perceived by the average person. Now, the changing climate is harder and harder to deny, and it’s not because of one major disaster. It’s oceans warming at record speeds, on a global scale. It’s the physical shrinking of the planet’s ice caps. And it’s something as simple as an “unseasonably warm” summer, year after year. Soon, that will just be “summer.”

The image of polar bears on shrinking sea ice is a commonly used allusion to the current climate disaster. The reality is that it’s not just one or two species affected by one type of long-term climate change effect. Worldwide changes in weather subtly affect all creatures, forcing them to alter their habits in order to survive. If one species goes extinct, that invokes a domino effect on hundreds of other, and so on. But domino effects take time to reveal the true extent of the damage. The inter-species relationships on this planet that took millions of years to establish could be substantially, but subtly, undone in the slow climate crisis.

At this point, evidence is overwhelming. Around the world, researchers are publishing new pieces of evidence every day, graphs, and data showing climate change’s slow crawl into every corner of human life. And now, this so-called unseen force is finally something to behold. The slow evolution of global temperatures is finally something humans are starting to reckon with daily. Just as the stacks of evidence grow taller every day, so too does the influence of climate change.

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The Basics of Formula 1 Racing

Introduction to Formula 1 Racing

 

Formula 1 Racing is recognized as the top-rated global open-wheel racing series that 20 of the best drivers participate every year. The series traditionally has more than 20 races per season, where drivers compete to earn points for the series championship.

 

This open-wheel racing series is filled with high-speeds, tight corners, and intense strategy. Pit stops take place multiple times per race, where drivers have to decide which type of tires they want to put on for the next portion of the race. There are typically several tire compounds available over the course of an F1 race weekend.

 

Weekend Sessions

 

Practice

 

There are multiple practice sessions for every race in Formula 1. Practice sessions help race teams and their drivers tweak their setup to perfection. They can also test new parts and run laps to adjust their preferred tire strategy.

 

Qualifying

 

Qualifying sessions are used to establish the starting grid for the upcoming race. An elimination format has been used in recent qualifying formats, typically split into three separate qualifying rounds. At the conclusion of every round, several of the slowest drivers are locked into their grid position, while the faster cars advance to the next qualifying round. This continues for three qualifying rounds until all grid positions are established.

 

Race

 

The race is the final session of the weekend. Finishing well in the race is important for acquiring championship points. To win the F1 series championship, drivers have to be consistent and fast. Finishing on the podium on a regular basis is extremely important in order to win the championship.

 

Other Aspects of F1 Racing

 

Crashes and Mechanical Failures

 

If you are just starting to watch Formula 1 Racing, then you can expect to see some crashes and mechanical failures in several races per season. Crashes are typically more common at the beginning of a race when all of the drivers are bunched up for the initial start. Mechanical failures can occur at any point in the race, but it is more likely to happen towards the end of longer endurance races.